EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING TheScore brings you all the sporting tid-bits you need to know before that first cuppa, but this morning will be difficult for all of us.
1. #REALITY The Republic of Ireland are out of contention at Euro 2012 following last night’s 4-0 steam rolling by Spain.
The result means the boys in green cannot make it into the top two of Group C as the reigning champions now sit on four points with Croatia.
For the masochists you can endure it all over again here, or read the abridged match report here.
Player ratings, post match reaction, it’s all in our Euro 2012 mini-site along with the analysis of our football correspondent, Miguel Delaney.
2. #THE SHOW MUST GO ON Hey, (*sob, sniff) there are still 15 other teams in the competition. And our Match day liveblog will continue this morning as we build up to the action in Group D. Co-hosts Ukraine face France and the pointless Swedes are up against England.
3. US OPEN Much better news for our representatives in the grand old game of golf. The US Open got under way in California yesterday and Graeme McDowell is one of five players with a share of second place on -1.
American Michael Thompson holds a three shot lead with a four-under-par 66. Peter Lawrie and Padraig Harrington had less joy, they sit four over par after round one. Rory McIlroy is three shots further back.
14-year-old Andy Zhang, the youngest ever in a major field, carded +9 for the day, one ahead of Trevor Immelman and two clear of Miguel Angel Jimenez.
4. #GAA Waterford have named four championship debutants in their team to face Clare in the Munster hurling semi-final on Sunday. Stephen O’Keeffe will start in goals while Stephen Daniels, Philip Mahony and Gavin O’Brien are expected to line-out in the back division, midfield and forward, respectively.
5. #NBA The Miami Heat levelled their NBA finals series with a confident 100 -96 away win over Oklahoma City Thunder. Game three of the final series will take place on Sunday night in Miami.
6. CYCLING While allegations against Lance Armstrong continue to cast a shadow over the sport (latest on that here) the Tour de Suisse trundles on. Peter Sagan yesterday claimed his fourth of six stage win. Nicholas Roche finished in 31st.
