1. #THE OPEN Are you sitting comfortably? Day two of the 2012 Open Championship is just getting underway at Royal Lytham & St Anne’s with Rory McIlroy the first of the Irish due out on course at 9.20am.
The world number two starts the day alongside fellow Northerner Graeme McDowell and Tiger Woods on three-under-par, three shots off the overnight lead held by Australia’s Adam Scott who equalled the course record 64 in his opening round.
We’ll have rolling updates throughout the day so you won’t miss a thing.
2. #EUROPA LEAGUE It was a mixed night for the Irish teams in Europa League action last night as St Patrick’s Athletic were cruelly denied a win on the road to Široki Brijeg. Wagner headed home three minutes into stoppage time to cancel out Christy Fagan’s 12th minute opener, but it’s the Saints who will have the advantage of an away goal when the sides meet in the second leg.
In Slovakia, Gavin Peers’ second-half header salvaged a glimmer of hope for Sligo Rovers as they lost 3-1 to Spartak Trnava. Both sides will learn their potential opponents when the draw for the third qualifying round is made this afternoon.
3. #AIRTRICITY LEAGUE Back on more familiar ground, there are three games down for decision in the Airtricity League Premier Division. Tonight’s televised game sees Shamrock Rovers, fresh from their own European exertions earlier in the week, host Bray Wanderers in Tallaght.
In Oriel Park, Dundalk meet Derry City while Shelbourne welcome high-flying Drogheda United to Tolka Park.
4. #GAA CHAMPIONSHIP The team news is flooding in ahead of a busy weekend of championship action. Kerry and Tyrone have made one change apiece ahead of their third round qualifier clash in Fitzgerald Stadium tomorrow evening, while Seamus McEnaney has changed two in his Meath side to face Dublin in Sunday’s Leinster SFC Final in Headquarters.
Donegal and Down have both named their starting XVs for Sunday’s Ulster SFC Final.
5. #TOUR DE FRANCE Bradley Wiggins took a decisive step towards Tour de France victory yesterday as Team Sky mate Chris Froome shepherded him home in third place on the final mountain stage of this year’s race. With just today’s flat stage and tomorrow’s time trial remaining before Sunday’s ceremonial jaunt, Wiggins holds a 2’41″ advantage over his nearest rival, Vincenzo Nibali, who cracked on yesterday’s final climb.
6. #NOTTINGHAM FOREST A former Irish international will be the next manager of Nottingham Forest — but it’s not Mick McCarthy or Roy Keane. Sean O’Driscoll, who was capped three times for the Boys in Green in the 1980s, has been appointed as Steve Cotterill’s replacement at the City Ground.
