1. #LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN Dublin’s senior footballers booked their place in the National Football League Division 1 final, rallying late to beat All-Ireland finalists Down by 2-10 to 0-13.
The Dubs will be joined in the final by Cork, Kerry or Down, all of whom still have a shot at league glory after this weekend’s round of games. A Declan O’Sullivan goal helped Kerry to a 1-14 to 0-11 win over Monaghan, while Mayo shocked Cork in Castlebar to keep their own hopes of survival alive.
2. #LEFTY What better preparation for this week’s trip to Augusta National than a three-shot victory at the Shell Houston Open? Phil Mickelson has all the momentum ahead of the season’s first Major after a closing round of 65 was enough to see off the challenge of Scott Verplank and Chris Kirk.
Padraig Harrington’s challenge withered early on yesterday, though he battled bravely to finish in a tie for eighth place on eleven-under par.
3. #INJURY BLUES Munster appeared to have paid a heavy price for Saturday evening’s victory over Leinster when captain Paul O’Connell picked up an ankle injury. However, the prognosis may not be as bad as initially feared with the Irish Examiner suggesting that O’Connell could be back in action within four weeks.
4. #GIZZA JOB The Irish Independent reports that Giovanni Trapattoni may be willing to take a 50% pay cut if the FAI decide to extend his contract until 2014. The 72-year-old is currently paid a salary of €1.7m per annum, half of which is reported to be covered by businessman Denis O’Brien.
5. #FLAT OUT Aidan O’Brien’s St. Nicholas Abbey could only manage a third-place finish on his return to the course in yesterday’s Alleged Stakes at the Curragh. The race was won by Dermot Weld’s Unaccompanied, a filly who we were keeping a close eye on during the Cheltenham Festival.
Before you ask, we didn’t back her yesterday. Typical …
6. #FOUL MOUTH Wayne Rooney may find himself in a spot of trouble following his foul-mouthed outburst during Manchester United’s 4-2 win over West Ham on Saturday. Writing in today’s Daily Mail, former referee Graham Poll argued that the FA needed to make an example of the striker and that he should be banned for three games.
Here’s Rooney’s rant – but be warned, the language is not suitable for children. Or many adults.
