McIlroy shows emotions at US Open; Joe Canning on Clare distractions

The US Open forces you to bear your soul. Rory McIlroy’s display of petulance, smashing his wedge into the side of a bunker after a poor shot, only shows just how badly he wants to win at Brookline this week. After Thursday’s opening round, he’s in a good position to do so, carrying over his form from his recent Canadian Open victory to card a 67, good enough to sit one shot back of overnight leader Adam Hadwin. In terms of the other Irish involvement, Séamus Power had a bit of luck on the 18th green to finish on 71, one over par, while Shane Lowry is one shot further back as his playing group - including Phil Mickelson of all people - struggled.

From column inches in papers, to angry calls into local radio, you could tell that the two suspensions Clare eventually had overturned on Wednesday night were a major talking point in the county. That was a distraction their hurlers did not need heading into Saturday’s All-Ireland quarter-final against Wexford. Here are Joe Canning’s thoughts on the matter: “If you were a Clare player trying to prepare for an All-Ireland quarter-final, this was the last thing you need. Because all of a sudden, the major theme of the week was something that actually had nothing to do with the game. It must have been difficult for them not to lose focus.”

“Every now and then it’s important to zoom out and look at the bigger picture. The current process has been embraced by many stakeholders, but the currency of that process is time.” Patience is key for our perceptions of Stephen Kenny’s Ireland, according to Lisa Fallon this morning. In the space of a week, the side veered from the wrong track to the right one, displaying the volatility of public perception. Ireland made one key change across the four games, ensuring that their midfield and forward lines were better connected, though even with the improvement the development of young players such as Troy Parrott and Chiedozie Ogbene means that patience will still be required. Away from the international action, the Airtricity League returns this evening with Bohs’ Dublin derby clash with Shelbourne at Dalymount and the top of the table clash between Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers the highlights of the round.

Steph Curry scored 34 points in game six of the NBA finals to see his Golden State Warriors secure their fourth crown in the last eight years, a remarkable achievement given the California franchise had the league’s worst record just two years ago. Needing a win to stay alive at their home TD Garden, the Boston Celtics started on a tear but an unanswered 21-point run from the Warriors put them firmly in control and secured their status as one of the game’s great franchises.