Maguire comes up just short in Michigan; Time to reconsider the term ‘sportswashing’?

There was so nearly an Irish winner on Sunday night in America, but perhaps not the one we all expected. Heading into the final round of the US Open at Brookline, Rory McIlroy was in striking distance of the lead. By contrast, Leona Maguire was seven shots back at the same stage of the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan. McIlroy faltered a touch, combining three early birdies with as many bogies, ultimately finishing in fifth as Matt Fitzpatrick won his first Major title. By contrast, Maguire stormed up the leaderboard to take a share of the lead with Jennifer Kupchko and Nelly Korda. A playoff ensued and at the second hole, a three-put for par cost the Cavan golfer as Kupchko took the win with a birdie to finish one of the most dramatic tournaments in recent memory.

What would happen if the LIV Golf Series started during the Premier League season? Would Eddie Howe and Newcastle be asked to discuss the new golf tour also backed by infamous Saudi Arabian benefactors? Ken Early asks that question today as he looks at the issue of sportswashing itself. The term implies an awareness of some sort of guilt on behalf of those pumping money into sport, ie the Saudi state. Yet Early argues that there is no shame or guilt on their behalf when it comes to some of the atrocities committed, including 81 state-sanctioned killings on a single day earlier this year. Instead it is seen as a show of strength. Is it time then to reconsider how we use the term sportswashing?

Next weekend sees the turn of the All-Ireland football championship with questions once again ringing through on competitiveness given the apparent gap between Dublin, Kerry and everyone else. Brian O’Connor looks at this phenomenon and asks, what’s new? “Grim prophecies of declining audience interest have pretty much accompanied every era since and probably for evermore. Live long enough and you get to recognise them repeating on the way back around.” In terms of the action that has just taken place, Nicky English in his column today questions the decision to put the All-Ireland hurling clashes on Saturday rather than Sunday.

Vera Pauw’s Ireland warmed up for next week’s World Cup qualifier away to Georgia with a 1-0 win over the Philippines under the brutal Turkish sun yesterday. London City Lionesses midfielder Lilly Agg got the goal after smart build-up play by Heather Payne and Jess Ziu saw Stephanie Roche’s shot well saved by Kiara Fontanilla before Agg followed up. In F1, Max Verstappen moved 46 points clear of Carlos Sainz on the World Championship table after victory in the Canadian Grand Prix.