GAA: Championship 2015
And just when we thought the GAA had acted to cut out the dummy team sheet - the association are now claiming that intercounty teams do not have to be released to the public on the Thursday morning prior to a match, saying a misunderstanding had developed over the impact of a motion passed by congress last February.
This “misunderstood” motion had been largely ignored by county teams so far this summer, with the GAA explaining that the teams actually only needed to be released to the relevant committees.
GAA director general Páraic Duffy in his annual report had said that this odd theory of keeping the opposition ‘guessing’ limits media coverage of our game, creates difficulties in producing match programmes on time, and treats our supporters with a degree of contempt.
Make sure you have a read over Jim McGuinness' column this morning, he's concerned about the sensationalism in GAA reporting. Particularly involving RTE; the Joe Brolly slate on Marty Morrissey last weekend being the perfect example.
“The reference to “the Taliban” when it came to Donegal football: that carries very clear and very damaging connotations. It is more than just a soundbite or a throwaway line. Where does that leave us? Why associate us with that?”
Rugby: Pro12
He's flattered to be linked to the role, but Robbie Deans has all but ruled himself out of the being the next Leinster manager. Deans will lead the Barbarians out against Ireland on Thursday night in Thomond Park, and his comments now leave former forwards coach Jono Gibbes and another ex-Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie as new favourites for the post; "Not in the timelines that would suit me at the minute. I would say it is very attractive . . . for someone. But not for me. It's a great destination, a great place to live and play the game and there is great competition."
Meanwhile Gerry Thornley says this morning, that given Romain Poite's two erroneous calls in Sunday's endgame at Kingsholm effectively cost Connacht a win over Gloucester; one of the problems with rugby is that referees are not held accountable.
Soccer: Brendan Rodgers
Liverpool will not be reviewing the position of manager Brendan Rodgers, rather the Northern Irishman will be part-leading a major review into the club’s dismal season which seen them drop to sixth place in the league and win just one of their final seven games.
It seems Rodgers is almost certain to lead the club into what will be his fourth season at the helm pending the season review led by Mike Gordon, the Fenway Sports Group president who is a member of the club board, plus Rodgers and Ian Ayre, the chief executive.
Golf: Irish Open
When Rory McIlroy describes the Irish Open as his “fifth Major”, it is saying something.
That means he places it above the WGCs, the Players et al – and yet it is very much down to the man himself that this old championship enters effectively a new era with its staging at Royal County Down and the promise of going from strength to strength.
What to watch out for:
The French Open continues today with Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal both in action.
ITV4 from 9.30am-9pm
Setanta, 10am-8pm
While the Giro d'Italia commences after a well deserved rest day on Monday, with stage 16 to Aprica today .
Eurosport from 1.30pm-4.30pm
