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Euro 2028 bid sparks debate; Gordon D’Arcy on how Ireland can beat All Blacks

The Morning Sports Briefing: Keep ahead of the game with ‘The Irish Times’ sports team

Ireland coach John Eustace issues instructions to players during training on Tuesday. Photo: James Crombie/Inpho

Wed Mar 23 2022 - 07:19

It may be six years away but Euro 2028 has been the talk of the last day or two in Irish football as it now looks likely that Uefa will award the hosting of the tournament to Ireland and the UK, in the absence of any other bids. Inevitably the news has sparked debate about whether the FAI - still saddled with significant debts from the John Delaney days - should be focusing on hosting a major tournament when, to use the language of Shelbourne manager Damien Duff, domestic facilities are "horrific". Ireland manager Stephen Kenny is no stranger to those facilities having forged his managerial career in the League of Ireland and yesterday he lent cautious optimism to the bid while also pointing out that serious investment is needed in football infrastructure around the country. Ireland's lack of suitable stadiums to host a major tournament means that Croke Park will almost certainly have to be called on again, something that Seán Moran writes in his column could cause issues for the GAA. While the association will likely benefit from a revamp of the stadium without having to pay for it, the tournament falling during the summer months and the height of the football and hurling championships will likely cause some headaches. Meanwhile, ahead of Ireland's friendlies against Belgium and Lithuania, Troy Parrott spoke yesterday about "growing up as a person and as a player".

Moving to rugby and, with a Triple Crown in the bag, focus for Ireland now turns to the summer and that most tantalising of prospects - beating New Zealand on their own turf. In his column this morning Gordon D'Arcy writes that the victory in Dublin last November can act as a stepping stone for Andy Farrell's men who now must capitalise on the doubt they have created in the heads of the All Blacks.

On to tennis and the shock news came through overnight that world number one and current Australian Open and Wimbledon champion Ash Barty has announced her retirement from the sport at the age of just 25. The Australian held back tears as he broke the news in an interview, saying "I just know that I am absolutely - I am spent - I just know physically I have nothing more to give. And that to me is success. I have given absolutely everything I can to this beautiful sport of tennis."

On to GAA and Séamus Callanan says he sees some merit in Tipperary being regarded as underdogs for this year's All-Ireland Hurling Championship as the county goes through a transition. New manager Colm Bonnar has looked at 30 different players throughout five Allianz League games, ultimately failing to qualify for the knock-out stage. But Callanan - who will likely be out of action until halfway through the Munster championship with a broken finger - does not think they should be written off.

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Finally to golf and the WGC-Dell Matchplay Championship gets underway in Austin, Texas today with a stellar field lining up just two weeks out from the Masters. Ireland's Séamus Power makes his debut in the tournament, while Shane Lowry is among 10 members of the European Ryder Cup team set to do battle. Lowry begins his group with a match against Harold Varner III at 7.39pm while Power goes up against Sungjae Im at 6.33pm. Rory McIlroy is not in action after opting to skip the tournament for scheduling reasons in the build up to the Masters.

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