Sport

The Morning Sports Briefing

Galway and Waterford avail of second chance, Russia avoids blanket ban and Manchester derby cancelled

Galway and Waterford are into the last four of the senior hurling championship. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho
Galway and Waterford are into the last four of the senior hurling championship. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho
Mon Jul 25 2016 - 09:05

GAA

This year’s four provincial finalists will battle it out in the All-Ireland hurling semi-finals after both Galway and Waterford eased through their quarter-final clashes on Sunday.

The Tribesmen recovered from their Leinster final second half collapse against Kilkenny, out-fighting Clare to set up a repeat of last summer's semi-final against Tipperary. While Waterford were far too good for Wexford in a low quality encounter, also in Thurles. Their reward? Playing Kilkenny in the last four.

After his team's defeat Clare manager Davy Fitzgerald said that he would take some time off before deciding if he will continue his role next year. Fitzgerald was in hospital undergoing cardiac stent procedures last week - but he still took his place on the sideline on Sunday: "I intend to go home and relax tonight anyhow, that's what I intend to do! I'll sit down and talk with the family. Health is number one, and we'll see."

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Tour de France

Chris Froome yesterday won his third Tour de France title after the 21st and final stage to Paris. André Greipel won the stage, holding off the late-charging world champion, Peter Sagan, in the traditional sprint on the Champs-Élysées. Froome though becomes only the eighth man, not counting the disgraced Lance Armstrong, to win three or more Tours having dominated over the past few weeks.

Olympics

Russian athletes yesterday escaped a blanket ban from the Rio Olympics as the International Olympic Committee opted to leave the banning decision to the 28 individual sports federations that make up the summer games. Saying they were free to decide the fate of Russians on a case-by-case basis.

Golf

Late last night Jhonattan Vegas birdied the final three holes to surge to a one-stroke victory with a closing eight-under-par 64 at the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday. Earlier, Portmarnock's Conor Purcell claimed the South of Ireland title. The 19-year-old produced a string of high quality displays en route to a 4 and 3 victory over Hermitage international Rowan Lester and what must be a certain call up for next month's Home Internationals.

Soccer

Meanwhile this morning it's been confirmed that Monday's International Champions Cup game between Manchester United and City has been cancelled - with weather conditions leaving the pitch unplayable.