The 2018 Ryder Cup is underway and Ruaidhrí Croke is currently covering the action on our live blog. The fun is over and it's time for the golf to start but which team will emerge victorious? Philip Reid explains that "for Europe to regain the trophy, an avoidance of what happened at Hazeltine last time – when the USA won all four of the first session matches to establish a lead that was never threatened – will be necessary." Click here for your "All you need to know guide to the Ryder Cup".
Uefa's executive committee yesterday voted overwhelmingly to award Germany the right to host the 2024 European Championships. For Turkey the decision marks the end of a fourth failed attempt to stage the tournament, Germany however could hardly have been a more certain option with most of the infrastructure in place from the 2006 World Cup. Meanwhile Cristiano Ronaldo is free to face his former club Manchester United in the Champions League next month after disciplinary chiefs decided not to increase his ban. The 33-year-old Juventus forward incurred an automatic one-match suspension when he was sent off for apparently pulling Valencia defender Jeison Murillo's hair earlier this month.
Simon Halliday, chairman of European Professional Club Rugby (ECPR), has delivered a clear message over concussion fears ahead of the new season: the sport's authorities need to protect players. The former England international is adamant the World Rugby diktat to red-card a shoulder to neck/head tackle will not soften up the game of rugby, and he does not agree that taller players are at a clear disadvantage under the new interpretations.
Donal Moloney and Gerry O'Connor will return for a third season as joint Clare hurling managers – at least according to All Star forward nominee Peter Duggan. "We always knew that they were going to stay on. I think they might just be looking for someone else to come in. I think that's the only reason that it didn't come straight out that they were coming straight back involved."
Ireland's two world rowing championships gold medals; two new crews in Olympic qualification positions, and a non-Olympic crew placed in an A Final, will be honoured at a special event at the National Rowing Centre this Saturday evening following the Irish Open and All Ireland Youth Regatta.
