The Morning Sports Briefing

Carlingford Lough conquers Cue Card

Cue Card travelled the Irish Sea looking to cap off a fine season in style but found yesterday's Punchestown Gold Cup a step too far, finishing outside of the places as Carlingford Lough produced a typical late charge to score for Waterford-based trainer John Kiely.

Barry Geraghty had to win an appeal to appear at the festival and it certainly paid off as he saw his 12-1 outsider home ahead of the Willie Mullins-trained duo of Djakadam and Don Poli. Mullins picked up a Wednesday hat-trick thanks to wins for Bellshill, Augusta Kate and Blow By Blow, who provided a first Grade One success for Katie Walsh.

First blood to belligerent Atletico

Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid produced another dogged display sprinkled with stardust last night to beat Bayern Munich 1-0 and bring the dream of a second Champions League final in three years closer to reality.

It was Saul Niguez who lit up the Vicente Calderon, scoring a stunning solo goal after just 11 minutes, before Atleti ground their way to another clean sheet.

Sexton on tackling high

Elsewhere Johnny Sexton has rejected suggestions his tackling style has led to susceptibility to head injuries, he said: "It is waffle. Tackling high is nothing to do with getting hit in the head. I feel that sometimes I tackle better high."

Sonia O’Sullivan column

Inher column today Sonia O'Sullivan reflects on last weekend's London Marathon, which is a truly unique event, she writes: "The atmosphere and noise on the bridge was exhilarating: you could feel the energy building as the athletes approached, subtle differences you don't notice while watching on TV."

America at Large

And in today's America at Large column Dave Hannigan looks at the unnerving similarities between Conor McGregor and Donald Trump: "In this regard, both campaigns are hallmarked by a narcissism so excessive that it's almost (if not quite) entertaining, a tendency to bloviate that inspires curious levels of devotion, and an understanding that, in the social media era, exaggeration matters more than exactitude."

What to watch out for:

Racing

The Punchestown Festival continues with the di vine Douvan on the card (RTE 1 4-6pm, RTE 2 5.55-7pm)