The Morning Sports Briefing

Robbie Keane retures from international duty

After 145 games and 67 goals Robbie Keane has announced his retirement from international football ahead of the start of the qualification campaign for the 2018 World Cup, which begins against Serbia on September 5th.

Keane, who made his debut for Ireland against the Czech Republic in 1998, will bid farewell in next week’s friendly against Oman at the Aviva Stadium.

Joe Hart waves goodbye

There was potentially another emotional goodbye at Eastlands last night as Joe Hart played what is likely to be his final game for Manchester City, as they beat Steaua Bucharest 1-0 to reach the Champions League group stages.

Hart has been frozen out by new manager Pep Guardiola and the arrival of Claudio Bravo from Barcelona is imminent, but with City carrying a 5-0 lead on aggregate into the second leg Hart was trusted with the gloves last night.

Sonia O’Sullivan

In her column today Sonia O’Sullivan has refused to be drawn on the Rio ticket touting scandal, she writes: “There have been many news reporters wanting to speak to me and I have not spoken to anyone because, until the investigations have run their course, I won’t know any more than what’s being written in the papers, or else spoken through the news.

“Even at that, I am at the stage where I don’t know what to believe, as this story has been sensationalised and currently there is no proof or evidence to tell the full story. That can only come with time.”

GAA Statistics

And in today’s GAA statistics column Eamon Donoghue analyses Kerry’s kickout success ahead of their All-Ireland semi-final against Dublin on Sunday, and suggests variety is key if they want to win at Croke Park.

He writes: “In the win over Clare in Munster - where the kickout worked excellently - five of the 11 short kickouts made resulted in direct scores. While only two of the long kickouts resulted in direct scores. That demonstrates the benefit of securing possession, no matter where it is on the field.”