Ireland women ended a run of seven-consecutive defeats and earned a statement win last night, as they beat Sam Kerr's Australia 3-2 in a five-goal thriller in Tallaght. A crowd of 3,341 witnessed Vera Pauw's side spoil the Chelsea striker's 100th cap party, with Louise Quinn's 49th-minute header proving enough to see off the Matildas. Gavin Cummiskey reports: "Tigers one and all. That is how manager Vera Pauw described this workaholic group of equally paid Irish internationals. The night was supposed to belong to Sam Kerr but a trademark header by Louise Quinn, naturally from a Katie McCabe corner, allowed the Republic of Ireland to snap a seven game losing streak in front of 3,341 mostly young girls in Tallaght. Maybe, just maybe, something special is stirring ahead of world number two Sweden coming to town for the World Cup qualifier on October 21st."
It is just two days until the start of the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits and Rory McIlroy has discussed a motivational tool captain Pádraig Harrington has used to remind Team Europe of their special place in golfing history ahead of the competition in Wisconsin. Each of the European players have been assigned a number to reflect their participation in the Ryder Cup, with debutant Bernd Wiesberger the highest at 164. McIlroy said: "570 people have been into space. I think over 5,000 people have climbed Everest. 225 have won a men's major. When you sort of break it down like that it's a pretty small group and it's pretty cool."
Manchester City are through to the fourth round of the League Cup after they thrashed League One Wycombe Wanderers 6-1 at the Etihad last night. Liverpool are also through after a 3-0 win away to lowly Norwich with three Republic of Ireland players - Andrew Omobamidele, Adam Idah and Caoimhín Kelleher - playing 90 minutes. Everton are out after they were beaten on penalties away to QPR, while Brentford beat beleaguered Oldham Athletic 7-0. The pick of the third round ties takes place tonight, with Manchester United welcoming West Ham to Old Trafford (kick-off 7.45pm).
As the build up to the inaugural United Rugby Championship continues, Gerry Thornley has previewed the hopes of another province this morning - Munster. Johann van Graan's side are looking to end a decade without silverware, and they have a difficult start to the season, with eight meetings against the South African sides and their provincial rivals in their opening 10 fixtures. The key to their hopes could prove to be Joey Carbery: "The gifted 26-year-old showed definite signs of his best rugby in those six end-of-season starts after a 16-month absence from the game, for which allowances have to be made, and then his restorative summer Tests with Ireland. If Munster are to scale the heights this season, one ventures that a healthy and in-form Carbery will be crucial, all the more so with no Hanrahan as back-up." You can find out everything you need to know about the new tournament HERE.
And Ireland women are facing into a crunch clash against Scotland on Saturday with a place in next year's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand on the line. And after recovering from a shock defeat to Spain to beat Italy last weekend, flanker Edel McMahon believes her side are well placed to follow up against the Scots: "We're relishing the pressure because we want to be on that plane heading to New Zealand."
