The Morning Sports Briefing

Soccer: Europa League

Rafael Benitez's hopes of winning his latest piece of European silverware, this time with Napoli took a minor hit as his team were held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Europa League semi final last night.

After missing a raft of chances the Serie A side were undone by a late Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk equaliser, which for them is a key away goal.

In the other semi-final reigning champions Sevilla trotted to a 3-0 home win over Fiorentina, Aleix Vidal with two goals followed by a Kevin Gameiro effort.

The La Liga side are aiming to become the tournament’s most successful side with what would be a fourth triumph.

Elsewhere the Irish Under-17 team held out for what could be a crucial draw against Holland in their opening group game in the European Championships. They were made dig deep for it, but in the end Tom Mohan's side had the best opportunities of the game late on and failed to convert.

Golf: Sawgrass

Rory McIlroy is slowly but surely coming to terms with the Sawgrass course at the Players Championship, and this week it looks as though he may make that transition complete. The World Number One is well on course for contention after yesterday's first round at the same venue that he had failed to make the cut on his first three times of asking.

His last two years have mustered top-10 finishes though, and after his opening round three-under-par 69 McIlroy is just two shots of the clubhouse lead held by Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama and Canadian David Hearn.

He says that he’s finally beginning to like the famous course; “much like a lot of Pete Dye-designed golf courses, you have to learn to love them.”

Cricket: ODI

Ireland welcome the challenge of England today at Malahide, and while much of the focus will be on the two team coaches, England’s Peter Moores under increasing scrutiny in his role as Ireland welcome new coach John Bracewell who will be aiming to replicate the progress made by the outgoing Phil Simmons, that shouldn’t be the case for long.

Despite the English bringing six uncapped ODI internationals in their squad and the weather forecast looking ominous, the old Anglo-Irish rivalry will be sure to take over once the action gets underway.

“We’re playing against England, the Shamrock against Three Lions, no matter what team goes out there on either side it’s going to be a fiercely competitive game,” said Irish captain William Porterfield.

Rugby: Pro12

Munster's Australian centre Andrew Smith looks likely to end his one year sojourn with the province after this season, but he's looking to do so on a high winning the Pro12 title which would be his first in professional rugby.

He’s not entirely ruling out staying on with the Irish province, and nevertheless says he will be playing on somewhere in the northern hemisphere next season.

Leinster head coach Matt O'Connor is expecting a bruising encounter with Treviso this weekend, with his team under pressure to win both of their remaining Pro12 games and avoid a Champions Cup play-off.

What to watch out for:

The Irish cricketers make their first appearance since the World Cup when they host England today, fingers crossed the weather will hold out.

Sky Sports 2 from 10.30am

The Players Championship continues with high-flying Rory McIlroy again paired with the young pretender Jordan Spieth for the second round.

Sky Sports 4 from 6pm-midnight

Leinster play their last home game of the season tonight, the last ever in front of the RDS crowd for Gordon D'Arcy and Shane Jennings. Treviso are the opposition.

TG4 from 7.10pm