The Morning Sports Briefing

Soccer: Premier League

With little left to be excited by in this season’s Premier League the weekend was dominated by Liverpool and England legend Steven Gerrard’s last match at the famous Anfield club’s home stadium, and then to a lesser extent the future of Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea.

United had a fine result on Sunday, a 1-1 draw with Arsenal in which they mathematically secured fourth placed after what's been a decent enough season, all things considered. The next battle for them is to keep their star man De Gea away from the clutches of Real Madrid, and manager Louis Van Gaal made his feelings clear about the situation post match. But it won't be easy to convince the Spanish international to sign a new deal.

“I analyse his position and then I say he is Spanish, he is a Spanish international and now a Spanish club is coming. His girlfriend is Spanish.”

Meanwhile Ken Early has been looking at why the FC Midtjylland's upstarts have attracted more international attention than any previous Danish champions. Their data revolution leaves little room for the shimmering images which have defined Steven Gerrard's glittering career.

Over in Spain last night Lionel Messi's goal secured a 1-0 win and more importantly a fifth La Liga title in seven years for Barcelona away to Atletico Madrid. Step one of a possible treble is now complete.

GAA: Championship 2015

Defeat for Tyrone in Sunday's Ulster Championship opener means that they are once more faced with the familiar route of the qualifiers, manager Mickey Harte says they will go into their next game with renewed confidence. They may have lost but Harte says his young team showed great character in the three point away defeat, against a very strong Donegal team.

His opposing manager Rory Gallagher though has another Ulster championship match to prepare for, with Kieran McGeeney’s Armagh waiting in the long grass.

He was particularly keen to praise the contribution of 1-2 from midfielder Martin McElhinney, who has “established himself this year, we’re delighted with him.”

In the Leinster championship match yesterday Westmeath were comfortable enough victors over Louth thanks to three goals which included a fine effort from Callum McCormack.

While in Connacht Galway followed the script with a win over Leitrim. Manager Kevin Walsh though says improvement will be needed ahead of their semi-final with Mayo, although his side will relish a break having already played two championship games.

Rugby: Pro12

Munster are coming into form at just the right time. When Dragons’ head coach Lynn Jones was asked, after his side’s 50-27 defeat to the Irish province, for his thoughts on who would win the Pro12 this season, he plumped for Anthony Foley’s team.

“Munster are the best team I’ve seen in the competition,” he said. “If I did have a fiver to bet, which is probably the price of a coffee in Ireland, I’d probably have it on Munster.

“Their error count is low, their set-piece is very clean and home advantage will be too much for the Ospreys.”

Golf: Rory McIlroy

World number one Rory McIlroy will be hosting the Irish Open at Royal County Down next week in tiptop form after securing the Wells Fargo Championship at the Quail Hollow Club on Sunday night.

After the fireworks of his course record breaking 61 in Saturday's third round McIlroy shot a final round of 69 to stretch his winning margin to seven shots over Webb Simpson and Patrick Rodgers.

While in racing Aidan O’Brien is in pursuit of a 10th Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas victory – and a 33rd Irish classic in all – but it is Gleneagles' prohibitive 1/3 odds for this Saturday which is the figure focusing most minds ahead of the Curragh's first Group One weekend of 2015.

What to watch out for:

Plenty of reflective viewing tonight after a busy weekend of Sport; GAA highlights are on TG4 from 8.30pm, Soccer Republic is on RTE 2 from 11.05pm, after Against the Head which starts at 7pm on the same channel.

The Monday night Premier League fixture this week sees Tony Pulis' West Brom team take on Chelsea.

Sky Sports 1 from 7.45pm