The Morning Sports Briefing

GAA: Championship 2015

Former Donegal manager Jim McGuinness has his much anticipated first column in this morning’s Irish Times and it’s fair to say he didn’t disappoint.

McGuinness says that while Tyrone were tactically astute in their defeat against Donegal on Sunday, playing with some great width, they lacked a focal point in their attack making them quite one dimensional, but above all they came to the game with an attitude of 'let's see how this pans out' rather than 'let's take Donegal down'.

The former All-Ireland winning manager was impressed by his former captain Michael Murphy who despite being kept scoreless from play worked selflessly for the cause and kept his discipline under some intense scrutiny. He believes playing him at full forward in the second half was the right thing to do but he was starved off quality ball.

Tyrone's Sean Cavanagh says that the rough and tumble of Sunday's game was the norm for Ulster championship, the bruises he can take, but the verbals or 'sledging' is becoming a real problem. Cavanagh says both he and Murphy were being talked to constantly, when taking frees especially, something which for many players may leave many a mental scar especially when the talking is so personal.

Soccer: Premier League

Already-crowned Premier League champions Chelsea were beaten 3-0 by West Brom last night and a quite entertaining encounter. Two goals from the impressive Saido Berahino and another from Chris Brunt meant Jose Mourinho's heaviest defeat as Chelsea boss since 2006. The major talking point though was Cesc Fabregas' sending off after kicking a ball from 30 yards, after play had stopped, into the back of a group of West Brom players who were talking to the referee(aggrieved at another incident involving Diego Costa).

The big news last night though came from Anfield, where reports claim Raheem Sterling is set to refuse Liverpool's contract offer and insist upon a transfer away from the club. Sterling has requested contract talks be pushed forward, the reason for doing so believed to be because of his decision to move on.

Nonetheless manager Brendan Rodgers has already stressed that regardless of whether the England international signs on or not, the club will not be selling him this summer. There was some positive news for Liverpool though with the news that James Miner is set to turn down a new contract offer at Manchester City to join either Liverpool or Arsenal as a free agent in the summer.

Rugby: Pro12

Gerry Thornley has been discussing this morning how Munster have regrouped after a poor start to the season and mauled their way out of adversity.

“Since the Saracens defeat they have lost just one of their last 10 matches – away to the Ospreys. Botha has been rejuvenated and, needless to say, after that utterly uncharacteristic display, O’Connell has been a focal point for the pack which Munster have returned to in their time of need. When in doubt, they’ve gone to the corner, and the maul has often delivered.”

Golf: McIlroy

World number one Rory McIlroy says he certainly feels the weight of expectation has been lifted since the Masters, and although he failed to wrap up his career Grand slam on this occasion he says he's in the form of his life. And who could argue with him.

The Northern Irishman left Quail Hollow with the Wells Fargo Championship and took a private jet from Charlotte to London for the next leg of his global domination.

Right now, his X-Factor has generated a fear factor for everyone else.

“I don’t feel my game has ever been in better shape,” he says.

Meanwhile in racing news a spring setback to his star filly Agnes Stewart means Eddie Lynam won't be involved in the Curragh classics this weekend but the Co Meath trainer could still provide one of Saturday's highlights if his stalwart sprinter Sole Power makes a first start in Ireland for almost four years.