The Morning Sports Briefing

GAA: Championship

While much of the aftermath from Sunday's All-Ireland football final has been centred on disciplinary issues - nothing was deterring the thousands of Dublin supporters who turned out on O'Connell Street last night to welcome Sam Maguire back to the capital.

Still though, the controversies aren't necessarily going away. Dublin's phenomenal corner back Philly McMahon may have had the season of his life, but after being captured on TV eye-gouging Kieran Donaghy he's had to come out in his own defence.

“As defenders we have a tough job, we’re reacting to the forwards, constantly chasing somebody. And when we step up and we mark, we look the man in the eye and we’re saying, ‘We’re going to war today, me and you, and let’s see who comes out on the top end’. That’s what I love about it, and it really does make you want to be better as a defender.”

Meanwhile the complete 43-page DRA report on the reason why Diarmuid Connolly's red card for a clear striking offence was rescinded prior to the semi-final replay was also released yesterday.The report shows that the decision was not a unanimous one.

Jim McGuinness though is more focused on Dublin’s defensive system, and how they made the necessary improvements to win this year’s All-Ireland after his Donegal team edged them last summer.

Talking in his exclusive weekly column in this morning's paper he also explains the question marks which have arisen over how Kerry set-up for the game;

“These were Kerry’s two chief attacking cards. So Paul Geaney started. They went for dynamism. Fine. But that required a certain type of football – quality passes that he can run onto, interweaving passes and looking to shoot scores. Kerry can play that game. But what we got was Paul Geaney playing the role of Donaghy.”

Rugby: World Cup

Across to the Rugby World Cup and Irish defensive Les Kiss told the media yesterday to expect fresh faces for Ireland's second pool game against Romania this weekend. The Irish team have been put through their paces at the state of the art St George's Park facility in Burton-upon-trent, that's the English FA's sports complex built at a cost of £156 million.

Gerry Thornley is explaining the ins-and-outs of the facilities at hand, while his column today focuses on the balanced approach which is now required when it comes to match officials.

“It has to be better that there are less decisions like that one and more correct ones. For sure, no-one wants endless recourse to video replays, not least for what has been in some cases perfectly legitimate clearing out. It may also be the case that officials, especially referees, will feel obliged to justify taking recourse to the TMO by then punishing players.”

Meanwhile John O'Sullivan was at the Japan press conference as they prepare for a very short turnover after Saturday's heroics - they are in action again on Wednesday night against Scotland.

Soccer

Last night the Irish women's soccer team were beaten by a clinical Finland side 2-0 - a significant blow to their Euro17 qualification hopes. Across the pond in the Premier League and Chelsea striker Diego Costa is facing a potential three match ban after being charged with an alleged act of violent conduct by the FA for his antics against Arsenal on Saturday.

What to watch out for:

While there's a big Midlands derby in the Capital Cup tonight as Aston Villa take on Birmingham.

Sky Sports 1 from 7pm