The Morning Sports Briefing

Ken Early: Martin O’Neill keeping big squad happy

Ireland were dealt a blow yesterday with the news Rob Elliot’s knee injury, which he picked up in the early stages of Tuesday night’s 2-2 friendly draw with Slovakia, will keep him out for at least six months.

This means the Newcastle United goalkeeper’s Euro 2016 dream is over, and according to Ken Early this highlights how pointless it is to make early presumptions over who will make Martin O’Neill’s squad, with any player susceptible to injury between now and France.

In his column today he praises O'Neill, and the Ireland manager's ability to keep an often large squad happy, he writes: "The new management team has struck the right balance between building up the confidence of the first team, and encouraging a spirit of healthy competition in the larger group.

“O’Neill has also shown more tactical flexibility than Trapattoni, who always drilled the players in the same 4-4-2 system.”

Conor McGregor gets Nate Diaz rematch

Irish featherweight Conor McGregor will get another chance to prove himself as a welterweight after being granted a rematch with Nate Diaz on the UFC 200 card in Las Vegas on July 9th.

Gavin Cummiskey speaks to Sene Naoupu

As part of today's Women in Sport pages Gavin Cummiskey has spoken in depth to Ireland rugby star Sene Naoupu about her journey from Oamaru in North Otago to Galway, where as well as representing her adopted country she runs her own business with husband George, who plays for Connacht.

Sonia O’Sullvan: pick Rio runners earlier

In her column today Sonia O'Sullivan suggests Ireland should pick long distance runners for the Rio Olympics sooner rather than later, she writes: "It makes much more sense for endurance events to have early selections, so that the athletes are not tempted to try to prove themselves, or burn themselves out before a major event."

Shane Lowry: Jason Day the best in the business

And Shane Lowry has suggested world number one Jason Day will be the man to beat in next week's US Masters, he said: "Jason, for me, is particularly impressive. His all round game is probably the best in the world. His driving. His iron play. His short game.

What to watch out for:

Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington are both in action in the Shell Houston Open (SS4, 8pm-11pm)