The Morning Sports Briefing

Soccer

Cork City last night kept their Europa League dream alive with a 1-0 win over Sweden's Häcken in the second leg of their second qualifying round tie at Turner's Cross. The result, thanks to Kevin O'Connor's first half strike and a brave defensive effort thereafter, saw City progress to the next round 2-1 on aggregate.

Unfortunately St Patrick's Athletics couldn't follow suit - they were beaten by Belarusian outfit Dinamo Minsk at Richmond Park. Knocking them out of the competition 2-1 on aggregate.

Republic of Ireland striker Shane Long last night ended any speculation about his future by signing a four year deal with Southampton - "It's a real family feel, and I feel like I'm a big part of that and I feel like I'm playing my best football here as well."

Sam Allardyce's appointment as England's new manager is expected to be delayed on Friday to allow Sunderland and the English Football Association time to agree a compensation deal. Big Sam is then likely to be presented to the media at some point next week.

GAA

In his weekly column this morning John Allen says that the Galway hurlers have to prove that they have stamina against Clare in Sunday's All-Ireland quarter-final - "The cold facts remain that too many of their senior teams have failed to finish out finals. They don't have the disadvantage of a lack of games since they began playing in the Leinster championship in 2009, so that excuse doesn't wash anymore."

Golf

Dustin Johnson eagled the final hole to earn a share of the lead with fellow American Luke List after the first round at the RBC Canadian Open on Thursday. Defending champion Jason Day is three shots off the lead ahead of Friday’s second round.

Cycling

Dan Martin slipped to tenth in the Tour de France after yesterday's stage 18, as Team Sky's Chris Froome extended his overall lead and edged closer to another title. Martin is however just three seconds behind ninth place and will look to move back up the leaderboard in the two remaining mountain stages.

Racing

Tony Martin secured something of a pyrrhic victory at a Turf Club Referrals Committee hearing which saw him successfully appeal a €2,000 fine and a 42 day ban imposed on Pyromaniac at Killarney last week under one section of the 'non-trier' rules, only to be fined, and the horse remain suspended, under another section.

What to watch out for

The Dublin Horseshow is live from the RDS this afternoon.

RTE 1, 1.30pm-5.40pm

The second round of the GC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey gets underway tonight.

Sky Sports 4, 9pm-midnight