Sport

The Morning Sports Briefing

Dundalk and Rosenborg draw, Big guns exit Wimbledon, and why Down are so good to watch

Dundalk Manager Stephen Kenny looking dejected after the game. Photograph: Inpho
Dundalk Manager Stephen Kenny looking dejected after the game. Photograph: Inpho
Thu Jul 13 2017 - 08:36

Soccer

In order to progress to the next round of Champions League qualifying, Dundalk must score in their trip to Norway, following last night's 1-1 Oriel Park draw with Rosenborg.

Dave McMillan’s opener for the home side was cancelled out in the 44th minute, following a strong start to the encounter by the League of Ireland champions. They meet again in Trondheim, next Wednesday night.

Tonight, Sean Maguire makes his last home performance for Cork City in their Europa League qualifier against AEK Larnaca. The Cypriots are a strong passing side; "there is a strong Spanish influence in their team and they keep the ball very well," says City boss John Caulfield.

READ MORE

Tennis

It was a rollercoaster day in Wimbledon yesterday as Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic exited the tournament. The latter lasted just over an hour in his quarterfinal match against Tomas Berdych, before withdrawing with injury. While Murray lasted five sets and almost three hours on his way to defeat against Sam Querry.

The good news for aesthetes is that Roger Federer conducted a masterclass against Milos Raonic.

Five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams will meet Johanna Konta in Thursday's women's semi-finals, proving that age is still just a number for the 37-year-old.

“Winning never gets old. I feel quite capable, to be honest, and very powerful. I don’t think about the definition of age.”

Women In Sport

Sonia O'Sullivan's column this morning explains why you still can't beat the intimacy of live sport.

“These Cork City Sports are also a rare chance to embrace the intimacy of the sport, to get trackside and close to the action, to see some of the best athletes in the world as they prepare to race. To be within touching distance . . .”

While Joanne O'Riordan writes about her secret love, Cork City.

“My true allegiance will be tested if Barcelona and Cork City are drawn in a Champions League round. For now, Cork City will be my dirty little secret.”

GAA

This week's GAA Statistics column looks ahead to Sunday's Ulster final between Tyrone and Down, and looks at why the latter are so entertaining to watch.

“Against Monaghan, Down were averaging just two passes in the build up to their scores from play!”