#ireland-cricket

#ireland-cricket

Brian Cody's views on the media at large, or at least that wretched part of it tasked with covering hurling, were dim. Roughly similar in wattage to Bobby Knight.

Surrey needs to bat diligently to save the game but, on a pitch which has become mostly batter-friendly, would be disappointed not to shepherd the 174th County Championship match between these two sides to its 77th draw.

Clare's Mark Rodgers, Shane Meehan, and Diarmuid Ryan impressed during the match, contributing significantly to their team's performance and eventual victory.

Holywood Golf Club, overlooking Belfast Lough, is where Rory McIlroy took flight in his golf career. The club's history and significance in Northern Ireland are profound, connecting families and generations through the game.

James McClean has lashed out at 'garbage' speculation around his absence from Derry City's defeat to Galway last night.

Aoibhe Brennan has earned her first call-up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad for their World Cup 2027 qualifying double-header against Poland in April.

"It's the first time in 18 games that I had to have a go. I didn't like that I had to do that. We were passive in the first half, passing side to side, that was not us."

Donegal's emphatic victory by 13 points over Kerry in the Division 1 decider showcased their dominance, especially with a crucial flurry of three goals.

However, according to the FAI, Gardai (Irish police) have advised that the game can be "staged safely at the Aviva Stadium". The teams are also scheduled to face each other in a return fixture on 27 September. The Israeli FA has said it hopes to host the Republic of Ireland in Tel Aviv, but a venue is yet to be confirmed.

Finn Russell is one of the players of his generation and debates are already ongoing in Scotland as to whether the out-half is the greatest player his country has produced. What his CV lacks is silverware and, while he's making up for lost time on that front after winning a series with the Lions and with a Bath team that looks like it can compete for the Champions Cup this season, he has plenty of unfinished business with Scotland.

Changes galore, and notable ones at that, across both matchday squads. Steve Borthwick hands fan and media darling (and bloody good player) Henry Pollock his first start in the back row, where he will be joined by the returning Tom Curry. In the backs Tommy Freeman returns to a wing berth at the expense of Tom Roebuck, which brings Ollie Lawrence back into the centres. The bench is a 6:2, with Jack Van Poortvliet and Marcus Smith as the backs options.

Tony Ward, voted the first European Player of the Year two months earlier, was dropped. He had won the award largely for his dazzling form in that season's Five Nations Championship. Then, ahead of the First Test on Ireland's tour of Australia, he was canned. It made the six o'clock news. Ward was a gifted footballer. He would go on to play in the League of Ireland for Limerick United FC, starring for them against Southampton in the Uefa Cup.

After bowling Scotland out for 152, England racked up 155-5 in 18.2 overs, with Jacob Bethell scoring 32, Sam Curran 28 and Will Jacks (16 off 10 balls) hitting a six and a four to finish the job. England wobbled at the start of their chase as the new white ball swung under the floodlights with the sun going down. Phil Salt fell third ball to Brandon McMullen for just two and when Jos Buttler picked out McMullen off Brad Currie, they were 13-2.

In the city where a few handfuls of rupees were melted down to make the original Calcutta Cup, it was Scotland who lost their shape when the heat started to rise and the pressure to build. England won by five wickets and though it was, in the end, emphatic it was not exactly a rediscovery of peak form, even if Tom Banton appeared to have located his with a 41-ball 63 that powered his team to victory.