In his column this morning Darragh Ó Sé has looked at the All-Ireland prospects of Galway - a side he feel needs to evolve and adapt in order to flourish this summer. Kevin Walsh's side take on Roscommon in the Connacht SFC final this weekend, and last year they made it into the All-Ireland semis, where they were beaten by Dublin. But, Ó Sé writes, they aren't necessarily in the picture this year: "The obvious next step is to challenge for an All-Ireland. But does anybody really and truly see them in those terms? If they do, they're keeping it to themselves! You have the Dubs out on their own, maybe Kerry and Mayo next, possibly Donegal after last weekend and at a push Tyrone if they can regather themselves. I don't hear too many people shouting about Galway." But why are Galway not entering the frame as a potential threat to the Dubs' crown? Because, he writes, they "are too stuck in systems, too rigid and too defensive." And he believes they need to improve their attacking structures, rather than rely on the mercurial talent of forwards like Shane Walsh: "If they don't evolve, chances are they'll end up going out at the same stage as last year or possibly earlier."
Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has insisted he will not make another attempt to recruit Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford, despite his side's lack of cutting edge in front of goal. Monday night's win over Gibraltar was the first time Ireland have scored more than once in a competitive match since they beat Moldova 2-0 in October 2017 - but McCarthy is happy with the forwards at his disposal. He said: "I'm not going chasing him anymore"If he rings me up and he wants to play, then yes. But let me ask you a question. If you are an Irish player and you thought that you were good enough to play for Ireland, what would you do? Would you pick the phone up? That's what I did. If he wants to play, he's got to [pick up the phone]." Last night Northern Ireland maintained their 100 per cent start to the Euro 2020 qualifiers with a late win over Belarus courtesy of Paddy McNair. Scotland however were beaten 3-0 by Belgium - Romelu Lukaku with a brace - while Wales were left to rue a Gareth Bale miss as they were beaten 1-0 in Hungary.
The US Open starts tomorrow and 2015 winner Jordan Spieth has defended organisers, with the tournament coming under criticism in recent years due to playing conditions and a controversial incident involving Dustin Johnson in 2017 at Oakmont. However, Spieth - who is back in form ahead of Pebble Beach this weekend - thinks the negative publicity is unwarranted: "I think the big picture is you still had the right champions every single time. And that's what you want to do in Majors, you want to separate who is playing the best from who's not."
Elsewhere Ireland Under-20s doomed World Championship campaign in Argentina could come to an end today, as they take on Italy in their final pool fixture (2.30pm Irish time). Injury-ravaged Ireland have seen two further players sent home - centre Stewart Moore and number eight John Hodnett - however Ryan Baird, who was sent off in the 45-17 defeat to Australia, will be available after escaping suspension. In order to have any chance of progressing to the semi-finals Ireland will need to beat Italy with a four-try bonus point while significantly boosting their points difference.
Defending champions the USA got their World Cup campaign off to a flying start yesterday, as they routed Thailand 13-0, with Alex Morgan scoring five. Elsewhere the Netherlands beat New Zealand 1-0 at the death and Sweden beat Chile 2-0 in a game which had to be halted due to heavy rain. Today Nigeria face South Korea, Germany play Spain and France take on Norway.
