Premier League clubs have voted through legislation designed to prevent Newcastle United's Saudi owners from striking lucrative sponsorship deals following their hugely controversial takeover. In Premier League action last night, Alexandre Lacazette struck with the last kick of the game to give Arsenal a rollercoaster 2-2 home draw with Crystal Palace and deny Patrick Vieira a winning return to his former club. Richie Towell's late equaliser saw Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians share the spoils after a feisty encounter at Tallaght Stadium. Ahead of tonight's Champions League clash with La Liga champions Atlético Madrid, Liverpool centre back Virgil van Dijk reminds fans, 'I am not a robot', as he explains the road back from an ACL injury is a long one. Liverpool have made an impressive unbeaten start to the season since his return.
In his column this morning, Gerry Thornley explains why history tells us Connacht are justified in feeling hard done by. From refereeing decisions - Chris Cloete's try in last weekend's defeat to Munster the latest - to blatant gerrymandering the province has suffered: "maybe Connacht supporters, and management and players alike, can have a tendency to be a little paranoid. But then again, they're probably entitled to be."
Galway GAA have announced that former Kildare manager Cian O'Neill has been appointed coach to Pádraic Joyce's senior football team. Kerry's two-time All-Ireland winning full forward Tommy Walsh has retired from intercounty football. In Kevin McStay's column (Subscriber Only) this morning the former Roscommon manager writes that championship changes are needed but we may not see them just yet. Two new football championship formats are set to go before Saturday's special GAA congress - with option B, a league-based championship format receiving firm backing from the Gaelic Players Association and a number of managers.
Meanwhile, Curtis Campher hit the winning run as Ireland got their World T20 campaign off to the perfect start in Abu Dhabi with a dominant victory over the Netherlands. Check out Nathan Johns' match report here.
