Sport

The Morning Sports Briefing

Martin O’Neill calls on newcomers to shine, Ken Early remembers the great idealist Johan Cruyff, and what to watch out for

Irish manager Martin O’Neill watches his team train ahead of tonight’s friendly. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho
Irish manager Martin O’Neill watches his team train ahead of tonight’s friendly. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho
Fri Mar 25 2016 - 08:30

Soccer

Martin O'Neill has urged his Irish team to build on the momentum of their Euro 2016 qualification in tonight's friendly with Switzerland.

Yesterday Robbie Keane and Anthony Pilkington were both ruled out of the tie through injury yet O’Neill insists the team will still maintain a fair balance of newcomers and regulars with squad places on the line.

“The players who are coming in late here have a bit to do. Everything would probably have to go pretty well for them individually,” says the Irish manager. “But it’s not impossible.”

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In last night's international friendlies Northern Ireland and Wales, minus Gareth Bale, played out a 1-1 draw as did Italy and Spain.

The big news in the world of soccer yesterday though was the passing of Barcelona and Dutch legend Johan Cruyff, after the 68-year-old lost his battle with cancer. This morning Ken Early remembers the great idealist who proved beauty is best - "The post-war Amsterdam in which Cruyff grew up was a staid, grey city haunted by guilt, denial and decline. Out of this dreariness rose a brilliant symbol of youth, freedom and creativity in the form of Cruyff and the Total Football of which he was the incarnation."

Rugby

Liam Toland's column this morning pays tribute to Hubert Dudley, and the Crescent Comprehensive College coach's immense contribution to Crescent, Munster and Irish Schools rugby; "The musician, teacher of art, teacher of rugby, teacher of life passed away peacefully last week and, although that double bed sheet has long gone, the gifts that Dudley gave us will live on for many years through the generations that long for a "Dudley"."

GAA

Kerry have named their team to play Monaghan this weekend, with midfielder David Moran returning from injury to replace Bryan Sheehan as the Kingdom go in pursuit of a first league semi-final spot in four years. Paul Geaney also returns this weekend and is among the substitutes.

Golf

Meanwhile Rory McIlroy made it two wins from two matches in his defence of the WGC-Dell Matchplay championship with a 3 and 1 victory over American Smylie Kaufman in the second day of group play.

What to watch out for

In Pro12 action tonight Munster host Zebre, kick-off at 7pm (TG4 from 6.30pm) before Ulster travel to take on Glasgow at 7.45pm.

BBC 2 from 7.30pm

Ireland's friendly with Switzerland also kicks off at 7.45pm from the Aviva Stadium.

Setanta from 7.30pm