It's Friday morning and in the latest edition of our Best of Times series Gerry Thornley has looked back to Ireland's famous Grand Slam victory in 2009, when a 17-15 win over Wales at the Millennium Stadium saw a 61-year drought come to an end. The 2009 Six Nations proved the defining moment for Ireland's Golden Generation, as well as providing the catalyst for the success Irish rugby has since seen at international and provincial level. He writes: "Across the water especially, and to a lesser extent both at home and further afield, you always felt that Irish rugby was still sneered at a little. But not after that, and thereafter all changed." Meanwhile in the latest entry into his lockdown diary, Andrew Porter has written about "contactless contact sessions," as Leinster feel their way back into training at UCD. "To be honest, training in lockdown seemed tougher, perhaps because you were doing it in on your own and it involved plenty of running and weights," he writes. "At least now we have a ball, as well as teammates, to distract us from the fitness demands."
Meanwhile dethroned champions Manchester City thrashed Liverpool 4-0 at the Etihad last night. Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring before Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden and an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain own goal steered Pep Guardiola's side to a comfortable victory. Earlier Sheffield United got their bid for a European place back on track with a 3-1 win over a beleaguered Tottenham Hotspur at Bramall Lane. Victory moved the Blades back up to seventh with Jose Mourinho's side still languishing in ninth.
Limerick have been dealt a blow after Shane Dowling announced his retirement from inter-county hurling yesterday. 27-year-old Dowling - an All-Ireland winner in 2018 - cited a long-term knee injury, which has required three surgeries in three years, as the reason for his decision. In a statement, he said: "To be speaking about retirement from the game I adore, at the age of 27, is not what I ever intended or imagined, and I still hardly believe this is happening, but unfortunately I have been left with no other option." This morning Seán Moran has suggested Dowling's retirement will have a big impact on Limerick's Championship aspirations, with the Na Piarsaigh clubman arguably the best substitute in hurling history. "Dowling was able to bring physicality to the job of ball winning and was very good in the air but it was his ability to utilise his tremendous technique - at 14 he won the All-Ireland skills title at Féile - in high-tension environments that marked him out."
Aidan O'Brien will have six chances in Saturday's Epsom Derby, after the final declarations for the famous race were made yesterday afternoon. Ryan Moore will take the ride on Mogul and Seamie Heffernan will partner Russian Emperor; with Vatican City, Serpentine, Mythical and Amhran Na Bhfiann making up the rest of O'Brien's challenge. Meanwhile Frankie Dettori faces a tactical test on ante-post favourite English King after they were drawn in stall one.
The Formula One World Championship resumes in Austria this weekend, and six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has said winning this year's title would mean more than the others due to the Black Lives Matter movement. "It is not going to change in our time, our generation but for our kids, it is such an important moment for us, so winning the world title during this time would be even more important."
And the FAI board have given the green light for the League of Ireland to resume as planned on July 31st - Emmet Malone reports.
