Galway are without doubt once again the team to beat, following their 1-28 to 3-15 Leinster hurling final replay win over Kilkenny. That's the view of Nicky English, he believes that "the sense that there was going to be blood in the water after last week's match, to encourage other challengers for Galway's title, has been completely dispelled." Monaghan were comfortable winners over Laois in Navan on Sunday, with Conor McManus top scoring as they took the final place in the Super 8s. The new round-robin series begins next weekend, and here's your extensive guide.
In his World Cup column, Marcel Desailly explains why Kylian Mbappé is the ace in France's pack but Belgium are slight favourites for tomorrow's semi-final: "I liked the way Mbappé was strong physically, stood up to the opposition and was able to resist in a physical battle. He has no fear, and that's where I am reminded of Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet from 1998." Ahead of Wednesday's other semi-final, and Emmet Malone tries to explain the feeling in Ireland as England take a step closer to unimaginable glory; "The hopes of those Irish anxious to see Southgate and his players stopped before it is too late (mainly, though not exclusively those in older age groups) now rest with Croatia then . . . "
Scotland's Russell Knox beat New Zealander Ryan Fox in a playoff to win the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open over the Glashedy Links at Ballyliffin Golf Club, a victory that also embellished his Ryder Cup ambitions. Knox's monster birdie on the last gave him a 66 for 14-under-par 274, and he returned to the 452 yards Par 4 18th for the playoff. Knox sank his long putt, Fox's agonisingly lipped out. Any chance of Shane Lowry getting into the mix at the DDF Irish Open perished in Saturday's third round when his putter turned rogue and his final round was over by the time the leaders were teeing off; "I said at the start of the week I was going to try and be better, but the harder you try the harder it is. I get in my own way at times, but what can I do?"
Sarah Healy wrapped up another golden moment for the Irish team at the European Under-18 athletics championships – completing arguably the hardest track double in the process. The 17-year-old from Monkstown in south Dublin travelled to Gyor targeting the 1,500m only, but after qualifying for the final in that distance earlier on Friday, Healy set about the hardy double, looking equally unbeatable when winning the 3,000m, run as a straight final. And on Sunday she completed the double.
It's time for the top seeds to move or perish in Wimbledon, as the big guns begin to collide this week. Five of top 10 men's seeds are in the Round of 16, but Johnny Watterson explains that, "in contrast, the women's draw has bled seeded players like no other Wimbledon and although Serena Williams was given a lowly number, she is still the player to beat." Serena Williams is in centre court today at 3pm, with Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic also in action.
Dan Martin has had a solid start to the Tour de France, avoiding trouble on the opening two stages, he is 16 seconds behind the overall leader Peter Sagan. Sagan took the overall lead following an uphill sprint win in La Roche-Sur-Yon after another hectic finale. Chris Froome, a day after tumbling into a field, was this time on the right side of the gaps, and finished in the lead group of 117 riders, which included most of the main contenders. Monday's 35.5km team time trial, based on Cholet, offers Froome another chance to make inroads into his deficit.
Sebastian Vettel won the British Grand Prix, with a commanding performance from second on the grid. Vettel now has an eight-point lead in the championship. Mercedes had not been beaten at Silverstone since the turbo-hybrid era began in 2014 with Lewis Hamilton winning all four races.
