EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING TheScore.ie brings you bang up to date before you’ve blown the steam off that first cuppa coffee.
1. #NO PLACE IN CYCLING
That’s how the UCI now views Lance Armstrong.
UCI chief Pat McQuaid yesterday confirmed that the sport’s governing body would accept the findings of USADA’s report, strip Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles and ban the Texan from cycling.
McQuaid has also suggested they could chase Armstrong for his Tour winnings and American insurance firms are also threatening law-suits to recover money paid to the disgraced rider.
Despite all this, the UCI head insists legal action against journalist Paul Kimmage will continue.
2. #CHAMPIONS LEAGUE John Terry will make his first appearance since being handed a four-match ban for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand tonight.
Chelsea are in the Ukraine to face Shakhtar Donetsk while Manchester United host Braga and Celtic face the daunting task of meeting Barcelona in the Nou Camp.
3. #ROI Former Irish internationals Jason McAteer and Packie Bonner spoke with TheScore.ie yesterday. Bonner, a former goalkeeping coach in Giovanni Trapattoni’s camp, said it would have been illogical to heave the Italian from the hot seat. Meanwhile, McAteer feels the players who take the field are lacking a general.
4. #RUGBY It’s back to the humdrum of the Pro12 for Ireland’s four provinces this week after three weeks of Heineken Cup and inter-provincial action.
Leinster and Munster have no new injury concerns after both provinces won at the weekend. However, the fitness of fullback Rob Kearney is still clouded in mystery. Read what assistant coach Jono Gibbes has to say on the European player of the year here.
Connacht’s young back-line are feeling the effects of facing international standard opponents. Eric Elwood will sweat on the fitness of Robbie Henshaw, Tiernan O’Halloran, Mata Fifita and centre pairing Eoin Griffin and Dave McSharry ahead of this weekend’s trip to face Ospreys in the Liberty Stadium.
5. #GAA While Limerick club football is enduring the fallout of a violent pitch invasion, All Ireland finalists Mayo have announced that former Kerry trainer Donie Buckley is to be added to James Horan’s management team for next season’s campaign.
