Every morning TheScore.ie brings you the stories you need to know before that first cup of coffee.
1. #COYBIG After the trauma of the Euro 2012 campaign, Ireland got back on the horse last night with a creditable draw in Serbia. James McClean, James McCarthy and Seamus Coleman all featured at one time or another as Giovanni Trapattoni ran the rule over his charges before the start of next month’s World Cup 2014 qualifiers. Here’s how Paul Fennessy felt it went.
2. #GAA Kilkenny and Tipperary face off in an intriguing All-Ireland SHC semi-final on Sunday at Croke Park. We’ll have the team news as it breaks tonight and tomorrow. Read our hurling analyst Daithí Regan as previews the game the which will decide who faces Galway in September. We also caught up with Premier boss Declan Ryan for his thoughts as he prepares to renew rivalries with the Cats.
3. SALES It’s going to happen, isn’t it? Both Arsenal and Manchester United last night revealed that Robin van Persie will travel to Old Trafford today to discuss personal terms. The two clubs agreed a deal yesterday with United reportedly set to pay around €25m for a player who has one year remaining on his current contract. What do you think of that?
4. BRAZIL2014 While Ireland were drawing in Belgrade, Germany — Ireland’s pool rivals this campaign — lost to Argentina. Elsewhere, England beat their European Championships victors Italy in Switzerland. Catch up with all the details here.
5. #LONDON 2012 Ireland Olympic heroes were officially welcomed home yesterday. First, Dublin’s sporting public braved the weather to cheer Katie Taylor and the rest of the returning team and then Paddy Barnes and Enda Kenny had a chat at Farmleigh House.
6. #ON SONG How will Jimmy McGuinness feel about this?
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