Every morning theScore.ie brings you the stories you need to know before your first cup of coffee.
1.#QUALIFIED Katie Taylor will compete at the London Olympics after her place was guaranteed this morning. The three-time world champion was handed a walkover in her quarter-final against Mihaela Lacatus, with the Romanian pulling out due a neck injury. Results elsewhere, where a French fighter was beaten, means she is now certain to take part in the Games later this year.
2. #STAYING HOME? Roy Hodgson names his 23-man England squad this afternoon and it looks as though there will be a couple of surprise omissions. Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand is the biggest casualty, while it is understood there are no places for Peter Crouch or recent title-winner Micah Richards. The announcement is scheduled for 1pm today.
3. #AIRTRICITY LEAGUE Derry City came away from Gortakeegan with a 4-1 win over the Premier Division’s basement club Monaghan United last night. David McDaid opened the scoring before goals from Stephen McLaughlin, Patrick McEleney and Rory Patterson secured the victory. The home side did pull one back through striker Tony Griffiths in the last minute, however.
4. #AWARDS TIME Leinster’s Rob Kearney, Jonathan Sexton and Stephen Ferris have been nominated for the ERC Player of the Year along with fellow Ulster star Ruan Pienaar and Jonny Wilkinson of Toulon.
5. #COUSINS Robbie Keane visited the White House yesterday along with his LA Galaxy team-mates to meet US President Barack Obama.
The Ireland captain was singled out by Obama, who called him a “cousin”, before cracking a joke with David Beckham. Watch footage of the event here.
