GAA:
Wicklow clashed with Waterford in Aughrim where the teams drew, scoring 12 points each in the first round of the Division Four Allianz Football League. Wicklow (0-12) – Waterford (0-12).
Waterford started the brightest, opening up with a three point lead after 13 minutes through Jason Curry (0-2), Joey Veale and Paul Whyte. Wicklow rebounded and finished the second half well, clawing the visitors back through points from captain Seanie Furlong (0-3), Gearóid Murphy and Daniel Keane.
The second half saw John Evans’ Wicklow side open up a 0-10 to 0-6 lead through Darren Hayden, Dean Healy, Furlong and Murphy. However, Waterford proved the fitter of the two sides, as Jason Curry scored a further four points to level the game.
Joey Veale put Waterford up by a point, before Gearóid Murphy and Furlong restored Wicklow’s lead. One final free from Curry put the teams level at 0-12 to 0-12 to close out the match.
Next up for Wicklow is a trip to England where they will face London next Sunday, with throw in at 1pm.
Meanwhile, the senior hurlers ran out comfortable winners over Armagh by a score of 4-20 to 1-12. O’Brien was the star of the show, scoring 2-7, while Byrne chipped in with an impressive 2-3.
The hurlers next game is a clash away from home against Down next Sunday, with thrown in at 2pm.
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Soccer:
Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea all progressed into the next round of the FA Cup with wins this weekend.
Manchester United ran out 4-0 winners away to Yeovil on Friday night through goals from Marcus Rashford, Ander Herrera, Romelu Lukaku and Jesse Lingard. New signing Alexis Sanchez made his debut for José Mourinho’s men and registered an assist for United’s second goal.
Chelsea recorded a comfortable 3-0 win against Newcastle United on Sunday to progress. A brace from Michy Batshuayi and a goal from Marcos Alonso helped Antonio Conte’s men qualify with relative ease.
Manchester City were 2-0 victors over Cardiff City later on Sunday afternoon. Despite Bernardo Silva having a goal controversially ruled out for offside, the result was never in doubt. Kevin de Bruyne and Raheem Sterling continued their excellent seasons with the two goals.
Tottenham Hotspur escaped embarrassment when they managed to come from behind to draw away against Newport.
Spurs found themselves behind early on when Irish striker Amond put the hosts ahead. Harry Kane saved the Londoners’ blushes with eight minutes to go with an equaliser to force a replay.
Liverpool lost for the second time in a row when they crashed out against West Bromwich Albion. Roberto Firmino had put the Merseysiders in front early on, but first half goals from Jay Rodriguez (2) and a Joel Matip own goal — as well as a Firmino missed penalty — turned the game around in West Brom’s favour.
Despite Mohamed Salah scoring with 12 minutes to go to peg the deficit back to one, West Brom hung on to win the game 3-2, knocking Liverpool out in the process.
The draw for the next round takes place this evening.
Golf:
Rory McIlroy was unsuccessful in winning the Omega Dubai Desert Classic this past weekend.
Going into the final round on Sunday, McIlroy was on 19 under-par after a four under-par 68 on day three. He started the day strong, making two birdies on the front nine followed by another birdie on the 10th.
However, bogeys on the 11th and 16th holes swung the day in favour of the eventual winner Haotong Li. Despite dropping three shots during the final round, Li scored four birdies in the final six holes to win the day and the competition on 23 under-par, one shot clear of McIlroy on 22-under.
