1. #ARMSTRONG Lance Armstrong is to be stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned from cycling, the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) said on Thursday as the American announced that he would no longer fight doping charges against him.

Armstrong, 40, continues to maintain his innocence of all charges and accused USADA of pursuing an “unconstitutional witch hunt” against him.

2. #DONEGAL V CORK Conor Counihan has made only one change from the Cork side which beat Kildare for this Sunday’s All Ireland SFC semi-final against Donegal.

Ciaran Sheehan is the man who will make way, his omission allowing Patrick Kelly to line out at centre half forward. The Cork substitutes have not been announced.

3. #BOYS IN GREEN The road to Rio 2014 begins today when Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni names his squad for next month’s opening World Cup qualifier in Kazakhstan. Ireland travel to Astana on 7 September before facing Oman in a friendly in Craven Cottage four days later.

In domestic action, all eyes will be on the third round of the FAI Cup. In the Airtricity League Premier Division, St Patrick’s Athletic will hope to reel in Sligo Rovers when they host the league leaders in Richmond Park.

4. #EUROPA LEAGUE An Andy Webster own goal gave Liverpool a 1-0 win in the Europa League play-off first leg against Hearts in Tynecastle last night.

In Greece, Newcastle United survived sweltering conditions to hold Atromitos to a 1-1 draw.

5. #DIAMOND LEAGUE Yohan Blake joined Tyson Gay as the second fastest man over 100m in history last night when he won in 9.69 seconds at the Lausanne Diamond League meet. Gay was second in 9.83 seconds.

In the 200m, Olympic champion Usain Bolt cruised home in 19.58 seconds. America’s Carmelita Jeter edged the women’s 100m, turning the tables on Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica.

6. #BARCLAYS Padraig Harrington leads the Barclays by a shot after posting an opening round 64 at Bethpage Black on Thursday — but Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal warned that only a win would leave him in the contention for a place in next month’s intercontinental showdown.