We'll Leave It There So: Ronaldo fannies about, Ireland book semi-final spot and all today's sport

Here’s the best of Wednesday’s sporting offerings.

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Ultan Dillane got the shift from a giraffe today in Johannesburg. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Ireland are through to the semi-finals of the World Rugby U20 Championship for the second time in the nine-year history of the competition.
Martin O’Neill is confident there are a number of players in his squad who can step up to the plate and replace Jon Walters for Saturday’s Euro 2016 game against Belgium.
Robbie Brady could be a Premier League player again sooner rather than later, amid reports that he is a target for champions Leicester City.
Bohemians have announced the signing of former Ireland U21 goalkeeper Shane Supple seven years after he quit the game.
Natalya Coyle’s place at the 2016 Rio Olympics has been confirmed, Pentathlon Ireland announced today.
Ladies football and camogie are set to receive €1 million funding over the next two years from the government.
Five Galway players will make their Championship debuts for their side’s Connacht semi-final with Mayo this weekend.
Speculation is mounting that Limerick manager TJ Ryan could include as many as seven full championship debutants in his team for Sunday’s Munster SHC semi-final against holders Tipperary at Semple Stadium.

Away

Hugo Keenan scores his team's first try Hugo Keenan scores a try for the Ireland U20s in their win against Georgia. Camerasport / Dave Howarth/INPHO Camerasport / Dave Howarth/INPHO / Dave Howarth/INPHO

Arsenal will face Liverpool in a mouth-watering clash on the opening day of the 2016-17 Premier League season, while Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United travel to Bournemouth.
Iceland hero Karu Arnason hit back at “sore loser” Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portugal captain complained that their Group F opponents had a “small mentality” following their 1-1 draw at Euro 2016.
Today at Euro 2016, Switzerland and Romania played out a draw in Group A, after Slovakia were 2-1 winners against Russia in Group B.
England prop Joe Marler is being investigated by the RFU after calling former Australia coach Bob Dwyer a “wanker” on Twitter.

Where we were today

Ben Blake was with the Republic of Ireland squad in Versailles, Emma Duffy was at the Alexander Hotel for the announcement of a government funding boost for ladies football and camogie, and Fintan O’Toole made his way to Parnell Park for the Leinster U21 hurling semi-final between Dublin and Westmeath.

Warren Casserly with Sean Treacy Westmeath’s Warren Casserly tussles with Sean Treacy of Dublin. Tommy Dickson / INPHO Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO

The best thing we shared

Argentina looked very impressive as they booked their place in the Copa America quarter-finals with a 3-0 win against Bolivia.

FootoZ / YouTube

On the record

I saw these images the next day. Of course you do something unconsciously now and then. I didn’t know that people paid so much attention to it. It happened. I’m sorry for it. You’re full of adrenaline, you’re concentrating, and things that happen now and then, you don’t perceive them very consciously. I’m trying to behave differently from now on.”

Germany boss Jogi Low was caught on camera during Germany’s opening Euro 2016 win against Ukraine putting his hand down the front of his trousers before raising it to his nose. He addressed that in a news conference today.

The fixture list

The action continues at Euro 2016 with three more games tomorrow: England v Wales (2pm), Ukraine v Northern Ireland (5pm), Germany v Poland (8pm).

Showbiz, baby!

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Ireland’s Wes Hoolahan, Stephen Quinn, Shane Long, Daryl Murphy, Stephen Ward, David Meyler, James McClean and Seamus Coleman took some time out from preparing for Saturday’s clash with Belgium to remind us of the role the League of Ireland played in their journey to Euro 2016.

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