NEED TO CATCH up? TheScore.ie brings you a round-up of today’s sports news…

A deer runs across the course at Gleneagles as the countdown continues to the start of the 2014 Ryder Cup. Matt Dunham / AP/Press Association Images Matt Dunham / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images

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We’re nearly there. And it’s Rory against Lefty in a face-off on Friday morning. Kinda. Probably a little less intense than that, in fairness.

Bernard Brogan has spoken about the recent knife attack on his Dublin team-mate Jonny Cooper.

Cian Healy is set for a ‘significant layoff’ after injuring his hamstring in Leinster training.

Church is set for a prolonged spell on the sidelines. ©INPHO / Dan Sheridan ©INPHO / Dan Sheridan / Dan Sheridan

Matt O’Connor is also set to try a couple of options before deciding on a long-term replacement for Brian O’Driscoll.

Conor McGregor’s opponent on Saturday, Dustin Poirier, doesn’t like the Dubliner that much.

The Dubs have named their team for Sunday’s TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Football final against reigning champions Cork.

We reckon Lionel Messi is pretty happy with himself today. He’s on the cover of FIFA 2015 alongside Richie Towell and Barry Murphy.

Barry Murphy, Richie Towell and some other lad. DundalkFC.com DundalkFC.com

19 year-old Paddy McNair from Antrim could feature in the Manchester United squad on Saturday due to the club’s injury crisis.

Martin McHugh will be in charge of Sligo IT for the forthcoming season and will get to keep a close eye on his two sons who both play for the side.

In what was the day’s most important story, Marty Morrissey has confirmed that his eyebrows are actually real.

Away

Faustino Asprilla has followed the usual post-football trajectory and released his own condom line.

Ahead of Saturday’s big UFC showdown, we ask (and answer, thankfully) ‘Who is Dustin Poirier?’

Dustin Poirier stands between Conor McGregor and another UFC victory. DARRYL DYCK / The Canadian Press/Press Association Images DARRYL DYCK / The Canadian Press/Press Association Images / The Canadian Press/Press Association Images

ESPN has suspended Bill Simmons for three weeks after the broadcaster and writer criticised NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell earlier this week.

The shy and retiring Mario Balotelli has a new hairstyle.

What we always love here at TheScore.ie HQ is politicians getting involved in PR stunts with a bookmakers. Here’s nice man Nigel Farage offering up his support for the European Ryder Cup team.

Where we were today

Leinster coach Matt O'Connor at today's media briefing where he spoke about Cian Healy's injury and BOD's long-term replacement. ©INPHO / Morgan Treacy ©INPHO / Morgan Treacy / Morgan Treacy

The RDS played host to Leinster’s latest press conference. Matt O’Connor was joined by Rhys Ruddock to chat about Cian Healy’s hamstring and much more.

The best thing we shared today

Miguel Angel Jimenez enjoyed himself at the Ryder Cup opening ceremony. ©INPHO / Cathal Noonan ©INPHO / Cathal Noonan / Cathal Noonan

We love Miguel Angel Jimenez. The cigars, the haircut, the outfits. But today, we loved him just a little bit more as he reveled in the Ryder Cup opening ceremony.

On the record

Everyone talks about going to England or going away but I love playing over here. It’s given me a new lease of life, I think, since I signed for Dundalk and I’m really enjoying my football. I love playing for Dundalk. And to sacrifice that and maybe going over there and not playing, it would be frustrating.”

Dundalk’s Richie Towell admits he’s enjoying his football in the League of Ireland. 

The fixture list

• It’s the opening day of Ryder Cup with the morning fourballs starting at 7.35am. Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson take on Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson. From an Irish perspective, Rory McIlroy is in action (alongside Sergio Garcia) against Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson at 8.20am. Afternoon foursomes get underway at 1.15.
• It’s a very busy night in the SSE Airtricity League with a full fixture list (all games 7.45 unless stated otherwise). There’s a Dublin derby as St. Pats host Shamrock Rovers while 2nd-placed Cork City will be hoping to get the better of Sligo (7.05pm). Leaders Dundalk look to have a relatively easy assignment away to second-from bottom UCD. Elsewhere, Bohemians take on Limerick, it’s Derry at home to Athlone while Drogheda face Bray. 
• Leinster and Connaught are in Pro-12 action. Matt O’Connor’s side host Cardiff at the RDS (7.35) while the Westerners travel to Glasgow to face the Warriors.

Showbiz, baby!

Jamie Redknapp and Kenny Dalglish during the Pro-Celebrity challenge at Gleneagles. Lynne Cameron / PA Wire/Press Association Images Lynne Cameron / PA Wire/Press Association Images / PA Wire/Press Association Images

Before the opening ceremony took place, a couple of celebs were involved in a bit of fun at Gleneagles. Jamie Redknapp, Kenny Dalglish, Alan Hansen and former Scottish rugby player Gavin Hastings took part in a fourball against ex-Ryder Cup captains Monty, Ian Woosnam, Mark James and Corey Pavin.

How much is a banana?”