Kevin O'Brien and John Mooney during training today ahead ODI between Ireland and Australia at Stormont on Thursday. Presseye / William Cherry/INPHO Presseye / William Cherry/INPHO / William Cherry/INPHO

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• Ireland men’s hockey team have earned a place in the Eurohockey Championship semi-finals after drawing with Belgium in London today. 
• Andrew Trimble is ‘fit to go’ after taking part in Ireland training at Carton House today while Les Kiss is confident Cian Healy will win his fitness battle.
• There was another near miss for Nicolas Roche at the Vuelta a Espana as he was pipped on the line of the fourth stage.
• Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC semi-final between Dublin and Mayo at Croke Park is now officially sold out.
• Clare hurler Conor Cleary is set for a spell on the sidelines after fracturing his ankle in a club game at the weekend.
• Eamon Dunphy has called Man United manager Louis van Gaal a ‘spoofer’ who’s ‘making it up as he goes along.’
• Former Ireland midfielder Keith Treacy becomes the latest international to move to the League of Ireland after signing for Drogheda United.

Snickers are sponsoring the new series of Second Captains Live on RTÉ. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Away

• Barcelona are ready to offer Neymar a new deal amid reports of a world record bid from Manchester United.
• John Stones has submitted a transfer request amid talk of a £40 million bid from Chelsea for the Everton defender.
• AC Milan have confirmed the return of striker Mario Balotelli from Liverpool.
• World Rugby today announced a four-year suspension for Wales sevens player Carl Townsend for an anti-doping violation.
• Arsene Wenger has hit back at Gary Neville after the Sky Sports pundit suggested the Arsenal manager’s transfer policy is either ‘naive’ or ‘arrogant’.
• Chelsea have offloaded Colombian winger Juan Cuadrado to Juventus after he made just 15 appearances for the Blues.

The Best Thing We Shared Today

It’s four years to the day that Shamrock Rovers recorded one of the most historic results in Irish football. Stephen O’Donnell’s penalty set up a famous win in the second leg of their Europa League playoff against Partizan Belgrade.

On The Record

“People keep telling me he’s got quality, I must be blind.”

Jamie Carragher said what every Liverpool fan is thinking about Mario Balotelli.

Where We Were Today

Sean Farrell was at Carton House as Ireland’s preparations for this weekend’s World Cup warm-up against Wales continued while Fintan O’Toole was at the Kilkenny press conference ahead of the All-Ireland final.

Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

The Fixture List

• Manchester United will hope to secure their place in the Champions League group stages when they face Club Brugge in the second-leg of their qualifying tie. United lead 3-1 from last week. 
• In the Capital One Cup, Everton travel to Barnsley in the second round.
• At the World Athletics Championships, there are a number of Irish athletes in action including Kelly Proper in the women’s 200m heats.

Showbiz, Baby!

Money is no object for Floyd Mayweather - he’s just splashed $4.8 million on a new car.

Another close finish at the Vuelta ends in disappointment for Nicolas Roche

Ireland’s men make history by booking place in Eurohockey Championship semis