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• Ireland rugby captain Paul O’Connell’s international career has come to a close, after his hamstring injury on Sunday ruled him out for the rest of the World Cup, with Leinster’s Mike McCarthy called-up as a replacement.
• And as expected, the tributes flowed following the news.
• Ireland flanker Chris Henry said that the captain’s final pre-game speech for his country was a privilege to witness, and that the side have all the motivation they need for the rest of the tournament.
• After Mike McCarthy was called-up to the squad, and Mick Kearney undergoing surgery, Leinster have signed experienced Maori All Black Hayden Triggs for the rest of the season.
• Former Meath football captain Kevin Reilly has been forced to retire from the game at 29, citing “persistent and serious injury”.
• The Ireland U21 soccer team suffered their first defeat in their Uefa Championship qualifiers, going down 1-0 to Italy in Vicenza.
• Irish UFC star Cathal Pendred is confident his upcoming fight at UFC Dublin will put him back on track in his MMA career.

Away

AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

• Wales have called-up Eli Walker to replace the injured Liam Williams, but the Ospreys winger isn’t fit to play in their quarter final against South Africa.
• The refereeing appointments have been made for this weekend’s World Cup quarter-finals, and Jerome Garces will take the whistle for Ireland v Argentina.
• Former Wallaby James O’Connor has had his contract terminated by the Queensland Reds, paving the way for a return to European Champions Toulon.
• The Chicago Cubs went 2-1 ahead of the St Louis Cardinals to move within one win of a place in the National League Division Series.
• Former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse has been arrested in a blackmail investigation that allegedly involves a sex tape featuring French midfielder Mathieu Valbuena.
• New Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce says that he takes special pleasure in inflicting defeat on and winding up Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

The best thing that we shared

Cork City have released this great video supporting Uefa’s anti-racism week. 

Where we were today

Murray Kinsella and Sean Farrell were keeping tabs on the Irish and Argentina squads at their press briefings in Wales today.

Ramsey Cardy / SPORTSFILE Ramsey Cardy / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE

Niall Kelly was catching up with GAA stars James O’Donoghue, Padraic Maher and Aisling Thompson at the launch of the AIB GAA Club Championships in Coolock.

On the record

“It’s a quiet presence. It’s a quiet presence that takes up a lot of space. He physically is a big man, but his influence on others doesn’t have to be stated. His influence is very much demonstrated by what he does, and because he does it other people will follow.”

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has been speaking about the loss of captain Paul O’Connell.

The Fixtures list

Michael Conlan fights for Ireland’s first ever World Boxing Championship gold medal in Doha. He takes on Murodjon Akhmadaliev of Uzbekistan tomorrow evening.

Michael O’Reilly is also in action for his Olympic qualification box-off. He faces Hosam Abdin of Egypt.

Showbiz, Baby!

We’re trying to say #ThanksPaulie by organising a standing ovation in the fifth minute at the Millennium Stadium this Sunday.

If you’re one of the lucky ones to be in Cardiff, we hope you join in.