We'll leave it there so: Sweet success in Paris, more glory in Glasgow and all today's sport

Thrills, spills and strikes made up an absorbing helter-skelter sports day.

Updated at 21.03

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

The two teams take to the field before the game The Ireland and USA teams take to the pitch for their Women's Rugby World Cup clash. ©Dan Sheridan / INPHO ©Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

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The Ireland Women’s rugby side, inspired by an eighteen-point haul from Niamh Briggs, got their World Cup off to the perfect start with a 23-17 victory over the USA in Paris. Next up is a relatively easy assignment: New Zealand.

There was more success for Team NI at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as both Michael Conlan and Michaela Walsh secured at least a silver medal after their respective boxing bouts. Paddy Barnes has done likewise after he won his 49kg semi-final.

A proposed Irish Rail strike will cause havoc for those wishing to travel to the All-Ireland football semi-final on 24th August while there’s a further threat of a temporary suspension of services on the first and third Sundays in September – the date of the All-Ireland hurling and football deciders.

Richard Dunne 1/8/2014 ©INPHO / Donall Farmer ©INPHO / Donall Farmer / Donall Farmer

The now ex-Republic of Ireland international Richard Dunne has revealed that he spoke to Robbie Keane before announcing his international retirement.

Kilkenny boss Brian Cody has hit out at the criticisms leveled at the Dublin hurlers in the aftermath of their defeat to Tipperary.

Rory Best has been named as Ulster’s new captain. The 30 year-old hooker previously wore the captain’s armband between 2007 and 2011 before stepping down as skipper.

Northern Ireland and Mexico players clash during the game ©INPHO / Presseye/William Cherry ©INPHO / Presseye/William Cherry / Presseye/William Cherry

Following the ugly scenes that marred Wednesday’s Milk Cup game between Northern Ireland and Mexico, four players have been slapped with suspensions.

Popstar in-waiting Shane O’Donnell has more time to concentrate on his pop career now after it was revealed that he broke his hand during Clare’s recent win over Cork. He faces four weeks on the sidelines.

Away

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted that Thomas Vermaelen could be on his way out of the Emirates with Manchester United lying in wait to secure his signature.

We won’t be seeing Dustin Johnson for a while. The eight-time PGA winner announced that he’s taking a leave of absence from golf with immediate effect to seek professional help for ‘personal challenges’. Late this evening though, reports suggested his time-out was actually enforced due to cocaine use.

Hunter Mahan Dustin Johnson is stepping away from gold for the forseeable future to deal with some 'personal challenges'. Paul Chiasson / The Canadian Press/Press Association Images Paul Chiasson / The Canadian Press/Press Association Images / The Canadian Press/Press Association Images

Everyone’s chipping in to offer their take on Louis van Gaal with Gerard Pique the latest. Apparently, aul’ Louis wasn’t very nice to the Barcelona defender when he was a child.

Tiger is still chasing Jack Nicklaus’ record but Rory’s not – he’s just concentrating on winning his fourth major.

Michael Cheika’s Waratahs face into an incredibly unkind history when they take on Canterbury Crusaders in this weekend’s Super 15 final but the ex-Leinster coach is satying positive.

The best thing we shared

This goal from Leicester City’s David Nugent is all kinds of right. Get in!

leiceister-goal

On the record

I don’t know is it a good thing or a bad thing that you know the road ahead of you, I just put the head down. There was never a time that I wanted to pack it in, if that thought crossed my mind I’d be wondering what I was doing there at all. It drove me on really, when I was down doing physio and the lads were out on the pitch.”

Cork’s Colm O’Neill on his long road back from injury nightmare.

The fixture list

At Croke Park, there are a couple of fourth-round football qualifiers down for decision. Meath take on Armagh at 5pm while that’s followed by Kildare’s clash with Monaghan at 7pm. Meanwhile, at Markievicz Park at 3pm, there’s the MFC quarter-final between Donegal and Roscommon.
Michael Conlan and Michaela Walsh could claim gold medals at the Commonwealth Games. Walsh is first up in her Women’s fly decider against England’s Nicola Adams while Conlan will also be up against a home favourite in his bantamweight bout with Qais Ashfaq. Walsh is in the ring at 2pm while Conlan is in action at 3.45.
Day Six of the Galway Races takes place.
There’s some League of Ireland First Division action with Cobh Ramblers taking on Waterford United.
And the pick of the pre-season friendlies sees Manchester United take on Real Madrid in front of 109,000 fans in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Kick-off is 9pm GMT.