Who is popular today?

Sam Maguire has had a six-year residency in Dublin - but Dessie Farrell’s Dubs will be saying goodbye to the All-Ireland this year, according to Malachy Clerkin. He writes: “The loss of Stephen Cluxton is a real thing. Ditto the loss of McCaffrey and Mannion and Cian O’Sullivan. But just as real is the gradual erosion of their cast of bit-part heroes. There’s no Darren Daly to send on to do a job in any one of the defensive positions. There’s no Paddy Andrews or Kevin McManamon to bring in as soon as one of the shooters kicks two wides. There’s no Macauley to thud into midfield to change the tempo and tenor of a game.”
The 149th British Open got underway yesterday, with 2010 champion Louis Oosthuizen earning a one-stroke lead after his opening effort of 64. Rory McIlroy grinded his way to a 70 to sit six off the lead - he was the pick of the Irish in the field with the holder of the Claret Jug Shane Lowry a stroke back at Royal St George’s. After his 64, South African Oosthuizen said: “”I think number one, on this golf course, it’s hit the fairway. You’re not going to be able to do much from the rough here or the fairway bunkers. Coming into this week driving the ball good is key. If you aren’t comfortable with a driver around this golf course, then don’t be scared laying further back, as long as you can get in the fairway.”
Alun Wyn Jones is set to captain the Lions in their opening Test match against South Africa on July 24th. The Welsh great has recovered from a shoulder injury sustained against Japan at Murrayfield last month and will skipper the side instead of Ireland’s Conor Murray, who had been appointed his replacement. Gerry Thornley writes: “Gatland had said on Wednesday that Jones would have to observe a few days of isolation due to Covid protocols before returning to training on Monday, but now he will play some part off the bench against the Stormers in order to put himself into contention for the first Test.”
And Bohemians are through to the second round of the Uefa Conference League, after they beat Iceland’s Stjarnan 3-0 at the Aviva Stadium last night. Bohs progressed 4-1 on aggregate - Gavin Cummiskey was at Lansdowne Road.