The Morning Sports Briefing

Boxing

Today could mark an historic day in Irish boxing history as Dublin's Kellie Harrington becomes just the fifth Irish boxer ever to fight in an elite World Championship final.

The light-welterweight defeated Canada’s Sara Kali in her semi-final yesterday and will now take on China’s Weniu Yang in the final at around midday Irish time today. Harrington is looking to become only the second Irish woman ever, after Katie Taylor, to win world gold.

As for Taylor, he quest for six world titles in a row was undone yesterday by France’s Estelle Mossely on a split decision.

“We didn’t know how it was going because we don’t get scores between rounds. I’m just not sure . . . It’s hard to say just after a fight. I’ll have to obviously look back at the video and see what went wrong. My plan was to come over here and make history. Unfortunately that didn’t happen,” the 29-year-old said afterwards.

Soccer

Ireland will tonight play their final match in Dublin before Euro 2016 when they take on the Netherlands at Lansdowne Road. Martin O'Neill confirmed yesterday that John O'Shea will start in the centre of defence for some badly needed game time while James McCarthy sits out with a groin strain. For players such as Harry Arter, Stephen Quinn and Darron Gibson, tonight's game - and that against Belarus on Tuesday - represent the last chance to force a place in the squad for France.

Another player in a similar bracket is David McGoldrick. The 28-year-old will never forget his dream debut against the USA two years ago, but can he rekindle some of that form to make it into the squad for Euro 2016?

“It really feels like a long time ago now,” he acknowledges. “I kind of showed him what I could do then, but I would have liked to have been able to get a few games after that. But it wasn’t meant to be. I just have to look to the future now and progress,” he says.

Meanwhile, Netherlands' Daley Blind is trying to look beyond the disappointment of not reaching the Euros by planning for the future.

After a disappointing season at club level, the 26-year-old is also taking a similar approach with Manchester United.

Staying with United and the news was emerging yesterday that Jose Mourinho has signed a contract to become the new manager of the 20-time champions of England.

Mourinho is expected to be officially unveiled by the club today and is already targeting certain players in the transfer window with Zlatan Ibrahimovic reportedly top of the list.

The Swedish striker yesterday said he already had “concrete offers” from England.

Rugby

With the build-up continuing towards tomorrow's Pro12 final, Liam Toland looks at where the battle between Connacht and Leinster will be won and lost.

“Lest we forget Leinster’s perennial challenge was how to win. At times this season, they have forgotten those ways, but not so in the RDS last Saturday. In the opening 18 minutes they had 87 per cent possession and made only four tackles. Eoin Reddan, who played a blinder, had wonderful front-foot ball to hit Johnny Sexton on the gainline. Sexton pulled the strings. As those minutes unfolded it was a battle of wingers, and in that battle Luke Fitzgerald was simply stunning,” Toland says.

Perhaps the best player to reflect on Connacht's rise is former academy star Tiernan O'Halloran.

Born and reared in Clifden, and having come through the ranks of Garbally College, Galwegians and the Connacht academy, O’Halloran has flourished at fullback with his licence to thrill.

GAA

John Allen reflects on Cork's big loss to Tipperary last week and looks at why the county's hurling infrastructure needs a significant overhaul.

“ It’s Friday and Cork hurling’s latest issue is still in the media. Cork GAA crises have certainly filled a lot of column centimetres since this millennium dawned. We were a breath of off-season rancid air for a number of months in three different years and it seems we’re ready to do a bit of public bloodletting again.

“The performance of our hurlers in Thurles last Sunday left a lot to be desired and has become the latest catalyst.

The words ‘crisis’ and ‘crossroads’ were used frequently since. And so there’s a call for change again. Wednesday morning’s local press saw fit to make the contribution of Kevin O’Donovan at the previous night’s county board meeting their sportspages’ main story,” he writes.

In football, Gavin Cummiskey writes about the continuing battle for players to lead the careers of essentially professional sportspeople, while also holding down a job.

“I work in the fashion industry,” the Roscommon full back explained. “I study a Masters in fashion business, I work for Brown Thomas with their men’s brands and I got my own clothing brand as well that I put a lot of energy into,” says Roscommon’s Neil Patrick Collins.

Golf

Shane Lowry and Graeme McDowell both carded 69s at Wentworth yesterday to sit four shots off the lead going into day two of the European Tour's flagship event.

After a double bogey at the 14th hole Lowry fought back to card two late birdies in a gritty performance.

Quite the opposite, McDowell struck it beautifully the whole way around and, only for a few missed putts, would have outshone Lowry’s round of three under.

What to watch out for

Boxing: Kellie Harrington takes on Weniu Yang in the light-welterweight final of the Womans's World Boxing Championships. RTÉ 1 from 11.45.

Golf: Round two of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth where Shane Lowry and Graeme McDowell have started well. Sky Sports 4 from 10am.

The senior PGA Championship continues, while Bryce Molder leads in Fort Worth on the PGA Tour. Sky Sports 4 from 6pm.

Soccer: Ireland take on the Netherlands in their final Dublin-based Euro 2016 warm-up game. Setanta from 7pm.

Northern Ireland also take on Belarus (BBC2 from 7.30pm), while England play Australia (UTV from 7.30pm).

Formula 1: The drivers take to the Monte Carlo track for their final practice session before tomorrow's race. Sky Sports F1 from 9am.

Cricket: The first day of the second test between England and Sri Lanka gets underway. Sky Sports 2 from 10am.

Tennis: Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka are in action at the French Open. ITV 4 from 9.30am.