Finn Azaz and Matt Doherty scored first-half headers as the Republic of Ireland battled back to beat Bulgaria 2-1 in the first leg of their Nations League play-off. Marin Petkov fired the hosts into an early lead at a sparsely-populated Hristo Botev Stadium in Plovdiv but midfielder Azaz quickly levelled with his first international goal.
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Eddie Jordan, the flamboyant former Formula 1 team owner and television pundit, has died aged 76. The Irishman, who had aggressive prostate cancer, died in the early hours of Thursday morning. Jordan founded and ran Jordan Grand Prix, from 1991 to 2005 and was a former shareholder of Celtic Football Club.
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The Scottish city of Edinburgh will host the Tour de France Grand Depart in 2027. It will be the third time the race has started in Britain after London in 2007 and Leeds in 2014. Organisers also confirmed on Wednesday that the Tour de France Femmes will come to Britain in 2027, the first time both races have held stages in the same country outside of France.
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Senegal will become the first African team to play at the Aviva Stadium when they visit Ireland for a friendly in June. Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side will then head to Luxembourg for another friendly, their last fixture before World Cup qualification begins in September. Ireland last faced an African side 15 years ago when Algeria visited Dublin with the home side running out 3-0 winners.
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Rory McIlroy claimed his second Players Championship title with a comfortable victory over JJ Spaun in a three-hole play-off at Sawgrass. It is the Northern Irishman’s second PGA Tour win of the season – and 28th of his career – and comes in the most prestigious event outside of the annual four majors. “I am unbelievably proud and happy to win my second Players,” said the world number two. “It’s the third time I’ve won on St Patrick’s Day. It’s been a good-luck charm for me.”
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