Marco Bianchi 
Kieran McGeeney has been ratified to continue as Armagh senior football manager for the 2027 season, extending his tenure to a 13th year, making him the longest‑serving inter‑county manager. The decision follows recent Ulster and All‑Ireland campaigns, including a 2024 All‑Ireland title and a 2026 Ulster championship win.
Scottish clubs Heart of Midlothian, Rangers, Motherwell and Hibernian have been drawn into European qualifying rounds and now know their potential opponents. Hearts face a Champions League path, Rangers a Europa League tie, while Motherwell and Hibernian are set for the Conference League.
Heart of Midlothian and Rangers have learned their possible European opponents for the upcoming qualifying rounds. Hearts could meet Fenerbahce or Gornik Zabrze after a tie with Sturm Graz, while Rangers face Jagiellonia Bialystok in the Europa League and await further draws.
Northern Irish swimmer Daniel Wiffen, a double Olympic gold medallist, looks ahead to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow where he will contest the 400m, 800m and 1500m events. He says the Games are his next target after a silver in Birmingham and vows to add gold medals to his collection, calling himself a “medal guarantee”.
Heart of Midlothian (Hearts) are set to play a third‑round Champions League qualifier on 4 or 11 August, with a possible opponent of Fenerbahce or Gornik Zabrze if they beat Sturm Graz. A loss would see them move into the Europa League, facing a range of clubs from Switzerland, Portugal, the Netherlands, Hungary or Azerbaijan.
Gary Anderson delivered a dominant performance, beating Ryan Joyce 10-2 to advance to the last‑16 of the World Matchplay in Blackpool. The Scottish 2018 champion hit high finishes of 144 and 141 and will face Jonny Clayton in the next round.
Swansea City are on the verge of completing a transfer for Motherwell winger Elijah Just, a 26‑year‑old New Zealand international who impressed at the World Cup. The move would see Swansea break Motherwell’s record fee and reunite Just with fellow Kiwi Marko Stamenic at the Welsh club.
Virat Kohli played a flamboyant innings of 74 from 60 balls in the third and final One Day International against England at Lord’s. The innings was described as “royal entertainment” and may mark his last appearance on English soil. England went on to win the match by 27 runs, sealing the series 2-1.
Ryan Fox kept his composure in scorching conditions at Royal Birkdale to secure his first major title, posting a two‑under 68 on the final day. The 39‑year‑old New Zealander surged from a joint‑85th place after round one to win by one stroke over Cameron Young, becoming the oldest first‑time major winner in three decades.
Rory McIlroy commented that Bryson DeChambeau’s participation in the Irish Open would boost the event, even though he admitted he is not particularly fond of the American golfer. He also explained that his interest in the PGA Tour has waned after completing his career Grand Slam.