Miss the big sports stories over the weekend? Every Monday, we’ll bring you right up to speed on the teams and stars making headlines around the world. Got an opinion? Send an email to [email protected] and we’ll feature your thoughts in the next edition.
1. Tiger roars back
No matter what you think of Tiger Woods’ previous misdemeanours, it was hard not to be moved by the scenes at Augusta’s 18th hole on Sunday evening.
After sinking a putt to clinch his 15th major, and first in 11 years, Tiger gave a little fist pump before letting out a celebratory roar having completed what many are regarding as the greatest sporting comeback of all time.
As Woods embraced his children, lumps appeared in throats around the world as viewers watched a father reach to top of his game once more. The golfer came through four back operations, plenty of personal strife and his 2017 DUI, and is now just three major wins behind the legendary Jack Nicklaus who has 18 titles to his name.
At 43 years of age, with a much more challenging field of golfers than in Tiger’s early 21st century heyday, the win was something many golf fans thought they’d never see again.
History in the making. 🐅
Tiger Woods completes one of the greatest comebacks in the history of sport to win #TheMasters for a fifth time.
Follow live coverage from the final round of #TheMasters at Augusta National and watch live on Sky Sports Golf: https://t.co/2G8RWl8Oqf pic.twitter.com/fd31UYsZIb
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) April 14, 2019
2. Salah’s wonderstrike gets Anfield dreaming once more
Liverpool’s home fixture against Chelsea was seen as their last major test on the Premier League home stretch.
After Manchester City beat Crystal Palace 3-1 earlier on Sunday, Anfield was in fine voice as the Reds went in search of the three points they desperately needed to get back on top of the table.
A scoreless first half meant the tension went on until the 51st minute when the stadium erupted as Sadio Mané rose to head home Jordan Henderson’s cross.
Just two minutes later, Mo Salah put the icing on the cake with a brilliant strike into the top corner from outside the box.
With just four games remaining for Jurgen Klopp’s men, they hold a two-point lead over City, who have played a game less. Can fans start dreaming about a first English league title since 1990? Try and stop them.
TEAM. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/sPpDt7krNA
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 14, 2019
3. Rovers claim seventh win in a row
While the gap at the top of the English Premier League could barely be tighter, the one at the summit of the League Of Ireland Premier Division is looking a little ominous for Shamrock Rovers’ rivals.
The Hoops clinched their seventh league win on the trot by defeating Waterford 2-1 at Tallaght Stadium on Friday night and now sit eight points clear of Dublin rivals Bohemians, who have two games in hand.
Manager Stephen Bradley will have the luxury of putting his feet up this wet Monday night as four games take place around the country, with a number of teams hoping to put some pressure on his side.
All four will kick off at 7.45 and they are:
Dundalk v Bohemians
St. Patrick’s Athletic v Derry City
Sligo Rovers v Waterford
UCD v Cork City
— Shamrock Rovers FC (@ShamrockRovers) April 12, 2019
4. Connacht clinch Champions Cup spot
A raucous crowd in Galway helped Connacht over the line as they defeated Cardiff Blues 29-22 on Saturday.
The victory secured a Pro 14 play-off spot for Andy Friend’s side as well as a place in next season’s Champions Cup.
Tries from Caolin Blade, Gavin Thornbury, Jack Carty and Matt Healy looked to have seen Connacht home before a late Cardiff rally set up a grandstand finish.
The home side saw it through though and will now face Ulster for a place in the Pro 14 semi-finals.
This is what it means! 💚 🎶 #LowLieTheFields pic.twitter.com/VQxdVOlxiH
— Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) April 13, 2019
5. Power of sport evident on an emotional night at the Aviva Stadium
On the evening of April 24 2018, Liverpool were roaring to a 5-2 victory over Roma at Anfield in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.
Almost simultaneously, news was filtering through that a Reds fan had been the victim of a vicious assault at the hands of Roma fans before the game.
Over the next couple of days, it emerged that that fan was Seán Cox of Dunboyne in Co. Meath and since that fateful night, his story has touched people here in Ireland and around the world.
On Friday, the appearance of the father-of-three on the big screen brought the biggest cheer of the night as a Liverpool Legends side took on a Republic Of Ireland XI at the Aviva Stadium.
All proceeds from the match will go towards Seán’s rehabiliation and there was plenty of entertainment on show as the Liverpool side won 2-1 thanks to a John Aldridge penalty and a Vladimir Smicer strike.
A great occasion and one which displays how sport can be a force for good.
You'll Never Walk Alone, Seán 🙌#SupportSeán pic.twitter.com/1nEn6egsPC
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 12, 2019
