No Stephen Curry? No LeBron James? No problem. Despite missing the game’s two best players, the US men’s basketball team are still the slam dunk favorite to return home from the Rio Olympics with the gold medal.

FAI chief executive John Delaney is confident the momentum generated by the Republic of Ireland’s memorable Euro 2016 campaign can carry the team through the World Cup qualifiers.

It’s one of biggest racing weeks of the year in the racing world with terrific domestic action at Galway as well as a stellar meeting at Goodwood. Here’s five things to keep in mind over the next six days.

Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald and Garda Commissioner Noirín O’Sullivan will be joined by one-time US presidential hopeful Martin O’Malley and Bernie Sanders strategist Tadd Devine on a heavy-hitting schedule for this year’s Kennedy Summer School.

The IRFU contributed an additional unbudgeted €250,000 to each of the four Irish provinces last season to assist with rising player salaries.

Phil Mickelson saw major championship history elude him at the last moment but at least has the comfort of a healthy lead going into today’s Open Championship second round.

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

Shane Lowry returns to the major championship arena today armed with confidence rather than burdened by disappointment following last month’s US Open near-miss.

The motto of Royal Troon Golf Club sums it all up rather nicely. The Latin which adorns the 138-year-old Ayrshire links’ crest reads: “Tam Arte Quam Marte”, which means “as much by skill as by strength”.

IRFU chief executive Philip Browne accepted yesterday that the future of Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt remains very much up in the air.

Journeyman Brian Stuard clinched his first PGA Tour title with a gripping playoff victory over fellow American Jamie Lovemark and South Korean An Byeong-hun at the weather-plagued Zurich Classic of New Orleans yesterday.