Vivid as it still is, that extraordinary semi-final night in Amsterdam now seems so long ago.

Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano stadium hosting the Champions League final was an impossible dream which could still have an unhappy ending.

Few cities in the world have football stirred into their daily lives quite as much as Madrid - but even the Spanish capital will be tested when Liverpool and Tottenham fans arrive for the 2019 Champions League final.

Jurgen Klopp took two minutes of his first press conference as Liverpool manager to play down the urgent demand for silverware, but he could not help setting himself a target.

They might just well be if US Vogue is anything to go by. Rowena Walsh meets the women behind Stripe + Stare.

When the Irish senior women’s hockey team play it’s like watching a well choreographed, free-flowing dance.

International football doesn’t ravage the energy reserves as relentlessly as the domestic English game in which Mick McCarthy was so long immersed but the Republic of Ireland manager is clearly looking forward to the summer recess.

Towering Munster Academy lock Thomas Ahern will make his Ireland U20 debut in today’s final Pool B clash with Italy at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Santa Fe (kick-off 2.30pm Irish time — live on eir Sport 1).

This weekend Ireland’s show jumping team face their second of four Nations Cup qualifiers when they travel to the Baltic venue of Sopot for the Nations Cup of Poland.

The Green Army marched into the semi-final of the FIH Series finals with the minimum of fuss as their 11-0 win over Singapore at Banbridge puts them one win away from a guaranteed direct Olympic qualifier tie.

Former Uefa president Michel Platini always opposed the introduction of technology in football because he felt that, once it gained a foothold, it would quickly expand and change the character of the sport altogether.

Argentina secured their first point at a Women's World Cup finals after holding Japan in a dour goalless draw at Parc des Princes.

As expected, Ireland have overcome Gibraltar thanks to an own goal and a late Robert Brady strike. Ger McCarthy runs the rule over the lessons learned.

Awareness of Ireland in Japan will be at a peak when the two nations meet at the Rugby World Cup, said Michael Creed, Minister for Agriculture.

Denmark captain Simon Kjaer says they won’t wallow in despair at dropping points against Ireland on Friday night because they’re confident of winning the return Euro qualifier.

Stephen Kenny insists his U21 heroes will relish their Toulon Tournament semi-final against Brazil.

Barbara Bonansea's last-gasp goal gave Italy a shock 2-1 win in their Women's World Cup Group C opener against Australia.

Graeme McDowell is relishing a return to the scene of his greatest triumph as he continues his bid to get back among the world's elite.

Substitute Lucia Garcia made the difference as Spain laboured to a 3-1 win over South Africa in their opening game of the Women's World Cup in Le Havre.

Germany coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg praised the performance of her young players after they began their Women's World Cup campaign with a 1-0 win over China.