Yesterday, Josh Baker was in the wickets for Worcestershire against Somerset in the Second Eleven Championship. Today, suddenly, he is gone. He was only 20. The match has been abandoned, of course. It is now a day for grief and reflection.

This includes a wondrous, nostalgic 5 minute video devised by Avril Kinsella and Mark Condren

Dear old Ken was spot on. All the civilisation one requires....

I first met Sinead Farrelly last year, moments after her Ireland debut and instantly felt compelled to share her remarkable story.
independent.ie/sport/soccer/i…

Sinead Farrelly once had her career, her entire life, shattered by an abuser; that she would ultimately represent the land of her Cavan father, on the grandest stage of them all, is a tribute not just to her wondrous gifts, but her enduring determination and spirit.

Privileged to accept invitation to NIFWA in Belfast, particularly to acclaim manager of the year Dean Smith, after a wonderful year guiding the smallest club in European top-flight football, Loughgall. #niffootballawards

Sadly it was subsequently changed but delighted to get ' you ain't seen nothing yet as backman (sic) Turner overdrive...' into a headline..perhaps my finest moment🎸📻🎼
#oneforthemusos
m.independent.ie/sport/united-r…

Still a chance for Liverpool fans to lift the trophy in Dublin ...😉

#BREAKING - Tyler Bleyendaal to join Leinster as attack coach in another major coup for Leo Cullen buff.ly/3Q7dEkJ

Big fan of Dublin having its own Lord....
#updadubs

‘Leinster are in the way of where we want to get to... immortality’

Spent an hour with Ronan O’Gara yesterday morning, talking La Rochelle's unity & mentality, why it's about more than fine margins, a future Ireland and why he relates to Jurgen Klopp ⬇️

independent.ie/sport/rugby/ch…

The Aintree stands have been more dangerous than the fences for some years now....

🥲

Nobody knew Vera Pauw had suicidal thoughts in 2022.
Ireland, and football, helped her healing.
Which in her mind makes all the betrayal by the latter so much more egregious.
Some thoughts here m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/i…

Ireland and the quest for identity, finding what they want to be and where Katie McCabe should be...
m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/i…

Wait for it..FAI make appointment shock..confirming our story last month..
(Oh, the other one? FAI hoping to confirm Kenny successor next week)
Like buses, eh?

McCabe was also under par for the third successive game; how, and where, she deploys her world-class skills, is a fundamental issue that needs to be addressed.

Defiant late stand; England guilty of clocking off early; once more, Ireland conclude a game in a better shape than which they started it. They can - and must - seek to repeat 2022 draw in Sweden this summer.

I asked Eileen Gleeson yesterday did she learn anything from Sweden on Friday; she demurred and preferred to focus on her side. Witnessing Keira Walsh in an armchair, one would hope she has a quick re-think. Too late now anyway.

This could get ugly; Ireland waste two good attacks; concede two poor goals. England chasing GD in head-to-head with France.