Sport

On this Day - August 29 2005: Italian referee Pierluigi Collina retired from officiating

Widely regarded as the greatest referee of all time, Collina was named FIFA's Best Referee of the Year six times consecutively between 1998 and 2003. In June 2002, he took charge of the World Cup final between Brazil and Germany, the highlight of his distinguished career 
Widely regarded as the greatest referee of all time, Collina was named FIFA's Best Referee of the Year six times consecutively between 1998 and 2003. In June 2002, he took charge of the World Cup final between Brazil and Germany, the highlight of his dist Widely regarded as the greatest referee of all time, Collina was named FIFA's Best Referee of the Year six times consecutively between 1998 and 2003. In June 2002, he took charge of the World Cup final between Brazil and Germany, the highlight of his distinguished career 

ON THIS DAY

1895: The day rugby league can trace its origins back to as the Northern League was formed from a meeting of 21 Yorkshire and Lancashire clubs at the George Hotel in Huddersfield.

1947: Formula One drivers' champion James Hunt was born. Hunt, who won the title in 1976, died of a heart attack in 1993 at the age of 45.

2002: Newly promoted Premiership side West Brom smashed their transfer record twice in one day, signing Jason Koumas for ?2.25million from Tranmere and Lee Hughes for ?2.5million from Coventry.

2005: World-renowned Italian referee Pierluigi Collina retired from officiating.

2012: Andrew Strauss stepped down as England Test captain and also retired from professional cricket. Alastair Cook was immediately announced as Strauss' successor.

2013: Australia's Aaron Finch hit a then world-record Twenty20 international 156 from 63 balls to help his side beat England by 39 runs in the first NatWest Twenty20 international at the Ageas Bowl.

2015: Mo Farah wrote his name into the record books by completing a hat-trick of long-distance doubles at global championships by retaining his world 5,000 metres title in Beijing.

BIRTHDAYS

Martin O’Connell (GAA) – former Meath footballer, winner of three All-Ireland medals, and a recipient of four All-Star awards. He was named at wing back on the GAA Football Team of the Millennium, born 1963.

Wyomia Tyus (athletics) - first sprinter to retain the women's 100 metres Olympic title in 1968, born 1945.

Bob Beamon (athletics) - set the long jump world record in winning gold at the 1968 Olympics and held it until 1991, born 1946.

Stephen Carr (soccer) - former, Newcastle, Tottenham and Republic of Ireland right-back, born 1976.

Jon Dahl Tomasson (soccer) - ex-Denmark striker, formerly with Newcastle, now assistant manager with Denmark, born 1976.

Celestine Babayaro (soccer) - former Chelsea and Nigeria left-back, born 1978.

Patrick van Aanholt (soccer) - Crystal Palace's Dutch left-back, born 1990.

QUICK QUIZ

1. Ousmane Dembele joined Barcelona from which club last year?

2. Who did Germany beat in the final of Euro 96?

3. Which club has won the most Derry Senior Football Championships?

4. Which club has won the most Dublin Senior Hurling Championship titles?

5. Which European golfer won the 2016 Open at Royal Troon?

(See quiz answers at bottom)

SPORT ON TV

Today (Wednesday, August 29)

GAA: Classic GAA, Westmeath v Laois from 2004 – eir Sport 1 2200.

SOCCER: Carabao Cup, Nottingham Forest v Newcastle - Sky Sports Main Event 1930; Champions League qualifying, RB Salzburg v Red Star Belgrade - BT Sport/ESPN 1945; PAOK v Benfica - BT Sport 2 1945.

CYCLING: La Vuelta, stage five - Eurosport 1 1330.

BASEBALL: Philadelphia Phillies v Washington Nationals - BT Sport/ESPN 0000 (Thurs).

Tomorrow (Thursday, August 30)

GAA: Game Changers - GAA Special, programme aiming to inspire youngsters to take up sport – Sky Sports Mix 1930.

GAA: Classic GAA, action from Dublin v Donegal in 2014 – eir Sport 1 2000.

CRICKET: Fourth Test day one, England v India - Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Cricket 1000.

SOCCER: Champions League draw - BT Sport 2 1630 & Eurosport 2 1700.

RUGBY LEAGUE: Super League Super 8s, Warrington v Hull FC - Sky Sports Main Event 1930.

GOLF: European Tour, The Made in Denmark - Sky Sports Golf 1030 & 1430.

CYCLING: La Vuelta, stage six - Eurosport 1 1400.

ATHLETICS: Diamond League - Eurosport 2 1900.

BASEBALL: Cincinnati Reds v Milwaukee Brewers - BT Sport/ESPN 1730.

QUICK QUIZ answers: 1. Borussia Dortmund; 2. Czech Republic; 3. Bellaghy (21) ; 4. Faughs (31) ; 5. Henrik Stenson.