GAA
We are approaching Senior Championship time in Kilkenny
Last campaign James Stephens started off in a relegation semi-final before making it to the final, this season it’s now the turn of defending county Champions Shamrocks who find themselves in the same position.
Speaking to KCLR former young hurler of the year Adrian Mullen said despite their position now, the club still has aspirations of making it six county titles in a row
“With the league, it probably hasn’t gone to plan for us but you know we have a chance to kind of rectify that come championship.”
“The end goal is to win the Championship. There is obviously something to play for, six in a row. It would be a great achievement for the club, it would be really special. So it is something to look forward to, and we will really give it a crack.”
They take on Danesfort on Saturday at 4:30 pm, with that game live on KCLR thanks to Gerry Comerford Drilling.
Also it has been confirmed that the draws for the senior quarterfinals, Intermediate semi-finals, Junior first round, and section B semi-finals will be made in UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday evening (24th Sept) at 6:30 pm after the Mullinavat Erins Own clash.
Elsewhere, Eamon O’Shea is being linked with a role in Henry Shefflin’s Galway hurling management team.
The former Tipperary boss, who lives in Galway, previously guided his native county to the All-Ireland final in 2014.
O’Shea was also part of Liam Sheedy’s backroom team for the Liam McCarthy successes of 2010 and 2019.
In preparation for the Senior, intermediate, and Junior Championship games this weekend, Netwatch Cullen Park host two under 15 footbal finals tonight
First up at 6.30 pm is the 2A final between Fenagh and Kildavin/Clonegal
Then at 8pm, Palatine takes on Bagenalstown Gaels in the 1A final.
Tinryland claimed the 1B title last night in Netwatch Training centre in Fenagh after besting Eire OG.
Soccer
Casemiro scored twice for Manchester United last night, but couldn’t prevent them from suffering a losing start to the Champions League.
Harry Kane netted from the spot as Bayern Munich ran out 4-3 winners in a Group A game that wasn’t as close as the scoreline suggested at the Allianz Arena.
United boss Erik ten Hag cut a frustrated figure after the game.
🗣️ "In football there will always be mistakes."
— Man United News (@ManUtdMEN) September 21, 2023
Erik ten Hag refuses to blame individuals for the 4-3 loss to Bayern Munich…
🎬 https://t.co/eu6vb40gR4#MUFC | #ManUtd pic.twitter.com/ZoO5EBVKkD
United’s next opponents Galatasaray came from 2-nil down at home to the ten men of Copenhagen to draw 2-2.
By contrast to United, Arsenal romped to a 4-nil win at home to PSV Eindhoven in Group B.
Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard got the goals.
The other game in that Group saw Sevilla and Lens play out a 1-1 draw.
In the group phase of the Europa League tonight, Liverpool play LASK in Austria from 5.45.
It’s Liverpool’s first appearance in the competition since they lost the final back in 2016.
Brighton’s first-ever Europa League game is against AEK Athens at the Am-Ex Stadium from 8pm.
At the same time, West Ham are at home to TSC of Serbia and Rangers take on Real Betis at Ibrox.
In the Conference League, Aston Villa are away to Legia Warsaw from 5.45.
At the same time, Aberdeen kick-off away to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Rugby
Minimal changes are expected when head coach Andy Farrell names his Ireland team later to face South Africa in Saturday’s World Cup Pool B showdown in Paris.
Jamison Gibson-Park will replace Conor Murray in what will likely be the only change to the starting fifteen from the win over Tonga.
Defence coach Simon Easterby has already confirmed that Ireland won’t be matching the Springboks’ 7-1 split on the bench.
The hosts continue their Pool A campaign this evening.
Marseille’s Stade Velodrome hosts the meeting of France and Namibia from 8pm.
