GAA
Kilkenny’s Billy Drennan is gearing up for the Fitzgibbon Cup.
The Draw was announced yesterday and the Maynooth University Student will find himself up againsty UCC and Mary immaculate in the group stages
The competition begins on January 17th and Drennan hopes to have a good few names to call upon as teammates
See also: Kilkenny’s Billy Drennan sets sights on Fitzgibbon Cup with Maynooth University
The GAA has unveiled the Master Fixture list for the 2024 calendar year, outlining the schedule for the Allianz Hurling and Football Leagues.
Carlow’s footballers, under the guidance of Niall Carew, are set to kick off their 2024 Allianz Football League Division 4 campaign on January 27th against Tipperary. The team, eager to make a mark in the competition, will then return for their first home game at Netwatch Cullen Park on February 3rd, facing off against Waterford.
Meanwhile, the hurling counterparts, led by Tom Mullally, are poised to begin their Allianz Hurling League Division 2A journey on February 4th, facing Kerry in Tralee. The team’s first home clash at Netwatch Cullen Park is scheduled for February 11th against Meath.
For Kilkenny, Derek Lyng’s side is gearing up for the opening fixtures of the Allianz League. The Kilkenny hurlers commence their campaign with a home game against near neighbors Wexford on Sunday, February 4th. Their only other tie in UPMC Nowlan Park during the league phase is against top division newcomers Offaly.
Increased levels of jeopardy will be restored to the top flight of the Allianz Hurling League from 2025.
The re-arranged Division 1A will be made up of the top three teams in both of 2024’s Divisions 1A and 1B along with a best fourth-place finisher.
Two teams will be relegated from the new top flight each season from 2025, and replaced by two counties from the new 1-B
See also: Kilkenny and Carlow set for intense league campaigns in 2024
Soccer
Liverpool closed the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to two points last night.
Goals in either half from Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szobozslai secured a 2-nil win away to Sheffield United.
However, Joel Matip has likely played his last game for Liverpool this season, with manager Jurgen Klopp confirming the defender has suffered a ruptured ACL.
Aston Villa are third behind Liverpool, having beaten Manchester City by a goal to nil at Villa Park.
Leon Bailey got that game’s only goal, and stretch City’s winless run in the Premier League to four matches.
Steve Cooper and Roy Hodgson both stand on the brink following their sides’ results last night.
Cooper’s Nottingham Forest were hammered 5-nil away to Fulham.
And it’s four games without a win for Crystal Palace, who went down 2-nil at home to Bournemouth.
Scott McTominay continues to be Manchester United’s talisman, scoring both of their goals in a 2-1 win over Chelsea at Old Trafford.
And 18-year-old Jack Hinshelwood scored the winner for Brighton in a 2-1 victory over Brentford at the Am-Ex stadium.
There are two more games tonight with Newcastle travelling to Everton for a 7.30 kick off at Goodison Park.
And there’s a London derby with Tottenham hosting West Ham from 8.15.
Swimming
Kilkenny’s own Olympic hopeful Maria Godden competes in the heats of the women’s 50-metre backstroke today at the European Swimming Championships in Romania.
Maria is now ranked 11th in Europe after the semi-finals.
