CAMOGIE
It happened Dublin in the Allianz Football League and it’s not beyond possibility for Kilkenny’s senior camogie team.
Having fallen to three defeats in four in the VERY Camogie League Division 1A, All-Ireland champions Kilkenny could be at risk of relegation this weekend as the league group stages come to a close.
See also: Piltown set to host Kilkenny Camogie double-header as VERY Camogie League stages come to a close
A doubleheader in Piltown on Saturday will see the intermediates take on Cork while Brian Dowling’s senior side host Tipperary where a win for Tipperary coupled with other results going against Kilkenny could lead to a drop from the top tier for next season.
Speaking to KCLR Scoreline this week, Dowling says the effort in preparation is not translating to results on the pitch.
Keeping with the camogie and Loretto Secondary School have a chance to do a historic double when they take on St Pats, Maghera in the Junior A All Ireland Camogie Final
That game is a repeat of the senior final and begins from half 1 at the Louth GAA Centre of Excellence
FOOTBALL
The Eirgrid Leinster Under 20 football championship got underway last night with Carlow in Group 1 action against Laois at Netwatch Cullen Park.
Full-time
— Carlow GAA (@Carlow_GAA) March 21, 2023
U20 @gaaleinster football championship @CLGLaois 1-12@Carlow_GAA 1-10@SETUCarlowGAA_
Trailing by three points at the break, Carlow wouldn’t catch Laois in the second half, the game running out 1-12 to 1-10 in favour of the O’Moore men. Carlow will be away to Meath in round 2, that game is fixed for Tuesday next
The other group 1 match last night ended with Meath beating Longford 0-12 to 0-04.
Elsewhere, Second half goals from Matthew Whittaker and Brian Cooney saw Westmeath beat reigning champions Kildare 2-10 to 10-points in the Eirgrid Leinster under-20 football championship. Despite a late rally from Wicklow in Baltinglass, Dublin ran out 1-14 to 3-6 winners in Group 2.
The group’s other game finished in a draw – Louth 10-points Offaly 2-4 was the final score at Stabannan.
RUGBY
It’s a big day for Kilkenny College on the rugby front today with two of the city school’s leaving cert students set to represent Ireland this afternoon.
Coming days after the Irish senior team completed a Six Nations Grand Slam, followed up by the Under 20s doing their own Grand Slam, Form 6 student Stephen Smyth will captain the Ireland Under 19s against Japan this afternoon. He’ll be joined by fellow student Sean Naughton who’s expected to start on the bench for the first of two tests this week.
Kickoff at Terenure Rugby Club’s Lakelands grounds is 2.40pm.
See also: Kilkenny College student Stephen Smyth to captain Ireland U19s against Japan on Wednesday
SOCCER
In local soccer, the draw for the next round of the LFA Junior Cup last 8 has been made with many teams still needing to get out of the last 16.
See also: Thomastown secured quarter-final place in Leinster after another dramatic penalty shootout
Thomastown who booked their place last weekend after besting St. pauls on penalties will play either Old County FC, who recently dispatched of Evergreen in FAI Cup action, or Forth Celtic.
Speaking of Evergreen they have possibly drawn New Oak Boys if they make it to the quarter-finals, while Freebooters will have to travel to meet Aungier Celtic if they get passed Ferns United.
On the international scene, Matt Doherty will skipper the Republic of Ireland for the first time tonight.
See also: FAI launches new Kit with supplier Castore
The Atletico Madrid full-back will lead out Stephen Kenny’s side for the friendly with Latvia. The game will also see the first start in a green jersey of Brighton prodigy, Evan Ferguson.
Kick-off at the Lansdowne Road venue is at 7.45.
GOLF
The W-G-C Matchplay Championship begins in Austin, Texas today.
Rory McIlroy begins his challenge with a group game against Scott Stallings. First up for Shane Lowry is a match with Taylor Montgomery and Seamus Power takes on Adam Scott.
