GAA
Another side in action this weekend is Mark Dowling’s Kilkenny Under 20s who take on Dublin as part of a double-header in UPMC Nowlan Park on Saturday.
Last weekend saw Kilkenny ease past a fancied Galway with the likes of Billy Drennan, Gearóid Dunne and a few others who have graced the senior ranks this year making their return for the championship.
Whether or not they’ll be available again this weekend is unclear but when asked if their absence would hamper preparations, Dowling had this to say.
We’ll be live for that game from 4 pm with thanks to MW Hire Ltd before bringing you full coverage and analysis of Kilkenny’s senior championship clash with Westmeath from 6 pm with thanks to Laharts.
Last night in the Kilkenny Vehicle Centre Minor A Hurling League Thomastown and Erins Own played out a cracking affair, with Thomastown coming out on top by a single point in a 4-18 to 3-20 victory.
There were two games in the Bolger Shield also last night, Mount Leinster Rangers came away with a three goal victory over Carlow Town, While Kildavin/Clonegal lost out to Burren Rangers by 10 points.
Limerick and Cork will meet next week to decide who advances to the Munster Minor Hurling final as pool winners.
A last-gasp Jack Cosgrove point saw Limerick beat Tipperary by a single score in Thurles last night.
While Cork fell to a 17-points to 12 loss to Clare, a result which secures Clare a semi-final spot. Cork can secure a knockout place in the Munster under-20 hurling championship this evening if they beat Clare in Ennis. Throw-in is at 6.15.
Eoin Cully kicked 1-4 to book Kildare’s place in next week’s Eirgrid under-20 football championship last night. The defending champions were comfortable 1-20 to 9-point winners over Laois. Kildare will play Dublin next week at Netwatch Cullen Park, after the young Dubs beat Meath by 14-points to 10 in Navan.
Tuam is the venue for tonight’s Eirgrid Connacht under-20 football final. Defending champions Sligo take on Galway from 6.30.
RACING
Local winners were few and far between in Gowran Park yesterday but there was a good result for Kilkenny jockey Shane Foley who steered the 4/1 Mellow Magic home for Jessica Harrington in the SP Or Better Guaranteed With Tote Handicap after five o’clock on Tuesday.
Mellow Magic is not for passing in the SP Or Better Guaranteed With Tote Handicap, with the five-year-old seeing off all challengers and pulling clear close home to score for the Shane Foley and @Jessica_Racing partnership 🥇 pic.twitter.com/X8rTpFGpHw
— Gowran Park (@GowranPark1) April 18, 2023
Yesterday’s activities were the first of a doubleheader in Gowran with another full card of racing action planned for this afternoon.
The going yesterday was soft and is likely to remain that way for today’s racing with the first of a seven-race card going to post at 4.05.
Joseph O’Brien’s Green Sky runs later in the day with the last race underway at 7.15.
SOCCER
There’s a top-of-the-table clash in Carlow tonight as the two heavyweights of the Nationalist Premier Division collide.
New Oak Boys are already assured of this year’s league title, sitting 11 points clear of St. Patrick’s Boys in second place as they meet tonight at New Oak’s grounds.
The defending champions have made it 14 wins from 14 in the league already this year and look like showing no signs of slowing down.
Tonight’s other games see Crettyard United take on Vale Wanderers. Both games get underway at 6.45.
Chelsea are out of the Champions League.
🗣️ "The only thing that was missing from our game was a goal."
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 19, 2023
Frank Lampard believes Chelsea's performed well against Real Madrid, but admits his side wasn't clinical enough to trouble their opponents over two legs. 💬 pic.twitter.com/VMiUauWpUH
They lost 2-nil on the night and 4-nil on aggregate to holders Real Madrid. Brazilian Rodrigo scored both goals at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea caretaker boss Frank Lampard defended his decision to leave the likes of Joao Felix, Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount, and Mykhailo Mudryk on the bench.
Joining Real in the last four is AC Milan, who defeated Napoli 2-1 over both legs.
The semi-final lineup will be completed tonight. Manchester City brings a 3-nil first-leg lead to Munich where they face Bayern, while Inter Milan host Benfica, 2-nil up from the opening fixture. The matches kick off at 8 pm.
