Tuesday doesn’t be too long in rolling around and it’s already shaping up to be a busy week on the sporting front. That said, let’s take a look at some of the headlines doing the round
Beginning with Gaelic Games and as we pass the mid-way point of the Allianz Hurling League, Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng appears to have his hands full when it comes to deciding on a final panel of players ahead of this spring’s championship run.
While the league has been providing ample opportunity for new faces to stake a claim for a jersey, Lyng was happy to provide an update on when Kilkenny supporters can expect to see Richie Hogan, TJ Reid and Adrian Mullen back in action. We’ll have more details here on Scoreline.ie later or check out the latest Scoreline Extra podcast below.
The league takes a break this weekend with Kilkenny and Carlow’s senior hurlers back in action on March 12th.
In camogie, the celebrations are continuing in Callan this week in the wake of Coláiste Abhainn Rí’s All-Ireland post-primary schools senior C final win over Gort Community School at the weekend. Speaking on last evening’s Full Time, Noelle O’Driscoll outlined what it means to the school. You can hear Noelle on the latest Full Time podcast, available below.
You can hear an extended interview and get a full rundown of the colleges’ final on tonight’s edition of the Camán Caint podcast, available just after six o’clock.
In football locally, Palatine had a 6-8 to 2-16 win over Ballon last night as the new-look Carlow leagues continue their preliminary rounds. Tonight sees SETU Carlow in semi-final action in the Electric Ireland Freshers 2 hurling championship. They host Queens University Belfast for a 7.30pm throw-in.
Other Gaelic games news on your Tuesday morning sees Limerick’s Kyle Hayes facing possible suspension after striking the face guard of Galway’s Brian Concannon in their hurling league match on Sunday. Hayes avoided punishment at the time, but the incident is set to be reviewed by the Central Competitions Control Committee. That could result in the All-Star being banned for next month’s game away to Westmeath.
Scuba Steve
Carlow’s Steve Lennon will be in action this weekend with the draw made for the PDC 2023 Cazoo UK Open. He’s been paired with Dutch pro Martijn Kleermaker in the first of the third-round matches on Friday afternoon.
Lions roar
A first-ever women’s Lions tour is set to be given the green light today. Ireland assistant coach Niamh Briggs was part of a 13-person steering committee, tasked with assessing the feasibility of a women’s tour.
They took into account financial viability and suitable scheduling in the rugby calendar. New Zealand and France are being considered as the first destinations for a female Lions tour.
Messi the best
Lionel Messi says winning the men’s Player of the Year at the Best FIFA awards caps off a ‘tremendous year’. The Argentina captain took the honour ahead of French duo Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema at last night’s ceremony in Paris. Lionel Scaloni – who guided Argentina to World Cup glory in December – scooped the men’s Coach of the Year prize.
England’s Sarina Weigman was honoured with the women’s Coach of the Year award after their success at last summer’s Euros. The women’s Player of the Year was Spain’s Alexia Putellas.
And a reminder that the February round of the David Buggy Motors Kilkenny sport star awards are open for nominations.