GAA
For as long as I can remember Kilkenny has always released their team and panel for the upcoming weekend games on a Friday night.
However, all this is set to change with team announcements set to take place on Friday morning from 10 am. Now the team has always been issued to the GAA in the day prior, however, the publishing time of such news seems to be the crux of the issue.
The main concern is players being informed of their fate in the upcoming game before the manager has had the chance to discuss it with them. Another concern is the possibility of dummy teams being put forward, which was a concern under the previous ruling anyway, however, Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng insinuated that this may become more widespread when speaking after the league final;
See also: Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng laments the GAA’s decision to name teams on Friday morning
Speaking of the Marble City, there is one game in the Kilkenny Vehicle Centre Minor A Hurling League tonight with the round 2 fixture of James Stephens and Piltown
Throw-in out the Kells road is half 7.
Sligo are into the Connacht under-20 football final. They defeated Mayo by 17 points to 1-9 and will now face Galway. Down have qualified for the Ulster under-20 decider following a 1-17 to 1-9 victory over Monaghan. Dublin are on course for a semi-final berth in the Electric Ireland Leinster Minor Football Championship after last night’s 2-9 to 11-point win over Meath.
The other game in Group 2 saw Louth beat Westmeath by 2-13 to 7 points. Kildare made it back-to-back wins in Group 1, beating Longford by 1-9 to 3-points. Offaly collected their first win with a 2-10 to 9-point defeat of Laois. And Wicklow beat Wexford 10 points to 7 in Group 3.
Carlow Ladies Gaelic football defeat fell to a defeat against Offaly last night in round 2 of the minor championship. It finished 1-11 to 10 points.
Minor @LeinsterLGFA Championship Round 2
— Carlow Ladies Football (@CarlowLGFA) April 12, 2023
FULLTIME; @CarlowLGFA 0.10@OffalyLGFA 1.11@SETUCarlowSport @scorelinesport @Natsport @LadiesFootball
SOCCER
In Soccer, the draw for the LFA Junior Cup semi-final has been made with two Kilkenny teams still in contention.
Freebooters have been drawn at home to play Trim Celtic, who bested New Oak Boys 2 nil in the last round While back in the quarter-finals Thomastown will have to get passed Old County FC if they are to partake in a semi-final away to Gorey.
See also: Leinster semi-final awaits Freebooters after penalty shoot-out victory
While last night has seen St. Canices win Division 1 in the KCLR Scoreline Division 1 league in Kilkenny
It makes back-to-back league titles for the club so congratulations to Eddie Clifford & co.
Elsewhere, Chelsea will need to overturn a 2-nil first-leg deficit next week if they are to reach the Champions League semi-finals.
Goals from Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio saw holders Real Madrid gain the upper hand in last night’s first leg at the Bernabeu. The Londoners also had Ben Chilwell sent off.
Elsewhere, AC Milan beat Napoli for the second time in ten days to set up a grandstand second leg at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona next week. Ismael Bennacer scored the only goal in a 1-nil win last night, while Napoli also had Frank Anguissa dismissed.
Manchester United are without Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay for tonight’s first leg of their Europa League quarter-final with Sevilla. There’s an 8pm start at Old Trafford.
West Ham are in Conference League quarter-final action tonight. David Moyes’ side are in Belgium to play Gent from 5.45.
HORSE RACING
It’s day one of the Grand National meeting at Aintree.
There are four Grade One contests, including the Aintree Hurdle, in which Cheltenham winner ‘Constitution Hill’ defends his unbeaten record. ‘A Plus Tard’ and ‘Conflated’ represent Irish interest in the Bowl Chase.
The going is good to soft for the first of seven races at 1.45.