Tuesday Morning: Cheltenham Festival Begins Today

First crowds in 2 years

RACING

The Cheltenham Festival begins later today, with crowds set to return for the first time in two years.

The feature on Day One is the Champion Hurdle, which goes to post at half three.

Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore are favourites to land the honours for the second year in a row.

The first of seven races is off at 1.30pm.

Mike Vince previews day one:

What a morning 🤩#TheFestival pic.twitter.com/ROxfJToIgN

— CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) March 15, 2022

GAELIC GAMES

Kildare GAA last night confirmed the fixtures for Kildare's men's footballers & hurlers this weekend.

In the fifth round of the Allianz Hurling League Division 2A Kildare play Westmeath in St. Conleth's Park, Newbridge at 12.30pm on Sunday.

And in the sixth round of Division 1 in the Allianz Football League Kildare face Monaghan also in St. Conleth's Park, Newbridge on Sunday, at 2.45pm.

Sun, March 20th at 2.45pm (please note time change)
Allianz Football League Division 1, Round 6.
Kildare v Monaghan.
St. Conleth's Park, Newbridge.

Tickets must be purchased in advance.
See below link.
Adult tickets are €15. Under 16 tickets are €5. https://t.co/bIqFGDEbHC pic.twitter.com/KoMZyUXTCE

— Kildare GAA (@KildareGAA) March 14, 2022

SOCCER

Pep Guardiola felt his Manchester City players "couldn't have given anymore" as they were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace last night.

The result means they're four points clear of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League, though their rivals have a game in hand.

The City boss says his team did everything but find a winning goal:

Highlights of our stalemate at Selhurst Park.#ManCity pic.twitter.com/PlNiGHUjA2

— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 15, 2022

Shamrock Rovers were held to a goalless draw by Dundalk in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division last night.

It leaves the champions in fourth - two points adrift of leaders St Pats, who beat UCD 2-0.

Aidan Keena scored a hat-trick to help Sligo Rovers move up to second after a 3-1 win over Finn Harps.

Bohemians and Shelbourne finished 1-1, while Derry City beat Drogheda United 2-nil.

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Celtic and Rangers will meet in the Scottish Cup semi-finals.

Celtic booked their last four place last night courtesy of a 3-0 win away at Dundee United.

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Manchester United's Champions League last 16 tie with Atletico Madrid is level at a goal apiece ahead of tonight's second leg.

The game at Old Trafford gets underway at 8pm.

At the same time, Ajax and Benfica resume their tie, which is 2-2 after the first leg three weeks ago.

GOLF

Cameron Smith carded a final round of six-under-par 66 to capture the Players Championship title last night.

The Australian ended on 13-under overall - one shot clear of Anirban Lahiri.

Shane Lowry ended on six-under, while Rory McIlroy and Seamus Power were three shots further back.