Friday Lunch Sport Update

Euro Athletic Championships Begin Today: Kildare's Fitzimons in 800m; Rovers vs Derry Tonight: Kearns to Manage Offaly; Lowry 6 off FedEx Lead

The European Athletics championships begin in Munich today.

Kildare AC athlete John Fitzimons has a real chance of making Sunday week’s 800 metres final

The 24-year-old won the national title in 2021, but was pipped by two-time Olympian Mark English for this year’s title.

The Kildare native is sixth on the all-time Irish fastest list and was second in the Stockholm Diamond League in June,

He has run two PBs this season, with a 1:45.66 in Spain the quickest time he has ever run the 800.

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SSE Airtricity Premier Division champions Shamrock Rovers go to Derry City tonight.

Bohemians host Dundalk,

Drogheda United play Shelbourne,

And UCD host Finn Harps.

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Former Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has returned to the club as a member of the academy coaching staff.

The 39-year-old won 57 England caps, and scored 143 goals in 363 appearances for Spurs.

Spurs are away to Chelsea on Sunday.

In the English Championship this evening, Watford play Burnley.

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Davy Fitzgerald has returned for a second spell in charge of the Waterford senior hurlers on a two year deal, with the option of a third year.

Fitzgerald guided the Deise to the 2008 All Ireland final and the 2010 Munster title.

Liam Kearns has been appointed the new manager of the Offaly senior footballers.

Former Tipperary All Ireland winners Liam Sheedy and Eamon O'Shea are believed to be in line to manage the Offaly senior hurlers.

The UPMC senior hurling championship Group stages continue this weekend with B games tomorrow and A games on Sunday

Sunday’s fixtures are:

Group A, two games at 2pm

Venue: Manguard Plus Hawkfield Pitch 1, Coill Dubh V Clane

Venue: Newbridge, holders Naas V Maynooth

Group B, two games at 3.45

Venue: Manguard Plus Hawkfield Pitch 1, Leixlip V Celbridge

Venue: Newbridge, Ardclough V Confey

Kfm will have live updates of all four games on Sportsbeat Sunday from 2pm

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Shane Lowry heads the Irish challenge on 2 under par after round one of the FedEx St, Jude Invitational in Tennessee, six shots off the lead.

Rory McIlroy is level par.  Seamus Power 1 over.

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Mona McSharry and Niamh Coyne have both advanced to the semi-finals of the 100m Breaststroke on day two of European Championships in Rome.