Friday Morning Sports Update

Keeping you up to date on GAA, golf, soccer, and racing.

GAA 

The Kildare Under 20 Hurlers are in action this weekend. 

On Saturday, in the Leinster Under 20 Hurling Championship Kildare play Galway in Manguard Park, Hawkfield, with throw-in at 2pm.

Kfm will have live updates on More Music Sports Beat Saturday.

A reminder that this morning on Kildare Today from 10:45am, Leinster Leader Sports Editor Tommy Callaghan and Kfm's Clem Ryan will preview all of the local weekend sporting aciton.

GOLF

Rory McIlroy believes a greater sense of freedom is behind the strong start to the defence of his Masters title.

He shot 67 in yesterday's opening round at Augusta, and sits in a tie for the lead with Sam Burns on five-under-par.

Shane Lowry is in a tie for sixth on two-under.

SOCCER

An Ollie Watkins brace helped Aston Villa take control of their Europa League quarter-final, with a 3-1 win away to Bologna last night.

A bizarre own goal keeps Nottingham Forest's tie against Porto finely poised -1-1 was the score from the first leg in Portugal.

Crystal Palace are firmly on top in their Conference League quarter-final with Fiorentina after beating them 3-nil in the first leg at Selhurst Park.

Troy Parrott's A-Z Alkmaar were beaten 3-nil away to Shakhtar Donetsk.

Shamrock Rovers could move ahead of joint-leaders St Pat's in the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division.

There's just a point separating the two sides in the table - they square off in the Luas Derby at Richmond Park.

Bohemians remain unbeaten this season, but are winless in four, and welcome struggling Sligo Rovers to Dalymount Park.

Elsewhere, Dundalk can continue the fine start to the top-flight return - they host Derry City, who are on a six-game winless run.

Shelbourne travel to Galway United, and bottom side Waterford host Drogheda United.

All games start at 7:45pm.

RACING

The Melling Chase is the feature on Day Two of the Aintree Grand National Festival.

The first of seven races on Merseyside goes to post at 1:45pm

There's a seven-race card at Wexford underway from 3:45pm, and the first of seven races in Dundalk is down for decision just after 5pm.