5 Kildare Club All Win In Weekend Leinster Action; Gerrard Happy With Villa Progress

Hamilton wins Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

GAELIC GAMES

Five Kildare teams were in Leinster action over the weekend - and all won.

Yesterday, Naas senior footballers beat Wicklow champions Blessington by 4-11 to 1-7.

Naas completely dominated the game: their goals from Luke Griffin who scored 2-3, Darragh Kirwan and Brian Kane.

They now progress to the semi-finals, to play Wexford champions Shelmaliers in Croke Park, on Saturday December 18th.

Here's Naas joint player manager Eoin Doyle on the dual players in the squad:

On Saturday, four clubs were in Leinster action.

Kilcock footballers are into the Leinster Intermediate semi-final after their 1-13 to 8 points win over Tang of Westmeath.

Kilcock’s goal was scored by Daniel Courtney who was later red carded.

After that, Shane O’Rourke hit 3 points in a row to steady the ship

They will play Clara of Offaly in the semi-final.

Kilcullen footballers are into the Leinster Junior semi-final following their win over Grange of Carlow

They got off to a great start with two goals in the opening minutes by David Marshall and Ciarán O’Brien

However, Grange levelled late in the 2nd half, but 2 points from Ciarán O’Brien and Dan Coughlan in injury time gave Kilcullen the win 2-11 to 1-12.

Maynooth hurlers are into the Leinster Junior semi-final also.

With David Qualter in point scoring form, they beat Trumera of Laois by 1-18 to 1-10 in Clane.

Celbridge Camogie women are into the Leinster Intermediate final, after their 1-7 to 9 points win over Laois side O’Moores.

This morning’s 'Kildare Today' will preview all the games at 10.40am

SOCCER

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard believes there's more to come from his team after a 2-1 comeback win at home to Leicester.

Ezri Konsa's brace cancelled out Harvey Barnes' opener to move the hosts into the top half of the Premier League.

Villa have won three of Gerrard's four games in charge and he expects them to continue to improve:

Elsewhere midfielder Fred was the unlikely hero for Manchester United as they kicked off the Ralf Rangnick era with a win.

The Brazillian's strike in the 77th minute was enough to the give the Red Devils a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace.

Patrick Bamford scored in stoppage time as Leeds United drew 2-2 with Brentford.

The English striker returned from injury to rescue a point for Marcelo Bielsa's men in the 95th minute.

Tottenham Hotspur remain just 2 points off the top four following a 3-0 win over Norwich.


Tonight, Everton play Arsenal at Goodison Park.

Kick off there is at 8pm.

Ahead of that game the Toffees have confirmed that director of football Marcel Brands has stepped down.

Last week's defeat to Liverpool in the Merseyside derby left them without a win in eight games, and led to protests from fans.

Brands joined the Premier League club in 2018, and had been involved in spending close to £300 million on players.

GOLF

American golfer Collin Morikawa let a five-shot lead - and the chance to become world number one - slip at the Hero World Challenge last night.

Norway's Viktor Hovland claimed a one-stroke victory, ending on 18 under-par in the Bahamas.

Rory McIlroy finished up 18th overall on 6 under par following a final round of 70

FORMULA ONE

Lewis Hamilton won an incident- packed Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last night to draw level with Max Verstappen in the Formula One drivers' championship.

The Mercedes driver collided with his rival at one point in a race that was stopped twice for repairs to the track.

Red Bull's Verstappen finished second, with Hamilton's team-mate Valtteri Bottas third.

The season finishes in Abu Dhabi next week.