Saturday Sport Preview

Republic of Ireland v Azerbaijan & Katie Taylor returns to the ring.

SOCCER

The Republic of Ireland play in front of a home crowd for the first time in nearly two-years this evening.

Azerbaijan visit the Aviva Stadium for a World Cup qualifier.

Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has warned the Azeris will be hard to break down.

25-thousand fans will be in the Aviva, with kick-off at 5.

At the same time, Serbia entertain Luxembourg.

SSE Airtricity Premier Division leaders Shamrock Rovers were beaten 2-1 away to Finn Harps last night.

St. Pat’s are now level on points with Rovers following their 3-2 defeat of Longford, however Pat’s have played two more games.

Sligo Rovers were held to a goalless draw at Drogheda.

While Dundalk remain in the relegation playoff spot after a 1-1 draw at Waterford.

BOXING

Katie Taylor puts her undisputed lightweight title on the line again tonight.

The Bray boxer faces American Jennifer Han outdoors at Headingley in Leeds.

TENNIS

Naomi Osaka says she will take another break from tennis after her US Open title defence ended with a third round defeat to Leylah Fernandez.

Osaka served for the match in the second set, but allowed her 18-year-old opponent recover to record a shock 5-7 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 victory at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Women’s top seed Ashleigh Barty is hoping to secure a last-16 place today.

The Aussie plays Shelby Rogers.

Elsewhere, Petra Kvitova takes on Maria Sakkari.

Men’s top seed Novak Djokovic is in third round action against 2014 finalist, Kei Nishikori.

While fourth seed Alexander Zverev plays Jack Sock.

CRICKET

Ireland will look to secure a fourth consecutive T-20 victory over Zimbabwe today.

They hold an unassailable 3-1 lead ahead of today’s fifth match of the series at Bready.

Play is due to get underway at 3.

CYCLING

Primoz Roglic can all-but secure a third consecutive Vuelta Espana today.

The Slovenian holds a 2-minute, 30-second lead going into today’s penultimate stage.

RACING

There’s a seven-race card at Navan this afternoon, with the first off at 1.20.

Quarter-of-an-hour earlier a seven-race programme at Wexford gets underway.