Saturday Sport, with Joe Mallon Motors, Sallins Rd., Naas

Two Grade One races on final day of the Punchestown festival.

RACING

It the fifth and final day of the Punchestown festival.

There are two Grade Ones to be decided during the seven race card gets which gets underway at 2.25.

The Mares Champion Hurdle is the feature.

That is at 3.35.

‘Love Envoi’ and ‘Queens Brook’ are currently contesting the favourites tag.

The Willie Mullins-trained ‘Lossiemouth’ is heavily backed to win the Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle.

That goes to the post at 5.00.

SOCCER

The battle for Premier League survival continues today.

Nottingham Forest - who moved out of the relegation zone with victory midweek - travel to Brentford.

West Ham can take a big step to securing safety with a positive result at Crystal Palace this lunchtime.

Today's other fixture sees Brighton welcome Wolves to the south coast.

Bohemians conceded late away to UCD to see their lead at the top of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division cut to three-points last night.

Declan Devine’s side had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Colm Whelan’s second goal in as many games helped Derry City to a 2-nil win at home to St. Pat’s.

Johnny Kenny scored against his former side as Shamrock Rovers beat Sligo 2-1.

Ten-man Drogheda thought they’d secured a point in the Louth derby at Oriel Park, only for John Martin to secure a 3-2 win for Dundalk in stoppage time.

While Cork remain second-from-bottom after going down 2-1 at Shelbourne.

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Galway United preserved their flawless record at the top of the First Division with a 1-nil defeat of Cobh.

Waterford came from behind to win 2-1 at ten-man Bray.

Treaty United hammered Kerry 4-nil.

And a Frantz Pierrot (pr: Pee-air-oh) hat-trick gave Athlone a 3-nil win at home to Wexford.

Finn Harps and Longford drew one-apiece.

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There’s a top-of-the-table clash in the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division this evening.

Leaders Peamount play host to Shamrock Rovers from 5.

At the same time, Cork City host Bohemians, and Sligo Rovers face Athlone.

There’s a 4pm start to the meeting of DLR Waves and Galway United.

While Wexford Youths will look to arrest their slump in form when they face Shelbourne from 6.

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RUGBY

Ireland are hoping to avoid the wooden spoon in the TikTok Women’s Six Nations this evening.

They need a bonus point win over Scotland in Edinburgh, and kick-off is at 7.30.

A record crowd for a women’s international is expected at Twickenham this afternoon where England and France will determine the destination of the Grand Slam.

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The Aviva Stadium is the stage for this afternoon’s blockbuster Heineken Champions Cup semi-final.

Leinster take on Toulouse, with kick-off at 3.

⌛️ | 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲!

We're set for an epic afternoon at Aviva Stadium. 💪#LEIvTOU #HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/uF7UkrJKnN

— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) April 29, 2023

GAELIC GAMES

Defending Ulster football champions Derry are hoping to book a return to the provincial final this evening.

They take on Monaghan in the first of this weekend’s semi-finals, with throw-in in Omagh at 5.

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Despite concerns over a groin injury, Limerick captain Declan Hannon has been named to start this evening’s Munster Hurling Championship clash with Clare.


Four teams are all seeking their first wins in this year’s Leinster Hurling Championship this evening.

Wexford take on Antrim from 6.00

At the same time, Dublin play Westmeath.

Christy Ring table-toppers Derry play Meath this afternoon in Owenbeg.

Armagh play Wicklow in the Nickey Rackard.

While Cavan face Lancashire in the Lory Meagher Cup.

SNOOKER

Mark Allen resumes 7-6 down to Mark Selby this morning in their World Championship semi-final.

While Si Jiahui and Luca Brecel will play to a finish this afternoon.

Si needs just three more frames, leading the Belgian 14-10.