Saturday Sport

A busy day in the Premier League

It is a busy day in the Premier League, with eight games down for decision.

West Ham and Newcastle open the day's proceedings at 12.30

Liverpool can temporarily move to within six-points of leaders Manchester City with a win at home to Norwich from 3.00

City entertain Tottenham in the evening kick-off.

Elsewhere today, Arsenal play Brentford, and Roy Hodgson takes his struggling Watford side to Aston Villa.

Brighton host Burnley, Crystal Palace face Chelsea, and Everton go to Southampton.

Damien Duff’s managerial career began in nightmare fashion last night.

His Shelbourne side were beaten 3-nil at home by St. Pat’s.

Shamrock Rovers began the defence of their SSE Airtricity Premier Division title with a comfortable 3-nil win at home to UCD.

While Dundalk twice took the lead at home to Derry City, but ultimately had to settle for a 2-2 draw.

This evening’s meeting of Sligo Rovers and Bohemians has been postponed following a pitch inspection at the Showgrounds.

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The Republic of Ireland have a rare chance to reach a tournament final today.

Vera Pauw’s side take on Russia in the semi-finals of the Pinatar Cup in La Manga.

Kick-off is at 7.30.

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RUGBY

Simon Zebo scored a hat-trick of tries as Munster moved to within a point of United Rugby Championship leaders Ulster.

They were 34-points to 20 bonus point winners over Edinburgh at Thomond Park.

Leinster can go top of the table this evening, with a win over Ospreys.

And Kieran Marmion wins a 200th cap for Connacht in this evening’s game away to Scarlets.



GAELIC GAMES

There’s a repeat of last season’s All Ireland semi-final at Croke Park this evening, as Dublin face Mayo in Division 1 of the Allianz Football League.

Elsewhere, early pace-setters Armagh face Monaghan at the Athletic Grounds from 5.30.

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Antrim can draw level with Division 3 leaders Limerick with a win over Wicklow this afternoon.

And Fermanagh are still seeking their first points of the year as they welcome Laois to Brewster Park.

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Carlow and Waterford are both hoping for first wins in Division 4 when they meet at Netwatch Cullen Park.

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NUI Galway are hoping to complete a third level double later.

Their hurlers face U-L in this year’s Fitzgibbon Cup final.



CRICKET

Ireland desperately need a win today to get their T20 World Cup qualifying campaign back on track.

Following yesterday’s defeat to the UAE, they face Bahrain in Oman.

Play is due to get underway at 10am.



RACING

The Grade-2 Red Mills Steeplechase is the feature race at Gowran Park this afternoon.

The first of a seven-race card goes to post at 1.45.