Thurs Lunch Sport Update

Ireland in Euro 2028 Qualification; Man Utd's Garnacho Annoyed; Camogie Vote on Shorts; IABA Joins World Boxing; Wafer Joins Harlequins; SFL and SHL fixtures, and Weld Hopes for Rain

The Republic of Ireland's Euro 2028 hopes have been boosted after UEFA confirmed that two places will be reserved for the two best ranked host nations who don't qualify.

It means if two of England, Wales and Scotland reach the finals, Ireland is guaranteed to be there, regardless of how they fare in qualification.

Euro 2028 will be held across nine venues in the UK and Ireland (Aviva Stadium) with 24 participating teams.

Twelve qualifying groups will be formed of four or five teams. The 12 group winners and eight best runners-up go straight to the finals, with two spots reserved for the host nations who don't qualify and two more places up for grabs through eight-team play-offs, though the number of teams involved would increase to 12 if all four of the host nations qualify automatically.

Casement Park's removal as a host stadium last September means Northern Ireland are not eligible to get a back-door route into the tournament.

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Alejandro Garnacho was non-committal over his Manchester United future after expressing annoyance at being named on the bench for the Europa League final loss to Tottenham.

The 20-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Red Devils this season, with Napoli and Chelsea expressing interest in signing the Argentina international.

United captain Bruno Fernandes admitted the club could end up cashing in on him following the damaging Europa League final loss to Tottenham.

Fernandes has recently been linked with a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal

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Camogie Association members will vote today on whether players will be allowed wear shorts as part of the playing attire.

A Special Congress will convene at Croke Park, where delegates will be asked to decide if the current rule - which only permits skorts for competitive matches - will be amended.

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The Olympic future of Ireland’s most successful Olympic sport is assured today, with confirmation that the Irish Athletic Boxing Association has joined World Boxing.

World Boxing’s membership has now surpassed the landmark of 100 members after its Executive Board approved the applications of 17 National Federations, to take its total to 106 countries. Aside from the IABA, federations including Cuba, Spain, Mexico, Saudia Arabia, UAE, Uganda and Venezuela are joining WB.

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Ireland women's star Aoife Wafer has signed for Premiership Women's Rugby side Harlequins.

The Wexford native follows her international teammates Dorothy Wall, Neve Jones and Edel McMahon in making the move to English clubs in recent years.

Wafer will join Harlequins after the World Cup later this year.

The 22-year-old was named the 2025 Women's Six Nations Player of the Year by popular vote on Monday, becoming the first Irish player to receive the accolade.

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Local clu GAA fixtures Tonight: Hanlon Concrete Senior football League, 8pm: Sarsfields v Raheens.

Cleaning Legends Senior Hurling League,

Division 2:  Broadford v Moorefield; and Maynooth v Wolfe Tones

Division 3 Confey v St. Laurences;

Div 4: Leixlip v Cappagh

Div 5 Kilcock v Sarsfields.

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Dermot Weld would prefer to see some rain at the Curragh ahead of Swelter's bid for glory in Sunday's Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas.

The Juddmonte-owned filly is unbeaten in two starts, on both good and good to yielding ground, but Weld thinks she would be even better on soft going and would prefer to have her favoured conditions for the mile Classic.

The latest ground update issued by Curragh officials this morning  said "Following a dry, warm day and watering, the Curragh remains good, good to firm in places (selective watering).

Temperatures in early 20s today, cooler tomorrow with possibility of 2-3mm (approx) of rain in the afternoon and 10-12mm (approx) in total through the weekend."=

There are seven race on this evening's card at Limerick - the first goes to post at 5.05.