Thursday Lunch: Punchestown Winter Festival Returns Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th November

UEFA has confirmed its intention to launch a Nations League for women's national teams.

SOCCER

The Republic of Ireland women's team will play Morocco in a friendly on November 14th.

The game - which takes place in Marbella - will form part of an eight-day training camp.

A behind-closed-doors match between the sides will also be held earlier in the week.

Manager Vera Pauw says it wasn't possible to find a 'suitable opponent' to facilitate a home fixture.

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UEFA has confirmed its intention to launch a Nations League for women's national teams.

It's envisaged the new competition will begin in the autumn of next year.

Countries will be divided into a three-tier league system based on their ranking, with promotion and relegation at the end of each campaign.

The competition will be linked to qualifying for the World Cup and European Championship.

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Shamrock Rovers will look to win a first group match in the Conference League at the final attempt tonight.

Stephen Bradley's side are in Sweden for a meeting with Djurgardens in Group F.

The Hoops are bottom, having managed two draws in their five matches to date.

Kick off is at 5.45.

Elsewhere, Republic of Ireland under-21 midfielder Conor Coventry is in line for another West Ham start away to F-C-S-B.

And Hearts are away to Istanbul Basaksehir

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Arsenal and Manchester United both have the chance to top their groups in the Europa League tonight.

The Gunners will be guaranteed to finish first in Group A if they beat Zurich at the Emirates.

United need to win by two clear goals away to Real Sociedad to reach the summit in Group E.


RUGBY

The Ireland team for Saturday's test with South Africa will be named later.

Winger Robert Baloucoune is in line to win his third international cap.

Leinster duo Jamison Gibson Park and Hugo Keenan are also available for selection.

Neither player has featured for the province so far this season.


GOLF

Seamus Power’s straight back into action following last week’s win at the Bermuda Championship.

The Waterford golfer is currently out on course playing alongside last year’s Open champion Collin Morikawa and Emilliano Grillo  at the World Wide Technology Championship in Mexico.

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Stephanie Meadow is out on course at the Toto Japan Classic.

RACING

The Punchestown Winter Festival returns on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th November with an action packed programme of racing, live music and family fun.

 At the  Punchestown Winter Festival, Rachael Blackmore, Willie Mullins and champion jockey Paul Townend will set out their stalls in the first grade one hurdle of the season.

The prestigious Unibet Morgiana Hurdle takes centre stage on Sunday 20th November.

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There’s a seven-race card at Thurles this afternoon, with the first off at 1.05pm.