Thursday Lunch Sports Update: Ryan Fox Leads The Irish Open.

Thursday, 30 June 2022 13:06

The Irish rugby team has been named for Saturday morning's game.

GOLF

New Zealand's Ryan Fox is out in front on day one of the Irish Open at Mount Juliet.

He is 8 under par with one hole of his round to play in Kilkenny, two shots ahead of Dale Whitnell of England and South Africa's Thriston Lawrence.

Niall Kearney heads the Irish contingent on 5 under par with three holes of his opening round to play.

Of the other Irish players under par, Seamus Power is 4 under following a 68, John Murphy is 2 under playing the 14th, Shane Lowry is 1 under after a 71 and Jonathan Caldwell is 1 under with one hole of his round to play.

RUGBY

Keith Earls, Robbie Henshaw, Andrew Porter, James Ryan and Peter O'Mahony will all start Ireland's first test against New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday.

All five players were absent from the starting line up for the 'Triple Crown' win over Scotland back in March.

Eadestown's Tadhg Beirne starts while Athy's Joey Carbey is among the replacements.

The showdown with the All Blacks kicks off at Eden Park at 8.05am Irish time on Saturday.

SOCCER

Tottenham have agreed a deal to sign Brazilian forward Richarlison from Everton for 50 million pounds plus add ons.

The 25 year old will move to North London provided he passes a medical.

Meanwhile, Celtic have acquired Argentinian full back Alexandro Bernabei on a five year deal.

TENNIS

Grand Slam chasing Rafael Nadal is in men's singles second round action at Wimbledon this afternoon.

He faces Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania.

Fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas plays Jordan Thompson.

Top women's seed Iga Swiatek takes on Lesley Pattinama Kerkove.

And American Coco Gauff is in action against Mihaela Buzarnescu.

RACING

There are 8 races on the flat at Bellewstown from 4.35.

A 7 race card over jumps at Tipperary begins at 5 o'clock.