Thursday Lunchtime Sport With Joe Mallon Motors, Naas

Republic of Ireland women's team have lost 1 nil to Australia in their first-ever World Cup game.

Soccer

Republic of Ireland women's team have lost 1 nil to Australia in their first-ever World Cup game in front of more 75 thousand fans in Sydney.

At half time, it was scoreless, but after 52minutes, Ireland conceded a penalty which was converted by the Australian captain Catley.

A much improved 2^nd half performance saw the Irish go close to equalizing on a number of occasions, particularly during 6 minutes of injury time.

Earlier, New Zealand caused a huge upset in the tournament's opening game.

Hannah Wilkinson's goal gave the co-hosts a 1-nil victory over Norway in Auckland, their first-ever World Cup win in 16 attempts.

==

Three Irish sides are in action in Europa Conference League qualifying tonight.

Dundalk resume level at nil-all with Bruno’s Magpies ahead of their second leg at Oriel Park.

Derry City are also at home - and also goalless - with Faroe Island’s side Torshavn.

St. Pat’s must overturn a 2-1 first leg deficit at home to Dudelange of Luxembourg.

GOLF

Shane Lowry is five shots off the lead at The Open Championship at Hoylake.

The Offaly native is back to level par heading on to the back nine.

Just behind him on 1 over are Meath amateur Alex Maguire in the clubhouse and Seamus Power through 13.

Power's partner Padraig Harrington is 3 over while Rory McIlroy tees off just before 3 o'clock.

South African amateur Christo Lamprecht is the clubhouse leader on 5 under par.

He's two strokes clear of American Stewart Cink on 3 under

GAA

Kildare minorfootballers are into the All Ireland final.

Last night in Limerick, after conceding two goals in minutes, they staged a dramatic comeback to beat Cork by 2-9 to 2-7.

Kildare’s goals were by Kilcullen’s Edwina Birchall and Naas’ Alannah Prizeman.       

The CCC has been notified by Celbridge  that they are unable to field a team in the senior hurling B championship tonight, Thursday July 20th, and therefore concede the fixture and points to Kilcock

Venue: Manguard Park Pitch 1, Naas V Broadford 20:00

RACING

The Curragh will stage another Classic two days of racing this weekend with Saturday featuring the Group 1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks with eight of the top fillies in Europe set to line up in the Group 1 contest.

Epsom Oaks runner up Savethelastdance and Warm Heart, winner of the prestigious Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot lead a strong team trained by Aidan O’Brien, who will also be represented by Library and Be Happy

Other contenders include Ribblesdale Stakes runner up Lumiere Rock who represents Joseph O’Brien, Azazat trained by Dermot Weld and Comhra trained by Jim Bolger, while the Ralph Beckett trained Bluestocking is the sole British trained runner and will carry the colours of the race sponsor Juddmonte.

The Group 2 Barberstown Castle Sapphire Stakes has attracted eight runners including the British trained pair of White Lavender and Art Power.  The home trained team is lead by Ladies Church, Go Athletico and Ana Syra.

It’s the penultimate day of the July festival at Killarney, with a seven-race national hunt card underway at 5.

==

At Leopardstown, an eight-race card commences at quarter-to-5.