Thursday Lunchtime Sport with Joe Mallon Motors, Sallins Road,Naas

Frankie Dettori to delay retirement to race in the USA

SOCCER

Sammie Szmodics has left the Republic of Ireland squad for family reasons.

The Blackburn Rovers attacker was only called in earlier this week.

No replacement will be drafted in ahead of tomorrow's Euro 2024 qualifier against Greece in Dublin.


Two League of Ireland clubs are set to welcome confirmed outside investment.

Drogheda United have provisionally accepted a takeover from US-based firm Trivela Group, who already have a connection with English League Two side Walsall.

And Treaty United will receive backing from Canada's Tricor Pacific Capital.

That deal also features current player Ciara McCormack, who will now take over as CEO.


Scotland can book their place at Euro 2024 by avoiding defeat against Spain in tonight's qualifier in Seville.

They just need one more point from their remaining three group matches - with fixtures against Georgia and Norway coming up in November.

Kick off is at 7.45.


Here at home in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, UCD host Bohemians.


SNOOKER

Cork's Aaron Hill can join Mark Allen in the quarter-finals of the Wuhan Open this afternoon.

He plays He Guoqiang (pr: gok-wan), with the first to five frames set to progress.

Allen booked his place in the last eight courtesy of a 5-2 win over Jack Lisowski earlier.

RACING

The Aintree Grand National Field will be smaller next year.

A maximum of 34 runners will be permitted, down from 40.

It's part of an effort to improve safety in the race for horses and riders.


Legendary jockey Frankie Dettori has announced he'll delay his retirement to continue riding in the US.

The 52-year-old Italian - who's ridden more than 3-thousand-3-hundred winners - was due to call time on his career after his farewell at Ascot's British Champions Day later this month.

He now says he plans to move to California to continue racing

There's an eight-race card at The Curragh today from a quarter-past-one.

At Tramore, a seven-race card gets underway at 2pm.