Thursday Morning: France Will Defend Their World Cup Title In The Final On Sunday

Houston Dash has apologised to players affected by alleged misconduct by two previous managers, including Republic of Ireland boss Vera Pauw

SOCCER

France are through to the World Cup final.

Theo Hernandez and Kolo Muani scored the goals in last night's 2-nil win over Morocco.

Argentina will provide the opposition to France in the decider on Sunday.

Dider Deschamps side are bidding to become the first country to retain the title in 60 years.

Brazil last achieved the feat in 1962.

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Houston Dash has apologised to players affected by alleged misconduct by two previous managers, including Republic of Ireland boss Vera Pauw.

An investigation into misconduct in the National Women's Soccer League in the US was released last night.

The report says that Pauw - who was in charge at Houston Dash in 2018 - attempted to 'exert excessive control' over players 'eating habits'.

Pauw refused to cooperate in an interview with investigators, but provided a written denial of allegations she suspected would be made against her.

The FAI are yet to comment on the report.

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GOLF

John Murphy and Tom McKibbin have both finished at two-under-par on day one at the Mauritius Open.

That leaves the Irish pair four shots off the leader JC Ritchie of South Africa.

Gary Hurley is level par after carding an opening round of 72.


SNOOKER

Mark Allen pulled off a fine comeback to reach the last-16 of the English Open last night.

The Antrim man came from 3-1 down to beat Ding Junhui by 4-frames to 3.

Allen faces the winner of this afternoon’s meeting of Zhao Xintong and John Astley.


DARTS

Potentially, there’s Irish involvement in every match on the opening night of the PDC World Darts Championship.

First up, the Clonoe Cyclone Mickey Mansell takes on New Zealand’s Ben Robb, with the winner facing defending champion Peter Wright later in the night.

After that, Meath’s Keane Barry plays Grant Sampson.

And then Tyrone’s Nathan Rafferty is up against Jermaine Wattimena.


RACING

Today’s planned meeting at Naas is off, and has been rearranged for Tuesday of next week.