Thursday Morning Sport; Joe Mallon Motors, Renault and Dacia, Sallins Rd., Naas

Play is underway on day one of the Irish Open at the K Club in Straffan.

GOLF

Play is underway on day one of the Irish Open at the K Club in Straffan.

Rory McIlroy has just teed off alongside Adrian Meronk and Billy Horschel.

Shane Lowry is also in the very early stages of his round.

Padraig Harrington and European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald are among the players out on course this afternoon.


SOCCER

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny admits his side face a tough test tonight.

The Boys in Green take on France in a European Championship qualifier in Paris.

Ireland will be without star attacker Evan Ferguson, who misses out through injury.

Kick off is at 7.45.

At the same time in Ireland’s group, the Netherlands take on Greece in Eindhoven.

Northern Ireland are also in qualifying action tonight - they’re away to Slovenia in Group H.

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Will Patching and Brandon Kavanagh both scored twice as Derry City won 5-nil away to UCD last night.

The win brings the Candystripes to within four-points of SSE Airtricity Premier Division leaders Shamrock Rovers.


RUGBY

Andy Farrell names his Ireland team for their opening fixture at the World Cup later.

The starting fifteen to play Romania is expected to feature the return to action of captain Jonathan Sexton.

While his Leinster teammate Joe McCarthy is likely to be given a start in the second row.


ROWING

Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy go in the first semi-final of the lightweight men’s double sculls at the World Championships this morning.

The first three in their semi will qualify for the A-final.

O’Donovan and McCarthy are among six Irish crews in A-B semi-final action in Belgrade this morning.

First up, Aifric Keogh and Fiona Murtagh are in the first semi of the Women’s Pair.

Ross Corrigan and Nathan Timoney are in the second semi-final in the Men’s Pair.

In the Women’s Lightweight Double Sculls, Aoife Casey and Margaret Cremen are in the second of their semi-finals.

Sanita Puspure is part of the Women’s Four team gunning for a final place.

And Siobhan McCrohan hopes to advance in the Lightweight Women’s Single Sculls.


TENNIS

Carlos Alcaraz is through to the semi-finals at the US Open.

The world number one accounted for the challenge of Alexander Zverev in straight sets.

In the women's draw, home favourite Madison Keys advanced to the last four after her straight sets victory over Marketa Vondrousova.

GAA

The Auld Shebeen Athy Intermediate Football Championship Group C Round 3

• Two Mile House v Ellistown

Venue: Manguard Park Pitch  8:00 PM

The Auld Shebeen Athy Intermediate Football Championship Group C Round 3

• Straffan v Nurney

Venue: Round Towers GFC 8:00 PM

RACING

There’s a seven-race card at Clonmel this evening, with the first off at 4.20.