Thursday Morning Sports Update

Keeping you up to date on GAA, soccer, golf, rugby and racing.

GAA

In the Leinster U20 Football Championship Round 1 Kildare played Wicklow last night.

The final score was  Kildare 3-16, Wicklow 0-9.

There's action in the Leinster Minor Football Championship this evening.

Skryne is the venue, as Louth take on Meath, While Longford welcome Westmeath to Newtownforbes.

Both games throw-in at 7:30pm.

SOCCER

All eyes will be on Prague tonight, as the Republic of Ireland face Czechia in a World Cup playoff semi-final.

The Ireland squad are all fit ahead of this evening's game at the Fortuna Arena, but a number of players have had limited game time with the clubs in recent weeks.

The winner of tonight's game in Prague will host either Denmark or North Macedonia in the playoff final next Tuesday.

Both matches kick off at quarter-to-eight.

Elsewhere this evening, the Under-21s are looking to bounce back in their bid to qualify for next year's Euros.

After a shock 4-0 defeat away to Andorra in November, Jim Crawford's side host Moldova at Tallaght Stadium.

Bohemians' assistant manager Stephen O'Donnell has linked up with the squad this week, having been added to their backroom team.

Kick off is at 5:15pm.

GOLF

Shane Lowry and Seamus Power are among the field for the opening round of the Houston Open on the PGA Tour.

Lowry tees off in Texas just after 12:40pm - Irish time, with Power among the late groupings on Day One.

On the LPGA Tour, Leona Maguire and Kildare's Lauren Walsh are in opening-round action later at the Ford Championship in Arizona.

RUGBY

Two-time Lions full?back Liam Williams has retired from rugby because of ongoing knee problems.

The 34-year-old made 93 appearances for his country and toured twice with the British and Irish Lions

In a post on social media, Williams says "the sport has taken its toll on his body, but he's proud of his career."

He won two Six Nations titles and played for Scarlets, Saracens and Cardiff.

RACING

Constitution Hill has continued the strong start to his fledgling career on the flat.

The former Champion Hurdle winner came home first under the lights at Kempton Park last night.

This afternoon, an eight-race card goes to post in Clonmel from just before 2:45pm.