Thursday Morning Sports Update

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

SOCCER

FAI Chief Executive, David Courell has explained their decision to move their Men's Nations League home fixture against Israel to a neutral venue in Serbia.

That game on October 4th was originally set for the Aviva Stadium, before being changed to Backa Topola in the Balkan state.

Last night, 68 percent of FAI members voted in favour of to endorsing the fulfilment of the Men's Nations League games against Israel.

Derry City begin their Europa League qualifying campaign this evening.

Tiernan Lynch's side are away to CSKA Sofia for the first leg of their first-round clash.

New signing Nick Twisk has been included in the squad for tonight's game, which is underway from 7 o'clock Irish Time.

Bohemians welcome St Josephs of Gibraltar to Dalymount Park for the opening leg of their Conference League qualifier.

That kicks off at 6:30pm.

The World Cup quarter-finals begin this evening as France face Morocco.

France are unbeaten in the World Cup so far - with 5 wins in 5 matches.

Morocco bounced back after their opening draw against Brazil to win all of their next four fixtures.

France defeated Morocco 2-0 in the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar in 2022.

Kick-off in Boston is at 9pm Irish time.

RUGBY

IRFU Performance Director, David Humphreys has confirmed that Ronan O'Gara is among the candidates to succeed Leo Cullen as Leinster head coach.

Cullen will step away next season after 12 seasons in the Leinster hotseat.

Humphreys revealed that he recently had a conversation with La Rochelle head coach O'Gara about "what his coaching ambitions were."

GOLF

The fourth women's major of the year is underway in France this morning.

Leona Maguire and Kildare's Lauren Walsh are among the afternoon groupings for the opening round of the Evian Championship.

Maguire is out on course from 12.50pm, while it's a 2pm start for Lauren Walsh.