Thursday Morning Sports Update

Thursday, 20 August 2026 08:33

By Emma O'Connor

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

SOCCER

Shamrock Rovers can secure a third-straight season of Conference League football tonight.

Stephen Bradley's side are at home for the first leg of their qualifying playoff against Finnish outfit KuPS.

Kick-off at Tallaght Stadium is at 8pm.

Celtic put themselves in a commanding position in their Champions League qualifying play-off last night, with a 3-nil win against Austrian club LASK.

Camilo Duran scored twice, with Benjamin Nygren also getting a goal at Parkhead.

Martin O'Neill's side head to Linz next week for the return leg.

Athlone Town restored a three-point lead at the top of the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division last night.

Lily Agg's side were 2-0 winners at Peamount.

HOCKEY

After wins on Tuesday, the Ireland men's and women's hockey teams can qualify for the next round at their respective World Cups today.

The men's team know that a draw against Spain will be enough to join Australia in the second round.

That crucial Pool C clash gets underway from 4pm.

It's followed by the meeting of the women's team and tournament co-hosts Belgium.

Gareth Grundie's side need a win to progress - their last win over the Belgians was in 2019.

That game shows a 7:30pm start.

GOLF

Rory McIlroy will look to rediscover his best form at the PGA Tour's BMW Championship, which tees off today.

It's the second playoff event for the season-ending FedEx Cup.

McIlroy is alongside Xander Schauffele or his opening round, which is underway from 6:20pm - Irish Time.

It's day one of the Canadian Women's Open on the LPGA tour.

Leona Maguire gets her opening round underway just after quarter-past-three.

Kildare's Lauren Walsh will tee off just before half-past-nine this evening.

It's the last event before the Women's Irish Open gets underway at the K Club this day week.

RACING

There's an eight race card on offer at Killarney this evening

The first race goes to post at 4:35pm.

The first of seven races at Leopardstown is down for decision just before 5pm.

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