Thursday Morning Sports Update

Thursday, 17 September 2026 at 08:25

By Emma O'Connor

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

GAA

There was knockout games last night in the Manguard Plus Minor Football Championships.

In the A quarter finals it finished:

Raheens 1-13, St Laurences 0-09

Athy 6-11, Leixlp 2-05

While in the B grade

Netown Gaels 3-08, Kilcock 1-13

Round towers 4-10, Moorefield 0-10

The new rule enhancements in hurling will reportedly be tried out in a pair of interprovincial fixtures this November.

The outlawing of consecutive handpasses, and new restrictions on puckouts, are the proposed changes by the Hurling Expert Advisory Group.

The rule enhancements will first be trialled in the third-level Fitzgibbon League next month.

SOCCER

Republic of Ireland captain Nathan Collins is a major doubt for the upcoming Nations League games against Kosovo, Israel, and Austria.

The Brentford defender came off with a calf injury during their Premier League encounter with Sunderland earlier this month.

Heimir Hallgrimsson will name his squad later this morning.

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick says their EFL Cup collapse against Brighton last night was "unacceptable".

His side threw away a two-goal lead to be knocked out of the competition 3-2 by Fabian Hurzeler's at Old Trafford.

Fleetwood's reward for beating Sheffield United is a home draw against Arsenal in the fourth round, while Liverpool will host Chelsea.

Aston Villa eased to a 3-1 win at Coventry in their derby.

Republic of Ireland defender Jake O'Brien started in Everton's 1-nil home win over Wolves.

The last place in the fourth round is up for grabs tonight with defending champions Manchester City hosting Norwich.

GOLF

Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy are both out on course on day one of golf's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

Masters champion McIlroy is alongside Aaron Rai and Ryan Fox, while Lowry is in a group with English duo Matt Fitzpatrick and Tyrrell Hatton.