Thursday Morning Update: Rep. Ireland Lose Out To All-Time International Goal-Scorer, Ronaldo

Finished 2-1

Soccer

The Republic of Ireland suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Portugal in their World Cup qualifier in Faro last night.

Gavin Bazunu saved an early penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo, before John Egan headed Ireland into the lead just before half time.

Stephen Kenny's men held out until the 89th minute when Ronaldo headed home an equaliser.

Then Ronaldo won the game with another header in stoppage time.

The Manchester United forward is now the all-time record goalscorer in international football, with 111 goals.

Next up for the Boys in Green is a home match against Azerbaijan on Saturday.

Egan is reflecting on what might have been.



Elsewhere in the group, Ireland's opponents on Saturday, Azerbaijan, lost 2-1 to Luxembourg.

While Scotland lost 2-0 to Denmark away from home in Group F.


This evening, England are away to Hungary.

Kick off in Budapest is at 7.45pm.

Paralympics

Patrick O'Leary is into the semi finals of the KL3 canoeing tomorrow after he came home fifth in his heat, in a time of 43.502 seconds.

He also qualified for Saturday's semi finals of the VL3 after finishing 5th in his heat.

In swimming, Patrick Flanagan was 7th in the S6 400 metres freestyle.

Barry McClements ended in 10th in the heats of the S9 100 metres butterfly.

Gaelic Games

Future Ticketing Minor Hurling League Division 1 

Naas 4-14 V Naomh Mhuire 2-8

Celbridge 2-22 V Maynooth 1-17

Division 2

St. Columbas 2-25 V Coill Dubh 1-13 

Sallins 3-19 V Moorefield 0-12

Division 3

Cappagh 5-19 V Southern Gaels 3-7 

Broadford 4-11 V Kilcock 1-14

Golf

The PGA's season ending Tour Championship gets underway in Atlanta later on.

Rory McIlroy carries Irish interest.

Meanwhile, United States Ryder Cup captain Steve Stricker has selected Phil Mickelson and Fred Couples as vice-captains for the matches against Europe later this month.

On the European Tour, Cormac Sharvin and Jonathan Caldwell are both in the field for the Italian Open.

Tennis

World number one Novak Djokovic is in second round action at the US Open later on.

He takes on Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor as he continues his quest to become the first male to complete a calendar Grand Slam since 1969.

In the women's draw, top seed Ashleigh Barty faces Clara Tauson of Denmark as she looks to book her place in the last 16.

Racing

There's an eight race card at Dundalk today where the first goes to post at 3pm.

While the first of 7 races at Clonmel is off at 4.15pm.