Tuesday Afternoon Sports Update

Keeping you up to date on soccer and rugby.

SOCCER

The Republic of Ireland under-17s have the chance to create another piece of World Cup history this afternoon.

Colin O'Brien's side bid to reach the quarter-finals when they take on Switzerland in Doha.

Kick off is at 2.45pm Irish time.

The Ireland under-21s play Andorra for their latest European Championship qualifier, with kick off at 6.30pm.

The World Cup play-off picture will become clearer tonight, with Ireland hoping to have their place in Pot Two confirmed ahead of Thursday's draw.

Tara O'Hanlon is back in the Republic of Ireland squad for the first time in over two and a half years, while Kelly Brady has received her first full call-up for the friendly against Hungary in Spain later this month.

O'Hanlon has endured a dreadful run of injuries. She featured for the Girls in Green against the USA in April 2023 but has not been a part of the squad since due to knee and hamstring setbacks.

On loan at WSL2 side Sunderland from Manchester City, the ex-Peamount United player is getting badly needed time, and has received a major boost today after being included in the 23-player squad for the trip to Marbella.

Former Ireland Under-19 striker Brady trained with the squad before the Nations League promotion/relegation play-off against Belgium.

The 23-year-old forward picked up the SSE Airtrcity Women's Premier Division Player of The Year Award last Friday following an outstanding season with Athlone Town.

She's listed as a free agent in the squad, with a winter move away from the midlands looking likely.

Goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan and forward Leanne Kiernan are also back in the fold having missed the victory over Belgium. 

Heather Payne (achilles) and Megan Connolly (foot) are out along with midfielder Lily Agg (knee), while Jess Ziu and Amber Barrett are being afforded extra time to recover from knocks.

The squad will gather at their training base in Spain on Monday and then play Hungary on Saturday week.

Norwich have appointed former Rangers boss Philippe Clement as the club's new head coach.

Clement - sacked by Rangers in February - replaces Liam Manning, who left Carrow Road ahead of the international break with the Canaries second bottom of the Championship.

Former Bristol City boss Manning had only been given the job during the summer, but lasted just 17 games - his side having lost all of their home matches so far this season.

Former Ireland and Liverpool defender Steve Finnan has been left facing the threat of bankruptcy following a multi-million pound legal battle with his brother.

A bankruptcy petition was brought against Finnan over his failure to pay a five-figure sum linked to a family feud that saw him make older sibling Sean bankrupt in 2019.

Part of Liverpool’s legendary 2005 Champions League-winning triumph and the Republic of Ireland’s 2002 World Cup squad, Finnan has been plagued by legal strife for almost a decade since suing his brother over a failed property venture.

He was awarded £4m in a High Court settlement in 2018 but his brother failed to pay up and he instead had his sibling made bankrupt in July 2019.

RUGBY

The Irish rugby squad will continue preparations today for Saturday's showdown with South Africa at the Aviva Stadium.

Stuart McCloskey will play no part in that match, with the Ulster centre ruled out with a groin problem.

Garry Ringrose and Josh Van Der Flier are back in full training and available for selection this weekend.