Tuesday Lunchtime Sport with Joe Mallon Motors, Sallins Road, Naas

Champions League Group Stages Begin Tonight

SOCCER

The Champions League group stage kicks off tonight.

Champions Manchester City host Red Star Belgrade at the Etihad Stadium from 8pm.

That match is in Group G with the other game in that Group between Young Boys and Leipzig.

Also at 8, Celtic play Feyenoord in Group E in the Netherlands.

Irish defender Liam Scales may line out for Celtic.

The other tie in that Group sees Lazio face Atletico Madrid.

Newcastle United are away to AC Milan in Group F from 5.45.

Paris Saint Germain take on Borussia Dortmund in the other match in that Group.

In Group H, it's Barcelona versus Royal Antwerp and Shakhtar Donetsk  up against Porto.

Republic of Ireland interim manager Eileen Gleeson says it's natural that there are varied opinions around the departure of Vera Pauw.

Diane Caldwell was critical of the former manager yesterday, opining that Ireland's success was in spite of Pauw, not because of her.

The Girls in Green play Northern Ireland in the Nations League at Lansdowne Road on Saturday and Gleeson is doing her best to concentrate on that.


The Republic of Ireland may have to qualify for Euro 2028, even if they are co-hosts with England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Only two places will be kept free according to a UEFA plan reported by the Times newspaper.

If any of the five countries qualify, the next two spots will be filled by co-hosts.


GAELIC GAMES

Mickey Harte is going to become the new manager of the Derry senior footballers.

Tyrone's former All Ireland winning boss has been in charge of Louth for the last three years.

Derry are the current Ulster champions and reached the All Ireland semi final this year.


HORSE RACING

The Harvest Festival continues at Listowel today from 2.05.

Meanwhile, trainer Nicky Henderson has confirmed that his star horse, 'Constitution Hill' - will be staying over hurdles this season.

The horse easily won the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham back in March.