Tuesday's Main Lunchtime News

Keeping you up to date on rugby, athletics, soccer and GAA.

RUGBY

New Leinster head coach Noel McNamara has described the role as "one of the most prestigious in world rugby.

The province have confirmed today that the Clare man will succeed Leo Cullen at the end of the season.

McNamara is currently the attack coach at Bordeaux, where he has won the last two Investec Champions Cups.

ATHLETICS

The funeral of two-time Olympian Ciara Mageean will take place this afternoon in her hometown of Portaferry, Co Down.

The European champion passed away on Sunday at the age of 34, having being diagnosed with stage-four bowel cancer last year.

SOCCER

The Republic of Ireland will find out their opponents for the 2027 Women's Nations League shortly.

Carla Ward's side are third seeds for the League A draw, which is just underway in Switzerland.

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo says he's desperate to repay the faith his boss Michael Carrick has put in him.

The head coach remains under severe pressure after a nine-match winless run, ahead of their Champions League clash with Roma tonight.

Kick-off at Old Trafford is at 8 o'clock.

At the same time, Aston Villa face a tough test away to Barcelona.

Unai Emery's side have three wins from three so far in the competition.

Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid entertain Bayern Munich, and Villarreal (pr: vee-ah-ray-ahl) are at home to holders P-S-G.

West Ham have parted company with manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

The club's made the announcement after what they call a "thorough review" into the start of the season.

Following relegation from the Premier League in May the London club are 8th in the Championship table, 6 points off the leaders after 13 games.

Former player Mark Noble, along with Steve Potts and Gerard Penderville, will take temporary charge of the squad for tomorrow's Championship clash at Cardiff City.

A Spanish footballer has died this morning after suffering a serious injury during a Spanish second-division match yesterday.

Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel collided with the opposition goalkeeper during the game, causing head and chest injuries.

The 30-year-old was taken to hospital, where his condition was described as "stable but serious".

But his health reportedly deteriorated overnight, and his death was announced this morning.

GAA

Eamonn Fitzmaurice has been ratified for a three-year term as manager of the Galway senior footballers.

The county board confirmed the appointment at a meeting last night.

Kevin Johnson, Gareth Bradshaw, and former Galway United head coach Lisa Fallon have all been confirmed as part of Fitzmaurice's backroom team.