Wednesday Morning Sport; With Joe Mallon Motors Sallins Rd., Naas

Hanlon Concrete Division 1 Senior Football League Semi Finals Naas v Celbridge & Sarsfields v Moorefield take place this weekend

GAA

The opening round of the Auld Shebeen Athy Intermediate & Joe Mallon Motors Senior foot ball championships have been confirmed. 

The intermediate round will be played on Thursday & Saturday July 27th & 29th while the senior championship first round will be played on the Friday & Saturday 

The Tom Cross Junior championship begins this weekend which also sees the Hanlon Concrete Division 1 senior football league semi finals Naas v Celbridge & Sarsfields v Moorefield & the remaining Division 2 & 3 games.
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Clare defenders John Conlon and David McInerney are understood to be winning their battles to be fit for Sunday's All Ireland senior hurling championship semi final against Kilkenny at Croke Park.

Centre back Conlon retired hurt during the quarter final win over Dublin.

The news is not believed to be as good in terms of full back Conor Cleary, who is unlikely to feature because of a shoulder problem. 

Meanwhile, Galway forward Jason Flynn is out of the other semi final with Limerick on Saturday evening because of a hamstring injury. 

SOCCER

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu has given manager Stephen Kenny his full backing.

After three years in the job, Kenny has come under pressure following the recent defeat to Greece which places Ireland's attempt to qualify for Euro 2024 in doubt.
But Southampton netminder Bazunu feels the onus is on the players to perform.

Elsewhere, Mason Mount is set to have his move to Manchester United from Chelsea officially confirmed today.

The 24-year-old will join for an initial 63 million euro.

Former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino has joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli.

And the Sun report that Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Mark Travers is poised to join Millwall from Bournemouth on a season long loan.

RUGBY

The Ireland under 20s will face South Africa on Sunday in the world championship semi final.

Ireland beat Fiji by 20 points yesterday.


GAA ground Pairc Ui Chaoimh is set to host a match involving Munster and New Zealand club Crusaders in February, subject to Central Council approval.

The Irish Examiner reports the game could be worth between 150 and 200 thousand euro.


TENNIS

Defending men's champion Novak Djokovic and women's top seed Iga Swiatek are in action at Wimbledon today.

Djokovic meets Jordan Thompson in the second round, with Swiatek to face Sara Sorribes Tormo.

Elsewhere in the men's singles, third seed Daniil Medvedev plays Arthur Fery.


GOLF

Spanish golfer Sergio Garcia will miss The Open Championship for the first time since 1997.

The 2017 Masters champion failed to clinch one of five places on offer at a qualifying event at West Lancashire.

Graeme McDowell also missed out on a place at the tournament at Hoylake later this month.


HORSE RACING

There are 8 races on the flat at Tipperary from 4.35.