Wednesday Morning Sports Update

Keeping you up to date on GAA, soccer, tennis and racing.

GAA

Tipperary's John McGrath has backed manager Liam Cahill to stay on in 2027 after a disappointing early exit in this season's Championship.

The reigning Hurler of the Year has committed to the Premier County for another year, but there is no news yet on whether his brother Noel will continue playing at intercounty level.

The reigning All-Ireland champions were knocked out of Liam McCarthy, after failing to pick up a win in any of their four games in the Munster round-robin.

SOCCER

Lionel Messi was on target for Argentina, who made the perfect start to their bid to retain the World Cup.

The skipper scored his first-ever World Cup hat-trick, in their 3-0 win over Algeria in Kansas City.

He's now moved alongside Miroslav Klose as the tournament's all-time top goalscorer with 16.

Elsewhere in Group J, Austria opened their account with a 3-1 win over debutants Jordan in Santa Clara.

Kylian Mbappe found the net twice for France, as they beat Senegal 3-1 in New Jersey.

Norway marked their first World Cup appearance since 1998 by beating Iraq 4-1 - Erling Haaland scored twice in Boston.

Three more heavyweights will begin their respective tilts this evening.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal meet DR Congo in Houston from 6pm, and there's a 9pm kick-off for England's opener against Croatia in Dallas.

A late change to Thomas Tuchel's squad sees Chelsea defender Trevor Chalobah come in for Newcastle's Tino Livramento, who's out with a hamstring issue.

Shelbourne will find out their opponents for the second qualifying round of the Conference League later today.

Ajax, Braga and Copenhagen are among the seeded teams that Joey O'Brien's side could be drawn to face.

Bohemians were paired with Gibraltar side St Joseph's for the first qualifying round yesterday.

TENNIS

The ATP Dublin Challenger 75 reaches the last-16 stage at Elm Park today

Dublin's Conor Gannon stunned former world number 17 Bernard Tomic in three sets yesterday .

He will face three-time Grand Slam semi-finalist Grigor Dimitrov this morning, with play due to get underway at 11 o'clock.

RACING

It's day two at Royal Ascot.

The action begins with the Queen Mary Stakes over five furlongs at 2.30pm.