Wednesday Morning Sports Update

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

GAELIC GAMES

The Gaelic Players Association chief executive Tom Parsons believes the drain of talent to the AFL 'is a huge blow to Gaelic Games'.

Ben Murphy is the latest Kerry player to join the exodus to Australia, with Offaly's Cillian Bourke also expected to sign a contract in the coming weeks.

There are also a record 39 Irish players in the women's AFL this season.

SOCCER

Abbie Larkin's 90th minute strike saw the Republic of Ireland return to the top tier of the Women's Nations League

They lost 2-1 to Belgium on the night - but that goal ensured Carla Ward's team won 5-4 on aggregate.

Larkin says it was the 'best night of her life' while captain Katie McCabe won her 100th cap for the girls in green.

Northern Ireland will need to recover from 2-nil down in the second leg of their clash with Iceland this evening

The game has been moved from last night, after heavy snow forced the match to be postponed.

Shamrock Rovers will finally end the SSE Airtricity League title race, if they avoid defeat against Galway United tonight.

Stephen Bradley's team are hoping to be crowned Premier Division champions for the fifth time in six seasons.

While a victory for Galway at Tallaght Stadium would move them three points clear of the relegation play-off spot ahead of the last day of the campaign.

Fulham boss Marco Silva insists his players did treat their E-F-L Cup tie with Wycombe seriously.

They needed penalties to see off the League One side and reach the quarter-finals after their match at Adams Park ended 1-all.

Will Fish scored the winner for Cardiff as they beat Welsh rivals Wrexham 2-1, while Brentford eased past League Two Grimsby 5-nil.

Holders Newcastle take on Tottenham among tonight's games.

Swansea play Manchester City, favourites Arsenal play Brighton, Chelsea play Wolves, and FA Cup winners Crystal Palace play Premier League champions Liverpool.

Interim manager Martin O'Neill claims it's "in the lap of the gods" as to whether he'll be a success in his second spell at Celtic.

He's taken the job on an interim basis following the shock resignation of Brendan Rodgers on Monday.

O'Neill's first game in charge comes against Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership this evening.

RUGBY

Ireland captain Calean Doris is fit to face New Zealand this weekend.

Assistant coach Paul O'Connell has revealed that the Leinster back-row has shown 'no ill-effects whatsoever' after returning to training with the squad in Chicago.

Doris hasn't played a game since injuring his shoulder towards the end of last season, and he missed the Lions' tour of Australia with the issue.