Friday Afternoon: Desmond & Broadhurst To Box For Gold At European Elite Women's Championships

Tennis' Simona Halep tests positive for banned substance at US Open

Boxing

Tina Desmond and Amy Broadhurst will both box for gold at the European Elite Women’s Championships.

Desmond beat Melissa Gemini by unanimous decision to progress to the light middleweight decider.

While Dundalk light-welterweight Broadhurst beat Croatia’s Sara Beram by unanimous decision.

There was disappointment in the afternoon session for Westport’s Shannon Sweeney, and Commonwealth gold medalist Michaela Walsh, both of whom lost their semi-finals.

Still to come, Caitlin Fryers, Kellie Harrington and Aoife O’Rourke will all look to upgrade their bronze medals in the evening session.

Rugby

Ulster’s United Rugby Championship game away to the Cell C Sharks tomorrow has been postponed, as the province are unable to field a team.

The side has been struck by a number of gastroenteritis infections.

Glasgow Warriors have been similarly afflicted, and their game with the Emirates Lions is also off.

𝗨𝗥𝗖 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

The @URCOfficial has this afternoon confirmed that the Cell C Sharks v Ulster fixture is postponed.

Full story ⤵️

— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) October 21, 2022

Jack Crowley will start at full-back for the first time when Munster face Leinster tomorrow at the Aviva Stadium.

His introduction is one of eight changes from the team that beat the Vodacom Bulls last week.

Athy's Jeremy Loughman & Joey Carbury start at loose-head & out-half, respectively.

Rory Scannell and Conor Murray also come into the backline.

📺 Here is your Munster team to face Leinster in Dublin tomorrow 💪

Full team news: https://t.co/f1Jv6LGNNO#LEIvMUN #SUAF 🔴 pic.twitter.com/2OcUaE2JnK

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) October 21, 2022

Leinster have also made sweeping changes, with Jonathan Sexton back to captain the side.

Eadestown's Jimmy O'Brien & Naas' Jamie Osborne start for the province.

Ciaran Frawley starts at full-back, while Robbie Henshaw, Jamie Osborne and Luke McGrath also come into the backline.

In the forwards, Cian Healy, Jason Jenkins, Max Deegan and Scott Penny all start.

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Tonight, Connacht welcome the Scarlets to the Sportsground where kick-off is at 7.35pm.

Suncroft's Cian Prendergast starts at blindside- flanker.

Soccer

Locally tonight, Newbridge Town play Arklow Town FC in Division 1A Sun of the Leinster Senior League.

The game kicks-off at 7.45pm, at Station Road.

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Northern Ireland have sacked Ian Baraclough as their manager.

The side won one of their last seven games, under the former Sligo Rovers boss.

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It promises to be a huge night in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division title race.

Shamrock Rovers hold a six-point lead - but have played a game more - ahead of the visit of St. Pat’s to Tallaght Stadium.

Second placed Derry host Shelbourne in an FAI Cup final dress rehearsal.

Dundalk start the night in third and they entertain Sligo Rovers.

Declan Devine takes charge of Bohemians for the first time with Finn Harps travelling to Dalymount.

UCD face Drogheda.

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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag's confirmed Cristiano Ronaldo refused to come on as a substitute against Tottenham - but remains an "important part of the squad".

The forward's been dropped for tomorrow's trip to Chelsea in the Premier League, after walking down the tunnel at Old Trafford before Wednesday's match with Spurs finished.

Ten Hag says Ronaldo was already on a warning for his behaviour in pre-season:

🔊 "When you play top [level] football, sometimes there [are] rumours and noise, but you can't get deflected," Erik adds.

"You have to focus on the job and that is to perform tomorrow." 💪#MUFC || #CHEMUN

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 21, 2022

Tennis

Former world number one, Simona Halep, has been provisionally banned having failed a drugs test at the US Open.

The 31-year old tested positive for a banned anti-anaemia drug in New York.

Halep has pleaded her innocence, claiming she’ll “fight for the truth”.

BREAKING: Two-time tennis grand slam champion Simona Halep has failed a doping test at the US Open.

The world number nine tested positive for the anti-anaemia drug Roxadustat and has been provisionally suspended. pic.twitter.com/B0fyAqWgHz

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 21, 2022

Snooker

Mark Allen is in quarter-final action tonight at the Northern Ireland Open.

The home favourite faces three-time world champion Mark Williams at the Waterfront.

Play gets underway at 7pm.