It’s Irish Derby day at The Curragh.
A huge weekend of racing at the Curragh, which began last night, continues today with the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.
The premier Flat race on the Irish racing calendar, goes to post at 3.45pm.
Eight runners will line-up including Epsom Oaks heroine 'Tuesday' who represents champion trainer Aidan O’Brien.
The main opposition is set to come from the Ralph Beckett-trained 'Westover', with champion jockey Colin Keane in the saddle.
David Menuisier’s 'Lionel', the mount of Jamie Spencer, is a second British-trained raider.
'Hannibal Barca', winner on his first start in Ireland last month, is Joseph O'Brien’s runner while 'Piz Badile' will represent his brother Donnacha.
Paddy Twomey’s 'French Claim', the Andy Oliver-trained 'Glory Daze' and Jim Bolger’s 'Boundless Ocean' complete the line-up.
The overnight rain means the ground on both tracks is described as good, good to yielding in places.
Kfm will broadcast live from the course both today and tomorrow, when the Pretty Polly Stakes is the feature.
Pat Costello will bring us updates between 1.30 and 5.30.
Our digital race card is up for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby - Saturday 25th June. Well worth a look 👀 https://t.co/f8eLVsSTYy #DDFIrishDerby pic.twitter.com/uRxvUX4eLI
— The Curragh Racecourse (@curraghrace) June 25, 2022
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GAELIC GAMES
The 2022 UPMC Senior Hurling Championship begins today with a two Preliminary Round games in St. Conleth’s Park
Last year’s beaten finalists Celbridge meet Coill Dubh at two o'clock.
Followed by the meeting of Leixlip and county champions Naas, who are aiming for a fourth title in a row.
Kfm will have live updates of both matches with Seamus Dillon on Sportsbeat Saturday.
Following a win over Wexford last time out in the All Ireland Intermediate championship, the Kildare Camogie team play Meath in Killyon at 5pm
A busy weekend of All Ireland football quarter-final action gets underway at Croke Park this afternoon.
Clare face Derry in the first of this weekend’s matches, with throw-in at 3.45
That’s followed by the meeting of Cork and Dublin at 6.00
Kerry and Westmeath do battle for an All Ireland Ladies football quarter-final spot this afternoon.
They meet at Fitzgerald Stadium, with Kerry needing only a draw to progress.
If Waterford beat Cork in Portlaoise, then the Deise will go through at the expense of Donegal.
In Group 2, it’s also a straight shootout between Armagh and Monaghan to decide who reaches the last-8, and who has to play a relegation playoff.
Cavan currently occupy that relegation playoff spot in Group 1, and need to beat Tipperary at Kingspan Breffni.
Galway have a one-hundred per cent record to protect in Group 2 of the Senior Camogie Championship as they take on Antrim in Dunloy today.
Limerick could move into the quarter-final spots if they beat Down.
While Kilkenny take on Offaly.
SOCCER
Rory Gaffney’s goal just after half-time gave Shamrock Rovers a 1-nil win over bitter rivals Bohemians last night, and helped stretch their lead at the top of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division to seven points.
That’s because second placed Dundalk were held to a goalless draw at Shelbourne.
Derry won 1-nil at UCD to end a run of seven games without a victory.
Ethan Boyle’s goal six minutes into added time saw Finn Harps salvage a 2-2 draw with St. Pat’s having been 2-nil down with two minutes to go.
And Drogheda United played out a goalless draw with Sligo.
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Cork City are once again a point clear at the top of the First Division following a 1-nil win at home to Cobh.
Galway surrendered the lead due to a nil-all draw with Treaty United.
Wexford were 2-1 winners at home to Longford.
And Waterford beat Bray 1-nil at the RSC.
GOLF
Rory McIlroy dropped six shots in just two holes on his back-nine last night to see his Travelers Championship challenge drift away.
A quadruple bogey at the twelfth was the nadir of a level par round of 70 that sees him go into the weekend on 8-under par.
It’s a mark he shares with Seamus Power, who had a far better second round - carding a 65.
Xander Schauffele holds a five-stroke lead on 14-under par.
RUGBY
Ireland lost their first game of the Under-20 Summer Series last night.
Richie Murphy’s side went down 42-21 to France in Verona.
Next up is a meeting with the Springbok under-20’s on Wednesday.