Thursday Lunchtime Sport with Joe Mallon Motors, Sallins Road,Naas

Sexton captains Ireland as Farrell names team to face Romania.

GOLF

Play is underway on day one of the Irish Open at the K Club in Straffan.

England's Jordan Smith and Denmark's Thomas Bjorn are the joint clubhouse leaders on 6 under par,

Shane Lowry is best of the Irish on 4 under after a round of 68.

Rory McIlroy is in a tie for 9th on 3 under par after a round of 70.


SOCCER

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny admits his side face a tough test tonight.

The Boys in Green take on France in a European Championship qualifier in Paris.

Ireland will be without star attacker Evan Ferguson, who misses out through injury.

Kick off is at 7.45.

At the same time in Ireland’s group, the Netherlands take on Greece in Eindhoven.

Northern Ireland are also in qualifying action tonight - they’re away to Slovenia in Group H.


RUGBY

Johnny Sexton will make his first appearance in six months when he leads Ireland into their opening World Cup clash against Romania in Bordeaux tomorrow.

The rest of the team is, Hugo Keenan; Keith Earls, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Johnny Sexton (capt), Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Rob Herring, Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Tadhg Beirne, Peter O’Mahony, Caelan Doris.

TENNIS

Carlos Alcaraz is through to the semi-finals at the US Open.

The world number one accounted for the challenge of Alexander Zverev in straight sets.

In the women's draw, home favourite Madison Keys advanced to the last four after her straight sets victory over Marketa Vondrousova.

GAA

The Auld Shebeen Athy Intermediate Football Championship Group C Round 3

• Two Mile House v Ellistown

Venue: Manguard Park Pitch  8:00 PM

The Auld Shebeen Athy Intermediate Football Championship Group C Round 3

• Straffan v Nurney

Venue: Round Towers GFC 8:00 PM

RACING

There’s a seven-race card at Clonmel this evening, with the first off at 4.20.