Thursday Morning: Stephanie Frappart To Become The First Woman To Referee A Men's Game At A World Cup Finals

Belgium need a win over Croatia in Group F to survive - while Morocco just require a draw against eliminated Canada

GAELIC GAMES

The countdown to 2023 inter-county season is underway.

The fixtures for the O’Byrne Cup and Keogh Cup have been confirmed.

The Kildare Senior Footballers O’Byrne Cup football Group A games

Weds, Jan 4th away to Wexford

Saturday, Jan 7th home to Louth

Weds, Jan. 11th, away to Westmeath

Kildare's 2023 Keogh Cup hurling games

Round 1 Thurs, Jan 5th home to Carlow

Round 2: Kildare have a bye

Round 3 Sunday, Jan 15th, away to Wicklow

Round 4, Sunday, Jan 22nd home to Down

Round 5, Saturday Jan 28th, away to Meath

SOCCER

Argentina are into the last 16 of the World Cup in Qatar.

They beat Poland 2-nil last night and will now face Australia in the knockout stage on Saturday night.

Poland pipped Mexico on goal difference for second spot in Group C - as Mexico beat Saudi Arabia 2-1.

Poland are to take on defending champions France on Sunday afternoon.

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Groups E and F will be resolved later.

Belgium need a win over Croatia in Group F to survive - while Morocco just require a draw against eliminated Canada.

Those matches start at 3pm Irish time.

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At 7 o'clock, Germany take on Costa Rica in Group F, knowing they must win and hope that Spain gain a positive result against Japan in the other Group match.

History will be made in the Germany - Costa Rica game as 38 year old Stephanie Frappart  from France becomes the first woman to referee a men's game at a World Cup finals.

GOLF

Ireland's John Murphy is level par after four holes of his opening round at the South African Open in Johannesburg.

Gary Hurley and Tom McKibbin are also in the field.

Germany's Matti Schmid and England's Nathan Kimsey currently share the lead on 4 under par.

Elsewhere, Shane Lowry is in the line up for the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas later.


HOCKEY

After two wins from two, the Irish men's team play hosts South Africa at the Nations Cup this afternoon.

It's a 1pm start, Irish time.


HORSE RACING

There are seven races over jumps at Thurles today - with the first of them off just after 12.30.