Thursday Lunch: Paul O'Donovan And Fintan McCarthy Have Advanced To The Final Of The Lightweight Men's Double Sculls

Action continues on day one of the Women's Irish Open at Dromoland Castle.

GOLF

Leona Maguire has just teed off on day one of the Women's Irish Open at Dromoland Castle.

Annabel Dimmock and Klara Spilkova are the joint leaders at six-under-par.

Clare amateur Aideen Walsh is best of the Irish on level par with three holes of her first round to play.

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Jamie Donaldson is in a three-way tie for the lead on day one of the French Open.

He's five-under-par, alongside James Morrison and Paul Barjon.

Jonathan Caldwell has just teed off.

Niall Kearney and Cormac Sharvin are both out on course later this afternoon.

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The Presidents Cup begins later between the USA and an International selection at Quail Hollow in North Carolina.

The opening day will feature five foursome matches, with the first out on course shortly after 6pm Irish time.

ROWING

Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy have advanced to the final of the lightweight men's double sculls at the World Championships in the Czech Republic.

The Olympic champions won their semi final to book a place in Saturday's A final.

Margaret Cremen and Aoife Casey also qualified for the A final of the lightweight women's double sculls with a second place finish in their semi final.

The women's four team of Emily Hegarty, Aifric Keogh, Eimear Lambe and Fiona Murtagh are also through to the A final, after a second-place finish in their semi-final.

And the para mixed double sculls pair of Katie O'Brien and Steven McGowan also progressed after coming second in their repechage.

RUGBY

Leinster have named a host of Irish internationals in their team to play Benetton in the United Rugby Championship tomorrow evening.

Garry Ringrose is named as captain and partners Robbie Henshaw in the centre.

There's a new-look back row after last week's win over Zebre, with Ryan Baird, Josh Van Der Flier and Caelan Doris all listed to start.

Johnny Sexton isn't included in the matchday 23, with Ciarán Frawley starting at out-half.


SOCCER

Shamrock Rovers have the chance to move four points clear at the top of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division tonight.

The Hoops are at Tolka Park for a Dublin derby with Shelbourne.

Kick off is at 7.45pm.

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Former Ireland international Richard Dunne is reportedly among the candidates being considered to become the new Bohemians manager.

Other names being linked with the vacant role include Vinny Perth and Sean O'Shea, who has coaching experience with AIK Stockholm.

Keith Long departed earlier this season, with Derek Pender currently in temporary charge.

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West Ham have announced former captain Mark Noble will become the club's sporting director from January.

The midfielder retired at the end of last season, after making 550 appearances across 18 campaigns with the London club.

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GAA

Holders Eadestown and Sarsfields continue preparations ahead of tomorrow’s Ladies Senior football championship final.

Throw in is 8pm in Manguard plus Hawkfield.

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HORSE RACING

The Curragh will stage a packed programme of racing this weekend featuring the Goffs Million on Saturday and the Irish Cesarewitch on Sunday.

19 two-year-olds will line up at the Curragh on Saturday in the Goffs Million, Europe’s richest race for juveniles, following this morning’s declarations

Bossy Parker (Johnny Murtagh), Hellsing (Ger Lyons), Queen of Ours (Willie McCreery) and Hiawatha (Aidan O’Brien) are among the home trained team

Sunday’s Irish Cesarewitch two-mile contest is expected to have a maximum field of 30 runners.

The 30 runners will be matched with 30 Kildare pubs, who have each selected a local charity or community group to benefit.

Proceeds from the prize fund will go to the bars nominated charities, whose horses finish in the first 5.

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There are eight races on the flat at Listowel today, with the first off at 1.25.