LIMERICK will host the world’s richest juvenile greyhound race with the culmination of an already thrilling Con and Annie Kirby Stake on Friday night (7.40pm).
Sponsored by JP and Noreen McManus, the competition again carries a prize-fund of €160,000, with €80,000 for the winner.
Clonmel trainer Graham Holland has three of the finalists, including Clonbrien Treaty for James and Muireann Murphy of Athlacca. It appears, however, a wide open final.
For the nominated GAA clubs, there’s a pot of €20,000.
There is also a top class support card.
Trap Draw: 1 Clonbrien Treaty (Knockainey), 2 Hovex Tommy (St Senan’s LGFA), 3 Scaglietti (Feenagh/Kilmeedy), 4 Gaytime Hugo (Doon), 5 Ryhope Beach (Hospital/Herbertstown), 6 Bogger Lucky (Effin).
SOCCER:
AISLING Annacotty play Midleton (Cork) in the JAKO Munster Youth Cup Final at Carrig Park, Fermoy, on Saturday (3pm).
In the semi-final, Aisling stunned Villa (Waterford) 3-0 at Jackman Park, the goals arriving through Cian Arthur and impact substitute Donnacha Hogan (2).
Aisling Annacotty: Mark Forde, Ben Moylan, Cathal Downes, Calum Murphy, Jack Dolan, Seán O’hAodha, Cian Arthur, Daniel Ryan, Alex Keating, Aaron Moffat, David Moloney, Donnacha Hogan, Alex Fox, Seán O’Brien, Andrew Kearney, Colm Kinehan, Sean Quinn, Jimmy Crowe.
Meanwhile, Regional United were impressive 4-2 winners over Ballynanty Rovers in the semi-final of the Munster Junior Cup at Jackman Park.
The winners had goals from top-scorer Eoin Duff, who has 29 Premier League goals this season, Eduardo Almeida and Felipe Mostowy.
In the other semi-final, Newmarket Celtic beat Fairview Rangers 1-0, also at Jackman.
The action continues in the Premier League Top 6 this Thursday. Leaders Pike Rovers host Regional United and Fairview Rangers play Ballynanty Rovers. Both fixtures kick-off at 6.30pm.
In the first division of the League of Ireland, Treaty United are doubly engaged at the weekend. On Friday, Tommy Barrett’s side are at Cobh Ramblers and on Monday host Waterford United at the Markets Field (7.45pm).
HORSERACING:
STEPHEN Mulqueen of Ballingarry enjoyed a landmark victory at the Aintree (Liverpool) Racing Festival when guiding 16/1 Apple Away to victory in the valuable Grade 1 Sefton Novices Hurdle.
Mulqueen (30) has been based at Grand National winning Lucinda Russell’s yard (Arlary House Stables) in the beautiful countryside north of Edinburgh in Scotland for quite a while.
Apple Away set out to make all the running in the hands of Mulqueen and one by one saw off each of her challengers.
RUGBY:
YOUNG Munster run-up against table-toppers Clontarf in the semi-final of the AIL (Division 1A) at Castle Avenue on Saturday (2.30pm).
The Cookies had already secured qualification into the last four before suffering a 36-26 home loss to Cork Constitution at Tom Clifford Park on Saturday.
In the other semi-final, Cork Con are away to Terenure College.
In a 2A play-off, UL Bohemian host Sligo at Annacotty and in 2B Bruff are at Galwegians.
Meanwhile, both semi-finals of the Munster Junior Cup are scheduled for Sunday next. Garryowen host Young Munster at Dooradoyle (2.30pm), while UCC are at Kilfeacle.
