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Today FM Sportsday

Summary Republic of Ireland's World Cup wqualifier with Wales is now SOLD OUT! Munster sign JJ Hanr...
TodayFM
TodayFM

8:19 AM - 24 Jan 2017



Today FM Sportsday

Sport

Today FM Sportsday

TodayFM
TodayFM

8:19 AM - 24 Jan 2017



Summary

  • Republic of Ireland's World Cup wqualifier with Wales is now SOLD OUT!
  • Munster sign JJ Hanrahan, James Hart and Chris Farrell, with six players signing new contracts.
  • Roger Federer powers into the mens last 4 in Melbourne
  • 36 year-old Venus Williams is into the Australian Open tennis semi-finals for the first time since 2003.
  • Club GAA Players Association to step up bid for official recognition
  • The Gooch and Kieran Donaghy to return for 2017

Welcome to the Today FM Sports Desk on Tuesday January 24th. Refresh this page during the day to keep pace with the latest news that matters!

Afternoon update

16.30

The FAI have confirmed that the crucial World Cup qualifier with Wales on March 24 has been sold out.

With Martin O'Neill's side top of the Group D table on 10 points, and Wales sitting third on six, the game at the Aviva Stadium is going to have a huge impact on both teams' hopes of making it to Russia.

The FAI have also confirmed that 3,500 Welsh fans will be in attendance, with the Irish fans also allocated 3,500 tickets for the corresponding fixture in October.

15.16

It's been a busy day down in Limerick!

Munster have just confirmed that JJ Hanrahan is to return to the province from Northampton, while they've also confirmed the signing of Grenoble centre Chris Farrell, and Racing 92 scrumhalf James Hart.

All three arrive on two-year deals.

And if that wasn't enough, six players have extended their deals at the province.

Dave Kilcoyne has signed on for a further three years until 2020, with Niall and Rory Scannell, Tyler Bleyendaal, Duncan Williams and Darren Sweetnam agreeing two-year deals.

The province have also confirmed that veteran scrumhalf Tomás O'Leary will not return to Munster after completing his loan at Montpellier.

 

Sunderland have signed defender Joleon Lescott on a short term contract with the club at the bottom of the Premier League.

The 34 year old played under David Moyes at Everton from 2006-2009 before he got a move to Manchester City where he won two league titles.

The former England international started the season in Greece with AEK Athens but he only made four appearances before suffering an injury.

Morning update

All Swiss last 4 tie in Melbourne in prospect

Roger Federer's beaten Mischa Zverev to set up a semi-final with Swiss rival Stan Wawrinka at the Australian Open tennis. The 17-time Grand Slam champion won 6-1, 7-5, 6-2.

Wawrinka himself easily beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in straight sets earlier.

Fancy a Venus v Serena womens final in Melbourne?

Venus is a seven-time Grand Slam champion, but has never taken the title at Melbourne Park and an all Williams sisters final at the Rod Laver arena in Melbourne is still on.

Thirty-six-year-old Venus is is into the Australian Open tennis semi-finals for the first time since 2003.

She beat Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in straights sets, to stay on course for a possible meeting with sister Serena in the womens decider.

Up next for Venus is Coco Vandeweghe who swept past French Open champion Garbine Muguruza.

She may be 36 but you've got to admire the mental fortitude of the bould Venus.

 

Stan Wawrinka's beaten Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in straight sets to reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open tennis.

The fourth seed already has three majors to his name - most recently at the US Open.

 

 

Grass Roots Players Body wants firm foundations

Will the new Club Players Association for grass roots GAA members get solid foundations down in the next while?

The body for elite inter county players the Gaelic Players Association has been down this road before and they will testify that it's a difficult journey into the promised land of a secure future. However the CPA is taking the first steps. In a statement they have called for County Boards to back their establishment but only time will tell whether they will hit the same status as  the GPA.

'We are calling upon and appealing to County Boards to vote to officially recognise the CPA at the forthcoming Congress. We are at the stage as an Association where we need to consider what's right for all our members, not who's right. Given the nature of Congress we believe it is important that the motion proposed by Wexford and Tipperary County Boards is heard at Congress and given due consideration without the possibility of procedural interference or impairment. We are writing to County Boards this week inviting their mandated support to achieve the necessary support. The CPA is committed to working with and supporting County Boards. Agreement on fixtures will make their work easier.' Watch this space.

Gooch and Star back for 2017

Kerry GAA boss Eamonn Fitzmaurice has been boosted by the news that Colm Cooper and Kieran Donaghy WILL return for the kingdom senior footballers this year.

It follows the latest retirement in Kerry with decorated defender Aidan O'Mahony calling time on his inter county football career.

The Rathmore clubman departs the intercounty scene with a haul of five All-Ireland titles, eight Munster titles, three National Leagues and two All-Stars and joined Matt Cooper on Today FM's Last Word last night.



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