RUGBY
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell concedes he may never see the end of the 2020 Six Nations.
His side are due to resume next week against Italy, before a trip to Paris a week later.
However, with the country teetering on the brink of level-5 restrictions, a note of uncertainty has struck their preparations.
Farrell feels international rugby would be the perfect antidote for the country right now
SOCCER
Robbie Keane’s reportedly been lined up to become head coach at LA Galaxy.
The Republic of Ireland’s record goalscorer spent five-years at the MLS side, where he scored more than 80-goals.
Galaxy are bottom of the Western Conference after 16 games of the season.
Keane’s been out of work since earlier this year after losing jobs with both Ireland and Middlesbrough.
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Only one game survives in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division this evening.
It’s at Oriel Park where Dundalk take on Bohemians from 5.45.
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This evening’s First Division meeting of Drogheda and Wexford is off after a Wexford player tested positive for coronavirus.
Elsewhere, UCD play host to Cabinteely.
GAELIC GAMES
A member of the Kerry under-20 football panel has tested positive for COVID-19.
A number of other players are also isolating having been possible close contacts.
They’re due to play Galway tomorrow in the All Ireland semi-finals.
GOLF
Padraig Harrington is just three-shots off the lead on the second day of the Scottish Championship.
He shot a 69 to reach half-way in 9-under par.
Matt Wallace and Adrian Otaegui are the joint-clubhouse leaders on 12-under.
Jonathan Caldwell’s on 8-under following a 66, but Cormac Sharvin looks like missing the cut on 1-over.
Out on course, Gavin Moynihan is 2-over.
Clubs across Ireland have elected the first regional officers for Golf Ireland in a postal ballot, the first of three phases in the election process. The elections are subject to ratification at the Regional AGMs next month.
The turnout for the ballot was over 70% and the elected officers are:
Connacht Region
Chair: Jimmy Duggan, Galway
Treasurer: Niall MacSweeney, Athenry
Secretary: Oonagh McDermott, Co. Sligo
Leinster Region
Chair: Siobhan O’Donnell-Murphy, Mullingar
Treasurer: Harry McAlinden, Bray
Secretary: Rosemary Tully, Carlow
Munster Region
Chair: Jim Long, Monkstown
Treasurer: Peter English, Limerick
Secretary: Moira Lynott, Waterville
Ulster Region
Chair: Brian Hutchinson, Donaghadee
Treasurer: Alasdair Gibson, Knock
Secretary: Fiona Delargy, Cushendall
It was a requirement of the officer election process that at least one male and one female were returned in each region. Overall, 59% are male and 41% female with two of the three officer positions in Leinster being held by women.
The initial Chair and Secretary elected in each region will serve a term of four years, while the position of Treasurer will serve a two-year term.
The ballot count, which was presided over by the Returning Officer Tim O’Connor, Chair of the Transition Board of Golf Ireland took place on Thursday afternoon and was observed by GUI Chairman Iggy O’Muircheartaigh and ILGU President Brigid McCaw.
Tim O’Connor said: “These elections represent a significant moment for Golf Ireland, as golf clubs around the country play their part in an important first step towards a governing body that is built on inclusivity and equality. We were delighted with the turnout from clubs and thank them for their participation in what was a very new and different electoral process.
Regional Executives will play a very significant role in implementing the priorities of Golf Ireland within their respective areas and they are crucial in the overall structure of the organisation. I encourage all clubs to exercise their right to vote in the subsequent phases of the election process”.
A total of thirteen Zonal and Ordinary Member positions will be filled in a second postal ballot later this month. The third and final phase will be via electronic voting on the day of each Regional AGM - to elect the final Ordinary Member of each Regional Executive.
