A selection of five sporting events to enjoy this weekend
Plenty to keep sporting enthusiasts entertained this weekend, both locally and further afield ...
Castledaly Road Races
If you want to engage in sporting activity, as opposed to watching the feast that is on TV this weekend, then the Castledaly road races could fit the bill.
The annual 10k & 5k road races, organised by Castledaly GAA & Castledaly Fit Club, take place this Sunday, June 24. They will now start at the earlier time of 10.30am due to a funeral at the local St Ciaran's Church, with registration from 9am at the Castledaly GAA grounds. All are welcome to attend this fun event.
Australia v Ireland - series decider
The third and decisive final test in Ireland's series against Australia takes place in Sydney tomorrow (Saturday), kick-off is 11.05am Irish time.
Athlone man Robbie Henshaw has been selected at outside centre (no. 13) on the Irish team. With Garry Ringrose injured, Henshaw is joined in the centre by former Connacht team-mate Bundee Aki.
The Australians won the first game in the series in Brisbane, before Ireland responded with a highly impressive victory in Melbourne, to set up this showdown. Grand Slam champions Ireland are looking to decorate a hugely memorable season by winning a test series against one of the southern hemisphere's 'big three' for the first time since 1979.
Leinster U-20 FC - Offaly v Westmeath
Westmeath face near neighbours Offaly in the quarter-finals of the Leinster U-20 football championship in Tullamore tomorrow (Saturday), throw-in 3pm.
It's been a disappointing year for Westmeath football and now it's left to the county's U-20 team to fly the flag. But they face a difficult assignment against a fancied Offaly side who have been scoring freely in their games to date. Damien Gavin's charges defeated Longford last weekend (see report and quarter-final preview in this week's Westmeath Independent) to set up a clash with Offaly.
GAA Football Championship
There are three provincial football finals down for decision this weekend - with each of the winners progressing to the new Super 8s. Age old rivals Cork and Kerry meet in the Munster final tomorrow in what will be the first such game at the redeveloped Páirc Uí Chaoimh (7pm). On Sunday, Fermanagh will be bidding to win their first ever Ulster senior football title, with Donegal standing in their way (2pm). To add spice to the occasion, former Donegal manager Rory Gallagher is now in charge of his native Fermanagh. Also on Sunday, Laois have the unenviable task of facing All-Ireland champions Dublin, unbackable favourites (priced at around 1/100) to win their eighth Leinster title in a row. Laois defeated Wexford, Westmeath and Carlow en route to the final but now they are facing a completely different challenge. All three finals will be live on RTE, with the BBC also showing the Ulster decider.
In the All-Ireland football qualifiers, meanwhile, Tipperary's clash with 2017 finalists Mayo looks the pick of the Round 2 games - they meet in Thurles tomorrow (Saturday) at 5pm (live on Sky Sports).
World Cup
The World Cup action from Russia continues apace with plenty of games to keep fans entertained this weekend. Serbia (who played Ireland in their qualifying group) meet Switzerland in Kaliningrad tonight (Friday). Germany will be looking to bounce back from their opening day defeat to Mexico when they face Sweden tomorrow night (Saturday). And on Sunday, Ireland's Polish community will be hoping that their home country can do the business against Colombia (7pm).