Sunday sport: Ecuador cruises past hosts Qatar, Ballygunner into Munster hurling final
Soccer
Ecuador have beaten host nation Qatar 2-0 in the opening game of the 2022 World Cup.
Enner Valencia got both goals in the first half of this Group A contest, one of which was from the penalty spot.
He is now his country's record goalscorer.
⏱ Ecuador take the points in our first game at #Qatar2022! @adidasfootball | #FIFAWorldCup
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 20, 2022
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Ireland will look to gain some confidence and momentum this evening ahead of their tough Euro 2024 qualification campaign next year.
They take on Malta away in an international friendly as they look to put their 2-1 loss to Norway in Dublin on Thursday behind them.
Kick-off is inside the hour at 7pm.
STARTING XI | Malta v Republic of Ireland
Five changes to the side as Ogbene leads the line with McGrath, McClean and Kelleher come in as Seamus Coleman captains the side ©️
KO 7pm (8pm local time) for our final match of 2022 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/cMz3DDudQX— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) November 20, 2022
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Champions Chelsea beat Tottenham 3-0 to go top of the WSL table today.
Brighton and Liverpool played out a six goal thriller meanwile that finished up 3-3.
While Aston Villa beat 10 woman Reading 3-1 and West Ham enjoyed a 1-0 win over bottom side Leicester City in London.
GAA
Waterford's Ballygunner beat Na Piarsaigh of Limerick 2-20 to 2-15 at the TUS Gaelic Grounds in their Munster Senior Hurling Club Championship semi-final.
Dessie Hutchinson and Patrick Fitzgerald with the goals for the Deise side.
AIB Munster Club Senior Hurling Championship Semi Final
Full Time
Ballygunner (Waterford) : 2-20(26)
Na Piarsaigh (Limerick) : 2-15(21)
Maith sibh @ballygunnerHc 🙌
The team now advance to the @MunsterGAA final and representing Waterford ⚪🔵#deiseabú pic.twitter.com/S3xj3lVt4L— Waterford GAA (@WaterfordGAA) November 20, 2022
They will face Clare champions Ballyea in the final after they beat Cork's St. Finbarr's 1-12 to 14 points in the other last four encounter at Cusack Park today.
Elsewhere, Galway champions Moycullen beat Strokestown of Roscommon 2-8 to 7 points after extra-time in the Connacht football semi-final in Tuam.
They will play Tourlestrane of Sligo in the decider.
Golf
It could be a brilliant day for Irish golf.
Leona Maguire is tied for the lead playing her final round of the season ending CME Group Tour Championship on the LPGA Tour.
She is level-par thru six holes today, leaving her 15-under for the tournament in Florida alongside New Zealand's Lydia Ko.
They're five shots clear of the chasing pack.
Seamus Power is solo second playing his final round of the RSM Classic on the PGA Tour.
He is four-under-par after nine holes today, which leaves him 15-under all round, one shot behind Englishman Callum Tarren
Rory McIlroy finished the season as European number one for a fourth time today.
That's after he came fourth at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
Spain's Jon Rahm won the season-ending event by two shots on 20-under-par.
F1
Max Verstappen won today's F1 season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The world champion crossed the line ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who finished second in the championship.
Lewis Hamilton retired from the race after losing power on lap 56
Snooker
Three time winner Ding Junhui of China leads Antrim's Mark Allen 6-frames-to-2 in the final of the UK Championship in York.
This is first to 10 frames contest.
