Saturday sport: Connacht welcome Leinster to Dexcom stadium, Intercounty season returns

Sat, 24 Jan, 2026 - 13:30

Kenneth Fox

Rugby

Connacht and Leinster contest a sold-out interpro derby on Saturday evening.

Caolin Blade and Josh Ioane are back for the Westerners, with Ireland centre Bundee Aki left on the bench.

Caelan Doris captains Leinster in his 100th appearance for the visitors to Dexcom Stadium, which sees the opening of its new Clan Stand.

Kick-off in Galway is at 5:30pm.

Ulster can consolidate their place in the top four with a win away to the Scarlets from 3pm.

The race for the play-offs heats up in Division One A of the Energia All-Ireland League as well.

Third-place Terenure make the trip to sixth-place Young Munster, with just four points between them ahead of the 2:30pm kick-off.

At the same time, it's top against bottom at Castle Avenue with leaders Clontarf hosting Nenagh Ormond.

UCD go up against Lansdowne, while Old Belvedere play Cork Con.

At 3pm, St Mary's College takes on Ballynahinch.

Soccer

West Ham are 3-0 up on Sunderland at half-time at the London Stadium.

West Ham can move to within two points of safety if they win at home.

Manchester City can cut Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premier League to four points.

After being stunned by Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League, Pep Guardiola's side host bottom side Wolves.

Kick-off at the Etihad Stadium is at 3pm.

At the same time, under-pressure Thomas Frank brings his Tottenham team to struggling Burnley,

While it's 11th against 12th at Craven Cottage, where Fulham take on Brighton.

And at 5:30pm, Liverpool goes to Bournemouth.

Tennis

In tennis, Jannik Sinner overcame a tough opponent in a four-set victory over Elliot Spizzirri after that match was called off due to the heat

Ten-time champion Novak Djokovic went through in straight sets, and the eighth-seed Ben Shelton also came through in three

Two-time champion Naomi Osaka was forced to withdraw from the tournament with an abdominal injury, sending Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis through to the last 16.

Osaka said she was heartbroken to withdraw.

GAA

The intercounty season gets fully up and running with the return of National Leagues.

Last year's All-Ireland football runners-up Donegal are back in Croke Park for the Division 1 opener against Ger Brennan's Dublin from 5pm.
That is part of a double-header at GAA HQ, with the Division 2 clash of Meath and Derry throwing in at 3pm.

Also in the second-tier, Tyrone welcome Kildare to Healy Park for a 6pm throw-in.

All-Ireland hurling champions Tipperary get their Division 1A campaign underway against Galway.

Throw-in at Semple Stadium is at 7pm.

In Division 1B, Carlow welcome Down to Cullen Park at 2.30pm.

And Wexford do battle with Antrim at 4pm.

Division 1 of the LGFA National League also gets underway.

At 2:45pm, Dublin face Kerry in Clondalkin.