Updated 10pm
Soccer
Substitute Alan Browne ensured the Republic of Ireland’s big day did not end in defeat as his late equaliser secured a creditable draw against world number one side Belgium.
Browne powered home an 86th-minute header as the Football Association of Ireland’s centenary game ended 2-2 at the Aviva Stadium.
It was no more than Stephen Kenny’s side deserved – they are now unbeaten in seven outings and have now lost only once in 11, and that against Portugal – after Chiedozie Ogbene had cancelled out Michy Batshuayi’s sumptuous opener.
Stephen Kenny's army 🇮🇪#COYBIG | #WeAreOne | #WeAre100 pic.twitter.com/oXmMQ95mU0
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) March 26, 2022
Meanwhile, Tom Mohan's under-19s were beaten by Portugal in their European Qualification second stage game.
The Portuguese ran riot in the last 10 minutes to come away with a 4-1 win at St George's Park in England. Ireland are third in the table, with no points on the board.
The Irish Women's under-17s earlier suffered a heartbreaking loss to Finland in their Euro qualification game. Abbie Larkin had put the hosts ahead at Tallaght Stadium but two late goals gave the Finns a 2-1 win.
Gaelic Games
Cork are the first team into this year's Allianz Hurling League Division One final after a battle against Kilkenny.
Darragh Fitzgibbon raised a green flag for the Rebels as they beat Kilkenny 1-27 to 2-19, while Martin Keoghan scored both goals for the Cats.
Antrim will meanwhile play in Division One next season, beating Offaly by 3-24 to 2-17 in the Relegation playoff in Navan this afternoon. Michael Fennelly's men will go back to Division 2A in 2023.
“I was just relieved when it crossed the line” 👌👊
Is é Darragh Fitzgibon Laoch na hImeartha inniu!
Comhghairdeas leat 👏👏👏 @KilkennyCLG v @OfficialCorkGAA @GAA_BEO @officialgaa @AllianzIreland
#GAABeo | #AllianzLeagues
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/YY1FPmoPWx— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) March 26, 2022
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In the Allianz National Football League, Cavan beat Waterford 3-21 to 0-10 in Division Four. Mickey Graham's side have booked their place in the league final as a result.
They'll play Tipperary in the decider, after a goal from Mark Russell helped the Premier beat London 1-14 to 0-12 in Semple Stadium.
Both Cavan and Tipperary will go straight back up to Division Three next season.
Golf
Irish golfer Seamus Power moved into the quarter-finals of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play with a four and three win over Englishman Tyrrell Hatton at Austin Country Club.
Power, who had topped his opening group to help solidify his place inside the top 50 to earn a maiden Masters appearance, set the tone from the first hole and took control of the match with two birdies to sit four-up through five.
Another 14-foot birdie on the eighth saw the 35-year-old from Waterford gain one more hole, and Hatton – who had won all of his three group matches – could not mount a comeback.
Fans are back at Austin Country Club. 🙌
And it feels so good. pic.twitter.com/hSiRU7rC1e— WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play (@DellMatchPlay) March 26, 2022
Rugby
A late yellow card for Eimear Considine proved crucial as Wales beat Ireland in their opening game of the Tik Tok Women's Six Nations.
The visitors came from 19-10 down with 15 minutes to go to win 27-19 at the RDS. Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, Linda Djougang and Stacey Flood crossed over for the Irish tries.
One of our game's greats in the crowd today at his old stomping ground in Dublin. #TikTokW6N #IREvWAL pic.twitter.com/VxVFqVvJFI
— TikTok Women's Six Nations (@Womens6Nations) March 26, 2022
In the United Rugby Championship, Leinster extended their lead at the top of the table with a 45-8 win over Connacht at the Sportsground.
The home side played the majority of the game with 14 men after an early red card for Tom Daly.
The result means Leinster are five points clear of Ulster in second. The Northern province earlier picked up a losing bonus point in their 23-20 loss to the Stormers in South Africa.
Formula One
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has been knocked out of qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The Mercedes driver will start 16th on the grid tomorrow after not making the second qualifying session of a race for the first time since 2017.
Meanwhile, Mick Schumacher has been flown to hospital after a serious crash in Jeddah.
Cycling
Irish man Eddie Dunbar has secured the first professional win of his career.
The Cork man was named the overall winner of the prestigious Coppi E Bartali in Italy.
The 25-year-old held on for the general classification victory for his team INEOS Grenadiers.
🙌EDDIE DUNBAR WINS COPPI E BARTALI🙌@EddieDunbar brings home a Grenadiers 1-2, with @bentulett01 a superb second, to round off a fantastic team performance this week 👊👊👊 pic.twitter.com/10lzGGWF92
— INEOS Grenadiers (@INEOSGrenadiers) March 26, 2022
