Six of the best - sports fans spoiled for choice this weekend
A selection of sporting highlights for fans this weekend - taking in a mix of local, national and international action.
TriAthlone 2019
The annual Waterways Ireland triAthlone event takes place this Sunday, July 7. The ever-popular event is sure to attract plenty of spectators to Athlone as triathletes swim, cycle and run their way through the various distances.
The 'Super Sprint' (due to start at 3pm) consists of a 200m swim, a 7.5km bike race and a 2.5km run. The 'Sprint' triathlon (due to start at 3.30pm) is the most popular category; it comprises a 750m run followed by a 20km cycle and a 5km run.
The 'Olympic' distance race (scheduled to start at 3:10pm) is the longest of the three races on the day with triathletes completing a 1500m swim, followed by a 40km cycle and finishing with a 10km run.
Registration of athletes begins at 11.30am on Sunday. See more information on http://www.triathlone.com/ - including information on road closures in the area.
Westmeath football league finals
Defending league champions Garrycastle face Rosemount in the Westmeath ACFL Division 1 final at TEG Cusack Park tonight (Friday), now at the earlier than originally scheduled time of 7.30pm. While Garrycastle are looking to retain their title, it's Rosemount first Division 1 final since the mid-1990s.
On Saturday evening, Castledaly will take on Milltown in the Division 2 decider at 7.45, also in TEG Cusack Park, and this will be preceded by the Division 4 final between Tyrrellspass and Milltownpass (6.15).
NOTE: The Division 3 final between Moate All Whites and Multyfarnham has been postponed due to a bereavement in the Moate club. It has been rearranged for next Monday, July 8 (TEG Cusack Park, 7.30).
GAA championship action
Following their Joe McDonagh Cup final defeat to Laois, Westmeath's senior hurlers face the daunting prospect of facing Cork in an All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final at TEG Cusack Park this Sunday (3pm).
In football, meanwhile, perennial Connacht rivals Mayo and Galway go head to head in the Round 4 of the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick (Saturday, 7pm). The eagerly awaited Galway v Mayo clash will be preceded by the Connacht ladies football final replay between the same two counties (4pm), with Mayo managed by Westmeath man Peter Leahy. Defeated Leinster finalists Westmeath will face the Connacht winners in their opening game of the All-Ireland series on July 20/21.
The other Round 4 qualifiers are Tyrone v Cavan, Cork v Laois (both on Saturday) and Clare (narrow winners over Westmeath in Round 3) v Meath on Sunday. Connacht champions Roscommon will face the winner of the Tyrone v Cavan game (5pm, Saturday) in the opening round of the 'Super 8s' series.
Athlone Town v Wexford
After drawing 1-1 away to Galway United in their last league outing, Athlone Town will be hoping to claim a victory at home to bottom of the table Wexford tonight (Friday). Kick-off for this SSE Airtricity League First Division fixture is at 7.45pm.
Wimbledon tennis
Already 15-year-old prodigy Cori 'Coco' Gauff (15) has knocked out five-time Wimbledon singles champion Venus Williams; 2018 women's champion Angelique Kerber has bitten the dust; and Rafael Nadal has won what was billed as a 'grudge match' against Nick Kyrgios. There is likely to be plenty more exciting action today (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday) - but there are no matches scheduled for this Sunday, with the action to resume in London's SW19 next Monday.
Irish Open golf
The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Lahinch continues today (Friday) and will conclude on Sunday at the scenic Co. Clare course. Ireland's Padraig Harrington was the leader after the first round. Shane Lowry shot a four under par opening round and the Offaly man is due to tee off for his second round today (Friday) at 1.20pm.