GAELIC GAMES

The first of this year's All Ireland hurling finalists should be decided today.

Reigning champions Kilkenny take on Waterford at Croke Park.

Throw-in there is at 3.30.

The curtain-raiser at Croke Park is the Minor semi final meeting of Kilkenny and Galway and that has a half-1 start.

SOCCER

There's a double bill of live Premier League action on this afternoon's Off The Ball.

First up, Keith Andrews will join Dave McIntyre at the Emirates where Arsenal begin what they will hope is a title challenge with the visit of fellow Londoners West Ham.

Kick off in that one is at 1.30pm.

And after that we'll be off to the Britannia, a ground where Liverpool ended last season in such humiliating fashion.

Brendan Rodgers' side take on Stoke, a fixture in which the Reds were thrashed 6-1 back in May.

Kevin Kilbane will join Nathan Murphy for live commentary from the Potteries from 4.

There's one game in the Championship, with Middlesbrough making the trip to Preston.

Scottish Premiership champions Celtic travel to Partick Thistle this lunchtime.

RACING

The Group 1, Keeneland Phoenix Stakes is the feature of a seven-race card at the Curragh this afternoon.

The Mark Johnston-trained 'Buratino' is a narrow favourite ahead of Aidan O'Brien's 'Air Force Blue', with 145-thousand euro on offer to the winner.

That's off at ten-to-4, with the first at the County Kildare course going to post at 2.20.

BOXING

Two more Irish boxers are in last-32 action at the European Elite Championships in Bulgaria today.

Joe Ward faces Russian light-heavyweight Idris Shakhmonov at around 6pm Irish time.

While Dean Gardiner takes on Croatian super-heavy Filip Hrgovic at 1.45.

GOLF

We're also into the final round of the Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio.

Shane Lowry and Graeme McDowell are both still well in contention to win, Lowry excelling in the worsening conditions over the four days.