Dublin Sport Today

Snooker's UK Championship qualifiers begin this weekend.Two of Ireland's newest pros - Fergal Quinn and Leone Crowley - are hoping to make it to the tournament proper.Our man Peter Branigan spoke to two of them this week at the 'Leinster Fresh Produce' Newbridge Pro-AM to find out how they've been finding life on the WST Tour.

The glamour, the glory, the medals - David Gillick had it all, but his new book, The Race, lifts the lid on what life was really like both on and off the track.Relentless pressure, lonely hotel rooms, and the psychological fallout when your identity is tied to how fast you can run 400 metres.He talks to Hazel Nolan about how when the spikes came off, reality bit, and hard.

This weekend thousands will make their way to the start-line of the Irish Life Dublin Marathon, For most they're trying to conquer their own personal Everest, for others such as reigning champions Hiko Tonosa and Ann-Marie McGlynn are out to defend their national titles.Our reporter, Hazel Nolan, catches up with Race Director Jim Aughey, who shares his one tip for all marathon runners on Sunday. She also chats with Stephen Best from Castleknock Running Club and hears how they will be supporting runners over the final mile; some Americans from Boston and she legs it after two Sanctuary Runners from Dublin to get their thoughts on the big day!

The only World Snooker Tour event on the island of Ireland begins on Sunday.The Northern Ireland Open will feature many of the world's top players at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.Our reporter Peter Branigan caught up with Fergal O'Brien, the former world number 9 from Lucan, to look ahead to the tournament.

It's a big weekend for Leinster - they go head to head with Munster on Saturday at Croke Park in their interpro derby in the URC.Munster are in flying form, with three wins from three - they lie second in the table - while Leinster are languishing in tenth with one so far.Ahead of the match Ireland Rugby Players and Tackle Your Feelings ambassador, Rónan Kelleher, spoke to our reporter, Jonathan Byrne, about the game and he filled us in on the launch of their new platform to kick off a new school season.

The only woman to have competed in every single Irish Life Dublin Marathon has decided not to take to the start-line this year.From one year finishing fourth, to one year running it while six months pregnant, Mary Nolan Hickey, has been part of the fabric of the much-loved race in Dublin.Injuries and wear and tear have caught up with the 73-year-old but as she tells her sister, Hazel, she wouldn't change a moment of the last 45 years of the Marathon.

On Sunday, a historic first NFL regular-season match will be played in Dublin. Croke Park hosts the Minnesota Vikings against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Host Jonathan Byrne has been soaking up the atmosphere with fans, execs, teams and training.

Shamrock Rovers moved to the brink of the League of Ireland title last night with a 2-1 win over Bohemians at Tallaght Stadium. Our reporter Peter Branigan was there, and spoke with Rovers manager Stephen Bradley afterwards.If you want to donate to Stephen Bradley and Glenn Cronin's Irish Life Dublin Marathon Fundraiser here: https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/SB63018192