The Big 6 - Friday 30th July

Every evening at 6 O Clock WLR brings you the 6 biggest stories of the day

A local electoral area in Waterford now has the lowest Covid incidence rate in the country. Just five positive cases were confirmed in the Lismore area in the last fortnight. The 14-day incidence rate for the Lismore electoral area is 46.6 cases per 100,000 - the lowest rate in the Republic. Tramore-Waterford City West is also doing comparatively well, with the 5th lowest incidence rate of 98. 22 cases were recorded there in the last two weeks.

Members of West Waterford Golf Club, have purchased the Dungarvan course. The Irish Golf Desk reports that members bought the site for a fee of 1.25 million euro. The facility failed to reach the reserve price of 1.2 million euro during an online auction yesterday afternoon. But talks between Auctioneers, Colliers, and the members continued into the night. A statement in relation to the sale will be issued in due course.

40,000 people will be able to attend the All-Ireland football and hurling finals in Croke Park next month. The Sports Minister, Jack Chambers, has also confirmed 24,000 spectators will be able to go to the semi-finals in the same venue. About 25,000 will be able to attend two World Cup qualifiers in soccer in September. Minister Chambers says today's decision comes after excellent progress in recent sporting events.

Following his blistering run overnight, which saw him finish second in his heat, Waterford athlete Thomas Barr has been handed a tough semi final in the 400m hurdles. He will run against the top two favourites in the competition, Karsten Warholm from Norway (who beat him in lasts night's heat) and Rai Benjamin from the US. The race will take place early Sunday morning.