Tadhg Beirne will lead the British & Irish Lions into their next Tour match this Saturday as Andy Farrell’s men take on the New South Wales Waratahs at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney (KO 11:00 BST).

The Munster and Ireland talisman steps into the captaincy role as Maro Itoje is rested, with Beirne joined in the second row by James Ryan, forming an all-Irish engine room.

The selection represents a major chance for several Irish players to push their claims for inclusion in the Test squad to face Australia — with many eyes on Mack Hansen, Hugo Keenan, Finlay Bealham, and Josh van der Flier.

Big Test for Mack, Fitness Watch for Hugo, Bealham in Test Frame

Mack Hansen gets the nod on the wing and will be eager to show the cutting edge that made him a fan favourite during the 2023 Six Nations. It’s a big opportunity to see if he can transfer his form to the Lions stage.

Hugo Keenan starts at full-back in what will be his Lions debut. The Leinster man is returning from injury and this will be a key outing to assess his match fitness before a potential test role against the Wallabies.

Finlay Bealham continues to press hard. With Tadhg Furlong still finding top gear, another strong performance from Bealham could edge him into the 23 for the First Test. Dan Sheehan and Furlong are also among a powerful Irish bench.

In total, 10 Irish players feature in the matchday squad.

Lions XV to Face New South Wales Waratahs

British & Irish Lions v NSW Waratahs
Saturday 6th July 2025 – Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 11:00am BST | Live on Sky Sports

Starting XV:

• 15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster Rugby/ Ireland) Debut
• 14. Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/ Ireland) #867
• 13. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland) #878
• 12. Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland) #863
• 11. Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/ Scotland) Debut
• 10. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/ England) #862
• 9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/ England) #860
• 1. Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/ Scotland) #868
• 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks/ England) #851
• 3. Finlay Bealham (Connacht Rugby/ Ireland) #856
• 4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/ Ireland) #838 (c)
• 5. James Ryan (Leinster Rugby/ Ireland) #880
• 6. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/ England) #865
• 7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/ Ireland) #874
• 8. Ben Earl (Saracens/ England) #857

Replacements:

• 16. Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby/ Ireland) #873
• 17. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/ England) #859
• 18. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby/ Ireland) #818
• 19. Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby/ Ireland) #871
• 20. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland) #869
• 21. Jac Morgan (Ospreys/ Wales) #861
• 22. Ben White (Toulon/ Scotland)
• 23. Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England) #855

Squad Update: Daly Out, Farrell In

Elliot Daly has been ruled out of the rest of the Tour after fracturing his forearm against the Queensland Reds. Owen Farrell has been called up as his replacement and will join the squad in Sydney on Friday evening.

Farrell, Lion #780, returns for his fourth Tour after making 18 Lions appearances between 2013 and 2021. The 33-year-old is England’s record points scorer.

Andy Farrell: “It is heartbreaking for the group that Elliot’s Tour is over. He is a Lions legend and has added so much to the group both on and off the field.”

Tour Manager Ieuan Evans: “Elliot is a wonderful Lion and a world-class player who will be sorely missed. We all wish him a speedy recovery.”

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Liverpool star Diogo Jota has reportedly died following a car crash in northern Spain at the age of 28 — just two weeks after marrying his childhood sweetheart.

The Portuguese international is believed to have been travelling with his younger brother André Jota, aged 26, who is also feared dead. Both were reportedly in the same vehicle at the time of the accident.

Recent Marriage, Family Tribute

Jota had recently married Rute Cardoso, the mother of his three children. In an interview released just yesterday, he described himself as “the luckiest man in the world,” reflecting on his young family and new chapter in life.

Crash Details

The crash is said to have occurred on the A-52 motorway in the province of Zamora, a busy route for travellers between northern Portugal and Spain.

Emergency services in the region of Castilla y León released the following statement:

“The 1-1-2 Castilla y León operations room received several calls reporting a vehicle accident at Km. 65 of the A-52, in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora. A car was reported to have been involved in an accident and the vehicle was on fire.”

Local authorities, including the Zamora Traffic Police, the Zamora Fire Brigade, and the Sacyl Emergency Coordination Centre, responded to the scene.

Official Confirmation

As of now, no official statement has been issued by Liverpool FC or the Portuguese Football Federation. But it has appeared on Sky News and BBC

More to follow as this story develops.

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Galway United are delighted to announce the signing of 20-year-old English midfielder Axel Piesold ahead of the second half of the 2025 SSE Airtricity League Premier Division campaign.

The former Tottenham Hotspur academy talent arrives at Eamonn Deacy Park following the expiration of his contract at Premier League side Luton Town. He most recently impressed during a loan spell with Cliftonville in the NIFL Premiership, helping the Belfast outfit qualify for the UEFA Conference League preliminary rounds.

From London to Galway

Born in London, Piesold came through the Spurs academy ranks and featured prominently at U18 level before a brief stint with non-league side Dunstable Town. He joined Luton Town in January 2023, where he gained valuable first-team exposure, including several appearances in Premier League matchday squads during the 2023/24 season — against the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Tottenham Hotspur.

“Looking back, that was a great experience. I feel really lucky to have done that, really, and it’s something I’ll remember for a long time,” Piesold told Galway United media.

Time in Ireland: Cliftonville Success

Axel spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Cliftonville in the NIFL Premiership, where he made 24 league appearances and became a firm fan favourite at Solitude.

He scored a vital goal in the European play-off final victory over Coleraine, helping the Reds secure their place in this summer’s UEFA Conference League qualifiers. In March, he also lifted his first senior silverware as Cliftonville won the BetMcLean Cup after defeating Glentoran at Windsor Park.

“Coming to Cliftonville on loan was really good for me because it gave me men’s games and introduced me to what men’s football was really like,” said Piesold.

First Words as a Tribesman

Speaking to Galway United media, Axel shared his delight at securing the move:

“I’m glad to get it over the line and really excited to get started. After speaking with the manager and seeing how the club has progressed over the last 18 months, it just felt right. I really wanted to be part of it.”

“I’m a technical midfielder. I like to get on the ball, play forward passes, and carry the ball up the pitch. I enjoy showing my range of passing. Out of possession, I like to press and be aggressive.”

— Axel Piesold, Galway United

What to Expect

Piesold is a creative, hard-working central midfielder with a high football IQ. His background with Tottenham’s youth system and time around top-flight players at Luton have shaped his playing style, combining technical quality with off-the-ball aggression and a strong engine.

Galway United fans can look forward to a midfielder who will drive forward with purpose, link play, and bring added energy and composure to the middle of the park.

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A classic rivalry returns to Croke Park this weekend as Leinster champions Kilkenny face off against a rejuvenated Tipperary side in the second All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship semi-final. With 68 titles between them and a legacy of epic battles, Saturday’s showdown is set to deliver another chapter of high drama.

Kilkenny, last crowned champions in 2015, are chasing a return to the final after losing to Limerick last year. Tipperary, All-Ireland winners in 2019, have built momentum through the qualifiers and look like a team peaking at the right time.

Path to the Semi-Final

Kilkenny – P6 W5 L1 (Leinster Champions)

• Kilkenny 3-24 Galway 0-21
• Kilkenny 2-30 Antrim 2-12
• Kilkenny 4-25 Offaly 2-16
• Kilkenny 5-19 Dublin 3-21
• Wexford 2-19 Kilkenny 1-15
• Kilkenny 3-22 Galway 1-20 (Leinster Final)

Tipperary – P6 W4 D1 L1

• Tipperary 2-23 Limerick 2-23
• Cork 4-27 Tipperary 0-24
• Tipperary 4-18 Clare 2-21
• Tipperary 1-30 Waterford 1-21
• Tipperary 3-32 Laois 0-18 (Prelim QF)
• Tipperary 1-28 Galway 2-17 (Quarter-Final)

Top Scorers – Championship 2025

Kilkenny

• TJ Reid – 5-26 (0-22 frees, 0-2 ‘65s’)
• Martin Keoghan – 6-8
• Eoin Cody – 2-18 (1-11 frees)
• Billy Ryan – 2-13
• Adrian Mullen – 3-6

Tipperary

• Jason Forde – 2-38 (0-21 frees, 0-4 s/l, 0-1 ‘65’)
• Darragh McCarthy – 0-31 (0-25 frees, 0-1 ‘65’)
• John McGrath – 4-12
• Andrew Ormond – 2-13
• Jake Morris – 0-18

Championship Head-to-Head – Last Five Meetings

• 2019: Tipperary 3-25 Kilkenny 0-20 (All-Ireland Final)
• 2016: Tipperary 2-29 Kilkenny 2-20 (All-Ireland Final)
• 2014: Kilkenny 2-17 Tipperary 2-14 (Final Replay)
• 2014: Kilkenny 3-22 Tipperary 1-28 (Final – Draw)
• 2013: Kilkenny 0-20 Tipperary 1-14 (Qualifiers)

Recent edge: Tipperary have won 2 of the last 3 championship meetings, including the 2019 final.

Semi-Final Pedigree – Last Five Appearances

Kilkenny

• 2024: Lost to Clare
• 2023: Beat Clare
• 2022: Beat Clare
• 2021: Lost to Cork (AET)
• 2020: Lost to Waterford

Tipperary

• 2019: Beat Wexford
• 2017: Lost to Galway
• 2016: Beat Galway
• 2015: Lost to Galway
• 2014: Beat Cork

Note: Kilkenny are in their 7th successive semi-final. Tipp are back at this stage for the first time since 2019.

Other Notables

• Tipperary beat Kilkenny by 2-25 to 1-19 in the 2025 Allianz League
• Kilkenny finished with 12 players, Tipp with 14
• Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng faced Tipp 4 times as a player, winning 3

Verdict

Kilkenny come in as the more consistent outfit with a Leinster title under their belt, while Tipperary look dangerous and free-scoring since the Munster championship ended. This will come down to discipline and midfield control — and if Tipperary continue their upward trend, they could take a huge scalp.

Prediction: Tipperary to win by 2–4 points in a high-scoring thriller.

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Pat Spillane Jnr, son of Kerry GAA icon Pat Spillane, has made a surprise transfer to Sligo club St Molaoise Gaels, marking the latest chapter in a unique footballing journey.

The 26-year-old joins the Yeats County outfit from St Jude’s in Dublin, with whom he reached the Dublin Senior Football Championship final in 2021, narrowly losing to Kilmacud Crokes.

Third Club, Third County

This will be Spillane’s third club across three counties. He began his football career with his native Templenoe in Kerry, before transferring to Dublin club St Jude’s. Now, having qualified to represent Sligo through his mother Rosarii, Spillane makes the move west.

He became eligible to play for Sligo in 2022, thanks to his maternal roots in the county.

AFL Links

Though Spillane never lined out for Kerry at minor, U20 or senior level, he did catch the eye of international recruiters. In 2015, he was selected to attend an AFL draft combine alongside players such as Cavan’s Thomas Galligan and Kilkenny’s Darragh Joyce — the latter now playing professionally for the Brisbane Lions after an initial stint with St Kilda.

Who Are St Molaoise Gaels?

St Molaoise Gaels are an emerging force in Sligo club football, competing in the Intermediate ranks. The addition of a player of Spillane’s pedigree and experience is seen as a major boost to their ambitions for the 2025 season and beyond.

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England’s Jack van Poortvliet Joins Lions Training in Dublin

Leicester Tigers and England scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet has been called into the British & Irish Lions training squad and will arrive in Dublin this morning as preparations continue for Friday night’s 1888 Cup clash against Argentina.

The 24-year-old is joining the squad as precautionary cover following the late withdrawal of Jamison Gibson-Park, who was ruled out of the URC final for Leinster on Saturday morning. The nature of Gibson-Park’s injury has not been confirmed, but his absence from Leinster’s squad appears to have prompted the Lions’ call-up.

Van Poortvliet, who has earned 15 caps for England since making his debut in Perth against Australia in 2022, was named in Steve Borthwick’s 36-man training group for this weekend’s match against a France XV. His involvement with the Lions may now take precedence, depending on injury updates across both squads.

Predicted Lions Starting XV vs Argentina

With several senior players rested and others tied up in the URC final, the Lions are expected to field a mix of youth and experience on Friday. Here’s a predicted starting XV for the 1888 Cup fixture:

1. Pierre Schoeman – Scotland

2. Luke Cowan-Dickie – England

3. Finlay Bealham – Ireland

4. Maro Itoje – England

5. Tadhg Beirne – Ireland

6. Tom Curry – England

7. Jac Morgan – Wales

8. Henry Pollock – England

9. Alex Mitchell – England

10. Finn Smith – England

11. Mack Hansen – Ireland or Duhan van der Merwe – Scotland

12. Bundee Aki – Ireland

13. Elliot Daly – England

14. Tommy Freeman – England

15. Marcus Smith – England

Key Talking Points:

• Gibson-Park’s injury creates unexpected reshuffle at scrum-half.
• Van Poortvliet could now feature for the Lions despite being in England’s training squad.
• Potentially exciting backline combinations with Marcus Smith and Finn Smith both included.
• Lions management likely to confirm the matchday 23 in the next 48 hours.

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Saturday, 15 June – All-Ireland SFC Round 3

Group 2: Kerry v Meath

Venue: Glenisk O’Connor Park, Tullamore
Throw-in: 4.15pm
TV: Live on GAA+

The last time these sides met in the Championship, Meath held Kerry for over 50 minutes before David Clifford ignited and led Kerry to a 15-point win. This year, Meath have improved with results against Dublin, Cork, and Roscommon. However, Mathew Costello’s absence weakens their attack. Clifford’s 1-8 haul last time out underlines his threat, and Kerry have made five changes including a debut for Mark O’Shea at midfield. Meath’s midfield and defensive resilience will be tested to the limit.

KERRY: Shane Ryan; Paul Murphy, Jason Foley, Tom O’Sullivan; Tadhg Morley, Mike Breen, Gavin White; Joe O’Connor, Mark O’Shea; Graham O’Sullivan, Sean O’Shea, Micheal Burns; David Clifford, Killian Spillane, Dylan Geaney.

Subs: Shane Murphy, Dylan Casey, Tony Brosnan, Armin Heinrich, Conor Geaney, Evan Looney, Sean O’Brien, Tom Leo O’Sullivan, Darragh Lyne, Cillian Trant, Ruairi Murphy, Damien Bourke, Dara Moynihan.

Meath: Billy Hogan; Seamus Lavin, Sean Rafferty, Brian O’Halloran; Donal Keogan, Sean Coffey, Ciaran Caulfield; Bryan Menton, Adam O’Neill; Conor Duke, Ruairi Kinsella, Cathal Hickey; Jordan Morris, James Conlon, Eoghan Frayne.

Subs: Sean Brennan, Ronan Ryan, Eoin Harkin, James McEntee, Cian McBride, Conor Gray, Shane Walsh, Aaron Lynch, Daithi McGowan, Keith Curtis, Diarmuid Moriarty.

Group 2: Roscommon v Cork

Venue: Laois Hire O’Moore Park, Portlaoise
Throw-in: 4.15pm
TV: Live on GAA+

A repeat of last year’s bottom-two clash, Roscommon are in pole position to reach the last 12 with another win over Cork. Their March meeting ended in a 14-point Roscommon win. Cork have since lost to Meath and Kerry, while Roscommon earned a draw against Meath. Cork are unchanged, but Roscommon replace the injured Niall Higgins with Pearse Frost. This could go down to the wire, but Roscommon will back their recent form.

Group 4: Dublin v Derry

Venue: Páirc Esler, Newry
Throw-in: 6.30pm
TV: Live on GAA+

Last year’s Division 1 toppers, Derry, are on a drastic slide with just one win in regulation since their win over Dublin. They’ll hope that last week’s draw with Galway signals a turnaround. Dublin, on the other hand, are licking wounds from a frustrating defeat to Armagh. Con O’Callaghan returns to the bench, and John Small comes in for Colm Basquel. Derry will need a huge effort, with Odhran Lynch back in goal and Conor McCluskey available again.

DUBLIN: Stephen Cluxton; Sean MacMahon, Theo Clancy, David Byrne; Brian Howard, John Small, Alex Gavin; Peadar O Cofaigh Byrne, Killian McGinnis; Ciaran Kilkenny, Sean Bugler, Niall Scully; Paddy Small, Lorcan O’Dell, Cormac Costello.

Subs: Evan Comerford, Luke Breathnach, Nathan Doran, Lee Gannon, Tom Lahiff, Greg McEneaney, Ross McGarry, Eoin Murchan, Cian Murphy, Con O’Callaghan, Eoghan O’Donnell.

DERRY: Odhran Lynch; Diarmuid Baker, Eoin McEvoy, Patrick McGurk; Conor Doherty, Brendan Rogers, Padraig McGrogan; Conor Glass, Dan Higgins; Ethan Doherty, Paul Cassidy, Ciaran McFaul; Shane McGuigan, Niall Loughlin, Niall Toner.

Subs: Ben McKinless, Conor McCluskey, Ryan Mulholland, Danny McDermott, Tommy Rogers, Anton Tohill, Ruairi Forbes, Lachlan Murray, Cahir McMonagle, Caolan Devlin, Ben McCarron.

Group 4: Galway v Armagh

Venue: Kingspan Breffni, Cavan
Throw-in: 6.30pm
TV: Live on GAA+

Armagh are already through but promise to go full tilt in this repeat of last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final. Galway, who have drawn with Derry and lost narrowly to Dublin, need a result to secure progression. Rory Grugan is absent for Armagh, with Stefan Campbell starting and Niall Grimley returning at midfield. Galway bring in Sean Fitzgerald and Cein Darcy. Expect a tense, tactical contest between two heavyweights with something to prove.

GALWAY: Connor Gleeson; Johnny McGrath, Sean Fitzgerald, Jack Glynn; Dylan McHugh, Sean Kelly, Liam Silke; Paul Conroy, John Maher; Cillian McDaid, Rob Finnerty, Cein Darcy; Matthew Tierney, Shane Walsh, Matthew Thompson.

Subs: Conor Flaherty, Daniel O’Flaherty, Cathal Sweeney, Kieran Molloy, Sean O Maoilchiarain, Peter Cooke, John Daly, Cian Hernon, Johnny Heaney, Tomo Culhane, Damien Comer.

ARMAGH: Ethan Rafferty; Paddy Burns, Barry McCambridge, Peter McGrane; Ross McQuillan, Tiernan Kelly, Jarlath Og Burns; Jason Duffy, Niall Grimley; Darragh McMullan, Rian O’Neill, Oisin Conaty; Stefan Campbell, Andrew Murnin, Conor Turbitt.

Subs: Blaine Hughes, Tomas McCormack, Greg McCabe, Connaire Mackin, Aaron McKay, Joe McElroy, Cian McConville, Callum O’Neill, Aidan Forker, Shane McPartlan, Jemar Hall.

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Trained by Aidan O’Brien, the Wayne Lordan-ridden son of Dubawi was a two and three-quarter length winner over the Dermot Weld-handled once-race Purview (11/1), in the hands of Chris Hayes.

Tennessee Stud, owned by the Coolmore partners just like the winner, was third for Joseph O’Brien.

Run over a mile and a quarter, the winner of The Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial last season, Los Angeles, went on to success in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at The Curragh last summer.

Roosevelt and Butterfly Wings win for Ballydoyle

The win for Delacroix was part of a treble for O’Brien and Lordan.

Roosevelt (7/1), last of 10 runners on debut at Leopardstown on 9 April, battled well under a Wayne Lordan drive to claim The Captain Dara Fitzpatrick Memorial Maiden for the Coolmore partners.

The win by the son of Frankel maintained the excellent recent form of Aidan O’Brien-trained horses. Delta (13/2), trained by Joseph O’Brien for Qatar Racing Limited, finished runner-up, a head behind the Ballydoyle-handled winner.

Butterfly Wings (2/1) was the final part of the treble, when breaking her maiden at the fourth time of asking in the It’s Family Day at Leopardstown Fillies Maiden.

Vera’s Secret takes Group 3 for Johnny Feane

Johnny Feane and Séamie Heffernan teamed up to win the Group 3 Al Shira’aa Racing ‘Mutamakina’ Stakes with Vera’s Secret (11/2).

The six-year-old daughter of Epaulette was to the fore from the stalls. She was not for catching on only the eight run of her career. She was going further away from the field as they hit the line, and had a four-length advantage in the end.

Vera’s Secret was followed home by Fiery Lucy (9/2) from the Gavin Cromwell yard, with three-quarters of another length back to the grey Bella Isabella (12/1).

Murtagh and Coen double

Zodiac Bear (5/1) and Ben Coen won the opening FITZ AGRIPLANT Maiden for trainer Johnny Murtagh. Unplaced on his only previous outing, the three-year-old son of Kodi Bear ran out a three and a quarter length winner over Dermot Weld newcomer Eshermann (5/2). The twice third-placed Monkstown (9/4 favourite) was next home, half a length behind the runner-up.

Murtagh and Coen soon brought up a Leopardstown double with the success of Chicago Critic (14/1) in the Porsche In Support Of Breast Cancer Ireland Amethyst Stakes (Listed) over a mile.

Coming from the back of the six-runner field, following the later withdrawal of race favourite Diego Velazquez when getting worked up in the stalls, Chicago Critic showed a good turn of pace on his preferred good ground, to run out a length and three-quarters winner.

Cloud Seeker (100/30 favourite) was a winner for Andy Slattery and his jockey son Andrew, when having a neck advantage over Ceallach (16/1) at the finishing line in the Leopardstown Golf And Driving Range Handicap.

The concluding race of an eight-race card went to jockey Joey Sheridan on the Ger O’Leary-trained Mister Adam (7/2).

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Carrying the colours of Joe and Marie Donnelly, the Paul Townend-ridden winner came home to loud cheers from the packed stands at the Co Kildare venue.

Prior to the Grade 1 contest, the presence of former champion hurdler Constitution Hill (8/13 favourite) added spice to the race, and the reigning Cheltenham Champion Hurdler of 2025 Golden Ace was also in the six-runner field.

Paul Townend set out in front on the son of Doctor Dino and dictated the fractions throughout the two-mile contest.

With Golden Ace (14/1) and Lorcan William, and Kargese (15/2) and Danny Mullins tracking the leader, eyes turned to Constitution Hill as his rider James Bowen asked for an effort before two hurdles out.

With State Man increasing the tempo, and ultimately his lead, the Nicky Henderson-trained Constitution Hill soon looked in trouble and began to fade.

Townend and State Man were lengths clear heading to the final hurdle, with their only serious danger in front of them.

The Closutton inmate was given time to jump the final flight, and eventually ran out a four and three-quarter length winner over the mare Golden Ace, trained by Jeremy Scott.

State Man’s stable mate, Kargese, with Danny Mullins aboard, was next home, a length and a quarter behind the runner-up.

Ian Donoghue’s Break My Soul (125/1) was fourth, 18 lengths behind Kargese, with another three and a quarter lengths further back to race favourite Constitution Hill.

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The Closutton trainer’s winners included the three Grade 1 races on the card.

Kaid D’Authie (9/4 favourite) and Mark Walsh was the first Mullins winner on Wednesday. The J.P. McManus-owned French-bred won the Louis Fitzgerald Hurdle by three and a half lengths.

Kaid D’Authie had pulled up on his most recent racetrack appearance, in the Grade 1 Turners’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last month.

Three Grade 1 victories

In the first Grade 1 of the afternoon, Jasmin De Vaux (13/8 favourite) brought up the Closutton-handled double, and gave stable jockey Paul Townend his first winner of the 2025 Punchestown Festival.

The next Grade 1 on the card was a win for Townend’s sister, Jody, as Bambino Fever (11/8 favourite) completed the Cheltenham-Punchestown champion bumper double.

Galopin Des Champs (5/6 favourite) was most impressive – a 22 length winner – in the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup. The son of Timos was a fourth winner on the card for Team Mullins.

James Du Berlais (7/1) and J.J. Slevin completed the Willie Mullins five-timer with success in the Grade 3 Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase.

Crucial winner for John Shinnick 

Glanworth, Co Cork jockey John Shinnick closed the gap in his quest for the conditional jockeys’ championship with success on 9/1 chance Thisistheway.

Owned and trained by the Lattas in Wexford, the daughter of Doyen was a length and a quarter victor over the fast finishing Littlefoot (80/1) and Conor Stone-Walsh.

The Tom Mullins-trained, Danny Mullins-ridden Coral River (6/1) was a further three lengths back in third.

Shinnick is now only one winner behind leader Tiernan Power Roche in his bid to succeed Danny Gilligan as champion conditional rider come Saturday afternoon.

British-trained winner

David Pipe continued the success of the British trainers as he won the Adare Manor Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle with Thanksforthehelp (14/1).

Carrying the colours of the race sponsor, J.P. McManus, the Gavin Brouder-ridden eight-year-old grey came late to claim a two and a half-length success from race favourite Ballysax Hank (5/1), with a further three and a quarter lengths back to Stay Gold (20/1) in third.

The Declan Queally-trained and ridden Carrigmornaspruce (11/2) took the concluding Grade 3 Weatherbys GSB EBF (Mares) IMH Flat Race.

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