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Clew Bay Half Marathon & 10k 2025 – Photos by Ian Redmond

Clew Bay half marathon 2025 - Photo credit Ian Redmond
Clew Bay half marathon 2025 - Photo credit Ian Redmond

🏃 Clew Bay Half Marathon & 10k 2025 – Photos by Ian Redmond 📸

It was another fantastic day of running at the Clew Bay Half Marathon & 10k 2025, superbly organised by Pop Up Races. Runners were treated to scenic views and perfect racing conditions, with a competitive field across both events.

10k Results

  • Men’s Winner: Cian O’Reilly (1116) – 35:00
  • Women’s Winner: Ruth Swift (110) – 44:32

Half Marathon Results

  • Men’s Winner: Aaron O’Halloran (198) – 1:23:25
  • Women’s Winner: Patricia McLoughlin (1068) – 1:30:20

There was a great atmosphere on the course and at the finish line, with runners praising the event’s organisation, marshals, and the support from local spectators. Congratulations to all participants who took part and made the day such a success! 🎉

📸 Photos courtesy of Ian Redmond, find him on instragram

 

Clew Bay half marathon 2025 - Photo credit Ian Redmond
Clew Bay half marathon 2025 – Photo credit Ian Redmond

Delacroix wins Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes

Delacroix, winner of the 2025 Group 1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

Delacroix (2/1 favourite) won the Group 1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday.

The win was a 13th success in the contest for trainer Aidan O’Brien, with the winning son of Dubawi ridden by Christophe Soumillon.

The runner-up and third places were taken by the English-trained challengers, Anmaat (4/1) and Royal Champion (18/1), the mounts of Chris Hayes and Clifford Lee respectively.

Another Irish Group 1 for Fallen Angel

Fallen Angel (9/4 favourite) took the first Group 1 contest of Irish Champions Festival when winning the Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes for Karl Burke.

The four-year-old grey daughter of Too Darn Hot, winner of the Group 1 Moyglare Stakes at The Curragh as a juvenile and the Tattersalls Ireland 1000 Guineas last year, was ridden this afternoon by James Doyle for Wathnan Racing.

The victory was completing a quick double for English trainer Burke, who had earlier claimed the Group 3 CMG Group Stakes with Convergent in the colours of Newtown Anner Stud Farm. The three-year-old bay son of Fascinating Rock was ridden by Clifford Lee.

O’Brien and Soumillon win Champions Juvenile

Benvenuto Cellini (1/2 favourite) won the Group 2 KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes for trainer Aidan O’Brien and Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillon.

Racing behind the leader for most of the one-mile contest, the son of Frankel quickened inside the final furlong to complete an impressive five-length victory from Hardy Warrior.

The winner of the race, in which all four runners were trained by Aidan, Joseph and Donncha O’Brien, now gains an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar later in the season.

Necklace is all Diamond in Ingabelle Stakes

Diamond Necklace, backed into 1/2 favourite before the off, won the Listed Ballylinch Stud Irish EBF Ingabelle Stakes for Aidan O’Brien.

Deputising for the injured Ryan Moore and the suspended Wayne Lordan, Christophe Soumillon oozed confidence in the final furlong as the bay juvenile daughter of St Mark’s Basilica pulled away from the field for a comfortable two and a quarter length victory.

Johnny Murtagh double

Johnny Murtagh’s topweight Rahmi (14/1) came late and wide of the field to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Sovereign Path Handicap for seven-pound claimer Rory Mulligan.

Alakazi (7/2) completed a Murtagh double on the day, as Ben Coen rode the three-year-old to victory in the Group 2 Tonybet Solonoway Stakes.

Happy Pharoah (9/1) gave Donnacha O’Brien and Paddy Hartnett a win in the Petingo Handicap, while the final contest of the nine-race card went the way of 22/1 shot Pink Oxalis for trainer Stephen Thorne and jockey David Egan.

Eight contest Group 1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes

The Group 1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown is the highlight on the opening day of Irish Champions Festival. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

Leopardstown hosts the opening day of the two-day Irish Champions Festival on Saturday, where the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes is the feature contest of the afternoon.

Overseas raiders Shin Emperor from Japan, and the British-trained Anmaat and Royal Champion, will face a strong home challenge in the 1 mile 2 furlong race at 5.30pm.

Course and distance winner Delacroix

Aidan O’Brien’s Delacroix, twice a winner over course and distance at the South County Dublin track, is the current favourite for the Group 1 race. In the absence of the injured Ryan Moore and suspended Wayne Lordan, the son of Dubawi will be the mount of Belgian rider Christophe Soumillon. The Ballydoyle handler has won the race six of the last seven years, and will be bidding for a career total thirteenth success in the contest.

Anmaat, twice a Group 1 scorer, including a win in last season’s Champion Stakes on British Champions day at Ascot for his handler Owen Burrows, is next best in the betting market. The Shadwell-owned seven-year-old will be ridden by Chris Hayes, though a horse of that age has never been successful in the race’s history.

Yoshito Yahagi’s Shin Emperor, a fast-finishing third in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes behind Economics and Auguste Rodin last season, hasn’t run since being seventh of nine in the Sheema Classic at Meydan last April. With rain forecast overnight, the soft ground may provide a challenge to the Japanese raider with the colt accustomed to a sound surface.

Murtagh bids for first Irish Champion Stakes win

The Johnny Murtagh-conditioned three-year-old son of Night Of Thunder, Zahrann, will carry the colours of the Exors of the Late H H Aga Khan, and Ben Coen will take the mount on the 113-rated colt, as he bids to give Murtagh a first win in Saturday’s feature.

White Birch, winner of last season’s Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at The Curragh, and third in this year’s edition of the same race, will represent Joe Murphy and leading flat jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle in the €1.25 million race. The 121-rated grey has been absent from the racetrack since May.

The Group 2 York Stakes winner Royal Champion, from the Karl Burke yard in England, will have the assistance of Clifford Lee from the saddle, as the seven-year-old son of Shamardal runs over his optimum distance of 1 mile 2 furlongs.

Hotazhell, who last visited the winner’s circle when taking the 2024 Group 1 William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster, will bid to give Jessica Harrington a first success in the Irish Champion Stakes, while Mount Kilimanjaro, who was Group 1-placed as a juvenile and will represent the same trainer and ownership as Coral-Eclipse victor Delacroix, will likely set the pace under Ronan Whelan.

Ireland Schedule & Where to Watch | 2025 World Athletics Championships

🇮🇪 Where to Watch & Full Irish Schedule – 2025 World Athletics Championships 🇮🇪

The wait is almost over! The 20th World Athletics Championships land in Tokyo from 13–21 September 2025, and Ireland is sending its largest ever squad to compete on the global stage. From marathons at sunrise to primetime finals under the lights at Japan’s National Stadium, fans are in for a feast of athletics action.

📺 Where to Watch

Irish fans won’t miss a moment thanks to RTÉ’s wall-to-wall coverage. Catch every race, jump, and throw live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, with daily highlights and expert analysis across all nine days of competition.

🇮🇪 Team Ireland Schedule

All times listed are Irish Time (with Tokyo local time in brackets).

📅 Day 1 – Saturday 13 September

Morning Session

  • 00:00 (08:00) – Oisin Lane – Men’s 35km Race Walk – Final
  • 02:55 (10:55) – Eric Favors – Men’s Shot Put – Qualification
  • 03:55 (11:55) – Mixed 4x400m Relay – Heats

Evening Session

  • 11:50 (19:50) – Sarah Healy, Sophie O’Sullivan, Laura Nicholson – Women’s 1500m Heats
  • 13:10 (21:10) – Eric Favors – Men’s Shot Put – Final *
  • 14:20 (22:20) – Mixed 4x400m Relay – Final *

📅 Day 2 – Sunday 14 September

Morning Session

  • 00:00 (08:00) – Fionnuala McCormack – Women’s Marathon – Final
  • 01:00 / 02:45 (09:00 / 10:45) – Nicola Tuthill – Women’s Hammer Throw Qualification
  • 01:35 (09:35) – Andrew Coscoran & Cathal Doyle – Men’s 1500m Heats
  • 03:28 (11:28) – Sarah Lavin – Women’s 100m Hurdles Heats

Evening Session

  • 11:25 (19:25) – Sharlene Mawdsley & Sophie Becker – Women’s 400m Heats
  • 13:05 (21:05) – Women’s 1500m Semi-Finals *
  • 13:30 (21:30) – Efrem Gidey – Men’s 10,000m Final

📅 Day 3 – Monday 15 September

Morning Session

  • 00:00 (08:00) – Peter Lynch & Hiko Tonosa – Men’s Marathon Final

Evening Session

  • 13:00 (21:00) – Nicola Tuthill – Women’s Hammer Throw Final *
  • 13:05 (21:05) – Sarah Lavin – Women’s 100m Hurdles Semi-Final *
  • 13:30 (21:30) – Men’s 1500m Semi-Finals *
  • 14:20 (22:20) – Sarah Lavin – Women’s 100m Hurdles Final *

📅 Day 4 – Tuesday 16 September

  • 11:35 (19:35) – Mark English & Cian McPhillips – Men’s 800m Heats
  • 13:05 (21:05) – Women’s 400m Semi-Finals *
  • 14:05 (22:05) – Women’s 1500m Final *

📅 Day 5 – Wednesday 17 September

  • 14:20 (22:20) – Men’s 1500m Final *

📅 Day 6 – Thursday 18 September

  • 13:45 (21:45) – Men’s 800m Semi-Finals *
  • 14:24 (22:24) – Women’s 400m Final *

📅 Day 7 – Friday 19 September

  • 09:33–13:38 (17:33–21:38) – Kate O’Connor – Heptathlon (100mH, High Jump, Shot Put, 200m)
  • 12:05 (20:05) – Brian Fay, Andrew Coscoran, Darragh McElhinney – Men’s 5000m Heats

📅 Day 8 – Saturday 20 September

Morning

  • 01:50 (09:50) – David Kenny – Men’s 20km Race Walk Final
  • 03:30 (11:30) – Kate O’Connor – Long Jump – Heptathlon

Evening

  • 11:00 (19:00) – Kate O’Connor – Javelin – Heptathlon
  • 12:00 (20:00) – Women’s 4x400m Relay Heats
  • 13:11 (21:11) – Kate O’Connor – 800m – Heptathlon
  • 14:22 (22:22) – Men’s 800m Final *

📅 Day 9 – Sunday 21 September

  • 11:50 (19:50) – Men’s 5000m Final *
  • 12:40 (20:40) – Women’s 4x400m Relay Final *

* Subject to qualification

This year’s Irish team is packed with medal contenders and rising stars – from Sarah Healy and Sarah Lavin on the track to Kate O’Connor in the heptathlon and Mark English over 800m. Make sure to set your alarms and tune in for what could be Ireland’s biggest medal haul yet.

Kate O’Connor Targets Big Finish at World Athletics Championships

Kate O’Connor Eyes ‘Something Special’ at World Championships

Kate O’Connor is ready to deliver another big performance for Ireland as she heads to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. The Dundalk star has already enjoyed a year to remember – winning gold, silver and bronze across three major international events – and believes there is more to come.

“I Think Something Special Could Happen”

The St Gerard’s AC athlete has gone from rising prospect to national headline act in 2025. She took European Indoor bronze, followed by World Indoor silver, and then capped it off with a sensational World University Games gold in July.

“At the start of the year, World University Games was my main goal – to go there, try to medal, maybe try to win gold,” O’Connor said. “Then what happened at Indoors happened, and suddenly the World University Games became more about opening my outdoor season. I managed to win it by almost 400 points – it was such an enjoyable event.”

Her focus now shifts to Tokyo and the seven-event challenge of the heptathlon.

“I think I have a great chance of finishing really high,” she smiled. “I’m not even putting a number out there – but if I can put together a series like I did at Indoors, something special could happen.”

From Spotlight to Starting Blocks

O’Connor admits the spotlight has been brighter this year than ever before, but says she has embraced it:

“Since winning that medal at European Indoors, life has changed completely. Every week there’s something – an interview, an event – which is lovely, but it took time to adjust. I’m learning to enjoy it all and take it in my stride.”

Her first event – the 100m hurdles – takes place on Day 7 of the Championships, with all coverage live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.

Three Medals, Three Stories

O’Connor is quick to point out that each of her 2025 medals carries its own unique significance.

“The bronze at Europeans – I’ve never worked so hard for a medal in my life. The silver was Ireland’s first World medal in years, and suddenly people were mentioning me alongside Sonia O’Sullivan and Derval O’Rourke – that was surreal. And to win a gold outdoors in my favourite event, the heptathlon, that was the perfect way to finish the set.”

Her journey has captured the imagination of Irish fans and raised expectations ahead of Tokyo – but O’Connor is embracing the challenge with the same calm determination that has brought her this far.

Whatever happens in Tokyo, Kate O’Connor has already made 2025 a year to remember – and the best may still be to come.

Stephen Cluxton Joins Dublin Management as Coach – Ends Playing Career

Stephen Cluxton: From Pitch to Sideline as Dublin Coach & Selector

Stephen Cluxton – the man who redefined the goalkeeper position – will officially hang up his gloves as a player and join Ger Brennan’s new-look Dublin management team for 2026.

“He’s 100% Part of the Management Team”

Speaking at Staycity Aparthotels in Dublin city centre, new manager Brennan confirmed Cluxton’s next chapter:

“Stephen won’t be playing. He’s there 100 per cent as a coach and selector. His duties go beyond goalkeeping — he’ll be looking at the bigger picture.”

Brennan stressed that Dublin’s current goalkeeping coach Josh Moran will remain in place, with Cluxton adding an extra layer of tactical insight across the whole pitch.

Cluxton, Bastick & Rock: Leaders Reunited

The Sky Blues’ boss also confirmed that Denis Bastick and Dean Rock will join Cluxton in the dugout, alongside sports scientist Niall Moyna. Brennan could not hide his excitement:

“Their ability to read the game on the field was something that helped us get over the line in 2011 and beyond. Now, we get that same brainpower off the pitch – it’s a huge boost.”

Quiet Exit, Big Legacy

True to his understated style, Cluxton will not issue a formal retirement statement. Brennan admitted with a smile:

“If you can get him to use the word ‘retirement’, fair play to you! But he’s definitely not part of the playing group — he’s fully management now.”

Cluxton, who made his SFC debut in 2001, revolutionised Dublin’s game with his short kick-outs and laser-like accuracy. Brennan says that insight will now be passed on:

“He knows what defenders don’t like, what goalkeepers hate, and how to create space. That experience is priceless — and he’ll be heavily involved in coaching on the field.”

Backroom Boost

Brennan also confirmed that Martin Kennedy is returning as lead athletic development trainer, supported by Graham Norton. Colm Flanagan will manage logistics, and most of the analysis and medical team will remain in place.

A Sky-Blue Future

Cluxton’s presence on the sideline ensures Dublin’s next generation will benefit from one of the game’s greatest thinkers. His calm leadership and unmatched tactical mind helped deliver nine All-Ireland titles and revolutionise how Gaelic football is played. Now, he’ll shape the future — one training session at a time.

The Cluxton era as a player may be over — but his influence on Dublin football is only getting started.

Munster Name 38-Man Squad for Pre-Season Clash with Bath at Virgin Media Park

Munster Name 38-Man Squad for Pre-Season Clash with Bath at Virgin Media Park

Munster Rugby have announced a 38-man squad for Friday’s highly anticipated pre-season clash against English Premiership champions Bath at Virgin Media Park.

Kick-off is 7pm, with tickets available now via munsterrugby.ie. Fans unable to attend can catch all the action live on Access Munster, with exclusive live streaming.

Five Ireland internationals — Tom Ahern, Craig Casey, Gavin Coombes, Alex Kendellen and Michael Milne — are set to make their first appearances of the new campaign. Ahern, Kendellen, and Milne will wear the red jersey for the first time since making their Ireland debuts this summer.

This fixture will be an extended 90-minute contest, with breaks after 30 and 60 minutes instead of a traditional half-time.

Two separate Munster line-ups have been named to split the game-time evenly, with a further eight players listed as replacements.

Supporters will also get their first look at new signings JJ Hanrahan, Dan Kelly, and Conor Ryan in their first home appearance since joining during the summer.

Young talents Conor Bartley and Academy flanker Michael Foy are in line for their senior Munster debuts, while Ben O’Connor, Fionn Gibbons, Gordon Wood, and Ronan Foxe will make their first appearances of the 2025/26 campaign.

Six Munster Rugby Academy players are included: Michael Foy, Ben O’Connor, Gordon Wood, Ronan Foxe, Max Clein, and Seán Edogbo, highlighting the province’s commitment to developing homegrown talent.

Veteran hooker Niall Scannell will once again captain Munster, as he did against Gloucester, while Craig Casey will lead the side for the first time when he takes the field.

The squad will also showcase Munster’s brand-new adidas home jersey, giving fans a first look ahead of the United Rugby Championship campaign.

Munster Teams for Bath Clash

Team 1:
Shane Daly; Andrew Smith, Seán O’Brien, Dan Kelly, Diarmuid Kilgallen; JJ Hanrahan, Ethan Coughlan; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell (C), Oli Jager; Evan O’Connell, Tom Ahern; Ruadhán Quinn, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.

Team 2:
Mike Haley; Ben O’Connor, Fionn Gibbons, Gordon Wood, Thaakir Abrahams; Tony Butler, Craig Casey (C); Michael Milne, Lee Barron, John Ryan; Conor Ryan, Fineen Wycherley; Jack O’Donoghue, John Hodnett, Brian Gleeson.

Replacements:
Max Clein, Mark Donnelly, Conor Bartley, Ronan Foxe, Michael Foy, Seán Edogbo, Paddy Patterson, Shay McCarthy.

Trump International at Doonbeg to host 2026 Amgen Irish Open

The DP World Tour has announced that Trump International Golf Links Ireland, Doonbeg, Co Clare, will host the 2026 Amgen Irish Open. The tournament will take place from September 10-13, and will again form part of the ‘Back 9’.

The 2026 DP World Tour global schedule features a minimum of 42 Race to Dubai tournaments in 25 different countries.

Three Distinct Phases

The schedule, announced on Wednesday, will once again comprise three distinct phases, beginning with five ‘Global Swings’ followed by the ‘Back 9’, with the season then culminating with the ‘DP World Tour Play-Offs’ in November 2026.

Members will compete for a record total prize fund of $157.5 million (outside the Major Championships) on golf’s global Tour next season.

The Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship, will be the first tournament on the European Swing, and will take place from May 7-10 at Real Club de Golf El Prat in Barcelona.

In addition to the ISCO Championship from July 9-12, DP World Tour members will also have access to the PGA TOUR’s Corales Puntacana Championship in the Dominican Republic, which features as part of the Race to Dubai for the first time from July 16-19.

Five Rolex Events

The Genesis Scottish Open, at the Renaissance Club from July 9-12, will once again be co-sanctioned with the PGA TOUR and is one of five Rolex Series events on the 2026 global schedule, along with: the Hero Dubai Desert Classic (January 22-25), the BMW PGA Championship (September 17-20) and the two Play-Off events, the Abu Dhabi Championship (November 5-8) and DP World Tour Championship (November 12-15), where the 2026 Race to Dubai Champion will be crowned.

In total, the DP World Tour will play three times in Dubai in 2026, with the Dubai Invitational (January 15-18) returning to the schedule after alternating with the Team Cup during the current 2025 season.

NFL Week 2 Preview | Chiefs vs Eagles Rematch, Key Games & Stats

🏈 NFL Week 2 Preview: Super Bowl LIX Rematch & Key Games

It’s Week 2 of the NFL season and Sunday features a mouth-watering rematch of Super Bowl LIX as the Chiefs travel to Philadelphia. Here’s a look at the biggest matchups of the weekend.

Kansas City Chiefs (0-1) @ Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)

Kansas City Chiefs look to bounce back after a Week 1 loss as they head to face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday evening.

The Eagles defeated the Chiefs 40-22 in last season’s Super Bowl, with Jalen Hurts delivering 293 total yards and three touchdowns to win MVP. Hurts rushed for two touchdowns in Week 1 against Dallas, marking his 16th career regular-season game with multiple rushing touchdowns – the most by any QB in NFL history.

Kansas City went unbeaten at home last year and boast the most home wins since Patrick Mahomes became starter in 2018 (45). Mahomes sits at 292 career TD passes and can pass Peyton Manning (293) for most TD passes in a player’s first nine seasons (including playoffs).

This will be the 11th time a Super Bowl rematch has happened the very next season – the winning team from the big game has gone 7-3 in previous meetings.

Washington Commanders (1-0) @ Green Bay Packers (1-0)

Both teams come off Week 1 wins and are looking to start 2-0. Washington QB Jayden Daniels has thrown at least two TD passes and posted a 100+ rating in six of his 11 career road starts.

For Green Bay, star pass rusher Micah Parsons notched a sack in his debut. In eight career games against Washington, he has 10.5 sacks, including multi-sack games in Weeks 12 & 18 last year.

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0) @ Cincinnati Bengals (1-0)

Both teams eye a 2-0 start for the first time since 2018. Travis Etienne ranked second in Week 1 with 156 scrimmage yards (143 rushing).

Joe Burrow threw for 23 TDs and a 116.9 passer rating in eight home starts last year, including four straight games with 3+ TD passes and 110+ rating. Only Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers have done that in five consecutive home games.

Denver Broncos (1-0) @ Indianapolis Colts (1-0)

Denver aim for their first 2-0 start since 2021 after a dominant defensive Week 1 (six sacks, just 133 total yards allowed). No team has started a season with 6+ sacks in each of its first two games since 1998.

Indianapolis scored on all seven drives in a 33-8 Week 1 win over Miami, becoming the first team in 47 years to score on every possession in a game.

Los Angeles Chargers (1-0) @ Las Vegas Raiders (1-0)

The Chargers look to start 2-0 for the third time since 1970. Justin Herbert threw for 318 yards and 3 TDs with a 131.7 rating in Brazil last week — the only QB with 300+ yards and 3 TDs on Kickoff Weekend.

Raiders star rookie TE Brock Bowers had 103 yards receiving last week and now has 1,297 yards in 18 career games, second only to Mike Ditka for tight ends through 20 games.

TG4 Secures URC Rights for Next Four Seasons

Great news for Irish rugby fans! TG4 has announced a new four-year deal to continue broadcasting United Rugby Championship (URC) matches.

The agreement will see TG4 show 50% of URC games live each season, with the remaining fixtures broadcast on Premier Sports. RTÉ will not feature in coverage of the upcoming campaign.

TG4 has been a long-standing supporter of rugby in Ireland, and this latest deal ensures free-to-air access for half of all URC fixtures until at least 2029. The full list of televised matches for the 2025/26 season will be confirmed in the coming days.

This is a significant boost for rugby supporters nationwide, particularly those without access to subscription-only platforms. It also continues TG4’s strong tradition of covering Irish sport, from grassroots action to the international stage.

The new URC season promises another year of high-quality rugby, with Leinster, Munster, Connacht, and Ulster all targeting strong campaigns. Fans can look forward to top-class clashes, intense rivalries, and plenty of drama — all available live on TG4.

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