Seven two-year-olds will contest the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at The Curragh on Saturday.
Westmeath-based handler Adrian Murray is aiming for the biggest win of his training career to date as he saddles the GAIN Railway Stakes winner, Bucanero Fuerta, in the six-furlong contest.
The son of Wootton Bassett will again meet Givemethebeatboys, who finished three-quarters of a length behind him in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.
Running in the colours of AMO Racing Limited and Giselle de Aguiar, he will be the mount of jockey Kevin Stott. Launch from the same trainer and ownership will be ridden by Gary Halpin.
Donnacha O’Brien will be represented by his Albany Stakes winner Porta Fortuna (Oisín Murphy), while his father Aidan will rely on Unquestionable (Ryan Moore) and His Majesty (Séamie Heffernan) in an effort to maintain his incredible record in the race – he has trained the winner 17 times.
The Diego Dias-handled Gaenari, the mount of Gavin Ryan, is the other runner in the Group 1 worth €300,000.
There is FREE admission for all on Saturday, thanks to the Irish National Professional Bookmakers Association. The first race is off at 1.40pm.
Switzerland were impressive winners of the Aga Khan Trophy at the Dublin Horse Show today. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.
Switzerland won the Aga Khan Trophy at the Dublin Horse Show this afternoon.
In an exceptional display by the pre-competition favourites and first-ever winners of the famous trophy in 1926, they produced two double clear rounds, and six clear rounds in total, as they ended the two-round Nations Cup on a zero score.
Last year’s winners, Ireland, who had been given a 20% win chance by Equiratings this morning, finished as runners-up on 12 faults in their attempt to successfully defend their title. The home nation has a total of three clear rounds during the class, and their anchor Shane Sweetnam and James Khan Cruz did not jump as it would not have changed their overall finishing position.
The 2018 winners Mexico took the final position on the podium on 16 faults, followed by France on 20, Belgium on 21, The Netherlands on 24, Spain on 28 and Britain on a final score of 57 faults.
Round One
Ireland ended the opening round of the Longines FEI Nations Cup with 8 faults, the same score as 27-time Aga Khan Trophy winners Britain, and France, with the favourites Switzerland – given a 25% win chance by Equiratings – holding a two-fence lead on a zero score.
Irish pathfinder and one of two Aga Khan Trophy debutants, Michael Duffy and Cinca had four faults at the water as did the second-line combination of the other first-timer on the Aga Khan team Mikey Pender and HHS Calais.
Cian O’Connor, the rider with most Aga Khan starts and podium finishes in the last 10 editions, and Eve d’Ouilly, were the third Irish combination into the Main Arena. They also had four faults, this time knocking a pole in the final part of the triple combination.
Kanturk’s Shane Sweetnam and the Irish Sport Horse James Kann Cruz brought Michael Blake’s side back into contention with a clear round in front of a packed and nervous crowd.
Switzerland achieved three clear rounds through Steve Guerdat (Venard de Cerisy), Martin Fuchs (Leone Jei) and Edouard Schmitz (Garmin Van’T Naastveldhof), meaning their four faults score from Bryan Balsiger and Chelsea Z became their discard score.
Steve Guerdat and Venard de Cerisy achieved a double clear during today’s Nations Cup. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.
The water caused some problems during the opening round with a total of five combinations incurring faults there. The penultimate fence, the Telecom post boxes with a Liverpool underneath, saw nine participants knock a pole.
Britain and France joined Ireland in joint-second place at the end of the first round – with the three teams on 8 faults.
Belgium and Spain were next, a fence behind, with Mexico on 16 faults and The Netherlands bringing up the rear on 20 faults.
Cian O’Connor and Eve d’Ouilly in action during Friday’s Nations Cup at the RDS. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.
Round Two
The Swiss took up where they had ended the first round with each of their first three combinations all going clear. Steve Guerdat and Venard De Cerisy as well as Martin Fuchs and Leone JEI achieved exceptional double clear rounds, while second-line rider Bryan Balsiger and Chelsea Z, who faulted in the first round, went better at his second attempt.
With Fuchs’ second clear the Swiss were uncatchable, meaning their final-line rider Edouard Schmitz didn’t jump.
Course builder Alan Wade later described it as “poetry in motion watching them jump clear after clear.”
Michael Duffy and Cinca got Ireland off to the best possible start in the second round, going clear in 70.96 seconds. Mikey Pender and HHS Calais matched their four-fault first round, before Cian O’Connor riding Eve D’Ouilly produced a faultless round.
Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz then withdrew as they were safe in the runners-up position, and unable to catch chef d’équipe Michel Sorg’s side.
Switzerland have won the Aga Khan Cup at the RDS, while Ireland finished as the runners-up with Mexico in third place. #RTEsportpic.twitter.com/5cLLC3ZUmR
“It’s very special to stand on the podium; it’s an amazing arena,” admitted Sorg. “It’s a dream of everybody to win this Aga Khan Trophy. It’s been a while.”
Statistical information kindly provided by Equiratings.
Connacht Women’s Rugby takes on Leinster in the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship, set to kick off this Saturday at The Sportsground (5.15pm Irish time).
This matchup promises to be a gripping encounter as both teams field their best players, each with their own unique strengths and strategies.
Connacht, led by the newly appointed captain, Nicole Fowley, is eager to start their campaign on a high note. Fowley, a Sligo native, is excited about the opportunity to lead her team and is confident in their preparation. She stated, “It’s an honor to captain the side, and I’m proud to be part of this talented group of players. We’ve put in the work, and we’re ready to give it our all.”
The Connacht team features an impressive lineup, with several players returning from the Irish U20 squad’s recent trip to Italy. Karly Tierney, Ivana Kiripati, Laoise McGonagle, Clara Barrett, and Kayla Waldron are all back in action, bringing their international experience to the field. Connacht’s front row, with Lily Brady, Grainne O’Loughlin, and Shannon Heapes, is expected to provide a solid foundation.
Meanwhile, Leinster, sponsored by Bank of Ireland, is determined to make their mark in the championship. Head Coach Tania Rosser has introduced four new players into the starting lineup, and two more will make their debuts from the bench. Captain Hannah O’Connor is eager to lead her team, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and determination. O’Connor said, “We’re entering this match with a strong sense of unity. The new players have integrated well, and we’re focused on executing our game plan.”
The Leinster team showcases fresh talent, with players like Naoise O’Reilly earning their first caps. O’Reilly, set to start at full-back, expressed her excitement, saying, “This is a dream come true for me. I’m ready to give everything for the team and contribute to our success.”
Make sure to tune in to the live broadcast on TG4 YouTube to witness the action-packed clash between Connacht and Leinster in this Women’s Interprovincial Rugby Championship!
Burnley vs. Manchester City: A Premier League Clash
TEAM NEWS
Burnley could introduce new signings: James Trafford, Zeki Amdouni, Sander Berge, and Dara O’Shea. Unfortunately, Michael Obafemi is sidelined due to a hamstring issue. On the City side, Josko Gvardiol is set to make his debut after a £77m move from RB Leipzig, while Nathan Ake is fit despite missing the Community Shield. Midfielder Mateo Kovacic may make his league debut after joining from Chelsea.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-Head Rivalry
– Burnley has struggled against Manchester City recently, winning just one of their last 23 league matches (D6, L16), with City winning the last eight encounters by an aggregate score of 26-1.
– City has claimed 11 consecutive victories against Burnley in all competitions, scoring an impressive 40 goals and conceding just one.
Burnley’s Hopes
– Burnley has won their opening game in two of their eight Premier League seasons, including a notable 3-0 home win against Southampton in 2019.
– Despite this, they’ve lost five of their last eight top-flight matches at Turf Moor, but they haven’t received a red card in any of their 152 Premier League home matches.
– Vincent Kompany makes his debut as the first Belgian to manage in the Premier League, aiming for a victorious start with the Clarets.
Manchester City’s Ambitions
– Manchester City aims to become the first English team to win four consecutive top-flight titles, a feat that’s eluded others in the past.
– City has an impressive record of winning their opening league game in 12 of the last 14 seasons, showcasing their dominance in early-season encounters.
– Pep Guardiola has a strong record against Burnley, winning 15 league and cup games against them.
Key Players to Watch
– Erling Haaland, who scored a hat-trick in his only previous game against Burnley, will be a player to watch after his remarkable performance in last season’s FA Cup quarter-finals.
– Mateo Kovacic, the new City midfielder, could make a significant impact in his league debut after joining from Chelsea.
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Akanji; Kovacic, Rodri, De Bruyne; Bernardo, Haaland, Grealish
With both teams eager to make a strong start, the Burnley vs. Manchester City clash promises exciting football action as the new Premier League season kicks off.
Kerry Aims for Glory in All-Ireland Senior Final, Dublin Seeks Sixth Title
As the stage is set for the All-Ireland Senior Ladies Football Final – Kerry v Dublin.
The Kingdom under the leadership of Declan Quill and Darragh Long, has a chance to secure a remarkable place in history by moving ahead on the all-time Senior roll of honours list.
With a current record of 11 All-Ireland Senior Championship victories, Kerry stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the legendary Cork teams that dominated from 2005 to 2016.
Dublin’s Pursuit of Excellence
Their formidable opponents, Dublin, are on a quest for their sixth title, building on their previous successes in 2010, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.
Kerry’s Illustrious Past
This upcoming showdown marks Kerry’s 14th appearance in the All-Ireland Senior Final, having faced disappointment against Meath in the 2022 decider and a loss to Cork in 2012.
Kerry’s Historic Achievements
Kerry’s journey to greatness began with their first Senior title in 1976, followed by an awe-inspiring nine-in-a-row triumph from 1982 to 1990.
A Glimpse of Victory
Kerry’s last Senior Final victory dates back to 1993, when they emerged victorious against Laois.
Managers thoughts
Kerry will need to prove they’ve evolved in the last 12 months both in terms of their tactical nous and big-match mentality, and Long is confident that they have.
“I think we’re a more mature team this year,” he says. “There’s times, the Meath game for instance there a couple of weeks ago in Tralee, very bad evening weather-wise, huge wind, got a great lead up, played really well in the first half and we just had to show a different style in the second half and I think the characteristics that we showed and the composure that we showed on the ball, which we developed in the second half even more so against Mayo by tagging on the scores that we didn’t get in the Meath game.
“Watching back that game and seeing where we went wrong and being very honest about where we went wrong and trying to learn from it, that definitely helped us this year. I think our League campaign was close to being flawless which culminated in a superb performance here at headquarters against Galway.
“Have we hit the heights of that game since? We probably haven’t but, look, there’s still one game to go in the season.”
Exciting Pre-Game Entertainment
As excitement builds for Sunday’s Croke Park triple-header, TG4’s Ceiliúradh Peil na mBan, hosted by Máire Ní Bhraonáin, will air on Saturday evening at 8pm.
A Tribute to the Finalists
This celebratory program will showcase all six counties competing in the Junior, Intermediate, and Senior deciders, featuring music from each region and insights from former players reflecting on the 2023 Championships and anticipating the grand finale on Sunday.
Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Action
Spórt TG4 will provide exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from the TG4 All-Ireland Finals Day in Croke Park, sharing the excitement across their social media channels.
Global Access to the Action
Audiences worldwide can catch all the LGFA coverage on the TG4 Player, available at www.tg4.ie/beo, as well as on the TG4 Mobile and Smart TV App, ensuring everyone can be part of this thrilling sporting event.
Starting Teams for Dublin v Kerry
Dublin ladies team to play Kerry in 2023 All Ireland final
Prediction for Dublin v Kerry
The loss of inspirational team captain Siofra O’Shea to injury is a big blow that many feel I feel tip the scales in Dublin’s favour
After battling past Scotland to reach the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, there was plenty of excitement about what the Republic of Ireland might achieve Down Under.
Two defeats and a draw saw Ireland finish bottom of Group A but much will have been learnt by head coach Vera Pauw and her side over the three games in Australia.
Ireland Proved A Tough Nut To Crack
Playing the hosts Australia in the opening game at Stadium Australia in Sydney was always going to be a daunting task for Ireland but the Girls in Green came away from the game with plenty of plaudits. Australia went on to finish top of Group A and are 7/1 in the football odds to win the tournament on their own patch. The Matildas, who are 5/1 in the Women’s World Cup odds to finish as runners-up, were made to work hard for their 1-0 win over Ireland. In the end, Steph Catley’s second-half penalty was the difference between the sides.
Ireland learnt the hard way that discipline at these major tournaments is key and Marissa Sheva’s push on Hayley Raso was punished with Catley’s well-taken penalty. Ireland were fearless against the Aussies going forward and came close on a few occasions to grabbing an equaliser. Megan Connolly, Katie McCabe and Louise Quinn all had chances and Ireland learnt again that taking opportunities is key. It was a game that might have gone another way but was one that showed Ireland would be no pushovers at this major tournament.
An Early Exit But Experience Key For Development
Ireland made the perfect start to their second game at Perth Rectangular Stadium against Canada, with McCabe finding the back of the net after just four minutes. Again the Irish might have been wondering what might have been as they just failed to keep Canada out before the break, with Megan Connolly scoring an own goal. That shifted the momentum in the game and Canada came out and got what proved to be the winner with Manchester United’s Adriana Leon scoring in the 53rd minute.
Two battling defeats in Australia and Ireland knew there was no hope of reaching the knockout stages, with only pride to play for in their final game against Nigeria at Lang Park in Brisbane. It was to prove to be a low-key affair and the match ended in a goalless stalemate with little in attack from either side during the contest. The game ended on a sour note with the suggestion McCabe had called on coach Pauw to make substitutions during the clash with Nigeria. While the future of Pauw is uncertain, Ireland can look back on their efforts in Australia with pride and even wonder what might have been if a few key moments had gone their way.
Fine margins are the very nature of what elite sport in major tournaments is about and Ireland’s women will be hoping to be back at a World Cup at the next opportunity in 2027.
Richard Howley and Consulent de Prelet Z won the Cashel Palace Hotel Stakes at last year's Dublin Horse Show. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.
Sligo’s Richard Howley and Consulent de Prelet Z won the Cashel Palace Hotel Stakes, the main class of the second day of the 2023 Dublin Horse Show.
The England-based rider and the 12-year-old gelding took the winner’s cheque of €17,358 with a clear round in the jump-off, stopping the timer in 34.52 seconds.
Howley’s compatriot Harry Allen, whose older brother Bertram won the earlier Speed Derby, was second with Calculatus, jumping clear in the jump-off round in a time of 36.85 seconds.
Greek rider Ioli Mytillineou, riding Levis de Muze, was third in 38.00, winning €7,890.
The next two positions went to Irish combinations, with Denis Lynch and Vistogrand fourth in 34.83, followed by 2018 winner Shane Sweetnam and yesterday’s Sport Ireland Classic winner Out of the Blue Scf (36.80).
Howley’s win was a first for Ireland in the class since 2018 when US-based Shane Sweetnam and Indra van de Oude Heiheof claimed victory by just 0.59 seconds.
It was only a fifth victory for the home nation since 2011.
Statistical information kindly provided by Equiratings.
Bertram Allen and Carrera Denfer took the Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge Speed Derby. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.
Bertram Allen and Carrera Denfer took the Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge Speed Derby on Thursday at the Dublin Horse Show.
The Wexford rider and his bay mare were best of the 17 combinations to win the Paul Darragh Trophy in a time of 81.95 seconds to claim the €8,646 first prize.
Irish rider claimed the top four spots in the class, with Shane Breen and Z7 Ipswich, the long time leaders, taking the runner-up spot in 83.67 seconds.
Next best was Jack Ryan and the Irish Sport Horse mare Cavalier Teaca, stopping the clock in 85.30 seconds.
Mikey Pender, a winner in the Main Arena on the opening day of this year’s show, rounded out the top four with HHS Vancouver, clocking 86.21 seconds.
Elizabeth Ndudi wins Ireland's first ever field event gold medal at European U20 level. Image provided by Athletics Ireland.
Elizabeth Ndudi of Dundrum South Dublin AC has won gold for Ireland in the women’s long jump at the European Athletics U20 Championships in Jerusalem today.
The Irish national senior champion put in an outstanding round of jumps with her best leap of 6.56m (+1.4) smashing her own Irish U20 record of 6.44m which she posted just last month.
The result moved the newly crowned European champion to second on the Irish all-time list behind Kelly Proper’s national record of 6.62m set in 2010.
Reacting to her historic achievement of becoming Ireland’s first ever field event champion at European U20 level, Ndudi said:
“I’m in shock, I’m amazed how well the event went for me. I was confident in myself coming in here but it’s a huge improvement and to do it in such a high competition makes the national record so special.”
The Dundrum South Dublin athlete continued:
“I really focused on my mental preparations as well as the physical side coming in here. I made sure to really get in the zone in the morning and evening before sessions. Last year I was a bit nervous and I think that’s why I didn’t post a big jump but today I came in here full of confidence, so I was mentally prepared.”
Bulgaria’s Plamena Mitkova took bronze in a season’s best of 6.54m, with German Laura Raquel Muller completing the podium with her bronze medal in a season’s best of 6.51m.
The Nations Cup of Ireland for the award of the Aga Khan Trophy is the highlight at Dublin Horse Show today. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.
Horse Sport Ireland Show Jumping High Performance Director Michael Blake has named The Underwriting Exchange Irish Show Jumping team ahead of Friday’s five-star Longines FEI Nations Cup at the Dublin Horse Show.
Blake’s side will jump fifth of the eight competing nations, as Ireland aim for back-to-back wins in the Aga Khan Trophy at the RDS.
Aga Khan Trophy debutant Michael Duffy and Cinca 3 will be the Irish pathfinders.
Next into the Main Arena for the home nation will be another Aga Khan Trophy first timer in Mikey Pender and the Irish Sport Horse HHS Calais.
The experienced Cian O’Connor and Eve D’Ouilly will be next to jump for Ireland, while US-based Shane Sweetnam and the Irish Sport Horse James Kann Cruz will be the anchor leg.
Speaking at the team draw on Friday morning, Michael Blake said:
“I’m very confident, I have named a strong team – but there are very strong teams here.
“Michel Duffy has been on three Nations Cup teams this season with Cinca 3 and jumped five clear rounds out of six. So we will start off with him as our first rider in.
“Michael Pender has jumped in two Nations Cup and was outstanding in Rome with HHS Calais.
“We are going to put Cian in third, which some might find unusual. He’s on a new horse to him, who is less experienced, so he can go in and jump his own round without as much pressure.
“Shane is on one of the best horses in the world right now, so we’re going to let him carry the weight of the world and put him in last.”
The eight nations competing for the Aga Khan Trophy will jump in the following order:
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