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Offaly easily beat Kildare in Joe McDonagh Cup

Offaly made a significant stride towards securing their place in the Joe McDonagh Cup final with an emphatic victory over Kildare in Hawkfield.

The result marked Offaly’s second triumph following wins over Laois and Kildare, and they appear to be hitting their stride at just the right time. With Down up next on home soil, Offaly’s destiny remains firmly within their grasp.

From start to finish, Offaly looked dominant, producing yet another commanding performance. Kildare were struggling to keep pace, and matters were compounded when Mark Delaney received a red card following an umpire’s intervention, leaving Kildare trailing 0-5 to 0-3. Despite their recent heavy defeat to Carlow, Offaly continued to press and punish their opponents, amassing a tally of 1-7 unanswered points. Cillian Kiely netted Offaly’s goal in the 16th minute, and by the 25th minute, Offaly had established an unassailable lead of 1-12 to 0-3.

To their credit, Kildare managed to secure two goals before the break, with James Burke and Cian Boran finding the net in the 26th and 35th minutes respectively. However, Offaly still held a commanding 1-18 to 2-6 interval advantage, leaving Kildare with an uphill battle in the second half.

Any hopes of a Kildare comeback were quickly extinguished as Eoghan Cahill struck a well-taken goal in the 47th minute, extending Offaly’s lead to 2-19 to 2-7. Cahill added a quick point, but Offaly seemed to take their foot off the gas, playing with less intensity and aggression. Kildare attempted to claw their way back into the game, securing three unanswered points. Nevertheless, Cillian Kiely ended Kildare’s run with a point in the 56th minute. The remainder of the game was somewhat academic, with Kildare netting a late consolation goal from a penalty by goalkeeper Paddy McKenna while Cillian Kiely missed an opportunity for Offaly, but the result was never in doubt. Overall, it was another impressive display from Offaly, who will be hoping to carry this form into their upcoming fixtures.

Scorers for Offaly: Eoghan Cahill 1-10 (6fs, 1 ’65’), Cillian Kiely 1-3, Adrian Cleary 0-3, Killian Sampson 0-2, Joey Keenaghan, Brian Duignan, Charlie Mitchell and Cathal Kiely 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kildare: Paddy McKenna 1-5 (1-0 pen, 4fs and 1 ’65’), James Burke and Cian Boran 1-1 each, Paul Dolan, Brian Byrne, Paul Divilly and Drew Costello 0-1 each.

Offaly: Stephen Corcoran; Ben Conneely, Ciaran Burke, David King; Jack Screeney, Jason Sampson, Killian Sampson; Cillian Kiely, Joey Keenaghan; Adrian Cleary, Jack Clancy, Eoghan Cahill; David Nally, Brian Duignan, Charlie Mitchell.

Subs: Paddy Clancy for Keenaghan (40m), Cathal Kiely for Mitchell (53m), Paddy Delaney for Jack Clancy (63m), John Murphy for Duignan (63m).

Kildare: Paddy McKenna; Niall O’Muineachain, Simon Leacy, Cian Shanahan; Jack Travers, Rian Boran, Paul Dolan; Johnny Byrne, Cathal McCabe; James Burke, Gerry Keegan, Mark Delaney; Brian Byrne, Cian Boran, Cathal Dowling.

Subs: Paul Divilly for Dowling (7m), David Qualter for Dolan (HT), John McKeown for O’Muineachain (46m), Sean Christiansen for Divilly (51m), Drew Costello for Travers (54m).

Referee: Michael Kennedy (Tipperary)

 

Video Highlights – Shock result as Monaghan beat Tyrone

Monaghan beat Tyrone by two points thanks to a late goal from Ryan O’Toole six minutes into injury time.

Darren McCurry’s brilliant performance saw Tyrone take the lead with his fifth score, but it was Ryan O’Toole who stole the show with a courageous finish to secure a semi-final spot for Tyrone against Derry.

Tyrone started strong with neat scores from McCurry and Darragh Canavan. Mattie Donnelly added to the tally with a goal on ten minutes, but Conor McManus was the only Monaghan attacker to score from play before the break.

Despite Tyrone’s lead of 1-10 to 0-07 at half-time, Monaghan closed the gap with wind advantage in the second half. A brilliant Stephen O’Hanlon goal gave Monaghan the lead for the first time in the 57th minute, but McCurry hit a couple of scores to regain the lead for Tyrone.

In the sixth minute of stoppage time, O’Toole’s spirit of adventure paid off handsomely when he fired home the golden goal, thanks to excellent defensive work from Kieran Duffy, Conor Boyle and Karl O’Connell. It was a thrilling match that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Sam Prendergast gets his first start for Leinster Rugby in URC

U20 Grand slam winning outhalf Sam Prendergast gets his first start for Leinster Rugby in URC against the Bulls on Saturday.

EMIRATES LIONS V LEINSTER

Emirates Lions

  • Marius Louw has missed more tackles than any other player (39); his tackle success rate is 77%. However, he has made the most dominant tackles in the league (23)
  • PJ Botha has thrown into the most successful lineouts in the BKT URC, a total of 132. A league-high 13 of these have been thrown beyond the 15-metre line
  • Sanele Nohamba is the only player in the league to have kicked three 50/22s

 

Leinster

  • Harry Byrne made more kicks (16) and kick metres (546) than any other player in Round 16. A round-high three of his kicks were retained and he became the first player to kick two 50/22s in a single match this season
  • Rob Russell won as many turnovers as any other player in Leinster’s last league appearance (three, = Shane Lewis-Hughes). So far this season, he has won the joint-most turnovers in the Leinster squad (seven, = Ryan Baird)
  • Leinster have scored nine more tries from tap penalties than any other team, a total of 15

 

Did You Know?

Last season, this fixture was an eight-point game. At half time, Leinster led by just seven points to six.

The Emirates Lions are on a three-match winning streak, their first since October. They haven’t won four consecutive matches this season.

Leinster’s draw against the Stormers was the first time they have failed to win in the BKT URC in 15 matches.

 

Team News

TV).

Rhys Ruddock captains the team in Johannesburg’s Emirates Airlines Park, with Leinster Academy fly-half Sam Prendergast set to make his Leinster debut.

Chris Cosgrave starts at full-back. On the wings, Dave Kearney is set to make his 150th league appearance, while there is a welcome return for Tommy O’Brien, who makes his first appearance of the season after recovering from a knee injury.

In the centre, Liam Turner is joined by Ben Brownlee. Ireland Under-20 fly-half Prendergast makes his debut, with Nick McCarthy partnering him at scrum-half.

In the front row, Georgia international Vakhtang Abdaladze is set for his first Leinster start. He will pack down with Michael Milne and Lee Barron.

Brian Deeny joins South African international Jason Jenkins in the second row, with Ruddock, Will Connors and Max Deegan forming the back-row.

On the bench, five Academy players are set to feature with Alex Soroka, James Culhane, Ben Murphy, Charlie Tector and Rob Russell all looking to impress.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):
15. Chris Cosgrave (5)
14. Tommy O’Brien (21)
13. Liam Turner (16)
12. Ben Brownlee (2)
11. Dave Kearney (182)
10. Sam Prendergast (0)
9. Nick McCarthy (59)

1. Michael Milne (28)
2. Lee Barron (5)
3. Vakhtang Abdaladze (26)
4. Brian Deeny (11)
5. Jason Jenkins (14)
6. Rhys Ruddock (220) CAPTAIN
7. Will Connors (33)
8. Max Deegan (94)

16. Tadgh McElroy (2)
17. Ed Byrne (94)
18. Thomas Clarkson (24)
19. Alex Soroka (7)
20. James Culhane (1)
21. Ben Murphy (1)
22. Charlie Tector (5)
23. Rob Russell (16)

Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)

 

Connacht v Cardiff – Preview, Team News & Betting

This is a huge game for Champions Cup rugby qualification as both Connacht and Cardiff need wins.

It’s the last home game for Connacht and if they win and can beat Glasgow next week they will finish 5th/6th in the URC table.

Connacht v Cardiff Preview

Connacht Rugby will face off against Cardiff Rugby in the upcoming BKT United Rugby Championship match. Connacht comes into the game on the back of a five-match winning streak, making it their best run in the championship since 2016. They have only lost twice at home this season, to Leinster and Ulster, both of which are top-quality sides.

On the other hand, Cardiff Rugby has won two of their last three games in the United Rugby Championship. They have lost only two of their last six away matches, which is a good sign for their prospects against Connacht. However, Cardiff’s record against Irish provinces has not been great lately, with their only victory over an Irish side since January 2022 coming against Munster in September 2022. Furthermore, their last victory against an Irish team on Irish soil was against today’s opponents, Connacht, in Galway in September 2017.

Despite Cardiff’s recent record against Irish provinces, they have won two of their last three matches against Connacht. However, they have lost their last three visits to the Sportsground, which gives Connacht the home advantage. It will be interesting to see how the match unfolds, and the winner will hope to continue their good run in the championship.

Betting for Connacht v Cardiff 

You can back Cardiff at 5/2, bookies expect Connacht to win by 7pts.

Team News for Connacht v Cardiff

 

CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY 23 VS CARDIFF RUGBY
Saturday 15th April, 19:35 Irish time @ The Sportsground

Number/Name/Caps

15. Tiernan O’Halloran (218)
14. Diarmuid Kilgallen (15)
13. Tom Farrell (95)
12. Bundee Aki (124)
11. Mack Hansen (25)
10. Jack Carty (191) (C)
9. Caolin Blade (166)
1. Denis Buckley (224)
2. Dylan Tierney-Martin (20)
3. Finlay Bealham (185)
4. Josh Murphy (14)
5. Niall Murray (52)
6. Cian Prendergast (43)
7. Conor Oliver (59)
8. Jarrad Butler (111)

16. Eoin de Buitléar (1)
17. Peter Dooley (16)
18. Dominic Robertson-McCoy (78)
19. Oisín Dowling (40)
20. Shamus Hurley-Langton (16)
21. Kieran Marmion (226)
22. Tom Daly (74)
23. Shane Jennings (3)

Tyrone v Monaghan – Preview, Betting, Team News & Live Scores

GAA fans are in for a treat as two of Ulster’s heavyweights, Tyrone and Monaghan, prepare to face off in what promises to be a fiercely contested championship match.

Click for live scores from Tyrone v Monaghan 

These two sides have a recent history of close encounters, with the average winning margin in the last seven championship clashes being just two points either way.

Tyrone come into the match as the reigning Ulster champions, having claimed the title by the narrowest of margins over Monaghan two years ago. However, Monaghan will be determined to turn the tables this time around and avenge that heart-breaking defeat.

Both teams had mixed results in this year’s Allianz League, with Tyrone finishing fourth in Division 1 and Monaghan coming in at sixth. However, Tyrone did manage to come out on top when the two sides met earlier in the league, with an eight-point victory.

When it comes to goals in this fixture, they have been few and far between, with only 14 scored in the last 12 meetings. The only time both teams managed to find the back of the net was way back in 2005, when Tyrone emerged victorious in a qualifier match.

Tyrone and Monaghan have had differing fortunes in their opening Ulster championship games over the last decade, with Tyrone winning five, drawing one, and losing four, while Monaghan have won eight and lost two.

The winners of this match will face either Derry or Fermanagh in the Ulster semi-final, so there’s everything to play for. With both teams evenly matched, it’s sure to be a thrilling encounter from start to finish. Who will come out on top? Only time will tell.

Team News

Tyrone v Monaghan Teams

Tyrone v Monaghan teams 2023 ulster championship
Tyrone v Monaghan teams 2023 ulster championship

Betting News 

Monaghan are 9/4  to win the match,  booked expect Tyrone to win by 3pts

 

Fermanagh v Derry – Preview, betting, team news & live updates.

Excitement is building as Derry and Fermanagh get set to go head-to-head in what promises to be a thrilling Ulster championship clash.

Click for live scores on Fermanagh v Derry 

These two sides may not have a long history of facing off against each other

in championship play, but that only adds to the anticipation for what’s sure to be a fascinating encounter.

Derry come into this match as reigning champions, having claimed their first Ulster title since 1999 last year. Fermanagh, on the other hand, are still searching for their first provincial championship win. But with both teams having had impressive Allianz League campaigns, this promises to be a closely contested battle.

When these two sides last met in championship play in 2011, it was Derry who came out on top with an eight-point victory. However, Fermanagh will be keen to draw on the experience of their win over Derry in the 2008 clash.

Both teams have shown they know how to find the back of the net, with goals scored in their last five championship meetings. And while Fermanagh have struggled in their opening Ulster championship games in recent years, they’ll be hoping to turn that around and start their campaign off with a win.

It’s worth noting that the last time these teams faced off in a competitive match, Derry emerged victorious with an impressive 5-13 to 0-9 win in the 2021 Allianz League Division 3 clash. But as we all know, championship play is a different beast altogether.

The winners of this match will move on to face either Tyrone or Monaghan in the Ulster semi-final, so there’s everything to play for. With both sides boasting strong recent form, it’s anyone’s game. Who will come out on top? We’ll just have to wait and see.

Team News 

Fermanagh v Down starting teams 2023 Ulster football championship
Fermanagh v Down starting teams 2023 Ulster football championship

Betting

You can back Fermanagh at 10/1, bookies expect Derry to win by 8pts

World Snooker Championship preview and first round draw

The stage is set for the World Championship, and defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan is ready to fight for an eighth world title, which would be a record in the modern era. O’Sullivan will kick off his campaign against Pang Junxu in the first round.

However, he faces fierce competition from former champions and up-and-coming talents, including Judd Trump, who won in 2019 and will start his bid for the title against Scottish qualifier Anthony McGill.

Elsewhere in the draw, four-time winner Mark Selby faces compatriot Matthew Selt, while Neil Robertson takes on Wu Yize. John Higgins, a four-time winner, starts against David Grace, and Gary Wilson will play Elliot Slessor.

With such a strong lineup, this year’s World Championship promises to be a thrilling and competitive event. Keep an eye out for exciting matches and surprises along the way.

First Round draw for World Snooker Championship

Ronnie O’Sullivan v Pang Junxu

Ding Junhui v Hossein Vafaei

Luca Brecel v Ricky Walden

Mark Williams v Jimmy Robertson

Judd Trump v Anthony McGill

Jack Lisowski v Noppon Saengkham

Robert Milkins v Joe Perry

Shaun Murphy v Si Jiahui

Mark Allen v Fan Zhengyi

Stuart Bingham v David Gilbert

Ali Carter v Jak Jones

Neil Robertson v Wu Yize

Kyren Wilson v Ryan Day

John Higgins v David Grace

Gary Wilson v Elliot Slessor

Mark Selby v Matthew Selt

 

Leinster Minor Football – Big results for Dublin, Wicklow & Kildare

Wednesday’s second round of games in the Electric Ireland Leinster Minor Football Championship, Kildare, Dublin, and Wicklow remain unbeaten and sitting pretty at the top of the table.

Louth and Offaly also enjoyed big wins, putting them in a strong position for the knockout stages.

Electric Ireland Leinster MFC Round Two Results

DUBLIN 2-9 MEATH 0-11

KILDARE 1-9 LONGFORD 0-3

OFFALY 2-11 LAOIS 0-10

LOUTH 2-13 WESTMEATH 0-7

WICKLOW 0-10 WEXFORD 0-7

The standout match of the evening saw reigning champions Dublin take on 2020/2021 winners Meath in Navan. Paddy Curry got the Dubs off to a flying start with a fourth-minute goal, but Meath fought back and held a 0-5 to 1-1 lead at halftime thanks to two points each from John Harkin and Pat Crawley.

However, a goal and a point from man of the match Noah Byrne followed by scores from Lenny Cahill, Senan Ryan, and Joshua Young put Dublin in control, and they held on to win 2-10 to 0-11.

In Group One, Kildare narrowly led Longford 0-4 to 0-2 at halftime, but they turned on the style in the second half, with Man of the Match Ben Ryan leading the way from midfield. Joey Cunningham scored a stunning point, and Cian Keaveny set up Jack McCabe for Kildare’s only goal of the game, securing a 1-13 to 0-6 win.

Louth continued their strong form from their first-round defeat to Dublin with an impressive 2-13 to 0-7 victory over Westmeath. Adam Gillespie was the star of the show for Louth, scoring 1-5 including an early goal that helped them take a 1-5 to 0-4 lead at halftime. Robbie Matthews scored their second goal, and Ryan Shevlin and Liam Brannigan added some spectacular points to secure the win.

Offaly faced Laois in a fiercely contested game, with Laois leading 0-6 to 0-1 at halftime. However, Offaly fought back in the second half, with Cian Bracken, Christian McKeon, and Fionn Carney all scoring points. Fionn Carney’s goal capped off an excellent team move, and they held on to win 1-11 to 0-10.

Finally, Wicklow secured their first win of the season with a come-from-behind 0-10 to 0-7 victory over their opponents, who led 0-4 to 0-1 at halftime. Eddie Cullen and Éanna Nolan each scored two points in the second half to secure the win for Wicklow.

With Kildare, Dublin, and Wicklow still unbeaten, the next round of games promises to be exciting as the teams jostle for position ahead of the knockout stages.

From the Pitch to the Slots: The Evolution of Sports Entertainment

Sports entertainment has evolved significantly over the years, with the rise of technology leading to new ways for fans to consume sports content.

One of the latest trends in sports content is the integration of online gaming, with today’s players consuming their favourite sports in ever-changing ways.

Modern Day Sports Entertainment

The rise of technology has revolutionised the iGaming industry, leading to the emergence of online casinos and online gaming. Online casinos allow players to enjoy their favourite casino games from the comfort of their own homes. The convenience and accessibility of online gaming has contributed significantly to the growth of the industry.

As technology has advanced, so too has the quality of online gaming, with many online casinos now offering a wide range of games, such as the sports-themed online slots at Paddy Power Bingo that cater to sports enthusiasts, with titles such as Big Football Bonus and Slotting Slopes. These advancements have led to an increasing number of sports fans turning to online gaming as a way to enhance their sports experience.

How It All Started

Source: Unsplash

The history of sports entertainment dates back to the early days of organized sports, where people gathered to watch games and matches live on the pitch. As sports became more popular, new methods of engaging with sports emerged, particularly with the rise of the radio and the internet.

Radio broadcasts of sporting events became popular in the early 20th century, allowing fans to listen to live games from the comfort of their own homes. The introduction of televised broadcasts was soon to follow, which brought the action straight into people’s living rooms.

With the advent of the internet and mobile devices, sports fans can now access sports content from anywhere in the world. This has led to a surge in the popularity of online gaming, with many sports enthusiasts playing online slots as a way to enhance their sports experience.

Future Advancements

​​The future of sports entertainment is likely to be heavily influenced by technology, with online gaming set to play a more significant role than ever before. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more innovative ways for sports enthusiasts to consume sports content.

 Source: Unsplash

Virtual reality is a promising area for the future of sports entertainment, offering the possibility of an even more immersive experience. Online casinos are likely to continue to evolve and improve, with the top new technology trends and advancements leading to even better graphics and gameplay. The future of sports-themed online slots looks bright, with many exciting developments expected in the years to come.

Sports entertainment has come a long way since the early days of watching games on the pitch, with technology playing a significant role in the evolution of the industry. The rise of online gaming and online casinos has added a new dimension to the sports experience, with sports enthusiasts now combining their love of sports with online slots.

As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more innovative ways for sports enthusiasts to consume sports content, with virtual reality and other advancements set to play a more significant role in the future of sports entertainment.

James Ryan signs new two-year IRFU contract

Credit: IRFU.

James Ryan has signed a two year IRFU contract extension up to the end of the 2024/25 season.

Ryan made his international debut at the age of 20 against the USA in New Jersey in 2017.  He won his 51st cap for Ireland against Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Round three of the 2023 Guinness Six Nations in what was his seventh occasion captaining the senior national team. 

For Ireland he played a central role in the 2018 and 2023 Grand Slam successes along with the Triple Crown secured in 2022. He started all three Tests against New Zealand in July securing a first Series win in Aotearoa. Ryan also played in four of Ireland’s matches at RWC19.

At Leinster, James Ryan has he won a Heineken European Champions Cup (2018) and four PRO/URC titles (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021), and has made 71 appearances for Leinster scoring four tries.

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