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Membership of Seven Worlds Racing Club – an ideal Christmas gift

Looking for a late Christmas present for a sports fan? How about membership of a racing club?

Seven Worlds Racing Club is currently accepting new members and is certainly an option worth considering.

The Club has two horses, Seven Worlds, a four-year-old gelded son of No Nay Never and Brokers Tip, a three-year-old gelded son of Anjaal. Both horses are trained on The Curragh by Darren Bunyan.

Membership benefits of the Seven Worlds Racing Club include free admission tickets to race meetings where a club horse runs, a share of prize-money won, stable visits to Darren Bunyan’s, a membership pack with branded merchandise, membership card, access to the Club app, regular features magazine and a loyalty discount, to name but a few.

Twelve month membership costs €350 and there is a guarantee of no further costs throughout the 12-month period. The Seven Worlds Racing Club also has a pay quarterly option, as well as a special offer of €650 if two people join – giving a saving of €50.

If you don’t want to head into the traffic jams in your local town in the coming days, and still don’t have some Christmas presents, then perhaps this is a good option, as you can join Seven Worlds Racing Club from the comfort of your home via your computer or mobile phone.

For further details on joining Seven Worlds Racing Club, log on to www.sevenworldsracingclub.com. There is an FAQ section available on their website at: https://sevenworldsracingclub.com/faqs.php

Cup competitions offer Barcelona the chance of a road to redemption

Not even the return of legendary former player Xavi Hernández, despite all the hopes and expectations, could save Barcelona from their UEFA Champions League fate. Comfortably beaten 3-0 at Bayern Munich in the final round of group games, the Spanish giants were out of the competition and forced to accept the consolation prize.

Finishing third in a Champions League group that also contained Benfica and Dynamo Kiev, that was far below the ambitions of Barcelona this season, regardless of all the turmoil which surrounds this huge club economically. Being bounced unceremoniously out of the elite competition will bring further financial disappointment, just when they least need it, amidst a pressing need to bring in much-needed funds.

However, aside from the inevitable dismay at falling by the wayside in one competition, Barcelona can at least continue their continental adventures this term, should they choose to take the UEFA Europa League seriously. Alongside the likes of Borussia Dortmund and fellow Spanish outfit Sevilla, the side now led by Xavi has already been installed as one of the favourites to lift the trophy.

 

By contrast, predictions in LaLiga are looking pretty grim. Even with the arrival of Xavi, who was initially tipped to bring fresh impetus to a largely underperforming team, Barcelona has yet to find the rhythm which many believe they are still capable. Prior to the Champions League exit, Barcelona also suffered a frustrating 1-0 home defeat against Real Betis, leaving them seventh in the table and 16 points behind leaders Real Madrid.

Inevitably, the title odds for Barcelona continue to lengthen and at the moment, they are priced at 33/1 to win LaLiga. Just to put this into some context, this is equal to what many bookies are offering for Real Sociedad, while Sevilla and Atlético Madrid are both valued at much shorter odds. Meanwhile, even finishing in the top four may be a difficult proposition, as those odds also continue to lengthen.

Comparing odds and offers is always good advice, before deciding who to back. This is why Arabian Betting has produced a comprehensive list of the best online sports betting sites, carefully evaluating each with detailed reviews and a transparent rating system. This covers key elements like safety and security, the overall quality of service provided, plus the diversity and range of betting markets each site has to offer.

Insofar as the betting markets for Barcelona are concerned this season, while backing them to win LaLiga currently seems like a speculative punt at best, the cup competitions could bring some welcome relief to their millions of disgruntled fans. Although they might sniff at the perceived lesser value of the UEFA Europa League, you can bank on Xavi being motivated. He will undoubtedly set the competition as a primary objective.

 

There is one clearly added incentive to winning the UEFA Europa League, given that lifting the trophy also provides a pathway back into the UEFA Champions League next season. That could prove important, should Barcelona continue to stutter and stumble in LaLiga, unable to finish within the top four. Likewise, continental competition brings valuable experience for the younger players, which Xavi will regard as being highly valuable towards their progress.

Although restoring some pride in LaLiga will be crucial towards restoring confidence, there is absolutely no substitute for the tangible success of lifting a trophy. Assuming that hunting down the UEFA Europa League will be the primary objective; the secondary will most surely be going all the way in the Copa del Rey. After all, this is the one competition Barcelona has won more times than any other team in Spain, achieving their 31st Copa del Rey title last season.

Given they don’t enter the Spanish cup competition until the Round of 32, and the format is seeded to ensure matchups with lower league teams until the Round of 16, it’s fair to say that Barcelona would have an easy pathway to the Quarter-Finals. From then onwards, it’s luck of the draw which dictates their opponents, while the biggest LaLiga Santander rivals might view their other objectives with more importance.

Indeed, the road to redemption for Xavi and this Barcelona team could be the cup competitions. They genuinely offer the best chance of silverware this season, which is certainly what the iconic new head coach will be seeking, eager to lay down strong foundations of early success upon which he can build. 

Biggest Horse Racing shocks of 2021

The unpredictable nature of horse racing is one of the things that makes it such a riveting sport. The hurdles, horse/jockey relationship, sharp turns and weather conditions are all elements which add extra jeopardy to the sport and contribute to the high number of shock results and underdog wins.

2020 was a year with even more shocks than usual, due to many horses and jockeys having to pull out of races due to travel and health restrictions. One of the biggest surprise results of 2020 occurred at the Epsom Derby in July, where the first three places paid out at 56,000/1. The winner that day was Serpentine who was heavily unfancied at 25/1, followed by Khalifa at 50/1 and Amhran Na Bhfiann. While 2021 featured somewhat fewer restrictions, cancellations and postponements, there were still plenty of big shocks throughout the year.

Torquator Tasso – Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Longchamp)

4-year-old German thoroughbred Torquator Tasso was the shock winner of October’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, becoming only the third German trained horse to win the race, following in the footsteps of Danedream in 2011 and Star Appeal in 1975. This victory was as much a shock to fans at Longchamp as it was to viewers across Europe. Before the race, experts like Andy Holding, who provides horse racing tips for Oddschecker, were reporting that Tasso was extremely unfancied at 80/1. Even Marcel Weiss, Tasso’s rookie trainer said, “we would have been happy if he had finished third, fourth, fifth or sixth”, which shows how much the result surprised the team. This was Torquator Tasso’s third win of the season, but by far the most impressive, with the previous two coming in much smaller races Hansa-Preis and Grosser Preis von Baden in his native Germany.

Reshoun – Ascot Stakes

Running as a 66/1 underdog from a field of 19, Reshoun produced one of the performances of the season in winning the 2021 Ascot Stakes on day one of the Royal Ascot meeting. As with many underdog winners, Reshoun and his trainer were able to keep up with the leading pack, before making a dash for the front in the final furlong. The win was made even more shocking and impressive by the fact that legendary jockey Frankie Dettori was overtaken after making a final dash for the finish line on his horse Golden Rules. Reshoun’s jockey William Buick does have great pedigree, having won three previous Classics, however, this was his first win since the Epsom Derby in 2018. In Reshoun’s four other races of 2021 he placed 11th, 12th, 7th and 8th, proving just how surprising the Ascot Stakes result was.

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Jeff Kidder – Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Cheltenham)

In the biggest Cheltenham Festival shock in the last 30 years, Irish Bay Gelding Jeff Kidder won the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at 80/1, beating 9/2 favourite Saint Sam. Even after a few jumping mistakes during the race, Kidder and jockey Sean Flanagan finished strong to claim Flanagan’s first ever Cheltenham victory. In the pre-race predictions, only two horses were less fancied than Kidder making it one of the shocks of the century. In the months after Cheltenham the horse and jockey pair went on to win further races at Fairyhouse and Punchestown, as well as two consecutive third places at the end of the year, ensuring his pre-race odds are much shorter these days.

Freewheelin Dylan – Irish Grand National

The biggest shock on this list in terms of odds is Freewheelin Dylan, the 150/1 winner of the 2021 Irish Grand National. Ridden by Ricky Doyle, this was Dylan’s first appearance since finishing last out of a field of eight at Punchestown last year. After taking the lead at the first jump, the nine-year old led to race until the end. Speaking after the race, Doyle said “I could not believe it – I thought everything was too good to be true! His jumping is just out of this world, but how well he travelled and the rhythm he was in (was unbelievable).”, which shows how much of a shock the win was.

Increased Popularity Of Sports Themes In Gambling? Here Is Why!

Gambling has evolved into a popular kind of entertainment for individuals all around the world. Slot machines have long been a favorite of many gamblers, dating back to when they were first introduced to the gaming market. The ease, thrill, and excitement of slots are the primary reasons why more and more people are drawn to them whenever they visit a casino, whether online or offline. However, one of the primary causes individuals are attracted to slots is the appealing themes available.

Different Themed Slots

Developers are coming up with new ideas to use on slot machines to lure more players as the industry evolves. In the slot machines, you’ll find horror-themed, Disney-themed, Ancient Egyptian-themed, and a plethora of other themes. Sports-themed slot machines are another popular topic. People are as fascinated with slots as they are with sports. As a result, the game developers had quite a brilliant idea to use a sports theme.

Themes related to sports in slot machines have grown in popularity in recent years due to the numerous sporting events held throughout the world. Several Situs slot online terpercaya (trusted online slot sites) have developed a variety of sports-themed slot machines to keep their clients entertained. Is this, however, the only reason for the growing popularity of sports-themed slot machines? In this article, we’ll find the reason!

Why Is Sport So Much Loved?

Sports is one fun source of entertainment that you can enjoy both by playing or by just watching. Due to this, sports have become an essential part of everyone’s lives. Sports are a terrific way to get away from reality. One of the key reasons why people are so fascinated by sports is that it showcases the extraordinary achievements that people can accomplish. Several sports fans also feel that sports are a kind of communication with other people that keeps them connected to social life and motivates them throughout their lives.

With this in mind, several game developers have come up with the idea of creating sports-themed slot machines so that players can spend more time playing their favorite games without having to learn new abilities and that they may enjoy them whenever and anywhere in groups or alone.

Sports Gambling and Playing Slots in the World

Sports betting has recently accelerated its growth in the gambling business. This gambling is entertaining, but the critical component, sports betting bets, is something that people must understand over time. While betting on sports is simple, not having enough information on the different types of bets can make or break a deal.

People love sports, and incorporating sports into slot machines is a terrific way to allow individuals who aren’t particularly good at playing sports or wagering in sports. As a result, in the following section, we will learn about the different reasons why sports-themed slots are so popular and widely accepted.

Reasons for the Popularity

To get started, we should understand that though people love playing in slot machines, the sports-themed slots specifically were designed keeping in mind the sports fan, making games more accessible to play for them. The following are some other causes why sports-themed slots have become so famous.

Multiple options

Slot machines already feature a diverse selection of games. However, game developers are increasingly creating games that are themed after other types of sports, giving gamers a wide range of possibilities for playing their favorite sports. If you want to play any sport, you can select any sport-themed slot. Not only that, but you will find variations in a single sport-themed game, you can choose to play at your own comfort, which clearly gives an idea that there would be so many other options too to play.

Exciting bonus offered

Every slot machine has enticing bonuses to offer to its users. The same can be said for slots with sports themes. Sports-themed slots come with a range of bonuses, but it’s the random bonuses that make them even more enjoyable. Players receive unexpected bonuses and rewards while playing these slots, which enhance their slot-playing experience. Not only that, but sports-themed slots also have exciting pay-outs that appeal to most players.

High Tech & player friendly

Sports-themed slots have just lately entered the market, but they have quickly become the industry’s most popular due to the high-tech audio and visuals they offer. Not only that, but all of the sports-themed slots are playable on any device, including desktops and mobile phones, ensuring that players are entertained at all times.

The ease of the players is a focus

Playing sports, whether in real life or a PlayStation or Xbox, necessitates some level of skill on the part of the players. On the other hand, sports-themed slots do not require any of them. Game designers have always prioritized the players’ comfort, and as a result, slots that are as engaging and exciting to play as any sports game have been created which do not require any specialized skills.

Feel the reality

Though slot games are all about spinning the reels and waiting for them to line up, their themes add to the players’ enjoyment. Especially in sports-themed slots, which require much of a stadium crowd, the cheering noise, and applauding sounds, many developers have incorporated many of these elements in their sports-themed slots games. This is done so that players can enjoy the feel of slots and sports at once without even leaving their house.

Final Views

Slot machines are undoubtedly one of the most stimulating formats of gambling. However, with the introduction of sports-themed slots, online slots have been able to attract a more significant number of players, particularly sports lovers. The reasons listed above are just a snippet of what sports-themed slots have to offer their players, but once they begin playing these slots, they will discover even more reasons as to why there is so much buzz and popularity surrounding this type of gambling.

Munster Rugby 19 Castres Olympique 13

Munster, in their first home Heineken Champions Cup game of the season, achieved their second victory in less than a week as they claimed a 19-13 win over Castres Olympique.

This round 2 game was frustrating for the home side as Johann Van Graan’s side only scored one try on a cold night at Thomond Park in Limerick.

Munster, who beat Wasps 35-14 on the road last weekend at Coventry Building Society Arena, would have expected an easier success against what many viewed as a Castres second-string side.

Healy opened the scoring

Castres were penalised for not rolling away in the sixth minute giving Ben Healy the ideal opportunity to open the scoring. The Munster number 10 successfully kicked the penalty for an early Munster lead. In the 28th minute, Healy doubled the advantage when scoring his second penalty of the night.

Damian De Allende thought he had scored the hosts’ opening try of the game shortly after the half hour mark when the former Springbok crossed the line, with his side having a penalty advantage.

The officiating team, who spent a long period of time in discussion before finally coming to a decision, said the South African had failed to successfully touch down.

With less than a minute remaining in the opening half, Urdapilleta got his side on the score board when kicking a straightforward penalty from just outside the 22m line.

Half-time: Munster Rugby 9 Castres Olympique 3

Second half

It took the home side until the cusp of the hour mark before they finally scored a try. Jack O’Donoghue achieved his first European Cup try, and his 28th Munster career try, when the Waterford man touched down in in front of the East Stand.

The initial on-field decision was no try, but following consultation between the officials, English referee Matthew Carley awarded the five-pointer. Ben Healy added the extras with an excellent kick from the touchline to push his side into a 16-3 lead.

Urdapilleta doubled Castres’ score when successfully kicking his second penalty of the night from just outside the 22m line.

Munster headed into the final 15 minutes of the game with a 16-6 advantage as Johann Van Graan began to empty his bench. Healy kicked another penalty with 10 minutes remaining on the clock as he extended Munster’s lead to 19-6.

It was the visitors who had the final say in the game, however, as Kevin Kornath crossed for the French side’s try, before Urdapilleta converted, leaving Munster six point victors.

Final score: Munster Rugby 19  Castres Olympique 13

Munster Rugby:

15. Patrick Campbell, 14. Andrew Conway, 13. Chris Farrell, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Keith Earls, 10. Ben Healy, 9. Conor Murray.

1. Dave Kilcoyne, 2. Niall Scannell, 3. John Ryan, 4. Jean Kleyn, 5. Tadhg Beirne, 6. Peter O’Mahony (captain), 7. John Hodnett, 8. Jack O’Donoghue.

Munster Replacements:

16. Diarmuid Barron, 17. Josh Wycherley, 18. Keynan Knox, 19. Jason Jenkins, 20. Jack O’Sullivan, 21. Craig Casey, 22. Jack Crowley, 23. Alex Kendellen.

Castres Olympique:

15. Larregain, 14. Guillemin, 13. Combezou, 12. Aguillon, 11. Nakosi, 10. Urdapilleta, 9. Arata.

1. De Benedittis,2. Ngauamo, 3. Hounkpatin, 4. Jacquet, 5. Hannoyer, 6. de Crespigny, 7. Meka, 8. Kornath.

Castres Olympique Replacements:

16. Humbert, 17. Nostadt, 18. Guillamon, 19. Whetton, 20.Li Williams, 21. Kockott, 22. Le Brun, 23. Zeghdar.

Munster Rugby Confirm Johann van Graan Departure At End Of Season

Munster Rugby Head Coach Johann van Graan has made the decision to depart the province at the end of the current season, on completion of his current contract.

Joining the province in November 2017, van Graan was offered a two-year contract extension and after much consideration has made the decision to not progress with the deal and will complete his time with the province at the end of June 2022.

Head Coach Johann van Graan said, “While I was at advanced stages in the contract process earlier this year, I took a step back and reconsidered my options, prioritising what’s best for my family, myself, and Munster Rugby. It might be time for Munster fans to use powerplay.com to back the who will be the next coach in Thomond Park

“My family and I settled well into life here, this is our home, and in an ideal world we would love to continue living in Limerick, but I’ve been looking at the bigger picture.

“After arriving during the 2017/18 season, I am now into my fifth season with this group and in putting Munster first I believe it’s the right decision for me to call time on my contribution and step away at the end of this season.

“While we have achieved so much together, and still have over six months of the season remaining, I wanted any uncertainty about my future addressed as early as possible.

“Working with this coaching team, staff, and players we are always striving to do our best for Munster Rugby, and nothing will change on that front.

“It has been an incredible journey and I’m hugely proud of this group for everything we have done to-date knowing there is so much more to come as we move towards the business end of the season.”

Munster Rugby CEO Ian Flanagan added, “We will be disappointed to see Johann go at the end of the season, he will be widely missed after forming such close relationships across the organisation.

“Johann has been a valued addition to the province and integral to all the successes we have achieved over the past four years.

“His hands-on approach and tireless work ethic have ensured the structures are well in place for continued success and we know he will continue to deliver on all fronts for the remainder of the season.

“For now, we are working closely with the IRFU in looking to identify suitable replacements with the confirmed departures of both Johann and Steve (Stephen Larkham) next summer.”

During his time van Graan has provided much needed stability across the High Performance Centre further aligning the senior and academy structures with more visibility for the next generation of players.

Players such as Shane Daly, Gavin Coombes, Fineen Wycherley, Craig Casey, Thomas Ahern, and Ben Healy to name a few have all progressed in their careers during his tenure.

The former Springbok coach was the catalyst for securing the services of the World Cup winning duo of RG Snyman and Damian de Allende while he also oversaw the recruitment of key signings such as Joey Carbery, Alby Mathewson, Mike Haley, and Simon Zebo.

The second longest-serving Munster coach of the professional era, Johann has guided the province to consistent successful performances across Europe and the domestic league. Since joining in 2017 Munster have reached two Champions Cup semi-finals, three league semi-finals, and a PRO14 final earlier this year.

Top 5 sports Irish people love

Like many countries around the world, sport is a common pastime in Ireland. With some homegrown games and other international sports, these are the top five sports Irish people love.

Sports play a huge part in all areas of life in Ireland. From school games to professional level, personal hobbies to spectator events, sport is one of the most common pastimes across the island.

According to statistics, over half the population of Ireland takes part in sports at least once a week. So, there is no denying that it has a huge influence on life in the country.

With Olympic medalists representing the country and bringing home gold to world-class footballers competing in events such as the World Cup, Ireland’s sporting prowess is one to be admired. 

So, if you’re a sporting fanatic planning a visit to the Emerald Isle, these are the top five sports Irish people love.

  1. Boxing – various global successes

Boxing has been a popular sport in Ireland for over 100 years. However, the sport has grown hugely in popularity across Ireland in recent years, with talented Irish boxers making a big mark on the global stage. 

The Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) is the national governing body for amateur boxing, which was founded in 1911. 

Some of the biggest names in Irish boxing are Steve Collins from Dublin, Barry McGuigan from County Monaghan, and Carl Frampton from Belfast.

Recently, Irish boxers such as Kellie Harrington, Kurt Walker, and Katie Taylor have proved hugely successful on the world stage. So, boxing is certainly one of the sports Irish people love.

  1. Rugby – over 95,000 rugby players in Ireland

Ireland ranks among one of the best in the world in rugby, with the national team proving hugely successful in global sporting events. 

In recent years, Ireland has won two Six Nations titles, one in 2014 and one in 2015, and a Grand Slam in 2018. Going from strength to strength, Ireland’s talent for the sport has proven incredibly impressive.

Rugby is a popular sport in Ireland, from school right through to professional level, with big games proving hugely important events in the Irish sporting calendar for many.

On a more local level, rugby in Ireland is split into the four provinces, with teams competing for Ulster, Munster, Leinster, and Connacht. Overall, there is said to be over 95,000 rugby players across the whole island. 

Ireland has also produced some of the most talented rugby players of all time, with names such as Brian O’Driscoll, Jonny Sexton, and Paul O’Connell being huge names in the game.

  1. Golf – four world-class golf courses

Thanks to its abundance of world-class golf courses, it is no surprise that golf is one of the sports that Irish people love.

Brilliant courses across the country, such as the Royal Portrush, The K Club, and Portmarnock, have played host to international sporting events, such as The Open.

Plus, with luxury resorts offering fantastic golf courses, there are plenty of places around the island you can go for an unforgettable golf break.

The Emerald Isle has also produced some of the biggest names in golf in recent years. Golfers such as Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell, and Padraig Harrington have firmly cemented Ireland’s status as a talented golfing nation.

While the Irish weather is not always best suited for the sport, the months between May and September tend to be mildest. Thus, the sport proves most popular in Ireland throughout the summer.

  1. Football – one of the most popular sports in the world

With over three billion followers worldwide, the game of football, or soccer, is perhaps the most popular and most followed sport in the world. The Emerald Isle is no exception to this rule.

Ireland plays host to two domestic football leagues, which are the League of Ireland and the Irish League. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) acts as the official governing body of the sport across Ireland. 

Contrasting with rugby, both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland compete as separate national teams in football at world sporting events.

Some of the most notable players to emerge from Ireland include Roy Keane, George Best, and Robbie Keane.

  1. GAA – Ireland’s very own sporting association

The Gaelic Games tops our list of sports Irish people love. Gaelic football, hurling, handball, and camogie all come under the umbrella of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), which is Ireland’s very own homegrown sporting association.

Gaelic Games prove popular in Ireland from school level right through to professional, and major sporting events prove to be some of the most important dates in the Irish calendar. 

Gaelic football proves popular in Irish towns, as local areas compete against one another. The pinnacle of the Irish sporting calendar is the All Ireland Football Final, which sees counties compete for the coveted prize each year.

Can Mendy, Christensen, Mount, And Lukaku Be The Spine Of The New Chelsea?

It’s safe to say that Premier League is very popular in Ireland. This is pretty clear when you look at some of the local bookies like https://www.mrgreen.com/ie/, for example, and realize that this league is one of the main competitions. The reason why Premier League is so popular in this country is the number of Irish players who have written the history of this league in the past.

 

Today, however, we’re not going to talk about Irish players. Today, we are going to talk about the new spine of Chelsea Football Club. Back in the day, the spine consisted of Petr Chech, John Terry, Frank Lampard, and Didier Drogba. Today, we can see similar players who might be able to be the spine for the new Chelsea. Let’s see whether or not Edouard Mendy, Andres Christensen, Mason Mount, and Romelu Lukaku have what it takes for this.

Edouard Mendy

After a few adventures with goalkeepers, Chelsea finally has Mr. Reliable at the goal. His name is, of course, Edouard Mendy and he’s proving to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world today. This season, Mendy started all 11 games for Chelsea in the Premier League and managed to keep 7 clean sheets. If someone deserves to be compared to Petr Chech, it’s this fella.

Andreas Christensen

You might be asking yourselves – why didn’t we put Rudiger on this list? Well, Rudiger’s future in the club is not certain, even though he is one of the most important players for the team. Andreas Christensen, however, will likely stay one of the pillars of Chelsea’s defense in years to come. This season, Christensen has played 8 games in the Premier League and kept 5 clean sheets. However, his playing style and the ability to position himself perfectly remind us of the one and only John Terry.

Mason Mount

Chelsea’s golden boy. Mason Mount is the product of the Chelsea academy and it represents everything good about Chelsea’s school. Frank Lampard believed in him and it proved to be the right thing to do. This season, Mason played 9 matches, scored 3 goals, and had 2 assists. However, his performance on the pitch is much more than what you can see in the stats. His vision resembles the one Frank Lampard had when he played for the club.

Romelu Lukaku

Chelsea finally managed to lock down a true striker this past summer. Lukaku played his career best last season for Inter Milan and he decided to come home and prove that he can be the new Didier Drogba. He started the season in a wonderful way, by scoring one against Arsenal and two against Aston Villa, but then came the dry spell and the injury. However, he can definitely be the striker Chelsea needs to win the Premier League.

 

What were once Chech, Terry, Lampard, and Drogba are now Mendy, Christensen, Mount, and Lukaku. Can they win the league like their predecessors? Based on the 11 games this season, they just might.

Farrell Faces Tough Decision Regarding Ageless Sexton

Johnny Sexton continues to display his incredible skills at the highest level for Ireland after leading his team to a dominant victory over Japan in his 100th cap. The 36-year-old marked the occasion with a try, the 16th of his international career, along with a penalty and four conversions.

Despite his advancing years, Sexton remains the heartbeat and the foundation of the Ireland team. His importance to the side cannot be understated, even with the talented Joey Carbery waiting in the wings. Injuries have started to diminish elements of his skills, but he has improved the mental aspects of his game and his leadership on the field is second to none in the squad.

However, Ireland must have an honest conversation about whether Sexton will remain the same player in two years for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where Andy Farrell’s men are backed at 4/1 in the rugby betting odds with Sexton in the line-up. The consensus is that Ireland are the third-best side in the Northern Hemisphere, which tends to agree with the current world rankings, although the order currently places France behind the Shamrocks.

Sexton is providing a valuable impact in the short term and will help his side compete with Les Bleus and England in the Six Nations. The fly-half was instrumental in Ireland’s comfortable 32-18 victory over England on home soil last season that was not as close as the scoreline suggested. Beyond the tournament, Farrell will have to consider whether he should turn the team over at fly-half in favour of Carbery or hand rising star Harry Byrne valuable minutes on the field. It has worked in other positions, although the coach may be concerned about wholesale changes in the ranks.

Ireland are in a strange position in terms of a transition between teams. Sexton and Conor Murray are still worthy of their places in the side, which is fantastic for Farrell to have at his disposal, but in the long term, the next generation does not appear to be hammering at the door to oust them from their roles in the backfield. After the 2019 World Cup and the departure of Joe Schmidt, Rory Best retired from the game and handed the captaincy to Sexton. The transition in the front row was a smooth one as Ronan Kelleher replaced Best at hooker and has taken to international rugby like a duck to water, excelling in the early stages of his career.

Kelleher is a prime example of a player that was ready for the rigours of playing for Ireland and stepping into the shoes of a legend. Carbery has shown glimpses of his talent in his relief of Sexton when the veteran has been sidelined due to injury, but has not delivered enough in his brief starts to prove that he can step into his shoes. Sexton will be 38 by the time of the next World Cup and Carbey will be 27. One of those players should be at the peak of their powers. However, modern-day sport has proven that players can continue to excel into their late thirties and beyond. Farrell has to judge the decision to perfection to ensure that his team are competitive in 2023.

One Step Further from the Premier League: Irish Best Young Talents

Ireland is one hell of a country, and the Paddies are one of their proudest symbols. When we think of Irish players, our mind tends to flow immediately to Robbie Keane, the famed Irishman who terrorized Premier League’s defenses for years and years, scoring more than 50 goals for his national squad as well. Unfortunately, that’s just about it (with the exception of keen observers of the sport or, of course, Irish nationals). 

We should get to know the tone and specificities of each league in order to better understand football, and the Overlyzer Live Betting tool appears as one of the best ways to analyze, in a match-day, several games at once, and thus start coming to a sense about what teams are more exciting to watch play, and who to put our eyes on.

For those of us who are look carefully, there are more than a couple of young paddies that are set to take Ireland by storm, and perhaps even make a sensible impact in the Premier League. This is the result of an irish effort to reform their football, and it seems to have worked wonders. Talking about wonders, let’s look at the talent that is just now blossoming and may mean glory to the Irish, and appetizing bids for their teams.

Irish Top Young Talents:

Troy Parrott

Troy needs not to show off to go to England, for he is already there. From Spurs, he has been on loan, first at Milwall and then at Ipswich, which is not surprising, considering his age: he is only nineteen years old. As a center-forward, he not only has mobility, but a keen eye for the net, that appears to be natural for him. Not nearly as known as the next entry, Nathan Collins, we may seem him at Spurs, in their first team, soon enough. If not, in a Premier League club. Be that as it may, he seems destined to succeed.

Nathan Collins

This young center-back is already playing cards in the Premier League, wearing Burnley’s shirt. The best evaluated young irish player by transfermarkt, Nathan not only shows that he is a sturdy paddy, but that he can initiate plays as well, and even pose some troubles with his vicious headings. Seems like he won’t be leaving the Premier League any time soon.

Andrew Omobamidele

Continuing with a defensive talent, it’s time for Andrew. Omobamidele is a bit of a tongue twister, but the bet is that we will be saying his name so many teams, we will get used to it. At least, it seems that his talent is demanding us to get used to him. After a successful stint at Norwich last season, where he took the opportunity handed to him by the unfortunate injuries of his teammates, he is now regarded as an high-IQ center-back, versed on anticipation and a reading of the game that is unnatural for a player his age, he relies also on a technical prowess above-average to be a part of both phases of the game. Along with Nathan, Ireland has a central backbone for years and years to come.

Jason Knight

Last but not least is Jason Knight, another shiny youngster that is already in England and has no plans of leaving soon. He, incredibly, already is one of Derby’s captains, by orders of Rooney, who relies on this young midfielder as though he is a veteran. With a James Milner’s type of attitude to it, of complete and imposing attitude towards the entire game, Jason Knight is prone to be the captain of Ireland soon enough. Naturally a box-to-box, he can also play as a ten or as a right-midfielder, as this polyvalence shows not only technical capability, but also sacrifice for the team.

A New Super Generation?

Time will be the judge of all this players’, and others’, careers. One thing is certain, though: there is plenty to go around and it would be a shame to see all this talent go to waste.