In a winter sport deemed too fast and dangerous for the Olympics, Meath’s Karl O’Dwyer fell victim to the dangers of skiing at speeds over 170kph in the speed ski world championships this past week.
Karl is Irelands first ever and only competitive speed skier. In the 2019 season he finished 24th in the overall world cup rankings and set a personal and national non-motorized speed record clocking 195.33kph in Vars, France
This week however Karl fell victim to the dangers of the sport as he crashed traveling at a speed of over 160kph. The conditions on the day were very windy and the 2nd race of the day was cancelled due to safety concerns.
Karl lost control as he hit a wind pocket in the later stages of the run. Any slightly wrong move in this sport can cause fatal crashes. Karl was knocked out as he slid 300/400 meters down the track and was extremely lucky to walk away without any serious injuries.
The Irish women’s hockey squad will travel to France next week for a five-day camp, the first away trip of an exciting 2022 with a number of new faces getting a chance to impress.
The panel features 12 of the squad that qualified for this summer’s World Cup along with seven uncapped players who have been selected following recent high-octane sessions at the Sport Ireland campus in Abbotstown.
The new faces are: goalkeeper Holly Micklem (Old Alex), Eva Lavelle (UCD), Christina Hamill (Loreto), Siofra O’Brien (Loreto) and Katherine Egan (UCD). Charlotte Beggs (Ulster Elks) is another uncapped player who was part of the panel in Pisa while Caoimhe Perdue (UCC) lined out in uncapped matches for the senior panel in 2021 against Great Britain.
The side will travel to France on Monday and return on Friday, February 11th where they will take part in three uncapped games against France as part of the camp.
“This France series is the beginning of a new cycle with key events like the World Cup, the FIH Nations Cup and qualification for Paris 2024 all not that far away,” head coach Dancer said.
“I am excited to see how the wider squad of Irish athletes compete under the pressure of competition. We have included a good balance of experience and inexperienced players for our friendlies verse France.”
The 2022 National squad will be finalised towards the end of February with Niamh Carey and Ellen Curran unavailable for the time-being. The remaining players from the World Cup qualifiers continue to be available for selection for the year ahead.
Ireland will find out their World Cup group on February 17th following the completion this week of the qualification process in Pan-America, Africa and Asia while New Zealand and Australia were confirmed as Oceania’s representatives.
The World Cup will be split across Spain and the Netherlands and take place from July 1st to 17th. It will be followed by the European Championship qualifiers in Dublin from August 17th to 21st in a four-team competition also featuring Poland, the Czech Republic and Turkey.
And the year will be rounded out by the FIH Nations Cup in Valencia from December 10th to 17th in a high quality tournament which is listed as a potential qualifier for the FIH Pro League.
*The Irish senior women’s team is sponsored by SoftCo, Park Developments and Saba and supported by Sport Ireland and Sport NI.
Ireland women’s squad for French camp, February 6th-11th (club/caps)
Elizabeth Murphy (Loreto, 13)
Holly Micklem (Old Alex, 0)
Lena Tice (Old Alex, 122)
Hannah McLoughlin (UCD, 26)
Sarah McAuley (UCD, 9)
Erin Getty (Queen’s, 11)
Jane Kilpatrick (Belfast Harlequins, 1)
Caoimhe Perdue (UCC, 0)
Sarah Hawkshaw (Railway Union, 46)
Charlotte Beggs (Ulster Elks, 0)
Katie Mullan (Ballymoney, 206)
Eva Lavelle (UCD, 0)
Christina Hamill (Loreto, 0)
Sarah Torrans (Loreto, 33)
Zara Malseed (Ards, 7)
Siofra O’Brien (Loreto, 0)
Naomi Carroll (Catholic Institute, 121)
Katherine Egan (UCD, 0)
The Centenary of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) will be celebrated at next month’s friendly game with Belgium.
Two games in March
Stephen Kenny’s men will play the Belgians at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, 26 March 2022, with a 5pm kick-off.
The Irish side will play Lithuania the following Tuesday, 29 March 2022, with a 7.45 pm kick-off.
These opening fixtures of the 2022 international season will be preparation for the UEFA Nations League campaign when Ukraine and Scotland will visit Dublin in June.
These opening fixtures of the 2022 international season will be preparation for the UEFA Nations League campaign when Ukraine and Scotland will visit Dublin in June. And you want to place a bet on who will win those games, check out these amazing UK betting sites.
Tickets
Ticketing details for the Belgium and Lithuania games will be announced by the FAI later this month. The two fixtures are included in the FAI Season Ticket for 2022 which will opens for season ticket renewals only on Tuesday, February 1st. The public sale of new season tickets will commence on Monday, February 21st.
Looking ahead to the two March fixtures, FAI Chief Executive Jonathan Hill said:
“The Centenary of the FAI demands a very special opponent to celebrate the rich history of Irish teams on the international stage and what better opponents than the top ranked team in the world. Belgium have set the standards for developing young players in recent years and we are really excited by the visit of Roberto Martinez’s team. We also look forward to welcoming Lithuania to Dublin for the second of our games in March.”
Andrew Bourns and Sea Topblue won the $216,000 four-star NetJets Grand Prix in Florida. Credit: Sportfot.
Irish horses and riders dominated Saturday’s $216,000 four-star NetJets Grand Prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida.
Galway’s Andrew Bourns and The Irish Sport Horse Sea Topblue claimed the top prize while Louth’s Mark McAuley finished second aboard Jasco VD Bisschop.
From the 44 starters, 14 jumped clear to make it into the second round. The early pacesetter was Belgian Olympian Nicola Philippaerts and his own Moya VD Bisschop. They were second to go in the jump-off and set the time to beat at 39.25 seconds. The combination would eventually finish third, just ahead of Hector Florentino (DOM) in fourth with The Irish Sport Horse ABC Quantum Cruise.
Mark McAuley and Jasco VD Bisschop finish second
Nine horses after Philippaerts, WEF newcomer Mark McAuley and Jasco VD Bisschop, lowered the target time to 38.94 seconds.
“I didn’t really know what to expect,” McAuley admitted. “My horse was a bit tense and spooky when he went into the ring, a little bit overwhelmed, but he manned up quite well. I was quite proud of him actually.”
McAuley has ridden Jasco vd Bisschop since the horse was seven years old, and it has become his top horse. The pair represented Ireland in the 2021 European Championships.”
“He’s been my best horse for the last few years, the Louth man admitted, “obviously I’ll be aiming him now for the five-star here in a fortnight’s time.”
Louth’s Mark McAuley and Jasco VD Bisschop were second. Credit: Sportfot.
As the final entry in the jump-off, Bourns was able to squeak by his fellow Irishman and stop the timers in 38.76 seconds for a great win.
“I had a plan made for the jump-off and went in a little bit the mindset that I have a lot I still want to do with this horse this year so if it was fast enough, great, but I had a plan and was going to stick to it,” said Bourns of his jump-off ride.
It was a special win for Bourns on this horse that means so much to his family. The 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding by Chacco-blue has been with the Bourns since Andrew’s mother, the late Deirdre Bourns, bought him as a foal at an auction in Cavan.
The winner said with a smile, “This is probably his biggest win to date and one of mine too, so I’m pretty happy about that.”
Viktor Hovland wins in Dubai. Credit: Getty Images.
Viktor Hovland won his first Rolex Series title as he completed a sensational finish with a play-off victory over Richard Bland at the 2022 Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic.
The Norwegian was barely in the picture when he missed a short putt and made a bogey on the 15th but he finished birdie-eagle-birdie to sign for a 66 and post the target at 12 under.
Bland joined him in the clubhouse with a birdie-birdie finish of his own in a 68, with two-time champion Rory McIlroy finding water on the last to fall out of the play-off.
Hovland made a two-putt birdie on the first trip back up the 18th and when Bland failed to get up and down after finding a tricky lie with his second, it was the 24-year-old who was left holding the Dallah trophy at Emirates Golf Club.
Rory McIlroy cards 71 on final day
Rory McIlroy signed for a 71 to finish at 11 under, three shots clear of South African pair Justin Harding and Erik van Rooyen, English duo Tyrrell Hatton and Sam Horsfield and Pole Adrian Meronk.
Hovland becomes the first Norwegian to win a Rolex Series event. He adds this title to his maiden DP World Tour victory at the 2021 BMW International Open.
“This is pretty wild,” admitted Hovland. “I didn’t really think this was possible going in today. I knew I had to shoot a really low number but a lot of things had to go my way and thankful that it did.
“I was fuming after the three-putt on 15 and thought that was it. I knew I just had to try to finish off well and get a nice position for the week. I rolled a really long one on 16, and then on 17, and hey, we got a shot.
“I’m pumping right now. It’s a little bit surreal, and it’s hard to kind of calm yourself a little bit but you’ve just got to rely on all the shots that you hit and just go back to what you know.”
Third win in five starts for Hovland
It is his third win in five starts after back-to-back victories in November and December at the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba and Hero World Challenge, and could move him up to third in the Official World Golf Ranking.
“I have quite a lot to prove to be able to beat those guys (Jon Rahm and Collin Morikawa in the Official World Golf Ranking) but this is a good start and we’ll see what happens.
“I try not to over emphasise the Majors and the big tournaments. Obviously, these are the ones we want to play well in, but you know, this is a really cool week, great field, good course. I try to just prepare myself the best that I can for every single week.”
Irish athletes have been in good form during the past week, with a number of them setting new records.
This weekend, Molly Scott equalled the national 60m indoor record, before breaking it hours later, at the IUAA Track & Field Intervarsity Championships.
The Carlow athlete ran 7.27 earlier in the day to become a joint holder of the record with Amy Foster.
7.23 NATIONAL 60M RECORD. I’m the fastest Irish woman EVER indoors. A dream I’ve had since I was 10. To do this with my Mam as my coach makes it that more special. Excited for what’s to come 🌬 pic.twitter.com/tXiIaR9qCX
The St. Laurence O’Toole’s sprinter later became outright holder of the record with a stunning time of 7.23 seconds. Scott burst from the blocks in her now trademark style and powered all the way to the line to claim top spot on the Irish all-time list.
Israel Olatunde from UCD AC provided a new Irish U23 60m Record of 6.64 at TUS International Arena in Athlone, only two weeks after breaking Paul Hession’s 10 year old record.
🚨RECORD ALERT🚨
Israel Olatunde from UCD AC provided a new Irish U23 60m Record of 6.64 at TUS Arena in Athlone during the league Round 2
East Cavan Eagles AC’s Casey Mulvey set a new Irish U20 indoor record of 15.30m in the Shot Put at the Notre Dame Invite last weekend.
Rhasidat Adeleke broke her own Irish U23 400m Indoor Record last Sunday, setting a new time of 52.61 seconds. Adeleke is now a podium part of the all-time Irish senior list behind Karen Shinkins (51.58) and Phil Healy (51.94).
Women’s 400m 🤘
Kennedy Simon wins the event at 52.15 seconds 🔥
3. Rhasidat Adeleke – 52.61
4. Stacey Ann Williams – 52.62 pic.twitter.com/V4p4daoDPp
Cork Constitution overcame Ballynahinch to climb back into the top four of Energia All-Ireland League Division 1A.
A 77th-minute try from Munster’s Seán French sealed a 26-15 bonus point victory at Temple Hill, as Con got the better of the relegation-threatened Ulster side.
‘Hinch broke the deadlock in the 35th minute, their South African winger Shane Ball crossing in the corner via passes from Paddy Wright and Greg Hutley.
Con, who had number 8 David Hyland stretchered off, touched down through John Forde and Max Abbott either side of half-time.
A nice move off a scrum had Con’s Greg Higgins raiding over in the 66th minute. French stretched over for the bonus point score, before a late rally from ‘Hinch.
Bonus Point Wins for Top 3
The top flight’s leading three clubs also recorded bonus point victories, the largest of them coming at Lakelands Park where in-form Terenure College hammered UCD 60-8.
Terenure scored six first half tries – and nine in all – with their slick skills out wide creating scores for Colm de Buitléar, captain Stephen O’Neill and Craig Adams, who ran in his ninth of the campaign.
Bottom side UCC put it up to Clontarf, with an excellent intercept try from Timothy Duggan, but the league leaders prevailed 26-13 at Castle Avenue.
‘Tarf hooker Dylan Donnellan’s 11th try of the season keeps him at the top of the scoring charts. Returning lock Cormac Daly, Adrian D’Arcy and Cian O’Donoghue also crossed.
Out-half Peter Hastie scored 16 points in Lansdowne’s 46-5 dismissal of Garryowen, while Leinster Academy hooker Lee Barron scored two tries in Dublin University’s impressive 27-8 away defeat of Young Munster.
Division 1B
St Mary’s College were the only team to win on the road, as two tries each from captain Richie Halpin and Myles Carey guided them past Navan on a 36-28 scoreline.
Winger Paul Stack weighed in with a brace in Highfield’s 19-8 victory over Banbridge, and Naas overcame Shannon 38-29, their skipper Peter Osborne contributing 13 points to take his season’s haul to a mammoth 133.
Hooker Ben Burns’ 79th-minute maul try clinched a 22-7 triumph for table toppers Old Wesley against Old Belvedere.
ENERGIA MEN’S ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE – ROUND 12 RESULTS:
DIVISION 1A
Clontarf 26 UCC 13
Cork Constitution 26 Ballynahinch 15
Lansdowne 46 Garryowen 5
Terenure College 60 UCD 8
Young Munster 8 Dublin University 27
Division 1B
Highfield 19 Banbridge 8
Malone v City Of Armagh (Covid-19-affected match cancelled – 0-0. Both teams are awarded two points)
Naas 38 Shannon 29
Navan 28 St. Mary’s College 36
Old Wesley 22 Old Belvedere 7
Division 2A
Cashel 22 Old Crescent 19 MU Barnhall 50 Dolphin 24 Nenagh Ormond 41 Ballymena 7 Rainey Old Boys 3 Buccaneers 60 UL Bohemians 5 Queen’s University 58
Leopardstown Racecourse has announced that solicitors Patrick Ward & Company have renewed their support of the Grade 1 Irish Arkle Novice Chase. The race will be run on day 1 of the Dublin Racing Festival, Saturday 5 February 2022.
Patrick Ward & Company Solicitors have a long association with Leopardstown and the Irish Arkle. The Ward family name graced the Irish Arkle for the first time in 2010.
That season victory went to the Henry de Bromhead-trained An Cathaoir Mor, and subsequent years have seen winners such as Flemenstar, Un De Sceaux, Douvan and Energumene.
One of the feature events on the opening day of the Dublin Racing Festival, the Patrick Ward & Company Solicitors Irish Arkle Novice Chase was first run as a Grade 1 event in 2002. Subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kicking King was successful on that occasion for trainer Tom Taaffe and Barry Geraghty. He went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup two years later.
Tim Husbands CEO of Leopardstown welcomed the announcement, stating:
“We are delighted that Patrick is to continue this partnership with Leopardstown, the Ward family have sponsored the Irish Arkle for a number of years and have been part of and supported Dublin Racing Festival since its inception. The Patrick Ward & Company Irish Arkle Novice Chase has attracted a superb entry, from all the leading yards and if the recent performance of last year’s winner of the race; Energumene, are anything to go by, this will be another exciting renewal!”
Cathal Forde follows in the footsteps of Eric Elwood by starting at fly-half for Connacht, both players attended Galway City school Colaiste Iognaid (The Jes).
Forde who only recently signed a pro contract with the western province will make his first start for Connacht against Glasgow on Saturday. He will hope to have a career like Elwood who played for Connacht 168 times and Ireland on 35 occasions and is still working with the province.
Below you can listen to Cathal chat about his rugby career, this was filmed last May.
Tiernan O’Halloran will become the fourth Connacht player to reach 200 caps the Clifden native made his Connacht debut in October 2009 at the age of just 18 and has been a mainstay in the squad ever since. He joins John Muldoon, Michael Swift and Denis Buckley as the only players to reach the historic milestone.
Buckley meanwhile will make a welcome return from a serious knee injury, with the prop among the replacements for what is due to be his first appearance of the season.
Jordan Duggan and Greg McGrath retain their places as starting props, with hooker Dave Heffernan alongside them in the front row. There’s a new look second row of Ultan Dillane and Leva Fifita, while Eoghan Masterson and Paul Boyle also come into the side in the back row. Jarrad Butler captains the team from openside flanker.
The centre partnership is unchanged with Sammy Arnold alongside Tom Farrell, and there’s a start on the wing for another Academy graduate Diarmuid Kilgallen. Alex Wootton completes the side from the opposite wing.
Commenting on the team selection, Head Coach Andy Friend says:
“Tiernan’s 200th cap is a huge achievement for him. To play 200 times for one club is a testament to his loyalty to Connacht, his dedication to the game, and his ability as a footballer. The fact that he’s reached the milestone for his home province, having come through the ranks at Connemara RFC and Garbally College, only adds to the achievement.
Tomorrow’s game is a really important one in the context of the URC standings. We don’t have many home games left so it’s crucial we pick up as many points as possible in these fixtures. The results of the last two weeks were disappointing so it’s up to all of us to ensure we do enough for 80 minutes to get the win.”
CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY 23 VS GLASGOW WARRIORS
Saturday 29th January, 14:55 @ The Sportsground
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Tiernan O’Halloran will become the fourth Connacht player to reach 200 caps the Clifden native made his Connacht debut in October 2009 at the age of just 18 and has been a mainstay in the squad ever since. He joins John Muldoon, Michael Swift and Denis Buckley as the only players to reach the historic milestone.