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Tips To Increase Profits as A Horse Bettor

Have you been betting on horse racing for a while now but don’t seem to be turning a profit? Do you want to know what you should be doing to increase your chances of making a profit while betting on horse racing?

Horse betting has become a popular pastime for many people. There are several reasons why this is the case, and we will discuss them in detail. The first reason that draws people to horse betting is the excitement of watching horses racing each other at full speed. Horse racing is one of those sports where you can see both riders and animals compete against each other with their own abilities to rely on. Horse betting online is a fun and exciting way to enjoy the thrill of horse racing. British Racecourses lists many Irish websites that allow you to bet on horses without ever leaving your home, making it easy for people who can’t make it out to the track. These sites offer great odds as well as many different types of bets such as win, place, show, and more!  Once you’ve found one that fits your needs best, all you need is a credit card and an Internet connection!

Another reason why people love horse betting is that it provides opportunities for everyone; even if you don’t have a lot of money to bet, there are still ways that you can enjoy the thrill of the sport. Here are tips to follow if you want to increase your profits as a sports bettor. 

Compare Odds  

The very first thing you should be doing as a horse bettor is to make sure that you are not putting all of your eggs into one basket. Many people are under the impression that when it comes to any kind of sports betting, especially horse racing, you can only bet on who you think the winner might be. While this is partly true, and you can bet on who you think the winner might be, the odds of making a profit from this are minimal. 

This is where comparing your odds and shopping around for different bets comes in. There are different kinds of bets that you can make when it comes to horse racing, some with greater odds, but a lower payout, and others with much lower odds and a much greater payout. 

Learning the different kinds of bets is a great way to know about the odds you have of winning and what you might make in profit. 

Never Forget Research   

By far, one of the biggest elements of sports betting, especially when it comes to horse racing, is doing your research. With sports betting being available online these days, doing the research before you make your bet has been made so much easier than ever before. 

Doing research is the only way that you will be able to make an informed decision and bet on a horse that will be more likely to win or at least make you money in your bet. You should not just bet on the horse that you think looks the strongest or the fastest, but rather base your decision on their history, and also who they are racing against in order to make an informed bet. 

Bet On Multiple Races   

When it comes to betting on horses, you may have your heart set on a single race, and if that’s what you want to do, then there is no one stopping you, however, if you are looking to make a profit while betting on horses, you can’t be putting all of your eggs into one basket. 

If you have the hopes of making a profit, you should rather choose to bet on multiple races. This gives you a much higher chance of winning more frequently, which also in turn means a profit return. 

Focus On Bankroll Management 

Essentially your bankroll is the budget that you have for your sports betting. When you decide to bet on horse racing, you need to have a budget set aside for it so that you know when to stop and you know when you don’t have any more disposable income for it. 

Choosing to focus on your bankroll means that you can portion it up in percentages for each race, playing a heavier percentage on races that you are more confident in. when it comes to your bankroll, you can also choose to circulate your winnings back into the bankroll, or just keep them as a profit. Either way, it is important to have some or other kind of budget. 

When trying to make a profit, you should keep tabs on how you where you are betting as this will give you a better idea as to what kind of profit you might bring in.

Great offers for Sports fans on Black Friday 2021

If you have a person interested in sport and are looking for the perfect Christmas present then Black Friday offers are the way to go.

This year, Black Friday is on Friday 27 November, but sales will begin from Saturday 21 November. So keep logging back on here for updated offers right up to Cyber Monday on the 30th of November.

Here are some offers to look for this year, we will update once we see offers appearing. 

Racingtv

If anyone in your family is a big horse racing fan, Racingtv offered half price on their 12-month subscription. That was a saving of around 200 euros.

SKY SPORTS

If its football, NFL, Formula One, or rugby that is your fix Sky Sports offered a half-price subscription for 6 months saving around 100euro.

Gyms

Lots of gyms did half price for 12months, so make sure to log back on for localised offers.

Sports equipment and clothing 

Lots of sports stores had up to 70% off during Black Friday sales. So there should be some offers close to you. 

If you have a shop or online business who wants to appear on this page please email info@sportsnewsireland.com

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5 Christmas Present Ideas for a Rugby Fan

Rugby World Cup Replica Jerseys.

For every World Cup, each team wears a jersey specifically designed for the competition. With the World Cup being last year and those jerseys now not being worn anymore, they’re available for great prices. Unlike jerseys in soccer and gaa, rugby jerseys do not go out of style as quickly and jerseys from past seasons are no way out of place a couple of years after their release.

There were some lovely jerseys on display in Japan last year. ProDirect Rugby have a lot of the countries’ World Cup Jerseys available. Due to the World Cup being over a year ago, they’re available cheaper than the jerseys you’ll find teams wearing now.

Ireland’s jersey was one of the sleeker on show. But, New Zealand’s and Australia’s efforts were eye-catching too. In fact, even jerseys from the likes of Italy or Tonga are nice additions to any collection.

https://www.prodirectrugby.com/products/Asics-Australia-Rugby-World-Cup-2019-Home-Replica-Shirt-Wallabies-Gold-Mens-Replica-Shirts-193486.aspx

Sports Crests Prints.

Artist Vincent Devine has created a collection of re-imagined crests using his own unique interpretation and style. The four Irish provinces feature in this collection and are all beautifully finished.

The prints are available in three sizes: 12 x 12 inch, 20 x 20 inch or 30 x 30 inch. Each print is printed on fine art archival paper.

https://sportscrests.com/shop/

Books.

An obvious option for a present for rugby fans have good options this year.

Firstly, Rory Best’s autobiography was released earlier in the year. The former Ireland captain recounts lessons and experience from his 14-year international career.

Secondly, Rob Kearney has just released his own story entitled ‘No Hiding: My Autobiography’. The Leinster man is Ireland’s most decorated player and his illustrious career extended through the ups and downs of Irish Rugby.

Both of these books are available on Kennys.ie.

https://www.kennys.ie/shop/no-hiding-my-autobiography

Lions Tickets vs Japan. 

In truth, this one is a challenge but would have you in the good books for a lifetime. As part of next year’s British and Irish Lions Tour, the Lions will first play Japan in Murrayfield on the 26th of June. While it may be many rugby fans’ dream to follow the Lions on one of their southern-hemisphere tours, this will only be the third time the Lions have ever competed on home soil. Hence, anyone present would be a part of rugby history.

Tickets for the historic fixture go on pre-sale on Tuesday 3 November, with supporters able to register their interest at lionsrugby.com/Vodafone-1888-Cup. Vodafone customers will be able to benefit from access to tickets and giveaways via the VeryMe loyalty programme.

https://www.scottishrugby.org/news/british-and-irish-lions-to-play-japan-at-bt-murrayfield#:~:text=BT%20Murrayfield%20will%20host%20the,the%20Vodafone%20Lions%201888%20Cup.

Stocking Fillers.

Everyone loves the little joke presents they receive at Christmas that they end using every day. For example coffee mugs/flasks with funny inscriptions, quirky socks, funny cushions, and signs are all good gift ideas.

Etsy’s online site has a great offering of such Christmas present ideas for a rugby fan.

https://www.etsy.com/ie/market/gift_for_rugby_fan

https://3.249.64.60/rugby/8-nations-rugby-championship-fixtures-and-pools/

https://3.249.64.60/rugby/8-nations-rugby-championship-fixtures-and-pools/

The battle of the fallen kings in boxing

If you are a fan of boxing, let’s go back a few years. What was every boxing fan’s dream at the time? To finally see a heavyweight match between the two absolute dominators of the class – Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder and to see all the heavyweight championship belts be united under one person. This was more and more a possibility with them winning game after game and fans were on the edge of their seats waiting for the game to be announced. If you are a fan of the sport as well make sure to check out this welcome offer.

What happened so far?

The long-awaited game never happened. Yes, it was very close, but Anthony Joshua lost the belts twice in a few years’ time – against Andy Ruiz Jr. and most recently against the best from Ukraine Oleksandr Usyk. Now AJ has a chance to retake his belts in the rematch that is scheduled to be played in Ukraine but if he fights the way he fought in the first match there isn’t much of a chance for that to happen.

Meanwhile, Deontay Wilder was also dethroned for the WBC belt in what will go down as a boxing classic against Tyson Fury. Three spectacular games that ended in a questionable draw in the first one, followed by two dominant wins by the Gypsy King. After the last game, Wilder said he needs some time to rest and think. But what will he come up with?

Is an AJ – Deontay Wilder fight possible?

There are already rumors going around in the world of boxing that we may see these two battle it out after all. Yes, it will probably not be for any belt but if such a fight is announced it will undoubtedly break social media.

Those rumors might result in something more should Anthony Joshua fail to retake the lost belts in the rematch against Oleksandr Usyk. Bookies have the Ukraine-based fighter as favorite in the rematch and from what we saw last time, for a good reason.

If Anthony does lose this game he will be left in the same boat that Deontay Wilder is currently in – one of the best boxers around who look like fighters that deserve a belt. What are they to do? The Bronze Bomber, quick and athletic as he may be, isn’t getting any younger. At 36 years old he needs to get a championship belt fight as soon as possible. He has no time to make momentum fights against other boxers and eventually get a chance for a belt. The same goes for Anthony as he lost the belts twice now. It will be difficult to get a 3rd chance to reclaim them without spending a few years in reputation and point-earning fights for the rankings.

The only logical thing that comes to mind is for an AJ – Bronze Bomber fight to finally be announced as it could launch them straight back into the championship belt fights. Should Anthony Joshua lose his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk, it won’t take long before boxing fans start asking “What are you waiting for Mr. Eddie Hern?”

Club GAA – Kerry Senior Football and Intermediate football semi-final draws

Kerry GAA has reached the business end of the season with four of the county’s best now left in the senior championship

Austin Stacks have progressed to the semifinals after they easily overcame South Kerry last weekend. They will now face St Brendans in the upcoming penultimate round of the SFC Championship.

The other semifinal will see another legendary Kerry club, Dr. Crokes face off against Kerins O’Rahilly’s. Stacks are considered the favorites to claim the title of this year’s competition.

The intermediate football final will see Na Gaeil play Beaufort. The 2020 runners-up Beaufort challenge Na Gaeil, the side they beat in last year’s semi-finals as well as the side they beat in the Junior Premier final in 2018.

The Junior football championship will also come to a close this weekend. Castlegregory GAA club will play against Firies GAA in Austin Stacks this Sunday.

 

Kerry SFC semi-final draws

Austin Stacks v St Brendans

Kerins O’Rahilly’s v Dr. Crokes

 

Kerry SFC Outright Betting

Austin Stacks 13/8

Dr. Crokes 15/8

Kerins O’Rahilly’s 7/2

St Brendans 5/2

 

Kerry IFC Final draw

Na Gaeil v Beaufort

 

Kerry IFC Outright Betting

Na Gaeil 5/6

Beaufort 5/6

 

Kerry JFC Final Draw

Firies v Castlegregory – 14:30, Sunday 14th November – Austin Stacks GAA

 

To read more from this writer, click here.

And to read more in-depth and up-to-date Kerry and intercounty club GAA news, click here.

Alzheimer Society of Ireland New Charity Partner of Leinster Rugby

Leinster Rugby has announced the Alzheimer Society of Ireland as its first charity partner of the 2021/22 season as part of the Charity Affiliate Programme which was first launched in November 2020.

Like last season, Leinster Rugby will once again work with a new charity each month in the hope of raising the profile of that charity and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland is the first charity selected by the club.

Last season Leinster Rugby worked with charities such as Women’s Aid, CRY, As I Am, LauraLynn and the Gavin Glynn Foundation over the course of the year to help raise their profile in the province and beyond.

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is the leading dementia-specific service provider in Ireland and works across the country in the heart of local communities providing dementia specific services and supports and advocating for the rights and needs of all people living with dementia and their carers.

The charity is a national non-profit organisation and also operates the Alzheimer National Helpline 1800 341 341 offering information and support to anyone affected by dementia.

The charity has also worked with Leinster Rugby before and was a charity partner back in 2015 when initiatives such as Rugby Memories were launched.

It is estimated that 31,693 people are living with dementia in the 12 counties of Leinster alone and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland looks to support them and their families and carers.

For the month of November, Leinster Rugby will lend its digital support to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and its considerable efforts to raise awareness of dementia.

Speaking at Leinster Rugby head office in UCD, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland CEO Pat McLoughlin said, “I am delighted that The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is teaming up with Leinster Rugby as part of their charity affiliate programme.

“There are 64,000 people living with dementia in Ireland and each year there are 11,000 new cases – that means today, tomorrow and the next day 30 people per day will be diagnosed.

“In Leinster alone, there are an estimated 31,693 people currently living with dementia. We are so very grateful to the management and staff of Leinster Rugby who have all taken such a keen interest in our charity.

“This partnership will allow us to build public awareness of our supports and services in the Leinster area and all across Ireland and to raise much-needed funds to support those living with dementia and their carers.

“We are heavily reliant on donations and partnerships such as this to keep our services going, so we are very grateful to everyone at Leinster Rugby for giving us their incredible support.”

Leinster Rugby also confirmed that Bank of Ireland would support the charity partner scheme again this season and that its Player of the Month Award donation will now be made to the monthly charity affiliate, rather than the player in question, a move that is also supported by the Leinster Rugby players.

Marcus Ó Buachalla, who manages the charity partnerships of behalf of Leinster Rugby said, “It’s great to see a charity that we have history with back involved with Leinster Rugby and it was great to meet with their team here this morning in UCD.

“I know from working with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland back in 2015 what brilliant work they do and hopefully we can help raise awareness of that work in the coming weeks.

“We are very grateful in Leinster Rugby to Bank of Ireland for their continued support of this initiative. We launched this scheme last season in response to Covid and we worked with some amazing charities on a local and a national level.

“It is brilliant to be able to launch a similar scheme again here today and I am delighted that the Alzheimer Society of Ireland are the first charity selected.”

Like all of the charities selected, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland was selected by Leinster Rugby after a consultation process involving the leadership group of the men, women’s and Academy teams and consultation with the premium sponsors and partners and the Official Leinster Supporters Club.

For more information, visit www.alzheimer.ie

Further information about the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and the Leinster Rugby Charity Affiliate Programme:

• The charities supported by Leinster Rugby during the last year include Women’s Aid (November), Debra Ireland (December), numerous local causes supported by Bank of Ireland (January), ALONE (February), Pieta (March), AsIAm (April), LauraLynn (May), the Gavin Glynn Foundation (June), Irish Heart Foundation (August) and CRY (September)

• The selection process for all of the charities includes the input of the Leinster Rugby players, Leinster Rugby sponsors and partners and also the Official Leinster Supporters Club (OLSC)

About The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI):

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is the leading dementia-specific service provider in Ireland. The Alzheimer Society of Ireland works across the country in the heart of local communities providing dementia specific services and supports and advocating for the rights and needs of all people living with dementia and their carers. Their vision is an Ireland where people on the journey of dementia are valued and supported. A national non-profit organisation, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland advocates, empowers and champions the rights of people living with dementia and their communities to quality support and services. The Alzheimer Society of Ireland also operates the Alzheimer National Helpline offering information and support to anyone affected by dementia on 1800 341 341. The Helpline is open six days a week Monday to Friday 10am–5pm and Saturday 10am–4pm on 1800 341 341. Email at helpline@alzheimer.ie or via Live Chat at www.alzheimer.ie

Facts about dementia in Ireland:

• There are 64,000 people with dementia in Ireland and the number of people with the condition will more than double in the next 25 years to over 150,000 by 2045.*
• There are 11,000 new cases of dementia in Ireland each year. That’s at least 30 people every day and anyone can get dementia – even people in their 30s/40s/50s.**
• Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of conditions which cause changes and damage to the brain.
• Dementia is progressive. There is currently no cure. Dementia is not simply a health issue but a social issue that requires a community response.
• The majority of people with dementia (63%) live at home in the community. Over 180,000 people in Ireland are currently or have been carers for a family member or partner with dementia with many more providing support and care in other ways.
• 1 in 10 people diagnosed with dementia in Ireland are under 65.

Figures referenced to Cahill, S. & Pierce, M. (2013) The Prevalence of Dementia in Ireland

*Figure referenced from Alzheimer Europe (2020) Dementia in Europe Yearbook 2019 ‘Estimating the prevalence of dementia in Europe’

**Figure referenced from Pierce, T., O’Shea, E. and Carney P. (2018) Estimates of the prevalence, incidence and severity of dementia in Ireland.

Grand Slam of Darts Schedule & Cazoo Premier League Ticket Info

DARTS World Grand Prix
BOYLE SPORTS WORLD GRAND PRIX 2020 RICOH ARENA COVENTRY PIC;LAWRENCE LUSTIG SEMI FINAL GERWYN PRICE V DAVE CHISNALL GERWYN PRICE IN ACTION

The schedule of play for the opening day of the 2021 Cazoo Grand Slam of Darts has been confirmed, with four former champions in action as the 32-player event begins in Wolverhampton.

The Grand Slam of Darts will see Jose de Sousa defending his title at the Aldersley Leisure Village from November 13-21, with £550,000 in prize money and the Eric Bristow Trophy on offer.

With the players split into eight groups of four for the first round stage, the round-robin action begins with a double session on Saturday November 13.

Groups A-D will be in action during the afternoon session, which is headlined by Gerwyn Price – the 2018 and 2019 winner at the Aldersley Leisure Village – meeting Northern Ireland’s Nathan Rafferty in their opening Group A tie.

Premier League and World Grand Prix champion Jonny Clayton plays Rusty-Jake Rodriguez in their Group B opener, after the Austrian topped the PDC Unicorn European Development Tour rankings to secure his qualification on Saturday.

UK Open champion James Wade, a three-time Grand Slam finalist, will meet Jim Williams in their Group C opener before European Championship winner Rob Cross meets Boris Krcmar.

Saturday afternoon’s action also sees former World Matchplay champion Dimitri Van den Bergh and reigning World Youth Champion Bradley Brooks also in action.

The evening session sees Groups E-H commence their challenge for the title, with De Sousa up against Matt Campbell in Group F.

The night is headlined by clashes between Michael van Gerwen and Lisa Ashton and Peter Wright’s meeting with Fallon Sherrock as the two PDC Women’s Series qualifiers take on two superstars of the sport.

Dutch legend Raymond van Barneveld also makes his Grand Slam of Darts return in Saturday’s final game, as he faces Michael Smith.

Sunday’s second group matches will see Saturday’s winning players face each other and the losing players also meet, before the final group matches are held on Monday and Tuesday.

The top two players from each group will progress to the knockout stage of the event, with the last 16 action beginning on Wednesday November 17 and running through to the semi-finals and final on Sunday November 21.

Tickets for the Cazoo Grand Slam of Darts can be purchased through ticketmaster.co.uk.

2021 Cazoo Grand Slam of Darts

Schedule of Play

Saturday November 13

Afternoon Session (1300 GMT)

8x Group Matches

Stephen Bunting v Ryan Joyce (D)

Krzysztof Ratajski v Martin Schindler (A)

Mervyn King v Bradley Brooks (B)

James Wade v Jim Williams (C)

Rob Cross v Boris Krcmar (C)

Jonny Clayton v Rusty-Jake Rodriguez (B)

Gerwyn Price v Nathan Rafferty (A)

Dimitri Van den Bergh v Rowby-John Rodriguez (D)

Evening Session (1900 GMT)

8x Group Matches

Gabriel Clemens v Mike De Decker (E)

Jose de Sousa v Matt Campbell (F)

Luke Humphries v Mensur Suljovic (F)

Gary Anderson v Joe Davis (H)

Michael van Gerwen v Lisa Ashton (G)

Joe Cullen v John Henderson (G)

Peter Wright v Fallon Sherrock (E)

Michael Smith v Raymond van Barneveld (H)

Sunday November 14

Afternoon Session (1300 GMT)

8x Group Matches

Groups A-D Second Matches

Evening Session (1900 GMT)

8x Group Matches

Groups E-H Second Matches

Monday November 15 (1900 GMT)

8x Group Matches

Groups A-D Final Matches

Tuesday November 16 (1900 GMT)

8x Group Matches

Groups E-H Final Matches

Wednesday November 17 (1900 GMT)

4x Second Round

Thursday November 18 (1900 GMT)

4x Second Round

Friday November 19 (1900 GMT)

2x Quarter-Finals

Saturday November 20 (1900 GMT)

2x Quarter-Finals

Sunday November 21

Afternoon Session (1300 GMT)

Semi-Finals

Evening Session (1900 GMT)

Final

Henshaw returns to Ireland training but Coombes ruled out

There is some positive news for Leinster centre Robbie Henshaw this week as he is set to be re-integrated into team training with the rest of the Ireland squad.

Henshaw will be re-integrated as part of his ongoing rehab programme under the direction of the Ireland medical team.

However, Munster back-rower Gavin Coombes will not train with the side this week as he continues to recover from illness.

There were no injury concerns emerging from the 60-5 victory over Japan on Saturday afternoon.

The game against New Zealand on Saturday, November 13, which is a sell-out, will be televised by RTE and Channel 4.

Ireland squad for Autumn Nations Series

Backs (19)
Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians) 32 caps
Robert Baloucoune (Ulster/Enniskillen) 1 cap
Harry Byrne (Leinster/Lansdowne) 1 cap
Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf) 25 caps
Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon) 3 caps
Andrew Conway (Munster/Garryowen) 26 caps
Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster) 94 caps
Ciaran Frawley (Leinster/UCD)*
Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 11 caps
Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers) 52 caps
James Hume (Ulster/Banbridge) 1 cap
Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 14 caps
Jordan Larmour (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 30 caps
James Lowe (Leinster) 7 caps
Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor) 6 caps
Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 90 caps
Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 35 caps
Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 100 caps CAPTAIN
Simon Zebo (Munster/Cork Constitution) 35 caps

Forwards (19)
Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University) 5 caps
Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 17 caps
Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 23 caps
Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 21 caps
Ultan Dillane (Connacht/Corinthians) 19 caps
Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 10 caps
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 50 caps
Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 110 caps
Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy) 64 caps
Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 22 caps
Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 14 caps
Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians) 45 caps
Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 77 caps
Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 1 cap
Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 38 caps
James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 38 caps
Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne) 1 cap
Nick Timoney (Ulster/Banbridge) 1 cap
Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 33 caps

*denotes uncapped player 

Ireland Autumn Nations Series Fixtures 2021

IRELAND v New Zealand
Aviva Stadium, Saturday 13th November 2021

IRELAND v Argentina
Aviva Stadium, Sunday 21st November 2021

Colin Fennelly confirms Kilkenny retirement after stepping away this year

Colin Fennelly has announced his inter-county retirement after stepping away from the Kilkenny panel earlier this year.

Fennelly confirmed his retirement after he won his 10th Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship with his club Ballyhale Shamrocks.

The 32-year-old lifted the Tom Walsh Cup aloft as captain on Sunday after three second-half goals helped them past O’Loughlin Gaels in this year’s county final.

“Naw, I’ll be finished up. I have had enough,” Fennelly said about his inter-county career after the club’s fourth Kilkenny SHC victory in a row.

“I had a year to think about it and I am glad I took that time to think about it. I am happy playing with the club and there are so many young lads coming through. I had a great time playing with Kilkenny. Fantastic so it was.”

The Ballyhale captain made his debut for Kilkenny in a Leinster semi-final win over Wexford in 2011 and had been on the panel for ten consecutive seasons before he decided to opt out of the 2021 season.

The forward won four All-Ireland’s with the Cats and collected two All Stars during his time on the inter-county scene.

The 2020 Leinster SHC win was his fifth of his career, with his first coming in 2011 – the Bob O’Keeffe Cup was the last piece of silverware Fennelly claimed with his county.

On top of his success in the Championship, the Ballyhale hurler has three National Hurling League medals to his name as well as 21 club titles with the Shamrocks, including five All-Irelands.

He will continue to line out for Ballyhale.

Republic of Ireland call up O’Dowda after Collins injury

The Republic of Ireland men’s national football team has called up Callum O’Dowda after James Collins was forced to withdraw from the camp due to injury.

The 26-year-old has made 23 appearances for Ireland since being handed his debut by former manager Martin O’Neill in May 2016 in a 2-1 defeat to Belarus.

The Oxford-born Republic of Ireland player has yet to complete the full 90 minutes under Kenny and has only played for the side five times under their current boss.

O’Dowda is line to make his first appearance for the national side in a year – the Bristol City winger has featured for Stephen Kenny’s team since the 1-0 defeat to Wales in the UEFA Nations League last November.

Cardiff City forward James Collins will miss out on a 15th appearance for the national team and an 11th since Stephen Kenny took the reins.

O’Dowda has been a bit-part player for Bristol City so far this season, making only seven appearances in the EFL Championship and playing for only 278 minutes – 90 of which came in his most recent game for the Robins against Coventry.

Ireland Squad v Portugal and Luxembourg

Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth, on loan from Manchester City), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth).
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Nathan Collins (Burnley).
Midfielders: Conor Hourihane (Sheffield United, on loan from Aston Villa), Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Jason Knight (Derby County), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jamie McGrath (St. Mirren).
Forwards: Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion), Troy Parrott (MK Dons, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City), Will Keane (Wigan Athletic), Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers).

Fixtures – FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifying

11/11 – Republic of Ireland v Portugal – Aviva Stadium, 7.45 pm
14/11 – Luxembourg v Republic of Ireland – Stade de Luxembourg, 7.45pm

Liverpool boss Klopp speaks on controversial decisions in West Ham game

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has given his say on some controversial decisions that went the way of the home side in the Redmens’ defeat to West Ham United on Sunday.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Divock Origi found the net for Liverpool but a freak goal from a corner – down as an Alisson Becker own-goal, a Pablo Fornals finish and a Kurt Zouma header brought an end to their 25-game win streak.

The defeat in London was Liverpool’s first of the season in all competitions and ended the streak that started in April.

Liverpool’s last defeat came at the hands of Real Madrid in last season’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final.

Jurgen Klopp spoke about some of Craig Pawson’s decisions in the game after his side’s defeat.

“Yeah, that’s why I spoke now first about the game independent of these situations,” Klopp said. “So, we lost that game. But I think it’s a clear foul on Alisson, how can it not be? The arm from Ogbonna is there.

“I really don’t know who was VAR today. You always have to say that the ref maybe in the game can’t see that, but in the situation when you see how the dynamic of the whole situation when they all go down, how close they are, they are like in each other.

“How can that not be a foul already, without pushing the arm of Alisson away? But the ref made it easy for himself and thought, come on, let’s see what the VAR is saying.

“The VAR had a look and said not clear and obvious, I don’t know why. And here’s the goal, which is really strange.

“Then, I saw only the situation with Aaron and Hendo now and the way I saw it now, it’s a clear red card.

“There’s actually no discussion possible and, again, I don’t know how. [He] will probably say because he touched the ball before, but a reckless challenge can touch whatever you want before but you cannot control your leg that much that you don’t hit your opponent high up on the leg – on the chin – you cannot go like this in a challenge.

“We cannot make these decisions obviously and the ref, I don’t know what he would say about that now but in the game, he looked quite confident that his decisions were all right.”