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Celtic v Leverkusen – Preview, Team News, Betting

Glasgow side Celtic are looking for an important win as they face Bayer 04 Leverkusen in game week two of the Europa League

The match kicks off at 20:00 tonight, Thursday, 30th September in Celtic Park.

Celtic have had an up and down start to this season. After seven games, they are in sixth place after three poor losses including one in the Old Firm Derby. They still only manage to be six points off top place with plenty of time to right their wrongs.

The Hoops have also not been so lucky in Europe after a thrilling 4-3 loss away to Real Betis two weeks ago.

They will be challenged immensely by a high-flying Leverkusen team. The German club sits in second place in the league after six games, only with one loss to Borussia Dortmund.

They got their European campaign off to a decent start after beating Hungary team Ferencvaros 2-1 in the last round.

This will be the first meeting of the sides in recent history with both sides rarely facing each other in European football. The return fixture will take place on 25th November in the BayArena in Leverkusen.

These two games will prove to be very important in the grand scheme of this group. Both teams will be fighting for the second-place spot now that Real Betis have made themselves firm favorites to qualify top-spot.

Predicted Starting Teams

Celtic

Formation

4-3-3

Predicted Starting 11

Hart (GK), Scales, Carter-Vickers, Urhoghide, Starfelt, Turnbull, Rogic, McCarthy, Jota, Ajeti, Abada.

Injuries / Suspensions

McGregor (Hamstring), Julien (Knee), Giakoumakis (Calf), Taylor (Shoulder), Forrest (Knock), Juranovic (Hamstring), Dembele (Ankle), Furuhashi (Knee), Johnston (Knock)

Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Formation

4-2-3-1

Predicted Starting 11

Hradecky (GK), Sinkgraven, Tah, Hincapie, Frimpong, Aranguiz, Demirbay, Bellarabi, Amiri, Diaby, Schick.

Injuries / Suspensions

Tapsoba (Ankle), Palacios (Ankle), Baumgartlinger (Knee), Lomb (Finger), Kossounou Muscle injury), Fosu-Mensah (Cruciate ligament)

Betting

Celtic 11/4

Draw 27/10

Bayer 04 Leverkusen 10/11

 

Score Prediction

Injuries have really affected Postecoglou’s chances in this tie. Now missing some of their star players and stalwarts, it will be hard to see them winning even at home to a Leverkusen side in good form.

Expect this game to end 2-2 with both sides sharing the spoils in a tight, cagey affair.

To read more in-depth and up-to-date national and European football news, click here.

Munster injury update: Hodnett returns to training

As Munster Rugby prepare for their United Rugby Championship clash against Stormers, they have some more good news on the injury front

The provincial club has announced that John Hodnett has returned to full training this week. The back row is considered to have fully recovered from a ruptured Achilles tendon.

This serious injury saw Hodnett miss out on over ten months of rugby after sustaining the injury in training last November. The 22-year-old made his debut for the club in February 2020 and now hopes to play again in the upcoming weeks.

Kevin Byrne has also returned to training after missing much of the start to the season. The Irish hooker has also recovered from a leg injury.

Munster has also announced some players that will not be available for selection for the game at the weekend.

The club has confirmed that prop Roman Salanoa will be recovering for a few weeks with a knee injury. Loosehead prop Liam O’Connor will be out with a neck problem but is expected to resume training in the coming days.

Speedy center Chris Farrell will also miss out with an abdomen injury along with second-row Jason Jenkins with a shoulder issue. Both players will continue rehabilitation for injuries in the next few days.

Munster will still have a very strong squad going into their championship tie hoping to continue their form after beating Cell C Sharks comfortably. They will play DHL Stormers in Thomond Park at 19:30 on Saturday, 2nd October.

To read more in-depth and up-to-date Munster and Irish provincial rugby news, click here.

Limerick to keep Mullins and O’Hagan as U20 and Minor managers

Diarmuid Mullins and Kevin O’Hagan are set to continue their tenure’s as Limerick U20 and Minor managers respectively following the conclusion of the 2021 season.

Both managers will enter their second year in their current roles after taking the reins for the previous season.

Mullins failed to get past a strong Cork side in the Munster Championship in July, falling to them in a hotly-contested provincial final.

However, his side did post a strong win over Clare to earn a date with Cork for silverware in the 2021 Championship.

Kevin O’Hagan’s Limerick minors were also beaten by Cork as the Rebel County won the All-Ireland at both U20 and minor levels in 2021 and finished runners-up at senior level.

O’Hagan could take the Treaty County no further than Mullins did in the delayed 2020 season, losing to Galway in a 15-point blowout that saw them ship four goals.

Mullins became the U20s head coach in January after winning back-to-back Munster championships with the minor hurlers.

The two-time minor football All-Ireland winner with Laois had previously led Mungret St Pauls to the Premier Intermediate championship in 2016.

Kevin O’Hagan was manager of Mungret St Paul’s after his predecessor left to join the Limerick setup and he followed in his footsteps.

A statement from Limerick GAA reads: “Following tonight’s County Executive Committee Meeting the following management teams will be brought forward to the October County Committee Meeting for ratification for the 2022 Season.

Under 20 Hurling:
Diarmuid Mullins, Richie Flannery, Tommy Quaid, John Meskell

Minor Hurling:
Kevin O Hagan, Ger Barry, Liam Hammersley, Liam Reale, Mark Keane.”

John Kiely Set To Extend Limerick Tenure By Two More Years

Limerick senior hurling manager John Kiely is set to extend his tenure with the inter-county side by two years until 2023.

Kiely, along with his backroom of Paul Kinnerk, Alan Cunningham, Aonghus O’Brien and Donal O’Grady, will stay on following the climax of the 2021 season, which saw the county lift the Liam McCarthy Cup for the second year in a row.

The Treaty County did so in emphatic fashion, putting on an all-time great final performance against Cork to retain their crown.

The side broke the record for the most points scored in a final, scoring 3-32 (41), beating Cork and Kilkenny’s previously shared record of 39.

The Galbally native was brought on board in 2016 on a three-year contract and has brought an era of success to a county that were in need.

Across five seasons, Kiely has led Limerick to eight trophies, including three All-Ireland Championships.

The 49-year-old led the county to their first All-Ireland in 45 years in 2018 and they have gone on to win three of them in four years under him, including the county’s first-ever back-to-back victories at senior level.

Three Munster Senior Hurling Championships in a row and two National Hurling League titles compliment the Liam McCarthy’s won under the former Limerick dual player.

Missing from the backroom is former strength and conditioning coach Mikey Kiely, who joined Ulster Rugby in August following the win over Cork in Croke Park.

Kiely was key to Limerick players’ high levels of fitness throughout the season and he is already making an impression on the Ulster squad.

A statement from Limerick GAA reads: “Following a County Executive Committee Meeting this evening the Limerick Senior Hurling Management Team consisting of:
John Kiely, Paul Kinnerk, Alan Cunningham, Aonghus O’Brien and Donal O’Grady,
has been approved for a two-year term and will be brought forward to the October County Committee Meeting for ratification.”

Liverpool Midfielder Curtis Jones Continues To Impress In Starting Role

Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones is continuing to impress in his unexpected starting role for the Reds this season after early-season to several players in the squad.

Jones was named the Man of the Match in Liverpool’s 5-1 win over Porto at the Estadio do Dragao and had three assists to his name in a game where his all-around abilities were on show.

It was his third start in a row for his local side after two cameos off the bench – the injuries to Thiago Alcantara, Harvey Elliott and Naby Keita (who is now fit once again) gave him a golden opportunity.

The 20-year-old fashioned a chance for himself 20 minutes into the game which was parried into the path of Mo Salah, who made no mistake.

It went down as an assist and a second goal from the same connection was fashioned in the second half.

Jones played Salah through from the edge of the box and the Egyptian coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

His deflected volley 17 minutes later fell to substitute Roberto Firmino who made no mistake.

It does not sound too impressive when you check the quality of the assists but that was not the only facet of Jones’ game on display.

His support runs from central midfield into the final third offered an extra threat in attack on several occasions and helped to break down a narrow Porto defence.

The no.17’s runs on the ball were just as impressive and the Scouse native set up multiple chances throughout the 90 minutes for his Liverpool teammates after extended periods on the ball.

His work-rate was not to be shunned either as Jones counter-pressed throughout the game, continuing on from his performance against Brentford.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was impressed by Jones’ performance and noted that, despite some stomach issues, he shone on the night: “Curtis played a good game. He had some problems a little bit with the stomach before the game; they told me I need to keep an eye on him but I told him after the game whatever it is, keep it because it was really a good game.

“He played a really good game, he was everywhere, he was involved in everything. Set up the first goal with a surprising finish, goalie cannot save it.

“In a lot of other situations he was really there – maybe not as spectacular as the offensive stuff, but defensively he played a top-class game.

“He defended really well, pressed from the blind side, a lot of things I liked a lot about his performance tonight. So, let’s keep going, Curtis, it was not bad tonight.”

All-Ireland Sailing Championship sets off this weekend

Wazps and Olympians are preparing for the 2021 Irish Sailing All Ireland Championships in Crosshaven, Cork

The event has run every year since 1947 until 2020’s historic pause due to the COVID pandemic. One of the most unusual regattas in the world, the competitors represent sixteen of the thirty-nine Irish Sailing affiliated classes and compete to find sailing’s “champion of champions”.

Despite coming from a wide range of one-design classes, they race against each other in a boat that is often unknown to many. This year’s chosen boat is the National 18.

Familiar names competing include Charlie Cullen, the youngest competitor at just 19 and a first-time nomination for the Waszp class; JP Mccaldin who will race his wife Carolyn; Olympians Ger Owens with Ross Killian; Philip Doran with brother Simon; Michael O’Connor with his winning crew from previous years, Davy Taylor; Hammy Baker, RYA Northern Ireland’s Performance Director.

There’s a strong representation this year from the Royal St George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire with five of their members competing.

Wild cards include Irish Sailing Academy member Tom Higgins sailing with his brother Jack, and Robert O’Leary from the 1720 class who sails with his brother Peter.

This year’s National 18 champion Ewen Barry is one to watch as he will compete in a boat more familiar to him than others.

Hosted this year by the Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven this weekend, each competitor has been nominated as a result of their achievements and rankings for the year.

Once chosen, each competitor selects one crew member. As the National 18 needs a third crew, the third member of the team is nominated by the class.

Racing will consist of two heats. The top three from each heat go straight into the final. The remaining competitors who placed 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th compete in a repêchage, and the top two then enter the Final with the six other teams.

To read more in-depth and up-to-date news on some of Ireland’s sports, click here.

Leeds injury update: Six starters doubtful

Marcelo Bielsa’s men seem to be in trouble as they still look for their first win of the season in the Premier League

Leeds United presently sits in 18th place in the English top-flight with three draws. Their points score took another major hit last week after a last-minute winner by Michael Antonio for West Ham.

The Whites’ backline was missing four possible starting options with Robin Koch, Diego Llorente, Pascal Struijk, and Luke Ayling injured or suspended.

Leeds will now play Watford on Saturday and they will be happy to hear that Struijk will be back in action after completing his red-card suspension as well as winger Jack Harrison being fully recovered from Covid-19.

Manager Bielsa has now spoken about some of the other injury concerns at a recent press conference.

Defender Llorente has been missing since he limped off early against Liverpool this month. He has confirmed that this muscular injury in his leg will not be a long-term problem and a decision will be made tomorrow if he will tog at the weekend.

Fellow center-back Koch has been missing since he sustained a pelvic injury in the first game of the season against Manchester United. Bielsa spoke last week that the German was not ready to play against West Ham and it is unlikely that he will be ready for Saturday.

Luke Ayling is one of the defenders that has shown promising signs of recovery this week. He missed a full week of fixtures after getting a knock against Newcastle. He will be expected to make his return against Watford in three days’ time.

Brazilian winger Raphinha is another doubt for the weekend. The manager confirmed that he had a pelvic issue in St. James’ Park and the boss will want him to rest. He might be seen coming off the bench with Daniel James and Harrison able to cover for him.

Leeds’ starman Patrick Bamford missed last week’s game after being in a tough collision. With the lack of replacements in his squad, Bielsa will want to mind Leeds’ top goalscorer last season.

Lastly, the Spanish boss confirmed that Forshaw has sustained a new injury after appearing for 35 minutes against Fulham, this will put the team leader out for a few more weeks.

All the problems may worry Leeds fans as they languish in the relegation zone. This could be another tough week as they face an exciting Watford team.

For more in-depth and up-to-date football and Premier League news, click here.

New Ulster Schools Competition Announced

The Ulster Schools’ Committee has launched a new U16s cup competition which will be sponsored by Danske Bank, Ulster Rugby have announced.

The Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup will have a new format and feature 25 teams – it will be divided into two tiers of eight and a third tier of nine.

Participating schools were categorised based on their own suggested tier of entry and the rankings were then finalised by the Ulster Schools’ Committee Officers before teams were drawn into groups.

The top tier, known as Section One, will be composed of two groups of four schools.

Each team will play three games, with the two group winners to meet in the Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup Final at Kingspan Stadium at 2 pm on Wednesday, November 17.

In the second tier, Section Two, the same format will be used, with the group winners progressing to the Ulster Schools’ U16 Plate Final, also on November 17 at a venue yet to be decided.

The third tier, Section Three, will be composed of three groups of three schools. Each team will play two games, with the three group winners, and the best second-placed team, qualifying for the semi-final draw with ties to be played on Saturday, November 6.

The two semi-final winners will then go on to compete for the Ulster Schools’ U16 Bowl, also on November 17, at a venue yet to be decided.

This competition was created after the Ulster Schools’ Committee consulted with schools to assess their needs during the previous academic year.

Ulster Schools’ Committee Chairman Richard Clingan said: “From the outset, the purpose of this competition has been twofold.

“We want to provide a good level of competitive rugby for that group of players who missed out on last year’s Medallion Shield.

“We also see this as a way to help these players transition into senior rugby by keeping them together for a period of time.”

Richard Caldwell, Managing Director of GB and Corporate Strategy at Danske Bank added: “It’s fantastic to see the evolution of the wider Schools’ Cup tournament, to help support all players and to give an opportunity to some of those who missed out on a tournament last year.

“It’s been a difficult time for all sports over the past 18 months, and I’m delighted to see the Ulster Schools’ Committee providing a format to ensure players get more experience of competitive rugby this year.

“We’re an extremely proud sponsor of youth rugby, GAA and football across Northern Ireland, and we really hope to see more competitive games for all over the 2021/22 seasons. Good luck to all those taking part, and most importantly, enjoy the experience.”

Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup Competition Section 1 

Group A Group B
1 Ballymena Academy 1 Campbell College, Belfast
2 Belfast Royal Academy 2 Sullivan Upper School
3 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 3 Methodist College, Belfast
4 Ballyclare High School 4 Wallace High School

 

Match Day 1: 9th October

Group A: Belfast Royal Academy vs Ballymena Academy; RBAI vs Ballyclare High School

Group B: Sullivan Upper School vs Campbell College; Methodist College vs Wallace High School

Match Day 2: 23rd October

Group A: Ballymena Academy vs RBAI; Ballyclare High School vs Belfast Royal Academy

Group B: Campbell College vs Methodist College; Wallace High School vs Sullivan Upper School

Match Day 3: 6th November

Group A: Ballyclare High School vs Ballymena Academy; Belfast Royal Academy vs RBAI

Group B: Wallace High School vs Campbell College; Sullivan Upper School vs Methodist College

Group Winners qualify for the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup Final: 2pm, November 17th, Kingspan Stadium

Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Competition Section 2 

Group A Group B
1 Banbridge Academy 1 Royal School Armagh
2 Down High School 2 Enniskillen Royal Grammar School
3 Dromore High School 3 Omagh Academy
4 Dalriada School 4 Rainey Endowed School

 

Match Day 1: 9th October

Group A: Down High School vs Banbridge Academy; Dromore High School vs Dalriada School

Group B: Enniskillen Royal Grammar School vs Royal School Armagh; Omagh Academy vs Rainey Endowed School

Match Day 2: 23rd October

Group A: Banbridge Academy vs Dromore High School; Dalriada School vs Down High School

Group B: Royal School Armagh vs Omagh Academy; Rainey Endowed School vs Enniskillen Royal Grammar School

Match Day 3: 6th November

Group A: Dalriada School vs Banbridge Academy; Down High School vs Dromore High School

Group B: Rainey Endowed School vs Royal School Armagh; Enniskillen Royal Grammar School vs Omagh Academy

Group winners qualify for the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Plate Final, November 17th, venue TBC.

Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Competition Section 3 

Group A Group B Group C
1 Belfast High School 1 Foyle and Londonderry College 1 Portadown College
2 Grosvenor Grammar School 2 Limavady Grammar School 2 Lurgan College
3 Regent House School 3 Strabane Academy 3 Friends’ School, Lisburn

 

Match Day 1: 9th October

Group A: Grosvenor Grammar School vs Belfast High School

Group B: Limavady Grammar School vs Foyle and Londonderry College

Group C: Lurgan College vs Portadown College

Match Day 2: 16th October

Group A: Belfast High School vs Regent House School

Group B: Foyle and Londonderry College vs Strabane Academy

Group C: Portadown College vs Friends’ School

Match Day 3: 23rd October

Group A: Regent House School vs Grosvenor Grammar School

Group B: Strabane Academy vs Limavady Grammar School

Group C: Friends’ School vs Lurgan College

The three group winners, plus the best second-placed team, will qualify for the semi-finals, to be played at a neutral venue on November 6.

The semi-final winners will qualify for the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Bowl Final on November 17, venue TBC.

Manny Pacquiao Announces his Retirement from Boxing

Manny Pacquiao Announces his Retirement from Boxing

Eight-division world champion and all-time great Manny Pacquiao has announced retirement from boxing at the age of 42.

The now Philippines senator announced he will be hanging up the gloves for good on Wednesday from a social media post.

After posting a 14-minute goodbye video on his Facebook page, he went on to say;

“As I hang up my boxing gloves, I would like to thank the whole world, especially the Filipino people for supporting Manny Pacquiao. Goodbye boxing,”

“It is difficult for me to accept that my time as a boxer is over. Today I am announcing my retirement.”

The ”Pac-Man”has finished his glittering career with a massive record of 72 fights, 8 losses and 2 draws. Of those 62 victories, 39 were by knockout and 23 by decision.

He started his professional career on January 22nd, 1995 at the age of 16 and went on to win 12 world titles and is the only fighter in history to win a title in eight different classes.

His last fight was a losing effort against Cuban Yordenis Ugás from a Unanimous Decision in August of this year at the age of 42.

The loss was Pacquiao’s first fight in more than two years after his split decision victory over American Keith Thurman in 2019.

The Philippines fighter holds a strong resumé, facing off against the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr., Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Antonio Margarito and his iconic four fights with Juan Manuel Márquez just to name a few.

His retirement has been a long time coming with numerous hints about his eagerness to step out of the ring and into the political landscape in his home country of the Philippines.

Earlier this month, Pacquiao was nominated by a faction of the ruling party, PDP-Laban, which he accepted and will now run for the presidency in the May 2022 elections.

Manny Pacquiao Announces his Retirement from Boxing

For more News and Stories on all things Boxing, click here.

Pep Guardiola: ‘It’s impossible to control Messi’

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has praised his former player Lionel Messi after his side’s 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night in the UEFA Champions League.

PSG got their first Champions League win of the campaign and their first win against Manchester City at the Parc des Princes.

Lionel Messi scored his first goal for the club to seal the victory after midfielder Idrissa Gueye’s opener.

Manchester City were dominant in possession but failed to get on the scoresheet in a night that saw last season’s slain semi-finalists get revenge on the silver medalists.

City pushed for an equaliser for most of the game but Messi’s fantastic first goal for his new club brought an end to the challenge the Premier League champions had posed.

The Argentine picked the ball up from a deep position and raced towards the retreating Manchester City back line with pace.

Centre-forward Kylian made a diagonal run to the 18-yard line, where he received the ball and played it back to Messi, who struck first time and curled the ball into the top-right corner of City’s net.

“We know it’s impossible to control Leo all 90 minutes,” Guardiola said in his post-match interview. ”

Of course, he came back from some injuries, which is why he needed a bit of rhythm but we know him quite well and when he can run and be close to the ball he’s unstoppable.

“The way we have done is minimise this as much as possible and create the chances that we could create. We arrived here and played our game.

“They defended deep with seven players, and it’s always the risk if you lose the ball and they can make one pass with Verratti who is an exceptional player and they make contact with Neymar or Messi and run it’s always difficult.”

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