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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.”

Next Galway Hurling Manager Candidates

Next Galway Hurling Manager Candidates

After a disappointing 2021 championship season where the Tribesmen saw themselves underperform in Leinster, being knocked out by Dublin before exiting the championship by the hands of Waterford in round 2 of the Qualifiers.

This has led Shane O’Neill to leave his post as the Galway senior hurling manager after announcing that he would not be seeking an extension to his term as Galway manager and would leave the position after his appointment in November 2019.

Now, Galway GAA has started to begin the interview process to find their new manager and his backroom staff.

Here at SportsNewsIreland, we have decided to take a look at the potential candidates that could possibly take over from Shane O’Neill going forward.

The Contenders

Davy Fitzgerald

The former Clare and Wexford manager is the nailed on favourite to land the Galway job after leaving his post in Wexford in July after elimination in the preliminary round of the Qualifiers to former team Clare.

As a player for club and county, Fitzgerald won the All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship in 1996, two Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship titles in 1995, 2000 and six Clare Senior Hurling Championship from 1989, to 2002 with Sixmilebridge

For Clare, he won two All-Irelands in 1995 and 1997. numerous Munster titles, one National League title and a Munster Minor title in 1989.

He has a proven pedigree in inter-county management, winning a Munster Senior championship with Waterford in 2010, a Leinster Senior championship with Wexford in 2019.

His most successful era was with The Clare senior team winning League and Munster titles before picking up his first and only All-Ireland senior title in 2013, defeating Cork in an all-time classic.

He also went on to pick up the RTÉ Sports Manager of the Year award in 2013.

Anthony Daly

The Clare native is an outside favourite to take over as Galway manager after his last stint in inter-county management when he took charge of the Dublin senior hurling team back in 2008.

He left his post in September 2014, after nearly six years in charge where he won the Division 1 National Hurling League title in 2011 and the Leinster championship back in 2013.

He was appointed manager of Dublin club side Kilmacud Crokes in November 2018 and stayed on until 2019.

Jeff Lynskey

As a player, Lynskey won the All-Ireland Minor Championship in 1994, but it was his managerial stint as the Galway minor manager that gave him the recognition.

He won three All-Ireland titles in 2015, 2017 and 2018 before stepping down. He recently stepped down as the  Galway U20 manager after Galway’s defeat to eventual champions Cork.

While not being as successful at the U20 level but he has proven to be a successful commodity in the Galway hurling scene.

Brian Hanley

The 3-time All-Ireland winning player is the current Galway minor manager after replacing the successful Jeffrey Lynskey back in 2019.

However, the former Westmeath manager has been touted as the next Galway U20 manager before taking the senior job in the future.

Micheál Donoghue

The former Galway manager led them to their first All-Ireland title in 29 years back in 2017 after beating Waterford.

After being ratified for a further two years in the role in November 2018, Donoghue stepped down a year later in August 2019.

His last tenure led to constant rumours of the county board and Donoghue butting heads that led to high levels of tension, leading to his departure.

Donoghue has been touted as the favourite to replace O’Neill but with a fractured relationship with Galway officials, it is unlikely he will move forward in his return.

Next Galway Hurling Manager Candidates

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

Liverpool RB Trent AA May Miss October Internationals – Klopp

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has spoken about right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold’s recent injury, an adductor issue that he picked up previous to the side’s trip to Porto.

Alexander-Arnold did not travel to the Portuguese city with the side as a result of his injury and may be out for several weeks.

Liverpool beat Porto 5-1 in yet another strong European night for the side at the Estadio do Dragao in Group B of the UEFA Champions League.

Veteran star and club vice-captain James Milner filled in for the 21-year-old on the right side of the defence and impressed once again – a common occurrence for the English utility player.

Milner is set to retain his starting berth in the side when Liverpool host Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday.

Klopp spoke to liverpoolfc.com about Trent’s injury and the timeframe for his return: “So the situation when you play Saturday and Tuesday, the players who start the game – which Trent obviously did – have on Sunday no training, they have recovery.

“On Monday, the only session we have together, we pretty much walk through the things. We have meetings and on the pitch, we just show the difference between the opponents, so there was no intensity really in the session.

“But Trent anyway in the middle of the session felt his adductor and in that area he has now a little injury.

“Obviously, when you have something with your muscle, it’s not likely for Sunday – no muscle injury heals that quick. After that, it’s internationals.

“I don’t want to make the decision for him but what I heard, I don’t think it will be possible for him to be with the national team – but the other people have to decide that in the end. But hopefully, after that he will be ready again, but we don’t know exactly.”

Derry City Sign Michael Duffy On Pre-Contract Agreement

Dundalk winger Michael Duffy is set to return to his old club Derry City next season after signing a pre-contract agreement with the Candystripes.

According to Independent.ie, Duffy informed his club over the weekend that he had agreed to return to his former employers.

He is understood to have accepted a pay-cut to move back to Derry and will enjoy his second spell with the club on a four-year deal.

Derry boss Ruaidhri Higgins is named as an important factor in the move as the winger was keen to link up with the former Dundalk backroom member.

Higgins left that role to join the Irish setup before his former club had a vacancy in April, which he filled.

Duffy has spent the last five seasons with the Louth outfit and has scored 40 goals for the club in 144 appearances.

His spell with the club has yielded two SSE Airtricity League Premier Division titles, two FAI Cups, two League Cups, two Presidents Cups and one Champions Cup.

The side also reached the Europa League group stage in 2019-20 and faced Arsenal twice before their exit without a point.

Individually, he was awarded the 2018 PFAI Player of the Year award for his role in Dundalk’s league and cup double in their last season under Stephen Kenny.

Duffy will join current teammate Patrick McEleney at the Ryan McBride Brandywell next season, having started their senior careers at the club at the beginning of the previous decade.

The winger was at the end of his contract last year and agreed to a one-year extension for the 2021 season.

Derry chairman Philip O’Doherty has promised to increase the budget after selling his engineering company for €1.68bn and he wants the club to challenge for titles in the coming years, according to Independent.ie.

With the arrival of the winger and his teammate on the horizon, as well as interest in former loanee Will Patching, who spent half the season on loan at the Brandywell, it looks as if the glory days are returning for the north-west side.

Boylesports World Grand Prix 2021 First Round Schedule Confirmed

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 BoyleSports World Grand Prix first round has been confirmed ahead of Sunday’s opening night of the double-start event in Leicester.

The Morningside Arena hosts the World Grand Prix this year as 32 players compete for the prestigious title, which was won in 2020 by Gerwyn Price.

World number one Price is amongst the stars in action on Sunday, October 3 as the tournament begins, facing Michael Smith in a tasty first-round tie.

The opening night features Price’s rivals in the top half of the draw, including two-time World Grand Prix winner James Wade’s meeting with Damon Heta and Dimitri Van den Bergh’s tie with Ryan Searle.

2017 champion Daryl Gurney plays Stephen Bunting, and former finalists Dave Chisnall, Mervyn King and Dirk van Duijvenbode are also in action.

The first round concludes on Monday, October 4, with five-time World Grand Prix champion Michael van Gerwen playing Danny Noppert in an all-Dutch tie.

World Matchplay champion Peter Wright plays Rob Cross, reigning Grand Slam champion Jose de Sousa meets Glen Durrant and Premier League winner Jonny Clayton plays Callan Rydz.

Monday’s ties also feature history-maker Brendan Dolan, two-time World Champion Gary Anderson and Premier League star Nathan Aspinall in action.

For tickets, please visit pdc.seetickets.com – with tickets still available for the first round on Sunday and Monday.

BoyleSports World Grand Prix – First Round Schedule

Sunday, October 3 (6:00 pm BST)

8x First Round

Martijn Kleermaker v Mervyn King

Dirk van Duijvenbode v Luke Humphries

Stephen Bunting v Daryl Gurney

Dave Chisnall v Mensur Suljovic

Joe Cullen v Ross Smith

James Wade v Damon Heta

Gerwyn Price v Michael Smith

Dimitri Van den Bergh v Ryan Searle

 

Monday, October 4 (6:00 pm BST)

8x First Round

Darius Labanauskas v Brendan Dolan

Callan Rydz v Jonny Clayton

Vincent van der Voort v Gabriel Clemens

Nathan Aspinall v Krzysztof Ratajski

Gary Anderson v Ian White

Peter Wright v Rob Cross

Michael van Gerwen v Danny Noppert

Jose de Sousa v Glen Durrant

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