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Zimbabwe Take 1-0 Lead v Ireland In 3-Game ODI Series

Zimbabwe took a 1-0 lead in the three-game One Day International series against Ireland on Wednesday afternoon with a 38 run victory at Stormont, Belfast.

The series is part of the 2020-23 ICC Cricket World Cup Super League – an ODI league where teams play three-game series’ against each other.

Craig Ervine and Sikandar Raza both reached half-centuries as the visitors built up a total of 266/7 while Zimbabwe’s bowling kept Ireland at bay.

Ervine hit his second half-century in as many games for the Zimbabwean national team after putting up an unbeaten score against Ireland in the final game of the nations’ T20I series.

The left-handed 36-year-old scored the most runs for his team but failed to go unbeaten as Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie got his wicket after 96 runs.

Sikandar Raza took the tempo up a notch when he stepped in, posting an unbeaten 59 from 44 balls to give Zimbabwe a strong finish to their 50 overs.

Ireland started their chase strongly but lost the wicket of Paul Stirling for 32 runs after himself and William Porterfield got Ireland up to 64 runs.

Porterfield fought on as Harry Tector replaced Stirling and gave Graham Ford’s side a second strong partnership in the opening half of their batting.

However, Porterfield was dismissed after 75 runs in 110 balls and the loss of the starter signalled the beginning of a collapse.

Tector kept his cool and managed an impressive 50 from 55 balls before falling victim to the Zimbabwean bowling.

Ireland were in a strong position at 187/3 but a measly 41 runs from the rest of their batsmen handed the opening match to Zimbabwe and gave the side their first ODI win in 10 months.

Lalchand Rajput’s men take an important lead that means Ireland will have to play catch-up for the rest of the series.

Zimbabwe have also won 10 valuable points in the 2020-23 ICC Cricket World Cup Super League – another win will put them five points behind Ireland with six games-in-hand.

Ireland will look to get level in the series on Friday morning when the two sides play the second ODI.

Is Luck the Main Thing in Poker or Not?

Many beginners believe that luck is the key to poker. After all, how can you win if you don’t get lucky and a good poker hand comes in?

In fact, this is a misconception. Of course, there is a factor of luck in poker, but it is not the most important one. You can win not only with good cards. Professionals skillfully bluff with bad cards against weak players and take the pot without a showdown. The professionals note that luck affects 10% of the game. The remaining 90% depends on the skill of the player, their experience, and their skills. Therefore, the most important rule in poker is to rely only on yourself, not on luck.

 

The importance of stress-resistance

Many people point out that the main thing in poker is psychology. These words make sense. Unlike in the best NZ slots, if a player is not psychologically prepared for poker, he will not be able to win. You need to be able to restrain your emotions, both in a good scenario in poker and in a bad one. After all, if the player will show his joy, having a high combination in his hands, then other opponents can easily read it.

You need to be emotionally prepared for serious opponents and big bets. This is the main thing in poker. Some of the actions of the players at the table can greatly affect your psychological state. Therefore, you need to accustom yourself not to react to anything at the time of the game. Professional players do not pay attention to emotions and continue to act correctly and clearly in any situation. Therefore, they are always in profit in the long run.

The impact of a bankroll on the game

Professionals point out that an important rule of successful poker is bankroll management. If you don’t know how to use money, you can quickly lose everything and go into the red. Bankroll management allows you to determine which bets you need to play. For example, you cannot go to play on bets of 5/10 dollars with a cash reserve of $50. Your budget is enough for a couple of games and this will most likely lead to a loss. The main thing in poker is to keep track of the size of the bets in relation to the bankroll.

  

There are situations when newbies enter high stakes and win quickly with a small bankroll. In doing so, they believe that they are doing the right thing. Such a strategy will still lead to defeat. If a player wins 1-2 times, then in the next games he may not be so lucky and the stock of chips will immediately decrease.

 

Now you know that the main thing in poker will be different for everyone. Professionals, on the other hand, note that constant development, learning, concentration at the time of the game, and emotional control are the main things.

 

Donegal Senior Football Championship 2021 – Preview, Fixtures, Odds

The 2021 Donegal Senior Football Championship is just around the corner with the competition set to begin on Friday, September 10.

This year’s instalment of the competition will start two days after the 2020 Championship comes to an end as August’s delayed final between Naomh Conaill and CLG Chill Chartha is set to be replayed.

The championship will be made up of 16 sides including both 2020 finalists and 2020 Donegal Intermediate Football Championship winners Aodh Ruadh.

The Donegal SFC will begin with a league phase that takes place over four consecutive weekends.

The top eight will make the quarter-finals which will be played on the weekend of October 17 with the semi-finals scheduled a week after on the weekend of October 24.

The bottom eight teams will contend the relegation playoffs, with the format for the playoffs yet to be decided by Donegal GAA’s Competitions Controls Committee (CCC).

In the event of a team retirement due to Covid 19 in the Championship stage, a team from the relegation playoffs will take their place – neither side will be at risk of relegation.

The 2021 Donegal SFC final is penned in for the weekend of November 7, meaning that the 2020 winners will possibly have their title for less than two months.

Naomh Conaill are the holders after they won the 2019 Donegal SFC after two replays and will be hoping to enter the 2021 Championship with the title of champion tied to their name.

Chill Chartha will want to change that and make themselves the favourites to retain their crown, should they win the delayed 2020 final.

The pair are the favourites for the 2021 title with both of them at 5/2 at the bookies.

Aodh Ruadh make their return to the senior level of football in the county after their triumph over Cloughaneely in O’Donnell Park last September.

With a Division 1 return also sealed for next season, the side could be one to watch throughout the Championship.

Aodh Ruadh are 33/1 outsiders but the Ballyshannon club could spring an upset.

The 2021 Michael Murphy Sports Senior Football Championship gets underway when Sean McCumhaill welcome St Michael’s to Pairc Sheain McCumhaill.

A list of all teams involved can be seen below.

Teams

Ardara

St Michael’s

CLG Naomh Náille

CLG An Tearmainn

Four Masters

Gaoth Dobhair

Gleann Fhinne

CLG Na Cealla Beaga

Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon

Naomh Conaill

CLG Chill Chartha

Sean Mac Cumhaill

Milford

Naomh Ádhamhnáin/St Eunan’s

Gleann tSúilí

Realt na Mara CLG

Fixtures and Results

Round 1

Sun, 12 Sept, Eamonn Byrne Memorial Park, Na Cealla Beaga 1-7 – 1-13 Gleann tSúilí, 13.30
Sun, 12 Sept, Pearse Memorial Park, Ard an Ratha 1-10 – 2-6 Realt na Mara, 15.00
Sun, 12 Sept, Machaire Gathlán, Gaoth Dobhair 4-21 – 2-7 Milford, 15.30
Sun, 12 Sept, Páirc Ui Dhomhnaill, St Eunans 1-12 – 1-14 Cill Chartha, 18.00

Sat, 18 Sept, Davy Brennan Memorial Park, Naomh Conaill v Gleann Fhinne, 14.00
Sun, 19 Sept, Páirc Gearoid Ó’Gallochoir, CLG Naomh Náille v An Tearmainn, 14.00

Sun, 19 Sept, Páirc Tírconaill, Four Masters v Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon, 14:00

Sun, 19 Sept, Páirc Sheáin MhicCumhaill, Sean Mac Cumhaill v St Michaels, 16.00

Round 2

Sat, 25 Sept, Moyle Park, Milford – Ardara, 15.00

Sat, 25 Sept, The Bridge, St Michael’s – Gaoth Dobhair, 15.30

Sat, 25 Sept, Termon, An Tearmainn – St Eunan’s, 16.00

Sat, 25 Sept, Gaelic Park, Realt Na Mara CLG – CLG Na Cealla Beaga, 16.30

Sun, 26 Sept, Pairc Naomh Columba, Gleann tSúilí – Sean Mac Cumhaill, 14.00

Sun, 26 Sept, Pairc Taobhoige, Gleann Fhinne – CLG Naomh Náille, 14.00

Sun, 26 Sept, Father Tierney Park, Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon – Naomh Conaill, 14.00

Sun, 26 Sept, Pairc Taobhoige, CLG Chill Chartha – Four Masters, 17.30

Odds 

CLG Chill Chartha 5/2

Naomh Conaill 5/2

Gaoth Dobhair 3/1

Naomh Ádhamhnáin/St Eunan’s 4/1

St Michael’s 14/1

Sean Mac Cumhaills 16/1

Gleann tSúilí 20/1

CLG Réalt na Mara 25/1

Aodh Ruadh 33/1

Gleann Fhinne 50/1

Milford 50/1

CLG Na Cealla Beaga 66//1

Four Masters 66/1

Naomh Náille 66/1

An Tearmainn 100/1

Ardara 100/1

Northern Ireland Share Spoils With Switzerland In Belfast

Northern Ireland and Switzerland had to settle for a goalless draw at Windsor Park on Wednesday night in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification clash.

A Haris Seferovic penalty miss in the first half was the highlight of the fixture as the sides failed to find a breakthrough on the night.

It was Northern Ireland goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell’s second save in as many qualification games after denying Lithuania a goal from the spot last week.

The on-loan Sheffield Wednesday keeper was the hero on the night for Ian Baraclough’s side as they held on for a draw against the UEFA Euro 2020 quarter-finalists.

Switzerland dominated possession on a night that saw a near-capacity crowd return to the Belfast stadium.

However, the effect of the crowd did help to put pressure on the visitors throughout the match.

Swiss midfielder Fabian Frei picked up an early yellow card and earning himself a suspension after strong pressing from the home team.

Northern Ireland forward Shane Lavery found himself in clean air and looked set to score but could not provide the finishing touch after fashioning space for a shot.

However, Lavery and strike partner Conor Washington, although unable to give their side a goal, looked just as dangerous as they did against Lithuania.

The hosts’ sparkle soon faded as right-back Michael Smith was judged to have brought left winger Ruben Vargas down inside the box and a penalty was given.

However, number nine Haris Seferovic fluffed his lines from 12-yards out and Peacock-Farrell denied Murat Yakin’s Swiss side a goal – they have yet to score in a competitive game (and win a competitive game) under their new manager.

Liverpool full-back Connor Bradley impressed upon his introduction after assisting Shane Ferguson’s winner against Estonia at the weekend.

Baraclough’s Northern Ireland were defensively resilient with a noisy crowd behind them all the way but lacked the end product needed to collect all three points, while Switzerland failed to break them down and will rue a missed penalty.

Both sides will face each other again in the first game of the October international window at the Stade de Geneve in Switzerland on Saturday, October 9.

Northern Ireland (3-5-2): Peacock-Farrell; Ballard, Cathcart, Brown; Smith, McCann, Davis (C), Thompson, Lewis; Washington, Lavery.

Subs: Bradley, Flanagan, Saville, McGinn, Lafferty, Ferguson, Carson, Charles, Jones, White, McCalmont, Hazard.

Switzerland (4-3-3): Sommer (C); Widmer, Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez; Freuler, Frei, Zakaria; Vargas, Seferovic, Fassnacht.

Subs: Garcia, Zeqiri, Steffen, Mvogo, Zuber, Sow, Lauper, Lotomba, Aebischer, Kobel, Schar, Zesiger.

Tipperary Announce Brendan Cummins As New U20 Hurling Boss

Brendan Cummins has been announced by Tipperary GAA as the new U20 hurling manager for the inter-county side on a three-year term.

The inter-county legend brings with him a wealth of experience, including 18 years with the Tipperary senior hurlers as a player.

The 46-year-old is a five-time Munster champion and a two-time All-Ireland champion at senior level – he also won an All-Ireland winners medal with the U21s and Munster championships at both minor and U21 level as a player.

When Cummins ended his playing career, he had racked up 73 appearances in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship across 19 seasons – a record that was only bettered by Kilkenny legend Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh in 2019.

Cummins will be joined by former Kerry senior hurling manager Fintan O’Connor who will form part of his backroom as a coach and has also signed a three-year contract.

The pair previously worked together when O’Connor was contracted to the Kerry senior hurlers – Cummins was part of his backroom.

Cummins was Kerry’s goalkeeping coach for six years from 2014-2020 and the U20 job in his native county is his first managerial position.

Cummins replaces John Devane in the role after he spent two years with the Premier County, who could not get his side past a strong Cork U20 side as they lost out to the champions-elect at both the semi-final and final stages of the U20 Munster Championship.

The former Tipperary goalkeeper will aim to develop the players that come through from minor level into athletes good enough for the top level of hurling.

Colm Bonnar Announced As Tipperary Senior Hurling Manager

Tipperary GAA have announced that they have appointed Colm Bonnar as the senior hurling manager on a three-year contract.

Bonnar previously coached the Carlow senior hurlers for a three-year period in which he brought the side up to Division One of the National Hurling League and the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship.

Under his management, Carlow won the Christy Ring Cup and the Joe McDonagh Cup in two consecutive years to reach the top of the inter-county hurling pyramid.

The Cashel King Cormacs club man has also managed the Tipperary camogie side – with whom he won an All-Ireland in 1999 – the Wexford senior hurlers and Waterford Institute of Technology.

All three jobs have seen Bonnar help the sides to silverware during his tenures and the 57-year-old has also had various backroom roles with other inter-county sides since getting into coaching.

The former Tipperary hurler is currently working with Kilkenny club Dicksboro alongside ex-Waterford boss Padraig Fanning.

Upon taking up the role as manager of the Tipperary senior hurlers, Bonnar is replacing former head coach Liam Sheedy, who brought All-Ireland success to the Premier County in both his tenures.

Bonnar relishes the opportunity to take on “his biggest, but proudest challenge” as Tipperary Hurling Manager.

“I realise that one of the most successful Tipperary teams ever is obviously coming to a natural transition with the departure of Liam Sheedy and the recent retirement of Brendan Maher and I would like to congratulate them on their amazing careers for Tipperary,” Bonnar said.

“However, I am confident with the experience still in the current squad and the many successful U20/21 and minor teams over the last number of years, there are many talented hurlers in Tipperary bursting to take their opportunity to be successful at senior level, just like I am as the new manager.”

The Open To Be Hosted In Portrush In 2025

The Open Championship will return to Portrush for the 153rd instalment of the major tournament in 2025.

It will be the third time the major is held at the Royal Portrush Golf Club, 74 years after the first year it hosted the competition.

It became the first course outside of England and Scotland to host the famous competition and the tournament’s debut in Northern Ireland saw Englishman Max Faulkner win his only major title.

The Dunluce links course hosted the 148th Open Championship in 2019 which saw Irishman Shane Lowry win by six strokes to finish on a score of 15-under-par and secure the first major of his career.

The 153rd Open Championship is scheduled to take place from July, 17-20 2025 at the venue.

Martin Slumbers, chief executive of the R&A, said: “We could not be more thrilled to be bringing The Open back to Royal Portrush in 2025.

“There will be huge excitement among golf fans around the world to see the best men’s players facing the challenge of this magnificent links once again.

“The Open in 2019 was a massive success and showed just how much collective enthusiasm, passion and commitment there is to make Royal Portrush one of the leading venues for the Championship and to build a distinctive golf tourism brand for Northern Ireland.”

The Open generated more than £100 million for the economy of Northern Ireland two years ago, attracting a record attendance for the Championship outside of St Andrews of 237,750 fans throughout the week.

More than 5,400 hours of television coverage were broadcast to hundreds of millions of viewers globally as Irishman Shane Lowry performed superbly to become Champion Golfer of the Year and lift the famous Claret Jug.

St. Andrews will host the 150th edition of the golf major in 2022, with the Royal Liverpool being the location for 2023 and the Royal Troon taking the reins for 2024 before Portrush hosts the famous competition for the third time.

Dr Ian Kerr, Captain of Royal Portrush, said: “We are delighted to see the return of The Open to Royal Portrush Golf Club.

“This is one of the biggest sporting events in the world and to see it return to Northern Ireland and Royal Portrush so soon, is a recognition of the excellent work done by all involved in 2019.

“The Open in 2019 created a positive festival atmosphere in the area and we look forward to hosting this wonderful event once again.”

Mattie Kenny To Remain As Dublin Senior Hurling Manager For 2022

Dublin senior hurling manager Mattie Kenny is set to remain in his role for the 2022 season after agreeing to a contract extension.

Kenny led the Dubs to their first Leinster final in seven years after a four-point win over 2020 finalists Galway in the provincial semi-final.

The former Galway hurler joined the Leinster side in 2018 and will extend his time in the county after his initial three-year contract was up following his side’s All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Cork.

Kenny had previously been the manager of Cuala, where he won three Dublin Senior Hurling Championships, two Leinster Championships and two All-Ireland Championships.

Cuala won all their titles back-to-back under Kenny from 2014-2017, falling short in the Dublin Championship in 2018 to Kilmacud Crokes.

The Dublin boss then left his role with Cuala and signed with the six-time All-Ireland winning inter-county side.

The extension means that Kenny will not join the Galway senior hurlers to replace Shane O’Neill after the former Na Piarsaigh hurler left the job following an early exit in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship.

The coach was previously a selector for his home county before taking charge at Cuala.

“I’m delighted to be in a position to extend my time in charge of the Dublin senior hurlers,” Kenny said.

“We have a great bunch of guys on the panel, who are highly committed to Dublin Hurling and the Dublin Senior Hurling Team, and we are focused on getting better and building to delivering the performances that the Dublin Hurling Supporters can be proud of.

“It is an exciting time with plenty of younger talent coming through in the county, as seen by our recent Leinster success at U20 level.

“We are all looking forward to getting back to work later in the year and preparing for the 2022 campaign.”

IRFU CEO Philip Browne To Retire At The End Of 2021

IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne will retire from his role at the end of the year, Irish Rugby has confirmed.

The announcement coincides with Browne’s birthday as the long-time servant of the IRFU turned 60 on Wednesday.

Browne has spent 29 years working for the sporting body that manages rugby union in Ireland, joining the organisation in July 1992 and climbing the ladder to Chief Executive in 1998.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Philip said: “It has long been my intention to retire from the role of Chief Executive to coincide with reaching the age of 60. I delayed my decision, given the recent extraordinary pressures on Irish rugby, as a result of the Covid pandemic.

“I now believe we are at a point where it is possible to commence plotting a sustainable route out of the pandemic and engage in a structured approach to future longer-term planning, hence the announcement of my decision at this time.

“It has been a privilege to serve as Chief Executive and while undoubtedly it has been a pressurised and challenging role it has, in equal measure, been a truly exciting and rewarding career.

“I would like to thank the various Union committees with whom I have worked and the staff of the Union for their unwavering support as, together, we oversaw the constant changes required to ensure the Union remained relevant to its constituents and the world game.

“I intend, in time, to reflect on possible future part-time commitments but, as of now, have no definite plans.”

Des Kavanagh, President of the Irish Rugby Football Union responded to the news: “Philip Browne has been an exemplary Chief Executive of the IRFU over a period of enormous change within rugby and broader society.

“His calm demeanour and wise counsel have been critical in charting an effective course for our game throughout his tenure.

“In recognising his outstanding career, I, on behalf of the IRFU Committee, all his colleagues and the wider rugby family, express our sincere thanks to him.”

Declan Madden, Chairman of the IRFU Management Committee, commented: “Irish Rugby has been extremely fortunate to have had at its helm for such a significant time a person of Philip Browne’s calibre.

“His vision, integrity and commitment have made him one of the standout figures, not just in Irish sporting and business circles, but also in World Rugby over that time.

“His contribution to Irish Rugby has, quite simply, been immeasurable. Never one to seek the limelight, he has been the constant in overseeing unprecedented playing and commercial success for Irish rugby over three decades.

“We are truly grateful to Philip and wish him every good fortune as he moves on with his life.”

The IRFU will now begin a search for the next Chief Executive with the help of international recruitment consultancy Korn Ferry.

Kevin Potts, Chief Operating Officer, will assume the role of Interim Chief Executive when Browne departs.

RG Snyman expected to return for Munster next month

Munster Rugby have issued a positive injury update for their lock and World Cup winner RG Snyman along with other players

Head coach Johann van Graan has said he hopes RG Snyman will return to the playing field in October. This was after the Springbok lock was left out of the squad for the Australia leg of the Rugby Championship.

The 26-year-old missed the British and Irish Lions series after suffering burns in a fire-pit accident, along with fellow Munster players like CJ Stander. This has also delayed his comeback from a long-term knee ligament injury.

Speaking at a press conference, Van Graan gave a positive update on Snyman’s return to fitness:

“He will potentially be available sometime in October, not necessarily the start of October,” Van Graan confirmed.

“We have no pressure on RG. He is also working very closely with the Springboks as well to make sure both parties look after him very well.

“He will start filtering into some small bits of rugby training and, as soon as he’s ready, I can’t wait to let him play his first game of the season for Munster whenever that will be.”

Further injury updates

This is more good news for the provincial club after scrum-half Neil Cronin returned from a long-term knee injury.

The Reds head coach also said that Mike Haley will come back to training after his groin trouble along with Dan Goggin who suffered a thigh injury.

John Hodnett has shown good signs in his recovery from an Achilles tendon injury. The club physio’s will be moving him onto a modified training schedule in the coming weeks.

The club’s only worry was for Jason Jenkins who sustained a light shoulder injury in training. He is only suspected to sit out of training for a week or two while he recovers.

It seems to be all good news as Munster prepare for their first competitive match of the season against Cell C Sharks on the 25th of September. The United Rugby Championship match will take place in Thomond Park.

To read more about the players excitement for their first game in front of a crowd in Limerick read here – Zebo ‘happy to be home’ after return to Thomond Park

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