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UFC 264 – Poirier vs. McGregor 3 – Preview, Predictions, Betting, TV Coverage

Dustin Poirier will face off against the Notorious Conor McGregor in the highly-anticipated trilogy set to take place at the T-Mobile Arena Las Vegas this Saturday.

After McGregor was shockingly dispatched by the Diamond in the second round of their rematch back in January, the Irishman has a lot to prove coming into this fight, which is one of the biggest trilogy match-ups in UFC history.

In the Welterweight Division, Stephen ”Wonderboy” Thompson will face off against number four ranked Gilbert Burns.

While Bantamweight contender Sean O’Malley will try to continue his form with a win over newcomer Kris Moutinho.

Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor

Back in January, Mcgregors return to the octagon was meant to be a monumental occasion for the Irishman. Signed to a fight with a man he already humiliated back in 2014, most assumed he would repeat his feat and stop Dustin in the first round, dust himself off and set up the rematch with Khabib.

Wrong! Not only was Conor stopped, but he looked void of ideas, respect and one-dimensional in his approach. From the start of the first round, McGregor was neutralised with Poirier’s debilitating calf kicks, limiting his mobility and from doing so, took away McGregor’s power and fluidity that he is synonymous with.

This is the first time since his iconic 2016 fighting season since McGregor has competed more than once. Logging a mere 40 seconds in 40 months prior to his second bout with Poirier.

With his second fight in one year coming up, and with the same opponent. Should a fully re-focused and re-energised McGregor appear, Poirier will be in trouble.

Dustin on the other hand is a great spot coming into this fight, confident, knowing what he did to McGregor last time will be an advantage. He was able to withstand that left hand that knocked him out in 2014, but that was at Featherweight and neither man is the same fighter they were 7 years ago.

Since his defeat to McGregor all those years ago, Dustin has been on an incredible run of the Lightweight Division, boasting a 7-1 record, only losing to Khabib. He is by far the best Lightweight on the planet as it stands.

Many questions about both fighters will be answered come Sunday morning but with everything on the line for McGregor, if he loses two fights in a row for the first time in his career, his time as an elite fighter will be over.

Last 5 Fights:

Dustin Poirier: WWLWW

Conor McGregor: LWLWW

Prediction: Dustin Poirier by 3rd Round TKO

Betting: 

McGregor: EVS

Poirier: 4/5

Gilbert Burns vs. Stephen Thompson

Two of the best Welterweight contenders will meet in the octagon on Saturday night to lay claim to the next title shot. With the fight being labelled ”Jiu-Jitsu vs Karate”.

Burns is coming into this fight after getting his first title shot in February against champion Kamaru Usman. The teammates turned rivals had a competitive bout before ”The Nigerian Nightmare” composed himself and showed why he is the pound for pound best fighter in the world, stopping Burns in the thrid-round.

He faces a veteran in Stephen Thompson, who is also hoping to get that shot at gold. Wonderboy came close on two occasions during his duology with former champion Tyron Woodley in 2016 and 2017 but came away empty-handed.

His form after them two brawls saw the riddle that is Wonderboy saw him outclass Jorge Masvidal before losing to Darren Till by decision and then being knocked out cold by Anthony Pettis.

The 38-year-old looked as if his time was up, but has come back with wins over Vicente Luque and Geoff Neal to re-establish himself as a main contender in the stacked 170-pound division.

Wonderboy is the only man in the top 5 who has not challenged Usman yet, a win over Burns will earn him a spot closer to what would surely be his last chance at capturing UFC gold.

A win for either man will earn them a shot, and with contenders coming and going at Welterweight. This fight could set up a Hollywood finish for the end of the year.

Last 5 Fights:

Gilbert Burns: LWWWW

Stephen Thompson: WWLLW

Prediction: Stephen Thompson by Decision

Betting:

Burns: 6/5

Thompson: 4/6

Tai Tuivasa vs. Greg Hardy

The Heavyweight Divison in the UFC is returning to its former glory as of late and with Australian brawler, Tai Tuivasa returning after his TKO win over Harry Hunsucker back in March. He will face the American footballer turned mixed martial artist to boost his way up the rankings.

Tuivasa started off his UFC career with a 100% record, before hitting a purple patch of three defeats by finish, decision and submission. Coming back after a year on the sidelines and winning his next two fights.

Hardy on the other hand looks out of his depth at times. Losing his last fight by TKO to Marcin Tybura in a mediocre affair. A win over Tuivasa will grant him higher opposition in the future.

Last 5 Fights

Tai Tuivasa: WWLLL

Greg Hardy: LWWLNC

Prediction: Tai Tuivasa by First Round KO

Betting:

Tuivasa: 8/11

Hardy: 11/10

Irene Aldana vs. Yana Kunitskaya

Top 10 Bantamweight challengers Irene Aldana will face off against Russian wrestler Yana Kunitskaya to skyrocket up the rankings.

Number 6 ranked Aldana will hope to get back to winning ways after being outmuscled by former champion Holly Holm back in October of last year.

The Mexican came into the fight winning 5 of her 6 bouts, mostly by decision and with a rare KO.

Russian Kunitskaya is on a two-fight win streak, both by decision. She looked unstoppable in both of those wins. Deservedly rising up the rankings and a win over Aldana should put her in the top 5.

Last 5 Fights:

Irene Aldana: LWWLW

Yana Kunitskaya: WWLWW

Prediction: Yana Kunitskaya by Decision

Betting:

Aldana: 4/5

Kunitskaya: EVS

Sean O’Malley vs. Kris Moutinho

The hype around ”Sugar” Sean O’Malley since his appearance on season 2 of Dana White’s Contender Series was almost McGregor like at times.

After redeeming his first-ever career loss in August 2020 against Marlon Vera due to his own issues, he rebounded nicely against Thomas Almeida with a stunning KO finish in March.

The 26-year-old has obtained four bonus’s in his last four fights, he could be the next big thing.

Kris Moutinho is an unknown fighter, boasting a 9-4 record, and winning his last 2 fights by stoppage.

This is a fight where O’Malley should come out with the victory in stunning fashion, except for a walk-off finish.

Last 5 Fights:

Sean O’Malley: WLWWW

Kris Moutinho: WWLLW

Prediction: Sean O’Malley by First Round KO

Betting:

O’Malley: 1/9

Moutinho: 11/2

Carlos Condit vs. Max Griffin

Former Welterweight contender Carlos Condit is seen as the dark horse of the division. Competing in the George St.Pierre era and now in the present day, he is a withered veteran who has seen his fair share of defeats.

The 37-year-old ”Natural Born Killer” is coming off a two-fight win streak, after losing his prior five fights, three of those losses by submission. He is on the way out and should consider retirement if he loses his next fight.

Similar to Condit, Max Griffin is on a two-fight win streak, with his last fight in March, winning by KO in the first round.

Last 5 Fights:

Carlos Condit: WWLLL

Max Griffin: WWLLW

Prediction: Max Griffin by 3rd Round TKO

Betting:

Condit: 6/4

Griffin: 8/15

Niko Price vs. Michel Pereira

This could be one of the main contenders for Fight of the Night with both fighters known for their ruthless and brawl to the wall approach to their fighting styles.

Price is coming off a controversial No Contest result vs Donald Cerrone back in September off last year. Never gaining a consistent run of wins since 2016.

Pereira is coming off a two-fight win streak against average opposition. He is more entertaining with his theatrics in the octagon rather than his actual fighting skill, with cartwheels, flips and handstands implemented into his game.

While Price has earned a Performance of the Night bonus in four of his last five victories.

Whatever the result is, it should be an extremely entertaining fight to watch.

Last 5 Fights:

Niko Price: NCLWLW

Michel Pereira: WWLLW

Prediction: Michel Pereira by Unanimous Decision

Betting:

Price: 5/4

Pereira: 8/13

Trevin Giles vs. Dricus Du Plessis

Middleweight challengers Trevin Giles and Dricus Du Plessis will square off in the octagon after their original bout was cancelled back in March due to visa issues.

After making his UFC debut in 2017, Giles has a 5-2 record with the company and is currently on a 3-fight win streak. He is an athletic specimen with great power and is well-developed in all disciplines.

Du Plessis on the other hand is coming off a victory in his UFC victory over Markus Perez by a first-round KO.

Where this fight could be won is experience. Giles has gone the full three rounds of each of his last nine bouts, while the 27-year-old Du Plessis is yet to go the distance in his career as of yet.

Last 5 Fights:

Trevin Giles: WWWLL

Dricus Du Plessis: WWWLW

Prediction: Dricus Du Plessis by 2nd Round Stoppage

Betting:

Giles: 10/11

Du Plessis: 5/6

Ryan Hall vs. Ilia Topuria

Virginia native Ryan Hall will return to the octagon after over two years out of the octagon. He will go into this fight on an incredible eight-fight win streak after his debut professional loss all the way back in 2006.

Extended absences in the octagon usually mean’s a defeat is imminent, but with Hall’s intense wrestling game he could prevail here.

However, he faces off against a rising star in the 145-pound division in llia Topuria who hold a 9-0 professional record. Winning his last two fights under the UFC umbrella.

Last 5 Fights:

Ryan Hall: WWWWW

Illia Topuria: WWWWW

Prediction: llia Topuria by First Round Submission

Betting:

Hall: 15/8

Topuria: 2/5

Jennifer Maia vs. Jessica Eye

Both fighters are former Flyweight title challengers for current champion Valentina Shevchenko’s, losing both title fights in dominating fashion.

The two fighters have done well to stay in contention after their most recent defeats. Although Maia did submit challenger Joanne Calderwood prior to her loss to Shevchenko.

Jessica Eye’s last fight was back in January at UFC 257 where she was outclassed by Calderwood and before that lost on the judge’s scorecards to Cynthia Calvillo.

This matchup is between two Top 10 Flyweights in a division that had talent but has been overshadowed by Shevchenko’s dominance.

Last 5 Fights:

Jennifer Maia: LWLWW

Jessica Eye: LLWLW

Prediction: Jennifer Maia by 3rd Round TKO

Betting:

Maia: 1/2

Eye: 13/8

Omari Akhmedov vs. Brad Tavares

Veteran Middleweight’s Omari Akhmedov and Brad Tavares will go head-to-head on Saturday.

Akhmedov has been on a good run of form before his six-fight unbeaten streak was halted by a decision loss to Chris Weidman. The 33-year-old Russian brute defeated British fighter Tom Breese in his last bout.

Tavares has been seen as one of the many gate-keepers of the Middleweight division. Losing to current champion Israel Adesanya and a devastating KO loss to Edmen Shahbazyan in 2019.

He took two years off and returned with a unanimous decision at UFC 257 in January but looks the shell off the fighter he once was.

Last 5 Fights:

Omari Akhmedov: WLWWW

Brad Tavares: WLLWW

Prediction: Omari Akhmedov by Split Decision

Betting:

Akhmedov: 5/4

Tavares: 4/7

Zhalgas Zhumagulov vs. Jerome Rivera

Flyweights are set to face-off against one another as Kazakhstan’s Zhalgas Zhumagulov will meet American Jerome Rivera.

After coming off four impressive victories outside of the UFC he signed with the company, since then he has gone 0-2 by decision. He fought hard in both encounters and was unlucky to not get the nod on both occasions.

Rivera came into the UFC with a unanimous decision victory over Luis Rodriguez during the 2020 Contender Series. Since then, he has lost his last 3.

The fight is too close to call, but the closer the fight, the better it is.

Last 5 Fights:

Zhalgas Zhumagulov: LLWWW

Jerome Rivera: LLLWW

Prediction: Jerome Rivera by 2nd Round Stoppage

Betting:

Zhumagulov: 2/7

Rivera: 5/2

Hu Yaozong vs. Alen Amedovski

Saturday’s highly anticipated card will kick off with the Middleweight clash between Hu Yaozong vs Alen Amedovski on the Preliminary Card on ESPN+.

Both fighters are coming into this fight still looking for their first victory in the UFC, coming off losing efforts in their last bouts.

Yaozong is only 3-2 as a professional, and at the age of 26 he still has a lot to improve on, however, he has not been able to get his feet off the ground in the promotion.

33-year-old Macedonian Alen Amedovski started his career with an impressive 8-0 record, since signing with the UFC, Amedovski has lost his last two but did enjoy 8 knockouts in a row.

Whoever loses, will get their marching orders and be cut from the company, so it is a winner take all fight.

Last 5 Fights: 

Hu Yaozong: LLWWW

Alen Amedovski: LLWWW

Prediction: Alen Amedovski by First Round KO

Betting:

Yaozong: 11/10

Amedovski: 8/11

Munster Football Preview: Cork v Limerick – Live Scores, Starting Team News, Betting

Here is all the information you need for Saturdays Munster Football semi-final clash between Cork and Limerick

The match will be streamed on GAAGO at 15:00 from the LIT Gaelic Grounds on Saturday, 10th July.

This game will also be played in front of up to 3,500 spectators in Limerick. Referee Brendan Cawley will be in charge of the tie.

Cork had a mixed league campaign, managing two wins in Roinn 2 South with Clare, Kildare and Laois. They were put into the Munster semi-final automatically so Limerick will have an extra game played to prepare.

Cathal O’Mahony as one of Cork’s free takers will be a vital part of their scoring this weekend.

The Treaty County did have a decent run in the league, beating teams like Tipperary and Wicklow before being knocked out to Derry.

Limerick got to the semi-final after thrashing a poor Waterford team 4-18 to 0-12. This will be nothing like the contest they will have in the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday.

Iain Corbett will be Limerick’s shining light. The All-Star nominee proved important in their successes in the League and championship so far.

These two teams have not faced each other in recent years, with new young players this could be an entertaining matchup. Cork might still be looking to get their revenge for their hurling counterparts who lost to Limerick last weekend.

Predicted Starting 15

Cork

Martin (GK); D. O’Mahony, S. Meehan, K. Flahive; P. Walsh, S. Powter, M. Taylor; I. Maguire, K. O’Driscoll; B.Hartnett, S. White, R. Deane; J. O’Rourke, B. Hurley, C. O’Mahony

Limerick

O’Sullivan (GK); S. O’Dea, B. Fanning, M. Donovan; R. Childs, I. Corbett, G. Brown; D. Treacy, D. Childs; C. Sheehan, C. Fahy, A. Enright; D. Neville, R. Bourke, H. Bourke.

https://twitter.com/OfficialCorkGAA/status/1406723379093180419

Betting

Cork are the big favorites with odds of 1/10 to win.

A Draw has odds of 16/1.

Limerick could give a great payout if they get a shock win at odds of 13/2.

 

Score Prediction

Bar the mixed run of form, Cork are on paper, the stronger side and should beat Limerick by a comfortable score but it is not that easy.

Cork will come out on top, but it will go down to the last few minutes, only a few points will separate the sides. The Rebels should progress to face either Tipperary or Kerry in the Munster Football final.

Munster Football Preview: Tipperary v Kerry – Live Scores, Starting Team News, Betting

Here is everything you need to know for Saturday’s Munster Football semi-final game between Cork and Limerick

The match will be televised on Sky Sports at 19:00 from the Semple Stadium on Saturday, 10th July.

Tipperary had a historic year last season becoming the Munster champions after beating Cork in the final. That form has not replicated itself this year with very disappointing results in the league.

After losing to Limerick, Offaly, and Longford they were relegated from Roinn 3. Their only hope is that Michael Quinlivan and Conor Sweeney can find their form in front of the goal.

On the other hand, Kerry has been in immaculate form especially after easing past Clare in the Munster quarter-final. In the league, they were the only team that could compete with reigning champions Dublin as they shared the title.

David Clifford will be one of the biggest presences on the pitch this weekend, they are a reason why he is still the favorite to win player of the year.

The last meeting of these two teams was in the 2016 Munster final which Kerry comfortably won.

Predicted Starting 15

Tipperary

E Comerford (GK); S O’Connell, A Campbell, C O’Shaughnessy; P Looram, K Fahey, D Brennan; S O’Brien, P Feehan; C Bowe, J Kennedy, E Maloney; M Quinlivan, C Sweeney, P Ryan.

Kerry

Fitzgibbon (GK); B. Ó Beaglaoich, J. Foley, T. O’Sullivan; M. Breen, G. Crowley, G. White; D. Moran, D. O’Connor, S. O’Brien; S. O’Shea, P. Geaney; D. Clifford, D. Moynihan, P. Clifford.

Betting

Tipperary have been given little to no chance by the bookies with odds of 16/1 to win

A Draw is even less likely with odds of 33/1.

Kerry is certain to win in the bookmakers’ eyes with odds of 1/100.

 

Score Prediction

No matter how much the romantic in me wants to see Tipperary shock the Munster football championship once again, it is hard not to look at the facts.

This Kerry team and tactically and physically a better side by a long way and that will probably show in the score line. Expect this game to end with a similar score line to the 2016 final with Kerry sauntering their way to a victory.

Ulster Football Preview: Tyrone v Cavan – Live Scores, Starting Team News, Betting

Here is all the information you need for Saturday’s Ulster Football quarterfinal clash between Tyrone and Cavan

TYRONE  V CAVAN LIVE SCORES – CLICK HERE

The game will be shown on Sky Sports from 16:30 at Healy Park on Saturday, 10th July.

Tyrone had a relatively good league campaign finishing ahead of Armagh and Monaghan in the Roinn 1 North.

After finishing second in their group, they were heavily defeated by Kerry, this should not deter them from trying to reclaim the Ulster title this year.

In wing forward, Kieren McGeary will be the player to look out for, he is fast and well able to slot over points for his team.

Similar to Tipperary in Munster, Cavan was the surprise package, winning the Ulster championship last year. The league did not treat them so well with a loss to Wicklow leaving them relegated from Roinn 3.

All-Star Thomas Galligan has still shown that he is a great footballer throughout the county’s rough patch, they will need another classy performance in midfield to get a victory.

Both sides have known and prepared for this fixture since the end of April. This will be both their first competitive matches in a few weeks so expect some nervous tension to surround this match.

Predicted Starting 15

Tyrone

Morgan (GK); C. Monroe, R. McNamee, P. Hampsey; M. McKernan, P. Harte, L. Rafferty; M. Donnelly, F. Burns; K. McGeary, D. Canavan, C. Meyler; D. McCurry, C. McKenna, P. Donaghy.

Cavan

R Galligan (GK); C Reilly, P Faulkner, K Clarke; C Timoney, O Kiernan, L Fortune; T Galligan, C Brady; C McGovern, G McKiernan, M Reilly; C Madden, P Lynch, C Smith.

 

Betting

Tyrone are heavy favorites with odds of 1/7 to win.

For this game to end in a draw, the odds are 14/1.

Cavan could give a big payout if they pull off an upset with odds of 5/1 to win.

Score Prediction

In predicting this match, it is hard to overlook how poor Cavan’s league campaign was. Their confidence is going to be really low.

Expect Tyrone to take this opportunity to beat the reigning champions by more than three points.

British & Irish Lions – Tour not in danger as one coach tests positive

Some of the media, as usual, have gone full overdrive on The British & Irish Lions tour being finished but in reality, it’s one member of its management team.

The individual and four close contacts – including two players and two members of staff – are being isolated and assessed at the team hotel. All members of the touring party have since been PCR tested.

This evening’s game against the Cell C Sharks at Emirates Airline Park will still take place provided the subsequent round of PCR testing returns negative results later this afternoon. Should this be the case, the kick-off time for tonight’s game will be adjusted to 8pm (SAST) / 7pm (BST).

“We have followed all necessary precautions since the start of the Tour, which included regular testing and rigorous COVID-19 counter measure planning and protocols,” said Ben Calveley, Managing Director for the British & Irish Lions.

“Our priority is to ensure the health and safety of the entire touring party, which is why we quickly isolated the players and staff upon receiving the news of the positive result.

“Everyone has subsequently been lateral flow and PCR tested. The Medical Advisory Group await the results of the PCR testing in order to make a decision on tonight’s game.

“The five individuals effected will be monitored closely during isolation and receive the bestlions possible medical attention as we await the results of their PCR tests.

“Further updates will follow in due course.”

Team Ireland Names Largest National Swim Team For Tokyo 2020

Team Ireland have announced the swim team that will compete for them at the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer, with the announcement confirming that it will be the largest Irish Olympic swim team ever.

Nine Irish swimmers are set to compete in Tokyo across 14 events and will be in action in the newly built Tokyo Aquatics Centre from Saturday 24 July – Sunday 1 August 2021.

The strength and depth of Irish swimming has been on display over the past number of years, culminating this year with the ultimate qualification of six swimmers who have achieved the FINA A time across their events.

Jon Rudd, National Performance Director and Team Leader for the Games is excited to see the swimmers in action.

He said: “The standard of swimming in Ireland is growing, and without all these athletes striving for improvement, we would not be where we are today, fielding the largest ever swim team for Ireland.”

25-year-old Darragh Greene from Longford is one of the nine swimmers travelling to Tokyo.

Coached by Ben Higson, who has two other swimmers making the trip to Japan, Greene will compete in 100m and 200m breaststroke events.

It will be the first Olympic Games for the first Irishman to swim the 100m breaststroke in under one minute.

The Irish senior record holder for both events said that “the Olympics have been something that [he has] dreamt about for a long time, and it is a real honour to be officially selected to compete for Team Ireland in Tokyo.”

Other swimmers on the team include record-holders such as Mona McSharry and Tipperary native Finn McGeever.

Team Ireland Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020, Tricia Heberle, is excited by the large number of qualified swimmers.

She believes it’s especially encouraging seeing the number of FINA A standard swimmers qualifying.

Heberle concluded: “The past year has been tough for everyone, but seeing how our swimmers handled that first lockdown, coming out of it producing personal bests and national records, in challenging circumstances has been a true test of resilience.”

Team Ireland Swim Team For Tokyo 2020

Darragh Greene

Danielle Hill

Brendan Hyland

Finn McGeever

Jack McMillan

Mona McSharry

Shane Ryan

Ellen Walshe

Daniel Wiffen

Ireland U20s Star Harry Sheridan Thankful For Year Online

Ireland under-20s lock forward Harry Sheridan spent his year at Trinity College from the comfort of his own home and had more time for rugby as a result.

The lock, who is listed as a player for Dublin University FC, was awarded the opportunity to enter the Kingspan bubble in Ulster during the year and has not looked back since.

The 19-year-old has been able to train with the seniors and play for Ulster ‘A’ throughout the season.

“I don’t think I actually would have been able to complete my degree and pass, thank god, for this year if it had not have been for coronavirus,” said Sheridan.

From November onwards, Sheridan took training sessions with the senior squad at Ulster and enjoyed every minute of them.

The lock singled out Ian Madigan as a welcoming figure in the squad.

He said that Madigan offered advice during the sessions and on a one-on-one basis when he was with the seniors.

“I think he’s one of those guys who’s always going to look to bring on the young guys first and go to that extra step just to make us feel welcome.”

Sheridan earned his opportunity with Richie Murphy’s Irish U20 side after an impressive season and has been a consistent name on the teamsheet.

He has built up a good rapport with the players in the squad, including his second-row partner against Italy, Mark Morrissey.

He praised all three Ireland U20 coaches – Murphy, ‘Collie’ Tucker and Denis Leamy – after experiencing their expertise first-hand in the camp.

The side has looked solid defensively, excluding some discipline issues against England, and their set-pieces and attack have been very impressive for the majority of the U20 Six Nations Championship thus far.

Sheridan believes they can learn from the errors that they made against the unbeaten English side and that they will improve against Italy on Wednesday.

“We’ve got a game plan for Italy and we are looking to execute it to the best of our ability.”

The game will kick off at 2 pm and will be shown live on RTÉ 2.

Galway Races Will Have Prize Fund of €1.8m On Offer

The 2021 Galway Races will have a prize fund of over €1.8m on offer to the competitors throughout the week of Monday, July 26th to Sunday, August 1st.

The fund – a total of €1,817,500 – will be spread across fifty-two events over the course of a week.

Each day will have a feature race with a minimum prize fund of €100,000 per race.

The hotly contested Tote Galway Plate, a race synonymous with Galway, will take place on Wednesday, July 28th.

The Tote Galway Plate is a race awash with quality, with experienced chasers taking on emerging youngsters, and has produced some high-class recent winners including, Balko Des Flos and Road To Riches.

This year’s edition of the race will have a prize fund of €250,000 after receiving an increase of €50,000.

The race cards on Thursday, July 29th and Friday, July 30th are sponsored in full by the Galway Races long-standing partner, Guinness, with Thursday’s Guinness Galway Hurdle now worth €250,000, having also received a boost of €50,000.

Each year for the Summer Festival, the Galway Racecourse hosts the Leading Jockey and Leading Trainer Championships sponsored by the Rooney Family and Chanelle Medical respectively.

This year, the Galway Race Committee are proud to announce that in association with the Rooney Family, they will be unveiling a new Pat Smullen Perpetual Trophy for the winner of the Flat Jockey Championship in memory of the jockey.

Smullen was linked with the Galway Festival through his partnership with Dermot Weld and a regular recipient of this prize.

Commenting on this award, Anthony Ryan, Chairman of Galway Race Committee said, “Pat was a true gentleman, a champion, a warrior and a regular to the winner’s enclosure here in Ballybrit. Pat has a huge number of fans and support here in Galway so it’s only fitting that we honour him in this way”.

Galway Racecourse have submitted plans for 5,000 spectators per day at the outdoor event, and are waiting for an imminent decision in relation to this.

Should they get approval, an announcement of their ticketing policy will be released shortly.

The first four action-packed days of the Galway Races will be broadcast on RTÉ from Ballybrit at 5 pm for two hours.

That includes the feature race on each day plus three supporting races each day.

TG4 will also broadcast the event for the first time in sixteen years, Galway Racecourse have announced.

The live coverage on TG4 will include fifteen action-packed races on Friday, July 30th and Saturday, July 31st.

It will feature races such as The Guinness Galway Blazers Steeplechase, The Guinness Galway Tribes Hurdle and The Galway Shopping Centre Handicap.

To complement the above television broadcast, Racing TV will cover and broadcast every one of the fifty-two races live from the track.

You can see the schedule for the 2021 Galway Races here.

To read the information on this year’s Ladies Day, click here.

A look at the Ireland Golf Team for Tokyo 2020

Men’s Events

Shane Lowry

Date of Birth: 2 April 1987

Coming from Ciara, Co. Offaly, Shane Lowry has become one of Ireland’s most famous golfers in the past few years. With comparisons with fellow Irish teammate Rory McIlroy. This will be Lowry’s first appearance at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

After playing in numerous European and PGA Tours, winning the 2009 Irish Open as an amateur, the 2015 World Golf Championship and the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in August 2015. The highlight of his career so far was becoming a Major Champion, amazingly winning the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club in County Antrim.

After his victory, Lowry discussed his shocking victory with Sky Sports.

“It’s like an out-of-body experience! I was so calm coming down the last, I cannot believe it. The weather was awful, but I had a look around, and everyone was struggling. It became a two-horse race with Tommy, and I just tried to focus on staying ahead.”

“I suppose I talked to my caddie Bo a lot today, I said ‘I cannot stop thinking about winning, holding the claret jug’. He just said, ‘stay focused’, and what a job he did today. I cannot wait to wake up tomorrow and feel what it feels like it is phenomenal.”

Since then he has finished T4 at the second Major Championship of 2021, the PGA Championship, and has carded a consistent top 10 results this golfing calendar at least three times.

 

Rory McIlroy

Date of Birth: 4 May 1989

Hailing from Holywood, County Down, Rory McIlroy has become one of the most famous golfers of the past decade. McIlroy began his career with a successful amateur career, topping the World Amateur Golf Ranking for one week in 2007 at the age of 17.

As both an amateur and a professional, he has represented Europe, Great Britain, and Ireland. He will now make his debut at the Olympic Games, representing Ireland along with Shane Lowry in the men’s event.

He is a four-time Major Champion, winning the PGA Championship (2012, 2014), US Open (2011) and The Open Championship (2014) and spent an incredible 106 weeks at the top of the Official World Gold Rankings in March of 2012.

His 2021 season thus far has been successful. Winning the Wells Fargo Championship on the PGA Tour with T5 and T6 results at the Masters and World Golf Championship.

Other Achievements and Awards

PGA Tour leading money winner – (2012, 2014)

Vardon Trophy – (2012, 2014, 2019)

PGA Tour Player of the Year – (2012, 2014, 2019)

Byron Nelson Award – (2012,2014, 2019)

PGA Player of the Year – (2012, 2014)

Race to Dubai champion – (2012, 2014, 2015)

European Tour Golfer of the Year – (2012, 2014, 2015)

Mark H. McCormack Award – (2012, 2014, 2015)

FedEx Cup Champion – (2016, 2019)

Women’s Event’s

Leona Maguire

Date of Birth: 30 November 1994

Born in County Cavan, prior to turning professional, she spent a record 135 weeks the world number 1 in the World Amateur Ranking from May 2015-May 2016 and then again from August 2016-February 2018, making it the longest in Amateur Golfing History.

Winning major championships such as the Women’s Amateur Championship, and winning a bronze medal representing her country Ireland at the World Amateur Championships in 2016.

Leona Maguire will make her second Olympic Games appearance after competing at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, where she finished 21st on the overall leader board. As a leading amateur in the Irish Golf scene, she turned Professional on the 5th of June 2018.

After turning Professional, Maguire has two wins while on the LPGA Symetra Tour in 2019 at the Symetra Classic. After her victory, she joined up with the LPGA Tour for her first full season as a Rookie in 2020

She has climbed the Rolex World Rankings since then, reaching 63rd after two 2nd place finishes at the Lotte Championship and Meijer LPGA Classic in 2021.

 

Stephanie Meadow

Date of Birth: 20 January 1992

Born in Jordanstown Northern Ireland, Stephanie Meadow will make her second appearance at the Olympic Games in Tokyo this year. She made her Olympic debut in 2016 in Rio, becoming a two-time Olympian in the process.

Moving to Alabama USA at the age of 14, she started golf and became and famous amateur golfer in the state. Becoming the Crimson Tide’s first-ever four-time All-American.

She has numerous team appearances as an amateur, representing Great Britain and Ireland on different occasions and in 2011 and 2013 at the Vagliano Trophy. Partaking in the Curtis Cup twice (2012,2014) winning it in 2012. She represented Ireland in 2012 at the Espirito Santo Trophy.

She left Alabama as an amateur as the career record holder in every category she entered.

Meadow decided to turn Professional in 2014. Where she won her first LGPA Symetra Tour tournament at the 2018 IOA Championship in a playoff.

She won her first LPGA Tour Card in 2019 after finishing in the top six of the Symetra Tour Money List. In August 2019. She was victorious in winning the ISPS Handa World Invitational.

She recently entered her first Major Championship in 2021, where she finished T19 at the ANA Inspiration.

Ladies Day at The Galway Races 2021

Widely renowned as ‘Ladies Day’ at the Galway Races, Thursday traditionally combines the very best in horse racing and fashion.

Following on from its popularity last Summer, the team in Her.ie are once again sponsoring the hugely popular Best Dressed Competition this year. This year’s event, held on Thursday 29th July will be judged by online influencer and model Louise O’Reilly.

This year’s Fridays Most Stylist Competition, sponsored by Athlone Town Centre returns with a chance for all ladies, no matter where you live in the world, to take part from your living room, kitchen or garden. Judging the fashion competition are stylist and presenter Marietta Doran who will be joined by previous winner, stylist and Weekend AM presenter Rebecca Rose Quigley.  Check out www.galwayraces.com for more information on both ladies’ fashion competitions.

Get Social – What’s App Messages of Support
This July, stay in touch with all that’s happening at the Galway Races by tuning in daily to their social media channels via Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. The team in Galway have lots of interviews, fun and entertainment planned to keep their fans engaged in the build up to and during the races, including:

  • The Weights Release on Monday 19th July via Facebook and Instagram LIVE;
  • A dedicated What’s App phone line during the festival for fans to send in their text messages and videos of support direct to all taking part in Ballybrit;
  • Daily onsite show direct from the team at the track, bringing you up close and personal and behind the scenes of Irelands largest horse racing festival.
Follow us for all the latest updates LIVE as they happen on our social media channels using the hashtags #GalwayRaces #GiddyforGalway
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