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14 Irish-trained horses among 31 left in Coral-Eclipse

There are 14 Irish-trained horses among the 31 that remain in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown Park on Saturday 3rd July.

The 10-furlong contest forms part of the British Champions Series and is the first significant contest where those from the Classic generation take on their elders.

Heading the entries is Mishriff. The John and Thady Gosden-trained four year old landed last season’s French Derby. He has won both his starts so far in 2021, the Saudi Cup and the Dubai Sheema Classic.

St Mark’s Basilica is one of 13 remaining entries for Aidan O’Brien. The three year old Siyouni colt is a dual Classic winner in France this season. Last weekend, he won the Group One Prix du Jockey-Club at Chantilly.

The only other Irish trainer with a runner engaged is Jim Bolger. MacSwiney, the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas winner is among the 31 remaining horses.

The five-day confirmation stage for the Coral-Eclipse is on Monday 28th June, when there is also a supplementary entry stage.

THE CORAL-ECLIPSE (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

SANDOWN PARK – Saturday 3rd July

Addeybb (IRE) 7 9 7 Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum William Haggas

Armory (IRE) 4 9 7 Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Aidan O’Brien IRE

Japan (GB) 5 9 7 M Matsushima/D Smith/Mrs Magnier/M Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

Lord North (IRE) 5 9 7 HH Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed Racing John & Thady Gosden

Mishriff (IRE) 4 9 7 Prince A. A. Faisal John & Thady Gosden

Mogul (GB) 4 9 7 Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

My Oberon (IRE) 4 9 7 Sunderland Holding Inc. William Haggas

Palace Pier (GB) 4 9 7 Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum John & Thady Gosden

Regal Reality (GB) 6 9 7 Mr Peter Done Sir Michael Stoute

Sangarius (GB) 5 9 7 Juddmonte Sir Michael Stoute

Love (IRE) 4 9 4 Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

Wonderful Tonight (FR) 4 9 4 Mr Christopher Wright David Menuisier

Battleground (USA) 3 8 11 Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

Bolshoi Ballet (IRE) 3 8 11 Mrs J Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith/Westerberg Aidan O’Brien IRE

El Drama (IRE) 3 8 11 Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum Roger Varian

High Definition (IRE) 3 8 11 D Smith/M Tabor/Mrs J Magnier/Westerberg Aidan O’Brien IRE

Highland Avenue (IRE) 3 8 11 Godolphin Charlie Appleby

John Leeper (IRE)3 8 11 Anamoine Ltd Ed Dunlop

Mac Swiney (IRE) 3 8 11 Mrs J. S. Bolger Jim Bolger IRE

Mohaafeth (IRE) 3 8 11 Shadwell Estate Company Ltd William Haggas

Mostahdaf (IRE) 3 8 11 Shadwell Estate Company Ltd John & Thady Gosden

Naamoos (FR) 3 8 11 H.H. Shaikh Nasser Al Khalifa & F. Nass Mark Johnston

New Mandate (IRE) 3 8 11 Mr Marc Chan Ralph Beckett

One Ruler (IRE) 3 8 11 Godolphin Charlie Appleby

Royal Champion (IRE) 3 8 11 Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum Roger Varian

St Mark’s Basilica (FR) 3 8 11 Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

Wembley (IRE) 3 8 11 Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

Joan of Arc (IRE) 3 8 8 Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

Mother Earth (IRE) 3 8 8 Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

Santa Barbara (IRE) 3 8 8 Mrs J Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith/Westerberg Aidan O’Brien IRE

Snowfall (JPN) 3 8 8 Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

GAA Live Scores, Team News & Betting – Division 1 semi-final Donegal v Dublin

Donegal v Dublin — Kingspan, Breffni Park – 7:15 pm — Live on TG4

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE SCORE UPDATES ON DONEGAL v DUBLIN

The reigning All-Ireland champions and last years Ulster finalists will meet in the second Allianz league football semi-final this Saturday live on TG4.

Donegal’s league form coming into this game has been hot and cold, getting over the line against Tyrone and drawing against Monaghan and Armagh.

Dublin has not looked like its usual scintillating self. Beating both Galway and Roscommon and drawing to Kerry, who they were leading for large periods of the game.

League form is usually not taken seriously when it comes to the championship and from past experiences, Dublin won’t necessarily care about the outcome.

Donegal has a lot to prove after failing to beat Cavan in last year’s Ulster final and beating the Dubs will lay a marker for the coming summer months.

Form — last three results

Donegal — (Win, Draw, Draw)

Dublin — (Win, Draw, Win)

Players to watch

Donegal: Paddy McBrearty (Cill Chartha)

Dublin: Con O’Callaghan (Cuala)

Starting/Predicted Teams
Donegal

Dublin

Betting

Donegal: 7/2

Dublin: 1/4

Draw: 10/1

Prediction

Dublin by 5pts

GAA Live Scores, Team News & Betting – Division 1 semi-final – Kerry v Tyrone

Kerry v Tyrone— Fitzgerald Stadium- 5:00 pm — Live on TG4

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE SCORES ON KERRY v TYRONE

Kerry and Tyrone will meet in the first of two Allianz football league semi-finals to take place this coming Saturday live on TG4.

The Kingdom will be looking to carry on their momentum and book a place in the Allianz league final after their last match, seeing off Roscommon by a comprehensive nine-point winning margin at Dr Hyde Park two weeks ago.

While Tyrone will be looking to bounce back after their exciting draw with Ulster rivals Monaghan at Healy Park in Omagh.

With Kerry reigning league champions, they are coming into this game as the heavy favourites. Easing past Roscommon in their last match, showing resolve to dig out a draw with All-Ireland champions Dublin.

If Tyrone can pose any problems for Kerry, their attack will be crucial to booking their place in their first league final appearance since 2013. With Paul Donaghy looking dangerous and Darren McCurry scoring for fun, Tyrone could easily cause an upset.

The burden will fall upon full-forward starlet David Clifford to cause chaos for the Tyrone back-line. With his performance against Galway a stand-out.

Form — last three results

Kerry — (Win, Draw, Win)

Tyrone — (Loss, Win, Draw)

Players to watch

Kerry: David Clifford (Fossa)

Tyrone: Darren McCurry (Edendork)

Starting/Predicted Teams

Kerry

Kerry (Confirmed) : Kieran Fitzgibbon; Brian O Beaglaoich, Jason Foley, Tom O’Sullivan; Mike Breen, Gavin Crowley, Gavin White; Diarmuid O’Connor, Adrian Spillane; Stephen O’Brien, Sean O’Shea, Paul Geaney; David Clifford, Dara Moynihan, Paudie Clifford.

Subs: Brendan Kealy, Jack Sherwood, Jack Barry, Graham O’Sullivan, Killian Spillane, Tommy Walsh, Paul O’Shea, Micheal Burns, Joe O’Connor, Pa Kilkenny, David Shaw.

Tyrone

Niall Morgan; Cormac Munroe, Ronan McNamee, Rory Brennan; Michael McKernan, Frank Burns, Peter Harte; Mattie Donnelly, Richard Donnelly; Kieran McGeary, Darragh Canavan Conor Meyler; Darren McCurry Conor McKenna, Paul Donaghy

Betting

Kerry: 1/3

Tyrone: 3/1

Draw: 8/1

Prediction

Kerry.

Wales vs Switzerland Euro 2020: Preview, Line-ups, Betting

Here is everything you need to know about the Euro 2020 Group A match between Wales and Switzerland

This will be the second match of the group and it will be televised live on RTÉ 2 at 14:00 on Saturday 12th of June.

The game will take place in the Baku Olympic Stadium in Azerbaijan, a long distance for both teams to travel.

Switzerland topped their qualifying group on the way to this tournament, only conceding six goals in eight games.

They will also bring a large pool of Bundesliga and Premier League talents in their defence and midfield.

Wales strangely have the best win record in the entire competition due to the successes on Euro 2016.

They hope to build on that with a newly appointed Robert Page as their manager.

Although not having great squad depth, they do start a strong first 11.

Both sides are highly revered with Wales at 17th and Switzerland at 13th currently in the FIFA World Rankings.

Predicted Line-ups

Wales

Formation

3-4-3

Predicted Line-up

Ward (GK), Mepham, Rodon, Lawrence, Roberts, Ramsey, Allen, Davies, Bale, Wilson, James

Injuries

None

 

Switzerland

Formation

3-4-1-2

Predicted Line-up

Sommer (GK), Elvedi, Schar, Akanji, Mbabu, Zakaria, Xhaka, Rodriguez, Shaqiri, Seferovic, Gavranovic

Injuries

None

 

Betting

The bookies have Switzerland as  major favourites for the match with odds of 11/10 to win.

Wales are the underdogs with odds of 14/5 to overcome to Swiss in Baku.

The odds of the game finished all evens is 19/10, which is not a bad bet in this game that seems hard to predict.

Haris Seferovic is the odds-on favourite to bag a goal while aging superstar Gareth Bale is still expected to be the leading light for Wales.

Score Prediction

The Swiss have had a great recent runoff form winning seven of their last matches in friendlies and qualifying.

None of those sides were truly threatening with the USA and Ukraine the best teams.

Other than their final friendly against Liechtenstein, Switzerland have struggled in front of goal.

Wales, on the other hand, have had a rough run of fixtures with two red cards in their last three games.

It is clear that the team will depend on Bale heavily for goals after a season where he did not play much for Tottenham.

Expect this to be a cagey, defensive affair ending 1-1 with Gavranovic and Wilson finding the net.

Irish Showjumping team fifth in Longines FEI Nations Cup of France

The Irish Show Jumping team finished in fifth place in Friday Longines FEI Nations Cup of France in La Baule.

The Michael Blake-managed team consisted of Shane Sweetnam, Darragh Kenny, Bertram Allen and Cian O’Connor.

Ireland, who are the reigning Longines FEI Nations Cup world champions, were in share of the lead with Switzerland at the halfway stage on a zero score.

Shane Sweetnam was the first Irish rider to enter the arena with Karlin Van’t Vennehof and they left all the fences standing – finishing with just a time fault.

Darragh Kenny then jumped clear with VDL Cartello and that was followed by another perfect clear from Bertram Allen with The Irish Sport Horse Pacino Amiro.

Ireland were assured to finish the first round on at worst just a time fault and in second place with the last line riders left to jump but a clear from anchor rider Cian O’Connor would put Ireland in a share of the lead with Switzerland.

A clear round from O’Connor and the Irish Sport Horse Kilkenny saw Ireland match the Swiss first round effort of a zero score heading into round two. Britain and Italy were lurking close behind in joint third on just a time fault while Belgium were also in the hunt on four faults.

Second Round

Sweetnam got Ireland underway in the second round with a four fault score – the same as the first Swiss rider, meaning the two countries still could not be separated. Italy began to apply the pressure when their first rider in the second round jumped clear.

Darragh Kenny looked set to complete a double clear performance but a foot in the water saw him finish with four faults aboard VDL Cartello. That moved Italy into the lead on a time fault, with Ireland, Switzerland and Belgium then tied for second on four faults with two riders remaining for each team.

Bertram Allen and Pacino Amiro (ISH) also finished with four faults second time out and that put Ireland onto a best possible score of eight faults heading into the last line of riders.

Cian O’Connor and Kilkenny (ISH) came close to a double clear round when last to go, however the very last fence fell to leave them with the same four fault score as his three fellow team members in the second round.

A strong finish by Switzerland saw them claim victory on a four fault score while Italy took runner-up spot on seven faults. Belgium on eight faults took third with Britain fourth (9 faults) just ahead of Ireland in fifth on 12 faults.

Ireland’s next five-star FEI Nations Cup outing in Europe Division 1 will be at Sopot in Poland next Friday, June 18th.

Ireland fall to England in pursuit of Hockey World Cup spot

Ireland’s World Cup qualification bid looks set to come down to October’s final qualifier after they could not build on a strong start against England in the EuroHockey Championships’ Pool C.

Pool C: Ireland 1 (D Duke) England 5 (S Evans 2, A Toman 2, E Rayer) 

Deirdre Duke’s outstanding early goal had them dreaming of a first win over England since 1983 – and a first in several Euro meetings – but three second quarter goals put paid to those hopes as they ultimately fell 5-1.

As such, barring an unlikely turnaround in fortunes – requiring a heavy England loss to Scotland and a big Irish win over Italy – Ireland will now contest an eight-team qualifier in October for a ticket to next summer’s World Cup.

The Irish survived a tricky opening as the world number fives penned the Green Army back but super first-up defence limited any damage and soon, they started to make inroads at the far end.

The approach was more direct with Naomi Carroll and Katie Mullan finding space to drive on and the opening goal came in the 13th minute. It was a glorious piece of work, created 70 metres out from goal as Anna O’Flanagan chipped a Carroll pass beyond her marker to unlock space.

A quick interchange with Nicci Daly was followed by O’Flanagan’s perfect cross that Deirdre Duke dove onto.

But the game turned England’s way with three goals in a nine minute spell in the second quarter. Anna Toman picked a brilliant line to clatter the backboard from England’s second penalty corner.

Danger-woman Lily Owsley’s baseline run finished with an inviting pass to the back post that Sarah Evans gobbled up to swap the lead. And Evans was on hand to volley in the third just before half-time from Ellie Rayer’s pass, leaving Ireland with a mountain to climb.

And that became steeper in the 42nd minute when Giselle Ansley’s corner shot took a heavy defensive touch to lift out of reach of Ayeisha McFerran and into the goal.

Toman then completed the result with 70 seconds remaining with another strong corner sweep shot.

Ireland will conclude this campaign on Saturday at 3.30pm (Irish time, RTE Player and BT Sport) against Italy.

Ireland: A McFerran, R Upton, N Evans, K Mullan, S McCay, L Tice, N Carroll, H McLoughlin, L Holden, S Hawkshaw, A O’Flanagan

Subs: Z Malseed, M Carey, M Frazer, N Daly, H Matthews, D Duke, L Murphy

England: M Hinch, L Unsworth, S Evans, A Toman, S Townsend, E Rayer, G Ansley,  L Owsley,  G Balsdon, I Petter

Subs: E Burge, E Sanders, L Neal, J Hunter, C de Ledesma, F Crackles, S Heesh

Umpiries: I Amorosini (ITA), S Wilson (SCO)

IOC name Olympic Refugee team for Tokyo 2020

The International Olympic Committee has named 29 athletes across 12 sports to take part as the Refugee team at the Games in Japan in late July

The IOC has been sending a refugee team to the Olympics since 2016. They walk underneath the Olympic flag as the second nation, behind Greece, during the opening ceremony.

The number of athletes has increased from 10 five years ago. The athletes this year have originated from countries such as Afghanistan, Cameroon, Iraq, Syria, and Venezuela.

Kenyan, Tegla Loroupe will lead the team during this year as the Chef de Mission.

IOC President Thomas Bach has said: “I speak on behalf of the entire Olympic Movement when I say that we cannot wait to meet you in person and to see you compete in Tokyo.

“When you, the IOC Refugee Olympic Team and the athletes from the National Olympic Committees from all over the globe, finally come together in Tokyo on 23 July, it will send a powerful message of solidarity, resilience, and hope to the world.

“You are an integral part of our Olympic community, and we welcome you with open arms.”

The team will be battling for medals in events such as athletics, badminton, boxing, and canoeing.

This team is not to be confused with independent athletes who do not represent a nation.

 

The Refugee Olympic Team

Angelina Nadai Lohalith – Athletics

Dorian Keletela – Athletics

Jamal Abdelmaji Eisa Mohammed – Athletics

James Chienjiek Nyang – Athletics

Paulo Amotun Lokoro – Athletics

Rose Nathike Likonyen – Athletics

Tachlowini Gabriyesos – Athletics

Aram Mahmoud – Badminton

Eldric Samuel Sella Rodriguez – Boxing

Wessam Salamana – Boxing

Saeis Fazloula – Canoe

Ahmad Badreddin Wais – Cycling

Masomah Ali Zada – Cycling

Hamoon Derafshipour – Karate

Wael Shueb – Karate

Ahmad Alikaj – Judo

Javad Mahjoub – Judo

Muna Dahouk – Judo

Nigara Shaheen – Judo

Popole Misenga – Judo

Sandra Aldass – Judo

Luna Solomon – Shooting

Alaa Maso – Swimming

Yusra Mardini – Swimming

Abdullah Sediqi – Taekwondo

Dina Pouryounes Langeroudi – Taekwondo

Kimia Alizadeh Zenozi – Taekwondo

Cyrille Fagat Tchatchet II – Weightlifting

Aker Al Obaidi – Wrestling

 

GPS monitoring of Olympic athletes, says CEO Muto

Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee CEO, Toshiro Muto has said that all athletes and media will be required to be GPS monitored

This system was put in place after the increase of the Covid-19 pandemic in the capital, Tokyo in recent months.

CEO Muto has said that they do not plan to track all the movements of the visitors but to trace them if any problems should occur.

Around 6,000 reporters visiting Japan for the Olympics must provide a list of the areas that they will visit for their first two weeks, such as venues and hotels.

The previously postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are set to start on the 23rd of July.

GPS tracking will be done by using smartphone technology to make sure the media do not leave given routes.

In a press conference, Mr. Muto said: “Using GPS, if they go to places outside their planned destinations, that would become very apparent.

“If they go places they’re not supposed to, we are definitely concerned that it would heighten the risk.”

 

Japan is expected to host over 11,000 athletes at this year’s games.

Overseas supporters will also not be allowed to attend the competition.

Reporters have been advised to stay in prebooked hotels instead of private accomadation.

Athletes will be tested daily for the virus as health concerns are a priority for the Organising Committee.

“Given the current state of the pandemic, I think this is a tolerable restriction on activities,” added Muto.

 

 

Eased restrictions let hang gliders take to the skies

Hang gliders and paragliders are back in the air now that intercounty travel is allowed, and sunny weather is on the horizon

The sport first became very popular in Ireland in the 1970s and the lack of entertainment could inspire another resurgence.

The Irish landscape is full of suitable hills and troughs for the pastime.

The peaks around Lough Derg in Tipperary and Mount Leinster in Wexford have become a big hotspot for Irish and international hang gliders.

This is because of their picturesque views and large fields for landing.

Some also believe that it is a great activity for mental health.

Keith Diamond, a member of the Irish Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (IHPA) says:

“It’s a space where I don’t think about anything else when I take off, I just fly, and I don’t worry about any other problems in my life.”

Unlike some other sports, hang gliding and paragliding can be done all year round provided the weather is right.

The perfect conditions for gliding are a small amount of wind and clear skies.

Hang gliding is also a dangerous pastime, but enthusiasts say you can easily minimize risks with proper training and attention.

IHPA members highly recommend the activity as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“It’s a special feeling and a special experience, there aren’t many humans in the world that can say they can fly like a bird,” added Mr. Diamond.

Connacht Rugby coaches talk new roles on Official Club Podcast

The 1885 Membership Club’s James ‘Sloppy’ Heaslip spoke to some of the new Connacht Rugby coaches after they announced a new coaching structure for the 2021/22 season.

You can enjoy the podcast from which the quotes are from here.

The new coaching structure involves the move of former Defence coach Peter Wilkins to Senior Coach.

To clarify, Mr Wilkins’ new role will make him primarily responsible for Connacht’s attack.

Furthermore, Connacht Rugby has welcomed former Munster player Mossy Lawler as Assistant Attack and Skills Coach.

In addition, former Shannon and UL Bohemians boss Colm ‘Collie’ Tucker joins as Defence and Forwards Technical Skills Coach.

Wilkins, who will be the number two to Head Coach Andy Friend, explained his new role as overseeing training, devising gameplans and “essentially making sure we have that cohesion on the field.”

The incoming Senior Coach likened his position to that of an assistant manager in football.

The other two incoming coaches have also been involved in the Connacht setup for several years before joining the senior team’s coaching staff.

Mr Lawler came on board in 2015 and was involved in multiple roles in the several years since then.

Most notably, he was the Head Coach for the Connacht Eagles.

The former professional told Sloppy that “it was just a natural transition to get into coaching. [He’d] like to think [he] did it from grassroots to green shirts.”

He climbed up the ranks through roles at Árdscoil Rís and UL Bohemians to reach Connacht.

Eric Elwood hired Colm Tucker to work in the academy.

However, his route was slightly different to his first cousin Mossy Lawler.

After neck issues brought an end to his rugby career at 19, Cully started coaching at underage level in Shannon.

In time, he was promoted to Head Coach of the senior side.

Collie then moved across Limerick to UL Bohemians.

At UL Bohemians, he brought Mossy Lawlor on as the Director of Rugby and a player.

The new Defence coach talked fondly about his time coaching in the All-Ireland League.

“Coaching in AIL provided an unbelievable grounding for me to move on…it teaches you so much about time management and prioritisation.”

Tucker thinks it is brilliant for him to work with the man he is stepping in for in his first professional coaching job.

“I can consistently run things by him, and share footage, share clips, discuss clips, challenge each other. That process has already started over the last couple of months where we’ve put together philosophies and principles around how we’re going to defend, how we’re going to attack.”

The Connacht Defence Coach added that all the coaches are working hard to get themselves on the same page.

Wilkins paid tribute to his predecessors on the podcast: “Coaches give everything to the cause and at some point, they will move on. It’s important to build on the success and the good things they brought to the environment but also keep the team moving forward.”

One coach absent for the podcast was Connacht’s new forwards coach Dewald Senekal.

The South African joins Connacht Rugby from Stade Francais and comes to Galway with a lot of promise.

“He’s got that South African edge – he wants us to ply on the edge, play fairly but bring that aggression, that composed physicality to what we do”, said Peter Wilkins when asked by Sloppy about the incoming forwards coach.

Wilkins feels that Senekal will be valuable to the team.

He added that he thinks the players are excited to get to work with the 40-year-old.

The excitement about the future spreads beyond the players, as said on the podcast.

Wilkins believes that the consistency Connacht maintained away from home and their final performace showed the province’s progress under Andy Friend.

Finishing the season on a high felt important to Wilkins.

He told Sloppy that “it’s always important to finish the season with a win.

“It just changes the perspective going into an offseason, particularly when you are farewelling people who are leaving.”

Mossy Lawler also talked about the future crop of Connacht Rugby players that are yet to make the step up.

He found it rewarding to help produce the next batch of Connacht players.

Lawler sees it as recognition of the work done throughout the province.

The new Skills Coach named several players he believes fans will see make the step up in 2021/22.

Paul Ford, Shane Jennings, Donnchadh Byrne, and Oisin McCormack were given the nod by Lawler.

Connacht will only grow further thanks to their increased focus on academy products in the province.

Mossy Lawler summed up the feeling from fans and coaches alike on the podcast – “I think the future’s really bright.”

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