AC Milan were the opposition as the sides drew 1-1.
Highly touted Italian/Ivorian prospect Amad Diallo scored his first Manchester United senior goal this evening in a 1-1 draw with AC Milan.
Diallo came on as a substitute at half-time and it didn’t take long for him to make his mark. He latched onto a Bruno Fernandes lofted through ball after a good run and produced a fantastic header which found the back of the net.
He’s known for his quick feet, agility and passing ability but his goal this evening demonstrated his intelligence and off the ball ability, as well.
AC Milan would have been slightly unlucky to end up on the losing side considering their performance. They managed to find the back of the net twice through Rafael Leão and Franck Kessié in the first half, however both goals were disallowed for various reasons.
They managed to get their goal in the end, though, as Simon Kjær scored a bullet header in the dying embers of added time.
The two sides are set to meet next Thursday to play out the second leg which will decide who advances to the quarter finals.
AC Milan will feel confident going into the tie given this evening’s result. They also have the advantage of playing at their home ground, the San Siro.
⏰ RESULTS ⏰
✅ Wins for Villarreal and Ajax
👀 All level in Prague and Manchester
Connacht Rugby has announced 21 contracts, big names include Jack Carty, Ultan Dillane and Finlay Bealham who have signed for another year.
Niall Murray who is sponsored by SportsNewsIRELAND also had his contract extended. In all 19 players from the existing Professional squad have renewed deals for next season while a further two players, Oran McNulty and Cian Prendergast, have been promoted from the Connacht Academy.
Today’s announcement includes four Irish internationals – Finlay Bealham, Jack Carty, Ultan Dillane and Dave Heffernan – while joint-leading Guinness PRO14 try scorer Alex Wootton has signed on a permanent contract having joined on loan from Munster last summer. Quin Roux looks to be the major name that has not signed a contract.
“I am delighted to see so many of our current crop of players sign on for another season. This is still a very challenging time for everyone in Irish Rugby so to have them commit to Connacht Rugby again says it all about the belief we have as a group to continue the progress we’re making.
17 of the 21 players were once part of the Connacht Academy, and in that group we have a mix of established Irish internationals, experienced players within the province and plenty of young players still in the early stages of their careers.
I have been very impressed by Cian Prendergast and Oran McNulty, and their first Professional contracts is the culmination of years of work from grassroots level to where they are now. Congratulations not just to them but their parents, coaches and all the other volunteers who helped them along the way.
We are continuing to shape the squad for next season, with further discussions ongoing, and supporters should expect more positive news in the weeks and months ahead.”
Connacht Rugby’s retention and recruitment remains ongoing and further announcements will be made in due course.
CONFIRMED NEW CONTRACTS FOR 2021-22
Finlay BEALHAM
Paul BOYLE
Denis BUCKLEY
Matthew BURKE
Jack CARTY
Shane DELAHUNT
Ultan DILLANE
Jordan DUGGAN
Conor FITZGERALD
Dave HEFFERNAN
Eoghan MASTERSON
Sean MASTERSON
Oran MCNULTY
Niall MURRAY
Conor OLIVER
John PORCH
Cian PRENDERGAST
Colm REILLY
Peter SULLIVAN
Gavin THORNBURY
Alex WOOTTON
The draws for the 2021/22 UEFA Women’s Under-19 & Under-17 European Championship Qualifying.
In a change to the structure, both competitions will operate in a UEFA Nations League-style format, which will operate as per the following:
Round 1
In each league, groups of 4 teams will play mini-tournaments
The winners of each mini-tournament in League B will be promoted and the last-placed teams in League A mini-tournaments will be relegated.
Round 2
League A Round 2 will replace the current elite round with the winners (and best runner-up) qualifying for the final tournament.
After Round 2, the winners of mini-tournaments in League B will be promoted and the last-placed teams in League A will be relegated for Round 1 of the next edition of the tournament.
Final Tournament hosts
Final tournament hosts will be drawn into a league according to their coefficient and play as any other team throughout the competition. Their place in the final tournament will nevertheless be guaranteed, irrespective of their results.
The new format will ensure more competitive balance because all teams will play against similarly ranked teams while still giving the opportunity to every team to qualify for every final tournament.
In Thursday’s draw, Dave Connell’s Women’s Under-19s were put into Group A5 alongside England, Northern Ireland and Switzerland. A host nation for the qualifiers – which will start in late October – has yet to be decided.
For James Scott’s Women’s Under-17s, it is a trip to Norway to take on the host nation, as well as Bulgaria and Hungary in Group A1 games scheduled to start in early October.
The Czech Republic will host the Women’s Under-19 finals tournament, while the Women’s Under-17 finals will be in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
2021/22 UEFA Women’s Under-19 European Championship Qualifying
England, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Switzerland
2021/22 UEFA Women’s Under-17 European Championship Qualifying
Bulgaria, Hungary, Norway, Republic of Ireland
After coming so close to dethroning Dublin in last year’s Championship, Kerry were heavily backed to do so again in 2020. In fact, the shortened Championship went further in Kerry’s favour as the draw would have seen them avoid Dublin until the final. The first round pitted them against old rivals Cork. However, Cork hadn’t beaten the Kingdom since 2012 and despite topping Division 3 easily they were never expected to challenge Peter Keane’s team. As a result, Mark Keane’s 91st minute goal to eliminate Kerry made this one of the biggest upsets in modern times. With that in mind, here are the 5 biggest GAA upsets of the 21st century (excluding Cork vs Kerry last Sunday).
1. 2002, Dublin 2-11 vs 0-10 Meath – Leinster Semi-Final.
It seems like a distant memory now, but Dublin were not always the juggernaut they are now. Meath were very much the county on top of Leinster at the turn of the century. In 2002, Dublin were entering their seventh season without a Leinster title.
In addition, there was not exactly huge expectations from the capital. A mediocre League campaign was followed by a victory over Wexford in the Championship before the Meath fixture.
Previously, Meath had taken apart a Kerry team in 2001 that had beaten Dublin. While it had been 3 years since the Royals won the Sam Maguire, there was still a huge gap between them and Dublin.
But, once the ball was thrown in this Leinster semi-final the Dubs came out firing. Manager Tommy Lyons worked the magic that saw him bring Kilmacud Crokes to Club glory in 1995. It was Ray Cosgrove who led the charge with two goals to sink Meath.
Since then Meath have only won one Leinster final. In contrast, Dublin have only improved. That game very much marked a power shift in Leinster.
2. 2007, Sligo 1-10 vs 0-12 Galway – Connacht Final.
For the longest time Connacht has been dominated by Galway and Mayo with Roscommon joining them in recent years. Hence, when Sligo upset Galway in 2007 it was a huge upset.
The semi-final was a shock in itself. After being six points down in the second half in Dr Hyde Park, the Yeats County won the final twenty minutes by eight to beat Roscommon.
The final went to a fro in the first half. Then, in the 24th minute Eamonn O’Hara found the net for Sligo and by half-time they were two up. In the final 20 minutes Sligo only scored one point but their defence held strong.
The win was their first Connacht title since 1975 and it ruptured the Galway/Mayo trend that had developed in Connacht.
3. 2010, Down 1-16 vs 1-10 Kerry – All-Ireland Quarter-Final.
When Down knocked reigning Champions Kerry out of the Championship at the quarter-final stage in 2010, it was the first time the Kingdom weren’t playing football in September since 2003.
Mark Poland scored the crucial goal for Down as the Ulster side raced into a 1-4 to 0-0 lead. Likewise, Marty Clarke was doing serious damage. Kerry came back somewhat but never really managed to get a foothold in the game. Hence, the upset was more than just Down defeating Kerry. It was the comfort with which they did it.
4. 2011, Tipperary 3-09 vs 1-14 Dublin – All-Ireland Minor Final.
Before Dessie Farrell took charge of the Dublin Seniors this year, he had already been successful with the county at minor and u-21 level. However, the 2011 Minor Final is absent from his CV. In Farrell’s first year in charge of the Dublin minors, they were dramatically beaten in the final by Tipperary.
The Tipperary manager that day was David Power who himself took charge of the seniors this year. Goals from Liam McGrath, Michael Quinlivan, and Colman Kennedy saw the Premier County’s first title in 77 years.
Dublin controlled the final and had a two-point lead going into the final 5 minutes. Then, a quick 1-1 from Tipperary stunned the blues and they couldn’t undo the damage in time. That Dublin team contained Ciarán Kilkenny, John Small, Jack McCaffrey, Paul Mannion and Cormac Costello.
Likewise, many of the Tipperary players that day continued to have successful careers. For example, Michael Quinlivan was influential again in 2017 when Tipperary pulled off another upset against Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final.
5. 2018, Kildare 0-21 vs 0-19 Mayo – Round 3 Qualifier.
Mayo were the real threat to Dublin’s dominance in the 2010s. The Dubs beat the westerners in the 2011, ’13, ’16, and ’17 finals with 2016 requiring a replay. Furthermore, the sides met in the 2015 semi-final and had to replay that game too. So, when Mayo were knocked out of the 2018 Championship in the third qualifying round, it was huge news and Dublin walked to a fourth All-Ireland on the trot.
‘Newbridge or Nowhere’ was the rally call before this game. The Lilywhites refused to sacrifice their home draw for a Croke Park double-header and the performance justified their fight.
Kildare went toe-toe with Mayo. At the time, Mayo had proven themselves as one of the best teams in the country consistently. However, Kildare’s home advantage helped them rattle off six of the last nine scores to knock Mayo out.
Kildare couldn’t replicate the form in the Super 8s but the absence of Mayo sent shockwaves through the Championship.
In a raft of measures designed to show its commitment to responsible gambling, Flutter Entertainment, the parent company of brands like PaddyPower, Betfair, and SkyBet in Ireland, has announced it will ban all Irish customers from using credit cards to bet from April.
It comes at the same time as, across the Irish Sea, the UK government has announced that all credit card betting will be banned from April 14th.
‘In both cases, the rationale is the same. A significant minority of those identified as having a gambling problem, use credit cards as a principal means of payment. They are regarded as particularly problematic as it encourages people to bet more than they can afford. This is especially true where they have access to more than one card, and there have been instances if individuals racking up thousands in losses.
There is also evidence that holding a credit card encourages a gambler to chase losses.
The Irish online casino guide listed here details what payment methods are commonly accepted by operators, and for those who can no longer use their credit card, there are usually a number of alternatives.
At the same time, Flutter has also announced a ban on live sports advertising before the 9pm watershed – this covers sports like football, tennis, boxing, athletes but excludes horse and greyhound racing,
And to demonstrate their commitment to responsible gambling, Flutter has also committed to giving more money to initiatives devoted to tacking the issue of addiction and harmful behaviours.
They have publicly stated that by, by 2023, 1% of all NGR 9net Gambling Revenue) will e allocated top such programmes.
Cynics might argue that the company can afford it. Flutter enjoyed a bumper year in 2020 thanks to a strong performances in the US and Australian markets, where it added another 450,000 customers, it mirrors the general trend that the global pandemic has been a boon to the online casino business.
Flutter also will be aware that the gaming industry is a traditional easy target for governments looking to raise taxes. Many governments have had to go massively into debt to cope with the pandemic, and they will be looking to fill empty exchequers as a matter of priority.
If they are not seen to be proactive when it comes to problem gamblers, then this could just be the excuse needed to attack them, especially by opportunistic politicians looking for some favourable headlines.
Flutter will also be mindful of what is happening in other European countries. In Belgium for example, online gambling advertising has been banned completely, and live sports events are not allowed to carry ads promoting gaming.
Similarly, in Spain, the only time that adverts can be broadcast for online gaming is between 1 am and 5 am when few people are twitching and there is little live sport on which to bet being played.
Therefore, whilst what Flutter is doing will help address the issue of problem gambling, it is also an entirely pragmatic business decision as well. Seem to be doing something on their terms before somebody takes the power away from them.
The Portuguese icon failed to perform as his side fell to Porto in the last 16.
Cristiano Ronaldo has come under fierce criticism from fans and sections of the media for his performances over two legs against Porto in the Champions League.
Although normally a consistent performer, he failed to impress as Juventus bowed out to the Portuguese champions in the round of 16.
He had a particularly miserable time of it last night. He wasn’t presented with many opportunities, but when he was, he didn’t finish chances with the same clinical edge he’s displayed over the years.
He was also partly responsible for what turned out to be the winning goal for 10-man Porto. He lined up in the middle of the wall as Sérgio Oliveira lined up to take a free kick from around 30 yards out. He shot and his effort found it’s way into the bottom left corner, however it could have been easily prevented. Ronaldo turned his back and raised his leg just as Oliveira went to shoot which led to the ball going straight through his legs and into the net.
Ronaldo has always been associated with continental success at his previous clubs, particularly at Real Madrid. However, Juventus’s Champions League performances have actually declined since he joined the club in 2018.
Yesterday marked the second season in a row where Juventus have failed to progress past the round of 16. They lost in the same round to Lyon in the 2019/20 season which was also seen as an upset.
The previous season they went out at the quarter final stage at the hands of Ajax.
Many have suggested that the ascension of Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland is coinciding with the decline of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo who have dominated the European game for well over a decade.
Erling Haaland scored twice last night as he helped his Dortmund side progress to the quarter finals.
The Corkman is set to go on trial with Juventus, AC Milan, Roma and Atalanta.
Current Cork City youth footballer and Ireland u15 international Cathal Heffernan is set to go on a series of trials in Italy, namely at Juventus, AC Milan, Roma and Atalanta.
The son of Irish Olympians Rob and Marian Heffernan, Cathal comes from fine sporting background.
Heffernan has impressed at underage level for Ireland, helping his side to impressive wins over England, Poland and a number of other nations.
Heffernan isn’t the only Irish international in his age range to attract interest from Italy in recent months. Shamrock Rovers wonderkid is reportedly set to sign for Inter Milan having attracted interest from a number of European clubs over the past year, however nothing has been officially announced as of yet.
Post-Brexit regulations means Irish footballers under the age of 18 are unable to sign for British clubs, however that is not the case for other European countries. Due to this, it’s highly likely that other Irish underage players will follow in the footsteps of Heffernan and Zefi in taking a non-traditional route in pursuit of a career in football.
The recent merging of the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) and the Women’s Gaelic Players Association (WGPA), aside from demonstrating a clear indication of unity between the two organisations, could also be the big push needed by sports in Ireland.
Inter-county players voted unanimously in favour of this important step, during emergency meetings which took place on Monday 14th December. The newly unified players’ organisation will seek to boost the profile of women’s Gaelic sports, via much-needed investment for infrastructure and facilities.
However, this can only come if other sporting bodies are likewise unified. Specifically, there have been many calls for the GAA, LGFA, and the Camogie Association to unite under one banner. Thus far, while the GAA has outlined a strategic plan for greater integration, both male and female sporting participants are growing impatient for action to be taken.
Ahead of the merger, the WGPA highlighted the alarming differences in facilities available to men and women. “If Armagh ladies are the only ladies football county that have access to their own facilities and pitch, how are we as women in Gaelic games going to progress,” asked Maria Kinsella of the WGPA, with her question entirely rhetorical.
Traditional and indigenous Gaelic sports enjoy a continually growing profile around the world, with the GAA itself boasting a membership of more than 500,000 participants. Nevertheless, continuing to raise the profile of Irish sports can only continue, if women can gain access to the same kind of facilities available to men.
.@GalwayCamogie96 captain, Sarah Dervan, has savoured the relative normality that playing camogie has brought to her life in a year like no other. #GAABelong
In the modern sporting world, performance is increasingly reliant on the use of technology and data. Both on and off the pitch, the profile of Gaelic sports will only improve if women can be provided with better access to training facilities and venues, along with greater promotion and financial support.
Gaelic sports played by men are already widely covered by television broadcasters and online betting companies, although the coverage of women’s games is limited to just the biggest events. Aside from government support, outside investment from sponsors and improved external revenue streams could be sought, to bridge the current gap in funding.
Wagering on Gaelic sports is entirely driven by the sophistication of online sportsbook software. Companies like ProNet, who supply gambling platforms with such software, know how important the inclusion and gathering of data is to betting providers. Their systems can access information from stadiums in less than two seconds; to cover women’s games in this same way, the platforms will need better access to the facilities which surround women’s sports.
'That’s a pleasing aspect for us to have, to have that patience and belief that we’ll find a way'https://t.co/i0sduu4dX5
Improved infrastructure and investment would benefit everyone, from participants to stakeholders. Then there are the much-needed improvements in organisation, which has ultimately led for calls for the GAA to be an all-encompassing body, underpinned by stronger ties between all the sports involved.
Such a clearer understanding of what Gaelic sports are currently lacking, vocally provided by the participants themselves, may be the continued push needed for important changes on the road ahead. The GPA and WGPA merger highlight those needs, almost acting as a clarion call to action, that now is the time to turn words into actions.
Fifteen year old Alex Dunne has this week announced that he will make his car racing debut in 2021, driving for Pinnacle Motorsport, the hugely successful Irish team with bases in Kildare, Malaysia and China.
The Offaly teenager will begin his quest to become a Grand Prix star in the Spanish F4 Championship, part of the FIA’s global feeder series for International Formula 3 and the recognised first step on the road from Karting to Formula One.
Having spent a number of successful seasons in European Karting, Alex is now ready to make the move to Car Racing and will do so with the support of Motorsport Ireland’s new Race Academy. Preparations for the season are well underway with Alex’s F4 car already being prepared at Pinnacle’s Kildare base for its first shakedown run, before the team travels to Spa Francorchamps in Belgium for the first test of the season in early April.
Pinnacle Motorsport is run by former Irish Champion and Asian F3 race winner John O’Hara and the team has a wealth of experience competing at all levels across Asia, including race and championship wins in Asian F3 and F4. Driving for Pinnacle will be the perfect start for Alex as he is already familiar with the team personnel and he will be the teams’ sole driver in the Spanish F4 series.
The Spanish Championship is one of a number of regional FIA Formula 4 series which have been designed to provide Kart racers with the perfect first step into Car Racing and it should see Alex going head to head once again against a number of his old Karting rivals. The series will take the drivers to three current Formula One venues as they travel around Europe, beginning in April with Spa, the home of the Belgian GP. The seven event calendar will also include trips to the Portuguese Grand Prix venue, Portimao, and November’s season finale in Barcelona.
The move from Karting to Car racing is always a challenge for young racers but Alex is looking forward to getting to grips with his new car and is happy with preparations so far. “I’ve been doing a lot of work over the winter, with my physical training and also learning the tracks through sim racing, so I’m ready now for the real thing. This is a very exciting step especially with racing at such amazing venues as Spa and Portimao. The team will be a great fit for me as I know John already and I know he will help me to learn the car and achieve my goal of challenging for race wins and the championship. A lot of work has gone into putting this season together and I have to thank all of my backers, Motorsport Ireland, VTL, Harris, Maxus, Reynolds, Artisan and NEA Designs as without their support I would not have this opportunity. I just want to get started now and I can’t wait to get back racing.”
Speaking about the season ahead Pinnacle Motorsport team owner John O’Hara said. “We’ve been following Alex’s progress at the highest level of Karting over the past couple of years so we are really looking forward to working with him as we tackle the Spanish series for the first time. We’ve had a lot of success in Asia and we are aiming to replicate that in Europe with Alex. Initially it will be about building Alex’s experience and confidence in the car but by the end of the season we will be aiming to challenge at the front and win races.
Alex Dunne’s Spanish F4 campaign starts with Rounds 1, 2 and 3 on April 24th and 25th and his progress can be followed on the championship’s live stream on www.f4spain.org. You can also keep up to date with his progress on Instagram and facebook and on his web site www.alexdunneracing.com.
Prize money for Royal Ascot 2021 is today announced at £6 million over the week – a 66% increase on the £3.61m offered in 2020. The Royal Meeting will take place from 15th to 19th June and the full order of running with race values for the extended programme announced in January is attached.
The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes, which takes place in July, will be run for £875,000 (2020: £400,000).
Guy Henderson, Chief Executive Officer at Ascot Racecourse, said:
“In 2020 we had hoped to offer record prize money of more than £8 million at the Royal Meeting. In the event the pandemic made that impossible and we have now spent nearly a year racing behind closed doors with trading income down 80%. This year’s prize money of £6 million represents 75% of what we had originally planned for 2020.
“With restricted attendances in 2021 and pandemic insurance cover no longer available, the business will need to absorb a significant loss this year in order to deliver our wish to support the industry with the most prize money that we can prudently afford. Whilst Covid-19 has knocked back our long term financial trajectory by several years, our aim is to make the largest steps we can towards getting prize money levels back on track as soon as possible.
“Without owners we would have no racing. We are very grateful for their commitment and thank them for their support. We look forward to being able to increase prize money further as soon as it is possible for us to do so.
“We are also very grateful to our official partners, QIPCO and Longines, as well as our official suppliers, sponsors, broadcast partners and betting media partners. All of their support is deeply appreciated.
“We at Ascot much look forward to being able to welcome back our racegoers in June and delivering a special week of racing, both for those who are able to be with us on site and the many millions who will be with us in spirit through our broadcast and digital channels.”
Meanwhile, Ascot’s Flat Season begins with Royal Ascot Trials Day on 28th April, where the Longines Sagaro Stakes and the Merriebelle Stable Commonwealth Cup Trial, both Group Three, will each be run for £70,000 (Minimum Values £45,000 in Programme Book One).
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