When France triumphed in the 2018 World Cup final, there were feelings of joy and relief in equal measure. Many felt that Didier Deschamps’ side had thrown away the chance of victory at Euro 2016 two years earlier, where an extra-time goal from Éder meant the title went to second-favourites Portugal. France were left to lick their wounds, but the World Cup triumph in Moscow provided the perfect antidote to that Paris disappointment.
Now, attention turns to Euro 2020, which has been pushed back a year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. France are one of the favourites in the odds on Euro winner, and have a chance to make it three major international finals on the spin, backing up their World Cup success by conquering the European Championships too. The question is, can they achieve that sensational double, or are they due a bit of a blip?
Group of death
It certainly won’t be easy, as France have landed in by far the toughest group of the competition. Les Bleus qualified by finishing top of a group that contained Euro 2016 foes Portugal, but now the two sides have been paired together in the tournament proper, with Germany and Hungary making up this tournament’s group of death.
France’s first game of the competition is against Germany in Munich, and if they can get a good result there, you’d expect their passage to be relatively straightforward. However, if Germany were to make the most of home advantage and earn the win, the pressure would really build on France to deliver in the next two matches.
Deschamps’ men take on Portugal in the final group game in Budapest, and that could well be the key fixture in the group. Of course, the fact that there is potential for the third-placed team to advance to the knockout stage means the pressure is lessened somewhat, but France will still be keen to get off on the right foot against Germany.
Talent and knowhow
Of course, there is plenty in France’s favour, namely the riches of talent they have in their squad. Kylian Mbappé is just about the hottest prospect in Europe right now, and if the Paris Saint-Germain forward can produce his best football for Les Bleus this summer, they’ll be very difficult to stop.
The likes of Antoine Griezmann, N’Golo Kanté, Paul Pogba and Raphaël Varane boast the experience of deep runs at past World Cups and European Championships, and that experience could prove vital if France can make it to the latter stages. It is the blend of talent and experience that makes France so dangerous this summer, and if Deschamps can find the right balance then they’ll be in with a real chance.
There will also be a feeling among the squad that they have unfinished business at this particular tournament, after the agony of losing to Portugal in extra time five years ago. It was one that got away, and although they redeemed themselves by winning the World Cup in Russia, players of this calibre are never satisfied, and France will have their sights firmly set on lifting the European Championships trophy at Wembley on July 11th.
17 year old Kayleigh Cole from Ballincollig in Cork is heading to UK’s Donington Race Circuit this weekend for the second round of the F1000 UK Championship sponsored by Swallow Hill Homes. Kayleigh’s race weekend, in the 1000cc bike engine powered single seater, will start with practice on Friday 21st May with qualifying and two races all taking place on Saturday , 22nd May.
Kayleigh recently joined the competitive F1000 UK Championship, following three years competitive karting in Ireland. She made great progress at her debut race weekend at Silverstone Race Circuit back in April. Kayleigh was named ‘Best Newcomer’ for the most progression in a single race weekend, winning herself a day on a Sim at the IZONE Performance Centre. Kayleigh finished P17 in Race 1, P18 in Race 2 & P15 Race 3, putting her in Joint 16th in the Championship and Joint 11th in the Clubman’s Cup.
Despite having had limited testing due to Covid travel restrictions, Kayleigh feels well prepared going into Round 2 at Donington as she had a successful test day at the famous East Midlands track in February. Cole feels a lot more confident in the car ahead of Donington, as she gained a lot of knowledge and experience at Silverstone, under the guidance of her driving coach, W Series driver Sarah Moore. The slicks and wings racing car, which is powered by a 1000c high performance motorbike engine, has excellent handling characteristics – drivers can find themselves going from 0-60mph in just 3 seconds, and onto 150mph, while revving to around 14000rpm!
Kayleigh commented “I’m really excited but also nervous going into the next round of the F1000 championship. We are a lot more prepared for Donington than we were for my first race at Silverstone thanks to a full day’s testing there in February. I’ve worked hard with my driver coach Sarah Moore on analysing data, building my confidence and getting up to speed so I’m really looking forward to racing this weekend.
“It’s a big challenge moving from karting to single seater racing nevertheless we are sure that racing with F1000 UK is the best decision we could have made. My main goal at Donington this weekend is to get great starts and then stick with the pack while continuing to work on my race craft, which will help me bring my times down lap after lap.”
Kayleigh continued “There is a great buzz around the paddock with this F1000 Championship – everyone is so friendly and helpful, and the 750 Motor Club do a great job when it comes to the running of their race weekends ”.
Letterkenny IT and Waterford IT have been named as Basketball Ireland Centres of Excellence, bringing the total to four. In March NUI Galway and Ulster University in Jordanstown were the first two Centres of Excellence announced. Basketball Ireland plans to have 8-10 Centres of Excellence rolled out nationwide.
Michael Murphy, Letterkenny Institute of Technology Head of Sport, said: “Letterkenny IT is delighted to be partnering with Basketball Ireland in the provision of a Centre of Excellence for the region. This partnership strengthens our existing relationship and will contribute to the continued growth of the sport, both locally and nationally. By choosing LYIT as a base for its Centre of Excellence, Basketball Ireland recognises the sporting expertise and facilities available at LYIT to support basketball at all levels. This Centre of Excellence will build upon the great work of Basketball Ireland Development Officer, Niall McDermott, in developing the sport at LYIT and in the North West.”
Donna Drohan, Facilities and Events Manager at WIT Arena, said: “We are excited to strengthen our ties with Basketball Ireland in becoming their South East Centre of Excellence. Waterford IT and WIT Arena have strong basketball connections, with WIT Waterford Wildcats and WIT Waterford Vikings operating at Super League and National League level, respectively. The WIT Arena has hosted a number of Super League, National League and schools competitions. It is also home to WIT Vikings Basketball Club. To have Basketball Ireland as a recognised partner compliments our sporting portfolio and adds massively to the high-performance sporting culture that we are developing here at the WIT Arena.”
Each Centre of Excellence will provide access to expertise, such as strength and conditioning, sports medicine, sports psychology, diet and nutrition, sports management and administration, coach development and training. They will also have media and meeting facilities.
The Centres of Excellence will be used for national training camps for international sides, along with Basketball Ireland academies. There will also be the ability to host international fixtures, national senior competitions, intervarsity competitions, as well as local schools cups and blitzes.
Basketball Ireland CEO, Bernard O’Byrne, added “We are delighted to have both Letterkenny IT and Waterford IT on board as Basketball Ireland Centres of Excellence. Both institutions have great pedigrees in basketball and this reaffirms their commitment to the sport. We’ve pledged from the very start of this project to have Centres of Excellence the length and breadth of the country and we will have further announcements in the coming weeks.”
The Irish Women’s Hockey European Squad for the European Championships in the Netherlands in June has been announced.
It is the first phase of a huge summer that culminates in the Tokyo Olympic Games with the Euros doubling up as a key preparation tournament for the Games while also providing three potential 2022 World Cup tickets.
It means head coach Sean Dancer has selected his strongest available squad for the eight-team competition at Amstelveen’s Wagener Stadium, bidding for a first ever semi-final spot.
There, they will take on world number one side the Netherlands on June 5th in a rematch of the 2018 World Cup final; on June 7th, Ireland face Scotland before closing out the group stages on June 9th against Spain.
Dancer’s 18-player panel features 12 of the 2018 World Cup silver medal-winning side and 13 of the team that won qualification to the Olympic Games in November 2019 in a dramatic shoot-out in front of a packed-out Donnybrook Stadium.
Heroes like Ayeisha McFerran, Lizzie Colvin, Nicci Daly, Nikki Evans, Megan Frazer Hannah Matthews, Shirley McCay, Katie Mullan, Anna O’Flanagan, Lena Tice, Roisin Upton, Sarah Hawkshaw and Chloe Watkins bring a wealth of talent to the table.
There have been injury issues, though, which have seen Zoe Wilson and Barr twins Serena and Bethany have to sit out the summer action.
And so, over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, Dancer’s panel has evolved with several new faces emerging.
Rising UCD star Michelle Carey is set to make her formal capped international debut when the Green Army take the field against the Dutch.
A product of the Railway Union youth system, she has been an ever-present at training camps in Spain, Belfast and England since the turn of the year, scoring a number of goals from midfield in international challenge matches to date.
She is one of three players making their first appearance in a world ranking event. Loreto speedster Sarah Torrans gets her chance having been on the list of reserves for the World Cup while UCD’s Hannah McLoughlin has impressed in defence in recent series against Great Britain and Scotland.
Cratloe native Naomi Carroll will play her first capped match since the summer of 2018, having taken the long road back from an ACL injury sustained while in ladies football action for Clare. Since then, she was part of the rejuvenated Irish indoor hockey side in 2020 before earning her recall to the senior outdoor setup.
All going well, a number of established faces will hit major milestones during the tournament. Evans is two caps shy of her 200th international outing; Colvin will hit that same mark if she plays four matches in the competition; Matthews, meanwhile, is three caps away from 150 appearances in green.
Due to Covid-19 concerns, the European Hockey Federation has allowed a further two players to join the panel as “travelling reserves” in addition to the initial panel of 18.
Deirdre Duke will offer cover for midfield and forward lines while uncapped Muckross player Sarah McAuley waits in the wings defensively.
For World Cup qualification, Ireland will only be absolutely assured of a ticket if they finish in the top three positions. Currently, Spain and the Netherlands are already pre-qualified as hosts; should either or both finish in the medal positions in Amstelveen, fourth or fifth place could provide the golden ticket.
Speaking at the announcement about the selection, coach Dancer said: “It has been a long, tough 12 months, preparing in a Covid world. It is a credit to the group’s strength to arrive at this year’s Euros with a very balanced team.
“I will enjoy watching the experienced players controlling our play in combination with the excitement of our young players such as Michelle Carey and Hannah McLoughlin.
“The European Championships is a major tournament with ramifications for next year’s World Cup. We have made our objectives very clear and will push hard as a group towards them.”
The squad was announced this morning in Skerries at a joint event run by primary sponsors SoftCo and Park Developments, supporting their rise to the sport’s elite levels.
“Congratulations to the players that have been selected for the Irish women’s hockey squad for the European Championship today,” SoftCo co-founder Susan Spence said.
“Since achieving a World Cup silver medal, this group have continued to drive forward with Olympic qualification and the recent historic victory over Great Britain. We are extremely proud to be their main sponsor as they go in search of European and Olympic glory this summer and wish them every success.”
Park Developments’ managing director Sean O’Neill added: “From a Park Developments perspective, we wish Sean, Katie and all the squad all the very best for the 2021 European Championships.
“Our journey with this team is built on support, and we are so proud of this group’s unique ability to inspire so many young sports people and fans alike.”
Ireland women’s squad for EuroHockey Championships – June 5-13, 2021, Wagener Stadium, Amstelveen, Netherlands (club/caps):
Ayeisha McFerran (SV Kampong, 100) – goalkeeper
Lizzie Murphy (Loreto, 13) – goalkeeper
Michelle Carey (UCD, 0)
Naomi Carroll (Catholic Institute, 111)
Lizzie Colvin (Belfast Harlequins, 196)
Nicci Daly (Loreto, 189)
Nikki Evans (Old Alex, 198)
Megan Frazer (Belfast Harlequins, 136)
Sarah Hawkshaw (Railway Union, 33)
Hannah Matthews (Loreto, 147)
Shirley McCay (Pegasus, 306)
Hannah McLoughlin (UCD, 14)
Katie Mullan (Ballymoney, 193) – captain
Anna O’Flanagan (Muckross, 207) – vice captain
Lena Tice (Old Alex, 109)
Sarah Torrans (Loreto, 26)
Roisin Upton (Catholic Institute, 76)
Chloe Watkins (Monkstown, 226)
Travelling reserves: Deirdre Duke (Old Alex, 141), Sarah McAuley (Muckross, 0)
Tournament details
EuroHockey Championships 2021 (all times Irish)
Group A (world rank): Netherlands (1st), Spain (7th), Ireland (8th), Scotland (22nd)
Group B: Germany (4th), England (5th), Belgium (12th), Italy (17th)
Ireland’s Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay team on Thursday became the fifth Irish relay team to set a new Irish Senior Record at the LEN European Aquatics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
The goal for Ireland at this event is to qualify a swimming relay team for the Olympic Games for the first time since 1972, and so far every relay team that has competed at the Duna Arena has swum at least one new Irish Senior Record time.
On Thursday the Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay became the latest when Shane Ryan, Darragh Greene, Ellen Walshe and Danielle Hill clocked 3:49.08 to lower the previous record of 3:52.38 that had stood since 2017.
The quartet finished 13th in Europe, finishing in the top half of the biggest relay field of this championships.
Ireland will have another chance to advance Medley Relay chances for Tokyo 2021 when the Men’s and Women’s teams line up in Budapest on Sunday.
Earlier, Ards Swimming Club’s Paddy Johnston kicked Ireland’s Thursday off with a personal best of 24.62 in the 50m Butterfly heats. The 20-year-old has never swum faster than 25 seconds before in 50m pool competition and finished fourth in his heat from the unfavourable outside lane, nine.
The performance was not quite enough this time to advance to the Semi-Finals.
On Friday, National Centre Limerick’s Eoin Corby will compete in the 50m Breaststroke heats and Irish Senior Record holder Daniel Wiffen will compete in the 800m Freestyle heats.
The Loughborough University swimmer, who spent his formative years with Lisburn Swimming Club, set the 800m Freestyle record at the Irish National Team Trials in April – achieving the Olympic Consideration Time for Tokyo 2021 in the process.
The heats begin at 9am Irish time, with Semi-Finals for Corby’s event taking place on Friday evening, and the 800m Final scheduled for Saturday evening.
More about the Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay team:
Shane Ryan, 27, National Centre Dublin, Rio 2016 Olympian, Irish Senior Record holder in 100m Freestyle, 50m and 100m Backstroke. Earned Olympic Consideration Time for 100m Backstroke at Tokyo 2021.
Darragh Greene, 25, National Centre Dublin, Irish Senior Record holder in 50m, 100m and 200m Breaststroke. Earned Olympic Consideration Time for 100m and 200m Breaststroke at Tokyo 2021.
Ellen Walshe, 19, Templeogue Swimming Club, 100m Butterfly Irish Senior Record holder.
Danielle Hill, 21, Larne Swimming Club, Fastest Irish female swimmer of all-time. Irish Senior Record holder in 50 and 100m Freestyle and Backstroke.
New Irish Senior Relay Records – Time (Time before this event)
Monday – Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay Record – 3:16.88 (3:17.38)
Monday – Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay Record – 3:44.37 (3:47.21)
Tuesday – Mixed 4x200m Freestyle Relay Record – 7:50.41 (7:51.24)
Wednesday – Men’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay Record – 7:12.00 (7:13.91)
Thursday – Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay Record – 3:49.08 (3:52.38)
You can watch all the swimming in Budapest live online via the links below.
Tom Moran’s 35-man squad was announced today, including former Barcelona and Liverpool man Zak Gilsenan.
Once dubbed the ‘Irish Messi’ during his time at Barcelona, Zak Gilsenan has been included in an underage Ireland squad for the first time having previously turned out for Australia – the country of his birth.
Tom Mohan’s 35-man Ireland u19 training squad was revealed today, including a number of interesting names.
One of the more reputable names included in the squad is 16-year-old Josh Ireland, son of former Irish international Stephen. Ireland previously represented England at u15 level, showing just how highly rated he is just like the best pokies online.
Sheffield United man Leo Gaxha, who most recently represented Albania, will also link up with the side. Gaxha is of Albanian heritage but was born and spent the majority of his life growing up in Kerry.
Recently named Watford Academy Player of the Season Bosun Lawal has also been included in the squad. The defender/midfielder had a fantastic season at underage level and big things are expected of him at the club.
The players have already met up and had their first session yesterday. The camp is set to last for 3 days, meaning players will return to their clubs tomorrow. All players in this selection ply their trade overseas with a domestic based squad expected to be announced soon. To pass the time why not play online casino and enjoy some free spins.
The full list is as follows:
Aaron O’Reilly (Aston Villa), Connor Barratt (Birmingham City), Will Blease (Blackburn Rovers), Zak Gilsenan (Blackburn Rovers), Rio McEvoy (Bolton Wanderers), Ruairi Behan (Burnley), Ciaran Gilligan (Burton Albion), Jay McGrath (Coventry City), Fionn O’Brien (Coventry City), Noah Watson (Crystal Palace), Ola Ibrahim (Derby County), Cian Kelly Caprani (Derby County), Cian Coleman (Leeds United), Ben Andreucci (Leeds United), Arlo Doherty (Leicester City), Billy Brooks (Lincoln City), Matthew Boylan (Lincoln City), Ed McJannett (Luton Town), Owen Mason (Mansfield Town), Calum Kavanagh (Middlesbrough), Sam Blair (Norwich City), Osakpolor Solomon (Nottingham Forest), Josh Seary (Preston North End), Harry Nevin (Preston North End), Jacob Slater (Preston North End), Sinclair Armstrong (QPR), Harvey Cullinan (Sheffield United), Leonardo Gaxha (Sheffield United), Luke Pearce (Southampton), Noah Jauny (Stade Brestois), David Okagbue (Stoke City), Joshua Ireland (Stoke City), Sam Knowles (Stoke City), Caden Kelly (Sunderland), Aaron Maguire (Tottenham Hotspur), Bosun Lawal (Watford), Joe O’Shaugnessy (Wolves).
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has confirmed details of the Republic of Ireland Senior Men’s friendly games in June.
Stephen Kenny’s side will travel to Barcelona to face Andorra on June 3 at the Estadi Johan Cruyff with kick-off at 5pm Irish time (6pm local time).
The Republic of Ireland squad will then travel to Budapest for a fixture against Hungary at the Szusza Ferenc Stadion, with kick-off at 7pm Irish time (8pm local time).
Kenny’s squad will commence a training camp in Girona, Spain on Friday, May 28 before the two June fixtures.
Republic of Ireland – June 2021 Fixtures
3 June 2021 Andorra v Ireland, Estadi Johan Cruyff, 5pm Irish time.
8 June 2021 Hungary v Ireland, Szusza Ferenc Stadion, 7pm Irish time.
In a review by Hippomundo of Show Jumping results so far this year, the Irish Sport Horse Studbook has come out on top as the highest-earning Studbook in the sport.
With 292 registered Irish Sport Horses competing so far this year, they have earned on average an impressive €3,000 each. The studbook with the most horses competing so far this year is KWPN, a Dutch studbook with 3,039 horses earning on average €933 each, followed by Selle Francais with 2,575 horses competing.
Pacino Amiro is top earner
The highest-earning Irish Sport Horse for 2021 so far is Pacino Amiro, ridden by Bertram Allen. The pair won a five-star Grand Prix in Wellington in February winning just over €132,000. Pacino Amiro (ISH) is a 2012 gelding by Pacino (BWP) out of Carnone Dancing Queen (ISH) by NC Amiro (AES). Allen and Pacino Amiro (ISH) have been competing in partnership since October 2019 when they kick-started their campaign in the Young Horse classes in Opglabbeek, Belgium. Since then they have competed as part of the Irish three-star Nations Cup team in Prague in August 2020, before competing all over Europe and then heading for the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida.
Kilkenny
Among the many other Irish Sport Horses who have impressed on the world stage this year is the 9-year-old gelding Kilkenny (ISH). The Cian O’Connor-ridden horse finished in third-place in his first-ever five-star Grand Prix. Kilkenny has gone on to record several other top 10 finishes. The combination were fourth in a hugely competitive four-star Grand Prix recently in The Netherlands.
Castlefield Vegas, Balou Boy and Sea Topblue
Other Irish Sport Horses to make a big impression were the 11-year-old Castlefield Vegas (ISH). He was on the second-placed Irish Nations Cup team at WEF. Castlefield Vegas also posted an impressive double for Bertram Allen when winning both the WEF Challenge Cup and the $137,000 three-star Grand Prix.
The 11-year-old Sligo Balou Boy (ISH) also scored a major victory at the Winter Equestrian Festival with Darragh Kenny. Andrew Bourns’ 10-year-old Sea Topblue (ISH) has also been in excellent form.
On Sunday, Richard Bland claimed an emotional first European Tour victory in his 478th appearance on Tour.
The English veteran overcame young Italian Guido Migliozzi in a play-off to win the Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett.
In a dramatic final day at The Belfry, Bland showed incredible bravery twice over to clinch the victory. At the 72nd hole he holed a monster birdie putt to finish 13 under after a six under 66.
Migliozzi had forced a play-off thanks to a four under 68. Bland once again showed his mettle. Having found a tricky lie from his drive in the first play-off hole, the 48-year-old pulled off a stunning five wood approach to leave a makeable two-putt.
Migliozzi, 50 yards further forward on the fairway from his own drive, proceeded to push his second shot to the right of the green. Bland rolled his birdie deftly to within three feet. His Italian counterpart raced his own birdie putt past the hole on the middle tier of the iconic green.
When Migliozzi missed his par putt, Bland knocked in for his four and for a career-defining triumph after numerous near-missed down the years. He moved to 14th in the Race to Dubai Rankings as a result.
The victory puts him in pole position for a chance to earn a place in the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines in June. The top ten aggregate Race to Dubai points earners (not otherwise exempt) at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willet, Made in HimmerLand presented by FREJA and Porsche European Open will earn a place in the third Major Championship of the year.
“That’s what we all work for”
“It’s probably going to take a few days to sink in,” admitted Bland. “It’s what I’ve worked for for 20 years. That’s what we all work for, to win out here and try and prove yourself. I’ve had a few close calls and I assume someone up there was looking down on me quite favourably”
“I kept telling myself on the last I thought 13 under would be a really good score” Bland continued. “There was maybe two or three guys on 11. Especially if the weather stayed how it was. We played the last three holes in the worst of the weather as well. I thought if it stays like this then the par fives are playing pretty long. They’re not giveaway birdies. To hole that putt on the last, I don’t think I saw it go in. I knew it was in with about a foot to go. I think I turned to the left to celebrate before it had even gone in. I’d have looked silly if it’d missed. Fortunately it went in” said the relieved European Tour winner.
“Finally I can go off that list of most starts without a win. A big incentive for me was that I wanted to get to 500 events, this will allow me to do that, which I’ll be hugely proud of. To play 500 events out here is a pretty good career.”
Kevin Gallagher and The Irish Sport Horse Ballypatrick Flamenco came out victorious in the opening round of the 2021 Horse Sport Ireland Premier Series at Barnadown.
With only two hundredths of a seconds separating the top two finishers, the Sligo rider took the win ahead of Clem McMahon.
Ten combinations made it through to the jump-off. Gallagher crossed the line clear in 33.82 seconds with the 11-year-old gelding owned by Greg Broderick Ballypatrick Stables.
Clem McMahon with Hilton Pacato (ISH) claimed runner-up spot with another clear in 33.84 seconds. Third place went to Francis Derwin (Jnr) with AHG Whiterock Cruise Down (ISH) with the only other double clear in 36.38 seconds.
Daren Hopkins and Numero Cruise were the fastest of the four fault scores from the jump-off to finish fourth. Fifth place went to Greg Broderick and Gradje O. Jason Foley and and MHS Jersey Girl completed the top six.
The second leg of the Horse Sport Ireland Premier Series will take place at Portmore on May 23rd.
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