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Primoz Roglic wins stage 4 of Le Tour

Stage four of the 2020 Tour de France saw the race’s first mountain-top finish with Primoz Roglic (TJV) taking the stage win ahead of with Tadej Pogacar (UAE) in second, and Gullaime Martin (COF) completing the podium.

Visited for the first time in 1971, when Luis Ocaña crushed all his rivals en route to one of the most dominant wins ever seen at the Tour de France, Orcières-Merlette returned on the race after 31 years. First summit finish of this edition, coming at the end of a stage that featured four other classified climbs, Orcières-Merlette witnessed another strong and composed display of Julian Alaphilippe, who retained the yellow jersey, that he will now sport for the 17th time.

The stage that started from Sisteron was animated by six riders, whose margin was kept in check by Deceuninck – Quick-Step, who helped Sam Bennett win the intermediate sprint in Veynes.

The Irish Champion emerged the fastest when the bunch passed through there, some three minutes behind the escapees, and is now on equal scores with the green jersey classification leader.

On the early slopes of Orcières-Merlette the last survivor of the day’s breakaway was caught. The pace was ramped up four kilometres to go, but no move came until with 300 metres remaining, when the acceleration of Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) saw the Slovenian claim the victory in an uphill sprint after a lot of work by his teammate Wout Van Aert.

Tadej Pogačar showed he is carrying good form as the Slovenian youngster from UAE Team Emirates finished in 2nd place, with Guillaume Martin of Cofidis taking third.

Stage 4 results
1. Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) 4:04:47
2. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) s.t.
3. Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) s.t.

General classification after the 4th stage
1. Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) 18:07:04
2. Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) @ 4 ”
3. Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) @ 7 ”

Nations League Football Betting – IRELAND 11/8 to beat Bulgaria

Thursday night sees Ireland take on Bulgaria away in the Nations League and Stephen Kenny’s men are 11/8 with BETPAT football betting to secure a first win for the former Dundalk manager. Bulgaria is 5/2 to pull off the shock.

Kenny has called Preston North End striker Sean Maguire and West Bromwich Albion defender Dara O’Shea into his squad for the upcoming games against Bulgaria and Finland after Troy Parrott had to leave the squad due to injury.

Ireland v Bulgaria Teams – Predicted XI : Randolph, Doherty, Duffy, Egan, Stephens, McCarthy, Hourihane, Robinson, Hendrick, Brady, Long (4-2-3-1)

UEFA Nations Cup FOOTBALL 

The other games that stand out is Germany v Spain which is sure to be a mouth-watering game with some of the world’s best players on show, you can get 9/5 for Spain to win in Germany and Germany are 7/5 to win in their own backyard.

It is a welcome return to Joachim Löw’s Germany squad for Sane. The winger last turned out for Die Mannschaft in June 2019, scoring the final goal in an 8-0 destruction of Estonia in UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying.

Another game that stands out this Thursday is Ukraine v Switzerland with both teams very evenly matched with Ukraine at 6/4 and Switzerland currently at 7/4.

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Irish rugby team – Who impressed Andy Farrell during the inter-pros?

Who caught the eye of starting for the Irish rugby team in the November internationals. Two weeks ago, we were treated to a Munster-Leinster classic. Then, Connacht turned on the style against Ulster.

Last weekend there was less to play for. However, we still got a look at Leinster’s strength in depth. Meanwhile, Munster showed us why they’re no underdogs going into their semi-final on Friday. Andy Farrell will have watched all of these games unfold with great interest.

There are still two 6 Nations games to be played and another tournament to follow in 2020. Farrell will have to use all the tools at his disposal if he is to go the distance in both. With that in mind, we take a look at the players putting their hands up while on club duty.

https://twitter.com/SixNationsRugby/status/1290993835334664192

Leinster

A perfect record in the league before lockdown hasn’t been undone in the two games since. Cullen used last weekend’s game against Ulster to rotate his squad. This could have easily gone unnoticed though as their squad depth is more than impressive. Ross Byrne deputized for Sexton and showed why Farrell trusts him off the bench for international games. With a great eye for opportunity and a trusty boot, Byrne could be the main contender to take over the green number 10.

Gary Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw’s partnership in midfield is solidified. A neat link-up against Munster for Ringrose to tap down is a reminder of what a good pairing can do. Their familiarity as a duo may work in their favour in a tough battle for green jerseys.

Likewise, in the pack Irish hopefuls are only benefitting from playing together. Ryan Baird has continued to impress when called upon. Currently a ‘development’ player in the Irish squad, his status could be upgraded come November.

Ulster

The return of Ian Madigan is the obvious talking point here. The former Bristol man is back on Irish soil in the hope of adding to his 31 international caps. He came in for Billy Burns against Leinster but has much to do to displace the 26-year-old.

Rob Herring continues to be the in-form hooker in the country. Meanwhile, young prop Tom O’Toole is one to watch.

John Cooney is unrelenting in his pursuit of a place in Farrell’s first 15. The sizzling scrum-half offers a lot that Murray doesn’t. His sharpness around the ruck and eye for an intercept are huge weapons. Unfortunately for him, these are ideal qualities for an impact sub.

Munster

Much of the attention was on new-signing De Allende in the last two games. Nonetheless, midfield partner Chris Farrell stole the show. Farrell’s considerable power and pace fits the current mould for an Irish center perfectly. Expect him to feature strongly in Farrell’s plans.

Keith Earls is improving with age and pre-lockdown form hasn’t disappeared. On the other side, Conway is making a good claim for international experience too. Four tries in two games will have done his chances no harm.

Up front, Niall Scannell is a man with a point to prove and has another game to do so. Tadhg Beirne has excelled when given the chance. With a lot of games to come, he may get a call from Farrell yet.

Connacht

The only Irish team not to progress to the semi-finals. International contenders in the Connacht team could suffer from the lack of an extra game. Bundee Aki won’t be displaced easily from the Irish rugby team and big performances against Ulster and Munster prove it. Ultan Dillane is a figure who we may also see under Farrell before Christmas. Young, energetic, and a strong runner, Dillane has the potential to do damage.

Farrell is blessed by the fact that this season’s Pro14 is guaranteed at least one Irish team in the final. Now that the cobwebs are dusted off, there is no excuse for the semi-finals to disappoint. This is a year where squad depth is more important than ever. When it comes to handing out caps in November, Farrell is spoilt for choice.

http://34.245.76.62/rugby/rugby_irish/opportunity-knocks-for-ireland-as-six-nations-returns/

http://34.245.76.62/rugby/munster-v-leinster-preview-team-news-kick-off-735pm-friday/

Obafemi named in Ireland u21s squad for training camp

After missing a spot in Stephen Kenny’s senior team, Michael Obafemi and U21 football fans can celebrate his latest appointment. Obafemi has been named in Ireland’s U21 team and planned to head for a training camp ahead of the crunch qualifiers in October and November.

The Southampton attacker was omitted in the senior team and instead linked up with Jim Crawford after the weekend. However, he vented his frustrations on his omission from the senior squad on Monday.  

National team coach Stephen Kenny insisted that the twenty-year-old Obafemi has a big future with the national team. According to Stephen, Obafemi has to go through the under twenty-one team first and do well at that level.

His club mates Will Smallbone and Will Ferry received their first call ups for the team. Watford’s Cassidy and St Patrick’s Athletic defender Luke McNally also received their first call for the team.

Crawford’s twenty-five man squad will head for a four-day training camp in Northern Ireland from Monday to Thursday. This team has three big qualifiers in the autumn against Italy, Luxembourg, and Iceland. That’s a campaign to build on a strong team for 2021 Euro.

 A proposed friendly away to Slovenia was cancelled due to travel restrictions related to the world pandemic. That means that Crawford, the successor of Stephen Kenny at the under twenty-one level, will head straight to the qualification battle. The games will be in October, and the preparations for the same will begin on Monday 17TH September.

There is more league of Ireland representation in the shape of Sligo rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty, Dundalk full-back Darragh Leahy, shamrock rovers duo Liam scales, and Neil Farrugia, as well as bohemians pair Danny grant.

Jim Crawford’s side will face Slovenia in an international friendly. The game will be played before their three remaining matches in group one.

The Ireland team is on the top of their qualifying group. They are three points ahead of Italy who is currently holding the second position. In the seven matches played so far, the Ireland team has suffered only one defeat. Ahead of the qualifying match with Slovenia, Jim Crawford will take charge of the team for the first time. The team will travel to Slovenia on Monday, 17th September for an international friendly.

In October, the Crawford side will play against Italy in a huge game at the top of their group on Tuesday, 13th October. After the game against Italy, the team will have two games remaining, two fixtures in October. 

Ireland will host Iceland on Thursday, 12th November. Thereafter the team will travel to Luxembourg for the final group game on Tuesday, 17th November. 

Obafemi made his debut for the Republic of Ireland in the under twenty-one team on 10th October, 2019. He came off from the bench and impressed both fans and media alike. The game ended in a 1-1 stalemate against Italy at Tallaght stadium. Crawford is looking forward to the impressive performance of the player at the under twenty-one team.

Sam Bennett second on stage 3

Carrick-On-Suir cyclist Sam Bennett was just denied his first ever Tour de France stage victory this afternoon when Australian Caleb Ewan powered from behind the Deceuninck- Quick Step rider to claim the win.

The third stage of the 107th Tour de France ended with a bunch sprint in Sisteron, with Bennett and his teammates hoping to add to yesterday’s stage victory of their team leader and yellow jersey wearer, Julian Alaphilippe.

The Irish rider took the sprint lead in the last 100m but flying Australian Ewan weaved his way powerfully through the field to beat Bennett by three-quarters of a bike length.

“I had to go first, so I just gave the guys another lead out” admitted Bennett. “There was a head wind and it was easy for someone to come off the wheel. (My legs) weren’t the best but it’s enough.”

Today was the 29-year-old Irishman’s second close call in the opening three stages of the Tour, having finished in fourth on the opening stage in Nice on Saturday.

More to follow

German International star completes move to Chelsea

Chelsea has signed 21-year-old Germany International Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen. Havertz has played for Bayer Leverkusen since 2016, and has made 118 appearances and scored 36 goals.

Havertz became the third ever youngest player to play in the Bundesliga. He won an under 17 silver medal for the Fritz Walter Medal in 2016, and he won a gold medal for the Fritz Walter Medal in 2018.

He also was named in the 2018-2019 Bundesliga team of the year, he got the Bundesliga player of the month award for April 2019, May 2019, and May 2020. He won the UEFA Champions League Breakthrough XI for 2019, and he was named in the 2019-20 UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season.

He has played for all the underage Germany teams, he played for Germany under 16 teams from 2014-2015 and made 6 appearances and scored 2 goals. He played for Germany under 17 team from 2015-2016 and made 16 appearances and scored 7 goals.

He played for Germany under 19 team from 2017-2018 and made 8 appearances and scored 7 goals. He has played for the Germany senior team from 2018 and has made 7 appearances and scored one goal against Argentina in a 2-0 win at the Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany.

Havertz joins fellow Germany Internationals Timo Werner, and Antonio Rudiger, and is Chelsea 22nd signing of the 2020-21 season.

Man Utd sign Van de Beek for £40 million

Manchester United sign 23-year-old Dutch International midfielder Footballer Van de Beek from Ajax.  Van de Beek has played for Jong Ajax from 2015 to 2017 appearing 35 times and scoring 8 goals, and for Ajax from 2015 making 118 appearances scoring 28 goals.  

For Ajax Van de Beek has won the domestic treble winning the Eredivisie, KNVB Cup, and Johan Cruyff Shield in the 2018-2019 season, he has also being a runner up of the UEFA Europa League in 2016-2017 final when Ajax lost 2-0 to Manchester Utd coming on as a substitute in the 70 minutes for Danish international footballer Lasse Schone.

Since 2013 de Beek has played for all the underage Holland teams, playing for the Holland under 17 team from 2013-2014 making 16 appearances and scoring 2 goals.  He played for Holland under 19 team from 2014-2016 making 20 appearances and scoring 4 goals.  He played for Holland under 20 team for 2016 making 2 appearances, and he played for Holland under 21 team from 2016-2017 making 3 appearances and scoring 1 goal.  He was a runner up of the UEFA European Under 17 Championship in 2014.  de Beek got 28th place in the Ballon d’Or.2019 and won the Ajax Talent of the Future award for the 2014-2015 season.

de Beek has played for the Holland International football team from 2017 making 10 appearances.  Van de Beek plays his first senior match for Holland in November 2017 against Romania.  He was picked for the 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals, where Holland reached the final losing 1-0 to Portugal.

Donny van de Beek in the Eredivisie 2019/20: 82% pass accuracy 77 tackles + interceptions 44 shots (39 penalty area) 41 chances created 8 goals 5 assists 0.6 G/A (p90) Versatile midfielder. 

 

Leeds Utd sign Rodrigo from Valencia for a world club-record fee

Leeds Utd has completed the signing of Spanish International Moreno Machado (Rodrigo) from Valencia for a club-record fee of £27 million (€30 million) on a four-year deal.

Rodrigo has played the Real Madrid C team, the Real Madrid B team, Benfica, while he was at Benfica he has gone on loan to Bolton Wanderers in the 2010-2011 season, and went on loan to Valencia in the 2014/2015 season before Valencia signed him in 2015.

Rodrigo has won the domestic treble with Benfica in the 2013-2014 season winning the Primeira Liga, Taco de Portugal, and Taca da Liga, he has was a runner up of the UEFA Europa League in 2012-2013, and 2013-2014 seasons.  While playing for Valencia he won the Copa del Reya in the 2018-2019 season.

Rodrigo has experience of playing in the Premier League while he was on loan to Bolton Wanderers in the 2010-2011 season, he made 17 appearances and scored one goal.

Rodrigo has become the most expensive signings in the history of Leeds Utd football club having overtaken Rio Ferdinand who was bought from West Ham United in 2000 for €26 million.

Rodrigo has made 22 appearances for Spain since 2014 scoring 8 goals, and has played for Spain under 21 teams winning the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2013, and played for Spain under 19 teams being a runner of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2010.  He was picked for the Spain Under-23 London Olympics football squad and played two games in the group stage.  He was picked for the Spain 2018 world cup squad where he played for Spain on the 20th June being substituted for Costa in the final in a 1-0 win against Iran.

Rodrigo will join Leeds Utd as their sixth signing this season.

Bucket List: 5 Sports You Need to Try in Your Lifetime

Are you hoping to get into some new, adventurous activities, or at least try them? We’re here to help with a list of some of the top sports to try for tons of fun and excitement. 

Get out of your comfort zone, and possibly find your new favorite hobby by trying some of these awesome sports today. With these diverse options, there is something everyone can love. 

  1. Ultimate Frisbee 

This is a fun and active sport that is unique and engaging. Typically, teams are mixed gender. This is a no-contact sport, great for anyone who is sick of getting injured when playing contact sports. 

In ultimate frisbee, you play with teammates to get the frisbee into the goal. This is a fun and challenging sport that has a great emphasis on teamwork. Try playing this sport recreationally to meet new people and make lasting connections. 

This is an active sport that will allow for a great workout, as you run at high intensities, boosting your metabolic rate and burning fat. 

  1. Sailboating 

This is a challenging hobby that takes focus and determination to conquer. This is a great sport for someone who wants to enjoy a day out on the water and will allow you to enjoy beautiful surroundings. If you’re interested in learning, sign up for sailing lessons and check out some of the best sailboats for beginners that can help get you started. 

  1. Ziplining 

This is a great option for any adrenaline junkie, as the heights you’ll conquer when ziplining will give you the rush you need. This allows you to see amazing scenes, such as mountains, hillsides, and forests while traveling at swift, exhilarating speeds. This is a great skill to pick up, as it will allow you to see amazing areas when traveling to places like Costa Rica or Hawaii, where you can zipline past volcanoes and crystal blue waters. 

  1. Scuba Diving 

Scuba diving allows for a great way to explore the deep blue sea. This is a surreal experience that allows you to see underwater wildlife like never before. This is another great sport to be experienced in for traveling, as you can see diverse sea life wherever you go. 

  1. Snow Skiing 

This is a great way to stay active in the winter months or to have a vacation at a ski resort for days of exploring. This is a great sport to take on with the whole family or a group of friends. Nothing is better than a day of hitting the slops and ending the day next to a warm fire.

Adventurous Sports to Try This Year 

If you’re looking for a new and exciting hobby, try one of these awesome and exciting sports to try before you die. These sports offer a great way to challenge yourself while connecting with others and staying active in the great outdoors.

Take a walk on the adventurous side and try something new today. You may just find your new favorite hobby, but you’ll never know until you give it a go. 

Head to the “Other Sports” section of our website to find additional activities you may enjoy. 

Sam Bennett & Dan Martin on opening weekend of Le Tour

With the first weekend of the 107th Tour de France complete, Dan Martin of Israel Start-Up Nation and Sam Bennett of Deceuninck – Quick Step give their opinions as to how the opening two days have gone for them and their respective teams.

Bennett’s teammate Julian Alaphillipe claimed yesterday’s first mountain stage of the Tour and took the yellow jersey in the process. According to Carrick-On-Suir cyclist Bennett this has taken some of the pressure off.

“I think for the team as whole it takes the pressure off,” he admits, before reaffirming “but I still have a lot of pressure on myself (to win a stage).”

Now that his French team leader wears the yellow jersey, tactics may change for the Deceuninck – Quick Step team.

“I think it just means that we sit back a little more, let the other teams control it more for the sprints as we have a stage now” says Bennett. “We can’t work for the yellow and go for the sprint stages so the other teams are going to have to pull their weight a bit” the Flanders-born Irish rider explains.

Dan Martin of Israel Start-Up Nation, a team that debuts in this year’s race, is targeting a stage victory in 2020 rather than the General Classification, though he has finished top-10 three times in the Grand Boucle in his career.

The opening two stages, according to Martin, have “gone to plan so far (despite the Irishman losing a lot of time on Sunday). We wanted to stay safe and ride into the race. Our ambitions were realistic coming into the race considering the severity of my injury just two and a half weeks ago and the missed training before the start.”

Having crashed in recent weeks in the Critérium de Dauphiné, his preparation race for the Tour, Martin is delighted to just be in the race. He admits to feeling better than he expected and hopes to improve over the course of the three-week Tour:

“I’m actually feeling better than I expected so looking ahead to stage opportunities further into the Tour” says Dan Martin, “It’s a strange approach to the race after so many years riding for GC (General Classification) but I’m enjoying it and hopefully my condition and the injury improves enough to really be aggressive in the second and third weeks.”

Sports News Ireland will have stage reports each evening during the 2020 Tour de France.

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