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SSE Airtricity League Premier and First Division Fixtures

With the SSE Airtricity League Premier and First Division restarting on Friday, July 31, here are the fixtures for both divisions from Friday July 31 to Tuesday, August 4 inclusive.

SSE Airtricity League – Premier Division

Friday, July 31

Derry City v Sligo Rovers
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, 5.45pm
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
Assistant 1: Mark Gavin
Assistant 2: Darragh Keegan
Fourth Official: Damien MacGraith

Dundalk v St. Patrick’s Athletic
Oriel Park, 7.45pm
Referee: Rob Harvey
Assistant 1: Wayne McDonnell
Assistant 2: Rob Clarke
Fourth Official: Derek Tomney

Saturday, August 1

Shelbourne v Waterford
Tolka Park, 2pm
Referee: Ben Connolly
Assistant 1: Allen Lynch
Assistant 2: Emmet Dynan
Fourth Official: Alan Carey

Shamrock Rovers v Finn Harps
Tallaght Stadium, 5pm
Referee: Neil Doyle
Assistant 1: Darren Carey
Assistant 2: Brian Fenlon
Fourth Official: Adriano Reale

Sunday, August 2

Cork City v Bohemians
Turner’s Cross, 5pm
Referee: Seán Grant
Assistant 1: Trevor Cotter
Assistant 2: Eoin Harte
Fourth Official: Ray Matthews

Monday, August 3

St. Patrick’s Athletic v Derry City
Richmond Park, 7.45pm
Referee: Rob Hennessy
Assistant 1: Emmet Dynan
Assistant 2: Shane O’Brien
Fourth Official: Ben Connolly

Tuesday, August 4

Finn Harps v Shelbourne
Finn Park, 5.45pm
Referee: Damien MacGraith
Assistant 1: Alan Sherlock
Assistant 2: Declan Toland
Fourth Official: Michael Connolly

Sligo Rovers v Waterford
The Showgrounds, 7.45pm
Referee: Derek Tomney
Assistant 1: Rob Clarke
Assistant 2: Darren Corcoran
Fourth Official: Marc Lynch

SSE Airtricity League – First Division

Friday, July 31

Athlone Town v Wexford
Athlone Town Stadium, 7.45pm
Referee: Michael Connolly
Assistant 1: Alan Sherlock
Assistant 2: Declan Toland
Fourth Official: Eoghan O’Shea

Bray Wanderers v Cobh Ramblers
Carlisle Grounds, 7.45pm
Referee: Gavin Colfer
Assistant 1: Darren Carey
Assistant 2: Paul Norton
Fourth Official: Mark Moynihan

Galway United v Cabinteely
Eamonn Deacy Park, 7.45pm
Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan
Assistant 1: Dermot Broughton
Assistant 2: Eoin Harte
Fourth Official: Jason Mannix

UCD AFC v Longford Town
The UCD Bowl, 7.45pm
Referee: Alan Patchell
Assistant 1: Conor Fitzgibbon
Assistant 2: Shane O’Brien
Fourth Official: Rob Dowling

Sunday, August 2

Shamrock Rovers II v Drogheda United
Tallaght Stadium, 3pm
Referee: Adriano Reale
Assistant 1: Wayne McDonnell
Assistant 2: Chris Campbell
Fourth Official: Alan Carey

Monday, August 3

Longford Town v Bray Wanderers
Bishopsgate, 7.30pm
Referee: Marc Lynch
Assistant 1: Allen Lynch
Assistant 2: Ciaran O’Reilly
Fourth Official: Eoghan O’Shea

Galway United v Athlone Town
Eamonn Deacy Park, 7.45pm
Referee: Oliver Moran
Assistant 1: Dermot Broughton
Assistant 2: Darren Corcoran
Fourth Official: Damien MacGraith

Cork City most popular side for WATCHLOI Premier Division

Cork City currently leads the WATCHLOI Premier Division table ahead of the season restart this Friday. 

Launched last week, WATCHLOI is the SSE Airtricity League’s first-ever streaming platform and season passes went on sale at watchloi.ie at €55 for supporters in Ireland and €69 for the rest of the world.

WATCHLOI has received a fantastic response so far with #GreatestLeagueInTheWorld supporters signing up for the service ahead of the season restart on Friday, July 31.


With supporters able to select their preferred club when purchasing, Cork City supporters currently top the WATCHLOI table, which represents paid subscriptions only and not season ticket holders, closely followed by Shamrock Rovers fans. Bohemians supporters are also performing strongly in third spot with Sligo Rovers also backing their club to make up the top four.

WATCHLOI is the perfect way for supporters to support their club with revenue created set to go to each club and with over 55+ matches set to be on the platform, it is also great value.

WATCHLOI Premier Division Table

1. Cork City
2. Shamrock Rovers
3. Bohemians
4. Sligo Rovers
5. St. Patrick’s Athletic
6. Shelbourne
7. Dundalk
8. Derry City
9. Finn Harps
10. Waterford

Defoe suffers fatal injury on gallops

Roger Varian’s Group 1-winning grey Defoe suffered a fatal injury on the gallops this morning.

In a tribute to Defoe on his trainer Roger Varian’s website, it states:

“It is probably not a safe assumption that only those who were closely connected with the horse will be heartbroken that he has left this life. Although not large in stature Defoe had the heart of a lion and his adoring fans from around the world will no doubt join us in mourning his loss and celebrating his achievements.”

Defoe pictured with his trainer Roger Varian (left), jockey Andrea Atzeni and owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum (right).

The six-year-old Irish-bred was owned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, was trained at Varian Stable in Newmarket, and had been ridden in most of his races by Andrea Atzeni.

Having won just one minor race as a two-year-old, the son of Dalakhani (from whom he inherited his grey colour) won four consecutive races as a three-year-old including the Listed Glasgow Stakes and the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes.

In 2018 Defoe won the Group 3 John Porter Stakes and the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes and was gelded at the end of that year.

He claimed his only Group 1 success as a five-year-old when taking the Coronation Cup at Epsom, beating Kew Gardens, who had won the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster the previous season. Defoe went on to register a win in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, a victory that would ultimately turn out to be his last.

Defoe beating Kew Gardens in the 2019 Investec Coronation Cup at Epsom.

Last March he suffered a short-head defeat in the Group 2 City Of Gold at Meydan, UAE, with his long term target having been the Group 1 Sheema Classic three weeks later, on Dubai World Cup night. That meeting was abandoned however following the coronavirus outbreak.

Referring to Defoe’s final race at Royal Ascot in June, today’s statement from Varian Stable said:

“It is a great sadness that Defoe’s final race came at an eerily empty Royal Ascot where he ran an admirable race to finish third in the G2 Hardwicke Stakes, a scene that was a world away from those jubilant celebrations with Sheikh Mohammed Obaid in the winner’s enclosure twelve months previously.”

Defoe won a total of nine races from 22 career starts, and claimed £809,192 in prize money. In the 2019 World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, Defoe was given a rating of 118, making him the 78th best racehorse in the world.

Ballydoyle horses may compete at Australia’s Spring Racing Carnival

Coolmore is hoping that its top-class European horses will be able to compete in this year’s Spring Racing Carnival in Australia.

Coolmore Australia’s Tom Magnier said Ballydoyle Aidan O’Brien was weighing up Melbourne campaigns for several horses despite uncertainty as to how Covid-19 will affect the international movement of horses, their grooms and riders.

Speaking to RSN927 Radio in Australia this week, Tom Magnier said:

“I was talking to Aidan and we’re mad keen to get the horses down here for the Spring Carnival so hopefully that’s going to happen. We’ve never won a Melbourne Cup so we’re very keen to get one of those.”

Magnier, who oversees the Coolmore operation in Australia, continued:

“We have a very good team at Ballydoyle and Coolmore and we’d love to bring all the staff out but logistically, we’re not sure what is going on at the moment and we’re in talks with the various bodies. If we can get the people and the horses and the jockeys out here, then we will but it’s an unknown at this stage.”

It is believed horses such as the well-travelled Magic Wand, a winner of the McKinnon Stakes in Australia last year, Tattersalls Gold Cup runner-up Sir Dragonet, as well as three-year-old Nobel Prize are possible travellers Down Under, if allowed, with a single shipment of horses from Europe currently booked to arrive in Melbourne in early October.

Galway Plate: A look at the 22 runners

With the Galway Plate set to get underway let’s take a brief look at the 22 runners in the race. Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins  dominate the field. Let’s take a look below.

1. Galvin – The 4/1 favourite is the selection of Davy Russell for Gordon Elliott. Galvin finished 2nd at Cheltenham Festival in March. Has since won at Killarney.

2. Royal Rendezvous – Is 5/1 to land the Galway Plate for team Mullins. Paul Townend is booked for the ride and is obviously the stables first string based on that. Won a Grade 3 at Naas 4 months ago. Makes handicap chase debut here.

3. Early Doors – The pick of Mark Walsh for Joseph O’Brien and JP McManus. Defied top weight in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham in 2019. Will wear headgear here at odds of 8/1.

4. Easy Game – Another of Willie Mullins’ this time Patrick will take the ride. Has an each way shout at 10/1 for sure. Makes handicap chase debut.

5. Spyglass Hill – The selection for Rachel Blackmore for Henry De Bromhead. At 10/1 is again worth an each way bet. Won at Gowran in February over 2m 4f.

6. Three Musketeers – Another from the Elliott Yard with CP McNamara taking the ride. Is a Grade 3 winner over Aintree and could go close if repeating last performance at Kilbeggan at the beginning OF July. Currently 12/1.

7. Peregrine Run – I really like this horse. Impressive record with 17 wins from 40 NH races. Won a Grade 3 at Killarney 3 weeks ago. In good form and expect a good run at 14/1.

8. The Storyteller – Another from the Elliott yard. This time Sean O’Keeffe takes the ride. Finished 2nd at Cheltenham in the Pertemps in March. Each way chances at 16/1.

9. Robin Des Foret – Mikey Fogarty is on board here for Willie Mullins. Finished behind Peregrine Run on latest start at Killarney. Paul Townend prefers Royal Rendezvous though.

10. US and Them – JJ Slevin takes the ride here for his cousin Joseph O’Brien. Horse finished 3rd in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham. Will like the test of stamina. Current odds of 16/1.

11. Snuggsborough Benny – Liam Cusack’s horse here was poor last time out at Kilbeggan finishing last over 3m. Has won over this course and distance though. 18/1 are current odds.

12. Livelovelaugh – DJ Mullins gets aboard Livelovelaugh for Willie Mullins and Rich Ricci. Has a poor strike rate over fences. Not one I would consider.

13. Blazer – Jody McGarvey is on board for Willie Mullins here. For me this horse has poor strike with just 1 win from 12 races. Again, not for me.

14. The Big Lense – Luke Dempsey gets the ride on The Big Lense for Gordon Elliott. This horse has unseated the rider twice in the last three races. Finished 5th of 14 in latest race at Kilbeggan on July 10th.

15. Jett – Robbie Power and Jessie Harrington team up here. Jett is 28/1 and is top weight here so that will be difficult.

The remaining runners in the race include Mortal for Joseph O’Brien and Higgins Town. Oakley Brown takes the ride. Mark will not help here though. Sub Lieutenant, Dinons, Cabaret Queen, Cap York and Winter Escape complete the field at odds ranging up to 50/1.

Whatever you plan on doing, bet responsibly and enjoy the race.

GPA turns over €7.5 million in revenue in 2019

The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) has turned over €7.5 million and the average salary for the 10 employees is €65,000 according to their 2019 annual report.

RTE state that the Gaelic Players Association programmes and player welfare programmes accounted for 81% of that total. This coming in at just over €2.6 million. However, the accounts show that comphrensive income dropped significantly from €306,300 in 2018 to just €87,674 in 2019. Employment costs came in at €647,127, meaning an average salary of just short of €65,000 as reported above.

In terms of player development 1448 players engaged in programes. This represents a 31% increase on that of 2018. When this was broken it was found that  on average 121 players per month or six every day of the week.

Grants of €3m from the government accounted for 40% of revenue. Commercial income brought in around €1m, while the Gaelic Players Association own fundraising activities accounted for 8% of overall revenue. €611,994 was also raised through different activities such as New York and Boston GAA dinners. Former Dublin player and GPA CEO Paul Flynn said, player welfare will continue to be the focus of everything the GPA does.

He said, “My priority is keeping you at the centre of all our actions and to reinforce our three core pillars of pPlayer representation, player development and player welfare. These pillars, with the player at the centre of everything we do, will continue to be our focus”. Mr Flynn continued, “We believe that we need to work towards building a modern form of sustainable amateurism where you have balance between your playing, personal and professional lives.”

The full report can be viewed on the Gaelic Players Association official website. 

Russia bid for 2027 Rugby World Cup

Russian president Vladimir Putin has backed a bid to host the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Russia Rugby federation have confirmed the news that they will bid to stage the worldwide event. The Russian bid comes after Argentina dropped out of the running. Pichot, former player was quoted saying in April, “We discussed it with Australia and we thought it was not good for us to compete against our partner,” Argentine Pichot was quoted as saying”. “So we decided to just let Australia run because they also had a stronger project.”

The official host bidding officially gets underway in February 2021. The decision on who will host the tournament is expected in May 2022. The Russian Rugby Federation said in a statement,” On July 24, the supreme council of the Russian Rugby Federation established a committee to prepare an application to host the Rugby World Cup in Russia in 2027,”.

Anticipating the creation of the committee, chairman of the supreme council of the Russian Rugby Federation Igor Artemyev recalled that the initiative to prepare an application to host the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Russia was supported by the president of Russia at the council for the development of physical culture and sports.

The statement continued ,”The necessary consultations were held with the participation of the ministry of sports. By the end of this year detailed information and criteria for the application are expected.”

The 2023 tournament is to be held in France. After the French held off competition from Ireland and South Africa. Japan hosted the 2019 equivalent in which South Africa claimed the title beating England in the final 32-12.

Top local football clubs in the Republic Of Ireland

There are currently more than 4 million people living in the Republic of Ireland and it has a football system with 12 levels and three classifications, including “senior,” “intermediate,” and “junior.”

Each football is also rated by location – county, provincial,  and national.” Most of the information is not important to Irish football fans, but it plays a major role in keeping Ireland’s association football fair and square. A list of the top Republic of Ireland Association Football Clubs is provided in the article below.

 

Ayrfield United F.C.

Aryfield United is based in Coolock. The football club is part of the Athletic Union League (AUL), which oversees 13 divisions in the Republic of Ireland. Aryfield United was established in 1977. Now, the football has about 100 players split between three senior teams – U8, U9, and U16.

Locals living in and around Coolock support Aryfield United. The support goes much deeper than the location. The football club provides support for its community in many ways. It is difficult to ignore how Aryfield United has helped its local community and its many wonderful citizens.

St. Kevin’s Boys F.C.

St Kevin’s Boys football club is based in Santry, a Dublin suburb bordering Glasnevin, Ballymun, Coolock, and Kilmore. The football is about 22 years older than Ayrfield United, being established in 1959 by Father Desmond Williams. After establishing the football, Williams earned the title “Bishop.”

When Irish association football fans are not watching their favorite football clubs in action, they spend their time playing games online at websites like Kasyno. Sites like this not only offer hours of entertainment, but also plenty of opportunities to earn extra cash that can be utilized for road trips, personal expenses, college, and shopping adventures.

St. Kevin’s Boys oversees several Saturday Mini Coaching Leagues – Annual Road and Little Saint Coaching Academy. Members of the team also conduct “Coaching” seminars for locals interested in becoming involved in association football. 

The football club has expanded greatly over the year. So much so, it finally outgrew its former facilities. Today, St. Kevin’s Boys has a large club complex that consists of a large lecture room, several meeting rooms, all-weather indoor/outdoor training surfaces, and eight dressing rooms. 

The football club has so far invested more than €540,000 into its new club facilities, which is great for year-round practices and training camps.

Killumney United F.C.

Killumney United is based in the village of Killumney in County Cork. While Killumney United is but a small football club, it has fans all throughout the Republic of Ireland. The football club is only 32 years old, as it was established in 1988. Over the years, Killumney United has undergone many changes and overcome a broad range of struggles. 

The players and coaching staff now describe Killumney United as a “thriving, vibrant club.” In 2012, the football club won the AOH Cup. It repeated the win in 2020, defeating Park United 1-0. David Kenny was the player responsible for the big win.

Athenry F.C.

Athenry is a small football club based in the town of Athenry in County Galway. While the football club is small, it continues to grow stronger and draw in more fans with every game. The football biggest achievement was in 2006 when it reached the final round of the FAI Junior Cup. In 2007, Athenry won the Galway & District League championship, which was its first such win.

The football club repeated the win in three other seasons – 2007-08, 2009-10, and 2014-15. Athenry is about 49 years old, as it was established in 1971. While the football club is not as old as some of the other Republic of Ireland association football clubs, it has accomplished a lot in 49 years. The players and coaching staff do not plan on giving up any time soon. In fact, everyone involved with the football club continues pushing to win more and more cups.

Athenry gives back to its local community in many ways. Many players help out in the community as often as possible. But, they spend most of their time training and practicing. 

Conclusion

Other popular association football clubs in Ireland include the Bohemians, Derry City, Dundalk, Shelbourne, Wexford, Cork United, Dublin United, Greystones United, Wayside Celtic, and TED United. If you are not a football fan yet, it is guaranteed that you will be after watching on five minutes of these teams in action.

 

Battleground wins Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood

Battleground (13/8f) won the Group 2 Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes over seven furlongs at Goodwood for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore.

The two-year-old, a son of war Front, out of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Found, was a comfortable winner, having been held up early on in the contest behind front runner King Zain.

The Coolmore partners-owned colt took up the running a furlong from home and had two lengths to spare at the end over the runner-up Devious Company (4/1), with Youth Spirit (13/2) a further length and a quarter back in third.

Winning trainer Aidan O’Brien, speaking to the media via Zoom, said of the winner:

“This was his second run after Ascot – we were very happy with him at home. The ground was lovely and safe. He’s a horse we’ve always loved. He’s very genuine (like his mother), a big powerful horse.”

The Chesham Stakes winner at Royal Ascot is now likely go for the Group 1 National Stakes at The Curragh on Longines Irish Champions Weekend.

The victory gave the Ballydoyle handler his third win in the Vintage Stakes, having taken the race previously with Highland Reel in 2014 and War Decree in 2016.

Ireland announce squad for ODI match against England

Ireland have announced a 14 player squad ahead of the ODI opener against England. Thursday will be the first of three one game internationals against the English.

Given the circumstances a 14 man squad can be selected to face the world champions. The 14 man squad allows for substitutions to be made at any stage. Ireland also have a travelling squad of 22 players in Southampton, while any of the eight reserve players can be brought in to subsequent matches.

Boyd Rankin is named in the squad despite having conceded 47 runs in 5 overs last weekend. However, Mark Adair has not been named in squad as he conceded 74 runs in 8 overs in a comeback from injury against England Lions on Sunday last. Chair of the National men’s selectors, Andrew White said, “As fans are aware, Mark underwent surgery earlier this year, and while that was successful, it has unfortunately meant that he is not yet back to the level that we need him at for international cricket”.

The team will likely seem some debutant for the game. Curtis Campher has been called up to the squad. He turned in a fantastic performance against Namibia for the Ireland Wolves in February. Harry Tector could also make his debut for Ireland. He has played in T20 internationals for Ireland and shown the qualities needed for international cricket. White said, “These ODIs are not only a great opportunity for our squad to test themselves against the world champions, but are extremely important in the context of qualification for the 2023 Cricket World Cup”.

Games

30 July: 1st ODI v England (day/night, starts 2pm)

1 August: 2nd ODI v England (day/night, starts 2pm)

4 August: 3rd ODI v England (day/night, starts 2pm)

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