The Irish Open looks set to moved from Mount Juliet in Co Kilkenny to the Galgorm Spa and Golf Resort, just outside Ballymena in Co Antrim.
Reports state that it is now “likely” that Ireland’s showpiece golfing event will take place in Galgorm from September 24th to September 27th. This would be to allow those from the USA to travel without having to quarantine. As we know by now restrictions mean that anyone arriving from the USA have to self isolate for a period of 14 days. These restrictions do not apply in Northern Ireland. The Belfast Telegraph report that efforts were made to make the event happen in Co Kilkenny as well as the Old Head of Kinsale. However, due to the Covid 19 restrictions European Tour organisers were forced to go up North.
However, the only negative about moving the tournament is that many European players may not travel as up to 40 players from Europe will be contesting the US Open the previous week. This will likely limit the field. Although, players like Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry could compete in tournament. However, McIlroy has stated he is staying in the US as of now due to the current Covid 10 pandemic. He said at the start of August, “I don’t know if I want to travel, I don’t know if I want to be exposed to more things and more people,”.
Incidentally, Galgorm us also due to host the Challenge Tour’s 160,000 pounds Northern Ireland Open also in September. This event is due to take place from September 3rd to 6th.
Mark Selby has progressed to the World Snooker Championship semi-finals. Selby said he doubted whether he would return to the one table setup at the Crucible in Sheffield after he defeated Neil Robertson 12-7.
Selby held a healthy overnight lead. He moved one frame away from the win when he recorded a break of 91. He had a break of 56 in the next frame only to miss a red, Robertson took control and won the frame. The Aussie won the next two frames, however, he missed an easy enough black which allowed thee Jester from Leicester back in to take the frame and the match.
Selby said following the win, “Over the last 12 to 18 months I was questioning myself. I had got so used to winning tournaments then when I wasn’t winning tournaments it became very damaging to my confidence”. “I was happy with my performance against Neil. I felt if I got a chance I could score, and my safety play was back up with how it was a few years ago”. Robertson was obviously disappointed with the defeat and said, “It was a really tough game and apart from three or four frames in the match, every frame came down to the final few reds or the colours. “Mark’s defensive safety was absolutely unbelievable. He didn’t let up really and I think he got his game plan spot-on over over the two days”.
In other games 2019 World Champion Judd Trump exited the championship after a 13-9 defeat to Kyron Wilson. In fact, it comes as no surprise given that no returning champion has yet to win back to titles since 1977. Trump reduced the gap down to two frames having registered three 50+ breaks in four frames. However, Kyron moved just a frame away after winning frame 21 with two visits. Then came a break of 104 to round of a fantastic win.
Five time World Champion Ronnie O’Sullivan levelled proceedings in his game with Mark Williams. The Rocket pegging back the Welsh man to level the game 8-8. O’Sullivan trailed Williams 7-2 at one period in the game, but won four frames on he bounce to edge his way back into contention.
Ireland and Ulster second row Iain Henderson could miss Ireland’s rearranged Six Nations fixtures against Italy and France in October after Ulster rugby confirmed that the Lions lock has undergone hip surgery.
Henderson who is 28 years old, is expected to be out for a period of 8-10 weeks. Therefore, this would mean he would not be returning until around the middle or end of October. This means he will likely miss the remainder of Ulster’s season also. Ulster return to action on August 23rd, where they will play Andy Friend’s Connacht. This game will take place at the Aviva Stadium. Ulster will also contest a Champions Cup quarter-final in the coming weeks against Toulouse.
Ulster Rugby also issued a squad update on their website. They confirmed that Angus Curtis is still rehabilitating from a multi-knee ligament injury. Andrew Warwick will have to undergo a hip operation next week. Will Addison is also nursing a back injury. Sam Carter and Matt Fades are now back in training following shoulder surgeries as are Greg Jones and Matthew Rea who both had ankle surgeries. Ulster Rugby say that the quartet will be fit for selection on August 23rd.
In terms of the international game, Ireland will play the remaining of their 2020 Six Nations in October. The first game is against Italy on October 24th, while they will face France a week later in Paris. Henderson will likely have to plan towards the one off Eight Nation tournament which will be run from November. Ireland will face Wales, Fiji and England. As we previously stated these games will be run over a period of 4 weekends from November 14th until December 5th.
Celtic have had their upcoming games postponed after defender Boli Bolingoli played following a secret trip to Spain. Scotland first Minister issued Celtic with a “red card warning” but let Scottish football off with “a yellow card warning”.
The government in Scotland were considering suspending all Scottish football after it emerged Bolingoli failed to quarantine after his trip to Spain. In fact, the Hoops defender came off the bench in Sunday’s Scottish Premier League game with Kilmarnock which ended in a 1-1 draw. Celtic have since came out and said it as stupid behaviour and inexplicable. However, Celtic are due to face Icelandic side KV Reykjavik in a first round Champions League qualifier on August 19th. They now face an anxious wait as investigations will have to occur, with decision likely left up to UEFA.
The Scottish Champions game with St Mirren has been called off, as has Aberdeen’s match with Hamilton on Wednesday. The Don’s trip to Celtic Park on Saturday has been postponed. It’s not the first incidence of players breaking rules though, as Nicola Sturgeon issued a stark warning to Scottish football after 8 Aberdeen players broke protocol and went on a night out after the opening game of the season. Incidentally, 2 of the 8 contracted Covid 19, while the other 6 had to self isolate for the period of 14 days.
The Scottish First Minister issued a statement on Tuesday saying, “This is just not acceptable. We can’t have privileged football players just deciding they are not going to bother. “Consider today the yellow card. Next time it will be the red card because you will leave us with absolutely no choice.” Neil Lennon, Celtic boss was very angry that Bolingoli broke protocol. He said “it might be very difficult to be welcomed back into the fold at Celtic Park”. Lennon continued, “I am livid; (it was a) total betrayal of trust. He took a flight to Spain on the Monday and flew back on Tuesday – one day in Spain, no logic to that – and decided to keep it to himself. “Trained all week in this bubble and was part of the squad for Sunday and put everybody at risk, the Kilmarnock players and staff as well.
Bolingoli did say he wanted to apologise to fans and players for letting them down so badly. He said, “I am guilty of a major error of judgement. I know what I did was wrong and I know that I must now deal with the consequences.”
The Betsson Group confirmed plans to expand into the Kenyan sports betting market after committing to a formal partnership with Bet High Ltd.
Media in Kenya recently reported that the Nordic sportsbook’s subsidiary, Betsafe, was named as the new shirt sponsor of KPL football clubs AFC Leopards and For Mahia. Betsson already established its presence within the EU, with several licensed online casino properties, and now it’s time for another chapter.
Launching Through Bet High
Betsafe hasn’t yet registered its license with the Kenya Betting Control Board (BCLB). Betsson, however, has since announced that Betsafe Kenya will be launched through Bet High, a fully owned subsidiary that will manage any licenses for Betsafe’s casino and sports betting arms.
Betsson has given permission for Bet High to operate in Kenya under ‘Betsafe Ventures’. The operation will be charged with servicing and managing all of Betsafe Kenya’s day-to-day business functions, such as customer support, operations, local marketing, and management.
Supporting Kenya Football
Bet High partner and public relations manager, Tom Bwana, said that their number one priority when entering the Kenyan market will be to support football in the country. Bwana added that they aim to provide fans of the two clubs with more excitement and engagement in the near future.
Betsson will fully finance the venture, providing Bet High with technical support and technology platforms. Kenyan media praised Betsson’s sponsorship of the two Nairobi football club. The move will ease Kenyan football’s financial hardships it’s suffered since the region’s clubs could no longer depend on SportsPesa for sponsorship.
27 Sportsbooks Blacklisted
Due to certain interruptions that occurred in 2019, the sports betting marketplace was suspended by the Uhuru Kenyatta government, resulting in 27 licensed sportsbooks being blacklisted. This was in relation to tax disputes with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
The KRA gave all national telecoms and licensed banks no choice but to put an end to all mobile and payment M-PESA wallet services for betting companies. This led to SportPesa’s announcement that it would pull out of the market, which all but destroyed finances in KPL football. SportsPesa had previously declared net revenues of €200 million with a workforce of 450 employees. The numbers prompted Betsafe to feel confident about entering the Kenyan market.
Improved Financial Outlook
Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier is delighted that his club has found a new sponsor. He feels that having a reliable sponsor on board is necessary for the club to achieve long-term financial support. Gor Mahia has won the Kenyan Premier League for 18 times, more than any other club in Kenya. Three of those titles were won in the last three seasons.
AFC Chairman Dr Dan Shikanda offered a similar sentiment to Rachier, in that Shikanda is confident that a new sponsorship deal will help his club’s financial security. He made it clear how pleased AFC are to be able to tell fans about the deal. Shikanda added that the club believes that now their financial worries are behind them, they can concentrate on becoming Kenya’s best club. AFC Leopards have won 13 Kenyan Premier League titles.
The U.S. is Next
Not saturated with just Kenya, Betsson is also planning on entering the sports betting market in the U.S. The firm has come to an agreement with Dostal Alley Casino to launch a sportsbook early next year once regulatory approval has been received. The agreement is for 10 years, initially. Betsson sees the move as one with low risk coupled with the potential for long-term growth and sustainability. The group aims to use its name and technology to offer its customers a tailored experience through sports such as soccer, golf, and baseball.
Premiership Rugby has confirmed that with the resumption of the 2019-20 Gallagher Premiership Rugby season next weekend, every match which will be played behind closed doors will be live on BT Sport.
In a ground-breaking agreement between Premiership Rugby and BT Sport, fans can watch more live matches than ever before, from 14 August,including all six matches in Round 14.
The 2019-20 Gallagher Premiership Rugby season resumes on Friday, 14th August, when Harlequins host Sale Sharks at the Twickenham Stoop, with the season ending on 24 October with the Final.
BT Sport will present live coverage from the grounds, led by a team of rugby experts with presenters and commentators including Dubliner Craig Doyle, Sarra Elgan, Martin Bayfield, Ugo Monye, Ben Kay, Lawrence Dallaglio, Austin Healey, Nick Mullins and Ali Eykyn.
Four of the 57 matches for the remainder of the season will also be shown free-to-air on Channel 5 – with details to be announced – while the Premiership Rugby highlights programme will also be on Channel 5 from Monday, 17th August.
Premiership Rugby has also confirmed that the 2020-21 Gallagher Premiership Rugby season will start on Friday, 20 November, concluding with the Final at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday 26 June 2021.
With the resumption of the Gallagher Premiership Rugby now just days away, further details have been revealed about London Irish’s fixtures for the remainder of the 2019-20 season.
The Exiles return to action at the Rec against Bath on Saturday next, 15th August , with a 3pm kick-off.
A first ‘home’ fixture at the Stoop – where the Exiles will play all their remaining home fixtures between now and the end of the current campaign. The following week, on on Saturday 22 August, Irish will play Northampton Saints in a game which will be live on BT Sport at 2pm.
Rounds 14-17 are concluded with an away fixture against Leicester Tigers (Wednesday 26 August, 6pm) and a home clash versus Saracens, which has now been moved back 24 hours, to the Bank Holiday Monday in Britain, on 31 August, at 1pm.
Declan Kidney’s men will start their final five fixtures of the campaign at Gloucester Rugby in another live TV fixture on Saturday 5 September (4.30pm), before Exiles play ‘host’ to their temporary landlords Harlequins at the Stoop in a midweek clash on Wednesday 9 September (6pm).
The following Sunday, 13 September, Worcester Warriors are the visitors to the Stoop, prior to London Irish’s penultimate fixture of the season at current leaders Exeter Chiefs, on a date to be confirmed in due course. The Exiles’ final fixture of a prolonged 2020-21 season sees them host the Bristol Bears on Sunday 4 October – 3pm kick-off.
Every match played behind closed doors in the resumption of the 2019-20 Gallagher Premiership will be shown live on BT Sport.
Exiles Director of Rugby, Declan Kidney, said:
“Seeing all the remaining fixtures confirmed takes us that bit closer to the return of rugby, which we’re all really excited about. We’re keen to finish the season strongly and regain the momentum which we had had when the league went on hiatus back in March.
“Of course, there’s an element of the unknown with so many fixtures in such a short space of time, but it presents an opportunity for us to use the full squad as well as delving into the Academy.
“We’re disappointed we can’t play in front of our fans, but we know they’ll be with us in spirit – as always, every time we pull on the jersey, we do it for our supporters.”
The Exiles will play their home games at The Rec for the remainder of the 2019-20 season.
London Irish Fixtures R14-22:
Saturday 15 August: Bath Rugby v London Irish kick-off 3pm – BT Sport Red Button.
Saturday 22 August: London Irish v Northampton Saints kick-off 2pm – BT Sport 3.
Wednesday 26 August: Leicester Tigers v London Irish kick-off 6pm – BT Sport Red Button.
Monday 31 August: London Irish v Saracens kick-off 1pm – BT Sport Red Button.
Saturday 5 September: Gloucester Rugby v London Irish kick-off 4.30pm – BT Sport 1.
Wednesday 9 September: London Irish v Harlequins kick-off 6pm – BT Sport Red Button.
Sunday 13 September: London Irish v Worcester Warriors kick-off 3pm – BT Sport Red Button.
Sunday 4 October: London Irish v Bristol Bears kick-off 3pm.
Two rounds of the Underwriting Exchange National Grand Prix took place over the weekend. Tipperary Equestrian Centre hosted on Saturday with Killossery, Co. Dublin, the venue for Sunday’s competition.
Joan Greene took her first win in the Underwriting Exchange Grand Prix on Saturday, when taking the victory aboard Vivendi Tipperary. The Clare native came home with nothing to add in 37.08 seconds to take the winner’s share of the €2,000 in the Tipperary Equestrian sponsored class.
This was Greene and the ten-year-old mare’s third Grand Prix since the season resumed. At the round in Barnadown, they produced a double clear round, but finished outside the top six placings.
Taking the runner-up spot on Saturday were Kevin Gallagher and ESI Star Struck, crossing the line clear in 38.09 seconds.
Greg Broderick was third with the eight-year-old Coolivio PS in 40.73 seconds, with Waterford’s Gemma Phelan and Coolisheal Lance fourth with a clear round in a time of 42.10 seconds.
Mark Finnerty and All Action won in Killossery on Sunday. Credit: Laurence Dunne/jumpinaction.net.
On Sunday, Wicklow man Mark Finnerty won round eight of the Underwriting Exchange National Grand Prix in Killossery, with the nine-year-old chestnut gelding All Action, as the pair produced a winning clear round in 37.25 seconds.
Taking the runner-up spot behind the young rider from Redcross in Wicklow was Stephen Murphy with Chantelle, as the combination kept all the poles in place in a time of 37.96 seconds.
Derek Mc Connell filled two slots in this line-up. Riding the seven-year-old mare, Izzy, he was fastest of the four faulters in 38.21 seconds for third place, while he also took fifth place with the eight-year-old Dothraki Warlord – this combination were the fastest four faulters in the first round in 69.94 seconds.
Separating Mc Connell’s placings, when slotting into fourth place was Thomas Foley and Cassido, who also had a pole down in a time of 39.38 seconds.
John Floody also had one pole down in the first round with Ballyknock Diamond, but a fast time of 70.70 seconds saw them take sixth place.
Brest will host the beginning of the 2021 Tour de France after Danish capital Copenhagen pulled out of because of a clash with the rescheduled Euro 2020 tournament and will now host it in 2022 instead.
The Tour De France in 2021 will start earlier on June 22nd. This is to avoid a clash with the Tokyo Olympics in Japan. The conclusion of the event will take place on July 18th, which will be six days before the Olympic road race in Tokyo. The chief of the Tour De France, Christian Prudhomme said, “We have been talking with local authorities about this since 2018,”. “We were originally thinking about 2022, but the pandemic has changed all that.”The Mayor of Copenhagen said “We want the Tour but we don’t can’t do it for security and logistical reasons, for us to accommodate. The only possible solution was a year later.”
Brest which is in the province of Brittany is a cycling hotspot and was originally meant to host the start of the 2024 Tour De France. The reasoning behind this was to celebrate the 70th birthday of Bernard Hinault, who hails from the region, or in 2025 in honor of his fifth Tour de France win in 1985.
5 time World Snooker Champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has found himself in the spotlight again after he launched an attack on the next generation of players coming through.
O’Sullivan stated that “The standard of snooker is so bad that he” would have to lose and arm and a leg to slip down the rankings”. He beat Ding Junhui on Sunday 13-10 to set up a quarter-final clash with Mark Williams. However, O’Sullivan was having none of it in the interview and lost a an attack on the next generation of players stating “If you look at the younger players coming through, they’re not that good really”. He said that most of them would so well as amateurs or not even amateurs they’re so bad a lot of them.
Ronnie O’Sullivan just straight up brutal on the reason for his longevity in snooker pic.twitter.com/4bL5FAd1Cs
O’Sullivan who was last crowned World Champion in 2013 continued, “A lot of them you see now, you think, cor, I’ve probably got to lose an arm and a leg to fall outside the top 50. So that’s why we’re hovering around – because of how poor it is down that end.” In the interview O’Sullivan also stated that “while he still playing snooker he wants to enjoy it”. Stating that he didn’t care if he won or lost at this stage is in career.
The man effectively known as “The Rocket” for his quick playing said he would rather the tournament in the K2 leisure centre in Crawley. However, O’Sullivan has described the venue as a “hellhole” in the past. He said, “To be honest I prefer the format of Crawley because it’s the best of seven, so it’s a quick in-and-out. “Here it’s a great venue but it’s bit hectic and a bit stressful. I’d rather take the Crawley option to be honest with you.”
The Wordsley born star raced into two frames clear with breaks of 87 and 73. However, his Chinese opponent responded with a break of 88 after O’Sullivan missed a black. O’Sullivan went into a 11-9 lead with a 60 break, only for Ding to make a break of 81. However, the Rocket then rolled off a century, with 117 and nearly made it two in a row in the next frame with a break of 93.
O”Sullivan will now face fellow veteran Mark Williams in the last eight.
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