Kildare, Laois and Offaly GAA pitches can now reopen following a meeting of the Covid Advisory Group on Monday. Although, GAA pitches can reopen in the three counties, which were put on lockdown last week, no matches will be allowed to take place.
The GAA’s Covid advisory group met this evening to consider the implications for clubs in @CLGLaois, @Offaly_GAA, and @KildareGAA arising from the restrictions imposed on those Counties in recent days. #GAA
Following the partial shutdown in the three counties the GAA,LGFA and Camogie Association issued a collaborated statement stating that no matches would be allowed to take place in them counties for at least two weeks. All GAA grounds in those counties were to remain shut until further notice. GAA training will now be able to recommence, however it will be limited to non contact and with a limit of 15 players. Indoor meetings can take place but no more than 6 people from no more than three households can come together.
In a statement the Covid Advisory Group said that “They are satisfied that to date the incidence of reported positive Covid cases among those participating in Gaelic Games in Laois, Offaly and Kildare is miniscule, and no higher or lower than the general incidence among GAA clubs nationwide.” Furthermore, the statement read, “The associations’ expectation that once restrictions are lifted in those counties that clubs will be able to resume activity on the basis that their fellow clubs in the other 29 counties are currently operating.”
The Europa League first round draw took place on Monday. Shamrock Rovers are the only Irish side that will receive home advantage against Finnish side Tampere.
It is expected Rovers will face Tampere at Tallaght Stadium as Finland are currently a country on Ireland’s green travel list. Tampere are currently in mid table in the Finland League. They were beaten in the first round of the Europa League in 2018, which incidentally was there first appearance in European football in three decades.
Bohemians will face a difficult task against Fehervar. This side was formerly known as Videoton and are based in Hungary. Derry City will have to travel to Lithuania to face Riteriai. These played also in the first round last year by Faroese opposition. They are in poor form in Lithuania though having only won one game from 14. Derry and Bohemians will be allowed to play in the respective countries as they currently are on the Irish government’s green travel list.
Other fixtures include Aberdeen who play NSI Runavik of the Faroe Islands. The winner of that game faces Barry Town United of Wales. Motherwell of Scotland will face Northern Ireland League side Glentoran or FC Torshavn.
Games will take place on a one leg basis on August 27th. If normal time isn’t enough extra time and penalties will be required. The winners of the games will advance to round two.
As we know Schmidt is a fantastic coach having spent 6 years at the helm over Ireland. He has also at Bay of Plenty as well as at the Blues where he was an assistant coach. However, in 2006 Schmidt moved to Clermont in France where he operated as assistant coach to Vern Cotter. Schmidt then moved to Leinster in 2010 to take up the mantle as Head coach. He a remarkable stint at Leinster, leading them to a Pro12 title and two Champions Cup titles. The Kiwi then took on the role as Ireland national team head coach in 2013.
An announcement on who will get the job is expected in mid September. The role was set to be made due to some poor decisions from referees at the Rugby World Cup in last year and the issues with high tackling. Schmidt has said that he would be taking time out from coaching but a return to rugby in some capacity was always on the cards and this role might suit much better than another high-profile coaching gig.
Team Sunweb has announced that French cyclist Romain Bardet will join them on a two-year contract from 2021.
Bardet, an experienced climber, has tasted success at the Tour de France where he won three stages, finished both second and third on General Classification along with achieving two sixth place finishes, and claiming the famous polka dot jersey as King of the Mountains.
Speaking of his move to Team Sunweb, where he will join Irish cyclist Nicolas Roche, the Frenchman said:
“I am very happy to have signed for Team Sunweb. When considering options outside my current team, it was really important for me to find a team that works progressively, involving the latest technology in equipment and other domains. I also wanted a team with a clear vision on the sport and one that is a member of MPCC.”
Further explaining his decision to sign with Team Sunweb, Bardet added:
“At Team Sunweb I have the opportunity to start with no specific expectations or a specific race to target. Instead we will focus first on the basics and the fundamentals, working hard and with dedication to improve on all different areas as an athlete – after this we will look to race schedules and goals. This opportunity comes at the right moment in my career and I am very motivated to start working with the team and its group of very promising riders. I want to express my thanks to my current team AG2R La Mondiale, who helped me to develop until now, my time with them will always have a special place in my memories.”
Despite his impressive climbing result, 29-year-old Bardet can’t be pigeonholed as only a pure climber as the French rider has also excelled in one-day races. He took a silver medal at the World Championships in Innsbruck, was third place at Liège-Bastogne-Liège and took second place in brutal conditions at Strade Bianche, showing himself to be a versatile and tactically aware cyclist on a variety of terrain.
Bardet has been a professional since 2012 and brings a wealth of experience of competing at the highest level in the biggest races to the team’s blossoming pool of promising riders.
The Extra.ie FAI Cup first round matches will all be available to watch live on WATCHLOI.
Three matches are set to take place in the first round of the Extra.ie FAI Cup starting tonight.
St. Patrick’s Athletic will travel to Finn Harps with kick-off at 7.45pm, before a double-header tomorrow.
SSE Airtricity League Champions Dundalk welcome Waterford to Oriel Park and First Division Longford Town travel to Cork City, with kick-off at 7.45pm in both fixtures.
Season pass holders will be able to watch all three of the matches as part of their package whilst match passes will also be available for the games.
Season passes are just €55 for the entire season whilst match passes for each game are just €5.
For the Tuesday double-header, you can watch both matches at the same time on different devices through the same account.
David McGoldrick has been named as the 2019 ‘Three’ FAI Senior Men’s International Player of the Year.
In a year that saw the striker return to the Republic of Ireland Senior Men’s squad, he scored his first goal (against Switzerland) and made a valuable contribution to the team.
McGoldrick, who has 12 senior caps in total, was surprised to learn of his win but delighted to accept it following a stand-out period for Ireland, as well as for his club, Sheffield United.
“I’m surprised. I think there are a lot of players who could have got it from their performances throughout the campaign. There is a wealth of experience and young, talented players as well so it’s a real honour and privilege to win this award ahead of them,” McGoldrick told FAI TV.
“In previous years I was in and out of the squads and didn’t really get the consistent game-time, which is fair enough. But to get game-time and to show what I can do and to win this award on the back end of it ahead of Enda Stevens and Glenn Whelan, I’m proud of myself for that.
“It’s been a crazy year. It’s gone really fast. Obviously I got my international goal at the start of the season, which gave me massive confidence. My performances have been good and to score my two Premier League goals that’s what I wanted, that’s what every player wants. Altogether it’s been a crazy and a weird season at the same time with what is happening in the world.”
The 32-year-old has already spoken with new Ireland manager Stephen Kenny and he is hoping to be named in the squad for the UEFA Nations League games against Bulgaria and Finland next month.
“Everyone will be itching to see what the squad is and if you get selected. I know it’s going to be a busy schedule when we meet up but everyone will be itching to impress – first impressions are a big one,” he said.
“It will be no different if you are one of the older ones, like me, or a younger boy who is getting his first call-up you are going to be itching for it. And that’s good because it balances out the whole team and everyone is fighting for the shirt and that’s what we want.”
Even though his international career is only starting to take off, McGoldrick has plenty still to fight for with a spot at next summer’s UEFA European Championships top of the list.
“That’s what we’re all aiming for, to play in the European Championships,” said the striker.
“All of the hard work we’ve done for the past couple of years to get into this position, we now have one tough game first and we’ve got to get through that. I have every confidence in the boys. When we play to our best we’re a match for anyone.”
The winner of the Young International Player of the Year award is midfielder Alan Browne, who was selected ahead of Josh Cullen and Callum Robinson.
Credit: FAI.
This category takes into consideration players aged 25 years or younger who have represented the Senior Men’s team in the respective year of the awards taking place.
Browne is no stranger to collecting International awards having picked up the Schools International Player of the Year in 2013 when studying at Nagle Community College and then lifting the Under-21 Player of the Year in 2015.
Andy Sullivan was an impressive 7-shot winner of the English Championship as the former Ryder Cup player claiming his fourth European Tour title.
The Englishman held the lead in the UK Swing’s third event since day two, when he signed for a course-record 62, and never relinquished his place at the summit. A third round 64 handed the 34-year-old a five-stroke advantage heading into the final day on Sunday at Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel and Country Club, and he never let up on the final day.
Sullivan said of his first European Tour title win in five years:
“I’m proud of myself. I wasn’t quite stuck in the doldrums but it just hasn’t quite happened for me since those three wins 2015 and it feels like a weight off my shoulders now, and I think it told out there today.
“I never really felt comfortable out on the golf course all day, I found it quite a battle the whole way around until I started dropping a couple of putts on the back nine and my lead started increasing. I was always on guard today, I knew Adrian was there breathing down my neck.”
An eagle three at the par five second hole quashed the early hopes of a determined chasing pack which included two-time European Tour winner Adrian Otaegui from Spain, whose five under front nine made him a leading contender for an upset.
Otaegui got to within two shots of the leader with six holes to play, but Sullivan picked up four shots on the way home to claim the victory with a six under par 65 and a 27 under total, winning by seven shots from Otaegui on 20 under par.
Denmark’s Rasmus Højgaard was one shot further back in third, with South African Wilco Nienaber on 18 under par and England’s Steven Brown on 17 under.
Co. Down golfer Cormac Sharvin couldn’t maintain the heroics of his opening round of 63. The Ardglass man shot a second round 70 on Friday and carded two rounds of 69 over the weekend for a four-round score of 271, leaving him 14 shots behind the winner.
Sullivan moves from 42nd to 15th in the Race to Dubai Rankings as a result of the win. It also moved him to the top of the UK Swing Order of Merit after three events, with the top ten after the sixth and final tournament sharing an additional £250,000 from the European Tour’s Golf for Good initiative, to donate to the charity of their choice. The top ten not otherwise exempt after the fifth event will also gain spots in the U.S Open at Winged Foot next month.
Round Four Scores
257 A SULLIVAN (ENG) 66 62 64 65,
264 A OTAEGUI (ESP) 65 66 67 66,
265 R HOJGAARD (DEN) 65 67 69 64,
266 W NIENABER (RSA) 68 65 67 66,
267 S BROWN (ENG) 66 65 66 70,
268 D BURMESTER (RSA) 66 63 69 70, B STONE (RSA) 65 66 67 70, M LEE (AUS) 64 67 70 67,
269 N COLSAERTS (BEL) 65 66 68 70, D COUPLAND (ENG) 69 65 66 69, S VINCENT (ZIM) 64 70 68 67, S CROCKER (USA) 69 67 66 67, S JAMIESON (SCO) 74 63 68 64,
270 J SCRIVENER (AUS) 64 69 66 71, J DONALDSON (WAL) 67 64 69 70, J SMITH (ENG) 68 65 67 70, M ARMITAGE (ENG) 68 69 63 70, L DE JAGER (RSA) 69 66 67 68,
271 R FOX (NZL) 67 67 66 71, O LENGDEN (SWE) 65 66 70 70, A JOHNSTON (ENG) 66 65 71 69, C SHARVIN (NIR) 63 70 69 69, C SYME (SCO) 65 69 68 69, C PAISLEY (ENG) 68 65 70 68, E FERGUSON (SCO) 67 70 69 65,
272 M SIMONSEN (DEN) 65 68 66 73, B STOW (ENG) 70 67 64 71, A COCKERILL (CAN) 67 68 68 69, N HOJGAARD (DEN) 67 68 69 68, O FISHER (ENG) 67 68 69 68, R ROUSSEL (FRA) 67 69 68 68, R LANGASQUE (FRA) 65 70 70 67, A ROZNER (FRA) 67 69 69 67,
273 L CANTER (ENG) 64 65 70 74, R RAMSAY (SCO) 66 68 69 70, L WESTWOOD (ENG) 66 69 68 70, M WARREN (SCO) 68 68 67 70, A PAVAN (ITA) 68 68 67 70, R PARATORE (ITA) 69 67 69 68, A MERONK (POL) 66 69 71 67, T OLESEN (DEN) 66 70 70 67, J VEERMAN (USA) 67 69 70 67, L GAGLI (ITA) 68 69 69 67,
274 A CANIZARES (ESP) 69 64 69 72, S KIM (USA) 67 65 72 70, R SANTOS (POR) 68 68 69 69, J SENIOR (ENG) 65 72 68 69, A RAI (ENG) 68 69 68 69, T TREE (ENG) 67 67 72 68, R WATTEL (FRA) 65 71 70 68, S HEND (AUS) 71 66 70 67, M JIMINEZ (ESP) 66 68 74 66,
275 J HANSEN (DEN) 69 66 70 70, J HARDING (RSA) 67 65 74 69, M SCHNEIDER (GER) 67 70 69 69,
276 T DETRY (BEL) 64 72 66 74, R BLAND (ENG) 65 66 73 72, D DRYSDALE (SCO) 65 70 70 71, J GUERRIER (FRA) 70 67 69 70, B EASTON (RSA) 66 69 72 69,
277 M SOUTHGATE (ENG) 67 69 69 72,
278 R MCEVOY (ENG) 70 66 70 72,
279 T PULKKANEN (FIN) 70 67 70 72, W BESSELING (NED) 70 67 75 67,
281 L SLATTERY (ENG) 69 67 71 74, K SAMOOJA (FIN) 67 70 71 73, P LARRAZABAL (ESP) 69 67 74 71,
282 D HOWELL (ENG) 64 71 73 74, R ENOCH (WAL) 66 70 72 74,
283 E CUARTERO BLANCO (ESP) 71 66 73 73,
285 C SHINKWIN (ENG) 68 67 69 81, B RITTHAMMER (GER) 69 65 77 74, D LAW (SCO) 68 68 76 73.
There was once again plenty of club football on Sunday across the country. Let’s take you through the round up of games below.
In Galway, Corofin racked up another impressive score to see off Monivea/Abbey 4-18 to 0-07. Michael Farragher and Dylan McHughs registered goals for the current 3 in a row All-Ireland Champions. In addition, An Cheathru Rua had a 0-15 to 1-10 over St James’. Across the road in Mayo, Breaffy had a good win over Castlebar Mitchells, Aidan O’Shea and Co coming out on top by two points in the end thanks to two Robbie Hennelly frees at the death. Breaffy winning 0-16 to 0-14.
Furthermore, Ballina and Knockmore had a good wins over Claremorris and Kiltane respectively. Ballina had 10 points to spare over Claremorris with a Simon Leonard goal helping Ballina on the way to the win, 1-19 to 1-09. Knockmore had 16 points to spare over Kiltane, 3-18 to 0-11 in the end. Staying out West, action also continued in Sligo. Tourlestrane had a 1 point over Calry/St Joseph’s. Two points from Liam Gaughan in the final few minutes helping them to a 1-09 to 0-11 win. Tubbercurry had a 1-16 to 2-08 win over Shannon Gaels.
In Armagh, Crossmaglen continued their dominance with an eight point win over Silver bridge, 3-10 to 1-08. There was also wins Armagh Harps and Pearse Ogs who beat St Peter’s and Cullyhanna respectively. Staying in the North, the Donegal championship also continued with Naomh Conall beating Ardara by 13 points, 0-18 to 0-05. Eoghan McGettigan getting 0-06 from play for the winners. Sean McCumhaillls held off Dungloe 1-11 to 0-11, while Michael Murphy’s Glenswilly recorded a 2-14 to 1-13 win over Four Masters.
Meanwhile, in Longford, Colmcille came from 8 points down to secure a draw with 2018 Leinster champions Mullinalaghta. Ballybay proved too strong for Donaghmoyne, 4-20 to 0-08,while Clontibret and Magheracloone played out at 0-13 draw.
Bray Emmets lost out to Tinahely in the Wicklow championship 1-15 to 1-12, while Dunlavin secured a three goal win over Newtown, 3-10 to 0-10. Finally, in Cavan, Ramor United, Crosserlough and Castlerahan all had wins.
Combat archery was first invented in 2011 by John Jackson of Waterloo, Indiana. The sport became popular. after Jackson staged target practice areas at local premieres of The Hunger Games film.
Fans were more than willing to embrace their inner Katniss Everdeen. The non-lethal arrows provided a way to practice their Hunger Game skills without all the death and sacrifice.
By 2014, there were over 170 locations worldwide where people could play combat archery. Sit tight as we break down how to play one of the most popular new sports to hit the market. Battle Archery, Battle Bows, and Arrow Tag are other brands to profit from the craze.
Dodgeball, Paintball, and Archery, Oh, My!
Combat Archery combines the sports of dodgeball, paintball, and archery. It is also known as archery tag.
Played worldwide in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Russia, Singapore, and others, combat archery is the new combat sport that people love to play.
Archery Tag Rules
The rules resemble dodgeball. In archery tag, two teams of five go head-to-head to compete in an archery fight. Each player is given a mask for protection that must be worn at all times.
The battlefield consists of two battle zones separated by a safe zone. Within each zone, there are targets that opposing players can hit to score points.
Whenever a player hits their foam-tipped arrow through a target they receive two points for their team.
The referee blows the whistle to start the game. Both teams sprint towards the safe zone to pick up bows and foam-tipped arrows. Players can hide behind targets and shoot at the other team, or their targets. The referee helps keep score.
Here are the ways your team earns points:
1 point – strike a player with an arrow
2 points – striking a target
2 points – catching an arrow shot at you
If an arrow hits you, you must sit out, like dodgeball. You come back into the game if someone catches an opposing team’s arrow.
The team with the most points wins.
Two Ways to Play
There are two options when playing combat archery. You can play league or elimination. Both games are the same but have subtle differences.
In league play, you aren’t required to leave the battlefield after being hit, but the other team receives the point. With elimination play, you must leave the battlefield after being hit, and the other team gets a point.
Points are awarded in the same way no matter which style you play.
Things to Know
Arrows that land outside of the battlefield zones will be picked up by staff and placed back in the safe zone. You cannot shoot at the other team while in the safe zone, it will not count. The game takes skills, strategy, and teamwork to win.
Are You Ready to Give Combat Archery a Try?
Combat archery brings all the attributes of your favorite gymnasium games from elementary school and adds archery in for good measure. If you’d like to try combat archery with your family, make sure to look up locations for your area.
If you’re looking for more sports-related content, check out our site for news, scores, and more.
Motorcycle Racing brothers Caolán and Rhys Irwin from County Donegal, made up for the long delay to the start of their 2020 British Superstock 600 campaign with an excellent weekend at the opening round of the British Superbike Championship at Donington Park, England.
Caolán, the older and more experienced of the brothers, began his 2020 title challenge with an excellent second place and fastest lap of the race, while Rhys began his first full season in the championship with a brilliant recovery ride, from eighteenth on the grid, to finish eighth and take his best result in the British Championship so far.
Having tasted victory for the first time last year and run at the front at most events, Caolán Irwin started the Donington weekend as one of the favourites for the 2020 title. With limited testing due to Covid-19 restrictions the Kilmacrennan based rider used the Donington weekend to acclimatise himself to his new Astro Van Centre Team JJR Kawasaki and built up his speed across Friday’s practice sessions.
Caolán’s first run in Saturday’s qualifying, on old tyres, was good enough for fourth place, but as he started his second run, on new tyres, his bike cut out, robbing him of the chance to go for pole. Despite not getting a run on new rubber, Caolán still lined his Principal Insurance, RK Racing and J&S Accessories machine up fourth for Sunday’s race.
Riding in the same class Rhys Irwin was on-board the Irwin Racing Yamaha that he had used at the end of 2019 to dip his toe in the British Championship water. Continuing to get used to the Oasis Bar and Mondello Park sponsored Yamaha, Rhys was making steady progress up the time sheets until mechanical issues in qualifying halted his progress and left him further back than expected.
At the start of Sunday’s race, Caolán got a good getaway to lie fifth at the end of lap one. Lap two saw him up to fourth before he made it into the top three on the next lap and stayed there till the closing stages of the race. Rhys too was making progress and by half distance he was into the top ten and running his fastest laps of the weekend. With five of the twenty laps left to run the youngster grabbed eight place and held on to that spot over the remaining laps, to finish just eleven seconds behind the winner.
Up front Caolán was running in third and he too was setting his fastest times of the weekend. With three to go the Irish rider set the fastest lap of the race, as he mounted a challenge for second and going into the final corner he grabbed the runner-up spot to get his season off to a flying start by taking his best ever finish at Donington.
Speaking after his second place result Caolán said “From Friday’s practice we were working to get the bike just right as it was my first race weekend with the new team. When I was able to take fourth in qualifying on an old tyre, I knew we were going in the right direction and that I would have the pace when it mattered, on Sunday. My Astro JJR team did a great job and I have to thank everyone who helped us to get into a position to fight for the podium this weekend especially Wes, Jake, Arny and my Dad. To finish second at Donington, where I have never gone as well before, is a great result and gives me real confidence for the year ahead.”
Happy with his weekends work, Rhys said “to finish in the top ten on my first proper weekend in the series is brilliant, I didn’t expect to be this competitive so soon. Having not had any testing due to the current restrictions we had to iron out a few problems in practice and qualifying, which slowed my progress, but I’m delighted to have made it so far up the order from such a low starting position. We’ve a long way to go but this weekend was a really positive start.”
The Irwin brothers will be back in British Championship action in two weeks time at Snetterton, Norfolk.
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