Pat Spillane Jnr Transfers to Sligo’s St Molaoise Gaels

🔁 Pat Spillane Jnr Transfers to Sligo’s St Molaoise Gaels

Pat Spillane Jnr, son of Kerry GAA icon Pat Spillane, has made a surprise transfer to Sligo club St Molaoise Gaels, marking the latest chapter in a unique footballing journey.

The 26-year-old joins the Yeats County outfit from St Jude’s in Dublin, with whom he reached the Dublin Senior Football Championship final in 2021, narrowly losing to Kilmacud Crokes.

🏐 Third Club, Third County

This will be Spillane’s third club across three counties. He began his football career with his native Templenoe in Kerry, before transferring to Dublin club St Jude’s. Now, having qualified to represent Sligo through his mother Rosarii, Spillane makes the move west.

He became eligible to play for Sligo in 2022, thanks to his maternal roots in the county.

🌍 AFL Links

Though Spillane never lined out for Kerry at minor, U20 or senior level, he did catch the eye of international recruiters. In 2015, he was selected to attend an AFL draft combine alongside players such as Cavan’s Thomas Galligan and Kilkenny’s Darragh Joyce — the latter now playing professionally for the Brisbane Lions after an initial stint with St Kilda.

📍 Who Are St Molaoise Gaels?

St Molaoise Gaels are an emerging force in Sligo club football, competing in the Intermediate ranks. The addition of a player of Spillane’s pedigree and experience is seen as a major boost to their ambitions for the 2025 season and beyond.

KPMG Women’s Irish Open underway at Carton House, Fairmont

The 2025 KPMG Women’s Irish Open gets underway at Carton House, Fairmont, this morning.

A record number of Irish players, both professionals and amateurs, will compete in the competition which runs from Thursday to Sunday.

Updated leaderboard

This marks the largest Irish field in the event’s history, a significant milestone that highlights the growing depth and strength of women’s golf in Ireland.

Irish professionals & amateurs competing

The historic field includes top professionals Leona Maguire, Olivia Mehaffey, Sara Byrne, Lauren Walsh, Annabel Wilson, Anna Foster, and Canice Screene, all of whom have represented Ireland on the world stage.

They will be joined by an exciting group of elite Irish amateurs, who are making waves both domestically and internationally: Beth Coulter, Áine Donegan, Olivia Costello, Anna Dawson, Emma Fleming, Rebekah Gardner, Roisin Scanlon, Anna Abom, and Marina Joyce Moreno.

International players

The Irish stars will line up against some of the biggest international names in women’s golf, including Charley Hull, Georgia Hall, Anna Nordqvist, and Madelene Sagström, all multiple-time winners and Solheim Cup stalwarts.

Tickets and a full schedule are available at KPMG Women’s Irish Open

Daniel beats Jordan for Coyle 1-2 in Canada Cup Derby

Daniel Coyle and Calippo 57 win the Canada Cup Derby at Spruce Meadows. Credit: Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk.

Daniel Coyle beat his older brother Jordan as the Irish riders took a 1-2 in the Canada Cup Derby on Canada Day at Spruce Meadows.

Spanish FEI course builder Santiago Varela’s course featured 14 obstacles and 17 jumping efforts over a 650m track in the International Ring.

Forty-seven combinations took on the Derby-style track, with nine combinations successfully clearing the first round and advancing to the jump-off.

In a very fast jump-off round, Jordan Coyle, and King Kannan GP, held top spot with a clear round in 34.40 seconds – but only until his younger brother Daniel and Calippo 57 challenged, as the last jump-off combination into the Ring.

Daniel Coyle aboard his new mount, Calippo 57, took all the risks and came away rewarded. The pair crossed the finishing line in a time 34.16 seconds to win the Canada Cup Derby.

Previewing the Vikings vs Steelers Week 4 Matchup in Dublin

For the first time in NFL history, a regular season game will be played in Ireland. The Minnesota Vikings will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers to kick off Sunday football in Week 4, September 28th at 9:30 am ET. This is the second time the NFL has hosted a game in the country, the first coming in 1997 when the Steelers and Chicago Bears played a preseason game.

The game will be held at Croke Park, the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association and Ireland’s largest sporting stadium. It’s the home of hurling and Gaelic football finals, and has hosted major events like the 2003 Special Olympics and a 1996 college football game between Notre Dame and Navy.

The Steelers will serve as the home team for the historic match, with team president Art Rooney II’s deep family ties to Ireland — including roots in Newry, County Down and a father who served as the U.S. Ambassador to the country.

The Vikings famously won a game in the 2022 international series on a double doink missed field goal by Wil Lutz. This season, they return to international play again in Week 5 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to face the Cleveland Browns — a venue built specifically for NFL games. That stadium also hosts the Broncos v Jets in Week 6.

In total, six international games are scheduled in 2025:

Week 1: Chiefs vs Chargers in São Paulo, Brazil – Fri, Sept 5 at 8:00pm ET
Week 4: Vikings vs Steelers in Dublin, Ireland – Sun, Sept 28 at 9:30am ET
Week 5: Browns vs Vikings in London (Tottenham)
Week 6: Broncos vs Jets in London (Tottenham)
Week 7: Rams vs Jaguars in London (Wembley)
Week 10: Falcons vs Colts in Berlin, Germany (Olympic Stadium)
Week 11: Commanders vs Dolphins in Madrid, Spain (Bernabéu)

If you’re looking to bet on any international NFL games, odds and lines will be available closer to kickoff. In the meantime, Irish fans can check out some of the best casino bonuses in Ireland and wager on NFL futures, Gaelic games, soccer, rugby, and more.

Looking ahead, Melbourne, Australia will host the 2026 NFL season opener at the iconic MCG, with the Rams named as the home team.

By the end of this season, the NFL will have played 62 international games, with 2025 marking the debut of Dublin, Berlin, and Madrid on the global stage.

1-3 for Ireland in Friends of the Meadows Cup

Jordan Coyle and For Gold win the Friends of the Meadows Cup 1.50m. Credit: Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyszko.

Jordan Coyle and For Gold claimed another Irish victory in Canada in the early hours of the morning as they took the Friends of the Meadows Cup 1.50m

The Irish rider/horse combination were one of seven, from thirty-three competitors, to jump clear in the first round and advance to the jump-off.

The course built by FEI Course Designer Anderson Lima of Mexico featured 13 obstacles, and a total of 16 jumping efforts.

Aboard For Gold, Coyle triggered the finish line at 38.64 seconds, over two seconds faster than Mexican Patricio Pasquel who finished in second with a time of 40.75 seconds.

Ireland’s Conor Swail claimed the third podium spot with Qoreen Van ‘T Ruytershof, going clear in the jump-off round in 40.81 seconds.

Daniel Coyle and Farrel were seventh in 42.28 seconds, having eight faults in their jump-off round.

Matthew Sampson denies Irish in $500,000 AON Grand Prix

Britain's Matthew Sampson and Daniel win the AON Grand Prix. Credit: Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk.

Irish riders had to settle for second and third places on the podium in the $500,000 AON Grand Prix in Canada.

In the feature competition for the ‘Pan American’ CSI5*, twenty-six combinations stepped through the Clock Tower to challenge FEI Course Designer Anderson Lima’s strong, 1.60m course.

It featured 14 obstacles, 17 efforts, that included the open water and a triple combination towards the end of the course.

Briton Matthew Sampson was one of four horse/rider combinations to advance to the jump off. Ireland’s Daniel Coyle, Jordan Coyle and Darragh Kenny were hoping to see the colours of Ireland atop the flag pole but unfortunately it did not happen.

Sampson aboard his grey stallion, Daniel, bested Daniel Coyle’s quick jump-off time of 43.86 seconds by six one-hundredths of a second and stopping the clock at 43.72 seconds for the victory.

Jordan Coyle and Chaccolino came third, clear in 44.26 seconds, while Darragh Kenny with Diaroubet were fourth after eight faults in the jump-off round, as they stopped the timers in 43.17 seconds.

Irish combinations dominate West Canadian Cup

Jordan Coyle and For Gold win the AON Grand Prix. Credit: Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk.

Ireland dominated the West Canadian Cup at Spruce Meadows in Calgary overnight, taking the top four places in the class.

The in-form Jordan Coyle and For Gold were victorious in 81.56 seconds.

Daniel Coyle and Farrel were second in a time of 83.08 seconds.

Conor Swail rounded out the podium aboard One Edition, stopping the timers in 85.75 seconds.

Darragh Kenny with Lightning just missed out on the podium as they finished in fourth, clocking 86.82 seconds.

James Chawke was another Irish rider inside the top-10 as he and Daida Van’t Ruytershof Z were sixth in 87.94 seconds.

Conor Swail, aboard Qoreen Van’t Ruytershof, made it six Irish combinations in the top-eight places.

Lambourn Completes Derby Double

Lambourn winning connections — Lambourn became the 20th Epsom-Curragh Derby winner this afternoon. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

Lambourn (8/13 favourite) became the 20th horse to complete the Epsom-Curragh Derby double with victory in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at The Curragh this afternoon.

Winner of the Betfred Derby at Epsom last month under Wayne Lordan, the son of Australia took Ireland’s premier classic in the hand of Ryan Moore on Sunday.

Trained at Ballydoyle by Aidan O’Brien, it was a 17th success in the race for the County Wexford-born trainer, it was his 15th win in the last 23 years.

His stable companion, Serious Contender (28/1), ridden by Gavin Ryan, gave him most to do, coming home just three-quarters of a length behind.

The English challenger, Lazy Griff (14/1) was third for jockey William Buick and trainer Charlie Johnston, two and a quarter lengths behind the runner-up.

Whirl shows her bravery in Group 1 Paddy Power Pretty Polly win

Whirl (13/8) and Ryan Moore made just about all to win the Group 1 Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes at The Curragh on Saturday.

Second to her stable companion Minnie Hauk in the Betfred Oaks at Epsom, the Aidan O’Brien-trained filly out-battled the English raider and race favourite Kalpana (5/6) this afternoon.

Urged into the lead from the stalls by Ryan Moore, the daughter of Wootton Bassett, took the field along in the one mile two furlong contest.

When Colin Keane aboard Kalpana came to Whirl in the final furlong, it looked as though it was only a matter of time before the Andrew Balding daughter of Study of Man would claim her race.

"The ultimate racing machine, really."

Aidan O'Brien hails Pretty Polly winner Whirl and a fantastic spectacle in the Group 1 @paddypower-backed highlight at @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/i4VuqfyRbd

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 28, 2025

Whirl battled, however, when asked by Moore and was not for passing, completing a treble on the day for Aidan O’Brien, Ryan Moore and the Coolmore partners, but incredibly a three-timer also for Coolmore Stud stallion Wootton Basseett.

There was a length and quarter between Whirl and Kalpana at the winning line with a further length and three-quarters back to the French-trained Survie (18/1) in third in the seven-runner Group 1.

Group 1 glory!

Whirl strikes from Kalpana in a thrilling €300,000 @paddypower Pretty Polly Stakes for Ryan Moore, Aidan O'Brien and Ballydoyle 👏 @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/76Eys2rB3i

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 28, 2025

Irish 1-2 in Canadian Utilities Cup at Spruce Meadows

Darragh Kenny and Zero K win the Canadian Utilities 1.55m. Credit: Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley.

Offaly’s Darragh Kenny rode Zero K to victory in the Canadian Utilities Cup 1.55 at the ‘Pan American’ at Spruce Meadows in Canada.

The world number 18 ranked rider beat a strong field of jump-off contenders posting the fastest clear ride with a time of 40.72 seconds.

Fellow Irishman Jordan Coyle, riding Jorisca, held that top spot with a time of 40.78 seconds until Kenny was able to shave six one-hundredths of a second off the time.

Canadian Kara Chad took third place, stopping the timers at 42.10 seconds.

Ireland’s Conor Swail was also inside the top-10 in the class, finishing in fifth position with Clonterm Obolensky, in 43.45 seconds.

Speaking about the conditions in the International Ring at Spruce Meadows, winning rider Darragh Kenny admitted:

“The ground here is absolutely spectacular. I was just saying into Anderson Lima (FEI Course Designer) this morning, you know, I’ve been here a good few times and, you know, probably over the last 15 years, I think it’s the best I’ve ever seen it. It’s absolutely incredible. At the moment, the horses really seem to be popping.”

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Pat Spillane Jnr Transfers to Sligo’s St Molaoise Gaels