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How to Know Which VPN Is the Best for Watching Sports

In the world of the internet, where more and more businesses are investing in cybersecurity, having a Sport VPN is becoming increasingly important. This fantastic little service found its way into almost every pore of our daily lives. 

Business professionals, entrepreneurs, gamers, students, scientists, regardless of who they are or what industry they work in, they all use VPN services. It’s only logical to conclude that sports fans can find their fair share in purchasing a top-class VPN service. 

If you consider yourself to be a top fan of sports, then you’re fully aware of the importance of having a top-notch quality live stream of the significant sporting events. Here’s the problem – many of the best sports events like the British Premier League games or NBA are geo-restricted in your country, or they are available but only through paid packages on cable TV. 

Even if you choose to purchase the package, the majority of events are relatively low quality. But don’t worry, you can solve all those problems with an excellent and reliable VPN service.

Choosing a VPN for Sports Events

If you want to watch sports events, the best solution would be to do it online. There are many sports programs available online, and the majority of popular sports channels offer online stream versions to their viewers. The problem is that many of the best channels are primarily restricted and only available in certain countries. There the magic of VPN comes into play. You can use a VPN to overcome those geo-restrictions and unlock your favorite sports content with a few taps on your touchscreen or a few clicks of your mouse.

A good VPN for sports will not only help you unlock all the sports content you want, but it will also gain you access to the highest quality broadcasts. With that in mind, let’s delve deeper into how to choose an excellent provider of VPN services that will provide you with all the essential features you need to enjoy your favorite content.

High Speed

If you want to enjoy your favorite sporting events, you’ll need a high-speed live streaming service. Your service provider should offer a top speed of traffic so that you can enjoy basketball or football in high quality. 

Some VPN providers offer ultra-fast TV services for live sports streaming. Therefore, before you sign a contract, make sure that your chosen provider offers the fastest VPN speed possible. You can easily do that by testing their free trial, as each reputable VPN provider should provide such an option to their users.

Unlimited Bandwidth

Since watching sports events in premium quality requires a huge chunk of traffic, you’ll need a VPN that provides unlimited bandwidth. It’s vital, especially if you’re about to watch a sports championship. 

Whether you’re a fan of the Premier League or not, you can’t afford any bandwidth limitations, as this will only take away from your viewing experience. Go with a provider that guarantees unlimited bandwidth.

A Wide Range of Locations and Servers

Aside from high speed and unlimited bandwidth, you must have a wide range of locations and servers to choose from. It comes in handy if you’re a fan of some sports that aren’t so popular like basketball or football.

Let’s say that you’re a fan of the Australian Open championship. To access such content, you need a VPN provider that has reliable servers in Australia. Whatever the sport you love, and regardless of the country it’s played in, a good VPN will grant you access to the streaming service.

On the other hand, if you’re a sports fan, you might want to consider using an online sports channel beIN Sports. Many sports fans are into it as of late as it offers a few significant advantages. The only problem is – this channel is only available in the Middle East. 

Since there aren’t many VPN providers that operate in the Middle East and support beIN Sports, you should check with your provider if they have the servers you need before you make a purchase. 

Responsive and Reliable Support

Last in line, but not the least important, is having responsive and reliable customer support. It is especially important when you prefer watching your favorite content via live streaming. 24/7 customer support that includes phone, email, and live chat, will make sure that your viewing experience is nothing short of perfect. 

Since you won’t be watching your sports events during working hours only, you need a service provider that offers 24/7 customer support. Now, all that’s left for you is to choose your provider and start enjoying your favorite sporting events whenever you feel like it.

Is It The Right Time For Ireland To Approach Jack Grealish Again?

There hasn’t been a lot of football news recently except Ireland has a new manager in Stephen Kenny. It’s because there isn’t any football aside from the league in Belarus every league in Europe is paused which is bad news for Jack Grealish. 

A football player drunkenly crashing his car after a party would make the press at any time, but in the case of the often-troubled Aston Villa midfielder, the timing couldn’t be worse. While we can’t say for sure Grealish was intoxicated at the time of his collision, he certainly looked the worse for wear in pictures of the incident, and he shouldn’t have been out of the house in the first place. 

This could turn out to be a deal-breaker in Grealish’s career in more ways than one. He’s been one of the very few bright spots for his club in a season that – until it was postponed – looked likely to end in relegation straight back to the Championship after just a single campaign back in the top flight. He’s attracted plenty of praise from influential names for his performances as Villa’s captain, and there was talk of a move to a bigger club in the summer. Both Manchester United and Liverpool had been mentioned as potential destinations. He’s been a loyal performer for Villa for many years, but he’s clearly capable – in terms of football ability, at least – of playing at a higher level, and the smart money said that this would be the year that he got his chance. 

It was also likely to be the year that Grealish was called upon to represent England at international level. His absence from the national side has become a talking point, and even though there are several young English players capable of doing a competent job in midfield, Grealish’s eye-catching displays for Villa were pushing England manager Gareth Southgate to the point where he’d surely be forced to give him a closer inspection and a chance at some point in the near future. Southgate is a cautious manager and values the character of his players as much as he does their technical abilities, but a star of Grealish’s quality can only be ignored for so long. He might not have made the final squad for Euro 2020 if the competition were still going ahead, but he might have had the chance to make an impression in a friendly or two. 

Sadly for Grealish, this high-profile misdemeanor is likely to cost him on both fronts. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been trying very hard to build a squad of dedicated, trustworthy players at Old Trafford, and if Grealish can’t stay out of trouble, he’s unlikely to fit the bill. Jurgen Klopp is also unlikely to take a risk on a player that can’t be trusted at Liverpool either. In terms of England, he might have pushed his first cap a year or two away even if he plays out of his skin when the season resumes. Rewarding badly-behaved players with caps isn’t the England way, and Grealish’s well-publicized drunken incidents of the past have been held up by some as the reason that it’s taken him this long to play himself back into contention. Having finally done that, he’s now almost certainly written himself off again with one bad decision. 

While England might not be interested in Grealish for the foreseeable future, Ireland might be. Putting faith in Grealish is a gamble, there is a new manager and that always sparks things up and maybe Grealish might fancy playing under Kenny.

The Irish are a nation of gamblers. That’s the reason that many of the games you’ll see on online slots websites have Irish themes. Look up any one of the hundreds of sites that offer online slots, and you’ll see leprechauns, pots of gold, lucky horseshoes, and harps on the reels. ‘Rainbow Riches’ might even be the most popular casino with paypal of all time. The Irish are happy to take a punt if there’s a chance of claiming a big win because of it, and Grealish fits the bill perfectly as a risky – but potentially rewarding – bet. Giving him the platform to play for an international team might even encourage him to buckle down and focus on football rather than frivolity. He’s in his mid-twenties now, and it’s high time that he grew up. 

There’s nothing stopping Grealish from playing for Ireland other than his own stance on the matter. He’s played for Ireland at under-21 level and was called up to the senior side in 2015 when he was only 20. His grandparents are Irish, and so there are no issues with his eligibility. He hasn’t been considered since that initial call-up because he publicly declared his allegiance to England, but if England isn’t interested in using him, then their loss could be Ireland’s gain if Grealish can get his head screwed on and focus on the sport that he has such a prodigious talent for playing. It certainly wouldn’t hurt for the Irish FA to ask the question once the season resumes. 

We understand that some people would be against such a notion, and that’s understandable. Nobody wants the Declan Rice situation to repeat itself. Rice changed his stance on playing for Ireland because England wanted him, though. Grealish changed his stance because he wanted England. They’ve never capped him, and after this latest career setback, they may never cap him in the future either. Ireland isn’t blessed with great options in midfield. A motivated and committed Grealish would be a welcome addition. When the dust has settled, it’s probably worth someone at least exploring the possibility of him changing his mind again and rejoining the international side he first wore the shirt of.

JP McManus Pro-Am postponed until 2021

There was more bad news for sports fans with the news that The JP McManus Pro-Am Committee has announced the postponement of the 2020 tournament.

The Pro-Am, due to be held this July at Adare Manor, Co. Limerick, has been deferred until 5th & 6th July 2021 at the same venue. 

The tournament is a complete sell-out and all caps purchased will be valid for the rescheduled 2021 event, as will all on-site parking and Park & Ride passes. Spectators who wish to be refunded for their ticket caps are advised to visit www.jpmcmanusproam.com.

Pro-Am host Mr. JP McManus said: “We are all very disappointed with this news and we would like to thank everyone involved with the Pro-Am for their understanding and patience. To all ticket holders: please hold onto your ticket caps and we look forward to seeing you in 2021 for what promises to be an exciting tournament of world-class golf. We would also like to convey our gratitude to the European Tour for their continued support of the event. We hope everyone will stay safe during these unprecedented times.”

The Pro-Am Committee will release more information about the rescheduled event in the coming months.

Mini Bike Racing: Tips For Choosing The Perfect Bike

A mini bike, or minimoto, as it’s known in some communities, is a miniature motorcycle. Perhaps one of the apparent reasons for its name is its size.

One look at this vehicle and you would understand why it has “miniature” in its name. Mini bikes are smaller than their normal-sized counterparts. But, in turn, these small vehicles tend to be more efficient and reliable than standard motorcycles, especially when you consider storage. 

If you’re looking for the perfect mini bike, continue reading for three tips that will help you choose the right miniature motorcycle. 

Choose A Suitable Engine

Mini bikes tend to run on two types of motors: gas and electric. Each engine type has its pros and cons, and choosing the right motor is crucial for you to gain value for money.

Gas mini bikes tend to be faster than electric variants. But, miniature motorcycles running on gas also tend to be more expensive than electric engines. Also, you have to consider that gas engines produce carbon emissions, which means they’re not very eco-friendly. 

Conversely, electric mini bikes tend to be the more affordable option than gas minimotos. Choose mini motorbikes running on electricity if the price is a significant factor during your selection process. However, electric engines may have slower acceleration and lower top speed than their gas counterparts. 

Also, gas-powered mini bikes tend to last longer than motorbikes running on electricity. So if you consider longevity as an essential factor, think about getting a gas mini bike. 

Choose The Right Size

 

Your mini bike shouldn’t be too small or too large, as riding a motorcycle that is not the correct size will cause unwanted riding problems. A miniature motorbike that’s tiny may prevent your feet from leaving the ground as you drive the vehicle. On the other hand, you might be better off driving a regular-sized motorcycle if the mini bike is too large. 

 

You should consider three aspects when thinking about the correct size of your mini bike, which are your height, weight, and experience level. If you’re new to the world of mini bike racing, consider using a 110cc miniature motorcycle.  

Also, make sure that you’re tall enough to allow your feet to leave the ground while driving the vehicle. But, the unit shouldn’t be so tall that you find it challenging to touch the ground when you’re parking the motorcycle. 

Also, your experience is a critical factor when choosing an appropriately-sized mini bike. You may be able to drive smaller miniature motorbikes, but veterans can drive smaller-than-average mini bikes as they can keep the balance between their weight and the vehicle’s suspension. 

Choose The Right Type Of Mini Bike

Expect to see a broad range of mini bikes on the market once you start shopping for the perfect motorbike. But, you can refine your choices by looking at the different types of mini motorcycles available on the market. 

These kinds of mini bikes include:

 

  • Super Pocket Bikes

Also called “midi motos”, super pocket bikes have features that separate them from other miniature motorcycles. For instance, the seat and frame are taller than the regular mini bike frame. 

 

  • Mini Chopper Bikes

Mini chopper bikes have a slim-fit construction, which makes them great to use in real-life and racing situations. Their slim features allow you to swerve past other riders with ease. 

 

  • Quad Bikes

Quad mini bikes are all-terrain vehicles perfect for off-road racing environments. These vehicles have a different learning curve than standard two-wheeled miniature motorbikes. As the name suggests, quad bikes have four wheels; hence, you may have to sacrifice mobility for more balance.

But, consider buying a quad mini bike for events that call for this type of miniature motorcycle for the competition. 

 

  • Minimoto

The standard mini bike, minimotos offer a relatively easy learning curve. Thus, these miniature motorbikes are ideal for beginners. You may also use these motorcycles on the street, but only if your region allows it. Inquire into your local laws to see if minimotos are street legal. 

Conclusion

In summary, the standard minimoto is excellent for racing in dirt or even terrain. Quad mini bikes are ideal for off-road racing, while mini chopper bikes and super pocket bikes are great for competing on flat roads. 

If you’re an adult looking for mini motorbikes, then it should be in your best interest to stay away from choosing mini bikes for kids. Also, consider essential factors like the engine, size, and type of bike before you make your purchase. Make the right choice, and you might be in the running to become a strong competitor in the next mini bike racing event. 

 

La Liga could resume in late May or early June

Some good news for sports fans this afternoon with the news that La Liga in Spain could resume in six to eight weeks. 

La Liga president Javier Tebas says Spain’s domestic football season may resume as early as 28 May in the best-case scenario of options being discussed by the league.

No Spanish side has played a competitive game since 11 March, when Atletico Madrid knocked holders Liverpool out of the Champions League at Anfield.

In a conference call with international journalists, Tebas also said La Liga clubs will lose around €1bn (£884m) if the 2019-20 campaign cannot be restarted.

He also stressed:

  • Three potential restart dates of 29 May, 6/7 June and 28 June were being assessed
  • Closed-door matches and reduced capacities could be implemented.
  • La Liga had already lost €150m (£133m) in sponsorship and ticket revenue
  • Spanish football will not ask for any money from central government.
  • Eight clubs across the first and second divisions had laid players off.

Bundesliga clubs allowed to train again

Clubs in Germany’s top flight will be allowed to return to team training on Monday, with some opting to work in small groups.

Football has been suspended in Germany for almost a month and there will be no further action until at least 30 April.

Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich said their players will train whilst still adhering to measures in place to curb the spread of coronavirus.

“Obviously all health guidelines are being adhered to,” the club said in a statement.

“Obviously the training is closed to the public. FC Bayern is asking fans to continue following guidelines and please do not come to the team’s training center.”

Germany has seen the number of infected people rise above 100,000 this weekend and nearly 1,600 have died after testing positive for the virus that has forced the country into lockdown.

Despite the training resumption, the DFL made it clear last week it was not known if or when the season would resume, and the stop in play has also had major financial effects on clubs.

Two weeks ago Borussia Dortmund, Bayern, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen came together to create a 20 million euros ($21.6 million) solidarity fund to help clubs in the top two tiers.

McLaren boss concerned for Formula 1 future

Formula 1 is “in a very fragile state” as a result of the coronavirus crisis and needs big changes to survive, McLaren boss Zak Brown says.

“This is potentially devastating to teams, and if [it is devastating] to enough teams – which doesn’t have to mean more than two – then very threatening to F1 as a whole,” he said.

Cost-saving plans will be discussed at a meeting of F1 bosses on Monday. But the teams are divided over how best to safeguard the sport.

Brown, speaking in an exclusive interview with BBC Sport, believes the $175m (£143m) budget cap, scheduled to come into force in 2021, needs to be lowered significantly, or the sport risks a potential disaster.

“Could I see – through what is going on right now in the world if we don’t tackle this situation head on very aggressively – two teams disappearing? Yeah,” said Brown, the chief executive officer of McLaren Racing.

“In fact, I could see four teams disappearing if this isn’t handled the right way.”

Keith Andrews, Damien Duff join Stephen Kenny’s backroom team

Robbie Keane will no longer be part of the Irish management as the FAI announced that Keith Andrews, Damien Duff and Alan Kelly will make Stephen Kenny’s backroom team.

Jim Crawford has been promoted to manager of the Ireland Under-21 side and will be assisted by John O’Shea.

Keith Andrews joins new manager Stephen Kenny in making the move from the Under-21 set-up while Duff has earned his coaching stripes with Shamrock Rovers and Glasgow Celtic and will take up his appointment on August 1st.

Alan Kelly continues as goalkeeping coach, having worked previously in the role with Stephen Staunton, Giovanni Trapattoni and Mick McCarthy.

Jim Crawford has worked as Stephen Kenny’s assistant manager to the Ireland Under-21 side in their European Championship campaign and will be joined in his new position by Waterford native John O’Shea, currently on the coaching staff at Reading. Reading have been having a good season and been followed closely by fans of football index referral code. Both supporters are very happy.

“The calibre of Stephen Kenny’s backroom team is top class and these are great additions to our senior team coaching staff,” said FAI Interim CEO Gary Owens as he confirmed the appointments to FAI.ie.

“Keith and Damien served Ireland so well as players and their experience will be such an addition to our senior squad’s support team.

“Keith and Stephen have worked brilliantly together with the Under-21 squad and Damien, currently finishing his UEFA Pro Licence with the FAI’s Coach Education department, has impressed everyone with his coaching skills and his switch from world class player to coach.

“Alan knows international football inside and was part of the squad at two World Cup finals. He is highly regarded as a coach with Premier League side Everton and has huge experience with Ireland.

“Together, Keith, Damien and Alan have so much to offer Stephen and his players as we look forward to the UEFA EURO 2020 Play-Offs, the Nations League and the World Cup qualifiers.”

Jim Crawford and John O’Shea will now look to build on Ireland’s positive start under Stephen Kenny in their bid to make the UEFA Under-21 European Championship finals for the first time.

“Everyone at the FAI is delighted with Jim’s promotion to manager from assistant and he has a great number two now in John O’Shea as he takes the next step on his coaching career”, added Owens.

“On behalf of President Gerry McAnaney, the Board of the FAI and myself, I wish Stephen, Jim and their coaching teams the very best of luck in their new roles. We know they will do Irish football proud.”

Cricket Vs Golf: What do You Need to Know?

Both cricket and golf have a large fan base, and many competitions across the professional and amateur world. The games are quite different but enjoyed by a wide range of people. Cricket is a fast paced, adrenaline fuelled game.

Whereas golf is seen as more of a strategic and gentle paced, tactical game. Both games involve hitting a ball, to score points. Golf is a solo game, whereas cricket is a team sport. Both games welcome newcomers and you will find plenty of access to different clubs in your area. The games have many differences and we will discuss the rules of both including facts about golf and cricket.

The Game of Cricket

Cricket is quite a complex game and has many different rules, considered to be more than most sports. It is a very popular game that is played on a large field known as the cricket ground. There are two teams both of which contain 11 players. One team bat, and one team fields. The batting team’s objective is to score as many runs as possible while the fielding team is tasked with dismissing the opposing batsmen. Test cricket is the most traditional form, and each team takes its turn to be the batting side and the fielding side. There are other forms of cricket, for example, Twenty20 and 50 over matches.

How Do You Score?

The batsmen score runs, they must hit the ball and run to the opposite end of the pitch to score one run. There is a batsman at each end meaning someone is always in front of the wickets. If the ball has gone a decent length away, they may continue to run to score more each time. If they hit a boundary with the ball, they are awarded four or six runs immediately.

Four runs are scored when the ball passes the boundary but hits the ground on the way. A six is scored when the ball passes the boundary without touching the ground at all. As soon as the ball is struck, the batsmen will start running, but if a four or six is declared any runs they have made are null and void. Runs can also be scored in other ways, from a wide ball, no ball, byes and leg byes. These runs are awarded to the team, rather than the actual individual batsmen. 

A wide ball is declared by an umpire when he considers that there was no reasonable opportunity for the batsmen to actually score from the throw. If the ball is over the head of the batsmen, it is a no-ball. A single run is added when a wide ball is declared, plus any runs made by the batsmen himself.

A no-ball is declared for a range of reasons, including when the ball goes over the head of the batsmen. It is also declared if a bowler is in the wrong place when he bowls if the ball is a dangerous ball which means it has been bowled directly at the batsmen, if it bounces more than twice before reaching the batsmen, or if any of the fielding team are stood in illegal positions. If the batter can hit the ball, he may score runs from a no ball.

A bye happens when the ball is not a wide ball or a no ball, but it still passes the batsmen and runs are scored without him having to hit the ball.

A Leg Bye is when the ball hits the batsmen, and he attempts to play the shot, rather than avoid it; he may claim runs on a leg bye.

The Game of Golf

A golf course is a wide-open green space, which contains many different holes. 18 holes which are structured by the design of the course form the basis of a game. Where space is at a premium, a nine-hole golf course may have been designed in which case players complete two rounds to make up the game.

For each hole there is a teeing area. The golfer selects their ball, and places it on a small spike which is stuck in the grass and called a golf tee. They are at liberty to select the best golf club from their bag and take a swing at the ball aiming to make it go as far as straight as possible. Once each golfer has taken their shot, whoever’s ball landed furthest away from the hole starts again, this continues until all balls are on the green.

The area immediately surrounding the hole, is called the green and the grass is kept very short around it. The players will switch to a putting club and try to putt the ball into the hole. From the teeing area, the aim is to send the balls flying into the air as far away as possible, whereas in the putting area skill and control are used to try and ensure the ball goes into the hole.

 

There are a predetermined number of strokes considered appropriate to get a ball from the teeing area into the hole, these are known as the par. 3 to 5 is considered the average number for a hole. If you can get the ball into the hole in less than the par your shot is a birdie. If it takes one more than the par it is known as a bogey. 

The Clubs

In golf there are four types of club: woods, putters, irons, and wedges. You use a wood when you want to hit the ball very far away; so, from the tee and sometimes on the fairway. There are several types of wood, number one is called a driver, number two is called a brassy, number three is called a spoon, and there are others. Irons can hit different distances, and there are nine different irons. When you reach the green, you use a putter.

So, as you can see the two games are quite different, but both contain some very fixed rules. There are also strict dress codes and etiquette that must be adhered to in both games.

Video – Mick McCarthy thanks Irish fans

Mick McCarthy has thanked the “wonderful” fans for the support he was given in his second spell as Republic of Ireland manager.

Click here for video 

On Saturday afternoon, the FAI announced that McCarthy would be replaced by Under-21 manager Stephen Kenny with immediate effect.

Speaking to FAI TV after the announcement, the former Ireland manager said his departure “was brought forward, with what’s happening worldwide”, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Despite leading the team through the European Qualifiers, McCarthy said the chance not to lead the team to the European Championships next summer was “hugely disappointing, but I fully understand it.”

Stephen Kenny takes charge of the team now ahead of the Play-Off against Slovakia and he has the full support of his predecessor.

“I fully support the decision. It’s only right and fair that Stephen gets his chance on August 1st.

With four games set to take place in Dublin in 2021 for the European Championships, McCarthy plans to watch Ireland in those games.

“I said to Roy [Barrett] that the only thing I’d ask for when leaving is a couple of tickets for next EUROs when we qualify.”