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Munster rugby announce four departures

Munster have announced four departures from their squad for next season. Munster Rugby.ie report that Ciaran Parker, Sean O’Connor and Darren O’Shea will be leaving the club. Meanwhile, the province have also announced that Brian Scott will retire on medical grounds.

Ciaran Parker played at tight head prop and made 13 appearances for the province. He was also a former England U20 International. He made his Pro14 debut against Treviso in 2017 and followed that up with a Champions Cup debut in 2018 against French outfit Castries. However, he will leave to play in the England championship next season. The team has not been specified as of yet.

Sean O’Connor an academy graduate will also leave the club. A versatile forward l, who can play at lock or back row, he made 9 appearances for the province since his debut in 2016 against the Maori All Black’s. The 23 year old who attended Rockwell College, and also played with Cashel RFC was apart of the Ireland U20 side that finished world cup runners up at the 2016 Junior World Cup Championship. He played a lot of games for Garryowen this season in the AIL. He will also move to an English championship side. The team has yet to revealed.

Darren O’Shea made 44 appearances for the province. His debut came in 2016 against Edinburgh. He joined the Munster academy in 2016, before moving to Worcester in England where he helped them win promotion to the Premiership.However, he returned to Munster in 2016. He made his Champions Cup debut against Leicester in 2017.

Head Coach Johann van Graan said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ciaran, Darren and Seán for their time with the province.

Johaan Vaan Graan head coach at Munster Rugby said “We wish them all the best with their future rugby careers and wish them continued success.”

Meanwhile Brian Scott has had to retire from the sport on medical grounds. He last lined out for Munster in 2018 but has been troubled with a foot ligament injury which was sustained in an AIL game for Cork Con since then. In addition, he made his senior debut in 2016 against Scarlets and Champions Cup debut against Glasgow. He is also a former Ireland U20 International and graduate of the Munster academy.

Speaking about the news he said,” I’m devastated to be finishing my career prematurely. The last 15 months have been incredibly testing and unfortunately I did not come out on the right side of it”.

He continued, “Throughout my career I have been supported and helped by many people. I would like to thank my family, my girlfriend, my friends, my team-mates and the coaches who have guided me from the beginning. They have all helped me personally develop and I can’t thank them enough for that”.

Munster coach Van Graan said,” I want to wish Brian all the best for the future and thank him for everything he has done for Munster.”

“It’s a difficult time for any player to have to finish early through injury, but Brian should be very proud of everything he has achieved in representing the province.”

 

McIlroy says Ryder Cup will be postponed

Rory McIlroy has said that he doesn’t believe this year’s Ryder Cup will go ahead. He believes it will be postponed till 2021.

In fact BBC Sport report that McIlroy was along with a number off other golfers called for the event to be postponed if spectators were not allowed attend. The event between Europe and the USA is due to take place in Whistling Straits from September 25th to 27th. Speaking to BBC Northern Ireland, the Holywood native said “My personal hunch is that I don’t see how it is going to happen, so I do not think that it will happen,”.

McIlroy said the majority of players would like to see it pushed back to 2021. This would then allow for spectators and an atmosphere. He said, “I think the majority of players would like to see it pushed back until 2021 so that they can play in front of crowds and have the atmosphere that makes the Ryder Cup so special”.He stated that without the players “there is no Ryder Cup”.

McIlroy played a charity skin’s match last month with Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff. No spectators were in attendance for this. He also said he would have no problem travelling to Europe later this year. Stating that “It’s a tough one. There are a lot of things up in the air, but if there are some big events in autumn time, then I can,”.

The 31 year old said that if Wentworth gets moved to October he would consider going to the event. “Maybe if Wentworth gets moved to October, which they are thinking of, then I could see myself going over and playing that event”. He said he wouldn’t have a problem travelling In Europe, as long as measures were in place and guidelines were adhered to. He said, “I wouldn’t have concerns about travelling to Europe. I think if you stick to the guidelines then I don’t see any reason why we should feel scared to travel.”

McIlroy was also asked whether he will play at the Irish Open which was postponed but a possible autumn date is in the mix for rescheduling. The event will take place at Mount Juliet in Kilkenny. He said he was wasnt really sure and that his mind is firmly on the PGA Tour events. I don’t know, I really don’t know,” he continued. “I haven’t looked past the PGA Tour play-offs [scheduled for September]. All I have pinpointed for the back end of the year at the minute are the majors”.

Golf was brought to a hault on March 12th. But the PGA Tour will resume on June 11th behind closed doors at the Charles Schwab Colonial event in Texas.

Two Bob Baffert horses test positive for banned substance according to US reports

Two horses trained by US Hall of Fame and Triple Crown-winning trainer Bob Baffert have tested positive for a banned substance according to a report in The New York Times.

Both horses, the undefeated Charlatan and his stablemate Gamine, are reported to have tested positive for lidocaine, a numbing agent, at Oaklawn Park, Arkansas.

The anesthetic is considered a Class 2 drug by the Association of Racing Commissioners International. Using the substance carries a penalty of a suspension ranging from 15 to 60 days, coupled with a fine of between $500 and $1,000. It could also lead to Charlatan being disqualified and his owners having to forfeit the $300,000 won in the recent Arkansas Derby.

Charlatan, one of the top contenders for three-year-old honours in the USA this year, was victorious in the Arkansas Derby on 2nd May last, and is ranked fourth on the qualifying points list for the Kentucky Derby on 5th September.

Sixty-seven year-old Arizona native Baffert has exercised his right to have a second test run on the samples, with results expected in about a week’s time.

Confirmation of a positive test, however, could mean Charlatan will miss the first leg of the 2020 American Triple Crown, The Belmont Stakes in New York, on 20th June.

Bundesliga: Bayern defeat Dortmund to move close to title

Bayern Munich moved closer to another Bundesliga title on Tuesday after they defeated Borussia Dortmund 1-0. Munich now have a 7 point advantage, with only six league games left.

Joshua Kimmich was the hero on the night as he chipped goalkeeper Roman Buerki just before the half time whistle on 43 minutes. It was a somewhat eerie feeling at the Signal Iduna which is normally a sold out 80,000. However, it was Bayern who will come away the happiest and now look well on the way to securing a eight successive title.

Dortmund started the game brightly. Norwegian super star Erling Haaland when close in the opening minute only to see his shot cleared off the line by Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng. Bayern though were gradually coming more and more into the game. They also had a chance cleared off the line. Lukasz Piszczek coming to the rescue from an effort by Serge Gnabry. Haaland had another effort on 33 minutes and he should of scored given the quality he has.

However, the ball was snatched away from him by Alphonso Davies. Then came the delightful goal from Kimmich. It arrived just before the break, his chip from the edge of the box beating the Dortmund netminder. Bayern remained in control for much of the second half. Haaland was forced through injury. Mo Dahoud had an effort saved by Manuel Neuer. The German number 1 was making his 400th league appearance and he would keep a clean sheet.

In other Bundesliga games, Wolfsburg had a super 4-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen. Pongracic (2), Arnold and Steffen all netting.Julian Baumgartlinger scored a consolation for Leverkusen but it was too little too late as Wolfsburg remain in the hunt for Europa League. Eintracht Frankfurt ended a 5 games losing run with a 3-3 draw with Freiberg. Grifo, Petersen and Holer scored for Freiberg, while Silva, Kamada and Chandler all netted for Frankfurt. Werder Bremen and Borussia Mönchengladbach played out a 0-0 draw. Gladbach now move into the top four, while Bremen slip further into relegation.

Bundesliga games continue this weekend.

 

Sports Fans use technology to bring stadium atmoshpere to couch

With not a lot of sport on at present sports fans are coming up with ways to bring the atmosphere of a sports stadium to their couches. They use virtual technology to help with this.

Tech Mahindra is the company behind this new development. They are a leading provider of digital transformation, consulting and business re engineering services. In fact, they have now teamed up with a Canadian company called ChampTrax Technologies. This is to provide a solution to create stadium like atmosphere at home for sports fans worldwide.

The Stadiumbusines.com report that both companies will work on 5G related use cases and for holographic fans. Tech Mahindra will also support wider markets such as ChampTrax’s HearmeCheer which allows crowd noise for spectators at home in real time. Chief Strategy Officer of Tech Mahindra, Jagdish Mitra said, “We have been specifically focused on technologies that will enable experiences in the ‘during COVID’ and ‘after COVID’ world. Sports with a live fan experience is something that we will miss now for a while”. Elias Andersen who is the founder of ChampTrax technologies said “they are excited to partner with Tech Mahindra”.

HearmeCheer works in three steps according to the website hearmecheer.com. Firstly, as the spectator/fan watches from his her couch a game the web app should be open. This would automatically send microphone data to the server which in turn aggregates all sounds to create an audio stream. Step 2 is where all audio is combined. This is done through proprietary algorithms  which weight each household and allows users to yell as loud as they wish and not overpower the audio stream. Finally, the audio integrates real time broadcasts. Low latency algorithms are then used to maintain full integrity. This will provide full sound effects even if there are no fans present at games.

Did you know there is a 4th type of Olympic Medal

Here is one you may not have heard before, but did you know there is a 4th type of Olympic medal. In fact, not many people have received the medal, outside of the original bronze, silver and gold which are awarded at the games.

The medal called Pierre De Coubertin medal named after the founder of the Olympic games is awarded to athletes and people in the sports industry that show good sportsmanship and those who have made noteworthy contributions to the Olympic games themselves. Mentalfloss.com state that this medal is not handed out at every games, it is handed out when the International Olympic Committee feels someone has earned it hard enough. Let’s take a look at five people who have picked up the award in recent years.

  1. Shaul Ladany – A self trained Israeli who never won a medal at the Olympics. However, what you may know is that Ladany survived the Bergen Belsen concentration camp. Additionally, the Munich Massacre at the 1972 Olympics in Munich. Ladany speaks 8 languages which is remarkable considering most people would be lucky to speak  two. He has also written books, 100 scholarly papers and is also a professor in engineering. He added a Pierre De Coubertin medal to his long list of achievements in 2007.
  2. Michael Hwang – Michael Hwang is a Singaporean barrister and arbitrator. Mr Hwang was appointed a judicial commissioner of the Supreme Court of Singapore in 1991. He was appointed as one of the first eight senior counsel in Singapore in 1997. He has also served as President of the Law Society of Singapore from 2008 to 2010. Additionally, he is currently the chief Justice of the Dubai International Finance Courts. It was 2014 that Hwang was awarded the Pierre De Coubertin medal for services to the International Council of Arbitration for Sports.
  3.  Eduard von Falz-Fein – Von Falz-Fein was a Russian born-Liechtensteiner who was a businessman, sportsman and journalist. He was born in 1912 and died in 2018. He served as a sports diplomat who started the Olympic movement in Liechtenstein. Moreover, he picked up the award in 2017. Thomas Bach IOC President said, “He was a true pioneer in sport. Founding the Liechtenstein Olympic Committee and organising the country’s first Olympic team are just a few examples of his many remarkable contributions to Olympic history. The entire Olympic Movement and myself will always remember Baron von Falz-Fein for his passion for sport and contribution to Olympic sport”.
  4. Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima – Some Irish fans remember this athlete. De Lima was running in the Athens Olympic Marathon in 2004 and was leading with 4 miles to go. However, an Irish priest, Neil Horan, jumped out in front of him from the crowd which all but cost De Lima the gold medal. The Brazilian picked up the Pierre De Coubertin medal for sportsmanship during that race.

5. Lawrence Lemieux – A Canadian sailor who was i second place in the Finn class competition at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. He showed great sportsmanship when coming to the aid of two Singapore sailors whose both was capsizing. Lemieux abandoned his race to assist. He pulled both sailors onto his own boat, before continuing with his own race. He would only manage to finish 11th. However, he was given the silver medal as well as the Coubertin award for his sportsmanship.

RTÉ to show racing on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during June and July

RTÉ Racing has announced a series of new one-hour evening programmes on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays when racing return next month.

The national broadcaster will also show live TV coverage on eight of the first 20 days following the resumption of Irish racing on 8th June. Hugh Cahill will present the live coverage with analysis from Jane Mangan, Ted Walsh and Ruby Walsh.

RTÉ coverage returns for the first Classics of the Flat racing season at The Curragh, the Irish 2000 Guineas on June 12 and the Irish 1000 Guineas on June 13.

RTÉ Sport will broadcast new hour-long evening programmes on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player on consecutive Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with ten extra meetings confirmed up to mid-July.

The new programmes will run from 7-8pm on Friday evenings and 5-6pm on Saturdays and Sundays, and will have two live races with previews and analysis, interviews from the track, as well as replays from action earlier that evening.

Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said of today’s announcement: 

“RTÉ has always been very supportive of racing in Ireland and today’s announcement confirms that commitment. The new one-hour evening programmes are an opportunity for Irish racing to attract people to our sport and educate those new fans on what makes racing so exciting.”

RTÉ Racing coverage in June on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player

Friday 12th June, Curragh
Saturday 13th June, Curragh
Friday 19th June, Gowran Park
Saturday 20th June, Naas
Sunday 21st June, Leopardstown
June 26th – Curragh
June 27th – Curragh (The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby)
June 28th – Curragh

 

 

Major changes to the running order for Royal Ascot 2020

The 2020 Royal Ascot meeting, which this year will feature a total of 36 races, will be run behind closed doors from 16th to 20th June.

In this unprecedented year, several alterations have been made to the programme, including six extra races being added to the 5-day fixture.

There will now be seven races on the first four days with eight on the final card on Saturday 20th June.

The Buckingham Palace Handicap, which was removed from the card when the Commonwealth Cup was introduced in 2015, will open the meeting on Tuesday 16th June.

A Silver Royal Hunt Cup (1m) and a Silver Wokingham Handicap (6f) are included for those who miss the cut for the main events, while the Copper Horse Handicap (14f, 4yo+), the Golden Gates Handicap (10f, 3yo) and the Palace of Holyroodhouse Handicap (5f, 3yo) will also be added to the meeting.

Both the St James’s Palace Stakes and Coronation Stakes are moved to the Saturday in order to maximise the time between them and the Guineas at Newmarket (6th and 7th June).

The two year old programme at this year’s Royal Ascot has been moved back with four of the six races set for Friday and Saturday.

The King Edward VII Stakes and Ribblesdale Stakes, now key Derby and Oaks Trials, will be on the opening day in order to maximise the gap to the Investec Derby and the Investec Oaks on 4th July. The Hampton Court, also an eligible Epsom trial this year, will be run on day two.

Royal Ascot 2020 Order of Races:

Tuesday

Buckingham Palace Handicap (7f, 3yo+)
Queen Anne Stakes (1m, Group One, 4yo+)
Ribblesdale Stakes (1 1/2m, Group Two, 3yo fillies)
King Edward VII Stakes (1 1/2m, Group Two, 3yo colts & geldings)
King’s Stand Stakes (5f, Group One, 3yo+)
Duke of Cambridge Stakes (1m, Group Two, 4yo+ fillies and mares)
Ascot Stakes Handicap (2 1/2m, 4yo+)

Wednesday

Silver Royal Hunt Cup Handicap (1m, 3yo+)
Hampton Court Stakes (10f, Group Three, 3yo)
King George V Handicap (1 1/2m, 3yo)
Prince of Wales’s Stakes (10f, Group One, 4yo+)
Royal Hunt Cup Handicap (1m, 3yo+)
Windsor Castle Stakes (5f, Listed, 2yo)
Copper Horse Handicap (1 3/4m, 4yo+)

Thursday

Golden Gates Handicap (10f, 3yo)
Wolferton Stakes (10f, Listed, 4yo+)
Jersey Stakes (7f, Group Three, 3yo)
Chesham Stakes (7f, Listed, 2yo)
Gold Cup (2 1/2m, Group One, 4yo+)
Britannia Handicap (1m, 3yo colts & geldings)
Sandringham Handicap (1m, 3yo, fillies)

Friday

Palace of Holyroodhouse Handicap (5f, 3yo)
Albany Stakes (6f, Group Three, 2yo fillies)
Norfolk Stakes (5f, Group Two, 2yo)
Hardwicke Stakes (1 1/2m, Group Two, 4yo+)
Commonwealth Cup (6f, Group One, 3yo colts & fillies)
Queen’s Vase (1 3/4m, Group Two, 3yo)
Duke of Edinburgh Handicap (1 1/2m, 3yo+)

Saturday

Silver Wokingham Handicap (6f, 3yo+)
Queen Mary Stakes (5f, Group Two, 2yo fillies)
Coronation Stakes (1m, Group One, 3yo fillies)
Coventry Stakes (6f, Group Two, 2yo)
St James’s Palace Stakes (1m, Group One, 3yo colts)
Diamond Jubilee Stakes (6f, Group One, 4yo+)
Wokingham Handicap (6f, 3yo+)
Queen Alexandra Stakes (2 3/4m, Conditions, 4yo+)

Online sports sponsorship, a boredom remedy for sport fanatics

In this day and age of technology, the internet has saturated almost every aspect of our lives and is increasing its range evermore.

Shopping, working, and leisure have all pretty much been normalized as online activities. It’s fairly clear that our world is progressing to use online platforms as a modem Operandi and our future will be largely based on this. So how do we keep up all our usual activities and hobbies with regards to this? For those who are sports fanatics, it has been a trying time due to the cancellation of most major league sports events. Even the 2020 Olympics have been postponed which has never before happened in history. So then what edge does online sports sponsorship provide for regular sports fanatics?

 

Get local online

 

Bet365 is an online betting platform that has one of the largest ranges of sports and betting selections in the market. From ice hockey, tennis to major and minor league football and basketball, Bet365 ensures a constant feed of quality sports in spite of canceled events. It even has E-sports and virtual soccer for the new generations entering the realm of sports. If you can think of it, this site most probably has it. Sure, MLS isn’t happening and you’re heartbroken but when life throws you lemons…why not bring on the good old homemade lemonade? And by homemade, we’re talking about the minor league and local game betting. If it’s the sport you’re after then these leagues should tickle your fancy and bring you back to old times of supporting your local team no matter how awful they performed and how much ridicule your friends and family fired at you. If your locale is canceling sporting events, fear not because sports still encompass 80% of the bets on Bet365 so you’re bound to find something right up your alley.

 

Looking out for your safety 

 

With the wide range of online betting sites, it is then important to highlight aspects to look out for when choosing a site. First and foremost one needs to consider the reputation and history of the site. Bet365 is licensed by the UK Gambling association assuring its legality and has been operating since 2000, 20 years of clientele success. In addition to this, they use 128-bit SSL encryption technology to secure player information from any potential infiltrators and they use random number generators in their virtual gaming to avoid any rigging. Another factor is the ease of use and accessibility. Googling a few forums and review sites, many users remark on how quick and easy it is to register. Opening an account includes providing some pertinent details, creating a username and password, and creating an additional code for contact with the site. This isn’t ordinarily done on many sites but should be a staple as it further solidifies your security. Many users also remark on the simplicity of its web page, which is logically ordered and easy to gain quick access to whichever sporting platform appeals to you most. Another unique accessibility trait this site offers is the ability to use one account for everything, whereas many other sites would require separate accounts to enjoy the different aspects one can find entertaining.

 

 

As an online sponsor, you’d definitely want as many options as possible with regards to payment options, so that your particular method is likely to fall on the list. Secondly, you’d want the betting deposit requirements to be affordable so as not to feel forced to sponsor unwillingly or being taken on a ride somewhat. Thirdly, the speed in which they payout is imperative to your interest and feeling of protection and service guarantee. Bet365 ticks all these boxes, which is obviously why they’re one of the leaders in the market. In terms of payment options, you can use your debit or credit card and the host allows online payment options such as Neteller or PayPal with no additional deposit costs. Minimum deposits are low and the maximums are high enough to accommodate those who wish to deposit more, without being excessive or alienating. The site requires initial once-off documents for withdrawing your winnings in order to verify your identity and enforce security in the withdrawal process. Thereafter there are absolutely zero restrictions in withdrawing your cash, whenever you please, and the payments are received within a 24-48 hour window period.

 

Getting the most out of it

 

One of the most attractive aspects of Bet365 is their promotions. The site will notify you of promotions that directly relate to your chosen preferences and while many sites cover up hidden clauses of their conditions, Bet365 is open and provide easy-to-read terms and conditions where you won’t have to spend an hour reading. Bet365 covers many sporting events that extend to a global market, including Irish customers looking for promotions in local sports sponsorship and to get you started: bonus code Ireland provides exactly that for aspiring new members.  

 

Racing Post to resume print publication from June 1st

Racing Post, the only newspaper dedicated to horseracing, will resume publication of its print edition on June 1st to coincide with the resumption of British racing.   

The daily title will return for sale as racing becomes the first mainstream professional sport to return to action behind closed doors – with action in Ireland scheduled to follow suit on June 8th.   

The publication had temporarily halted the production of the newspaper for the first time in its 34-year history in March in response to British and Irish racing suspending competition entirely during the unprecedented Coronavirus pandemic.    

The long-awaited return to full publishing will see the Racing Post increase output from the streamlined digital newspaper, app and website news service which was maintained during the crisis in order to help readers follow racing’s resumption plans, alongside coverage of the sport where it was able to continue in jurisdictions such as Hong Kong, France & the United States.   

Horseracing in Britain is provisionally scheduled to return at Newcastle on Monday, June 1st, according to the BHA’s initial schedule for the resumption of the sport, while Naas will host the first fixture of Irish racing when the sport returns on June 8.   

All events will be behind closed doors and subject to strict government guidance around social distancing and hygiene requirements.    

Racing Post will have coverage of every race at every meeting from the revised schedule as well as in-depth interviews with racing’s biggest names, tipping from renowned tipsters Paul Kealy and Tom Segal and features on the resumption, spearheaded by the words of the multi-award-winning writer Alastair Down.    

Joining the daily publication on the return will be Racing Post weekly publications, Racing Post Weekender and the Racing and Football Outlook.    

The Racing Post will be available for sale nationwide Britain and Ireland at a cover price of £3.50 (Sun-Fri; £3.90 Sat; €4.20/€4.50 Ire).   

Discussing the return of the Racing Post, editor Tom Kerr said: “It’s been an incredibly difficult two months for all those involved with racing on these shores. The temporary halt in production of the newspaper in March was something no one could have predicted earlier in the year but I’m delighted to say we are coming back better than ever.   

“The team at Racing Post is prepared for the resumption of racing, and although it will be in a new world to the one it left behind we’re excited to be part of it.   

“It’s been a pleasure to work with the talented team here on the plans for bringing the print newspaper back – no small task under the current circumstances – and I can’t wait to get my hands on that first print edition.   

“We all love newspapers, and we know that for many of our customers there’s no substitute to the feel and experience of a print Racing Post as their daily guide to this great sport.” 

  

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