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Top 5 Most Expensive Transfers in Football

With some leagues set to get back up and running in the next couple of weeks I have decided to look at the top 5 most expensive transfers in football. I have compiled a list below in order.

  1. Neymar – The Brazilian is currently the most expensive transfer record. He signed for Paris St Germain from Barcelona for a fee reported to be around 222 million euros in 2017. The 28 year old has since been reported to be heading back to the Nou Camp.

2. Kylian Mbappe – The French international is one of the hottest properties in European football. Every club have been looking to sign him. However, in 2018 Paris St Germain signed the 21 year old to their books for a reported 135 million euro from Monaco. Since signing for PSG he has gone on to win a World Cup with France, as well as going on to score 51 times in 49 games for PSG.

3. Joao Felix – The 20 year old Portugese international has been talked up as been the next Ronaldo. He left Benfica for Spanish La Liga side Atletico Madrid in 2019 for 126 million euro.

4. Antoine Griezmann – Griezmann is an exceptional footballer. Just like Mbappe he won a World Cup medal in 2018. He left Atletico Madrid in 2019 to join Barcelona. He joined the Spanish giants for a reported 120 million euro. The 29 year old has scored 30 times in 78 appearance for Les Bleus. He came 3rd in the race for the Ballon D’or in 2016 and then again in 2018.

5. Philippe Coutinho – Many will know Coutinho from his time at Anfield. The 27 year old Brazilian played 150 times for the Reds. He left Anfield to join Barcelona for 120 million euro in 2019.

 

Corofin star announces retirement

Corofin star and 4 time club All-Ireland winner Kieran Fitzgerald has announced his retirement.

The Tuam Herald report the 39 year old bows out at the highest level after winning an All-Ireland club title with Corofin in January, his fourth in all. It was the Galway sides third All-Ireland title in a row. An excellent corner back, the Garda by occupation, was instrumental in Galway winning their last football All-Ireland in 2001. He would go on to claim an all-star award that season also.

With his club Corofin Fitzgerald won an astonishing 14 county titles between the years 1998 to 2019. He would go on to win 6 Connacht titles, as well 4 club All-Ireland titles in 2015, 2018, 2019 and then 2020. With Galway Fitzgerald won an All-Ireland title in 2001, as well as 3 Connacht titles. He also won an U21 All-Ireland title in 2002. He retired from inter-county football in 2011.

In a statement to the Tuam Herald he said, “It’s hard to put into words the enjoyment and satisfaction I have experienced while playing the sport I love for over 30 years.” He continued,“It was an absolute honour to play for Corofin GAA Club and for Galway. Although we had ups and downs, I loved it and if I could do it all again – I would!“I am continually overwhelmed and humbled by the support and goodwill I have received down through the years from all corners of the GAA community both in good times and bad.

Fitzgerald thanked all his family, coaches and team mates saying “I want to thank all the great coaches I have had the pleasure to work with over the years, who guided me, mentored me and encouraged me to push myself to reach my potential. One man in particular stands out, Frank Morris. From my first days at U8s in Rusheens right up to the present day, Frank has left an indelible mark on me, both on and off the field. His legacy will live forever in Corofin GAA. “I want to thank my wife Emer, my parents and my family who have all travelled this bumpy road with me along the way. They have always picked me up after so many lows and I owe them a huge debt of gratitude. I am just so happy we could all share and experience some really great days also.

Top 8 Sports Movies of All Time

With not much sport on the television at present, if any, may be it is time to put the feet up and look at some sports movies. Here I look at my top 8 sports movies of all time.

  1. Rocky (1976) – Who just doesn’t love a good Rocky film. Sylvester Stallone is the lead actor in an enthralling film. It’s all about a man that dragged himself from the bottom all the way up to the top. The film itself is mainly set in Philadelphia, USA, while some scenes are also filmed in Los Angeles.

2.  Rocky V (1990) – Another of the Rocky films just simply has to make the list. Rocky shows signs of complications after his fight with Ivan Drago, however he tells his wife Adrian it is due to fatigue. That’s all I will say it’s just one that you have to watch!

3. The Longest Yard (2005) – This is another film which stars the main character Adam Sandler. Chris Rock also stars in the film. Paul Crewe (Adam Sandler) is a washed up american football player for Pittsburgh Steelers, in exchange for his release from prison he is forced to assemble a football team to play against the prison guards.

4. Happy Gilmore (1996) – What a film which stars Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore. Gilmore was a failed hockey player that turned his hand to golf. He joins the pro tour golf tournament where he went on to win some money to save his grandmothers house which was at risk of been repossessed by the IRS.

5. Mighty Ducks (1992) – Gordon Bombay is the coach of the Ducks. The Ducks go all the way to the championship state final , where they play the Hawks (The Hawks were a side which Bombay played for in his younger years). Bombay would miss a penalty in the final and the Hawks would go onto lose. The Ducks would win this time though as Charlie strikes the winning goal to secure the state championship.

6. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004) – Another thrilling film launched in 2004 starring Vince Vaughn and Ben Stiller. The plot of the film follows a group of misfits entering a Las Vegas dodgeball competition to save their cherished gym from the onslaught of a corporate fitness chain. Average Joe’s end up winning the prize of 1 million prize, but Peter (Vince Vaughn) also placed a 100,000 bet at odds of 50/1 for them to win meaning they took home and extra 5 million.

7. Million Dollar Baby (2004) –  Any Clint Eastwood films are a terrific watch and this is no better. Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman also star in the film. Maggie Fitzgerald played by Hilary Swank turns up in a Los Angles gym where she trained by Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood). A title fight is set up with Billie Osterman for 1 million pound. Billie knocks her out with an illegal punch, she lands on the corner stool breaking her neck.

8. Cool Runnings (1993)

Derice Bannock a top 100m runner for the Jamicans fails to qualify for the 100m event, while fellow runner Junior Bevil falls and Yul Brenner also falls. They look to Irving played by John Cansy to coach them which he does. The team makes it all the way to the Winter Games. It looks like they are going to be in the medals only for disaster to strike with a crash causing to sled to turn over. Determined to finish the race the team carried their sled over the line amidst cheers.

Loads of films have been left out but these are my personal favourites in order. However, my advice to you during this lockdown is to start from the bottom of the list. This would be at number 8 and watch all the way to number 1.

Premier League looks set to finish behind closed doors

The English Football Premier League looks set to finish behind closed doors. RTE report that the Premier League are in discussions with UK Right holders. This is to discuss what way would be best to broadcast the seasons remaining fixtures.

The Premier League has been suspended for the last 6 weeks owing to the Covid 19 crisis but it looks like a return could be on the way. It is reported that games could return in June behind closed doors due to social distancing measures. A UK Government spokesperson said, “Ministers continue to work with sports governing bodies on how live sporting events can resume in the future. This can only happen once we have passed the five tests for easing social distancing measures.”

There are currently 92 games left in the current Premier League season. Nearly half of these are set to be aired by Sky and BT Sport. There is talks about the remaining games on who will come on board to broadcast these, with RTE saying that Amazon and BBC are in discussions about showing some of these. Sport 24 report that Man United chairman Ed Woodward is hopeful that the season can finish with or without fans. He said, “Like all of you, we are eager to see the team return to the field as soon as we are advised it is safe to do so, hopefully to complete a season which still held so much promise for us in the Premier League, the Europa League and the FA Cup when it was suspended”.

It remains to be seen what will happen, but an announcement will have to be made in the coming few days in my opinion on whether the season will be void or will be continued to be played out. On Friday, the Dutch Football Association announced to void the current Eredivisie season.

Virtual School Marathon Relay @ Home

Fitter Younger has decided to put a fundraising event, while also encouraging kids to remain active while they aren’t in schools. They have developed two types of events, virtual school marathon relay @home and club marathon relay.

CLICK HERE FOR FUNDRAISER 

The money raised goes towards your school or your club. Looking at the school marathon relay, the whole school can get involved. Be it staff, pupils, parents association. There is limited work involved as Fitter Younger does most of the work for you. It organises the fundraising aspect of it from start to finish, they also supply everything to make it an event worthwhile and successful. Kids will likely be asked to say run 100 meters for as fast as they can. An example 422 kids run 100 meters each.

This would be recorded and uploaded to the site along with your 10 euro donation. The event itself tries to promote that your school is an active school. It also promotes the physical and mental benefits of exercise. The club marathon relay is run in the same way in which Fitter Younger looks after all the fundraising aspects of the event. At present charities such as Heroes Aid.com and Community Foundation Northern Ireland are benefitting. So be sure to sign up at www.virtualschoolmarathonrelay.ie

The website was developed by Ciaran Slane a graduate of Sport Science. He is also qualified in Level 2 in GAA Coaching. I asked, “Why did you set up the initiative?”. He said, “I set up Fitter Younger with the aim of giving children the opportunity to increase their physical activity through a non sport specific exercise class”. I also asked Ciaran what is the required amount of activity for adults and children?  He stated, “All children, as well as adults, are required to get at least 60 minutes of moderate activity each day. This can be broken up throughout the day, for example, three 20 minute sessions. Simple activities can include walking, jogging, cycling, dancing, practicing your favourite sport, basically any activity that raises your heart rate and increases your breathing levels”. 

In relation to the current lockdown measures in place, Ciaran stated that simple exercises such as lunges, squats, marching on the spot can be very effective. He also said,”Household chores can also be used as exercise. You should try and interrupt your sitting time every 30 minutes”. 

Video: Credit Daily Telegraph

Ajax denied Eredivisie title

Ajax  were denied a second league title in a row after the Dutch FA (KNVB) announced that no title will be awarded after the Covid 19 pandemic brought football to a halt. The decision came after a meeting on Friday with clubs and unions representing players and coaches.

Although Ajax and AZ Alkmaar whom were both level on points with just 9 games to go in the Dutch top flight, will now have automatic qualification for next years Champions League. In fairness the decision was almost a certainty after the Dutch government extended a ban on public events till September 1st. This of course is to stop the spread of the deadly virus. Netherlands have been hit hard by the virus with over 36,000 cases and 4,200 deaths.

Amsterdam based Ajax were on top of the table with 56 points, ahead of Alkmaar on score difference. The KNVB announced on Friday that both teams will now represent Netherlands in next years Champions League. They said in a statement, “In these times, under these circumstances it is not appropriate to speak of a championship, therefore we only confirm the placing of the clubs as per the last standings,”.

Ajax will now enter the group stages automatically. AZ Alkmaar will enter at the preliminary round stage. RTE Sport report that Feyenoord will play in the Europa League group phase stages, while PSV and Willem II will play in the preliminary rounds. There will also be no relegation in the top flight, this came upon after a vote by the clubs. The same 18 clubs will contest the top flight next season. “Unfortunately, with the cabinet’s most recent corona measures, it has become impossible to play out the rest of the 2019/2020 season the statement continued”.

 

Charlestown GAA raise 6,500 for Heroes Aid and Pieta House

Charlestown GAA in Mayo have raised an incredible 6.500 euros for charities Heroes Aid and Pieta House.

The fundraising effort which is visible on the Charlestown GAA twitter page encouraged members, supporters, players and anyone in the locality to simply run 5km, donate 5 euros and nominate 5 other people to do the run. The charities involved will help those who are currently on the frontline, be it nurses and doctors. Heroes Aid will also use the money to purchase PPE for these healthcare workers to help protect them while carrying out their jobs. Psychological support, educational and practical support will also be able to provided for healthcare workers and their families from the funds raised. A total amount of 2.500 euros has since been donated to Heroes Aid from the Charlestown GAA fundraising event.

Pieta House have also benefited greatly. The charity helps those with mental health. There vision is to replace depression, self harm and suicide, with hope, self care and acceptance. With the ever so popular Darkness Into Light run looking extremely unlikely to go ahead they now need public support as much as ever. So every 5 euro that is donated is helping someone out there.

If you want to donate be sure to check out the go fund me page here https://www.gofundme.com/f/charlestown-sarsfields-5k-challenge 

 

FAI to get boost in funding

The FAI is set to get a boost in funding. It comes after FIFA is releasing 150 million dollars to it’s national associations whose finances have been affected by the Covid 19 pandemic.

RTE Sport report that the world soccer governing body will give each of it’s 211 members 500,000 dollars. This equates to about 462,000 euro. This will be paid in the coming days along with any entitlement under the Forward 2.0 development programme. The news comes as good news for the FAI who are currently in debts of around 45 million euro. Staff in the organisation have already had to take pay cuts of up to 50% due to the pandemic.

Gary Owens interim CEO of the FAI said. “We’ve reached out to FIFA… we can’t reach out to UEFA anymore… but we are reaching  out to FIFA and we will be there to try and support whatever way we can.”

The FIFA President Gianni Infantino has described the payment as the first step of helping the associations.  “The pandemic has caused unprecedented challenges for the entire football community and, as the world governing body, it is FIFA’s duty to be there and support the ones that are facing acute needs”.

RTE Sport report that FIFA said the funding came from 2019 and 2020 operational funding. Furthermore, FIFA have stated that the next stages of funding are currently been worked on. This will be communicated to the organisations in the coming weeks. FIFA have a lot of funding there, with cash reserves around 2.7 billion euros.

Interesting Facts about the Indian Premier League

Lalit Modi, a businessman by profession, founded the Indian Premier League in 2008. The league has eight teams contesting in the league. It will interest you that all the eight teams represent different cities within India. 

The Eight teams came up because of the popularity of cricket sports and as a result of the national team win in the year 2007. It is limited to twenty over per game, and up to eighty minutes for each round. 

 

  • How it Starts 

 

It is an annual tournament that takes place yearly from March to May, lasting approximately seven weeks. Several changes are within the teams over time, due to reasons like:

  • Financial capabilities
  • Penalties imposed 

This year’s IPL premier league dates changed due to the coronavirus pandemic.  

 

  • Teams Constituted in the IPL

 

The initial IPL had eight teams, and each team represented a different town. The towns are; Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bangalore and Mohali, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, and Jaipur. During the founding phase of the tournament, there were various reasons to determine the town per team. 

Rajkot, Kochi, and Pune teams have been dominating the tournament since it’s inception. However, the ones playing in 2020 are the same as they were when the IPL began in 2008. 

Hyderabad Franchise has changed its name to Sunrisers Hyderabads from the famous Deccan Changers. 

Each team has fans who choose them based on facts like the town of origin, or just natural liking. They get opportunities to bet on the IPL, not to mention the celebrations after their favorite teams win the league. Betting on cricket is huge in India and when the IPL season starts they go crazy about this.

 

  • How the IPL Team Selection Works 

 

The team selection has two phases: 

  • The league 
  • The knockout

The eight teams compete against themselves in the league phase. It is from here that they are either knocked out of the tournament or continue. 

A team must have two points to win. If it has zero points, it is a loss, and it gets out. Each team meets twice with another, taking a round-robin way of elimination. 

After four teams get eliminated, two top teams compete in the first qualifier phase. The best team enters the final draw. For the teams that got knocked out, they also get into the second qualifier phase, competing against each other. 

The winning team also enters the final draw. The losing team gets eliminated, while the winner faces the first qualifier. Two from both qualifiers compete against each other, which leads to the overall winner of the league

  1. How The Players are Selected

Player selection is in phases. Each team acquires its players playing in windows, and it makes it easy due to their capabilities. 

Another way is by player auction. Teams get bidding budgets, where a player sets the base cost, the players then get tendered. The ones left out during the bidding process get the opportunity to be picked by the teams that have not met the number of players expected. 

The renewal of a player’s contract is decided upon by the franchise at the end of every year. It is upon assessment of their achievements during the year. One squad has nineteen to twenty-five players. 

 

  • The Most Expensive Player in the IPL

 

Teams rate players differently. Like in auctioning, the most expensive player is Pat Cummins from Australia valued at over $2million. Virat Kohl is rated over $2 million, and his contract was renewed in 2018 by Royal Challengers Bangalore.

 

  • IPL Previous Winners

 

The winners have always changed over the previous years. However, others like the Mumbai Indians have subsequently beat the Chennai Super Kings for four years. They won the title on three occasions. 

They maintained the trophy in 2010, 2011, and 2013 winning on three occasions. There has been no defense for the crown from any other teams. 

Rajasthan Royals won the first edition in 2008. They haven’t been able to pick up the trophy since.

Defunct Deccan Changers won the 2019 trophies while the Kolkata Knight Riders became the 2012 and 2014 champions. 

Final Thoughts

From the above information, it is clear and easy to understand how the Indian Premier League works. There is no complexity in it. Learning does not only involve its fans; somewhat, anyone interested in sports can get more insight. 

August’s European Athletics Championships in Paris Cancelled

The Paris 2020 European Athletics Championships, scheduled to take place at the Charlety Stadium from 25-30 August, have been cancelled.

The decision was taken today by the Paris 2020 Local Organising Committee (LOC) and Fédération Française d’Athlétisme (FFA) at an extraordinary LOC Executive Committee meeting on Thursday.

The decision was driven by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the associated risks linked to the current situation, which are far from being under control, as well as the existing ban on mass gatherings in France.

Commenting on the cancellation of the European Athletics Championships, European Athletics Interim President, Dobromir Karamarinov said:

“It is with great regret that we announce the cancellation of the Paris 2020 European Athletics Championships. We had hoped in these troubled times to offer European athletes a major event to aim for at the end of this summer. Unfortunately, today we were informed by the LOC and French athletics federation that, after discussions with the relevant French national and local public health and safety authorities, they were no longer able to proceed with delivering the championships this August and were forced to cancel the event.

“Whilst we regret announcing the cancellation of our European Athletics Championships, it is worth reiterating that in these unprecedented times the health and safety of all athletics’ stakeholders including athletes, fans, officials, partners and everyone connected with the sport is paramount. We will always do what is best for the members of our athletics family and the wider public.”

The European Athletics Council will discuss this issue, together with other changes to the global athletics calendar that have been forced upon the sport due to the COVID-19 pandemic, at their next meeting which is scheduled to take place via video conference on 7-8 May.

All the ticket holders for Paris 2020 as well as those signed up for the 10km Festival Athlé will receive a full refund in line with a procedure that will be communicated in due course on the official website www.athle2020.paris.

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