Coleman had to be substituted after 28 minutes in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday. Coleman appeared to be holding his thigh leaving the field. Speaking to RTE, McCarthy said, “I think Seamus is struggling for the games. He’s got a thigh strain, a strain or a tear”. I’m told it could be four to six weeks. That will put him out if that’s the case.
McCarthy said Matt Doherty will be his replacement. Saying, “Matt Doherty is doing great”. “I was at Fulham at the weekend and Cyrus Christie came on and was excellent. But the Doc’s great. He’s doing really well.” McCarthy also was speaking about Jack Byrne, speaking to the FAI website he said, “What did impress me on the night was Jack’s ability to see a pass and make the pass. Plenty of players can see a pass but Jack is able to play the ball as well and that was a key factor in the game”.
McCarthy will be delighted that some of his strikers are banging in the goals. Shane Long has certainly put his hand up for selection, while Scott Hogan, Michael Obafemi and Dave McGoldrick have also been getting goals. Speaking about this McCarthy said, “Our players are scoring at just the right time as we get closer to Slovakia,”.
Japan Olympic Minister Seiko Hashimoto has said the the 2020 Tokyo games could be postponed from the summer until later in the year owing to the coronavirus.
He was speaking to the Japanese Parliament and referenced the contract Tokyo have with the International Olympic Committee which says the games have to be held within the year 2020. He said there’s room for the games to moved towards the end of the year.
BBC Report that Hashimoto said, “We are doing all we can to ensure that the Games go ahead as planned”. Furthermore, IOC President Thomas Bach has said the organisation is fully committed to hosting the games.
The IOC Executive board released a statement on Tuesday saying they are fully committed to hosting the Olympic Games in Tokyo. It said, “The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board (EB) today expressed its full commitment to the success of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, taking place from 24 July to 9 August 2020”.
It continued and stated that a task force has been established which involves organisations such as the World Health Organisation, the IOC, the Japanese Government and Tokyo 2020. It said,”The IOC EB heard a report on all the measures taken so far to address the coronavirus situation, which was followed by a comprehensive discussion.
“A joint task force had already been created in mid-February, involving the IOC, Tokyo 2020, the host city of Tokyo, the government of Japan and the World Health Organization (WHO). Dick Pound a member of the IOC has said a decision on whether games will go ahead or not will have to be taken in May. However, he did state, the games would only be postponed if there was a threat to health of the athletes and of course spectators.
UEFA boss Aleksander Cerefin has said the rules regarding racism needs to change. The Slovenian addressing the UEFA Congress on Tuesday spoke about the sporting successes and great commercial success of the organisation also.
However, he did mentioned that racism has to be tackled and rules need to change on how racism is handled. He said a huge amount of work needs to be done. UEFA have come under serious pressure for not enforcing stricter penalties for fans that engage in such discriminatory behaviour. Cerefin said, “Things need to change,”. He continued, “We must begin by applying the rules we already have. That would be a good starting point. That means applying the three-step procedure. We must not be afraid to do so. Everywhere. No exceptions.
Furthermore, he said that in the last three season UEFA have imposed 73 partial stadium closures, while also ordering 39 games to be played behind closed doors. He said, “In the last three seasons, the UEFA disciplinary bodies have imposed 73 partial stadium closures and ordered 39 matches to be played behind closed doors following incidents of discrimination.
He says, it shows the organisation is doing the job but more simply has to be done. In addition, He said, “That shows that we are doing what is currently in our power to do. But it also shows what a serious problem it is, and that we need to do more. More, and perhaps differently. So we that can be proud of ourselves once again.”
He said football should be celebrated. “Football is, above all, a celebration of life, community and unity. It’s an exchange. It’s about sharing”. “The problem is not on the pitch, where diversity is greater than in any other sport and probably any other part of society. The problem is in our societies. And this has to stop.”
It remains to be seen now whether tougher fines and bans will come in for racism at games. For instance Bulgaria when they took on England and engaging in racist behaviour were told they had to play one match behind closed doors. Bulgaria were only fined 75,000 euro as well. Harsher penalties need to put in place to end racism in sport. Players should also should stand together and say enough is enough and walk off the field.
The Galway men have a players all over the field which shows again how strong a side they are. Martin Farragher and Liam Silke are picking up their third awards in a row. The team itself sees Bernard Power in the goals, he last picked up an award in 2019. The full back line consists of Aaron Branagan from Kilcoo, whom Corofin edged out in the final. The experienced Kieran Fitzgerald is at full back having also won the award in 2019. Liam Silke is selected in the other corner. Nemo Rangers club man Kevin O’Donovan is named at wing back, along with Ballyboden player Robbie McDaid who is picking up his first award. Daryl Branagan also from the Kilcoo club is the other wing back named at number 7.
Galway hurler Daithi Burke is selected at midfield to add to his long list of all-star honours. Ronan Steede who made his debut in the league for Galway is named alongside him. Gary Sice is named at wing forward, along with Kilcoo’s Paul Devlin who had an excellent campaign and Sean Gannon from the Eire Og club. Dublin and Ballyboden star Colm Basquel is named at corner forward. Martin Farragher is picking up his third award after been named at full forward. Conor Laverty of Kilcoo completes the XV.
GAA CLUB PLAYERS’ FOOTBALL TEAM 2019
1. Bernard Power (Corofin) *Previous winner in 2019
2. Aaron Branagan (Kilcoo)
3. Kieran Fitzgerald (Corofin) *Previous winner in 2018
4. Liam Silke (Corofin) *Previous winner in 2018 & 2019
5. Kevin O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers)
6. Robbie McDaid (Ballyboden St. Endas)
7. Darryl Branagan (Kilcoo)
8. Daithí Burke (Corofin) *Previous winner in 2019
9. Ronan Steede (Corofin)
10. Gary Sice (Corofin) *Previous winner in 2019
11. Paul Devlin (Kilcoo)
12. Seán Gannon (Éire Óg)
13. Colm Basquel (Ballyboden St. Endas)
14. Martin Farragher (Corofin) *Previous winner in 2018 & 2019
15. Conor Laverty (Kilcoo)
Corofin has seven places on the list of AIB GAA Club Players’ Awards football team All Stars 2020.
With a presence on every line of the field, the Galway and Connacht kingpins have now won 20 of these awards since it was first staged in 2018 and defender Liam Silke and sharp-shooter Martin Farragher have been honoured in each of the three years.
It is that sort of consistency which enabled Corofin to see off Kilcoo in an extra time thriller last January and become the first team ever to win a hat-trick of AIB GAA senior club football championship crowns. As a result, they dominate a selection that draws on players from five clubs from across the provinces after a hugely entertaining campaign.
Goalkeeper Bernard Power, full-back Kieran Fitzgerald, the midfield partnership of Daithí Burke and Ronan Steede and wing forward Gary Sice complete the Corofin contingent.
Elsewhere, Ulster champions and beaten All-Ireland finalists Kilcoo have had their great run recognised with awards for defenders Aaron Branagan and Darryl Branagan and forwards Paul Devlin and Conor Laverty.
There are awards for Robbie McDaid and Colm Basquel on the back of their work with Leinster champions Ballyboden St Enda’s, while there is also a prestigious award for Nemo Rangers defender Kevin O’Donovan and also Seán Gannon who starred for Éire Óg in their run to the Leinster final.
The awards will be presented at a special banquet at Croke Park this Friday night.
In addition to the football and hurling teams being honoured, there will also be awards announced live on the night for the overall AIB GAA Club Footballer and Hurler of the Year.
The nominees for the footballer of the year are Kilcoo’s Darryl Branagan and Corofin duo Liam Silke and Ronan Steede.
Congratulating the winners, Uachtarán CLG John Horan said: “The ability of the AIB GAA Club Championship to throw up memorable moments is a great constant in our calendar.
“Corofin carved out a special piece of history earlier this year and it was a success built on hard graft as well as class as they were pushed all the way in Connacht and on the All-Ireland stage.
“I want to congratulate all of the players who have been honoured with a place on this team. The club championship is the competitive lifeblood of the GAA and these awards recognise individuals who were exceptionally prominent in the provincial and All-Ireland senior campaign. I want to also extend our thanks to Denis O’Callaghan and our long-standing supporters in AIB for their commitment to this competition which continues to go from strength to strength.”
Denis O’Callaghan, Head of Customer Management, AIB, said: “AIB is proud to celebrate its 29th year sponsoring the Club Championships, and to partner with the GAA for the third time for the AIB GAA Club Players Awards. The awards recognise the incredible feats achieved by club players across Ireland who reached the AIB GAA Club Championships.”
“Today, we are proud to announce the AIB GAA Club Football Team of the Year. The skill and talent displayed by these players puts their communities on the national stage. To be named on the Club Football Team of the Year is a real honour, and an immense source of pride for their families, communities and clubs.”
“On behalf of AIB I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate each of the winners and to thank the national and regional sports media for taking the time to cast their votes and for their continued support for the AIB GAA Club Championships”
The AIB GAA Club Players’ Awards are selected by a panel of GAA media from across print, radio, tv and digital, and is chaired by Uachtarán CLG.
The hurling team will be announced tomorrow morning.
AIB GAA CLUB PLAYERS’ AWARDS – FOOTBALL 2020
Bernard Power (Corofin) * Previous winner in 2019
Aaron Branagan (Kilcoo)
Kieran Fitzgerald (Corofin) *Previous winner in 2018
Liam Silke (Corofin) *Previous winner in 2018 & 2019
Kevin O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers)
Robbie McDaid (Ballyboden St. Endas)
Darryl Branagan (Kilcoo)
Daithí Burke (Corofin) *Previous winner in 2019
Ronan Steede (Corofin)
Gary Sice (Corofin) *Previous winner in 2019
Paul Devlin (Kilcoo)
Seán Gannon (Éire Óg)
Colm Basquel (Ballyboden St. Endas)
Martin Farragher (Corofin) *Previous winner in 2018 & 2019
Stephen Doheny has flown out to India as a replacement for Gary Wilson in the Ireland Men’s squad, who are set to play a T20 International series against Afghanistan starting on Friday. Ryan Eagleson, Academy Performance Coach, will also be flying out tomorrow to join the squad coaching staff, supporting acting Head Coach Rob Cassell in Graham Ford’s absence.
It’s been a busy last five months for Rush Cricket Club’s Doheny, who has just returned from South Africa where he was playing with the Ireland Wolves against Namibia. Immediately prior to this he had been based for the Irish winter in Sydney, playing club cricket with Randwick Petersham.
Speaking from Dublin before flying out to India, Doheny said:
“It’s obviously a great honour for me to be called up to the T20 squad. It will be a great learning experience for me and one that I am really looking forward to.”
“When I received the call from Andrew White [Chair of National Men’s Selectors] I was delighted. I was in South Africa getting ready for a game the next day and have to admit I was caught off guard when he rang. It is something that I have been working hard towards for a long time and it is satisfying to know that all the many, many hours of training and preparation have paid off. I am aware the hard work is only really starting now, but I am looking forward to getting to India to hit the ground running.”
“I’ve enjoyed a great winter away with Randwick Petersham Cricket Club in Sydney and had the opportunity to break down my game and work on specific skills. Having the chance to play outdoors all winter has most definitely impacted my game in a positive fashion and given me the confidence to perform on the pitch.”
Doheny replaces the experienced Gary Wilson from the squad who hasn’t travelled to India. Wilson, who was also in South Africa with the Wolves squad, fell ill and was laid up in his hotel room for the majority of the tour. While he received medical care, Cricket Ireland medical staff made the decision to be cautious with his recovery and recommended Wilson return home instead of travelling on to India, given the busy schedule upcoming.
Andrew White, Chair of National Men’s Selectors, said:
“Stephen has earned this call up to the Ireland T20 squad – his sustained hard work in the nets, while putting in consistent performances on the field, have helped both his game and his self-confidence immensely. While we feel desperately sorry for Gary [Wilson], these circumstances presented us with an opportunity to provide valuable experience to a really promising young player. We needed to cover both batting and keeping and Stephen fits the bill nicely for this short tour to India.”
Neil Rock was unavailable for consideration due to injury.
Also joining the Ireland squad, in a coaching capacity, is former Irish international and current Academy Performance Coach, Ryan Eagleson. Eagleson will support acting Head Coach Rob Cassell as a bowling and fielding coach, completing the coaching set up after Head Coach Graham Ford had earlier been forced to withdraw from the tour.
With the Irish squad already in camp in Greater Noida, and set to train today, the team has brought the Indian coach Vinayak Mane in to assist with preparations until Eagleson arrives. Mane recently supported England Lions on its tour to India.
Fixture schedule
The fixtures will be played at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh in India – the matches being:
Friday 6 March 2020 (start 2pm local time; 8.30am GMT)
Sunday 8 March 2020 (start 2pm local time; 8.30am GMT)
Tuesday 10 March 2020 (start 2pm local time; 8.30am GMT)
Broadcast details are being confirmed.
Ireland T20I squad
The 14-player squad is:
Andrew Balbirnie (Captain), Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Shane Getkate, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Kevin O’Brien, Boyd Rankin, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.
“What. A. Horse. Faugheen.” Was the emphatic reaction from the Racing TV Twitter account after Willie Mullins’ 12yo won the Grade 1 Flogas Chase at the Dublin Festival last month. In truth, everyone connected to racing knows what a horse Faugheen “The Machine” is, and the same reaction was trotted out five years ago when Faugheen was putting all to the sword over hurdles.
But Faugheen has that innate quality possessed by only the top sports stars, be they equine or of the two-legged variety; namely, the ability to surprise and to make observers feel foolish for having cast doubt on their ability. Rodger Federer is that type, having had his sporting obituary written several times in the last decade, only to bounce back with yet another Grand Slam. Kauto Star and Red Rum are also good examples from the racing world.
Back at Cheltenham 2018, Faugheen – despite some early promise – chugged along and ran out of steam, finishing to a limp 6th place in the Champion Hurdle. There wasn’t any annoyance from the punters in the crowd that day; just a sense of sadness that “The Machine” was no longer able to deliver his best. A few weeks later, Faugheen was winning the Irish Stayers’ Hurdle and some wondered if the longer trip might deliver some success at the back-end of his career. It did, in a way, with Faugheen’s gutsy 3rd place finish in the Stayers’ at Cheltenham 2019 seen as a better way to bow out than the year previously.
Faugheen sent chasing in November 2019
And then, we got another reinvention last autumn. Willie Mullins’ decided to send Faugheen chasing as an 11yo. Once again, Mullins caught most observers off guard. His debut chase, a relatively low-key affair at Punchestown, in November put a smile on people’s faces after 7-length victory, but the words “too soon to tell” were on their lips. On Boxing Day, Faugheen then took his first Grade 1 over fences, beating the talented Samcro after a pulsating ding-dong along the way. Another Grade 1 in the bag at the Dublin Festival, and Faugheen the chaser is now a hot-button topic among racing fans.
But where does the story end? Faugheen is the type of talent that we all wish that would go on forever. However, he has perhaps one more season after this, if we are lucky. The hope for many fans is that The Machine can continue his unbeaten chasing form at Cheltenham next week, and bookmakers tend to believe he can do it.
The most likely destination for Faugheen seems to be the Marsh Novices’ Chase on St Patrick’s Thursday. Faugheen is available at a standout price of 8/1 with William Hill, but as low as 5/1 elsewhere. He also has an entry for the RSA Chase, and gets a price of 14/1, but the Marsh seems more likely.
Tough Ask for Faugheen in Grade 1 Marsh Novices’ Chase
With all due respect to Samcro and the other Faugheen has thumped over the last five months, the Marsh Novices’ Chase represents a much sterner test. Itchy Feet is the 5/1 favourite by a shade, with the brilliant Allaho best-priced at 11/2. Mister Fisher (8/1), Samcro (9/1) and Easy Game (11/1) all might have a say. If you are having a punt on this one, freebets.co.uk brings you many Cheltenham free bets to choose from; really worth checking out for what is one of the most open races of the festival.
Allaho and Itchy Feet, both of whom are half Faugheen’s age, might go on to have wonderful careers. But next week, at the racecourse where Faugheen became a legend in the eyes of both British and Irish fans, everyone else will be playing spoiler. Faugheen has a people’s champion quality about him. If he wins – and that’s still a big if – you should expect an emotional reaction similar to the one caused by Sprinter Sacré in the Champion Chase in 2016.
It might be a bit much to see a tear in the eye of the stoic Willie Mullins, as we did with Nicky Henderson wit Sprinter, but the roof will come off the place if Faugheen passes that finish line ahead of the field. Stories like Faugheen’s don’t come around too often. But they are part of what makes sport great. The stage is set for The Machine to light up Cheltenham once again; perhaps for the last time in a glittering career.
Cork’s Shane Sweetnam capped an excellent weekend at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida, by scoring a runner-up finish in Sunday’s $214,000 Premier Equestrian four-star Grand Prix while he was also crowned leading Irish rider of Nations Cup week at the American venue.
Shane Sweetnam and Chaqui Z (Photo: Sportfot)
Sweetnam was riding his gold medal winning mount from the 2017 European Championships, Chaqui Z, and crossed the line clear in the eight horse jump-off, stopping the clock in 38.29 seconds to finish half-a-second behind Brazilian winner Rodrigo Lambre with Catover.
“I was delighted with him. This is only his first time that he’s shown here this year, and it’s only his first real big class,” said Sweetnam when speaking about Chaqui Z. “He felt great, and I think his jump-off was excellent. Even though he’s 14, he feels like he’s eight. So, I’m really happy with where he is at the moment.”
Sweetnam also received the Niall Grimes Perpetual Trophy as the leading Irish rider during Nations Cup week – the third year in-a-row that Sweetnam has taken the award.
Meanwhile the Kate Nash Boone Style Award, which is traditionally given to an international equestrian competing in the CSIO at WEF, was this year presented to Tipperary’s Kevin Babington. Michael Meller presented the award in recognition of Babington’s determination, inspiration, and dedication to Show Jumping after a life-changing event re-focused his role in the sport last year.
It was a successful weekend for Irish showjumpers across the globe with one of the stand-out results coming in the two-star Grand Prix at Abu Dhabi in the UAE. Kilkenny teenager Jack Ryan guided the 10-year-old stallion Colmar, owned by Shane Breen, to the only double clear of the competition to take victory.
Jack Ryan pictured following his victory in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup India will face England before Australia take on South Africa in semi-finals starting at 15h00 and 19h00 respectively on Thursday at Sydney Cricket Ground.
The line-up was confirmed when both the Proteas and West Indies were awarded a point after no play was possible due to rain in the group stage’s final game at Sydney Showground.
India were the only team to emerge from the groups with a perfect record and their clash with England is a re-run of the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup Final at Lord’s, won by Heather Knight’s side.
Hosts Australia, having booked their place in the knockout stages with victory over New Zealand on Monday, face 2014 semi-finalists South Africa who topped Group B.
Australia have won the tournament four times, England won the inaugural edition back in 2009 and India have reached the final four on three occasions.
The two match winners will then go into the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 Final, to be played on 8 March – International Women’s Day – at the MCG.
For the first time since March 2019, Liverpool produced one of their worst shows under Klopp’s reign with their failure to score a goal during a league game. The team’s coach Jurgen Klopp revealed the game result was a big shock to him.
The Reds since their last game against Norwich which ended in their favor 2 – 0 playing against West Ham on Monday did not reveal the best of the Liverpool players the world is familiar with. Their match against Watford last Saturday which ended 3 – 0 in Watford’s favor was the last straw on the camel’s back. The loss has kept fans wondering as to what could be wrong with the magnificent Reds. Knowing Klopp, Red fans are hoping the next matches will serve them bragging rights and bring the top of their game.
Reacting to their victory, Watford’s team coach said, “It’s just one game, we have got 10 more games to go and they are all going to be important. We have got to try and outdo what we have done today in terms of performance. But, I’m proud of the players and they should be proud of how they’ve coped with a difficult situation.”
Does Watford have what it takes to win all their remaining 10 matches? Will the Reds regain their fire and give their fans the show they have all been expecting for the Premier League? These are some of the crucial questions fans are asking and looking forward to seeing in the next games.
There is a lot to catch on with as the games remain unpredictable, gamers can get all the live fixtures and odds from ufabet.
Chelsea matches to look forward to…
This week seems to be pretty exciting with matches like Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup fifth round on Tuesday night. Next, they have another encounter at Bournemouth on Saturday and then the Champions League with Atletico at Anfield which comes four days later. It seems to be an interesting season for Chelsea fans and they are hoping their players make them proud. There are lots of interesting games for all sports lovers this season and bettors can place their bets on their favorite team and make match predictions at ufabet.
How well is Tottenham performing with Mourinho as a coach?
Amidst all, Jose Mourinho seems to be preparing hard for his next games especially in the next 10 days. Tottenham Hotspur has four upcoming matches; two in the Premier League, and one each in the FA Cup and Champions League as well. A lot of people are looking at the outcome of these matches to determine his overall impact on his new club. Well so far, it has been a good era and Tottenham Hotspur fans are hoping to get more amazing results. The Spurs season is a crucial one for him and there are many eyes watching closely.
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