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Limerick v Westmeath: Preview, Team News and live score updates

Limerick v Westmeath takes place at 2pm at the Gaelic Grounds. We have a preview, team news and betting below. We will be providing live score updates as well so be sure to follow them on the below link.

Click here for LIVE GAA SCORES UPDATES 

Preview

Limerick will guarantee at least a place in the quarter finals with a win over Westmeath here. John Kielys side have played three games and won three games. They also have a game in hand to play owing to Storm Dennis. That game takes place on March 7th against Waterford. To date they have beaten Tipperary, Cork and Galway. John Kiely has got to be impressed. Players like Cian Lynch, Aaron Gillane and Tom Morrissey will be key to Limerick’s success here.

Westmeath come into this game bottom of Division 1A and are looking at been relegated. They have conceded 10-81 in four games to date. They have lost to Waterford, Cork, Galway and Tipperary. Speaking to the Irish Times, Lake County boss Shane O’Brien said following the defeat to Tipperary, “It’s a very tough one to take to come down here to Semple Stadium and to underperform the way that we did, going down to 14 again proved to be hugely costly,”. Allan Devine, Niall Mitchell and Aonghus Clarke will have to be at their best to stop the Tipperary attack.

Team News

Teams have yet to be announced.

Betting

Limerick are virtually unbackable here at odds of 1/200. If you fancy Westmeath for the upset they are 25/1. I can only see this game going one way and unfortunately for Westmeath fans it could be a long 70 minutes. Limerick -16 at 5/6 is the selection. There is no live coverage of Limerick v Westmeath so be sure to check out our live score updates on Sunday.

Galway v Cork: Preview, Team News and live score updates

Galway v Cork takes place at 2pm in Salthill on Sunday. We have a preview, team news and betting information. If you can’t make the game be sure to follow our live match updates.

Click here for LIVE GAA SCORE UPDATES 

Preview

This is a big game for Galway. A loss here and they likely won’t make the knockout stages of the tournament. Shane O’Neill’s side have only 1 win from 3 games. They lost to Limerick and Waterford. Their postponed game was against Tipperary and this will be played on March 8th.  Players like Cathal Mannion, Joe Canning, Gearoid McInerney and Conor Whelan will be key here.

Cork come into this game lying in third place in the table. Kieran Kingston side have two wins and two losses from four games. A win here will likely put them through to a quarter-final at the very least. The two wins came against Tipperary and Westmeath, while losses came at the hands of Limerick and Waterford. Speaking to The Echo after the defeat to Limerick Kieran Kingston said, “We came here for a result and we didn’t get that and that was disappointing. As I said, we threw off the shackles there in the second half and had a right go, but just came up short in the end”. Players like Pat Horgan, Seamus Harnedy and Eoin Cadogan will be key to the Rebel cause here.

Team News

Galway: TBA

Cork: TBA

Betting

There is not much separating the sides in the betting. Galway are 10/11 and Cork are 11/10. Cork for me have been playing good stuff and with Patrick Horgan in attack they should win this for me. Galway v Cork promises to be a thrilling be sure to follow our live match tracker.

Clare v Dublin: Preview, Team News and live score updates

Clare v Dublin takes place at 2pm on Sunday. The games takes place at Ennis. We have a preview, team news and betting. Be sure to check out our live score updates of the game from the below link.

Click here for LIVE GAA SCORE UPDATES 

Preview

Clare are the only side in Division 1B that remain unbeaten with four games played they have three wins and one draw. The wins came against Laois, Carlow and Wexford. They drew with Kilkenny last time out 1-19 to 3-13. Brian Lohan’s side will be assured of a place in the quarter-finals here at least if they secure a win. Speaking to the Irish Independent Pat O’Connor said after the Kilkenny game, “The league is all about seeing what guys are made of and no better place to test lads, no better scenario,”.

Dublin come into this game knowing a win may bring them into contention for a place in the quarter-finals. They have four points from four games. They have won two games and  lost two games. The wins have come against Carlow and Laois. The losses to Wexford and Kilkenny. Speaking after the defeat to Wexford last time manager Mattie Kenny said, “You’d like to have closed out the game, but you can be sure that there won’t be a puck of the ball between the two sides in the Leinster Championship.” He continued, “The game opened up too much, and it became a 13-a-side game.

Team News

Clare: TBA

Dublin: TBA

Betting

Clare are 1/3 to claim the spoils here. Dublin are 5/2. For me it has to be Clare -3 especially on home soil. There is no live coverage of Clare v Dublin so be sure to check out our updates.

Wexford v Carlow: Preview, Team News and live score updates

Wexford v Carlow takes place at 2pm on Sunday. The games takes place in Wexford Park. We have a preview of the game as well as teams and betting. We will be providing live score updates from the below link.

Click here for LIVE GAA SCORE UPDATES 

Preview

Wexford are in a good position here coming into this game. They currently sit second in Division 1B. They have played four games, winning three and losing one. The wins coming against Laois, Kilkenny and most recently Dublin. Davy Fitzgerald speaking after that game said, “It was probably one of the most frustrating games that I’ve ever been involved in,”. Fitzgerald will looks to players like Jack O’Connor, Diarmuid O’Keeffe and Liam Ryan.

Carlow are staring down at relegation now. They have yet to win a game in Division 1B under Colm Bonnar. They have 4 losses from 4 games. They lost heavily to Kilkenny, Clare and Dublin. However, They lost out 0-15 to 0-14 against Laois. Carlow have good players in their side though with the likes of Marty Kavanagh, John Michael Nolan and Chris Nolan. These players will need to be at their best if Carlow are to come away with the win here.

Team News

Teams have yet to be announced.

Wexford: TBA

Carlow: TBA

Betting

Wexford are massive favourites here at odds of 1/50. Carlow are 12/1 to win. For me it’s a Wexford win and backing them -12 at 5/6 is the selection. There is no live coverage of Wexford v Carlow so be sure to check out our live match tracker.

What Makes The Grand National a Special Event in the Racing Calendar?

In April, we see one of the most significant racing events to hit the calendar. Once again, Aintree Racecourse hosts this popular event that is broadcast the world over. This day sees around 150,000 people over the three-day festival, and it’s never without a dull moment, especially when the outsider’s take the lead. 

 

Aintree Racecourse has hosted the event since 1839 and is just outside the vibrant city of Liverpool. People both nationally and internationally come to see the jockeys in action, and this year is set to be no different as a host of favourites take on the four-mile two-furlong course. 

 

So what makes this event so unique in the racing calendar? 

 

There a number of reasons why this is the case, and in this guide, we will give you an insight into why it’s a nail-biting race to watch either at home or the racecourse. 

It’s unpredictable

 

One of the main aspects of the Aintree grand national is that it is unpredictable. The bookies have their favourites, and a lot of research and statistics go into giving you as much information as possible on the predicted outcome. However, nothing is ever set in stone. The fun part of it is that you never know what might happen and placing that bet on the outsider might actually come up trumps. The race has seen some surprising wins with riders such as Mon Mome in 2009 winning at an odds of 100-1. 

Aintree is steeped in racing history

 

You can’t deny the unrivalled presence Aintree has in the racing world. This course has played host to some of the worlds most exciting and historical events in the racing calendar and continues to be a place where the best jockeys in the world hope to race. Back in the 70s, the racecourse saw the famous horse Red Rum win three consecutive times.

The course puts the rider and horse through their paces

 

This four and a half-mile long racecourse is said to be one of the toughest challenges for horse and jockey. It also has a range of fences that have their own names due to how famous they’ve become. They are notoriously challenging to ride over and make some thrilling watching as the riders take the leap often all in one bundle. 

 

Some of the most famous fence examples are:

 

Becher’s Brook – Named after the rider Captain Martin Becher who hid in the brook at the fence after falling – this fence is a challenging leap as the landing side is approximately six to ten inches lower than the take-off side. 

 

Foinavon – This fence is the smallest in the course but isn’t without its dramatic events. It’s named after the outsider horse that avoided a pile-up here and then went on to win the race. 

 

The Chair – Riders only jump the 15th fence in the race once, but that’s certainly enough. It’s the tallest example on the course and stands at 5ft 2ins with a 6ft drop into a ditch the other side. It’s quite a feat for any rider. 

 

Other famous fences on the course include Valentine’s Brook and Canal Turn. 

The race isn’t just for horseracing fans

 

As the race is shown across the world, it has become a national treasure in the UK. The appeal of the competition is that you don’t have to be an avid fan of horseracing to go ahead and pick your favourites. Of course, the odds make it slightly easier to gauge. However, if you want to try your luck, you can choose what horse you think looks the best or has the funniest name. Some people go for their lucky numbers too, and it can make for some fun competition among family and friends. 

The runners selection process makes it a nail-biting experience 

 

The race is made up of 40 runners, yet there are often around 100 horses entered into the competition for the chance to be selected. The process whittles them down to make the race as close as possible; that way, you’ll always experience a thrilling and nail-biting experience. The horses are chosen closer to the event. However, there is time to withdraw entries depending on the horse and rider. This year’s event takes place on Saturday 4th April, but the confirmed runners won’t be made until 2nd April, where 40 will be chosen along with four reserves. 

You don’t have to be there to feel part of the action

 

The excitement surrounding this event is always unprecedented. As mentioned before, it is broadcast around the world and is one of the most popular sporting events in the racing calendar. The beauty of it is that you don’t have to be at Aintree to experience the electric atmosphere of this race. However, if you do want to, you’ll never experience anything like it. The entire festival has a selection of events, including Liverpool’s Day Thursday and Ladies Day at Aintree on Friday. The main event is on Saturday and will undoubtedly make for thrilling watching. 

 

If you can’t be there, the race will be broadcast on ITV and other news outlets, including online media. 

It’s a fashionable affair

 

Another aspect of the race is the fashion worn on the day. Although there is technically no dress code, smart clothing is preferred and always adhered to by revellers. Some of the top displays include the spectacular ensembles by the ladies who go all out in glamorous dresses and eye-catching hats. The guys look smart too in tailored suits and stylish accessories. There’s also the flurry on celebrities that take to the enclosures. So there could be a chance to spot a star while you enjoy the race. 

 

The Grand National and Aintree are a fixture in British racing history and always provide an explosive event each year. Why not check out your favourites this year and see whether Tiger Roll will be lifting the trophy and scoring his third consecutive win to mirror Red Rum’s success in the 70s.

SQUID Sports and News App will be on Huawei smartphones

SQUID App, a leading media-tech company, has been chosen to be Sports news provider for Huawei smartphones in all countries in Europe. 

SQUID will be content partner for the newsfeed in Huawei Browser and Huawei Assistant. The Huawei Assistant can be reached when swiping to the right (Minus 1 Screen). Users of Huawei Browser and Huawei Assistant will be served a recommended feed with news from several different news topics and a diversity of publishers. Huawei Browser is already now available for download from Huawei AppGallery. Huawei Assistant will be launched on new Huawei models, but is available now for you to test here. 

“We are very excited that Huawei has chosen us as a partner to provide their smartphone users with the most interesting news content. Our goal is to inspire users to read more quality journalism and at the same time help publishers gain more traffic and revenues” , says Johan Othelius, CEO & Founder of SQUID App. 

SQUID App provides Huawei smartphone users with news and content in 29 different languages across 43 countries in Europe. SQUID App’s goal is to give users easy access to interesting and relevant news from trustworthy sources.

10 Things to Know Before Heading to the Grand National

The Grand National is by far the most awaited horse racing event across the country. It attracts everyone, from passionate race lovers to newcomers. It doesn’t matter where you stand; if you want to enjoy the Grand National to the fullest, check out these ten things to know before attending and read the gold cup guide for the festival.  

  1. Aintree Grand National is one of the longest racecourses 

Year after year, an entire nation waits for the Grand National. But did you know that the Aintree racecourse near Liverpool is one of the longest in the UK? The four and a half mile long course is also known as one of the most difficult tracks in the world as its length is paired with 30 fences designed to challenge all of the 40 riders.

  1. The first Grand National was won in 1839

The first Grand National edition was held in 1839 and featured less forgiving fences than it does now. The edition was won by a horse named Lottery.

  1. The first Grand National winner was also the slowest winner

Lottery might be known as the first horse to win the Grand National, but it also holds the title for being the slowest horse to ever win the race. Indeed, it took Lottery a whopping 14 minutes and 53 seconds to win the race, whereas nowadays, races are won in a matter of minutes, if you blink you might miss them.

  1. The youngest jockey to win the Grand National was only 17 years old

The youngest jockey to ever win it, Bruce Hobbs, was only 17 years old when he rode the horse Battleship to victory in 1938. 

  1. The first female jockey raced in the Grand National in 1977

For over 130 years, the Grand National, like many other sports,  was exclusive to men. But, this soon changed as in 1977 Charlotte Brew became the first woman jockey to ever ride a horse during the event. Brew pathed the way for more women to join the race and in 1995, Jenny Pitman was the first female winner of the Grand National.

  1. You don’t have to be a professional jockey to win the Grand National

In fact, many amateur jockeys have won the event throughout the years, including journalist Marcus Armytage in 1990. 

  1. The Chair is the most intimidating fence 

The Grand National counts 30 fences, but only one can intimidate even the most experienced riders. It’s The Chair, a fence standing at 5 feet and 3 inches tall and that can challenge both jockeys and horses. 

  1. Red Rum is the most successful Grand National horse

From all horses to ever race in the Grand National, Red Rum stands out. The horse has won the race three times between 1973 and 1977, despite suffering from a debilitating bone disease. 

  1. Golden Miller is the only horse to have completed the Cheltenham-Grand National double

Golden Miller is the only horse in the Grand National history to have completed the Cheltenham and Grand National double. Not only did he win both races in 1934, but Golden Miller is also the most successful Cheltenham Gold Cup horse, winning five consecutive wins between 1932 and 1936.

  1. Vincent O’Brien was the only trainer to win the Grand National three years in a row

Talking about consecutive years, Vincent O’Brien is one of the most renowned trainers for managing to train three successive champions. His horses Early Mist, Royal Tan, and Quare Times won the Grand National in 1953, 1954, and 1955, respectively. 

Setting an Android TV Box to Watch Live Sport

Setting up an Android TV box to watch sport may seem to be difficult; however, it is an easy process if you know the following tips.

How to Set Up an Android TV Box

Switchonshop is among the leading shops selling TV boxes across the globe. With us, you will never have to worry about quality. Visit us today and pick your MAG425A at a discounted price. Our technical team will help you choose the best item that suits your needs. Setting up the MAG425A box is a straightforward process. Get your device today at Switchonshop and use this article to set up your TV.

Turn off the TV

You should turn off your TV anytime you want to connect or disconnect a device. Read the manual to ensure you are doing it correctly. After connecting the box, turn on the device manually or use the remote.  

Connecting your box to the TV

Boxes like MAG425A  come with an HDMI cable. Connect the two devices and power on the box and wait for the interface to show on your screen. Follow any available prompts to continue with the setup process.

Set the remote

Every device comes with remote control. Power on the remote and use it to power on the TV box. You can also do it manually using the power button. Most of the remotes use AAA batteries.

Select your language

Use your remote to scroll through the menu items. In most of the cases, the device will have an automatic setup process. But, you may need to set the language on the settings tab.

Getting connected

You need to connect to the Internet to access all the features of your Android TV. On the settings tab, click on the network and set up the WiFi connection, the process is like connecting an android phone. You can then download apps and games or even stream videos.

Updating the firmware

Just like your android phone, your smart TV contains apps that need to be frequently updated. Installing and upgrading your firmware should be the first thing before installing other apps. Firmware updates may erase other apps, so always do it first.

Setting up Kodi

Kodi is an app that works with most common TV boxes; you can use it or use the other apps. This app comes with many features that make streaming more accessible. Some boxes are already preinstalled with this app, but you may also download it from the play store. With Kodi, you can organize all the media in your box. If you decide to work with Kodi, change your box settings to avoid problems with buffering.

Secure your Android TV box with a VPN

Once your TV is set up for viewing, you need to secure it so that no one can invade your privacy. A good VPN will encrypt your data to safeguard you from hackers when you are using your TV online.

Conclusion

Setting up your TV box is not difficult. I hope this guide will help you with the right information on how to set up your Android TV. Use it as a guideline whenever you have your new TV box.

 

 

 

10 Best Snow Parks in Europe

Exceptional snow parks are highly sought after by skiers and snowboarders all over the world. They are always prepared to travel for thousands of miles, just to experience world-class snow parks.

As much as there aren’t many of them, Europe is home to some magnificent snow parks. If you’ve been looking forward to a mind-blowing skiing experience, look no further. Here are, in our opinion, the 10 best snow parks in Europe;

  1. Penken Park Mayrhofen, Austria

Over the years, Austria has gained much acclaim as a world-class skiing destination. Among its renowned snow parks is the Penken Park Mayrhofen.

This is an incredible terrain park located in the Austrian Alps. It has four modern chairlifts to facilitate the movement of visitors from one point to another. 

Skiers and snowboarders that visit this park can expect a riveting skiing adventure. With over 8 ski areas, Penken Park Mayrhofen is undoubtedly a skier’s paradise. 

The park is well maintained. It is usually reshaped during the afternoons to preserve its revered stature.

  1. Absolut Park Flachauwinkl, Austria

With a variety of over 100 strategically placed obstacles, Absolut Park Flachauwinkl, in Austria, present the ultimate challenge for snowboarders and skiers of all levels. The park area is about 1.5 kilometers. This makes it one of the largest terrain parks in Europe. Moreover, it is just one hour drive away from Salzburg airport.

The park has different ski areas with family-friendly features. The crew that maintains it works around the clock to build some new creative obstacles regularly. It also has a section with challenging terrain for advanced skiers and snowboarders. Additionally, there is a chill house where family and friends can relax during the day.

  1. Park Avenue, Les Deux Alpes Park, France

Park Avenue, Les Deux Park is a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders. This unique park is known to change its positions during different seasons of the year. When summer comes, the park moves to the top of the glacier. That’s a height of about 3200 meters.

The park is served by a button lift and 2 chairlifts. As much as this park accommodates skiers of all levels, most of its features favor free-stylers. The rail and boxes are beginner-friendly, but as skiers progress, the level of difficulty increases. 

A cool park and barbecue area are available for visitors to interact, relax and grab a bite.

  1. Borovets snow park, Bulgaria

Borovets Snow Park is 78 kilometers away from the airport in Sofia. The park sits beside the famous Popangelov Ski Slope. With 4 difficulty levels, skiers have the chance to try out numerous challenges. 

Some of its features include flat boxes, kickers and rails.  

There is a strong Wi-Fi connection in the park. This allows skiers and snowboarders to browse comfortably and allows them to upload the shots that they take from the pack on their social media accounts.

  1. Tignes, France

Looking for an exciting snow park in Europe? Tignes ranks among the top snow parks in Europe. There are two ways to access this park. One is through the Col Du Palet drag lift while the other one is via the Grattalu lift.

Tignes has a variety of ski areas for beginners and intermediaries. The rails and kickers may not be big, but they are most skiers and snowboarders’ delight. Those who have refined their skills can try out the free airbag and half-pipe.

Skiers have the rare opportunity to record their skills through the ‘Shoot My Ride’ system offered at the park. This means that they can watch the footage online later.

  1. Snow Park Formigal, Spain

Formigal may not be a popular snow park, but it is spectacular. The park is big. It is about 90000sqm. This allows skiers and snowboarders to try out various jumps. 

With over 40 interesting features categorized in 3 difficulty levels, there is something for everyone.

Every year, different modules are installed across the Formigal snow park to make it more thrilling. What’s more, is that this park hosts exciting equipment testing events as well as competitions throughout the year.

  1. Snow Park El Tarter, Andorra

Snow Parke El Tarter lies in the exotic Iberian Peninsula. The park measures a staggering 1.3 kilometers, which makes it an ideal playground for skiers and snowboarders. 

All riders can easily find their space in this park and fulfill their wildest dreams.

Some competitions such as the Grandvalira Total Fight are held in this park. Skiers who are lucky enough can catch the ongoing action.

  1. Grindelwald, Switzerland

Grindewald is an impeccable snowpark. It is well-kempt for the enjoyment of all visitors. Snowboarders can access the beginners’ park from the Oberoch chairlift.

This park has numerous rails, boxes, and kickers that range from small to medium. The airbag is open to all skiers and there is a superpipe section for any snowboarder who wishes to show off some advanced skills.

  1. Snowpark Seiser Alm, Italy

Located in Italy, the Snowpark Seiser Alm is one of the largest in the Dolomites. The park has about 70 structures set aside for veteran snowboarders. Because of these features, it is ranked among the top 3 Best Freestyle Resorts in the world.

The park has previously been used as a training ground by the national Italian ski and snowboard team for the winter Olympics.

  1. Area EffePila, Italy

Pila might be a small resort situated in Italy, but it’s quite famous. It is an award-winning snow park with impeccably groomed lines where skiers and snowboarders are bound to have an incredible experience. 

Visitors use the Grand Grimod chairlift to access this park all day long.

Pila Park isn’t graced by professionals as it’s more of a fun park. The obstacles and kickers in this park are all beginners-friendly. Also, friendly competitions and parties are held in different sections of this park.

If you have been on a quest to find the best snow parks in Europe, this list offers some great insight for you. All the snow parks mentioned above stand out in different ways. Pick one and we assure you that you will have tremendously memorable skiing or snowboarding adventure. 

However, if you are still looking for more inspiration, check out Ridestore Magazine’ 50 Best Snowparks in Europe as voted by a team of expert judges, including professional snowboarder Olya Smeshlivaya (3 Time Russian Champion Pro Snowboarder & European Cup Medalist) and professional skier Florian Preuss (Big Air & Pipe Freeski German team member & German Slopestyle Champion). 

Ireland v Italy postponed due to coronavirus

 Ireland v Italy which was scheduled to take place on March 7th has been postponed due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Chief Executive of the IRFU Philip Browne confirmed the news on Wednesday afternoon. He stated the IRFU were acting on government advice. He said the organisation was perfectly happy to comply with it’s recommendations. The decision to postpone the game comes on the back of a meeting with Simon Harris. He stated it was the “right decision” in the interest of public health. Harris said the meeting was excellent. However he expressed some supporters will be disappointed that the game has been called off.

The IRFU released a statement confirming the news following a meeting with Simon Harris. The meeting was to request a formal instruction of the staging of Ireland v Italy games on the weekend of 6/8th of March.  The statement continued, “At the outset we made it clear that the IRFU was supportive of the Governments’ need to protect public health in relation to the Coronavirus”. The IRFU said they were advised, formally, that The National Public Health Emergency team has determined that the series of matches should not proceed. This of course in the interests of Public Health.

The game is likely to be rescheduled as to when is still has to be decided. The statement said, “We will immediately begin to work with our Six Nations partners to look at the possibility of rescheduling the matches”. They said an update will be issued on this.

Personally, it is the right decision as public health is paramount. England play Wales that same weekend, while France meet Scotland at Murrayfield. There is several cases in France at present with some deaths. Whether this game will be postponed or not is another question but I suspect it will.

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