Rugby Transfer News – Six Players Commit To Munster

Rugby transfer news – It was a good morning for Munster Rugby fans with six players committing to the club.

Stephen Archer, Dan Goggin and Liam O’Connor have all signed contract extensions with the province, while Academy trio Liam Coombes, Alex McHenry and Jack O’Sullivan will be promoted to the senior ranks at the beginning of the 2020/21 season.

All six players have advanced from the provincial pathway.

Stephen Archer has been a vital member of the Munster squad since making his debut against Edinburgh in October 2009.

The 31-year-old is one of just 11 players to have played more than 200 games for the province and has earned two Ireland caps.

The Cork native has been a near ever-present over the past three seasons with 29 appearances last year, more than any other player in the squad, and 28 appearances in the two preceding campaigns.

Archer has signed a two-year contract extension that will see him remain with Munster until at least June 2022.

Dan Goggin has established himself as a regular in the province’s team sheets with the 25-year-old making 55 appearances for Munster, scoring seven tries.

Combining his speed and physicality, the Limerick native plays a key role across the backline. Goggin, who was deservedly named last season’s Young Player of the Year, has signed a two-year contract extension that will see him remain with the province until at least June 2022.

Prop Liam O’Connor has also put pen to paper on a two-year extension. The 24-year-old has made 26 appearances since making his competitive debut against Stade Francais in the Champions Cup in January 2016.

An exciting prospect, the Cork-man has showed great resilience in returning from a long-term injury that saw him miss out on a year of rugby in 2018.

In advancing from his final year of the Greencore Munster Rugby Academy, Jack O’Sullivan will be promoted to the senior ranks next season after signing a three-year contract.

The back row is first cousin to brothers Rory and Niall Scannell. Having missed the majority of last season through injury, the 21-year-old showed a glimpse of what’s to come when he marked his first senior appearance with a fantastic solo try against London Irish in pre-season.

He has since made five competitive appearances in red, including his Champions Cup debut against Ospreys last week.

Continuing the family theme, fellow third year Greencore Academy player Liam Coombes will follow in first cousin Gavin’s footsteps when he moves up to a senior contract next season.

The winger made an impressive try-scoring debut against Cheetahs in Bloemfontein in November 2018 and has made four appearances at senior level. The 22-year-old has signed a one-year contract with the province.

Alex McHenry also progresses to the senior squad after his final year in the Academy. The centre made his Guinness PRO14 debut away to Benetton last April and has scored four tries in 14 Munster A appearances in the Celtic Cup and British & Irish Cup. The 22-year-old has also signed a one-year contract.

Commenting on the contract news, Head Coach Johann van Graan said: “Getting these six contracts confirmed is really great news for the province. Stephen, Dan, both Liams, Jack and Alex are hugely talented players, and as a result of the work carried out at club and schools level, we get to reap the benefits every time they pull on a red jersey.”

GAA Review – Galway battle to beat Monaghan

Allianz Football League – Division 1

Galway 1-14 Monaghan 0-16

Pearse Stadium, Salthill

January 26th 2020 @2:30pm,
Referee: Maurice Deegan (Laois)

The Padráic Joyce era got off to a winning start in front of over 7,600 at a crisp Pearse Stadium this afternoon. They did it the hard way, holding on late into stoppage time to a single point lead.

Padráic Joyce celebrating after Galway’s slender win over Monaghan. Photo Credit: Shane Tighe

Joyce has yet to show his full hand as Galway are still short some of their club contingent. Corofin captured their third All-Ireland Club crown on the trot last weekend. While Oughterard added the Intermediate All-Ireland for the county with a win over Monaghan’s Maghercloone in the curtain-raiser to Dublin v Kerry at headquarters yesterday evening.

Pre-season has shown promise for Galway new approach as the FBD title was secured with a win over Roscommon. But that would count for little, as Monaghan in top-flight action would be a more daunting proposition. Séamus ‘Banty’ McEnaney was back at the helm for the Farney men as they came in search of another win at Pearse Stadium. Two years ago Monaghan cruised to an easy win in a Super 8 game at the Salthill venue.

The home side started well with two early points from a Shane Walsh free and a cleverly dummied point from the inventive Finian Ó Laoí. The later coming into the starting side as a late change for Tomás Flynn.

Monaghan responded in-kind with two points from Conor McManus. McManus was also a late change to the Monaghan line-up. Not originally listed to start the veteran forward came into the side in a late reshuffle for full-back Drew Wylie. Needless to say, McManus did his work at the other end of the field as Ryan Wylie, Dessie Ward and Dermot Malone all dropped back a line.

Crucial Goal

A further two-point exchange between the sides saw the score tied at 0-4 apiece before Robert Finnerty struck for the games only goal. Shane Walsh showed great vision to pick out Michael Boyle, who in turn fed the goal scorer. Finnerty, the son of former Mayo stalwart Anthony, showed great composure to round Rory Beggan in the Farey goal before slotting the ball into the empty net.

Monaghan reduced the gap to a single point with scores from Kieran Hughes and Conor McCarthy, but the home side pushed on with a trio of unanswered points from Adrian Varley and Shane Walsh (0-2).

The drama continued unabated during this spell as there were goal chances at either end. Firstly a stray fisted back pass from Ryan McAnespie caught Beggan flat-footed and the keeper did well to prevent it from ending up in the net. Soon after at the other end, Monaghan had a glorious chance to square things up when Dessie Ward was fouled. However, Conor Gleeson in the Galway goal sprung to his right to parry away Connor McManus’s spot-kick. Gleeson, a former Galway United goalkeeper, is quickly gaining a reputation as a fine shot-stopper. He also saved two spot-kicks in Galway’s recent FBD final shoot-out win over Roscommon.

Conor Gleeson pushes away Conor McManus’ penalty effort late in the first-half. Photo credit: Shane Tighe.

Monaghan Kepper’ Rory Beggan drove over a 45’ and Tuam Stars wing-back Gary O’Donnell shot over at the other end to a goal separating the sides tied at the interval. Galway 1-08 v Monaghan 0-8.

Second-half

Galway outscored Monaghan 3 points to 1 after the restart to push the gap out to five points. Firstly Finnerty blazed over the bar when he could have had a second goal, before McManus responded for the Farney men. Paul Conroy and Walsh then added two more Galway scores.

At this stage it looked like the home side would pull away for a comfortable win. However, Padraic Joyce’s side then showed the failings of old. They took their foot off the gas and went the next twenty minutes without a score. Monaghan made hay during this spell. The tactic of Rory Beggan carrying the ball upfield unmolested reaped dividends. The Monaghan keeper’s forays up past his own 45’ created space for others. Five unanswered points from Kieran Hughes, McManus, McCarron and substitutes Chris McGuinness & Aaron Mulligan level up the game at 1-11 v 0-14 as the game entered the last ten minutes of regulation time.

A Shane Walsh free, after he had been cynically taken down, edged Galway back in front. Conor McManus then tied the game up again. A move that started with a goal-line clearance from Seán Mullkerrin led to a fisted point for Damien Comer. Matthias Barrett then added another point from the kick-out. Conor McManus cut the gap to the minimum with a sublime free-kick from the lefthand sideline.

Galway hung-on during five additional minutes at the end as the Farney men pressed for a draw. They survived a hop-ball inside their 22’ and an even later scare when they won a free out at the death.

Galway

Connor Gleeson (Dunmore)
Johny Duane (St.James)
Seán Mulkerrin (Oileáin Árann)
Johnny Heaney (Killanin)
Gary O’Donnell (Tuam Stars) 0-1
John Daly (Mountbellew/Moylough)
Cillian McDaid (Monevia/Abbey)
Finián Ó Laoí (An Spidéal) 0-1
Céin D’Arcy (Cathair Loisgreain). 0-1
Paul Conroy (St.James) 0-1
Michael Boyle (Killerrin)
Michael Daly (Mountbellew/Moylough)
Adrian Varley (Cortoon Shamrocks) 0-1
Shane Walsh (Kilkerrin/Clonberne) 0-6 5f
Robert Finnerty (Salthill/Knocknacarra) 1-01

Subs:
Damien Comer (Annaghdown) 0-1
Eammon Brannigan (St. Michael’s)
Matthais Barrett (Leitir Mór)
Liam Costello (Milltown)
Sean Kelly (Moycullen) 0-1

Monaghan

Rory Beggan (An Bhoth) 0-1 45’
Kieran Duffy (Leachtain) 0-1
Conor Boyle (Cluain Tiobraid)
Karl O’Connell (Tigh Thalainn)
Ryan Mc Anespie (Scairbh na gCaorach) 0-1
Ryan Wylie (Béal Átha Beithe)
Darren Hughes (An Bhoth)
Niall Kearns (Seán Mac Diramada)
Kieran Hughes (An Bhoth) 0-2
Michael Bannigan (Achadh na Muileann)
Dessie Ward (Béal Átha Beithe)
Dermot Malone (Fág An Bealach)
Conor McCarthy (An Bhoth) 0-1
Jack McCarron (Curraichín) 0-2 1f

2020 Super Rugby Squads & Fixture dates

2020 Super Rugby Squads & Fixture dates have been announced and a huge 46 ‘rookies’ have signed their first contracts.

New Zealand’s next generation of young stars, a splash of international talent and a strong core of established stars are spread across the five Investec Super Rugby squads named to contest the competition’s 25th year.

Forty-six ‘rookies’, defined as those players who have signed their first full-time Investec Super Rugby contracts, are among the 195 players contracted to the Blues, Chiefs, Crusaders, Highlanders and Hurricanes for the 2020 season.

There are also nine international players with all five clubs fielding at least one, seven sets of siblings, and 11 players whose fathers also played Investec Super Rugby.

The official rookies’ class of 2020 is:

Blues (8): Emoni Narawa, Kurt Eklund, Baden Wardlaw (Bay of Plenty), Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa (Auckland), Jared Page, Mark Telea, Jack Heighton (North Harbour), Jordan Hyland* (Northland).

Chiefs (9): Bradley Slater*, Kini Naholo, Lisati Milo-Harris (Taranaki), Quinn Tupaea (Waikato), Ryan Coxon* (Tasman), Naitoa Ah Kuoi (Wellington), Dylan Nel (Otago), Kaleb Trask (Bay of Plenty), Orbyn Leger* (Counties Manukau).

Hurricanes (5): Kane Leaupepe* (Bay of Plenty), Xavier Numia* (Wellington), Pouri Rakete-Stones, Devan Flanders, Danny Toala* (Hawke’s Bay).

Crusaders (12): Isi Tuungafasi* (Northland), George Bower* (Otago), Tom Christie, Brodie McAlister*, Cullen Grace, Fergus Burke, Inga Finau, Dallas McLeod (Canterbury), Ethan Roots (North Harbour), Sione Havili*, Fetuli Paea (Tasman), Sevu Reece* (Waikato).

Highlanders (12): Jeff Thwaites*, Zane Kapeli (Bay of Plenty), Jona Nareki, Ricky Jackson, Sione Misiloi (Otago), Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Ethan De Groot (Southland), Jesse Parete* (Taranaki), Kirisi Kuridrani** (Counties Manukau), Teariki Ben-Nicholas, Connor Garden-Bachop (Wellington), Scott Gregory (Northland).

*Previously played Investec Super Rugby on an interim contract.
**Previously played Super Rugby in Australia.

To view the full list of 2020 Super Rugby Squads & Fixture Investec Super Rugby Squads click here: Full list of 2020 Super Rugby Fixtures click here

Highlighting the strength of New Zealand Rugby’s development pathway are eight players from the 2019 New Zealand Under 20 squad – Dallas McLeod, Cullen Grace, Fergus Burke and Leicester Faingaanuku (Crusaders); Etene Nanai-Seturo, Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs); Devan Flanders (Hurricanes); and Scott Gregory (Highlanders). An additional 21 players have previously been part of the New Zealand Under 20 programme.

Lock Cullen Grace at the Crusaders will be the youngest player at 19 years old, while Hurricanes prop Ben May will be the oldest, at 37.

Nanai-Seturo and Gregory, along with Caleb Clarke (Blues) and Salesi Rayasi (Hurricanes), have put their names forward to join the All Blacks Sevens Olympic campaign next year, meaning the Chiefs, Highlanders, Blues and Hurricanes have been allowed to contract an extra player as cover for the 2020 season.

There are nine international recruits including thrice-capped England and Harlequins centre-wing Joe Marchant at the Blues, and former Sharks centre Kobus van Wyk, who joins the Hurricanes from South Africa.

Canadian captain Tyler Ardron returns from Rugby World Cup duties to the Chiefs, Tongan Rugby World Cup call-up Fetuli Paea joins the Crusaders, while former Australian under 20s representative Kirisi Kuridrani links up with the Highlanders.

Other international players include Samoa’s Ray Niuia (Blues) and Kane Leaupepe (Hurricanes), Tonga’s Zane Kapeli (Highlanders), and United States representative Tony Lamborn (Blues).

Family ties are as strong as ever. Rookies Isi Tuungafasi (Crusaders) and Connor Garden-Bachop (Highlanders) and the return of Peter Umaga-Jensen (Hurricanes) join the ranks of sibling sets which total seven in 2020.

Tuungafasi is the younger brother of Blues and All Blacks prop Ofa, Garden-Bachop is the younger brother of Hurricanes first five-eighth Jackson, while Umaga-Jensen’s twin brother Thomas is a Highlander. The other twins are the Goodhue boys, Jack (Crusaders) and Josh (Blues).

Beauden Barrett’s move to the Blues means the family’s sibling rivalry now stretches across three clubs with Jordie at the Hurricanes, and Scott with the Crusaders. Rieko and Akira Ioane (Blues); and the Lienert-Brown boys Anton (Chiefs) and Daniel (Highlanders) round out the seven sets of Super siblings.

New Zealand Rugby Chief Rugby Officer Nigel Cass congratulated all the players on their selection.

“The year following a Rugby World Cup inevitably creates opportunities for young players and we are fortunate that a large group of players have taken that chance with both hands.

“The Mitre 10 Cup has once again developed players to a high level and our New Zealand Under 20 programme continues to deliver exceptional talent.”

The mixture of youth and experience across the five squads was symbolic of how the competition had evolved during the past 25 years, Cass said.

“When you see there are 11 players in the 2020 squads whose father also played Super Rugby, you start to appreciate the competition’s rich history.

“Like those players, many of our fans will have a deep connection to Super Rugby through attending matches with their parents, and now bringing their own children to the games.

“We’ve moved kick-off times forward to make the competition more accessible to families and we’re looking forward to making more special memories as we celebrate 25 years with some exciting and entertaining rugby.”

As well as early kick-off times Investec Super Rugby clubs have individual kids-free season pass offerings for the 2020 season.

The 2020 Investec Super Rugby season officially kicks off on 31 January.

Full Investec Super Rugby Squads

Blues 2020 squad

Chiefs 2020 squad

Crusaders 2020 squad

Highlanders 2020 squad

Hurricanes 2020 squad

OPENING WEEKEND FIXTURES

Friday, January 31: Blues v Chiefs, Brumbies v Reds, Sharks v Bulls;

Saturday, February: 1: Sunwolves v Rebels, Crusaders v Waratahs, Stormers v Hurricanes, Jaguares v Lions.

Tournament Notes

The tournament’s 15-team, three-Conference format remains the same in 2020. Each team plays 16 regular season conference matches that include eight matches within their own Conference (home and away) and four matches against teams from each of the other Conferences (home or away). Each team also has two byes. This is a total of 120 matches in the regular season.

Australia Conference: Brumbies, Rebels, Reds, Waratahs, Sunwolves [Japan]

New Zealand Conference: Blues, Chiefs, Crusaders, Highlanders, Hurricanes

South African Conference: Bulls, Lions, Sharks, Stormers, Jaguares [Argentina]

The Finals series will again comprise a seven-match, three-week, eight-team finals series. Each of the three Conference winners will host a quarter-final. The team with the most tournament points that is not a Conference winner, regardless of Conference, will host the fourth quarter-final. This Wildcard team will be joined in the quarter-finals by the next best four Wildcard teams based on tournament points and regardless of Conference

Horse Racing Betting: Key Factors, Tips and Popular Strategies

According to one version, it was at the hippodrome that bookmakers and sports betting were born.

At first glance, everything is simple in horse racing: I chose a horse, put it on it, and if it came first, I got a win. In fact, betting on horse racing, like any other sport, has its own nuances. In this material we will try to talk about the main and main.

Horse racing is one of the most popular sports in a number of countries: in the USA, Australia, Britain, the United Arab Emirates. Competitions are held at different distances and on various coatings (grass, sand, etc.), and only this already indicates that you need to understand before placing bets on horse racing.

Types of horse racing bets

Consider the most common horse racing betting options:

Bet on winner – Everything is simple here. The usual type of bet on the winner of the race. We choose a horse, and if she comes to the finish line first, we get a win. There is also the opportunity to choose a horse and make the opposite bet, that is, if he does not come to the finish line first, you get a win.

Place, Show, and Across the Board Bets. To increase the probability of winning, winners win. That is, the selected horse should be in the top 3 at the end of the race.

Betting on the winners in the correct sequence. Also in races there is such a type of bets as Forecast. Here the player must guess the horses that will come first and second in the race. The variation of the bet can change, giving the player the opportunity to place randomly on certain places that the horses will occupy.

Some bookmakers with Forecast offer the Tricast bet option. This bet is identical to the above, with only one caveat: here you need to choose three horses already.

Who has a higher position. In this bet, a player from any two horses selects the one who will take a higher place. That is, throughout the race, the player observes the duel of two horses.

Horse Racing Betting Useful Tips

Decide on the type of racing and race

There are not many leaps in the world. Especially in summer. Therefore, we advise you to determine the type of horse racing and specific races that you will watch regularly and for which you will always have comprehensive information. In the future, bet only on them. Also, We advise you to read free horse racing tips from professional racing tipsters.

Create a database

If you follow one of the races stably, then most likely you can easily navigate in the form of its participants. Creating a database in which you will enter information about the races and participants will significantly increase your chances of winning.

By the way, there are special services that collect and provide download statistics.

Pay attention to the weather.

Racing in the summer months is the most difficult for bookies. Basically, the weather at this time is good, the track is dry and the same during all races.

Nevertheless, with changing weather, the result may change. So pay attention to her. When analyzing the results of the horses, pay attention to the conditions under which they gained victories and in what conditions they will have to compete in the upcoming race.

Take into account the style of the participants

Evaluate the style of each of the horses and the form in which they approached the race. Not many players pay attention to the style of horses, and you need to have a “scoop” to use this factor. For example, two leaders of a race can “drive” from the start and become so carried away by a personal confrontation that a horse running right behind them will get a chance to finish.

Bet not on jockeys names, but on the form

Horses from big stables are not always real favorites. Of course, in the eyes of bookmakers and most players, they will remain the main contenders for the victory. But you should pay attention not to the name, but to the form in which this or that horse approaches the race. Far from the fact that the popular horse finishes first. Arm yourself with the results.

Also pay attention to the trainers. Coaches who are young and hungry for victories often give better results than their venerable colleagues, who are fed up with success.

Avoid clear favorites, bet on victory / place

It is extremely rare that a bet on a steed with a coefficient below 2.00 is valued. Better to avoid betting on clear favorites. Better to bet on victory / place (each-way bet), and it is better to bet on races in which 8-10 horses take part.

Draw factor

It is important for the player to understand which of the horses will have the greatest chance of success. A lot depends on the draw: which race participant will start the race. The soil on different parts of the track may differ, respectively, this may give an advantage to one of the horses, and for the other, on the contrary, create difficulties.

What should you pay attention to in betting on horse racing?

Horse age

Undoubtedly, a young horse at short distances has a better chance than his “elderly” brother. But if you are a fan of long-distance races, then experience plays the main role.

Race length

Before you make a bet, you need to know how long the race will be and if there was a break in front of it at the mount. If this is a sprint (short run), then the horse needs to rest for at least a month, but if it is a long distance, then a long break is not necessary, or rather, it is undesirable.

Jockey weight

The average weight of a jockey is 60 kilograms. But novice athletes are allowed to exceed this limit to improve balance with the steed. So it becomes clear that the easier the jockey is, the more experienced it is and has more chances to win.

Weather

Weather, as in other outdoor sports, can bring unexpected results when the favorites are inferior to outsiders. Therefore, before betting, it is necessary to clarify the weather conditions at the hippodrome.

Horse Racing Strategies

Trixie

The most popular horse racing game strategy. Immediately make a reservation that it does not guarantee a 100% win. In equestrian sport, as in any other discipline, there are sensations where the favorites are inferior to outsiders.

In the first races of the day, you must select three favorites at different racetracks with a coefficient of at least 2.00. Then the selected horses must be combined into one bet called “Trixie”. That is, you need to make one triple accumulator bet and three double bets.

Example:

horse 1 + horse 2

horse 2 + horse 3

horse 1 + horse 3

horse 1 + horse 2 + horse 3

The bet amount for each is £100 (in total – £400). The odds for any of the favorites are 2.00. If two of the three horses win, you win back your bet, and if all three horses get into the top three, then the prize will be £2000 (for double expresses £400 and a “tee” – £800).

A similar system can be used when betting on two favorites in the initial (morning) races. Only now you need to put two ordinaries on the favorites and one express.

Al-Capone Accountant Strategy

According to legend, the following strategy for betting on races was invented by the chief accountant of an American gangster. Its essence is that the player finds races where the odds offered by the bookmakers for favorites are overstated and fluctuate around 4.00. Then a bet is made on several favorites at once. If one horse wins, the player remains in the black.

Video – Chris Farrell On The New Structure In The Ireland Camp

Munster and Ireland centre Chris Farrell is enjoying the week long training camp in Portugal. Having eased their way in earlier in the week the team had an intense session today.

Farrell is enjoying the new structure of the week, the voices in the coaching team and having the younger players in camp.

Most Anticipated Soccer Events of 2020

In 2019 there were many moments for soccer fans to rejoice. We saw Liverpool beating Barcelona which was the highlight of the year, Brazil lifted at cup at the Copa America on home soil, USWNT won the World Cup and an appropriate closing moment for the decade, Mexico reclaimed the Gold Cup.

However, we don’t expect things to slow down even a bit in 2020, as there are some of the biggest football events scheduled this year. If you are anticipating a lot of fun and excitement in 2020 then you are not misplaced. Soccer is a game that never stops, there are always events to look forward too. There might be no World Cup in 2020, but still, the year is packed with some high energy clashes. This might be the time to test your knowledge and skills and make some profit wagering against soccer odds for the following biggest soccer events in 2020.

Women’s Champions League Final in 2020

Women soccer might not share the riches as the male version of the game, still, there are millions of women’s football fans across the globe. For them, 2020 has the Women’s Championship League Final scheduled to be played on May 24 (that’s a Sunday so you will have all the time you need!). To be played at the Franz Horr Stadium in Vienna, Austria, the event is expected to draw a lot of crowd and fan following.

Women’s soccer is growing at an unprecedented pace in Europe as seen in France here seven of the eight Women’s World Cup quarterfinalists made it to UEFA. The final of the tournament was placed in Lyon, the city home to the best women’s club in the world.

My bet will be on Lyon to win the final in 2020 given the fact that the club has already won four titles in a row. Last Champions League season, Lyon beat Barcelona to win their sixth soccer title which made for an impressive game to watch. If you are not familiar with the team, then we would like to mention that Lyon includes the French trio Amandine Henry, Wendie Renard and Eugenie Le Sommer, the Netherland’s Shanice van de Sanden, English soccer player Lucy Bronze, Ada Hegerberg from Norway, Germany’s Dzsenifer Marozsan and Canadian player Kadeisha Buchanan.

Mens 2020 Champions League Final

Slated to be played at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey on May 30, Champions League Final is already promising so much.

The last season of the League had so much to offer, that fans will be coming back in much larger number for some more greatness this season. We saw Liverpool’s epic comeback against Barcelona, Ajax’s promising run in the League that came to a nightmarish end, PSG’s hilarious loss at the hands of Manchester United, but the final was not so memorable.

But in 2020 Champions League Final has so many expectations and FAQs. Will Zinedine Zidane will be able to capture the fourth title for the fourth time? Can Pep Guardiola fulfil City’s fans expectation to take them to the next level? How will Italy hold against Atalanta? Will we again witness the desperation of PSG, Barcelona and Juventus?

So many questions just raise the anticipation even more.

David McGoldrick celebrates the Republic of Ireland’s opening goal against Gibraltar. Credit: UEFA Nations League @UEFAEURO.

2020 Copa América Tournament

It will be 341 days after Brazil won the Copa America tournament on the home soil, then we will see the teams competing all over again in Argentina and Colombia when the 2020 Copa America kicks in.

The tournament will be played between June 12 and July 12 with games spread across nine different cities in Argentina and Colombia. The highlight of this year’s Copa is that it will be co-hosted between the two nations. Argentina’s host position means we can most certainly expect Lionel Messi to be part of the competition for the last time as he turns 33 next June.

Such an early repeat of Cope is because CONMEBOL wants the tournament to be in-line with the European League titles.

UEFA Euro 2020

In 2020, the European Cup turns 60 and to celebrate UEFA has decided to host the 2020 Euros across 12 cities in 12 different European countries. League matches start from June 12 and final will be played on July 12.

While Wembley Stadium in London will host the semifinals and the final, cities of Russia, Germany, Italy and Azerbaijan will be gearing up for the quarterfinals. We can expect a lot of action when the 24 nations qualify for the tournament with Portugal defending its Cup. In Euro 2016, France had a shocking upset at hands of the Portuguese team, so here is another factor to be excited about the tournament when French play to claim the Cup.

ESPN and Univision will be broadcasting the tournament in partnership, so you might want to get them if you already haven’t.

2020 Summer Olympics

The Olympics always excite me. Let’s be honest which other sporting event gets this much diverse pool of teams and players and sporting event variation.

Starting from July 24, the 2020 Summer Olympics will see men’s U-23 contest as well as women’s tournament taking place. While men’s competition is not particularly popular in the soccer world, women’s football in the Olympics is a whole other affair. It is the second-largest women’s soccer event after the World Cup. Germany is last season’s gold medalist while USWNT failed to make it to the finals losing in quarterfinals to Sweden.

To be hosted across six different Japanese cities we are expecting Japan to be the favorites as the hosting nation. But USWNT will also be heavily followed in the 2020 Summer Olympics. Not to mention the English team Great Britain that will have the best women footballers from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

This year is particularly important for women’s soccer as they have the two most important events this year. We are absolutely sure, that in 2020 there will be enough excitement for soccer fans from all over the world with some of the best events coming up.

National Football League Fixtures 2020

We have all the GAA national league Gaelic Football league fixtures for 2020, with Dublin, Kerry, Tyrone, and Galway looking to lift the trophy.

Saturday 1 February

FL Division 1 round 2
Mayo v Dublin, MacHale Park, 7pm – eir Sport
Kerry v Galway, Austin Stack Park, 7pm

FL Division 2 round 2
Laois v Armagh, MW Hire O’Moore Park, 6pm
Cavan v Westmeath, Kingspan Breffni, 7pm

FL Division 3 round 2
Down v Derry, Pairc Esler, 7pm

FL Division 4 round 2
Wexford v Carlow, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 2pm

HL Division 1 Group A round 2
Cork v Tipperary, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 7pm – eir Sport

HL Division 2B round 2
Warwickshire v Kildare, Pairc na hEireann, 2pm

HL Division 3B round 2
Sligo v Lancashire, Markievicz Park, 1pm

Sunday 2 February

FL Division 1 round 2
Monaghan v Tyrone, Castleblayney, 2pm
Meath v Donegal, Pairc Tailteann, 2.30pm – TG4 (deferred coverage)

FL Division 2 round 2
Clare v Kildare, Cusack Park, 2pm
Fermanagh v Roscommon, Brewster Park, 2pm

FL Division 3 round 2
Louth v Tipperary, Gaelic Grounds, 2pm
Leitrim v Cork, Pairc Sean MacDiarmada, 2pm
Offaly v Longford, O’Connor Park, 2pm

FL Division 4 round 2
Limerick v London, Kilmallock, 12pm
Wicklow v Waterford, Aughrim, 2pm
Sligo v Antrim, Markievicz Park, 2pm

HL Division 1 Group A round 2
Westmeath v Waterford, TEG Cusack Park, 2pm
Limerick v Galway, LIT Gaelic Grounds, 2.30pm – TG4 (live coverage)

HL Division 1 Group B round 2
Dublin v Laois, Parnell Park, 2pm
Carlow v Kilkenny, Netwatch Cullen Park, 2pm
Wexford v Clare, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 2pm – TG4 (deferred coverage)

HL Division 2A round 2
Meath v Wicklow, Pairc Tailteann, 12.30pm
Antrim v Mayo, Loughgiel, 2pm
Kerry v Offaly, Austin Stack Park, 2pm

HL Division 2B round 2
Down v Roscommon, Ballycran, 12.30pm
London v Derry, Ruislip, 2pm

HL Division 3A round 2
Longford v Louth, Glennon Bros Pearse Park, 2pm
Armagh v Monaghan, Athletic Grounds, 2pm
Tyrone v Donegal, Healy Park, 2pm

HL Division 3B round 2
Cavan v Fermanagh, Kingspan Breffni, 2pm

Saturday 8 February

FL Division 1 round 3
Dublin v Monaghan, Croke Park, 7pm – eir Sport

FL Division 2 round 3
Armagh v Kildare, Athletic Grounds, 7pm – eir Sport

FL Division 4 round 3
Waterford v Wexford, Fraher Field, 7pm

Sunday 9 February

FL Division 1 round 3
Meath v Mayo, Pairc Tailteann, 2pm
Donegal v Galway, Letterkenny, 2pm
Tyrone v Kerry, Healy Park, 2pm

FL Division 2 round 3
Westmeath v Fermanagh, TEG Cusack Park, 2pm
Laois v Cavan, MW Hire O’Moore Park, 2pm
Roscommon v Clare, Dr Hyde Park, 2pm

FL Division 3 round 3
Derry v Tipperary, Owenbeg, 1pm
Longford v Leitrim, Glennon Bros Pearse Park, 2pm
Louth v Offaly, Gaelic Grounds, 2pm
Cork v Down, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 2pm

FL Division 4 round 3
Carlow v Limerick, Netwatch Cullen Park, 2pm
Wicklow v Sligo, Aughrim, 2pm
London v Antrim, Ruislip, 2pm

Saturday 15 February

HL Division 1 Group A round 3
Limerick v Waterford, LIT Gaelic Grounds, 7pm – eir Sport

HL Division 1 Group B round 3
Carlow v Dublin, Netwatch Cullen Park, 5pm – eir Sport

HL Division 2A round 3
Meath v Kerry, Trim, 2pm

HL Division 2B round 3
Down v Warwickshire, Ballycran, 1pm

Sunday 16 February

HL Division 1 Group A round 3
Westmeath v Cork, TEG Cusack Park, 2pm
Galway v Tipperary, Pearse Stadium, 2pm

HL Division 1 Group B round 3
Clare v Laois, Cusack Park, 2pm
Wexford v Kilkenny, Wexford Park, 2pm

HL Division 2A round 3
Mayo v Wicklow, MacHale Park, 1pm
Offaly v Antrim, O’Connor Park, 2pm

HL Division 2B round 3
Roscommon v London, Dr Hyde Park, 1pm
Derry v Kildare, Owenbeg, 2pm

HL Division 3A round 3
Longford v Armagh, Glennon Bros Pearse Park, 2pm
Louth v Donegal, Darver, 2pm
Monaghan v Tyrone, Castleblayney, 2pm

HL Division 3B round 3
Fermanagh v Sligo, Brewster Park, 2pm
Leitrim v Cavan, Pairc Sean MacDiarmada, 2pm

Saturday 22 February

FL Division 1 round 4
Dublin v Donegal, Croke Park, 7pm – eir Sport

FL Division 2 round 4
Fermanagh v Cavan, Brewster Park, 7pm

FL Division 3 round 4
Down v Longford, Pairc Esler, 7pm
Tipperary v Cork, Semple Stadium, 7pm

FL Division 4 round 4
Sligo v Waterford, Markievicz Park, 2pm

HL Division 1 Group B round 4
Dublin v Wexford, Croke Park, 5pm – eir Sport
Laois v Carlow, MW Hire O’Moore Park, 7pm

HL Division 2A round 4
Wicklow v Kerry, Aughrim, 2pm

HL Division 2B round 4
Derry v Warwickshire, Owenbeg, 1pm

HL Division 3B round 4
Lancashire v Fermanagh, Abbotstown, 2.30pm

Sunday 23 February

FL Division 1 round 4
Kerry v Meath, Fitzgerald Stadium, 1pm
Galway v Tyrone, Tuam Stadium, 2pm
Monaghan v Mayo, Clones, 2pm

FL Division 2 round 4
Clare v Laois, Cusack Park, 2pm
Westmeath v Armagh, TEG Cusack Park, 2pm
Kildare v Roscommon, Newbridge, 2.30pm

FL Division 3 round 4
Derry v Louth, Owenbeg, 2pm
Leitrim v Offaly, Pairc Sean MacDiarmada, 2pm

FL Division 4 round 4
Wexford v London, Wexford Park, 12pm
Limerick v Wicklow, Rathkeale, 2pm
Antrim v Carlow, Glenavy, 2.30pm

HL Division 1 Group A round 4
Waterford v Galway, Walsh Park, 2pm
Cork v Limerick, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 2pm
Tipperary v Westmeath, Nenagh, 2pm

HL Division 1 Group B round 4
Kilkenny v Clare, UPMC Nowlan Park, 2pm

HL Division 2A round 4
Antrim v Meath, Loughgiel, 12.30pm
Mayo v Offaly, MacHale Park, 2pm

HL Division 2B round 4
Kildare v Roscommon, Newbridge, 12.30pm
London v Down, Ruislip, 2pm

HL Division 3A round 4
Armagh v Louth, Athletic Grounds, 2pm
Donegal v Monaghan, Letterkenny, 2pm
Tyrone v Longford, Healy Park, 2pm

HL Division 3B round 4
Sligo v Leitrim, Markievicz Park, 2pm

Saturday 29 February

FL Division 1 round 5
Mayo v Kerry, MacHale Park, 7.15pm – eir Sport
Tyrone v Dublin, Healy Park 7.15pm – eir Sport

FL Division 2 round 5
Laois v Kildare, MW Hire O’Moore Park, 7pm

FL Division 4 round 5
London v Wicklow, Ruislip, 1pm
Wexford v Sligo, Wexford Park, 2pm
Waterford v Carlow, Fraher Field, 7pm

Sunday 1 March

FL Division 1 round 5
Donegal v Monaghan, Ballyshannon, 2pm
Meath v Galway, Pairc Tailteann, 2.30pm

FL Division 2 round 5
Fermanagh v Armagh, Brewster Park, 2pm
Roscommon v Westmeath, Dr Hyde Park, 2pm
Cavan v Clare, Kingspan Breffni, 2.30pm

FL Division 3 round 5
Louth v Leitrim, Gaelic Grounds, 2pm
Cork v Derry, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 2pm
Longford v Tipperary, Glennon Bros Pearse Park, 2.30pm
Offaly v Down, O’Connor Park, 2.30pm

FL Division 4 round 5
Antrim v Limerick, Glenavy, 2pm

HL Division 1 Group A round 5
Galway v Cork, Pearse Stadium, 2pm
Limerick v Westmeath, LIT Gaelic Grounds, 2pm
Tipperary v Waterford, Semple Stadium, 2pm

HL Division 1 Group B round 5
Clare v Dublin, Cusack Park, 2pm
Laois v Kilkenny, MW Hire O’Moore Park, 2pm
Wexford v Carlow, Wexford Park, 2pm

HL Division 2A round 5
Meath v Mayo, Trim, 12.30pm
Kerry v Antrim, Austin Stack Park, 12.30pm
Offaly v Wicklow, O’Connor Park, 12.30pm

HL Division 2B round 5
Down v Kildare, Ballycran, 2pm
Roscommon v Derry, Athleague, 2pm
Warwickshire v London, Pairc na hEireann, 2pm

HL Division 3A round 5
Longford v Donegal, Glennon Bros Pearse Park, 12.30pm
Monaghan v Louth, Inniskeen, 12.30pm
Armagh v Tyrone, Athletic Grounds, 12.30pm

HL Division 3B round 5
Cavan v Sligo, Kingspan Breffni, 12.30pm
Leitrim v Lancashire, Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada, 12.30pm

All-Ireland senior camogie club championship final
Sarsfields (Galway) v Slaughtneil (Derry), Croke Park, 3.30pm

All-Ireland intermediate camogie club championship final
Gailltir (Waterford) v St Rynaghs (Offaly), Croke Park, 1.30pm

Wednesday 4 March

Munster U20FC final
Kerry v Cork, Austin Stack Park, TBC

Friday 6 March

Leinster U20FC final
Dublin v Laois, Netwatch Cullen Park, 7.30pm

Saturday 7 March

HL Division 1 Group A round 3
Limerick v Waterford, LIT Gaelic Grounds, 7pm

Connacht U20FC final
Roscommon v Galway, TBC, TBC

Sunday 8 March

HL Division 1 Group A round 3
Galway v Tipperary, Pearse Stadium, 2pm

HL Division 2A round 3
Offaly v Antrim, O’Connor Park, 2pm

HL Division 2B round 3
Derry v Kildare, Celtic Park, 2pm

HL Division 3B round 3
Fermanagh v Sligo, Brewster Park, 2pm

Saturday 14 March

FL Division 1 round 6
Donegal v Tyrone, MacCumhaill Park, 7pm

FL Division 2 round 6
Armagh v Roscommon, Athletic Grounds, 6.30pm

FL Division 4 round 6
Waterford v London, Fraher Field, 5pm
Carlow v Sligo, Netwatch Cullen Park, 7pm

Sunday 15 March

FL Division 1 round 6
Galway v Mayo, Pearse Stadium, 2pm
Dublin v Meath, Croke Park, 2pm
Monaghan v Kerry, Inniskeen, 2pm

FL Division 2 round 6
Clare v Fermanagh, Cusack Park, 2pm
Westmeath v Laois, TEG Cusack Park, 2pm
Kildare v Cavan, Newbridge, 2pm

FL Division 3 round 6
Down v Leitrim, Pairc Esler, 2pm
Cork v Louth, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 2pm
Derry v Longford, Celtic Park, 2pm
Tipperary v Offaly, Semple Stadium, 2pm

FL Division 4 round 6
Wicklow v Antrim, Aughrim, 2pm
Limerick v Wexford, Rathkeale, 2pm

Sunday 22 March

FL Division 1 round 7
Kerry v Donegal, Austin Stack Park, 2pm
Galway v Dublin, Pearse Stadium, 2pm
Mayo v Tyrone, MacHale Park, 2pm
Monaghan v Meath, Clones, 2pm

FL Division 2 round 7
Cavan v Roscommon, Kingspan Breffni, 2pm
Clare v Armagh, Cusack Park, 2pm
Kildare v Westmeath, Newbridge, 2pm
Fermanagh v Laois, Brewster Park, 2pm

FL Division 3 round 7
Longford v Cork, Glennon Bros Pearse Park, 2pm
Louth v Down, Gaelic Grounds, 2pm
Leitrim v Tipperary, Pairc Sean MacDiarmada, 2pm
Offaly v Derry, O’Connor Park, 2pm

FL Division 4 round 7
Antrim v Waterford, Glenavy, 1pm
Wexford v Wicklow, Wexford Park, 1pm
London v Carlow, Ruislip, 1pm
Sligo v Limerick, Markievicz Park, 1pm

National Hurling League Fixtures for 2020

We have all the national hurling league fixtures for 2020, with Kilkenny, Galway Limerick and Cork hoping to win the trophy.