Judd Trump Suffers Quarter-Final Upset to Jak Jones

Judd Trump Suffers Quarter-Final Upset to Jak Jones at World Snooker Championship

Judd Trump faced a surprising defeat, falling 13-9 to Jak Jones in the quarter-finals of the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Entering the final session tied at 8-8, world number two Trump struggled to maintain his rhythm in a tactical match that played to Jones’s advantage.

Breaks of 87 and 61 allowed Jones to pull ahead at 11-9, and the Welshman secured a memorable victory with an impressive run of 106. He advances to the semi-finals, where he will face either seven-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan or 2015 winner Stuart Bingham in a best-of-33 frame match.

Jak Jones Makes an Impact

Playing in the tournament for just the second time, Jones, known as the Silent Assassin, aims to become the third qualifier to win the world title, following in the footsteps of Terry Griffiths in 1979 and Shaun Murphy in 2005.

“I feel good and pleased to get through,” Jones told BBC Sport. “I thought Judd struggled. He started with a century, which motivated me. I played well in the next three frames, and even though it was tied at 4-4, I felt like he was a different player and went into his shell a bit. I took advantage of it.”

Kyren Wilson Leads John Higgins

Meanwhile, Kyren Wilson holds a 9-7 lead against four-time champion John Higgins as they head into the final session of their last-eight match on Wednesday evening.

Trump Falls Short Despite Strong Season

Trump, the 2019 world champion, had a successful season, winning five ranking events and achieving 79 century breaks. He began his quarter-final match against world number 44 Jones as the clear favorite, but aside from a 110 break in the opening frame, he struggled to find his usual form.

Jones’s tactical safety play dominated Wednesday’s final session, as Trump’s highest break was a mere 22. “I just struggled,” Trump admitted. “I had a lot of chances, but it was slower than I liked, and I couldn’t get any rhythm. It felt like starting over every time I came to the table.”

Jones Takes Control

Jones took the lead with an 87 break in the 19th frame and benefited from Trump’s misses, including a failed pink in the 20th frame. Another miss on a yellow allowed Jones to close in on victory, completing his journey to the semi-finals.

Red Bull Racing F1 CTO Adrian Newey to Focus on Hypercar

Red Bull Racing F1 CTO Adrian Newey to Focus on Hypercar Project and Leave Team in 2025

Oracle Red Bull Racing announced today that Adrian Newey, Chief Technical Officer, will step down from his role with the Red Bull Technology Group in the first quarter of 2025. Newey will transition away from his Formula One design responsibilities to concentrate on the final development and delivery of Red Bull’s first hypercar, the highly anticipated RB17. He will remain actively involved in the project until its completion.

Adrian Newey’s Impact on Red Bull Racing

Adrian Newey joined Red Bull Racing in 2006, playing a key role in the team’s transformation from a new contender to a dominant force in Formula One. Under his technical leadership, the team achieved seven F1 Drivers’ Championships and six Constructors’ Championships, along with 118 victories and 101 poles, including the STR 2008 pole and victory.

Adrian Newey Reflects on His Red Bull Racing Journey

“Ever since I was a young boy, I wanted to design fast cars and be an engineer in Formula One,” Adrian Newey said. “I’ve been fortunate to fulfill this dream and contribute to Red Bull Racing’s journey from newcomer to multiple title-winning team. Now, it feels like the right time to hand the baton to others and embrace new challenges. My focus during the remaining time with the team will be on the RB17’s final stages of development.”

“I want to thank the talented people I’ve worked with at Red Bull over the past 18 years for their dedication and hard work. I’d also like to express my gratitude to the shareholders, the late Dietrich Mateschitz, Mark Mateschitz, Chalerm Yoovidhya, and Christian Horner for their support and friendship. Thanks also to Oliver Mintzlaff for his leadership and Eddie Jordan, my close friend and manager.”

Team Principal Christian Horner Commends Newey’s Contributions

Christian Horner, Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal and CEO, lauded Adrian Newey’s exceptional contributions: “Adrian’s influence over the past 20 years has been pivotal in our 13 titles across 20 seasons. His innovative approach and outstanding design skills have propelled Red Bull Racing to greater success. He is not only a legend in the sport but also a dear friend and trusted partner. His legacy will resonate through the halls of Milton Keynes, and the RB17 Track Car will serve as a fitting testament to his time with us.”

Adrian Newey’s Achievements with Red Bull Racing

Adrian Newey’s inaugural design for the team, RB3, achieved a podium finish at the 2007 European Grand Prix. His designs also secured the team’s first victory with Sebastian Vettel and Toro Rosso at the Italian Grand Prix in 2008. His RB5 design earned the team its first win at the 2009 Chinese Grand Prix, followed by five more victories that season.

The RB6 propelled the team to its first double title in 2010, a feat repeated in each of the next three years. With the introduction of hybrid power in 2014, Newey shifted his focus away from Formula One to work on the creation of the Valkyrie hypercar. The team’s partnership with Honda as its power unit partner in 2019 reignited Newey’s passion, leading to success with RB16B and the 2021 Championship. An extensive regulation change in the following season marked the beginning of a new era of dominance starting in 2022 with RB18 and continuing to this day.

Westmeath Manager Criticises Congested Inter-County Schedule

Westmeath Hurling Boss Joe Fortune Criticises Congested Inter-County Schedule

Westmeath hurling manager Joe Fortune has voiced his concerns about the packed inter-county season schedule, pointing out the challenges faced by players who had to play important senior and U20 championship matches against Offaly and Dublin on consecutive days last weekend.

“I have a huge problem with how congested the thing is for players. Not for me—my job is to manage the team,” Fortune expressed his frustration.

He emphasised the negative impact on the players, saying, “I don’t think it’s right what is happening. I would have loved not to play the U20s. The lads spoke to me during the week. They want to play senior for Westmeath and they want to play for the U20s. If I could have taken them off earlier, I would have.”

Fortune questioned the scheduling decisions, asking, “What are we doing putting on two games within 14 or 15 hours of each other?”

His critique highlights the need for a more balanced schedule that allows players to perform at their best while safeguarding their health and well-being.

Former Mayo Star Lee Keegan Questions Kildare’s Commitment to Tailteann Cup

Former Mayo star Lee Keegan expresses doubts about Kildare’s ability to compete in the Tailteann Cup, citing their poor form and lack of identity in recent games. Despite having a strong team on paper, Kildare’s recent performance has been lackluster, with Keegan pointing out their dismal record of losing eight out of nine competitive games this year.

“Kildare look like a shell of a team, to be brutally honest. They deserve to be in the Tailteann Cup,” Keegan told the RTÉ GAA podcast.

Keegan raises concerns about the players’ interest in the second-tier championship, stating, “They’ve lost seven league games, they got out of jail against Wicklow. I’d worry about them, even in that. Will there be a falloff in players, will they lose interest?”

Watch the second half highlights below as Louth defeat Kildare on a scoreline of 0-17 to 0-13 and progress to the Leinster SFC Final! GAAGO Clips brought to you by @AIB_GAA #TheToughest pic.twitter.com/HCaGVDtjtu

— GAAGO (@GAAGO) April 28, 2024

He also questions their game strategy, adding, “The Tailteann Cup has been great but just looking at Kildare, I don’t know if the players will want to [compete in it]. Look at them yesterday [in the Leinster SFC semi-final]. Biggest game of the year, with a potential place in Sam Maguire there. And you go out and perform like that.”

“Louth weren’t even in top gear. I don’t know where Kildare go from here. They need to create something in that group. They have no identity. Even the gameplan they were playing, I don’t think they know what they’re doing,” Keegan added.

Keegan concludes by stating that Kildare needs to develop a stronger identity and strategy to improve their chances in the Tailteann Cup and beyond.

List of Premier League football and FA Cup fixtures live on Premier Sports

Premier Sports Ireland and ViAplay announce opening live Premier League and FA Cup fixtures through May and June

Click here for list of games live on TNT Sports

List of games on premier sports

Burnley v Newcastle, 3pm, 4th May

Banbridge wins William Hill Champion Chase at Punchestown

Winning photo — Winning connections after the success of Banbridge in the Grade 1 William Hill Champion Chase at Punchestown. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

Banbridge (6/1) won the highlight of day one of the Punchestown Festival when taking a narrow success for Joseph O’Brien.

Ridden by J.J. Slevin, in the colours of Ronnie Bartlett, the Carriganóg-trained gelding had just a neck to spare at the line. Runner-up was the Champion Chase winner at Cheltenham, Captain Guinness (6/1), who for much of the home straight looked as though he would add another Grade 1 to March’s victory at the highest level.

The race favourite, Dinoblue (11/10 favourite), carrying the colours of J.P. McManus, was third, a length and a quarter behind the runner-up.

The first Grade 1 of the week, the KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle went to the favourite Mystical Power (2/1) in the hands of Mark Walsh.

Runner-up at Cheltenham before winning at Aintree, the son of Galileo out of top mare Annie Power, was a cosy length and three-quarters winner over Firefox (9/2) and Jack Kennedy, who were also runner-up to the J.P. McManus-owned horse at Aintree, with four and a quarter lengths further back to Slade Steel (5/2) and Rachael Blackmore in third.

Spillane’s Tower (5/2jf) provided Conna trainer Jimmy Mangan with another big success, taking the Grade 1 Dooley Insurance Champion Novice Chase under Mark Walsh.

The son of Walk In The Park has improved immeasurably this season, and today had three-quarters of a length in hand on Monty’s Star (5/2jf) and Rachael Blackmore, with Three Card Brag (25/1) next best in third.

The opening race of the 2024 Punchestown Festival went to Knockiel Synge who produced a dominant performance under rider Georgie Benson to claim The Ladies Cup for trainer Peter Flood.

Tune In A Box, bred by Victor Connolly by Jukebox Jury, gave the visitors a win in the Blood-Stock.com Full Circle Series Final Handicap Hurdle. Trained by Tom Lacey, and ridden by Richard Patrick, the victor had eight lengths in hand on the runner-up Quest With Speed, from the John ‘Shark’ Hanlon yard.

Daddy Long Legs brought up a double for Willie Mullins when easily following up on his recent cross-channel success at Ludlow when taking this afternoon’s Listed Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle by an easy five lengths. It was a first winner of the week for Paul Townend as he bids to catch rival Jack Kennedy in the champion jockeys’ race by Saturday.

Video Replay – Mystical Power digs deep for Mullins’

Mystical Power showcased his exceptional pedigree, battling to victory in the KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.

Mystical POWER 💪

Aintree winner Mystical Power comes home strongly to run down the game Firefox in the Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle and bag his second top-flight win.

It's Mullins and McManus again! 🟢🟡⚪️@KPMG | @punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/Voezrn4gwr

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 30, 2024

As the offspring of record-breaking stallion Galileo and Punchestown and Cheltenham Champion Hurdle winner Annie Power, the five-year-old demonstrated stellar form under champion trainer Willie Mullins.

Stablemate Ile Atlantique set the pace early on, but Firefox took the lead as they turned for home. The eye-catching Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Slade Steel, ridden by Rachael Blackmore, closed in, while Mark Walsh guided Mystical Power to rally. Firefox briefly surged ahead near the last hurdle, but Walsh coaxed Mystical Power to a strong finish, justifying the 2/1 favorite odds. Firefox secured second place, while Slade Steel finished in third.

“He’s been improving all season,” Mullins remarked. “Mark said he was going as fast as he could going into the last bend, but then the race turned into a staying contest. Mystical Power outstayed the competition with a strong final jump.”

The 2024 Punchestown Festival began with Georgie Benson riding Peter Flood-trained Knockiel Synge to victory in the Kildare Hunt Club Chase Ladies’ Cup, securing a 20/1 win. The Full Circle Series for horses rated 130 or lower also delivered results, with Tom Lacey training winner Tune In A Box and third-placed Montregard.

“It was my formwork assistant who suggested the series,” Lacey shared. “The conditions seemed perfect for our horses, and targeting the qualifiers proved to be a smart move.”

Sam Maguire & Tailteann Cup Seedings 2024 – Fixtures & Start Times

GAA Announces Sam Maguire and Tailteann Cup Seedings

The GAA has announced the seedings for the group stage draws in the Sam Maguire and Tailteann Cups. The draws are set to take place on Tuesday, April 30th, at 3 pm, and will be broadcast live on GAA.ie (GAANOW) and available on the @OfficialGAA social media channels.

Draw Presentation and Conduct

Gráinne Mc Elwain will present the draws, while Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns and Feargal McGill, GAA Director of Player, Club, and Games Administration, will conduct the draws.

Seedings for Sam Maguire Cup

– **1st Seeds**: Galway / Mayo, Clare / Kerry, Dublin / Louth, Armagh / Donegal
– **2nd Seeds**: Galway / Mayo, Clare / Kerry, Dublin / Louth, Armagh / Donegal
– **3rd Seeds**: Derry, Tyrone, Roscommon, Monaghan
– **4th Seeds**: Cavan, Cork, Meath, Westmeath

Seedings for Tailteann Cup

– **1st Seeds**: Down, Fermanagh, Kildare, Sligo
– **2nd Seeds**: Antrim, Offaly, Laois, Leitrim
– **3rd Seeds**: Wicklow, Limerick, Wexford, Longford
– **4th Seeds**: Carlow, Tipperary, London, Waterford

Click here for list of Sport on TV

Donegal beat Tyrone to reach 2024 Ulster Final – Teams and Scorers

Donegal Edges Out Tyrone in Extra-Time Thriller to Reach Ulster SFC Final

Donegal Secures Ulster SFC Final Spot with Gritty Performance

Donegal secured a spot in the Ulster SFC final for the first time since 2020 after defeating Tyrone 0-18 to 0-16 in an extra-time match at Celtic Park. The thrilling contest, watched by 14,714 spectators, saw Donegal chase the game for much of the match but ultimately prevail with key scores from Paddy McBrearty and Shane O’Donnell in the closing stages.

Key Performances and Strategies

Jason McGee’s towering performance in midfield was pivotal for Donegal, helping them withstand Tyrone’s attacks and secure a title showdown with Armagh on May 12 in Clones. Donegal faced a pre-match setback when goalkeeper Shaun Patton was ruled out due to injury, with Gavin Mulreany stepping in as a replacement.

Tyrone’s approach of conceding opposition kick-outs allowed Donegal to build from the back, but Tyrone’s strong defensive setup made it challenging for Donegal to find scoring opportunities. Tyrone capitalized on counter-attacks, with Darren McCurry and Darragh Canavan scoring early on.

Donegal’s Resurgence

Donegal struggled early on but came out transformed in the second half, with Jason McGee scoring twice in the first five minutes. As Donegal’s energy levels increased, they managed to blunt Tyrone’s press, with a superb team effort resulting in a delightful score from O’Donnell.

Donegal’s overlapping runs and dynamic midfield play allowed them to regain control and close the gap. By the 48th minute, the match was tied, and Donegal’s persistence paid off in the later stages.

Extra-Time Drama and Donegal’s Triumph

As the match extended into extra time, Jeaic McKelvey scored for Donegal, but Tyrone quickly regained the lead through McKernan. The teams remained neck and neck, but Niall O’Donnell surged through to punch over the lead point, giving Donegal a 0-17 to 0-16 advantage.

In the end, Donegal’s resilience and ability to withstand Tyrone’s challenges secured their victory and a spot in the Ulster SFC final against Armagh. The intense battle left fans eagerly anticipating the final, with Donegal’s strong performance offering promise for the upcoming showdown.

Scorers for Donegal: O Gallen 0-3 (3f), N O’Donnell, C Thompson, J McGee, D O Baoill, P McBrearty (1f) 0-2 each, P Mogan, C McGonagle, B McCole, J McKelvey, S O’Donnell 0-1 each.

Scorers for Tyrone: D Canavan 0-4 (1f, 1m), N Morgan 0-3 (3f), D McCurry (2f), C Daly, M McKernan 0-2 each, C McShane, S O’Donnell, M Donnelly 0-1 each.

Donegal: G Mulreany; M Curran, B McCole, C Moore; R McHugh, C McGonagle, P Mogan; J Magee, M Langan; S O’Donnell, C Thompson, D O Baoill; P McBrearty, O Gallen, N O’Donnell.

Subs: A Doherty for McBrearty (HT), J Brennan for O Baoill (49), J McKelvey for Curran (74), McBrearty for Doherty (71), O Baoill for Moore (71), Doherty for Gallen (81).

Tyrone: N Morgan; C Devlin, P Hampsey, M McKernan; S O’Donnell, M Donnelly, N Devlin; B Kennedy, C Kilpatrick; C Daly, K McGeary, M O’Neill; D McCurry, D Canavan, C McShane.

Subs: A Clarke for C Devlin (40), B Cullen for McGeary (62), R Canavan for O’Neill (75), A Donaghy for McShane (87), C Donnelly for Kilpatrick (88).

Referee: B Cawley (Kildare).

Munster Hurling Review and Table – Clare beat Cork

Munster Senior Hurling Championship: Clare Stages Comeback to Overcome Cork

Clare Edges Out Cork in Thrilling Hurling Match

Click for Munster hurling table
In a high-octane Munster Senior Hurling Championship clash, Clare staged a dramatic comeback to defeat 14-man Cork 3-26 to 3-24 at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The Banner County overturned a seven-point deficit to revive their hopes in the championship.

Second Half Surge

Clare trailed by 1-17 to 0-13 early in the second half after Cork’s scoring spree. However, Clare responded with a strong performance. Key points from Aidan McCarthy and Diarmuid Ryan were soon answered by a Horgan free. Mark Rodgers’ goal, set up by Shane O’Donnell, reduced the gap to just three points.

Cork’s Disadvantage and Clare’s Momentum

In the 52nd minute, Cork’s captain Seán O’Donoghue received a second yellow card, leaving them with 14 men. This setback was followed by a McCarthy point, leveling the scores at 1-20 each. Clare capitalized on the space in Cork’s defense, and Shane O’Donnell fired a goal past Patrick Collins to give Clare the lead.

Clare Takes Control

Clare continued their momentum as David Fitzgerald capped good teamwork with a score, making it 3-22 to 1-23. They pushed their lead further with another point from the wing-forward. However, Cork fought back, with Patrick Horgan netting a free kick, finishing the game with an impressive 2-10.

Intense Closing Stages

Clare extended their lead to five points in injury time, but Robert Downey’s late goal for Cork narrowed the deficit to two points. Cork substitute Damien Cahalane’s late effort was blocked by Rodgers, and Clare’s Aron Shanagher appeared to secure the win but was pulled up for over-carrying.

Outlook and Key Takeaways

Clare’s victory places them in a positive position for their upcoming three-week break before facing Waterford in Ennis. For Cork, the pressure is on for their next must-win match against Limerick, as they aim to advance in the competition. Despite the loss, the Rebels can take solace in their ability to recover from earlier setbacks, a feat they achieved in 2022.

Both teams delivered an intense and memorable match, with Clare’s remarkable comeback leaving fans eager for the next round of championship action.

Scorers for Clare: Aidan McCarthy 0-10 (8fs), Mark Rodgers 1-6 (1f, 1 sideline), David Fitzgerald, Shane O’Donnell 1-1 each, David Reidy 0-3, Peter Duggan, Diarmuid Ryan 0-2 each, David McInerney 0-1.

Scorers for Cork: Patrick Horgan 2-10 (1-7fs, 2 65s), Declan Dalton 0-4 (3fs), Séamus Harnedy 0-3, Robert Downey 1-0, Darragh Fitzgibbon, Alan Connolly 0-2, Tim O’Mahony, Ciarán Joyce, Shane Kingston 0-1 each.

Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Adam Hogan, Conor Cleary, Rory Hayes; Diarmuid Ryan, John Conlon, David McInerney; Cathal Malone, Cian Galvin; David Fitzgerald, David Reidy, Peter Duggan; Mark Rodgers, Shane O’Donnell, Aidan McCarthy.

Subs: Séadna Morey for Galvin (52), Conor Leen for McInerney (62), Paul Flanagan for Conlon (70), Aron Shanagher for McCarthy (70+3).

Cork: Patrick Collins; Niall O’Leary, Eoin Downey, Seán O’Donoghue; Tim O’Mahony, Ciarán Joyce, Robert Downey; Ethan Twomey, Darragh Fitzgibbon; Declan Dalton, Shane Barrett, Séamus Harnedy; Patrick Horgan, Alan Connolly, Brian Hayes.

Subs: Ger Millerick for O’Mahony (7-8, temporary), Mark Coleman for Twomey (49), Robbie O’Flynn for Dalton (60), Luke Meade for Harnedy (54), Shane Kingston for Hayes (59), Damien Cahalane for O’Mahony (65, injured).