Famous former Jockey to run for European elections

Nina Carberry, one of Ireland’s most successful female riders, is set to swap the racecourse for the political field as the former champion amateur will run as a candidate for Fine Gael in the European elections this June.

Since retiring from race-riding in 2018 after winning on the Enda Bolger-trained Josies Orders at the Punchestown festival, Carberry has remained in the spotlight and won the hit TV show Dancing With The Stars in 2022, proving she remained as popular as ever with the public. She also appeared as a coach on the RTE sports show, Ireland’s Fittest Family.

Carberry, who rode seven festival winners at Cheltenham, will stand in the Midlands-North West constituency which stretches from her native Meath across the Midlands to Galway and up to Donegal. There are five seats on offer in that polling area, one more than in 2019.

Speaking about her decision to enter politics, Carberry said: “In the Ireland and Europe of today, it is more important than ever for those who believe they can make a difference to put their hand up to make things happen. As a mother of two, that is why I want to contest the European Elections for Fine Gael this June to ensure a bright future for all.
“Across Europe, rural areas encounter unique difficulties, and this holds even truer for an island off the European coast. I want to be a champion for balanced regional development, making sure every town and village has access to the services and infrastructure that allow people to live and work locally. I also want to connect and restore communities by supporting the work of the many voluntary groups and businesses to create vibrant spaces across the region.”
She added: “Farmers and small businesses do so much for our communities and Europe can do a lot for them. I want to reduce the burden on farmers and businesses by simplifying the red tape they need to complete to access support.

“For me, one of the great advantages of the European project is free movement for students, providing access to a wide variety of educational opportunities. It is important to protect this. As somebody who has a keen interest in skills development, I want to see the development of a cross-European apprentice scheme that could benefit the sharing of skills and ideas to create more opportunities for our young people.””

Preview – Exciting Start to the Irish Flat Season at the Curragh

Exciting Start to the Irish Flat Season at the Curragh

The Irish Flat season kicks off at the Curragh today amidst heavy going, following 1mm of rain in the last 24 hours. Met Eireann predicts a dry morning, with light rain expected in the afternoon, potentially bringing 3-5mm of rainfall. The racing action commences with the first of eight races scheduled to start at 1:35 pm.

The opening two-year-old maiden of the season surprisingly doesn’t have an Aidan O’Brien runner with Adrian Murray looking to win the prize with one of his three runners after his stable star Bucanero Fuerte won the race last year. The Amo Racing, David Egan ridden Arizona Blue looks the most likely of the three to win.

Nua Healthcare Irish Lincolnshire Anticipation

Fozzy Stack’s Chazzesmee leads the market for the Nua Healthcare Irish Lincolnshire at 4:10 pm, following a commendable runner-up performance last July. Meanwhile, Simply Sideways, a key contender for trainer Tim Doyle, aims to capitalize on her impressive form from the previous season, boasting five handicap wins in 2023.

Lodge Park Stud Irish EBF Park Express Stakes Highlight

The Lodge Park Stud Irish EBF Park Express Stakes, set to commence at 3:40 pm, promises to be one of the highlights of the day. The Group 3 contest for fillies and mares features notable contenders such as Brilliant and Everlasting, both showing promise for the season ahead.

The field includes promising talents like Goldana and You Send Me, showcasing potential for further improvement. Mammas Girl, winner of the Nell Gwyn Stakes, debuts under Adrian Murray’s guidance, adding intrigue to the race. Additionally, Cadeau Belle and Sli Na Ghealai aim to make an impact, alongside other contenders vying for victory in this prestigious event.

Aidan O’Brien: The Pursuit of Excellence at Ballydoyle

Aidan O’Brien’s relentless pursuit of excellence at Ballydoyle resonates profoundly with the mantra “Better never stops.” As he gears up for the upcoming season, O’Brien, now 54, aims to defend his title as Ireland’s champion flat trainer for the 27th time, with a remarkable streak of 25 consecutive victories. Moreover, his quest for global success shows no signs of slowing down.

Season Highlights and Milestones

The 2023 campaign was nothing short of remarkable for O’Brien. Notable achievements included Auguste Rodin’s victory in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, marking O’Brien’s 100th European Classic victory. Additionally, Henry Longfellow’s triumph in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes marked O’Brien’s 4000th career win, a testament to his enduring success on the global stage.

Relentless Focus and Commitment

Despite these milestones, O’Brien remains steadfast in his approach, with a refusal to dwell on past successes. He emphasizes the importance of staying fully focused and committed every single day, with no room for complacency. O’Brien’s relentless intensity is evident in his unwavering dedication to continuous improvement and his insistence on staying sharp and alert at all times.

Team Effort and Humility

While O’Brien may be the face of the operation, he acknowledges the monumental team effort behind his success. He attributes achievements to the collective effort of owners, jockeys, and the entire team at Ballydoyle. Despite personal accolades, O’Brien remains humble, emphasizing the importance of moving forward and focusing on the next challenge.

Looking Ahead

As the new season unfolds, O’Brien remains optimistic about the prospects of promising talents like City Of Troy. He takes pride in representing Ireland on the world stage and acknowledges the contributions of the entire Irish racing community. With a commitment to continuous improvement and a deep appreciation for the sport, O’Brien’s legacy at Ballydoyle continues to inspire generations of racing enthusiasts.

Davy Burke’s Assessment of Roscommon Footballers Progress

Davy Burke’s Assessment of Roscommon’s Progress

Davy Burke remains optimistic about Roscommon’s progress, despite the looming threat of relegation from the Allianz Football League Division 1. As the team faces a crucial match against Derry and hopes for a favorable outcome in Galway’s game against Kerry, Burke believes they are moving in the right direction regardless of the league standings.

Battling Relegation

Expressing disappointment with the team’s current situation, Burke emphasises the need for a win against Derry and favorable results in other matches to avoid relegation. Despite the challenges, he maintains confidence in the team’s ability to progress.

Performance Highlights

Acknowledging the positive aspects of recent performances, Burke praises the team’s efforts and individual displays despite setbacks. He highlights their competitiveness and resilience, indicating a promising trajectory for the team’s development.

WATCH: FULL-TIME HIGHLIGHTS! 🚨📺

The Kingdom pick up the victory at Dr Hyde Park in Division 1 of the Allianz Football League.

FT Score:@RoscommonGAA 1-11@Kerry_Official 1-17

Enjoy the best of the game with #GAANOW…👇👇 pic.twitter.com/PM28JQYwkd

— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 17, 2024

Lessons Learned

Burke stresses the importance of learning from each game and continuous improvement, recognising the high standards required in Division 1 football. Despite setbacks, he remains encouraged by the team’s dedication and progress.

Looking Ahead

With determination and optimism, Burke looks forward to the team’s continued growth and development, emphasising the importance of perseverance and hard work in overcoming challenges.

Conor Glass Aims for Allianz Football League Final with Derry

Conor Glass, eager to secure Derry’s spot in the Allianz Football League final, anticipates a crucial match against Roscommon. Mickey Harte’s team edges closer to the final, overcoming Mayo’s late surge in a decisive victory in Castlebar. Reflecting on Derry’s long-standing silverware drought, Glass emphasizes the significance of clinching any trophy for the county.

Derry’s Path to the Final

Highlighting the personal significance, Glass shares the anticipation among players like Diarmuid Baker, relishing the prospect of playing in Croke Park. With the final game against Roscommon approaching, Glass emphasizes the team’s focus on maximizing performance and preparing for future challenges.

Personal Motivation

Glass acknowledges the advantage of having a break before facing Donegal, emphasizing the importance of rest and preparation for upcoming fixtures. With eyes set on the league final and beyond, Glass remains optimistic about Derry’s prospects and their journey ahead.

IRELAND WIN SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ireland won the Guinness Six Nations Championship with a hard-fought 17-6 victory over Scotland at the Aviva Stadium on Lansdowne Road this evening.

Ireland extended their record to 19th successive home success this afternoon, a victory that is a 40th win in the last 42 games at the Aviva Stadium, dating back to 2016.

It was the home side’s 10^th successive win against their Celtic neighbours, and their 71 in all since the two sides first met in Belfast in 1877.

Opening half lacked energy from Ireland

An opening half that was characterised by handling errors, Ireland look a pale version of the energetic side that began this Six Nations tournament a few weeks ago.

Finn Russell opened the scoring in the 143^rd test match between Ireland and Scotland with a penalty in the 8^th minute of the game. Russell was reliable as usual from the kicking tee and dissected the posts for the game’s opening score.

Sheehan fifth try of the tournament

Dan Sheehan scored his 5th try of this season’s Guinness Six Nations when being the grateful recipient from a line-out throw in. The Ireland hooker, crashed over for his 10th career test try to put Ireland into the lead for the first time in the game. A successful Jack Crowley conversion put the home side into a 7-3 lead with just 14 minutes on the clock.

𝐃𝐀𝐍 𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐄𝐇𝐀𝐍! ☘️

Steals a Scottish lineout and there’s no stopping him from there!#IREvSCO | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/4Ki6rSM0iK

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 16, 2024

Joe McCarthy conceded a penalty minutes later, his second of the game, and gave Russell an opportunity to bridge the gap, which he duly did with his second successful kick for the posts in the test match.

Jack Crowley had a penalty attempt from inside the Scottish half to extend the Irish lead with 5 minutes to play in the opening half, but the kicker’s effort went left and wide of the uprights.

Half-time: Ireland 7 Scotland 6.

With Ireland making an energetic start to the second half, Scotland were penalised on 42 minutes for being off their feet directly in front of the posts. Crowley had an easy task of slotting over to push Andy Farrell’s side into a 10-6 lead.

Officials deny Furlong a try

Tadhg Furlong looked to have added to the Ireland score-line approaching the 50 minute mark. The prop drove for the line, and though he initially looked to have touched down successfully for the score, the referee Matthew Carley stated the on-field decision was ‘no try’ as he went to his TMO for clarification. Despite the fact that Scotland’s Finn Russell seemed to be in an offside position, therefore preventing Furlong from scoring, the English referee maintained his original decision, much to the frustration of the home crowd.

Porter try secures Irish victory

Ireland went of a short penalty tap and succeed in crossing the try-scoring line, with Scotland having a man in the sin-bin. Despite incessant Irish pressure prior to that, they failed to achieve another score which might settle the result of this match. Andrew Porter scored his sixth international try to settle Irish nerves. The front-row burst through the Scottish defensive effort and with a successful conversion attempt from Jack Crowley, Ireland took a 17-6 advantage into the final 13 minutes of the test match.

𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘! 🟢

Ireland finally breach that brilliant Scottish defence through Andrew Porter!#IREvSCO | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/ggSbILafcJ

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 16, 2024

Scottish centre Huw Jones gave his side some late hope when racing in for a five-pointer with three minutes remaining on the clock. Russell added the extras to leave just four points between the sides, with an extra man on the pitch following the earlier sin-binning of Harry Byrne.

𝗜𝗧 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗚𝗢𝗧 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚!

A piece of brilliance from Huw Jones gives Scotland a late try and move within four points!#IREvSCO | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/RPdKB5dTB3

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 16, 2024

Full-time: Ireland 17 Scotland 13

Football – Galway v Dublin – Preview, TV & Starting teams

Galway v Dublin, Pearse Stadium, 3.15pm (RTE 1)

The upcoming clash between Galway and Dublin at Pearse Stadium this Saturday promises to be a highly anticipated battle, with both teams eager to secure a crucial victory. As the match approaches, fans and pundits alike are analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of each side, predicting an intense and closely contested encounter.

Dublin enters the match on the back of an impressive run of form, having secured three consecutive wins under the stewardship of manager Dessie Farrell. The team’s recent performance against table-toppers Derry showcased their resilience and determination, with key players such as Cormac Costello, Ciarán Kilkenny, and Brian Fenton delivering standout performances. With their attack firing on all cylinders and a dominant presence in midfield, Dublin poses a formidable challenge to any opponent.

In contrast, Galway’s league campaign has been marked by inconsistency, with two wins, two losses, and a draw so far. Despite victories over strong opposition like Tyrone and Monaghan, the team has struggled to maintain momentum throughout the season. However, under the leadership of manager Pádraic Joyce, Galway remains a dangerous opponent, capable of producing moments of brilliance on the field.

The history between Galway and Dublin adds an extra layer of intrigue to this upcoming encounter. Over the years, Dublin has enjoyed a dominant record against Galway, particularly in league competitions. Having not got any result since a draw in 2018.

Former Galway footballer Gary Sice offered his perspective on the upcoming match, acknowledging Dublin’s formidable form while expressing optimism about Galway’s progress. He noted, “Dublin are flying it. I don’t know if we are ready for that.” Sice’s comments reflect the daunting challenge that Galway faces as they prepare to take on the league leaders.

Meanwhile, Pádraic Joyce’s remarks regarding past encounters between Galway and Dublin highlight the intensity and competitiveness that defines this rivalry. Joyce’s dissatisfaction with Dublin’s tactics in previous matches and his injury list mounting up with Paul Conroy, Damien Comer and Shane Walsh out foreseeable

Listen below

Starting Teams

Dublin team not announced yet

Hurling – Galway v Limerick – Preview, TV & Starting teams

Galway vs. Limerick – RTE 1, 1:30pm Saturday

Galway’s path to the League semi-finals hinges on a victory against Limerick, coupled with the hope that Tipperary doesn’t secure an overwhelming win over Antrim. On the other hand, a draw would be sufficient for Limerick to advance. However, there remains a slim mathematical possibility that Limerick could miss out on the League Finals if they lose this match and Tipperary achieves a substantial winning margin over Antrim.

Commemorative Jerseys:

Galway adds a touch of history to their clash against Limerick by donning blue and gold jerseys, reminiscent of their 1923 All-Ireland SHC victory. This move honors the centenary of their historic triumph, bringing back colors worn during a pivotal moment in their hurling legacy.

Suspensions Shake Galway:

Galway faces a setback with suspensions to key players Daithi Burke and Conor Whelan. Their absence casts a shadow over Galway’s lineup, as they prepare to take on the reigning champions.

Limerick’s Strength:

On the opposite end, Limerick enters the contest with momentum on their side. The team has been formidable in the league, steadily incorporating players back into the fold. The return of team captain Declan Hannon adds leadership and experience to their lineup, further bolstering their chances against Galway.

League Implications:

Both teams have much at stake in this encounter. Galway needs a victory to secure their place in the League semi-finals, while Limerick aims to maintain their dominance and secure a favorable position in the standings. The outcome of this match could have significant implications for both teams’ league campaigns. Galway must not only overcome the challenge posed by Limerick but also keep a close eye on other results to ensure their progression in the competition.

Teams:

Anticipated Showdown:

With tensions high and the stakes even higher, Pearse Stadium sets the stage for a thrilling encounter between two hurling powerhouses. Galway’s determination to overcome adversity and Limerick’s quest for continued success promise an intense and captivating spectacle for hurling fans.

Rugby Weekend Preview: Fixtures, TV Schedule, and Betting Predictions

List of live rugby matches on TV

Ireland vs. Scotland U20 Rugby, 7pm Friday: It’s going to be a night of celebration, and with the score difference possibly deciding the championship, expect Ireland to win by at least 35 points.

Wales vs. Italy, 2:15pm Saturday: This game will possibly decide the wooden spoon. Wales has shown glimpses of potential, and this is a game they will have been targeting. Italy got their win last week, which completely changes this game; Italy will have celebrated like they won a Grand Slam, so they could be there for the taking. Shock result with Wales winning by 20 points or more at 5/1.

Ireland vs. Scotland, 4:45pm Saturday: Let’s hope for some atmosphere in the Aviva; this is still a Six Nations decider. I’d expect a very messy, low-scoring game; conditions are going to be horrible. So, lots of scrums and the ball not in play much. Ireland probably sneak it by around 10 points.

France vs. England, 8pm Saturday: The French need to win this game a lot more than England. This could be really high scoring, and expect France to win by double digits.

Preview: Ireland vs. Scotland – Triple Crown and Six Nations Decider

Preview: Ireland vs. Scotland – Triple Crown and Six Nations Decider

In a high-stakes showdown at Aviva Stadium, Ireland hosts Scotland in a thrilling finale to the Guinness Six Nations. With Ireland eyeing back-to-back Championship titles and Scotland eager to prove their mettle, Saturday’s clash promises intense rugby action.

Ireland has triumphed in 18 consecutive home games and would secure the championship by avoiding defeat in Dublin. Scotland’s slim chances for the title vanished after their narrow loss in Italy last Saturday. Yet, Gregor Townsend’s team still has a shot at their first Six Nations Triple Crown following wins over Wales and England earlier in the tournament.

The defending champions are vying for a 10th successive victory over Scotland, whose last win in Dublin came in 2010.

Ireland’s Determined Lineup:

Under the guidance of Head Coach Andy Farrell, Ireland presents an unchanged starting XV, featuring a formidable combination of experience and skill. Led by captain Peter O’Mahony, the squad boasts the likes of Hugo Keenan, Robbie Henshaw, and Tadhg Furlong, offering both defensive solidity and attacking flair.

Scotland’s Quest for Glory:

Scotland, led by Head Coach Gregor Townsend, enters the fray with determination and purpose. With players like Duhan van der Merwe leading the charge, Scotland aims to capitalize on their attacking prowess and disrupt Ireland’s game plan.

What They’re Saying:

Townsend emphasises Scotland’s readiness for the challenge, highlighting the team’s hunger for improvement and dedication to honoring James Robson’s career with a stellar performance. The stage is set for a clash of titans as both teams vie for supremacy.

Key Stats to Watch:

– Duhan van der Merwe’s quest to equal Scotland’s top try-scorer record adds an extra layer of intrigue to the match.
– The battle of the carries: Ireland and Scotland rank first and second in carry meters, showcasing their relentless attacking intent. (Ireland: 3085 meters, Scotland: 2916 meters)
– Both teams boast impressive scoring rates per 22 entry, setting the stage for a high-scoring affair. (Ireland: 3.2 points per entry, Scotland: 2.9 points per entry)

Conclusion:

With the Triple Crown and Six Nations title on the line, Ireland vs. Scotland promises to be a captivating encounter. Expect Ireland to win by 15-20 points