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Breeders’ Cup Turf Preview and List Of Irish Runners

In preparation for the prestigious (G1T) Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita Park, an elite gathering of North American-based racehorses is gearing up to face a formidable challenge from a star-studded international cast. This race has a rich history, with foreign contenders emerging victorious in 19 out of the past 25 years.

Leading the charge for the foreign contingent are three horses trained by the renowned Irish horseman, Aidan O’Brien. Dual Derby champion Auguste Rodin spearheads this trio, joined by the English standout King of Steel, a runner-up in the Epsom Derby (G1) and winner of the British Champion Stakes (G1). Also, in the mix is Mostahdaf, a victor in both the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot and the Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) at York.

Hailing from France, Onesto, who secured a third-place finish in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1), adds further international flair to the competition. Japan contributes the accomplished Shahryar, winner of the 2021 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1), and a strong performer in the Japan Cup (G1). Although two notable horses, Equinox and Ace Impact, opted for different paths, the field remains stacked.

Aidan O’Brien, with six Breeders’ Cup Turf victories to his name, holds a commanding position among the foreign entries. His star, Auguste Rodin, is in top form following a successful outing at the Irish Champion Stakes (G1) and looks poised for a remarkable performance.

Apart from Auguste Rodin, O’Brien fields Bolshoi Ballet and Broome, each with their own unique credentials. Bolshoi Ballet, a 5-year-old son of Galileo, impressed with a dominating win in the Sword Dancer Stakes (G1T). Broome, a 7-year-old by Australia, brings experience from previous Turf races.

King of Steel, a Kentucky-bred colt, arrives fresh from a victory in the Champion Stakes at Ascot, adding an emotional touch to the competition as jockey Frankie Dettori bids farewell to English racing.

War Like Goddess, a consistent performer, represents the local contingent. With 11 wins in 17 starts, she seeks to improve on her previous Turf performance. Trainer Bill Mott and owner George Krikorian have high hopes for her.

Phil D’Amato oversees Gold Phoenix and Masteroffoxhounds, offering strong local competition. The race’s apparent speedsters, Balladeer and Get Smokin, provide an exciting element, with both horses showcasing their skills at the rich Kentucky Downs meeting.

The Breeders’ Cup Turf promises a thrilling clash between international stars and local talents, creating a captivating racing spectacle.

Rules, players and events – “Revolutionizing Golf with TGL: Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy

Golf’s latest venture, an indoor “high-tech league” initiated by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, and supported by various sporting icons, is set to tee off on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.

A total of 24 PGA Tour players, including 15 from the current top 20, have enlisted for the inaugural season, promising an electrifying competition.

All matches will be broadcast on television from a specially constructed facility located in Florida. Notable backers of this pioneering league include Serena and Venus Williams, Stephen Curry, and the Fenway Sports Group, owners of Liverpool FC.

While several aspects are still in the works, such as the prize money, team ownership, and final team rosters, here’s what we can confirm about this groundbreaking endeavor.

What is TGL?

TGL, or The Golf League, is being overseen by TMRW Sports, a tech-oriented sports company co-founded by Woods and McIlroy in August 2022. The league features six teams, each comprising four players. These teams will compete in a round-robin format, with only three of the four players participating in any given event.

Five teams have already been revealed, with affiliations to major US cities, including Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. NBA superstar Stephen Curry is linked to the San Francisco team, while tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams support the Los Angeles franchise, and the Fenway Sports Group is involved with the Boston-based team. All matches will be held at the Sofi Center, Palm Beach State College, with a capacity for approximately 1,600 spectators. The matches are expected to take about two hours and will be broadcast live in the United States, with all players wearing microphones for an enhanced viewing experience.

Who Will Compete?

Naturally, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy will take to the indoor golf course. Spain’s Jon Rahm and American Justin Thomas were among the early sign-ups. Justin Thomas, a two-time major champion, is the first player to be officially assigned to a team, the Atlanta Drive GC.

Other top golfers, such as world number one Scottie Scheffler, Patrick Cantlay, Rickie Fowler, Collin Morikawa, Max Homa, and Xander Schauffele, have also joined the league. England will be well-represented, with players like Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, and Justin Rose all confirmed to participate. Ireland’s Shane Lowry is also on board, promising a highly competitive field.

TGL golf

WHAT’S MODERN MATCH PLAY?

Modern Match Play is what we are calling our 15-hole format that includes 9 holes of Triples (3 vs. 3 alternate shot) and 6 holes of Singles (head-to-head play).

Two teams made up of three players each will tee off at SoFi Center and start with Triples. From there, they’ll complete the match by playing Singles. Each hole is worth 1 point and the team with the fewest shots on a hole wins the point. The team with the most points at the end of the night wins the match.

Let’s give you an example of how Triples will work. Say Tiger Woods, Shane Lowry and Rickie Fowler on Team 1 are playing Rory McIlroy, Patrick Cantlay and Collin Morikawa on Team 2. On hole 1 of Triples, Tiger tees off for his team and Rory tees off for his team. Then, Shane will take the next shot for Team 1, Cantlay will do the same for Team 2 and so on, until the hole is complete. That’s Triples, 3 vs. 3 alternate shot.

To give you an example of how Singles works: The 10th hole begins with head-to-head play as Tiger representing his team plays Rory on the opposing team. They play the entire hole and the winner (fewest shots) earns the point. The next hole, Lowry faces Cantlay. And then Fowler faces Morikawa. The cycle begins again for holes 13, 14 and 15, so in total 6 holes of Singles will be played.

To summarize:

  • Each hole has a value of one (1) point and the team with the fewest strokes (shots) on a hole wins the point. Ties are worth zero (0) points and there are no carryovers.
  • There will be two sessions: Session 1 (Triples, 3 vs. 3 alternate shot) and Session 2 (Singles, head-to-head).
  • Session 1 will be 9 holes
  • Session 2 will be 6 holes
  • If the score between the two teams is tied after 15 holes, overtime will be a 3 vs. 3 closest-to-the-pin competition to determine a winning team.

How Does the League Operate?

Each event will pit two teams against each other, with the winning team receiving two points. The matches are divided into two sessions: the first features nine holes of ‘triples,’ where all three players alternate shots. The second session involves six holes of ‘singles,’ a head-to-head competition with each golfer playing two holes.

Points are earned for winning individual holes, and the team with the most points at the end of the match emerges victorious. In case of a tie, a nearest-the-pin shootout will determine the winner. There are 15 matches in the league, and the top four teams will advance to the semi-finals, with the winners proceeding to a best-of-three final.

The second match of the season is scheduled for Tuesday, January 16.

Indoor Golf Innovation

Intriguingly, each hole will commence on a golf simulator, with players hitting tee shots into a massive 64ft x 46ft screen, approximately 20 times larger than a standard screen. For shots within 50 yards, players will transition from the simulator to hitting into adaptable greens with 189 actuators and jacks that adjust the slope of the putting surface for each hole.

Rather than relying on iconic golf holes or courses commonly found in simulators, a collection of fresh holes has been exclusively designed for the TGL season, promising a unique and thrilling golfing experience. This high-tech approach to golf promises to bring a new level of excitement to the sport, and fans around the world eagerly await the debut of TGL on January 9, 2024.

Sir Bobby Charlton Passes Away in Accidental Fall at Care Home

Sir Bobby Charlton Passes Away in Accidental Fall at Care Home

Sir Bobby Charlton, the beloved figure of English football and Manchester United, tragically passed away at the age of 86 in Macclesfield General Hospital on October 21st. An inquest conducted at Cheshire Coroner’s Court revealed that he was residing at The Willows in Knutsford, a specialized nursing home dedicated to dementia care.

Cheshire’s Senior Coroner, Jacqueline Devonish, determined that Sir Bobby’s demise was accidental. The inquest detailed how he lost his balance while getting up from his chair, leading to an unfortunate collision with a window sill and, potentially, a radiator.

Irish Rugby Union Appoints David Humphreys as Performance Director

The IRFU is excited to announce that former Ireland international David Humphreys has been appointed as the Performance Director, succeeding David Nucifora, who will depart at the end of this season.

The search for the new Performance Director was conducted by Odgers Berndtson, a global high-performance search firm, and their network partners worldwide.

The IRFU’s interview panel, including Ireland’s High Performance Expert, Gary Keegan, and members of the IRFU senior leadership team, identified a shortlist of experienced candidates from around the world. These candidates underwent a rigorous selection process, including interviews and assessments.

IRFU CEO Kevin Potts stated, “In David Humphreys, we have found someone with a deep passion for Irish Rugby and the expertise to keep us competitive on the world stage. His local knowledge and 30 years of elite rugby experience make him an ideal fit for this role.”

David Humphreys added, “This role is the fulfillment of a lifelong ambition, and I look forward to building on the successful systems put in place by David Nucifora, who has been a driving force behind Irish Rugby for a decade.”

The IRFU Performance Director is responsible for delivering integrated high-performance systems, player development pathways, coaching, and support for Irish Rugby.

Humphreys, who had a successful playing career, will join the IRFU in March as Performance Director Designate, working alongside Nucifora for a smooth transition, and assume full responsibility from June 1, 2024.

Munster Rugby – Squad Updates and Injury News

Paddy Patterson (knee) and Seán O’Brien (thigh) made their first appearances of the season against Treviso on Sunday after recovering from injuries with O’Brien making his Munster debut.

There is good news for Liam Coombes (thigh) and Jack O’Sullivan (knee) as they both return to training this week.

Josh Wycherley is being treated for a neck injury and will be unavailable this week.

Joey Carbery picked up a wrist injury against Benetton on Sunday and will go for a scan today to further assess.

Niall Scannell and Andrew Conway are both unavailable for the weekend.

Continuing to rehab: Simon Zebo (foot), Patrick Campbell (ankle), Roman Salanoa (knee), Mike Haley (hip), Cian Hurley (ankle/achilles).

Connacht v Ulster – Preview, Stats, Team News & TV

Connacht play Ulster at 7:35pm on Saturday, its 2nd v 3rd in the table. Game is live on @SportTG4

Connacht has kicked off their 2023/24 BKT United Rugby Championship season impressively, securing back-to-back 34-26 victories at the Sportsground against Ospreys and Glasgow, marking their best start since 2014/15.

Ulster have also started the season with two wins, away to Zebre and home to the Bulls.

Connacht has won both their matches 34-26, while Ulster have won 36-40 and 26-19.

In the past year, Connacht has been defeated just once at the Sportsground, a loss to today’s opponents, Ulster, in the URC on December 23.

Ulster, on the other hand, has been on a strong streak, with their only loss in the last eight BKT United Rugby Championship matches being a 10-15 defeat at home to today’s opponents, Connacht, in last season’s quarter-final.

However, Connacht has struggled against Ulster recently, winning only one of their last four encounters, and Ulster has triumphed in their last two visits to Galway.

GAA Games Round Up: October 29, 2023

GAA Games Round Up: October 29, 2023. The last Sunday of October saw some thrilling GAA games across the country, with county titles up for grabs in both football and hurling. Here is a summary of the results and highlights from each game.

Ballina Stephenites claim 22nd Mayo SFC title

Ballina Stephenites defeated Breaffy by a score of 0-06 to 0-04 in the Connacht Gold Mayo Senior Football Championship Final. It was a low-scoring and tense game, with both teams finding it hard to score. Ballina Stephenites showed more composure and experience, and secured their 22nd county title. Breaffy, who had never won the title before, were left disappointed.

Rathgormack end 17-year wait for Waterford SFC title

Rathgormack dominated The Nire and won by a comfortable scoreline of 1-9 to 0-06 in the JJ Kavanagh & Sons Waterford Senior Football Championship Final. Rathgormack’s goal came from Jason Curry in the first half, and they never looked back as they controlled the game. Rathgormack ended their 17-year wait for their 10th county title.

Na Fianna hammer Ballyboden to win Dublin SHC title

Na Fianna thrashed Ballyboden St Enda’s by a whopping 2-19 to 0-09 in the Go Ahead Dublin Senior 1 Hurling Championship Final. Na Fianna were unstoppable, with Donal Burke scoring 1-10 and Colin Currie adding another goal. Na Fianna lifted their third county title, and their first since 2001.

Kiladangan edge out Thurles Sarsfields in Tipperary SHC final replay

Kiladangan edged out Thurles Sarsfields by a single point, 1-21 to 1-20, in the FBD Insurance – County Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Final Replay. Kiladangan’s goal came from Bryan McLoughney in the second half, and they held on to win despite a late surge from Thurles Sarsfields. Kiladangan claimed their second county title, and their first since 2016.

O’Loughlin Gaels stun Ballyhale Shamrocks in Kilkenny SHC final

O’Loughlin Gaels stunned Shamrocks Ballyhale by a narrow margin of 0-20 to 0-19 in the St. Canice’s Credit Union Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship Final. O’Loughlin Gaels trailed by four points at half-time, but staged a remarkable comeback in the second half, with Mark Bergin scoring 0-12. O’Loughlin Gaels won their fifth county title, and their first since 2010.

Fulham Irish upset Tir Chonaill Gaels to win London SFC title

Fulham Irish upset Tir Chonaill Gaels by a score of 0-11 to 0-08 in the McAleer & Rushe London Senior Football Championship Final. Fulham Irish led by three points at half-time, and maintained their advantage in the second half, with Liam Staunton scoring 0-06. Fulham Irish clinched their second county title, and their first since 2017.

Trillick St Macartan’s beat Errigal Ciaran to win Tyrone SFC title

Trillick St. Macartan’s beat Errigal Ciaran by a score of 1-13 to 0-13 in the Connolly’s of Moy Tyrone Senior Football Championship Final. Trillick St. Macartan’s scored the only goal of the game in the first half, courtesy of Lee Brennan, and held off Errigal Ciaran’s challenge in the second half. Trillick St. Macartan’s captured their sixth county title, and their first since 2015.

St Thomas defeat Turloughmore to win Galway SHC title

St Thomas defeated Turloughmore by a score of 2-12 to 1-13 in the Brooks Galway Senior Hurling Championship Final. St Thomas scored two goals in quick succession in the second half, from Darragh Burke and Eanna Burke, and held on to win despite a late rally from Turloughmore. St Thomas claimed their fourth county title, and their first since 2019.

Castlehaven overcome Nemo Rangers to win Cork PSF title

Castlehaven overcame Nemo Rangers by a score of 0-11 to 0-09 in the Bon Secours Hospital Cork Premier Senior Football Final. Castlehaven led by two points at half-time, and extended their lead to five points in the second half, with Brian Hurley scoring 0-05. Castlehaven secured their fourth county title, and their first since 2013.

Glen hammer Magherafelt to win first ever Derry SFC title

Glen hammered Magherafelt by a score of 1-13 to 0-07 in the O’Neills Derry Senior Football Championship Final. Glen scored the only goal of the game in the first half, from Danny Tallon, and dominated the game throughout. Glen lifted their first ever county title.

Blessington beat Rathnew in Wicklow SFC final replay

Blessington beat Rathnew by a score of 0-11 to 1-05 in the Boom & Platform Hire Wicklow Senior Football Championship Final Replay. Blessington led by four points at half-time, and maintained their lead in the second half, despite a goal from Leighton Glynn for Rathnew. Blessington won their third county title, and their first since 2004.

Video Explainer – T1 Rugby – New Non Contact Rugby

World Rugby’s Latest Innovation: T1 Rugby – A Game for Everyone

In an exciting move, World Rugby has introduced T1 Rugby, a groundbreaking non-contact sport that preserves the essence of traditional rugby, featuring elements such as scrums, lineouts, and breakdowns. This innovative step aims to boost engagement and accessibility for young people worldwide.

T1 Rugby is positioned as “a game for everyone, played by anyone,” with a strong focus on enjoyment, fitness, inclusivity, and efficient use of time. This format promises a welcoming and safe environment for individuals of all ages and backgrounds, aligning with World Rugby’s global sport-for-all mission.

What sets T1 Rugby apart is its ability to mirror the key characteristics of rugby, including lineouts, scrums, kicking, and the essence of a rugby match, all while maintaining a non-contact nature. This unique approach retains the attacking and defending aspects of rugby, requiring players to make strategic decisions.

Remarkably, participants have reported understanding the rules in under 20 minutes, highlighting the game’s simplicity and its authentic rugby feel. Players have expressed a strong desire to play T1 Rugby regularly if given the opportunity.

World Rugby is set to launch T1 Rugby globally through its national member unions. The format was previewed during the Rugby World Cup 2023 media match in Paris on October 17. Member unions, spanning from England and New Zealand to Laos and Vietnam, have contributed to T1 Rugby’s development, as it offers a flexible format to expand rugby’s reach worldwide.

As global participation rates, especially among young people in emerging rugby markets, have seen an 11% increase in the past year, T1 Rugby is poised to become the cornerstone of World Rugby’s Get Into Rugby program. This new non-contact sport is expected to gain traction in clubs and schools worldwide.

Alan Gilpin, World Rugby’s Chief Executive, expressed enthusiasm for the introduction of T1 Rugby, emphasizing the sport’s accessibility to a diverse and younger audience. With its potential to expand beyond traditional nations and demographics, T1 Rugby is set to play a pivotal role in the growth of rugby, especially with the forthcoming men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups in the USA.

Ireland’s women’s rugby team to play Spain

Ireland Women’s WXV Squad Announced: Bemand’s Lineup for Decisive Showdown with Spain in Dubai

Ireland’s women’s head coach, Scott Bemand, has unveiled his match day squad for the critical final round of WXV3 against Spain, scheduled for Saturday at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai. Kick-off: 5pm local time/2pm Irish time.

After remarkable victories over Kazakhstan and Colombia in the opening rounds, Bemand’s team is on the verge of securing the inaugural WXV3 title. The upcoming match against Spain will determine the ultimate winner.

Although the identity of the three European teams for WXV2 in 2024 will be decided through regional qualifiers, this weekend remains pivotal. Ireland currently leads the standings with one point ahead of Spain and an impressive points difference of +131. A simple avoidance of defeat in Dubai will see Ireland claim the first-ever WXV3 title.

Bemand’s squad for the final round showcases experience, with co-captains Sam Monaghan and Edel McMahon leading the second row and back row, respectively. The pack is further fortified with the inclusion of Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, and Christy Haney in the front row, while Dorothy Wall partners with Monaghan in the engine room. Grace Moore, McMahon, and Brittany Hogan are in their respective positions of blindside flanker, openside, and number eight.

The backline presents a dynamic mix of youth and experience, with Meabh Deely, Beibhinn Parsons, and Natasja Behan forming the back three, and a center partnership of Aoife Dalton and Eve Higgins. Molly Scuffil-McCabe and Dannah O’Brien are selected as the half-backs.

Bemand expressed, “Competition for places in this final round squad has been high, which is exactly where we want to be. It has taken 31 players to get to this point, and both this squad and individuals have grown over these three weeks. We have history with Spain and know this will be a challenging test for our squad.”

Don’t miss Saturday’s match; you can stream it for free on RugbyPass TV, and there will be live updates on Irish Rugby’s social media channels.

World Rugby’s Decision on Alleged Racial Slur by Bongi Mbonambi

Women’s AIL rugby standings after 3 rounds
Credit: @URCOfficial.

Bongi Mbonambi will not face charges for the alleged racial slur towards Tom Curry, according to World Rugby.

The governing body cited “insufficient evidence,” and the case is considered closed.

Here’s the FULL WORLD RUGBY STATEMENT:

“World Rugby has reviewed allegations by England’s Tom Curry regarding discriminatory language used by South Africa’s Mbongeni Mbonambi. The review covered the recent England versus South Africa Rugby World Cup 2023 semi-final and a previous match in the Autumn Nations Series 2022.

World Rugby takes discrimination allegations seriously and conducted a thorough investigation, considering all available evidence, including match footage, audio, and input from both teams. The conclusion is that there is currently insufficient evidence to proceed with charges, and the matter is considered closed unless additional evidence emerges.

It’s important to note that World Rugby acknowledges Tom Curry’s good faith in making the allegations, and there’s no indication of deliberate falsehood or malice.

World Rugby is also concerned about the social media abuse both players have endured this week. Discrimination, abuse, or hate speech have no place in rugby or society, and World Rugby encourages fans to uphold the sport’s values of respect, integrity, and solidarity.”

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