URC Week 1 Handicap Predictions vs Reality – How Close Were We?

With the BKT United Rugby Championship kicking off this weekend, we decided to take an early shot at predicting the Week 1 betting handicaps. Now that the bookmakers have released their official lines, here’s how our predictions stacked up – and where we nailed it, got close, or were miles off.

✅ Bang On

Zebre v Edinburgh: Our prediction of Edinburgh -7.5 matched the official line exactly.

👌 Bang-On(ish)

Stormers v Leinster: Official line is Leinster -7.5, we had -8.5.
Scarlets v Munster: Official line is Munster -5.5, we had -4.5.
Cardiff v Lions: Official line is Cardiff -6.5, we had -4.5.
Connacht v Benetton: Bookies set it at Connacht -7.5, very close to our -6.5 call.

📈 Where We Undershot

Glasgow v Sharks: Huge difference – bookies went Glasgow -20.5, we had -8.5.
Ulster v Dragons: Official line Ulster -15.5, we had -9.5.
Bulls v Ospreys: Official line Bulls -18.5, we had -8.5.

Overall, we were very close on five of the eight fixtures, particularly the European-based teams, but significantly underestimated the South African sides.

With Leinster’s injury updates suggesting Will Connors, Brian Deeny, Jordan Larmour, and Robbie Henshaw are all fit, their -7.5 handicap away to Stormers looks a fascinating line. The early rounds will show whether those returning players can swing the balance back Leinster’s way.

Dragons +15.5 looks bet of the weekend

It’s all set up for a cracking opening weekend of URC rugby.

Leinster Injury Update: Four Players Return, Doris & Keenan Still Out

Leinster Injury Update: Big Boost as Four Stars Return

Leinster have been handed a timely boost ahead of the new BKT United Rugby Championship season, with Will Connors, Brian Deeny, Jordan Larmour, and Robbie Henshaw all declared fit and available for selection. The quartet missed the tail end of last season’s run-in through injury but are now back in full training.

Unavailable for Selection:

Caelan Doris – Continues to rehab a shoulder injury and is not expected back for the first few rounds.
Joe McCarthy – Underwent a procedure on a foot injury and will also miss the opening rounds.
Hugo Keenan – Had a groin procedure and is expected to be sidelined for up to three months.

The return of Henshaw and Larmour in particular will give Leinster a major boost in the backline, while Connors’ defensive steel and Deeny’s work in the engine room will strengthen Leo Cullen’s options up front. Leinster open their URC campaign with a tricky away trip and will be eager to get off to a winning start despite the absence of key men like Doris, McCarthy, and Keenan.

Fans will be encouraged to see the depth of the squad tested early, as younger players look to take their chance in the opening rounds before Ireland’s internationals return later in the season.

Sweetnam and Coyle 2nd & 3rd in $340,000 American Gold Cup

Shane Sweetnam & James Kann Cruz & Daniel Coyle & Farrel — Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz (top) and Daniel Coyle and Farrel (bottom) were second and third in the American Gold Cup. Credit: © Raelyn Baker / TCHS.

Irish riders Shane Sweetnam and Daniel Coyle finished second and third respectively, behind winner Kent Farrington, in the $340,000 American Gold Cup at Traverse City in the USA on Sunday night.

Sweetnam started the day as a hopeful for an American Gold Cup hat trick after winning the historic title in 2022 and 2024 with James Kann Cruz. He and the 12-year-old Irish-bred gelding (Kannan x Cruising) stopped the clock just over a second shy of the winning time in 35.97 to finish second.

The highlight of the summer in North America

“James Kann Cruz was great, Greya [the mount of winning rider, Kent Farrington] is just a faster horse,” admitted Sweetnam. “Even going in, I knew it would be a long shot. I watched Greya’s round and knew that it probably wouldn’t be caught but I’ve already had about six or seven second-place finishes this year, so I was going to give it a go no matter what. I didn’t feel I left much out there.

“For North America, this is the highlight of the summer,” he continued. “Since I’ve come over from Ireland, it has been a special class held at brilliant venues.”

15-year-old Farrel puts Coyle on podium

Fellow Irish Olympian Daniel Coyle piloted Farrel to third in 36.49 for owner Ariel Grange. The podium finish was a momentous one after the now 15-year-old (VDL Cardento x Argelith Stakkato) was sidelined for six years from an injury as a 9-year-old.

“Every round on this horse feels like a bonus because there was a point we never thought he would jump again, let alone double clear in a five-star,” said the world no. 11. “The American Gold Cup is an iconic event for riders from any country, and I’m thrilled to get a piece of it.”

Kent Farrington and Greya win

World number 1 Kent Farrington is setting a new standard with his magnificent mare Greya. Together, they won a record sixth five-star grand prix inside a year to lift the iconic American Gold Cup and claim their share of $340,000 in prize money.

Farrington and the 10-year-old Oldenburg mare (Colestus x Contender) established the standard over Alan Wade’s opening round as the first of an eventual six clear. On theme for the record-breaking day, Wade designed his 11th American Gold Cup track this week.

Third success for Farrington

Greya set the pace yet again in the jump-off at 34.75 seconds, which would stand as the winning result. Farrington has now won the American Gold Cup three times, previously in 2016 and 2020.

“My biggest concern today was going to be measuring the speed it was going to take to win,” said Farrington. “You don’t want to be chasing what somebody else can do—you have to know what your horse’s best possible round is. I tried to put down a solid effort where they were going to have to do something special to beat me, and luckily it worked out.”

The American Gold Cup was first awarded in 1970 and has been won by some of show jumping’s most legendary names throughout its 55-year history.

Seven Big Takeaways from Sunday’s Week 3 NFL Action

Week 3 of the 2025 NFL season delivered late drama, historic comebacks, and individual milestones across Sunday’s 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. ET games. Here are seven standout storylines from a thrilling afternoon of football.

1. Late-Game Drama Across the League

Eight games were within one score entering the fourth quarter, and seven were decided by a single possession (eight points or fewer). Each of those games – won by Cleveland, Jacksonville, the Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Tampa Bay – saw the decisive score come in the final three minutes.

This ties the most such games in a single week since 1970 (last matched in Week 15, 2022).

Tampa Bay became the first team in the Super Bowl era to record a game-winning score in the final minute of regulation in each of its first three games. Only the 2017 Steelers and 1994 Giants have matched that feat at any point in a season.

Six teams – Buffalo, Indianapolis, the Chargers, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Tampa Bay – moved to 3-0. The Chargers also became just the third team since 2002 to open a season with wins over three straight division rivals, joining the 2006 Bears and 2003 Vikings.

2. Philadelphia’s Stunning Comeback

The Eagles overcame a 19-point second-half deficit to defeat the Rams – the largest comeback since Denver’s 21-point rally in Week 4 of 2023. Cleveland also erased a 10-point deficit in the final four minutes for their first win of 2025.

Defensive tackles Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis each blocked a field goal in the fourth quarter, making Philadelphia the first team since at least 1978 to block two fourth-quarter field goals in one game.

Davis returned a blocked kick 61 yards for a game-winning touchdown as time expired, becoming the heaviest player in NFL history to score on a 50+ yard blocked kick return and reaching 18.59 mph – the fastest by any player over 330 pounds since at least 2017.

3. Rookie Returners Make History

Seattle’s Tory Horton (95 yards) and Washington’s Jaylin Lane (90 yards) each returned punts for touchdowns, marking the first week in NFL history with multiple rookies producing 90+ yard punt return touchdowns. It was also the first week since 1983 with two punt returns of 90+ yards. Horton’s return ties Tyreek Hill’s 2017 effort as the longest by a rookie in nearly a decade.

4. Colts and Taylor Rolling

Jonathan Taylor rushed for 102 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-20 win over Tennessee. Indianapolis became the sixth team since 2002 to start 3-0 and score 28+ points in each game after missing the playoffs the prior year. Taylor joined Arian Foster, Adrian Peterson, and LaDainian Tomlinson as the only players since 2000 with 7,500 scrimmage yards and 60 touchdowns through 70 games.

5. Historic Day for Isaiah Rodgers

Minnesota cornerback Isaiah Rodgers forced two fumbles, returned an interception 87 yards for a touchdown, and added a 66-yard fumble-return score in a 48-10 rout of Cincinnati. He is the first player in NFL history to record both an interception return TD of 85+ yards and a fumble return TD of 65+ yards in the same game, and the first since 2000 with two forced fumbles and two touchdowns in a single outing.

6. Rodgers and Watt Reach Milestones

Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 139 yards and two touchdowns in a 21-14 win at New England. He now has 510 career touchdown passes (4th-most in NFL history) and 63,538 passing yards (6th all-time).

T.J. Watt recorded two sacks, giving him 110 in just 124 games and joining Reggie White and DeMarcus Ware as the only players since 1982 with at least 110 sacks in their first 125 games.

7. Stafford & Nacua Keep Producing

Matthew Stafford threw two touchdown passes and now ranks ninth all-time with 382 career TDs, surpassing Matt Ryan. Puka Nacua hauled in 11 receptions for 112 yards, becoming the fifth player ever with at least 10 receptions and 100 yards in six games within his first three seasons.

Bottom Line: Week 3 had everything – comebacks, last-minute winners, rookie breakouts and historic milestones. With two games still to play, this season is already shaping up to be one for the ages.

18 declared for Wednesday’s Guinness Kerry National

Listowel Races — Credit: @ListowelRaces.

The ante-post favourites You Oughta Know and Three Card Brag head the 18 runners for the €200,000 Guinness Kerry National at Listowel on Wednesday following this morning’s declarations.

Champion trainer Willie Mullins’ You Oughta Know emerged as the leading contender for the Listowel feature with a 23-length success in a rated novice chase at Wexford recently. The Closutton handler is also represented by the two-time chase winner Arctic Fly and the novice Spanish Harlem.

Gordon Elliott is represented by Three Card Brag, a horse that had a luckless run in the Tote Galway Plate. Elliott also has the topweight Pied Piper among his declarations, along with Duffle Coat and Shecouldbeanything.

Cross-channel runner

For the third year running, the Guinness Kerry National has attracted a runner from across the Irish Sea and taking his chance on his first start for Mickey Bowen is the nine-year-old Light N Strike, formerly trained by Emma Lavelle.

Monbeg Park will have his first start for trainer Jack Foley with French Dynamite another running for a new trainer, Eric McNamara, a three-time winner of the race.

Former winner among reserves

Joseph O’Brien’s 2022 Guinness Kerry National winner Busselton is the second reserve but the dual purpose trainer will be represented by San Salvadorr.

The consistent Le Coq Hardi will represent Waterford trainer Henry de Bromhead who also has the first reserve in the Grade 2 mares’ novice chase winner Nara.

The Ken Budds-trained Cheltenham Festival runner-up Anyway finished in front of You Ought Know when victorious at Kilbeggan last June.

Padraig Roche’s Outside The Door had a wide-margin success last time, while Gavin Cromwell runs Thecompanysergeant.

The Guinness Kerry National features on a seven-race card at Listowel on Wednesday where the first race begins at 2.05pm.

The Harvest Festival at Listowel, which began yesterday, continues until Saturday with live coverage on TG4 and Racing TV each afternoon.

NFL Week 3 Preview – Key Games & Stats

NFL Week 3 Schedule — Image credit: @NFLUKIRE.

Close, high-scoring games have been the norm in the new 2025 NFL season so far as we enter Week 3.

Seventeen games have been decided by a touchdown or less, the most at this point in 12 years, and second-most all-time.

Ten teams have begun the season 2-0 (with at least one undefeated team in each division for the third time since 2002).

L.A. Rams (2-0) at Philadelphia (2-0)

In last season’s NFC Divisional playoffs, the Eagles defeated the Rams, 28-22, as running back Saquon Barkley became the sixth player ever with at least 200 rushing yards (205) and two rushing touchdowns in a postseason game.

Los Angeles can begin 3-0 for the fourth time since head coach Sean McVay was hired in 2017 (2018-19, 2021) while Philadelphia can begin the season with three consecutive victories for the third time in five seasons under head coach Nick Sirianni (2022-23).

Arizona (2-0) at San Francisco (2-0)

Since 1970, the Cardinals have begun 3-0 on five previous occasions (1974, 2012, 2014-15 and 2021). San Francisco has begun a season with three straight wins five times since 1990 (1990, 1995, 1998, 2019 and 2023).

Cardinals defensive lineman Calais Campbell, appearing for Arizona for the first time since 2016, had two sacks in the team’s Week 2 win and became the fourth player age 39-or-older since 1982 to record multiple sacks in a game

San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey, with a touchdown reception in Week 2, became the third player in NFL history with at least 50 rushing touchdowns and 30 touchdown receptions.

Green Bay (2-0) at Cleveland (0-2)

Green Bay can begin 3-0 for the third time (2019-20) since head coach Matt LaFleur was hired in 2019.

Packers’ running back Josh Jacobs has a rushing touchdown in 11 consecutive games (including the playoffs) since Week 11 of the 2024 season. On Sunday, he can become the fifth player all-time with a rushing touchdown in 12 straight games.

Cincinnati (2-0) at Minnesota (1-1)

Cincinnati can begin a season with three consecutive wins for the first time since 2015. Among players with at least 50 career games played, Minnesota wide receiver Justin Jefferson and Cincinnati wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase have the two highest receiving yards per game averages in NFL history.

Jefferson recorded his 500th career reception last week and Chase had 14 receptions for 165 yards and one touchdown in the Bengals’ Week 2 win and became the fourth player in NFL history with at least 14 receptions in three career games.

N.Y. Jets (0-2) at Tampa Bay (2-0)

Tampa Bay, who began 2-0 for the fifth consecutive season, look to win their first three games of a season for the first time since 2005. The Buccaneers are the first team since the 1970 merger to score a game-winning touchdown in the final minute of each of their first two games of a season.

Indianapolis (2-0) at Tennessee (0-2)

Indianapolis looks to start 3-0 for the first time since 2009. In the first two weeks, the Colts became the first team in NFL history to score on each of their first 10 offensive possessions of a season and the first team in the Super Bowl era to not punt in either of their first two games in a season.

Indianapolis quarterback Daniel Jones is one of four players in NFL history with at least 270 passing yards, a touchdown pass and a rushing touchdown in each of his team’s first two games of a season.

Denver (1-1) at Los Angeles Chargers (2-0)

The Los Angeles Chargers can begin the season with three straight wins for the first time since 2002. With divisional wins over Kansas City and Las Vegas in the first two weeks, the Chargers can become the third team since realignment in 2002 to defeat division opponents in each of their first three games of a season, joining the 2006 Chicago Bears and 2003 Minnesota Vikings.

Detroit Lions (1-1) at Baltimore Ravens (1-1) [Monday]

The two highest scoring teams from Week 2 and two of the most consistently prolific offenses will take the field in Monday night’s game.

Last season, Detroit and Baltimore had the top-two offenses in yards per game while the Lions ranked first and the Ravens ranked third in scoring average.

Gold for Lynch & Silver for McMahon at Sailing Grand Prix Final

Dutch Water Week - SGS Invitational Final — Gold for Finn Lynch at Sailing Grand Slam Final in The Netherlands. Credit: Sailing Energy.

Finn Lynch and Eve McMahon have won Gold and Silver medals at the Sailing Grand Slam Final in The Netherlands.

The pair’s success brings Ireland’s tally in the new Grand Slam series to five podium finishes between them.

7 International medals in 2025

A landmark year for Irish sailing has delivered seven international medals, including a World Championship Bronze, five Grand Slam podiums, and a Bronze at the U23 European Championships.

In the ILCA 7 fleet, Finn Lynch (National Yacht Club) and Ewan McMahon (Howth YC) navigated the early rounds in mid-fleet positions before the knockout stages reset the competition.

McMahon exited in the quarter-finals, while Lynch advanced to the final three alongside Italy’s Lorenzo Brando Chiavarini and Britain’s Michael Beckett, the world’s top-ranked sailor.

Golden end to the season

“The final race was a strange one, we had 50-degree shifts in the wind, and I was last on the second lap,” said Carlow sailor Lynch. “But the boys ahead didn’t see a mark change that I spotted, and I managed to slip through for the win. I didn’t have my best week overall, but today I sailed well, and it’s fantastic to end the season with a Gold medal.”

Eve McMahon (Howth YC) dominated much of the ILCA 6 regatta, posting four race wins and holding the overall lead for most of the week. On the final day her best result was second place, allowing Poland’s Agata Barwinska to edge ahead for Gold.

“Eve sailed brilliantly all week,” said Vasilij Zbogar, Irish Sailing’s ILCA 6 coach. “This new format is very exciting but also unforgiving—there’s no room for mistakes. The Polish sailor just managed to pull ahead on the final day, but a Silver medal is an excellent result. Eve has shown she can deliver consistently at the highest level, and that’s hugely promising for the future.”

Heptathlon Silver for Kate O’Connor at World Championships

Kate O’Connor has won silver in the heptathlon at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, with the Dundalk St Gerard’s athlete setting a new Irish record of 6,714 points in the process.

Despite a knee injury during the long jump, O’Connor delivered five personal bests across seven events, including a gutsy 2:09.56 in the decisive 800m.

Another 2025 Medal for O’Connor

O’Connor has enjoyed an incredible 2025 season. She won a bronze in the pentathlon at the European Championships and silver at the World Indoors before setting a national record at the World University Games to claim gold outdoors.

The Tokyo silver medal is the first won by an Irish athlete in a multi-discipline event at the Worlds, and O’Connor is only the sixth Irish athlete ever to reach the podium.

“I expected big things from myself”

Speaking after her silver medal success, the Irish heptathlete said:

“It’s insane, words can’t describe the way that I feel or the year that I’ve had. My indoor season was a complete dream, and I wanted to carry that form into the outdoors. I’ve never come to a championship before and had as much pressure as I’ve had on my shoulders this week. I expected big things from myself, and I knew I was in with a shot of winning a medal.

“I enjoyed every single second of the competition yesterday, but today not so much as I hurt my knee in the long jump, and it was just a real fight to the line in every event. The team around me have filled me with so much confidence today and it was just pure grit and determination that I managed to pull myself through.”

Gold went to Anna Hall (USA) with 6,881 points, while O’Connor’s rivals Taliyah Brooks (USA) and Katarina Johnson-Thompson (GBR) shared bronze on 6,581.

PBs and National Record

Kate O’Connor’s competition included PBs in the 100m hurdles, high jump, 200m, and a superb 53.06m javelin throw, propelling her into medal contention.

National Heptathlon Record Summary (6,714 pts)
100m Hurdles: 13.44 PB
High Jump: 1.86m PB
Shot Put:14.37m
200m: 24.07 PB
Long Jump: 6.22m
Javelin: 53.06m PB
800m: 2:09.56 PB

O’Connor Joins Elite Group

Kate O’Connor now joins Eamonn Coghlan, Sonia O’Sullivan, Gillian O’Sullivan, Olive Loughnane, and Rob Heffernan as an Irish World Championships medallist.

1983 – Eamonn Coghlan, GOLD, 5,000m
1993 – Sonia O’Sullivan, SILVER, 1500m
1995 – Sonia O’Sullivan, GOLD, 5,000m
2003 – Gillian O’Sullivan, SILVER, 20km Walk
2009 – Olive Loughnane, GOLD, 20km Walk
2013 – Robert Heffernan, GOLD, 50km Walk
•025 – Kate O’Connor, SILVER, Heptathlon

Pittsburgh Steelers @ New England Patriots Full Betting Preview

Pittsburgh Steelers @ New England Patriots

Full Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots meet in a clash between two 1-1 teams still figuring out their identities in 2025.

Aaron Rodgers’ first game as a Steeler was a success as he guided them to a win over the Jets, but the reality check came quickly. Pittsburgh were beaten 31-17 at home by Seattle in Week 2, conceding 31 points and looking shaky on defence. T.J. Watt has been relatively quiet so far, and the Steelers’ once-dominant defence has now given up 30+ points in consecutive games for the first time since 1989.

New England took the opposite route to their 1-1 record, starting with a disappointing 20-13 home loss to the Raiders before exploding for a 33-27 road win over Miami. Rookie QB Drake Maye continues to show promise, but the Patriots’ defence has been a mixed bag — they’ve been stout against the run but vulnerable to big plays through the air, and will be without key cornerback Christian Gonzalez this week due to a hamstring injury.

Key Trends

Patriots have won just 2 of their last 11 home games.
Steelers have won 1 of their last 7 overall.
Pittsburgh are 3-5 ATS (against the spread) in their last 8 games as favourites.
The under has hit in 5 of the Steelers’ last 6 games.
Pittsburgh’s offence has been held to 17 points or fewer in 6 of their last 7 games.

Matchup Breakdown

This game feels like a coin flip. Rodgers should benefit from the absence of Gonzalez in the Patriots’ secondary, and the Steelers have enough offensive weapons to trouble a New England defence that has struggled with missed tackles. However, Pittsburgh’s running game has been non-existent, averaging just 62.5 rushing yards per game, which heaps pressure on Rodgers to make plays.

On the other side, Maye faces a Steelers pass rush that still ranks among the league’s best in pressure rate, even if the sack numbers aren’t there yet. If Pittsburgh can contain Rhamondre Stevenson and force Maye into third-and-long situations, they could limit the Patriots’ scoring opportunities.

Betting Verdict

Neither side can be trusted to cover the spread with confidence, but trends point towards a low-scoring battle. Both teams have been inconsistent offensively, and Pittsburgh’s habit of hitting the under is hard to ignore. Expect Rodgers to do just enough to edge a narrow win.

Best Bet: Under 44.5 Points – 10/11 (Coral, Ladbrokes)

Predicted Score: Steelers 24 – Patriots 20

Latest Odds

Market	Odds
Match Winner	Steelers 4/5, Patriots Evens
Handicap	Steelers -1.5 (10/11), Patriots +1.5 (10/11)
Total Points	Under 44.5 (10/11), Over 44.5 (10/11)

End of an Era for Portumna as Senior Status Slips Away

Portumna’s incredible 33-year stay at the top table of Galway hurling has come to an end.
A 0-24 to 2-14 defeat to Ballinderreen at Kenny Park seals their relegation to the Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship for 2026.

It is a landmark moment for one of Galway’s most storied clubs. Portumna have been ever-present
in the senior ranks since winning the Intermediate county title in 1992. Over the following two decades, they became one of the most dominant club sides in Ireland, capturing
six Galway SHC titles (2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013) and an
extraordinary four All-Ireland Club SHC crowns (2006, 2008, 2009, 2014).

Central to that golden era were the legendary Canning brothers – Ollie, Joe, Tony, and Ivan – who became synonymous with Portumna’s rise to national prominence. Joe Canning, widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers of all time,
was the talisman during their peak years, producing some of the most memorable club final performances ever seen
in Croke Park.

But today’s result represents a changing of the guard. While Portumna have continued to field competitive teams in
recent years, they have struggled to replicate the dominance of their late-2000s heyday. Ballinderreen’s sharp
shooting in Athenry proved too much despite Portumna’s goals keeping them in the contest until the closing stages.

For a generation of hurling fans, Portumna’s fall is a reminder of how quickly fortunes can turn at club level.

Their drop to Premier Intermediate brings the curtain down on one of the most successful chapters in Galway club hurling history – but also offers the chance for a rebuild and potential resurgence.