Ireland get together in Luxembourg for one last job
You'd imagine that, at this stage of the year, Heimir Hallgrímsson's men are dreaming of lying on a beach somewhere and resting their weary bones after an interminable club and international season. Before they get to do that, though, they have
a friendly away to Luxembourg
to contend with, Gavin Cummiskey previewing this evening's game. And he hears from Irish captain
Nathan Collins who is likely to have a new gaffer when he returns to Brentford
, Thomas Frank on the verge of taking over from Ange Postecoglou at Spurs.
James McDermott traces
the development of football in Luxembourg
, optimism rising there over their chances of qualifying for their first ever major tournament. In Luc Holtz, they have the second-longest-serving national coach in Europe, but he's been
embroiled in no end of controversy after naming Gerson Rodrigues in his squad
- Rodrigues is currently serving an 18-month suspended sentence after being found guilty of assaulting his former girlfriend.
In Gaelic games, that penalty shoot-out in the Munster hurling final
brought back some memories for Conor McManus
, not least of the one that decided Monaghan's All Ireland quarter-final against Armagh two years ago. Happy memories, too - McManus scored twice.
Our GAA crew pick out
five things they learned from the weekend
, Denis Walsh writing about how the character of the Munster final 'changed noticeably' when referee James Owens took over from Thomas Walsh after the latter suffered from cramp. Gordon Manning addresses the same matter, and asks
what exactly we want from our officials
? Let the game flow, or clamp down on every infringement?
READ MORE
In rugby, Gerry Thornley looks ahead to
the URC final between Leinster and the Bulls
, Leinster badly in need of a win to wrap up a frustrating season. While Sam Prendergast 'might have left his kicking boots at home last weekend against Glasgow',
Johnny Watterson hears Tyler Bleyendaal salute the young outhalf
who, he says, has become 'one of the game drivers' in the Leinster squad.
Owen Doyle, meanwhile, was left 'perplexed' by URC chief executive Martin Anayi's response to Jaden Hendrikse's 'cramp and wink' carry-on against Munster. '
Incredibly, he did not condemn the gamesmanship
,' instead insisting that the game needs 'characters'. If this behaviour catches on, says Owen, we will see it 'spread like slurry' in the game.
In golf, Philip Reid is over at Oakmont Country Club for the build-up to the US Open, Dustin Johnson the last winner of the tournament when it was staged at the Pennsylvania course.
Much has changed in the world of golf since then
, Johnson among those who 'jumped ship for a bottomless pit of greenbacks' on the LIV tour.
And in racing, Brian O'Connor brings news that Ireland's champion jockey Colin Keane has secured
one of racing's most prized jobs
after he was appointed as the number one in Europe to Juddmonte. 'It opens the way for the Meath jockey to take his career to the next level on the world stage.'
TV Watch:
RTÉ 2 has live coverage this evening of the Republic of Ireland's friendly away to Luxembourg (7.45), and at the same time on ITV, England play Senegal, who drew in Dublin last Friday.
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The Irish Sun
14 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Heimir Hallgrimsson hilariously surprised with birthday gift from Ireland fans before Luxembourg friendly
HEIMIR Hallgrimsson was presented with a card on his birthday as his side prepared to face Luxembourg in a friendly. Ireland Advertisement 1 The newly 58 year-old is a favourite with Ireland supporters Hallgrimsson was serenaded by the Ireland fans during his sides warm up, who sang his name to the tune of 'Don't Stop the Party' by Pitbull and TJR. When going over to the supporters, the Icelandic was presented with a birthday card from the stands. The manager gratefully accepted and posed for a photograph with the fan. That was about as exciting as the 58th birthday celebrations got as his side played out a bore 0-0 draw. Advertisement Read more on Irish football Ireland could only produce two shots on target in the 90 minutes but came close striking the woodwork twice through Nathan Collins and Jack Taylor in the second half. Luxembourg went into the game having won just once in 18 months and finishing rock bottom of their Nations League C group. Post-match captain Nathan Collins He said: 'Before the game, we didn't want it to be that last game, end-of-season friendly feel to it." Advertisement Most read in Football Live Blog But unfortunately that was the reality for the centre back who was on the end of Ireland's best chance of the game. The boss 'It's good to keep a clean sheet but we all felt that in the first half we were sloppy, the game was boring in the first half. Inside Arsenal's Ibiza holiday as Katie McCabe and teammates pop champagne to celebrate Champions League win "All the good things we did against Senegal were missing, all the quick movement, the press, the ball speed - so sloppy. Advertisement It wasn't all doom and gloom on Hallgrimsson's birthday as a first start was had for Ireland are next in action in a World Cup qualifier against Hungary on 6 September in the Aviva stadium. The players (barring Josh Honohan) will now have some holiday time in preparation for the 25/26 club season and the much anticipated World Cup qualifiers. The majority of EFL Championship players involved in the squad were given extra holiday time by Hallgrimsson. Advertisement When picking his squad, he left out the majority of Championship players because their season finished five weeks ago telling them to rest up for the World Cup qualifiers. In fact, they told them to take a holiday this year because there would be none next year as Ireland prepared for the World Cup! If Josh Cullen, Finn Azaz et al were watching last night in a beach bar, they will have seen that they were missed and should be back in the side for the autumn qualifiers.
Irish Examiner
19 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
'Fantastic': Ireland boss pleased with Cathal O'Sullivan in first U21 start
Cathal O'Sullivan got his first start for the Ireland U21s as they drew 0-0 with a Qatar U23 side in a friendly played in Croatia on Tuesday. The Cork City teenager made his debut in Friday's defeat to Croatia, entering the game as a late substitute. Also against Qatar, goalkeeper Andrew Wogan made his first appearance, Shamrock Rovers defender Cory O'Sullivan earned his debut off the bench, and there were first starts for Cian Dillon and Jacob Devaney. "A really young team with a 17-year-old playing right back, which he was fantastic, Jacob Devaney," said Ireland manager Jim Crawford. "We had Cathal O'Sullivan who played 90 minutes, fantastic. Andrew Wogan in goal, very good. "There was a lot of pleasing aspects for individuals but what we need going into the (Euro 2027 qualifying) campaign is competitive players. Certainly here, players have sort of turned staff members' heads, if you like, to say, 'yeah, I'm ready to be selected for September'. "Cian Dillon, you know, worked hard and people have to remember that Cian turned down a holiday to Greece to gain two U21s caps. I'm sure he wouldn't change that for the world. He's done himself absolutely no harm at all, you know, so delighted for him. "This is one step away from the senior team. This isn't easy. Some of the players have probably been ever-present in squads, from 15s, 16s, 17s and so on. Now all of a sudden, when they gets to 21s, the player pool gets a little bit bigger. "We just need to be competitive in all areas of the pitch with regards to our squads. I'm happy with that. To bring up boys like Jacob, like Cathal O'Sullivan, like Andrew Wogan, a lot of really good, polished performances that we're delighted with." Ireland created plenty of chances against Qatar but were not clinical enough in front of goal. O'Sullivan and Jad Hakiki went closest for Crawford's side. "We did create lots of chances," said Crawford. "Lots of fantastic intricate play, individual play and lots of positives. "It's the first sort of clean sheet with the group, which is one positive defensively. It's been a little bit of a concern with the group so far. "The main learning from that game is that when you're on top in a game, you need to score goals. When we play Moldova, Andorra, Kazakhstan, it'd be probably similar where teams just drop off, looking to catch you on a counter-attack. "We got a lot of prep for September and October with the way Qatar were set up. People have to understand that it was a Qatar U23s team, so 22-year-olds; a few of those players played in their senior team."
The Journal
28 minutes ago
- The Journal
GAA hopeful for Casement Park funding as part of UK Government spending review
THE GAA COULD receive some good news in relation to the long-running Casement Park saga as part of the UK Government's spending review. At around 12.30pm today, British Chancellor Rachel Reeves will unveil her government's spending review, which sets the budgets for UK government departments over the next few years. The UK Government has indicated that its spending review will be the juncture when it confirms whether or not it will make a financial contribution to help deliver the stalled plans to redevelop the derelict Gaelic games venue. It's been 12 years since a match was last played at Casement, the home of Antrim GAA. Casement Park has planning permission until July 2026 and it is hoped construction can start before then. Funding shortfall The Stormont Executive had committed to redevelop Casement Park in 2011, as part of a strategy to revamp football's Windsor Park and the rugby ground at Ravenhill. Advertisement While the two other Belfast-based projects went ahead, the redevelopment of Casement, which is currently derelict, was delayed because of legal challenges by local residents. General view of Casement Park stadium in Belfast Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo In the time since, the cost of redeveloping Casement into a 34,000 capacity venue has increased significantly. It has been planned that a redeveloped Casement Park would host games at the Euro 2028, but last September the UK Government ended these hopes when it said it would not bridge a funding gap to deliver the redevelopment in time. As well as the Stormont contribution of £62.5 million, the Irish Government has offered roughly £42 million (€50m) and the GAA has pledged to contribute £15 million. But it has been reported that the cost of the project has fallen to £270 million, still leaving a funding shortfall of about £150 million. Ulster GAA's CEO Brian McAvoy last week said he is 'hopeful' of receiving funding in the spending review but acknowledged that any funding would not bridge this funding gap. McAvoy noted that Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn had made clear last month that even if the UK Government does divert money to the project, the sum will not alone bridge the current funding gap. Related Reads How did the plan to redevelop Casement Park fall apart? Taoiseach: Irish government will 'work closely' with UK on issue of Casement Park Hilary Benn: Casement Park will be built 'one way or another' However, Sinn Féin vice president and First Minister Michelle O'Neill said last month that she is 'determined to see it over the line'. 'That means working with the British government, the Irish government, the GAA and all partners who are committed to ensuring that this project gets over the line,' said O'Neill. 'We missed a huge opportunity in terms of the Euros not being able to play and have our part in all of that, and the economic benefit that that would have brought to us all. 'I am determined to continue to work with everybody to ensure that the funding contribution is put on the table so that we can get on with actually building the project.' -With additional reporting from Press Association Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
