Lorraine Courtney: I did an Arts degree and learnt nothing useful
This week, thousands of teenagers across Ireland will file into exam halls, palms clammy, biro tips poised, as the Leaving Cert ritual begins once again. It's the great Irish sorting hat — the test we still pretend will determine everything. Futures will be fretted over. Points will be chased. And somewhere, quietly, parents will start practising the lines, 'He got into Trinity' or 'She's hoping for Commerce in UCD'.
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The Journal
26 minutes ago
- The Journal
Connacht appoint Stuart Lancaster as head coach
CONNACHT HAVE APPOINTED Stuart Lancaster as the province's new head coach on a two-year deal. The coaching coup sees Lancaster, 55, return to Irish rugby having previously spent seven years at Leinster, where he helped the province to a Champions Cup title as well as a Pro14 four-in-a-row. Lancaster, who coached England at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, was most recently the director of rugby at Racing 92 in France's Top 14 before parting company with the Parisian giants in February. He will take charge out west ahead of pre-season training in July, and will take responsibility for Connacht's defence as well as his overall head coaching role. The appointment completes Connacht's coaching ticket, which also includes the incoming Rod Seib as attack coach, Cullie Tucker as scrum and contact coach, and John Muldoon as lineout and maul coach. 'I'm hugely excited to be joining Connacht Rugby and begin this new chapter of my life in the West of Ireland with my wife Nina,' Lancaster said on Tuesday. 'Connacht is a club with a proud identity, a passionate supporter base, and enormous potential both on and off the field, so I'm honoured and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead the Professional Men's team programme. 'I'm a firm believer in creating an environment that enables players to thrive and realise their potential, while playing a brand of rugby that inspires the community of which they represent. Advertisement 'Ever since my initial conversations with Willie [Ruane, Connacht CEO], David [Humphreys, IRFU performance director] and the rest of the selection committee, it's clear that same belief exists here in Connacht, and that's why I'm so excited by this opportunity.' Humphreys welcomed Lancaster's appointment as 'a significant coup and a real statement of intent' for Connacht. 'Stuart is a hugely talented coach with a proven track record in developing young talent and in delivering high performing and successful teams. 'It was clear in the recruitment process of his knowledge and enthusiasm for Irish Rugby and this appointment will be a huge boost to the game in Ireland.' Connacht CEO Ruane hailed Lancaster as 'one of the most respected coaches in world rugby'. 'We are absolutely thrilled to appoint someone of his calibre. He has a proven track record in developing young talent, building a high-performance environment, and most importantly, delivering success and helping teams realise their ambitions. 'His coaching philosophy and his vision for how the game should be played, perfectly matches our own values and our own ambition.' Written by Niall Kelly and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here .
Irish Examiner
33 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Brentford announce signing of Caoimhín Kelleher from Liverpool
Brentford have completed the signing of Cork native Caoimhín Kelleher from Liverpool. Kelleher left the Republic of Ireland training on Monday to undergo a medical and complete the transfer believed to be worth £12.5million, with the potential for it to rise to £18m. And on Tuesday afternoon, the London club announced the signing of the Leesider, who said he was "buzzing" to join the Bees. 'I'm buzzing, I'm really happy to be here," said the 26-year-old. 'I don't think it was very difficult for me to leave [Liverpool]. I felt for my own career that the time was right for me to go, to be a no.1 and to play every week. 'I heard of some interest a number of weeks ago. Once I knew Brentford was in for me, it was definitely one I was really excited about and wanted to do as quickly as possible. 'When I come back for pre-season, all focus will be on what I want to do next year; to work on certain goals and what I need to improve on, and to have a really good season for Brentford." Kelleher also admitted conversations with head coach Thomas Frank demonstrated that Brentford was the right club for him at the next stage of his career. 'I came down to meet the manager and some of the coaches," he continued. "They spoke to me about why they wanted me to be here and showed me around the training ground. 'It was interesting to see their point of view on why they wanted to sign me and how they think they can develop my game. It was impressive and I think the club's a really good fit for me. 'I like the way the manager and the coaching staff go about their ways. It seems like a really close, tight knit, family club. "They've got a really good track record of improving and developing players which is really what's drawn me to the club. 'I obviously spoke to Nathan. He spoke really well about the whole club and it's nice to know Sepp and Fábio as well. It'll make it easier for me to settle in and be nice to have a few friendly faces." Cork club Ringmahon Rangers are set for the biggest-ever sell-on windfall for an Irish outfit as Kelleher's transfer banks them a guaranteed €3m. When the 26-year-old moved to Merseyside a decade ago, Ringmahon brokered a 20% sell-on clause. The largesse – of which 20% cascades to the Corkman's first club Rockmount – trumps previous amounts grossed by Irish clubs for sell-ons. Brentford Director of football Phil Giles said: 'I am very pleased to welcome Caoimhín to Brentford. We have scouted him in the past and were aware that he had a year to go on his contract with Liverpool this summer. 'When Mark Flekken had the opportunity to move to Bayer Leverkusen, we immediately thought about Caoimhín as his replacement. 'As well as being a very good goalkeeper, I've rarely met a player for whom everybody has such positive words to say about his personality and character. I'm therefore confident he'll be an excellent addition to the squad.' First-team goalkeeper coach Manu Sotelo added: 'Caoimhín is a young keeper full of talent who has already proven how he can perform in the Premier league as well as Europe. 'He is calm and obsessed with improving. His best quality is his agility and he is a clever goalkeeper, with positioning and awareness being key elements of his game. 'With us, I'm confident he will achieve the next level in terms of performance and show the potential he has. 'I'm looking forward to working with him.'
The Irish Sun
43 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Motorist doing 188kmh one of almost 3k drivers caught speeding across bank holiday as Gardai seize over 400 vehicles
A MOTORIST in Dublin was caught driving 188kmh in a 100kph zone by Gardai over the June Bank Holiday weekend. Gardai caught the motorist amid a safety operation in place nationwide from 7am on Thursday until today, as part of the June 1 Nearly 3,000 drivers were detected speeding during the bank holiday weekend Credit: AG News/Alamy Live News Since the operation commenced on Thursday morning, nearly 3,000 drivers have been detected for speeding offences. There was one fatality on the Irish During the operation, This led to 167 arrests for suspected driving under the influence of an intoxicant. READ MORE ON GARDA The cops revealed that most road motorists were travelling within the designated speed limit, but some drivers were detected to be driving dangerously. One of the motorists was detected driving 99km/h in a 50km/h zone on the R212 at Clones, Co Another driver was caught speeding 114km/h in a 60km/h zone on the R147 at Dunboyne, Co Once was detected driving 119km/h in an 80km/h zone on the R148 at Broadford, Co Most read in Irish News And another was spotted speeding 188km/h in a 100km/h zone on the M50 at Templeogue in Additionally, fixed charge notices were issued for other road offences during the operation. Gardai and RSA measures aimed at driving crash deaths on Irish roads This applies over 210 fines for using mobile phones, over 215 for unaccompanied learner drivers, and over 70 for not wearing seatbelts. And there were 99 vehicles seized from learner permit holders driving unaccompanied. Another 380 vehicles were seized for having no tax or insurance. SAFETY PLEA Gardai urges drivers to never drive under the influence of And they are asking drivers to ensure that seatbelts are fastened, including passengers, and keep their eyes always on the road. Gardai said: "An Garda Síochána continue to appeal to all road users to never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, to slow down and to always choose a speed that is appropriate to the driving conditions, to wear your seatbelt and keep your eyes always on the road." Last year, there were 174 people killed on Irish roads. There were also fourteen serious collisions that resulted in fourteen individuals sustaining "severe and life-threatening injuries".
