‘We would have lost that last year' – Conor Hourihane on a high as new L1 term opens with wins for Cork-born bosses
Barnsley began the new season with a 2-1 win over Plymouth Argyle, while fellow Corkman Brian Barry-Murphy started his reign as Cardiff City boss with a defeat of Peterborough United by the same score, though another Munster-born coach, Noel Hunt, watched in frustration as his Reading outfit lost 2-0 away to Lincoln City on opening day in League One.
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The 42
42 minutes ago
- The 42
Irish scrum-half Niall Armstrong swaps Exeter Chiefs for URC's Dragons
THE DRAGONS HAVE confirmed the signing of former Ulster academy scrum-half Niall Armstrong from Exeter Chiefs. Armstrong, 25, made his debut for the West-of-England club in September 2023 and went on to make 20 first-team appearances for the Chiefs across two seasons. Armstrong made just seven of those appearances last season, however, with an ankle injury hampering his progress. He has swapped Sandy Park for Rodney Parade in search of more first-team rugby. 🔏𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗡 | Dragons are delighted to announce the signing of scrum-half Niall Armstrong who has joined ahead of the 🆕 season. 🏉 We are 'Over the Moon' that the Belfast-born half-back is a Dragon! 🐉#WeAreGwentRugby — Dragons RFC 🐉 (@dragonsrfc) August 6, 2025 Advertisement Armstrong won back-to-back Ulster Schools Cups with RBAI in 2016 and 2017 — where he was a teammate of Michael Lowry's — before joining the Ulster Rugby academy. After being cut loose by his native province, he went on to attend Exeter University at third level, captaining the college's first XV and winning two national intervarsity titles. At the Dragons, Armstrong will compete for scrum-half minutes with Wales international Rhodri Williams, Dragons academy graduates Che Hope and Morgan Lloyd, and Wales U20 Logan Franklin. 'I'm really excited to join the Dragons and embrace the opportunity to challenge myself in a new environment, playing rugby in Wales,' Armstrong said. 'The club has put together a strong, talented squad ahead of the new season, and I'm eager to play a key role in helping us achieve success on the field. 'The chance to compete in the United Rugby Championship and face top-level opposition is one I'm relishing. 'The hard work starts now with pre-season, and I'm really looking forward to meeting the supporters at Rodney Parade and proudly representing Gwent rugby.' Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia added: 'Niall is a talented and driven scrum half and we're already enjoying having him within the environment. 'I'm excited to see him kick on and take his opportunity with us over the upcoming season.'
Irish Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
St Pat's blow as key player ruled out for season on eve of Besikitas clash
Zack Elbouzedi has been ruled out for the rest of St Pat's season. The ace winger dislocated his shoulder in the first-leg win over Estonian side Nomme Kalju at Richmond Park a fortnight ago. And ahead of Thursday's big European clash with Turkish giants Besiktas, Stephen Kenny confirmed he won't play again in 2025. Kenny said: 'Zack has been ruled out for the season. He needs an operation on his dislocated shoulder. Aidan Keena will be out for a long period and Romal Palmer is (already) out. Those three would have featured in these games, but it opens up the door for other players. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . 'Simon Power has come in and grabbed his opportunity, and Kian Leavy, so it opens up for other players, and that's the nature of football.' But Kenny has swooped to secure cover on the flanks with the signing of Jamaican-born Jordan Garrick. He was most recently with Forest Green Rovers and has made over 130 appearances in English with Swansea City, Swindon Town, Plymouth Argyle and Lincoln City. St Pats' Zack Elbouzedi is injured against Kalju (Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne) Garrick is registered to feature in tonight's European squad but is unlikely to be involved having trained just twice with his new team-mates. Kenny said: 'He's had a terrific career and we feel he can make a good impact and contribution here, in what will be an intensive period. 'With Zack being ruled out for the season with a shoulder injury, he'll have an operation soon. And with the (quad) injury Aidan Keena picked up last week plus Romal Palmer also being out, it's an area of the pitch we've been looking at. 'Jordon can play in any attacking areas of the pitch, central but predominantly wide, and had a really good spell with Plymouth in League 1 as well as at Forest Green." St Pat's are big underdogs against Besikitas and Kenny added: "To win over two legs is the challenge, not just the game tomorrow, but the game in Istanbul of course. 'It's a big challenge and you have to prepare well because you can lose it in the first 10 minutes if you're not psychologically tuned in. We must back ourselves and try to establish some elements of control in the game. That will be our objective.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Ademola Lookman ‘goes on strike' at Atalanta and refuses to attend training as furious ‘broken promises' row erupts
An interested club are expected to come back with a third offer Not Look-ing good Ademola Lookman 'goes on strike' at Atalanta and refuses to attend training as furious 'broken promises' row erupts ADEMOLA LOOKMAN has gone on strike from Atalanta training after accusing the club of broken promises, according to reports. It comes after the attacker blasted the club's actions over "many months of broken promises" about his future. Advertisement 3 Ademola Lookman has gone on strike from Atalanta training Credit: Getty 3 Lookman accused the club of 'months of broken promises' Credit: Getty Lookman, 27, released a lengthy statement regarding his current feelings about his treatment on Sunday evening. And following the statement, the London-born footballer has refused to turn up to training for the Serie A club. According to Sky Sports Italy he has missed two days of training after handing in a transfer request. Atalanta have insisted they will not sell the Nigeria international to another Italian club, despite Inter Milan submitting a bid worth more than £32m including add-ons. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Football tragedy Ex-Prem ace and Mourinho Champions League winning Porto captain dies at 53 The Bergamo outfit are understood to want £43.4m (€50m) to sell the winger, with interest also coming from Napoli and Atletico Madrid. Luca Percassi, the Atalanta's chief executive, said the club would allow Lookman to leave, but only for a club outside of the Italian top flight. Percassi said: "The pact with Lookman was made a year ago, when we refused a €20m offer from PSG. "The club is always careful when evaluating the value and timing of its players, but as always, it is Atalanta, the club, that decides." Advertisement BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Lookman came through Charlton's academy before featuring for Everton, RB Leipzig, Fulham and Leicester before ending up in Italy in 2022. In his social media statement over the weekend, he had said: "I hope to work together with the club to find an amicable solution for all parties as soon as possible. Dele Alli tipped for Rangers switch | Transfers Exposed 'Over the past three years at Atalanta, I've given absolutely everything. Not just as a footballer, but as a person. Advertisement "I've always worn the shirt with pride and tried to represent this club and the city of Bergamo with heart, passion and dedication. "I came here with the hope of helping this special club grow and together, we've created memories that will stay with me forever. "Winning the Europa League and standing shoulder to shoulder with my team-mates that night in Dublin celebrating with our fans was one of the proudest moments of my career so far. "It still gives me goosebumps thinking about it. Atalanta, and especially its supporters, have become a part of me. Advertisement "This place has felt like home from the moment I arrived, and I've always tried to repay that love - even in moments where things haven't been easy behind the scenes. "That's what makes writing this so hard. I have loved every moment but feel that now, after three wonderful years in Bergamo, it is the right time to move on and experience a new adventure. "There have been numerous clubs approach Atalanta in the past and I have previously always stayed loyal. "However, myself and the ownership of the club have been in agreement that now is the right time and the club were clear with me that if a fair offer came in they would allow me to move. Advertisement "Despite now receiving an offer in alignment to what I believe had been discussed sadly the club are blocking the opportunity for reasons I do not understand." Lookman, who scored a hat-trick in the 2024 Europa League final to win Atalanta's first piece of European silverware went on to confirm he had put in a formal transfer request. He added: "To the fans - the heartbeat of this club - I want to say this: I'm truly sorry it's come to this. "I hope you can understand this incredibly difficult situation. It's simply about standing up for what I believe is fair and right. Advertisement "The support you have always given me has been incredible and the bond we have created together is special. With love and gratitude, Ademola." 3 TRANSFER NEWS LIVE - KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW
