Group of Death looms in football championship
guiding us through the permutations
fell to Muireann Duffy who, after completing it, probably needed a lie down.
The 'group of death' will see one of Dublin, Galway and Derry have their season ended by Saturday evening, Gordon Manning talking to
Derry legend Chrissy McKaigue
about his county's chances of progressing, the former All Star convinced that they are still contenders this year. They play Dublin in Newry, the stakes on the rather high side.
As they are too in group three,
Leinster champions Louth and Clare meeting on Sunday
, the prize a ticket to the knockouts along with group leaders Down and Monaghan. Ian O'Riordan talks to Louth manager Ger Brennan ahead of the game.
Whatever happens against Dublin in Newbridge on Saturday in the All Ireland preliminary quarter-finals, it's already been a memorable year for Kildare's hurlers.
Ciarán Murphy was in Croke Park last weekend to see them win the Joe McDonagh Cup
, an emotional day it was too for the team's supporters.
READ MORE
In the build-up to Leinster's URC final against the Bulls, John O'Sullivan picks out
'Six of the Best' previous meetings between the sides
, among them last year's semi-final when
Willie le Roux 'helped pick Leinster apart with his cross-field punting'
. John talks to the Bulls stalwart, while Nathan Johns analyses how the teams go about their business,
the Bulls likely to employ a 'forward onslaught of raw power'
to see off Leinster.
In golf, Philip Reid previews the US Open which starts today at the Oakmont Country Club, Scottie Scheffler describing the course as
'probably the hardest that we'll play, maybe ever'
. Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry will have each for company in the opening round having been drawn together along with their Ryder Cup buddy Justin Rose.
After 'underwhelming' draws with Senegal and Luxembourg,
how are the Republic of Ireland shaping up
ahead of the start of their World Cup qualifying campaign in September? Gavin Cummiskey isn't overly optimistic.
In athletics, Ian O'Riordan talks to Rhasidat Adeleke ahead of
this evening's Bislett Games in Oslo
where Mark English will also be in action, the Donegal man hoping to build on 'the best times of his life'.
Gabrielle Rose is producing some of the speediest times of her life too, which is remarkable considering the swimmer is forty-seven. '
A middle-aged woman doing her bit to turn back the clock
,' writes Dave Hannigan. 'Brazenly trying to defy Father Time. On behalf of beleaguered, jaded and weary middle-aged triers everywhere.'
TV Watch
: The US Open gets under way at Oakmont Country Club today, Sky Sports Golf's coverage starting at 12.30 this afternoon. Later, Leona Maguire will be in action at the Meijer LPGA Classic (Sky Sports+, 8.0), hoping to rediscover the form that won her the tournament in 2023. In between, Ireland take on the West Indies in the first of three T20 internationals at Bready (TNT Sports 1 from 2.45) and at 7.0, Virgin Media Two has athletics' Oslo Diamond League (7.0).
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Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Irish Times
Letters to the Editor, August 22nd: On college football and climate, fish kills, and wagging the finger
Sir, – Am I the only one horrified at the prospects of two American college football teams, and their supporters, flying to Dublin to open their football season in the Aviva tomorrow? Am I the only one equally horrified that this event is being sponsored by Aer Lingus and facilitated by others? At a time when the scientific evidence of the impact of carbon emissions on the global climate is staring us in the face, and as Ireland continues to live through a self-declared 'climate emergency', we choose not only to allow this madness, but to encourage and facilitate it through our national airline. Have I missed something here? Are my concerns and observations unreasonable or ill-informed? READ MORE I think not. Ireland is already at the bottom of the list on climate action among other EU countries. We are way off our legal targets for reducing carbon emissions by 2030 – and getting further away by the day – and facing a potential fine of €26 billion for missing these targets, and what do we choose to do? Invite thousand of American to Ireland for a match they should play at home, party and have the craic. Every individual in Ireland needs to reflect on our impact on the climate, as does every company, corporation, public service body, charity and sporting organisation, rather than leaving this challenge to others in the mistaken belief that we – individually – are only having a tiny impact on the climate. There are eight billion people on the planet and I think I can safely say that eight billion tiny impacts go to make up one fairly substantial one. I can only call on Aer Linguto take their heads out of the sand, to accept that they have responsibilities to the planet and to future generations, and to cancel this event permanently from 2026 onwards. – Yours,etc, GARY DOYLE, Straffan Co Kildare. Working in Qatar Sir, – We worked in Qatar alongside Dr Paddy Davern for three years as colleagues in the Hamad Medical Corporation Ambulance Service – a GP and paramedic (' He put a gun to my head: An Irish GP on his traumatic years treating Qatar's elite ,' August 16th). Like Paddy, we both cared deeply about the wellbeing of all healthcare providers, and were greatly perturbed by the harms we witnessed and personally experienced in our professional roles. In our senior roles we were daily confronted by colleagues and patients with burnout, depression, PTSD, and substance use problems. There was little attempt to promote wellbeing or support mental health. We are grateful for Paddy's searing honesty and bravery in coming forward and speaking up about some of his experiences and the personal costs. He is fortunate to have a loving family, peer support, a good treating GP and psychologist able to support him not only through the PTSD but also the lengthy medical complaints process. Paddy was liked and respected by all his colleagues. He is an experienced, astute, compassionate and professional GP with a deep understanding of principles and medical ethics. He was well known for standing up for the less powerful, the 'underdog' – perhaps part of his Irish DNA and shared by Australians. His actions stood in contrast to many who believed it was better to be feared than respected. He assisted many of us – fellow doctors; staff; exploited workers in overcrowded housing; housemaids in private homes; female paramedics repeatedly being exposed to sexual abuse or assault. Like many of our colleagues we found it impossible to adapt to the classist hierarchies; bullying; lack of accountability and transparency; homophobia; misogyny; and racism. Add to this a difficult physical environment, poor housing and interminable obscure bureaucracy. Many of our colleagues from countries like Australia left before their contracts were up. We came back to Australia traumatised. For both of us, it has taken years to recover, but it has also given us a greater focus and determination to help colleagues who have their wellbeing compromised by being health professionals. Unlike in more developed democratic countries, Qatar has no legal protections for workers. So before you go, ask yourself: Is the tax-free salary really worth it? Are you happy to be treated as a second-class citizen, and daily witness others being treated as even lower humans? How will it impact your own health and that of your family? And know where to get help if you need it. – Yours, etc, Dr AMEETA PATEL, Chair, Doctor's Health Service NSW, CRAIG CAMPBELL, NSW, Australia. Wagging the finger at Ireland Sir, – How refreshing to finally read a terrific and honest opinion on Ireland's position in the world when it comes to politics, Nato and present day wars (' Ireland is turning into chief 'finger wagger' on the world stage ,' Finn McRedmond, August 20th). She is so bang on when she refers to Michael D Higgins, Micheál Martin et al as finger-waggers. They have absolutely zilch power when it comes to preventing or making peace on the world stage. Outside of the Irish media, their comments do not get as much as a word or a line in any international TV news station or newspaper. Even Conor McGregor made bigger headlines in US newspapers and CNN in March when he met Donald Trump after Mr Martin smiled when chastised and sat motionless and still while Trump berated him. Until such time that Ireland pays its fair share for defending Europe like the rest they should keep their grubby little fingers clenched together. – Yours, etc, SEÁN McPHILLIPS, College Point, New York. Sir, – Bravo Finn McRedmond for calling out the collective delusions of Ireland's (mostly leftist) peaceniks. These delusions are of moral superiority if not grandeur, though the outrage is curiously selective, being absent when human rights abuses are committed by such luminaries as Fidel Castro or Bashar Al-Assad. Here in Malta people are aware of the moral component of foreign policy but have a realistic view of what a small neutral nation can achieve. In today's world, that is 'even less than ever'. Refusing to submit to this collective delusion does not mean that one is 'complicit in genocide' as Ireland's more excitable campaigners maintain – in fact it would be better to reserve one's energy and diplomatic and political capital for modest but achievable results, instead of indulging in the 'ecstasy of sanctimony'. The onslaught in Gaza will not be affected one iota by EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen or any other Eurocrat; and any national politician who bases a political campaign on such windmill tilting needs a reality and ego check. – Yours, etc, Dr ALEX HARTINGTON, Sliema, Malta. Sir, – Finn Mc Redmond's column is always terrific – but today's was a cracker. A sobering dose of realism. – Yours, etc. DON HORGAN, Dublin. Paper trails Sir, – Following Tony Corcoran's observation that he instinctively avoids taking the top copy from a pile of newspapers, instead rummaging below for a pristine copy, a few correspondents have noted they do the same (Letters, August 19th and 21st). I'm inclined to think this is universal human behaviour, something evident if you ever watch a child selecting bread from a sliced pan. – Yours, etc, BRIAN O'BRIEN, Co Cork. Sir, – As a follow-up to some of your recent correspondents comments on selecting a newspaper, I was reminded of an occasion when I was holidaying in the Lake District. I went into a newsagents to check some sports results. I had only opened the paper slightly when I was advised that the paper cost £1 if I wished to read it. That was me put in my place. – Yours, etc, FERGUS MADDEN, Dublin. Picking a president Sir, – Why are we always looking at the usual political suspects for the role of president? I would rather look outside the usual troupe of political grandees and seek to have someone who has worked to promote charitable works, business interests, or who has been to the forefront of causes that promote common values and integration. Why can't we, as the voting citizens of this State, decide on who we want and not who is imposed upon us? My preference, for example, would be for Fergus Finlay, who has worked tirelessly in the charity sector and who is worldly wise. What better champion could there be for the highest office in this State and who else could, or would, command the respect of everyone, both here and abroad. – Yours, etc, CHRISTY GALLIGAN, Letterkenny, Co Donegal. Sir, – I read with some dismay that, in his analysis of Heather Humphrey's suitability for the presidency, Harry McGee considers it a weakness the fact that the aspirant once requested two reporters outside her constituency office to 'f**k off' (' Strengths and weaknesses of FG's two Áras hopefuls, ' August 21st). I am not entirely sure what the elided letters might be, but if my guess is correct, I would regard her request (in the high modh díreach style) as indicating a distinct strength for the presidency. – Yours, etc, JOHN DUFFY, Foxrock, Dublin 18. Sir, – I am puzzled. In your article by Harry McGee, you tell us early on that Heather Humphreys is a Presbyterian. However, despite reading and rereading the text about the other hopeful, Seán Kelly, I can find no reference to his religious affiliation? Buddhist? Shinto? Or God forbid, he is a Catholic, which brings with it, no merit at all, in your eyes. – Yours, etc, T GERARD BENNETT, Bunbrosna, Co Westmeath. Fish kills and rivers and lakes Sir, – Imagine for a moment if the equivalent scale of poisoning that wiped out fish in Cork's Blackwater River this week instead struck a number of golf courses. Take a minute and picture every green on those courses rotting overnight. The outrage would be immediate, the response urgent, and the calls for accountability deafening. Yet when it is our rivers and lakes – living ecosystems, vital parts of our heritage, and the backbone of local communities – the response, penalties, and corrective action, if any, seems limited, and no real efforts appear to be put in place to prevent recurrence. This is not the first incident of fish being wiped out in a river or lake – and like previous events, it highlights the absence of a real prevention policy or decisive action. During Heritage Week we rightly celebrate our history, traditions, and landscapes. But what does it say about us if, in the same breath, we cannot muster the same urgency to protect the rivers and ecosystems that form the very foundation of that heritage? Heritage is not only about castles, crafts, and stories – it is also about living systems. The salmon, the trout, the rivers themselves: these are threads of heritage too. If we neglect them, then the celebration of Heritage Week rings hollow. As an award-winning landscape photographer, an associate member of the Irish Professional Photographers and Videographers Association (IPPVA) and an avid fly fisher since my teenage years, I have witnessed and photographed both the beauty and fragility of our waterways. They deserve the same respect, protection, and urgency we demand for any other part of our heritage. These repeated incidents put livelihoods, wildlife, and heritage at risk and we should not accept them as inevitable. – Yours, etc, TONY G MURRAY, Naas, Co Kildare. Spot the dog warden Sir, – There is an estimated 520,000 dogs in Ireland and each of those dogs will produce 'droppings' each and every day of their lives. That is an awful lot of dog poo. And yet, according to Kate Byrne's article ('No fines issued for dog fouling in 14 local authority areas last year,' August 20th), there were only 48 fines for dog fouling last year. No fines were issued in Cork and Dublin cities alone. Perhaps dog owners in both these cities are 100 per cent compliant and pick up after their dogs. But, a quick look at the streets of Dublin and Cork shows that this is clearly not the case. I don't know how many dog wardens we have in the country, but I have never seen one. Perhaps like many others they work from home? – Yours, etc, THOMAS G COTTER, Co Cork. A Rose by any other name Sir, – Can the age limit be removed for participants in the Rose of Tralee competition and I can then be a participant in this Lovely Ladies competition. – Yours, etc, GERALDINE GREGAN, Clarecastle, Co Clare. Ragwort and leafy Dublin Sir, – Frank McNally's Irishman's Diary entry on ragwort (An Irishman's Diary, August 21st) brings me back to my childhood in the Dublin suburb of Terenure (which The Irish Times catechism of cliche now requires me to describe as 'leafy'). Leafy or not, the local Garda station (and, if memory serves correctly, the library) used to prominently display a poster warning of the dangers of ragwort, which in the 1950s appeared to rank just below godless communism as a threat to our nation. When I returned to live in Ireland in the 2010s I was struck to see how this once noxious weed had proliferated in rural areas, apparently without destroying the livestock industry, and now it has even appeared in my garden in equally leafy Dundrum. I was delighted to see Frank mentioning the Irish name 'buachallán buí'. There is a jig commonly referred to in music collections and sessions as 'An Buachaillín Buí', but I once heard Séamus Ennis remark that its correct name is 'Na Buachalláin Buí' and explain that it meant ragwort. Maybe fellow musicians will believe me now. – Yours etc. ROGER O'KEEFFE, Dundrum, Dublin.
Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Irish Times
Irish fitness racing brand Tryka lands multiyear Life Style Sports sponsorship
Irish fitness competition brand Tryka has signed a 'game-changing' multiyear, title sponsorship with Life Style Sports in advance of its inaugural national event at the RDS in October. The fitness racing brand, which was created by Freshly Chopped founder Brian Lee, has been modelled as a more accessible version of German company Hyrox 's popular indoor fitness competition. The hybrid fitness league is made up of a combination of resistance and cardio exercise and is designed for participants of all fitness levels. The race format includes a series of running intervals paired with 'functional' fitness movements, with a shorter, beginner-friendly format called Tryka 500. Tryka said the deal with Life Style Sports is 'game-changing' and claimed it was 'one of the biggest ever secured by an Irish fitness start-up', but the company did not disclose the value of the deal. READ MORE 'We're delighted to have Life Style Sports on board as our title partner,' said Mr Lee, adding that their new partner understood 'the power of sport to bring people together at a local level'. In partnering with Life Style Sports, Mr Lee said Tryka was 'set to ignite a nationwide fitness revolution' and that the sponsorship would allow the business to 'grow faster, reach more people and put Ireland on the map in the emerging hybrid fitness space'. Why is Ireland not considered a truly rich country? Listen | 39:28 As part of the deal, Life Style Sports will sell Tryka's new apparel range online and in selected stores, with the gear also available at the brand's fitness events. 'Life Style Sports has a deep connection to local sport and fitness culture across Ireland, and their support will help us engage more communities, create lasting impact and grow Tryka,' he said. Mark Stafford, the chief executive of Life Style Sports – which has 40 stores across Ireland – said the company was 'proud to support an Irish-led fitness movement that's bringing people together in a new and exciting way'. He said the partnership would help Life Style Sports to 'help more people get active, stay motivated and experience the power of sport, no matter their starting point.' The first national Tryka event is set for October 11th-12th at the RDS Simmonscourt in Dublin, with tickets costing €110 per participant. The event will be part of a 12-month race calendar, which will culminate in a season finale in the Algarve in 2026. The brand will be running community workout sessions and race simulations at affiliate gyms across the country to promote the event in October.
Irish Examiner
4 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Your sport on TV this week: Women's Rugby World Cup, Diamond League and Premier League
Don't Miss: The Women's Rugby World Cup is kicking off this weekend with the opening game on Friday between hosts England and the USA in Sunderland. Ireland first's game will be on Sunday when they take on Japan in Northampton. Watch all the action live on RTÉ and BBC. Set the Sky Box: The AG Memorial Van Damme Diamond League is taking place on Friday evening in Brussels, Belgium. Watch all the actions live on Virgin Media and BBC. Streaming Pick: The third round of the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Rugby Championship takes place this weekend. Connacht welcome Leinster to the Dexcom Stadium while Munster will travel to Ulster. Munster are leading the charge after their comprehensive win over Leinster last weekend while Connacht put their defeat to Munster behind them when they overcame Ulster at home. Watch all the action live on Spórt TG4 YouTube channel. For all your sport throughout the year, check out our sport calendar. Friday August 22 12am, Steelers at Panthers, NFL Pre-season, Virgin Media Two 12.30pm, British Masters, DP World Tour, Sky Sports Golf 1.30pm, Ebor, Racing, Virgin Media One and UTV 5pm and 12am, US Open, Pool, Sky Sports Mix 6pm, Tour Championship, PGA Tour, Sky Sports Golf 7pm, AG Memorial Van Damme, Athletics, Virgin Media Three and BBC Three 7.30pm, England v USA, Women's Rugby World Cup, RTÉ 2 and BBC 1 7.45pm, Drogheda Utd v St Patrick's Athletic, SSE Airtricity Premier Division, Virgin Media Two 8pm, Derby v Bristol City, Championship, Sky Sports Football 8pm, West Ham v Chelsea, Premier League, Sky Sports Premier League 8pm, Leigh v Salford RD, Super League, Sky Sports Plus 8pm, St Helens v Hull FC, Super League, Sky Sports Plus Read More Alex O'Neill and Sarah Healy make their mark at British Milers Club Record Breakers meeting Saturday August 23 1.20am, Bears at Chiefs, NFL pre-season, Sky Sports Action 11am, Johnny Walker v Zhang Mingyang, UFC, TNT Sports 4 11.45am, La Vuelta, Stage 1, TNT Sports 3 12pm, Australia v Samoa, Women's Rugby World Cup, TG4 12.30pm, British Masters, DP World Tour, Sky Sports Golf 12.30pm, Man City v Tottenham, Premier League, TNT Sports 1 12.30pm, Charlton v Leicester, Championship, Sky Sports Football 12.30pm, Hull v Blackburn, Championship, Sky Sports Plus 1.30pm, Ebor and Goodwood, Racing, Virgin Media One and UTV 2.30pm, Connacht v Leinster, Women's Interprovincial Rugby Championship, Spórt TG4 YouTube channel 2.45pm, Scotland v Wales, Women's Rugby World Cup, RTÉ 2 and BBC 1 3pm, Brentford v Aston Villa, Premier League, Premier Sports 1 4.10pm, South Africa v Australia, Rugby Championship, Sky Sports Action 4.15pm, Ulster v Munster, Women's Interprovincial Rugby Championship, Spórt TG4 YouTube channel 5.30pm, Arsenal v Leeds, Premier League, Sky Sports Premier League 5.30pm, Sassuolo v Napoli, Serie A, TNT Sports 1 5.30pm, Tour Championship, PGA Tour, Sky Sports Golf 5.30pm and 11.30pm, US Open, Pool, Sky Sports Mix 5.45pm, Falkirk v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, Premier Sports 1 6pm, Catalans Dragons v Castleford, Super League, Sky Sports Plus 6.30pm, Atlètico Madrid v Elche, La Liga, Premier Sports 2 7.35pm, Athlone Town v Shelbourne, LOI Women's Premier Division, TG4 8.15pm, France v Italy, Women's Rugby World Cup, RTÉ 2 9pm, Seahawks at Packers, NFL Pre-season, Sky Sports Action 10.10pm, Argentina v New Zealand, Rugby Championship, Sky Sports Action Read More Tommy Martin: Delirium or doom, the return of Sunderland can keep us awake Sunday August 24 1.30am, WTA Monterrey Open final, Tennis, Sky Sports Main Event 7am and 12.30pm, Wuhan Open, Snooker, TNT Sports 1 12pm, British Masters, DP World Tour, Sky Sports Golf 12pm, Ireland v Japan, Women's Rugby World Cup, RTÉ 2 and BBC 2 12pm, St Mirren v Rangers, Scottish Premiership, Sky Sports Football 12.15pm, GP of Hungary, MOTOGP, TNT Sports 2 12.30pm, La Vuelta, Stage 2, TNT Sports 3 1.30pm, Goodwood, Racing, ITV4 2pm, Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest, Premier League, Sky Sports Plus 2pm, Everton v Brighton, Premier League, Sky Sports Premier League 2.30pm, JK Brackens v Loughmore-Castleiney, Tipperary SHC, TG4 3pm, Wigan v Wakefield, Super League, Sky Sports Plus 4.30pm, Fulham v Man Utd, Premier League, Sky Sports Premier League 5pm, Tour Championship, PGA Tour, Sky Sports Golf 7.45pm, Juventus v Parma, Serie A, TNT Sports 1 8.30pm, Real Oviedo v Real Madrid, La Liga, Premier Sports 1 Read More Pool-by-pool guide: All you need to know about the Women's Rugby World Cup
