IRFU find chickens are coming home to roost for provinces
the gap between Leinster and the other three provinces has never been bigger
, nor more alarming', he says. In investing more heavily on Ireland's international teams the IRFU 'have taken their eye off the provinces ... the chickens are already coming home to roost'.
Not that Diarmuid Mangan will be too concerned about Leinster continuing to pull away from the pack,
the former Ireland under-20 star enjoying a stellar year
with the province. Gerry talks to the 22-year-old about the rapid strides he's been making, including a call-up to the senior Irish squad.
Owen Doyle, meanwhile, reflects on
'the chaotic cock-up' in Munster's URC defeat to the Bulls
, when referee Andrea Piardi incorrectly reduced them to 14 men for 13 minutes, his mood not lightened by how the lineout was officiated either. 'The contest at the scrum has long since disappeared over the horizon, the lineout should not be allowed to follow it.'
In Gaelic games, Denis Walsh concludes that
there is no such thing as a safe lead in hurling any more
, as Cork can attest to after Clare's comeback at the weekend. 'Violent scoreboard swings have become a constant hazard for every team. This is how hurling rolls now: wild.'
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And in his column, Conor McManus looks back at Donegal and Down's Ulster championship wins over Monaghan and Fermanagh, respectively, reckoning that
defending champions Donegal are in rude health
: 'two from two, unscathed and still on course for the provincial final.'
In soccer, Gavin Cummiskey was at Tallaght Stadium to see
Bohemians complete a gobsmacking comeback
against their best buddies Shamrock Rovers, scoring three times in the last 20 minutes having been 2-0 down. How did the Bohs faithful greet teenager Rhys Brennan's 96th-minute winner? Rather ecstatically.
In his Different Strokes column, Philip Reid takes us through the Irish playing schedule for the week,
Leona Maguire in action at the Chevron Championship
in Texas, the first major of the year, and Rory McIlroy back on the horse at the two-man Zurich Classic of New Orleans where he and Shane Lowry will be defending their title.
And in horse racing, Brian O'Connor reports on
a roaring Welsh dragon at Fairyhouse on Monday
, Haiti Couleurs becoming the first cross-channel trained winner of the Irish Grand National in 11 years.
TV Watch:
There's continuing coverage of snooker's world championships on BBC1, BBC Four and TNT Sports through the day and evening. At 8pm, Manchester City play Aston Villa in the Premier League (Sky Sports) and Barcelona are at home to Mallorca in La Liga (Premier Sports 1).
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The Irish Sun
15 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Great teammate' – GAA club leads heartbreaking tributes to ‘lively & outgoing' schoolboy who died after short illness
Eunan will be reposing at his residence on Wednesday morning SAD LOSS 'Great teammate' – GAA club leads heartbreaking tributes to 'lively & outgoing' schoolboy who died after short illness HEARTBREAKING tributes have poured in for a teenage GAA star who was remembered as a "lively and outgoing" schoolboy. Eunan Harvey passed away earlier this morning after a "short illness'. 3 The talented sportsman represented Gleann Fhreabhail GAA with acclaim Credit: funeraltimes 3 Eunan played on U16 Championship winning team last year Credit: Glenravel - Gleann Fhreabhail GAA / Facebook Advertisement The talented sportsman represented Gleann Fhreabhail GAA with acclaim, and was remembered as an "outstanding sportsperson". The club paid an emotional tribute to Eunan, describing him as a "great teammate and friend". A statement on the club's Facebook page read: "It is with the deepest sadness that we learned of the passing of Eunan, a great teammate and friend. "Eunan was the kind of fella everyone enjoyed having around the pitch and the dressing room - passionate, energetic, and always ready with a smile. Advertisement "His infectious spirit lifted everyone around him, both on and off the field. "A natural sportsman and a loyal friend, he brought laughter and life wherever he went. "Though his time with us was far too short, the impact he made will never be forgotten. "Our thoughts are with Sean, Sharon, Aoife & Lena, his friends, and teammates both here and in Glenariffe, during this difficult time." Advertisement Eunan also played on our U16 Championship winning team last year and The Breslin Cup winning team in 2023. Similarly devastated was his school - St Killian's College - where he was in Year 14. 'VALUED MEMBER' In a statement, the school mourned: "Eunan was a valued member of our school community—bright, lively and full of promise. "Surrounded by many friends, his presence touched our lives and brought much joy to his entire year group. "His loss will be felt deeply by all our students, staff, and those who knew him." Advertisement Eunan was a top achieving pupil at both GCSE and AS Level, and recently achieved an A in PE, a Distinction in ICT and a C in Environmental Technology whilst battling an illness. 'LIVELY, OUTGOING AND SOCIABLE' The young man represented the college in numerous sports, his club Glenariffe and Co Antrim in hurling, and also represented Con Magees, Glenravel in Gaelic football. The school continued: "Eunan was a lively, outgoing and sociable young man who made a lasting impression among his peers and large friendship group. "Eunan knew how to enjoy himself and had a great sense of humour, showing us the importance of making the most out of each and every day. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to all of Eunan's family, particularly his parents Sharon and Sean, and his sisters Aoife and Lena. Advertisement 'INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TIME' "Our thoughts are also with his friends, classmates and entire St Killian's community during this incredibly difficult time." Eunan's passing also left the local community devastated, and many took to social media to express their condolences. One said: "Absolutely heartbreaking - what a wonderful young man, a credit to his family. "Always gave 100% on the field, Always had a smile on his face. Thoughts are with his family and friends." 'AN ANGEL' Someone else added: "Taken too soon Eunan. A devastating loss for his family, his whole family circle, his friends and parish community. An angel in our midst - may you rest easy Eunan. Advertisement "Deepest condolences to the whole family and may God bring you strength and walk with you in the coming days. A third wrote: "Heartbroken to hear this. Eunan was an outstanding young man - brilliant in the classroom, a natural leader in sport, and above all a kind and genuine person. "It was a privilege to teach and know him. My thoughts and prayers are with Eunan, his family and many close friends." Eunan will be reposing at his residence on Wednesday morning. Requiem mass will take place at 11am in St Patrick's and St Brigid's Church, with the funeral afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Advertisement
Irish Daily Mirror
15 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
'It was fairly surreal' - Irish dad and daughter ride in same race
The dust has settled on another hugely successful Tramore August Festival in Waterford where a record 26,000 racegoers attended over the four days. But one story has caught the attention of the racing public more than one in the past week - the remarkable tale of how one dad and his daughter took each other on in the same race. Sarah and Patrick Breen rode horses against each other in the closing Majestic Hotel Flat Race at Tramore last Friday — one of only a handful of times a father and daughter have ridden in the same race in the history of horse racing in Ireland. For the record Patrick won the battle of the Breens, finishing third on the 28/1 chance Lord Lackendarra, while daughter Sarah took sixth of the nine runners aboard fellow 28/1 chance Goodmancon. Both horses are trained by Patrick at the family's yard near Dungarvan in Waterford Sarah spoke to Horse Racing Ireland this week and reflected on what was one of the more unusual moments to happen on an Irish racecourse this year. 'It was fairly cool when we pulled up," she said. "I knew turning up the straight that I wasn't going to beat him this time. 'He was fairly happy, and I was as happy as I could be seeing as he finished in front of me! 'It was fairly surreal pulling into the parade ring together. What made the race even more unbelievable was dad Patrick hadn't ridden a horse in a race for 23 years - his last outing in the saddle coming at Gowran Park back in 2002. He also lost over three stone to make the 11st 7lbs weight that Lackendarra had to carry at Tramore. 'That was always dad's goal, he wanted to ride against me, so it was always the plan to ride against each other when he took out the license,' added 18-year-old Sarah. 'I didn't see it any different until we weighed out. We ride out together every day, so I didn't take any notice of him until we were both in the same colours, then it dawned on me that we were racing against each other in an actual race. 'We are fairly competitive at home, so it was a bit annoying now that he finished in front of me, but I'll definitely get him the next day. He's been soaking it up - I didn't hear the end of it on the way home!' Parents riding against their own children is very rare in Irish racing. Mrs Maureen Mullins, the late mother of Willie, famously rode one winner on the track when beating her daughter Sandra in a Gowran Park contest in 1982 while it's believed Rosemary Rooney competed against her dad Willie many years ago. Niall McCullagh and his son Scott have also competed against each other in recent times but a father and daughter is extraordinarly rare. 'I didn't really think it was going to happen, I thought it was an unrealistic goal but when we found a race in Tramore we thought it would be ideal because both horses had course form and it's our local track. We said it would be best to go there," added Sarah. "He had to do a lot of work to get back riding. He put in a lot of work at home as well as getting the horses ready. Getting both horses ready for the same race is not that easy.' Sarah played Ladies football for Waterford at underage level and still plays for her local club Clashmore, but it's a career as an amateur jockey that she's set her sights on now. 'I would have been point-to-pointing since I was about two weeks old, dad always had point-to-pointers at home. 'We have a schooling lane as well, so we would have a lot of jockeys coming riding. Seeing that growing up made me want to become a jockey. Dad supported me and pushed me to be as good as I could be and to get my license. 'The goal is to be an amateur jockey. I always wanted to be a jockey, growing up being surrounded by it. We come from a racing family, on both sides of my family we had horses involved.'
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Declan Bonner not ruling himself out of running for Fermanagh job
Declan Bonner has not ruled himself out of the running for the vacant Fermanagh manager role. Kieran Donnelly surprisingly stepped down as Fermanagh boss earlier this week. It was a shock as he had been given an extension until 2027. The genial Brookeboro man, who had been in charge since the 2022 season, was not keen to elaborate on his reasons for going when contacted. Donnelly was desperately unlucky that his side did not beat Down in the Ulster Championship but poor defeats to Carlow and Kildare in the Tailteann Cup were not encouraging. Already the rumour mill is in overdrive in a season where county managers are falling like flies. One man who could be in the running is current Erne Gaels boss Bonner. When contacted, Bonner said he was 'not ruling anything out or in". Naturally his full focus is now on retaining the Fermanagh county championship with Erne Gaels. His stock has risen considerably in Fermanagh after he and his coaching team of Paul Brennan and Ciaran Smith took the men from Belleek to their first county title since 1981. Bonner stepped down as Donegal manager in 2022 after five years at the helm. Another Donegal man who could be in the running is Maurice McLaughlin, who has been involved with the Erne County at underage level for the past six years. McLaughlin has a strong affinity with Erne Gaels as well. He took them to a county final appearance in 2016 only to lose to Derrygonnelly Harps by a single point. His older brother Liam is a former Fermanagh senior captain. Bonner and McLaughlin look to be definite candidates but two well-known brothers, Simon and Colm Bradley, could be outside contenders. Simon Bradley, the elder brother, is a highly respected figure having brought Enniskillen Gaels to a county title in 2022. He is fully focused on Enniskillen Gaels at present and will be hoping to make up for the disappointing county final defeat to Erne Gaels last year. Bradley was also a former county star. His younger brother Colm is also a highly respected coach and manager. As a player, he will always be remembered for kicking a wonderful point in the All-Ireland qualifiers against Meath in Brewster Park in 2004 when Fermanagh reached the All-Ireland semi-final. He has also managed Belnaleck to the most narrow of defeats in the county semi-final and is currently managing in Tyrone. The former journalist has linked up with McLaughlin previously in the Fermanagh U20 setup.
