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Littler suffers surprise first-round exit to Slevin

Littler suffers surprise first-round exit to Slevin

BBC News08-04-2025

Luke Littler suffered a surprise early exit in the 11th Players Championship of the year with a 6-3 defeat by Dylan Slevin.World champion Littler averaged 90.11 compared to his opponent's 92.74 as he fell in the first round of the tournament in Leicester. Slevin, ranked 61st in the PDC order of merit, had raced into a 4-1 lead against the Warrington teenager at the Mattioli Arena.Littler rallied to win the next two legs to reduce the deficit, but 22-year-old Irishman Slevin twice nailed double top on pressure throws to seal victory. Former world champions Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price also fell at the first hurdle.
Van Gerwen lost a thriller 6-5 to fellow Dutchman Maik Kuivenhoven while Welshman Price was beaten 6-4 by compatriot Rob Owen.World number one Luke Humphries exited the tournament in the second round after a 6-5 defeat by fellow Englishman Brett Claydon.There are 34 Players Championship events across the year, with the competition's finals held in Minehead in November.

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Glasgow Warriors announce significant coach update as two major appointments made
Glasgow Warriors announce significant coach update as two major appointments made

Scotsman

time2 hours ago

  • Scotsman

Glasgow Warriors announce significant coach update as two major appointments made

Scotstoun outfit start to make plans for upcoming campaign Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Glasgow Warriors have confirmed their assistant coaching team for the 2025/26 campaign. Attack coach Nigel Carolan has agreed a new contract with the Scotstoun side, while he will be joined by two new members of staff in Roddy Grant and Scott Forrest to mitigate for the departure of defence coach Pete Murchie. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Carolan, Grant and Forrest will assist head coach Franco Smith for next season, with the Warriors having reached the semi-finals of the United Rugby Championships having lost to Leinster in Dublin. Smith left some doubt over his long-term future at Glasgow, saying he would take time to reflect. He led the team to the URC title in South Africa a year ago. Roddy Grant has joined the Glasgow Warriors coaching staff. | SNS Group In terms of keeping continuity, Carolan has been with Warriors since 2021 and speaking after signing his new contract, the Irishman said: 'I'm pleased to be able to extend my contract with the club – I've really enjoyed my time at Scotstoun so far, and I'm excited to continue on the journey that this club is on. 'We've got a strong group as we build towards next season, with a mix of established internationals, players looking to push on to that next level, and some exciting new talent coming through. 'I'm looking forward to being a part of it and continuing to build towards the new campaign – the atmosphere that the Warrior Nation created in the win over the Stormers a couple of weeks ago shows the passion with which this club is held by everyone connected with Glasgow Warriors.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Forrest knows Warriors well A former Scotland 7s captain, Rutherglen-born Forrest officially joins the club's coaching team after being involved with the Glasgow Warriors academy during the 2024/25 campaign, working alongside Shade Munro. The 40-year-old served as head coach for Great Britain's women's 7s squad at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, having previously held the same position for the Scotland Women's 7s squad. Forrest will join pre-season preparations at Scotstoun following the conclusion of the World Rugby Under-20 Championship, where he will be serving as one of Scotland U-20's assistant coaches under Kenny Murray. 'I'm really looking forward to working with everyone – it's an incredibly exciting coaching group,' said Forrest. 'Having had the opportunity to work alongside Franco and Nigel over the past season in my role with the club's A team and academy, I'm excited to take this a step further over the coming seasons. Scott Forrest coached Glasgow Warriors A. | SNS Group 'I'd also like to mention that working alongside Pete Murchie this season has been of huge benefit – he leaves huge large shoes to fill, but I'm excited to build on the excellent work he's done since leading the team's defence. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'My time spent coaching the U20s over the past few years, as well as my time with Scotland 7s, mean that I know a lot of the players at the club, and having been in the environment over the last year or so I'm looking forward to continuing to build those relationships. 'I've always tried to give players the autonomy to make decisions as ultimately they are the ones that have to perform in high pressure situations. I'd say that I have a positive approach whilst always working to instil the standards required to perform at the highest level. 'I know Roddy well from our times playing for Scotland 7s together, and I've seen him go on to develop into a top-class coach. It'll be great to work alongside him once again and I'm confident we both have a lot to contribute to the environment at the Warriors.' Grant aware of Glasgow's potential Former Edinburgh Rugby flanker Grant will join Glasgow Warriors following the conclusion of his current role as assistant coach of Georgia, with whom he will work ahead of their matches with Emerging Ireland and South Africa next month. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Born in Botswana, the 38-year-old was a firm fan favourite over a six-year spell with Edinburgh, for whom he amassed 138 appearances in the back-row, as well as in a Scotland 7s career that saw him represent his country at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. 'I've had so much respect for Glasgow over the last two decades of being involved in the BKT URC – Franco [Smith] is such an impressive coach, and such an impressive person,' said Grant. 'The opportunity to come into such a successful environment and such a top-level culture was one I jumped at, and I'm looking forward to being able to contribute to that environment. 'It's a really exciting group here. Having coached against Franco for a number of years, I can't wait to work alongside him. I'm a huge admirer of Nigel's work as well, he's been hugely successful wherever he's been. To have the chance to work with Scott, too, is a special opportunity. We've known each other since 2006, so to be able to coach alongside each other is an exciting prospect. 'I like to believe that I treat people how I'd like to be treated, both on and off the field. I appreciate technique, and the art and science behind everything we do. The great thing about pro sport is that you're around incredible people, and I hope to make those strong connections with everyone here at Scotstoun.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Al Dickinson will also continue in his role as consultant Scrum Coach, with Munro working with the club's academy prospects. On the coaching appointments, Smith said: 'We are pleased to be able to confirm our coaching group as we turn our attention towards the new season. Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith. | SNS Group 'I would first like to once again thank Pete [Murchie] for everything that he has done for this club on and off the field over the past three seasons, and everyone at the club wishes him and his family well with their new adventure. 'We are pleased to be able to retain Nigel's services as we prepare for the new campaign – he is someone that is thoroughly respected by everyone in both the playing group and backroom team, and his experience and expertise are valuable assets to the club. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad

Shane Lowry details emotional message to wife as golf star refuses to change
Shane Lowry details emotional message to wife as golf star refuses to change

Daily Mirror

time2 hours ago

  • Daily Mirror

Shane Lowry details emotional message to wife as golf star refuses to change

Shane Lowry has been one of the standout players on the PGA Tour this season but is yet to secure a victory, with the Irishman admitting his winless run is 'hard' to take ahead of his next opportunity to land a second Major, the US Open Shane Lowry has opened up about the heartfelt text he sent to wife Wendy as he continues his battle to land a solo win. The Irishman has enjoyed a strong year, but cannot back it up with a standout triumph. He finished commendable tie for 13th at the RBC Canadian Open in Toronto recently, but Lowry has yet to end his wait for a win this season. His closest brush with victory this season was at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February, where he finished as runner-up, and he also tied for second at last month's Truist Championship. But a failure to land top place anywhere has left him somewhat disheartened. ‌ Lowry, 38, is back at Oakmont this week for the US Open, where he had a four-stroke lead entering the final round in 2016 - only to fall short. Dustin Johnson ultimately claimed the title that day. ‌ But Lowry is keen to make amends at the same course this week. And after a string of disappointing Sundays in 2025, he's resolved to end his drought. He revealed a touching conversation with his wife following yet another letdown earlier in June. "It's frustrating. It's hard," Lowry confided to The Irish Times at Oakmont. "I said it to Wendy [after the Canadian Open], you come off the golf course again on Sunday. And she texts me and said, 'How do you feel?' And I said, 'To be honest, I just feel like it's like this every Sunday evening,' just pure disappointment. "And it's hard to take when you feel like you're putting so much time and effort in and time away from your family and your kids and, you know, these Sundays have become quite difficult, but that comes from good golf, expectation, the want to succeed, and not being happy with second best. "Some people would say, 'You're having a great year,' and I am, there's no doubt about that, I'm playing great golf this year. But there's one thing missing. I don't want to win every tournament, just want to win one or two." It is now almost six years since Lowry secured his only major, the 2019 Open Championship. ‌ Partnering with Rory McIlroy for a win at last year's Zurich Classic of New Orleans provided some consolation, yet for Lowry, the hunger for solo glory persists. And that has, on occasion, led to Lowry showing his frustrations on course. And that's something he insists won't change any time soon. "I'm just a competitive person," he said. "I don't think it gets in my way at all anymore, right? I'd be honest, it probably did back in the past, but certainly I don't think it gets in my way anymore. I'm well able to get over shots now. "Yes, it might look like, if you're watching on TV, it might look like what it is, but that's literally to show you for maybe 10 seconds after you hit your shot, you've got plenty of time before the next shot. "I'm hard on myself because I want it so much because, like I say, I put so much into it, and I know what [winning] tastes like. You just want it again, but, you know, that's the way I've been my whole career. I've been out here quite a long time now. I don't think I'm changing anytime soon."

What time is Premier League Darts on TV? Sky Sports details
What time is Premier League Darts on TV? Sky Sports details

Scotsman

time2 hours ago

  • Scotsman

What time is Premier League Darts on TV? Sky Sports details

Sky Sports will be broadcasting Night 15 of the Premier League Darts live 🎯 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Premier League Darts is in Aberdeen for Night 15. After weeks of fierce competition it is almost time for the play-offs. But how can you watch the action at home? There are just a few weeks of the Premier League Darts left and there is still plenty to play for. Three spots in the play-offs have been secured, but one is up for grabs. Aberdeen's P&J Live will be hosting the action this week. But if you didn't manage to get tickets, you might be wondering if you can watch it at home. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The competition has just three more nights before the 2025 winner is crowned. Here's all you need to know: What time is Premier League Darts on TV today? Luke Humphries (L) and Luke Littler (R) after a Premier League Darts match |It is the P&J Live in Aberdeen's turn to host the competition - and it comes after Gerwyn Price and Luke Humphries joined Luke Littler in securing their places in the play-off in London at the end of the month. One spot remains up for grabs, so you won't want to miss out on the latest round of action. Sky Sports has been the home of the whole tournament - and will also be broadcasting the world championship at the end of the year. The Premier League Darts Night 15 will be live from 7pm, with coverage lasting for the rest of the evening. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Which Sky Sports channel is the darts on? If you have been following the Premier League Darts throughout the year, you will be familiar with Sky's habit of moving around the channel it is on. It has certainly kept viewers on their toes over the last 15 weeks. Fortunately it won't be hard to find the darts this evening as it will be live on Sky Sports Main Event/ HD from 7pm. It won't be moving around either, so you don't have to worry about changing channels. The darts is also on Sky Sports+ this evening - if that is the channel you have access to. For those with a Now TV sports package, you can also watch the action live on that. Have you got a story you want to share with our readers? You can now send it to us online via YourWorld at . It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.

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