Former Irish FA chief makes plea for equal funding between sports as major call beckons over Casement Park
Former Irish FA President Jim Boyce has argued that football and rugby need to be treated on a fair and equal basis to the GAA if the UK Government and NI Executive plough more money into the west Belfast stadium.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is due to announce a comprehensive spending review on Wednesday and the GAA is hopeful the Government will make a financial contribution to the Casement Park redevelopment.
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Western Telegraph
7 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Irish premier and president offer condolences after India plane crash
Air India said the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft was leaving Ahmedabad Airport with 242 people on board. The airline said 169 passengers were Indian nationals, 53 were British, seven were Portuguese and one was Canadian. Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: 'It is horrific and very, very sad what has happened in India, the plane (crash) just shortly after departure, I believe less than a minute.' He added: 'Our thoughts and our prayers are with the families of those bereaved, crew members bereaved, and with the people of India, Britain and Canada. The world is a much closer place, we all travel. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of India after the terrible plane crash in Ahmedabad earlier today. Thinking of the families of all those on board, along with the emergency services attending the scene. — Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) June 12, 2025 'It is extremely sad and shocking that an accident of this scale has occurred with the loss of so much life.' He noted that it took place close to the 40th anniversary of the Air India flight 182 disaster, in which the plane crashed off the coast of Ireland on June 23 1985 as a result of a terrorist attack. 'All of us who experienced that had a sense of trauma that people go through when crashes of this kind happen,' he said. Irish deputy premier and minister for foreign affairs Simon Harris also extended his sympathy 'to all of those caught up' in the 'very tragic and horrific' crash. 'We think of all of them and their families in what is an evolving story, with no doubt, more information to come,' he told the Irish parliament. Irish President Michael D Higgins said: 'May I express my deepest condolences to the families and communities of all those who have lost their lives in today's tragic airplane crash in the city of Ahmedabad, India. 'All of our thoughts are with those who are grieving those lost, be it passengers or those in the vicinity of the crash, as well as the emergency workers at the scene. 'As president, I extend the condolences of the Irish people to the president of India, HE Droupadi Murmu, His Majesty King Charles, and to the citizens and heads of state of all those countries who have been impacted by this tragic event.'
Telegraph
12 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Britons could be stopped from entering Gibraltar by Spanish police, Lammy admits
Spanish border guards will be able to stop Britons entering Gibraltar because of the new Brexit deal for the Rock, the Government has admitted. Fabian Picardo, Gibraltar's chief minister, furiously denied surrendering any sovereignty to Spain or the EU after The Telegraph reported details of the deal on Wednesday. But David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, was forced to concede in the House of Commons on Thursday that Spanish guards working for the European Union would have control over who entered Gibraltar. Under questioning, Mr Lammy told MPs that a British person stopped by Spanish guards at Gibraltar airport would have a choice: they could either voluntarily go over to Spain for questioning, or be returned to the Gibraltarian authorities and return to the UK. 'It is clear from the Foreign Secretary's answer that Spanish border officials can prevent a UK citizen from entering one part of the UK from another part of the UK,' Richard Tice, the Reform UK deputy leader, said. 'This appears to be a significant sovereignty compromise,' he told The Telegraph. The deal ensures Gibraltar's border with Spain remains open after Brexit, and means the 15,000 people who cross it every day will not have to have their passports stamped. Border checks will be moved to Gibraltar's nearby airport after the Rock effectively becomes part of the EU's Schengen zone of passport-free movement. People flying into Gibraltar from the UK will face one check from Gibraltarian officials and another by the Spanish on behalf of the EU. Mr Lammy said: 'For those arriving by air into Gibraltar's airport, there will be a dual border control check, in a model similar to French police operating in London St Pancras station.' Dame Harriett Baldwin, a former Conservative minister, asked: 'Can a British citizen flying from the UK to Gibraltar now be stopped by a Spanish official as they land?' Mr Lammy replied: 'There will be a second line queue, as there is in St Pancras, and there will be Spanish border guards and police situated in that second line. 'And of course, if there was an alert, then at that point, not on their own, but at that point, there would be a hand-back facility with the Gibraltar police, so they are working alongside that Spanish team. 'And if there was an alert, then the individual would have a right to legal advice. They would either be able to return to their country of origin, let's say the UK, or they would be able to voluntarily go over to Spain to face the questions they are facing.' Mr Tice asked whether Spanish border officials 'have an effective veto on the entry of a British citizen from the United Kingdom landing on British sovereign territory in Gibraltar'. Mr Lammy said if Mr Tice flew to Gibraltar and there was an alert in the Schengen system, 'he would be handed back to the Gibraltarians, where he might feel more comfortable' before returning to the UK. 'No doubt the Spanish would seek to extradite him, and many in this House would be rather pleased,' he added. Mr Lammy said he had insisted on a 'sovereignty clause' in the treaty and added that immigration, policing and justice remained the responsibilities of Gibraltar's authorities.
Scottish Sun
13 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Evan Ferguson to Celtic transfer links addressed by Shay Given as Hoops-daft pundit reveals his major concern
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SHAY GIVEN would be thrilled to see Evan Ferguson in a Celtic jersey for next season — but he's not so sure how Adam Idah would feel about it. Republic of Ireland legend Given - 134 caps - believes the out of favour Brighton ace needs to move on to rejuvenate a stalling career. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Evan Ferguson has been tipped to make a stunning move to Celtic Credit: Getty 4 Adam Idah could have serious competition up front next season Credit: Alamy 4 Shay Given hopes to see Evan Ferguson land another club Credit: Kenny Ramsay And he's all for the idea of Ferguson coming to Parkhead, if only on a season-long loan. The frontman burst onto the Premier League scene when he was just 17 and got off to a flyer. But lately it's been tough going for the Irish international, a loan move to West Ham for the second half of last season failing to boost his confidence with just one start and no goals. Former Hoops youth and lifelong fan Given reckons Brendan Rodgers would be the 'perfect' manager to kick-start Ferguson's career amid persistent talk there's interest. The well regarded TV pundit - back in Glasgow to promote the glamour pre-season between the Hoops and former club Newcastle United at Parkhead on July 19 - said of the rumours: 'Better not tell Adam that! 'I think Evan just needs to find a home, if I'm being honest. Be it here or somewhere else. 'I think he needs someone to say 'You're my player.' 'He went to West Ham for Graham Potter and you thought that was the perfect fit because Graham had him at Brighton. 'But then he didn't play so much at West Ham either. 'Antonio and someone else was injured, yet they played Bowen and Kudus - not Ferguson. The diggers move in as Celtic Park pitch is dug up 'What happens next for Evan? 'I just think he needs to go, be it a loan for a season or some club buys him, and you build the team around him. I think he's a top player, I really do. 'I did some Malaysian TV recently with Bobby Zamora and he goes into Brighton once a week and coaches the strikers. Bobby said Evan was the best finisher at the club. 'Maybe because he burst onto the scene that everyone's been expecting so much so soon. 'But again with young players you need to have a bit of time. 'I just feel he's ready now to burst onto the scene for a full season with somebody. For us with Ireland it would be great too. 'I don't know the finances would be to buy him, but if you said for a loan for the season it would be perfect. 'But I'm not the financial power at Celtic or Newcastle, so I don't know!' 4 Given keeps a close watch on the Hoops' Irish contingent — Idah, Liam Scales and Johnny Kenny. And he said: 'I do take an extra interest in the Irish boys because I do a bit of work for Irish TV. 'Of course, there's Adam Idah, Liam Scales, Johnny Kenny. 'We obviously oversee them, watch the Celtic games and try to keep an eye on them. 'I think Adam scored 20 goals. didn't he? 'Again, first season as a regular starter, I think it's been a good campaign for him. 'But he'll want to improve on that and get more goals next season. I don't think 20's a bad return, if I'm being brutally honest. 'He'll also want to add to his international goals too. 'Adam and Scalesy are well regarded in the international set up. 'Adam's competing with Evan Ferguson and Troy Parrott and players like that. 'Evan Ferguson not that long ago was being talked about as a £100 million player and Adam started on Friday night against Senegal. 'So, that's where he's regarded in the Irish set up, by the manager especially. Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has STRONGER transfer case after final defeat 'He was the first choice on Friday night while Ferguson started against Luxembourg. 'Adam's very much competing for that number nine jersey. 'He's a good player while with Brendan - who is a brilliant manager and coach- he's in the right environment. 'Celtic's a big club and I think Brendan will keep improving him as a player. 'I think he's in the perfect position.' Meanwhile, on striker prospect Kenny, who finished last season as a regular off the bench including the Old Firm derby and Scottish Cup final, Given said: 'He was on loan at Shamrock and did well. 'I know obviously with Dermot Desmond there's a connection with Celtic and Shamrock. 'You'd need to ask Brendan for his plans for Johnny for the season. 'But again from an Ireland perspective, we'd really like to see more of him for Celtic.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
