Ireland's Wafer a doubt for World Cup after surgery
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BBC News
35 minutes ago
- BBC News
'Huge moment' as Onley matches Millar's Tour fourth place
Oscar Onley equalled the best-ever finish by a Scottish rider in the Tour de France and described his surprise overall fourth place as "a huge moment in my career" that "sparks a bit of a dream".The 22-year-old from Kelso, who matched compatriot Robert Millar's achievement in 1984, says a first attempt at chasing the top spots in general classification had been a secondary aim for Team Picnic-Post who had initially been targeting stage wins in his second Tour, told ITV Sport: "We never really had the plan to go for GC in the beginning. It was more just see how it goes." Onley added: "To be honest, I've never even thought about a top five in the Tour before, so to get it in my first try in GC is quite incredible and I'm excited for the future."After Slovenian Tadey Pogachar won his fourth Tour de France and Belgian Wout Van Aert winning the final stage in a rain-soaked Paris, Onley reflected on how he was able to compete with the top riders."It gives me a lot of confidence for the upcoming races as well as these are the top guys and in top shape in the biggest race," said the Scot now being dubbed the Kelso Comet."So if I can do it here then why not in other races?"Onley praised his team for a "really well-managed" three-week campaign."There was no pressure from the team," he said. "They've handled that really well because I think as soon as you say you are going for GC, there's a lot more attention on you."I've just taken every day as it's come really and not made any extra stress as the Tour is already stressful enough, just to ride and compete."I'm really happy with how myself and the team have managed this three weeks."Onley said he was finally able to "soak it all in" on the final climb of Montmartre and that it was "pretty special" to ride down the Champs Elysees to the finish."I guess this is a really big moment in my career," he said. "I don't really realise it yet, but I think just with talking to other riders, going forward now we have something to build on and an exciting project for the future and it sparks a bit of a dream I guess."
Belfast Telegraph
an hour ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Cheers, beers and Spanish tears at Belfast gathering for Euro final: ‘Hopefully this encourages more women'
For three hours this afternoon, The American Bar in Belfast's Sailortown could have been renamed The Spaniard, such was the support for the World Cup holders from the players at Belfast Ravens as they took on England in the Women's Euro Final at a watch-a-long party. The majority at the gathering — which started in the neighbouring Seatons as Kerry hadn't quite wrapped up their All-Ireland win as the Euro football final kicked off — were leaning in the Spanish direction. But it wasn't through a fervent anti-English sentiment. Belfast Ravens has a strong Spanish influence running through its ranks. Perhaps the largest women's football club in Ireland, the Ravens have three teams playing across the NIWFA divisions. The manager of their second team is Clara Alvarez. That her little boy Charlie has turned out in his Real Oviedo shirt gives the game away — she's from the Spanish city. Clara had just led her Ravens to a 3-0 away win at First Bangor Women earlier in the day. She turned up hoping for a double celebration — but in the end of a dramatic final in Basel it was the words of her teammate Megan Ferguson that proved prophetic. As Spain took a first-half lead, England-supporting Megan said: 'I'm not worried yet. We always go behind. We have Chloe Kelly to come on. She'll win it for us.' Just before 8pm that same Chloe Kelly slammed home the winning penalty in a shootout as England won the Euros again, after their success at Wembley three years ago. The full 120 minutes failed to separate the two dominant forces in the women's international game after a 1-1 draw. Clara, along with her partner Marty Cauley, are a driving force behind the Ravens club, set up just eight years ago by David O'Reilly. 'Honestly, I'd never properly kicked a football until eight years ago, but everybody in Spain loves football,' she said. Having been with Belfast Ravens since the early days, she has seen the number of players consistently rise. 'We're up to 45 regulars and there are more mums who might have other commitments a lot of the time, but overall we're about 60 strong in numbers,' she said. 'We all love it,' she said. 'It's not just the football, it's everything that comes with it, the sport, the friendships we have formed.' David O'Reilly was the initial driving force behind the club, having encouraged his wife to bring some friends along for a kick-about back in 2017. 'It wasn't much more than that back then,' he said. 'It was just for fun, but it quickly took off and while much of what we do is still informal, we do like the social side, the friendship and the going for a drink after the match, we still have a very competitive edge. 'That we're now in a position to field three teams in the NIWFA leagues shows just how strong the sport is becoming. Even five years ago there was little TV coverage. But it has really taken off.' Northern Ireland's success in reaching the Euro finals three years ago was a real boost for the sport in the country. There are now nine divisions, featuring 70 teams, as the strength of women's football grows stronger every year. 'Watching the Euros in 2022 really got me into it,' said Megan Ferguson, proudly wearing her England shirt amongst a majority of Spanish red. 'I did grow up in a family full of Liverpool fans, but it never used to be something girls really played much. It was netball for me for a long time. I'm still a Liverpool fan in the men's game, but it's Arsenal Women for me in the WSL. 'I only joined the Ravens in January, but I've been to an Arsenal Women's match, and was part of the biggest ever WSL crowd. 'My granddad was brought up in England so I've been supporting them.' For Louise Boyle though, a right winger with the Ravens first team, there was an extra reason to support Spain in the final — her boyfriend Miguel Martin is from Madrid. They both sported Spanish tops for the final. Louise had the full Euros experience following Northern Ireland in Southampton three years ago when they qualified for the previous tournament. 'It seems to be even bigger this time round,' she said. 'It's wonderful to see the recognition the women's game is now getting. 'It was the last Euros that got me into the sport,' she said. 'I know Northern Ireland weren't there this time round, but with all the games being live on the main television channels, it's been brilliant to watch.' Several of the Ravens players were actually in Switzerland last week, with Lisa Black and Caiti McCloskey among those who attended all four quarter-finals in a whistle-stop tour of the country. 'The Switzerland against Spain game was a great one to be at, because of the support for the home nation,' said Caiti. 'But the Swedish fans were the best. I think it was the Abba music. 'But it showed us just how big the women's game is. There was free transport to get fans around the country, the crowds were fabulous, the TV coverage was wonderful. 'Hopefully, seeing these matches on television will only encourage more women to get involved.'
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Celtic and Rangers handed home draws in Premier Sports Cup as St Mirren join them in last 16
Holders Celtic will host Premiership newcomers Falkirk in the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup. Today's draw produced a repeat of last season's quarter-final, which Brendan Rodgers ' side won 5-2 on their way to lifting the trophy. Rangers were also handed a home tie as League One side Alloa Athletic, surprise winners of Group C, were rewarded with a trip to Ibrox. Alloa are the only third-tier side left in the competition after a 3-2 win at Airdrie on Saturday maintained their 100-per-cent record in the group phase. There are four all-Premiership ties, with Kilmarnock at home to Dundee United, Livingston hosting Hibs and St Mirren entertaining Hearts. The knockout stage introduces the five clubs who qualified for Europe and were spared participation in the groups. All five were seeded alongside Hearts, St Johnstone and Partick Thistle, the three best section winners. The draw was held shortly after St Mirren rounded off the group phase with a 2-1 victory against Ayr United in Paisley. Despite that result, Ayr progressed as one of the three best group runners-up and can now look forward to an all-Championship tie against Partick, who eliminated Ross County by beating them 3-1 in Dingwall on Saturday. The last 16 also paired St Johnstone with Motherwell and Morton with Aberdeen. Ayr started the day top of Group D and would have gone through as a seeded team had they beaten St Mirren, but a poor first-half display proved costly for Scott Brown's side as Killian Phillips scored twice for the home team to take his tally to four in two games. The midfielder's first goal came after 16 minutes, when goalkeeper David Mitchell failed to deal with his low shot and defender Nick McAllister could not prevent it crossing the line. When Roland Idowu picked him out in the box, the Irishman cleverly guided his second home seven minutes before half-time. Lifted by the introduction of Jude Bonnar, the midfielder on loan from Celtic, Ayr pulled one back through Kevin Holt. His header dipped under the bar after a corner by Dom Thomas. Saints saw the game out to top the group on a day when Dunfermline were denied a place in the last 16 on goal difference. On a high-scoring weekend, St Johnstone thrashed 10-man Elgin City 8-0 and Livingston beat Kelty 6-0, while Dundee and Raith each scored five against Montrose and Inverness respectively.
