logo
Dungannon Swifts chief reveals why he broke down in front of players ahead of Irish Cup triumph

Dungannon Swifts chief reveals why he broke down in front of players ahead of Irish Cup triumph

Dungannon Swifts Chairman Keith Boyd has revealed the heartache he endured leading up to last month's Irish Cup Final.
The Tyrone club won the Cup for the first time following extra-time and a thrilling penalty shootout with holders Cliftonville.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Great Britain's most successful alpine ski racer Dave Ryding to retire
Great Britain's most successful alpine ski racer Dave Ryding to retire

The Independent

time8 hours ago

  • The Independent

Great Britain's most successful alpine ski racer Dave Ryding to retire

Dave Ryding, Great Britain's most successful alpine ski racer, will retire at the end of the 2025-26 season. The 38-year-old made history in January 2022 by becoming the first British alpine skier to win World Cup gold thanks to victory in the Kitzbuhel slalom. He hopes to compete at the fifth Winter Olympics of his career in February next year at the Milan-Cortina Games in Italy. 'Competing internationally, representing my country on the World Cup circuit, and going to four Olympic Games so far has been the privilege of a lifetime,' Ryding said in a statement. 'I've always said that I'd only carry on for as long as I think I can perform to my best level, and making this decision now frees me up to give one last push to try and go one step further over the next season.' Lancashire-born Ryding has been a regular on the World Cup circuit since 2009 and achieved seven podium places, including his landmark gold. The slalom specialist finished sixth in the 2025 Alpine World Championships – Britain's best men's result since 1934. 'It's been one hell of a journey, and I've loved every second of it,' he said. 'Now it's time to make this final season a special one.'

Stirling Uni golfer helps international squad claim Stateside success
Stirling Uni golfer helps international squad claim Stateside success

Daily Record

timea day ago

  • Daily Record

Stirling Uni golfer helps international squad claim Stateside success

Ross Laird was part of the team taking on a US squad in the Ryder-Cup style event held in South Carolina Stirling Uni golfer Ross Laird is celebrating after securing victory Stateside as part of an international squad in a prestigious team event. Laird was competing in the Arnold Palmer Cup, an annual team event held between college/university golfers from the United States and an international squad, with this year's event being held at Congaree Golf Club in South Carolina. ‌ The second-year finance student was the only member of the international side to be based outside of the US and came up trumps with a point in the foursomes as the internationals secured a 35-25 win. ‌ The 21-year-old said: 'The week was great – I loved playing and representing Scotland as part of Team International. 'I really enjoyed being able to play as a team and in different formats, and to have the opportunity to learn and meet a lot of new people within the game. 'It meant a lot beating the United States on their home soil too.' The Ryder Cup-style event is often a milestone for up-and-coming golfers, with many who have competed in the event going on to play on the PGA, LPGA, and European Tour. Several golf scholars from Stirling have competed in the Cup, including Graeme Robertson, Hazel MacGarvie and Lorna McClymont. ‌ At this year's competition, which ran June 5-7, Laird and partner Elice Fredriksson lost 3&2 in the Mixed Fourball (opponents were three holes up, with two holes left) to Team USA's Mary Kelly Mulcahy and Jase Summy. In the Foursomes, Laird paired with Filip Jakubcik – beating Team USA's Josiah Gilbert and Michael La Sasso - who will compete in this week's US Open - 2&1. In the Mixed Foursomes, Laird and Caitlyn Macnab were beaten by Meghan Ganne and Jacob Modleski 6&5, before Laird lost his singles match to La Sasso by the same margin. ‌ It was Team International's first win in the series since 2022, and the first time they had won in the United States since 2020. Team USA now leads the series 15-13, with one draw. The university's head of golf, Dean Robertson, added: 'A huge congratulations to Ross on a fantastic win with Team International at the Arnold Palmer Cup. Ross played an important part in a brilliant competition, and he should be proud of his efforts. 'Ross continues to grow and develop as a golfer and experiencing major international competitions such as the Arnold Palmer Cup will strengthen his game.' The win in South Carolina is just the latest success for Laird. Last season, he was crowned the best male student golfer in the UK, winning the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Order of Merit. He was second in this year's Order of Merit, and has recently returned from Spain, where he represented Scotland at the Men's European Nations Championships. Notably, he also finished tied fifth in last year's Torneo Internacional Copa Juan Carlos Tailhade competition in Argentina.

Northern Ireland striker's debut delight after switching from Republic: ‘I'm hungry for more now'
Northern Ireland striker's debut delight after switching from Republic: ‘I'm hungry for more now'

Belfast Telegraph

timea day ago

  • Belfast Telegraph

Northern Ireland striker's debut delight after switching from Republic: ‘I'm hungry for more now'

Leaving Windsor Park on Tuesday, the sense was that the Ross County striker deserved to stay in the panel for the crunch double header away to Luxembourg and Germany. The 26-year-old was unlucky to hit the woodwork in the first half of the friendly and could have done better in the second period when bearing down on the goalkeeper having been alive to a poor back pass but what should please him and manager Michael O'Neill is that he found himself in those positions. If he continues to do that goals will come. Just ask Cliftonville and County fans. Another positive was in a dire opening to the contest, Hale showed hunger to try and impact the game and it was his shrewd pass to Isaac Price just after the half hour mark that led to Conor Bradley's shot being blocked lifting the home fans and in turn the team. Price would net the only goal of the game five minutes later. Having gone through a protracted process last year to complete a FIFA international transfer from the Republic of Ireland, Hale relished starting at Windsor where in 2024 he won the Irish Cup final for Cliftonville against Linfield with two memorable goals. He would hit 18 for Ross County in the season just finished following last summer's move from Solitude. 'Obviously the transfer was a long process that went on from last summer but I was really happy to finally get it done and then on Tuesday get on the pitch and make my debut,' said Hale. 'Walking out before the game was brilliant. It was quite loud and obviously it was something I'd been looking forward to for quite a long time. 'I'm hungry for more now. It's one that I can build on. I've done what I can and hopefully it's enough to keep me in the squad for the World Cup games though it's down to club form as well. I need to be performing every week because there's a tough pool of strikers that are all competing to be included. 'There's people playing in the League One and the Championship and we're all fighting for that number nine spot. It's healthy competition. All the boys are brilliant with each other. 'They're all driving each other on. It's all about someone grabbing the shirt.' On going close twice to scoring on his first appearance for Northern Ireland, Hale said: 'For the first one, I think I hit it too well. Obviously if you trickle it in it might go under the goalkeeper or whatever. Then the second one, I've just tried to take it around him and the touch isn't there. 'I would be annoyed at myself if I wasn't having those chances.' As for the difference between the club and international football, he added: 'I think it's a lot different at international level. You don't get as many chances as you would at club level. It's all about staying patient. 'I feel it was obviously a higher tempo compared to club level but I thought I did myself justice.' Coming into the squad in March, Hale didn't play against Switzerland or Sweden and missed out again at the weekend in Denmark. 'It's obviously frustrating when you're watching other people play in front of you and you just want to be on that pitch,' admitted the striker. The last 13 months have been quite something for Hale from winning the Irish Cup to being a hit in his first season with Ross County and now becoming a senior international. 'It's mad to think a season ago I was playing for the Reds and had a special day at the Irish Cup final. To go on and make my debut a year later for the international set up is a great feeling,' he said. With County relegated from the Premiership, a number of clubs in Scotland and England are now chasing Hale's signature. 'I'm just going to take it as it comes,' states the Belfast man. 'I'm a Ross County player and I'm contracted to them but things can change. It's just about seeing what the future holds for me and the best decision to keep me playing at the highest level I can.' The manager's verdict? 'I thought the first part of the game was tricky for him, but he grew into the game,' said O'Neill. 'Certainly he had some good passages of link up, he had a nice little chance where he nicked one off the goalkeeper and he was a little bit unlucky. 'I thought he showed up well. It's always difficult for the striker in the early part of the game if the team's not playing particularly well. But I was pleased for him and he obviously has given himself a chance going forward."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store