Lurgan: Oscar Black completes solo North Channel swim from NI to Scotland
When he was 14, he completed the channel swim as part of a relay team.He told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme that he had to overcome jellyfish, strong currents and swimming in the wrong direction to set a new record. He had up to 20 jellyfish stings, "all over my body, from my feet to my nose", he said. "There was a few times when I was contemplating why am I doing this," he added."It was more of a mental challenge than an actual physical challenge." But Oscar says "it was all worth it in the end".
Jessica Robson was Oscar's support swimmer for the challenge. She said it was her job to "get in and swim with him to make sure he was sane". "It was a very emotional swim to watch," she said."I got in with him from hour four to five and hour eight to nine."I had to swim into Scotland with him as he started going the wrong way."
'Tired and exhausted'
After finishing the open water swim and standing upright on the shore in Scotland, Oscar found out that he had to swim back to the boat. Due to shallow water, the boat was unable to dock close to the shore."I couldn't believe it, I was tired and exhausted," he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
22 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Celtic ease past Aberdeen but Brendan Rodgers wants more support for Adam Idah
The Celtic manager, Brendan Rodgers, predicts Adam Idah will be better if he can get some competition up front. The champions eased to victory at Aberdeen thanks to goals in each half from the midfielders Benjamin Nygren and Reo Hatate, but Idah struggled to make an impact in the centre-forward position. The 24-year-old was expected to kick on after Kyogo Furuhashi left in January, but Daizen Maeda took on the mantle of Celtic's main goalscorer after moving inside from a wide position, although the Irishman still finished on 20 goals. Given Celtic have since lost Jota to a long-term injury and sold Nicolas Kühn, Maeda has been needed out wide, while Idah has been handed a chance to seize the No 9 role. 'There's no doubt that we need to reinforce the top line,' Rodgers said. 'I'm really pleased with where we are structurally in defensive numbers. We've got a squad from our back line to midfield that can cope domestically and cope in the European competition. So I'm really pleased with that aspect. But I think we need competition at the top end of the field. 'For Adam, he's a big, honest boy. He was at his best here when was really challenging with Kyogo for the position and that's something that is important for us to get. But in the meantime, he will work hard and he'll always be that reference for us.' Asked if Idah needed a goal, Rodgers said: 'Listen, you're a striker at Celtic, you have to be strong mentally, you've got to score goals, of course. But I've a lot of faith in him. He really needs that real competition beside him. And I think that's when you then get the most out of him. 'He didn't quite score, but he worked very hard and he's given his all and it will get better as the season goes on.' Celtic's three goals this season have all come from midfielders, with Luke McCowan's late winner against St Mirren followed by Nygren getting off the mark for the club. The 24-year-old netted 15 goals for Nordsjaelland in the Danish top flight last season as well as scoring twice in his first four internationals for Sweden. Rodgers said: 'He's a player that can play as an eight, a 10, he can also play off the side. But his intuition is to get in the box and score goals and that's why we've brought him in.' Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Rodgers added: 'Any time you come to Pittdorie, it's always tough games. To come and play with that authority and personality in the game, that was pleasing.' Aberdeen made a bright start, but Celtic took full control before Nygren's 27th-minute opener. The Dons manager, Jimmy Thelin, said: 'The way we defended in the first half and how we created the transitions was okay. 'The problem we have right now is the last pass and last decision when we arrive in an attacking position. And we are not arriving there enough to really hurt them.' Thelin would not comment on reports that Aberdeen are closing in on a deal to sign the 21-year-old Milan striker Marko Lazetic on a free transfer. But he added: 'Everybody's working really hard to find the right player and bring him to Aberdeen so let's see what's going to happen.'
BBC News
22 minutes ago
- BBC News
Bangor beat Reds on return as Blues and Coleraine win
Bangor made a winning start to their first Irish Premiership campaign in 16 years as they beat Cliftonville 3-1 at Clandeboye from Kyle Owens, Ben Arthurs and Michael Morgan helped the newly- promoted side to victory on the opening Offord scored a second-half hat-trick as champions Linfield got the defence of the Gibson Cup under way with a 3-0 win against Irish Cup winners Dungannon Cooper netted a late winner on his debut for new-look Coleraine, who edged Larne 1-0 at the Coleraine Showgrounds. Bangor back with a bang It was a frustrating first half for Cliftonville, who were denied by the crossbar twice in the opening 30 minutes. The first when Odhran Casey's header from a Rory Hale corner crashed off the woodwork, before Casey was denied once again when his strong strike rattled the home side grew into the half with Lewis Ridd forced to make a smart save to deny Reece Neale's would break the deadlock with just four minutes before the break after another free-kick from Neale was denied by Ridd. However, this time Bangor recycled the danger through Stephen McGuinness, who played the ball back for the unmarked Owens to tap home from close the 51st minute Cliftonville levelled the game when Casey's cross from the left flank was fired into the back of the net by Ryan Curran at the back appealed that there was a foul on stopper Gareth Deane by Jonny Addis as they both battled to connect with Casey's delivery, but referee Tim Marshall waved away the would give the Seasiders the lead once again with 20 minutes to go after he nodded home Jack O'Mahony's well-timed Reds were denied by the woodwork for a third and final time when debutant Adebayo Fapetu's thunderous effort from 25-yards pinged off the just three minutes to go, substitute Morgan rose in the box to nod Liam Burns free-kick past Ridd to put the icing on the cake of an impressive first game back for to follow.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Opening weekend wins for Bangor, Coleraine and Linfield
Update: Date: 16:59 BST Title: Final whistle Content: That is all from us on a dream day for Bangor, who mark their return to the Irish Premiership with a 3-1 win against Cliftonville. Champions Linfield started their campaign with a 3-0 win against Dungannon Swifts. Joel Cooper scored the winner on his debut as Coleraine beat Larne. Read the report from those games here. We will be back next week with some more Irish Premiership action. See you then, but for now, goodnight. Update: Date: 16:57 BST Title: Watch: Morgan adds a third for Bangor Content: FT: Bangor 3-1 Cliftonville Substitute Michael Morgan adds a third goal for Bangor. This video can not be played Watch: Michael Morgan scores for Bangor to make it 3-1 Update: Date: 16:54 BST Title: FULL-TIME Content: Coleraine 1-0 Larne It's all over at the Coleraine Showgrounds where the Ruadhri Higgins regime is up and running with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Larne. He made a habit of doing it with Linfield and now Joel Cooper's doing it at Coleraine - scoring what proved to be the winning goal four minutes from the end. The Bannsiders had other chances on a day when Larne looked dangerous on the counter attack but it's the hosts who claim the points. Update: Date: 16:53 BST Title: Post Content: FT: Bangor 3-1 Cliftonville Paul LeemanFormer Glentoran captain on BBC iPlayer On today's showing, Bangor are going to be a match for anyone at this stadium. Update: Date: 16:53 BST Title: FULL-TIME Content: Linfield 3-0 Dungannon Swifts Linfield kickstart their 2025/26 Irish Premiership season with a 3-0 victory over Dungannon Swifts at Windsor Park. A Kieran Offord second half hat-trick is the difference as the Blues begin their Gibson Cup defence in style. Update: Date: 16:52 BST Title: Watch: Cooper curls home Content: Coleraine 1-0 Larne Who else but last year's Player of the Season Joel Cooper to open his account for Coleraine and break the deadlock. This video can not be played Watch: Joel Cooper scores his first goal for Coleraine at The Showgrounds Update: Date: 16:51 BST Title: FULL-TIME Content: Bangor 3-1 Cliftonville A dream start to Bangor's first season in the top flight in 16 years as they defeat Cliftonville 3-1. Update: Date: 16:51 BST Title: Post Content: Bangor 3-1 Cliftonville Cliftonville are pushing forward, but time is running out. I am sure the Bangor fans are counting down the seconds until the referee blows his whistle. Update: Date: 16:50 BST Title: YELLOW CARD Content: Coleraine 1-0 Larne A first Coleraine booking as Dylan Boyle takes one for the team, breaking up a Larne attack in added time. Update: Date: 16:48 BST Title: Post Content: Coleraine 1-0 Larne Four added minutes to be played at the Showgrounds. Update: Date: 16:48 BST Title: INJURY TIME Content: Linfield 3-0 Dungannon Swifts The fourth official has indicated minimum of four additional minutes. Update: Date: 16:46 BST Title: SUBSTITUTION Content: Coleraine 1-0 Larne Matthew Shevlin departs to rapturous applause from the home fans and is replaced by defender Dean Jarvis for the final few minutes. Update: Date: 16:46 BST Title: SUBSTITUTIONS Content: Bangor 3-1 Cliftonville There will be five minutes of additional time and as we enter it, Bangor make a triple change with Matthew Ferguson, Tom Mathieson and Robbie Garrett introduced. Lewis Harrison, Ben Arthurs and Jack O'Mahony make way. Update: Date: 16:45 BST Title: Post Content: Linfield 3-0 Dungannon Swifts Nice move from the visitors as Bobby-Jack McAleese gets down the right and crosses, with Cahal McGinty rising highest in the box to meet it with his head. Again, Chris Johns makes a routine stop. The Swifts have responded well since conceding the third goal, but the points are surely wrapped up for Linfield. Update: Date: 16:44 BST Title: Post Content: Bangor 3-1 Cliftonville Paul LeemanFormer Glentoran captain on BBC iPlayer Another fantastic goal from Bangor, a great delivery and he just glances it in. Update: Date: 16:43 BST Title: GOAL - Coleraine 1-0 Larne Content: Joel Cooper (86 mins) Joel Cooper breaks the deadlock with his first goal for the Bannsiders in the 86th minute. Sub Declan McManus plays in the former Linfield man who keeps his nerve to shoot low through Rohan Ferguson's legs for his first goal for his new club. Update: Date: 16:42 BST Title: GOAL- Bangor 3-1 Cliftonville Content: Michael Morgan (87 mins) Michael Morgan rises highest to nod home Liam Burns free-kick to extend Bangor's lead. What an opening game of the season for Lee Feeney's side! Update: Date: 16:41 BST Title: Post Content: Bangor 2-1 Cliftonville We're into the final five minutes of the 90. Will we see another goal? Give this post a thumbs up if you think so or react the other way if you think Ben Arthurs strike will be the winner. Update: Date: 16:40 BST Title: DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION Content: Linfield 3-0 Dungannon Swifts Rhys Annett and Ryan McKay come on in place of Charlie Allen and Matthew Fitzpatrick for Linfield's final two changes of the afternoon. Update: Date: 16:40 BST Title: Post Content: Linfield 3-0 Dungannon Swifts Kealan Dillon strikes from distance but Chris Johns gathers routinely.
