Joshua Tarling sets searing pace in Giro d'Italia time trial to win stage two
Welshman Joshua Tarling (INEOS Grenadiers) set a time-trial pace even race favourite Primoz Roglic could not match to win stage two of the Giro d'Italia by one second on Saturday.
Tarling secured his first Grand Tour stage victory after the 21-year-old Briton had a nervous wait to see Roglic come so close, but the Slovenian had to settle for second place with the consolation of taking over the leader's pink jersey.
Australian Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) came third, three seconds behind Tarling in the short 13.7km individual time-trial in Tirana.
Irish duo Sam Bennett (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) and Darren Rafferty (EF Education - EasyPost) set times of 1.59 and 2.37 minutes down on Tarling's mark.
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The 42
2 days ago
- The 42
Ireland beat Slovenia at Páirc Uí Chaoimh but fall short of four-goal win needed for top spot
Republic of Ireland 1 Slovenia 0 AT THE FINAL whistle, Slovenia celebrated wildly. Ireland won the game, but not the war. A frst-half goal from Cork history-maker Saoirse Noonan wasn't enough at Páirc Uí Chaoimh as the hosts fell short of the four-goal win needed to steal top spot and secure Nations League promotion. Carla Ward's side went for it, but instead navigate the play-offs in October as they chase promotion to League A. They'll learn their fate in Friday's draw, a third-place League A team lying in wait. As Saša Kolman and his players revelled in their incredible achievement — thanks to a 4-0 win in Koper in February — the Irish squad huddled quietly and paid tribute to the retiring Louise Quinn. Much of the 9,433 fans stayed around on a windy night on Leeside to do so too. They hailed their home heroes Noonan, Denise O'Sullivan and Megan Connolly as they circled the pitch, the GAA markings still visible, and points covered on the scoreboard. Ward said Ireland would go gung-ho, and that they did. She made four changes from Friday's 2-1 comeback win over Türkiye, three of them attacking, and gave Katie McCabe full licence to go forward. One addition, Cork's own Noonan broke the deadlock in the 19th minute. The first sportsperson to play a competitive inter-county Gaelic football match and soccer international in the Páirc, Noonan headed home her second international goal after a superb delivery from Jessie Stapleton, moved out to right-back on the night. Ireland had been piling on the pressure through an encouraging start against a stiff breeze; Noonan's first chance cleared off the line amidst a raft of early corners. Anna Patten was among the others to go close, but Slovenia still held a threat on the counter. Abbie Larkin and Emily Murphy danced out wide, the former and Megan Connolly testing Zala Meršnik and finding their range from distance, while McCabe sent in some delicious deliveries, before Ireland hit the front. Slovenia looked rattled as the one-way traffic continued, and did their utmost to frustrate. Maja Sternad was booked for a cynical foul on the clearly-targetted McCabe, while manager Saša Kolman also saw yellow on the line. Advertisement Kyra Carusa, Murphy and Patten probably should have done better with chances from corners — Connolly and McCabe on song from the set-piece — and the returning centre-forward saw a penalty shout waved away for a clear push from Meršnik. But the Slovenian transitional threat remained; Courtney Brosnan stepping up with a huge save to deny Lara Prasnikar on the cusp of half time. The Eintracht Frankfurt star really should have done better one-on-one, having exposed the Irish defence, not for the first time. Caitlin Hayes, making her first start under Ward, did bring further solidity, however. Ireland would have liked to have been more than one goal to the better at the break, but they will have been encouraged by their efforts through the chaos. Hometown hero Denise O'Sullivan grew into the game more and more on the restart, but Ireland struggled to string together as many chances. That wasn't helped by the stop-start nature of the contest, Slovenia doing their utmost to slow matters down with cynical challenges and unnecessary bookings. Just after the hour-mark, the Megan Campbell siren sounded. The long-throw specialist was introduced alongside Amber Barrett, and both looked to impact quickly. Hayes headed a Campbell slingshot over the bar, and the lively Murphy skied a golden chance after being played through by Barrett. The Newcastle United forward later drew a good save after cutting in from the left. Slovenia were living off scraps, but fired warning shots here and there. Brosnan dealt with all sent her way. With 10 minutes to play, the retiring Louise Quinn was thrown into the action alongside Marissa Sheva. It was anticipated the towering centurion would be sent up top as Ireland chased more goals, but she went centre-back. They kept knocking — and kept Meršnik on her toes — but couldn't add to Noonan's early effort. And amidst handbags down the stretch, Patten picked up her second yellow of the campaign, meaning she is suspended for the first leg of the play-offs. IRELAND: Courtney Brosnan; Jessie Stapleton (Megan Campbell 62), Anna Patten, Caitlin Hayes, Katie McCabe; Emily Murphy, Megan Connolly, Denise O'Sullivan, Abbie Larkin (Louise Quinn 80); Saoirse Noonan (Amber Barrett 62), Kyra Carusa (Marissa Sheva 80). SLOVENIA: Zala Meršnik; Lana Golob, Sara Agrež; Kaja Korošec, Dominika Čonč; Lara Prašnikar; Špela Kolbl, Sara Makovec, Kaja Eržen; Zara Kramžar, Maja Sternad (Nina Kajzba, 68) Referee: Miriama Bockova (Slovakia).
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ireland v Slovenia player ratings as Girls in Green to face play-off
COURTNEY BROSNAN: Pulled off a crucial save at the end of a quiet first-half and a couple more after the break. 7 JESSIE STAPLETON: Excellent first-time cross for the opener, one of many dangerous right-wing deliveries. 7 ANNA PATTEN: Mostly involved in the opposition area, where a handful of opportunities fell her way. 6 CAITLIN HAYES: A confident first start under Ward, but missed a great chance to score. 6 ABBIE LARKIN: A constant threat on the left with her willingness to run at defenders. 7 DENISE O'SULLIVAN: Kept Ireland on the front-foot in possession, and was quick to break up Slovenian play. 7 MEGAN CONNOLLY: Delivered plenty of dangerous crosses and wasn't afraid to have a go herself. 7 EMILY MURPHY: Her best performance to date for Ireland should have been crowned with a goal. 8 KATIE McCABE: The target of some tough tackles. Linked up well with Larkin on the left. 7 KYRA CARUSA: Did a lot of running the channels, but touch let her down at times. 7 SAOIRSE NOONAN: The former Cork Gaelic footballer made a dream return to Páirc Uí Chaoimh. 7 SUBS: Megan Campbell (for Stapleton 62): Produced a handful of trademark long throws. 6 Amber Barrett (for Noonan 62): Added some pace to the Irish attack. 6 Louise Quinn (for Larkin 80): Not on long enough to rate. Marissa Sheva (for Carusa 80): Not on long enough to rate.
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ex-Cork GAA star scores winner at Páirc Uí Chaoimh - but Ireland face play-off
An opening that was written in the stars failed to deliver a fairytale ending. Ireland got the early goal they craved at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, fittingly delivered by former Cork Gaelic footballer Saoirse Noonan. Yet despite a dominant Nations League display that saw them camped inside the Slovenian final third for much of the game, that was the end of the scoring. Carla Ward's side needed a four-goal win to leapfrog Slovenia and earn automatic promotion back to League A, thanks to the 4-0 hammering served up in the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign. Chance after chance fell, but a combination of poor finishing, brave defending and solid goalkeeping frustrated the Girls in Green, who now face a play-off against a third-placed League A side in their bid to return to the top-flight of European competition. The celebrations on the visiting bench at the final whistle told its own tale. Ireland reverted to the three-at-the-back that served them well under Vera Pauw and Eileen Gleeson, after five games with a back-four under Ward. And there was a first start under the new manager for Caitlin Hayes, the previously ever-present defender, who had managed just 50 minutes over three substitute appearances. Straight away the Girls in Green looked a lot more resilient at the back, not that they were called to do much defending in the opening half. It was largely one-way traffic, with Ireland causing plenty of problems on the left, where Katie McCabe and Abbie Larkin linked up to great effect. On the other flank, Emily Murphy gave her finest display yet in a green jersey and was unlucky not to get her name on the scoresheet. That honour fell to Cork's own Noonan on 19 minutes, thanks to contributions on either wing from McCabe and Murphy, and a delightful cross by Jessie Stapleton. McCabe's cross was headed clear, but Murphy was alert enough to retrieve the ball near the right-hand sideline and lay it back to Stapleton. Her first-time cross was headed high and central by Noonan, over the despairing dive of goalkeeper Zala Mersnik and into the net. Prior to that, Irish intentions were clearly stated. With less than two minutes on the clock, McCabe's corner was met at the back post by Noonan, and her thumping header was cleared off the line by Zara Kramzar. Three minutes later and a short corner on the right gave McCabe another opportunity to cross. This time the ball was headed over by a defender as Anna Patten was ready to pounce. Ireland continued to attack and Denise O'Sullivan slipped the ball inside to Megan Connolly, but her shot was blocked by Sara Agrez, while Larkin drew a save from Mersnik. The chances continued to fall Ireland's way after Noonan's goal. Kyra Carusa, with her back to goal, attempted to steer the ball on target, but her effort bobbled wide of the right-hand post. A Murphy header from another left-wing delivery was aimed straight at the goalkeeper, and just past the half-hour mark, Connolly's shot from 20 yards was blocked by Agrez. Patten couldn't direct her header on target as she stepped across her marker to connect with a McCabe cross. A super piece of skill and link-up play between Noonan and Larkin almost led to an opening. But a reminder of the need to concentrate at both ends of the pitch was delivered moments before half-time when Lara Prasnikar raced into the area and forced Courtney Brosnan to make a smart save. Early Irish pressure in the second-half led to a couple of set-pieces, but nothing to cause Mersnik too much trouble. The same could be said about a Connolly effort from 20 yards that fizzed over the bar in the 59th minute. The excellent Murphy was denied by a diving block as Irish players, including McCabe and Larkin, queued up to find room to shoot, while on the sideline Ward turned to her bench to freshen up her attack. On came Amber Barrett for goalscorer Noonan, and long-throw expert Megan Campbell, whose first effort moments after her arrival was headed just wide by Patton. Murphy fired just over from a tight angle as she raced onto Carusa's lay-off, with Carusa screaming for the ball to be returned to her in the centre. Hayes should have scored in the 73rd minute when she met Connolly's in-swinging free-kick from the left, but her header sailed wide of the far post. Murphy then drew a save from Mersnik when she cut in from the left and let fly from 20 yards, while the keeper got her hands to another Murphy effort in the 86th minute - a frustrating end to a frustrating evening.
