Dick Clerkin: Jim McGuinness has questions to answer over grim case of deja vu for Donegal
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RTÉ News
21 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Ireland suffer agonising shooutout defeat to Wales at EuroHockey II Final
The Ireland Men's Hockey Team were beaten by the narrowest of margins in their EuroHockey Championship II Final encounter with Wales after a 3-1 defeat in a shootout, following a 1-1 draw in normal time. Having led early thanks to a smart Jeremy Duncan finish, Wales managed to tie the game up and keep Ireland on level terms to force a penalty shootout. Welsh keeper Toby Reynolds-Cotterill proved the hero, denying Ireland on three occasions to help Wales to a 3-1 shootout win. Despite the result, Ireland still secure promotion to the EuroHockey Championship in 2027 and book their place at the 2026 FIH World Cup Qualifiers. A bright start from Wales saw them win the first penalty corner of the match which they put wide of the post. Ireland gained control soon after, enjoying periods of pressure and eventually winning a penalty corner of their own in the fifth minutes, but Lee Cole's effort was blocked. Ireland's pressure continued through the first quarter as they found ways into the Welsh circle. Tim Cross drove along the baseline in the 14th minute and found Jeremy Duncan whose clever flick on his reverse found the side netting to open the scoring for Ireland. Sean Murray continued Ireland's attacking exploits in the final minute of the quarter, drawing a stick tackle inside the circle to win a penalty corner. The Gantoise midfielder opted to strike direct at goal from the set piece but was denied by Welsh keeper Toby Reynolds-Cotterill. Wales, however, started the second quarter well. A green card for Fergus Gibson gave Wales a player advantage to stretch Ireland, which they used equalise through Jack Pritchard. Ireland almost responded immediately through Jeremy Duncan, but his close-range shot was saved by Reynolds-Cotterill. A late penalty corner for Wales gave them a chance to go ahead with two minutes remaining in the first half-time, but Ireland's Louis Rowe defended well to keep Ireland level. Ireland won a penalty corner of their own in the final minute, but Lee Cole's effort went just wide of the post. The sides went into the break locked at 1 – 1. Ireland used their press to good effect early in the second half to disrupt Wales. Sean Murray won the ball on the right flank from the press and found Matthew Nelson in the circle, but Nelson's shot on goal went just over the bar. Peter Brown almost gave Ireland the lead just before the end of Q3 but was denied by Reynolds-Cotterill following a quick counterattack from Louis Rowe and Ben Nelson. A chance for Jonny Lynch fell soon after, but he couldn't quite make a clean connection with the ball, so his effort was easily saved, seeing the sides finish quarter three still on level terms. Ireland made a bright start to the final quarter almost regaining the lead in the first three minutes when Sean Murray played a dangerous ball into the circle which was deflected just wide. Matthew Nelson flashed a ball past the back post a few minutes later but nobody was positioned to redirect the ball goalward. Neither side could find a winner in the minutes that remained, with the final set to be decided by a Shootout. It wasn't to be for Ireland in the shootout, as Wales walked away as 3-1 victors to win the EuroHockey Championship II.
Extra.ie
21 minutes ago
- Extra.ie
Ireland come from behind to beat Scotland in World Cup warm-up
Ireland kicked off their World Cup warm-up campaign with a gutsy, come-from-behind 27-21 win over Scotland at Virgin Media Park in Cork. Ireland had the better of the opening exchanges as their defence flying off the line and making big hits, with back rowers Grace Moore and and debutant Ivana Kiripati in particular starting the game on fire. However, an inability to hold onto the ball and build phases meant they had to rely too heavily on their defence. Scotland, who begin their Pool B campaign against Wales in three weeks, ran to a 14-0 lead thanks to Lisa Thomson converting her own score and then adding the extras to Lucia Scott's finish after the winger ran a lovely inside line around the edge of the ruck. Ireland's Sam Monaghan is tackled by Lana Skeldon of Scotland. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady It was an emotional return to the field for Ireland captain Sam Monaghan, who played over 30 minutes in her comeback after over a year out with injury. She did well in her cameo and nearly crashed over for a try as she begins easing herself back into play ahead of the World Cup. Scotland hooker Lana Skeldon was stretchered off after suffering a serious-looking injury as the 81-cap Bristol forward was in obvious discomfort as she received lengthy on-field treatment eight minutes short of half-time at Musgrave Park. Ireland's Sadhbh McGrath scores a try with Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald and Brittany Hogan. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady Skeldon's departure disrupted the visitors' momentum and Ireland capitalised. They began to build up some much needed phases and off the back of a dominant scrum, started to turn the tide in their favour. After several knocks on the Scottish try line Sadhbh McGrath crashed over to get Ireland's first try of the game and then only a few minutes later Ireland worked their way back up to the Scottish 22 line and after some great handling, Meabh Deely ran in unopposed as Ireland were just two-points behind heading into the break. The hosts, who were back in action for the first time since ending the Six Nations with a 26-19 defeat to the Scots in April and start the World Cup against Japan on August 24, completed the turnaround within six minutes of the restart when debutant centre Nancy McGillivray dived over. Ireland debutants Ailish Quinn, Ivana Kiripati and Nancy McGillivray celebrate. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile McGillivray alongside centre partner Eve Higgins really shone in the second half as it looks like Ireland are beginning to build that depth Scott Bemand has been talking about since coming in. Flanker Grace Moore was then held up on the line as Ireland continued to dominate in the wake of Scotland replacement Coreen Grant being sin-binned. Centre Emma Orr burst through the home team's defensive line to briefly put Scotland back in front, with Thomson slotting the conversion. Scotland's defence was immense at times in the second half as time and time again they were able to stand firm on their own line and not let Ireland cross. However, Ireland for their own part had some discipline issues in terms of breaking the laws and also being disciplined with protecting the ball. Fiona Tuite of Ireland is tackled by Chloe Rollie of Scotland. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile However Ireland got their act together in the final 15 minutes thank to some great performances from substitutes Niamh O'Dowd, Fiona Tuite and Linda Djougang. O'Dowd seemed to be everywhere on the pitch and played so positively, getting her hands free and offloading at any opportunity. She crossed over for a well deserved try to give Ireland the lead again with just over 10 minutes to go. Ireland, who host Canada in Belfast next weekend, secured victory three minutes from time when Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird crossed, ensuring Scotland go into the World Cup on the back of successive defeats following last week's loss in Italy. Deirbhile Nic A Bháird of Ireland on her way to scoring her side's fifth try. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile Speaking post-match, Player of the Game Grace Moore spoke about Ireland's build-up to this match and what it was like to finally get out there. 'Our captains run this week was so good and our jersey presentation was probably one of the most emotional we've had so far in my career and I think we've really bought it for those girls that weren't out here today. 'This is just the start, those weeks of preseason, the hard slog, people coming back from rehab. It's just testament to who these people are and we're just looking forward to the World Cup and looking forward to grow.' Ireland Head Coach Scott Bemand celebrates winning the match. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady Head Coach Scott Bemand was happy to finally get back onto the pitch and wipe the cobwebs off before the World Cup. 'It's first game after preseason. You kind of got to get your straps back in a test match arena after seven weeks build-up. I think we probably looked like we hadn't played a game last week, whereas Scotland came out and looked like they had a game. So they were slightly more battle hardened than us, but I was really pleased with the girls. There was no sense of panic. We understand what we need to do and how we're going to do it and they simply just moved through the gears. 'Next week we've got Canada coming. The challenges keep coming fast now and then hopefully that puts us in a good space to go over to England and attack the World Cup.'
Irish Times
an hour ago
- Irish Times
Sharlene Mawdsley pips Sarah Lavin to 200m title at National Championships
Sharlene Mawdsley was not playing around this time. In a thrilling showdown for the women's 200m title on day one of the National Athletics Championships, Mawdsley needed to call on all her style and substance to take the victory ahead of Sarah Lavin . In fine conditions at Morton Stadium in north Dublin, Mawdsley moved down from the 400m, her signature event and having already won that title twice, while Lavin moved up from the 100m hurdles, a title she's won nine times. As expected, Lavin called on her pure sprinting credentials and got the better start in lane five, with Mawdsley in the lane outside her and Lauren Roy also starting well in lane seven. Coming into the homestretch, Lavin was a stride clear, Mawdsley closely tied with Roy. Only in the last 20m did Mawdsley get past Lavin, winning in 23.55 seconds (into a -2.6 mps headwind), Lavin second in 23.80, with Roy third in 23.88. READ MORE 'I heard them (the stadium announcer) say I got a great start, and I was thinking 'okay',' said Mawdsley, delighted with her effort. 'This is different, a bit usual, and having Lauren in there as well made for a great race. That 200m this year was so, so good, so delighted to win.' Sarah Lavin (left, second) Sharlene Mawdsley (centre, first) and Lauren Roy (right, bronze) after the women's 200m final. Photograph: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile Among the first to congratulate the 26-year-old after collecting her medal was her partner Michael Breen, a recent All-Ireland winner with the Tipperary hurlers. Lavin will be made on the track on Sunday for the 100m hurdles, the Limerick athlete almost certain to make it title number 10 in that event. The men's 200m final was a far more straightforward affair as Marcus Lawler dominated from the gun to take the win in 20.66, a fourth outdoor title for the Clonliffe Harriers athlete. Saturday's track finals also included the 3,000m steeplechase, Finley Daly from Sligo AC winning a second men's title despite stumbling over the water jump early in the race. Holding his form, Daly chased down Jonas Stafford from UCD to take the win in 8:59.04. Abbie Sheridan of St Peter's AC won the women's title in 10:05.72. In the heats of the men's 800m, Mark English and Cian McPhillips qualified with ease, setting up a fascinating duel in Sunday's final. English was the fastest qualifier, the 32-year-old winning heat one in 1:48.92, before the 23-year-old McPhillips won heat two in 1:52.58. Mark English during the heats of the men's 800m. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho English already has eight outdoor titles, and this summer lowered his Irish record to 1:43.92 in June. Last month, McPhillips won the 800m at the Morton Games in 1:44.19, second only to English on the Irish all-time list. 'It's going to be great, a good fight,' said McPhillips, the Longford athlete chasing his first outdoor title. 'We're getting a lot more depth in the event too.' After running three lifetime bests in her five Diamond League races, including a 1,500m victory in Rome, Sarah Healy moved down to the 800m. She was the fastest qualifier in 2:03.63, leading from gun to tape. As anticipated, the men's 1,500m is shaping up to be the race of the weekend. The four main contenders eased through the three qualifying heats. Cathal Doyle, chasing a fourth title in succession, coming through heat one, as did Nick Griggs, winning in 3:47.89. Andrew Coscoran won the second heat in 3:46.99, while Darragh McElhinney also cruised through. In the field events, Aoife O'Sullivan continued her fine form to win the high jump, the Liscarroll AC athlete clearing 1.75m, while Niamh Fogarty of Raheny Shamrock AC won the shot put with a best of 14.29m and will look to add the discus on Sunday. Conor Penney of Craughwell AC won the men's high jump by adding 1cm to his best, clearing 2.10m, while Sarah Buggy's reign in the triple jump was ended by Daphni Doulaptsi Teeuwen from Raheny Shamrock, as she won with a best of 13.05m, Buggy second with 12.72m. Kate Veale from West Waterford defended her 5km race walk title in 23:46.46, her 19th outdoor national title across the 5k, 20k, and 35k distances, while David Kenny of Farranfore Maine Valley took the men's 10km title in a new best of 39:39.93.
