Latest news with #Corkonian
Sunday World
2 days ago
- General
- Sunday World
Ireland's first autism-friendly swim classes a dream come true for my son, says mum
Watching Jayden's confidence grow in the water has been a dream come true for Elizabeth and her husband, Ian Four-year-old Jayden was always a water lover but like so many children, the adorable Corkonian didn't understand the dangers it posed. 'If we were at the beach, he'd literally run straight into the water and have no concept that it's up above his mouth,' explains mum Elizabeth O'Connor. 'He literally had no concept of danger.' Since joining Ireland's first autism-friendly swim classes at Turtle Tots, Jayden has come out of his shell in more ways than one — finding joy, confidence, and a safe space to be himself. Speaking of the lifeline that the classes provide, the adoring mum explains: 'He's not quite very high needs, but he's not no needs either. So he's kind of an in-betweener... If he was in a mainstream class, he'd fall behind, he'd get lost.' Speaking of Jayden's additional needs, Elizabeth adds: 'He struggles with his emotional regulation. He could go into a full blown meltdown over something small and it would be the end of the world to him.' That's why the flexible, child-led approach at Turtle Tots stood out. 'What I really loved was that not every child is expected to do the same thing. They work with what your child needs, not against it,' she says. 'Jayden wasn't pushed. He could go at his own pace.' Watching Jayden's confidence grow in the water has been a dream come true for the young mum and her husband, Ian, who brings Jayden to his weekly sessions. Jayden with Elizabeth, Ian and his brother Harry 'He can actually swim now. He can swim with his head under the water... We have to remind him to come up for air,' she laughs. 'He can also float completely. So at least I know if he does end up in water, he can float. That is such a huge relief for us. 'Every time the renewal comes up, we just renew it — there's no question about it. The main thing is that he enjoys it, that it's not something that's being forced on him. He actually wants to do it.' Accessing support and therapies for children with autism in Ireland is notoriously difficult. Long waiting lists, limited resources and patchy access to specialised care leave many families feeling overwhelmed and isolated. Receiving Jayden's autism diagnosis when he was just three years old, the mum-of-two says inclusivity and access to resources has never been more important. 'He always tries to include everyone... even when he's doing the swimming, he's like, 'Why aren't they getting in the pool?'' 'He's only four, but he knows what it feels like to be not included. So he always tries his best to include kids. 'He's crazy, but he's very caring. He loves making friends. He'll always say, 'I love you, mom,' just out of nowhere. And obviously for a kid with autism, that's huge. Sometimes children with autism are not very aware of other people's emotions. So he's fantastic. He really is.' Jayden and his dad Ian love their weekly classes News in 90 June 4th Now looking forward to attending big school in September, Elizabeth says she has never been prouder of her beautiful boy who loves nothing more than doting on his younger brother, 10-month-old Harry. 'I just think these classes, obviously when he's so young as well, make a huge impact as opposed to if he was older and trying to get him into something. It's just become part of his routine now and he is thriving. 'After coming on from all these groups... if he wasn't in them, he'd still be back where he was.' Speaking to parents who also have children on the spectrum, Elizabeth says there's also a sense of camaraderie and community in the classes. 'It's actually even good for the parents because we're all in the same boat. 'If the session is a half an hour and your child is only in the water for five minutes, that's a huge win.' Alan Reinhardt, founder of Turtle Tots, explains the thoughtful structure behind their autism-friendly programme: 'Our classes are small and consistent. We start and finish each session the same way to create routine, and we give children the time they need, with no pressure. 'We do demos as visuals to explain the activities with more emphasis than in our mainstream classes and after recent studies we're starting to implement visual schedules, which includes photos and images of the activities, visual supports also supplement verbal instructions. 'We adapt everything based on the child, not the other way around,' Alan says. With specially trained teachers and an Autism Programme Mentor supporting them, Turtle Tots is expanding their ASD classes across Cork, Dublin, and beyond, into Wicklow, Wexford, Kerry, Mayo, and more. And for families who may be navigating an autism diagnosis, Elizabeth has the following advice: 'Even if somebody else has it a million times worse than you, what you are dealing with your child is so valid. 'It's also important to remember that your child is happy in their world. What our expectation of happy is different to their expectation of happy. It takes the time to get used to that. 'And it goes without saying that people should always approach a situation with kindness. If you see a child having a meltdown, don't stare — just smile. Something as simple as that can really help, 'I'm not just [talking about] a child on the spectrum. I mean any child.'
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- General
- The Irish Sun
Saoirse Noonan scores winner but Ireland miss out on Nations League promotion despite victory over Slovenia in Cork
LOCAL HERO Saoirse Noonan scored a historic winner — but Ireland could not turn utter dominance into the goals they needed as they fell well short of the four-plus victory required for Nations League promotion. Advertisement 2 Saoirse Noonan scored as Ireland beat Slovenia Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 2 Slovenia were promoted to League A while Ireland settle for an October play-off Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile The ex-Rebels star's headed goal came from an early Jessie Stapleton cross as It maintained their winning record at the home of Ireland will now face a third-placed team from League A in a two-legged promotion/relegation play-off in October. Win the play-off and Ireland would also gain a guaranteed play-off spot for the 2027 Advertisement Read More on Ireland WNT But a yellow card for Anna Patten in a late sideline bust-up with Kaja Erzen will see her suspended for the first leg. Tuesday night's game also provided a tearful send-off for retiring Louise Quinn, who came on late for her 122nd cap in her Carla Ward made four changes from the Alongside Noonan, Istanbul match-winner Emily Murphy came into the midfield and put in a standout performance. Kyra Carusa and Caitlin Hayes were also called upon. Advertisement Most read in Football Exclusive The Starting against a strong wind, Ireland were determined to lay down a marker and poured down the flanks to force three corners inside five minutes. They won the headers from all three deliveries, too. 'You can't make this up' - Irish fans in stitches at Ruesha Littlejohn's playful prank upon Katie McCabe's camp arrival Noonan came closest but Zara Kramzar took her header off the line. Patten could not do any better with her two efforts. Abbie Larkin switched to the left flank for this game and she dribbled past two defenders for the next chance but Zala Mersnik gobbled up her edge-of-the-box strike . Advertisement The overlapping Murphy retrieved the second ball and rolled it back for Stapleton, whose deep cross was perfectly weighted for Noonan to redirect over the keeper, with the former star wheeling away to celebrate her second international goal with her home-town fans. Carusa scuffed a couple of chances wide in the aftermath, Murphy fired a shot into Mersnik's arms and another Corkonian, Megan Connolly, saw a drilled attempt blocked by Sara Agrez, with Patten unable to turn the ricocheting ball goalward. A frustrated Kolman was booked but his side did carve out one major opening before half-time. However, Courtney Brosnan beat away Lara Prasnikar's stinging shot. Advertisement Kolman detailed his players to get closer to Ireland around the middle as they began to contain the hosts in the second half, while Brosnan had to make a routine save from Maja Sternad. At the other end, Stapleton and Patten went for the same ball to spoil one chance. Then Connolly fired over from the 18-yard line. Murphy drove just over the bar from a tight angle before another good cross followed from Connolly's free-kick. However, Hayes glanced her header off target . Then Murphy got in around the side again to shoot, only for Mersnik to parry around the post. Advertisement Mersnik also had to deal with a couple of Megan Campbell throw-in missiles but she did so successfully as hopes of Ireland adding three further goals faded away. SUN STAR PLAYER Emily Murphy (Ireland) Advertisement IRELAND : Brosnan 7; Stapleton 7 (Campbell 62, 6), Patten 7, Hayes 7, McCabe 7; Larkin 7 (Louise Quinn 80, 6), O'Sullivan 7, Connolly 7, Carusa 7 (Sheva 80, 6), Murphy 8; Noonan 8 (Barrett 62, 6). SLOVENIA : Mersnik 7; Conc 6, Golob 6, Agrez 7; Kolbl 7, Makovec 6, Korosec 7, Prasnikar 7 (Janez 90, 6), Erzen 6; Sternad 6 (Kajzba 68, 6), Kramzar 6 (Zver 87, 6). REFEREE : M Bockova (Slovakia) 6.
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
‘It was a bit surreal' – Saoirse Noonan on dream goal in history-making appearance for Ireland at Páirc Ui Chaoimh
Saoirse Noonan said it was a 'surreal' feeling after the Corkonian became the first person to play inter-county football and international soccer at Páirc Uí Chaoimh before scoring Ireland's only goal in her first competitive start.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Caoimhin Kelleher's boyhood Cork club to pocket seven-figure sum from Brentford transfer thanks to sell-on clause
CAOIMHIN Kelleher's boyhood club in Cork are set to make €3million from his proposed move from Liverpool to Brentford. The 26-year-old was given permission to leave Ireland camp yesterday in order to fly out to London to thrash out the finer details of 2 The Ireland number one famously started out as a striker with Ringmahon Rangers 2 He's grown weary of having to play second fiddle behind Alisson at Anfield Credit: Getty The fee is estimated to be around €16million. That figure is significant for the goalkeeper's first club Ringmahon Rangers as they wisely included a 20 per cent sell-on clause in his first contract with them. That seven-figure sum will set a new record for amount received in one deal for an Irish club. The previous high-point was the €2m Two years prior to that 2022 deal, Bohemians struck it rich as Read More On Irish Football That instance was similar to Kelleher's current arrangement as the Phibsboro club had smartly made a sell-on clause part of the terms of his exit to Wolverhampton. St Patrick's Athletic do stand to surpass both of those totals when Ringmahon Rangers, formed in 1951, are expected to use the incoming financial boost to overhaul its facilities for all age grades. Per Most read in Football Yesterday at Ireland camp, his fellow Corkonian and Everton defender Jake O'Brien spoke of O'Brien said: 'It doesn't take for me to say how good he is. I think everyone knows how good he is and what he's achieved over the last couple of years. Tottenham's subtle reference to lasagne scandal in new kit launch hailed by fans 'If it goes through, it's a great move for him, to become a number one in the Premier League. 'It's a great move for him, to go and play every week is very important and he's more than good enough. "Brentford have done well this season so it's a club he can progress and do a lot at. 'I think everyone knows how good he is and how high his ceiling is. He can push on and do great things. 'He is number two at Liverpool but he's obviously got a really good keeper ahead of him. "He's definitely up there with the keepers in the Premier League. 'And I think next year he'll show that, that he's up there with the best. "I think he's proven that in the games he has played for Liverpool, that he can be up there with some of the best keepers in the league.'
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Brentford-bound Caoimhin Kelleher backed to become ‘one of Premier League's best keepers' by Ireland teammate
CAOIMHÍN KELLEHER has been backed to prove himself as one of the best keepers in the Premier League - by a Merseyside rival. Kelleher missed Ireland training this morning in order to undergo a medical at Brentford. 2 Caoimhin Kelleher has continuously spoken about his ambition for regular first team football 2 Jake O'Brien was full of praise for teammate at the Ireland media conference The London club are hoping to tie up a move for him after Liverpool granted them permission to talk to him. And his fellow Corkonian and Everton defender Jake O'Brien has no doubts he will prove his worth for the Bees. O'Brien said: 'It doesn't take for me to say how good he is. I think everyone knows how good he is and what he's achieved over the last couple of years. 'If it goes through, it's a great move for him, to become a number one in the Premier League. Read more on Irish football 'It's a great move for him, to go and play every week is very important and he's more than good enough. "Brentford have done well this season so it's a club he can progress and do a lot at. 'I think everyone knows how good he is and how high his ceiling is. He can push on and do great things. 'He is number two at Liverpool but he's obviously got a really good keeper ahead of him. Most read in Football "He's definitely up there with the keepers in the Premier League. 'And I think next year he'll show that, that he's up there with the best and I think he's proven that in the game he has played for Liverpool, that he can be up there with some of the best keepers in the league.' The diggers move in as Celtic Park pitch is dug up Despite living in close proximity, O'Brien admitted he has not seen much of Kelleher since he joined Everton from Olympique Lyonnais last summer. He said: 'I think that's just because in football you've other things going on. "He lives in the same area as me, a lot of players are, I suppose it would be difficult if we were seen together as Merseyside rivals, some fans wouldn't take it well.'
