Latest news with #DavidFitzgerald
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘I'm under pressure' admits John Russell but Sligo Rovers manager insists they can turn it around after latest defeat
JOHN RUSSELL will not be taking days off during the summer break as he bids to keep Sligo Rovers in the Premier Division. 2 John Russell admitted he is under pressure Credit: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile 2 Sligo Rovers lost their 12th game of the season against St Patrick's Athletic Credit: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile Basement boys Sligo look in real danger of ending their 20-year stay in the Premier Division, even at the season's halfway point. Restricted by the top flight's smallest budget, boss Russell has had to rely on a mix of academy players and unproven signings from both here and the UK to make up his squad. Investment is required but the gaffer also believes that some of his players are not performing to the levels he requires. He groaned: 'It's been tough. Read More on League of Ireland 'We haven't won enough games and we've lost too many and the players know why. 'Maybe it's time now for some lads to get away and have a look at themselves. 'They need to reflect on how they think they've done in the first half of the season. 'We have a few lads who haven't done enough. I've told them that. Most read in Sport 'Are we lacking quality? Have we got young players who are making mistakes? 'Yes, they have but it's my job to help them learn and I'll continue. PSG crowned Champions League winners after smashing Inter Milan 5-0 'If we have 11 players at it, we'll get points. If we don't, then we won't.' And although his players will be making the most of their few days off, a tireless Russell revealed that he will work all the way through the break in an effort to rescue Rovers' season. Sligo are a point off Cork City in ninth with the Rebels a whopping ten points back from Munster rivals Waterford. Yet Russell is adamant his men can haul it back. He added: 'How can I take time off now when we're bottom of the league? 'I'm a hard-working manager so I'll continue to work hard to get results. 'If you're managing a team in the position we're in, of course I'm under pressure. 'But I look at everything I'm doing all the time and you have to do the right thing. 'Can we turn it around? Absolutely.'
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Everything you need to know ahead of the Vhi Women's Mini Marathon
Let's go, girls! The day is here — the Vhi Women's Mini Marathon takes place this afternoon, Sunday, June 1. The beloved event will see thousands of women take to the streets of Dublin for a range of worth causes. 28,000 tickets for the main event are sold out, and the virtual mini-marathon took place on Saturday, May 31. Let's go, girls! The day is here — the Vhi Women's Mini Marathon takes place this afternoon, Sunday, June 1. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile EVOKE are the 2025 media partner for the Vhi Women's Mini Marathon — here's everything you need to know… The Vhi Women's Mini Marathon starts on Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2 at 12.30pm. Participants are urged to get into their 'wave' by 11.30am. Final arrival is at 12pm latest. The 10km race finishes on Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2. EVOKE confirm there will be water stations along the way, with the first station after the 3km mark on the Stillorgan Road near the Teresian School. The second will be at 6km on the Stillorgan Road near Belfield Bridge. A third and final station is situated outside AIB Place in Ballsbridge following the 8km mark. The Vhi Women's Mini Marathon starts on Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2 at 12.30pm. Participants are urged to get into their 'wave' by 11.30am. Final arrival is at 12pm latest. Pic: Getty Images Yes! There are more pacers than ever before, with participants encouraged to follow a pacer throughout the run, particularly if you are looking to finish the 10km in a certain time. Options include 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 90 and 120 minutes. Only clear bags and small bags no larger than A4 size are permitted into the event, and will be subject to searches. Bag drop locations are colour-coded to match your assigned wave. All bag drops open from 10.30am. White and Pink wave participants use the bag drop at Fitzwilliam Square with entry via Pembroke Street Upper and Leeson Street Lower while Blue and Orange can use the Baggot Street drop (entry via Hume Street and St Stephen's Green). Those in the green wave must drop their bags on Mount Street Upper, with access via Herbert Place and Mount Street Crescent and yellow wave participants will drop their bags to the Merrion Square South drop, with access via Merrion Square West and North. Yes! There are more pacers than ever before at the Vhi Women's Mini Marathon, with participants encouraged to follow a pacer throughout the run, particularly if you are looking to finish the 10km in a certain time. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile From 8am on Saturday, Herbert Street is closed while Merrion Street Upper, Ely Place, Pembroke Street, Merrion Square West, Dawson Street and Kildare Street all close from 8.30am. Further road closures take place from 10am and 11.30am including Leeson Street Lower, Leeson Street Upper, Donnybrook Road and Pembroke Road. For the full list of road closures and opening times go here. Elsewhere, the Cork City Marathon takes place on Sunday, June 1 with the marathon kicking off at 8.15am from the Patrick Street and the Half Marathon beginning at 10.15am on Monahan Road. The races will naturally impact traffic in and around the city with the city centre streets closed for most of the day. North Main Street, Liberty Street, Kyles Street, Adelaide Street and Castle Street closed at 7am on Sunday and will remain closed until 4pm, while St Patrick's Street is closed until 6om. The Jack Lynch tunnel will remain open for the day but will operate at contra-flow system from 12pm until 1pm. The full list of closures is available here.
The Citizen
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Sports update: Bulls, Sharks & Stormers set for quarter-finals
The Bulls will go head-to-head against Edinburgh The Bulls players celebrate after the United Rugby Championship win against Munster in Limerick. Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images Three South African rugby teams have made it to the quarter-finals, with the Lions not making it through at 11th place. This makes it the fourth season in a row that the Lions don't make it through to the quarter-finals of the competition. This month, the Bulls will be going head-to-head against Edinburgh, the Sharks will host Munster, and the Stormers will have an away game against Glasgow Warriors over the weekend. ALSO READ: VIDEO: 'Nothing effective is happening' – DA leaders visit Usindiso building in Joburg
The Irish Sun
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Pittsburgh Steelers to face Minnesota Vikings in first ever NFL game in Ireland as date of Croke Park clash confirmed
THE Pittsburgh Steelers will face the Minnesota Vikings in the first ever regular season NFL game to take place in Ireland this September. The game will take place at Croke Park on September 28, as part of a partnership between the NFL, Dublin City Council, and the Irish government. Advertisement 1 Croke Park will host the Pittsburgh Steelers vs Minnesota Vikings in a historic NFL clash in Dublin Credit: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile Henry Hodgson, General Manager of NFL UK & Ireland, said: "We're thrilled to welcome the Minnesota Vikings to Ireland this September for the first-ever NFL Dublin game at Croke Park. "Alongside the Pittsburgh Steelers,, we can't wait to bring world class football to Dublin and make history together with passionate NFL fans in Ireland and those visiting from across the globe." The Vikings vs Steelers will be the first NFL game to take place on this island since a pre-season game in 1997. And Vikings President Mark Wilf said: "Playing in Ireland's first ever NFL game is an opportunity to introduce new fans to the Minnesota Vikings and help the league continue to make the game of football more accessible globally. Advertisement Read More on NFL "To do so against a storied franchise like the Pittsburgh Steelers adds a unique challenge that makes this even more special. "We are honoured to the selected for this historic game and will be anxious to see what promises to be a electric gameday environment in Croke Park." The presence of American football in Ireland has grown in recent years. Down's Charlie Smyth was signed by the New Orleans Saints after being one of a number of GAA players to have taken part in the NFL Combine. Advertisement Most read in NFL Meanwhile, Wicklow and Green Bay Packers punter Daniel Whelan is the first Irishman to start in the NFL since 1982. A number of NFL franchises, including the Steelers, have expanded their influence into Ireland under the league's Global Markets Program. And in addition to September's game, the NFL has committed to engaging with Irish fans through initiatives including flag football. Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport Patrick O'Donovan welcomed the announcement. Advertisement He said: "I welcome the news that the Minnesota Vikings have been chosen to play the Pittsburgh Steelers in our first ever National Football League fixture in Dublin. "This event provides for a huge boost to tourism and hospitality in Ireland and indeed creates a great atmosphere in Dublin for visitors and locals alike. "We look forward to welcoming the teams and supporters to Croke Park and to Dublin and beyond, as they take the opportunity to explore the many attractions that Ireland has to offer."
The Irish Sun
12-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Jim McGuinness ‘delighted' Donegal ‘stepped up' in Ulster final as Kieran McGeeney challenges Armagh to ‘start again'
IT looks like Donegal are finding the missing pieces after they bagged back-to-back Ulster titles. Jim McGuinness' men Advertisement 3 Jim McGuinness has found a good mix of youth and experience in his Donegal team Credit: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile 3 Patrick McBrearty and Michael Murphy are elder statesmen in the team Credit: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile 3 Ciaran Moore was nominated for Young Player of the Year Credit: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile Legend Michael Murphy, 35, was The Glenswilly man hounded Armagh on Saturday, scoring 0-3. Fellow stalwart Hugh McFadden, 31, netted in the second half while the young guns fired too. Eoin McHugh and Odhran McFadden-Ferry also returned to the camp after missing out last year to deepen the resources on hand — and all of them played their part. Advertisement Read More on GAA As for the next generation, Ciarán Moore, 22, had a dream debut season last year and was nominated for Young Footballer of the Year. On Saturday, he was taken off 20 minutes into the second half and probably felt his day was done. But he was sprung from the bench for extra-time — where his goal was pivotal before St Eunan's clubmate Niall O'Donnell sealed it with a point at the death. Finbarr Roarty, 19, is having a perfect maiden campaign too, and held his own at corner-back as Ryan McHugh nullified key Armagh hitman Rory Grugan in Clones. McGuinness knew what he needed to solve the puzzle after that defeat to Galway last July, and could feel it coming together in Saturday's epic as they held on to the Anglo-Celt Cup. Advertisement Most read in GAA Football Comment He said: 'That's what your squad is for. That's what we spoke about last year when Galway beat us. 'We needed to provide more depth within the squad. RTÉ GAA pundits Paul Flynn and Lee Keegan slam All-Ireland draw 'And so, yeah, so delighted that those fellas found a way to step up. 'Just everything with Michael that he brings to the table and in the meetings and in the prep — and obviously a cool head at half-time. And just his quality on the ball as well. Advertisement 'Ciarán Moore is a serious athlete. He didn't get going here the way he would normally get going from an athletic point of view. 'But when he came back on, he had that energy and vigour back. 'Conor O'Donnell didn't start because we went with bigger men because it was Armagh. But Conor's played nearly every game for us. 'Niall O'Donnell won the Ulster Championship for us last year. And he's kicked two massive points there when it really, really mattered. For me, that's where your training comes in. Advertisement 'All of those moments are going to come to the surface at some stage. 'And that's what we were talking about in our huddle at half-time in extra-time.' SEVENTH HEAVEN Donegal had led by seven twice in the game. They stormed 0-14 to 0-7 in front thanks to a dazzling spell led by Murphy, Oisín Gallen and Ciarán Thompson's two-point double. Advertisement But the All-Ireland champions refused to roll over and die — and Oisín O'Neill raised an orange flag of his own to get them back within three. McFadden's second-half goal put Donegal in the driving seat but again Armagh rallied. Darragh McMullan somehow fired wide in front of goal before Ben Crealey hit the post. But they never gave in. Advertisement Kieran McGeeney's men won a sensational final 20 minutes 0-8 to 0-1 to force extra-time in the Ulster showpiece for the fourth year in a row. Stefan Campbell made another huge impact off the bench with 0-3, as Oisín Conaty starred with 0-6. His last score forced overtime when Donegal failed to run down the clock. The high drama peaked from here. Advertisement Armagh surged ahead for the first time thanks to Jarly Óg Burns and Jason Duffy. But Niall O'Donnell was on the field with fresh legs, and Moore had returned for extra-time after being replaced by comeback kid Eoin McHugh. A gassed Murphy was running on fumes, but the rest stood up. Moore lashed into the top corner when Michael Langan played him through. Orchard stopper Ethan Rafferty sailed over a free on the double as penalties loomed for the third year running. Advertisement But O'Donnell let fly two minutes before the buzzer to kill it and book All-Ireland group-stage meetings with Tyrone, Cavan and Mayo. Both camps clashed at the final whistle as tensions and emotion spilled over, but it failed to spoil the party. 'START AGAIN' Armagh's 17-year wait for Ulster glory goes on, but McGeeney's men had the last laugh when they lifted Sam Maguire back in July. A group of death with Dublin, Galway and Derry now awaits — but the race for the big one is wide open. Advertisement Boss McGeeney has no time for hard-luck stories, and just hopes they can lift themselves all over again in their bid to retain their crown. He said: 'You just have to start again. 'Some things are harder to take than others. We'll just sit down over the next 24 hours and look at the game and see what we can control and what we can't, and sort of try and push on. 'We had some outstanding players. Oisín Conaty was exceptional, six points from play. Advertisement 'He was probably the best player on the pitch by a mile there. 'The less said about the rub of the green in our sport, the better. 'It's always tough when you get beat, so what do you do? 'That's part and parcel of sport, you just have to keep going.' Advertisement DONEGAL : S Patton, F Roarty, B McCole, P Mogan 0-1; R McHugh, C McGonagle, C Moore 1-1; H McFadden 1-0, M Langan 0-2, D Ó Baoill 0-1, C Thompson 0-4, 2tp, S O'Donnell; P McBrearty 3f, M Murphy 0-3, O Gallen 0-4. Subs : C O'Donnell 0-1 for McBrearty 43mins; J McGee 0-1 for McFadden 50, J Brennan for Ó Baoill 52, E McHugh for Moore 55, A Doherty for Gallen 65, O McFadden-Ferry for McGee 71, N O'Donnell 0-2 for Brennan 71, Moore for Doherty 71, McBrearty for Murphy 77, Ó Baoill for R McHugh 79, S McMenamin for McCole 83. ARMAGH : E Rafferty 0-3, 1tpf, 1 45; P Burns, B McCambridge, A Forker; R McQuillan 0-3, G McCabe, J Óg Burns 0-1; C O'Neill 0-1, B Crealey; D McMullan, R Grugan, O Conaty 0-6; T Kelly, A Murnin 0-1, O O'Neill 0-7, 1tp, 1tpf. Subs : C Turbitt for Kelly 42mins; S Campbell 0-3 for C O'Neill 50, P McGrane for McCabe 55, J Duffy 0-2 for O O'Neill 60, N Grimley for Forker 61, C Mackin for Murnin 71, J Hall for McQuillan (blood) 77, C McConville for Conaty 80, S McPartlan for Grugan 83, T McCormack for McQuillan 88. REFEREE : B Cawley (Kildare).
