Latest news with #GavanCasey
The Journal
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The Journal
Ireland's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2028 increase as Uefa announce backdoor route for hosts
The 42 UEFA HAVE CONFIRMED that they will reserve backdoor qualification spots for two co-hosts of Euro 2028, offering a significant boost to Ireland's chances of competing at the finals. Two berths in the 24-team competition will be held for the highest-ranked host nations who do not automatically qualify as group winners or as best runners-up during the conventional group-stage qualification process. Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales will all host games at Euro 2028, and all four nations will compete in separate qualifying groups in an effort to earn automatic qualification for the finals. But two of the four will be guaranteed places at the tournament irrespective of how they all fare during qualifying. Those two places will be determined by ranking at the end of the group-stage qualification process. For example, if England were the only host nation to qualify as group winners or as best runners-up, the two highest-ranked remaining sides between Ireland, Scotland and Wales would join them at the finals. Advertisement But if, for example, two of the host nations were to secure automatic qualification via the groups, the other two hosts would then be granted passage through to the finals via the reserved places. '(The) hosts… will also participate in qualifying, drawn into separate groups,' Uefa said in a statement after an executive committee meeting in Bilbao ahead of the Europa League final. 'The 12 group winners and eight best runners-up (20 teams) will advance directly to the Euro 2028 final tournament. 'Two spots in the final tournament will be reserved for the two best-ranked host nations who are not qualified as group winners or best runners-up after the completion of the qualifying group stage.' The remaining places at the tournament will be earned via play-offs between the remaining group runners-up from Euro qualifying and the highest ranked 2026-27 Nations League non-qualified group winners. The number of spots available through play-offs will depend on whether host nations qualify directly through the groups or via the reserved qualifying slots. 'The tournament schedule is expected to be released in autumn 2025,' Uefa said. 'The tournament regulations with all remaining details will be published by the end of the year.' Written by Gavan Casey and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here .
The Irish Sun
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Irish NFL fans all make same joke after confirmation that Minnesota Vikings will face Pittsburgh Steelers at Croke Park
CONFIRMATION that it's the Minnesota Vikings who will face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Croke Park's historic NFL game had fans harking back to Irish history. Prior to 2 The National Football League today announced its 2025 International Games schedule that will be played across Europe in Dublin, London, Berlin, and Madrid as part of the league's long-term commitment to global expansion 2 On September 28 Croke Park will play host to the first-ever regular season NFL game to be held in Ireland But hearing who'll fill out the enticing match-up had many an Irish NFL obsessive noting how fitting it is that that NFC North outfit are the other side who have been chosen to travel across to Dublin. Journalist with The 42 Gavan Casey crafted the best punchline around it social media. He posted on X: "9th-century AD flashbacks: the Vikings are coming to Dublin! "Minnesota will face the Pittsburgh Steelers at Croke Park on 28 September in Ireland's first competitive NFL game. Read More On Irish Sport "The Rooneys. Kevin O'Connell. JJ McCarthy. Justin Jefferson under the high ball. Should be decent!" In a similar vein Tom Levy quipped: "Ghosts from the Battle of Clontarf seeing Ireland welcome Vikings to Dublin (angry emoji|)." Lastly, Vinnie Lyer added: The Vikings are led by (head coach Kevin) O'Connell and (quarterback JJ) McCarthy. Of course they were gonna play in Dublin." The fixture will take place at GAA headquarters on September 28, as part of a partnership between the NFL, Dublin City Council, and the Irish government. Most read in NFL 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." Shedeur Sanders announces what he'll do with first NFL paycheck and 'not that high' Cleveland Browns signing bonus 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. "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. 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. 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 42
06-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
'Is there another head coach in world rugby who wouldn't have picked Jordie Barrett?'
BERNARD JACKMAN JOINED Gavan Casey and Murray Kinsella on Tuesday's Rugby Weekly Extra to reflect on yet another devastating exit from Europe for Leinster. Here is a 10 minute video segment from the podcast which focuses on the exclusion of Jordie Barrett from the starting XV. If you are not already a subscriber then sign up here to listen to this podcast and enjoy unlimited access to The 42. Advertisement
