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The Irish Sun
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Ireland cricket captain Andy Balbirnie throws down gauntlet to teammates after shock opening Test win vs West Indies
ANDY BALBIRNIE challenged his Ireland teammates to whitewash the Windies after Paul Stirling became the first Irish batter to reach 10,000 runs. Balbirnie made a century and captain Stirling moved to 10,017 runs across Tests, ODIs and T20 internationals with a knock of 54 off 64 balls before being caught by West Indies' Gudakesh Motie off the bowling of Roston Chase. Reflecting on the 124-run win in Clontarf, Balbirnie said: 'We want to win this series of course, but you have to enjoy these sorts of results.' Building on the first-wicket partnership of 109, opener Balbirnie went on to make 112 from 138 deliveries, including nine fours and four sixes. Harry Tector chipped in with 56 as the hosts closed on 303 for six after being put in to bat. West Indies pace bowler Alzarri Joseph claimed the wickets of Balbirnie and Tector before Matthew Forde registered three for 68 by removing ODI debutant Cade Carmichael (16), Lorcan Tucker (30) and George Dockrell (one). Read More On Irish Sport Ireland's attack made light work of the tourists' top order as Barry McCarthy and Dockrell starred with the ball. After opener Evin Lewis was run out by Tector, McCarthy took three wickets and seamer Thomas Mayes marked his ODI debut by clean bowling visiting captain Shai Hope for two to reduce the Windies to 31 for five inside 10 overs. Justin Greaves offered some resistance with a knock of 35, which was halted by Josh Little, before Dockrell claimed the crucial wicket of Chase for 55 and then dismissed Joseph for a duck and Motie for eight to post figures of three for 21. McCarthy finished with four for 32 after having Forde caught by Little for 38 at the start of the 35th over as Ireland wrapped up victory with 95 balls to spare. Most Read In The Irish Sun The three-match series continues tomorrow before concluding on Sunday. Balbirnie added: 'It is a huge win for us, and I think the confidence is going to be high going into the weekend.' 1 McCarthy celebrates with teammate Cade Carmichael, after taking the wicket of Brandon King Moment cricketer drops his PHONE while taking a run leaves commentator stunned
The Irish Sun
01-05-2025
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
‘Costa Del Punchestown' hail punters who also rave about surprising drinks prices at 2025 Festival
THE 2025 Punchestown Festival is receiving broadly positive reviews thanks to the combination of glorious weather and reasonable drinks prices. There are of course still 5 Twitter user Steve Duggan shared this photo from the hospitality tent while praising the drink prices on offer Credit: X 5 For reference, here is the menu from the 2024 Festival Credit: @racingblogger 5 Popular horse racing tipster Stephen Power branded the Kildare course 'Costa Del Punchestown' Credit: @racingblogger 5 Similarly, Clare Makin called Wednesday 'a gorgeous day for it' But having trawled through punter feedback online, complaints around the Kildare venue itself seem few and far between. Steve noted the price of a Guinness is lower than what you'd pay at Saluting the attendee experience as a whole, he said: "Been a great two days at a great course with great friendly staff and the Guinness is cheaper here on course than in Dublin." A number of famous faces Read More On Irish Sport Ireland football legend Other celebs at the track included Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: 'The Punchestown Racing Festival is always a must-attend event in the Irish racing calendar, with fantastic energy all-round. "The Ladbrokes Gold Cup is no doubt the showstopper to top off an exhilarating day at the racecourse.' Most read in Horse Racing And in the big race of the day, jockey Kathryn Thomas enjoys day out at Punchestown Festival The nine-year-old prevented an unwanted hat-trick in the race, having been second to Fastorslow for the past two years. The 5-6 favourite left no doubt about his star quality as he received rapturous applause from punters watching the big race. 'We are very, very fortunate to have him,' said the winning rider. 'Obviously we were very disappointed coming away from Cheltenham. 5 Weather forecasters have predicted another heatwave around the midlands today before the rain returns on Friday and Saturday Speaking after the big win, Corkman Townend added: 'We are very, very fortunate to have him. "Obviously we were very disappointed coming away from Cheltenham. The reception he gets his special and we are just lucky to be a part of it. He's a unique horse.' Galopin Des Champs gave his rider a scare by producing a scruffy jump at the last, but it didn't impact the end result. Townend continued: 'It wouldn't be like him at all but the fact he done it meant he was doing things easy enough. 'In fairness he gave me plenty of warning. After that he got in a good rhythm and enjoyed it. 'He was taking me today whereas I was trying to hang in there in Cheltenham. "He wasn't right in Cheltenham and thankfully it didn't leave a huge mark on him which it could have with the effort he put in. 'He got me out of trouble at the last, there's no lying about it. He's all class." have significant live coverage throughout each day's racing. On Thursday and Friday it'll be showcased from 4pm to 7pm on RTE Two with RTE One then broadcasting the final day from 3pm until 5:45pm.
