Latest news with #Killeagh
Irish Examiner
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Ireland's top drifters to go head-to-head on Spike Island
The iconic Spike Island in Cork Harbour is set to be a lock-out on Saturday July 5th next when it will reverberate to the sounds of race and rally cars of Red Bull athletes. Local ace and professional drifter Conor Shanahan (from Killavullen) and World Rally star Josh McErlean will perform demonstration drives in their respective Toyota GT86 and M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 cars. The duo, along with Conor's brother Jack are part of a one and three quarter hour show that features the Red Bull Drift Pursuit when sixteen of the country's top drifters go head-to-head (knockout format) at the former military base and prison. The evening of exhilarating and thrilling motorsport event has a Cork versus Kerry battle when Trevor Healy (Cork) takes on Colin O'Sullivan (Kerry) in the first round of sixteen. Drivers will be judged on two key criteria - course time and clipping points, with penalties for any infringements. Each of the head to head contests is about accuracy, control and speed. The presence of the Shanahan's brothers should be a great spectacle as they are world renowned for showcasing their unique skills. McErlean, along with his Killeagh co-driver Eoin Treacy, is showing good form in their maiden WRC Rally1 season. Speaking ahead of the event, Killavullen native Shanahan said: 'As a proud Corkman, it is incredible to see a drift event like this take place at such an iconic location like Spike Island. Some of the best drifters in Ireland will be competing and I know Jack and I are looking forward to putting on a show.' McErlean said. "It's (Spike Island) one of the most iconic locations in the country, so to bring the energy of a Red Bull drift event here is something seriously special. Driving the M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 car in a place like this, it's going to be loud, fast and an unforgettable experience.' The event will roar into action at 6.45pm and is scheduled to finish at 8.30pm. Tickets are currently on sale on the Red Bull website, priced at €45 for a standing ticket and €55 for a seated ticket. Ferry transfers from Ringaskiddy or Cobh are included in the ticket, with ferries running throughout the day. Prior to the competition itself, spectators can avail of Spike Island tours to learn more about the island's history as a monastic settlement and its 18th-century bastion fort (Fort Mitchel). It's strategic location within the Cork Harbour meant it was used for defence, a naval base and more recently, a prison. During the evening the Shanahan brothers and McErlean will partake in a Q&A session while the drivers' paddock will be open to spectators keen to get a closer look at the action. The other Cork drivers that will participate in the Red Bull Drift Pursuit are Alan Hynes, the 2024 Red Bull Drift Pursuit champion, Aidan Dennehy and Owen Magner.
RTÉ News
17-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Key battles everywhere in Cork-Limerick war
There's no such thing as a phoney war in the red-hot Munster Hurling Championship. So says Antrim's Neil McManus, who's expecting a battle for the ages when Limerick welcome Cork to the TUS Gaelic Grounds on Sunday. Earlier this week Brian Hayes said of Limerick: "They're still the top team around the place, so we'll be looking forward to trying to bring ourselves up to that level on Sunday." But McManus is having none of that, suggesting the Rebels absolutely believe they are the county to beat in the race for the Liam MacCarthy Cup this summer. "Make no mistake about it, Brian Hayes thinks Cork are the best hurling team in the country. There's no second-guessing that. Brian's playing the game there," McManus said on the RTÉ GAA Podcast before analysing where this contest could be won and lost. "What I can't wait to see is Brian up against Dan Morrissey, because I think that's who he'll have for company. "Every time we question Dan in any way, shape or form he comes up with the answers. Will he ever have played somebody in the form of Brian Hayes with the physical attributes to match? He's going to get a real test that's sure. "These are the two teams that both believe they are the best two teams in the country." The Rebels certainly have a chance to make a statement this weekend. There'd be no bigger declaration of their intentions that beating Limerick on their own patch. "I would say Cork have said, 'lads, wouldn't it be lovely to go into Limerick now and turn them over? That would be a real sign that we're No 1'," added McManus. "You can imagine that bus arriving into the middle of Limerick own the Galeic Grounds, the song 'Killeagh' by Kingfishr vibrating the bus as the lads get off. "The match-ups all around the field... I cannot wait to see Tim O'Mahony go up against Will O'Donoghue, I think that'll be war to be totally honest. "Then we've Cian Lynch against Robert Downey, even Eoin Downey against the Bull O'Brien, it's mouthwatering every way you look at it." We're still in Munster, but such is the competitive ferocity of the province that neither of these elite sides can take anything for granted. They will not want to lose and increase the pressure on temseves ahead of next weekend's matches, when Cork face Waterford and Limerick take on Clare. "These two teams can still end up in the final against each other," said McManus. "It may well be the dress rehearsal, but there's no room for that so we're going to get the full-blooded version of this. It just might be part one." Watch The Saturday Game this weekend from 9.40pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
BBC News
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Hutchinson and Browne confirmed with MLav Racing
Sixteen-time Isle of Man TT winner Ian Hutchinson and Republic of Ireland Mike Browne have been confirmed as the riders for MLav Racing's debut appearance at the Isle of Man team is owned by former British Supersport champion and 10-time British Superbike race winner Michael Laverty and has competed in the Moto3 World Championship and Junior categories, including the FIM Junior GP Championship and British Talent will have both Superbike and Superstock BMW M1000RR machinery available for the Superbike, Senior and Superstock races, with Browne opting to concentrate on a Superstock-spec bike for all four 1000cc will also contest the two Supersport races on machinery that has yet to be 45-year-old missed the 2023 TT after suffering a stroke but returned last year with the Milenco by Padgett's team, securing 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th place clinched his second TT podium in 2024 thanks to a third position in the second Supertwin Killeagh rider finished inside the top 10 in all seven of his races."Anyone who knows me knows I've always loved the TT and even though I never raced the Mountain Course, it's the pinnacle of our sport," said team boss Laverty."Plans for setting up a new team started with a casual conversation back in September and although initially, I was approached to assist a team, the more I thought about it the more it made sense to do it ourselves. "My Grand Prix commitments keep me busy, and it's taken me a bit longer to get everything boxed off in terms of sponsors, team personnel and infrastructure, but I spoke to a couple of riders, getting Hutchy signed up first and then Mike."
Irish Examiner
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Motorsport: 'This is the first time we get a clean surface and some consistency in grip'
Given that the opening three rounds of the World Rally Championship were specialised events, this weekend's Rally Islas Canarias offers Irish driver Josh McErlean (25) something more familiar where he can show his true pace in his fledgling Rally1 career. 'It's probably the first rally this season where we can have a little bit of predictability in terms of what we will face. Monte (Carlo), Sweden and Safari (previous rounds) are all very unique. This is the first time we get a clean surface and some consistency in grip," said the Kilrea driver, who termed the event as "an exciting next step.' McErlean and his Killeagh co-driver Eoin Treacy have steadily built their pace and should perform well on the island's sealed surface he has a definite plan. "This will be all about carrying speed through corners, finding that rhythm and committing early. Monte Carlo gave me my first taste of what a Rally1 car can do on a sealed surface, but Rally Islas Canarias is different; it's full on, proper smooth tarmac." He added: "Of course, it's still a WRC round and nothing is ever easy. But we're feeling ready for this one.' McErlean will be joined by his M-Sport teammate Gregoire Munster. Championship leader Welsh ace Elfyn Evans (Toyota Yaris Rally1) has an unprecedented 36 point lead in the series over reigning champion Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20 Rally1) after victories in Sweden and Kenya and a podium spot in Monte Carlo. Neuville and his teammate Ott Tanak have the task of trying to reduce the points deficit on the 18-stage event. Recently, both Neuville and Evans took part in the ERC round Rally Sierra Morena to get some asphalt mileage under their belts. Hyundai's three-car line-up is completed by Adrien Fourmaux while Sebastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanpera return to strengthen Toyota's points-scoring efforts. Rovanpera has yet to unlock his campaign, which sees him languishing 57 points behind Evans. The Toyota Gazoo Racing outfit also features Japan's Takamoto Katsuta with Northern Ireland's Aaron Johnson alongside and Finland's Sami Pajari. Local legend Luis Monzon (59) will drive a Citroen C3 Rally2 in WRC2 in what will be his 34th iteration of the rally where there is a record-breaking 38-strong entry in WRC2 - the biggest in the category's history. It includes Wexford's Eamonn Boland and his Waterford co-driver "MJ" Morrissey in a Ford Fiesta Rally2. There are six stages today. In motor racing, Wicklow's Max Hart, the current Motorsport Ireland incumbent of the Young Racing Driver of the Year award, will compete in this year's TCR Europe Series that begins this weekend. Racing with Italian outfit Target Competition and Hyundai Motorsport, he will pilot a Hyundai Elantra N TCR on some of the top circuits around Europe. Supported by O'Driscoll's Irish Whiskey he has set his sights on championship victory and the top prize of a free entry for the 2026 Kumho TCR World Tour. "All the circuits will be new to me and I am really looking forward to testing on them. What we have (package) is definitely one with which we can challenge for the title. As I am only twenty-three, I will be competing in the Junior Rookie Championship too, but the aim is to run right at the front from the first round at Portimao this weekend." Meanwhile, Silverstone hosts the second round races in this weekend's British Ginetta Championships where Ballylickey's Robert Cronin races in the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT series and his younger brother Colin and Donegal's Joshua Henry compete in the Junior category. The top 10 for next weekend's Asses Ireland is as follows: 1. Callum Devine/Noel O'Sullivan (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2); 2. Keith Cronin/Mikie Galvin (Citroen C3 Rally2); 3. Matt Edwards/David Moynihan (Hyundai i20 N Rally2); 4. Meirion Evans/Ger Conway (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2); 5. Josh Moffett/Andy Hayes (Citroen C3 Rally2); 6. Eddie Doherty/Tom Murphy (Skoda Fabia R5); 7. David Kelly/Arthur Kierans (VW Polo GTi R5); 8. Declan Boyle/Patrick Walsh (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2); 9. Cathan McCourt/Barry McNulty (Hyundai20 N Rally2); 10. Michael Boyle/Dermot McCafferty (VW Polo GTi R5).
Irish Examiner
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Cork U20s make one change for Limerick clash
Cork U20 hurling manager Noel Furlong has made one personnel change for Wednesday's clash with Limerick from the side which lost to Tipperary three weeks ago. Ballincollig's David O'Leary comes in at centre-back, replacing Cillian O'Callaghan. Dungourney man O'Callaghan is among the substitutes. In their two games thus far in the Munster U20 Championship, Cork drew with Clare in the opening round and then lost to Tipperary by six points at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Limerick boss Evan Loftus has made two changes for the game with Dara Ferland coming into the starting line up in place of Tadhg Boddy and Mark O'Brien coming in for Ruairi O'Connor. The Treaty County defeated Tipperary in their opening game and then drew with Waterford. Wednesday's game at the TUS Gaelic Grounds, which will be refereed by Waterford man Nicky Barry, throws in at 7:30pm. There will also be live coverage on TG4. Meanwhile, Munster GAA has announced that The Frank and Walters will perform a 30 minute set before this Sunday's Munster SHC game between Cork and Tipperary at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The set will begin at 2:40pm with the game throwing in at 4pm. CORK: D O'Connell (Dromina); D Cashman (Bride Rovers), J O'Brien (Fermoy), T Wilk (Cobh); Ben Walsh (Killeagh), D O'Leary (Ballincollig), D Murnane (Carrigtwohill); E Guinane (Valley Rovers), R Deasy (Ballymartle); J Murphy (Mallow), B O'Flynn (Sarsfields), P O'Shea (Erin's Own); J Wigginton Barrett (St Finbarr's), R O'Sullivan (Na Piarsaigh), Barry Walsh (Killeagh) Subs: O Walsh (Youghal), C Dunphy (Erin's Own), C O'Callaghan (Dungourney), D McCarthy (Killeagh), A O'Sullivan (Ballinhassig), J Murphy (Dromina), O Fitzgerald (St. Catherine's), Mark O'Brien (Douglas), Finn O'Brien (Erin's Own) LIMERICK: F O'Brien (Bruree); J Murphy (Patrickswell), S Casey (Bruff), D Scully (Dromin/Athlacca); J Cosgrave (Ahane), A O'Connell (Doon), D Langan (Monaleen); M Fitzgerald (MOnaleen), J Finn (Na Piarsaigh); R O'Farrell (Kildimo/Pallaskenry), D Ferland (Monaleen), H Flanagan (Garryspillane); M O'Brien (Mungret St Paul's), D Coughlan (Doon), F Fitzgerald (Mungret St Paul's) Subs: P Connery (Kilmallock), B Adams (Ballybrown), T Boddy (Dromin/Athlacca), C Bickford (Ahane), S Duff (Mungret St Paul's), Frewen (Glenroe), D Hurley (Hospital-Herbertstown), R O'Connor (Feenagh/Kilmeedy), O Meaney (Bruff)
