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Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Jacqui Hurley: The first time I was ever on a plane we were moving our lives across the world
Favourite childhood holiday memory I grew up in Australia. We moved there when I was three, so the first time I was ever on a plane was moving our lives across the world. My favourite memories were just being outside. That's why the ambassador work with MiWadi FAI Football Camps is a perfect fit; so many of my best memories come from that freedom. An aerial view of Sydney's iconic Opera House, city skyline, and expansive waterfront at dawn. Kids now have so much structure: school, sports, and rules. Summer camps were where we could just be free. I remember being on the road with my friends, playing football or whatever it was, just laughing, just a stream of fun and happiness. Most surprising destination Paris, with what the trip meant to us as a family. I thought the kids wouldn't love it; they'd see it as a big city with lots of people and not much fun. Jacqui Hurley and family in Paris We took them to the Olympics, which they loved, but all they wanted to do was see the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and get pictures. They were way more into the culture than I expected. Sometimes, the people you're with and their reaction to a place can surprise you and shape how you feel about it. Most memorable trip In 2017, we decided to take the kids to New Zealand. We went for six weeks. Lily was five-and-a-half months, and Luke was three. My husband Shane and I said, 'Let's just do it.' It's hard travelling with kids — when is a good time? But we just went for it. It was a long trip but the places we went to and the things we saw are still some of the most memorable trips we've taken. We felt if we didn't do it, when would we? Luke still remembers it. It was amazing to do something like that as a family, to go and experience something different, pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zone. Favourite cities I love visiting Rome. I go there every couple of years for the Six Nations. There's so much culture and beauty. Anyone who's been says it's a special place. I love the food, the people, the vibe. Shane and I often get electric bikes and go around the city. Even the stadium experience during the Six Nations is unreal — bands, DJs, the whole party. Then you're off to the Vatican. It's jaw-dropping. I always try to see something new when I go back. The Roman cityscape, with the dome of St. Peter's basilica in the Vatican visible. My favourite city in the world is Sydney. There's so much going on, great nightlife, brilliant beaches, and cool places to visit. Growing up in Australia, the weather and the people stir something in my soul. When I'm there, I feel at home. There's a vibe. We're going back this Christmas. It's just one of those places I love. It always gives you a good time. Most beautiful country Funny enough, New Zealand reminded me a lot of Ireland. It made me realise how beautiful Ireland is, how green the grass and the culture are. New Zealand also has these amazing lakes. Lake Tekapo is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. New Zealand. We slept in a campervan and woke up to crystal-blue water; it looked like something from a postcard. The old roads, the small towns — it felt like old Ireland. Maybe I'm biased but I wouldn't live anywhere else but here. If the weather was better, we'd all be happier, but then we'd have nothing to talk about. Favourite thing to do while travelling We're pretty active. Even with the kids, we try to sightsee in the morning and do the pool in the evening. You can't sightsee all day with small kids, so we aim for balance; something for us, something for them. Even at home, we've done the Greenway a few times. The kids love the outdoors, so we do things that keep us moving, and then try to relax later. Bucket-list trip The big one is Argentina. We're going to Australia later this year and might stop in Thailand but Argentina is the one we keep coming back to. I'd love to go to Mendoza and see the waterfalls and the landscape. It's been at the top of the list for a while. Mendoza, Argentina There's no plan yet but I'd like to make it happen in the next two or three years. We've got a big wooden world map in the kitchen, and we always stick pins on it and try to make a plan for the next trip.
The 42
01-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
'Sadly one of them dropped out' - Hallgrimsson's innovative May friendlies idea scuppered at short notice
HEIMIR HALLGRIMSSON'S HOPES of securing additional friendly matches in May for the purpose of his Championship players have been frustrated, with one scheduled opponent backing out of their agreement. The 42 reported last month that Hallgrimsson hoped to add more friendly games to the present June schedule of Senegal and Luxembourg, to allow him assess broader squad options. Speaking to the media at the launch of the MiWadi FAI Football Camps, Hallgimrsson confirmed his plans for the games have been scuppered. The FAI had secured two games against separate teams for the end of May in a venue outside of Ireland, but after one of their opponents withdrew, the FAI pulled the plug on the whole trip. The games at home to Senegal on 6 June and away to Luxembourg on 10 June are going ahead as planned. 'Sadly one of them dropped out and we couldn't find a replacement,' said Hallgrimsson. 'So, we had to give that up. We did try to find another opponent. 'There is nothing we can do, we tried really hard and I have to give the federation credit with trying very hard to find something else. 'We didn't want to do one game. It was just both cost and the [quality of the remaining] opponent, we needed at least one good opponent.' Hallgrimsson planned to have those games in May exclusively for the benefit of Championship players whose regular seasons end this Saturday, 3 May, more than a month before the scheduled Senegal game. Advertisement He also envisaged reserving the Senegal and Luxmebourg games for his Premier League and European-based players, whose seasons wrap up later in May, while filling the gaps in the squad with new call-ups to assess his wider talent pool. Shamrock Rovers' defender Josh Honohan, former Rovers' forward Johnny Kenny, St. Mirren midfielder Killian Phillips, ex-Irish U21 captain Joe Hodge, Spanish-born midfielder John Patrick Finn, and Spanish-Irish defender Anselmo Garcia Macnulty are all on his radar. 'We want to give them extended time off because we need everyone fresh for September, everything is about September, October, November,' said Hallgrimsson of his initial plans. 'So, to split their holiday in half, there is always more risk of injuries when you stop-start. And we really had a good feeling after the March camp, I thought it was a good camp and kind of felt this was a squad we can build on. By having some of them half-fit in June, it can scramble that feeling.' Some of those Championship players will now be called into action for the June games, though Hallgrimsson plans to limit their involvement as best he can. Those involved in play-offs are more likely to be called up. 'When it comes to June, we can play better with match fit players,' he said. 'There's pros and cons, positives and negatives. We're thinking about September, October and November without disrespecting this June window.' Hallgrimsson said Gavin Bazunu is unlikely to be involved in the summer games, as he has had an operation on his knee: the goalkeeper's loan stint at Standard Liege was cut short by the same injury earlier this month. Chiedozie Ogbene will not be ready to return from his achilles problem either, while Sammie Szmodics' involvement will depend on whether he can recover from injury before Ipswich's Premier League season is out. Hallgrimsson also confirmed his side are tracking a number of players willing to transfer association to represent Ireland, though none will be ready to be involved in the June games. Meanwhile, the Irish manager confirmed he met Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley for a coffee recently, after Bradley had criticised Hallgrimsson for what he perceived was an urge for players to leave the League of Ireland to be considered for international honours. 'It went really good and I think he would say the same,' said Hallgrimsson. 'He's just outspoken, if he feels something, he just expresses it and sometimes it's a quality that gets in your face but that's [him being] honest. You know better than me. If I understood him correctly, he's just enthusiastic about things and he will express his emotions and feelings and what he thinks, and good. 'I need to know as the national team coach that this is the team of all Irish people and everybody should have an opinion. If nobody would have an opinion we would be doing something majorly wrong. I need to accept that people have an opinion on the national team, whether I agree with them or not. 'That's how he explained it and I really admire that. He's just outspoken and is not afraid to say what he's thinking.' Hallgrimsson was also asked for his reaction to Marc Canham's surprise announcement that he is stepping away as the FAI's chief football officer. Canham led the search process that eventually led to Hallgrimsson's appointment, and it was to Canham the Irish manager reported. 'He called me the day before they announced it and explained it to me,' said Hallgrimsson of Canham's decision. 'I like him a lot, because of his professionalism, everything he says and does is in sync. 'He's a trustworthy person so I always felt I could tell him whatever I felt and that would stay with him. I'm going to miss him. He was of course the guy who I reported to and was my contact in the association. A good guy. I know he's been under pressure, he's been criticised for some of the things he has implemented but whatever he did, I know it came from a good place. He is trying to help Irish football to improve.'
