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Irish Post
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
President Higgins shares ‘great sadness' over sudden death of Seán Rocks
IRELAND'S president has led the tributes following the death of RTÉ presenter Seán Rocks. The Monaghan-born radio presenter and actor has died, aged 64, it was confirmed in a statement by RTÉ. 'It is with profound sadness that RTÉ announces the death of radio presenter and actor Seán Rocks,' they said. 'Seán died last night following a brief illness at the age of 64,' they added. Rocks presented RTÉ Radio 1's nightly arts and culture magazine, Arena, since its inception in 2009. Recently he presented a Sunday afternoon programme on RTÉ lyric FM, where his radio career first began in 2000. Seán Rocks, host of the long-running arts and culture programme Arena, has died, aged 64, following a brief illness RTÉ Director-General Kevin Bakhurst said it was with 'enormous shock and sadness' that the broadcaster learned of 'Seán's untimely passing'. 'Not only is radio the poorer for his passing, but so too has Ireland lost one of its most passionate advocates for the arts, and one of its most informed and versatile voices,' Mr Bakhurst said. 'I want to extend my most sincere sympathies to Seán's beloved Catherine, his children Christian and Morgan, his friends, and his colleagues at this terrible time.' Rocks began presenting programmes on RTÉ Lyric FM in 2000, before moving on to produce and present documentaries and arts programming on RTÉ Radio 1, including 'Soul of Ireland', an award winner at the New York Festival of Radio. He also regularly hosted important national literary and arts events and compered events at the National Concert Hall and other major venues nationwide. Paying tribute this morning, President Michael D Higgins said it was 'with the greatest sadness that I have learnt of the death of Seán Rocks'. 'Ireland has lost one its finest broadcasters and advocates for the arts and artists,' he added. 'Seán's show Arena on Radio One was an example, for all generations of listeners, of the deep, wide and supportive curiosity that he delivered from a rich insight into all aspects of the arts and culture,' he explained. 'Seán's interest in all forms of the arts shone through on every topic and he expanded so many people's appreciation of performance and culture of all kinds, a public service broadcaster in the truest sense.' Mr Higgins went on to recall the last time Rocks visited his Dublin home, Áras an Uachtaráin. 'Just last month, we had the benefit in the Áras on Bloomsday this year of Seán's brilliant critical and presentational skills and of welcoming his family,' he said. 'His trademark warmth and knowledge of the performers and their work lifted the occasion as it always did, communicating an instinctive respect for performance.' He added: 'Sabina and myself were honoured to welcome Seán to Áras an Uachtaráin on a number of other occasions over the years. 'I think for example of the wonderful way in which Seán led an event for youth to mark the visit of the then Prince of Wales, His Majesty King Charles, on his visit to Áras an Uachtaráin in 2017. 'Seán introduced young people from all over Ireland representing the worlds of art, music, sport, science, agriculture and advocacy.' In his own work as an actor, Rocks had performed at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin and the Royal Court in London. He leaves behind his wife Catherine and sons Morgan and Christian. See More: Death, Monaghan, President Higgins, RTE, Radio, Sean Rocks
Irish Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Katie McCabe to join Ireland squad late for Turkey clash after European final
Katie McCabe will have a special supporters' group cheering her on in Lisbon as she fights to become the fourth Irish woman to win the UEFA Champions League with Arsenal. McCabe will be watched in person by a large number of her Ireland team-mates before they travel to Turkey for the first game in a crucial Nations League double-header. The Gunners face Barcelona on Saturday and Ireland's captain will be given a few days off before joining the squad in Istanbul for the international on Friday week. Carla Ward's charges also face Slovenia at Páirc Uí Chaoimh four days later as Ireland chase Nations League promotion. "There's a flight out of Lisbon to Turkey, they'll arrive at the same time as everybody else does on Sunday," said Ward. "There's a large group of players going to watch. "I think Katie will be returning maybe two or three days late. Let's hope that they do the job and she comes in with a nice medal which will hopefully put her in a good position to then help us with these two games. "We know that she's coming late, win, lose or draw, because Arsenal have some things prepared for them. No matter what, it's an unbelievable achievement to get to where they've got to. We wish her well." Heather Payne and Leanne Kiernan have been ruled out of the double-header, while Lily Agg, Jess Ziu, Jamie Finn and Tara O'Hanlon are long-term absentees. Megan Connolly returns after injury. Ward sees newcomer Erin Healy, 24, as the perfect replacement for Liverpool's Kiernan. Healy scored eight goals for Adelaide in her debut A-League season and the San Diego native qualifies for Ireland through her Monaghan-born grandfather.'She has been tracked for some time by the FAI and somebody who has had an exciting season,' said Ward of a striker who is being watched by several English clubs. She is soon to be European based this summer and that will help, for sure."The Ireland boss added that there may be more Irish qualified players based in the US to come into future squads, but that process remains ongoing. "There is a bit of work still to be done," she servant Louise Quinn is retiring at the end of the season and has been selected in a squad of 24. Ward wants Quinn, who has 121 Ireland caps, to help develop leaders in a squad that has lost plenty of experience of late and, potentially, there could be a coaching role down the now, however, the 34-year-old must earn the right for a playing farewell in green. 'She's made it very, very clear that she's fit, she's firing," Ward said. "I've had her Birmingham manager on to me, telling me the same thing."Ireland squad: Brosnan (Everton), Moloney (Unattached), Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic), Stapleton (West Ham United), Mannion (Manchester United), Patten (Aston Villa), Hayes (Brighton), Quinn (Unattached), Mustaki (Bristol City), Campbell (Unattached), McCabe (Arsenal), O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Littlejohn (Shamrock Rovers), Connolly (Lazio), Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Sheva (Sunderland), Clancy (Shelbourne), Carusa (San Diego Wave), Barrett (Standard Liege), Larkin (Crystal Palace), Quinn (Birmingham City), Murphy (Newcastle United), Noonan (Celtic), Healy (Adelaide United).
The Irish Sun
20-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Carla Ward insists Louise Quinn ‘has to earn the right' to final Ireland game and is not ‘nailed on' for Nations League
IRELAND manager Carla Ward insisted Louise Quinn will have to earn a farewell appearance. boots this summer . 2 Carla Ward has explained Louise Quinn's addition to the Ireland squad Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 2 Quinn has been called up despite announcing her retirement Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile Ward - who had flagged in advance that the 121-times capped 34-year-old was in contention - revealed she could also travel to the USA for the friendly doubleheader at the end of June. The Ireland boss is keen for Quinn to pass on her experience to a squad she feels lacks leaders as Niamh Fahey and Diane Caldwell have also exited the international scene. But while Quinn is included in a 24-person squad, only 23 can be kitted out for games, Ward said that final appearance in green will need to be earned. Ward said: 'She's desperate to represent her country one more time. I can't tell her, I've been honest. It's not necessarily nailed on. Read More on Ireland WNT 'She's got to earn the right to be selected for these games, but she's in with a chance, like everybody else. 'She's made it very, very clear that she's fit, she's firing. I've had her Birmingham manager on to me telling me the same thing. 'I think if you saw her Instagram post after the last Blues game, she made it clear it was her last game in a blue shirt.' But Ward insisted that Quinn's leadership will be key, and also hinted that there may be a role for her on his coaching staff in future . Most read in Football She continued: 'What Lou can help us with is not just about on the pitch, it's off the pitch. 'I think Lou has not been around in the last two camps as have the other leaders (Fahey and Caldwell) and it's shown. Katie McCabe makes heartwarming gesture to next generation of stars before joining Ireland camp for Greece games 'But that's okay because now we're in a period where we're trying to develop other leaders, 'Lou's job in this next camp is far bigger than being just a footballer. 'Did I try and twist Lou's ear and try and get a sense of what's next? Yeah, of course I did. Did she give me an answer? No. 'It's something that I'd like to tap into and see if we could possibly utilise in any way. 'You can't put a price on the importance of ex-players, ex-leaders helping shape the future game, whether that's with us, whether that's around the 'People with that experience, you don't want them to leave the game. 'You can go on all these courses and you can get certificates and you can get all of that. But human experience, lived experience - you can't beat it.' NEW RECRUIT Meanwhile, Megan Connolly also returns to the squad after injury though Heather Payne, Leanne Kiernan, Tara O'Hanlon, But Payne's absence has opened the door for new recruit Erin Healy to be called up for the first-time. The US-born striker qualifies for Ireland through his Monaghan-born grandparent and currently plays in Australia for Adelaide United. But Ward revealed she is set to move to Europe for next season, and is relishing a chance to take a look at her. The Ireland boss added: 'She is someone we watched quite a lot. If you have a look at her, she can score goals and link the play. 'Importantly, she has got a lot of pace and somebody we have been excited about. 'She's got interest from three WSL clubs as well as NWSL clubs and a few others around Europe.' Squad : Brosnan (Everton), Moloney (Unattached), Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic), Stapleton (West Ham United), Mannion (Manchester United), Patten (Aston Villa), Hayes (Brighton), Quinn (Unattached), Mustaki (Bristol City), Campbell (Unattached), McCabe (Arsenal), O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Littlejohn (Shamrock Rovers), Connolly (Lazio), Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Sheva (Sunderland), Clancy (Shelbourne), Carusa (San Diego Wave), Barrett (Standard Liege), Larkin (Crystal Palace), Quinn (Birmingham City), Murphy (Newcastle United), Noonan (Celtic), Healy (Adelaide United)
The 42
20-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Adelaide United striker Erin Healy earns first Ireland international call-up
US-BORN STRIKER Erin Healy has earned a first Ireland WNT call-up for the final Nations League double-header against Türkiye and Slovenia. The 24-year-old, who plays her football with Adelaide United in Australia's A-League, qualifies to represent Ireland through her Monaghan-born grandfather. Veteran defender Louise Quinn has been included for one last international camp ahead of her retirement this summer, while Megan Connolly returns having missed the games against Greece through injury. As expected, Heather Payne (Achilles) and Leanne Kiernan (quad) have both been ruled out, while Tara O'Hanlon, Jamie Finn, Lily Agg and Jess Ziu are all still unavailable through injury. The Ireland squad are due to report to Istanbul on Sunday to begin preparations for the penultimate League B Group 2 game against Türkiye on Friday, 30 May. Advertisement They then host Slovenia in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork, on Tuesday, 3 June. Ward's side are currently second to Slovenia, who beat them 4-0 in Koper in February, with just the group winners promoted automatically to League A. The runners-up will chase promotion in playoffs later this year. Ireland WNT Squad Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Unattached), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic) Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (West Ham United), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Louise Quinn (Unattached), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Megan Campbell (Unattached), Katie McCabe (Arsenal) Midfielders: Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Ruesha Littlejohn (Shamrock Rovers), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Marissa Sheva (Sunderland), Aoibheann Clancy (Shelbourne) Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Emily Murphy (Newcastle United), Saoirse Noonan (Celtic), Erin Healy (Adelaide United)
The Irish Sun
20-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Retiring Ireland legend makes shock return to ‘bring her leadership' to Carla Ward's squad ahead of Nations League games
LOUISE QUINN is a shock inclusion in the Republic of Ireland squad ahead of the crunch Nations League double header. Last month, the veteran defender 2 Carla Ward has named her Ireland squad for the Nations League double header against Turkey and Slovenia Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 2 Louise Quinn is back in the squad despite announcing her retirement Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile She was believed to have played the last game of her career in Birmingham City's final day draw against the London City Lionesses in the Championship . However, in an unexpected twist, the 34-year-old has been named in Carla Ward's squad "to bring her experience" for the games against Turkiye (May 30) and The Blessington woman will still be hanging up the boots this summer , but her presence will be a welcome boost to an injury-blighted panel. Heather Payne (Achilles) and Leanne Kiernan (quad) will miss the games while Tara O'Hanlon, Read More on Ireland WNT Megan Connolly returns after missing the back-to-back wins over Greece in April. There is a first call-up for Adelaide United forward Erin Healy, who qualifies through her Monaghan-born Grandfather. Originally from San Diego , USA , the 24-year-old has scored eight goals in her debut season in the A-League. Captain Most read in Football She will be aiming to become the fourth Irish woman to pick up a winners' medal for The Girls in Green will be looking to cap off League B with a bang when they play their final two games. Carla Ward explains why Ireland don't need 'drastic changes' as Katie McCabe vows 'way more' to come from squad It starts with the trip to Istanbul to face Turkiye on May 30, followed by the visit of Slovenia to Tallaght on June 3. Ward's side will be out for revenge in the latter, with Slovenia infamously beating Ireland 4-0 back in February in the low point of the new manager's tenure. Wins in both games will guarantee Ireland a promotion play-off to League A, while they could leapfrog Slovenia to automatic promotion if they drop points to Greece. Ireland WNT Squad Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Unattached), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic) Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (West Ham United), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Louise Quinn (Unattached), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Megan Campbell (Unattached), Katie McCabe (Arsenal) Midfielders: Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Ruesha Littlejohn (Shamrock Rovers), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Marissa Sheva (Sunderland), Aoibheann Clancy (Shelbourne) Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Emily Murphy (Newcastle United), Saoirse Noonan (Celtic), Erin Healy (Adelaide United)
