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Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
'Final defeat feels raw'
Southend United will reflect with pride on their journey to the National League's promotion final but it may take some time, according to boss Kevin Maher. The Shrimpers were within 29 minutes of a return to the EFL before going down 3-2 in extra time to Oldham Athletic at Wembley Stadium. Advertisement The Essex side have endured a troubled recent history, including a number of winding-up petitions, transfer embargoes, relegation to non-league football, and continued ownership issues before being taken over last July. "What we've all been through at this club, you shouldn't have to go through those sorts of things," Maher told BBC Sport. "When we reflect we should be proud as a football club to see how far we've come in such a short period of time - but it's pretty raw because as a professional you want to win." Southend only secured their play-off place on the final day of the regular season before coming through extra time to beat Rochdale 4-3 in their play-off eliminator, and then squeezing past Forest Green Rovers on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the semi-finals. Advertisement They led twice in the Wembley showpiece in front of a record crowd of 52,115 with an own goal from Oldham's Manny Monthe and then Leon Chambers-Parillon's header in the first minute of extra time. But, after Joe Garner had levelled from the penalty spot early in the second half, James Norwood and Kian Harratt scored in the space of two minutes in extra time to send Oldham back to the EFL after a three-year absence. "There were so many momentum shifts in the game," Maher, the former Southend midfielder, said. "At 2-1 I thought we might go and get the third, and if you do that it probably puts it to the bed." Advertisement Maher congratulated Oldham in his post-match press conference and added his voice to the calls for a third promotion spot from the National League. "There's a bottleneck at this level, and this game tells you everything about the standard and quality in the league. "In the National league you've got to be better than 22 teams and only the top one goes up automatically, while in League Two you've only got to be better than 20 sides – it should be three up, of course it should. "Whether it gets voted in or not I don't know, people say it's like turkeys voting for Christmas."
Newsweek
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Padres Encouraged to Add Outfielder, Starting Pitcher to 'Make Noise' In Playoffs
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The battle to crown the winner of the NL West this season will be one of most exciting things to watch for the remainder of the year. The Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres all have an excellent shot of winning the division. San Diego in particular, has been encouraged by Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly to go out and trade for an outfielder and starting pitcher prior to the trade deadline. Kelly believes that those two moves could be what ultimately moves the needle to propel the Padres to the top of the division. SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 18: Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres is congratulated by Manny Machado #13 after Tatis Jr. hit a home run against the Seattle Mariners during the first... SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 18: Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres is congratulated by Manny Machado #13 after Tatis Jr. hit a home run against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at Petco Park on May 18, 2025 in San Diego, California. More"Still, it might make sense to add another arm capable of making a postseason start," Kelly wrote. "Ideally, it would be someone who isn't a rental since King and Cease can both become free agents after this season." The return of Yu Darvish to the Padres rotation is still looming and it is entirely possible that general manager AJ Preller decides no move is needed to upgrade the rotation. That's really not the way Preller works, though, and it is much more likely he goes out and tries to make a big-time move and add to the San Diego pitching staff. Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt and Mitch Keller are all names that make sense, and the Padres should be able to put together a package to acquire one of those three. "Whether they'll be able to beat out the Dodgers for the NL West title or not, the Padres have a chance to make noise in the playoffs," Kelly wrote. "San Diego could win (its) first World Series title if (the Padres) hit on adding an outfielder and another front-line starter." The outfield addition may not be as important, as the Padres rank sixth in Wins Above Average from their outfielders. Outside of Luis Robert, it is unclear as to which outfielders will be available on the trade market when the deadline comes around. It feels that the addition of a starting pitcher to help shut down the high-powered offenses in the National league may be more of what San Diego should focus on headed toward the trade deadline and summer months. More MLB: Cubs Exploring Infield Trade After Matt Shaw 'Killed It' In Minors: Report
Irish Daily Mirror
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
All Star quits Tyrone panel ahead of All-Ireland series group stage
Cathal McShane has quit the Tyrone panel, having informed team management and teammates of his decision last night. The Owen Roes clubman has been a key player for the Red Hands since making his senior debut against Donegal in the 2015 Ulster Championship having helped Tyrone win Ulster and All Ireland under-21 honours earlier that year under the management trio of Peter Canavan, Brian Dooher and Feargal Logan. His last appearance in a Tyrone jersey was last month when he scored a brace of points against Cavan in the opening round of the Ulster championship but didn't feature in their semi-final loss to All-Ireland champions Armagh. In all, he made 106 senior appearances for Tyrone with 45 of those coming in the championship, 41 in the National league and 20 in the McKenna Cup and he hit an impressive 8-156 during that time. In 2019 he was arguably the best forward in the country as Tyrone made it through to the All Ireland semi-final only to lose narrowly to Kerry having been beaten by the all-conquering Dublin side in the decider twelve months earlier. His exploits in 2019 earned him a well deserved All Star before he suffered a serious ankle injury away to Galway in the National League in early 2020 that threatened his career at a time when he had been the subject of interest from AFL club Adelaide Crows. In 2021 he played a key role off the bench in Tyrone winning a fourth Sam Maguire Cup, getting one of their three goals in the dramatic extra time 3-14 to 0-22 semi final win over Kerry and he followed that up in the final against Mayo by flicking home Conor Meyler's centre in the 46th minute to help the Red Hands triumph 2-14 to 0-15. However, having struggled to command a regular starting place he has decided to step away from the panel for the remainder of this campaign at least. Tyrone have been drawn in Group 1 of the All-Ireland SFC alongside Mayo, Cavan and the winners of Saturday's Ulster final between Donegal and Armagh, who they will face in their opener on the weekend of May 24/25. To keep up to date with all the latest GAA news, sign-up to our GAA newsletter here.
