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Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Bill Clinton writes to ‘amazing' NI boy awaiting heart transplant: ‘Our world would be better if there were more people like you'
Dáithí Mac Gabhann has been on the heart transplant waiting list since 2018 and his family have tirelessly campaigned for the legislation on organ donation to be changed to help increase the number of donors. The Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, is known as named in 'Dáithí's Law' in recognition of the young boy. He was granted the Freedom of the City of Belfast in 2023 and celebrated at Belfast City Hall – becoming the youngest ever recipient of this honour. Over the years he has received support from celebrities, including Newcastle United FC legend Alan Shearer, Man United star Marcus Rashford and TV presenter Vernon Kay who hosted the ceremony for the Sunday Life Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards where Dáithí was honoured. A post on Donate4Dáithí on X (formerly known as Twitter) said 'it's not every day a letter comes through door in Ballymurphy from a former US President'. A letter from the ex-President who is credited for his role in the NI peace process came on paper headed, 'William Jefferson Clinton'. It states: 'Your dad wrote to tell me about your recent visit to City Hall, to see your name listed among the freemen of Belfast. 'I'm so proud to share that honour with someone as amazing as you. As someone who's had heart surgery myself, I know how scary it can be, and I'm so impressed by the bravery you've shown throughout your life. 'I'm also deeply inspired by the way you and your family have worked hard to make positive change across Northern Ireland. 'Our world would be better if there were more people like you. I hope I'll have the chance to meet you and your family the next time I'm in Belfast. 'Until then, keep up your great work, and know that you have a big fan pulling for you in New York.' Lots of people commented on the post, with one person saying: 'Amazing Dáithí, such a lovely letter. I hope you get to meet Bill Clinton.' Others described Dáithí as a 'special' and 'amazing wee boy' saying it was 'lovely to see'.
Forbes
12-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Newcastle United Is In Its Dream Position - Now It Must Finish The Job
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 02: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United celebrates scoring ... More his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Arsenal FC at St James' Park on November 02, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by) It feels like every week is a big one for Newcastle United at the moment, but that only reflects the club's success in what has already become a legendary season. Since the end of February, every match has been important for the mood in the city and inside the four walls of the training ground. Even more than usual, and few places reflect the fortunes of a sports team like Newcastle at the best of times. But the race for Champions League qualification, and all the opportunities that can bring the clubs involved, is so tight. Newcastle has needed to win almost every game to maintain momentum, while also balancing its first domestic trophy success in 70 years last month. Victories over Nottingham Forest, West Ham United, Brentford and Leicester City have seen belief, but also expectation, grow. Soccer is supposed to matter, especially at this stage of a season. It should never be taken for granted, even if the pressure on every match is heightened and there is no room to consider anything other than the next one. Newcastle stands eight games away from achieving what most fans would have called a dream season back in August, with its destiny in its own hands and two more huge home matches to prepare for. On Sunday, Manchester United travels to the North East; on Wednesday, it will be Crystal Palace, a game in hand on all the other teams Newcastle is fighting. Nothing less than two wins will maintain the positive mood for the club and fans. Arsenal's Champions League quarter-final first leg win over Real Madrid this week confirmed that fifth place in the Premier League is an extra qualification spot; winning both matches will ensure Newcastle sits fourth before facing another rival in the race, Aston Villa, away next week. That will be a very tough game. It can be easy to get caught up in the tension because every single small detail matters so much. But Jason Tindall, Newcastle's assistant head coach, had a very important message when speaking to the press on Friday. He replaced Eddie Howe, who has not been well this week, but is expected to resume his duties on Sunday. NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United celebrates victory ... More with teammate Bruno Guimaraes after the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at St James' Park on September 01, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by) 'We're in a position that we would have wanted to be in with eight games remaining. There are a lot of teams fighting for those positions,' Tindall said. 'We've got a busy week coming up but the most important thing is the Man United game and making sure we prepare right for that. If we can deliver a performance and get the result we want, it takes us one step closer to where we want to get to.' Tindall has summed up the situation perfectly. For all the possibilities facing Newcastle now, it wasn't always this positive. In November, it was in the bottom half of the Premier League table; after winning the Carabao Cup against Liverpool, many people feared the campaign would fall off. That hasn't happened; everything that has in the past six weeks or so has gone exactly how Newcastle would have designed it. But it must continue, and every match is difficult. 'Trying to get three points in the Premier League is incredibly difficult and you have to be at your best and at the top of your game,' Tindall added. "If you're not, and we've experienced ourselves, then you'll get punished. "With eight games to go, there are a lot of teams fighting for the same as what we are. All we can control is our own performances and what we do. The most important thing is that we approach every game as we have done all season and give the best account of ourselves. Hopefully, that will be enough to achieve our end goal." Reaching the Champions League is what Newcastle needs to get to the next level. Keeping key players like striker Alexander Isak is more likely if they are in it, and the revenue boosts will help it spend more and adhere to Profit and Sustainability Rules. It will also help grow the club's reputation; without it, this coming summer will be a lot more uncertain. Manchester United should be in the race but isn't. It has been a terrible season for the Red Devils - it is 13th in the league standings - but it has only lost one of its last nine matches in all competitions. Newcastle's recent success has been getting through games and winning them no matter what, but it will need a few big performances between now and the end of the season. Some days you can just feel the anticipation around St James' Park; Sunday needs to be one of those days. So much hard work has gone into this season to make it what it has become. It didn't always look this bright, but Newcastle has worked its way into the best possible position. Keep winning and the Champions League will return with all the opportunities it brings, but any slip ups could be fatal. Everything will be on a knife edge until the end of May. This is yet another big week and Newcastle must respond in the right way. After all, this is everything it wanted.
Forbes
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Sandro Tonali Says Newcastle United's Focus Is All On Champions League
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle waves to the fans after the ... More Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Brentford FC at St James' Park on April 02, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by) Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has challenged the club to secure Champions League football this season after its Carabao Cup win. The Magpies beat Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley before Tonali scored the winner in a victory by the same score in their Premier League return against Brentford on Wednesday. Ending a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy already secured legendary status for this team, but Tonali insisted the focus must now shift to qualifying for Europe's biggest competition after playing in it last season. 'I'm happy for the trophy, but it was [two weeks ago],' Tonalu said. "We need to think about the Champions League, we need to think about winning every game. "Everybody is happy for this season, every game we push and I'm happy to play for Newcastle. 'We have two months to get back into the Champions League. All the people here deserve it.' Tonali made his Champions League home debut for Newcastle in its 4-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain in October 2023, after moving from AC Milan for $71m the previous summer. He wants memories of that game to inspire the team in its last nine games, starting at Leicester City on Monday. "It is the best tournament in Europe; last season, against Paris Saint-Germain [a match Newcastle won 4-1], the stadium was magic. This team deserves it again but we need to push every week. 'Every player wants to play in the Champions League; we can do everything with this team of fantastic players.' NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United FC (8) and Alexander ... More Isak of Newcastle United (14) attempt to break with the ball during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Fulham FC at St James' Park on February 01, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images) Tonali has become a key player in Newcastle's midfield this season, after a 10-month suspension for breaching betting rules ended in August. The 24-year-old paid tribute to his team-mates and supporters and wants to repay them. 'It was a difficult season and I'm happy to come back, I've come back free and as a new player. I'm happy to help the team and the players and fans, they are amazing,' Tonali added." Tonali also said he enjoys playing in midfield with Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes and hailed top scorer Alexander Isak as 'one of the best strikers in the world.' "I am excited to play with Bruno and Joe because we play for the team before ourselves. This is the first thing, it is important. Joe is so strong, Bruno is so intelligent. 'In football, if you're striker is happy, the team is happy. Alex is happy every week; he scores every week and he is one of the best in the world. I'm happy to play with Alex.'
Forbes
03-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Newcastle United's ‘No Risk' Approach Amid Alexander Isak Injury Scare
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United hugs teammate Jacob ... More Murphy who assisted him in scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Brentford FC at St James' Park on April 02, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by) Newcastle United coach Eddie Howe says he substituted star striker Alexander Isak in the 2-1 win over Brentford on Wednesday because he was 'not 100%', as the club takes a cautious approach to his fitness. Isak, 25, made history by becoming the first player to score 20 goals in back-to-back Premier League seasons, before a Sandro Tonali wonder strike sealed three crucial points and move the Magpies up to fifth in the standings. But Howe took him off on 66 minutes, just after Bryan Mbeumo equalised for the Bees with a penalty, and explained why after the match. 'On another day, he'd have scored more,' Howe said. "I don't think he was 100%, which is why we withdrew him. We hope it is nothing serious. 'He wasn't 100% with his groin. He was a bit unsure with his movements.' Isak had missed a number of other chances in the game, and sharpness is a huge part of what makes him so effective. Groin issues have plagued him in the past, particularly last season when he struggled to reach his peak levels. Rather than pushing him to his limits, Howe is determined to prevent long-term damage by being more cautious with Newcastle in contention for a return to the Champions League with nine league matches remaining. A hefty injury list last season saw the appointment of Performance Director James Bunce, and he has overseen a vast improvement in player availability. But if the club is to manage Isak's minutes, it will need to bolster attacking options, and Lille forward Jonathan David is a target this summer. NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: Newcastle United Head Coach Eddie Howe claps the fans ... More during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Brentford FC at St James' Park on April 02, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images) Howe praised Newcastle's ability to beat Brentford without a dominant performance in its first match since winning the Carabao Cup last month, something he says will be important between now and the end of the season. "There have been similar games like Fulham and Bournemouth where we have lost at home and kicked ourselves afterwards. Today could easily have fallen into that category if we let it. 'Very similar to the West Ham game before the cup final, we ground out the result and you have to do in the Premier League to be successful and get where we want to get to.' Newcastle next plays against Leicester City on Monday at 20:00 GMT (15:00 EST).
