Latest news with #O'Brien
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Aidan O'Brien shuts down rumours after huge change in the Derby betting market
The leading trainer in the Derby with ten wins, O'Brien has favourite Delacroix, The Lion In Winter and Lambourn going forward to Epsom's premier Classic this year as his main contenders Aidan O'Brien has shut down rumours that demoted ante-post favourite The Lion In Winter will miss the Derby at Epsom. The Acomb winner drifted to double-figure odds of 12-1 on Friday, having been 5-2 with William Hill at the start of the week. Spokesman Lee Phelps described the horse as "totally friendless" in the betting on a day that left a question mark hanging over his participation. But O'Brien has since told ITV Racing that The Lion In Winter, beaten at odds on in the Dante when last seen, will run in the Classic. "My exact words to Aidan were 'Is The Lion In Winter doubtful now?' said presenter Matt Chapman. "His response was to that 'on-course Matt' with a thumbs-up emoji." Some punters responded by taking the bigger prices on offer for the colt, who had 2,000 Guineas titleholder Ruling Court behind when scoring in Group Three company as a juvenile. Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield suggested The Lion In Winter's price might have lengthened after O'Brien - top handler in the showpiece event with ten victories - said stable jockey Ryan Moore would find it hard to overlook Delacroix. The strong stayer has finished with a clear advantage in two trials on home turf at Leopardstown. Binfield said on Saturday morning: "We're a little bit in the dark as to why The Lion In Winter drifted, although Aidan O'Brien's comments on riding plans was a key factor. "I think this morning the punters were thinking the price was just too big about a horse with a huge reputation." The Lion In Winter is 7-1 for a possible clash with three horses who finished in front of him in his prep race - winner Pride Of Arras (4-1), runner-up Damysus (10-1) and fifth-placed Nightwalker (25-1). Aidan O'Brien said beforehand he expected his horse to "improve a ton" after a delayed start to the campaign which saw him miss the Guineas on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket. But he added that stamina for 1m 4f could be a question mark: "He doesn't work like a mile-and-a-half horse really, he works like a miler. "I know most horses by Sea The Stars do stay, but obviously we're going to have to wait and see first before we can be really sure of anything."
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Mairead O'Brien warns Kilkenny that Waterford ‘running faster than ever' after skorts row ahead of All-Ireland clash
MAIRÉAD O'BRIEN has warned Kilkenny that Waterford are ready to hit the ground running — and they have been running faster than ever before. Today, Michael Boland's Suirsiders get their Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Championship Group 2 campaign underway against the Cats, who already have a win under their belt after thumping Derry last weekend. 2 Dual star Mairead O'Brien warned Kilkenny that Waterford are working harder than ever Credit: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile 2 Kilkenny players return to the changing room before the Leinster Senior Camogie final against Wexford Credit: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile The action throws in at UPMC Nowlan Park at 12.30pm and O'Brien cannot wait to don her shorts and try to take down the Cats. The game's postponement — after the players insisted they would be lining out in shorts — was a regrettable plotline but ultimately led to the alteration of the rule on playing kit by a 98 per cent majority at a Special Congress, allowing players to choose shorts or skorts. And O'Brien, 22, said: 'Yeah, we were delighted. We got the news at training and we were just about to do our running bloc. I swear we've never run so fast all year. Read More on Camogie 'It is a massive step. There was an issue with comfort levels but the players were listened to and the results were pretty significant. And any step forward for keeping younger girls involved is great. It was frustrating to have the Munster final postponed 16 hours before when all the preparations had been made to optimise our performance. We had been training well and had a good win over Tipperary to get there. 'I suppose as a group we're just driving it forward and just focusing on the Championship now. And I think the management team we have currently is phenomenal. 'The commitment they've shown is as much as the girls'. We're all just kind of working together and pushing forward as a group and trying to get the best out of each other.' The postponing of the Munster final and the fact they had a bye for the first week of the Championship means Waterford are perhaps more rested up than they would like to be. Most read in GAA Hurling But given she hit the Cats for a brace of goals on the way to defeat in the league in March, Tommy Shefflin and Co will definitely be forewarned about O'Brien's threat — and even if they were not, Caoimhe Keher Murtagh would inform them. Cats star Keher Murtagh was a colleague of O'Brien as UL won the Ashbourne Cup for a second season on the trot, and they were both in the third level Team of the Year. Young Kerry LGFA fan steals the show with sign during All-Ireland final win over Galway But whereas Keher Murtagh's Rower-Inistioge are a storied, traditional The camogie club was only established in 2011 to field an Under-12 team but O'Brien has been at the core of everything that has been good about them since, highlighted by her tally of 1-4 as they defeated Tipperary outfit Fethard by 2-5 to 0-10 in the Munster junior club final last November. She explained: 'The first adult team was put out in 2017, we won the junior in 2019 and then obviously last year we had a good run of luck. 'As a group, our main aim was to get back to the county final and try and win it. We probably bottled a lot of disappointment from the year previous. But to be fair, we used it to our advantage and went back training that bit earlier and worked really hard through the year. 'Once we got out of the county, we were definitely in bonus territory, and unknown territory. 'The lads involved were great when it came to the big days. They never kind of picked up on the occasion too much. Their main point is just to go out and enjoy it and work really hard. And that's what happened.' 'UNBELIEVABLE' The smile breaks out just thinking about Modeligo's odyssey and what it meant in the small country parish. She added: 'It was just unbelievable. We had a few good celebrations. We just enjoyed it. When we were enjoying it, we were just playing well. The whole community was behind us. 'And in the Munster final, they were definitely a 16th player. We were struggling for scores in the second half and had phenomenal support that got us over the line.' With that club success behind her, and experience of playing in one All-Ireland final already at a young age when the Déise went down to Cork in 2023, O'Brien is at the top of her game at the moment, alongside celebrated camogie county stars such as Beth Carton, Niamh Rockett, Lorraine Bray and Brianna O'Regan. But football has also been part of her story — a former dual operator, O'Brien stepped away from the big-ball squad this year as she was completing her final year in physiotherapy at UL. Everything right now is zoned in on the next couple of months with Waterford camogie — and today's date with the Cats ensures that it is no soft launch. She said: 'They beat us in the league but we would be looking to improve our performance from then. We got off to a good start but in the second half we didn't maintain it. 'I don't think we've ever actually beaten them in Championship so hopefully we will put that right this time.'
RTÉ News
9 hours ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Mairéad O'Brien is Waterford's silent assassin
Ask your general camogie supporter to name a few Waterford players, and the names will trip off the tongue. Beth Carton, Niamh Rockett, Lorraine Bray, Brianna O'Regan. High calibre operators, the first three All-Stars, the latter an annual nominee who somehow is still awaiting the coveted individual recognition. It is no reflection on Mairéad O'Brien's talent or influence that that she seems to fly under the radar. Nor does it bother her one iota. The likelihood is she hasn't spent a millisecond thinking about it. It takes a lot more to knock the almost horizontally laidback Modeligo sharpshooter out of her equilibrium. That makes her a positive addition to any dressing room but her contribution to the Déise cause is far, far more than what she brings in terms of serenity and personality. Like much of what she does, the 22-year-old's feat of concluding the National League as the leading scorer from play in Division 1A with 3-04 would have escaped the attention of many. Given Waterford only won two games, it was a notable achievement. It is particularly so when O'Brien is such a team player, powerful in the air and over the sliotar, happy to get down and dirty to supply those around her. But the nose for a goal has been showcased ever since Derek Lyons called her into the senior panel. Despite her youth, she nabbed three goals in the group stages alone as Waterford moved onto a first All-Ireland senior final in 78 years in 2023. That has continued unabated and opposition defences have surely cottoned on now. Today, the Suirsiders get their Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Championship Group 2 campaign under way against neighbours Kilkenny, who already have a win under their belt, at UPMC Nowlan Park (throw-in 12.30pm) and O'Brien cannot wait. Given she hit the Cats for a brace of goals on the way to defeat in the League in March, Tommy Shefflin and co will definitely be forewarned about her threat but even if they weren't, the likes of Caoimhe Keher Murtagh would inform them. Keher Murtagh was a colleague of O'Brien's as UL won the Ashbourne Cup for a second season on the trot and they were both named in the third level team of the year. Whereas Keher-Murtagh's Rower-Inistioge are a storied, traditional hurling club however, Modeligo used to be focussed entirely on the big ball, with hurleys extremely thin on the ground until very recently. The camogie club was only established in 2011 to field an U12 team and O'Brien has been the core of everything that has been good since, highlighted by her tally of 1-04 as Modeligo defeated Tipperary outfit, Fethard by 2-05 to 0-10 in the Munster junior club final last November. "The first adult team was put out in 2017, we won the junior in 2019 and then, obviously, last year we had a good run of luck," says O'Brien with just a touch of understatement. "As a group, our main aim was to get back to the county final and try and win it. I think we probably bottled a lot of disappointment from the year previous. But to be fair, we used it to our advantage and we went back training that bit earlier, and worked really hard throughout the year. "And once we got out of the county, we were definitely in bonus territory and unknown territory to be honest. The lads involved were great when it came to the big days. They never kind of picked up on the occasion too much. I suppose their main point, is just to go out and enjoy it and work really hard. And that's what happened." The smile breaks out just thinking about the odyssey and what it meant in the small country parish to the west of the county. "It was just unbelievable. We had a few good celebrations. We just enjoyed it. When we were enjoying it, we were just playing well. The whole community was behind us. And in the Munster final, they were definitely a 16th player. We were struggling for scores in the second half and we had phenomenal support that got us over the line." The skipper of that team, Rhona Drohan is vice-captain of the Waterford U23 squad that also includes Mairéad's younger sister Rachel. A rising tide does what it does. It has been a bit of a period of upheaval since the conclusion of the League, with Waterford manager, Jerry Wallace departing and Mick Boland stepping into the plate. Meanwhile, there was the entire skorts discourse, with Waterford playing a brave and central role in the campaign that included the postponement of their Munster final with Cork and ultimately led to the alteration of the rule on kit by a 98% majority that allowed players to choose shorts or skorts on match day. It was a decision hailed by president Brian Molloy as "a historic day for the association". "Yeah, we were definitely delighted. We got the news at training, and we were just about to do our running block. I swear we've never run so fast all year! "It is a massive step. There was an issue with comfort levels but the players was listened to, and the results were pretty significant. And any step forward for keeping younger girls involved is great. "It was frustrating to have the Munster final postponed 16 hours before when all the preparations had been made to optimise our performance. We had been training well and had a good win over Tipp to get there. "There was a change (of manager), but all the rest of the management are still on board. And suppose as a group, we're just driving it forward and just focusing on the championship now. And I think the management team we have currently is phenomenal. The commitment they've shown is as much as the girls'. We're all just kind of working together and pushing forward as a group and trying to get the best out of each other." A former dual operator, O'Brien stepped away from Waterford's ladies football squad this year as she was completing her final year at UL in physio. She has just completed her last placement and is looking forward to getting the professional phase of her life under way, perhaps in the autumn. Everything right now is zoned in on the next couple of months with Waterford camogie. A date with the Stripeywomen ensures that it is no soft launch. "They beat us in the League but we would be looking to improve our performance from then. We got off to a good start but in the second half we didn't maintain it. I don't think we've ever actually beaten them in championship so hopefully we will put that right this time. "We've got quite a competitive group (completed by Galway, Dublin and so it's definitely going to be a challenge to get out of it, but at the end of the day, it's a challenge we're looking forward to as well."
Irish Examiner
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Low-key O'Brien an ace in the Déise pack
Ask your general camogie supporter to name Waterford players and names will trip off the tongue. Beth Carton, Niamh Rockett, Lorraine Bray, Brianna O'Regan. High calibre operators, the first three All-Stars, the latter an annual nominee somehow still awaiting the coveted individual recognition. It is no reflection on Mairéad O'Brien's talent or influence that she seems to fly under the radar. Nor does it bother her one iota. It takes a lot more to knock the laidback Modeligo sharpshooter out of her equilibrium. The 22-year-old's feat of concluding the National League as the leading scorer from play in Division 1A with 3-4 escaped the attention of many. Given Waterford only won two games, it was a notable achievement. It is particularly so when O'Brien is such a team player, powerful in the air and over the sliotar, happy to get down and dirty to supply those around her. But the nose for a goal has been showcased ever since Derek Lyons called her into the senior panel. Despite her youth, she nabbed three goals in the group stages alone as Waterford moved onto a first All-Ireland senior final in 78 years in 2023. That knack has continued unabated. Today, the Suirsiders get their Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Championship Group 2 campaign under way against neighbours Kilkenny, who already have a win under their belt, at UPMC Nowlan Park (12.30pm) and O'Brien cannot wait. She hit the Cats for a brace of goals on the way to defeat in the League in March, so Tommy Shefflin and co will be forewarned about her threat. Even if they weren't, the likes of Caoimhe Keher Murtagh would inform them. Keher Murtagh was a colleague of O'Brien's as UL retained the Ashbourne Cup and both were named in the third level team of the year. It has been a period of upheaval for Waterford since the conclusion of the League, with manager Jerry Wallace departing and Mick Boland stepping in. There was the entire skorts discourse, with Waterford playing a brave and central role in the campaign that included the postponement of their Munster final with Cork and ultimately led to the alteration of the rule. "We were definitely delighted," says O'Brien. "We got the news at training, and we were just about to do our running block. I swear we've never run so fast all year! 'It is a massive step. There was an issue with comfort levels but the players was listened to, and the results were pretty significant. And any step forward for keeping younger girls involved is great. 'It was frustrating to have the Munster final postponed 16 hours before when all the preparations had been made to optimise our performance. We had been training well and had a good win over Tipp to get there. 'There was a change (of manager), but all the rest of the management are still on board. And suppose as a group, we're just driving it forward and just focusing on the championship now. And I think the management team we have currently is phenomenal. "The commitment they've shown is as much as the girls'. We're all just kind of working together and pushing forward as a group and trying to get the best out of each other.' A former dual operator, O'Brien stepped away from Waterford's ladies football squad this year as she was completing her final year at UL in physio. She is looking forward to getting the professional phase of her life under way, perhaps in the autumn. Everything right now is zoned in on Waterford camogie and this date with the Stripeywomen. 'They beat us in the League but we would be looking to improve our performance from then. We got off to a good start but in the second half we didn't maintain it. I don't think we've ever actually beaten them in championship so hopefully we will put that right this time. 'We've got quite a competitive group (completed by Galway, Dublin and so it's definitely going to be a challenge to get out of it, but at the end of the day, it's a challenge we're looking forward to as well.'
The Advertiser
13 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Knights blast 'ridiculous' draw as hefty ban looms for prop
Adam O'Brien's fury over the NRL draw is set to be compounded with Newcastle prop Leo Thompson handed a four-game ban from head office. Less than 12 hours on from O'Brien labelling the draw as "ridiculous" after Kalyn Ponga sat out the 20-6 loss to St George Illawarra, the Knights suffered another blow on Saturday. Thompson was hit with a grade-two charge for a crusher tackle on Hamish Stewart, with two previous offences since late last year meaning he is facing an extended ban. The Kiwi front-rower can accept a four-match suspension, or risk a fifth on the sidelines if he fights the charge and loses. Thompson's ban will do little to ease pressure on O'Brien, with Newcastle having won two of their past 10 games and on a downward spiral. Ponga was part of the Queensland side who lost the State of Origin series opener on Wednesday, but at O'Brien's insistence was put on ice for Friday's loss to the Dragons. The fullback has been carrying an ankle injury through the Maroons camp but is expected to play next Thursday's home game against Manly. O'Brien said he rested Ponga for his own good but claimed his side had been given no favours by the NRL's draw. "In this battle we lost to the scheduling and the draw," O'Brien said. "Someone has got to play Friday ... we get that but then they hit us next Thursday as well, so it would have been three games in eight days [for Ponga]. "I always knew that once the draw came out we would cop the Friday after Origin, but it would have been good if someone said, 'Give them the Saturday or the Sunday the following week'. "But whoever does the draws either hasn't lived it or doesn't care, so I don't know which one it is. "You have got teams like Canberra who haven't had a bye yet and then you have got teams who haven't left home in seven games in a row. It's ridiculous." Knights forward Tyson Frizell was charged with a grade one careless high tackle on Friday night and faces a $1000 fine with an early guilty plea. Newcastle's loss followed an encouraging win over a Penrith side missing five players to NSW Origin duties a week earlier in Bathurst. O'Brien's men remain within touching distance of the top eight but they will need to go up a gear over the next month, where three of their four games are at home, if they are to make the finals. The Knights are hopeful of having Greg Marzhew back to face the Sea Eagles next week but Bradman Best and Jacob Saifiti remain a long way from fitness. "I think within the next month, we should get the majority of our personnel back on deck," O'Brien said. "You're always concerned a little bit, but you can't get caught up in [who is available]. "We've got to get caught up in playing Manly at home next week and making sure that we get that right and fixing some of our discipline." Adam O'Brien's fury over the NRL draw is set to be compounded with Newcastle prop Leo Thompson handed a four-game ban from head office. Less than 12 hours on from O'Brien labelling the draw as "ridiculous" after Kalyn Ponga sat out the 20-6 loss to St George Illawarra, the Knights suffered another blow on Saturday. Thompson was hit with a grade-two charge for a crusher tackle on Hamish Stewart, with two previous offences since late last year meaning he is facing an extended ban. The Kiwi front-rower can accept a four-match suspension, or risk a fifth on the sidelines if he fights the charge and loses. Thompson's ban will do little to ease pressure on O'Brien, with Newcastle having won two of their past 10 games and on a downward spiral. Ponga was part of the Queensland side who lost the State of Origin series opener on Wednesday, but at O'Brien's insistence was put on ice for Friday's loss to the Dragons. The fullback has been carrying an ankle injury through the Maroons camp but is expected to play next Thursday's home game against Manly. O'Brien said he rested Ponga for his own good but claimed his side had been given no favours by the NRL's draw. "In this battle we lost to the scheduling and the draw," O'Brien said. "Someone has got to play Friday ... we get that but then they hit us next Thursday as well, so it would have been three games in eight days [for Ponga]. "I always knew that once the draw came out we would cop the Friday after Origin, but it would have been good if someone said, 'Give them the Saturday or the Sunday the following week'. "But whoever does the draws either hasn't lived it or doesn't care, so I don't know which one it is. "You have got teams like Canberra who haven't had a bye yet and then you have got teams who haven't left home in seven games in a row. It's ridiculous." Knights forward Tyson Frizell was charged with a grade one careless high tackle on Friday night and faces a $1000 fine with an early guilty plea. Newcastle's loss followed an encouraging win over a Penrith side missing five players to NSW Origin duties a week earlier in Bathurst. O'Brien's men remain within touching distance of the top eight but they will need to go up a gear over the next month, where three of their four games are at home, if they are to make the finals. The Knights are hopeful of having Greg Marzhew back to face the Sea Eagles next week but Bradman Best and Jacob Saifiti remain a long way from fitness. "I think within the next month, we should get the majority of our personnel back on deck," O'Brien said. "You're always concerned a little bit, but you can't get caught up in [who is available]. "We've got to get caught up in playing Manly at home next week and making sure that we get that right and fixing some of our discipline." Adam O'Brien's fury over the NRL draw is set to be compounded with Newcastle prop Leo Thompson handed a four-game ban from head office. Less than 12 hours on from O'Brien labelling the draw as "ridiculous" after Kalyn Ponga sat out the 20-6 loss to St George Illawarra, the Knights suffered another blow on Saturday. Thompson was hit with a grade-two charge for a crusher tackle on Hamish Stewart, with two previous offences since late last year meaning he is facing an extended ban. The Kiwi front-rower can accept a four-match suspension, or risk a fifth on the sidelines if he fights the charge and loses. Thompson's ban will do little to ease pressure on O'Brien, with Newcastle having won two of their past 10 games and on a downward spiral. Ponga was part of the Queensland side who lost the State of Origin series opener on Wednesday, but at O'Brien's insistence was put on ice for Friday's loss to the Dragons. The fullback has been carrying an ankle injury through the Maroons camp but is expected to play next Thursday's home game against Manly. O'Brien said he rested Ponga for his own good but claimed his side had been given no favours by the NRL's draw. "In this battle we lost to the scheduling and the draw," O'Brien said. "Someone has got to play Friday ... we get that but then they hit us next Thursday as well, so it would have been three games in eight days [for Ponga]. "I always knew that once the draw came out we would cop the Friday after Origin, but it would have been good if someone said, 'Give them the Saturday or the Sunday the following week'. "But whoever does the draws either hasn't lived it or doesn't care, so I don't know which one it is. "You have got teams like Canberra who haven't had a bye yet and then you have got teams who haven't left home in seven games in a row. It's ridiculous." Knights forward Tyson Frizell was charged with a grade one careless high tackle on Friday night and faces a $1000 fine with an early guilty plea. Newcastle's loss followed an encouraging win over a Penrith side missing five players to NSW Origin duties a week earlier in Bathurst. O'Brien's men remain within touching distance of the top eight but they will need to go up a gear over the next month, where three of their four games are at home, if they are to make the finals. The Knights are hopeful of having Greg Marzhew back to face the Sea Eagles next week but Bradman Best and Jacob Saifiti remain a long way from fitness. "I think within the next month, we should get the majority of our personnel back on deck," O'Brien said. "You're always concerned a little bit, but you can't get caught up in [who is available]. "We've got to get caught up in playing Manly at home next week and making sure that we get that right and fixing some of our discipline." Adam O'Brien's fury over the NRL draw is set to be compounded with Newcastle prop Leo Thompson handed a four-game ban from head office. Less than 12 hours on from O'Brien labelling the draw as "ridiculous" after Kalyn Ponga sat out the 20-6 loss to St George Illawarra, the Knights suffered another blow on Saturday. Thompson was hit with a grade-two charge for a crusher tackle on Hamish Stewart, with two previous offences since late last year meaning he is facing an extended ban. The Kiwi front-rower can accept a four-match suspension, or risk a fifth on the sidelines if he fights the charge and loses. Thompson's ban will do little to ease pressure on O'Brien, with Newcastle having won two of their past 10 games and on a downward spiral. Ponga was part of the Queensland side who lost the State of Origin series opener on Wednesday, but at O'Brien's insistence was put on ice for Friday's loss to the Dragons. The fullback has been carrying an ankle injury through the Maroons camp but is expected to play next Thursday's home game against Manly. O'Brien said he rested Ponga for his own good but claimed his side had been given no favours by the NRL's draw. "In this battle we lost to the scheduling and the draw," O'Brien said. "Someone has got to play Friday ... we get that but then they hit us next Thursday as well, so it would have been three games in eight days [for Ponga]. "I always knew that once the draw came out we would cop the Friday after Origin, but it would have been good if someone said, 'Give them the Saturday or the Sunday the following week'. "But whoever does the draws either hasn't lived it or doesn't care, so I don't know which one it is. "You have got teams like Canberra who haven't had a bye yet and then you have got teams who haven't left home in seven games in a row. It's ridiculous." Knights forward Tyson Frizell was charged with a grade one careless high tackle on Friday night and faces a $1000 fine with an early guilty plea. Newcastle's loss followed an encouraging win over a Penrith side missing five players to NSW Origin duties a week earlier in Bathurst. O'Brien's men remain within touching distance of the top eight but they will need to go up a gear over the next month, where three of their four games are at home, if they are to make the finals. The Knights are hopeful of having Greg Marzhew back to face the Sea Eagles next week but Bradman Best and Jacob Saifiti remain a long way from fitness. "I think within the next month, we should get the majority of our personnel back on deck," O'Brien said. "You're always concerned a little bit, but you can't get caught up in [who is available]. "We've got to get caught up in playing Manly at home next week and making sure that we get that right and fixing some of our discipline."
