Latest news with #PortrushOpen
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Northern Ireland boss hails talented teen for 'seamless' transition into senior squad
Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby says teenage goalkeeper Abbie Smth has earned her call up to the senior squad after impressing in training last month. The 16-year-old was brought in to train with Oxtoby's squad last month and is now officially part of the panel for the forthcoming UEFA Women's Nations League matches against Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina given her level of performance in those sessions. Smith made the switch from Crusaders to Manchester City in March and Oxtoby said there is no doubting her talent. READ MORE: Accommodation prices increase by almost 900% on booking site for Portrush Open week READ MORE: Police investigate burning of five vehicles as arson "Abbie came in and she was seamless in relation to training intensity, being in and around the group and the maturity that she showed," said Oxtoby. "There's no doubting her talent so that was really impressive. The main thing when we're looking at the younger players coming in is are they ready for that senior environment." Uncapped duo Aimee Kerr and Abi Sweetlove retain their place in the squad after receiving their first senior call-ups in April. Veteran Newcastle United Women attacking midfielder Rachel Furness is also included in the 24-strong squad after receiving a late call-up for the League B Group 1 home match against Romania last month. "Furny will come in and whether she gets minutes or she doesn't get minutes the standard and the professional values she has after all her experience being in and around the game will help lift the group," said Oxtoby. Northern Ireland are set to play unbeaten Group B1 leaders Poland on Friday 30 May at Seaview in Belfast (7pm) with Oxtoby's side currently three points behind them in second. They will then face third-placed Bosnia and Herzegovina in their final B1 game in Zenica on Tuesday 3 June (6pm BST start). Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Government says Open hosting decisions up to R&A
The UK government says it is up to the R&A to decide the hosts of the Open Championship following claims US president Donald Trump has made repeated requests for the 2028 event to be held at his Turnberry course. President Trump and White House officials have reportedly spoken to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer about the Open returning to the Ayrshire venue, which last hosted the event in 2009. BBC Sport has been told by several sources that the UK government has asked the R&A about its position on the matter in recent months. A spokesman for the prime minister did not deny those claims, but said any contact the government had with sporting bodies was "part of the business of government" and not hosting decisions. "I wouldn't get into specific conversations but it's for sporting bodies to make decisions on tournament venues, not the government," the spokesman said. "Obviously the government is in regular contact with sporting bodies on tournaments in the usual way but not beyond that." A spokesman for the R&A said: "We regularly engage with government and local government regarding venues. "We have explained the logistical challenges around Turnberry to the government and they are aware of the position." R&A 'would love' Trump's Turnberry to host Open How Trump's tariffs might impact sport McIlroy will have 'unfinished business' at Portrush Open President Trump purchased Turnberry five years after it last hosted the Open and has since spent £200m on improvements. In 2023 he publicly called for it to host the Open again. New R&A chief executive Mark Darbon said last week he "would love" the course to host the tournament again, and that logistical issues are the stumbling block, not who owns it. The number of spectators attending the Open has dramatically increased since 120,000 people attended Turnberry in 2009, with 278,000 spectators set to attend this year's event at Royal Portrush. A feasibility survey has been commissioned to assess whether the venue and town is equipped to cope with such numbers, with question marks over transport and accommodation. Darbon's stance is a significant shift from that of his predecessor, Martin Slumbers, who had strongly suggested the course would not be restored to the Open rota while Trump was associated with the venue, expressing concerns that the focus would be off the course. That led to suggestions that Whitehall officials have pushed for the Open to return to Turnberry, with ministers keen to please Trump in the wake of his tariff policy and ongoing trade talks between the two countries. Sources from both sides deny any pressure has been applied. In February, it was reported that White House officials raised the possibility of Turnberry returning as a venue for the Open during the prime minster's visit to Washington. King Charles even referenced the course in a letter inviting the president to a second state visit to the UK.
