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The 42
3 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Ireland 'need to be miles better' as Ward and McCabe target Slovenia shootout in Cork
HEAD COACH CARLA Ward and captain Katie McCabe say Ireland need to be 'miles better' than tonight's last-gasp rescue win in Türkiye. Emily Murphy bagged the winner in the 89th minute, sparing Irish blushes after another disappointing performance against lower-ranked opposition. But the 2-1 comeback victory kept them in the race for Nations League promotion: Slovenia remain top of Group B2 ahead of a Páirc Uí Chaoimh shootout next Tuesday, where Ireland must win by more than four goals to usurp them and return to League B. The runners-up get another shot in the play-offs in October. 'Listen, that's character. That's an Irish mentality,' Ward told RTÉ's Tony O'Donoghue after tonight's game. 'It was never rolling over, even when we went 1-0 down. We're disappointed with the goal. The reaction after that, the togetherness, the attitude to go and win tackles, close gaps, making sure that we were front-footed, was something that we can be proud of. I actually think winning it like that, at the death, puts us in a good position for Tuesday.' 🇹🇷 1-2 🇮🇪 Carla Ward praised the "character" and "Irish mentality" of her team after they came from behind to win in Turkey but admitted Ireland will need to be a lot better against group leaders Slovenia#UWNL #COYGIG — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 30, 2025 Advertisement The former Aston Villa boss said there will be 'honest conversations about how we start bright' as she outlined some improvements required. 'We need to be better. We need to be way better come Tuesday, but most important thing is we got the three points tonight. 'We have to win 5-0 [against Slovenia], right? It's not easy against any team now because women's football is improving in every country. It's going to be tough, but we'll go out there with an attitude, a mindset and belief that anything is possible. The Irish love that, I love that, it's why I took the job.' 'You saw us finish with a lot of attacking players on the pitch, you might see that's the way we start. We certainly will give it absolutely everything,' she added, calling for 'every bit of Irish noise and blood' in Cork. McCabe, meanwhile, echoed her manager's sentiments as she finished a whirlwind week, in which she won the Champions League with Arsenal, with the Player of the Match award in Istanbul. 'We got the result and that's what matters in the end, but from a performance point of view, we have to be miles better going into Tuesday,' the skipper said. 'We didn't move the ball quick enough, we didn't move Türkiye quick enough, and allowed them to get in the game with some sloppy mistakes. We need a massive improvement if we're going to beat Slovenia on Tuesday.' 🇹🇷 1-2 🇮🇪 Ireland captain Katie McCabe: "We got the result and that's what matters in the end but from a performance point of view we have to be miles better going into Tuesday"#UWNL — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 30, 2025 McCabe shared her disappointment with the 'cheap' concession early in the second half, and paid tribute to the impact substitutes, including match-winner Murphy, as Ireland laboured to four wins from five under Ward. 'We're trying to do a lot of different things in terms of how we approach games more on the front foot. That takes time. This is our fifth game under Carla and the new management, it's not going to be perfect, but for us from a standards point of view, we have to look to come out of the tracks a little bit sharper.' Putting four goals past Slovenia will be a 'tough ask,' McCabe conceded, but she believes Ireland can do it 'if we're at our absolute best'. The Dubliner also reflected on her European club success, and insists she feels 'really good' after a physically and emotionally draining few days — and season overall. 'It was a massive result for us and the club last week in Lisbon, we were absolutely ecstatic becoming champions. 'Yeah, you enjoy the celebrations, but it was full focus on these two games. I said to Carla when I came in, 'I'm ready to play and give it all for the team.' I feel good going into Tuesday now, another big performance, rest and recover.'
RTÉ News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Lake Victoria claims victory in Irish 1,000 Guineas at The Curragh as Los Angeles takes Gold Cup
Lake Victoria showed her true colours to glide to an impressive triumph in the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh. The 10-11 favourite in the hands of Ryan Moore, Aidan O'Brien's filly was unbeaten at two when taking a trio of Group One events over distances ranging from six furlongs to a mile, including at the Breeders' Cup. She returned at a mile in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, but connections were not far wrong when they said her preparation had been hurried and she was eventually sixth of 10 runners on the Rowley Mile. That run clearly brought her along perfectly for the Irish equivalent, and after racing happily on the rail she accelerated away neatly when asked at the two-furlong pole and was a comfortable two-and-a-quarter-length winner from 50-1 shot California Dreamer. Ryan Moore reacts after Lake Victoria's win in the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas 📺 Watch live - — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 25, 2025 Los Angeles showed class and courage to come out on top in a red-hot renewal of the Tattersalls Gold Cup. Aidan O'Brien's 9-4 favourite was ridden by Ryan Moore on his second start of the term, with his opening gambit a smart Mooresbridge Stakes success from White Birch. The latter horse also lined up in a classy field for the Group One contest, but as Los Angeles threw down his challenge it was Owen Burrows' Anmaat who loomed up beside him having travelled sweetly into contention. It looked like the Champion Stakes hero would prevail on his first run since Ascot in October, but former Irish Derby winner Los Angeles clearly had more to offer still and duly put his head down again to prevail by half a length. Kalpana was third, with White Birch fourth after what was not the smoothest of passages for the talented grey. Albert Einstein again showed a touch of genius when rising to the task in the GAIN Marble Hill Stakes. O'Brien's Wootton Bassett colt struck on debut at Naas earlier in the month and was the 4-11 favourite to continue to boost the sizeable regard in which he is already held. He was ridden patiently with plenty of cover in the early stages of the Group Three event, a position that left him needing to manoeuvre his way past the leaders to get a clear look at the winning post. When he did so the victory was never in doubt, prevailing by three-quarters of a length from Power Blue to gain the status of 6-4 favourite for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot with Coral. "He's very quick. We always thought he was really good, but since his first run he's got so quick," said O'Brien. "Ryan said they felt like they were only hacking, I don't think you could go fast enough in front of him. "Ryan taught him a lot. He waited and got him to relax the best he could and when he came out he said he took a minute to engage. He's a very fast horse. "The lads said he was rated an eight as a yearling and that's as high as the rating goes. "He's been very special in everything he's done. He's 540kg, that's a very big horse and he's only a two-year-old." Porta Fortuna returned to action with her usual reliability to win the Lanwades Stud Stakes. Donnacha O'Brien's filly has a superb CV and is a four-time Group winner who has been out of the top three only once in her career when unplaced in the Breeders' Cup Mile last November. Under Ryan Moore the 5-4 favourite took to the track for the first time this season and showed all of her class was still intact with a resolute Group Two success from Paddy Twomey's One Look. Balantina made her presence felt with a front-running success in the Tally Ho Stud Irish EBF Fillies Maiden. Also trained by O'Brien and ridden by Oisin Murphy, the juvenile daughter of Ten Sovereigns lined up as a 6-1 shot having finished fourth in a green run on her racecourse debut. That experience clearly served her well this time, and having made all of the running she was a smart winner when crossing the line a length ahead of stablemate and 7-4 favourite Cape Sounion to introduce herself as a 12-1 chance with Coral for the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot. "They are two nice fillies. At home Cape Sounion would probably work a little bit better, but I think Balantina keeps a bit for herself," said O'Brien. "When they finish one-two you probably think you should have split them up, but it's nice that they ran well anyway." Balantina had been a well-supported favourite first time out and O'Brien added: "It certainly wasn't my money anyway. She worked very nicely up the Curragh here one day and obviously someone saw her, which is why she probably went off favourite. "I thought she'd run well without fancying her, but obviously she's learned plenty from that and she's taken a nice step forward today." Of the chances of both fillies heading to Ascot, the trainer added: "I'd think with Cape Sounion we probably won't. The plan was to come here and then go to the Balanchine so we'll see, do we go back to a maiden now or do we stick to that plan? "I'd say there is probably a good chance that Balantina could take her chance in the Albany."
RTÉ News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Retiring Rachael Blackmore 'didn't just break glass ceilings, she painted the sky'
Jane Mangan and Ruby Walsh have paid tribute to the retiring Rachael Blackmore, "the greatest female jockey the world has ever seen". The Tipperary woman today called time on a hugely successful 16-year career in the saddle that saw her become the first woman to win an Aintree Grand National or Cheltenham Gold Cup, among many other achievements. " My reaction initially was sad, but I'm so grateful that she can go out on her own terms, because it brings to a close an unprecedented journey," said RTÉ Racing analyst Mangan. "This has never been done by a woman before what she has achieved. Put it this way, if I said to anybody in 2018 that a woman would ride 18 Cheltenham Festival winners, including a Gold Cup, including a Stayers' Hurdle, a Champion Chase, and two Champion Hurdles, you'd probably laugh. "And then if I told you we'll throw in an Aintree Grand National for good measure, then you'd definitely roll your eyes. "Rachel Blackmore's story has been out of this world. She has made what has been abnormal seem normal, and she has made what seemed impossible, not that long ago, achievable. "She has remained completely unchanged despite all of her accolades and in terms of transcending sport." "It brings to a close an unprecedented journey. This has never been done by a woman before, what she has achieved. A hero on and off the track." - @jane_mangan pays tribute to Rachael Blackmore, who has announced the end of her glittering career as a jockey — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 12, 2025 Mangan said Blackmore had "redefined what it means to be a female jockey" and inspired future women riders. "You have proved that gender doesn't define who you are or what you can achieve or how high you can fly. "She has inspired generations. She proved [late trainer] Ginger McCain wrong, and she's been the greatest female jockey in the world has ever seen. "I think all of us can only consider ourselves lucky to have witnessed her achievements in our lifetime. "She didn't just break glass ceilings. She actually painted the sky. "National Hunt racing won't be the same without her name in the race card, but it's all the better for having had her there. Rachel Blackmore is an icon, a hero, on and off the track." Ruby Walsh, one of the few jockeys of recent times to have won even more than Blackmore, told 2fm's Game On: "Rachel Blackmore is unique. We keep saying the first but she is the only woman to have won a Grand National, a Gold Cup, a Champion Hurdle, a Stayers' Hurdle, a Champion Chase. The only woman to be leading rider at the Cheltenham Festival. "She did what all top sports people do. She made very few mistakes and that's the difference. She was very cool under pressure, calculated under pressure and just didn't get it wrong. "Rachael was able to make fewer mistakes and that's what made her so good." "Rachel Blackmore was able to fall and get up quicker than most men, and that's what made her different. She was like an elastic band" Walsh said he particularly admired ability to handle a fall and recovery from a serious neck injury to complete the sweep of Cheltenham championship races on Bob Olinger this year. "Being a National Hunt jockey is not an easy life," he said. "It's a tough sport and Rachel was unique. "Men and women do get to compete on a level playing field but it's the physicality: the falling, the thumps off the ground, the speed of the impacts and being able to pick yourself up "Rachel Blackmore was able to fall and get up quicker than most men, and that's what made her different. She was like an elastic band. "So resilient, so tough. Whilst she broke the glass ceiling and proved women can do it, I don't know how many there are like Rachael. "To win a Grand National is incredible but to watch her come back from a pretty horrific hip injury... and then this year she proved more to me about herself than any of those victories. "She got a fall in Killarney she described as a neck injury but when a National Hunt jockey walks around for three months in a neck brace you can be damn sure there's something broken. "Being a jockey, you play for pay, if you're out there's no salary. She worked herself back into the position that was hers and came back to Cheltenham this year and won. "With all she had achieved, she still had to start again and she did and got herself back to the very top. To take that dent in confidence and get back to where you were, I admire that."
RTÉ News
03-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Jade De Grugy proves too good for Brighterdaysahead t Punchestown
Jade De Grugy produced a career-best performance to continue Willie Mullins' recent domination of the SBK Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle at Punchestown. The Closutton handler had saddled eight of the last 10 winners of the Grade One contest and having finished best of the rest behind esteemed stablemate Lossiemouth in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, Jade De Grugy was even-money to add to his tally. Jade De Grugy wins the Grade 1 Mares Champion Hurdle under Paul Townend. Watch the final day of the #PunchestownFestival now on @rteone & @rteplayer #RTEsport — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 3, 2025 After initially being settled in third place by Paul Townend, the six-year-old was allowed to stride on in front heading out for the second circuit, a move which was covered by her main rival Brighterdaysahead, who was bidding to bounce back from a disappointing run in the Champion Hurdle. The big two were clear of the chasing pack rounding the home turn and Jade De Grugy always looked to be going the better, pulling further ahead in the straight to score by six and a half lengths. A tiring Brighterdaysahead was eventually beaten to the runner-up spot by the winner's stablemate Gala Marceau. Mullins said of the winner: "She's a mare that's been improving all year. Nicer ground was a big help and tactically Paul was brilliant. "Brighterdaysahead probably just had a very hard race at Christmas and she never really recovered from it. "We're delighted to be able to win a Grade One with a filly like this and I'd say we'll probably train her for the Mares' Hurdle again next year."
RTÉ News
02-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
State Man records statement win at Punchestown as Constitution Hill flops
State Man produced a dominant front-running display to win his third Boodles Champion Hurdle at Punchestown, where Constitution Hill proved a huge disappointment in finishing a well-beaten fifth. The Grade One contest staged a mouthwatering rematch between the Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson-trained superstars, who both fell in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, with the presence of Jeremy Scott's eventual Champion Hurdle heroine Golden Ace adding further spice. Despite suffering a second successive fall in the Aintree Hurdle, Constitution Hill was a heavily-supported 8-13 favourite to get back on the winning trail on his first trip to Ireland, but he was a spent force from before the home turned and weakened rapidly out of contention. In contrast, 9-4 shot State Man – who looked to have a second Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham at his mercy when crashing out at the final obstacle at Prestbury Park in mid-March – continued to pour it on in front under Paul Townend and came home with four and three-quarter lengths in hand over Golden Ace. State Man led from the front to beat the favourite, Constitution Hill, in the Boodles Champion Hurdle. #rteracing 📺 Watch: @rte2 & @rteplayer 📱 Results: — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 2, 2025 Mullins said: "It's the performance we always thought he had in him. In fairness to Constitution Hill, I don't think he turned up on the day. It's very hard to travel from England after having two falls and things just didn't go right for him. "Our fella has run his true race and that's been a constant thing in his racing life, he always turns up and runs his race. It was a huge performance. "He's just very genuine without ever being flashy. I think the cheekpieces have made him a bit flashier than he used to be. He's a lazy horse and cheekpieces just help him. "Paul has been adamant about this horse for the last few years, people are going on about Lossiemouth and State Man – he's always thought State Man every day of the week and it's been proven. "I think we were all waiting for this contest and it delivered. We're just delighted." Watch the Punchestown Festival from Tuesday to Saturday with RTÉ Sport. Coverage begins at 3.30pm for first three days and on Friday at 4pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Watch on Saturday from 3pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
