Latest news with #Ronan
West Australian
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Logies 2025: Kate Miller-Heidke on her first nomination and new coaches on The Voice
Kate Miller-Heidke has gone from performing at the Logies two years ago to being nominated for a prestigious award as a coach on The Voice. The 43-year-old singer, who grew up in Brisbane 'far away from the showbiz world', said she was 'absolutely chuffed' to be nominated for her first Logie in the most popular new talent category. She is up for the award alongside Guy Montgomery from his ABC spelling bee series, Home and Away's Hailey Pinto, Jenny Tian from Taskmaster, Kylah Day for her role in Netflix show Territory and MasterChef's Sofia Levin. The winners will be announced at Sunday's ceremony in Sydney. The Caught in the Crowd singer said she felt like a bit of a 'fraud' to be nominated as a new talent nearly 20 years after her first album and TV appearance. 'TV is not my world. As a musician, it was something entirely new for me when I started on The Voice last year, but it's just been so much fun and such a gift to my life,' she said. 'It's just amazing to be embraced by this new world.' While it's her first nomination, attending the Logies isn't her first rodeo, having sung Olivia Newton-John's Xanadu at the event two years ago as a tribute to the late star. She was also in attendance last year when The Voice took out the best entertainment program award. 'I love it. Personally, I think it's much more fun than the ARIAs,' she said. 'The after-party is pretty amazing. There are just so many interesting people and a really eclectic mix of people who write shows and create shows, actors and comedians and people in the news.' Miller-Heidke said it would be 'incredible' if she won, but was 'keeping my expectations low'. The classically trained singer will enter another season of The Voice this year alongside a slew of new judges, including Ronan Keating, Spice Girls' Melanie C and Richard Marx. 'I was nervous to meet them all at first, because I was the only returning coach (and only Australian),' she said. 'I always have a bit of imposter syndrome when it comes to meeting these massive stars, because, you know, I'm just this little Australian singer-songwriter. And I'm sure they're thinking, 'Who the hell is this?' But they were all so warm and so lovely. We all became really great friends. 'I was incredibly star struck by Mel C, I grew up in the era of the Spice Girls, so that was massive. And I was a massive fan of Richard and Ronan's. And Ronan is just the most lovely, charming man you'll ever come across.' Despite all the coaches getting on and bringing the good vibes, Miller-Heidke said she definitely felt former coach Guy Sebastian's absence. 'It did feel sort of like the end of an era in that way, because he really sort of dominated that show for so long,' she said. Miller-Heidke said she loved being involved in the hit show due to its dedication to live music. 'I love being able to work with young artists and help them to realise what their strengths are,' she said. 'Some of them are just incredible. And I also love being part of a show that's one of the only shows on TV that still has live music.' While she is a mentor for aspiring singers, Miller-Heidke has found herself searching for her own mentors as she gets older. 'I think it can be invaluable,' she said. 'I've been lucky enough to have Tina Arena on speed dial for a few years now. She's always up for a good chat.' Away from The Voice, Miller-Heidke has been in the UK mixing her new record, which she hoped would be released at the end of the year. She also wrote songs for Muriel's Wedding the Musical, which just opened in Leicester to rave reviews.
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Ronan O'Gara splattered on by seagull mid-punditry
This is the moment former rugby international Ronan O'Gara had a bird poop on him while he was on live punditry duties in Melbourne, Australia. It is considered a sign of good luck, whether the person targeted feels that way is another story, but the 48-year-old took the unfortunate act in his stride. Ronan was working as a pundit during the Australia versus British and Irish Lions Second Test series, which saw Andy Farrell's British & Irish Lions victorious on a score of 29 to 26. Pic: Sky Sports The Aussies led for the majority of the match with the final play of the game seeing Hugo Keenan score a try to put the Lions in front for the first time — ending the game on a win. While the Wallabies have one last attempt at victory next week, Ronan won't be on duty for Sky with the rugby star returning to La Rochelle this weekend. The former fly-half got a heartwarming send-off from his Sky colleagues with even the seagulls getting in on the action. @skysports Good luck? Bad luck? Ronan O'Gara was given a 'gift' from the Melbourne seagulls, live on air, following the Lions' series victory 😅 #lions2025 #lionstour #britishandirishlions #lions #rugby #rugbyunion ♬ original sound – Sky Sports Presenter Alex Payne was mid-question when the hilarious moment ensure, with Will Greenwood quick to point out that a 'bid just pooed on Ronan!' Laughing it off, the Cork man turned to fans to point out that his shoe had been his as well as the arm of his jacket. As being caught by a bird pooing is a sign of good luck former English rugby star Will foretold that La Rochelle would win the European Cup as well as the Top 14, much to Ronan's delight. The Aussies led for the majority of the match with the final play of the game seeing Hugo Kennan score a try to put the Lions in front for the first time — ending the game on a win. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie The hilarious moment was shared via TikTok with Sky Sports writing: 'Good luck? Bad luck? Ronan O'Gara was given a 'gift' from the Melbourne seagulls, live on air, following the Lions' series victory.' Social media users took to the comments to express their delight at the 'wild moment.' One said: 'That's one wild moment! Can't believe he got that gift live on air.' Another added: 'Can't believe the seagulls helped Ronan O'Gara like that! Talk about lucky timing!' A third hit out: 'Normally it comes out of his mouth.'
Irish Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ronan O'Gara given unwelcome gift from seagull moments after Lions win
Ronan O'Gara suffered an embarrassing incident live on TV this morning as a seagull gave him an unwanted gift while working on Sky Sports. O'Gara was working as a pundit on this morning's clash between the British and Irish Lions and Australia, and was analysing the Lions' win thanks to a last-gasp Hugo Keenan try. As the panel discussed the victory, a bird did his business on O'Gara in an unfortunate incident that was captured live by Sky Sports' cameras for the whole world to see. "Oh a bird has just pooed on Ronan," said Will Greenwood before a voice can be heard interjecting "That's lucky for some but not for Ronan." Greenwood then proclaims "La Rochelle are going to win the European Cup" as O'Gara, to his credit, laughs off the incident and has some craic with the fans close by in attendance. While the seagull's doing could well turn out to be good or bad luck, the Lions certainly rode their luck today as they battled back to beat Australia and move 2-0 in the series, setting the scene for a potential clean sweep next weekend. And in Joe Schmidt's opinion, luck was on the side of the Lions as a clearout from Jac Morgan in the lead-up to Keenan's try was ruled legal much to the annoyance of the Wallabies boss. Just watch the footage,' said Schmidt, who insisted the incident taking place in the final minute influenced the verdict. 'You just have to read law 9.20 and you just have to listen to the description from the referee and then watch the footage when two players are described as arriving at the same time. 'You cannot hit someone above the levels of the shoulders and there's no bind with the left arm, his hand is on the ground. That's what we have seen. 'We have watched a number of replays from different angles so it is what it is. We just have to accept it. 'Players make errors. Match officials make errors. Our perspective is we felt it was a decision that doesn't really live up to the big player safety push that they are talking about.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Dylan Keating puts rollercoaster behind him to top South of Ireland qualifiers at Lahinch
While his famous uncle Ronan, the Boyzone star who had a No 1 hit with Life Is a Rollercoaster, is the best known member of the Keating clan, the 23-year-old Drogheda man wants to make waves of his own in the amateur game after a few tough years. 'I felt like I was kind of under-performing there for a long time, and to come back home playing well this year, not that I expected to shoot a score like that, it was nice,' he said after adding a four under 68 to his opening 69 to top the 64 qualifiers for the matchplay by a shot on seven under. His four years at the University of Louisiana Lafayette were not always a smooth ride and he admits he considered quitting golf as he struggled with all aspects of his game before turning things around. 'I wouldn't be shy to say it's been a tough last few years," he said. 'I was in Houston last year playing an event, and I said to Mum and Dad, I think that's it for me in golf. 'Just mentally, I was struggling. I wasn't keeping the ball on the planet. My iron play was bad, my driver was terrible, and even my putting left me for a while. 'When I'm home and comfortable, I think that's what brings out the best of me, and that's probably why I struggled in America, just being homesick constantly.' The former Boys international harboured dreams of turning professional for a while but he's put those plans on hold for now and while he admits it's 'a stretch' he's hoping to win some big amateur events and get himself on the selectors' radar for next year's Walker Cup at Lahinch. 'I don't know if it's possible, but if I win a couple of these, I might have a chance,' he ventured. Set to face former champion Sean Desmond from Douglas in Friday's first round, he added: 'I've made the matchplay every year for the past few years and been knocked out in the first round. 'But I think my game is in a much different place, and mentally, I'm a lot different now and ready to give tomorrow a good run for a few days and be here on Sunday.' Dooks' Conor Hickey shot a sparkling 65, Tralee's Mark Gazi a 67, Ballybofey and Stranoloar's Ryan Griffin a 68 and Royal Dublin's Sean Downes a 72 to finish tied for second as just seven of the 14 players on two-over made the top 64 who qualified for the matchplay. It was also an important day for Fota Island's David Howard, the East of Ireland champion, who needed to make the matchplay to keep alive his hopes of winning an automatic Order off Merit spot in the Irish team for next month's Home Internationals at Woodhall Spa. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more After opening with a 75, Howard was five over for the championship with six holes to play but covered them in four-under and shot 70 to make the matchplay with a shot to spare on one-over. While Roscommon's Irish international Thomas Higgins missed the cut, all the big guns made the matchplay. Former Boys international Gazi (19), who is at Northwestern University in Chicago, made eight birdies in his 67 in just his second South of Ireland appearance. 'I've done a lot of match play, especially playing Boys Home internationals,' said Gazi, who is travelling with Tralee's Darren O'Sullivan (35), who shot a sparkling 67 to qualify in sixth place on five-under. 'Whoever you are playing, you've just goto to beat the man and make sure you do that. It doesn't matter how you do it, once you do.' Former winners Caolan Rafferty and Colm Campbell made it with ease while veterans such as Douglas' Karl Bornemann, Adare Manor's Pat Murray and Galway's Joe Lyons also came through. Hickey, who was joint second on six-under, was delighted to make it after making life tough for himself after an opening 73. 'It was a pretty big improvement over yesterday, anyway,' the 24-year-old said after a round featuring seven birdies and an eagle three at the fourth. 'I hit a few nice shots coming in and birdied the 16th and 18th Hopefully I am not out at the crack of dawn.' Pierse Motor Group South of Ireland Amateur Open Championship, Lahinch (Par 72) Matchplay draw Round one 7:00 Dylan Keating v Seán Desmond; 7:09 Eoin Magill v Benjamin Oberholzer; 7:18 Caolan Rafferty v Patrick Curran; 7:27 Jamie Butler v Joe O'Neill; 7:36 Adam Buchanan v Barry O'Connell; 7:45 Conor Clarke v Jordan Hood; 7:54 David Kitt v Robert Abernethy; 8:03 Charlie Cooley v David Reddan; 8:12 Ryan Griffin v Ross Latimer; 8:21 Eoin O'Carroll v Andrew McCormack; 8:30 Keith Egan v Dylan Holmes; 8:39 Niall Hearns v Jake Foley; 8:48 Sean Downes v Luke O'Neill; 8:57 Eoin Sullivan v Fionn Dobbin; 9:06 Jake Whelan v Jason Rackard; 9:15 Adam Smith v David Lally; 9:24 Conor Hickey v Joe Lyons; 9:33 Ben Cahill v Sean Barry; 9:42 Stephen Loftus v James Maginn; 9:51 Gavin O'Neill v Jonathan Keane; 10:00 Conor Stapleton v Tony Scroope ; 10:09 Richard Sykes v Graham Donohoe; 10:18 Paul O'Hanlon v James Walsh; 10:27 Colm Campbell v Karl Bornemann; 10:36 Mark Gazi v Thomas Abom; 10:45 Jamie Sutherland v Colin Woodroofe; 10:54 Jordan Boles v Darcy Hogg; 11:03 Ross McCormack v David Howard; 11:12 Darren O'Sullivan v Liam Abom; 11:21 TJ Ford v Joshua Hill; 11:30 Quentin Carew v Barry Howlin; 11:39 Mark Cadden v Pat Murray. Qualifiers 137 Dylan Keating (Seapoint) 69 68 (leading qualifier); 138 Conor Hickey (Dooks) 73 65, Mark Gazi (Tralee) 71 67, Ryan Griffin (Ballybofey & Stranorlar) 70 68, Sean Downes (Royal Dublin) 66 72; 139 Darren O'Sullivan (Tralee) 72 67, Conor Stapleton (Westport) 67 72, Adam Buchanan (Royal Portrush) 66 73; 140 David Kitt (Athenry) 71 69, Paul O'Hanlon (Carton House) 70 70, Quentin Carew (Castleknock)) 67 73; 141 Jake Whelan (Grange) 70 71, Keith Egan (Carton House) 70 71, Jordan Boles (Charleville) 69 72, Stephen Loftus (Lahinch) 69 72, Caolan Rafferty (Dundalk) 69 72; 142 Jamie Butler (Naas) 74 68, Gavin O'Neill (Malahide) 73 69, Ross McCormack (Palmerstown House Estate )72 70, Niall Hearns (Mountrath) 71 71, Adam Smith (Mullingar) 70 72, Mark Cadden (Roganstown) 69 73; 143 Colm Campbell (Warrenpoint) 75 68, Charlie Cooley (Belvoir Park) 75 68, Conor Clark (Balmoral) 74 69, Richard Sykes (Dun Laoghaire) 73 70, TJ Ford (Co Sligo) 72 71, Eoin Sullivan (Portmarnock) 72 71, Eoin O'Carroll (St Anne's) 71 72, Jamie Sutherlan (Galgorm Castle) 71 72, Ben Cahill (Dundalk) 71 72, Eoin Magill (East Clare) 70 73, Benjamin Oberholzer (Clandeboye) 69 74; 144 Sean Barry (Fota Island) 75 69, Colin Woodroofe (Dun Laoghaire) 75 69, Andrew McCormack (Castletroy) 74 70, Fionn Dobbin (Malone) 74 70, Joshua Hill (Galgorm Castle) 73 71, Graham Donohoe (Enniscorthy) 73 71, Jordan Hood (Galgorm Castle) 72 72, David Reddan (Castle(Knock)) 72 72, Karl Bornemann (Douglas) 72 72, Pat Murray (Adare Manor) 71 73, David Lally (Blainroe) 70 74; 145 Jake Foley (Elm Park) 76 69, David Howard (Fota Island) 75 70, Jonathan Keane (Lahinch) 75 70, Joe O'Neill Berehaven 74 71, Patrick Curran (Edmondstown) 73 72, James Maginn (Mourne) 73 72, Darcy Hogg (Belvoir Park) 73 72, Dylan Holmes (Greystones) 73 72, Jason Rackard (Bunclody) 72 73, Barry Howlin (The Heritage) 72 73, James Walsh (Douglas) 71 74, Robert Abernethy (Dun Laoghaire) 70 75, Barry O'Connell (Douglas) 70 75; 146 Tony Scroope (Nenagh) 75 71, Liam Abom (Edmondstown) 75 71, Luke O'Neill (Connemara) 74 72, Ross Latimer (Knock) 74 72, Thomas Abom (Edmondstown) 73 73, Joe Lyons (Galway) 73 73, Seán Desmond (Monkstown) 73 73. Non qualifiers 146 Darragh Flynn (Carton House) 72 74, Luke Cunningham (Galway Bay) 72 74, Ian O'Connell (Castleknock)) 72 74, Cathal MacCanna (Carton House) 72 74, Thomas Higgins (Roscommon) 72 74, John McCarthy (Grange) 71 75, Luke Kelly (Dunfanaghy) 69 77; 147 Andrew Gavin (Black Bush) 77 70, Morgan Cain (Cork) 76 71, Steven Gormley (Blainroe) 75 72, Thomas O'Connor (Athlone) 74 73, Ciaran Murphy (Grange) 73 74, Morgan Crowe (Elm Park) 73 74, Harry Gillivan (Portmarnock) 72 75, Charlie McDonnell (Concra Wood) 71 76; 148 Morgan O'Sullivan (Ballyneety) 75 73, Adam Challoner (Galway Bay) 75 73, Alan Fahy (Dun Laoghaire) 75 73, Rían Carvill (Warrenpoint) 73 75, James Marriott (West Surrey) 72 76; 149 Rory McConnell (Belvoir Park) 77 72, Aaron Naughton (Hermitage) 77 72, David Kelly (Millicent) 76 73, Padraig O Dochartaigh (Gweedore) 75 74, Paul Coughlan (Castleknock)) 75 74, Cian Poland (Elm Park) 75 74, Senan Carroll (Ballybunion) 74 75, David Shiel (Enniscrone) 74 75, Adam Allahbachani (Powerscourt) 73 76, Gary Collins (Rosslare) 73 76, Darren McCormack (Corrstown) 71 78, John Dillon (Lahinch) 71 78, Robbie Cannon (Balbriggan) 70 79; 150 Niall Conneely (Ballinasloe) 79 71, Sean Flanagan (Portmarnock) 78 72, Jonathan Kelly (Athy) 77 73, Jack McDonnell (Royal Dublin) 77 73, Shea Dorman (Bangor) 76 74, Jack Murphy (Douglas 76 74, Evan Monaghan (Tullamore) 75 75, Kevin Robinson (Castlewarden) 74 76, Colum Kenny (Portmarnock) 73 77; 151 Dan Byrne (The Els Club Dubai) 80 71, Cian O'Connor (Roscommon) 77 74, Danny Lyne (Lahinch) 74 77, Matthew Giles (Greenore) 73 78; 152 Jamie Larkin (Palmerstown) 79 73, William Josh Nicholl (Galgorm Castle) 78 74, Jamal Sabir (Moate) 77 75; 153 Adrian Hiney (Moate) 80 73, Samuel Gammell (Naas) 77 76, Andrew Barker (Corrstown) 76 77; 154 Eoin Murphy (Dundalk) 81 73, Conor McCarthy (Headfort) 80 74, Niels Knudsen (Lyngbygaard, Den) 80 74, Ryan Lyons (Blarney) 80 74, Mikie Grealy (Galway Bay) 78 76, Aodhagan Brady (Co Sligo) 75 79; 155 Cathal Penney (Athenry) 80 75, Seán McLoughlin (Co Sligo) 80 75, Peter Sheehan (Ballybunion) 78 77, Calum Ward (Carton House) 78 77, Julius Sommer (Zurich, SUI) 77 78, Sean Gallagher (Castleknock)) 77 78, Lucas Lyons (Limerick) 77 78; 156 Neil Patterson (Baltinglass) 81 75, Jack Doherty (Carton House) 80 76, Brian Thompson (Olympic Club, US) 80 76, Ciaran Gregan (Forrest Little) 79 77, Brian Doran (Millicent) 79 77, Lorcan O'Connor (Edmondstown) 78 78, Luke Furlong (Wexford) 78 78, Sean Murphy (Grange) 77 79; 157 David O'Malley (Black Bush) 85 72, Darren Kelleher (Blarney) 80 77, Robert Walsh (Douglas) 80 77, Greg O'Mahony (Fota Island) 77 80; 158 Luke O'Dwyer (Forrest Little) 83 75, Aaron McNulty (Lahinch) 80 78 159 Conor Dean (Dun Laoghaire) 80 79; 160 Sam Kelly (The Island) 79 81; 162 Cole Haygood (Heathrow) 83 79, Ryan Murray (Balmoral) 80 82 163 Dylan Harbourne (Grange) 81 82, Robert Galligan (Elm Park) 80 83, Eoin Rogers Killeen Castle 77 86.
Irish Independent
7 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Young Limerick parents overwhelmed as community raises thousands for newborn's surgery abroad
Baby Ronan, son of Leah Kelly and Daire Ó Conchúir from Creeves, was diagnosed with Bladder Exstrophy, a serious condition that will require multiple surgeries both now and in the years to come. As his family prepares for his main surgery in Manchester later this year, friends, family and neighbours are stepping up to help via a popular GoFundMe and local events. "We are reaching out as a club, a community and a family to support one of our own," said a spokesperson for the local soccer club. "As a newborn he has already shown incredible strength and resilience, but his journey is just beginning." Leah and Darragh, parents to two boys, are both beloved members of their local soccer club, Creeves Celtic FC, and now their teammates are aiming to return that dedication in kind. "Both Leah and Darragh are much loved members of our soccer club, dedicated players, teammates and friends. We want to show them that they are not alone," the club spokesperson added. Ronan's treatment will mean a prolonged stay in Manchester of six to eight weeks, placing a financial strain on his young family. "This GoFundMe has been set up to help ease the financial pressure they are under, covering travel to specialist hospitals, time off work and accommodation costs," the campaign statement reads. "Any donation, no matter the size, will be greatly appreciated. Every euro donated is a show of support for this young family and a step toward helping Baby Ronan get the care he needs and deserves.' Other efforts to help the family-of-four include a Shaveathon on Saturday, July 26 in Strand Bar Newcastle West. ADVERTISEMENT Brave volunteers will get their heads shaved or legs waxed in support of baby Ronan and supporters will enjoy a DJ set and raffle with 'amazing' spot prizes. On Sunday, August 3, Creeves Celtic FC are also hosting a special soccer fundraiser at the Thatch, Newbridge along with a raffle. 'We are inviting all our past and present men's and ladies players, as well as the wider soccer community to lace up your boots and join us for a great cause. Everyone is welcome, whether you are playing or cheering on from the sidelines,' said a spokesperson for the club.
