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BBC News
4 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Discipline was right on the edge' - Man of Match Beirne
Man of the match Tadhg Beirne, speaking to Sky Sports: "It was a proper Test match, the last quarter was a battle. Australia will take confidence from that going into next week."Discipline was right on the edge. That will be a big focus for us."We managed the game well but need to focus on discipline more."I loved it, some of the games leading up weren't my best. But I hopefully did the shirt justice." British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell was full of praise for flankers Tom Curry and Tadgh selections were questioned before the game because of their form on tour."Tom Curry and Tadgh Beirne were absolutely immense. Curry put in some shots defensively and Tadgh got the turnover very early doors. It didn't stop there," Farrell said."Conan's carrying was very much on the front foot. Those three guys I'm sure they'll be delighted with how they responded to being selected."Curry and Beirne are a man of their word and that's what they delivered."
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Irish Times
Shadowing a Lion: Dan Sheehan's dad on nerves, thrills and big decisions as he follows his son around Australia
Being a proud parent is a vicarious life mostly spent in the shadows of your offspring. Parents are no different from their children − striving to balance the basket of hope with the bucket of fear. Hoping that the dream of one of their own being selected for the ultimate accolade in rugby might come to pass, versus the constant terror of ever daring to say it out loud, mentioning it in passing or putting travel plans in place before Sky Sports have tortured your soul with a protracted squad announcement. Much like players, parents trot out the cliches to themselves and others: you can only plan and commit funds to the game that is immediately in front of you; to have booked flights, or even to have a mental map of how you might get more time off work than your annual leave, is to tempt the fate of injury and the ensuing cruel and very expensive disappointment of cancelling non-refundable travel plans. As you watch prices for travel and hotels rise you wonder when it might be safe to put the long considered what-if plans − that you were never comfortable having in the first place − into action. Have no doubt that there was a surge in parental bookings the day after the final league game for each of the players in the Lions squad. A trip like this is more complicated than a regular holiday. You need to explain to your better half that yes, it is in fact true that you are both intentionally leaving a potentially warm and pleasant Irish summer to visit the southern hemisphere during their winter. It takes more than one intervention for the penny to drop that we will be gone for a month, it will be cold and wet, we will be moving every three days, there won't be much beach action, and the luggage allowance is 15kg. READ MORE The baggage restrictions mean that there needs to be a selection meeting with the wardrobe. Akin to picking a playing squad there are always a few bankers who were always going to make the trip. Like the Tadhg Furlong -type shoe – may not have seen much action this year, could be a little heavier than one might want, but has a pedigree and history that can be relied upon. Other pieces have quite simply earned the right to travel, such as the Hugo Keenan of shirts, which covers more ground than others might think and is a proven last line of defence against unwanted breakouts. Confirmation of Dan Sheehan's selection for the Lions tour to Australia meant unspoken plans could start to be put into action. Photograph:Every traveller is surprised at the amount of one-cap wonders that were even considered for inclusion in the wider squad of clobber. They have been living for too long now in the back of the wardrobe and will need to be released upon return to the northern hemisphere. That said, a rather fine hat can be considered this tour's bolter. The travel to Australia is a bit of a dog. Not great, but its bark is worse than its bite. The only unplanned-for complication so far has been the impact on the body clock, which can be best described as a time bomb. Maybe it is the excitement and pride of joining a tour where you have some skin in the game that lulls you into feeling that you have beaten the jet lag. The device, however, has been hidden well inside and suddenly out of nowhere on day three it detonates. The catnapping kicks in and the beast needs to be confronted. Staring at the ceiling at 4am shows there is some work to be done yet. Canberra is a planned city that appears to have been located by dropping a pin on a map. It looks and feels like it has been designed and built by AI. Everything is logical and straight-lined. Canberra is also the homeplace of the Hansens. They met up before and after the game against the Brumbies to celebrate Mack representing the Lions. Mack's folks kindly invited some of the travelling Irish parents to join them for a prematch drink at the RUC club. Mack's jerseys, from his time playing with the Brumbies and with Ireland, are framed on the walls. Someone remembered to pack a cuddly toy. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho It was fantastic to see the pride and joy that Mack's achievements give to so many of his friends and family. It is a feeling that is shared across all the families who are lucky enough to have a player in this touring party. We met Mack's brother, uncles, aunts, cousins and friends. Star of the show is Grandmother Hansen, who at 94 is the boss of the lot. How nice for them to have it all come home to them rather than having to travel or watch it from afar. Adelaide feels to be what Canberra can hope to become. It comes across as historical and storied. The people are warm and welcoming. While crossing the street looking for a restaurant we were engaged by a local gentleman. In the space of one minute and 100 metres he gave us a review and recommendation for all the best restaurants in Adelaide. We won't go hungry here. The stadium in Adelaide is fantastic and achieves a beautiful balance between modernity and tradition. It is as close to the centre as the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Supporters flow in and throughout with ease. The stewards and staff are welcoming and helpful. Their Ask Me badges invite conversation and radiate warmth. The old cricket scoreboard dominates the backdrop. You can almost hear the crack of the ball on Don Bradman's bat. Dan Sheehan with parents Barry and Sinead in South Africa last year. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho Much like the playing squad, the team's shadows are slowly assembling. The shadows are an important part of any athlete's team. They are the last line of defence and the first line of support. They know what makes their star shine, or what causes it to slip out of its orbit from time to time. They watch closely, observing lots and speaking little. They look for the small things and note changes that others do not see. Their gaze lingers a little longer than others might after any type of meaningful contact during a game. They observe and decipher signs of stress or concern. They largely live on their nerves and their savings – it's an expensive and rewarding indulgence being a shadow. Some know each other well from years of hovering in the background. There have been lifelong journeys to get to this point. The path has not been straightforward. It is much closer to a rollercoaster than a motorway, all the way from underage rugby through to club and country and now this. What a treat for us all. There was an unofficial orientation day of sorts for the shadows at the Argentina game in Dublin , just as this voyage began. Shadows glanced at other shadows. Introductions were made and some phone numbers exchanged. The overwhelming tone of first conversations among the shadows are of pride and pinch-me-to-ensure-this-is-all-real. Only the very odd shadow ever expected when bringing their little lad to mini rugby that we might end up chasing them as Lions around Australia. Only a few shadows made the warm weather week in Perth. A few more appeared in Sydney, with another few additions in Canberra. Adelaide is serving as something of a rallying point for what will soon be a flotilla. We might need a bigger boat for what lies ahead ...
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
How to watch The Open 2025 in the UK: TV channel, live stream and times for first round
The Open is back on our screens for another year as the golf calendar reaches its pinnacle. The final major tournament of the season is upon us, with the sport's top players converging on Northern Ireland to battle it out for golf's oldest prize. The coveted Claret Jug is up for grabs at Royal Portrush, with play teeing off this morning and running through Sunday, July 20. Masters champion Rory McIlroy was narrowly edged out by Chris Gotterup at the Scottish Open last week, and the Northern Irishman is searching for a second Open title on home soil this time around. He previously won the tournament at the Royal Liverpool back in 2014. The reigning champion is Xander Schauffele, who won by two shots to defeat Justin Rose and Billy Horschel at the Royal Troon. Play gets underway on Thursday morning from 6:35am. with defending champion Schauffele teeing off at 9:58am alongside JJ Spaun, the US Open champion, and Jon Rahm, who is among the favourites for this year's competition. McIlroy goes off at 3:10pm along with Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood. You can view all the tee times and groupings for the first round here. How to watch The Open 2025 TV channel: In the UK, live coverage of The Open is provided by Sky Sports. The broadcasts begin at 6:30am BST on Thursday morning on both Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event. Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also watch the action live online via the Sky Go app. It's also available to stream via NOW.
The Independent
10-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Christian Horner gives emotional speech to Red Bull staff after shock sacking
Christian Horner delivered an emotional speech to Red Bull staff following his shock sacking. He appeared to break down in tears during his address to the team. The speech, captured by Sky Sports on Wednesday, saw Horner admit the news came as a surprise. He thanked the staff for their significant contributions over his 20-and-a-half years at Red Bull. Watch the video above.
The Independent
10-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Watch: Christian Horner gives emotional speech after Red Bull F1 sacking
Christian Horner appeared to break down in tears as he delivered an emotional speech to Red Bull staff following his shock sacking. Horner addressed his staff at a speech captured by Sky Sports on Wednesday (9 July). Admitting the news came as a shock to him, Horner said: 'What I have had time to do is reflect over the last 12 hours or so. And I wanted to stand in front of all of you and express my gratitude to each and every single member of the team that has given so much during the last 20-and-a-half years that I've been here.'
