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Extra.ie
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Everything you need to know for the Open Championship 2025
The Open Championship returns to the island of Ireland this week, as for the second time in six years, Royal Portrush hosts golf's oldest major for its 153rd edition. It last hosted the major in 2019 in what was a historic moment in Irish sport. It was the first time since 1951 that the major was hosted on the island, and it was marked by a win from Shane Lowry, who set a course record on his way to winning his maiden Major. Xander Schauffele comes into this year's tournament as the reigning Champion Golfer of the Year after his triumph in Royal Troon last year. There's been a lot of anticipation heading into this week as it's the final major of the year and the final one before the Ryder Cup in September. 12 September 2023; An aerial view of the green on the 375 yard par 4 5th hole. Pic:Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile The 153rd Open Championship takes place from 6:30am on Thursday 17 July and runs until Sunday 20 July. Shane Lowry of Ireland during a media conference. Pic:Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile You can watch all four rounds of the tournament live on Sky Sports each day. There's an early start to coverage on both Thursday and Friday as they start at 6:30am meanwhile on Saturday coverage begins at 8am and 9am on Sunday. The honours of the opening tee shot of the tournament goes to Irishman and former two-time Open Champion Padraig Harrington. Harrington gets the festivities under way at 6:35am on Thursday. Defending champion Xander Schauffele gets underway just before 10am with Spain's Jon Rahm and 2025 US Open Champion JJ Spaun. Meanwhile the next group sees Shane Lowry tee off alongside pre-tournament bookies' favourite Scottie Scheffler and 2021 Open winner Collin Morikawa. Bryon DeChambeau is up in the afternoon with British hopefuls Robert MacIntyre and Justin Rose before Rory McIlroy gets his tournament underway after 3pm alongside Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Thomas. 06:35 Padraig Harrington (Ire), Nicolai Hojgaard (Den), Tom McKibbin (NI) 07:52 Darren Clarke (NI), Lucas Herbert (Aus), Davis Riley (USA) 09:58 Jon Rahm (Spa), Xander Schauffele (USA), JJ Spaun (USA) 10:09 Shane Lowry (Ire), Collin Morikawa (USA), Scottie Scheffler (USA) 14:48 Bryson DeChambeau (USA), Robert MacIntyre (Sco), Justin Rose (Eng) 14:59 Ludvig Aaberg (Swe), Viktor Hovland (Nor), Jordan Spieth (USA) 15:10 Tommy Fleetwood (Eng), Rory McIlroy (NI), Justin Thomas (USA)
Extra.ie
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
All the transport options Cork and Tipperary GAA fans for hurling final
All roads lead to Croke Park on Sunday as the hurling season reaches it climax in an all-Munster All Ireland final. Cork take on Tipperary after both teams advanced from their respective semi-finals last week, with the bid for train tickets almost as hot as the bid for All Ireland tickets. Usually tickets to GAA matches are sold via selected Centra and SuperValu stores as well as online via Ticketmaster, however for the final the tickets were handed to county boards across Ireland. Cork take on Tipperary after both teams advanced from their respective semi-finals last week, with the bid for train tickets almost as hot as the bid for All Ireland tickets. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile With train tickets already booked up for the day, many fans will be looking for alternative travel options for the big day. There is always the option to drive to the capital, however Irish Rail have confirmed to that they are currently working on adding further services for All Ireland final day. A spokesperson revealed that they last week added three extra trains each way between Cork and Dublin, and two extra each way for Tipperary supporters between Limerick Junction and Dublin which 'sold out within minutes.' With train tickets already booked up for the day, many fans will be looking for alternative travel options for the big day. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile They added: 'We are working on adding further services and hope to confirm these today or tomorrow. Again, we fully expect these to sell out straight away.' Those making the trip to Dublin via train are reminded that they need to pre-book tickets, and no tickets will be available at stations on the day. Travellers must travel on the train they have booked for 'particularly on the return leg.' 'No alcohol is permitted on any train service,' they said. Bus Éireann have confirmed a special Cork to Dublin service which will depart Cork Bus Station at 8am on Sunday morning, scheduled to arrive at 11am in Busáras on the day. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile The spokesperson added that pre-booking is 'also essential' for Saturday and Monday with train services from Cork and Tipperary busy on both days, and some already sold out. Bus Éireann have confirmed a special Cork to Dublin service which will depart Cork Bus Station at 8am on Sunday morning, scheduled to arrive at 11am in Busáras on the day. The return bus will depart Busáras at 8pm, scheduled to arrive at Cork Bus Station at 11pm on the night. have reached out to Bus Éireann to see if there will be an additional bus to cater to Tipperary fans. Other options for Cork fans include Big Green Bus which has a number of seats available across services on Sunday morning including 7.05am (arriving to Dublin for 11.25am) and 9.05am (arriving to Dublin for 1.25pm). There is one return bus from 8pm on Sunday that would get Cork supporters back to Andersons Quay in the city at quarter past midnight. The Aircoach from Cork to Dublin is booked early on Sunday morning, though there is limited capacity for the 9am service which arrives to Dublin for midday, similarly for the 11am service which arrives to Dublin at 2pm. The 10pm service back to Cork as limited capacity, while the bus leaving Dublin at midnight has still got seats for Cork fans. Tipperary fans seem to have less bus options, however one possibility is getting the Local Link from Tipperary to Cashel and getting the Bus Eireann bus from Cashel to Dublin. This does include a wait at Cashel of almost an hour and a half.
The Irish Sun
15 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
All-Ireland winner Niall Gilligan replies ‘not guilty' in court to charge of assault causing harm of boy, 12, with stick
A FORMER All Star and Clare All-Ireland winning hurler has pleaded "not guilty" to the assault causing harm of a boy with a stick in October 2023. Niall Gilligan, 48, replied "not guilty" when arraigned on two charges before a jury panel at 2 Niall Gilligan has pleaded not guilty to the assault causing harm of a boy with a stick in October 2023 Credit: Sportsfile - Subscription The ex- Dressed in a suit and tie, Mr Gilligan of Rossroe, Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge, also replied "not guilty" to producing a wooden stick capable of inflicting serious injury during the course of a dispute at the same location on the same date. This offence is contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act. Counsel for the State, Sarah Jane Comerford BL - instructed by State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey - told the jury panel that the alleged offences occurred at the Jamaica Inn hostel, Sixmilebridge on October 5 2023. Read more in GAA Ms Comerford said that Mr Gilligan is alleged to have assaulted the boy "and used a wooden stick during that assault". She said that it is anticipated that the trial will take four to five days and should finish by Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. Ms Comerford called out a list of civilian witnesses to give evidence and included the name of the alleged juvenile injured party on the list. She also listed the names of five witnesses who have compiled reports for the trial. Most read in the Irish Sun Ms Comerford also provided to the jury panel the names of 18 Garda witnesses due to give evidence. She said that the defence in the case has notified the State of the potential to call one defence witness during the trial - Martin Murphy, who resides at Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare. A jury of seven men and five women was then selected from a panel to serve on the jury. The selection process took just over 20 minutes as solicitor Daragh Hassett, for Mr Gilligan, and Ms Casey, for the State, each challenged potential jurors to serve. The maximum number of challenges is seven for each side. Judge Francis Comerford told the jury that the trial will commence on Wednesday morning and adjourned the case until then. 2 The ex-Clare GAA hurler is alleged to have assaulted the boy 'and used a wooden stick during that assault' Credit: Sportsfile - Subscription
Extra.ie
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Rory McIlroy ready to 'embrace' pressure of Open week
It's Open week and despite completing the career Grand Slam there's still a huge amount of pressure on Rory McIlroy. McIlroy comes to Royal Portrush off the back of a second place finish at the Scottish Open over the weekend, finishing two-shots behind winner Chris Gotterup at The Renaissance Club. McIlroy has kept up his impressive form this year by only missing out on a Top-20 finish twice since his Augusta win in April and comes into the 153rd Open Championship as second-favourite behind World Number 1 Scottie Scheffler. Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland during a practice round at Royal Portrush. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile This week also sees McIlroy return home to Northern Ireland as Royal Portrush hosts the Open Championship for just the third time ever. It brings quite a unique level of expectation for McIlroy, who broke the old course record at just 16-years old. However in his last Portrush appearance in 2019 McIlroy had a tournament to forget. He shot his first tee shot out of bounds and from there McIlroy's round never recovered. He finished that opening day +8 and was all but out of the tournament before it really got started. Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland finds his ball on the 1st hole during Day One of the 148th Open Championship at Royal Portrush. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile A second round 65 wasn't enough to salvage anything for Holywood's finest as he would miss the cut with long-time friend Shane Lowry going on to win his first and to-date only major title. McIlroy was in the midst of his over decade-long major drought and despite being one of the most talented golfers on the course, when it came to majors he always came up short or crumbled under pressure. Speaking after his practice round at Royal Portrush ahead of the 153rd Open Championship, McIlroy opened up about what was going through his head during that opening tee shot in 2019. Rory McIlroy acknowledges the crowd on the 18th back in the 2019 Open Championship. Pic: INPHO/Oisin Keniry 'I think I remember the ovation I got on the first tee on Thursday and not being prepared for it or not being ready for how I was going to feel or what I was going to feel.' McIlory said about the 2019 Open Championship. 'That walk to the first tee and that ovation – I was a little surprised and a little taken aback. I was like, 'These people really want me to win'. 'I think that brought its own sort of pressure and more internally from myself and not really wanting to let people down. I guess it's just something I didn't mentally prepare for that day or that week. Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland during a practice round. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile Now six years on and the Career Grand Slam completed, Rory McIlroy is ready to accept the pressure and not let it get to him. 'But I learned pretty quickly that one of my challenges, especially in a week like this, is controlling myself and controlling that battle. 'I think in '19 I probably tried to isolate and I think it's better for everyone if I embrace it. I think it's better for me because it's nice to be able to accept adulation, even though I struggle with it at times. Rory McIlroy. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile 'It just makes for a better interaction and not trying to hide away from it. I think it's more embracing everything that's going to come my way this week and not try to shy away from it or hide away from it and I think that'll make for a better experience for everyone involved.' McIlroy has clearly had a massive weight off his shoulders since his Masters win. He's a much more at peace golfer and with nothing left to prove he's free to play his best golf. With the form he's been in this year he's more than capable of winning another major and it would be extra special to do it on his home patch.
Scottish Sun
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Rory McIlroy reveals reason for struggles after Masters win as he targets victory in The Open at Portrush
IRONED THINGS OUT Rory McIlroy reveals reason for struggles after Masters win as he targets victory in The Open at Portrush Rory McIlroy feels he can scamper to a sixth Major triumph at the Open - after finally getting a break from the 'hamster wheel' of professional golf. McIlroy believes the reason it took him so long to recapture his competitive vibe after his Masters triumph was because he had no chance to enjoy his career-defining achievement. 1 Rory McIlroy is feeling more refreshed after his two-week golf break Credit: Sportsfile The USPGA and the US Open followed hard on the heels of Augusta, where McIlroy, 36, finally completed the career Grand Slam, after a Major drought lasting more than a decade. And he says it was only when he took two weeks off following last month's Travelers Championship that he was able to appreciate what he had achieved. He explained: 'Yeah, I think everyone could see over the last couple of months how I struggled with resetting my goals, after I've done something that I've told everyone that I wanted to do. 'I probably just didn't give myself enough time to let it all sink in. But that's the nature of professional golf. READ MORE IN GOLF 'believe what they want' Lowry gives prickly response to question about his drinking "They do a very good job of keeping you on the hamster wheel, and you feel like it's hard to get off at times. 'But it's been an amazing year. The fact that I'm here at Portrush with the green jacket, having completed that lifelong dream. 'Now I want to do my best this week to enjoy everything that comes my way and enjoy the reaction of the fans and enjoy being in front of them and playing in front of them. 'But at the same time, I want to win this golf tournament, and I feel like I'm very capable of doing that.' CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS McIlroy proved he is not ready to simply bask in the glory of becoming only the sixth player ever to win all four Majors as he launched himself into his Open preparations yesterday. He was still on the course at the Scottish Open until nearly 7pm on Sunday - and was back in action just 12 hours later to play his first practice round at Portrush. Rory McIlroy explains haircut at Scottish Open He added: 'We didn't get into the hotel here until around 1am, and I only had four hours sleep before it was time to get ready for my practice round. So I'm looking forward to taking a nap after this. 'The last couple of Majors, at the PGA and the US Open, the practice rounds took so long. And I feel like there are fifty people inside the ropes all the time. I feel like I just can't get good work done, good preparation. 'I didn't come up here ahead of time to try to get a couple of practice rounds in, and I've only played the two competitive rounds here at the 2019 Open since they made the changes to the course. 'So I just wanted to get out early, sort of beat the rush, beat the crowd, and do my work with not a lot of people around. "That was the reason that I was out so early today. It worked out well. I feel like I got a productive day of work in.'
