Latest news with #TheChampionship
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Feargal Logan: Tyrone and Mayo must banish inconsistency tag
In a week where the Tyrone seniors accounted for Donegal and their U-20s added another All-Ireland title, there is certainly a feelgood factor within the county. So much so that many are taking about the Red Hand as genuine contenders to land Sam Maguire later in the summer. It's four years since Fergal Logan, along with Brian Dooher, guided Tyrone to the ultimate prize. Now observing affairs from a distance, Logan was pleased with the performance that saw off Donegal, but now hopes that that victory can act a springboard for Malachy O'Rourke's side to be just as efficient against similar opposition going forward. Next up is a home date with Mayo on Saturday evening. Reflecting on events at MacCumhail Park on RTÉ Radio 1's The Championship, he said: "It was an interesting night, a tight pitch in Ballybofey on a wet, damp night. "Tyrone had everything to play for and Donegal had come off an Ulster final. We need to balance that out and bring it on to our next performance, bring the consistency that we need. Possibly Tyrone and Mayo over the last number of years, and I'm not abdicating any responsibility here, have been too inconsistent for people's liking. We now need to get that consistency going." In casting an eye over what might transpire for the visit of the Connacht side, Logan, not surprisingly, feels there is greater pressure on Mayo to deliver following their Round 1 loss to Cavan. "There is less jeopardy for Tyrone because they won last weekend but the jeopardy is big for everyone who lost their first outing and on that basis it is a difficult one for Mayo," he added. "We're at home at O'Neill's Healy Park and that is a help. Mayo have been backs to the wall before, we've seen that, where they have produced performances when needed. Now, the ultimate question always remains about the real cutting edge up top. "There are a spread of scorers there. Aidan O'Shea is still hanging about and I don't care what anyone says, he is still a danger in and around the opposition forward line. It is fairly well balanced and it should be an intriguing evening. You would slightly edge it for Tyrone." What also gives the Stewartstown Harps clubman added hope is what Tyrone can produce up top, with Darren McCurry and Mark Bradley showing well of late. "We are blessed with some quality inside forwards and scorers and they are critical for every team. We have the U-20s coming up, young Noah Grimes and Eoin McElholm. Darren is still producing it and he's now a proud father and was super the last night."
Metro
3 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
Why Liam Delap snubbed Man Utd and signed for Chelsea
Chelsea are on the verge of signing Liam Delap from Ipswich Town after winning a hotly contested race to sign the striker ahead of Manchester United. The 22-year-old joined the Tractor Boys from Manchester City last summer in a £15m deal and although he was unable to save the Suffolk club from relegation, he enjoyed a reputation enhancing campaign. After scoring 12 goals in 42 appearances, Delap was never likely to drop into The Championship, especially given the £30m relegation clause in his contract. Chelsea, United and Newcastle were all in the hunt for the England Under-21 international but it is the Blues who have won the race. According to the BBC, qualification for the Champions League, which Chelsea secured following their win at Nottingham Forest on the final day of the season, proved decisive. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. United, who missed out on Europe altogether as a consequence of losing the Europa League final to Tottenham, must now look elsewhere to bolster their forward line. A deal to sign Mattheus Cunha from Wolves is in place while United could yet move for Viktor Gyokeres, particularly if Arsenal proceed with a deal to sign RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko. Chief executive Omar Berrada says United will balance 'ambition' with the need to be 'prudent' in the transfer. The Red Devils are looking to rebuild the side after their worst top-flight season since they were relegated in 1973-74. That damaging defeat meant United missed out on silverware and Champions League qualification, worth an estimated £100million, and the club have wasted little time trying to improve Ruben Amorim's side. Cunha's move looks set to be first through the door as Wolves granted them permission to schedule a medical for the Brazil international, having met his £62.5m release clause. It could start a busy summer in terms of incomings and outgoings at Old Trafford, with chief executive Berrada confident about United's plans. 'I can't talk about specifics, but I can say that we've been planning for many months now,' he told MUTV. 'We were ready for all the different scenarios, so now we know what we need to do. 'We have a very clear idea of where we need to invest in the squad to improve, so (technical director) Jason (Wilcox), his team, Ruben have been in talks for many months. 'Now it's a question of executing that plan and doing it in a way that is prudent but at the same time with ambition.' MORE: Real Madrid target surprise Arsenal star with contract talks 'not going well' MORE: Liverpool bank huge fee from Real Madrid to sell Trent Alexander-Arnold 29 days early MORE: Man Utd vs Hong Kong LIVE SCORE: Friendly latest and goal updates
Metro
3 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
Emmanuel Petit has one major concern over £30million Chelsea signing
Emmanuel Petit fears incoming Chelsea signing Liam Delap isn't the man to break the club's cursed striker position. Fresh from their successful end to the season, which culminated in Champions League qualification and a Conference League triumph, the Blues appear to be wasting little time in the transfer market. Chelsea are hoping for a quick resolution on the future of Jadon Sancho and are close to completing a deal for Delap after activating his £30million release clause. The 22-year-old scored 12 goals in 40 appearances for an Ipswich side that struggled badly last season and was relegated back to The Championship. Delap only joined the Tractor Boys in a £15m move from Manchester City but impressed with his finishing power and brute strength which unsettled many a top flight defender. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Chelsea are also said to be in the running to sign Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres as potential alternatives to Nicolas Jackson, and although Petit has been impressed by Delap he fears he would struggle to cope with being the main man at Stamford Bridge next season. 'Liam Delap has quality, I think he has done a great job at Ipswich, but it's a huge step,' he told PokerStrategy. 'He has a really bright future and I have respect for him, but going from Ipswich to Chelsea is huge in terms of expectation and pressure, that number nine position at Chelsea has been a curse for so many players. 'Chelsea need a striker who is going to score 25 goals a season, will Delap give you that? I'm not so sure.' Petit, however, is far more confident about the talents of another youngster, Andrey Santos, who ehannced his reputation last term while on loan at Strasbourg. It remains to be seen whether or not the Brazilian youngster will return to his parent club and become part of Enzo Maresca's first team squad next term and the uncertainty has alerted rival clubs, including Arsenal. 'Andrey Santos is having a great season at Strasbourg, so is Djorde Petrovic, they are having a great season as a team and it's been a big surprise,' he said. Like Brest in the season before, they are fighting for a Champions League spot and they have played beautiful football. Santos is a young player who has improved a lot since last season, he can do whatever he wants on the pitch. More Trending He can play as a central midfielder, a holding midfielder or elsewhere, he can do everything. He can score and assist and is a very talented player with a bright future ahead of him. I think he could be the answer for Chelsea in midfield with Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, I think he is the missing link. Romeo Lavia is a good player but he is still learning. I just think that Santos will fit in perfectly at Chelsea. MORE: Paul Ince questions 'pathetic' Man Utd under Ruben Amorim: 'Jury is still out' MORE: Amad Diallo urges Ruben Amorim to reconsider Manchester United transfer decision MORE: Liverpool star could block Marcus Rashford's 'dream' transfer move from Manchester United
RTÉ News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Relief in camogie community over skorts issue
Ursula Jacob believes that the camogie community can take a sigh of relief as the skorts situation appears to finally be resolved. The sport has been in the headlines for the past few weeks as player-power managed to turn the conversation in favour of freedom of choice for all involved. Postponements and protests throughout during that time, but now the actual action should be able to do the talking heading into the summer's All-Ireland championship. And the former Wexford star feels that the inter-county players will feel that a weight has been taken off their shoulders ahead of this weekend's games with Jacob's own county among the first with the opportunity to take to the competitive action in their preferred garments. "A huge amount of relief, it's a landmark day for camogie," said Jacob, speaking on this week's The Championship. "To be fair, it was the players who were the driving force behind it all over the last couple of weeks. "They built up a huge amount of support and momentum from the general public, and a huge positive from [the vote] was that it was such a resounding result, 98% in favour. "We have 94,000 playing members in the camogie association, that's a huge number of players, and it's brilliant to see that the choice option is now there." Listen to The Championship The four-time All-Ireland winner admitted that she was initially frustrated that the vote was taking so long, however, she does feel that the delay did actually allow thing to be done properly to gain an accurate account of how the players felt regarding the topic. "You could see that the delegates went back to the clubs and listened to the players' voices," she said. "That was the message the players were trying to get across over the last couple of weeks, 'listen to what the players are saying'. And thankfully the choice result got through. "I was wondering why there was a two-week delay," added Jacob. "I think they used the two weeks wisely, and for the most part they did, they carried out the surveys, and it was a true reflection and an accurate reflection as to where the players are at." Looking ahead to the championship action, Jacob believes the standard is continually improving and is urging people to go out and see the quality that is on show, without the background noise of the skorts controversy. "There are no distractions now, camogie has made the headlines for all the wrong reasons, but now it's making the headlines for the right reasons. "There are some top-class players out there, and it's now about exposing them to a wider audience. The game is in a really good place and the standard is getting higher every year."
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sports journalist faces questions and inspires pupils at Darlington school
ONE of the region's most experienced sports journalist has inspired pupils during a question-and-answer session at a North East school. Scott Wilson, Chief Sports Writer at The Northern Echo for more than 20 years, was guest of honour at Polam Hall School, in Darlington, answering questions about his career. The visit came the morning after Scott had covered Sunderland's last-gasp victory over Coventry to secure a place in The Championship play-off final against Sheffield United at Wembley. Scott, a former pupil at Wolsingham School, talked about how he turned his passion for sport into a fulfilling career which has taken him around the world. His highlights included covering the London Olympics, England in two successive European Championships finals, The Lionesses victory in the Euros in 2022, and Newcastle United's recent triumph in the Carabao Cup at Wembley. Asked to name the most famous person he has ever interviewed, Scott cited Nelson Mandela when he was working as a news journalist early in his career. As a sports journalist, he nominated David Beckham. Recommended reading: Police boss calls for tougher drug drive laws after Range Rover owner walked free Former school building in County Durham village set to be knocked down Darlington hair salon forced to pay ex-staff member £2k after docking pay Scott also talked about career paths in journalism, the qualities needed in the profession, and the rapidly changing face of the industry during the digital age. Craig Wilkinson, Head of Sport and Technology at Polam Hall School, said: 'We can't thank Scott enough for coming in, especially after such a busy night covering Sunderland getting to Wembley! I have no doubt that our pupils went away feeling inspired.' Scott said: 'I thoroughly enjoyed the visit to Polam Hall. There were some really great questions, so I wouldn't be surprised if there were some future journalists in the audience.'
