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BreakingNews.ie
3 days ago
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Stuart Lancaster appointed head coach of Connacht
Stuart Lancaster has been announced as the new head coach of Connacht. Lancaster takes over from Pete Wilkins, who left the province in April, and will take over from the start of next season, having signed a two-year contract. Advertisement Lancaster most recently served as Head Coach of Racing 92 in France, and before then enjoyed a hugely successful seven-year spell as Senior Coach of Leinster. He helped lead Leinster to four consecutive PRO14 titles and four Champions Cup finals, including victory in the 2018 decider. As Head Coach, Lancaster will also have responsibility for defence, thereby completing next season's coaching team. Joining him will be new attack coach Rod Seib, scrum & contact coach Cullie Tucker, and lineout & maul coach John Muldoon. Commenting on today's announcement, Stuart Lancaster says: 'I'm hugely excited to be joining Connacht Rugby and begin this new chapter of my life in the West of Ireland with my wife Nina. Connacht is a club with a proud identity, a passionate supporter base, and enormous potential both on and off the field, so I'm honoured and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead the Professional Men's team programme. Advertisement "I'm a firm believer in creating an environment that enables players to thrive and realise their potential, while playing a brand of rugby that inspires the community of which they represent. "Ever since my initial conversations with Willie, David and the rest of the selection committee, it's clear that same belief exists here in Connacht, and that's why I'm so excited by this opportunity. "There's also the fantastic new facilities here at the new High-Performance Centre and Dexcom Stadium, which will further enable us to realise those goals. "I'm looking forward to working closely with all of the staff and players, and I can't wait to get to know the supporters and wider community over the coming weeks and months.'
Irish Times
3 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
Stuart Lancaster announced as new Connacht head coach
Connacht Rugby has confirmed Staurt Lancaster as the province's new head coach. Lancaster has signed a two-year deal with the western province and arrives in Connacht following a seven-year stint as senior coach with Leinster before becoming head coach of French side Racing 92. Before his time with Leinster, Lancaster was England head coach for four Six Nations campaigns and their home Rugby World Cup in 2015. Lancaster's appointment comes after Pete Wilkins stepped down as Connacht head coach in April. READ MORE Lancaster will also take charge of Connacht's defence, with Rod Seib (attack), Cullie Tucker (scrum & contact) and John Muldoon (lineout & maul) rounding out the province's coaching ticket. 'I'm hugely excited to be joining Connacht Rugby and begin this new chapter of my life in the West of Ireland with my wife Nina,' Lancaster said in a statement released by the province on Tuesday morning. 'Connacht is a club with a proud identity, a passionate supporter base, and enormous potential both on and off the field, so I'm honoured and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead the Professional Men's team programme. 'I'm a firm believer in creating an environment that enables players to thrive and realise their potential, while playing a brand of rugby that inspires the community of which they represent. 'Ever since my initial conversations with Willie (Ruane, Connacht Rugby CEO), David (Humphreys, IRFU performance director) and the rest of the selection committee, it's clear that same belief exists here in Connacht, and that's why I'm so excited by this opportunity.' He added: 'I'm looking forward to working closely with all of the staff and players, and I can't wait to get to know the supporters and wider community over the coming weeks and months.'
Irish Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Possible bus and rail infrastructure for Shannon Airport raised with Government
The Government has been asked to consider a 'high speed bus network' for the Shannon catchment area as part of a strategy to wrest aircraft traffic from Dublin Airport . In a letter outlining the need for a fundamental rethink of aviation policy across the island, Shannon Airport Group chief executive Mary Considine also argued the west of Ireland terminal would probably see a rail link before the capital. In a 'Seven Supporting Arguments' document presented by Ms Considine at the outset of the new Dáil, she said that the impasse around Dublin's 32 million annual passenger cap had become a distraction from a broader debate on regional expansion and sustainability. 'One assumption that should be challenged is that Ireland has an aviation and airports policy that is fit-for-purpose. We do not,' she wrote in a letter seeking a significant reassessment as part of the programme for government. READ MORE [ Transport Minister hopes legislation can resolve Dublin passenger cap Opens in new window ] [ TD calls for changes to boost regional services Opens in new window ] 'Whatever the future holds, a planning decision on the Dublin [Airport passenger] cap is at least two years away. There is a better chance there will be a rail connection to Shannon before one arrives at Dublin Airport.' Minister of Transport Darragh O'Brien has been holding a series of stakeholder meetings in recent weeks as the Government prepares to renew its ten year National Aviation Policy , with a draft anticipated in early 2026. This has opened the door for critics of the Dublin Airport cap of 32 million passengers a year and, simultaneously, those who would have it upheld , to argue their position. DAA, which runs Dublin and Cork airports, has been fighting to have the curtailment extended by way of a slow-moving planning process. 'I've entrepreneurial spirit in my veins' – Apprentice star Jordan Dargan Listen | 44:45 A separate regional airports programme running from 2026 to 2030 is also under development and is expected later this year. A Department of Transport spokesman said that following the latter's completion and to 'support growth in connectivity and strategic route development to and from the regions, the department will be engaging with the market to consider the potential for the development of an exchequer-funded start-up aid scheme to support new routes'. How this would work in practice is not yet known, but it would likely be a welcome signal of intent from a Government that has also committed to ending the Dublin cap. In her submission to the new Government last January, a copy of which was obtained under Freedom of Information, Ms Considine argued for sustainable growth across all State airports and an approach that 'fully utilises capacity in the regions' and to reduce 'overreliance' on Dublin which accommodates about 86 per cent of traffic. 'Public policy needs to align with where passengers want to go, what economic development, including regional development, requires in future, how decarbonisation is best achieved, and where there is substantial additional capacity now,' Ms Considine wrote. She said an immediately available additional capacity for five million annual passengers between the south (Cork) and west (Shannon) was being 'ignored' even though 40 per cent of passengers wish to travel to the regions. Given an exponential growth in air traffic, she argued, leaning on one airport 'creates a single point of risk that is reckless'. She also raised the threat to national security of cyberattacks and sabotage. 'Prudence and safety require that we avoid almost complete reliance on one State airport for connectivity, with the consequent logistical and reputational issues that would arise were our air traffic to be virtually grounded.' The document suggested the Government consider the London model where Gatwick, Stansted and Luton airports alleviate pressure on Heathrow. Flying from Shannon instead of Dublin, it said, results in a 4.6kg reduction on road based CO₂ emissions per passenger.
Irish Independent
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Matt McClean five strokes off lead and heading Irish challenge at Lytham Trophy
The Malone international (31) carded a one-over 71 to share 17th place, just five strokes behind England's Jackson Garnett, whose 66 gave him a one-shot lead over Wales' Matt Roberts and Italy's Michele Ferrero. Connemara's Luke O'Neill and Edmondstown's Thomas Abom were 25th after 72s while Dundalk's Caolan Rafferty shot 73 to share 41st with Royal Dublin's Jack McDonnell and Athenry's David Kitt, who had a hole-in-one at the ninth. The top 40 and ties after today's second round make the cut for tomorrow's final 36 holes. Co Sligo's Aodhagan Brady and Warrenpoint's Colm Campbell shot 74, Grange's Jake Whelan a 75 and Edmondstown's Liam Abom and Charleville's Jordan Boles a brace of 76s to give themselves a chance . However, Roscommon's Simon Walker and Millicent's Brian Doran likely have too much to do after respective rounds of 82 and 84. Meanwhile, Castleknock's Paul Coughlan will defend his title in the C20 Group Munster Men's Stroke Play Amateur Open at Cork Golf Club today. Coughlan captured his first championship crown last season and will look to draw on that experience this weekend. 'That was my first championship one. I had a couple of runners-up and near misses as well,' Coughlan said. 'It was nice to get one over the line.' A 75-strong field, which includes newly crowned West of Ireland champion Dylan Holmes (18) from Greystones, will play 36 holes today with the top 30 and ties qualifying for tomorrow's final two rounds.
The Irish Sun
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Shane Lowry aims playful three-word dig at Rory McIlroy after hilarious blunder during Zurich Classic defence
SHANE LOWRY aimed a playful three-word dig at Rory McIlroy following their opening round at the Zurich Classic. The Masters champion reunited with Lowry as they sought to defend their title in New Orleans. 1 Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Shane Lowry of Ireland celebrate after a chip shot by Lowry on the tenth green on day one of the Zurich Classic Credit: Getty Images - Getty There were some occasional coordination issues between the two Irishman when they went for a high-five after a chip shot on the tenth. That attempt went hilariously wrong when Sharing images of the exchange, the Offaly man said: "Needs some work @McIlroyRory 😂☘️" The Augusta champ and Lowry got off to a good start with an eight-under 64 in the team event. Read More on Rory McIlroy Rasmus and It is McIlroy's first competition since getting his hands on the green jacket following an enthralling play-off victory over Justin Rose at Augusta. Despite what's surely been a in the US as well as closer to home, McIlroy is in New Orleans. The five-time major winner ignited his 2024 season by Most read in Golf Their success was as much memorable for McIlroy celebrating it But it was his Offaly pal who stole the show at Wednesday's pre-event press conference when he referenced watching through his fingers like fans all over Ireland did as McIlroy eventually got over the line at The Masters. Teenager Dylan Holmes left stunned in interview as he emulates idol Rory McIlroy with shock West of Ireland win in Sligo With the latter beside him, Lowry at one point recalled: "I said to my caddie on the 15th hole at Augusta - obviously I was finished up by then - so I was watching the leaderboard. "You'd made double-bogey on 13 and I said to Darren (Reynolds) 'No matter what happens over the next few holes I think we're going to do well to get him to New Orleans!' "If things hadn't gone his way I don't think he'd have wanted to be here. "And I thought if things did go his way he might want to be somewhere else. But I'm happy he's here." Rory, 35, then added: "I remember that was one of the things Shane said to me that night. "Y'know about whether I still wanted to play New Orleans. "And I said absolutely because we're defending a title, we'd so much fun here last year. "So it was important for me to honour that commitment."
