Latest news with #Corkonian
The Irish Sun
09-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
RTE's Jacqui Hurley steps up prep to compete in World Championships as she battles ‘Cork's finest'
JACQUI Hurley was playing as well as analysing top-level sport over the course of the weekend. As usual she chaired The Sunday Game. That included a Advertisement 2 She also took part in a basketball training session in Killarney, County Kerry Credit: @jacquihurley 2 Jacqui wasn't the only Cork woman in attendance Credit: @jacquihurley But in addition to that she squeezed in a training session with her basketball team. The Dublin-based club headed down to Kerry where they were joined by another Corkonian who the 41-year-old was quick to hail. Jacqui said of Irish team captain Edel Thornton: "Great to catch up with Cork's finest!" Jacqui herself will also be Advertisement Read More On Irish Sport She announced the exciting news in May when she was named among the Irish Over-40s women's side. Reposting Basketball Ireland's Instagram story announcing the five squads that are bound for Switzerland, she added: "Long time since I played for Ireland, such a privilege to be able to do it again this summer. "Looking forward to making more memories with a phenomenal group of women." Earlier this year Hurley Advertisement Most Read In The Irish Sun That's especially impressive considering she also still plays ladies football She reflected: "I turned 41 very recently and I reckon the football will have to go. I'll move into a coaching role in that respect. RTE pundit Cummins doesn't mince words when asked if he feels penalty shoot-out was right way to settle Munster final "But the basketball is something I'd like to play into my 50s. "There are so many former Irish internationals that I've known down the years, and they are still playing. Advertisement "I'd love to play on an Irish Masters team and travel with them. Someday, hopefully." As if that wasn't enough of a packed playing CV with which to boast of, she also played camogie for Cork in her 20s. In that same interview she delved into how she has to be mindful of her natural biases when covering Gaelic Games. She laughed: "Ah no, when Cork was playing in the All-Ireland hurling final last year, I was sitting beside Anthony Daly and we almost had to be separated. Advertisement "We did have great craic, but I'm emotionally invested in the GAA, and it can be very hard to detach myself. "But you must keep bias separate. When the Cork camogie team won down the years – I would have played with a lot of them. "But you must keep your emotions in check on air, because you're a broadcaster and journalist first and foremost and have a job to do."
Irish Daily Mirror
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
'He punched me' – Roy Keane admits manager he 'loved' took a swing for him
Brian Clough may have punched Roy Keane in the chest after the ex-Ireland captain made a mistake that resulted in an FA Cup clash being replayed, but Keane still "loved" the iconic manager. Keane, 53, is best known for his fiery performances at Manchester United, but many say Clough was the one who moulded him into the player he became. The legendary Nottingham Forest manager was known for his unpredictable behaviour and temper, particularly in the dressing room. Keane joined Forest in 1990 from Cobh Ramblers and went on to become one of the most sought-after young midfielders. Much of his development was down to many hard lessons he learned under Clough. One of those ended with the legendary manager punching him, after a mistake from Keane led to Forest drawing to Crystal Palace at the City Ground in an FA Cup third-round replay in 1991. Offering an insight into Clough's man-management during a recent appearance on the Stick to Football podcast, Keane said: "He (Clough) played mind games sometimes. "If you got beaten, you'd think he's going to go after you and then he'd go the other way and go, 'Have a few days off.' If you'd won a few, you'd be going, 'Listen, (I think we'll be getting) a couple of days off' and he'd be like, 'No, you're all in tomorrow.' He'd definitely be playing mind games.' Keane then turned to ex-Forest goalkeeper Mark Crossley, who was widely known as 'Big Norm' at the time, and said: "We (had) the incident with me, you and the Crystal Palace goal where he punched me after the game. He'd give me days off and he'd be brilliant.' Disaster struck for Keane when his short back-pass to Crossley led to the keeper scuffing the ball to Palace ace John Salako, who looked up and lobbed Crossley in the final moment of the game. The game finished 2-2 after extra-time and Clough was furious, as Forest had already drawn 0-0 with Palace in their first FA Cup meeting. As there were no penalty shootouts in the FA Cup at the time, a second replay had to be scheduled, leaving Clough furious. While Crossley admitted he should have done better with his clearance, Clough did not see it that way. The Corkonian midfielder said: "I'm looking and it was honestly like slow motion. You know about not upsetting the manager because we all loved Brian Clough. He gave us a chance like Norm did for me. "I remember John Salako got it and I'm looking at Norm running back. John Salako, what would he have been? Forty-five yards out? (I thought) 'Norm get back. He's f***ing not getting there'. I swear, as soon as I heard it hit the net... "He (Clough) blamed me for the back pass and it was the cup game. So then we went to a replay and he wanted the game done and dusted there. I think it ended up going to, three replays or something. "So he had the thought of having a free weekend and was going, 'Now I've got to go to London, all the way to London to play Palace in the cup game that we hadn't won.' So he blamed me after the match.' Turning to Crossley, Keane said: "I don't think you said much after the game. You just let me take the wrap for it. He (Clough) just punched me in the chest.' Keane made 148 appearances for Forest between 1990 and 1993. He would eventually leave the City Ground to move to United, in a deal worth €4.45million, which was a British record at the time.
Sunday World
04-06-2025
- General
- Sunday World
Ireland's first autism-friendly swim classes a dream come true for my son, says mum
Watching Jayden's confidence grow in the water has been a dream come true for Elizabeth and her husband, Ian Four-year-old Jayden was always a water lover but like so many children, the adorable Corkonian didn't understand the dangers it posed. 'If we were at the beach, he'd literally run straight into the water and have no concept that it's up above his mouth,' explains mum Elizabeth O'Connor. 'He literally had no concept of danger.' Since joining Ireland's first autism-friendly swim classes at Turtle Tots, Jayden has come out of his shell in more ways than one — finding joy, confidence, and a safe space to be himself. Speaking of the lifeline that the classes provide, the adoring mum explains: 'He's not quite very high needs, but he's not no needs either. So he's kind of an in-betweener... If he was in a mainstream class, he'd fall behind, he'd get lost.' Speaking of Jayden's additional needs, Elizabeth adds: 'He struggles with his emotional regulation. He could go into a full blown meltdown over something small and it would be the end of the world to him.' That's why the flexible, child-led approach at Turtle Tots stood out. 'What I really loved was that not every child is expected to do the same thing. They work with what your child needs, not against it,' she says. 'Jayden wasn't pushed. He could go at his own pace.' Watching Jayden's confidence grow in the water has been a dream come true for the young mum and her husband, Ian, who brings Jayden to his weekly sessions. Jayden with Elizabeth, Ian and his brother Harry 'He can actually swim now. He can swim with his head under the water... We have to remind him to come up for air,' she laughs. 'He can also float completely. So at least I know if he does end up in water, he can float. That is such a huge relief for us. 'Every time the renewal comes up, we just renew it — there's no question about it. The main thing is that he enjoys it, that it's not something that's being forced on him. He actually wants to do it.' Accessing support and therapies for children with autism in Ireland is notoriously difficult. Long waiting lists, limited resources and patchy access to specialised care leave many families feeling overwhelmed and isolated. Receiving Jayden's autism diagnosis when he was just three years old, the mum-of-two says inclusivity and access to resources has never been more important. 'He always tries to include everyone... even when he's doing the swimming, he's like, 'Why aren't they getting in the pool?'' 'He's only four, but he knows what it feels like to be not included. So he always tries his best to include kids. 'He's crazy, but he's very caring. He loves making friends. He'll always say, 'I love you, mom,' just out of nowhere. And obviously for a kid with autism, that's huge. Sometimes children with autism are not very aware of other people's emotions. So he's fantastic. He really is.' Jayden and his dad Ian love their weekly classes News in 90 June 4th Now looking forward to attending big school in September, Elizabeth says she has never been prouder of her beautiful boy who loves nothing more than doting on his younger brother, 10-month-old Harry. 'I just think these classes, obviously when he's so young as well, make a huge impact as opposed to if he was older and trying to get him into something. It's just become part of his routine now and he is thriving. 'After coming on from all these groups... if he wasn't in them, he'd still be back where he was.' Speaking to parents who also have children on the spectrum, Elizabeth says there's also a sense of camaraderie and community in the classes. 'It's actually even good for the parents because we're all in the same boat. 'If the session is a half an hour and your child is only in the water for five minutes, that's a huge win.' Alan Reinhardt, founder of Turtle Tots, explains the thoughtful structure behind their autism-friendly programme: 'Our classes are small and consistent. We start and finish each session the same way to create routine, and we give children the time they need, with no pressure. 'We do demos as visuals to explain the activities with more emphasis than in our mainstream classes and after recent studies we're starting to implement visual schedules, which includes photos and images of the activities, visual supports also supplement verbal instructions. 'We adapt everything based on the child, not the other way around,' Alan says. With specially trained teachers and an Autism Programme Mentor supporting them, Turtle Tots is expanding their ASD classes across Cork, Dublin, and beyond, into Wicklow, Wexford, Kerry, Mayo, and more. And for families who may be navigating an autism diagnosis, Elizabeth has the following advice: 'Even if somebody else has it a million times worse than you, what you are dealing with your child is so valid. 'It's also important to remember that your child is happy in their world. What our expectation of happy is different to their expectation of happy. It takes the time to get used to that. 'And it goes without saying that people should always approach a situation with kindness. If you see a child having a meltdown, don't stare — just smile. Something as simple as that can really help, 'I'm not just [talking about] a child on the spectrum. I mean any child.'
The Irish Sun
03-06-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Saoirse Noonan scores winner but Ireland miss out on Nations League promotion despite victory over Slovenia in Cork
LOCAL HERO Saoirse Noonan scored a historic winner — but Ireland could not turn utter dominance into the goals they needed as they fell well short of the four-plus victory required for Nations League promotion. Advertisement 2 Saoirse Noonan scored as Ireland beat Slovenia Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 2 Slovenia were promoted to League A while Ireland settle for an October play-off Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile The ex-Rebels star's headed goal came from an early Jessie Stapleton cross as It maintained their winning record at the home of Ireland will now face a third-placed team from League A in a two-legged promotion/relegation play-off in October. Win the play-off and Ireland would also gain a guaranteed play-off spot for the 2027 Advertisement Read More on Ireland WNT But a yellow card for Anna Patten in a late sideline bust-up with Kaja Erzen will see her suspended for the first leg. Tuesday night's game also provided a tearful send-off for retiring Louise Quinn, who came on late for her 122nd cap in her Carla Ward made four changes from the Alongside Noonan, Istanbul match-winner Emily Murphy came into the midfield and put in a standout performance. Kyra Carusa and Caitlin Hayes were also called upon. Advertisement Most read in Football Exclusive The Starting against a strong wind, Ireland were determined to lay down a marker and poured down the flanks to force three corners inside five minutes. They won the headers from all three deliveries, too. 'You can't make this up' - Irish fans in stitches at Ruesha Littlejohn's playful prank upon Katie McCabe's camp arrival Noonan came closest but Zara Kramzar took her header off the line. Patten could not do any better with her two efforts. Abbie Larkin switched to the left flank for this game and she dribbled past two defenders for the next chance but Zala Mersnik gobbled up her edge-of-the-box strike . Advertisement The overlapping Murphy retrieved the second ball and rolled it back for Stapleton, whose deep cross was perfectly weighted for Noonan to redirect over the keeper, with the former star wheeling away to celebrate her second international goal with her home-town fans. Carusa scuffed a couple of chances wide in the aftermath, Murphy fired a shot into Mersnik's arms and another Corkonian, Megan Connolly, saw a drilled attempt blocked by Sara Agrez, with Patten unable to turn the ricocheting ball goalward. A frustrated Kolman was booked but his side did carve out one major opening before half-time. However, Courtney Brosnan beat away Lara Prasnikar's stinging shot. Advertisement Kolman detailed his players to get closer to Ireland around the middle as they began to contain the hosts in the second half, while Brosnan had to make a routine save from Maja Sternad. At the other end, Stapleton and Patten went for the same ball to spoil one chance. Then Connolly fired over from the 18-yard line. Murphy drove just over the bar from a tight angle before another good cross followed from Connolly's free-kick. However, Hayes glanced her header off target . Then Murphy got in around the side again to shoot, only for Mersnik to parry around the post. Advertisement Mersnik also had to deal with a couple of Megan Campbell throw-in missiles but she did so successfully as hopes of Ireland adding three further goals faded away. SUN STAR PLAYER Emily Murphy (Ireland) Advertisement IRELAND : Brosnan 7; Stapleton 7 (Campbell 62, 6), Patten 7, Hayes 7, McCabe 7; Larkin 7 (Louise Quinn 80, 6), O'Sullivan 7, Connolly 7, Carusa 7 (Sheva 80, 6), Murphy 8; Noonan 8 (Barrett 62, 6). SLOVENIA : Mersnik 7; Conc 6, Golob 6, Agrez 7; Kolbl 7, Makovec 6, Korosec 7, Prasnikar 7 (Janez 90, 6), Erzen 6; Sternad 6 (Kajzba 68, 6), Kramzar 6 (Zver 87, 6). REFEREE : M Bockova (Slovakia) 6.
Irish Independent
03-06-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
‘It was a bit surreal' – Saoirse Noonan on dream goal in history-making appearance for Ireland at Páirc Ui Chaoimh
Saoirse Noonan said it was a 'surreal' feeling after the Corkonian became the first person to play inter-county football and international soccer at Páirc Uí Chaoimh before scoring Ireland's only goal in her first competitive start.
