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Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Sarah Healy clocks 1,500m personal best in stunning second-place finish in Paris Diamond League
Sarah Healy produced another stellar performance to break her personal best and finish second over 1,500m at the Paris Diamond League, the Dubliner clocking 3:57.02.
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Sarah Healy breaks personal best to finish second in Paris Diamond League
Sarah Healy produced another stellar performance to break her personal best and finish second over 1500m at the Paris Diamond League on Friday night, the Dubliner clocking 3:57.02. Healy's previous best was the 3:57.46 she ran at the same meeting in Paris last July, but having finished seventh in that race, this marked another step forward in what has been a superb year to date. The race was won by Kenya's Nelly Chepchirchir in 3:57.02, with Birke Haylom of Ethiopia finishing third in 3:57.50 and Georgia Hunter Bell, the Olympic bronze medallist and a training partner of Healy's in Manchester, sixth in 3:58.06. The race was a messy one, with 17 athletes bunching over the opening laps as 800m was reached in a swift 2:05. Healy played a patient game and then coasted into contention for victory on the back straight, unleashing a strong finish on the inside to move into second in the closing metres. Having won European Indoor gold over 3000m in March, Healy has been in sparkling form through the early part of the outdoor season, finishing third at the Rabat Diamond League over 3000m and taking victory in Rome over 1500m. As the second fastest Irishwoman in history at 1500m, she will likely have Ciara Mageean's national record of 3:55.87 in her sights later in the summer. Elsewhere, Mark English produced the second fastest time of his career to again dip under 1:44 in the 800m, the 32-year-old Donegal man clocking 1:43.98 to finish sixth in a loaded field. With 13 men on the track, it was crowded at the break from lanes and English wisely chose to stay out of trouble and run at the back as the leaders passed 400m in a rapid 49.15 seconds. He began to creep through the field on the second lap, navigating heavy traffic, and turned in a typically strong last 100m to claw his way up to sixth place. The race was won by Spain's Mohamed Attaoui in 1:42.73, with English's occasional training partner Josh Hoey of the US second in 1:43.00. After winning his fifth European medal in Apeldoorn back in March, English came into the outdoor season in the form of his life, his run in Paris being his fifth time under 1:45 in the past four weeks. He will race in Ostrava, Czechia next Tuesday and then complete a spell of altitude training ahead of the London Diamond League on 19 July. English has broken his own Irish outdoor 800m record twice already this season, becoming the first Irishman to go under 1:44 when clocking 1:43.92 in Hengelo last week. He finished seventh at the Oslo Diamond League three days later and while the depth in the men's 800m is better than ever, he's hopeful this might be the year to reach his first global final. 'There's a faster time in me,' he said.
Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Michael Noonan's brilliant double helps leaders Shamrock Rovers to comfortable win over bottom side Cork City
That gap now stands at 11 points following an utterly dominant display against the rock bottom Leesiders, who proved no match for a Rovers side who are in frightening form having made it eight wins from their last nine here. Rovers were ruthless, racing into a three-goal lead inside the opening half hour with 16-year-old Michael Noonan bagging a brace in between Roberto Lopes' bullet header, as Rory Gaffney added the fourth shortly after the restart to copper-fasten the three points. A consolation from Cork's Alex Nolan proved too little too late for Ger Nash's visitors, who suffered the same scoreline as their last trip to Tallaght in April. Presumably with one eye on Monday's trip to Dalymount Park, Bradley opted for six changes as Cork native Josh Honohan, Aaron Greene and Graham Burke dropped to the bench while trio Darragh Nugent, Matt Healy and Lee Grace were rested entirely. The Hoops boss was in turn able to bring in Noonan, Gaffney, Dan Cleary, Danny Mandroiu, Danny Grant and John O'Sullivan, such depth in a squad that it's almost scary. It took only six minutes for the hosts to take the lead in front of the 4,355-strong crowd. A fine through ball from ex-Ireland U-21 cap Mandroiu put Noonan through inside the box. The teenager still had a lot of work to do through with Cork pair Darragh Crowley and Freddie Anderson hot on his heels, but the Dubliner cleverly skipped past both of them, cut back inside and snuck his shot underneath Tein Troost. The Cork 'keeper may feel he should have done better to keep the tame effort out, but the hosts didn't care Noonan's sixth goal of the year put Rovers in the driving seat early on. Nash's charges came back soon after as some nice link up play between Malik Dijksteel and Djenairo Daniels saw the latter force a good save out of Hoops number one Ed McGinty, but that was as good as it got for the visitors in a opening half to forget. It wasn't long before Bradley's men stepped it up another gear and on 26 minutes, they had their second. Dylan Watts stepped up to take a free-kick from the left-hand side and put it on a plate for Lopes, as the captain's bullet header gave Troost no chance. It was the Cape Verde defender's second goal of the season, and first since the sides last met in Tallaght, another 4-1 triumph for the Hoops. But barely 180 seconds later, it went from bad to worse for the visitors and their travelling fans. Full-back Trevor Clarke, on just his second start of the season, slotted Noonan through on goal on the left flank, after the forward made a superb run from deep. The Ireland U-19 striker kept his cool and dinked it past Troost for his fifth goal in his last six appearances. On the stroke of half-time, Milan Mbeng's cross almost saw Daniels convert at the back post but the former Dutch underage cap was too late to convert at the back post. If the first half was one to forget for Cork City, then the second began in the same fashion as just four minutes after the restart, the hosts had their fourth. It was all of Cork's own making, as a loose pass allowed Mandroiu to pick up the ball and release Gaffney with a textbook through ball. The Galway man charged forward and picked his spot, slotting it low to Troost's left for his fifth of the season. Rovers were cruising. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Recent Ireland U-21 debutant Cathal O'Sullivan, who is being closely tracked by Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest and is expected to depart Turner's Cross this summer, saw a good effort saved by McGinty, who had been a bystander for the majority up to the hour mark. Cleary saw his header sail inches wide moments later, before substitute Nolan pulled back a consolation back on 69 minutes after a fine through ball from Greg Bolger. Having been reduced to silence for much of the night, at least the travelling support had something to shout about, but it was far too little, too late. The contest had been settled long before. All eyes turn towards Monday to see if Bradley's men can extend that lead out to 14 points with a win at Bohs. Andy Farrell's Lions may have kicked off their 2025 campaign in Dublin 4, but in Dublin 24, this 2025 title race took its latest step towards an increasingly likely ending. Shamrock Rovers: McGinty; Cleary, Lopes (Honohan 46), C O'Sullivan; Clarke (Kovalevskis 46), Watts (O'Neill 53), J O'Sullivan, Grant (McEneff 73); Mandroiu (Barrett 53); Noonan, Gaffney. Cork City: Troost; Mbeng (Nevin 61), Anderson, Nelson (Lyons 46), Crowley; O'Sullivan (Nolan 65), Bolger, McLaughlin, Fitzpatrick; Dijksteel (Murray 46), Daniels (Maguire 61).
Sunday World
2 hours ago
- Business
- Sunday World
Conor McGregor's bid to take over football club ‘respectfully declined'
'[The club] is a safe space for all, especially for women, girls, and families.' A football club has said they have 'respectfully declined' a take over offer from Conor McGregor. Hartlepool United Football Club, who are based in the North East of England have been the subject of takeover rumours for months. Speculation McGregor was going to buy the club intensified recently when he followed them on social media. Now, the company behind the club, the Herd International Group, have issued a statement revealing that they turned down an offer from a 'high-profile' individual. Conor McGregor News in 90 Seconds - June 20th 'As the directors and board members of Herd Group, we want to speak openly and clearly in light of recent speculation,' the statement began. 'We were offered the opportunity to involve a high-profile individual whose values and public behaviour we believe do not align with the spirit of Hartlepool United Football Club. 'We respectfully, but firmly declined.' The club said that while others in the local community might feel that the person's association with them would 'represent a path forward' they don't share that view and 'never will.' 'Hartlepool United is a club rooted in community. It is a safe space for all, especially for women, girls, and families who proudly support this club and this town,' the statement continued. "Our commitment is to preserve and strengthen that identity - not compromise it. We remain fully committed to completing the takeover and investing in the future of Hartlepool United - not just as a football club, but as a central part of the community. "We believe in the potential of this town, and we stand ready to help it grow with integrity. unity, and purpose. Thank you for your trust and continued support. Herd Group." The ex-UFC fighter has expressed previous interest in purchasing football clubs, including Chelsea F.C. More recently, he expressed interest in purchasing two League of Ireland clubs. His Crumlin pub, the Black Forge Inn, has its own football squad, in which McGregor spontaneously lines out for. Last week he was caught on camera punching a partygoer to the ground at a nightclub in Ibiza. Footage obtained by the Sun appears to show the Dubliner hitting a person twice during the incident in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The 36-year-old is seen in conversation with a man before putting his arm around his shoulders and then hitting him with his left hand while holding a glass of alcohol in his right. The former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion then takes another shot as the man stumbles to leave the reveller on the floor. According to reports, McGregor carried on partying at the venue while the man who had been punched was thrown out. The incident followed a boozy day session for McGregor who had earlier been pictured dancing with former glamour model Katie Price. Last year, a jury found McGregor civilly liable for raping Nikita Hand at a hotel room in Dublin in 2018. During the trial, Ms Hand testified she had been 'brutally raped and battered' by McGregor and at one point thought she was going to die and never see her young daughter again. They also heard evidence that a tampon was wedged so far inside her vagina it needed to be removed with a forceps in the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit of the Rotunda Hospital, where she presented in a terrified state the following day. The court was shown photos of Ms Hand's badly bruised body, taken by Gardaí two days after the events in the hotel. In January, a judge ordered McGregor to pay Nikita Hand €100,000 of her €250,000 damages and €200,000 of her expected €1.3m legal costs.
Irish Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Conor McGregor links up with Celtic manager days after 'punch' incident in Ibiza
Conor McGregor has linked up with Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers in Ibiza. Taking to social media on Friday evening, McGregor shared a snap of himself with the Hoops boss, who was holding a baby in the picture. "LEGENDARY DOUBLE CHAMP LINK UP! NEXT YEAR, TREBLE! GOD IS GREAT! @CelticFC @ufc Congrats to the Rodgers family on the new addition to their family," wrote the UFC fighter on social media. Rodgers' meeting with McGregor comes just days after the Irishman was involved in an altercation in an Ibiza nightclub. In the early hours of Tuesday, at Pacha nightclub, The Sun released footage that allegedly showed the Irishman appearing to peer down to address an unidentified man in the middle of the dancefloor. Merely moments later, the 36-year-old appeared to throw two punches. The man hit the deck, and onlookers have since come forward to recount their version of the alleged incident. One individual - who saw the whole thing - claimed there did not appear to be any consequences for the former dual-weight UFC champion. "The guy seemed to fall to the floor, and his mates came to pick him up and get him away," he told The Sun. "There [didn't appear to be any] consequences for Conor." Another said: "About five people fell to the floor as the guy stumbled back. It was a bit like bowling pins, but the guy was really shaken." They added: "About a minute later, the bouncers came and got him on the back and took him out of the club." "It was right before close anyway," they continued. "There was no messing around; they just removed him. Conor left through the garden a bit later; he didn't look very happy." McGregor has since revealed that he was in Ibiza after flying his soccer teammates out to the Spanish island. The MMA fighter has been competing in an over 35's league with his pub team, and recently took home a league title. "To celebrate winning the league I took the @blackforgeinn football squad away on holiday to Ibiza! All expenses paid, VIP's," the Dubliner wrote on social media as he shared a number of photos and videos from the trip. He continued: "LEAGUE CHAMPIONS, BABY! Reach out, link up, join a team! Get active! For the sake of your mental health you will thank yourself! #ibizapartyisland."
