Month: July 2021

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Sports News

MAGNIFICENT MONA MC SHARRY BECOMES FIRST IRISH SWIMMER TO MAKE OLYMPIC FINAL FOR 25 YEARS

Sligo swimming star Mona McSharry turned in a stunning performance to qualify for the 100m breaststroke final in Tokyo today, the first Irish swimmer to make an Olympic final for 25 years. The 20-year-old clocked 1:06.59 to finish fourth in her semi-final, her time quick enough to see her through to tomorrow’s final in eighth place.

“I’m over the moon. That was the target, make it round by round and when I got to the semi-finals it was the plan to try make it into the final,” she said.

“I knew it was going to be tough. I was in ninth, already having moved up from my starting position so I knew it was going to be a push, everyone is swimming really fast and it’s competitive. I’m just so happy to get another opportunity to race tomorrow.”

McSharry admitted there was some grogginess this morning following a late night after her heat, her time today not quite as swift as she swam in the heats.

“I’m not surprised about that but I’m happier with how the race felt so I’m hoping I can pull the two together and swim a fast time hopefully like that.”

On her plans ahead the final?

“I’m going to relax, have a shower, chill, I might come in tonight for a paddle. I’ll definitely come in and watch Ellen (Walshe) and Brendan (Hyland) race, that’ll be fun, just being a spectator for the night. I’ll try get to bed earlier tonight if I can.”

McSharry said she was reveling in the Olympic experience and making friends beyond the swimming contingent at what is her first Games.

“It’s been amazing,” she said. “That’s the great thing about the Irish spirit as well: we are very close as a nation.”

Her achievement marks an incredible entrance on the Olympic stage for the Grange swimmer, a scholarship student at the University of Tennessee. McSharry, of course, has long been a name marked to make waves at this level, ever since winning gold and bronze medals at the 2017 World Junior Championships.

Speaking of her move stateside, McSharry said: “I really enjoy it, I made so many friends and it’s taken me away from times, it’s more about competing and getting your hand on the wall first and that is why we do this – to compete and race against people, that adrenaline rush you get.”

Her final takes place at 3:17am Irish time on Tuesday, and McSharry will be back in action after that in the heats of the 200m breaststroke on Wednesday.

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Slides Sports News Tennis

TOKYO OLYMPICS: ANDY MURRAY FORCED TO WITHDRAW FROM MEN’S SINGLES DUE TO THIGH STRAIN

Andy Murray’s bid for a third straight Olympic singles gold medal ended before it began when he withdrew ahead of his first match with a minor thigh strain.

The Scot had been due to take on ninth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada on Sunday but was replaced on the order of play by Australian Max Purcell.

Murray had been upbeat about his prospects after an excellent doubles victory with Joe Salisbury on Saturday but experienced tightness in his quad muscle and was advised not to try to compete in both events.

Murray and Salisbury’s form on Saturday, when they defeated French Open champions Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut, suggested they could be medal contenders.

The three-time grand slam champion said: “I am really disappointed at having to withdraw but the medical staff have advised me against playing in both events, so I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the singles and focus on playing doubles with Joe.”

Murray is the only tennis player ever to win back-to-back singles gold medals, and it appears highly likely his last chance to add to that haul has now gone.

Speaking after his doubles victory on Saturday, Murray had said: “I do like the conditions here in terms of how the court plays and everything.

“Obviously not an easy one against Felix but I’ve played well in the practice sets and the practice matches that I’ve had and obviously today was a good one for the confidence. I think I’ll be all right.”

But this is yet another physical setback for the Scot, who has been unable to play consistently since his comeback from hip resurfacing surgery two and a half years ago.

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Slides Sports News Tennis

TOKYO 2020: NAOMI OSAKA EASES INTO THIRD ROUND

Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Tennis - Women's Singles - Round 3 - Ariake Tennis Park - Tokyo, Japan - July 27, 2021. Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts during her third round match against Marketa Vondrousova of Czech Republic REUTERS/Mike Segar

Naomi Osaka continued her pursuit of a historic gold medal by easing into the third round of the Olympic singles competition at the Ariake Tennis Park.

The Japanese star won her first match in eight weeks against Zheng Saisai on Sunday, saying she felt refreshed and happy after stepping away from the court for mental health reasons.

There were a few understandable signs of rust but Osaka, who is hoping to follow up her starring role at the opening ceremony with a first gold medal for Japan in tennis, was very sharp in a 6-3 6-2 victory over Swiss Wimbledon quarter-finalist Viktorija Golubic on Monday.

The 23-year-old, who has only lost one of her last 24 matches on hard courts, said: “It would mean a lot to win gold here but I know it’s a process. I know these are the best players in the world and, honestly, I haven’t played in a while, so I’m trying to take it one notch at a time.

“All in all, I’m just really happy to be here. I haven’t been in Tokyo for a couple of years.”

Osaka did not play a match between the first round of the French Open in May and Sunday’s victory but she has shown before she can find her best tennis straight off the bat, going unbeaten between February 2020 and March this year while playing just four tournaments.

“I put this pressure on myself to do well because I know that I don’t play that many tournaments and I feel like I watched these players playing the tournaments while I was on my break so I just really, really want to do well,” she said.

“I feel like as long as I work hard, relatively keep my head down, then good things will happen. For me, it’s dream to be here, to play the Olympics. This is my first one, so I’m just trying to cherish this experience.”

On her performance against Golubic, Osaka said: “I was a bit more nervous before the match. I felt a lot of butterflies. But I think, as I started playing and feeling more comfortable, I knew that no matter what it would be a great match. I feel like I played better today, I think my movement was better.”

It was a good day for the big names, with Garbine Muguruza beating Wang Qiang 6-3 6-0, French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova seeing off Leylah Fernandez 6-2 6-4 and Maria Sakkari racing past Nina Stojanovic 6-1 6-2.

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football Slides Sports News

OLYMPICS 2020: NETHERLANDS, BRAZIL DRAW IN EPIC SIX-GOAL THRILLER

Dominique Janssen’s 79th-minute goal pulled Netherlands into a 3-3 draw with Brazil on Saturday in women’s football at the Tokyo Olympics.

Vivianne Miedema gave the Dutch the early lead in the third minute but Debinha countered with an equaliser in the 16th. The teams were tied until the 59th, when Miedema scored another.

Marta converted a penalty kick to tie the score 2-2 in the 64th minute, before Ludmila’s goal about four minutes later gave Brazil the temporary lead.

Netherlands, ranked No. 4 in the world, routed Zambia 10-3 in their Olympic opener with Miedema scoring four goals.

Netherlands advanced to the World Cup final two years ago in France but lost to the United States. The Tokyo Games are Netherlands’ first Olympics.

Brazil beat China 5-0 in its opener. Marta had a pair of goals, becoming the first player to score in five straight Olympics.

Marta’s goal brought her to 13 at Olympics, which is one behind the all-time record held by Brazil teammate Christiane, who is not in the 2020 squad, but the Orlando Pride forward said she is only focused on team success.

“Our objective is to think of the collective,” Marta told Brazil’s Globo TV after the match. “Scoring goals is part of our job, but always while thinking about the collective.

“Records always happen naturally in my life, it’s never been forced. If I have to score one, two goals to help my team, then it’s normal.”

Brazil are coached by former U.S. and Sweden coach Pia Sundhage, who won gold with the Americans at the 2012 London Games.

Earlier, Zambia and China had drawn 4-4 in another epic match in Group F.

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football Sports News

MANCHESTER UNITED CONCEDE FOUR IN HEAVY PRESEASON DEFEAT AT QPR

Manchester United suffered a heavy defeat in the second preseason friendly of the summer, losing 4-2 at Queens Park Rangers.

Jesse Lingard gave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team the lead at Loftus Road but three goals in six minutes early in the second half ensured a comfortable win for the home side.

Solskjaer, whose new three-year contract was announced hours before kickoff, picked a strong team from the players available with Tom Heaton, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Brandon Williams, Axel Tuanzebe, Andreas Pereira, Nemanja Matic, Daniel James, Mason Greenwood and Lingard all handed starts.

Lingard, who impressed in the win at Derby County on Sunday, didn’t need much time to make his mark here. Greenwood rolled a pass into Facundo Pellistri, whose cushioned touch set up the England forward to score after three minutes.

United weren’t ahead for long with Charlie Austin heading in QPR’s equaliser from Lee Wallace’s cross from the left.

The teams went in at half-time level but almost in the blink of an eye, QPR were 4-1 up.

Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes, on as a half-time substitute, put the Championship side ahead with a shot that deflected into the roof of the net after 53 minutes before five minutes later Moses Adubajo made it 3-1, cutting in off the right to fire past Lee Grant, on at half-time for Heaton, from 25 yards.

Before an hour was on the clock, Dykes scored his second of the afternoon with a shot drilled across Grant and into the corner of the net.

The one highlight for United in the second half was youngster Anthony Elanga’s goal from the edge of the area to make it 4-2.

Solskjaer’s team continue their preparations for the new season with a home friendly against Premier League new boys Brentford on Wednesday.

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football Sports News

JOEY BARTON CHARGED FOR BEATING WOMAN

Former Premier League footballer Joey Barton has been charged with assault by beating after a woman suffered a head injury.

Barton, who is now manager at Bristol Rovers, is scheduled to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The charge is in connection with an incident which took place at a residential property in Kew, south London, on June 2.

Police confirmed a 38-year-old man had been arrested and later charged. It has been reported the woman is his wife Georgia.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “Joseph Barton, of Widnes, Cheshire, is due to appear on bail on Monday, July 26, at Wimbledon magistrates’ court charged with assault by beating.

“The charge relates to an incident which took place at a residential property in Kew on Wednesday, June 2 in which a woman received a head injury. London Ambulance Service did not attend.

“A 38-year-old man was arrested on June 2, bailed pending further enquiries, and subsequently charged.”
Barton was manager at Fleetwood Town before joining Bristol Rovers. His playing career included spells at Manchester City, Queens Park Rangers and Newcastle United.

He has one England cap.

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football Sports News

MEMPHIS DEPAY DEBUTS, SCORES FOR BARCELONA IN WARM UP WIN GAME AGAINST GIRONA

Barcelona won their second preseason match as summer signing Memphis Depay scored on his debut in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Girona at the Estadi Johan Cruyff.

Three of the four goals came from penalties, with Gerard Pique opening the scoring from the spot in the 21st minute.

Rey Manaj made it 2-0 three minutes later, following up his midweek hat-trick against Gimnastic de Tarragona with a finish from close range.

Girona pulled one back just before halftime when Samu Saiz scored a penalty before Memphis added Barca’s third, also from the spot, late on. Memphis arrived in Barcelona earlier this week after signing on a free transfer from Lyon in June.

He started on the bench but his debut came earlier than expected before half-time when Manaj was forced off with a head injury suffered in the 35th minute. There was palpable excitement among the nearly 3,000 crowd at the game every time Memphis got on the ball.

The Dutchman eventually gave the fans what they wanted, firing a penalty past visiting goalkeeper Juan Carlos with five minutes to play.

“It’s incredible,” Memphis said after the game. “I’m really happy to be wearing this shirt and to get my first minutes for the club. I enjoyed it so much. The fans were great with their energy and I loved seeing them in the stadium. I am so happy.

“I know everyone expects a lot at Barca. I’m going to work hard and I hope to have great moments with these supporters. I play football to entertain the fans. I hope to bring a lot of creativity. I always try to find the space between the lines and behind the defence, to score and make goals.”

Antoine Griezmann, Clement Lenglet, Miralem Pjanic and Frenkie de Jong were left on the bench for the first 60 minutes of the match but coach Ronald Koeman was still able to name a strong side. United States international Sergino Dest made his second start of preseason, with Pique, Sergi Roberto and Riqui Puig also involved from the off.

Girona’s Cristhian Stuani forced a fine early save from Inaki Pena and young left-back Alejandro Balde produced a key block to stop the follow-up going in before Barca took over. Balde was fouled as he danced into the box at the other end and Pique, taking the ball off Manaj, snuck the penalty in. Puig and Nils Mortimer then combined to set up Manaj’s fourth goal of preseason.

With Manaj off the field due to his head injury, Girona pulled one back. Saiz chipped a penalty down the middle after Nils had handled the ball at a corner and the Girona forward almost equalised moments later, hitting the bar from 25 yards.

With Memphis on, though, there was a change in the atmosphere and Barca started to create chances with ease.

Memphis twice came close, drawing a save from Juan Carlos before driving just wide. Griezmann almost got in on the act, too, while Pjanic hammered the bar with a free-kick from 30 yards.

Griezmann was then brought down in the area and, as the crowd chanted ‘Memphis,’ the new signing took the ball to crown a memorable debut.

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football Sports News

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER SIGNS NEW MANCHESTER UNITED DEAL

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has signed a contract that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2024, the club announced Saturday.

The Norwegian’s previous deal was due to run out in 2022, but United have agreed to fresh terms to extend his stay as manager. He has signed a three-year contract with the option of another year.

“Everyone knows the feeling I have for this club, and I am delighted to have signed this new contract,” Solskjaer said in a statement. “It is an exciting time for Manchester United, we have built a squad with a good balance of youth and experienced players that are hungry for success.

“I have a fantastic coaching team around me, and we are all ready to take that next step on our journey.

“Manchester United wants to be winning the biggest and best trophies and that’s what we are all striving for. We have improved, both on and off the pitch, and that will continue over the coming seasons. I can’t wait to get out in front of a packed Old Trafford and get this campaign started.”

The announcement comes a day after United confirmed the £72.9 million signing of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund on a five-year contract until 2026, with the option of another year.

Solskjaer, 48, took over at Old Trafford — initially as caretaker following the departure of Jose Mourinho — in 2018. He was appointed to the role permanently in March 2019 — signing a three-year contract — after winning 14 of his first 19 games in charge.

“Ole and his staff have worked tirelessly putting the foundations in place for long-term success on the pitch,” executive vice chairman Ed Woodward said.

“The results of that have become increasingly visible over the past two seasons and we are all looking forward to seeing this exciting team develop further in the years ahead.

“What is especially pleasing is the way this progress has been achieved with a blend of young, homegrown talent and top-class recruits, playing attacking football in the best traditions of Manchester United. We are more confident than ever that, under Ole’s leadership, we are heading in the right direction.”

Solskjaer has won 84 of his 151 games as United boss and led the team to a second-place finish in the Premier League last season as well as the Europa League final, where they lost on penalties to Villarreal after a 1-1 draw.

He scored 126 goals in 366 games as a player for United, winning six Premier League titles and the 1999 Champions League.

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football Sports News Transfer News

WESTHAM AGREE DEAL TO SIGN FORMER RANGERS KEEPER

West Ham have reportedly agreed a deal to sign former Rangers keeper Brian Kinnear after his release by the Light Blues earlier this summer.

The Scotland youth international was one of a number of Rangers Academy prospects released at the end of the season – and is set to join several of them by making a move to a Premier League side.

Dapo Mebude and Nathan Young-Coombes have joined Man City and Watford, respectively, while Ciaran Dickson and Harris O’Connor are both on trial at Burnley.

According to the Daily Record, Kinnear will be unveiled imminently by the Hammers as the young keeper gets a chance to get his career back on track following his Rangers release.

Kinnear was one of five players suspended by Rangers earlier this year for breaching Covid rules, spending the final months of his Ibrox career out on loan at Annan Athletic.
His move to the Hammers comes after he had previously been linked with a move to Birmingham City, spending time on trial with the Blues before heading to London.

A similar trial spell with David Moyes’ side appears to have impressed enough to win him a contract and a move to the Premier League.

Kinnear is likely to initially join West Ham’s under-23 squad as he looks to establish himself in England before trying to push for a place in the senior squad.

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BRENTFORD SIGN YOUNGSTER PEART-HARRIS ON A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT FROM CHELSEA

Brentford have raided west London rivals Chelsea for the signing of Myles Peart-Harris.

The teenage midfielder, an England Under-19 international, has moved for an undisclosed fee and signed a four-year deal – including the option for a further 12 months – with Thomas Frank’s newly-promoted side, who are gearing up for their maiden season in the Premier League.

Peart-Harris’ arrival comes during a busy week on the transfer front for Championship play-off winners Brentford, who broke their transfer record on Wednesday to sign Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer for £13.5million.

Earlier this week, the Bees also completed an £8.5m deal for midfielder Frank Onyeka from Danish club FC Midtjylland.

The trio represent Brentford’s first signings as a Premier League outfit.

Meanwhile, Peart-Harris is the latest youngster to depart Chelsea, having entered the final 12 months of his contract at Stamford Bridge.