Paidi Farrell on double as Ireland survive heat to score bonus-point win against Georgians
Ireland endured 33 degrees Celsius heat at the start in Calvisano to get their U-20 World Rugby Championship off to a winning start against a Georgian side with a strong pack.
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The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Five fights Dana White can make for Ilia Topuria after epic UFC 317 KO, including Paddy Pimblett grudge match
ILIA TOPURIA is the new king of the UFC's lightweight division. The Georgian-born Spaniard became only the TENTH fighter in the history of MMA's premier promotion to hold titles in two weight classes last weekend in the main event of UFC 317 in Las Vegas . 8 Ilia Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 to claim the vacant lightweight title Credit: REUTERS 8 The Georgian-born Spaniard became a two-weight world champion with victory over Oliveira Credit: REUTERS 8 The world is Topuria's oyster following his historic victory Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 'El Matador' claimed the vacant lightweight title with a blistering first-round KO of former champion Attention has already turned to who the 28-year-old will fight in his maiden defence of the 155lbs throne, which he'll no doubt be hoping will take place in his adopted homeland of Spain. And SunSport is on hand with five fighters the new fan favourite could face in his next outing. Paddy Pimblett Given their long-standing beef, which stemmed from social media comments Pimblett made about Georgians, this fight is an absolute no-brainer. The pair are currently the two biggest names in the stacked division, so pitting them together, especially when they're both in red-hot form, makes sense. The build-up to this one would be box office, especially after their UFC supremo Dana White has, however, already revealed he's not keen on pitting the pair against one another next . But the demand for this fight, the biggest the promotion can make at the moment in time, is white hot. Most read in MMA JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 8 Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett had a heated face-off inside the octagon Credit: GETTY So the UFC would be foolish not to capitalise while the iron is hot and book this long overdue clash of stars. Islam Makhachev Watch jacked Ilia Topuria complete epic UFC 317 body transformation after ditching crash diet to lose over 40lbs Topuria, of course, moved up from featherweight in February to pursue a champion-versus-champion with pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev. Makhchev, as we all know, ended up begrudgingly vacating the 155lbs belt to pursue welterweight gold once former training partner Belal Muhammad lost the belt to Jack Della Maddalena. The Dagestani destroyer is understood to harbour ambitions of reclaiming the belt he won in October 2022. It would make for a fantastic storyline if Makhachev were to win gold at 170lbs and drop back down to 155lbs to try to reclaim what was once his in a super-fight fans are still pining for. 8 Arman Tsarukyan The Armenian, of course, was set to challenge Makhachev for the belt in January before a freak back injury less than 48 hours before fight night scuppered the bout. Tsarukyan, who is on a four-fight win streak, weighed in as the backup fighter for the main event. So it would make sense for him to be in the running to be Topuria's first opponent for his reign as king of the lightweights. 8 Arman Tsarukyan weighed in as the backup fighter for UFC 317's main event so is in the title mix Credit: GETTY Justin Gaethje He may only be riding a one-fight win streak, and just over a year removed from a brutal KO at the hands of Max Holloway, but there is a case for Gaethje getting the title shot. He did the UFC brass a favour by agreeing to defend the BMF belt against Holloway at UFC 300 following back-to-back wins of Rafael Fiziev and The promotion threw a boatload of cash at Gaethje in order to jazz up their tri-centennial card and his decision to take the fight cost him dearly. Doing him a solid and giving him a third crack at undisputed lightweight gold at Topuria is the least the UFC could do. 8 Justin Gaethje is holding out for a tite shot and will retire if he doesn't get one Credit: GETTY Max Holloway Although Topuria became the first man to crack Holloway's chin in his first and final featherweight title defence, there is still some interest in a rematch between the pair. Holloway cut a drained figure in their fight as he was returning to the weight class having filled out his frame to face Gaethje in their BMF bout at UFC 300. Read more on the Irish Sun The weight cut could've played a role in his chin finally giving out, although Topuria does carry insane power in both hands. Either way, should Holloway win his trilogy fight with Poirier next month in emphatic fashion, the appetite for a rematch will likely be there. 8 A rematch with Max Holloway could potentially happen down the line for Ilia Topuria Credit: GETTY
RTÉ News
15 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Winger Paidi Farrell's brace of helps Ireland to opening victory over Georgia at World Rugby Under-20 Championships
Old Wesley clubman Paidi Farrell scored two tries as the Ireland got off to a winning start at the World Rugby U-20 Championship courtesy of a 35-28 win over Georgia. Farrell scored a try in each half with Henry Walker, Mahon Ronan and Charlie Molony also scoring a try each in a five try bonus point win. Tom Wood, son of former Munster, Ireland and Lions captain Keith Wood, also kicked ten points from the tee. Ireland came into this game off the back of a poor Six Nations where they won just once out of five games, but have gotten off to a perfect start in a tough pool that also features tournament hosts Italy and last year's finalists New Zealand. Despite the 6pm kick-off time in Calvisano, there were water breaks needed as the temperature hit 34 degrees. That energy sapping feeling translated onto the pitch, more so in the first half, as Ireland pulled clear in the third quarter to avoid any late drama. Neil Doak's men scored from their first possession as Farrell, who did not feature in the Six Nations, got Ireland's opening try of the championship. Munster academy duo Michael Foy and Eoghan Smyth linked up in midfield to take Ireland within striking distance of the line. Tom Wood's cross field kick found it's way to Farrell and Ireland were off the mark. The Ballina-Killaloe product Wood would extend Ireland's lead to eight a few minutes later following an impressive scrum penalty won by the Irish front-row, although this was one area the Georgian's would dominate across the game. Georgia crossed for the first of their scores right on the quarter hour through lock Gagi Margvelashvili. The Racing 92 man powered over from close range as Ireland failed to deal with the Georgian power through contact. The sides would trade tries from here, with Ireland scoring next. Tom Wood's magnificent 50/22 meant Ireland had a close to the Georgian line, and after a powerful rolling maul from all eight Irish forwards, Ulster hooker Henry Walker dotted down for his third try of the year. Georgia responded through scrum-half Giorgi Spanderashvili, who scored two quick finish tries, but the middle period of the game was dominated by Ireland. Wood landed a penalty before half-time to give Ireland a four point lead at the break, before they went up a gear. Paidi Farrell started the second half like he did the first with a run-in try in the right corner, combining with Eoghan Smyth again. Spanderashvili reduced the Margin before tries from the impressive second-row Mahon Ronan and fellow Leinster man Charlie Moloney gave Ireland a 14 point cushion heading into the final quarter. Ronan was busy throughout the contest and powered over from close range for Ireland's all important fourth try, ad bonus point score, having made an initial barnstorming carry a few phases prior. Molony's score on the hour mark put Ireland out of sight. The UCD outside back glided past the Georgian defensive line to dot down, not needing the support line of Luke Murphy in the two v one. Georgia scored late on through Shota Kheladze to give them two bonus points, but the boys in green were never tested in the closing stages. Ireland are back in action on Friday night as they face Italy in Viadana, hoping to go one better than the Six Nations clash between the two sides back in March. Ireland u-20 scorers: Tries: Paidi Farrell (2), Henry Walker, Mahon Ronan, Charlie Molony Cons: Tom Wood (2) Pens: Tom Wood (2) Georgia u-20 scorers: Tries: Giorgi Spanderashvili (2), Gagui Margvelashvili, Shota Kheladze Cons: Luka Takaishvili (4) Ireland u-20: Charlie Molony, Paidi Farrell, Ciarán Mangan, Eoghan Smyth, Derry Moloney, Tom Wood, Clark Logan; Billy Bohan, Henry Walker, Alex Mullan, Mahon Ronan, Billy Corrigan, Michael Foy, Éanna McCarthy (capt), Luke Murphy Replacements: Tom McAllister (for McCarthy, 34-44) (for Mullan, 49), Mikey Yarr (for Walker, 45-48 & 59), Alex Usanov (for Bohan, 45), Bobby Power (for McCarthy, 55), Conor Kennelly (for Corrigan, 55), Will Wooton (for Logan, 56'), Daniel Green (for Paidi Farrell, 63), Sam Wisniewski (for Smyth, 65). Georgia u-20: Luka Takaishvili, Luka Keshelava, Data Akhvlediani, Nugzari Kevkhishvili, Tarieli Burtikashvili, Gigi Sirbiladze, Giorgi Spanderashvili; Bachuki Baratashvili, Mikheil Khakhubia, Mate Gurtskaia, Temur Tsulukidze, Gagui Margvelashvili, Luka Narsia, Andro Dvali, Mikheili Shioshvili. Replacements: Archil Nozadze (for Narsia, 34-44) (for Baratashvili, 56), Davit Baramia (for Tsulukidze, 46), Shota Kheladze (for Khakhubia, 51), Giorgi Meskhidze (for Gurtskaia, 51), Nikolozi Chkhortolia (for Margvelashvili, 56), Nika Abesadze (for Narsia, 62), Temuri Dzodzuashvili (for Spanderashvili, 64), Sandro Meskhidze (for Akhvlediani, 68).
Irish Independent
16 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Paidi Farrell on double as Ireland survive heat to score bonus-point win against Georgians
Ireland endured 33 degrees Celsius heat at the start in Calvisano to get their U-20 World Rugby Championship off to a winning start against a Georgian side with a strong pack.
