‘Devastating' blow won't stop Drogheda United challenging for Europe again insists Darragh Markey
VICE-CAPTAIN Darragh Markey has given an insight into what it's been like to have a Uefa Conference League campaign taken away from the Drogheda United squad, calling it a 'devastating blow'.
However, he insists that the strength of the bond between the players will help carry them through this massive setback and they are now focused on qualifying for Europe for a second year in a row through either the league or a successful defence of their FAI Cup crown.
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Irish Times
6 hours ago
- Irish Times
Lando Norris holds off Piastri to win Austrian F1 GP after Verstappen crashes out early
Lando Norris won the Austrian Grand Prix after a tightly contested, tense battle with his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri. The pair delivered an immense fight but the British driver held the upper hand to take the flag. However world champion Max Verstappen's title hopes took a huge setback when the Dutchman was knocked out of the race on the opening lap, having been struck by the Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli. Ferrari enjoyed a strong return at the Red Bull Ring, with Charles Leclerc third and Lewis Hamilton in fourth. George Russell was fifth for Mercedes. Having clashed at the last round in Canada, hearts must have been in mouths at McLaren as Norris and Piastri vied to thrilling effect over the opening third of the race, ducking and diving at one another in what was a bravura display that remained nip and tuck all the way to the flag. However it was Norris who held his nerve and the edge over his team-mate and closed out the win with superb control. No little redemption and an enormously resilient comeback after his misjudgement in hitting Piastri in Montreal. READ MORE He has closed the gap to Piastri to 15 points but for Verstappen, the title now looks to be a monumental mountain to climb. He was unceremoniously smashed into by an over-eager Antonelli at turn three on the first lap, the world champion's race over in seconds as he now trails Piastri by 61 points, a gap that appears all but insurmountable given the pace advantage McLaren already enjoy over Red Bull. The victory is a huge fillip for Norris in what looks likely to be an even more closely-fought title fight with Piastri. Norris badly needs to demonstrate he is still very much in the game and did so emphatically in Austria, with a dominant pole followed by an equally controlled and assured victory, his third of the season and one indicative that he is determined not to allow his team-mate to take charge of the championship battle. More importantly it might suggest something of a turning point for the British driver. He has struggled a little this season, lacking the responsive feel from the front axle of the car he likes to push it to the limit through corners and it has caused him issues, particularly in qualifying. However McLaren brought a major upgrade to Austria with front and rear aero improvements but vitally for Norris, also on his car is a front suspension development they were hoping would give him the feel he requires. In the race he was clearly enjoying a car beneath him that was positively purring as he tickled it beneath the eaves of the Styrian mountains. This was the Norris who entered the season as title favourite and who, on this form, may yet reassert that role over Piastri. Red Bull's Dutch driver Max Verstappen and Mercedes' Italian driver Kimi Antonelli crash. Photograph: Erwin Scheriau/APA/AFP via Getty Norris led the field away, holding place as Piastri moved up to second past Leclerc through turn one, only for a safety car to be called almost immediately. Antonelli went in far too hot at the tight right-hander of turn three and clattered into Verstappen who had started in seventh, ending both drivers' races. 'I got hit, like crazy. F**king idiots,' was Verstappen's blunt assessment. He had qualified out of position, unlucky with a yellow flag and it left him in a more vulnerable position but he was not at fault and the Dutchman was hugely unlucky to take such a severe blow to his title ambitions. Racing resumed on lap four and Norris held his lead with ease through the restart from Piastri with Leclerc third and Hamilton fourth. Piastri immediately began to pressure Norris as the pair opened a gap out front running line astern and with a huge pace advantage over the field. Piastri, with DRS, was all over Norris's gearbox with the British driver unable to break away. The pair went wheel-to-wheel side-by-side throughout the opening corners of lap 11, barely inches apart in a gripping tussle. Piastri edged ahead only for Norris to come back at him. Norris just held on as they battled hard but clean in a race of their own. The pressure on Norris was immense as the contest continued but the British driver held his nerve and the place. On lap 20 Piastri once more had a look into turn four but could not make it and he locked up. Through the two sets of pit stops there was little between them and in the final third Piastri was undeterred and once more closed to within three seconds with 10 laps to go and Norris had to keep his head down as he navigated traffic and attempted to maintain the lead. It was a tense, gripping finale. Piastri moved to just under two seconds but Norris had iron will out in front, flawless to check out the final laps and take the flag. Meanwhile, Ireland's Alex Dunne finished second in the Austrian Grand Prix feature race on Sunday but was later disqualified as his Formula 2 title rival Richard Verschoor claimed victory. Formula 2 issued a statement revealing the DQ over an issue with dimensions on Dunne's car. Dunne will next turn his attentions to F2's British Grand Prix next weekend, the eighth round of 14 in the 2025 calendar. – Guardian
Irish Times
6 hours ago
- Irish Times
Rory Townsend, Mia Griffin best in aggressive Irish road race championships
Three years after he first won the title, Rory Townsend recouped past glories when he took the men's national road race championships in Yellow Furze in Meath on Sunday. The 29-year-old Q36.5 Pro Cycling professional was best in the sprint to the line, beating Jamie Meehan (AVC Aix Provence Dole). Patrick Casey (Israel Premier Tech Academy) and defending champion Darren Rafferty (EF Education-EasyPost) were close by, finishing three and six seconds back respectively. 'It sounds crazy but this just means so much,' Townsend said. 'It's the biggest thing for me. It means everything. A national championship is something you always want to win as a kid, and it makes you feel like a kid when you come back here.' The day was full of aggressive racing, with Conn McDunphy (Team Skyline), Rafferty and his brother Adam (Hagens Berman Jayco) among the most active. The leading quartet were clear heading on to the final lap, with Townsend using his greater experience and sprinting power to triumph. READ MORE Meehan, who finished second overall in the Rás Tailteann in May, took the under-23 title. 'I knew if I could have went one more time, one more move, that that'd be the move,' the AVC Aix Provence Dole rider said. 'But I just didn't have it. I'm disappointed to lose out to Townsend in the sprint but still delighted to take home the U23 title.' Saturday's elite and under 23 women's road race featured a very aggressive performance from Lucy Benezét Minns (Lotto Ladies). The talented 19 year old, who took a superb fourth in the world championship junior time trial two years ago, attacked on the final lap and opened a gap of 17 seconds. However she was reeled in with two kilometres to go, with Mia Griffin (Roland) beating Caoimhe O'Brien (Cynicsa Cycling), Marine Lenehan (Dan Morrissey Pissei Cycling Team) and five others to the line. 'I've dreamed of winning a national championship for so long, it honestly just hasn't set in yet,' Griffin said afterwards. 'I know when Lucy gets a good lead she can really suffer and push through, so I was determined to make sure we worked together in the group to catch her.' Emma Jeffers (Liv AlUla Jayco) took fourth and the under 23 award. Aliyah Rafferty (Tofauti Everyone Active Majaco) won the junior women's road race on Saturday, while Conor Murphy shrugged off mechanical issues to take the junior men's title on Sunday. National road race championships, Meath Elite and under 23 men: 1 Rory Townsend (Q36.5 Procycling), 2 J Meehan (AVC Aix Provence Dole) at 1 sec, 3 P Casey (Israel Premier Tech Academy) at 3, 4 D Rafferty (EF Education Easypost) at 6, 5 S Dunwoody (Bahrain Victorious Development Team) at 29, 6 F Crockett (VolkerWessels Cycling Team), 7 G O'Neill (Athlete Nutrition Coach HD), 8 O Doogan (Team Caldwell Cycles), 9 C McDunphy (Team Skyline), 10 L O'Brien (Lidl-Trek Future Racing) at 32 Under 23: 1, Meehan, 2, Casey, 3, Dunwoody Elite and under 23 women (Saturday): 1 Mia Griffin (Roland) 3 hours 11'06, 2 C O'Brien (Cynicsa Cycling), 3 M Lenehan (Dan Morrissey Pissei Cycling Team), 4 E Jeffers (Liv Alula Jayco), 5 A O'Brien (DAS – Hutchinson), 6 F Mangan (Winspace Orange Seal), 7 A Conway (Westport Covey Wheelers Cycling Club), 8 L Kelly (Spin The Bean Power By Coffee) all same time, 9 A Doherty (Dan Morrissey Pissei Cycling Team) at 5 secs, 10 L Benezet Minns (Lotto Ladies) at 12 secs Under 23: 1, Jeffers, 2, A. O'Brien, 3, Conway Junior women's road race (Saturday): 1 Aliyah Rafferty (Tofauti Everyone Active Majaco) 1 hour 36'04, 2 G Lawless (Dawson Racing) at 2'41, 3 A O'Donovan (Dungarvan CC), 4 E Tandy (Tofauti Everyone Active Majaco) at 6'56, 5 F Dolan (TC Racing) same Junior men's road race (Sunday): 1 Conor Murphy (Team Caldwell Cycles) 2 hours 44'42, 2 R Condon (Zappi Racing Team) at 1'22, 3 D Byrne (Asvillemur Cyclisme) at 2'06, 4 M Walls (Lucan Cycling Road Club), 5 J Armstrong (VC Glendale) at 2'42
Irish Times
6 hours ago
- Irish Times
Ireland under-20s overcome Georgian physicality to secure bonus-point win
World Rugby Under-20 Championships: Ireland 35 Georgia 28 A bonus-point victory over Georgia brings some much-needed positivity to an Ireland Under-20s outfit fresh off a Six Nations wooden spoon. The performance of Tom Wood – we won't mention his dad too much – was another positive, as was wing Páidí Farrell's pair of tries on debut. That Ireland won in spite of an at times dominant Georgian pack is testament to this group's resilience. That the forwards did lose the upper hand leads to concerns for the remainder of this tournament. Granted, some effective rearguard defence from Neil Doak's side should still be applauded. Starting at outhalf, Wood's left boot was responsible for nearly all of Ireland's first-half points. He definitely has a more cultured hoof than Keith. His opening kick-off hung long enough for Charlie Molony to regather. Wood's short pass to Michael Foy allowed the backrow to burst into the 22. Wood then tried a cross kick, Derry Moloney gathering before feeding Farrell in the corner with barely a minute gone. READ MORE Farrell has been earmarked as a rare Irishman with pace. He didn't need much of it to finish this one, given the space available. Wood's boot also led to the second try, a beautiful kick skimming along the turf and into touch close to the Georgian line. With possession secured via the 50:22, Henry Walker scored off the back of a lineout maul. Ireland's Tom Wood scores a try. Photograph: Sebastiano Pessina/Inpho Both Irish scores were answered by Georgian power. A series of scrum penalties were predictable before kick-off, given Ireland's weakness. Ill-discipline at the breakdown and the maul should prove more frustrating, Georgia comfortably winning the first-half territorial battle. When down 8-0, secondrow Gagi Margvelashvili barged over after penalties took play up to the 22. After Walker stretched Ireland's lead, scrumhalf Giorgi Spanderashvili quick-tapped from a Foy breakdown infringement, slipping off some weak tackles to score. While Georgia had the upper hand at the scrum, referee Jeremy Rozier had words with both sets of frontrows. His patience wore thin when both Alex Mullan and Bachuki Baratshvili were binned just before half-time. Ireland's Paidi Farrell scores a try. Photograph: Sebastiano Pessina/Inpho New props, same result. Ireland immediately gave up another penalty. They did at least stop the bleeding, cleverly sacking a maul before a Georgian spill killed their final attack of the half. Ireland should actually have stretched their lead with the clock in the red, Wood missing a penalty amid confusion caused by a faltering shot-clock. Ireland started the second period as they did the first, Farrell going over out wide. His first touch opened the scoring, his third, just over 40 minutes later, added Ireland's third try, another straightforward finish. Georgia countered after a nervous moment for Mullan. Already on yellow, a weaker referee would have sent him off for a high tackle. Rozier, though, made a strong – and correct – decision. Mullan was so low in the tackle he had nowhere else to go. The respite did not stop Spanderashvili from scoring a second from a tap penalty moments later. This time Rozier got it wrong, failing to spot the scrumhalf restarting from the wrong mark. Despite the defensive struggles, Ireland started to find attacking fluidity. A turnover off the restart gifted a platform inside the Georgia 22, Mahon Ronan ultimately crashing over from close range. Two further line breaks, from Wood and Eoghan Smyth, went unrewarded – as did Georgian centre Data Akhvlediani's clever line off an inside ball – but Ireland's pressure eventually told. Ireland's Daniel Green and Ospreys' Harri Deaves celebrates after the match. Photograph: Sebastiano Pessina/Inpho Replacement scrumhalf Will Wooton made a good decision to go down the blindside. Fullback Molony spotted the space, picking off an understaffed defence to score Ireland's fifth. Be it rust or exhaustion in the Calvisano heat, the final quarter brought few opportunities. For all their earlier dominance, the Georgian pack saw two attempted mauls held up. A third ended the game with a consolation score. To say Ireland clung on for a seven-point victory sounds somewhat harsh. They have, though, broken their losing habit. One of the teams that beat them in the spring, Italy, are up next on Friday. Scoring sequence – 2 mins: Farrell try 5-0; 10: Wood pen 8-0; 16: Margvelashvili try, Takaishvili con 8-7; 23: Walker try, Wood con 15-7; 30: Spanderashvili try, Takaishvili con 15-14; 33: Wood pen 18-14; HT 18-14; 40: Farrell try 23-14; 49: Spanderashvili try, Takaishvili con 23-21; 52 : Ronan try, Wood con 30-21; 61: Molony try 35-21; 80: Kheladze try, Takaishvili con 35-28; FT: 35-28 Ireland Under-20: Charlie Molony; Páidí 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 (35-45 mins), Mikey Yarr for Walker (45-48, blood), Alex Usanov for Bohan (45), McCallister for Mullan (49), Conor Kennelly for Corrigan, Bobby Power for McCarthy (both 55), Will Wooton for Logan (56), Yarr for Walker (59), Sam Wisniewski for Smyth (63), Daniel Green for Farrell (65). Yellow card: Mullan (35 mins). Georgia Under-20: Luka Takaishvili; Luka Keshelava, Data Akhvlediani, Nugzar Kevkhishvili, Tariel Burtikashvili; Gigi Sirbiladze, Giorgi Spanderashvili; Bachuki Baratshvili, Mikheil Khakhubia, Mate Ghurtskaia; Temur Tshulukidze, Gagi Margvelashvili; Luka Narsia, Andro Dvali, Mikheil Shioshvili. Replacements: Archil Nozadze for Narsia (35-45 mins), Davit Baramia for Tshulukidze (45), Shota Kheladze for Khakhubia, Giorgi Meskhidze for Ghurtskaia (both 50), Nikoloz Chkhortolia for Margvelashvili (55), Nika Abesadze for Narsia (61), Temur Dzodzuashvili for Soanderashvili (63), Sandro Meskhidze Akhvlediani (67). Yellow card: Baratshivli (35 mins). Referee: Jeremy Rozier (France).
