Ferguson latest as three Irish players star in six-goal display against Wycombe
However, there was no sign of Boys in Green forward Evan Ferguson, who looks set for a move to Serie A giants Roma.
Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler fielded a total of 21 players during the game, played behind closed doors at Brighton's Elite Football Performance Centre, with the team largely changed at half-time.
Andrew Moran was the first Irishman to come into the action when he replaced James Milner on the half-hour. Moran also completed the second-half, while Eiran Cashin and Jamie Mullins also featured in the second-half XI.
Moran and Mullins impressed in the final-third, but Ferguson's absence will only fuel speculation that a move to Roma is close.
According to reports in Italy, the Ireland striker is keen on the move, while the two clubs are working to finalise a deal, which would initially be a loan switch.
Ferguson could be a Roma player by next week, unless other clubs, such as Serie A rivals Atalanta, make 11th hour efforts to sign the 20-year-old.
Popular sports outlet Corriere dello Sport reports that Roma's sporting director Frederic Massara is working to finalise a deal as soon as possible.
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Irish Daily Star
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Star
British and Irish Lions betting: Predicting First Test XV could be a big earner for just €1
Take it as a certainty Andy Farrell has pored over Lions selection for the First Test against Australia on Saturday. He will have talked and talked for months and behind closed doors with such as Simon Easterby, Andrew Goodman, John Fogarty, David O'Siochan, Vinny Hammond, Aled Walters from his closed 'Irish' coaching circle on this Tour Yet he will still be very much his own man - and hard to predict. Indeed the bookies are quite certain neither the rugby experts nor the man in the street can guess his starting XV and they are quite literally willing to bet on it, player by player. Stop for a second and jot down your team; we have the prices down below so you can work out your combined odds and how impossible it is that you could be correct. While we have also put together some famous names and their predictions. There are those such as Brian O'Driscoll (his selection comes out as 328/1) and (ROG 240/1 against his XV) who, if you believe they are right, have tasty prices. A 'safe' team guess could net between 25/1 and 40/1 depending on, say, whether the preference is for Josh van der Flier or Jack Morgan or Tom Curry for no7 and whether it's Hugo Keenan or Blair Kinghorn no15. There is more than one player at a tasty price who has a sneaking chance and one of those, at 12/1 is good value, and could send your bet into very high numbers. Do remember there can often be injuries at training. Keep in mind that the Lions, so far this tour, have preferred to keep schtum about some of them (Ringrose's concussion, Keenan's illness...) On that subject Ringrose, who must go through the concussion protocols, is ruled out of the First Test and therefore not in the betting. "You don't mess around with those things, he is 12 days out but back in the midweek game before the Second Test," said Andy Farrell. Ringrose had started twice (Force, Brumbies) and came on as a sub once to here (Reds) scoring a try on each occasion while his absence will have scuppered a lot of ante-post bets. He would have been circa 1/2 to start and brought Bundee Aki to circa 10/11 with Huw Jones and Sione Tuipolutu more like 6/4 and 7/4 respectively. Owen Farrell, by the way, has to be taken into account here. He was parachuted into the squad for Elliot Daly who is a full-back, a winger and a second-centre but the replacement is not a like-for-like. Given the coach's choice for the first-centre shirt was, when they set off for Oz, between Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu. Lion's Owen Farrell - can he make the XV (Image: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan) And given Ringrose's injury and that the Scotland captain is not needed as captain here, was poor against Argentina, decent against Force and Waratahs and has yet to score, Andy may be thinking Owen could do a job... Putting the conspiracy theories aside for the minutes and notwithstanding Tuipulotu-Jones is a proven Six Nations combination and would be playing outside their Scotland no10 Finn Russell, Farrell is a meaty 12/1 to start. Watch too the way the second-row and the back-row has been laid out below. That's because Tadhg Beirne and Ollie Chessum could play in either of the rows if needed. There is a not unreasonable theory that Farrell wants Beirne in the side but he may have had that thought downgraded as Joe McCarty and Chessum threw down specific markers. Working from the high numbers down, Blair Kinghorn and Hugo Keenan were most likely level in the pecking order in the run up to the squad assembling. But Kinghorn's late arrival and spraining his knee against Brumbies, coupled with Keenan's strong showing coming back from illness against AUNZ last Saturday has swung this in the Irish player's favour. "Blair didn't look great against the Brumbies and it was the right call to take him off,' says Simon Easterby of this. 'But the scan showed up far better than we feared. "We're hopeful he'll be back in training by Tuesday(48 hours before team selection). Then it becomes a bit of a waiting game. We'll see how he responds and give him every chance to be available for that first Test. 'These things are often touch and go, we'll take it day by day. And if it doesn't work out, we've got strong depth and guys who are ready to step in.' Some got a little over excited about Mack Hansen's cameo from the bench in that AUNZ game but England's Tommy Freeman was one of the first players to nail down a spot once the games began. Whatever about metres-made, scurrying, tackling and other things Hansen does well, he is not a patch on Freeman when Northampton winger, helped by his 6'3" frame, is superb in the air. James Lowe is central to a lot of Farrell's thinking around defensive exit plays, hasn't put a foot wrong and is miles ahead of the left-wing contender Duhan van der Merwe who is having an error-strewn tour. Finn Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park will comprise the half-backs, to such an extent they may be about to go down in history as one of the Lions best ever half-back combinations - certainly the best mixed-nation half-back combination ever. The Andrew-Porter-Ellis Genge call is much tighter than the betting suggests, with Porter available at 9/4 to start and Genge 1/3. If Farrell picked this team four/five/six months ago, Porter was the guy in form at the 2025 Six Nations while Genge hit the ground running on Tour. This is an interesting two cents from Ronan O'Gara here (see 'ROG's XV' below) who suggests the Lions would be best served by flipping some of the front-row and using them as 'finishers'. He wants Ronan Kelleher to start for instance. Notwithstanding that logic, Dan Sheehan is favourite to start not least as his early captaincy established his leadership credentials - Farrell, the 'Man of Steel, loves leaders. Tadhg Furlong looked to have done enough last time out, Will Stuart's stock has gone backwards since they have been in-country, he has looked nervous, hesitant. Finlay Bealham might even make the bench here. Itoje is a certainty bar catching 'flu or closing a door on his nose this week while, as mentioned, messines, enthusiasm and willingness to put himself about has McCarthy sticking his big oar in. The in-form Chessum is being considered for no6 on the back of his size and line-out work. There is a three-way spat for the no7 jersey between Morgan, Curry and Van der Flier. Morgan has been making a late surge for the shirt, the English media have been over-hyping Curry and, if the team was picked some months back there isn't any direct evidence either should be ahead of van der Flier. Jack Conan has been used sparingly, a sub against Force on first arrival, starting against Reds and clocking up astonishing attacking and defensive numbers against Brumbies. He is the only natural no8 in the squad and started each of the three Tests four years back. He holds all the aces over Ben Earl. FIRST TEST vs Australia PLAYER BY PLAYER BETTING BACK-THREE - Tommy Freeman 1/8, James Lowe 1/8, Hugo Keenan 8/11, Blair Kinghorn 1/1, Mack Hansen 11/4, Duhan van der Merwe 5/1 CENTRES - Huw Jones 1/8, Sione Tuipulotu 1/8, Bundee Aki 7/4, Owen Farrell 12/1 HALF BACKS - Finn Russell 1/10, Jamison Gibson-Park 1/8, Alex Mitchell 5/1, Fin Smith 11/2, Marcus Smith 6/1, Ben White 12/1 READ MORE: British and Irish Lions vs Brumbies player Ratings: The good, the average, and you won't be making the Test Team mate READ MORE: Calling for a 'leader' mid-Lions Tour highlights pre-Tour selection absurdity - There is Only One F in Foley FRONT-ROW Ellis Genge 1/3, Andrew Porter 9/4, Pierre Schoman 11/1 Dan Sheehan 1/33, Ronan Kelleher 9/1, Jamie George 12/1 Tadhg Furlong 2/5, Will Stuart 5/2, Finlay Bealham 4/1 BACK-FIVE Maro Itoje 1/50, Joe McCarty 1/3, James Ryan 12/1, Scott Cummins 16/1 Tadhg Beirne 8/11, Ollie Chessum 1/4 Jack Conan 1/4, Jac Morgan 5/6, Tom Curry 10/11, Josh van der Flier 11/10, Henry Pollock 5/2, Ben Earl 5/2 So who would pick who, O'Gara, O'Driscoll, McGeechan, Woodward have all nailed their colours to the mast - who have they chosen and how big a bet would that be? First up, Ronan O'Gara says he would keep Porter-Sheehan-Furlong back as 'finishers' to overwhelm Australia at the close. ROG's XV: Keenan; Freeman, Jones, Aki, Lowe; Russell, Gibson-Park; Genge, Kelleher, Stuart, McCarthy, Itoje (capt), Beirne, Van der Flier, Conan . Pays a potential €240 for a €1 bet Brian Driscoll had Garry Ringrose in initially but we have substituted Huw Jones in there for him. This line up came without a nailed on tighthead so we have left the position vacant, it's a XIV! Brian O'Driscoll's XV: Keenan; Freeman, Jones, Tuipulotu, Lowe; Russell, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, AN Other, Beirne, Itoje (capt), Curry, Van der Flier, Pollock. Pays €328/2 for a €1 bet Lions legend Ian McGeechan has nine Irish players, selects Bundee Aki because of the way he 'carries the ball over the gain-line' but leaves Tadhg Beirne out as he wants 'big' at No6. Ian McGeechan's XV: Keenan; Freeman, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe; Russell, Gibson-Park; Genge, Sheehan, Furlong, McCarthy, Itoje (capt), Chessum, Morgan, Conan . Pays €66 for a €1 bet Former World Cup winning and Lions coach Clive Woodward is most worried about the composition of the back-row. Jack Conan, he says, is the only specialist no8, Jac Morgan get there by a nose following his superb Reds and AUNZ performances Clive Woodward's XV: Keenan; Freeman, Jones, Aki, Lowe; Russell, Gibson-Park; Genge, Sheehan, Stuart, McCarthy, Itoje (capt), Chessum, Morgan, Conan. Pays €64 for a €1 bet AI has looked at the tighthead slot and feels Finlay Bealham deserves a start which is an outlier of note. It also favours Tadhg Beirne at no6. AI, via and ChatGPT, has a go XV: Kinghorn; Freeman, Jones, Tuipulotu, Lowe; Russell, Gibson-Park; Genge, Sheehan, Bealham, McCarthy, Itoje (capt), Beirne, Morgan, Conan. €Pays 145/1 for a €1 bet Some believe this side was selected a good way in advance, that's the Andy Farrell way. Thus Keenan over Kinghorn, JVDF over Morgan, Conan over only player to have played himself in is Ollie Chessum. There is Only One F in Foley XV: Keenan; Freeman, Jones, Tuipulotu, Lowe; Russell, Gibson-Park; Genge, Sheehan, Furlong, McCarthy, Itoje (capt), Chessum, Van der Flier, Conan. Pays €29 for a €1 bet Sneaky One F bet (same team as directly above but with Owen Farrell as no12 instead of Bundee Aki... Pays €339 for a €1 bet Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
‘New chapter' – Cobh Ramblers purchased by US-based company under a planned multi-club business
COBH Ramblers are under new ownership after the US-based Digital Athlete Ventures (DAV) purchased a 90 percent stake in the First Division club. The Florida-based investment group have made their first move into football with Ramblers but have plans to build a multi-club portfolio. The announcement comes just four days after Ramblers confirmed FC32 - who acquired the club last November - were no longer involved in the club. But talks with DAV were ongoing for some time with the Florida-based group financially supporting the club it parted company with FC32. A statement read: 'This agreement marks the beginning of a new chapter for Cobh Ramblers FC, centred on long-term sustainability and growth. 'DAV supported the club financially during the transaction process while conducting comprehensive due diligence and collaborating closely with club leadership to shape a shared vision. Read more on Irish football 'DAV brings deep expertise across performance innovation, fan engagement, and football operations, which aligns closely with the club's values and future ambitions. 'Both Cobh Ramblers FC and Digital Athlete Ventures are committed to building a stable foundation for the club's future, with the local community at the heart of their vision. 'Preserving the identity and heritage of the club, while fostering new opportunities for growth and engagement, will be central to this partnership. 'The new ownership group has made clear that community inclusion, transparency, and long-term stewardship will guide their approach from day one.' Most read in Football The new owners will visit Ireland next week to outline their plans for what is their first foray into football, though the group has extensive investment and entrepreneurial experience. The group is led by Ilya Movshovich, Pedro Lombardo (Managing Partner at JPX Investments), and Bryant Clark (Founder of Texas-based Fifty Five South Ventures). RTE pundit's one-liner about Damien Duff makes Joey O'Brien laugh after Shelbourne's win vs Linfield DAV are also investors in motorsports with singer Marc Anthony's outfit Team Miami, while they recently brought in Alexander Jarvis of Blackbridge Sports as an advisor. Jarvis has previously brokered ownership deals including US-based Lenore purchasing a stake in Benfica. And he announced on LinkedIn that his role with DAV is to 'build out a multi-club business.' DAV Co-lead investor Movshovich, said: 'Our commitment to Cobh is long-term - we're here to provide real stability and help the club grow in a sustainable, purposeful way, both on the pitch and behind the scenes.' 1 Cobh Ramblers are currently second in the First Division table and are pushing for promotion Cobh Ramblers chairperson Bill O'Leary added: 'After months of hard work, the Board is proud to announce this investment partnership. "In a highly competitive landscape, securing a deal of this calibre reflects our commitment to the club's future. 'What set DAV apart was not just their financial backing, but their operational capabilities and respect for the club's legacy and community. "Ilya and Pedro have been a pleasure to work with, and we're excited to move forward together.'
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Shane Lowry: ‘If I win another Open, I'll celebrate twice as much'
The gable end of a house on Causeway Street in Portrush delivers a reminder of Shane Lowry's Open triumph in 2019. The fantastic mural not only depicts Lowry with the Claret Jug in hand, but how Ireland, whether north or south, unites behind its sportspeople. Lingering memories from six years ago recall Lowry stretching away from the field towards the end of round three. He was in an unassailable position. The subsequent epic, week-long celebrations are another key reference point; the new Open champion showed the sporting world how to party and it fuelled a misconception, a tired cliche of the bearded, drinking Irishman. 'I have always been conscious of that, but I have also always enjoyed myself,' Lowry says. 'I work my nuts off. You can't play at this level without doing that. If I win another one, I'll celebrate twice as good. It's so hard out here, so hard to win big tournaments that when you do, you need to enjoy them. 'Players came to me afterwards… I remember Martin Kaymer's caddie telling me: 'Martin regrets not doing what you did because when he was winning majors, world No 1, he took it for granted a little bit.' You need to enjoy the moments.' The Open's return to Northern Ireland turns thoughts back towards what Lowry achieved. The outpouring of emotion was due in part to what he encountered before the last round. He led by four with 18 holes to play, the same advantage he had at Oakmont's 2016 US Open, only to stumble painfully in Pennsylvania. A mural of Shane Lowry with the Claret Jug painted on a house near the entrance of Royal Portrush. 'It is what you work for and everything you dream of, but it was one of the toughest 24 hours of my life, in sporting terms,' says Lowry. 'You don't sleep. People are definitely tense around you. It is a tough place. The consequences of failure were so huge. If I didn't win that day, I still wouldn't be over it. How much it meant, where it was, all that stuff. 'Oakmont helped me, 100%. I went out in the final round there not to lose the tournament. At Portrush, I went out to win. I said to Neil [Manchip, Lowry's coach] that Sunday morning: 'If I can make five birdies today, nobody can beat me.' Even if I made five bogeys as well and shot level, nobody was beating me in that weather. That was the mindset. At Oakmont, I went out to make pars and let it all slip.' Lowry felt at home on the Dunluce Links and he was roared on towards victory by a mix of total strangers and those closest to him. 'Until I played my tee shot on the 17th on Sunday, I didn't allow myself to think, 'This is it.' I hit that one and realised I could kick it in from there, I had a six-shot lead. 'I was looking out for people. I saw a lot of friends at the top of the 18th grandstand. Turning the dog-leg corner at the last, I could see my daughter… she was only two-and-a-half at the time and had this bright yellow jacket on. I could see that right behind the flag, in the tunnel at the back of the 18th green. A wave of emotion came over me. I could have cried. 'I remember my caddie saying to me something like: 'Man up, you still have a shot to hit.' At the back of the 18th, most of the people who have been hugely influential in my career were there. My parents were there, my coach, Graeme McDowell, Pádraig Harrington. It was incredible.' Lowry used to regularly watch footage of his Open glory. He does less of that now. 'I would give anything to be able to stand there and experience the 18th hole again,' he says. 'It all happened so quickly that it really is like a blur. The only way you can place yourself there is by looking at videos. It's amazing to have all the YouTube videos, for my kids and hopefully grandkids when everyone gets older.' OPEN WIN: Shane Lowry used to regularly watch footage of his Open glory at Portrush in 2019 – 'It all happened so quickly that it really is like a blur'. Pic:The one exception was that round three run. While en route to a 63, Lowry played the back nine in 30. Portrush had been battered into submission as he led the field a merry dance. 'People talk about being in the zone. Those last four or five holes, that is the one time in my career where I felt that and thought I knew what it was. 'I felt like I was going to birdie every hole. If I had another nine holes to play, I felt like I would birdie all of them as well. That is where I won the tournament.' Lowry's victory lap was distorted by the arrival of a pandemic. At the 2020 Players Championship, golf followed the global trend of shutdown. 'A lot of people were in far worse situations than me, but I felt a little hard done by where it was all a bit weird going to the biggest events as the Open champion,' Lowry says. 'I didn't get the full experience. 'My game also suffered during covid. Rory [McIlroy] was the same. We played a lot, played really well in games against each other, then we would come on tour and the lack of crowds and energy affected us. I really hated that. 'I remember going home from Sawgrass and being a little lost for a few weeks. I had spent close to 20 years with a purpose, with something to work towards, then one day it was taken away. I realised how lucky we have it when things got back to normal.' Lowry has joked that McIlroy's grand slam triumph takes focus off him for the Portrush return. Yet it is a truism that one so talented should really have more than one major to their name. 'It definitely helps that I have one because if I didn't by now, it would be doing my head in,' he says. 'I have to stress this is not me lacking drive, but if I was to pack it in today I would be pretty happy with what I have. That doesn't at all mean I don't want more.' Guardian
