Linfield legend: We shocked Shelbourne in 2005 Setanta Cup Final… here's how current Blues crop can do the same
In 2005 the Blues humbled Shelbourne in the Setanta Cup decider and Ferguson predicts that historic triumph will inspire David Healy's side.
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Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Inside the wholesome new State of Origin bonding sessions as stars replace kegs of beer with soft drinks, lollies and talk about their childhoods
The days of footy players heading out on boozy bonding sessions are long gone. Even Queensland great Billy Moore once shed light on how wild the team meet-up sessions were back in the 90s, stating that players stayed up all night drinking beer for the first four nights of one camp during one series. But, in the age of sports science and premium performance, bonding sessions for NRL players in the modern era look drastically different, as New South Wales have shown this week. The Daily Telegraph revealed on Thursday how Laurie Daly's squad are getting to know each other better, in order to win this year's State of Origin Series. The Blues suffered an agonising defeat in their second Origin clash against Queensland, meaning bragging rights for 2025 will all come down to next Wednesday's final clash at the Accor Stadium in Sydney. While they outscored the Maroons for tries, they were unable to kick their conversions, meaning they missed out on retaining the shield by just three points. But as they re-group and re-gather to go again next week, the team have also been focusing on their camaraderie in order to best Billy Slater's side. Every week while they are in camp, the Blues all come together on a Thursday for what's known as 'Sirro's Happy Hour'. Organised by Paul Sironen, an Origin legend, and now the Blues 'moral officer', players gather at the Two Doctors Whiskey Tavern, at their residence, the Fairmont Resort. Here the players spend several hours competing in groups against each other, taking part in quizzes, joke telling, singing contests, interviews and also speaking about each other's childhood. As for the refreshments, the team drink fizzy drinks and tuck into a pack of lollies during the evening. 'Sirro's Happy hour has become a big part of camp,' New South Wales star Connor Watson said. 'It's about connecting with everyone. We have had trivia, interviews, a bit of music and it has also allowed us to learn more about the players and staff. He then opened up on why the meetings were so critical to the team. 'That's really important when you're building proper connections by digging a little bit deeper, not just surface-level stuff. It bonds us.' Sironen, who made 14 appearances for the Blues during his distinguished footy career, knows all about just how important camaraderie and team bonding is. The 60-year-old former Balmain Tigers second-row, who won three back-to-back Origin series, said that the team were learning new things about each other. 'It's a good laugh but is also great for our camaraderie. It's a crack-up but we're also learning stuff we didn't know – people's life stories,' Sironen said. 'It's a lighthearted hour. It's become part of camp and is another layer of connection. We do trivia, music trivia and interview players about when and where they grew up. 'We dig down and find some personal things about our staff and players, their quirky habits and anecdotes. We might have a singing contest.' However, he revealed the challenges and games that the players will undertake don't stay the same from camp to camp. 'Last camp, players had to guess songs,' he said. 'Other players had headphones on with music being played and they had to try and sing the song while the rest of the team had to guess what song it was. It was quite entertaining – there are some very ordinary singers in the team. 'I do a little bit of research to find out some bits and pieces. It's good fun. 'It adds to the camp. I love it. We did last year as well and we're finetuning it. It's a good idea. We bring out some lollies and they have soft drinks.' For Sironen, this will be the 30th anniversary of New South Wales' victory in 1994, when they completed the three-peat. That was his last-ever appearance in a Blues jersey, however, the footy great says he is loving still being involved in the side. 'It's been 30 years since I last played Origin so it's great to still be involved, particularly at this level.'
Metro
7 hours ago
- Metro
Chelsea sign England youth star released by Championship side on free transfer
Chelsea have signed England youth international Kian Best on a free transfer after his release from Preston North End. The 19-year-old left-back has completed his medical and signed a contract with the Blues and is expected to immediately join the club's development squad. Best has also represented England at Under-19 level on seven occasions, scoring on his debut against Romania in November 2023. Best made his senior debut for Preston at the start of the 2023-24 season, making 12 Championship appearances. The versatile defender fell out of favour under Paul Heckingbottom the following season, featuring twice in the Carabao Cup before joining League of Ireland side Bohemians on loan in January. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Best's contract at Preston expired this summer with the youngster initially claiming he discovered he was being released by his hometown club on Instagram. Preston chief Peter Risdale denied his claim with Best later deleting the post. Best becomes the latest addition in west London in what has been another busy summer for Chelsea. On Wednesday, the club confirmed the arrival of Joao Pedro from Brighton in a deal worth £60million. The Brazil international is set to immediately join up with Enzo Maresca's squad and could feature in the Club World Cup. Jamie Gittens will also join from Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth £55m. He will link up with his new teammates after the tournament in the United States, ineligible having already played for Borussia Dortmund in it. More Trending Liam Delap joined the Blues from Ipswich Town in June with Mamadou Sarr also making the move from Strasbourg. Darrio Essugo is another new arrival after Chelsea struck an agreement with Sporting CP in March while the club are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Estevao Willian, who will link up with his new teammates after the Club World Cup. He could even line up against his new club when Palmeiras take on Chelsea in their quarter-final clash this week. MORE: Eden Hazard sends message to 'old man' Olivier Giroud after joining his former club MORE: Nani makes Viktor Gyokeres prediction amid Man Utd and Arsenal transfer talks MORE: Kaoru Mitoma makes decision on future amid Arsenal transfer interest
Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Chelsea land transfer boost as £21.5m deal agreed with Premier League team
Chelsea have been busy in the transfer market this summer and after wrapping up deals for Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, the Blues are set to cash in on one of their goalkeepers Djordje Petrovic is set to remain in the Premier League with the Serbian goalkeeper set to join Sunderland in a transfer which will net Chelsea a cool £21.5m. Petrovic, 25, caught the eye on loan with the Blues' sister team, Strasbourg, in France last year and is keen to get out and play regular football rather than return to Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea already being linked with several keepers this summer. The Serbia international was left out of the Blues squad for the Club World Cup in order to seek a move ahead of the new season for that reason. And Petrovic is set to find a new home with Sunderland pushing to get a deal done for the former New England Revolution star. As reported by The Telegraph, Sunderland are close to sealing a £21.5m swoop to bring Petrovic in following their promotion via the Championship play-offs back in May. Should they get a deal over the line with Chelsea, Petrovic would become the latest big-money addition to join the Black Cats, who are splashing the cash in an attempt to survive next season. They are also closing in on a £17.3m deal for the Saint-Gilloise midfielder, Noah Sadicki, who underwent a medical on Wednesday. They have already wrapped a permanent deal for loan star Enzo Le Fee and signed Habib Diarra for a club-record fee. Petrovic will compete with Anthony Patterson for the No.1 berth at the Stadium of Light. Join the debate! Should Chelsea sell Petrovic this summer? Let us know here He originally signed for Chelsea two years ago and made 31 first-team appearances under Mauricio Pochettino during his maiden season at Stamford Bridge. But Robert Sanchez has since been installed as the Blues' first-choice keeper under Enzo Maresca, with Filip Jorgensen and Mike Penders also in the building. Chelsea attempted to sign Mike Maignan from AC Milan before the Club World Cup before talks with the Italian giants over a switch for the Frenchman broke down. It remains to be seen if they will rekindle that interest - or target another keeper - before the start of the new season, though reports since have indicated that Maresca is content with his current goalkeeping options. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
