Irish blood, Australian heart – Owen Finegan looks back fondly on beating Lions and facing Ireland in front of family
The son of Irish parents, Finegan is the only member of his family who was born in Australia. As a powerful back-row, he won a World Cup with Australia in 1999 and beat the Lions in 2001, before spending a season at Leinster under Michael Cheika in 2006/7.
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The Irish Sun
8 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
History-making Lioness Ella Toone star for biggest stage now she's ready to deliver for England again in Euro 2025 final
ELLA TOONE has become the woman for the grandest of stages — and is ready to deliver for England again. The Lionesses star has scored at every World Cup or Euros she has taken part in. Advertisement 5 Ella Toone is ready for England to deliver the trophy in the Euro 2025 final Credit: Reuters Her goal in the 2023 World Cup last-four clash against One of those goals came in the Spain last-eight tie at the Euros three years ago — and she wants to repeat that trick in Sunday's final. Toone, 25, also netted in the Finalissima against Manchester United last year. She has bagged in this Euros as well, in the 6-1 win over Wales in the group stage. Advertisement READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS Asked about her big-stage pedigree, Toone said: 'It's not bad that, is it? 'I feel like I prepare properly for every game and I've had chances in the finals to put the ball in the back of the net and that's what I've done. 'I try not to think too much about that or put any pressure on it. 'I just go out there and do what I can for the team and give my everything, and if a chance falls to me then hopefully I can put it in the back of the net. Advertisement Most read in Football 5 Toone was used to starring from the bench when the Lionesses last won the Euros Credit: Shutterstock Editorial SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN 'It's just about doing my job, on and off the ball, making things happen, creating chances for other people and hopefully there's a chance, like I have in previous finals.' Three years ago, as the Lionesses stormed to home Euros success, Toone was one of those making an incredible impact from the bench. Advertisement Now, Lionesses celebrate after bonkers Euro 2025 penalty shootout win over Sweden The striker , 19, saved her side in the quarter-final with Sweden and the last-four win over Italy . Having hardly played or netted in club football last season, she has become a phenomenon on the international stage and will return home to a new level of fame. That is something Toone, now an established starter, went through in 2022 and the Northern lass had some left-field advice for Agyemang. Advertisement Toone said: 'She might get papped eating a pasty like I did! I'll have to warn her about that. 'Michelle is mad, I would think that she's about 30 years old, she's so mature, she's so humble and she's come into this tournament with freedom and not a worry, not a care. 5 Michelle Agyemang has scored two late equalisers to send England to extra-time in their quarter-final and semi-final Credit: Getty 'She's just gone out there and done what's been asked of her and she's been amazing for us. She's turned up in big moments when we've needed her and she's got a lot of talent and she can do a lot of things that not many players can do. Advertisement 'Even when she has scored and kept us in games, she's been the same Michelle. I'm absolutely buzzing for her.' The Lionesses have shown their mettle to come back from the brink in Switzerland . While the players have discussed their 'proper England' performances, Toone revealed there have been some incredibly motivational moments from manager The Dutchwoman guided a team to a final for a fifth straight tournament after winning the 2017 Euros with her native Holland and reaching the 2019 World Cup showpiece. Advertisement Toone added: 'She's done a few good speeches this camp, I'll give it to her. We had a good one before the Italy game the night before, one that definitely stood out. 'Even though sometimes we have gone a goal down, you still remember the words that she said before the game and it makes you want to go out and put on a performance for the second half as well. 'No matter what Sarina says, you listen because she's reached five major tournament finals so she definitely knows what she's doing.' Wiegman has created a family bond in the Lionesses camp, though there are plenty of parents, siblings and friends here in Switzerland. Advertisement 5 Sarina Wiegman became the first-ever men's or women's manager to reach five international tournament finals in a row That group enjoyed a pub crawl through Zurich on Friday afternoon, away from the squad, before everyone headed off to Basel for the final. One picture of the families wildly celebrating Agyemang's goal against Italy was shared among the players. It is a scene they are intent on recreating. Advertisement Toone added: 'It was a nice picture to see, we've sent them on a rollercoaster this tournament and it's nice to see things like that. 'Hopefully we can kick on in this last game and make it a tournament they can remember, too.' 5 Wiegman led England to the Euro 2025 final with a dramatic win over Italy
The Irish Sun
8 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Man Utd ‘bomb squad' outcasts could STAY at club as Amorim says club won't be held to ransom over Sancho, Garnacho & Co
RUBEN AMORIM opened the door to a way back for his Manchester United 'Bomb Squad' as he told Prem scavengers: We won't be held to ransom. pre-season campaign. Advertisement 4 Ruben Amorim opened the door to a way back for his Manchester United 'Bomb Squad' Credit: Getty United landed as Marcus Rashford was completing his loan move to Barcelona but Amorim warned rivals they cannot lure any of the quartet on the cheap - and that they will be reintegrated into the United fold if deals are not done. Amorim said: 'I know for a fact that the club have a number, a price, for these players. 'If other clubs don't reach that number, they will be Manchester United players, no doubts about that. 'I understand that these clubs are maybe waiting for the last minute to put in bids. Advertisement READ MORE ON MAN UTD 'But if they try, they will be on for a surprise.' He added: 'There were different reasons for the situations of these players. 'Some of them have to find a new place to have more space in the team, other players clearly show that they want a new challenge, and they want new teams. 'We are just allowing these players to have time to think and to decide. Advertisement Most read in Football 4 Jadon Sancho is exploring his options after being iced out by the United hierarchy Credit: Getty Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford 'But if you reach a point that they have to join the team, they will join the team because they are our players and I'm ready to receive them. 'If that happens and they come back to us, they will have more competition. Advertisement Marcus Rashford back together with ex-fiancee Lucia Loi two years after they split as childhood sweetheart joins him in Barcelona 'But if they want to play in the World Cup this season, they need to play. 'So I'm really happy with that, because I will have more options, and if they have to fight each other to play, I'm just proud of it.' United are keen to offload the other four players to fund new signings, but Amorim insists that the price must be right. Amorim was joined by new £62.5million signing Advertisement United have also signed Bryan Mbeumo to fill the other No.10 spot in his 3-4-2-1 system, but have yet to land a new striker . Amorim insisted that he has options in attack and would be happy going into the season with the squad he has now. He added: 'I think our club, in the moment, need to be really careful when we sign a player. 'So if we have to start the season with this squad, I'm happy. Because all the players that are here want to be here, and that for me is the most important thing. Advertisement 'If we start the season with this squad, I am happy. We are going to suffer but that feeling of bonding is really important. The spirit is positive." 4 4
Irish Daily Mirror
8 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Lionel Messi hit with MLS ban and will miss Inter Miami's next game
Lionel Messi is set to miss Inter Miami's upcoming match against Cincinnati after being slapped with an MLS suspension. The football maestro has been penalised for his absence from the MLS All-Star Game. Messi, who recently lifted the World Cup trophy, did not participate in the showcase event and no explanation was provided at the time for the star player's no-show. Inter Miami's coach Javier Mascherano later attributed Messi's absence to exhaustion. According to MLS regulations, any player who misses the All-Star Game without a legitimate injury must serve a one-match suspension. Discussing Messi's condition, Mascherano remarked that he "showed normal fatigue from the number of games and minutes he's been playing. Look, players always have discomfort, especially when they play every three days." Messi's team-mate Jordi Alba, who was with him at Barcelona back when Pep Guardiola was in charge, is being subjected to the same ban after also bypassing the game. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was suspended for skipping the All-Star Game in 2018. Miami played nine games in a 35-day span between the FIFA Club World Cup and MLS regular season - during that period Messi played every minute. MLS commissioner Don Garber said earlier this week: "We do have rules, and we have to manage through that as well. We would have loved to have Leo here. We'd love to have every player that was selected for the All-Star team here. After this All-Star Game, we'll figure out what needs to happen. "I was told this morning that neither Jordi nor Messi practiced today (Wednesday). Jordi came off with an injury in last game, and we'll have to manage through what Miami is going to say about that." Despite being without Messi and Alba the MLS squad secured a 3-1 win against Mexico's Liga MX All-Stars in Austin, Texas. The 38-year-old, an eight-time winner of the Ballon d'Or, has scored 18 goals in as many appearances for Inter Miami in the MLS. Since making the move to Florida Messi has helped his team, co-owned by David Beckham, win the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the following year they landed the Supporters' Shield. Inter Miami currently sit seventh overall in the MLS but are fifth in their Conference. (Image: Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
