Goalkeeping legend states why all-island League would take football in Northern Ireland to next level
Irish League goalkeeping hero Bobby Carlisle believes an all-Ireland League would help our game move to another level and he has also voiced concerns around the long-term commitment of investors.
The former Cliftonville and Portadown stopper is a passionate supporter of the Irish League and he remains Coordinator for the prestigious Castlereagh Glentoran Supporters' Club Ulster Footballer of the Year Awards.
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North Wales Chronicle
2 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Diligent Harry is Chipchase hero for Clive Cox and Saffie Osborne
Placed at Group One level in the Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai last year, the seven-year-old had failed to recapture that form in four previous outings this season, most recently finishing fifth on All-Weather Championships Finals Day at Newcastle on Good Friday. The seven-year-old was a 16-1 shot on his return from over two months off and after a fast start, Diligent Harry quickly built up a significant lead over the chasing back and found more once challenged by Annaf to claimed the Group Three prize by a neck under an excellent ride from Saffie Osborne. What a performance from Diligent Harry in the Chipchase Stakes!@OsborneSaffie gets the fractions spot on to land the Group Three contest at @NewcastleRaces for Clive Cox! — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 28, 2025 Lambourn-based Cox did not make the long trip north to Gosforth Park, but was in jubilant mood when contacted: 'That was brilliant, Saffie has been in to ride him in his last couple of bits of work and it's great when a plan comes together. 'He went to Dubai last year and ran a great race in the Group One there, but it's tough at the top. 'We always live in hope, he loves the all-weather and he's still pretty good, so today was a big target and to go all the way up to Newcastle and win a race like that is very satisfying. 'He's won a Group Three now and we'll place him accordingly.' Diligent Harry dominates from the front in the Chipchase Stakes @NewcastleRaces for Clive Cox and @SaffieOsbo1211 — Ashley Iveson (@AshIveson) June 28, 2025 Osborne added: 'Clive was really positive about his chances. I started going to Clive's a couple of months ago, I rode this horse for the last couple of weeks and he's a seriously classy horse. 'He's a horse that was third in a Group One, he jumped out of the stalls today and Clive was keen for me not to wrestle him, so I was quite happy to let him slide on. 'I was able to get a breather into him and I always felt I was holding on to enough. He's seriously tough and as soon as he felt the other horse coming to his girth he was always pulling out a bit more.'
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘It's been awful' – Dan Evans breaks down in tears during Wimbledon press conference and feared letting people down
Former World No.21 who is now 149 places lower fears letting his family down SAD-NAV TO SW19 'It's been awful' – Dan Evans breaks down in tears during Wimbledon press conference and feared letting people down DAN EVANS broke down in tears as he recalled the long and winding roads he has taken to reach Wimbledon. The Brummie, 35, has competed in random outposts in Thailand, Portugal, Bahrain, UAE, Italy, Czech Republic and France to boost his world ranking. Advertisement 4 Dan Evans says he wonders what long-term partner Aleah Evans thinks Credit: Alamy 4 Evans is set to play Novak Djokovic if he beats Jay Clarke in round one Credit: Getty This has meant playing several Challenger-level events in front of just a few fans to ensure he did not slump too low and into obscurity. Wildcard Evans, who is 170th on the ATP list, is not planning to retire just yet. But he became emotional when he talked about his fear of potentially letting down his close family and friends and if he was no longer good enough to compete on a tennis court. Wiping away the tears, Evans said: 'It's not the matches. It's when you feel like you've let people down, that's the tougher thing about it. Advertisement READ MORE IN TENNIS SET FOR LOVE Boulter hopes £2m love nest she shares with Oz ace will boost Wimbledon hopes 'You're not used to losing, that's probably more of the thing. 'I don't worry about retirement but it's just different isn't it? "To start losing, it's scary at the end of the day, to know sometimes you're not good enough. 'It's not an easy thing in sport to not be good enough. I don't know why I'm so emotional about it. Advertisement 4 Aleah Evans will be watching Dan at Wimbledon Credit: Getty BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 'I guess I'm pretty proud of the last four or five months and how they've been. 'They've been difficult and I'm happy to have come through the other side. Advertisement Novak Djokovic gatecrashes Aryna Sabalenka's pre-Wimbledon press conference and awkwardly criticises her 'I don't ever struggle to go and play tennis. But I did wonder, 'Why are you doing this?' 'That's when you need good people around you. It's been awful basically, I played poor, but it's going in a better direction. 'I'm not scared of hard work. I'm more than happy to play the Challengers. 'It's just when you shut the door at night and you wonder what other people are thinking? What's your wife's thinking? Advertisement 'Is she thinking, 'Come on, mate, give this up?' Or your dad, your parents? It's not a conversation you have very often. 'Is this the right thing?' 'The last few weeks have been good to see that I've still got it because it's easy to say you believe it. But it's got to happen otherwise you drop down the rankings.' In round one, Evans is up against Derby-born Jay Clarke on Tuesday in one of two all-British ties and the winner will likely play Novak Djokovic next. It is hard to ignore the shadow of the Serbian but Evans can draw on memories of losing in three sets to Roger Federer in 2016. Advertisement The former British No.1 said: 'About 9,000 people have messaged me about it. 'Do you think we don't have phones? It's a bit like when a boxer's got a big fight in front of them and he can't overlook it. 'Jay Clarke will be looking at it and I'll be looking at it. There's a nice match in the second round on a very big court. 'I want to win that match not just to play Novak but to get a crack at him. It's a great incentive. Advertisement 'I'm really looking forward to Tuesday first but to get a chance to walk out probably on Centre against a guy who's hardly lost here. 'I've done it against Roger Federer. It would be a good little prize at the end of a good grass-court season.'
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Novak Djokovic gatecrashes Aryna Sabalenka's pre-Wimbledon press conference and awkwardly criticises her
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NOVAK DJOKOVIC gatecrashed Aryna Sabalenka's pre-Wimbledon press conference before offering some constructive criticism. Women's world No.1 Sabalenka was coming towards the end of her chat when Djokovic surprisingly entered before it was his turn to face reporters in SW19. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Novak Djokovic hilariously gatecrashed Aryna Sabalenka's pre-Wimbledon press conference on Saturday 5 Sabalenka, who was in good spirits, asked Djokovic for his opinion on her abilities Djokovic, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, was told Sabalenka was in the middle of her final response but cheekily informed the press officer that he was going to interrupt his friend's conference. The 24-time Grand Slam winner could be heard whispering: "Come on, let's go, please" with a grin as he shocked Sabalenka with his entrance on Saturday. Sabalenka smiled and said goodbye to the media, but then assumed the role of moderator and asked Djokovic about their recent hit at the All-England club. The pair were filmed during a practice session earlier in the week as Sabalenka looks to win her first Wimbledon and Djokovic goes for an a record-equalling eighth title, alongside Roger Federer. READ MORE TENNIS NEWS SET FOR LOVE Boulter hopes £2m love nest she shares with Oz ace will boost Wimbledon hopes Sabalenka, 27, said: "You see guys, come in here then" before asking Djokovic to sit down in her seat, which he refused. The US Open champion then asked Djokovic: "First of all, let me ask a question. What do you think about hitting with me? How do you see my level? Am I good?' Djokovic jokingly responded: "I think you have the potential. You're, like, a really talented player. You have nice strokes, good technique. "Can I be honest? You're lacking intensity on the court. You don't have enough intensity. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "It's too flat. You've got to lighten up a little bit, put some power in it." Sabalenka, holding in laughter, then said: "Really! That's what you are going to say right now? "Before this guy was my favourite player, but not anymore obviously!" British world No719 qualifies for Wimbledon but is BANNED from claiming £66,000 prize money There could be some truth in Djokovic's words of wisdom, as Sabalenka lost the French Open final to Coco Gauff last month. The Belarusian said it "hurt to show such terrible tennis" in what she described as "the worst final I ever played" after losing in three sets to Gauff. In her runners-up speech, the three-time Slam winner added: "'I think she won the match not because she played incredible, just because I made all of those mistakes." Meanwhile, Djokovic is seeking a record-extending 25 Grand Slam titles, but at 38 years old knows his time is running out amid the rise of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. 5 Sabalenka is trying to right her French Open wrongs over the next few weeks Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 5 Djokovic warmed up with Sabalenka and Carlo Alcaraz Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The legendary Serbian said: "'It's great to be back. I love Wimbledon. I've always loved it. I think in the last six editions, I had six finals. "I've been playing very well here, maybe it's been the most consistent Grand Slam for me in the last 10 years. "When I come here, I feel extra inspired to deliver the best tennis. Whether it could be my 'last dance', I'm not sure. My wish is to play for several more years. "I would love to be healthy physically and also mentally motivated to keep on playing at the highest level. That's the goal, but you never know at this stage." 5
