Latest news with #Cats'
Qatar Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Trump seen golfing as protesters speak out against his Scotland visit
DPA London Protesters insisted that US President Donald Trump is 'not welcome here' as he took to the golf course on the first full day of his visit to Scotland. Tight security around the Trump Turnberry course meant no demonstrators were seen when the president took to the greens on Saturday morning. Dressed in black, with a white cap that said USA on it, Trump could be seen driving a golf buggy, flanked by a fleet of security personnel, as he played on the famous course which he bought in 2014. The outspoken Republican waved to journalists at one point, with hits including Billy Joel's 'Uptown Girl' and Elaine Paige's rendition of 'Memory' from the musical 'Cats' heard playing from his entourage. But when asked about links to disgraced Jeffrey Epstein, the Simon and Garfunkel hit 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' could be heard. However hundreds gathered in both Edinburgh and Aberdeen — near the site of Trump's other Scottish golf resort — to make their opposition to the president known. As the visit got under way Scottish First Minister John Swinney – who is due to hold talks with the president later in the trip – announced public money to support a tournament at the Trump International golf links in Aberdeenshire. The 2025 Nexo Championship - previously known as the Scottish Championship — is set to take place there next month, supported by £180,000 of public funding. Swinney said: 'The Scottish Government recognises the importance and benefits of golf and golf events, including boosting tourism and our economy.' But Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie likened the awarding of public cash to the tournament to 'handing some pocket money to the school bully'. Trump will head to his golf resort in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire later on in his five-day long private visit. As part of his trip he will also hold talks with Prime Minister SirKeir Starmer, where the two men will refine a trade deal between the UK and the US that was agreed earlier this year. The president is also expected to talk trade with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday. But with no talks apparently scheduled for Saturday, the president, who is well known for his love of golf, was free to take to the famous course at Turnberry. A major security operation surrounded him, with police officers and military personnel seen scouring the grounds ahead of Trump teeing off. After touching down in Scotland in Air Force One on Friday night, the president was seen on the course at Turnberry on Saturday morning — although security fencing had also been erected around the resort, with road closures also in place to help protect Trump, who last year survived an assassination attempt. Sniffer dogs were seen patrolling the golf course, with the Navy carrying out sweeps in the water beside the seaside course, while Army vehicles were spotted on the nearby A77 road. Police Scotland has asked for support from other forces across the UK to bolster officer numbers for the high profile visit — with Mr Swinney appealing to people to protest 'peacefully and within the law'. In Aberdeen Green north east Scotland MSP Maggie Chapman told the crowd of hundreds: 'We stand in solidarity not only against Trump but against everything he and his politics stand for.' Speaking about the US president, Ms Chapman said: 'He believes that climate change isn't real, he believes that cutting services for those in the world with the least is the right thing to do. 'We say no to all of those things, not in our name, never in our name.' With Trump having last year been convicted by a New York jury of falsifying business records, she said the president was a 'convicted felon'. And she told the PA news agency: 'He is not welcome in Scotland, he is certainly not welcome in Aberdeenshire. 'We know that he is a convicted felon. 'We also know that all of the promises he has repeatedly made to Scotland have come to nothing, there hasn't been the development of jobs or houses that he promised when he opened his course in Aberdeenshire a few years ago.' Harvie was also critical of the president, telling PA: 'He's attacking our renewables industry once again, one of the success stories of Scotland, and he is trying to attack and undermine it. 'And that is after having trashed part of our natural environment on the Aberdeenshire coast to build his golf resort.' Anita Bhadani was one of those who organised the Stop Trump Coalition protest outside the US Consulate General's office in told PA: 'We are really excited, across this whole weekend, there's so many campaign groups turning out in the streets, tacking in action in their communities or at rallies like this - it's kind of like a carnival of resistance.' She said Trump's 'huge promises' of creating thousands of jobs through development around his Scottish golf courses had not come to pass. A number of speakers addressed the crowd, condemning President Trump, including one who chanted 'death to the IDF.'
7NEWS
3 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
‘Ton watch' on as Jeremy Cameron kicks career-high bag in Geelong's demolition of North Melbourne
Geelong superstar Jeremy Cameron has kicked a career-high bag of 11 goals in the Cats' 101-point demolition of North Melbourne on Saturday night. In a match that looked like a glorified training drill at times, the Cats ran rings around the hapless Roos under the roof at Marvel Stadium. With the result all but confirmed midway through the second quarter, all the interest was on Cameron, who could make a charge to kick 100 goals in the season. Cameron had three in the first 10 minutes to lay the foundation for the big bag. He added another two late in the second quarter to make it five in a half. Cameron was getting them from all angles as teammates passed to him at every opportunity. Four more followed in the third quarter, including a brilliant set shot on the siren, to equal his previous career-high of nine. The 10th came in the opening minute of the final term, but he wasn't done there. He added one more late on to make it 11 as skipper Patrick Dangerfield, who was subbed out in the third term, watched on from the bench while eating a souvlaki. Cameron is now up to 69 goals for the season and has all but secured the Coleman Medal. The magical 100-goal mark is suddenly on the cards as well. With games against Port Adelaide, Essendon, Sydney and Richmond to come, plus finals there is a big chance. While Cameron will dominate the headlines, the fallout for the Roos could be significant. It was comfortably their worst loss of the season and once again raises questions about their trajectory. They were missing stars Tristan Xerri and Nick Larkey, but still had a host of talented players in action. The Roos remain in second-last position on the ladder. Geelong, meanwhile, rocket up to fourth place and a huge percentage.
RTÉ News
06-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Old foes Kilkenny and Tipperary set for tight tussle
For most of the previous decade, it felt like Kilkenny and Tipperary had Croke Park booked as a time-share. The neighbours met in exactly half the finals of the 2010s, Tipp winning three (2010, '16 and '19) to the Cats' two (2011 and the '14 replay). Though Brian Cody's men had won the four-in-a-row in 2009 and also prevailed in a semi-final at headquarters in 2012 and Nowlan Park qualifier the following year. The Premier made hay in the absence of red-carded Richie Hogan to win 3-25 to 0-20 six years ago but haven't been back to Jones' Road until today. Where the old enemy await. To see who will play a potent Cork, the last and longest-waiting member of the 'Big Three' in the All-Ireland final, who eviscerated Dublin in Saturday's first semi-final. It might not be 20 years but 10 is Kilkenny's joint-longest title drought (with 1922-32 and 1947-57) since claiming their first in 1904. So falling at the semi-final stage for the second successive season would set an unwelcome record, one that would have seemed laughably pessimistic when Cody's juggernaut secured an eighth All-Ireland title in 10 campaigns in 2015. They have lost four finals since, those two to Tipp and their hurling superpower successors Limerick in 2022 and '23, the latter in Derek Lyng's first campaign in charge. Last year, they were beaten by Clare despite leading by five points at half-time and for almost the entire game. Watching the Banner go on to pip Cork in the final while the Treaty were out of the picture must have particularly stung. . @MartyMofficial was in Callan, County Kilkenny near the Tipperary border to hear from Willie Maher and Aidan Fogarty ahead of the neighbours' All-Ireland SHC semi-final clash on Sunday #GAA — RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) July 4, 2025 Kilkenny have bounced back in the only way they could have, by cruising to a sixth Leinster title in a row. The lack of provincial competition is concerning at this point - the second half against Dublin and ten minutes against Galway in the provincial final the only time they have seemed under any real pressure this summer so far. Taking the foot off the gas when in a winning position is a slight concern, going back to that semi-final exit. Whether the four weeks off will prove a positive against opponents who have played twice since will only be confirmed today - it certainly didn't seem to hinder Cork - but at least it has allowed key forward Eoin Cody time to recover from a leg injury sustained in the late-April win over Antrim. Shane Murphy comes in for Tommy Walsh in the corner while Tipp are unchanged. Cody will likely be marked by pacy corner-back Robert Doyle, who has nailed down a starting position in his debut season. As have U-20 All-Ireland winners Darragh McCarthy and Sam O'Farrell, and Peter McGarry, who only made his championship debut in the preliminary quarter-final win over Laois. After two years of seeing his team gradually run out of steam, Tipperary manager Liam Cahill put his faith in youth this year and it paid off. Following a miserable 2024, when the 28-time champions finished bottom of Munster with just one point from four games, they only lost to Cork in the round-robin this year – having played the entire match with 14 men when McCarthy was dismissed – and the heavy nature of that defeat was all that kept them out of the provincial decider. Comfortable wins over the O'Moore men and long-time bogey team Galway, who had ended Cahill's maiden campaign in 2023, mean the year is already one of progress and the pressure is off Tipp. For a county whose confidence is easily restored once they get to Croke Park, that makes them dangerous. The Cats looked to have barely 10,000 fans at last year's semi-final so Tipperary could have the majority of the stadium behind them as well, not always the case in Semple. Kilkenny look closer to the finished article overall but nine of the Tipp panel were All-Ireland winners six years ago, including captain Ronan Maher, Michael Breen, Jake Morris (now a key man in a swift and strong half-forward line) and the rejuvenated duo of John McGrath (4-12 from play) and Jason Forde (2-12, plus 26 placed balls) in the starting XV today. Kilkenny have TJ Reid but the Premier have their own magician on the bench in the shape of Noel McGrath, just over three years younger at 34. Reid is among seven Kilkenny players who featured in the last meeting - Eoin Murphy, Huw Lawlor (in his first season terrifying forwards), Paddy Deegan, Adrian Mullen (fully fit and flying this year), John Donnelly and Billy Ryan (a sub that day) are the others. The feeling was that the Cahill-managed U21/20-winning sides of 2018/19 hadn't really delivered the senior dividend they promised but there are eight players from those two finals on the panel today, including late bloomer Andrew Ormond, who has shone at centre-forward since his first start in the season-sparking victory over Clare and scored 0-05 in the quarter-final. The likes of Gearóid O'Connor and Conor Bowe have also featured this year but find themselves outside the 26 today. Tipperary's victory over Galway was a tough watch at times, conditions in Limerick making for a lot of slipping and handling errors. Further showers are expected today but a wet surface can lead to goal chances as well. Tipp coughed up several of those last day out but the Tribesmen only converted two, one of which came far too late to make a difference. Giving the same opportunities to Cody, TJ Reid (5 goals from play) or Martin Keoghan (6) could be fatal today. Rain may lead both sides to go more direct and could also lead to more mistimed tackles, but hopefully there won't be a flurry of red cards like in the bizarre league meeting in March when four players (three Kilkenny and one from Tipp) saw the line. Funnily enough, James Owens, who (correctly) sent off Hogan in '19, is the man in the middle again today. This one looks evenly poised. Kilkenny have more experience of Croke Park and perhaps an edge in the inside lines. But then Tipperary have come through tougher tests this season and look to have more game-changers in reserve. It might be a year too soon for Tipp unless they can strike goals. Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy; Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Shane Murphy; Michael Carey, Richie Reid, Paddy Deegan; Cian Kenny, Jordan Molloy; Adrian Mullen, John Donnelly, Billy Ryan; Mossy Keoghan, TJ Reid, Eoin Cody. Subs: Aidan Tallis, David Blanchfield, Tommy Walsh, Pádraic Moylan, Killian Doyle, Zach Bay Hammond, Fionan Mackessy, Stephen Donnelly, Luke Hogan, Luke Connellan, Billy Drennan. Tipperary: Rhys Shelly; Robert Doyle, Eoghan Connolly, Michael Breen; Craig Morgan, Ronan Maher, Bryan O'Mara; Willie Connors, Peter McGarry; Jake Morris, Andrew Ormond, Sam O'Farrell; Darragh McCarthy, John McGrath, Jason Forde. Subs: Brian Hogan, Joe Caesar, Sean Kenneally, Seamus Kennedy, Brian McGrath, Noel McGrath, Oisín O'Donoghue, J Ryan, Conor Stakelum, Darragh Stakelum, Alan Tynan.
Irish Daily Mirror
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Former Kilkenny star Walter Walsh eyeing up unlikely Croke Park return
Former Kilkenny hurling star Walter Walsh is eyeing up an unlikely return to Croke Park on All-Ireland football semi-final weekend. Walsh, who has played for Leinster junior rugby team since retiring from Kilkenny hurling duty at the end of the 2024 season, has now thrown his lot in with Kilkenny footballers. The 34 year old All Star will be part of the Cats' side which faces London on Friday week in the All-Ireland Junior Football semi-final. Win that and their final is at Croke Park two days later as the curtain raiser to the Donegal/Meath All-Ireland semi-final. 'I got asked to go in before the rugby started and I wanted to give the rugby a chance,' says Walsh, who plays as a centre in rugby. 'I said, 'Look, after rugby.' I was talking to Christy Walsh. He's a Kerry man here in Kilkenny. He's been over the senior team for the last number of years. So I went in and I played a few matches - really enjoying it. Really enjoying the football.' The Tullogher Rosbercon club man - a three-time All-Ireland winner - is also a forward in football and loves the new rules. 'I've been going up for the throw-in, so I've been drafted out midfield for that,' he continued. "In Kilkenny the (football) championship was run off in April, so I really enjoyed playing the new rules. 'I was trying to lean in to be one of the three up front, so I wouldn't have to be working back (down) the field. 'We got beaten in a quarter-final. James Stephens beat us by a point. The new rules are great. I suppose, for me, football is really enjoyable. There's maybe not as much pressure and so on. 'Even in club hurling, everything is so serious at the minute. Football, especially in Kilkenny, you go out and enjoy it. That's what I'm doing with Kilkenny football as well. 'There's a lot of very passionate people about Kilkenny football, so it's something I'm taking extremely seriously and I'm really looking forward to.' Walsh was an accomplished footballer with Good Counsel College in New Ross in his younger days. 'We won Leinsters when we were back in school, so I always love football,' he continued. "There's been a big gap in my football career - as there was in my rugby career. "I'm delighted to be back playing and it would be amazing really to play football in Croke Park. But look, we have a game to win ahead of that.'
Gulf Today
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
How Christopher Gattelli crafted ‘Death Becomes Her'
When he was first asked to helm the Broadway hit musical 'Death Becomes Her,' director and choreographer Christopher Gattelli loved it, but refused to work on the big, splashy opening number. It was just too delicious. 'When they sent it to me, I was cooking and I burnt dinner because my mind was spinning,' he says. 'I was, like, 'This is a gift. I will never get an opening number like this again.'' So Gattelli worked out everything else about how to put Robert Zemeckis' 1992 comic cult classic onto a stage and only then turned to the big, brassy song, 'For the Gaze,' a winking valentine to gay men, punning along the way. 'I was able to do the show and then have my full brain on that number because I knew the potential of what it could be,' he says. What Gattelli crafted is an opening number for the ages, led by Megan Hilty: There are mid-song costume changes, dance breaks, chorus boys hoisting Hilty, spangly jumpsuits and tuxedos, high-kicking Vegas showgirls with feather headdresses, a body double doing somersaults, a rainbow flag of top-hatted dancers, and Hilty doing a Liza Minnelli cameo, all ending with the grand finale of Hilty as Judy Garland's Dorothy from 'The Wizard of Oz,' complete with a little stuffed dog. 'I heard the pocket in that song, and I was like, 'I know there's a giant laugh there. I can hear giant laughs, what's that giant laugh?'' says Gattelli. 'What's the biggest gay reference? Then I literally I just worked backwards.' That number telegraphs to the audience exactly what to expect for the rest of the night — a perfectly rehearsed, lushly costumed, silly, self-aware comedy. 'Once we hit 'For the Gaze,' the audience knows exactly what the show is,' he says. 'And then I think they're in for the ride.' The work on 'For the Gaze' has helped Gattelli see his show earn 10 Tony Award nominations, including one for his Broadway debut as a director and another for his choreography. The musical is based on the film, which starred Meryl Streep as a self-centered actor and Goldie Hawn as her suffering-in-the-shadows writer friend. Their mutual desperate measures for achieving eternal youth turn comically grotesque. Hilty plays the Streep role, while Jennifer Simard plays the Hawn one. 'It felt like just the perfect fit for what I do and what I love to do,' Gattelli says. 'I love comedy and I love to direct comedy and I love to do these big splashy numbers. It felt like everything I've been itching to do.' Gattelli — who was a dancer in the original 'Cats' — has been a mainstay on Broadway of late, able to choreograph such venerable works as 'The King and I' and 'My Fair Lady' but also irreverent musicals as 'SpongeBob SquarePants' and the jukebox variety, like 'The Cher Show.' He made his directing debut off-Broadway in 2011 with 'Silence!' a parody musical of 'The Silence of the Lambs,' complete with a chorus of dancing lambs running across the stage. Lowe Cunningham, lead producer of 'Death Becomes Her,' saw it in Los Angeles and later asked Gattelli about the experience, how he collaborated and his approach to the work. She was impressed by his openness to all ideas and his caring. 'I think first and foremost, his talent is clear and it's been out there in the world of choreography for a long time. He is innovative, he does things other people aren't doing, but the other thing is that he's renowned as being an incredibly kind human being,' she says. Gattelli, who won a 2012 Tony for choreographing 'Newsies the Musical' - one of his show-stopping moments was dancers sliding on newspapers - was brought in relatively late to 'Death Becomes Her,' only a year and half before opening on Broadway. 'It was a great lesson in trusting your instincts,' he says. 'They said, 'We want a lush, opulent, magical sparkling evening.' And we just started taking big swings.' Associated Press
