Latest news with #Doogan
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Motorsport: Stafford and Cleary hang on to win in Midleton
With a 15.3-second lead entering the final stage, the Wexford crew of James Stafford/Richard Cleary (Darrian T90 GTR) almost backed off too much but did enough to win the Midleton-based CDE Imokilly Rally by 4.4s. Armagh's Jason Black and his Cork based co-driver Karl Egan took second place as they pushed hard on the final stage and while they almost caught Stafford/Cleary, they deprived the Monaghan/Cavan pairing of Johno Doogan/Paul Lennon (Ford Escort) of the runner-up spot by 4.7s. Doogan led after the opening 15.5km stage where Stafford, who reckoned the dust on the stage was more that he anticipated, took time to get into a rhythm and finished just 1.1s in arrears. Gary Kiernan (Ford Escort) in third struggled with brakes that overheated. Top seed Rob Duggan lost time when he had to reverse after he spun his Escort, he ended the stage down in seventh - 12.7s off the lead. Stafford set a strong time on the second stage to move into the lead - 5.7s ahead of Doogan, who wasn't committing as it would involve some risk. Kiernan slotted into third but continued to have brake issues. An untroubled Michael Cahill (Escort) was fourth followed by the Toyota Starlet of Armagh's Jason Black and the Escort of Clare's Padraig Egan (Ford Escort). Although Duggan partially sorted some issues, he withdrew at the Midleton service park leaving Stafford tackle the repeated of both stages as rally leader. The Wexford driver was best on SS3 to move 9s ahead of Doogan while Egan crashed out. On the fourth stage Black, who struggled on the opening stage, showed a fine turn of speed and topped the time sheets to move up two places to third - a mere 1.1s behind Doogan. Stafford reckoned the dust on SS4 prevented him from posting a better time, nevertheless, he led by 13s. Kiernan attributed his time loss on SS4 to having stiffened the front of his Escort too much as it was "lifting off the road" on the high speed sections. Cahill in fifth was a little concerned about some differential issues while Peter Wilson, who posted good times on both reckoned his Escort was running a little too hot. With the brake issues sorted, Moffett was pleased with his performances on both stages, he was seventh in a top ten that also featured Vincent O'Shea (Darrian T90 GTR) and the Escorts of Cian Walsh and Mark Dolphin. Walsh, in the Tom Randles Escort, was happy with his performance while Dolphin was unhappy when he encountered a stricken Escort being removed on SS3. Protecting his lead position Stafford stretched his advantage to 15.3s on the penultimate stage. Doogan tried a harder compound that took a few kilometres to work properly as Black trimmed the margin between them to 0.9s. Kiernan and Cahill followed with the latter closing to within 5.3s as Kiernan tried some different tyre options. Moffett had a big moment on the stage and decided to call it a day. At the latter end of the top 10 Cian Walsh and Mark Dolphin battled for local bragging rights as the latter cut the deficit to a mere 0.7s. Stafford arrived at the end of final stage a trifle worried as he reckoned he had backed off too much, to his relief, his victory was confirmed within a few minutes. Elsewhere, Kiernan and first time co-driver Jake O'Sullivan (Escort) managed to fend off Cahill for fourth with Meath's Peter Wilson (Ford Escort) sixth. Kenmare's Vincent O'Shea (Darrian T90 GTR) took a trouble-free drive to seventh as Dolphin reeled in Walsh for eighth and top Cork driver by just 0.2s. Youghal's Jason and Ross Ryan (Toyota Starlet) won Class 11F and the Castlemartyr/Ardfield crew of Darragh Walsh/Gary Lombard (Honda Civic) took the Junior honours. CDE Imokilly Rally, Midleton: 1. J. Stafford/R. Cleary (Darrian T90 GTR) 41m. 08.2s; 2. J. Black/K. Egan (Toyota Starlet)+4.4s; 3. J. Doogan/P. Lennon (Ford Escort)+9.1s; 4. G. Kiernan/J. Sullivan (Ford Escort)+38.3s; 5. M. Cahill/C. Smith (Ford Escort)+44.1s; 6. P. Wilson/J. McCarthy (Ford Escort)+1m. 19.2s; 7. V. O'Shea/E. O'Donoghue (Darrian T90 GTR)+1m. 38.6s; 8. M. Dolphin/T. Delaney (Ford Escort)+1m. 55.2s; 9. C. Walsh/D. Doonan (Ford Escort)+1m. 55.9s; 10. D. Hickey/R. O'Riordan (Ford Escort)+2m. 11.5s.
The National
11-06-2025
- Business
- The National
SNP say 'cuts in every detail' of Rachel Reeves's Spending Review
Speaking in the Commons on Thursday, the Chancellor set out how she plans to invest £750 million in a supercomputer in Edinburgh, as well as an unspecified amount of funding for the Acorn carbon capture project in the north east. The UK Government also announced that Kirkcaldy would benefit from a £240m fund to boost its high street, and previously said that the Faslane nuclear base would see £250m over three years as phase one of a multi-billion-pound renovation. Poverty Alliance chief executive Peter Kelly said such investment gave a 'positive story to tell', but warned: 'That story masks cuts to day-to-day spending in unprotected areas.' READ MORE: John Swinney confirms his new Scottish Cabinet ministers He went on: 'We all rely on public services, but when libraries, buses and social care systems see cuts, it will be people living on low incomes that feel that impact the hardest because they are more likely to use and rely upon those services. "After 14 years of austerity, any spending cuts will drive living standards down further. We've been down that road before and it's not what people voted for.' Kelly further highlighted that the review 'includes £5bn worth of cuts to social security for disabled people which are expected to push 400,000 people into poverty'. The SNP's economy spokesperson, Dave Doogan MP, made a similar argument, saying that while capital investment was welcome, the Spending Review had failed to 'help hard pressed families in the here and now'. FIle photo of SNP MP Dave Doogan (right) and Chancellor Rachel Reeves (Image: UK Parliament) Doogan said Reeves's review showed Labour were 'slashing support for disabled people, doubling down on a jobs tax that is already increasing unemployment, and imposing massive real terms cuts to departmental spending that have already suffered austerity'. He went on: 'Every time this Chancellor has made a major financial statement, the pattern has been the same – growth has been downgraded, the markets have wobbled, and unemployment has risen. I fear today's trajectory will be no different. 'Usually it's said that the devil is in the detail of these announcements, but today it is even more obvious – cuts are in every detail of this Labour Spending Review. 'The Chancellor can't hide from her own numbers.' Doogan then added: 'The other inconvenient truth of this Spending Review is that it might not be worth the paper it is written on by the time we get to the next UK Budget. 'The Chancellor's own choices mean that Labour may well be coming back for more cuts because they are trapped in the spending rules they copied from the Tories. READ MORE: Scottish bus firm announces plan to move all manufacturing to England 'For Scotland, the doom loop of the UK's economic decline, of damaging Westminster decisions and more cuts from this Chancellor is another stark warning that the 'change' Labour promised is never going to happen – it's time to take our economic future into our own hands with the powers of independence.' Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie said that "despite the shiny capital announcements made so far, Labour's ideologically driven, self-imposed borrowing rules will still lock in austerity for many years to come". He went on: 'The UK Government could choose to tax the wealthiest in society – millionaires and billionaires – and raise more than £24 billion a year. 'Just like their Tory predecessors – Labour remain all too happy to balance the books through slashing support for some of our most marginalised communities – all while allowing the rich to get even richer. Scotland has had enough of mitigating bad decisions made by Westminster. Alba leader Kenny MacAskillAlba leader Kenny MacAskill accused Reeves of 'robbing Scotland while investing in Sizewell', the new nuclear power plant in Sussex which was allocated £14.2bn in the Spending Review. He went on: 'The message coming from this statement is loud and clear: Scotland is a resource to exploit while our environment is trashed. Renewable energy is taken south of the Border to power homes and businesses with not a penny of revenue flowing to Scotland. 'Scotland's massive energy bounty can be the game changer for Scots households providing cheaper, cleaner energy. That is why it is time for Independence.' Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, said: 'Workers and communities need to see action now, promises of jobs can't always be promised for tomorrow and never actually be delivered. READ MORE: These key economic truths show how independent Scotland and Wales can succeed 'This must include a comprehensive and tangible jobs agenda that deals with the wave of job losses on the horizon, for example in the oil and gas industry. 'We need a joined up industrial strategy that sees investment in Grangemouth and much-needed procurement decisions on buying British in defence. 'Growth and profits need to convert to jobs and wages. 'Today was a missed opportunity to lay out the funding to tackle key issues, including the energy costs crippling British industry and the local authority debt which is straight-jacketing services in our communities. 'Spending cuts will be seen as austerity, those are the facts. Labour needs to pick up the pace on change otherwise it will be stuck in the political slow lane while other voices get louder.'
Scotsman
05-06-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Ian Murray clashes with SNP as Chancellor announces winter fuel allowance boost
The Scotland Secretary criticised the SNP during Scottish questions Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The SNP's Economy Spokesperson Dave Doogan has written to the Scottish Secretary Ian Murray urging him to 'find a backbone, join the cabinet revolt, and oppose the Chancellor's cuts'. As many as four ministers are reported to oppose plans being drawn up by Rachel Reeves ahead of the Spending Review, including Yvette Cooper, Ed Miliband and Angela Rayner. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Doogan has written to Mr Murray urging him to join them, only for the minister to defend the Government's record in his opening statement at Scottish questions in Westminster. In a letter seen by The Scotsman, Mr Doogan wrote: 'The raw reality of the damage that more austerity will do to our public services and our society has even stirred some of your cabinet colleagues to stand against the Chancellor's cuts. There are numerous reports that a cabinet revolt is growing against the Chancellor's austerity plans – including opposition from the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. 'As this Cabinet revolt continues, it has not gone unnoticed that your opposition to the Chancellor's austerity is nowhere to be seen – instead you have chosen to remain completely silent. 'Unfortunately, that silence is no longer surprising. Ever since Anas Sarwar infamously told voters to 'read my lips – no austerity under Labour' – Labour figures in Scotland have given their full backing to a Prime Minister and Chancellor who have stripped pensioners of the winter fuel payments, are cutting support to the disabled and who have treated Scotland as afterthought. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'You have a clear choice in the coming days – find a backbone, join the cabinet revolt, and oppose the Chancellor's cuts or choose to sit silent and break more election promises to the people of Scotland. If you aren't prepared to stand up to the Chancellor to oppose more austerity cuts, then it is only natural that voters will conclude that they can never trust Scottish Labour to stand up for Scotland.' Speaking in the Commons, Mr Murray issued an apology to MPs for misleading the House, revealing he had actually undersold the amount of money awarded to Scotland. He said: 'This is the first opportunity I've had to apologise to the House for using an inaccurate figure. I had told the House previously that the Scottish Government had received a record settlement of £47.7 billion this year but Treasury figures show the block grant for this year is actually £50 billion. 'That's the highest ever settlement in the history of devolution, with bells on. That's £50 billion, more money for schools, hospitals, policing and housing. It's an end to austerity, that's the Barnett Formula in action, the Barnett Formula that both the SNP and Reform have announced this week they want to scrap.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Responding to Mr Doogan, a Labour source pointed out Mr Doogan was not in the Commons for Scotland questions. They added: 'Did he send a letter because he couldn't be bothered showing up to his work?' The spat came as the UK Government announced more pensioners will receive the winter fuel allowance this winter – but payments will not be universal. Ms Reeves told reporters that 'more people will get winter fuel payment this winter', adding that further details will be announced 'as soon as we possibly can'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves delivers a speech during a visit to Mellor Bus in Rochdale on June 4, 2025, to announce investments in regional transport (Photo: PETER BYRNE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) | POOL/AFP via Getty Images She said: 'People should be in no doubt that the means test will increase and more people will get winter fuel payment this winter.' Asked whether she would tell the public if she planned to fund her commitments by raising taxes or cutting spending on other departments, the Chancellor said: 'As we have been clear, on winter fuel we will set out how we will fund that at the next fiscal event. 'We will set out how everything will be paid for at the budget in the autumn but it's important that everything that we do is funded, because that's how people know that we can afford it.' Downing Street did not deny that details of how the winter fuel payment may be restored to more pensioners could come at next week's spending review. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Prime Minister's official spokesman told reporters: 'As the Prime Minister has said, we will only take decisions that are affordable. He has made clear that we want to expand the number of pensioners who are eligible for the winter fuel payment. 'We will set out the details of that in due course. You have got the Chancellor's words from this morning. You have got the PM's words from earlier in the week that we want to set out that detail as soon as possible.' On July 29 last year, the Government announced that from winter 2024, winter fuel payments would be dependent on receiving another means-tested benefit, as part of measures to fill a 'black hole' in the public finances. The decision to means-test the previously universal payment was one of the first announcements by Chancellor Rachel Reeves after Labour's landslide election victory last year, and it has been widely blamed for the party's collapse in support. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It meant the number of pensioners receiving the payment was reduced by around 10 million, from 11.4 million to 1.5 million. The Government has insisted the policy was necessary to help stabilise the public finances, allowing the improvements in the economic picture which Sir Keir said could result in the partial reversal of the measure.
RTÉ News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Odhran Doogan drops back as George Kimber wins stage to take yellow jersey at Rás Tailteann
The Rás Tailteann looks to be heading towards a tense, exciting final day following another shakeup of the general classification on Saturday. Isle of Man CC rider George Kimber leaped from fourth to first overall on the short 128.1km stage from Ennis to Mountrath, deposing overnight race leader Odhran Doogan (Cycling Ulster) inside the final 20km of racing. Kimber had started the day six seconds back but Doogan was unable to remain in contact when Team Ireland duo Dean Harvey and Jamie Meehan floored the pace on the first category climb of Wolftrap. This topped out just 14km from the end of the stage and with only Kimber and Adam Lewis (USA Team Skyline) able to hold the two climbing specialists, Doogan was in trouble. Lewis was dropped on the run in to the line and while Doogan attacked the chasing bunch behind, he was unable to make any inroads into the leading trio's advantage. He finished in the bunch 28 seconds back, dropping to third overall. "I'm just so happy," Kimber told RTE Online. "It felt amazing, and also to repay the team. They have been very supportive, so to be able to give something back is great." Taller and heavier than Harvey and Meehan, he said that he struggled at times to hold the Team Ireland riders on the final climb. However he clung on and then provided important horsepower on the downhill and flat run in to the finish. "He stuck with us," Meehan told RTE Online. "He didn't help us too much on the steep bits, but he was quite strong in the flat. He was obviously going quite well to get over the climb with us. "We had a plan to go on the climb with me and Dean. We did what we were supposed to do, so we can be happy with that. And tomorrow's another day." Indeed it is, with the concluding stage taking the riders from Kildare Town to Bective. It is 155.7km in length and mainly flat, but Meehan will do what he can to try to overcome his slender five second deficit. Doogan too said he will keep fighting. He is now 22 seconds back and while he knows retaking yellow will be difficult, he will give it a shot. "There's still a day to go. It's not over yet. It's not a massive gap, but it's bigger than I had in any stage so far. It'll definitely be a challenge, but it's definitely not over." Meehan said the same. "This is the Rás. It is all to play for." With a total of 13 riders within a minute of Kimber, he knows that a lot of work still needs to be done. "It would be huge to do it," he said. "It's nice having the stage win, though, because whatever happens tomorrow, we have still got that to take home."
RTÉ News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Second stage win in Rás Tailteann for Tim Shoreman; Odhrán Doogan retains yellow jersey
Rás Tailteann race leader Odhrán Doogan moved one step closer to success in the event on Friday, but he and his Cycling Ulster team were under real threat for approximately 100km of the 164km third leg to Miltown-Malbay. The Irishman started the day with a narrow lead in the general classification and experienced real danger when a 15-rider group went clear about 20km after the start in Cong. Racing through rain and on slippery roads, the breakaway move contained many strong riders, including 2022 Rás winner Daire Feeley (Burren CC), last year's runner-up Conn McDunphy (Team Skyline) and George Kimber (Cycling Club Isle of Man). The latter had started the day fourth overall, just six seconds behind Doogan, and became virtual race leader when the group built and maintained an advantage of around a minute. Doogan and others finally returned to the front approximately 40km from the finish, with stage one victor Tim Shoreman (UK: Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli) best in a 60 rider sprint to the line. He beat Matteo Cigala (Carlow Dan Morrissey Pissei), Sebastian Brenes (Mexico: Canel's Java) and Matthew Teggart (Down Banbridge CC Specsavers), the first Irish rider home. Irish-based Italian Cigala remains second overall, just three seconds behind Doogan. Shoreman was well ahead at the end, taking advantage of his sprinting speed and also the skill honed by years of criterium racing in Britain. Full Stage 3 results from Rás Tailteann are now available. A huge day on the road into Miltown Malbay — check out the full classification sheet below. #RásTailteann #Rás70 #Rás2025 — Rás Tailteann (@rastailteann) May 23, 2025 "When I saw that we were finishing around a corner, I just knew I had to be first around that," he told RTE Online. "So that's what I did." Doogan took six seconds in time bonuses on the opening day and while he said he didn't expect to contend for the overall classification, he jumped to the top of the leaderboard on Thursday. Key rivals did what they could to depose him Friday, but he and his team rose to the challenge. "I was definitely nervous," he admitted. "But I knew the guys up the road had a big, hard day ahead of them. I knew I just couldn't let them get a big gap. So me and my team were able to control it." Team Ireland rider Dean Harvey was also in that big break. He crashed 85km into the stage and had to chase for several kilometers, but he was strong enough to go clear on the Corkscrew Hill climb approximately 35km later. However while he opened a lead of almost 30 seconds over eight other riders, a headwind made things too difficult and he was caught with approximately 40km to go. Doogan and others had bridged across to the chasers by that point and, following the climbs of Doonagore Cross and the category two Cliffs of Moher, the race leader himself showed defiance to attack alone with 11km to go. He didn't get far and came under threat again when George Peden (Team PB Performance) countered. The Team PB Performance rider had started the day just 11 seconds behind Doogan and became race leader on the road when he was 13 seconds in front with 9km to go. However he was caught inside the final 5km, with Shoreman winning the bunch sprint. Doogan was tenth and remains in the lead with two stages remaining. His rivals vow to keep attacking, but he's gaining confidence and will do what he can to win overall on Sunday. "There another big day tomorrow but I'm looking forward to it. I'm going to try to keep yellow for as long as I can," he vowed.
