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The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Central, Wyong set for third game in eight days as NEWRL finals race heats up
Less than a month ago, they were second-last. The 2024 grand finalist's season looked to be slipping away. But after a sixth consecutive win mid-week over Newcastle Rugby League front-runners Wyong, Central Newcastle could be in the top three by the end of this weekend. The Butcher Boys, who beat second-placed Wyong 16-6 at St John Oval on Wednesday night, return to their home ground again on Sunday to face Cessnock. It will be Central's third game in eight days, and shapes as another important clash on the run towards the NEWRL finals. Cessnock are fourth, and themselves in a fight to stay in the top five. Wests, Central, Cessnock and The Entrance are placed third to sixth, and all on 16 competition points. South Newcastle and Kurri Kurri, on 14 points, hover in seventh and eighth, and remain well in finals contention ahead of the last five rounds. Intriguingly, Central and Cessnock are the only teams in the mix that play each other twice on the run home - this Sunday and in the last round. "We had four blokes out, a few little injuries, but we just got out-played Wednesday night," Wyong coach Tony Gleeson said. "Just out-enthused if anything. They put us on the back foot from the word go. "Their efforts on the try-line, combined with our lack of cohesion ... made it really hard to score tries. "The thing about Central, I coached a lot of those guys at Hunter Sports High and in the Knights' system, and they're a really good team. They play for each other. That's their strength - they play really well together." Wyong are also set to play their third game in eight days, hosting ninth-placed Lakes United on Sunday. In other round-14 games, Wests host Maitland and The Entrance travel to Kurri Kurri on Saturday. Northern Hawks and Macquarie meet at Tomaree on Sunday. Wyong and leaders Maitland, on 19 points, are three points clear at the top of the table. But with only five games left to play, compared to Maitland, Wests and The Entrance who have six, Wyong aren't home and hosed for the finals, despite a relatively easy run home - including their next three games at home. "It's a real worrying period, we're certainly not looking too far ahead," Gleeson said. "Our last two performances were less than what we're capable of, against the Northern Hawks and Central. It's a big eight days for us. "Because the ladder is so close, you don't want to be complacent. You've really got to focus on who you're playing next, and Lakes will be desperate." Wyong should welcome back centre Matt Ikuvalu and back-rower Jye Boyle for the 3pm match at Morry Breen Oval. Playmaker Jack Kelly has been named on Lakes' bench, but Ryan Stig was named at halfback. The Wests and Maitland match at Harker Oval shapes as a classic, while the other intriguing clash is The Entrance and Kurri Kurri. For the first time in the NEWRL, Kurri coach Paul Stringer faces the side he had been earmarked to coach last year, before The Entrance back-flipped and retained Jamy Forbes after backlash late in the 2023 season. Ben O'Connell took over for 2024. Stringer joined Kurri ahead of this season and has helped them to a 6-5 record, after they went more than two seasons without a win. Less than a month ago, they were second-last. The 2024 grand finalist's season looked to be slipping away. But after a sixth consecutive win mid-week over Newcastle Rugby League front-runners Wyong, Central Newcastle could be in the top three by the end of this weekend. The Butcher Boys, who beat second-placed Wyong 16-6 at St John Oval on Wednesday night, return to their home ground again on Sunday to face Cessnock. It will be Central's third game in eight days, and shapes as another important clash on the run towards the NEWRL finals. Cessnock are fourth, and themselves in a fight to stay in the top five. Wests, Central, Cessnock and The Entrance are placed third to sixth, and all on 16 competition points. South Newcastle and Kurri Kurri, on 14 points, hover in seventh and eighth, and remain well in finals contention ahead of the last five rounds. Intriguingly, Central and Cessnock are the only teams in the mix that play each other twice on the run home - this Sunday and in the last round. "We had four blokes out, a few little injuries, but we just got out-played Wednesday night," Wyong coach Tony Gleeson said. "Just out-enthused if anything. They put us on the back foot from the word go. "Their efforts on the try-line, combined with our lack of cohesion ... made it really hard to score tries. "The thing about Central, I coached a lot of those guys at Hunter Sports High and in the Knights' system, and they're a really good team. They play for each other. That's their strength - they play really well together." Wyong are also set to play their third game in eight days, hosting ninth-placed Lakes United on Sunday. In other round-14 games, Wests host Maitland and The Entrance travel to Kurri Kurri on Saturday. Northern Hawks and Macquarie meet at Tomaree on Sunday. Wyong and leaders Maitland, on 19 points, are three points clear at the top of the table. But with only five games left to play, compared to Maitland, Wests and The Entrance who have six, Wyong aren't home and hosed for the finals, despite a relatively easy run home - including their next three games at home. "It's a real worrying period, we're certainly not looking too far ahead," Gleeson said. "Our last two performances were less than what we're capable of, against the Northern Hawks and Central. It's a big eight days for us. "Because the ladder is so close, you don't want to be complacent. You've really got to focus on who you're playing next, and Lakes will be desperate." Wyong should welcome back centre Matt Ikuvalu and back-rower Jye Boyle for the 3pm match at Morry Breen Oval. Playmaker Jack Kelly has been named on Lakes' bench, but Ryan Stig was named at halfback. The Wests and Maitland match at Harker Oval shapes as a classic, while the other intriguing clash is The Entrance and Kurri Kurri. For the first time in the NEWRL, Kurri coach Paul Stringer faces the side he had been earmarked to coach last year, before The Entrance back-flipped and retained Jamy Forbes after backlash late in the 2023 season. Ben O'Connell took over for 2024. Stringer joined Kurri ahead of this season and has helped them to a 6-5 record, after they went more than two seasons without a win. Less than a month ago, they were second-last. The 2024 grand finalist's season looked to be slipping away. But after a sixth consecutive win mid-week over Newcastle Rugby League front-runners Wyong, Central Newcastle could be in the top three by the end of this weekend. The Butcher Boys, who beat second-placed Wyong 16-6 at St John Oval on Wednesday night, return to their home ground again on Sunday to face Cessnock. It will be Central's third game in eight days, and shapes as another important clash on the run towards the NEWRL finals. Cessnock are fourth, and themselves in a fight to stay in the top five. Wests, Central, Cessnock and The Entrance are placed third to sixth, and all on 16 competition points. South Newcastle and Kurri Kurri, on 14 points, hover in seventh and eighth, and remain well in finals contention ahead of the last five rounds. Intriguingly, Central and Cessnock are the only teams in the mix that play each other twice on the run home - this Sunday and in the last round. "We had four blokes out, a few little injuries, but we just got out-played Wednesday night," Wyong coach Tony Gleeson said. "Just out-enthused if anything. They put us on the back foot from the word go. "Their efforts on the try-line, combined with our lack of cohesion ... made it really hard to score tries. "The thing about Central, I coached a lot of those guys at Hunter Sports High and in the Knights' system, and they're a really good team. They play for each other. That's their strength - they play really well together." Wyong are also set to play their third game in eight days, hosting ninth-placed Lakes United on Sunday. In other round-14 games, Wests host Maitland and The Entrance travel to Kurri Kurri on Saturday. Northern Hawks and Macquarie meet at Tomaree on Sunday. Wyong and leaders Maitland, on 19 points, are three points clear at the top of the table. But with only five games left to play, compared to Maitland, Wests and The Entrance who have six, Wyong aren't home and hosed for the finals, despite a relatively easy run home - including their next three games at home. "It's a real worrying period, we're certainly not looking too far ahead," Gleeson said. "Our last two performances were less than what we're capable of, against the Northern Hawks and Central. It's a big eight days for us. "Because the ladder is so close, you don't want to be complacent. You've really got to focus on who you're playing next, and Lakes will be desperate." Wyong should welcome back centre Matt Ikuvalu and back-rower Jye Boyle for the 3pm match at Morry Breen Oval. Playmaker Jack Kelly has been named on Lakes' bench, but Ryan Stig was named at halfback. The Wests and Maitland match at Harker Oval shapes as a classic, while the other intriguing clash is The Entrance and Kurri Kurri. For the first time in the NEWRL, Kurri coach Paul Stringer faces the side he had been earmarked to coach last year, before The Entrance back-flipped and retained Jamy Forbes after backlash late in the 2023 season. Ben O'Connell took over for 2024. Stringer joined Kurri ahead of this season and has helped them to a 6-5 record, after they went more than two seasons without a win. Less than a month ago, they were second-last. The 2024 grand finalist's season looked to be slipping away. But after a sixth consecutive win mid-week over Newcastle Rugby League front-runners Wyong, Central Newcastle could be in the top three by the end of this weekend. The Butcher Boys, who beat second-placed Wyong 16-6 at St John Oval on Wednesday night, return to their home ground again on Sunday to face Cessnock. It will be Central's third game in eight days, and shapes as another important clash on the run towards the NEWRL finals. Cessnock are fourth, and themselves in a fight to stay in the top five. Wests, Central, Cessnock and The Entrance are placed third to sixth, and all on 16 competition points. South Newcastle and Kurri Kurri, on 14 points, hover in seventh and eighth, and remain well in finals contention ahead of the last five rounds. Intriguingly, Central and Cessnock are the only teams in the mix that play each other twice on the run home - this Sunday and in the last round. "We had four blokes out, a few little injuries, but we just got out-played Wednesday night," Wyong coach Tony Gleeson said. "Just out-enthused if anything. They put us on the back foot from the word go. "Their efforts on the try-line, combined with our lack of cohesion ... made it really hard to score tries. "The thing about Central, I coached a lot of those guys at Hunter Sports High and in the Knights' system, and they're a really good team. They play for each other. That's their strength - they play really well together." Wyong are also set to play their third game in eight days, hosting ninth-placed Lakes United on Sunday. In other round-14 games, Wests host Maitland and The Entrance travel to Kurri Kurri on Saturday. Northern Hawks and Macquarie meet at Tomaree on Sunday. Wyong and leaders Maitland, on 19 points, are three points clear at the top of the table. But with only five games left to play, compared to Maitland, Wests and The Entrance who have six, Wyong aren't home and hosed for the finals, despite a relatively easy run home - including their next three games at home. "It's a real worrying period, we're certainly not looking too far ahead," Gleeson said. "Our last two performances were less than what we're capable of, against the Northern Hawks and Central. It's a big eight days for us. "Because the ladder is so close, you don't want to be complacent. You've really got to focus on who you're playing next, and Lakes will be desperate." Wyong should welcome back centre Matt Ikuvalu and back-rower Jye Boyle for the 3pm match at Morry Breen Oval. Playmaker Jack Kelly has been named on Lakes' bench, but Ryan Stig was named at halfback. The Wests and Maitland match at Harker Oval shapes as a classic, while the other intriguing clash is The Entrance and Kurri Kurri. For the first time in the NEWRL, Kurri coach Paul Stringer faces the side he had been earmarked to coach last year, before The Entrance back-flipped and retained Jamy Forbes after backlash late in the 2023 season. Ben O'Connell took over for 2024. Stringer joined Kurri ahead of this season and has helped them to a 6-5 record, after they went more than two seasons without a win.
Irish Examiner
11-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Limerick shop manager punched and bitten by woman 'under the influence'
A Limerick shop manager had to be taken to hospital after a woman 'under the influence' bit him and punched him several times. The manager of Gleeson's Spar shop on Catherine Street in the city centre, Seaghan Gleeson, was assaulted during a 'public order incident', which occurred on July 9 at approximately 4pm. Gardaí attended the scene and a spokesperson said the woman, aged in her 40s, was arrested and conveyed to a Garda station in Limerick city. She has since been released without charge and investigations are ongoing. Mr Gleeson, who was brought to University Hospital Limerick by an ambulance, told the Irish Examiner the incident was 'traumatic'. ' She had taken a bottle of Coke and put it in her pants. I confronted her and asked her to take it out and then leave. She refused to give it to me and eventually, opened it and began to pour it on the ground,' he recalled. Mr Gleeson told his employees to call the gardaí and not to get involved, as he tried to keep the woman away from everyone else. At that point, the shop's doors were closed, with customers and staff watching the incident unfold. Mr Gleeson said the woman bit him about four times, before claiming she was HIV positive. He said the woman also spat at him. Despite anti-social incidents occurring often in the shop, he said this one was 'on a whole different level'. 'It's pretty traumatic. I asked my staff to stay away and to ring the gardaí. I tried to deal with it myself because it's just very hard to keep staff. Most of my staff are very good, so it's just important that I try and deal with it myself, and show that I am willing to be the person to deal with it,' he added. Video of the incident at the store in Limerick. Mr Gleeson was taken to the hospital in an ambulance, where he said he was advised to get tested for HIV. He is waiting for the results to come back. Mr Gleeson, who got engaged last weekend, said the ordeal 'put a bit of a downer on the move'. His father and the shop's owner, Shane Gleeson, said the woman was barred from the shop for anti-social behaviour. 'She has been intimidating and bullying us for some time," Shane said. "She's not allowed in because of her behaviour." He said the woman bit his son on the face and punched him 20 times in the space of one minute. "I just stopped counting at 20." The video, sent to the Irish Examiner, shows the woman trying to take items as Mr Gleeson tries to stop her. The footage shows her being verbally abusive towards Mr Gleeson.
Irish Examiner
01-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Uisce Éireann warns of 'critical constraints' in water capacity
Uisce Éireann has warned that its capacity to serve could hit critical constraints resulting in housing delivery coming to a standstill in the next few years. Concerns were raised at the Oireachtas housing committee that housing delivery could be stymied in the next three or four years as the water utility urged for the situation to be treated as an emergency. The committee heard that an additional €2bn — paid out over five years — would be required in order to deliver on the Government's housing targets. Uisce Éireann's Strategic Funding Plan had set out a requirement of €10.3bn investment in capital infrastructure based on the Housing For All targets of 33,000 new homes per year for 2025 to 2029. "The Government has now moved to increase national housing targets by 17,000 additional units a year to 2030," CEO of Uisce Éireann, Niall Gleeson said. The challenge for infrastructure providers like Uisce Éireann is to work out how we can mobilise our workforce, funding, processes and supply chains to support these targets on top of our existing obligations. Mr Gleeson said Uisce Éireann "is not a housing delivery body" but is tasked with ensuring the provision of water and wastewater infrastructure for the construction of new developments and for the homes when they are completed. The Dublin area in particular is "running out of road" in terms of headroom and that projects in Dublin and the Eastern and Midlands region are on the cusp of critical phases, the committee heard. "Until we address the challenges highlighted in planning, consenting and funding, Uisce Éireann remains concerned about the level of risk in these projects," said Mr Gleeson. With the demand outstripping the supply in Dublin on certain days already this year, it was warned that the area could be one fine day away from the introduction of water restrictions. Funding is just one element that is needed to deliver the big and small projects that need to be delivered. Infrastructure projects need to be prioritised when it comes to planning, the process needs to be streamlined and the committee heard that when it comes to consent, there is an element of 'nimbyism' (not in my back yard). Mr Gleeson told the committee that the utility has "consistently advocated for an urgent approach" to addressing the issues facing infrastructure projects and reiterated the need for a sense of urgency. Read More Ireland facing sand and gravel shortage due to planning delays, industry warns
Irish Independent
01-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Uisce Eireann staff got over €13m in bonuses last year
The agency's annual report for 2024 shows that the €13.08m in performance-related pay represented a €2.5m increase on the pay-outs in The report discloses that Uisce Éireann has made performance-related payments to 2,244 employees this year in respect of 2024, and this followed 1,631 staff receiving bonus payments for 2023. The payments were approved by the agency's board last January, and the average payment was €5,830, which was down €650 on the average bonus payment of €6,480 for the prior year. The annual report says Uisce Éireann's pay model 'is market-based and performance-related, comprising two elements, namely base pay and a performance-related award". It says performance is assessed against individual objectives and corporate objectives through a 'balanced scorecard process'. No bonus payment was made to Uisce Éireann's ceo Niall Gleeson, and this is as a result of a Government direction in 2011. The report also reveals that the number of employees earning over €100,000 last year totalled 421, which was an increase of 77 on the number in in that earning bracket in 2023. The detailed figures show that four staff members earned between €250,000 and €275,000; five between €225,000 and €250,000; and nine between €200,000 and €225,000. A further 22 earned between €175,000 and €200,000 while 35 earned between €150,000 and €175,000. Overall staff costs increased by €44m to €158m and the report notes that payroll costs were higher in 2024 with increased average headcount year-on-year 'as transformation under the framework for future delivery of water services progressed in 2024'. The average number employed increased by 630 from 1,478 to 2,108. ADVERTISEMENT Mr Gleeson's remuneration package remained at the same level of €275,000, made up of €225,000 in basic salary, €27,000 in pension contributions, and €23,000 in 'other short term' employee costs. Last year, pre-tax profits at Uisce Eireann decreased by 15pc to €321m as operating costs rose by 5pc from €983.62m to €1.03bn. Revenues increased by 3pc from €1.56bn to €1.606bn. The utility's revenues were made up of €1.13bn in Government subvention payments for domestic water billing, non-domestic revenues of €271.79m, and new connection revenues, which declined by 20pc to €195.24m. The utility delivered Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation (Ebtida) of €550m compared to €560m in 2023. Chris McCarthy, the chief financial officer, said that Uisce Éireann 'delivered a strong financial performance' last year. The profit generated, together with necessary Government support in capital contributions of €572m, 'was invested to fund critical infrastructure projects and enabled the successful delivery of a €1.372bn capital investment programme in 2024'. He added: 'This allowed us to improve the quality of our water supply, improve our compliance with standards, and increase capacity for housing and development to support economic growth.' The utility's spending on hospitality for staff and clients last year increased by 63.5pc, from €129,000 to €211,000. This included €194,000 on staff hospitality and €17,000 on client hospitality. Uisce Eireann paid out €4.42m in legal costs and made settlements of €2.01m, relating to 41 legal cases. Cash funds at the end of 2024 totalled €345m.
Wales Online
30-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Anglesey pub 'deserves to look its best again' as £3m town revamp underway
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Anglesey's largest town is set to benefit from a £3.25 million heritage funding boost. Work is underway to renovate a number of prominent historic buildings along its main shopping street. As part of the Holyhead Townscape Heritage Initiative, funded by UK Government and the National Lottery Heritage Fund through the Anglesey council, six shopfronts including a well-known local pub will be restored to their original authentic appearance. The initiative is designed to improve the town centre, attract more visitors, and encourage further private investment in the area. It is part of a wider programme of investment in Holyhead with has already seen substantial work to restore several properties in and around the town centre. Among one of the first business set to get a makeover as part of the scheme is Gleeson's pub on Stanley Street. Landlady Sandra Hiddleston said: 'I'm excited to see the pub given a new lease of life. It has been part of the community for many generations, and it deserves to look its best again. "The investment means we can preserve its history and character as well as giving it a refresh, and I hope it encourages more people to visit and support local businesses.' Stanley Street remains open for business as the work gets underway. There may be some disruption during the work for safety and practical reasons but arrangements will be put in place so that business are supported and can remain open for as long as possible during the work. Cllr Gary Pritchard, Leader of the Isle of Anglesey County Council, added: 'This project is a key part of the Council's ongoing efforts to support Holyhead's regeneration, and we're proud to be driving it forward. We're confident it will have a lasting impact, boost the local economy and strengthen the community. 'Having grown up in the town, I know just how special its history and culture are. We want to build on that unique identity in a way that benefits both residents and local businesses. Our goal is to help create a vibrant, welcoming town centre that truly reflects Holyhead's potential and opens the door to new opportunities.' Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
