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Irish Independent
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Galway Races: Gunner, the garda dog steals the show as ladies pull out all the stops on day one
Even though the hugely popular Ladies Day isn't until Thursday there was still plenty of glamour on Monday especially at the colourful flower wall. However, a dark cloud was evident during the sombre minute's silence was observed for the late Irish horse trainer Edward O'Grady ahead of the day's first race. Mr O'Grady's death at age 75 was announced by his family on Monday morning. As always Ballybrit had all its iconic features, from the champagne bar to the Irish Independent's newspaper horse, but this year it also has a new addition, the 'Beauty Paddock'. There, the Irish Independent met Keith Hanaway, pop-up manager for Vision Ireland, who said: 'We have pop ups in different locations throughout the country, and we bring all of our preloved, donated designer stock to different areas and raise money for Vision Ireland charity.' Mr Hanaway said the Beauty Paddock is a dedicated beauty zone for all racegoers. 'There's a small refresh stand where people come get their touch-ups. There's Ella and Jo products and skin care. Then from the Vision Ireland side, we've got a curated range of pre-loved and premium donated and designer stock. 'It's something different, but we tried it at Punchestown [Racecourse] this year and it was really successful. If it's as successful as we hope, it will be brilliant.' As hundreds of people entered the gates, it soon became evident one new face stole on the spotlight, Gunner the garda dog. The Cocker Spaniel works from Donegal down to Galway searching for drugs, cash and firearms. However, today he mostly enjoyed pets and belly rubs from racegoers. ADVERTISEMENT His handler, also on duty, told the Irish Independent: 'There has been a massive increase in interest for the dog unit because he's only new here in Galway. It's the first time ever for Galway to have a dog unit. 'We're just finished arts week and we're going into the races straight away. So, he's busy. 'We'll be around for the week so there's lots of opportunity for people to come and meet Gunner.' MEP Maria Walsh, who grew up only 30 minutes away from the racecourse, is a frequent visitor to the Galway Races and she said the opening day of the festival always has a lovely atmosphere. 'Monday is usually a lovely crowd, there's a lot of locals, the sun will be shining I hope for the rest of the day, and you're just getting the cheer right before it takes off,' she said. The Mayo local said she finds it 'gorgeous' seeing the evolution of the Galway Races. 'I think there's such a gorgeous balance of more and more people getting involved,' she said. 'As long as we get the good weather then we get thousands to the West of the country, and you see such a big investment. In my work as a policymaker on the European front, you want to see that investment on an annual basis because it grows and you can really showcase Ireland for its best.' Mayor of Galway Mike Cubbard also joined the crowds headed to view the track. 'It's the best week of the year in the best city in the world," he said. 'The atmosphere is always brilliant right across the city centre, right up here to Ballybrit; people are looking forward to it.' While many are excited for the famous Ladies Day, Mayor Cubbard is most looking forward to seeing the excited children of Galway and further afield taking in the magic. 'There are kids here who are the next generation of the Galway Festival, and they're here enjoying it,' he said. 'You can have a drink here; there's loads of food around here; the fashion is fantastic as well. But to me, it's a real family week.' Aside from Mayor Cubbard, most punters when asked had no doubts about their favourite race day: Ladies Day. Mother and daughter Siobhan and Jessie Smith travelled from Birr, County Offaly, for the week. On Thursday, Jessie' sister Kate will join them and the family looks forward to spending the most fashionable day in Ballybrit together. Jessie was overwhelmed by the scale of the races and the incredible fashion, while Siobhan explained her family come to Galway every year: 'We love it here. We love the atmosphere, we love the style, it's just fantastic. Galway is always brilliant.' Pam Richardson–Hoare described herself as an 'avid' racegoer and her experience shows as her outfit grabbed the attention of many this afternoon. 'I started racing in 2019. I love it. The Galway Races is such an iconic race meet.' Talking about her outfit, she added: 'I love to experiment on race week, and I always just push the boundaries and wear something quirky. It's always lovely to have a pop of colour when you're at a summer race meet.' The Limerick native, who now lives in Galway, also cannot wait for Thursday. 'I'm looking forward to seeing the style on Ladies Day, because it's always phenomenal, every year.'
The Irish Sun
12 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘It's scary to play against him' – William Saliba backs new Arsenal team-mate Viktor Gyokeres to fire them to Prem glory
WILLIAM SALIBA has warned opposition defenders they will be SCARED facing Viktor Gyokeres this season. Martin Odegaard penalty. 3 Gyokeres is officially a Gunner Credit: Getty 3 He was unveiled over the weekend Credit: Getty 3 His new teammate has warned he will be a force to be reckoned with Credit: Getty Play Dream Team now! Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season Free to play Over £100,000 in total prize money Play in Mini Leagues against your mates Submit a team for Gameweek 1 to enter £5,000 prize draw Gyokeres, 27, will fly to Hong Kong with the squad today ahead of potentially making his debut against North London rivals Tottenham on Thursday. And French centre-back Saliba is glad he no longer has to battle Mikel Arteta's latest recruit. Gyokeres leaves Portugal with a record of 97 goals in 102 games in all competitions , including 39 goals in 33 games in the Portuguese top flight last term. Saliba said: 'We know how good he is, it's scary to play against him. Of course, I'm so happy to have him in my club, and I'm sure that he will help us to win games and win trophies. read more arsenal 'When you face a striker who scores goals, you have to be focused! But now he's in our team and he will score for us, so that's good.' Gyokeres is one of SIX players summer , alongside Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga , Noni Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera. It is a huge overhaul that Arteta hopes can have the desired effect after finishing second in the Prem for three years on the spin – going five years without a trophy. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Most read in Football Arteta believes getting most of his arrivals on Arsenal's pre-season tour of Asia will pay off by the time they travel to Old Trafford for their Prem opener on August 17. Having also beaten AC Milan 1-0 while in Singapore, Saliba continued: 'Every year is different. We have to learn from the last three seasons. Arsenal CONFIRM £63.5million Viktor Gyokeres transfer as striker takes iconic No14 made famous by Thierry Henry 'Of course we are lucky to have a chance to compete in the Premier League again and try to win. Our mindset is to win and we will give everything from the first game. 'We have a lot of new players and they will hopefully help us to win this league. 'Pressure is good, that means we are in a good place. We need to keep going like this. If we are not good we don't have pressure. We play football to feel pressure.' Saliba has just two years left on his current Emirates deal and Real Madrid are believed to want to lure the France international to Spain in the near future . Sorting new deals for Gabriel and Myles Lewis-Skelly , with talks ongoing for Ethan Nwaneri and Asked if he will sign on, Saliba said: 'Yeah, hopefully — of course there is nothing now but there is a good conversation with my agent and the club. Let's see.' Arsenal's Hale End 15-year-olds Max Dowman and Marli Salmon made their senior debuts in Singapore, with Dowman in particular impressing, winning the penalty for Odegaard against the Toon with an incredible run cutting in off the right. Arteta has hailed Dowman as 'special' and is keen to give him first-team minutes this campaign. Saliba added: 'They are unbelievable. 'Of course they are young, we mustn't put pressure on them, but to play the way they play at 15. I remember when I was 15, I was not playing with the first team — I was with the U17s. 'We have to protect them and give them support, but of course they are really really good players, and I hope they will help us as soon as possible.'
Irish Independent
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
The familiar rivals Viktor Gyokeres will likely face when he makes his debut in an Arsenal shirt
The Gunners have been trying to strengthen their forward line for most of the summer transfer window with attempts to bring RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko to the Emirates falling apart before a deal for Gyokeres was agreed after weeks of negotiations. Arsenal finally secured their striker in a £55m deal, which could rise to £65m with related add-ons, and Gyokeres passed a medical on Saturday 26 July before flying out to Singapore to meet up with the squad for their pre-season tour. Mikel Arteta's side have been strengthening during this transfer window with Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Christian Norgaard, Cristhian Mosquera and Kepa Arrizabalaga already secured before Gyokeres' signing. Adding the Swedish into the mix and the Gunners now seemingly have enough depth in their squad to compete on multiple fronts and finally maintain a title challenge. A period of consistency and improvement under Arteta has seen them finish second in the table in each of the last three years, but the manager hopes to take his team one step further and secure a top-flight title for the first time since the 2003/04 season. Gyokeres could be a major part of that challenge with the Swedish forward, who scored 39 goals and made seven assists for Sporting last season, tasked with leading the line and netting the bulk of Arsenal's goals this year. He will need to hit the ground running as the Gunners open their campaign with a flurry of difficult fixtures that could make or break their season at the first hurdle. With four pre-season matches to play ahead of the Premier League's return, Gyokeres has time to bed himself into the line-up and create the vital links with his creative teammates. But when will he make his Arsenal debut? When will Viktor Gyokeres make his Arsenal debut? Mikel Arteta decided against throwing Gyokeres into the mix straight away as the Gunners defeated Newcastle United 3-2 in a pre-season friendly on Sunday 27 July. The match, part of Arsenal's Asia tour, took place at the Singapore National Stadium where Gyokeres was unveiled as a new Gunner, though he did not feature in the game. Evidently, Arteta decided that the match was too soon to hand him a first appearance, so Gyokeres could play his first game in an Arsenal shirt on Thursday 31 July at the Kai Tak Sports Park, Hong Kong against North London rivals Tottenham. When will he make his Premier League debut? Though Gyokeres is likely to play at least a couple of friendlies for Arsenal in the build-up to the new Premier League season his first, full debut for the club will be on the opening weekend of the season. Arsenal take on Manchester United at Old Trafford in the headline match on Sunday 17 August with kick off at 4.30pm.
Powys County Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Arsenal complete signing of striker Viktor Gyokeres for £55m
Arsenal have finally solved their striker conundrum by completing the £55million signing of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon. The 27-year-old Sweden international, who fired Sporting to the title last season with 39 goals and netted a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City, is understood to have signed a five-year deal at the Emirates. Gyokeres' transfer, which could end up costing the north London club as much as £64m with performance-related add-ons, takes Arsenal's close-season spending to the region of £200m. This is where you need to be. Viktor Gyökeres is a Gunner ✊ — Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 26, 2025 He becomes Mikel Arteta's sixth summer signing and follows defender Cristhian Mosquera (£13m), midfielder Martin Zubimendi (£60m), goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5m), midfielder Christian Norgaard (£10m) and forward Noni Madueke (£48.5m) in moving to the Emirates. Gyokeres, who was in the Sporting team beaten 5-1 by Arsenal last season, told the club's website: 'I just felt that it was the right club for me, (from) what I heard from Mikel and (sporting director) Andrea (Berta) when I was speaking with them, and just what I've seen in the past years, how they've been playing football. 'When I was playing against Arsenal last season, I could really feel it was a very strong team and very difficult to play against. 'That made me choose Arsenal, and of course all the history the club has and the massive fanbase.' Gyokeres will be expected to meet up with his new team-mates in Arsenal's ongoing pre-season tour of Singapore and Hong Kong. The Gunners face Newcastle in the Singapore National Stadium on Sunday ahead of the concluding game of their tour, against Tottenham in Hong Kong on July 31. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viktor Gyökeres (@viktorgyokeres) Manager Arteta said: 'Viktor has so many qualities. He is a quick and powerful presence up front, with incredible goalscoring numbers at club and international levels. He brings a clinical edge with a high conversion rate of chances into goals, with his intelligent movement in the box making him a constant threat. 'We're excited about what Viktor brings to our squad and are looking forward to start working with him.' Gyokeres moved to Brighton from Swedish side Brommapojkarna in January 2018, but spent time on loan at St Pauli and then Swansea and Coventry, before making a permanent move to the Sky Blues in July 2021. After Coventry were beaten on penalties by Luton in the 2023 Sky Bet Championship final at Wembley, Gyokeres completed a £20.5m switch to Sporting. He scored a remarkable 97 goals in 102 matches for the Portuguese side. Arsenal spent the concluding months of last season without a recognised striker following long-term injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz. Even before then, Arsenal were in desperate need of a reliable scorer, and Arteta will hope his new signing can fire him to his first silverware since he won the FA Cup in 2020, and end the club's two-decade wait for a Premier League title. Gabriel and Myles Lewis-Skelly have also signed contracts during a busy off-season, with a long-term extension for teenager Ethan Nwaneri believed to be all-but completed.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Arsenal sign Swedish international Viktor Gyokeres
ARSENAL on Saturday announced the signing of Swedish international striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon. The 27-year-old, who fired Sporting to the Portuguese title last season with 39 goals and netted a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City, is reported to have signed a five-year deal in a transfer worth £55 million (62.9m euros). Gyokeres' transfer, which could end up costing the north London club as much as £64m with performance-related add-ons, takes Arsenal's close-season spending to the region of £200m. He becomes Mikel Arteta's sixth summer signing and follows defender Cristhian Mosquera (£13m), midfielder Martin Zubimendi (£60m), goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5m), midfielder Christian Norgaard (£10m) and forward Noni Madueke (£48.5m) in moving to the Emirates. Arsenal confirmed the news with a brief post on X which read: 'This is where you need to be. Viktor Gyokeres is a Gunner.' Gyokeres will be expected to meet up with his new team-mates in Arsenal's ongoing pre-season tour of Singapore and Hong Kong. The Gunners face Newcastle in the Singapore National Stadium on Sunday ahead of the concluding game of their tour, against Tottenham in Hong Kong on July 31. Gyokeres moved to Brighton from Swedish side Brommapojkarna in January 2018, but spent time on loan at St Pauli and then Swansea and Coventry, before making a permanent move to the Sky Blues in July 2021. After Coventry were beaten on penalties by Luton in the 2023 Championship final at Wembley, Gyokeres completed a £20.5m switch to Sporting. He scored a remarkable 97 goals in 102 matches for the Portuguese side. Arsenal spent the concluding months of last season without a recognised striker following long-term injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz. Even before then, Arsenal were in desperate need of a reliable scorer, and Arteta will hope his new signing can fire him to his first silverware since he won the FA Cup in 2020, and end the club's two-decade wait for a Premier League title. Arsenal's new sporting director, Andrea Berta has wasted little time in strengthening a squad which has finished runners-up in the league for the past three seasons. Gabriel and Myles Lewis-Skelly have also put pen to paper on new contracts in the off-season, with a long-term extension for teenager Ethan Nwaneri believed to be all but completed - AFP
