Latest news with #Heenan
New York Post
23-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Parent of rival NJ team backs little leaguer suspended for bat flipping: ‘These umpires aren't very good'
Even the enemy is going to bat for this little leaguer! A parent at a rival New Jersey team is backing the Little League player who was suspended from a state finals game for joyfully flipping his bat — saying the 'horseplay' rule is unclear and most players don't even know it exists. 'These umpires aren't very good. It doesn't warrant a game suspicion,' said Chris Heenan, whose son plays for a team in the Harrison Township Little League organization, whose 12-year-old squad gave up the home run that led to Haddonfield Little League player Marco Rocco's now-infamous bat-flipping celebration. 4 The bat flip got Rocco ejected along with a one-game suspension. X / @Spicoli_____ 4 Rocco's father, Joe, filed court papers to have the suspension overturned. X / @Spicoli_____ Rocco, 12, was facing off against Harrison Thursday when he tossed his bat in the air to celebrate hitting a home run, which made the game an 8-0 blowout and prompted the umpire to eject him from the game. The move also earned him a one-game suspension and barred him from competing in the New Jersey Little League State Tournament final this coming Thursday — outraging his dad, Joe Rocco, who filed court papers Tuesday to have the suspension overturned. But even Heenan — whose son plays for a rival Harrison team in the 11-year-old division — called the punishment off base. 'I don't believe it is common knowledge in Little League that you aren't supposed to flip a bat,' he said. 4 Joe and Marco Rocco are pictured in an undated Facebook photo. Facebook/Liz Rocco He also said the 'no horseplay' rule reportedly cited by the umpire of the game in question is overly vague. 'You can call almost anything 'horseplay,'' he said. 'If there's no rule specifically against bat flipping in the handbook, how would you know?' The elder Rocco insists the league sends kids mixed messages by posting videos of celebratory bat flipping on its social media accounts — and Heenan agreed. 4 If the suspension stands, Rocco would be barred from playing in the Little League state finals. Facebook/Liz Rocco While Heenan acknowledged that tossing a bat in the air could be dangerous, he said the league should stay consistent with its messaging. 'If that's what they're promoting on social media, and that's what kids are seeing, that's what they're gonna do,' he said. 'It sucks,' he added. 'You live and you learn.' On Tuesday, Rocco filed an emergency temporary restraining order in the Gloucester County Chancery Division court in an attempt to have his son's suspension overturned. He'll learn in a hearing Wednesday afternoon whether his kid can play in the big game, Rocco told The Post. Little League International didn't immediately return a request for comment from The Post Wednesday.
Extra.ie
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Academic Deirdre Heenan in frame for FF Áras bid
Fianna Fáil backbenchers believe Northern university professor Deirdre Heenan 'ticks a lot of Mary McAleese boxes' as she edges closer to becoming the party's presidential candidate. The party is seeking to emulate its success in the 1997 presidential election when Ms McAleese, a Belfast lawyer and academic, won the election after getting the backing of FF. spoke with several Fianna Fáil sources yesterday, with broad support for Ms Heenan despite some concern raised about 'lack of name recognition'. Professor Deirdre Heenan. Pic: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland Several of the party sources contacted by this newspaper said that they first came across Ms Heenan when she spoke at a party event in UCD to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. 'I wasn't surprised to hear her name as she ticks a lot of Mary McAleese boxes. She was very impressive when she spoke at the Good Friday event and would fit the mould of what Micheál [Martin] would want,' they said. At the event, Ms Heenan, a professor of social policy, was on stage alongside former Fianna Fáil leader and taoiseach Bertie Ahern, former minister Martin Mansergh, as well as Mr Martin. Professor Deirdre Heenan and Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in 2013. Pic: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin. 'She was very impressive, and really challenging about the Good Friday Agreement. She spoke about how too many people sit back and applaud the GFA, when, in her view, it is not yet complete, and that we can't afford to rest on our laurels. She was the most impressive speaker that day,' the source said. A separate party source who also attended the UCD event said her selection would be a 'fresh approach' and she had the benefit of 'not having built up a lot of enemies in the political system as she hasn't been part of it'. In 2012, Ms Heenan was appointed by President Michael D Higgins to his Council of State. The Council of State advises the President when they are considering referring a bill to the Supreme Court to test its constitutionality, refusing to dissolve the Dáil on the advice from the Taoiseach or declaring a state of emergency. The sources said that presidential elections cost a lot of money and that they don't offer much return to the party. 'If you introduce a candidate, like Deirdre, from the six counties and use it not only as to put someone forward for the presidency but to also lead the conversation about what a United Ireland looks like, that could be worthwhile.' Ms Heenan is from Annaclone in Co. Down, educated at Banbridge Academy and Ulster University and lives in Derry with her husband and three sons. She did not reply to a request for comment last night.
Irish Post
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Post
Ulster University's Deirdre Heenan emerges as frontrunner for Fianna Fáil in presidential election
DEIRDRE Heenan, a senior academic at Ulster University, is widely reported to be in the final stages of negotiations to run as Fianna Fáil's candidate in the upcoming Irish presidential election. According to a report in the Irish Independent, Heenan is considered the preferred choice of Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, though she has declined to confirm or deny the speculation. A native of County Down and currently based in Derry, Heenan previously served as Provost and Dean of Academic Development at Ulster University's Magee campus. Her public service credentials include a nine-month term in 2008 as a policy adviser in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in Northern Ireland. In 2011, she was appointed to a five-member panel by the Northern Ireland health minister to lead a major review of health and social care services. The following year, she was named to the Irish President's Council of State as one of seven personal nominees selected by President Michael D. Higgins. In addition to her academic and advisory roles, Heenan is currently a director of ILEX, the Derry urban regeneration company, and serves as a school governor at two Derry schools, Foyle College and St. Patrick's Pennyburn. She resides in Derry with her husband and three sons. Fianna Fáil has not fielded a presidential candidate since 1997, when Mary McAleese was elected. While several other figures have been linked to a potential Fianna Fáil nomination, including Mary Hanafin, Billy Kelleher, and Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Heenan is reportedly the frontrunner if the party proceeds with a candidate. The presidential election is expected to take place in late October, with President Michael D. Higgins' second term concluding on November 11. The campaign is likely to intensify in the autumn, with other candidates already stepping forward. Independent TD Catherine Connolly has announced her candidacy and secured backing from multiple left-leaning TDs, including the Social Democrats and People Before Profit. Fine Gael is expected to nominate former MEP Mairead McGuinness, though formal ratification will not occur until early September. Sinn Féin has yet to declare its intentions but has several possible contenders, including Michelle O'Neill, Mary Lou McDonald, and John Finucane. The Labour Party is currently holding a two-week consultation period to decide whether to support Connolly or nominate its own candidate. Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has stated his party is exploring alternative voices for the contest and has been in contact with potential nominees. Other names being floated include businessman Declan Ganley, 2018 presidential candidate Peter Casey, and former SDLP leader Colum Eastwood. The final list of candidates is expected to come in the coming weeks as parties and independents finalise their nominations.
The Age
17-07-2025
- Sport
- The Age
‘Heart of a lion': The making of Tom Lynagh
'He would often go out on his own and just kick balls for hours, just to develop his skills, he was always wanting to get better,' Burke said. 'He also knew he had to physically work on his development like strength and conditioning, but there was no doubt in his footballing ability, his ability to read the game, his ability to keep the ball, move the ball and his speed.' Lynagh's move to Queensland was not without risk. Epsom College had a close relationship with Harlequins and had consistently provided the London club with professional players. In England, Lynagh was another talented player trying to make his way, in Brisbane, he carried the heavy name of a legend. Mick Heenan was Lynagh's first coach at the University of Queensland Colts and later worked with him as an attack coach at the Reds. The quiet, considered personality that had won Lynagh friends in Epsom had not changed when the young playmaker arrived for his first club training session in Brisbane. 'When he came in, he was quiet, pretty underdeveloped physically and small, a blond kid and you thought butter wouldn't melt in his mouth, but also a great kid, just a really beautiful, humble guy,' Heenan said. 'You could also tell he was self-assured about his talent as well and you've seen that this year with the way he's played for the Reds. I think you've seen him coming of age as a professional player.' Like Burke, Heenan had no doubts about Lynagh's ability as a footballer or his courage in defence. Lynagh then and now takes the ball extremely flat at the defensive line, essentially sacrificing himself physically to allow teammates into the game. Heenan knew he had all the basic ingredients to make a great professional, but his hardest work had to come in the gym. 'I thought definitely he had the makings of a pro player, but he had a lot of development to go through to get to where he's at now,' Heenan said. 'He had to learn a lot about how to physically and mentally prepare for games at that level. 'I think the first year I had him at the Reds, I don't think he got through a week of training, like he just couldn't physically cope with it. But, as time's gone on, he's physically developed his capacity to work at the level you need to work at to be successful in pro rugby.' Lynagh arrived in Brisbane with an English accent, but now speaks with a broad Australian twang. Heenan said that Lynagh was immediately popular with his teammates not just at the University of Queensland, but at the Reds where he was mentored closely by two future Wallabies teammates. 'It's probably the Australian way, isn't it? That you cop a little bit of stick, but I think it's also the Australian way that if someone is doing their job, they're accepted,' Heenan said. 'I think it was clear to his teammates that he always had the talent to make it and guys like Tate (McDermott) and James O'Connor have really helped him. 'When I was there (at the Reds), Tate would spend a lot of time with him and James would spend a lot of time with him and it was clear to everyone that he had the talent to make it. He just needed to find his voice and get more comfortable in the environment.' Heenan will be watching the first Test in Brisbane, while his former school teacher Burke will be up early in Epsom to cheer on his former playmaker. Heenan has absolute confidence that Lynagh will stand up to his biggest test ye. 'It's obviously a massive ask, but I think he can (do well), he's got the raw material there, he's got good people around him and he's been coached well,' Heenan said. 'Tom's great strength this year has been he's underplayed his hand and he's gotten early ball to the guys outside him.
Sydney Morning Herald
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Heart of a lion': The making of Tom Lynagh
'He would often go out on his own and just kick balls for hours, just to develop his skills, he was always wanting to get better,' Burke said. 'He also knew he had to physically work on his development like strength and conditioning, but there was no doubt in his footballing ability, his ability to read the game, his ability to keep the ball, move the ball and his speed.' Lynagh's move to Queensland was not without risk. Epsom College had a close relationship with Harlequins and had consistently provided the London club with professional players. In England, Lynagh was another talented player trying to make his way, in Brisbane, he carried the heavy name of a legend. Mick Heenan was Lynagh's first coach at the University of Queensland Colts and later worked with him as an attack coach at the Reds. The quiet, considered personality that had won Lynagh friends in Epsom had not changed when the young playmaker arrived for his first club training session in Brisbane. 'When he came in, he was quiet, pretty underdeveloped physically and small, a blond kid and you thought butter wouldn't melt in his mouth, but also a great kid, just a really beautiful, humble guy,' Heenan said. 'You could also tell he was self-assured about his talent as well and you've seen that this year with the way he's played for the Reds. I think you've seen him coming of age as a professional player.' Like Burke, Heenan had no doubts about Lynagh's ability as a footballer or his courage in defence. Lynagh then and now takes the ball extremely flat at the defensive line, essentially sacrificing himself physically to allow teammates into the game. Heenan knew he had all the basic ingredients to make a great professional, but his hardest work had to come in the gym. 'I thought definitely he had the makings of a pro player, but he had a lot of development to go through to get to where he's at now,' Heenan said. 'He had to learn a lot about how to physically and mentally prepare for games at that level. 'I think the first year I had him at the Reds, I don't think he got through a week of training, like he just couldn't physically cope with it. But, as time's gone on, he's physically developed his capacity to work at the level you need to work at to be successful in pro rugby.' Lynagh arrived in Brisbane with an English accent, but now speaks with a broad Australian twang. Heenan said that Lynagh was immediately popular with his teammates not just at the University of Queensland, but at the Reds where he was mentored closely by two future Wallabies teammates. 'It's probably the Australian way, isn't it? That you cop a little bit of stick, but I think it's also the Australian way that if someone is doing their job, they're accepted,' Heenan said. 'I think it was clear to his teammates that he always had the talent to make it and guys like Tate (McDermott) and James O'Connor have really helped him. 'When I was there (at the Reds), Tate would spend a lot of time with him and James would spend a lot of time with him and it was clear to everyone that he had the talent to make it. He just needed to find his voice and get more comfortable in the environment.' Heenan will be watching the first Test in Brisbane, while his former school teacher Burke will be up early in Epsom to cheer on his former playmaker. Heenan has absolute confidence that Lynagh will stand up to his biggest test ye. 'It's obviously a massive ask, but I think he can (do well), he's got the raw material there, he's got good people around him and he's been coached well,' Heenan said. 'Tom's great strength this year has been he's underplayed his hand and he's gotten early ball to the guys outside him.
