Latest news with #Irish-born
Irish Independent
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Ireland star CJ Fulton to play for Minnesota Timberwolves in NBA Summer League
The Belfast man may have missed out in the NBA draft on Wednesday, but he gets a chance to showcase his skills at the preseason tournament that brings together all 30 franchises for 11 days in Las Vegas. Teams typically use the annual competition as an opportunity to try out new players and youngsters who were not selected in the draft. Though the 22-year-old wasn't selected by the Timberwolves with their 17th or 45th picks, Fulton evidently made an impression on the side after being invited to their pre-draft camp earlier this month. Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly had referred to Fulton in an interview earlier this week, saying they had intended 'to get the Irish kid' for the Summer League. The point guard's place in the tournament was confirmed by a social media post from the College of Charleston, where Fulton has just completed his senior year of third-level basketball in South Carolina. The Timberwolves, who lost out in the western conference finals this past season, begin their Summer League against New Orleans Pelicans on July 10. Fulton hopes to follow in the footsteps of Pat Burke and Susan Moran who were the first Irish-born players to play at the highest level in the United States.
The 42
21 hours ago
- Sport
- The 42
Why have there been so few Republic of Ireland-born Premier League managers?
KEITH ANDREWS' appointment at Brentford makes him a relative rarity. He is an Irish-born Premier League manager. Of course, it's a flawed metric, but if you focus on football since the league's inception/name change ahead of the 1992-93 season and what some perceive as the birth of modern football as we know it, Irish players had more of a presence than people might assume. According to figures by Transfermarkt, Ireland has been responsible for 260 Premier League footballers in that time. Outside of England, only one country, Scotland (265), has produced more. By that logic, you might assume that there has also been a high proportion of Irish managers in the English game, but that is not really the case. The Guardian compiled a list in November 2024 of non-English-born Premier League managers who were appointed for a minimum of five top-flight games. Italy (15), Spain (14), the Netherlands (10) and France (8) led the way outside of Britain. Including the UK, Scotland had 30, ahead of Wales (9) and Northern Ireland (7). Before Andrews at least, the Republic of Ireland had six, which seems low, considering the country's proximity to England, the historical interest in the top flight on these isles and the general popularity of soccer. It's also worth noting that the list counts players who represented Ireland at international level, but who were not necessarily Irish-born. So the six in question are Mick McCarthy, Dave O'Leary, Joe Kinnear, Roy Keane, Owen Coyle and Chris Hughton. Of that list, only Keane and Kinnear were born in Ireland, and the latter moved to England at the age of eight. Advertisement O'Leary was born in London to Irish parents and moved to Dublin three years later, so along with Keane, he is the only future Premier League coach pre-Andrews who came through the Irish schoolboy system — the former defender had a stint at Shelbourne before joining Arsenal as an apprentice. The late Joe Kinnear is one of just three Republic of Ireland-born coaches to manage in the Premier League. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo But whatever way you tally up the figures, it is fair to say Ireland have underperformed when it comes to producing Premier League managers or coaches who go on to work in any of Europe's big five leagues, despite the aforementioned significant English-based playing pool. There are multiple reasons why this is the case. Perhaps the biggest issue is that football isn't a substantial industry in Ireland compared to other European countries. While there has recently been significant growth in the popularity of the League of Ireland, the country is still playing catch-up overall. Per figures released last year, there are 10 full-time academy staff in Ireland. Those figures pale in comparison to not just the top European nations but even those perceived to be more mid-ranking, such as Poland (376), Croatia (190) and Austria (114). Of course, there is a chance that at least one of those 10 will reach the highest level and go on to manage in the Premier League or La Liga, but you don't need to be a mathematics professor to figure out the greater likelihood of at least one of the 376 Polish coaches flourishing. Another issue is accessibility. The FAI-run Uefa Pro Licence course takes place every two years. It's a costly enterprise, which can put off some, and there is no guarantee it will secure a coaching job. In December last year, the FAI noted that 94 of its 136 graduates were active within the game. It is not uncommon for members of the coaching staff within the League of Ireland to be without a pro licence. So, for instance, Joey O'Brien can technically only manage Shelbourne for 60 days as he doesn't meet the requirements for a permanent job, though the former Bolton and West Ham star has applied to be on the next course. There was a similar issue with Dundalk FC in 2021, when Filippo Giovagnoli had to be demoted from head coach to coach, owing to his lack of a Pro Licence, with Shane Keegan stepping in as manager. It's even less common in women's football to hold a Pro Licence. In 2024, Laura Heffernan, DLR Waves Head Coach, became just the third female to complete the FAI's course, following in the footsteps of former Ireland managers Eileen Gleeson and Sue Ronan. The cost is perhaps the single biggest factor why some within the women's game and the League of Ireland are reluctant to undertake the course. Big salaries aren't a given within these spheres, so the risk-reward balance tends to be disproportionate. With full-time football jobs relatively scarce in the country, a large number of ex-Ireland internationals tend to apply, given they have both the financial stability to do so and the profile that is more likely to secure them a job at a high level abroad without having to build up a reputation on these shores first. Andrews secured his Pro Licence on the FAI course in 2023, along with fellow ex-Ireland teammates Damien Duff, Robbie Keane and Andy Reid. He is the third of that quartet to get a relatively high-profile management job since then, while the exception, Reid, has spent the last couple of years working steadily as an academy coach at Nottingham Forest. Duff is one of the few pro-licence holders with a significant profile in England to have tried his luck in the League of Ireland. Many managers and players in the sport tend to be driven by money, but it was not the case with the ex-Shelbourne boss, who managed the Tolka Park outfit as a labour of love, which is why he made the rare move of resigning when most tend to be pushed out the door as they seek compensation to soften the blow of their exits. For the most part, it really all comes back to finances, which is why many high-profile Irish footballing figures tend to stay away from the League of Ireland and also why there are not many examples of recent domestic-based coaches graduating to the elite level of the game. This dilemma extends to the national team — of the seven permanent Boys in Green coaches post-Premier League era/Jack Charlton, only three had any kind of League of Ireland background — Brian Kerr, Steve Staunton and Stephen Kenny — and none of them had particularly successful or lengthy reigns. When the national association has patent reservations about trusting their homegrown managers, it is another stark sign of the sorry state of coaching in the country.
The 42
2 days ago
- Business
- The 42
The Irish rugby club in Perth buzzing to have the Lions in town
THERE WILL BE thousands of Irish fans travelling Down Under in the next few weeks to be part of the Lions' famous 'Sea of Red.' Given the hefty Irish representation in the Lions squad and staff, there has never been more reason to make the trek. But this tour is also significant for the Irish who call Australia home. Around 2.5 million people there have Irish heritage and more than 100,000 Irish-born people are living Down Under. We're talking about roughly 10% of all Australians being connected to Ireland. So a green-tinged Lions tour is very welcome indeed. And the Lions' first stop on tour is a case in point. Perth is a popular destination among the estimated 40,000 Irish people who emigrate to Australia annually. Mining, construction, and medical jobs are big draws, as is the chilled-out lifestyle and natural beauty on the west coast. Tralee man Brendan O'Mahony – who has been in Perth for 14 years – is a project manager with Civmec, a construction and engineering company that was involved in building Optus Stadium, the venue for the Lions' opening game against Western Force on Saturday. O'Mahony is also the president of Perth Irish RFC, who are celebrating their 10th season as a club. Lions fever has been rife among Perth Irish and they welcomed the tourists' chairman, Ieuan Evans, and CEO, Ben Calveley, down to their home at Centenary Park earlier this week. All the local senior competitions have a bye this weekend because of the Lions' visit, but Perth Irish are hosting a junior rugby carnival on Saturday morning. Optus Stadium in Perth. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Most people involved in Perth Irish will then be at the Western Force game on Saturday evening and many of them will fly to the east coast to be at one or more of the Lions' Tests against the Wallabies. 'Rugby union is struggling in Australia but within our expat circle, there's a lot of excitement around the Lions,' says O'Mahony. 'Thankfully, the Wallabies have started to pick their socks up a little bit. Two years ago, it wasn't looking good for a Lions tour, but I think they'll give them a good match now.' Advertisement Whatever about the Wallabies' renewal under Joe Schmidt, there's no doubt that Perth Irish hope to keep going from strength to strength. The club was founded in early 2016. Seamus Walsh, a Waterford man, had been bringing his son to play junior rugby elsewhere and couldn't help but notice how many Irish kids and parents there were. We could nearly start our own thing, he thought. So they did. A meeting took place at the Irish Club of Western Australia in the Subiaco suburb of Perth. Walsh and some friends formed the rugby club and took to Facebook to get the message out. O'Mahony was among a group of around 40 lads who turned up for the first few training sessions. He played in the club's first-ever trial game against Curtin University in March 2016. 'It was a tough slog for a couple of years,' says O'Mahony, 'but it was always good fun and it was all about growing the club.' The Perth Irish women's team. Perth Irish RFC Perth Irish RFC Perth Irish expanded slowly but surely and they won their first silverware in 2019 with Western Australia Championship Grade success, which remains their only title so far. The women's team was launched in 2017, another big milestone. But then Covid hit and almost killed the club. They just about clung on and launched their 'second phase' in 2022, using what tiny amount of money was left in the club account to hire an online marketing specialist to get their name out to the Perth public. Nowadays, Perth Irish have more than 100 registered adult players between two men's and one women's teams, as well as around 45 junior players. Premier Grade is the highest level of club rugby in Western Australia and Perth Irish aren't at those lofty heights yet, playing instead in the Championship Grade competition. There is a crop of Irish expats involved in the Premier Grade competition, but Perth Irish have had a few former All-Ireland League players through the club over the past decade. They even welcomed ex-Leinster number eight Leo Auva'a in for a short stint. 'You wouldn't want to be standing in front of him,' says O'Mahony with a laugh. Perth Irish are always keen to let people know that the club isn't just for those with Irish roots. They have even debated whether the name is holding them back a bit, but the message is getting out there. They've had 23 different nationalities play for the club. They currently have four Kenyan players – one of whom is among their leading lights – and they've had English, Scottish, Welsh, Australian, Kiwi, and even Japanese players at different stages. Everyone gets a good Irish welcome. Some of the junior players in Perth Irish. Perth Irish RFC Perth Irish RFC As well as the other rugby clubs in Perth, there is competition from the many other sporting codes. There are two local Australian rules teams in the AFL – both play in Optus Stadium – while cricket, soccer, basketball, netball, and field hockey are all popular. A rugby league club, Perth Bears, are due to join the NRL in 2027. Then you have the Irish competition. The Gaelic Athletic Association of Western Australia is made up of seven football clubs and four hurling teams. So the natives and expats alike have plenty of choice. Perth Irish will be hoping this Lions tour gives rugby union a much-needed boost. And they will welcome any future arrivals from Ireland with a typical céad míle fáilte. 'Perth is not a big city, it's probably no bigger than Cork,' says O'Mahony of living there. 'It's all spread out in the suburbs and it doesn't feel like you're living in a big city. It doesn't feel like a big rat race. 'It's a lot more laid-back, a good beachy vibe, you've got Margaret River down the road. It's a nice way of living. 'I do feel like there's always a preconceived notion of Australia where everybody's reference point is Home & Away, so they think we're surfing before work and at lunchtime and we go down and buy a juice off Alf Stewart and all that carry on. 'But no, we work hard over here. I reckon that the Irish at this stage probably have a better work-life balance than we do over here. 'So you do work hard but when you're off, it's a beautiful place. For nine or 10 months of the year, you don't even need to check the forecast. That makes a difference.' Having the Lions in town this week has made it even more enjoyable.
The Journal
21-06-2025
- Business
- The Journal
John Magnier advisor denies being 'kept in the loop' about Tipperary land owners' tax affairs
A SENIOR ADVISOR to bloodstock billionaire John Magnier has denied that he was 'kept in the loop' regarding the tax affairs of the owners of a large tract of land in Tipperary that his boss wanted to buy. Eddie Irwin, the financial advisor at the Coolmore Stud, which Magnier founded, rejected a description of him by counsel for Barne Estate, Martin Hayden SC, as Magnier's 'fixer' and 'right-hand man'. He said Coolmore did not use 'catchphrases or fancy titles' but agreed with counsel that he would be called to work on projects if things went 'wrong'. Irwin, who has 40 years' experience working with Magnier, was called in to aid in securing the Barne Estate deal, which the Magniers believed they had shaken hands on in August 2023 for €15m. However, the Magnier side was ultimately gazumped by Irish-born, US-based construction magnate Maurice Regan, who offered €22.25m. The case centres on Magnier's claim that Regan engaged in a 'full-frontal assault' on the claimed deal to buy the 751-acre tract and that Barne Estate reneged on the deal. The Estate has been held for the benefit of Richard Thomson-Moore and others by a Jersey trust. At the High Court yesterday, Irwin said he met with the benefactor in September 2023 and contacted tax experts from KPMG after the family requested advice. A KPMG tax expert met with the Thomson-Moore family later in the month as a 'favour' to Coolmore, who were large clients of KPMG. Irwin did not attend that meeting, but allegedly sent a WhatsApp message to Magnier claiming that the Thomson-Moores were considering whether to retain the tax expert from KPMG, who was named in court. Advertisement He added that the expert had informed the Thomson-Moore family of what approach he recommended. He denied making an 'off-the-record' remark that the expert would keep him 'in the loop' in return for introducing him to the family. Irwin said that the wording of a WhatsApp message to Magnier, telling him 'off the record' about the family's intention to retain the man, was 'unfortunate' and that what he meant was for Magnier not to share the information. Irwin told counsel that the named expert was an 'innocent, decent and honourable' man, who was being 'defamed' in the court as someone who would keep him 'in the loop' on private tax matters. He said that he did have 'grave' concerns over the tax issue raised by the Thomson-Moore family at the time as it was just before the end of an exclusivity agreement and may not have been a genuine one. Irwin said he sought legal advice following the expiration of the agreement, on 23 September 2023, after he claimed that Regan had contacted Magnier's son-in-law 'angry and abusive' over the handshake deal and said he would outbid the pact by €5m. In early October 2023, with the exclusivity agreement now expired, the local estate agent involved in the sale told the Magniers that the Barne Estate had been subject to a €20m bid. The Magnier side then upped their bid to €16m with a separate, additional offering of €500,000 to establish a trust for a member of the Thomson-Moore family. Irwin said he was told by the auctioneer that the Thomson-Moore's were happy to accept the offer. But the Barne Estate solicitors never sent the contracts and the deal was never done. The Magnier side has sued the Barne Estate, Thomson-Moore and three companies of IQEQ (Jersey) Ltd group, seeking to enforce the purported deal, which they say had been 'unequivocally' agreed. The Barne defendants say there was never any such agreement, as they needed the consent of trustees to finalise any agreement, and subsequently they preferred to sell the estate to Regan, who is not a party to the case. The case continues before Mr Justice Max Barrett next month. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
20-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
High Court hears from John Magnier's 'right hand man' in multi million Barne Estate row
A senior advisor described as a "right-hand man" to bloodstock billionaire John Magnier, who is involved in a legal battle over the purported multi-million sale of a Tipperary estate that fell through, has told the High Court he was not secretly "kept in the loop" of the tax affairs of the vendors. Financial advisor at world-famous Coolmore Stud, Eddie Irwin also rejected a description of him by counsel for Barne Estate as Mr Magnier's "fixer"and "right hand man". Mr Irwin said Coolmore did not use "catchphrases or fancy titles" but agreed with counsel that he would be called to work on projects if things went "wrong". Mr Irwin, who has 40 years' experience working with Mr Magnier, was called in to aid in securing the Barne Estate deal which the Magniers believed they had shook hands on in August 2023 for €15m. However, the Magnier side were ultimately gazumped in being the preferred buyer by Irish-born, US-based construction magnate Maurice Regan, who offered €22.25m. The case centres on Mr Magnier's claim that Mr Regan engaged in a "full-frontal assault" on Mr Magnier's claimed deal to buy the 751-acre tract and that Barne estate reneged on the deal. Barne Estate has been held for the benefit of Richard Thomson-Moore and others by a Jersey trust. At the High Court on Friday, Mr Irwin said he met with Mr Thomson-Moore in early September 2023 and they contacted tax experts KPMG after the Thomson-Moore family requested tax liability advice. A KPMG tax expert met with the Thomson-Moores later in the month as a "favour" to Coolmore, who were large clients of KPMG. Mr Irwin did not attend that meeting but allegedly sent a WhatsApp message to Mr Magnier telling him "off the record" that the tax expert, who was named in court, allegedly told him that the Thomson-Moores were considering whether to retain KPMG and that the expert had informed the Thomson-Moores of what approach he recommended. Mr Irwin answering Martin Hayden, counsel for Barne Estate, denied he had an "off-the-record" report from the expert that, counsel alleged, would keep him "in the loop" in return for introducing the Thomson-Moores to KPMG. Mr Irwin said the wording of the WhatsApp message was an "aberration" and "unfortunate" and that he meant for Mr Magnier not to share information already known from previous meetings as it was a "private" and not for dissemination. Mr Irwin told Mr Hayden that the named expert was an "innocent, decent, and honourable" man, who was being "defamed" in the court as someone who would keep him "in the loop" on private tax matters. However, Mr Irwin said he did have "grave" concerns at the time that the tax issue raised by the Thomson-Moores was put forward just before the September 29, 2023, end of an exclusivity agreement and may not have been a genuine one. Mr Irwin told Mr Hayden that he was told by Mr Magnier that a week after the alleged handshake deal that his son-in-law, David Wachman, received a call from Mr Regan, who was "angry and abusive" about the purported sale. Mr Regan told Mr Wachman that he would outbid the Magnier side by €5m to prevent the deal going through, claimed Mr Irwin. After the expiration of the exclusivity agreement on September 29, 2023, Mr Irwin contacted Eugene McCague, a former partner at legal heavyweights Arthur Cox, who represent Coolmore in these proceedings, and sought legal advice should the matter be litigated. In early October 2023, with the exclusivity agreement now expired, the local estate agent involved in the sale, John Stokes, told the Magniers that the Barne Estate had been subject to a €20m bid. The Magnier side then upped their bid to €16m with a separate, additional offering of €500,000 to establish a trust for a member of the Thomson-Moore family. Mr Irwin said he was told by the auctioneer that the Thomson-Moore's were happy to accept the Magnier offer but the Barne Estate solicitors never sent the contracts and the deal was never done. The Magnier side has sued the Barne Estate, Mr Thomson-Moore, and three companies of IQEQ (Jersey) Ltd group, seeking to enforce the purported deal, which they say had been "unequivocally" agreed. The Barne defendants say there was never any such agreement, as they needed the consent of trustees to finalise any agreement and subsequently they preferred to sell the estate to Mr Regan. Mr Regan is not a party to the case. The case continues before Mr Justice Max Barrett next month.
