Latest news with #Mullane
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Sligo Senior Hurling Championship gets underway this weekend with new format which ensures minimum number of competitive games
The championship this year will feature seven teams. It will be run in a new format which focusses on providing a minimum number of competitive games for all of the participating teams. Last year's championship finalists Easkey and Naomh Eoin are seeded in this year's competition and will join the competition at the group stage from mid-August. Next Sunday's game will be the first in a series of qualifier rounds to select two clubs from the remaining five in the competition to join the seeded teams in that group stage. The three teams that don't make that group stage will then compete for the Martin Brennan Cup. This is only the second time that St Molaise Gaels have participated in the Sligo senior championship, and the new structure is a very welcome development according to the club's Coaching Officer Edwin Mullane. 'It is a real incentive for our club which is in the early stage of its hurling development. Although ours is a new team that would struggle to be competitive with the Easkeys and the Naomh Eoins of this world, this new competition format offers us four games at a level where our team can grow.' Mullane is excited by the mix of backgrounds and talents that have been attracted to play hurling at the Grange based club which he believes will grow and grow. 'The opportunity to be involved in something competitive is attracting players of very different backgrounds, young and old, local, from outside Sligo and from outside Ireland. 'Over recent years we've also had local lads like Tola Carway, Conor White and Adam Roberts involved with Sligo U17 and U20 county teams. It is great to see them now being able to play championship with their home club which strengthens their connection to their community.' The sides have met twice this year already – in round two of the senior league in mid April and then two months later in the semi-final of the Dermot Molloy League Shield. Mullane, who played club hurling in his native Dublin before his relocation to Sligo, said 'we have progressed well in that time and our most recent game was much more competitive'. Although he has been struggling with a knee injury in recent weeks which saw him confined to goal keeping duties during the league, Mullane hopes to be out the field on Sunday with Sligo senior goalkeeper Kevan Brennan manning the goalmouth. Calry's Hurling Officer Darragh Cox is in no doubt that Sunday's opponents are a growing force. 'From literally a standing start at adult level just two years ago, they are improving as they play in each competition.' The Calry St Joseph's club is very much in a transition. Father time has caught up with the core of the group that helped the club dominate Sligo club hurling for almost a decade, but there is now a new generation now emerging that promises to bring new life to the famed gold and blue shirts. With players like Michael Costigan who captained the Sligo U20 side this year and Marc Gray who was part of the ATU Sligo team that won the Fergal Maher Cup combining with current Sligo seniors Brian Shannon and Conor Griffin, the Hazelwood outfit will be still have ambitions to reach the group stages of the championship.
National Geographic
09-07-2025
- General
- National Geographic
Meet the man who sinks the world's biggest ships for a living
How a professional ship-sinker is about to turn a famous ocean liner into the world's largest artificial reef The SS United States is towed at sunset past Key West, Fla., headed to Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, where it will be prepared to be used as an artificial reef off Florida's Gulf Coast. Photograph by Rob O'Neal, The Key West Citizen/ AP Photo Deep in the belly of the S.S. United States, some seven decks below the first-class lobby once graced by John F. Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor, Captain Tim Mullane stands inside one of the liner's 120 fuel tanks and stares up at a 30-foot wall slathered in oil. Armed with a power washer and outfitted in a white Tyvek suit and rubber boots, the 54-year-old Navy veteran pulls the trigger and blasts away. Mullane sinks ships for a living and he's prepping the United States, one of the biggest ocean liners ever built, for its soon-to-be home on the sea floor off the coast of Florida's Okaloosa County, where it will transform into the largest artificial reef on the planet. Along with a 30-person crew, Mullane is in the middle of a six-month process clearing all toxic materials from the ship and preparing its interior to be flooded with water, all in the hopes that, on the fateful day, the ship will arrive upright, toxin-free, and in one piece. 'We're the morticians of the ship, taking it to its final resting place,' he says. Mullane is equal parts ship-sinker and reef maker—a deep-see reef deployer, as the dozen or so working in the U.S. are known. The business of turning old ships into new reefs first took off in the 1980s and 1990s, when many World War II warships were decommissioned and scuttled. In the U.S., the practice has primarily been focused in the waters off the East and Gulf Coasts as counties and states have invested in the subaquatic tourism industry. More artificial reefs mean more divers, which means more economic revenue for beach towns. It's why Okaloosa County paid $1 million to the S.S. United States Conservancy to purchase the ship that sat rusting away for nearly three decades at a Philadelphia dock. For Mullane, who co-founded his company, Coleen Marine, with his wife Coleen O'Malley in 2014, ships have been an ever-present part of life. After four years in the Navy, he worked in the shipbreaking industry, where he sliced old hulks into shards and sold them for parts before melting what remained. Then, in 2002, the state of Florida approached him with a curious job. State officials were looking for someone to fully strip and clean the U.S.S. Spiegel Grove, a Cold War-era Navy transport ship that had been relegated to the military's mothball fleet on the James River in Virginia. But the Spiegel Grove wasn't being sold for parts—it was slated to become a diving destination off the coast of Key Largo, Florida. Mullane jumped at the opportunity. 'I've always looked for a niche, and the Spiegel Grove opened my eyes,' he says. (Shipwrecks may help tropical fish adapt to climate change.) Magazine for all ages starting at $25/year Since then, O'Malley estimates that 75 percent of their business has gone to creating artificial reefs, with the remaining jobs going to sinking ships offshore to protect coastlines and prevent beach erosion. Each job is different, just as each ship is different. But the broad strokes are the same: paint needs to be chipped off the railings, fuel tanks need to be power-washed, portholes must be popped out, and insulation materials removed. It would seemingly be easy, then, for the hundred-plus contracts to blend together—an endless series of tasks and to-dos until the final box is checked and water comes rushing in and it's on to the next job. Yet even as his books have filled, Mullane knows that many of the ships he has sunk have held a special place in the hearts of passengers and crew who rode upon them. 'To lose them, it's pretty depressing,' Mullane says. The SS United States during her speed trials. Photograph courtesy of Charles Anderson, SS United States Conservancy Archives Collection The S.S. United States is currently docked at a pier in Mobile Bay, Alabama, where Mullane and his team are stripping away hazardous material that could harm sea life. The paint that once gleamed now looks like crocodile scales. More than 300 portholes have been removed, with a couple hundred more to go. Four massive propellers have been detached. And in a couple weeks, a 200-foot crane will be called in to hoist away the two iconic 65-foot funnels. 'There is not a bigger project,' says O'Malley, 'and there will never be a bigger one because they don't build ships like this anymore.' To become an artificial reef, ships must adhere to local and national regulations in place to protect marine life that will make it their home. Assisting Mullane to ensure the United States meets the requirements is Alex Fogg, a marine biologist hired by Okaloosa County who advises on artificial reefing projects. Fogg and Mullane have check-ins each morning before coffee to lay out what the day's tasks will entail. Once Mullane's team is done popping portholes and blasting away oil residue, Fogg will inspect the ship to certify that the required toxic substances have been removed. 'The S.S. United States is certainly the Everest of a project,' Fogg says, noting that after he's done his pass, the EPA and other regulatory agencies will inspect the ship to ensure it meets state and federal standards. Once that's done, they can schedule the actual sinking, which Mullane hopes will happen in November. To send the United States to her watery grave, Mullane's team will fill all 120 fuel tanks with 1.75 million gallons of water before a tugboat pulls the ship 150 miles to the reefing spot off the Florida coast. Then comes the tricky part. At strategic spots along the external hull, just a few feet above the waterline, the 20 crew members onboard will use high-power blowtorches to sear open dozens of holes. Using firehoses, they'll blast seawater into compartments throughout the ship to flood the ship's bowels. (Visiting shipwrecks is suddenly a lot easier than you think.) As coordinated, scheduled, and regulated as Mullane's plan is, there's still a hefty amount of risk involved. If water is pumped in unevenly or if the hull starts taking on water too early, the ship could sink prematurely or roll over with crew aboard. That's what nearly happened in 2002 with the Spiegel Grove. After Mullane's crew was finished stripping and cleaning the ship, a separate volunteer team was brought on by the state of Florida to sink the ship. But before they were ready, the ship capsized and only partially sank, requiring the state to hire a company to come in and finish the job as it bobbed upside down in the Atlantic. To avoid this fate, Fogg and Mullane will work with a team of engineers in the weeks before the sinking and create a model of the ship to understand where the holes need to be cut so that the liner sinks upright. Provided everything goes according to plan in November, as seawater breaches the holes cut into the hull and floods the ship's belly, Mullane's crew will evacuate by hopping onto a nearby tugboat, with Mullane being the last one to step off. Once the United States starts sinking, he estimates it'll take less than 45 minutes for the ship to make it 180 feet down to the seafloor. Back inside the fuel tank, Mullane drops the power-washer and climbs the ladder out of the tank. 'You leave with oil in places that you question how it got there,' Mullane says with a gruff laugh. The captain maneuvers his way through a maze of shadowy corridors littered with paint chips, then up a few flights of steps to the sprawling deck. He stares up at its two funnels still cutting into the sky. 'Some days, I sit on part of the ship and just look at her,' Mullane says, 'She is just a beautiful ship.'
Irish Independent
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
John Mullane believes skort debacle highlights the difficulties ahead in integrating Camogie Association and GAA
Under the guidance of former Irish president Mary McAleese, the three sporting bodies are proposed to merge and work under the one umbrella from 2027 onwards, but Mullane has his doubts. The five-time All-Star, who is coach with the successful De La Salle senior camogie side, insists that the players are 'not being listened to' when it comes to their desire to wear shorts over skorts – as highlighted by the protests of Dublin and Kilkenny last weekend. That is just the tip of the iceberg in Mullane's reckoning. 'Best of luck to that,' Mullane remarked on the Indo GAA podcast when mentioning that integration between the three organisations is aimed at 2027. 'Some of the stuff I see happening within the ladies game, whether it's camogie or ladies football, I'm scratching my head saying, 'Oh my God, how are these girls ever going to get parity or how are they ever going to come under the one umbrella in a timeline of two years' time? 'How can they when the people above them, some of them are living in the stone ages.' Citing the recent example of Waterford senior camogie player Annie Fitzgerald playing a Munster semi-final around the same time as her brother Patrick lined out in the Munster SHC for the Waterford hurlers – one in Tipperary, the other in Walsh Park – Mullane insists that scenario 'shouldn't be allowed to happen'. 'That goes back to the people at board level and at Munster Council level. Common sense has to prevail on some occasions and it's a crossroads now, and fair play to those girls. The players have to be listened to.'
Irish Independent
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Indo GAA podcast: Limerick find their fear factor Mayo/Leinster comparisons are unfair on Mayo
Mullane also gives his idea for a championship re-shake, and the team break down the controversy around skorts in camogie. In football, Pat Spillane and Dick Clerkin are on hand with plenty to talk about, from Galway's growing strength to Mayo's inability to see out games, and lots more besides - including handball memories, Kerry's growing accuracy and the marketing own-goal in July finals. Our GAA coverage on the Indo Sport podcast is in association with AIB. If you'd like to get in touch with the show, email us at indosportpodcast@ here. Listen on…. Spotify Apple Podcasts
Khaleej Times
08-04-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
This Week in Golf: UAE grabs spotlight with back-to-back HotelPlanner Tour events
While Augusta National dominates global golf chatter this week with the Masters Tournament taking centre stage, there's something equally exciting happening in the UAE. In the shadow of golf's biggest event, the HotelPlanner Tour (formerly known as the Challenge Tour) is making waves in the Emirates, as the first of two pivotal events unfolds at Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club in Ajman. As the world watches Augusta, it's important to remember that the UAE is carving its own path with back-to-back tournaments, culminating next week at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club in Abu Dhabi. The region is fast becoming a global golf hub, with its growing roster of local talent and increasing regional collaboration. A New Chapter for the HotelPlanner Tour Let's be honest—rebranding can be a tough sell. The transition from the Challenge Tour to the HotelPlanner Tour might still take some getting used to. But hats off to Jamie Hodges, the Director of the Tour, and his dedicated team for successfully commercializing this essential development tour in the world of golf. Even if we're still learning the ropes of this new name, one thing is undeniable: the HotelPlanner Tour continues to be a key stepping stone for up-and-coming players aspiring to make it to the DP World Tour and beyond. For many greats—including Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick, Henrik Stenson, and even Brooks Koepka—this very tour played a crucial role in their early careers. The experience gained from travelling across diverse climates and cultures has helped shape them into the stars we know today. Rising Stars in focus At Al Zorah, the UAE is proudly represented by a talented quartet of homegrown players who made history just a few weeks ago. Ahmad Skaik, Sam Mullane, Jonathan Selvaraj, and Rayan Ahmed etched their names into the record books by securing Team Gold at the 2025 GCC Golf Championship in Saudi Arabia, with Skaik also claiming Individual Gold in a performance that left spectators in awe. Mullane, who captured top honours at the inaugural Cedars Championship held at Al Zorah last week, will be one to watch as he aims for further success. Mullane's victory earned him entry into the UAE Challenge, while Mikhail Pinto and Dan Bryne—who finished tied for second—were rewarded with tournament exemptions, underscoring the Emirates Golf Federation's commitment to supporting and rewarding local talent. The field will also feature several amateur players from the Arab Golf Federation (AGF), further strengthening the region's presence. Notable names include Daniil Sokolov and Saleh Al Kaabi from Qatar, showcasing the growing collaboration between Middle Eastern golf associations. Face Off The competition won't just feature rising stars; seasoned pros will also be in action, including several of the UAE's best club professionals. Jackson Bell, representing the Tommy Fleetwood Academy, Craig Howie from Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club, Damien Scott of Al Hamra Golf Club, and Stuart Smith of Precision Golf Middle East will all test their mettle against some of the region's top talent. David Horsey, a four-time winner on the DP World Tour, returns home to Ajman ahead of his 40th birthday next week, looking to reignite his career on familiar turf. Alongside him, the always-intriguing Garrick Porteous, who recently transitioned from full-time tournament play to working as a Brand and Account Manager at ProSports International in Dubai, returns to defend his title at next week's Al Ain event. Porteous demonstrated exceptional form at the local Emirates PGA domestic scene, and his experience will be key as he looks to make another splash on home soil. A Week to Watch While the Masters may take the global spotlight, the UAE's golf scene is more than holding its own. This week's HotelPlanner Tour event in Ajman is a must-follow for golf fans, with local players battling it out for their shot at glory. If the success of the past few years is any indication, the UAE's rising stars are ready to shine—and we'll all be watching as they continue to make their mark. This Weel's Upcoming Golf Events The Masters Thursday, April 10 – Sunday, April 13, 2025 Venue: Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia, USA Purse: Not published at the time of going to press HotelPlanner Tour (UAE Challenge) Thursday, April 10 – Sunday, April 13, 2025 Venue: Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club, Ajman, UAE Purse: $300,000 Thursday, April 10 – Sunday, April 13, 2025 Purse: €340,000
