Latest news with #Paul
Belfast Telegraph
29 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
‘The people of Armagh have been paying my rent this last year': Viral singer opens up on beating cancer and becoming music legend in GAA scene
They say a lot can happen in a year, and south Armagh man Paul Loughran is the perfect testament to that. From being diagnosed with testicular cancer, to writing his county's most prolific GAA anthem, and then travelling the world based on his band's viral sensations — Paul is the ideal example of optimism, hard work and resilience. He makes up one-third of local folk group Plenty in the Tank, whose song 'G Stands For Geezer' became the theme tune for Armagh GAA's run to only their second All-Ireland win in 2024. Named aptly after the manager of the senior men's Gaelic football team, Kieran McGeeney — aka 'Geezer' — the song hit number 20 in the official Irish Singles Chart last August following the final. The song now has well over two million streams on the music platform Spotify, and it's picking up even more traction, now that Armagh are in the quarter-finals of the championship this weekend. Paul wrote the song, which he says has completely changed his life, but just a few months previous, he had received another life-changing announcement. 'I was diagnosed with stage two bilateral testicular cancer in early November 2023, which means I had cancer on both sides, and I had surgeries at the end of November and then that January (2024),' the 29-year-old explained. 'I then had a full month of chemo and got the all-clear in March. I think I left the cancer centre on March 14th or 15th, and then I went back to gigging again on St Paddy's Day, just a few days later. 'I had a sort of serious turnaround. Like, especially coming out of that [cancer treatment], I had no money whatsoever. 'I spent all my savings on just being alive for that couple of months, basically, and paying my bills and stuff.' What the Belleeks clubman didn't then realise, was that just a short while later, his fellow Armagh GAA fans would be helping sort out his bills. 'G Stands For Geezer' was created just a few weeks before Armagh went up against Galway in the All-Ireland final last July, with Paul dedicating one day in his bedroom to writing it and to say it took off instantly would be an understatement. 'I posted it on TikTok on a Wednesday afternoon and a couple of hours later it had a quarter of a million views,' he added. 'It was one of the first TikTok videos I ever posted and the reaction was absolutely mental.' Paul is even more grateful to the Armagh team for actually winning the Sam Maguire after it all, as the entire whirlwind has opened up more opportunities than ever before for Plenty In The Tank. 'We got to go to New York there with the team for a Q&A thing, we got to play in Manhattan, which was unbelievable, and then we got to go out to Abu Dhabi and Dubai there for Paddy's week,' said Paul. 'So we've got to get out into the world and do gigs, in places we'd obviously never have been gigging in before, and better still, we're still getting gigs from it; the amount of weddings we've been booked for just for people around Armagh — we're flat out.' The song has been getting around 10,000 streams a day since its release last summer, and that's on average, levelled out. It has been picking up again since the championship started this year, and as Armagh continue to get closer to an elusive second consecutive Sam Maguire trophy, Paul said the views and listens are increasingly climbing. He continued: 'I remember we were celebrating with the boys [Armagh team] over in New York, and they were all like: 'this is mental, and thank you for writing that song' or whatever. 'And I was saying, 'no, thank you for winning!' 'Because it wouldn't have been anywhere near as big as it was if we just got beaten in the final].' Reflecting on the last 12 months — beating cancer, extensive success and having their band be forever etched in GAA history - Paul noted that 'it was honestly the best year of my life'. He has also been able to give back to those who helped him, with Plenty In The Tank raising £2,000 for two charities — Friends of the Cancer Centre and Musicians NI. 'And now, I've been running for six weeks. I've signed up for the Belfast Half Marathon to try and raise a bit more money for Friends of the Cancer Centre. So, I'm trying my best to give back to them,' he said. 'The people of Armagh are absolute legends. I'm sorry to offend, but they're the absolute best fan base in the world, out of any sport, in any country. 'Thanks an absolute million to anybody that ever streamed or clicked on any videos that had 'G Stands For Geezer' on it — because you are still paying my rent.'
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First Post
41 minutes ago
- Sport
- First Post
Subrata Paul questions Indian players' attitude and team spirit: 'My responsibility to point that out'
India football team director Subrata Paul has raised concerns over the squad's attitude and team spirit after a goalless draw against Bangladesh in AFC Asian Cup qualifier in April. Bhaichung Bhutia has also commented on Paul's criticism. read more Former India goalkeeper and current national team director Subrata Paul has raised serious concerns about the Indian football team's attitude and team spirit. Paul made these comments after against Bangladesh in an Asian Cup qualifier in Shillong earlier this year. In a meeting with the (AIFF) technical committee on 17 April, Paul reportedly said that the players showed a lack of desire and spirit. According to the minutes of the meeting accessed by the Hindustan Times, Paul said the team had issues with player attitude, team unity, and even 'patriotism.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Paul highlighted several key challenges faced by the Senior National Team. These included issues related to Player's attitude (sic), patriotism and overall team spirit,' the minutes read. However, Paul later clarified that he did not talk about patriotism and that he didn't know how the word got into the minutes. More from Football Indian football legend and current executive committee member of AIFF, Bhaichung Bhutia, said Paul should explain what he meant and name the players who weren't giving their best. Bhutia and Paul were teammates during India's successful run between 2007 and 2011. 'And he should name the players who he felt had not given their best so that they are not chosen anymore,' Bhutia said. While speaking on the matter, Paul said that he didn't see the same hunger to perform for the country during the Bangladesh clash that players like Bhutia, Climax Lawrence, Deepak Mondal, and Sameer Naik had shown in the past. He added that it's his job to highlight these issues, even if some people don't like it. He also said that the team is in a transition phase with a mix of experienced and new players, which could be why they haven't gelled as a unit yet. 'I missed the desire that I saw in so many of my seniors and contemporaries such as Bhaichung bhai, Climax Lawrence, Sameer Naik, Deepak Mondal to name a few. The desire to play for the national team overrode everything including injuries,' Paul was quoted as saying by HT. 'It is my responsibility as national team director to point that out. If this makes me unpopular, so be it,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Even there, the performance was not what was expected and I pointed that out to the technical committee. This is a team that has some players with a lot of experience and some with little. It is a team in transition and maybe that is why it did not gel,' Paul added. The match against Bangladesh was Paul's first official game in his new role as director. Since that match, India lost two more games - a 0-2 defeat against Thailand in a friendly and a in another AFC Asian Cup qualifier.
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Jake Paul eyes Forbes' list of highest-paid boxer after making $100m… and admits he ENJOYS fans wanting him to be KO'd
JAKE PAUL has no hesitation in admitting he ENJOYS fans wanting him to be knocked out. After all, that is what has made him $100MILLION (£73m) in the ring - closing in on becoming the highest-paid boxer on Forbes' list. 5 Jake Paul admits he enjoys fans wanting him to be knocked out Credit: AP 5 Jake Paul is eyeing Forbes' highest-paid list 5 The boxer has made over $100m in the ring 5 He has no problem flaunting his wealth The YouTuber-turned prizefighter gave up on trying to be liked the moment he first laced up the gloves - and has profited from being boxing's bad guy. Paul told SunSport: "I don't think they'll ever show me love, to be honest. To conduct the orchestra, you must turn your back on the audience. "So I know what I'm doing, I'm just playing a game. People want to tune in to see me lose or the doubters, all of this stuff. "But, at the end of the day, there's just as much love that, and that's what I focus on." READ MORE IN BOXING He banked $50m (£36m) with $40m (£30m) of that made in his last fight against Mike Tyson - Paul also earned $30m (£20m) in defeat to And after earning $30m (£20m) for his three fights in 2021 alone - the former prankster-gone-prizefighter has cleared over $100m as a boxer. Most read in Boxing Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr JAKE PAUL'S controversial boxing career rolls on this weekend with the Problem Child facing boxing royalty in Anaheim, California. The Mexican, 39, has fought just once in the last four years but has the best boxing resume of any fighter to step into a ring with Paul - bar INFO Everything you need to know about Paul vs Chavez Jr LATEST NEWS & FEATURES CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS And he reckons surpassing Canelo Alvarez - Paul boasted: "I think it could happen for sure. I definitely think it can happen in the next 12-24 months. "It would be a cool thing to check off in a great accomplishment, so we'll see what happens." Paul, 28, returns to the ring TONIGHT against former middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 39, back down at cruiserweight. A shock ranking to fight for the WBC world title And it is that threat of being knocked out, embarrassed and proven wrong that motivates him to succeed. Paul said: "I think definitely I use a bit of like fear and what people say as motivation, inspiration. "But mostly I try to focus on the love and proving myself right and challenging myself at this point. "I've already exceeded my expectations of what I was going to do in this sport and so everything else here is is a win, right? "Like, I've built my whole entire dream life, businesses, companies, so really I'm just playing with house money now." 5 Jake Paul returns against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Jake Paul leaks brutal message Anthony Joshua sent him after being goaded over KO… and calls for UK stadium fight
NO JOSHING Jake Paul leaks brutal message Anthony Joshua sent him after being goaded over KO… and calls for UK stadium fight ANTHONY JOSHUA warned Jake Paul to be careful for what he wishes for after sending him one last menacing message. The two have been exchanging back and forth messages in private after Paul called out the ex-heavyweight world champion earlier in the year. Advertisement 4 Jake Paul wants to fight Anthony Joshua in the UK Credit: Getty 4 Joshua and Jake Paul have exchanged words over DM Credit: Getty The YouTuber-turned-boxer even goaded AJ over his previous knockout losses - but Joshua warned what goes around comes around. Paul has not DM'd Joshua since his KO tease and told SunSport: "That was the last one. "He said, 'I can't wait to fight. you're gonna be fighting for your life and you'll know the feeling that I've gone through.' Or something like that." Paul started his boxing journey with an exhibition bout in Manchester against Deji - the brother to his arch YouTube rival KSI. Advertisement READ MORE IN boxing HEAT IS ON Inside Jake Paul's camp on £30m ranch where he almost FIRED his coaches The American has now been a professional five years and has a record of 11 wins and just one loss - coming against Tommy Fury in 2023. And Paul wants to return to the UK to fight AJ - dreaming of a stadium full of his most volatile detractors. He said: "My first fight was in front of an English crowd and it's rowdy. "I love walking into the lions' den and so me vs Anthony Joshua, 100,000 people chanting "f*** Jake Paul" would be pretty fun for me." Advertisement CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Joshua, 35, is yet to return since being knocked out by Daniel Dubois, 27, in September and has since had elbow surgery. Meanwhile, Paul's last fight was as controversial as it was commercially successful. He beat Mike Tyson over eight rounds when the heavyweight great made a comeback aged 58 with over 100 MILLION watching on Netflix. Advertisement Now Paul, 28, returns TONIGHT against former middleweight champ Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 39, back down at cruiserweight. And he says a ranking with the WBC could await him with victory - putting him in line to challenge for Badou Jack's green and gold belt. Paul said: "I think it's back to the drawing board after this, especially depending on what the WBC and WBA rank me after I win. "If they rank me in the position where I can go for a world championship, then we're gonna try and get that done." Advertisement 4 Jake Paul returns against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr Credit: Getty 4 Badou Jack could defend his WBC title against Jake Paul Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Jake Paul leaks brutal message Anthony Joshua sent him after being goaded over KO… and calls for UK stadium fight
ANTHONY JOSHUA warned Jake Paul to be careful for what he wishes for after sending him one last menacing message. The two have been exchanging back and forth messages in private after Paul Advertisement 4 Jake Paul wants to fight Anthony Joshua in the UK Credit: Getty 4 Joshua and Jake Paul have exchanged words over DM Credit: Getty The YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul has not DM'd Joshua since his KO tease and told SunSport: "That was the last one. "He said, 'I can't wait to fight. you're gonna be fighting for your life and you'll know the feeling that I've gone through.' Or something like that." Paul started his boxing journey with an exhibition bout in Manchester against Deji - the brother to his arch YouTube rival KSI. Advertisement READ MORE IN boxing The American has now been a professional five years and has a record of 11 wins and just one loss - And He said: "My first fight was in front of an English crowd and it's rowdy. "I love walking into the lions' den and so me vs Anthony Joshua, 100,000 people chanting "f*** Jake Paul" would be pretty fun for me." Advertisement Most read in Boxing Exclusive Exclusive Exclusive Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr JAKE PAUL'S controversial boxing career rolls on this weekend with the Problem Child facing boxing royalty in Anaheim, California. The Mexican, 39, has fought just once in the last four years but has the best boxing resume of any fighter to step into a ring with Paul - bar INFO Everything you need to know about Paul vs Chavez Jr LATEST NEWS & FEATURES CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Joshua, 35, is yet to return since being knocked out by Daniel Dubois, 27, in September and Meanwhile, Paul's last fight was as controversial as it was commercially successful. He beat Mike Tyson over eight rounds when the heavyweight great made a comeback aged 58 with over Advertisement Now Paul, 28, returns TONIGHT against former middleweight champ Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 39, back down at cruiserweight. And he says a ranking with the Paul said: "I think it's back to the drawing board after this, especially depending on what the WBC and WBA rank me after I win. "If they rank me in the position where I can go for a world championship, then we're gonna try and get that done." Advertisement 4 Jake Paul returns against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr Credit: Getty 4 Badou Jack could defend his WBC title against Jake Paul Credit: Getty
