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RTÉ News
27-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Katie Taylor: 'Why stop now if I still feel good?'
Katie Taylor says she doesn't see any reason why she should bring the curtain down on her career anytime soon as the third instalment of her trilogy against Amanda Serrano looms large next month. Having narrowly won their first two encounters, the 39-year-old is due to come up against Serrano once again at New York's iconic Madison Square Garden on 11 July. And although the Bray boxer acknowledges that she is towards the latter end of her illustrious career, Taylor told RTÉ 2fm's Game On that she feels far from jaded. "I know that I'm definitely at the end of my career, I can't do this forever and I don't want to do this forever," she told Marie Crowe. "But I feel good right now, I feel fresh and why stop now if I still feel good and fresh. "And I still love my sport as well. I'm still not sick of the early mornings or the early morning runs or the sparring sessions. "I love my sport and I think it's because of the love for my sport that I'm able to do this for so long as well. "That's why I'm still in this position. I'm going to be 39 this month and I don't think when I started boxing I thought I was going to be still boxing at this age. "But I just feel good and I feel great, and I don't think I'm slowing down." However, she admitted that it can be difficult for her family to watch on as she pushes herself to the limit in a physically bruising sport like boxing. "It's tough for them to see me all banged up and bruised after these fights when my eyes are out to here and my face is all bruised but I actually heal very quickly as well," she said. "But I feel in a good spot right now. I'm not going to damage myself or keep going beyond what I can endure. I'm always going to be smart and I'm going to be smart and make the right decision at the right time." Despite everything that Taylor has achieved professionally, and prior to that in becoming an Olympic champion and winning multiple world titles at amateur level, the one dream that has thus far got away has been the chance to fight at Croke Park. But she is sanguine about that situation. "I don't know if that's every going to happen. I would love for it to happen but those things are out of my control," she said. "It's a lot easier to fight at Madison Square Garden than it is to make the fight in Croke Park just because of all the complications there. "I would love to have the chance to fight there but what can I do about that? I don't know if that's ever going to happen." With the Serrano fight just over a month away, Taylor is making small tweaks to her approach which she is hopeful will reap dividends on 11 July. "I think the little adjustments, like your sparring partners are always a bit different, you're always working on a few different conditioning things, the tactics are always a small bit different," she said. "Those little differences make a huge difference and it's those little adjustments that make a training camp very exciting as well. "I don't really get bored of it. I obviously wake up sometimes and I'm not in the mood for training but I realise I'm in a very, very privileged position as well and being part of another huge mega fight night and every single female fighter in the world wants to be in this position right now," she said. "So I definitely don't take it for granted and I put the work in every single day because of that." Last time, she and Serrano came face to face was in April during a particularly tempestuous press conference in which they traded barbs. But it appears that there is no bad blood, at least from Taylor's point of view. "I wouldn't have any contact with Amanda outside of the fights really but I have a lot of respect for her," she said. "She's obviously a great fighter, a great athlete and she's a fantastic person as well so I have nothing bad I could say about her. "We've been involved in some historic nights and I'm very grateful that I have Amanda Serrano to share these huge nights with. "We've made history together and there's a lot of mutual respect there." What is more of a focus for Taylor is the legacy that the trilogy will leave behind for women's boxing. "I think it's amazing the sport is in a position where we can get an all-female card," she said. "Not just an all-female card but a top quality all-female card and I think that for me is just amazing for the sport and I love the fact that I get a chance to make history again. "The reason why I'm taking this fight with Amanda Serrano - I don't need this fight, I'm 2-0 against her but it's because of these big nights and because it's another historic night that I'm taking these fights. "Imagine what this showcase is going to do again for the next generation of female fighters, it's huge, live on Netflix, it's a huge platform and it's an amazing position to be in."
RTÉ News
19-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Bernard Jackman: Andy Farrell has skills to deal with any 'Irish bias' claims within Lions squad
Bernard Jackman believes Andy Farrell's "biggest challenge" will be to allay any perception of partiality towards the Ireland contingent in his British and Irish Lions squad as they prepare for Friday's tour opener against Argentina at Aviva Stadium, but backs the head coach to have the man-management skills to smooth over any issues. The Englishman has led Ireland to two Six Nations titles, including the 2023 Grand Slam, and his trust in players from this nation is reflected by their dominance in both the squad selection and staff make-up for the upcoming tour to Australia. Finlay Bealham's call-up in place of the injured Scotland tighthead Zander Fagerson has brought the contingent of Ireland players to 16, with England (13), Scotland (8) and Wales (2) rounding out the 39-strong travelling party A good chunk of that Irish number will have a strong case to start the first Test against Australia in Brisbane on 19 July and speaking on RTÉ 2fm's Game On, Jackman said picking a Lions team would be quite distinct from the challenge of navigating Ireland team selection. "I think it's going to be the biggest challenge Andy Farrell is going to have is that there is never a peep out of anybody who's not picked for Ireland in Ireland because there's a sense of he's very fair and he's very good at explaining why players aren't picked and giving them areas they need to improve upon," he said. "But that's a little bit different because there's a hierarchy there, so players earn their stripes, there's very little turnover in the Irish squad because the team tend to win, players perform well. "So the guys who are the non-23, they don't really have a great case because they're not tried and tested internationals." The task of picking a Lions XI would be much different considering the players in the squad are the cream of the crop of their respective nations. "Whereas here, you're going to leave out fellas who are superstars in their own country or superstars in their club and have a big reputation and maybe have big egos," Jackman continued. "And if they feel that there's a bias towards Irish players, that could be difficult. I think Farrell has the man-management skills to deal with that. "But he has given them a definite argument by how many Irish players, coaches and backroom staff - Gary Keegan, the mental skills coach was added this week, the head of S&C (and) head of performance is Irish, the head analyst is Irish - so there is a big Irish influence. "But honestly, if anyone can do it, Farrell can do it. But certainly if it becomes clear quite early that he's going to pick more Irish players and (if) they haven't earned the right, that's the challenge. "The pressure is now on his Irish players to show they're better and I think if they do that, it'll be okay. "But if there are a lot of marginal calls (that) go towards the Irish players, there could be a bit of disharmony and we've seen that disrupt and destroy Lions tours in the past."
RTÉ News
11-06-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Is your beard a hygiene risk?
Analysis: Stylish or unsanitary? Here's what the evidence shows about beards and bacteria Human skin is home to billions of microorganisms – mainly bacteria, but also fungi and viruses – and facial hair provides a unique environment for them to thrive. Research shows that beards, in particular, support a dense and diverse microbial population, which has fuelled a persistent belief that they are inherently unhygienic. The Washington Post recently reported that some toilets contain fewer germs than the average beard. But are beards truly a hygiene risk? A closer look at the evidence reveals a nuanced picture. The microbial population on skin varies by location and is influenced by factors such as temperature, pH, humidity and nutrient availability. Beards create a warm, often moist environment where food debris and oils can accumulate – ideal conditions for microbial growth. From RTÉ Brainstorm, the hairy history of beards These microbes thrive not just because of the warm, moist conditions beards provide, but also because of constant exposure to new contaminants and microbes, especially from hands that frequently touch surfaces and the face. Concerns among scientists about beard hygiene date back over 50 years. Early studies showed that facial hair could retain bacteria and bacterial toxins even after washing. This led to the enduring idea that beards act as bacterial reservoirs and could pose an infection risk to others. For healthcare workers, this has made beards a point of controversy, especially in hospitals where pathogen transmission is a concern. However, hospital-based research has shown mixed results. One study found that bearded healthcare workers had higher bacterial loads on their faces than clean-shaven colleagues. Another investigation, looking at whether it would be hygienic to evaluate dogs and humans in the same MRI scanner, found that most men's beards contained significantly more microbes than dog fur, including a greater presence of harmful bacteria. The researchers concluded: "Dogs are no risk to humans if they use the same MRI." However, other studies have challenged the idea that beards increase infection risk. For example, one investigation found no significant difference in bacterial colonisation between bearded and clean-shaven healthcare workers. The same study also reported that bearded doctors were less likely to carry Staphylococcus aureus, a major cause of hospital infections, and that there was no increase in infection rates among patients treated by bearded surgeons wearing surgical masks. From RTÉ 2fm, beards may be trendy, but are they hygienic? Advice from the Grafton Barbers' Conor McAllister on keeping your facial hair on point Beards can sometimes spread skin infections, such as impetigo — a contagious rash often caused by S aureus, which is commonly found in facial hair. In rare cases, parasites like pubic lice – which usually live in the groin area – can also show up in beards, eyebrows or eyelashes, particularly in cases of poor hygiene or close contact with an infected person. The case for good beard hygiene Neglected beards can foster irritation, inflammation and infection. The skin beneath a beard – rich in blood vessels, nerve endings and immune cells – is highly sensitive to microbial and environmental stressors. When sebum, dead skin, food debris and pollutants accumulate, they can irritate the skin and provide fuel for fungal and bacterial growth. Experts strongly recommend washing your beard and face every day. Doing so removes dirt, oils, allergens and dead skin, helping prevent microbial buildup. Dermatologists also advise moisturising to prevent dryness, using a beard comb to clear debris, and trimming to control loose hairs and reduce shedding. These steps help maintain not only hygiene but also beard health and appearance. So, are beards dirty? Like most things, it depends on how well you care for them. With daily hygiene and proper grooming, beards pose little risk and may even be healthier than we once thought.
RTÉ News
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Beyond the Pale festival organisers say it's going ahead, amid cancellation reports
Organisers of next weekend's Beyond the Pale festival taking place in Co Wicklow have insisted that it is going ahead, after reports circulated that it was to be cancelled due to financial concerns. It is understood that some booking agents had received a call last night telling them that it could not go ahead. The festival is run by promotor Declan Forde from Cupola Events Ltd with an address on Trinity Street in Dublin city centre. It is understood he spent today trying to ensure the festival could go ahead as planned. More than 12,500 people, as well as 1,000 staff and artists are due to attend, with many due to camp at the festival. Structures including fencing and marquees for the festival are set to be built on the Glendalough Estate, with Wicklow County Council having signed off on the final event management plan on 29 May. DJ Dave Clarke, who presents RTÉ 2fm's White Noise post-techno and electro show, is due to fly to Ireland from Amsterdam for the event. He said he had been reading the mounting speculation about the festival online but would make the journey anyway. "I'll be travelling to Ireland. I love it too much but it's very confusing. I have seen this news coming from serious sources but the information changes all the time." He says his after-show party will definitely be going ahead in Dublin and he still hopes to play at the festival. Organisers had promised a more detailed statement about what is happening this afternoon but so far no further clarity has been received.
RTÉ News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Aoife Wafer revels in 'crazy' Six Nations Player of the Tournament gong as Ireland's World Cup adventure looms large
In a sign that being named Women's Six Nations Player of the Year is still sinking in, Aoife Wafer reached for the adjective "crazy" more than once as she reflected on the honour on Wednesday evening. The Ireland flanker was announced as the winner on Monday, earning 41% of the fan poll, and ultimately seeing off competition from the other nominees, England winger Abby Dow, France second row Manaé Feleu and Scotland back row Evie Gallagher. Coming out on top in a shortlist alongside that trio was something the 22-year-old was not expecting. "It's a bit crazy to be honest. They're all phenomenal athletes and there's so many people that could have and should have been nominated as well," she told RTÉ 2fm's Game On. "We've so many superstars on our team as well, so to be nominated is class and then to get the fan support and to be voted as the best player in Six Nations is pretty undescribable to be honest." The Wexford native topped a host of statistical tables during the 2025 tournament, making 70 carries - the most of any player - for a staggering 424.7 metres, beating 17 defenders in the process, the second highest of any forward in the championship. And that's not mentioning her four-try haul. "Thankfully I've been able to put out a couple of good performances but I still have so much to learn," she said. "At the end of the day I'm only 22 and I'm really excited for even what's to come at the end of the year in the World Cup, so it's a bit crazy to be honest." Ireland finished third in the tournament and while Wafer sees areas for improvement, she felt that Scott Bemand's team have made clear strides with the World Cup looming in August when they will share a pool with New Zealand, Spain and Japan. "Personally, I'd look at it as probably some of those games got away from us and it could have potentially been a tournament that we finished second instead of third in the likes of if we'd beat France and if we'd beat Scotland and then put a bit more competition in England," she said. "But there are so many positives to take from it as well. We've come such a long way in the two years that Scott's been over us and it's a completely changed side to what was pre Scott's era. "The end of this year is going to be incredibly exciting but we'll definitely have to take some learnings from this year's Six Nations and kind of be a bit more... like taking chances in those scoring zones because we want to beat Tier One nations and it's not every often that you get those chances when you're in their '22 so you have to take every one of them." And amid reports in the Irish Indepedent about a potential move to English club Harlequins after the World Cup being on the verge of fruition, Wafer was coy about the prospect and switched the spotlight onto her recovery from injury. "I'm just trying to get back from my knee (injury). I haven't seen anything yet," she said. "I picked up an injury there against Wales so I'm just doing everything I can to get back from it and try to put my hand up for selection again for the World Cup."
