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The Sun
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Snooker legend's grandson gets England cricket call-up and receives first cap from icon Graeme Swann
CRICKET icon Graeme Swann handed a debut England Test cap to young cricketer Ralphie Albert on Sunday - the grandson of Snooker legend Jimmy White. White took to X to celebrate the moment with an image of the cap's exchange taking place. 5 5 He was delighted for his grandson, who received the cap following his appearance for England U19s on Sunday. The six-time world championship runner-up captioned the post: "Proud day as my grandson Ralphie gets his first England cap for the under 21's from Graeme Swann." Albert took 3/95 on the first day of his squad's first Test against India U19s in Beckenham. Just 17 years old, Albert plays his county cricket as part of Surrey's academy. The left-arm spinner received his cap from Swann, an England cricket icon with 255 wickets to his name in 60 Test appearances. Swann bowled a right-arm off-break for England, Nottinghamshire and his native Northamptonshire between 1998-2013 A big character, Swann was more recently seen on the national stage on Strictly Come Dancing, where he finished seventh. 5 5 Snooker star White is also branching out from his day job. The much-loved potter still plays and has been given a tour card for another year by snooker supremo Barry Hearn JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS But the Londoner is also set to go up against old rival Steve Davis in a completely different field. The pair are set to go head to head in a DJ clash next month at a music festival where an England football legend will also be on the bill. 5 The 63-year-old, nicknamed 'the whirlwind,' still plays professional snooker, but was relegated from the World Snooker Tour earlier this year due to his results.
The 42
09-07-2025
- Sport
- The 42
'We'd to say to Finlay, mate, you're allowed to be a kid. He was so driven'
IT WAS A cold, wet, windy night at Ravenhill in December 2005. The Australian Schoolboys were in Belfast for a clash with the Ireland U19s. A try from Quade Cooper and a conversion by Kurtley Beale helped the Aussies to a win over an Irish team that included Keith Earls and Cian Healy. The visitors' coach, Pat Langtry, was in the changing room afterwards when a security guard came in to tell him there was someone outside who wanted a word. Langtry went out to find an Australian couple with their kids. They introduced themselves as Andrea and Roy Bealham and said they were in Ireland to visit family in Enniskillen. 'Andrea said to me that the boys, Finlay and Sean, were mesmerised by two of our players, Jack Lam in particular, but also David Pocock,' says Langtry. 'So she asks, could they meet them?' So it was that 14-year-old Finlay came into the changing room and met the players before the Bealhams headed merrily on their way. It was around a year later when Langtry bumped into them again, this time back at St Edmund's College in Canberra, the school where he was head of rugby. The Bealhams were in for an interview because their sons were enrolling. 'Do you remember us?' said Roy. And so it was that Langtry got his hands on Finlay Bealham as a 15-year-old. The young Canberra man wanted to kick his rugby development on by joining 'Eddies,' which is renowned for producing professional players. Yet little could anyone have known then that Finlay would one day return to Canberra as a British and Irish Lion. Quade Cooper tackles Tommy O'Donnell in Belfast in 2005. Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO / INPHO ********** Bealham's family are key to his rugby story. He had huge support from his parents, who ferried Finlay to and from whatever training sessions he needed to be at as a teenager. Bealham made the ACT schoolboys team and played for the Australia Schools A team. Andrea and Roy were there every step of the way. 'He was just a really good kid, as was his younger brother,' says Langtry. 'He had a really supportive family and they're often the forgotten backbone.' If it wasn't for Sadie Ferris, his maternal grandmother, Bealham wouldn't have ended up playing for Ireland. She was a native of Enniskillen in County Fermanagh and came from good sporting stock. The famous boxer Gordon Ferris was her nephew. Sadie married a man called Harry Gill, and Andrea was their daughter. They lived in England for some time, but Andrea moved to Australia in the 1970s. When Harry passed away, Sadie returned to Enniskillen. Over in Canberra, Andrea married Roy Bealham and they had their two boys and a girl, Skye. One of the Bealham lads was named after a famous rugby player. Scotland back row Finlay Calder was the captain of the Lions' tour to Australia in 1989. Calder was brilliant as the tourists won the series 2-1. That left an impression and when they had their first son in 1991, the Bealhams decided to call him Finlay. That, surely, is a good omen for this Lions tour. Advertisement The Bealhams loved trips back to Enniskillen to see Sadie. Finlay was especially close to his grandmother, and she has been a big inspiration in his career since passing away in 2012. Representing Sadie is a huge point of pride for Bealham. And so is representing his own little family. Bealham's wife, Galway native Sarah, and their one-year-old son, Galway native Jaoquin, are in Australia to support him on this Lions tour. Finlay with his parents after not seeing each other for two-and-a-half years during Covid. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO ********** Langtry, who remains involved with St Edmund's rugby and spent 20 years working with the Australian Schools set-up, knew pretty quickly that Bealham had something about him. 'He was a big, strong boy,' says Langtry, who also spent three years in Ireland coaching the senior team in Christian Brothers College, Cork. Bealham had been playing lots of rugby league with the Queanbeyan Blues up until his switch to St Edmund's. When it came to union, Bealham had been moving between the back row and front row, but they soon got him to focus solely on propping. Bealham was good enough at league to play for the Canberra Raiders U16s but by the end of Year 10, the equivalent to fourth year in Ireland, he had to make a decision. Training for both union and league involved too much contact every week. Union won out. Langtry coached Bealham with the U16 team in Eddies and then his development was helped by the First XV head coach Neil Roberts, a forwards specialist. As everyone in Irish rugby knows, Bealham is a quirky character. That was the case in school too. The 42 The 42 'I do remember he was mad on that WW whatever it is, the wrestling,' says Langtry with a laugh. 'He was always showing blokes at school the latest wrestling hold and watching it on YouTube. He'd have kids in the break room, practising wrestling holds on them.' Bealham's bushy, wild hair was eye-catching and his teachers often told him to tidy it up, but he wasn't listening. Langtry isn't a bit surprised to see Bealham rocking corn rows these days. What stood out most to Langtry, though, was Bealham's determination and work ethic. Indeed, they often had to tell him not to do as much gym work and extra training, or to chill out with his strict diet. 'He was always looking for feedback and he could take good, hard coaching,' says Langtry. 'He was just a doer. 'A lot of times we had to say to him, mate, you're allowed to be a kid. But he was so driven. He didn't have to be pushed into it or anything like that. He was just one of those kids who had goals in his head. And look where he is now.' The gym in St Edmund's College. The 42 The 42 One of the things that has been prominent in Bealham's game with Connacht and Ireland has been his handling skills. Langtry reckons Bealham's rugby league background helped in making him comfortable at offloading, while the programme in St Edmund's involves a major focus on catch-pass skills at every level. The young prop was also an avid student of the game, watching lots of footage, meaning he could read play well. That wasn't always the case with young front rows. Langtry says Bealham is a 'very deep thinker' on the game. His group in Eddies also included Colby Fainga'a, who was in the year ahead of him and later ended up being Bealham's Connacht team-mate. Fainga'a was a similarly hard trainer and had big aspirations. St Edmund's College is a powerhouse. The likes of George Gregan, Matt Giteau, the three other Fainga'a brothers – Saia, Vili, and Anthony – and Robbie Coleman are among the pro union players to have come through the school. Current Canberra Raiders head coach and all-round rugby league legend Ricky Stuart is another Eddies old boy. The First XV changing room at St Edmund's College. They can field up to 25 teams per season, meaning their biggest game days kick off at 8.30am. Their 'Heritage Round' meetings with Marist College Canberra are akin to a rugby festival. It's a fee-paying school, although the rugby facilities aren't fancy. They have strong links with the Brumbies and Raiders. St Edmund's are good at other sports too, with students able to study 'sports development' as an actual school subject. That brings an academic element to their sporting pursuit as they learn about nutrition, S&C, and more during classroom hours. It's not a bad start for an aspiring pro athlete. And Langtry explains that Bealham epitomise a quality that St Edmund's is all about. 'Grit,' says Langtry. 'He just worked hard.' ********** Grit was a quality Bealham needed when he left school. He was loosely part of the Brumbies' pathway, but his next step was to join the Canberra Vikings club. Wallabies such as Joe Roff, Christian Lealiifano, Justin Harrison, Radike Samo, Noah Lolesio, Ben Mowen, Scott Sio, Tom Hooper, Manny Edmonds, Len Ikitau, Darcy Swain, and Joe Powell, as well as the All Blacks tighthead Tyrel Lomax, have played for the Vikings. 'The Zoo' players' bar at Canberra Vikings. Ex-Leinster wing Darragh Fanning also played for the club across two stints when they were still called the Tuggeranong Vikings. Bealham started with the Colts, the U20 side, but moved up into the adult sides too. 'He had that strength and he had that physical development as well,' says Langtry. Despite impressing people in the club, Bealham didn't get a call from the Australia U20s and there was no academy place with the Brumbies, who weren't convinced he was big enough to be a pro player. So having always felt a strong connection with Ireland, Bealham and his dad sent video clips of him in action to the IRFU's Allen Clarke and Irish U20s boss Mike Ruddock. Finlay was invited over to Ireland in 2010. At first he was with Ulster, but they decided not to sign him. Yet another rejection. Bealham considered moving back home, but he played for the Ireland U20s in 2011 and Connacht's Nigel Carolan saw something in him. So it was that Connacht offered Bealham a new home with an academy deal. His senior Connacht debut came in 2014, then a first Ireland cap in 2016, and now he's on the Lions tour. The main stand at Viking Park. 'That was tough for him. For a young kid to move to the other side of the world, take up residency in Ireland and Galway and and write his own story on the back of his work ethic, we're so proud,' says Langtry. While the hope was that Bealham would play for the Lions in his native Canberra today against the Brumbies, those who know him were just happy to have him back in town. Bealham hasn't forgotten his roots. Two years ago, he sent an Ireland jersey back to Langtry in St Edmund's as a token of appreciation. 'I was so, so grateful for that and we'll get that put up in the school,' he says. 'That meant a lot to me.' Now, they're hoping to see Bealham play a big role for the Lions in the coming weeks as this tour heats up. 'The greatest thing for me is to see a young kid like Finlay, standing there in the freezing cold in a raincoat at Ravenhill in December in 2005, and then, you know, he's playing for the British and Irish Lions,' says Langtry. 'He's played at the World Cup, and it's all on the back end of his work ethic. Maybe St Edmund's played a small part in that, I don't know, but he gets everything he deserves. 'He's a great kid, great family and, mate, we're so proud of him.' Pat Langtry at St Edmund's College. The 42 The 42
Irish Examiner
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Lighting up football's future: The stars to watch at the U19s Euros final
THE U19s European Championship final takes place on Thursday evening as the stars of tomorrow seek glory today. Spain take on the Netherlands in Bucharest as La Rojita seek to win the tournament for a record setting 13th time. We've picked out six players – three from Spain and three from the Netherlands – to keep an eye on in the showpiece. Read More Irish referee Rob Hennessy to officiate U19 Euros final between Spain and the Netherlands Pablo Garcia (Spain) Pablo Garcia made just three league outings for Real Betis in La Liga last season but has taken the U19s Euros by storm. Indeed, no player has scored more goals than the 18-year-old (4) at the competition, which includes a hat-trick in the entertaining 6-5 win over Germany in the semi-finals. An additional assist means only two players have been directly involved in more goals than the Spanish star-in-the-making, who will be looking to fire his nation to glory once more. Considering Isco was Real Betis' top scorer in La Liga last season with just nine goals to his name, this week's final could open up the starting XI door for Garcia, particularly if he does add to his four goals. Kees Smit (Netherlands) After scoring eight goals in 13 Eerste Divisie appearances last season, Kees Smit was promoted to the AZ first team. While he failed to transfer his impressive second division form to the Eredivisie, Smit has been instrumental in the Netherlands' progression to the U19 Euros final, scoring four goals and providing one assist. There is an argument to be made that he should have more of the latter, with 2.8 key passes per game the third most at the competition, with the 19-year-old looking to maintain his rise to stardom and land an international winners' medal in the process. Jan Virgili (Spain) Barcelona have a knack for developing talented Spanish wingers. While Ansu Fati struggled with injuries, the Blaugrana are hoping Jan Virgili follows in Lamine Yamal's footsteps, even if the former is almost a year older than the latter. Virgili ranks third for successful dribbles per game (2.7) at the U19 Euros and is one of six players on two assists at the tournament, the latter coming from a modest two key passes per match. With a knack for cutting inside from the left flank to maximise his wand of a right foot, the 18-year-old's performance in Bucharest could be key as Spain chase further glory, even if he does start from the bench. Either way, he's a handy weapon for Paco Gallardo to call upon. Antonio Cordero (Spain). Newcastle fans will be watching Thursday's final with great interest, particularly as they continue to run the rule over Antonio Cordero. Cordero joins the Magpies from Malaga at the start of July, and the winger will hope this week's final is a springboard for future success. The Newcastle-bound teenager ranks sixth for key passes per game (2.3) and second for big chances created (2) at the U19 Euros and if, as expected, he does start ahead of Virgili on the left flank, then it'll be a significant show of faith in the Spaniard. Ayoub Oufkir (Netherlands) Netherlands do have their own wingers who can fire them to glory at Spain's expense, notably through Ayoub Oufkir. The Sparta Rotterdam forward has been a key player down the right for the Netherlands in Romania, scoring twice and providing an additional assist en route to the final. In addition, Oufkir has proven a tireless worker off the ball having averaged a modest 1.8 tackles per game. With the onus on attacking players working hard to force opposition turnovers high up the pitch, the 19-year-old is, along with Smit, arguably the Netherlands' best hope of securing a first U19 European Championship. Jesse Joeri Heerkens (Netherlands). The Netherlands' last line of defence may just prove the difference in their final meeting with Spain. Only three goalkeepers are making move saves per game than Jesse Joeri Heerkens (4.8) at the U19 Euros, and that means the Dutch shotstopper is the only player to have kept multiple clean sheets (2) and is conceding fewer goals per game (0.8) than any other goalkeeper in the competition. The Czech-born Dutchman is proving a key performer for Martijn Reuser's side, and he'll certainly have his work cut out as the Netherlands gear up for their crunch meeting with Spain. However, Heerkens has very proven up to the task, proving that the best defence is… well… a good defence.
Scottish Sun
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Bournemouth's Alex Scott pushing through pain barrier of broken jaw with specialised mask for England Euro joy
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ALEX SCOTT is pushing through the pain barrier to deliver more European glory for our country. The Bournemouth star suffered a fractured jaw after being caught by the elbow of Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings last month. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Alex Scott is wearing a specialised mask for England at the Euros Credit: Shutterstock 3 The Bournemouth star suffered a fractured jaw after being caught by Tyrone Mings' elbow Credit: Getty He had to wear a chin strap when he came off the bench for the final few seconds of the Cherries' final day victory over Leicester. Now Scott revealed he has had a specialised one designed for the Under-21 European Championship. So far he has produced one goal and an assist to help the Young Lions reach the semi-finals — and he is adamant that it is causing him no issues at all. The 21-year-old said: 'It's honestly been fine. Before I had a different mask, which was a lot tougher to wear. 'I tried it out in a few sessions before we came to Slovakia. Thankfully the staff with England managed to do everything they could to get me a new one fitted. 'I've adapted to it well. It gets sweaty so, throughout the games, I try to take it off as much as I can. But it's been fine.' Bournemouth forked out £20million to Bristol City for Scott in 2023. That came 12 months after the midfielder starred for England U19s as they lifted the Euros — coincidentally also in Slovakia. He came on as sub to equalise against Italy in that semi in June 2022 to spark a 2-1 comeback victory. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Ahead of today's last-four clash with Holland, Scott recalled: 'We've got a lot of players here who played in that game. 'At first I was a bit annoyed at the start on the bench, but I was ready to come on and make an impact. One of my first touches I managed to score.' England u21s clash with Germany SUSPENDED as stadium plunged into semi-darkness and players taken off pitch Those U19s repeated that trick after falling behind to Israel in the final to triumph 3-1 and lift the trophy. Scott, one of six men from that squad included in Lee Carsley's current crop, said: 'It's one of my proudest moments of my career so far. 'It is any time that I've been away with England, but to win a tournament was really special. 'That brings experience as well. Like I said, a few of my lads have been there and done it. 'I know what it takes to win a major tournament. So we're looking forward to the game against Holland now. 3 Alex Scott scored the equaliser against Italy in the 2022 semi at the U19 Euros Credit: AFP 'Hopefully we can take that experience we have and take it into this.' And while Scott wants to create another piece of history, he and his team-mates are also hoping to replicate the England team from 1982 and 1984 by winning back-to-back U21 Euros. Scott added: 'It's all about now for us and the hunger to win this tournament. 'Two years ago they won it, so that's a bit of pressure on us, as there always is for England at tournaments. 'The group we have, the games we've played at all levels, Premier League, Championship, there's not a lot of pressure we feel as players. Hopefully we can win.'
The Irish Sun
24-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Bournemouth's Alex Scott pushing through pain barrier of broken jaw with specialised mask for England Euro joy
ALEX SCOTT is pushing through the pain barrier to deliver more European glory for our country. The 3 Alex Scott is wearing a specialised mask for England at the Euros Credit: Shutterstock 3 The Bournemouth star suffered a fractured jaw after being caught by Tyrone Mings' elbow Credit: Getty He had to wear a chin strap when he came off the bench for the final few seconds of the Cherries' final day victory over Leicester. Now So far he has produced one goal and an assist to help the Young Lions reach the semi-finals — and he is adamant that it is causing him no issues at all. The 21-year-old said: 'It's honestly been fine. Before I had a different mask, which was a lot tougher to wear. READ MORE ON ENGLAND U21S 'I tried it out in a few sessions before we came to Slovakia. Thankfully the staff with England managed to do everything they could to get me a new one fitted. 'I've adapted to it well. It gets sweaty so, throughout the games, I try to take it off as much as I can. But it's been fine.' Bournemouth forked out £20million to Bristol City for Scott in 2023. That came 12 months after the midfielder starred for England U19s as they lifted the Euros — coincidentally also in Slovakia. He came on as sub to equalise against Italy in that semi in June 2022 to spark a 2-1 comeback victory. Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Ahead of today's last-four clash with Holland, Scott recalled: 'We've got a lot of players here who played in that game. 'At first I was a bit annoyed at the start on the bench, but I was ready to come on and make an impact. One of my first touches I managed to score.' England u21s clash with Germany SUSPENDED as stadium plunged into semi-darkness and players taken off pitch Those U19s repeated that trick after falling behind to Israel in the final to triumph 3-1 and lift the trophy. Scott, one of six men from that squad included in Lee Carsley's current crop, said: 'It's one of my proudest moments of my career so far. 'It is any time that I've been away with England, but to win a tournament was really special. 'That brings experience as well. Like I said, a few of my lads have been there and done it. 'I know what it takes to win a major tournament. So we're looking forward to the game against Holland now. 3 Alex Scott scored the equaliser against Italy in the 2022 semi at the U19 Euros Credit: AFP 'Hopefully we can take that experience we have and take it into this.' And while Scott wants to create another piece of history, he and his team-mates are also hoping to replicate the England team from 1982 and 1984 by winning back-to-back U21 Euros. Scott added: 'It's all about now for us and the hunger to win this tournament. 'Two years ago they won it, so that's a bit of pressure on us, as there always is for England at tournaments. 'The group we have, the games we've played at all levels, Premier League, Championship, there's not a lot of pressure we feel as players. Hopefully we can win.' England's Under-21 Euros squad in FULL ENGLAND are looking to retain their status as Under-21 European champions this summer in Slovakia. Here is Lee Carsley's full squad for the blockbuster tournament: Goalkeepers: James Beadle (Brighton and Hove Albion), Teddy Sharman-Lowe (Chelsea), Tommy Simkin (Stoke City) Defenders: Charlie Cresswell (FC Toulouse), Ronnie Edwards (Southampton), CJ Egan-Riley (Burnley), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Brooke Norton Cuffy (Genoa), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool) Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Archie Gray (Tottenham Hotspur), Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough), Jack Hinshelwood (Brighton and Hove Albion), Tyler Morton (Liverpool), Alex Scott (AFC Bournemouth) Forwards: Harvey Elliott (Liverpool), Omari Hutchinson (Ipswich Town), Sam Iling Jnr (Aston Villa), James McAtee (Manchester City), Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal), Jonathan Rowe (Marseille), Jay Stansfield (Birmingham City)
