Latest from Irish Daily Mirror
Irish Daily Mirror
29 minutes ago
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Everything you need to know about Kneecap's eagerly awaited Glasto performance
One of the most contentious topics at this year's Glastonbury Festival is the scheduled performance of Irish language rap group Kneecap. The issue has become a major talking point among festival-goers. Despite facing pressure from British politicians and others, the festival organisers have chosen not to cancel the Irish band's appearance. This comes after allegations that the band displayed a flag in support of the proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah and chanted "up Hamas, up Hezbollah" during a gig in London last November. One of the band members, Liam Og O hAnnaidh, is currently out on bail and set to reappear in court in August, following a court appearance earlier this month. He denies the charges, and the band has apologised to the families of murdered MPs, claiming that footage of the incident was "exploited and weaponised". Kneecap is set to perform at Glastonbury on Saturday at 4pm, and an enormous crowd is expected to attend. The controversy has only added to the band's popularity, particularly among the festival's left-wing, anti-establishment, and pro-Palestinian attendees. As a group known for their strong political voice, the band from west Belfast and Derry are likely to use their platform to express their views on Saturday afternoon at Worthy Farm. Worthy Farm is gearing up for an emotionally charged performance this weekend, with band lyrics and social media posts centring around the harrowing issue of child starvation in Gaza, reports Somerset Live. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and opposition leader, Tory MP Kemi Badenoch have piped up this week, insisting that the BBC should give the concert a miss on the telly. But the group's run-in with the law and Mo Chara's recent court appearance has only boosted their fame, sparking loads of support all over social media. Support is expected to be massive for the Pro Palestinian crew at Glastonbury, known for their unique Irish rapped tunes in a Northern Irish twang. Hailing from west Belfast where pride in nationalism is painted on the walls, they're belting out messages for a united Ireland and stand against any sort of heavy-handed policing or government control. You'll spot Palestine flags fluttering nearly everywhere you look in areas like Divis Flats and Falls Road, showing local solidarity from the heart of west Belfast. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week However, there's been a bit of a stir in Somerset as some high-profile locals have been bending the ear of Glastonbury Festival bosses, trying to get the band's slot pulled – but so far, the festival has not budged and hasn't given in to the noise. The scene was buzzing outside Westminster Magistrates' Court when O hAnnaidh appeared with his mates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh, decked out in "Free Mo Chara" gear, to a hero's welcome. When he reappears in court in August, an even larger crowd is expected to rally in support, with numerous pro-Palestinian social media groups encouraging people to show their solidarity. Their Glastonbury gig is set to be a full house, with youngsters already planning to arrive hours ahead of their 4pm kick-off. Their distinctive Irish rapping on political issues, particularly Free Palestine, is sure to echo across the Glastonbury hills, much to the delight of the audience.
Irish Daily Mirror
43 minutes ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Brentford selected Keith Andrews 'with their eyes open'
Stephen Bradley has hailed Keith Andrews' appointment as Brentford boss as a significant step forward for Irish managers. And the Shamrock Rovers supremo does not believe it is a bold or brave move by the Bees - rather a shrewd and considered appointment. 'They have made this decision with their eyes open and that should fill you with confidence if you're Keith,' said Bradley, who was on the same Pro Licence as Andrews. 'They have obviously seen something that they really, really like.' Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Andrews has succeeded new Tottenham manager Thomas Frank on a three-year deal despite having never managed before. He was Brentford's set piece coach and previously had coaching spells with Sheffield United and MK Dons, while he was also Stephen Kenny's assistant with Ireland. Bradley and Andrews enrolled on the same Pro Licence course, but Andrews had to step back after a period of time and defer to a later one due to work commitments. Bradley said: 'Brentford have always been bold and brave in what they've done. We all look at Thomas Frank now as an established, really good manager but he wasn't always. He was an assistant, he was 'B' team. 'The Sparta Prague manager we played against last year, he was 'B' team manager as well and was the next one to come in and got the Sparta offer. They do that regularly.' Bradley had a good working relationship with Brentford's former technical director Rob Rowan before his sad passing aged just 28 in 2018. 'He was the one who set all that in motion and they have stuck to their plan,' said Bradley of Brentford's model of promoting from within. 'If Brentford have given Keith that job, they've given it to him because they really believe in what he does and how he does it. 'They don't look to me like a club that makes rash decisions. They buy well, they sell well, they recruit good players, they recruit good managers and coaches. 'I can only imagine the amount of managers who would have wanted that job, so the fact they have gone straight for him is a massive vote of confidence.' And Bradley continued: 'You can see he is definitely a student of the game. 'He has played at a good level and has done his work in terms of coaching. 'You've seen him on Sky throughout the years and you know within a few minutes of people who do that job if they know what they're talking about, or bluffing. 'You see so many of them on the telly, who look good or have a name. But you can listen to him and know after a few minutes that he knows what he's talking about. 'I texted him today and I'm absolutely delighted, a young Irish manager in the Premier League and I just really, really want it to go well for him.' Meanwhile, Shamrock Rovers put Monday's derby defeat to Bohemians behind them to beat Waterford 1-0 and extend their lead at the top to 11 points. But Aaron Greene is facing a spell on the sidelines due to an ankle injury he shipped against Bohs, with Bradley unclear if the striker will be back in time for Europe. Bradley said: 'It's still a bit swollen so we have to wait until it comes down for it to be x-rayed and see what it looks like. It's very unlike Aaron so we're not sure.' The Hoops boss also revealed he has his eye on two transfer targets from outside the League of Ireland ahead of the window officially opening on Tuesday. Bradley added: 'There's one or two we're looking at and if they're a runner, we'll bring it to the board and see if we can do it.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email.
Irish Daily Mirror
43 minutes ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tyrone v Dublin live stream info: How to watch the All-Ireland quarter-final
Tyrone and Dublin collide in a titanic All-Ireland Senior Football Championship quarter-final this weekend. The sides meet in the second of Saturday's last eight clashes (6.15pm) following the earlier meeting of Monaghan and Donegal. GAA+ is the only place where fans can watch the match live, with the game costing €12 to purchase. Dublin legend Diarmuid Connolly is expecting a very close encounter and believes the game could go to extra-time. He said: "I think it will be very close at full time, it could be a draw," he predicted. "Hopefully Dublin can win it in extra time. But I think if it does go to extra time, Tyrone have the upper hand. They have a stronger bench and stronger finishing team. "Dublin had a couple of guys that came back in the last couple of weeks but whether they have the forwards to see it out, I'm not too sure."
Irish Daily Mirror
43 minutes ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Monaghan v Donegal live stream: How to watch the All-Ireland quarter-final
Monaghan and Donegal meet in the first of this weekend's All-Ireland Senior Football Championship quarter-finals. The sides clash at Croke Park, with throw-in scheduled for 4pm, ahead of the evening meeting between Dublin and Tyrone. Donegal released a statement earlier this week, expressing their anger at playing first this weekend, having faced Louth in Ballybofey in a preliminary quarter-final last Sunday. It read: 'No other county has played as many matches as Donegal in this year's championship. "To compound the physical and mental demands, those eight games have been played within an 11 week window. Match number nine comes this Saturday, less than 12 weeks after playing Derry in the Ulster Championship Preliminary round on April 6th. "On that basis, we thought it wholly reasonable and fully justified to seek an extra day recovery time for our players this weekend. "Coiste Chontae Dhún na nGall concludes that it is most regrettable, and very disappointing, that our request has been turned down. We feel the welfare of our players was not adequately considered in the decision making process.' Monaghan v Donegal is only being shown live on GAA+ and can be purchased for €12 on the streaming service.
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Western Force v British Lions live updates from opening game of Australian tour
The British & Irish Lions' tour kicks off on Saturday, with the renowned side squaring off against Western Force in the opening match of their Australia tour. Andy Farrell's squad landed Down Under at the beginning of the week, jetting to the southern hemisphere after a 28-24 loss to Argentina in Dublin. The outcome wasn't the best preparation for the men in red, but they will have put that behind them now, focusing solely on today's game in Perth. Farrell has made 13 changes to the team defeated by the Pumas as Dan Sheehan captains the side in the absence of Maro Itoje. Today's match, which starts at 11am Irish time, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, but you can also keep up with live updates in our blog below, via Wales Online. Here are the teams: Lions: E Daly; M Hansen, G Ringrose, S Tuipulotu, J Lowe; F Russell, T Williams; P Schoeman, D Sheehan (c), T Furlong, S Cummings, J McCarthy, T Beirne, J Van der Flier, H Pollock. Replacements: R Kelleher, A Porter, W Stuart, O Chessum, J Conan, A Mitchell, H Jones, M Smith. Western Force: T Robertson, B Paenga-Amosa, O Hoskins, S Carter, D Swain, W Harris, N Champion de Crespigny, V Ekuasi; N White (c), A Harford, D Pietsch, H Stewart, M Proctor, M Grealy, B Donaldson. Replacements: N Dolly, M Pearce, T Tauakipulu, L Faifua, R Prinsep, H Robertson, M Burey, B Kuenzle. Andy Farrell has made wholesale changes to the side which narrowly lost to Argentina in Dublin last Friday. A new Lions record has been set for the number of players in a matchday squad from one club with nine Leinster players on show. There's captain Dan Sheehan, centre Garry Ringrose, second-row Joe McCarthy, wing James Lowe, openside flanker Josh van der Flier and tighthead Tadhg Furlong in the starting XV while Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher and Jack Conan is on the bench. England star Henry Pollock start at No 8 but arguably the most exciting selection is at half-back with Welshman Tomos Williams partnering the mercurial Scotland fly-half Finn Russell. British and Irish Lions: Elliot Daly, Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Huw Tuipulotu, James Lowe, Finn Russell, Tomos Williams; Pierre Schoeman, Dan Sheehan (capt), Tadhg Furlong, Scott Cummings, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier, Henry Pollock. Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Will Stuart, Ollie Chessum, Jack Conan, Alex Mitchell, Huw Jones, Marcus Smith Today's opponents, Western Force, are the weakest of the four Australian teams in Super Rugby Pacific. The force finished 9th out of 11 on the table with just four wins to their name but they were competitive in many of their games. But they won't be at full strength against the Lions with second-row Jeremy Williams, openside Carlo Tizzano and wing Harry Potter not getting released from the Wallabies squad while Kurtley Beale is injured. However, there will be a handful of Wallaby squad members on show in the shape of full-back Ben Donaldson, scrum-half Nick White, wing Dylan Piestsch, prop Tom Roberston and lock Nick Champion de Crespigny. In 2013 the Lions smashed the Western Force 69-17. Western Force: Donaldson, Grealy, Proctor, Stewart, Pietsch, Harford, White (capt); T Robertson, Paenga-Amosa, Hoskins, Carter, Swain, Harris, Champion de-Crespigny, Ekuasi Replacements: Dolly, Pearce, Tauakipulu, Faifua, Prinsep, H Robertson, Burey, Kuenzie Welcome! Join us for live updates of the British & Irish Lions' first warm-up clash in Australia against the Western Perth. The Lions will desperate to start the tour with a bang after last Friday's disappointing defeat to Argentina in Dublin. Kick-off is at 11am UK time.
