Latest from RTÉ News
RTÉ News
24 minutes ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Alan Reynolds hails Bohemians resolve after draw with Sligo Rovers
Bohemians manager Alan Reynolds felt his side had more than enough chances to take all the points on offer against Sligo Rovers, but applauded their resolve in sticking at it as they earned a point late on at Dalymount Park on Friday. After producing their best performance of the season in defeating bitter rivals Shamrock Rovers 2-0 on Monday last, the Phibsboro outfit were expected to account for lowly Sligo. However, it was John Russell's side who hit the front on 28 minutes after a sublime strike from youngster Owen Elding found the roof of the net. The hosts pushed hard for a leveller and it duly arrived deep into added time as James Clarke headed home from a corner. The 1-1 draw sees Bohemians drop to third in the table, with Derry City just above them on goal difference. Speaking afterwards to RTÉ Sport, Reynolds summed up the game, when saying: "Frustration is the word after tonight". On what he saw as their dominance throughout, he added: "We could have been five up at half-time. They scored a great goal on the counter-attack, great finish, super goal that would be worthy of winning any game. "We should have been more clinical; we could have been well ahead at the break but we gave them something to hang on to and they are fighting for their lives to stay in the league. We kept going and got our reward which was a draw we deserved." Not for the first time this season, Bohemians struck late to earn a tangible reward for their efforts. That perseverance has not gone unnoticed, with Reynolds commenting: "We've had numerous late goals and I think the fans can see that we keep going right till the end. This group of players always turn up and give everything. "We could have scored the winner right at the death." THAT IS OUT OF THIS WORLD FROM OWEN ELDING🤩 Sligo Rovers lead in Dalymount thanks to the boy wonder. — League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) June 27, 2025 Reynolds' opposite number John Russell admitted to mixed emotions after the concession of Clarke's late leveller, while also taking the opportunity to praise his own nascent attacking talent in Elding. "It was an incredible performance from such a young group of players that we have. They left everything on the pitch," he said. "First half, we played some good stuff. "And what an incredible goal by Owen Elding - he picks it up, drives forward and fires it into the top corner. That's the talent he has; he's incredible and he's becoming a real talisman for us, despite being such a young kid. "We played some good stuff first half and we were happy to go in one-nil. "Obviously, we knew the onslaught was going to come away from home to Bohs with the quality of players they have. "They had one or two chances first half and I have to give massive credit to Sam Sargent in goal. His levels are going up and up every week and he was top class. "I'm just gutted for the lads not to hold out and to concede from the set-play right at the death. It feels like a defeat, even though it's a good point as well."
RTÉ News
38 minutes ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Cork's Libby Coppinger hopeful 'integration will happen' soon
Libby Coppinger has been defending her patch as full-back for most of her near decade on the Cork senior camogie team. The four All-Irelands and two All-Star awards accumulated since being called up in 2016 and establishing herself the following season provide irrefutable evidence that she is in the finest traditions of Cork full-backs, though injury prevented her from playing a part on the pitch last year. Think resolute, think resilient, with not a dream of taking a backward step. A sure touch makes her the ideal blend of silk and steel. Coppinger also provides an invaluable defensive shield in her professional life, as a depository officer with Alter Domus, a funds services company. "When a fund is set up, there needs to be a depository appointed to it," Coppinger explains. "We're not involved in the investments or anything like that, but protecting the investor. It's kind of like a version of an audit. We're just ensuring everything's done properly and all the rules are being followed." A pretty significant pivot in 2021 brought the 28-year-old to this point, having graduated in public health. Life is, after all, one long journey of self-discovery, where the learning never stops. There was never any doubt about Coppinger's insatiable desire to wear the Blood and Bandage, however. West Cork would not be a traditional camogie stronghold but nobody told the girl from Kealkill and with St Colum's providing a steady foundation, she soared. While playing further up the field for the Rebels with the big ball and regularly getting among the scores, Coppinger's job description with a camán has always been about minding the house. As the game has evolved, so too have the full-back's challenges, to an extent. The job description remains the same. "I think as a whole in camogie, the skill is gone phenomenal, and there's some excellent hurlers out there. As a back, you're going out to mark your player, and there's obviously times where there's sweepers and everything involved. But you just have to try win your battle with the forward. So that hasn't changed. Just make sure they don't score. "I think maybe there's a bit more licence to do a bit of hurling yourself. Before, you were probably just there to stop them playing. Now you're playing a bit yourself as well. We talk about the forwards being the first line of the defence so the same way, we're the first line of attack. You're trying to give the ball to the player in the best position out the field. So hurling-wise, just in general, everyone's kind of gone up a level. "I suppose possession has become such a big part of the game now, whereas before, both sides might just try and get the ball down the field and clear their lines. So, there are more of those runs inside (rather than standing under a dropping ball). And they're making a couple of runs. You're trying to track them everywhere. So you have to be concentrating the whole game, make sure you're not ball-watching. You might not touch the ball as much and to be honest, it's nearly easier to be concentrating on the game when you're on the ball the whole time. So that mental part of it is always there." Another constant is that improvement and evolution continue to be the watchwords of the Coppinger code, but they are at the core of the Rebels' success too. 'We had been going for the League the last few years, so it was nice to actually get over the line this year' There are always new peaks to scale, in terms of KPIs within games and through a season. And while the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Championship is the overriding priority in every term, securing a first Very League Division 1A medal had high value for Coppinger and most of her equally garlanded teammates. Only the Mackey twins and Ashling Thompson had been involved the last time Cork had won it, a dozen years ago. "We were disappointed after our showing when we played Galway in the last round so we were very grateful to get to play them again just a few weeks later, when a cup was on the line as well. So it was good to win it. "I think we got a lot from the league, players-wise, building, people getting game time and everything like that. We had been going for the league the last few years, so it was nice to actually get over the line this year. We're happy out to have the medal." Coppinger was her usual authoritative self, having missed the Leesiders' run to a second straight All-Ireland last year with a Grade 3C hamstring tear. And while it did make her think about the mileage she has built up over the years playing both codes for Cork, she could not bring herself to lighten her load just yet. Meanwhile, she hopes integration of the Gaelic games associations will take place in 2027, as promised, and will aid those that want to play both codes, particularly at club level. "I probably did think about playing the two more than ever before. I guess it was about getting the body back to the standard it was at but I felt this year, I kind of just had to give it a go. There's no point in throwing in the towel before you even try. "But unfortunately, it's just getting that bit harder. I know it ended my season last year, and you just want to park it but it still carries over, unfortunately, to the following year more than you'd like it to. But I'm happy to go another year. The decision is closer than I'd like it to be, but we're gonna keep going for as long as we can anyway. "I don't really know where we're at, at the minute with the integration. When we heard about it, you're happy to hear it but it's kind of, 'Will it happen before the end of my playing career?' "Obviously, there's three of us (as dual players with Cork – Hannah Looney and Aoife Healy the others), and there's more girls in other counties, and we're kind of, I suppose, highlighting it at an inter-county level, but it happens all over the place with clubs. So I would just like to see more togetherness and communication throughout that. "It's our choice to play at inter-county level, and that makes a bit more complicated. But the amount of girls playing dual all over the country, it's great to see, and we don't want to discourage that, especially when so many girls are walking away from sport as it is. "So hopefully integration will happen and it will be beneficial to us all." A minor setback did rule her out of the early stages of this year's championship but she was back in situ for the defeat of Clare last weekend and is looking forward to building on that at Chadwicks Wexford Park this afternoon (2pm). "Nothing's been perfect yet, but we're kind of building every game and trying to get through it and get to that semi-final spot and then reassess after that. But we still have Wexford coming, so all eyes are on that. You're not looking further ahead at all. "There's been a few injuries and stuff along the way for different players throughout our panel. But thankfully, we do have good depth there, and everyone's kind of fighting for that jersey, which creates good competition. "We're really just trying to go after our own performances in games, and you hope that the result will take care of itself then. You're trying to raise your standards all the time. You might win by a few scores or whatever, but might have been the prettiest. So you're always trying to review the game and learn from it. And we've been doing that throughout the year." The headline news? There's more to come. From Coppinger, and from Cork.
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Cathal Doyle is desperate to race after 'crazy' Faith Kipyegon pacing duties
The old and somewhat tiring joke goes, that you can find the Irish at everything, and Faith Kipyegon's 'Breaking4' project was no exception. Kipyegon didn't manage to become the first woman to break the four-minute barrier for the mile, but she did achieve the fastest time ever run with a 4:06.42 clocking and in the process has inspired one of her Irish pacers from the bid. Cathal Doyle, Olympian, multiple national record holder and probably the gutsiest man in Irish athletics, was one of a long list of pacers to assist Kipyegon in the 1609m exhibition run at the Stade Charlety in the French capital on Thursday evening. Doyle says running three laps with Kipyegon is up there with one of the best experiences he has had in his 27 years. "It was probably just one of the coolest things you'll probably ever do, it was just a bit crazy because I've never paced a race before, especially at that kind of level," Doyle told RTÉ Sport. Doyle walked down the tunnel onto the track in the French capital that just ten months ago saw him progress to the Olympic semi-final, to be the tip of the 'shield' formation for Kipyegon after some gruelling training with the Nike team leading the project. "Training was actually pretty intense… We had two sessions every day in the morning and evening. We were shown on a laptop the formation. And I was like, 'Oh, I've kind of drawn the short straw here'." The five-time national champion explains that he ran in the middle of lane two, where there were markers for him to follow, meaning he ran marginally further than the rest, which can make pacing trickier. The Nike team, meticulous in their planning, attempted to cover every possible scenario that the athletes learned through dozens of repetitions. "There was just scenario after scenario, there must've been about six different scenarios. The front five of us around Faith were the shield. And then the guys around near her were the 'spoiler'. "Luckily for my job, I actually didn't have to think. All I had to do was just run hard and stay in line where I was…it was just a lot of practice." "Luckily for my job, I actually didn't have to think. All I had to do was just run hard and stay in line where I was… It was just a lot of practice." Doyle reveals the call to be involved came only last week, thanks to some intervention from training partner and fellow Nike-sponsored athlete Elliot Giles. "He (Giles) asked if he could bring a training partner, and then they realised this guy can pace when they looked up my personal bests. "I only knew I was doing it less than a week ago, there wasn't even a second thought." For any athlete racing on the circuit, it can become monotonous quickly. Doyle is no exception, running almost 25 races last season and 12 already this year, so the 'Breaking4' project offered a change from the continuance of the track season. "You never get a chance to do stuff like this, running meets is cool and it's fun and all, but at the same time, they're all the same. So, this was a little bit different." "You never get a chance to do stuff like this, running meets is cool and it's fun and all, but at the same time, they're all the same. So, this was a little bit different." There were doubts from both fans and media of the sport as to whether the goal was achievable, but Doyle details that there was no question of its feasibility among the 13 pacers, and it was vital those around Kipyegon believed. "Everyone was just so focused on their role. There wasn't even a question of, will she do it or not? "In there, you're starting to believe that maybe she could do it, but apparently a 3:59 mile for a woman equates to a 1:58 men's marathon. "So, it was even more difficult than the 'Breaking2 ' project with (Eliud) Kipchoge. But everyone was fully invested." The event, organised by the shoe brand that has become synonymous with technology, development and science-backed projects like the one Doyle took part in, also specified that the pacers didn't tell Kipyegon the exact time per lap, allowing her to focus only on the task. "She didn't actually know the paces either. We were strictly told 'don't tell her'. "No talk of splits on the warm-up - zero talk, do not mention splits. She hadn't a clue so all she had to do was hold on for dear life." The stadium had a sizeable crowd, not full, but not bad for realistically four minutes of entertainment. The Irish Olympian explained he wasn't sure how a visibly nervous Kipyegon kept it together, knowing that it would be a rare scenario in which all eyes are exclusively on her. "I don't even know how she could pull it together. You walked out and a couple of thousand people there and they're all cheering for just her on the line." "I don't even know how she could pull it together. You walked out and a couple of thousand people there and they're all cheering for just her on the line." Doyle is now excited to get back racing after six days in the French capital working towards something "crazy" which has changed his perspective on his own goals. Which is exactly why Kipyegon attempted the near-impossible feat in the first place. "I'm actually pretty buzzing now to race again and train, even though I was just among the 10 others, it's just being around really good people and really successful people. It does rub off on you and then you kind of feel like, 'oh, I want to be that as well now'."
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- Automotive
- RTÉ News
How are fluctuating oil prices affecting motorists at the pumps?
Motorists are feeling the pinch at the pumps this month, as both petrol and diesel prices are rising. While the month-on-month changes are relatively minor, they still add financial pressure especially for those commuting regularly and long-distance drivers. Several factors are driving these price hikes including rising global oil costs, domestic tax policies, and the seasonal surge in summer travel. Electric Vehicle (EV) charging prices, however, remain stable, continuing to offer a reliable alternative. Higher when the price of oil goes up it can directly increase the cost of producing electricity. And in Ireland, many power plants rely on oil and gas to generate electricity. According to AA Ireland's figures, fuel prices in Ireland have been steadily climbing in recent months, with petrol costing €1.80 per litre and diesel costing €1.77 per litre during the months of February, March and April. A fuel price drop in May saw petrol down to an average of €1.76 per litre, down 4 cents, while diesel fell to an average of €1.68 per litre, down 9 cents. But this month saw increases creeping up again with petrol now costing an average of €1.77 per litre, up 1 cent since May and diesel has risen to an average of €1.69 per litre, up 1 cent month-on-month. Wholesale oil prices have been fluctuating wildly in recent months, particularly in June when the Israel-Iran conflict broke out. Global benchmark Brent futures went from a high of $75.47 a barrel on April 2 to a four-year low of $58.40 on April 9. It saw another low on May 5 but since then Brent has been trending higher, reaching $70.40 a barrel on June 12, the day before Israel launched its bombing campaign against Iran. The Israeli attacks and the subsequent US bombings saw crude spike to a five-month high of $81.40 a barrel on June 23, before the risk premium evaporated with a ceasefire deal announced by US President Donald Trump. Oil prices rose on Friday (June 27) though they were set for their steepest weekly decline since March 2023, as the absence of significant supply disruption from the Iran-Israel conflict saw any risk premium evaporate. The cost of petrol, diesel and home heating are increasing here as fuel retailers in Ireland are responding to international costs that are outside their control. Industry group Fuels for Ireland, the representative body for the liquid fuels sector, is warning that recent increases are putting renewed pressure on households and businesses. CEO of Fuels for Ireland, Kevin McPartlan warns how fuel is taxed is a matter for national policy. "When fuel prices go up, so does the State's tax take automatically, that may be fiscally efficient, but it can be economically and socially regressive," said Mr McPartlan. "This underlines the urgent need for a comprehensive review of how fuel for heating and transport is taxed." How is the price at the pump formed? The price of petrol and diesel is a combination of global and local factors. Crude oil is the main driver which is then influenced by costs such as refining and distribution, taxes, and retailer margins. In Ireland fuel taxes include excise duty, carbon tax and VAT, this means if you take AA Ireland's price for petrol in June of €1.77 per litre, then more than one euro is going to the government due to these levies. Brent crude prices are constantly shifting, when a refiner buys crude oil at a certain price on a certain day, they must refine it and transport it onwards. So as an input cost into the pump prices, there is a lag of about two weeks on crude prices when you see the trend where Brent goes up and down, and when the pump price is up and down. Exchange rate fluctuations can also affect the price in local currencies as refined fuels are often sold in US dollars. Crude price two weeks ago at the start of the Israel Iran conflict were going up, and that impact is still being felt now. But wholesale prices have flattened again as the ceasefire is seeing prices decline and are expected to stabilise. "What you would hope and expect now is pump prices have begun to fall already and over the next couple of days that fall will continue as people get new deliveries in," said Mr McPartlin. "They'll have bought at a lower wholesale price, and it seems to have levelled out, or there hasn't been any dramatic change in the last 24 hours (Friday 27)". What is Brent crude? Brent crude is a specific type of light, sweet crude oil which can be easily refined into petrol and diesel. The price of Brent crude is a major benchmark for the purchase of oil worldwide, so it can influence the price of other crude oils and refined products worldwide. It is the benchmark used for the light oil market in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Higher energy costs can make many goods more expensive across the world. Ireland imports 100% of its fuel needs and is therefore fully exposed to global markets. What are can motorists expect for the coming months? It is impossible to say. No one could have predicted the US bombing Iran, the ensuing ceasefire, the doubts over the ceasefire and the wild excesses it would cause on wholesale prices. But traders always factor risk into the market, whenever there is any uncertainty the wholesale prices go up straight away. Markets are reacting to risk, not just reality, with the speculative effect driving up prices, even in the absence of supply shortages. In Ireland even If all the storage tanks were completely full, they would hold around enough fuel for 10 days, but not all tanks are full at any one time. There is a reliance on ship deliveries and stocks are constantly running down. "It's never the case that people are sitting on high levels of stocks, we run on a just in time delivery basis throughout the supply chain," said Mr McPartlan. He is cautiously optimistic that the fear or concern the important shipping route The Strait of Hormuz would be closed is diminishing, and if that continues then wholesale markets will reflect that in prices. However, this expectation of some kind of stability for now is no indication of what could lie ahead. "To suggest what's going to happen weeks from now in a market which is really very dynamic would be foolish in the extreme," said Mr McPartlan. What could be done to ease costs for consumers? Fuels for Ireland said Irish motorists pay more tax on fuel than any other EU Member State, and Ireland has a higher dependency on oil than all but one of them. They are calling on the Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe to establish a group of experts to review how fuel for heating and transport is taxed. "Price volatility is largely and overwhelmingly a result of global events over which we have very little influence," said Mr McPartlan "The one thing that we do have control over in this country is the taxation." Fuels for Ireland is proposing the group would include representatives from the fuel industry, environmental experts, economists, consumer groups including different demographics and people from rural areas. The aim, according to Mr McPartlan, is to achieve shared objectives of making sure the state gets a fair return on tax from fuels, that renewable and sustainable options are supported and that they don't make it unaffordable for people. "We think that all of those different interest groups, all the stakeholders could buy into that as a model for a conversation, we're hoping the Minister will do that and that he will make some changes in time for budget 2026." Mr McPartlan said the Minister has agreed to meet with them, and they are waiting to set a date.
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
Why new homes may not get planning in Dublin after 2028
"The chain is only as strong as its weakest link." Eighteenth century philosopher Thomas Reid's quote could be applied to building houses in Dublin. That weak link is water. Local authorities in the capital will be unable to grant planning for new homes from 2028 onwards unless Uisce Éireann, formerly Irish Water, gets the green light for a massive new drainage scheme. For a city facing an acute housing crisis, that would be catastrophic. The Ringsend treatment plant in Dublin's south inner city is currently approaching maximum capacity. Other facilities are near or above their limits. If Dublin continues to build homes without additional wastewater capacity it risks polluting the sea around the capital, putting Ireland in breach of EU water standards affecting users of amenities such as beaches and swimming areas. If there is not sufficient water treatment, councils may have to turn down planning applications. Uisce Éireann's plan is called the Greater Dublin Drainage scheme. It would provide water treatment for half a million people in the capital and in parts of Meath and Kildare. It includes a 14km orbital sewer from Abbotstown which would connect a treatment plant in Clonsagh with an 11km outfall pipe running far out to sea north of Howth. But the project has been tied up in the planning process for seven years at a time when the housing crisis has worsened. A planning application was originally lodged for the scheme in 2018, it was subject to a judicial challenge in 2020, and due to one legal defect went back to An Coimisiún Pleanála in 2021. Uisce Éireann submitted further information last year and is still waiting for approval. This lengthy process was triggered by an appeal by one sea swimmer. The seven-year delay has seen costs for the project rise from €600m to €1.3bn. Even if the planning board gives permission for the drainage scheme, it could still be delayed again by another judicial review. If that happens, local authorities are unlikely to be able to give planning approval for new homes in many parts of north Dublin. This is an area where there are plans for significant numbers of new housing projects. Undoubtedly wastewater is the most acute issue facing Uisce Éireann. But the provision of water itself is a huge challenge too. Currently the River Liffey supplies 85% of the requirements for 1.7m people, and that is not viewed as sustainable. Uisce Éireann says the impact of climate change is already evident, and it will worsen. It says: "Extreme weather in the form of both droughts and intense rainfall will affect both the availability and quality of water." There are serious concerns about supplies for the capital and the midlands with residents in Mullingar already living with restrictions. The current sustainable production of water in the Greater Dublin Area is 620 million litres daily. In the week up to Sunday 22 June this year, the average usage was 635 million litres with storage in treated water reservoirs also used to meet demand. Supplies are very tight and there is little headroom for more housing with the population expected to grow by 25% by 2040. Uisce Éireann's plan is to use 2% of the water flowing from the River Shannon and pipe it to Dublin. It would be sourced from the Parteen Basin in Lough Derg which lies between Co Clare and Co Tipperary. Parteen is a reservoir which holds water used at the Ardnacrusha hydroelectric plant. The water would be treated nearby at Birdhill, Co Tipperary and transferred by gravity to a reservoir in south Dublin via a buried pipeline. This is not a new plan. The current iteration dates back to 1996. It has been agreed by the Government, and Uisce Éireann expects to submit a planning application at the end of this year. But there are objections to its environmental impact. The schemes to address water supplies and drainage to keep up with the demands for housing will require more money. Some €10.3bn has been allocated to Uisce Éireann for capital projects between now and 2029. The organisation says it requires a further €2bn. Next month the National Development Plan will be published by the Government and it is likely to address funding for Uisce Éireann. But even if the money is allocated, the organisation has a steep hill to climb if it is to make sufficient progress to meet growing requirements for more homes.
