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Lions selection 'brings that extra factor' - Doris

Published in Rugby
Tuesday, 21 January 2025 23:25

Ireland's opening encounter against England offers up a chance to avenge last year's defeat by Steve Borthwick's side at Twickenham, which denied the Irish a second consecutive Grand Slam.

"We've got England at home first which sharpens the mind definitely so it's hard to look too far beyond them," explained the Leinster back-rower.

"Momentum is so big in this competition that if you don't get the first game right you're kind of trying to play catch-up. So it's all about England and preparing as best as possible for that game.

"There's a lot of belief within the group but there's also the feeling that we can improve a tonne still."

Doris is eager to atone for the disappointment of the agonising 23-22 reverse suffered against England last March.

"I don't think we were quite there defensively. They've got very dangerous ball carriers, but the number of missed tackles for us, for me personally, wasn't where we are capable of being definitely," Doris said.

"Our attack, it felt like in the first half we didn't fire a whole lot of shots, then we started the second half well, ended up leading.

"Even though some of England's results hadn't gone too well prior to that game we were aware that they were a quality team. You rewind only six months from that game and they were in a semi-final of the World Cup."

Write Wales off at your peril - Gatland

Published in Rugby
Tuesday, 21 January 2025 05:59

Gatland says he will aim to ignore external criticism.

"It's been about creating some positivity," said Gatland.

"It is almost like creating a siege mentality and realising there is a lot of negativity and criticism from outside towards myself and the coaches and the players.

"We need to put some confidence back in and create that self-belief. It's about bonding and working hard as a group.

"The messaging is to try and get rid of that negativity, don't let social media take over too much of what is being said externally.

"Sometimes it creates a bond within a group with some positive momentum going into the tournament."

Gatland says patience is needed as Wales build towards the 2027 World Cup.

"We have stated we are building towards 2027," said Gatland.

"It is going to take a bit of time when you lose so much experience and have youngsters now.

"We have a young group we are trying to build with.

"For this tournament, we have players like Taulupe Faletau, Josh Adams and Daf Jenkins back and they are going to make a big difference to us.

"It is a British and Irish Lions year, so that is something for the players to be excited for."

Hahn Commits to Chasing Third ASCS National Tour Title

Published in Racing
Wednesday, 22 January 2025 06:50

CONCORD, N.C. After spending two seasons away from the full-time 360 Sprint Car ranks, Blake Hahn is returning to the ASCS National Tour this year to chase a third championship.

Hahn, 30, of Sapulpa, Okla., won back-to-back National Tour championships in 2021 and 2022 before transitioning his program into a 410-focused operation for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. But the grandson of ASCS founder Emmett Hahn is returning to the nations premier 360 Sprint Car tour this year for several reasons, and it starts with coming back home.

For me, the main answer is family, Hahn said. Me growing up around Oklahoma, watching ASCS develop and seeing the trade of hands from my grandpa over to [World Racing Group]  I think its going in a great direction. I think everythings going to continue to grow. Their schedule fits really well with us; it leaves us some opportunity to go and still run some other events with the World of Outlaws and some other people.

Since his last ASCS title, Hahn has refrained from chasing points championships, opting for pick-and-choose schedules for his 410 efforts. But 2025 will be different. Hahn will pilot his signature yellow/pink Smileys Racing Products No. 52 at all 42 races on the ASCS National Tour in search of a third championship, which would tie him with Tim Crawley for third-most all-time.

I really want to come back and win a championship, Hahn said. I want to prove to people that I can get it done. Ive had people say, Well, you were only able to win it because we didnt have the heavy hitters there.

In my opinion, I think we will have a really good chance to compete for a championship when its all said and done.

In November, Hahn shined with ASCS during championship weekend, recording three-straight top-10 finishes, including a feature win on Friday night of Fuzzys Fall Fling at his home track  Creek County Speedway.

We ran a good chunk of races with ASCS this year and I felt like, toward the end of the season, we finally picked up to be back where we were when we left off with ASCS, Hahn said. Theres a lot of room for improvement, but I feel like weve got a good, competitive car. I feel like everybody knows that if we come back, well definitely be in the running for a championship win.

Blake Hahn in action. (Emily Schwanke Photo)

The National Tour has seen an upgrade in competition since Hahn departed the full-time 360 Sprint Car ranks. Five-time champion Sam Hafertepe Jr. rejoined the points chase in 2024 for the first time since his most recent championship in 2020, as did reigning champion Seth Bergman. The two remained the standout contenders for the points title throughout the season, and Hahn plans on battling both in pursuit of a championship for the first time in 2025.

I have some experience running with those guys, and I think thatll help, just going out there and knowing their tendencies, Hahn said. When youre running for a championship, you have to drive a little bit differently. I think people saw that with Seth this year.

With Seth coming back and trying to back up his championship with another, hell definitely be another hard car to beat. But theres no doubt in my mind weve got a car and a team that can compete for a championship.

2025 will also mark his first season as a member of the full-time roster in the new era of ASCS. World Racing Group (WRG) acquired the organization from the Hahn family in March 2024, ensuring the National Tours future in Americas Heartland. Now, under the new leadership of Series Director Lonnie Wheatley, Hahn expressed his appreciation for the presence and resources of WRG and his positive outlook for the future of his familys creation.

After seeing my grandpa hand the reins over to them and see what they did in their first year, I think its been great, Hahn said. I think its one of the deals where, building the good platform that they have, its only going to continue to grow.

Obviously, having DIRTVision in their back pocket is a great thing. Its not only great for the fans, but its great for me and my sponsors and getting good exposure. The streaming services have been taking off lately, so it really helps for me to be able to sell to some people across the country that wont necessarily be at every racetrack but can watch on DIRTVision.

With the offseason nearing its conclusion, Hahn and his team are deep into preparation for the season opener at Volusia Speedway Park, Jan. 30Feb. 1. His ultimate goal of a third National Tour championship begins at the Florida half-mile, and hes ready to make every effort to hoist the new trophy adorned with a statue of his grandfather at seasons end.

A top three is great, but looking at it, I feel like theres no reason we cant go out there and win a championship, Hahn said. Weve got a good team in line, and our team hasnt changed a lot of equipment. Weve kinda stuck with the same manufacturers, so not a lot has changed.

I feel like theres no reason we cant go out there and compete for a win. Ill be honest, if it comes down to the end of the year and were not standing on top, Ill be a little bit disappointed.

Zearfoss Plans 110 Races Across Two Teams

Published in Racing
Wednesday, 22 January 2025 07:04

After multiple seasons racing with the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, Brock Zearfoss confirmed on Wednesday morning that hell race more often in his native Pennsylvania this season, while still hitting sprint car racings biggest events.

Zearfoss will split time between his own Brock Zearfoss Racing No. 3z and the No. 8 Eichelberger Racing machine that he will drive at Williams Grove Speedway and Port Royal Speedway.

Staying home more doesnt equal racing less, Zearfoss posted on X. Close to 110 races on the schedule this year split between our family car and the Eichelberger 8. Im excited for this change of pace for myself and the team to race more in front of our partners and compete at the high-profile events.

Zearfoss posted his full schedule and hell open his season during the DIRTcar Nationals at Floridas Volusia Speedway Park and also plans to run Pennsylvania Speedweek, the Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway and the Knoxville Nationals at Iowas Knoxville Raceway.

Skylar Gee Set For World of Outlaws Rookie Campaign

Published in Racing
Wednesday, 22 January 2025 09:21

CONCORD, N.C. Skylar Gee is ready to be a part of The Greatest Show on Dirt.

The 25-year-old out of Leduc, Alberta, Canada is set for his rookie World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car tour this year aboard the Logan Fenton Racing No. 99. Gee joins Cole Macedo, Chris Windom and Garet Williamson in the strong class chasing this years Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year.

Gee follows in the footsteps of his father, Tim Gee, who competed with the World of Outlaws full-time for multiple seasons in the 1980s and is one of two Canadian-born Feature winners.

As cliché as it sounds, its a dream come true, Gee said. Growing up at the racetrack and racing with my dad and everything its something Ive always wanted to do is to go out and race with the World of Outlaws and have that opportunity.

We feel that were ready for that jump, team owner Logan Fenton said. Ultimately, were a newer team. This is essentially our third full season. It takes a while to get an organization together like this and especially at the caliber the World of Outlaws demand. We understand there is a different level of commitment from teams at this level and we intend to do just that.

While 2025 will mark Gees debut campaign with the World of Outlaws, hes far from new to racing with a traveling series.

Back in 2017 and 2018, Gee competed full-time with the American Sprint Car Series (ASCS), finishing eighth and seventh and points and picking up a prestigious Grizzly Nationals victory.

Gee graduated to the 410 Sprint Car touring ranks in 2019 as he took on the All Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC) for the first time. He nabbed his first series victory that season at Abbottstown, Pa.s Lincoln Speedway, where the World of Outlaws will visit twice in 2025, and came home seventh in points. The next season he again competed full-time, improving to fifth in the standings.

Hes since shifted to a pick and choose schedule in the last few years, competing in roughly 60-70 races per year since 2021. Gee and Fenton joined forces ahead of 2022 and have proven to be a strong pairing, picking up seven wins together all in the state of Ohio.

Kind of where I felt like our team was trending, Gee said on why this year was the right one to make the jump. We made some big races and raced pretty well. We had some good showings, I thought, and it kind of opened some doors for us to be able to do this.

Now, the combination is hitting the road with the best Sprint Car drivers in the country. Gee and the Logan Fenton Racing crew will tackle the 90-night World of Outlaws calendar as one of the most competitive rookie battles in series history continues to take shape. The 25-year-old will face off with Macedo, Windom, Williamson, and potentially more as they all look to etch their names in the history book.

Its going to be tough, Gee said of going after Rookie of the Year. Ive raced with Cole, Garet, and Chris now for a handful of years. I think weve raced around each other enough to understand its going to be tough. I think looking at it right now it could go to anybody.

Im really excited to watch and see how that transpires this year as we run with top level teams, Fenton said. I think that translates into some interesting racing this year with Cole Macedo, Chris Windom, and Garet Williamson. Thats four guys that are going to give us a really good, close battle. I dont think theres one single driver that absolutely blows the other ones out of the water.

Youre going to see one of the better Rookie of the Year contentions that weve seen in Sprint Car racing in quite a number of years honestly.

Shesterkin fights Tkachuk as Rangers blank Sens

Published in Hockey
Tuesday, 21 January 2025 22:49

NEW YORK -- Igor Shesterkin made 20 saves en route to a shutout, and even entered into a fight behind his own net in the third period, as the New York Rangers blanked the Ottawa Senators 5-0 on Tuesday night.

With 12:51 remaining in the game and New York leading 3-0, a scrum ensued in front of Shesterkin's net, centered around Ottawa captain Brady Tkachuk. Shesterkin appeared injured as he knelt in his crease while the scrum gravitated toward the boards. About halfway through the fracas, however, Shesterkin leaped to his skates and charged after Tkachuk before the former Vezina Trophy winner was greeted by a left hand from the fiery Senator.

"I just got a couple punches from Tkachuk," Shesterkin said with a laugh after the win. "To be honest, there was a hit on me [before the whistle], and I didn't really enjoy it. ... So, I just wanted to go over and hold him, and if he wanted to fight, it's tough for me, because I cannot drop my gloves."

Rangers forward Matt Rempe, who is known for fighting and has no problem dropping his gloves, was a part of the mix behind the net, as well.

"I was a little nervous because I don't want anything to happen to him," Rempe said of seeing his goaltender involved in the scrap. "But I love it because he's a competitor, and I just wanted to make sure I get in there and nothing happens to him."

Rangers coach Peter Laviolette enjoyed the moment, as well, telling reporters after the win, "That's hockey, man."

Alexis Lafreniere had a goal and an assist in the New York win, and Arthur Kaliyev, Rempe, Artemi Panarin and Will Cuylle also scored. The Rangers are now 7-1-3 since Jan. 2 and have won three straight at home. The shutout was Shesterkin's third this season and the 18th of his career.

Lafreniere beat Ottawa netminder Leevi Merilainen for his 13th goal at 18:48 of the first. Kaliyev made it 2-0 at 1:50 of the middle period with his second goal as a Ranger since being claimed off waivers from Los Angeles on Jan. 6.

Kaliyev appeared to score again at 4:59 but the goal was waved off for offside. Rangers forward Sam Carrick had a goal negated for the same reason just before Lafreniere's goal.

Anton Forsberg replaced Merilainen in net for Ottawa after the challenge on Kaliyev's play. Merilainen made 14 saves before his departure. Forsberg finished with 10 saves.

Rempe scored his first this season at 3:34 of the third, depositing a backhand past Forsberg. Panarin made it 4-0 with his 20th goal on the power play at 9:01 before Cuylle completed the scoring at 9:57.

The Senators entered the contest on a 5-0-1 stretch in their past six games.

"We've been playing some good hockey," Ottawa coach Travis Green said. "But we weren't good enough to win [tonight]. We fought the puck all night; we weren't good enough with the puck."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Caps goalie miffed by nachos on ice during goal

Published in Hockey
Wednesday, 22 January 2025 03:02

Washington Capitals goalie Logan Thompson said he was distracted by a tray of cheese-covered nachos thrown on the ice while Oilers winger Corey Perry scored on him in Edmonton on Tuesday night.

"That's a first," said Capitals coach Spencer Carbery, whose team hung on for a 3-2 win. "We just talked about that in the coaches' office. I don't think I've ever seen a nachos-on-the-ice National Hockey League game. Did they save them? Maybe we can bring them into the locker room."

Less than five minutes into the third period, the Oilers skated into the Capitals' zone with the nachos already having been tossed onto the ice by a fan. Center Leon Draisaitl passed the puck to Perry, who blasted a shot a few feet away from the concessions tray, beating Thompson to cut the deficit to 3-2.

The Capitals goalie immediately started pointing at the nachos with his glove while complaining to the on-ice officials. Some of his teammates joined in the protest.

"I've never seen that before. Obviously, I've got to play to the whistle. That one's on me," said Thompson, who made 30 saves in the win.

"I didn't even notice them, and then guys were yelling, 'There's nachos on the ice!'" Carbery said. "I was like, 'I don't know, can we challenge that?'"

Rule 63.5, which covers objects thrown onto the ice and spectator interference, states: "In the event that objects are thrown on the ice that interfere with the progress of the game, the referee shall blow the whistle and stop the play and the puck shall be faced-off at a face-off spot in the zone nearest to the spot where play is stopped."

The nachos didn't interfere with the Oilers' skaters.

"I didn't even see them," Perry said. "I was focused on the play."

Carbery said he didn't believe there was much the officials could have done on the play. Thompson said he wasn't sure whether the rulebook covered his dilemma, and he reiterated that he just needed to play to the whistle.

"I saw the guy that threw them. Wasn't too happy. But credit to him. He got them a goal," Thompson said.

The Capitals goalie improved to an incredible 22-2-3 this season for the league's top team. He helped Washington kill a 6-on-4 power play in the final two minutes of the game for Edmonton, which was without Connor McDavid as the star center served a three-game suspension for cross-checking.

"In true Caps fashion, he delivers when we need a big save. When we need to preserve the win, he delivers," Carbery said of Thompson.

Or, to put it another way: Logan Thompson told the Edmonton Oilers it was nacho night.

PWHLPA names Underwood as executive director

Published in Hockey
Wednesday, 22 January 2025 08:24

The Professional Women's Hockey League Players Association on Wednesday announced the hiring of Malaika Underwood to take over as executive director starting in March.

Underwood has 20 years of experience as a sports consultant and working with numerous players associations, while specializing in brand marketing and licensing initiatives. She will replace Brian Burke, who viewed his role as the PWHLPA's head as temporary when the league launched some 18 months ago.

"From day one, it was imperative that the union find long-term leadership capable of sustaining and building on what the players have fought to create," Burke said in a statement. "Malaika Underwood is that leader. Her vision, expertise, and commitment to players make her the perfect choice. I am excited to support her transition into this role and look forward to seeing women's hockey continue to thrive."

The 69-year-old Burke is a long-time booster of women's hockey while previously serving in various roles as an NHL executive for numerous teams.

Underwood's hiring comes two months into the PWHL's second season and as the six-team league seeks to expand by as many as two franchises by next season. The PWHL is centrally controlled with all teams operated by the league and financially backed by Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter.

The PWHLPA is a separate entity representing the players who helped launch the league by approving an eight-year collective bargaining agreement in June 2023.

The PWHLPA said Underwood's duties will include protecting players' rights and focus on "sustainable growth, empowering the union's membership, and building strategic partnerships to elevate professional women's hockey and the athletes who drive its success."

Though she has no previous ties to hockey, Underwood most recently served as a partner at High Tide Consulting, where she advised sports organizations, governing bodies and brands on strategic initiatives, the PWHLPA said. Previously, Underwood served as interim CEO of OneTeam Partners, which represented the commercial interests of numerous players associations, including those representing NFL, MLB, NWSL players.

"When I think about the players of the PWHL, I see trailblazers who have achieved historic milestones and redefined what's possible in professional women's sports," Underwood said. "I'm committed to amplifying their voices, protecting their rights, and celebrating their contributions to the game."

Frimpong sorry for kicking Atlético flower display

Published in Soccer
Wednesday, 22 January 2025 09:59

Bayer Leverkusen winger Jeremie Frimpong has apologised for kicking a bouquet of flowers laid ceremonially by the pitch at Atlético Madrid's Metropolitano stadium, saying he got "carried away with excitement."

Visitors Leverkusen went ahead in the 46th minute in Tuesday's Champions League game through defender Piero Hincapié, and as Frimpong went to join his celebrating teammates, he kicked the flowers, angering the home fans and Atlético's players.

The flowers have been placed by a corner flag at Atlético's stadium -- now the Metropolitano, and previously the Vicente Calderón -- since 1996 by fan Margarita Luengo, as a tribute to club legend Milinko Pantic, who was famed for his corner deliveries.

"After the game yesterday, I learned about the tradition of the bouquet of flowers at the Metropolitano," Frimpong posted on X on Wednesday. "I didn't know about it and at the time of the goal, I got carried away with excitement and I made a mistake. Sorry to Atletico's fans, and especially to Margarita."

Frimpong's actions led to angry scenes on pitch, as Atlético defender José María Giménez sought to confront him. Atletico then fought back to win the match 2-1, with Julián Álvarez scoring twice, including a dramatic 90th minute winner.

Luengo first placed four carnations by the pitch in January 1996, in a game which saw Atlético beat Athletic Club 4-1, ensuring the act became a tradition, with a bouquet of flowers laid by the corner flag for every home game, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Creative midfielder Pantic starred for Atlético in the 1995-96 season, which was one of the most successful in the club's history, winning a league and cup double.

Amorim regrets 'worst in United history' comment

Published in Soccer
Wednesday, 22 January 2025 09:59

MANCHESTER, England -- Ruben Amorim has said he regrets saying his Manchester United team might be the worst in the club's history and insisted he was pointing the finger of blame at himself rather than his players.

Amorim made the comment in the aftermath of the 3-1 defeat to Brighton on Sunday.

Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, the 39-year-old clarified his statement.

But he went on to say he would be "delusional" if he didn't acknowledge that he has significant problems after a run of seven defeats from his 15 games in charge.

"First of all, I want to talk about that," Amorim began after being asked about his suggestion that this is the worst United team in history.

"I was talking more about myself than the players. I also said in the same response that I was not helping my players. If you look around every time I speak and every time you push about the players are not good enough, I never put the spot on my players.

"So I understand I give you that headline and I am frustrated sometimes. Sometimes I should not say it in those terms, but it is what it is and that's it.

"Sometimes it's really hard to hide the frustration in the moment. But the good thing is I said the same things in a different way in the dressing room five minutes before. The response was quite normal because I'm really blunt with my players."

Amorim changed his normal routine after the defeat to Brighton, addressing his players in the dressing room immediately afterwards rather than waiting until the next day to hold his debrief.

There have been reports that the former Sporting CP coach was so angry that he damaged a TV.

"I'm a young guy and sometimes I make a mistake," Amorim said. "And that's why I don't [usually] talk after the game. This game, I needed to talk and maybe it was a mistake and then I get more nervous and go to the [news] conference really nervous and say things I shouldn't say, that's it. Sometimes I'm a young guy and I make mistakes.

"I'm saying the obvious. If you want, I can be delusional and say different things. I said to the players and I said to you, I think it's a good thing to be really honest with you."

United face Rangers in the Europa League at Old Trafford on Thursday having lost four of their last five home games.

During the run, Amorim's team have put in good performances at Liverpool and Arsenal and he accepts that, at the moment, his players are finding it easier to play away from home.

"I could say different things and say no, no, it's the same thing, we have the support of the fans," he said.

"No, we are more nervous playing at home than away. We lost four games in five, so it's getting harder. But we can improve. If we don't suffer the first goal like in the fourth minute, 10th minute or 15th minute, it's really hard to calm down the team.

"The first thing in my mind is they cannot score, we need to score the first one. If we score the first one I think that will change and we will improve. It is really clear. We are really anxious, especially playing at home. It's getting harder for everyone to play at Old Trafford."

United have conceded the first goal in their last five games at Old Trafford against Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Newcastle, Southampton and Brighton.

They've also conceded first against Arsenal, FC Viktoria Plzen, Manchester City, Tottenham and Wolves since the start of December.

"The first goal against Forest was a set play and against Bournemouth, these aren't things that are tactical, they're about being focused," Harry Maguire said. "We're not mentally focused to make sure we go the whole way. We know things can turn, tomorrow [against Rangers] is an opportunity to get a win and then go into Sunday [against Fulham]."

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