Author: sportsnewsuk

Ireland followed up Sunday’s win over Pakistan in the T20I Tri-Nations Series by beating West Indies for the first time in that format in a dramatic finish at Clontarf.Home captain Orla Prendergast celebrated her birthday with an unbeaten 71 as an Ireland four from the last ball before rain intervened ensured the hosts prevailed by one run on the DLS method.Prendergast had taken two wickets as West Indies made 141-8 off their 20 overs, with Ireland’s 99-5 off 14.1 overs in reply proving just enough.After electing to bat first, West Indies lost three wickets in the opening powerplay, but recovered…

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman made clear Monday that his organization’s cruiserweight champion Noel Mikaelian loses his belt once he formally commits to fight unbeaten Zuffa Boxing champion Jai Opetaia. Sulaiman on Friday formally ordered Armenia’s Mikaelian 28-3 (12 KOs) to fight WBC light-heavyweight and WBO/WBA cruiserweight David Benavidez in response to Benavidez’s request to be established as mandatory contender. By missing a six-month window to stage a voluntary request, Mikaelian now must fight mandatory contender Benavidez next. “The WBC order is Mikaelian against Benavidez. That’s it. If he takes another fight, he is relinquishing his obligations with the WBC,” Sulaiman…

Mason Greenwood is the top transfer target for Fenerbahce’s two presidential candidates.The former Manchester United and England forward has had a difficult few months at Marseille.Their new sporting director Gregory Lorenzi said last week the club was willing to listen to offers for Greenwood, who has three years remaining on the five-year deal he signed when he left United on a permanent basis in July 2024.Former president Aziz Yildirim is vying with Hakan Safi for the club presidency of the Turkish club, with an announcement due on Sunday. It is not anticipated personal terms would be a problem in trying…

Northern Ireland midfielder Isaac Price says the players in the squad are “buzzing” following the news last week that Michael O’Neill has agreed an extension to his contract to remain manager of the international team until 2032.The NI boss rejected overtures from Championship side Blackburn Rovers to manage the club on a permanent basis after guiding the Lancashire outfit to safety while combining that interim role with being at the helm with Northern Ireland.O’Neill will lead his team into the forthcoming friendlies against Guinea on Thursday and France on Monday, 8 June, as the squad prepare for the start of…

Dunkley’s retention upon Wyatt-Hodge’s return was a clear sign of England’s thinking.Alice Capsey, who made a match-winning 74 not out against New Zealand last month when standing in for Wyatt-Hodge, was pushed down to number four.Discussion over the England top order’s ability to hit boundaries was dampened by Freya Kemp’s hitting in the win in Bristol on Saturday and the line-up is likely to remain for Tuesday’s series decider in Taunton.Dunkley also made a 51-ball century as opener during England’s intra-squad series in South Africa in March.A further decision will need to be made, however, once captain Nat Sciver-Brunt recovers…

(Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing) New Jersey-based Albanian Kristian Prenga has warned Anthony Joshua about his power ahead of their July 25 bout in Jeddah. The pair will fight in Saudi Arabia, and at today’s press conference, the 20-1 (20 KOs) Prenga told Joshua that he needs to be ready to feel his power. “I train hard, I am ready,” said Prenga. “Sorry I’m not good at talking [in fluent English, though he tried and was fine] but I promise you, if I catch you, you’ve never felt anything like my punch. I promise it. You’re a great fighter but in the…

Manchester City midfielder Rodri says he will wait until after the World Cup to sort out his future at the club amid links to Real Madrid.The Spain international has a year left on his contract at City and has previously indicated he would like to return to play in his homeland at some stage.Rodri, 29, has emerged as a potential transfer target should Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme get elected.Riquelme is challenging incumbent Florentino Perez in this weekend’s election.”With a World Cup ahead, my responsibility is to stay focused,” Rodri told a news conference.”Anything related to my future will…

Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has called on UFC president Dana White to release Tom Aspinall from his contract and says the heavyweight champion is not being paid his worth.Manchester-based Aspinall, 33, signed a “commercial and advisory” deal with Hearn’s new talent agency in March.Aspinall has been the standout performer in the UFC’s heavyweight division in recent years, with seven of his eight wins ending in the first round.Hearn is prepared to offer Aspinall higher earnings if the UFC allowed him to leave, as tensions continue to grow between himself and White, though it is unclear whether that would be in…

The highest-earning female athlete of all-time, Williams drew huge crowds throughout her career and is a figure who has truly transcended her sport.Equipped with arguably the best serve ever seen in the women’s game, Williams was known for her big groundstrokes, strong return of serve and superb movement.After retiring, Williams largely kept away from the sport and gave birth to her second daughter in 2023.Last year, she told the Today Show in the US about losing 31lb (14kg) over the previous eight months.She said she had to look at her extra weight as “an opponent”. Despite “training five hours a…

Heart of Midlothian are hopeful of concluding the signing of Falkirk winger Calvin Miller in the next 48 hours.The Tynecastle club have been in discussions with their Scottish Premiership rivals and are close to agreeing a transfer for the 28-year-old, who had been linked with a move to Celtic earlier in the season.Miller, who is under contract until next summer, scored nine goals in 47 appearances as he helped Falkirk finish sixth in their first season back in the top flight. The former Scotland youth winger had played a pivotal part in the Bairns’ back-to-back promotions from League 1 to…