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Ronan Lynch will represent Newry Taekwondo at the Taekwondo International World Championships next weekend.
He's part of the Northern Irish National team and along with Ronan (Newry Leisure Centre) the team includes Mark Duke (Banbridge leisure centre); Jack Duke (Banbridge leisure centre); Dylan Downey (Antrim leisure centre) and Ewan Hood (Antrim leisure centre).
Lot’s of students from across NI are travelling to Scotland next week to attend the world championships. Students have been attending squad sessions and attending competitions in preparation for this event.
Here’s wishing all the students from NI the best of luck next weekend!
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On Saturday 6 July Paul McConville and Dermot McCaul from Shinken Shobu Ryu Judo club Warrenpoint attended the British masters in Walsall. Both men competed in the M7 category with Dermot in the under 90kg and Paul in the under 81kg category.
The British Masters is one of the largest competitions in the UK with competitors traveling from across Europe for an opportunity to compete against others in their age bracket.
Paul who is the current British open Gold medallist, was first to step to the mats winning his first 3 matches securing him a place in the final. The final was a hard-fought affair with both competitors attacking back and forward. Paul was just piped at the post and secured the silver to add to his vast collection.
The 90KG category is often known as the toughest group, due to the high amount of number entering it. Dermot who we can only describe as a technical wonder had 5 hard fights and was unsuccessful in reaching the medal brackets.
The club has also held a grading where our senior members James White and Gerard Moore and moving up. James who is a level 1 coach for the club secured his first Kyu (Brown belt). Gerard who already holds dan grades in traditional Ju jitsu, has moved up to third kyu (green belt). Both James and Gerard hold roles within our committee and help with the continued running and growth of our club.
It has also been great to grade the kids from both the Warrenpoint and Mayobridge kids clubs. The kids have shown tremendous growth within their judo and we can clearly see that the club has some future champions in the making.
A club spokesperson spoke of their appreciation of sponsorship from WBR Credit Union "We would like to take this opportunity to thank WBR Credit Union for their continued support. This year again they have provided a cheque to the club. This helps help our teams train to the highest levels."
Next up for the club we have the British Kata Open Championships in September. We have two teams entering at the moment, Dermot and Paul and the second team will be Nigel O’Neil and Damian O’Hare.
Shinken Shobu Ryu is one of the only Judo clubs in the country that teaches Judo with all of its elements. We teach competitive Judo, Kata, the Judo Martial art and the self-defence aspects.
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The RKings Down Rally hits top gear this weekend as Rathfriland Motor Club hosts the final round of the Brown & Brown Northern Ireland Rally Championship and round 5 of the Protyre UK Asphalt Championship.
Set in the scenic backdrop of County Down it all kicks off with a vibrant Friday night fanzone (July 18) hosted at The Boulevard, Banbridge.
It opens from 7:00pm and runs until 9:00pm, giving visitors two full hours to explore the display of rally cars, meet the drivers, grab photos, and soak in the atmosphere before the real action starts on Saturday morning.
Over 100 cars from across the province are expected to tackle the county down tarmac in which the drivers will face eight challenging and gruesome stages, including the famous Hamiltons Folly stage.
Amongst the leading contenders we have 2023 Down Rally winner Cathan McCourt. He’ll be partnered with Barry McNulty in the Skoda Fabia RS Rally 2 car.
Of course, there are also local and former rally champions in the mix.
Two-time Down Rally Winner and four-time NI Rally Champion Jonny Greer despite having mixed fortunes during his 2025 campaign, will be wanting to stamp his authority in his Toyota Yaris 2 as Niall Burns will be calling the notes in the Japanese car.
Additionally the newly crowned Northern Ireland Rally Champions, Aaron McLaughlin and Darren Curran will be looking to end their fantastic season on a high in their Volkswagon Polo Rally2 after taking the title at Loughgall Rally nearly two weeks ago.
Keep an eye on local home favourites Emma McKinstry and co-driver Ben Teggart (Ford Fiesta Rally 2), John Devlin (Ford Escort MK2) to name but a few of homegrown-based drivers competing in the event.
It all kicks off this Saturday, July 19 with the service held at Eagle Overseas near The Boulevard, Banbridge with the first car due to approach the opening stage just after 9am.
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The Armagh trio of Aoife Hagan, Cassie Henderson and Player of the Match Lily McBennett illuminated Glennon Brothers Pearse Park last night, 16 July, with a scintillating display of direct, pacey and stylish football ensuring the Orchard County retained their All-Ireland U-16 Ladies Gaelic Football Association ‘B’ title at Galway’s expense with plenty to spare.
It was a testament to Galway’s spirit and their quality that they kept working at the game, creating eight excellent second half points, including highlight reel scores from Nicole Miskell, Chloe Flynn and Niamh Ní Ghionnáin, but from the midway point in the first half there was little doubt that the cup would be heading to Ulster.
Galway did strike the first of the game’s eight goals, Lábhaoise Keane pouncing on a lobbed shot from Niamh Ní Ghionnáin to fire low past Lily O’Neill, but once Lily McBennett’s free kick dipped just under the Galway crossbar three minutes later, Armagh were on a roll and never looked like being reeled in.
Hagan gave them a solid platform with a dominant display at centre back, winning turnovers and driving out of defence with power and intent, while the craft and creation came from Henderson and McBennett in the half-forward line.
The two players combined for Henderson to score the second Armagh goal, McBennett fired in the third with Hagan involved in the build-up, and Galway’s rapidly diminishing hopes were scuppered entirely when Abigail McMahon fired a shot off the outside of her right boot into the top corner to make it 4-6 to 1-1 after a little over 20 minutes.
Grace McMahon led the resistance for Galway and she tacked on three points by half-time, but Armagh looked comfortable in possession and slick in their passing throughout, and McBennett’s left boot (and one fisted strike) yielded 2-5 by half-time, contributing to a 4-11 to 1-4 lead.
Galway arguably got more of the better scores in the second half as they took nine shots for points and scored eight, but two excellent saves from Lily O’Neill, including one from a penalty, ensured they never added to Keane’s early goal.
Meanwhile McMahon and Henderson got their second goals, with Charlotte Havern weighing in with a seventh Armagh green flag to further emphasise their dominance.
Final score Armagh 7-18 - Galway 1-12
Scorers - Armagh: L McBennett 2-7 (1-1f), C Henderson 2-3, A McMahon 2-2, C Havern 1-1, J McCreesh 0-2, C O’Hanlon 0-2, A Hagan 0-1.
Galway: G McGrath 0-5 (2f), L Keane 1-0, N Miskell 0-2, C Flynn 0-2, E Daly 0-1, E D’Arcy Devine, 0-1, N Ní Ghionnáin 0-1.
Armagh: L O’Neill; C Carnegie, B Carragher, O Reynolds; N McKenna, A Hagan, A McGeown; E Hart, E McCann; L McBennett, C Henderson, J McCreesh; B Magee, C Havern, A McMahon. Subs: E Duffy for N McKenna (42), K Darby for J McCreesh (45), C McGeary for B Magee (48), C O’Hanlon for A McMahon (53), A Mackle for E McCann (55)
Galway: E Diskin; C O’Neill, R Conroy, S Conneely; C Ní Ghionnáin, A Hughes, G Duggan; E D’Arcy Devine, G McGrath; C Flynn, L Keane, N Miskell; E Daly, K Maloney, N Ní Ghionnáin.Subs: M McGrath for L Keane (22), N Garvey for A Hughes (ht), G Gavin for S Conneely (ht), C Duggan for C Flynn (42), E Fallon for N Miskell (48)
Referee: Ray McBride (Dublin).
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Newry Triathlon Club member Nigel McCullough took part in the World Triathlon Multisport Championships in Pontevedra Spain at the end of last month.
Competing for Team Ireland Nigel took part in the Sprint Duathlon distance 5km run, 20 km bike and 2.5 km run. The first run took him through the streets of Pontevedra, then the bike course headed out into the hills of the countryside before the final last run again through the Pontevedra streets finishing on their running track.
Nigel adds "I struggled with heat and the bike course but finished in a time of 1 hour 18 mins."
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The Modern Tyres Ulster Rally is hosting a regroup event in Banbridge next month as part of their 2025 plans.
On Saturday, August 16 the second and final day of the iconic closed-road event the town’s Boulevard Outlet complex is going to be the backdrop for an all-new regroup.
This fresh addition to this year’s re-jigged route promises to give everyone a rare and exciting opportunity to get up close to the cars and meet many of the top Rally2 crews. Two- and four-wheel-drive machinery is scheduled to start arriving from midday onwards.
Wayne Turkington – the Modern Tyres Ulster Rally Clerk of the Course – says the regroup at The Boulevard will form a colourful centrepiece midway through the Saturday element of the rally, which is a round of the Irish Tarmac Championship and European Rally Trophy.
“Everyone at the Modern Tyres Ulster Rally is absolutely thrilled to be able to bring this iconic event to The Boulevard this year,” said Turkington.
The 47th running of the Modern Tyres Ulster Rally is reverting back to a two-day format that blends day and night time speed tests. Across the two legs, crews will tackle more than 100 competitive miles in the Newry and Banbridge areas, with rally HQ and the service park both located in Modern Tyres’ modern facility in Newry’s Carnbane Industrial Estate.
The action begins proper on the Friday (August 15th) afternoon from 3pm with the first of three stages that are repeated later that evening. The action resumes at 9.30am on Saturday, with stages based in and around Banbridge. Again, three distinct stages will be run twice. At 56 miles, Saturday’s action ends at 4.45pm when the winners are crowned.
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Now that the Irish Open is over, St Killian’s GAC has started the official countdown to their main golfing event of the summer - the Jim and Barry Malone Golf Classic on Saturday 23rd August 2025 at Ashfield Golf Course, Cullyhanna.
St Killian’s is delighted to team up with the Malone family to host its first golf day since 2022, in memory of the much-loved Whitecross brothers and golfing enthusiasts.
The club proudly welcomed one of their Armagh County players Ruby Murphy to help launch the event. Ruby last year won Ulster and all-Ireland U16 medals and is currently on the Minor panel.
Chairman Kieran Shields explains: “The Malone brothers were lifelong supporters of St Killian’s GAC, with many roles in our club over the years. The golf day first started in 2013 in memory of Barry who tragically died in October 2012, running with great success biennially with a slight interruption due to COVID.
“Sadly, Barry’s brother Jim passed away in March this year and is also greatly missed. Given their longstanding dedication to St Killian’s and wider Whitecross community, both the family and club thought that it was very fitting to bring back the golf day this year as the inaugural Jim and Barry Malone Golf Classic, in their memory.”
Kieran continued: “This is an exciting time for St Killian’s, with now 653 members and 18 active teams, thriving underage, girls and ladies structures and our men’s team newly promoted this year. We have recently secured a second field and look forward to developing ambitious plans to improve our facilities.
“We are absolutely delighted with the response since we announced our golf date. Huge thanks to all of those local businesses who have already shown such generous support and we look forward to offering a great day out for both golfers and non-golfers.”
Main event sponsors are Walltech Drylining and Plastering and Corlatt Construction Services Ltd.
Refreshments will be offered to golfers on the day and there will be a range of prizes up for grabs kindly supported by: Tullyherron Farm Feeds, Malcor Fitout Ltd, Inicio-Interiors and Fisher & Fisher.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available for tee boxes and individual holes.
Prize-giving will take place in O’Hanlon’s Bar, Whitecross on Saturday evening with a debut performance by ‘Still Tuning.’
Anyone interested in sponsorship or booking a four ball should contact Mickey Tel: 07516224073
Tee box £50
Hole £150
Team (4 ball scramble) £120
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Cathan McCourt reigned supreme in the 2025 RKings Down Rally as he claimed his second win in a row at the weekend.
McCourt and co-driver Barry McNulty blasted out of the blocks with the fastest time through the narrow, bumpy lanes of Thornhill. Despite feeling his tyres were “a bit too soft,” he was hoping they held together for the infamous Hamilton’s Folly next.
McCourt made it 2 from 2, stretching his lead with another fastest time. Jonny Greer and Niall Burns who were hoping for a sold run in the Toyota Yaris was struggling for grip on tyres that were too hard for the greasy conditions, while Joe McGonigle and Ciaran Geaney suspected mechanical gremlins were hampering his Citroen. The duo would retire later on stage 3.
By the halfway point McCourt had a 26 second lead over Greer with UK Asphalt contender Sam Touzel and Max Freeman rebounded impressively after a stage three puncture, going second-fastest on SS4 and keeping himself in podium contention.
McCourt picked up with stage wins on 6 and 7 to further extend his lead by an impressive 45 seconds over Greer with one stage remaining victory was in his sights.
In the end it was more than enough for McCourt and McNulty as the they would storm to a commanding 58.6 second victory on the Down Rally picking up the final stage win at Hamiltons Folly.
Jonny Greer and Niall Burns would bring home a solid second with Sam Touzel and Max Freeman would bring home third place overall and the UK Asphalt Championship win.
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The beautiful Cooley Mountains are once again the venue for the annual Martin Donnelly All Ireland Poc Fada, a competition that sees some of Ireland's top hurlers take to Annaverna Mountain in Ravensdale to try to claim a coveted all Ireland medal.
The event takes place next Monday 4 August starting at 11.30am.
Last year's Champion Kilkenny Senior hurler Fionan Mackessy will return to the mountain seeking to make it three All Ireland Poc Fada titles in a row.
This year will also see the return of Tipperary legend Brendan Cummins. Cummins hold the record of 9 Poc Fada titles, having won his first over 20 years ago in 2004. Previous winners Cillian Kiely (Offaly) and Colin Ryan (Clare) will make it a very competitive field.
The Camogie All Ireland title is also up for grabs with Cork goalkeeper Molly Lynch hoping to secure a remarkable 5th title on the trot. Down’s Sara Louise Graffin will also be competing.
The U16 Camogie and Hurling Poc Fada finals take place also.
Speaking at the launch of the event, Pat McGinn, a member of the National Poc Fada Committee said: “This is a unique event and I know that any hurler who had tackled the demanding 5km mountain course is really smitten by the sporting contest”.
McGinn who was appointed to the Croke Park National Poc Fada Committee by GAA President Jarlath Burns has had a lengthy involvement with the hurling contest.
“I got involved in the Poc Fada over thirty years ago through Fr Pól Mac Seáin known affectionately as ‘An tAthair'.
"He and all those involved in the early years of An Poc Fada had a great influence on me, an influence that exists to this very day.
"Martin Donnelly the sponsor and myself have been great friends for many years and Martins support both financial and practical has lifted the Poc Fada to new heights. Martin has been very supportive of Gaelic sports and many other sports including Boxing and former world champion Bernard Dunne is a welcome and regular visitor to Annaverna mountain for the Poc Fada."
Pat had great praise for the local organising Committee chaired by Paul Comiskey. “These are the unsung heroes who year after year ensure that Annaverna Mountain is prepared to host An Poc Fada Craobh na hÉireann.
"They have a passion for and commitment to An Poc Fada that is another fitting example of true volunteerism."
The route to the venue are signposted from the Carrickdale Hotel. Car Parking facilities are available at the bottom of the mountain with a shuttle service for those who may need it. Car sharing to the Poc Fada is encouraged.
The Playing Order
Senior Hurling
1. Cathal Dillon, Tipperary
2. Pearce Smyth, Down
3. Noel Fallon, Roscommon
4. Sean Og McLaren, Antrim
5. Killian Phelan, Kilkenny
6. Cillian Kiely, Offaly
7. Darren Geoghegan, Louth
8. Brendan Cummins, Tipperary
9. Pat Burke, Westmeath
10. Bobby Douglas, Mayo
11. Colin Ryan, Limerick
12. Fionan Mackessy-2024 Champion, Kilkenny
Senior Camogie
1. Isobelle McInerney, Clare
2. Ellen Leech, Antrim
3. Patricia Coote, Westmeath
4. Maeve Muldoon, Galway
5. Sara Louise Graffin Down
6. Molly Lynch- 2024 Champion, Cork
U16 Hurling
1. Donnacha Collins, Derry
2. Oran Stratford, Galway
3. Sean Og O’Regan, Waterford
4. Conor Raleigh, Westmeath
U16 Camogie
1. Siofra Ginty, Offaly
2. Kayla Garrett, Galway
3. Saoirse Ryan, Tipperary
4. Eimear Ward, Antrim
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