Blogs

OISIN McCONVILLE insisted the days of “box ticking” and moral victories are over after extending his spell as Wicklow football manager.

The All-Ireland winning Armagh legend will remain in the Garden County for another two years.

Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

McConville took over in 2022, with 2026 being his fourth season at the helm.

And he believes they are well placed to progress further after a campaign of near misses in 2025.

He told SunSport: “There was obviously a lot of work done the last three years. I think we are in a decent position and I think I probably know the landscape a bit better.

“This year, regardless of results, was probably a lot more positive in the fact that we have brought on a good group of players.

“I had to decide after the Limerick game whether I was a part of the solution or part of the problem.

“It weighed heavily on me that we had done so much and we can do a wee bit more. That is what went into the decision.”

2025 was a year in which Wicklow took one step forward and two steps back at times.

They narrowly missed out on promotion out of Division 4 by a single point after a costly opening day loss to London and draw with Limerick on March 16.

The Leinster SFC saw them beat Longford before a spirited 2-21 to 0-18 defeat to Dublin in the quarter-finals.

Wins over Laois and Waterford saw them top their Tailteann Cup group and set up a quarter-final against inaugural winners Westmeath.

And on a historic afternoon in Aughrim, a last second buzzer beater score from the evergreen Dean Healy set up a last four clash against Limerick.

A Malachy Stone goal had Wicklow seven points up on the Treaty County with less than 15 minutes left at Croke Park.

However, a rare error from goalscorer Mark Jackson allowed Rob Childs to put into the back of the net, while Oisin McGraynor was denied from the penalty spot by Josh Ryan.

Limerick goalie Ryan stepped up with 0-4 at the other end as Jimmy Lee’s men snatched the 2-18 to 1-17 win from the jaws of defeat.

Frustrated by his side coming oh so near to glory without anything to show for it, McConville wants to right those wrongs in 2026.

The Crossmaglen Rangers man added: “I was disappointed with the year if I am honest.

“The main thing for us last year was promotion. That didn’t work out.

“Leinster Championship we had a tough one with the Dubs and we did okay.

“The days of doing okay and ticking boxes are well and truly gone with this group.

“The Tailteann Cup was very positive for us. It was a horrible way to end the year but on reflection, we done really well to get ourselves in the position we were in and the more we put ourselves in those positions, the better chance we have of winning.

“For a team like this, we need to be operating in a higher division and that will be the main goal heading into next year.”

FAMILY CALL

After the loss to Limerick, McConville admitted to needing to mull over his future with his family.

Since taking charge in 2022, the Armagh man has been commuting to Ballinakill and back for trainings and was weary of the sacrifices made at home.

But he revealed that when the topic was discussed with his wife Darina, she backed him to go again.

He laughed: “I didn’t do much of the talking, I was just listening.

“The family know what to expect. Darina knows what to expect from the fact that we have been through it for the past three years and we have made it work.

“She said there is no reason why we can’t do that and make it work again.

“I suppose the fact that we know and everybody knows what it entails and the commitment it entails, everybody can get on board that little bit easier.

“I wouldn’t take it lightly the sacrifice that everybody else is making so I can go up and down to Wicklow.

“I have to be aware that there is massive sacrifice and that is why I said it after the game.

“It is quite a condensed season and when the season is on, it is all consuming so I have to try and make sure I don’t bring a lot of that home.

“I have been trying my hardest in the last couple of years to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

MANILA, Philippines — The senior high school (SHS) program must be reviewed and strengthened by the government to provide meaningful opportunities to students and meet labor market demands, instead of being scrapped as proposed by a lawmaker. This was the gist of the joint statement on Wednesday of he Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines

DUNNES Stores fans are rushing to buy a beautiful new summer dress that’s perfect for this week’s scorching temperatures.

The Savida Arti Broiderie White Midi Dress has just landed in stores.

It is priced at €50 and comes in sizes XXS to XXL.

The retailer said: “Designed in all-over broderie anglaise, this lined dress features a square neckline and straps with intricate detailing.

“The self-tie belt cinches the waist and knots into a bow at the back, while the hem is cut in sharp scallops for a tasteful finish.

“Savida is available exclusively at Dunnes Stores.”

The white dress is perfect for a summer day out or special family event.

Meanwhile, Dunnes is also selling brilliant sandal dupes to go with it.

The H-Front Slider Sandals are a major bargain at just €7, reduced from €15.

And they’re ideal for this week’s sunshine as temperatures rise to 28C.

Dunnes said: “These sleek slip-on sandals have crossover straps and a gently squared toe, designed for effortless summer style.

“The cushioned insole adds a touch of comfort, making it the perfect choice for everyday wear.”

The brown sandals are the perfect dupe for the Hermes versions which are priced at €760.

The H-Front Strap Slider Sandals are also on sale for €10, down from €20.

They come in brown, black and white.

The retailer added: “These fashionable strap slider sandals feature a woven design with a hook and loop adjustable strap for a secure fit.

“The slip-on style offers comfort and ease, making them an ideal choice for warm summer days.”

And fashion fans are also loving a stunning new co-ord ideal for special occasions.

Instagram user Monica, who posts under the username @mon.fesa, alerted her followers to the new arrival.

In the caption of the post, she wrote: “Check out this outfit from Savida in all the Dunnes Stores.

“I really thought it was worth trying it; the top is so different and super cute, with a zipper on the side to make it easier to put on.

“Loved the lace trim and the adjustable bodice to make it cropped or a bit longer – great idea, I have to say.

“And the skirt… Well I love silk so this is my ideal outfit, can look super cute with heels or more funky with trainers.”

In the video, she can be seen wearing a gorgeous silk co-ord, in a lovely green colour.

She stuns in the outfit that is perfect for any summer event, from weddings to a laidback occasion.

In a caption inserted into the post, Monica noted: “What do you think of the new outfit?”

The top features a plunging v-neckline, complete with short sleeves and a lace trim along the neckline.

The sides of the top are ruched, with buttons in the centre.

Monica added: “With a lace trim top and adjustable bodice. So different.”

She shows that on either side of the top are two strings to control how loose or tight the top is.

Monica added: “Both with zips to make dressing easier.”

The maxi skirt features a zip up the side and has a flattering fit.

When worn together, it looks like a stunning dress that is perfect for a wedding.

BIRMINGHAM’S new documentary trailer shows Tom Brady has fully immersed himself in football culture – and fans are loving it.

The NFL legend bought minority shares in the former Premier League side in 2023, his first venture into English football.

Rex

Getty

AMAZON PRIME

Built in Birmingham will be streaming on Amazon[/caption]

It hasn’t taken him long to become accustomed to football’s pressures and feuds, though, as shown by the trailer for the new Amazon Prime Documentary on the American takeover of the club, ‘Built in Birmingham: Brady & The Blues’.

One part of the trailer shows the American looking frustrated during a game, leading one fan to reply: “No messing about there, love him.”

“#TeamBrady,” another supporter replied.

Another clip shows Brady on a private jet last season. Looking at and pointing down the barrel of the camera, the NFL legend didn’t hold back in his message to his side’s promotion rivals, Wrexham.

The record seven-time Super Bowl winner smiled: “Wrexham, we’re coming for your a**.

Blues were relegated to League One in 2024, and were hell bent on getting back to the second tier under their new ownership group,

They built an impressive side, splashing a League One record fee of £15million on ex-Fulham striker and former Blues loanee Jay Stansfield and swooping in for the previous campaign’s League One Golden Boot winner, Alfie May.

Wrexham have also dominated headlines since being taken over by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, and that competition often boiled over both on the pitch and off it, as shown by Brady’s bold on-camera claim.

BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK

It’s likely that the Blues-Wrexham rivalry will be a prominent feature of the upcoming docuseries.

After winning a record points total of 111 points in League One last term, Blues are now starting their pre-season tour in Portugal ahead of their return to the Championship.

Chris Davies’ side have already recruited big names this summer, including ex-Celtic attacker Kyogo Furuhashi and former Blues star Demarai Gray.

They face LaLiga side Seville at the Estadio Algarve on Saturday.

A BRITISH drug mule, accused of smuggling 244 grams of cocaine into Bali, begged for leniency by telling a court: “I am just depressed right now.” 

An Indonesian court heard that Elliot James Shaw should be thrown into Bali’s hellhole prison for six years for trafficking eight tablespoons of cocaine – equivalent to the weight of an iPhone – into the holiday island.

AP

British man Elliot James Shaw and Argentine national Eleonora Gracia arriving in court on July 10[/caption]

AP

Shaw admitted he smuggled the drugs into Bali[/caption]

Supplied

The Brit begged for leniency by telling a court he is ‘depressed’[/caption]

Shaw, 50, of Watford, admitted that he smuggled the drugs into the Indonesian town where he claims to have worked for the past eight years.

“I am just depressed right now. I am weak. I ask for leniency. I am very, very sorry,” he told the court on Thursday.

Indonesian prosecutor Made Dipa Umbara asked Judge Tenny Erna Suryanthi to hand Shaw a six-year custodial sentence and his co-accused and lover Ellionora Gracia, a 46-year-old Argentinian, go to prison for nine years.

Shaw isn’t the first Brit to find themselves in hot water overseas over alleged drug trafficking.

Just last month, a court in Bali heard harrowing claims from mum-of-three Lisa Stocker, 39, who insisted: “I was framed.”

She, her partner Jon Collyer, and friend Phineas Float were accused of trying to smuggle nearly a kilo of cocaine into Indonesia disguised as packets of Angel Delight worth an estimated £300,000.

All three could face the death penalty if convicted.

The court was told Stocker and Collyer had previously travelled to Bali with similar “packages” and that police had caught Float accepting them in a sting operation.

Meanwhile, across the globe in Georgia, Bella May Culley is battling to avoid a 20-year jail sentence while pregnant.

The 19-year-old from Billingham, County Durham, denies knowingly smuggling cannabis and hashish from Thailand.

She says she was coerced by a brutal trafficking gang who allegedly burned her with an iron and threatened her family with beheading.

Bella claims she was duped into transporting the drugs by the Thailand-based gang – but prosecutors argue CCTV footage shows her calmly passing through Bangkok airport’s gates without raising the alarm.

In Sri Lanka, Charlotte May Lee is behind bars after allegedly attempting to smuggle £1.2million worth of synthetic kush, a highly potent cannabis variant.

The 21-year-old former air stewardess from South London, was reportedly caught with 46kg of the substance packed into her suitcases.

If convicted, she could be handed a 25-year prison sentence in a country known for its tough anti-drug stance.

The cases don’t stop there. Glamorous 21-year-old Cameron Bradford, from Hertfordshire, was detained at Munich Airport in April after allegedly flying in from Thailand with cannabis in her luggage.

EPA

Three Brits including mum Lisa Stocker could face death by firing squad if found guilty of drug smuggling in Bali[/caption]

Facebook

Bella May Culley was arrested on drug offences in Georgia[/caption]

Sri Lanka Police

Part-time beautician Charlotte was arrested on May 12 after stepping off a flight to Sri Lanka from Thailand[/caption]

And a British couple claiming to be holidaymakers were busted in Valencia, Spain, after allegedly arriving with 33kg of cannabis hidden in their bags.

Police said they were flagged for their “nervous and evasive attitude” and are now in jail facing serious trafficking charges.

Perhaps most shocking of all – a six-year-old British boy was arrested in Mauritius as part of a group caught with a £1.6million cannabis haul.

Authorities say the drugs were hidden inside the child’s wheelie suitcase.

The youngster was travelling with his mother and five other Brits when customs made the disturbing discovery.

Officials slammed the alleged use of a minor in the plot as “inhumane”.

Solarpix

A Brit couple coming from Thailand was arrested with 33kgs of cannabis[/caption]

A NEW train connecting three major European cities will launch next year.

Connecting Prague and Copenhagen via Berlin, the new train service will be established by Czech Railways (ČD), Deutsche Bahn (DB) and Danish State Railways (DSB).

www.ceskedrahy.cz

A new train connecting three major European cities will launch next year[/caption]

www.ceskedrahy.cz

The new service will connect Prague and Copenhagen via Berlin[/caption]

The new route has been announced following the completion of the Berlin to Hamburg rail line.

And it will be the first direct service between Prague and Copenhagen to operate in 10 years.

The service is likely to run twice a day, all year round with trains departing from Prague at approximately 6:30am and 10:30am.

During the summer season, there will also be an additional service at 4:30pm.

The journey will take seven hours between Berlin and Copenhagen or 11 hours between the Danish capital and Prague.

However, these times are expected to be further reduced when the Fehmarn Belt Undersea Tunnel between Denmark and Germany is completed.

According to Travel Mole, other stops will include Odense in Denmark, Hamburg and Dresden in Germany as well as Ústí nad Labem in the Czech Republic.

The trains will be ČD’s ComfortJet trains which can seat up to 555 people – 99 of which are in first-class – and travels up to 230km per hour.

On the train itself, passengers can explore a dining car and a children’s cinema.

In the dining car, there will be 18 seats and passengers will be able to buy hot or cold meals and other refreshments during the journey – including beer.

In addition, the train will boast window tech which will allow passengers to have better mobile signal.

If travelling with a bike, there will be space for 12 bikes on board too as well as wheelchair lifts.

There could also be a seasonal night-time connection service.

Whilst there is already a train that runs between Hamburg and Copenhagen during the summer at night, from 2026 it will be extended to Prague via Berlin and Dresden.

The three railway carriers aim to start selling tickets six months before the train journey actually commences.

The new service is the first of 10 pilot projects that the European Commission is supporting to promote cross-border rail connections.

Other projects include a new direct connection between Munich, Milan and Rome.

There is also a new major train route connecting an underrated UK city to popular beach town.

Plus, the seven stunning European cities that Brits could take direct trains to as a London station plans huge expansion.

www.ceskedrahy.cz

The journey will take seven hours between Berlin and Copenhagen or 11 hours between the Danish capital and Prague[/caption]

TOP chef Dylan McGrath’s restaurant business owes Revenue at least €1.7million.

A court today heard Prime Steak Restaurant, which trades as Fade Street Social, owes Revenue €1.7 million “and maybe more” and is unable to pay its debts.

An examiner has been appointed amid the debt crisis.

Judge John O’Connor, who appointed Dessie Morrow of Azets Ireland as examiner of the company’s affairs, was also told that Mr Morrow had undertaken to provide a special report to Revenue in relation to inter-company loans of almost €4.5 million.

Barrister Ross Gorman said the company’s board of directors had decided on June 26 to seek the protection of the court from its creditors by the appointment of an examiner.

Mr Gorman, who appeared with BHSM Solicitors for the company, told Judge O’Connor that McGrath, of Mespil Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, and Vincent Melinn, of Howth Lodge, Howth Road, Co Dublin, own 50 per cent of the company’s share capital.

He said the company has 86 employees whose jobs could be saved under a scheme of arrangement with its creditors and under such a scheme creditors may be able to trade profitably with the company into the future.

Barrister Sally O’Neill, for Revenue, raised the matter of inter-company loans between four connected restaurants; one of which closed after Covid and two others eventually failed.

Mr Gorman said the examiner believed the company had a reasonable prospect of survival under a scheme of arrangement with all interested parties involved.

He said the company operates Fade Street Social, a very popular destination bar/restaurant in Fade Street, Dublin 2.

He said the company had faced six main sources of difficulties: increasing labour costs; rising supply costs; amendment of the VAT rate from nine per cent to 13.5 per cent; the Covid-19 pandemic; increased rental obligations; and related party loan losses.

Mr Gorman said the company was very significantly indebted to the Revenue Commissioners, including VAT, PAYE and PRSI.

‘COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE’

The directors stated in a petition for the appointment of an examiner: “The directors acknowledge that the company’s failure to pay tax was completely unacceptable and they unreservedly apologise for that.”

Judge O’Connor granted protection of the court to the company and appointed Mr Morrow as examiner giving him full authority to carry out his duties in that role.

No Fee

RHASIDAT Adeleke has pulled out of Friday’s Monaco Diamond League 400m race.

Adeleke was originally listed to race but was then missing from the confirmed line-up on Thursday morning.

The Tallaght sprinter is yet to give a reason on the decision but will not feature in the 400m race.

Adeleke was due to be up against some high profile sprinters in the race including world number one Marileidy Paulino as well as world number three Natalia Bukowiecka.

The Lord Mayor award recipient produced a disappointing performance in her fourth place finish in Eugene, Oregon last week, finishing behind three sprinters ranked lower than her in the world rankings.

She ran a 51.33 leaving her well adrift of winner Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (49.43) and almost a full second slower than the season best she set in Oslo last month.(50.42)

She also finished behind Aaliyah Butler (49.86) who she was due to race again this week in Monaco.

The 22-year-old impressed in Oslo with a fourth place finish and a season best time in a stacked race just a month ago. A sixth place finish in Stockholm (50.48) followed for the Irish athlete where she finished just shy of her season best.

The European gold medalist’s decision comes as a surprise as a surprise as the World Athletics Championships are only two months away as it kicks off September 13.

Adeleke will be hopeful to make an impact at the Championships and add to her bronze 4X400m mixed relay medal from 2024.

The next Diamond League meet is in London – which doesn’t feature a 400m race – on July 19 before there is a month break in the almost weekly meets.

Adeleke competed in the Monaco Diamond League 400m race last year winning with a time (49.17) just short of the Irish national record (49.07) which she set a month previous at the European Championships.

Ciara Mageean – who missed the Olympics with an Achilles injury and was diagnosed with cancer last week – was the only other Irish representative at the event last year coming 10th(5:43.06) in the 2000m race.

The national treasure may run the risk of going into the World Championships lacking race sharpness due to the timing of her pulling out of the meet.

Despite Adeleke’s withdrawal, there will still be Irish athletes in action this weekend in the Morton International Games in Santry.

Stars such as Sharlene Mawdsley, Cathal Doyle, Nick Griggs, Molly Scott, Israel Olatunde and Bori Akinola will be in action in the bronze graded competition.

POLICE in Spain have arrested an Irishman on suspicion of a Costa Blanca stabbing last month.

The 58-year-old was held on suspicion of attempted murder as detectives on the Costa Blanca revealed today the victim had been urinating when he was attacked from behind.

Cops described the unnamed detainee as someone with “previous in Ireland for serious crimes, including homicides with firearms and drugs trafficking”. 

It was not immediately clear this morning if the “previous” the Civil Guard referenced in relation to the stabbing suspect are convictions or arrests that haven’t yet resulted in convictions.

They also revealed they had received help from Gardai who supplied fingerprint details which enabled them to confirm his ID.

Confirming the arrest today in Orihuela, on the Costa Blanca, the Civil Guard in Alicante said: “Officers have arrested a 58-year-old Irishman as the suspected author of a crime of attempted homicide.

“He allegedly stabbed another 29-year-old Irishman in the neck with a Stanley knife, with the victim left needing an emergency life-saving operation in Torrevieja Hospital.

“The operation, codenamed Combination, was launched on June 15, shortly after a stabbing incident in a street near to the small La Zenia shopping centre.

“There, after a row, the victim was attacked from behind while he was urinating next to an electrical transformer, suffering a deep cut to his neck.”

The Civil Guard spokesman added: “Evidence obtained by detectives enabled us to place the suspect in the area around the time of the attack.

“After interviewing the victim following his operation, officers managed to fully identify the alleged author.

“Although he had left his home days earlier and his whereabouts was unknown, the circulation of information about his identity resulted in police in Orihuela Costa locating him in a park in the municipality.

GARDA HELP

“He had no identification on him and the help of Irish authorities proved key as they facilitated his fingerprints.

“This also enabled Civil Guard officers to corroborate that he had previous in Ireland for serious crimes including homicides with firearms and drug trafficking.

“The suspect was arrested on suspicion of attempted homicide.”

BAIL RELEASE

Despite the serious charge he is facing, police confirmed a court in Orihuela had decided to release the unnamed Irishman on conditional bail with a restraining order preventing him from going near his alleged victim.

It was not immediately clear why an investigating judge had taken the decision to bail him and not remand him in custody pending an ongoing criminal probe.

The stabbing arrest the Civil Guard only went public with today happened on June 30.

Solarpix

The 58-year-old was held on suspicion of attempted murder[/caption]

LOVE Island’s Dejon and Meg face big relationship issues as Andrada spills the tea on her connection with the villa hunk.

Last night Meg was left fuming after she found out Dejon had grown close to nail technician Andrada during Casa Amor.

Shutterstock Editorial

Meg gives Dejon an ultimatum tonight as she insists ‘I won’t be part of a triangle’[/caption]

Shutterstock Editorial

Andrada reveals exactly what Dejon got up to in the Casa Amor villa[/caption]

Shutterstock Editorial

Meg is left disappointed as Dejon has still not closed things off between them[/caption]

Still reeling from the fallout of the recoupling, tonight Andrada pulls Meg for a chat to discuss Dejon’s behaviour in the other villa.

Andrada tells Meg: “We’ve got a really good connection and everyone saw it… It’s stronger than what he has with you, it’s very obvious.”

Making it clear about her intentions now she’s in the villa, she insists: “I will still chat to him.”

While Meg says of her Casa Amor experience: “From my side, no one compared to D…”

Andrada continues: “He said he hasn’t had a connection with any of the other bombshells like he’s had with me.

“He said I’m the best bombshell in there for him.”

After hearing exactly what Dejon has been up to, Meg issues him with an ultimatum.

She takes him to the terrace and says: “If you were genuinely all for me, as soon as you walked through the door after Casa, you’d want to close things off.

“Obviously I feel a certain way about you but you don’t feel it back.”

She continues: “You literally need to decide today. I’m not going to sit here and be in a triangle.

“My bottle says Meg, not mug.”

But what will Dejon have to say in response to Meg’s proposition?

Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX