CRISTIANO RONALDO has paid tribute to Diogo Jota following his tragic death.
The Liverpool star, 28, died alongside his brother in a car accident in Spain.
Ronaldo has shared a heartfelt tribute to his Portugal team-mate.
BRIAN Maher reckons the eight-second rule will make the Brandywell a tougher place to play — for opposition goalkeepers.
Fifa have introduced a new rule at the Club World Cup where a corner is awarded if a keeper does not release the ball in his hands within eight seconds.
The rule replaces a six-second regulation whereby an indirect free-kick was awarded — though it was rarely implemented.
And the new eight-second rule will be used in the League of Ireland from tomorrow, as it comes into action around the world this month.
Derry City star Maher reckons it will make no difference to keepers like him in a team that wants to play on the front foot.
But he believes fans can make it harder for opponents.
Maher told SunSport: “From our end, we’re happy to see it come in. We’ve had it plenty of times where teams come up and try and waste time at the Brandywell.
“Probably twice in the last couple of weeks, we’ve had referees warning goalkeepers in the first half. It is a good thing for us that it’s a rule.
“It has given fans a chance to get on top of it, especially if they’re being beaten at home or whatever.
“The big thing is to see how it is implemented. If referees are going to be put under pressure, players need to be aware of it and not get caught.
“I remember there was a six-second rule — so we’ve now got an extra two seconds!”
But Maher believes many goalkeepers will not have to change their game.
He said: “It’s something we speak about at Derry. We want to play on the front foot and at a high tempo. There is no point in me taking ages over a dead ball, or out of my hands.
“Even throw-ins and free-kicks, we want to get the ball in play as fast as we can. I don’t think it will affect us much.”
And the Candystripes are a team currently on the front foot having won their last three games against Drogheda United, St Pat’s and Shelbourne to climb to second place.
They remain 11 points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers with two games in hand, which makes this month huge as they play all of their extra matches.
But having not won four games in a row since June last year, Maher insisted the sole focus is on beating Waterford tomorrow and building further momentum.
He added: “When you talk about points and games in hand, it’s not something we talk about.
“We mentioned the table once last week because we faced three sides around us. It could have been tricky but we took nine points which puts us second in the table.
“We just want a run to find consistency. We’ve had little runs of two and three games this year but we haven’t put four or five together.
“The manager keeps telling us we’re still improving and we’ve got a way to go.
“Even this week, he’s delighted with the results but is showing us where we can improve. The 11-point gap to the top shows that there is room to improve.”
Bangkok’s skyline is about to get a little less dazzling, as the Bangkok Metropolitan Council takes action to tackle the growing issue of excessively bright billboards. In a bid to protect residents’ eyes and prevent dangerous distractions for drivers, the council has approved a new regulation to limit light intensity from illuminated advertisements. Yesterday, July …
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MEATH boss Robbie Brennan remembers Dublin great Rory O’Carroll’s mantra when players get injured — simply that the next man steps up.
The Royals will play their first All-Ireland SFC semi-final since 2009 against Donegal on Sunday week but are without Ronan Jones, James Conlon, Jack Kinlough and Jack Flynn, who will all be sidelined for the rest of the season.
But former Kilmacud Crokes chief Brennan points out that the show must go, saying; “We have certainly said all year, next man up. The great Rory O’Carroll in Kilmacud taught me that lesson early on in my days in Crokes.
“It’s just about the next man up and that’s what we’ve installed and luckily we have some really good players there and still more that haven’t even been used yet. So we’d be quite happy with the squad we have.”
Brennan, who led Crokes to All-Ireland club glory in 2023, took the Meath reins this season.
And they have had a remarkable year despite Jones and Conlon (both hamstring), Kinlough (ACL) and Flynn (pec) all undergoing surgery.
Their most recent win came in Sunday’s Croke Park quarter-final against Galway as Brennan had to sweat over players again.
He said: “Seán Rafferty had a cramp and a slight little ankle sprain but nothing to worry about.
“I’d say it was the humidity and the heat. Bryan Menton had a cramp and Ruairí Kinsella had a sprain in his ankle but they have trained since.”
Meath watched the semi-final draw over pizza in Dunboyne after Sunday’s pulsating win.
And Brennan hopes for another slice of success against Jim McGuinness’ men as the Royals chase their first All-Ireland final appearance since 2001.
He smiled: “It was funny . . . the lads probably didn’t really care at this stage who we got and we were the same.
“So as it came out, the lads just glanced at it and went back to the pizza.
“No matter who you get now, it’s got to be a good side — they’re a phenomenal team. Their running game is exceptional, the loops they run, and the forwards attack.
“So plenty to have to work on, but look, we’ve been able to start looking at it already.”
JERMAINE Jenas has spoken out about his exit from the BBC for sending X-rated text messages to colleagues.
The former England footballer, 42, revisited the scandal that cost him his high-paid telly gigs on The One Show and Match of the Day.
It also ultimately led to the collapse of his marriage to his wife of 14 years, Ellie, with the pair announcing their split in March.
Speaking with comedian Katherine Ryan and professional boxer Derek Chisora on his Let Me Tell You Something podcast, he said: “I broke a vow. I feel my level of punishment was up there. I had to take it and have some broad shoulders and handle it, and I feel like I did that.”
Jermaine likened his messages to Fifty Shades of Grey lothario Christian Grey, continuing: “It was sexting, as simple as that, but it was initiated to me and then I responded.
“It wasn’t just me going out of my way and it definitely 100 percent wasn’t ‘me ‘if you do this I will help you in your work’.
“There was no power element to it going on.”
He then admitted his personal life and marriage weren’t in a good place at the time, though he insisted it was no excuse for his behaviour.
“There’s a lot of stuff with me and Ellie where we weren’t in the best place ourselves,” he said.
“And things were just spiralling a little bit. In no way is that blame. I’m fully accepting responsibility.
“I dealt with it wrong and got heavily punished for it by losing pretty much everything that I had at that time.”
Though the fallout of the messages was costly, Jermaine claimed the BBC had him “locked in a creative prison“.
He was sacked in an excruciating online meeting with HR and senior corporation execs, including being shown a string of X-rated messages he’d sent.
He told The Sun at the time: “I am ashamed, and I am deeply sorry.”
In the same interview, he confessed to lying to wife Ellie during a family holiday and sneaking off to take a Zoom call with BBC bosses over his X-rated messages.
In 2023, Jenas and Ellie clashed as he started spending more time socialising with his One Show work colleagues.
The pair had explosive rows but, Jermaine admitted they quietly worked through their issues with the help of couple’s therapy.
Heartbroken ex-model Ellie announced the couple were separating in March.
She wrote: “I never imagined I would have to share something so personal with the public, but given the situation, I feel it’s necessary.
“After 16 years together and 4 wonderful children, Jermaine and I have decided to part ways.
“We will remain friends and continue to co-parent. We kindly ask that you respect our children’s privacy during this challenging time.
“Thank you, Ellie.”
The pair had been married for 14 years and share two daughters, Geneva and Olivia, and son, Jacob.
Jermaine also has an older daughter, Sancha, from a previous relationship.
JERMAINE Jenas was dismissed in August for sending inappropriate messages to the women he worked with.
Here’s what happened:
August 22
September 7
November 24
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A FRUSTRATED homeowner has revealed that his neighbour’s massive tree is blocking all of his sunlight.
Not only this, but the man’s anger has continued to grow, as now the large tree has begun growing into his home.
And if you thought that was bad enough, think again, as this anonymous man even claimed that the tree is also home to rats too.
Posting on social media, the man uploaded a snap of his neighbour’s overgrown tree, which is towering onto his roof and is extremely close to his window, leaving many open-mouthed.
Writing on the r/GardeningUK thread on Reddit, alongside the post, the user, who shares content under the username @Jacktheforkie, explained: “Neighbours got a massive tree growing directly against my house.”
Not only this, but he claimed: “It’s blocking my sunlight and the rest of her jungle is host to a fair amount of rats.
“The rats are digging under and jumping over from the weeds.”
And it’s not just rats that have emerged, as the man later recognised: “I certainly get birds, and the grey furry birds with long pink tails.”
Unsure on how to proceed and desperate for advice, he then penned: “She doesn’t want to deal with the mess.
“I never see the neighbour, she used to take pride in the garden but now it’s a jungle that requires periodic attack with power tools to fight the weeds back.
“What can I do about it?”
Reddit users were left stunned by the man’s post and eagerly raced to the comments to share their thoughts.
One person advised: “You can complain to the council but I would speak to the neighbour first and offer to pay towards the cost of removal.
“Where I am, the expectation is that neighbours go 50/50 on this kind of work but it’s a social convention rather than a legal one.”
Another recommended: “This is an ash tree. They get huge and aren’t suitable for right next to houses. It’s probably self-seeded and nobody noticed until it suddenly was too big.
One study by Compare the Market revealed the top reason British neighbour's argue
“You need to talk to your neighbours about cutting it back – ideally taking it down altogether because the root system will also be large.
“If your neighbours won’t play ball or don’t have the money you are entitled to cut off anything that overhangs your property.
Call the council about the rats and report it as a health hazard….Who knows what state the garden is behind the foliage
Reddit user
“Monitor your foundations. First sign of cracks or movement in your house it’s a job for your insurance.”
Meanwhile, a third stressed: “Write them a polite letter, attach them that picture, see what they do. Decency starts with a polite approach.”
Whilst someone else said: “Call the council about the rats and report it as a health hazard. The rats are living off something… So who knows what state the garden is behind the foliage.”
The man later responded to the comments and wrote: “My mum asked and she said she likes it that way, but we are pretty sure she said that because she doesn’t want to deal with it.”
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ROBBIE Keane and Katie McCabe have led Irish tributes after the tragic death of Liverpool star Diogo Jota.
The Portugese forward and his fellow footballer brother Andre died in a car crash in Spain.
Ken Doherty shared an image of the tragic ace visiting the home of the World Snooker Championships in Sheffield.
Meanwhile McCabe conveyed her shock by reposting a black and white photo of the 28-year-old, adding the caption “Heartbreaking”.
The crash occurred on the A52, near the municipality of Palacios de Sanabria at around 12:40am.
The dad-of-three star was in a Lamborghini with his brother when the vehicle went off the road and caught fire.
Cops said they believe one of the supercar’s tyres burst.
Both men were found dead at the scene, according to the Zamora Provincial Council.
Jota played on the left wing for Liverpool after joining from Wolves in 2020 for a fee of £41million.
Liverpool FC paid a touching tribute to Jota as they said: “Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.”
They added that everyone at the club is still coming to terms with the “unimaginable loss”.
The Portuguese national football team have said they are “devastated” by the Jota’s death.
They added that he “was not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the national team, but also an extraordinary person who was respected by all his teammates and opponents”.
Jota had got married just 10 days ago to his longterm partner Rute Cardoso and the couple have three children, Dinis, Durate, and a daughter who was born in 2024.
The couple shared pictures of themselves in front of the altar with their kids on their big day.
In the caption, they said: “June 22, 2025. Yes to forever.” The Instagram post received over 190,000 likes and over 1,000 comments.
Tributes have been flooding in for the star, with ex-player and pundit Gary Neville saying: “That is heartbreaking news on Diogo Jota and his brother. All my love and best wishes to his family.”
TV presenter Piers Morgan wrote: “He only got married two weeks ago. Heartbreaking.”
FC Porto also paid tribute, saying: “Futebol Clube do Porto is in mourning.
“It is with shock and deep regret that we send our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who was also our youth player. May they rest in peace.”
Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher posted on Instagram: “Absolutely devastated by the sad news about Diogo Jota. Thoughts are with his wife Rute and their three kids.”
A COMMUNITY is “raw with grief” after a young girl was killed in a horror crash in Co Donegal last night.
Another child and two adults were rushed to hospital in a serious condition following the collision between a car and van on the R240 at Carrowmore, Glentogher, Carndonagh road at 6.30pm yesterday.
The young female child, who was a passenger in the car, was fatally injured.
The female driver of the car, a male front seat passenger and another female child were all rushed to to Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry.
The three passengers are fighting for their lives in serious condition.
Councillor Joy Beard told how news “breaks your heart in two” as she made an emotional appeal for information on the crash last night.
She said: “I’m struggling to find the words tonight. Tragically a young girl has lost her life in a devastating crash in Carrowmore, Glentogher.
“It’s the kind of news that stops you in your tracks and breaks your heart in two.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the family and everyone who knew and loved her.
“A second child, a woman, and a man are fighting for their lives in hospital. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
“The road remains closed tonight as forensic investigators work to understand what happened.
“If you saw anything or have dash cam footage, contact Buncrana Garda Station on 074 932 0540, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”
And Sinn Fein TD Padraig Mac Lochlainn described the news as “heartbreaking”
He said: “Such heart breaking news this morning about another tragedy on our roads in Donegal.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the young girl who has died outside Carndonagh and all of those who are seriously injured.”
Albert Dohertym Sinn Fein Councillor in the Carndonagh, told RTE locals have been left “raw”.
He said: “Our local community once again is raw with grief and our local community just feel devastated.
“Once again a local family have been challenged in having to face the loss of a loved one. It’s terrible news here in North Inishowen.”
The tragedy comes after four people – three men and a woman – were hospitalised following a two-car crash outside Carndonagh on the same road in January.
The collision took place on Thursday, January 2 just before 7pm, close to Glentogher National School.
Late last year, Donegal teen Tiernan Doherty-Kelly, 18 was killed when the car he was driving left the road near Buncrana on the Inishowen Peninsula at around 5am on the morning of Sunday, December 1.
He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene on the R244, known locally as the Mountain Road, at Ballinlough in Donegal.
Detailing conditions on the road yesterday Albert told RTE: “Conditions were, I would say, favourable for driving.
“However, our road at that particular time in to Carndonagh, in to the Mallin area it’s a very busy road.
“Workers are returning after a hard days work, people are leaving the jobs in Letterkenny and Derry.”
He elaborated: “It’s a busy, busy road for a period there.”
Carndonagh Parish Priest Fr Con McLaughlin said words are not adequate to express how people in the community are feeling.
Speaking on RTE’s Today with Claire Byrne, Fr McLaughlin said: “Pain is no stranger to the people of Inishowen as there have been so so many tragic deaths.
“Once again, tragedy has struck our people and I’m quite sure it revives many painful memories for many people in Inishowen as indeed it does for me”.
Gardai are asking anyone who may have witnessed the fatal collision to make contact with them.
In a statement last night, a spokesperson said: “The road is currently closed for a technical examination by Forensic Collision Investigators and local diversions in place. The road will remain closed overnight.
“Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.
“Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 6pm and 6.30pm this evening Wednesday 2nd July, 2025 are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact Buncrana Garda Station at 074 932 0540, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”
