Took the plunge – RTE’s Jacqui Hurley shows off dramatic transformation after ’15 years’ of convincing from hairdresser
JACQUI Hurley joked ‘New hair, who dis?’ after undergoing a hair transformation 15 years in the making.
After all that time she relented and allowed hairdresser Antoinette Manley to experiment with her look after persistent prodding.
The before pic[/caption] And the after…[/caption] The 41-year-old was delighted with the end product[/caption]Laughing, the versatile RTE Sport presenter recapped: “Took the plunge, chopped the hair, thanks to the queen @antoinettemanley for the push!!
“Just the 15 years trying to talk me into it!!!”
The new look proved a smash hit with Instagram followers en masse, with Sinead Keegan branding it ‘fab’.
Similarly, Julia gushed ‘Oh my goodness, I love it’ while Sharon Tobin beamed ‘Love it!! Really suits you!’
RTE viewers will get a good chance to take in the smash hit before, during and after Ireland’s bruising encounter with Scotland on Sunday.
Once again the national broadcaster and Virgin Media Ireland are sharing the TV rights to every Six Nations fixture with the latter having had dibs on the Aviva Stadium opener.
Ahead of that Murrayfield match-up, Mack Hansen and Finlay Bealham face a race against time to be fit.
Hansen suffered a cut to his leg in Saturday’s 27-22 win over England.
The winger required stitches in the first half and was able to return to the fray but it remains to be seen if he will be given the green light to line out.
Bealham is also a concern for the Edinburgh encounter after he picked up a leg injury of his own in Ireland’s Six Nations’ opener.
Bealham’s issue is of particular concern given Tadhg Furlong was absent because of a calf problem and it is unclear whether he or Joe McCarthy (concussion) will be available to face Gregor Townsend’s men.
An IRFU bulletin said both had ‘stepped up their rehabilitation programmes and a decision on their availability will be made later this week’.
In the meantime, two uncapped props – Munster’s Thomas Ahern and Shayne Bolton of Connacht – have been added to the squad.
Former Ireland back-row Sean O’Brien and Mark Sexton – elder brother of Johnny – have joined the coaching staff this week.
They will form part of Mike Prendergast’s management team for the Ireland A team for their game against England in Bristol on Sunday February 23.
That will be the day after the third-round Six Nations fixture for Simon Easterby’s side against Wales in Cardiff.
Ireland are riding a 10-game win streak against the Scots.
However, they have rode their luck at times over that stretch and with a fervent home crowd roaring them on, Townsend’s charges could easily run them closer than England did in Dublin.
‘Devastated doesn’t come close’, Heartbreak as aunt of Meath crash victim, 24, remembers ‘darling’ nephew
THE aunt of a man tragically killed in a crash in Meath has paid a heartbreaking tribute.
Gardaí are investigating a fatal road traffic collision which occurred at Oldcastle, Co Meath in the early hours of Tuesday, February 4, 2025.
Gardaí and emergency services responded to a collision involving a single vehicle at Boolies, Oldcastle at approximately 2.20am.
The sole occupant of the car, a man in his 20s, was pronounced deceased at the scene a short time later.
He has been named locally as Glen Smith, 24, from Mount Nugent in Co Cavan.
In a heartbreaking tribute, Glen’s aunt Kathleen said: “My darling nephew, devastated doesn’t come close.”
Others also shared devastating tributes following Glen’s sudden death.
Another said: “May God give you strength to bear this pain.
“It’s heartbreaking myself knowing Glen and all the family for last 10 years, it’s hard to believe he is gone.
“I couldn’t sleep since this sad news, he was truly amazing young soul.”
Local councillor Eimer Toibin from Aontu added: “What devastating news for his family. The unspeakable sadness of his sudden loss.
“May he rest in peace. Heartfelt condolences and prayers to his family.”
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.
In a statement, they said: “Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were in the area at the time are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.
“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kells Garda Station on (046) 9280820, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.”
No funeral arrangements have been made as of yet.
To date, there have been a total of 16 road deaths on Irish roads this year.
Dana White issues thinly-veiled ultimatum to Jon Jones over UFC super-fight with Tom Aspinall after update issued
DANA WHITE has seemingly issued a thinly-veiled ultimatum to Jon Jones over a fight with Tom Aspinall.
The UFC brass are hard at work trying to finalise a historic heavyweight title unification bout between the undisputed and interim champions.
The UFC brass are working on a historic fight between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall[/caption] Hall-of-Famer Jones had demanded “f**k you” to unify the belts[/caption] Dana White has suggested the UFC could end up stripping Jones if negotiations drag on until the summer[/caption]White was confident late last year that the bout would be made, despite Jones’ demand for “f**k you money“.
But he’s suggested the promotion will contemplate STRIPPING the former pound-for-pound king of the belt if talks drag on until the summer.
When asked if they could consider relieving Jones of the belt, White told The MacLife: “One hundred per cent.
“If we don’t get the fight done, we move on, and we make another fight.
“But not last night, but the night before, I was up in my room with my people until like 6 in the morning.
“We’re working on lots of stuff right now. There’s lots of really good sh*t going on right now.”
White recently shot down talk of Jones demanding a whopping £24.5million to unify the belts against Aspinall.
But he admits the ball is in the promotion’s court to deliver what he believes could be the “biggest fight” in UFC history.
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“There’s no situation,” the veteran promoter said. “It’s the biggest fight we can make.
“I know the fans like to mess with Jon or whatever.
“Jon Jones isn’t afraid of anybody, and Jon Jones will fight anybody.
“It’s just a matter of getting the fight done now. That’s our job.”
White’s comments come just two weeks after an optimistic Aspinall revealed he expects to receive an update on the fight in the coming weeks.
In a video on his YouTube channel, he said: “I’m just waiting at the minute. “
“That’s it, I’m just waiting for his side and the UFC to sort it out.
“I’m just training and getting everything focused to be as fit and ready as I possibly can. Because who knows?
Jon Jones retained his heavyweight title last November with a stunning stoppage of Stipe Miocic[/caption]“They might spring the date on me quick! Or they might say, ‘The date’s going to be in six months.’ I don’t know.
“But that’s always kind of what happens between fights anyway, you never really know when your next one is so I’m just preparing now.
“There’s no dates yet but there’s an opponent there, so we’re just getting fit really, getting the body ready and the mind all in sync towards the next opponent and the next date.
“We’re waiting to find out when that is. I should imagine we’re going to find out in the next couple of weeks so it’s all good.”
Aspinall hasn’t set foot inside the cage since successfully defending the interim 265lbs title against Curtis Blaydes last July.
Jones, meanwhile, recorded a stunning third-round TKO victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 last November.
Eight in 10 parents say bed-wetting is affecting their kids at school – making them tired or reluctant to go
BED-WETTING is a common occurrence for young children who are learning to control their bladders.
However, the disruption in sleep can begin to affect your child once they begin school.
Parents reported the effect bed-wetting is having on their children in a recent survey (stock image)[/caption]Research has found that eight in 10 parents believe bed-wetting has impacted their child’s time at school.
Many respondents reported increased tiredness, reluctance in attending school, and reduced confidence.
A poll of 1,000 parents of children aged four to seven who have wet the bed in the last 12 months found it has had a negative effect on the emotional wellbeing of 59% of affected kids.
It’s left them more likely to experience tiredness in class, with 43% confirming this is the case for their child.
An additional 39% said their child has expressed a reluctance in attending school, while 63% are less confident at school as a result of bed-wetting.
It also emerged 84% of parents feel it also affects their child’s self-confidence in general.
Bed-wetting habits have left 54% of kids worried about attending sleepovers, while 23% are concerned about playdates and 21% were hesitant about going to birthday parties.
The research was commissioned by Pampers Ninjamas, which is continuing its mission to build confidence in children with its Back to School with a Boost schools programme and Confidence Building Journal.
It comes after the study found 67% of parents have highlighted a need for better educational resources around bed-wetting.
With 80% requiring resources to specifically support with the emotional impact that bed-wetting can have on their child.
Since the launch of the schools programme six months ago, 600+ schools have signed up and it has reached over 64,000 children nationally.
Paediatrician, TV presenter and author Dr. Ranj has partnered with the pyjama pant brand.
“School and social activities play an indisputable role in a child’s development, not to mention the contribution they make to their confidence and wellbeing,” the expert said.
“It is therefore essential that parents and carers feel equipped to help support their children during periods of bed-wetting to ensure no child misses out.”
The study also found 34% of parents, polled via OnePoll, said their children experience bed-wetting up to three times a week, with 91% saying bed-wetting disrupts their child’s sleep in some way.
How to get free Pampers nappies as a parent
YOU can get your hands on free Pampers nappies by heading to their website and requesting a special nappy coupon.
The coupon will then be sent to your address and you can then go to the nearest store to collect the free nappies.
One parent recently listed all the stores that have teamed up with the brand:
- Morrisons
- Asda
- Tesco
- Sainsbury’s
- Boots
Parents revealed some of the strategies they have tried to help manage bed-wetting.
The top techniques include using a waterproof mattress, 62%, limiting liquids before bedtime, 61%, and using protective underwear, 47%.
As part of Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, Pampers Ninjamas hosted a Confidence Boosting Workshop to raise awareness of the positive impact the programme can have on the emotional wellbeing of children.
“I am so proud to be helping parents and carers create a safe, non-judgmental space for communicating with their child,” Dr. Kimberley added.
“Ensuring that children feel supported at every step of their developmental journey, including periods of bed-wetting for some children, can have a hugely positive impact on their confidence and wellbeing.”
Dr. Kimberley Bennett has worked with Pampers Ninjamas to help boost children’s confidence[/caption]Spanish city nicknamed the ‘Cuba of Europe’ with Havana-like streets and James Bond beach
A SPANISH city with direct UK flights has been compared to the Caribbean island of Cuba – with its beaches and streets used to film famous Hollywood films.
Cadiz is one of western Europe‘s oldest cities, and is surrounded by water on three sides.
Cadiz has been dubbed the Cuba of Europe with it’s resemblance to Cuba[/caption] Streets in Cadiz are said to resemble Havana (pictured)[/caption]And it has been nicknamed Little Havana with many of the narrow streets and architecture resembling the Cuban capital.
Of course, it was Cadiz that came first – the Spanish city was founded around 1100BC while Havana was colonised by Spain in the 16th century.
But the resemblance is so strong, two films even used the city as a filming destination to replicate Cuba.
The iconic scene of Halle Berry on the beach in the James Bond film Die Another Day was filmed on Cadiz’ La Caleta Beach.
The 450-metre sandy beach remains the most popular in the city with both tourists and locals, lined with restaurants and bars.
And James Bond star Sean Connery filmed the entire 1979 movie Cuba in Cadiz.
If you really want to get into the Cuban vibes, the no.1 bar in Cadiz is Habana Cafe.
One person said: “The best Caipirinha you can find outside Brazil. Just go there, enjoy the Latin music.”
Instagrammer Patrica posted about the city’s resemblance to Cuba too and people were shocked.
One person said: “Gosh it really looks so much like Cuba. I wanna go.”
Another said: “As a Cuban that has travelled to Cadiz. Yes, what Cuba used to look like.”
Even better, is the city gets 300 days of sunshine a year remaining above 16C even in winter and up to 28C in summer.
Don’t expect many chain hotels in Cadiz, although you can find some beautiful boutique options instead.
Some of the most affordable options start from £42 a night or you can splash out on the five-star Palacio de Sancti Petri, which starts from £138 a night.
The nearest airport is Jerez Airport, which is around 30 minutes from the city.
Jet2 has flights from £72 if flying from Leeds, although also has routes from both Birmingham and Manchester.
Cadiz’s architecture is very similar to Havana[/caption] Havana’s narrow streets are just like the Spanish city[/caption] Cadiz also gets 300 days of sunshine a year[/caption]Otherwise TUI has flights from £79 when flying from London Gatwick,
If you want cheaper flights, you can head to Seville as Ryanair has fares from £19.99.
You can then head to Cadiz for a day trip which is around 1hr24 by train.
Another Spanish city has been called the “garden of Europe”.
The Sun visits Cadiz
The Sun’s Travel Reporter Hope Brotherton recently visited the Spanish city.
On my first day, I made a beeline for Cadiz Cathedral, which dominates the local skyline thanks to its glistening golden dome.
My tour guide informed me that the bright rooftop was designed so incoming vessels could spot the port city in the daylight.
Other attractions in the city include a visit to La Caleta, one of the local beaches, and a stroll around Mercado Central – an outdoor marketplace.
Another free attraction is the Roman amphitheatre, which is situated next to the city’s promenade.
I made sure to visit the theatre the moment it opened, so I could avoid the hordes of day-trippers.
Or head to Menorca to find the “Mykonos of Spain”.
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You can fly there with both TUI and Jet2[/caption]