Viral X

The power of Suni Lee knows no boundaries. Lee wrote an emotional essay for Female health About the “most difficult ...

Read more

CARLA WARD has bemoaned the loss of senior players from the Ireland squad.

And with Ivi Casagrande announcing her departure yesterday and Amber Whiteley possibly to follow, she may need to stem the flow of coaches too.

Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Another Press conference was spent addressing the changing of the guard among the Ireland women’s coaching staff.

It might have felt like Groundhog Day were it not for new developments, like Ward holding her ground, although her explanation for the absence of Colin Healy from her backroom team differs from that of the FAI’s chief football officer Marc Canham.

With Whiteley in line to get the Liverpool manager’s job on a permanent basis, Ward suggested Healy could yet have a role.

But the likelihood of him wanting a part-time role with less responsibility and pay after the manner in which he was treated by the FAI, for which Canham belatedly apologised, is low.

And all of this before performance coach Casagrande — brought in by former boss Eileen Gleeson — announced her exit via Instagram.

She will be replaced by Holly Pickett, who worked with Ward at Aston Villa and Birmingham City.

It has not been the easiest introduction to the Irish football landscape for Ward as she recalled the manner in which one of the players, Julie-Ann Russell, announced she was hanging up her boots.

Ward said: “I actually spoke to them all. Funnily enough I rang Julie-Ann about her daughter and my daughter. I couldn’t wait for them to play together.

“That’s when she broke the news and broke my heart, bless her. Diane Caldwell and Niamh Fahey the same.”

That has been compounded by the absence of Louise Quinn, 34, with a long-term hip injury but Ward is keen for all four to have some role within camp.

Ward said: “There’s four massive leaders that can really help guide people off the pitch as well as on the pitch. I’m still trying to work a solution where we get them in the environment in some capacity because I think that’s really important.

“For example I spoke to one of them about potentially coming in and being a player liaison, a link between players and staff but being a sounding board for the players, particularly the senior players.

“That can be really powerful — really powerful.

“The organisation are all on board with it, it’s just the timing for the players because they’re still playing at club level, bar Julie-Ann. It’s just finding the right moment for them.”

NOT IN QUESTION

And it helps explain why there was never any question of Ruesha Littlejohn, 34, losing her place in the squad in the wake of her move to Shamrock Rovers.

Ward said: “I told her to do it, I’m not going to lie. She called me and said, ‘I have got three options’. I won’t tell you the other two options, and I said, ‘League of Ireland. Think about the impact you can have on young players. Not just how you can impact the League of Ireland’.

“When I was at Aston Villa, I didn’t want her to go, she wasn’t playing much football but if you take Ruesha out of an environment . . . she was the glue.”

Ward has also called up Aoibheann Clancy for the upcoming Nations League double-header against Greece and she said a third home-based player — believed to be her Shelbourne team-mate Alex Kavanagh — would have been included had she not been injured.

The boss said: “I think there are some exciting players in the League of Ireland. I have been impressed and pleasantly surprised. They have the quality side, the physical side of it should be interesting coming from part-time to full-time.”

There are recalls for Bristol City’s Chloe Mustaki and prolific Celtic striker Saoirse Noonan, who had contacted Ward to ask what she needed to do to be picked.

Ward said: “She actually reached out to say, ‘How do I close the gap to get myself back in the international set-up?’

“I love that. We need more of that, real hunger and desire to want to represent your country.

“We had 27 shots on goal against Slovenia, I think that’s probably where you wish you had a Saoirse Noonan in and around the box.”

EMI MARTINEZ did keepy ups in his own box as Argentina thrashed Brazil 4-1 last night.

The fierce rivals met in a World Cup qualifier in Buenos Aires with bragging rights very much up for grabs.

Getty

Emi Martinez performs keepy ups in his own box during the match[/caption]

Getty

Argentina stars celebrate their dominant victory[/caption]

Getty

Tempers flared during and after the feisty match[/caption]

Brazil star Raphinha stoked tensions before the game by saying “f*** them” of his side’s rivals before adding: “We will beat them, no doubt.”

The home side took the lead within five minutes, however, with Julian Alvarez squirming through two defenders before prodding the ball home.

Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez made it 2-0 on 12 minutes, sneaking in at the back post to score following a neat move.

Brazil got back into the contest in the 26th minute when Matheus Cunha caught Tottenham defender Cristian Romero dawdling on the ball, the Wolves forward pickpocketing his opponent before slotting beyond Martinez.

Alexis Mac Allister restored Argentina‘s two-goal advantage before the break, the Liverpool star beating Brazil goalkeeper Bento to the ball to score.

Tempers flared just moments later, with Nicolas Otamendi telling Raphinha to “talk less” as players shoved each other – and Vinicius Jr seemingly gesturing that he’s won two Champions Leagues.

Fans also made X-rated chants directed at Barcelona winger Raphinha.

Twenty minutes from time, Diego Simeone’s son Giuliano got in on the act by rifling the ball in from a tight angle.

BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK

AP

Enzo Fernandez celebrates his goal[/caption]

Getty

Martinez, 32, had Argentine colours dyed in his hair[/caption]

With Brazil consigned to defeat late on Martinez, sporting the Argentine colours dyed into his hair, playfully performed keepy ups in his own box.

As Raphinha left the pitch at the end of the game he was bumped by Martinez, with Romero playing peacekeeper as his opponent looked to confront the goalkeeper.

The reigning world champions trounced Brazil without talisman Lionel Messi.

And after the match, Alvarez cheekily claimed: “Maybe with Leo Messi on the pitch we might have scored two or three more goals.”

Brazil defender Marquinhos admitted that the match had been “embarrassing”.

The PSG stalwart told Brazilian TV: “What we did here today can’t happen again.

“It’s hard to talk about it in the heat of the moment… It’s embarrassing.

“We started the game very badly, far below what we could do and they’re on a great run of confidence. They knew how to play smart … I’m sorry for our fans.”

Brazil have won just seven out of 16 matches under boss Dorival Jr.

But Marquinhos refused to blame his under-fire coach.

‘WE HAVE TO SHARE THE BLAME’

The 30-year-old added: “It’s not just the coach’s fault… It’s the players’ fault too.

“There’s no secret formula in football where you make a choice and it works out. We can all do better. We have to share the blame.

“It’s about understanding the moment and being humble.”

Argentina have already qualified for next year’s World Cup with four matches to spare.

Brazil, meanwhile, still have work to do – sitting six points above seventh-placed Venezuela with 12 left to play for.

AP

Raphinha found himself in the thick of the action[/caption]

AP

The Barcelona winger’s pre-match comments did not go unnoticed[/caption]

WHITE Lotus star Aimee Lou Wood looks ready for bed after partying with EastEnders and Gladiators stars last night.

The RTS Programme Awards 2025, in partnership with Cast & Crew, took place on Tuesday, March 25 at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House, London.

James Curley

Aimee Lou Wood looked bleary eyed after attending the RTS Awards on Tuesday night[/caption]

James Curley

She fell into her taxi after the event[/caption]

James Curley

Amy looked like she was having a great time[/caption]

Getty

Before the event, Aimee posed up a storm on the red carpet[/caption]

White Lotus and Toxic Town star Aimee Lou Wood attended the glitzy ceremony – as did several other famous television stars.

Arriving at the event, Aimee, 31, looked sensational as she wore a slinky black gown.

With her brunette hair down and in a sleek style, Aimee looked amazing as she posed on the red carpet ahead of the event.

Smiling for the camera, the TV actress had minimal yet glamorous makeup and a glossy lip.

But when she left the event later on in the evening, Aimee looked ready for bed.

Also in attendance at the star-studded event were the likes of Rita Simons, James Corden, Ruth Jones, Ambika Mod, Danny Dyer, Katherine Parkinson,  Anya Lawrence and Jessica Gunning.

Former EastEnders star Rita was seen leaving the event, too, with her snapped looking a little worn out as she got into a taxi.

Gladiators host Barney Walsh and Casualty star Sammy Dobson also looked bleary eyed after the awards.

Paul Merton was also seen departing in a taxi.

And Loose Women star Denise Welch looked chic in black lace as she kept her head down after the event and got into a taxi.

James Curley

Rita Simons looked exhausted as she left the event[/caption]

James Curley

Barney Walsh and Sammy Dobson also looked bleary eyed after the awards[/caption]

James Curley

Barney was seen in the back of a car[/caption]

James Curley

Paul Merton was also seen departing in a taxi[/caption]

James Curley

Denise Welch looked chic in black lace as she kept her head down after the event[/caption]

This comes after James Corden and Ruth Jones won the coveted Judges’ Award at the Royal Television Society Programme Awards for Gavin and Stacey.

The Traitors and Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkelman was honoured with the Outstanding Achievement Award.

BBC sitcom Alma’s Not Normal picked up three awards during the ceremony.

And former EastEnders star Danny Dyer was named Best Male Supporting Actor for his role in the Disney+ series Rivals.

Rivals, which stars Emily Atack, also collected the Best Drama Writer award for Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Laura Wade.

Meanwhile, Jessica Gunning won Best Female Supporting Actor for Netflix’s Baby Reindeer.

Daytime show Loose Women won the Daytime Programme category.

And Claudia Winkleman saw another gong head in her direction as The Traitors won Best Entertainment Programme.

Splash

Jessica Gunning looked gorgeous in green[/caption]

Alamy

James Corden and Ruth Jones took home a gong for Gavin & Stacey[/caption]

Getty

Danny Dyer looked dapper at the event[/caption]

Splash

Denise Welch looked amazing as Loose Women took home a gong[/caption]

IRELAND is bracing for “persistent rain” and thunderstorms as the week continues.

Met Eireann has pinpointed the exact day thunderstorms are set to bring hail and heavy rain despite high temperatures.

Meteologix

High temperatures will stay for most of the week[/caption]

Meteologix

However, Ireland is to be battered by heavy rain[/caption]

However, the weather bosses have revealed that these gnarly conditions won’t last long, sharing when the sun will return.

Met Eireann’s Andrew Doran-Sherlock revealed that Ireland can expect “limited sunny spells” and to prepare for “a chance of hail and isolated thunderstorms”.

He said: “There will be some rain and showers at times but with high pressure nearby.

“There will be good dry intervals too and it will often be milder than the average for the time of year.”

Today is looking to start out with mist and fog this morning, but once this clears, conditions will remain dull as rain begins to move in.

Despite weather conditions taking a dip compared to earlier in the week, temperatures will remain up high, hitting up to 15C.

He said: “But for today any mist and fog will clear in the morning to leave a largely dry but cloudy day with just limited sunny spells.

“Patchy drizzling mist will develop in the afternoon and patchy light rain will move into the west and northwest in the evening.

“Highs of 11C to 15C in light to moderate southwesterly winds increasing fresh in coastal parts of the west and northwest.”

Tonight will see more of that rain continue into the night, with parts of the southeast escaping the worst of it.

And it won’t be as cold as previous nights have been, with temperatures landing between 7C and 10C.

He said: “So tonight there will be outbreaks of light rain and drizzle mainly in the west and north and driest in the southeast. Some areas of mist and fog will also develop.

“Lows of 7C to 10C in light to moderate southwest winds fresher in the west.”

THUNDER INCOMING

Thursday is looking no better as breezier conditions enter the picture, with outbreaks of rain becoming more persistent throughout the day.

These winds are emerging from the Atlantic leaving the west coast at a higher risk of stronger winds.

Andrew said: “It will turn breezy then tomorrow. It will be mostly cloudy with outbreaks of light rain and drizzle in the morning with more persistent rain moving into the northwest in the early afternoon gradually tracking southeastwards.

“Highs of 10C to 15C with moderate fresh southwest winds developing strong at times for Atlantic coasts.”

Friday will see the worst of the weather this week as further rain and wind hangs on.

However, this time it will bring along a chance of hail and thunderstorms, but will gradually clear by evening.

He added: “That rain will clear Thursday night and will be followed by showers. so it will be cool and breezy on Friday with sunny spells and fairly widespread showers.

“Some heavy with a chance of hail and isolated thunderstorms though they will ease and become more isolated through the evening.

“Highs of 8C to 11C in fresh and gusty westerly winds.”

WEEKEND REBOOT

The weekend will kick off with a major switch as dry and sunny spells start before cloud builds again with some rain and drizzle.

However, Sunday will see the rain and cloud calm with high pressure continuing to build up again.

Andrew said: “Saturday will start off dry with some sunny spells but with cloud building from the west bringing outbreaks of light rain and drizzle for a time. Highs of 9C to 13C.

“On Sunday there will be a mix of cloud and sunny spells with well scattered light showers and highs of 11C to 15C.

“And it looks like high pressure will stick around for early next week with plenty of dry weather.”

Helldivers 2 doesn’t just throw you into random battles—it gives you purpose through its unique order system. Whether you’re a fresh recruit or a battle-hardened veteran, knowing the difference between Major Orders and Personal Orders can mean the difference between efficient medal-earning and wasting precious time shooting at the wrong enemies. These orders aren’t just arbitrary missions; they’re Arrowhead’s clever way […]

This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire

There are only a few games out there that truly age like fine wine, and fortunately, Hidetaka Miyazaki’s Bloobdborne is one of them. Despite being locked behind the bars of PlayStation exclusivity, it is one of the most popular video games out there, deservingly so, and it just became a decade old this week. Bloodborne […]

This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire

Give your meals in Monster Hunter Wilds some extra kick by adding Kunafa Cheese, the Windward Plains regional specialty.

If you feel like today's Connections puzzle is just out of reach, we can help you get a little closer to the right solution with these tips.

NATHAN ASPINALL has achieved an astonishing darts feat that only one player has ever managed before.

The Asp beat Ryan Joyce 8-4 on Sunday to win his first-ever European Tour title.

Rex

Nathan Aspinall has become just the second darts star to achieve an amazing feat in the sport[/caption]

Aspinall bagged the £30,000 jackpot as he hit five 180s while averaging 98 in Germany.

And following the amazing victory, he collapsed to the floor in emotional scenes.

However, Aspinall’s win means he is now just the second-ever darts star to achieve an astonishing feat in the sport.

Sunday’s victory means he has now won titles in all of the PDC’s five top circuits.

Aspinall has sealed glory in a PDC major, the Players Championship, the Development Tour, the World Series and the Challenge Tour.

The only other darts star to ever achieve that feat is Luke Humphries, who Aspinall beat in the semis.

Speaking after his win over Joyce, the 33-year-old said: “It’s only taken 10 years. I had some unbelievable games.

“That 170 against Gary was something else.

BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS

“When I went off after beating Gary, my hands were shaking. I only had 15 minutes to prepare.

“It’s been a s**t few years for me, this means a lot to me. 

“I can’t wait to come back next year and defend it. For me personally, this is my proudest moment.

“Thank you so much to everyone.”