Ulster ended 2024 as they started it by winning an Irish derby away from home and in the process brought a five-match losing run to an end with a deserved win at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Ulster have endured a lot since defeating Leinster at the RDS on New Year’s Day almost twelve months ago but they were full value for their win over a disappointing Connacht side who have now failed to pick up a single point in their last three URC games, two of which were at home. Ulster led 10-7 at the break, having started the game superbly and dominated the opening quarter when Connacht just could not get their hands on the ball on a perfect night for rugby in Galway. Both sides were forced into two late changes with illness ruling out captain Alan O’Connor. Kieran Treadwell came into the second row with Nick Timoney captaining the side. And then hooker Rob Andrew was replaced after picking up a knock in the warm-up with John Andrew coming in to start with James McCormick added to the bench. Connacht also lost their hooker Dave Heffernan before the game, who was replaced by Dylan Tierney-Martin, while Niall Murray came in for younger brother Darragh in the second row. Connacht struggled with Ulster’s early blitz and when out-half Jack Murphy, in his first start, executed a brilliant 50:22 after a knock-on by Bundee Aki after two minutes, the visitors penned Pete Wilkins side deep inside their own half. The pressure eventually told after a series of set-pieces inside the Connacht 22 and loosehead Eric O’Sullivan, with a penalty advantage, made it over the line near the left post. Nathan Doak converted to lead 7-0 after 12 minutes. Ulster pushed on from there with No.8 academy player James McNabney leading the way and Doak extended their lead with a penalty in front of the posts after 14 minutes. But with Connacht getting an edge in the scrum where Finlay Bealham got the upper hand on O’Sullivan, they started to build the phases after having just 37% possession in the opening quarter. The Ulster defence was good despite their troubles in the scrum but they were carved open six minutes from the break when a sublime chip from Jack Carty was fumbled by Ulster fullback Mike Lowry and the ball bounced kindly for Mack Hansen who collected and raced in to score under the posts. Carty converted to cut the gap to 10-7. Ulster brought in Andrew Warwick for O’Sullivan at the start of the second half and were forced to make another change when winger Werner Kok had to go off and was replaced by Wilhelm de Klerk. Bealham and Connacht won another penalty in the first scrum of the second half after 50 minutes to clear their lines but Ulster’s defence was organised, pilfering the lineout through Cormac Izuchukwu before countering from deep and when Sean Jansen, just on the field, was pinged for offside Ulster had no hesitation in going for the right corner. And they were rewarded after McNabney took the lineout, with the superb Nick Timoney spinning away and somehow managing to ground the ball. Doak added the difficult conversion from the right to lead 17-7 after 56 minutes. Connacht changed their half-backs with Ben Murphy coming on to play against his brother Jack — with dad Richie in the Ulster coaching box — while Cathal Forde moved to out-half after Jack Carty was replaced by Shane Jennings. Connacht, with Jansen carrying well, pushed forward in a bid to save the game but their error count remained high, squandering a penalty to the left corner with a knock-on after taking the lineout, while another promising lineout in the right corner was again turned over. And then after opting for the corner with a penalty on the 22, Forde kicked the ball dead as he went for maximum ground just over ten minutes from the end. A chip from Hansen saw him almost get in for a second try and when Dave McCann was forced to carry back over his own line, Connacht were presented with a five-metre scrum in front of the posts six minutes from time. But the new Ulster front row got the shove and forced a penalty to clear their lines and they held on from there to secure a badly needed win. Scorers: Connacht: Try: M Hansen. Con: J Carty. Ulster: Tries: E O’Sullivan, N Timoney. Cons: N Doak (2). Connacht: P O’Conor; M Hansen, C Forde, B Aki, S Cordero; J Carty (S Jennings 58), C Blade (B Murphy 58); D Buckley (P Dooley 63-74), D Tierney-Martin (E de Builtlear 63), F Bealham (J Aungier 63); J Murphy (O Dowling 53), N Murray; C Prendergast (c), S Hurley-Langton (C Oliver 66), P Boyle (S Jansen 53). Ulster: M Lowry, W Kok (W de Klerk 41), B Carson, J Postlethwaite, R Telfer, J Murphy, N Doak; E O’Sullivan (A Warwick 41), J Andrew (J McCormick 13-28, 65), S Wilson (C Barrett 65), K Treadwell (H Sheridan 69), C Izuchukwu, Matty Rea (D McCann 50), N Timoney (c), J McNabney. Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland).
NFL MVP odds: Could Saquon Barkley be the first non-QB winner in over a decade?Victor Wembanyama went to a park in New York City and played 1-on-1 with fans on Saturday. He even lost a couple of games. Not in basketball, though. Wemby was playing chess. And this wasn't on a whim: He knows how to play and even brought his own chess set. Before the San Antonio Spurs left New York for a flight to Minnesota, Wembanyama put out the call on social media: “Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? Im there,” Wembanyama wrote. It was 9:36 a.m. People began showing up almost immediately. Washington Square Park is a known spot for chess in New York — Bobby Fischer among others have famously played there, and it's been used for multiple movie scenes featuring the game. Wembanyama was there for an hour in the rain, from about 10-11 a.m. He played four games, winning two and losing two — he told Bleacher Report afterward that both of the losses were to professional chess players — before departing to catch the Spurs' flight. Wembanyama had been trying to get somewhere to play chess for the bulk of the team's time in New York — the Spurs played the Knicks on Christmas and won at Brooklyn on Friday night. The schedule never aligned, until Saturday morning. And even with bad weather, he bundled up to make it happen. He posed for photos with a couple of dozen people who showed up, braving a morning of cold rain to play chess with one of the NBA's biggest stars. “We need an NBA players only Chess tournament, proceeds go to the charity of choice of the winner,” he wrote on social media after his chess trip was over. Wembanyama is averaging 25.2 points and 10.1 rebounds this season, his second in the NBA after winning rookie of the year last season. The Spurs play at Minnesota on Sunday.BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (WV News) - Bridgeport's Carson Currey didn't mind the pressure that came with either pitching role he was given last spring. He not only got the start on the mound but pitched in relief as well. And now he will have the opportunity to pitch at the next level. On Thursday, Currey, joined by his teammates, assistant coach and family members, signed his letter of intent to play baseball for Glenville State University. "It really came down to it not that long ago, I went on a visit and the coach reached out to me after a tournament," Currey said. "(The) coach reached out to me, I went on a visit and honestly, I fell in love with the facilities and their campus. It's a really nice place and it's not too big, so I feel like I could really get to know my professors and have a good time with the fellas over there." He credits Bridgeport in helping him to prepare for the next level. "I'm excited for (the future)," Currey said. "Obviously, Bridgeport's done so well for me, I love it here, but I'm really excited for starting the next chapter and I think Glenville's a great place for that." Since he has pitched in both a starting and a relief role, he is familiar with the mindsets associated with each role. In Bridgeport's 1-0 victory over University last spring, he pitched a two-hit shutout. "It's really just (two different mindsets)," Currey said. "(Bridgeport baseball) coach (Robert) Shields will tell me, 'Hey, you're going to close today or you're going to start today.' Starting in that morning, you have to get yourself in a starter's mindset, so be prepared to go a full day. You have to get your recovery ready, and then closing, you have all day to prepare and then all game, so it depends what the game's like and who we're playing as well." He is already acquainted with some of his soon-to-be teammates, one of which he has played against. "One of my buddies, JD Ford from (Robert C.) Byrd, he just signed there, and I got to meet a couple of them - one of them is from Canada (that I met) whenever I got to go on my visit," Currey said. "It's cool because they have a lot of guys from all around the world, so I'll get to meet a bunch of new people, learn a bunch of new things." He is planning to major in psychology with a minor in criminal justice. "I love it," Currey said. "I think I'm going to do psychology and get a minor in criminal justice. I want to be a police officer once I graduate, so I really, really like it up there. I take psychology right now through Fairmont State and I love that class."
New Delhi, December 28: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met the newly-crowned World Chess Champion D. Gukesh, during which he also held an interaction with the 18-year-old Chennai resident, who scripted history earlier this month by becoming the youngest-ever World Champion in chess. Taking to X, PM Modi wrote: "Had an excellent interaction with chess champion and India’s pride, @DGukesh! I have been closely interacting with him for a few years now, and what strikes me most about him is his determination and dedication. His confidence is truly inspiring. ‘From Grandmaster to World Champion,’ Video Goes Viral of D Gukesh With His Parents, Showcasing His Journey After Becoming FIDE World Chess Champion. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1560419204258-2'); }); I am also delighted to have received from Gukesh the original chessboard from the game he won. The chessboard, autographed by both him and Ding Liren, is a cherished memento. pic.twitter.com/EcjpuGpYOC — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 28, 2024 "In fact, I recall seeing a video of his few years ago where he had said he would become the youngest world champion -- a prediction that has now clearly come true thanks to his own efforts." PM Modi also had words of appreciation for the youngest-ever World Chess Champion, saying: "Along with confidence, Gukesh embodies calmness and humility. Upon winning, he was composed, basking in his glory while fully understanding how to process this hard-earned victory. Our conversation today revolved around the transformative potential of yoga and meditation." D Gukesh Meets Rajinikanth, Youngest Chess World Champion Thanks 'Superstar' for Sharing His Wisdom (See Pics). The Prime Minister also noted the role of his parents in his success. He said: "In the success of every athlete, their parents play a pivotal role. I complimented Gukesh’s parents for supporting him through thick and thin. Their dedication will inspire countless parents of young aspirants who dream of pursuing sports as a career." "I am also delighted to have received from Gukesh the original chessboard from the game he won. The chessboard, autographed by both him and Ding Liren, is a cherished memento," PM Modi posted on X. On December 12, D. Gukesh made history by becoming the youngest-ever World Champion in chess, beating Ding Liren of China in the 14-game match in Singapore. Gukesh had capitalised on a blunder by Ding in the winner-takes-all 14th game to dethrone the champion, winning the match 7.5 to 6.5 and becoming only the second Indian to win the World Chess Champion. By beating Ding, Gukesh became the 18th World Champion in the over century-long history of chess and the youngest after beating Garry Kasparov's record of winning the title at the age of 22 and heralding the arrival of a new king on the chess horizon. Gukesh is the second Indian to win the World Chess Championship title, claiming the title in just over a decade after five-time Champion Viswanathan Anand had lost the title to Magnus Carlsen of Norway in Chennai in 2013. Carlsen has abdicated the crown in 2023, paving the way for Ding to beat Ian Nepomniachtchi. In a winner-takes-all 14th and final game of the World Chess Championship match Ding had steered towards a draw after starting with Reversed Grunfeld variation of Zukertort Opening, the 32-year-old from China made a sensational blunder. Having battled it out for 13 games over three weeks, Ding was looking forward to the rapid and blitz tiebreakers as had effectively countered the aggressive tactics of the young Indian challenger to steer the game towards a drawish position. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 28, 2024 07:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com ).