Gaelic Games
Bagenalstown Gaels have announced a new senior hurling and football manager.
Former Ballinabranna manager Rory Hurley will be in charge of the football side of things while former Blacks & Whites manager Eddie Scally will be taking control of the senior hurling team.
Bagnalstown Gaels made it to the county final last year, but unfortunately, they fell at the final hurdle to St. Mullins. Scally said this time they fully intend to go all the way
See also: Bagenalstown Gaels have announced a new senior hurling and football manager
In case you missed it online
The semi-final draw for the Carlow U20 ‘A’ football championship has been made.
In the A championship, Rathvilly takes on Mount Leinster Rangers while Éire Óg have been paired with Bagenalstown Gaels. both games in the Netwatch Training Centre in Fenagh on Friday 30 December.
With Naomh Eoin already through to the B championship final, Michael Davitts and Askea finally get to run off their semi-final fixture on Thursday 29 December with a 7.30 pm start in Fenagh.
See also: Carlow U20 football championship gets semi-final dates set for Christmas week
Soccer
Manchester United are safely through to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
THIS SOLO GOAL FROM MARCUS RASHFORD 😲 pic.twitter.com/1cotFeJUPR
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 21, 2022
Christian Eriksen and Marcus Rashford scored the goals in their 2-nil win over Burnley last night.
Elsewhere, Charlton beat Brighton on penalties after a nil-all draw, while Nottingham Forest had a 4-1 win over Blackburn.
The last eight line-ups will be completed tonight, with defending champions Liverpool away to Manchester City.
Caoimhin Kelleher could feature in goal for the visitors, with kick-off at the Etihad at 8pm.
See also: Fantasy Football starts again with return of Premier League
Darts
It was a disappointing night for Limerick’s Willie O’Connor at the PDC World Darts Championship.
‘The Magpie’ was whitewashed 3-nil by Germany’s Gabriel Clemens.
That is 𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐇𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐂! 🔥
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 21, 2022
A 125 set average from MVG 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ffu90WRwtZ
There were no such worries for three-time champion Michael van Gerwen, who brushed aside Lewy Williams 3-nil.
Two-time champion Gary Anderson enters the fray tonight, taking on Latvia’s Madars Razma.
American sports play on Christmas Day
- 1971: Chiefs and Dolphins play longest game in NFL history
The game was three hours and 21 minutes long in real time, but the outcry of how it cut into Christmas Day prompted the NFL to avoid scheduling another game on this day until 1989.
- 2004: Kobe and Shaq face-off for first time
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal three-peated as world champions when they played on the Lakers together… and they also hated each other’s guts. In July of 2004, the Lakers traded O’Neal to the Miami Heat and the NBA scheduled their first meeting for Christmas night. The game went into overtime where Dwayne Wade led the Heat to a 104-102 win. Bryant missed a three-pointer as time expired.
- 1971: NHL ends Christmas Day tradition
From the 1920s until 1971, hockey games were played every Christmas Day, until the NHL ended the tradition to give players a holiday break. On this day, six games were played and the last goal ever scored on Christmas Day came courtesy of Stan Gilbertson, as his California Golden Seals beat the Los Angeles Kings 3-1.