I cannot McBrear’ to lose!
United boss happy to cash in on rebel winger Sancho
PADDY McBREARTY doesn’t believe any team would deliberately lose a provincial final to get an easier draw in the All-Ireland series.
The Donegal skipper admitted the timing of Tuesday’s group stage draw “probably is a distraction” coming days before all four provincial deciders.
Armagh and Donegal will clash in the Ulster final on Sunday week knowing the losers will face Derry and the Connacht champions — while the winners will take on Tyrone, among others.
“It’s not been mentioned in our dressingroom but people in general are talking about it,” said McBrearty.
The beaten Connacht finalists, for example, look to have an easier path to the AllIreland quarter-finals than the winners, who will be in a ‘group of death’ which includes Derry and the beaten Ulster finalists.
“Would you (Galway or Mayo) be better off to lose the Connacht final than win it?” said McBrearty, “I don’t know, but knowing the Galway lads I’m sure they’ll be going fullsteam ahead to win a Connacht title.
“I don’t (right)
Steam
(below)
ERIK TEN HAG has welcomed Jadon Sancho’s return to form — insisting it will boost Manchester United’s chances of securing a big fee for him.
Sancho was sent back to former club Borussia Dortmund on loan until the end of the season after a spectacular fall-out with United boss Ten Hag.
The 25-year-old winger challenged Ten Hag’s authority on social media and was forced to train away from United’s first-team until securing his loan escape route.
Sancho was one of Dortmund’s stand-out performers in their 1-0 Champions League semifinal first leg win over Paris St-Germain on Wednesday. He completed 11 successful dribbles, the most in one game by any player in the Champions League this season, with Ten Hag claiming Sancho showed his true value and why United paid so much for him.
United want to recoup up to €45m of the €85m they paid Dortmund for Sancho back in 2021, with Ten Hag claiming Sancho’s performance underlined the player’s true market value.
Performance
“So let’s say this,” added Ten Hag. “He played very good and we talked more about it.
“He’s a very good player, he showed why Manchester United bought him and he showed why he represents a high value for Manchester United, which is good.
“I’m happy for Jadon, with the performance, and we’ll see what’s going to happen
JACK KENNEDY moved a step closer to being crowned Irish champion jump jockey for the first time with a stunning win on Teahupoo in yesterday’s Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown.
The 25-year-old Dingle native is now six winners clear of six-time champion Paul Townend with just today and tomorrow left in the National Hunt season.
Suspended
Unfortunately for Kennedy, he’s suspended for tomorrow following a ban picked up at Aintree, but it will now take a titanic effort from Townend to overtake his rival. “That was very important,” Kennedy admitted. “Even without the championship, I’m delighted for the horse.”
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