Hamilton takes Sprint pole ahead of Verstappen in China

A “gobsmacked” Lewis Hamilton said he was in shock after he landed his first pole position in Ferrari colours for Saturday’s sprint race in China. Hamilton who edged out Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by just 0.018 seconds while the much fancied McLaren duo struggled with Oscar Piastri qualifying third as Lando Norris had to settle for sixth behind Charles Leclerc and George Russell.

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Ireland fight back to win away to Bulgaria

Finn Azaz and Matt Doherty scored first-half headers as the Republic of Ireland battled back to beat Bulgaria 2-1 in the first leg of their Nations League play-off. Marin Petkov fired the hosts into an early lead at a sparsely-populated Hristo Botev Stadium in Plovdiv but midfielder Azaz quickly levelled with his first international goal.

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Iconic F1 team owner Eddie Jordan passes away aged 76

Eddie Jordan, the flamboyant former Formula 1 team owner and television pundit, has died aged 76. The Irishman, who had aggressive prostate cancer, died in the early hours of Thursday morning. Jordan founded and ran Jordan Grand Prix, from 1991 to 2005 and was a former shareholder of Celtic Football Club.

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Edinburgh to host start of 2027 Tour de France

The Scottish city of Edinburgh will host the Tour de France Grand Depart in 2027. It will be the third time the race has started in Britain after London in 2007 and Leeds in 2014. Organisers also confirmed on Wednesday that the Tour de France Femmes will come to Britain in 2027, the first time both races have held stages in the same country outside of France.

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Ireland set for June friendlies with Senegal and Luxembourg

Senegal will become the first African team to play at the Aviva Stadium when they visit Ireland for a friendly in June. Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side will then head to Luxembourg for another friendly, their last fixture before World Cup qualification begins in September. Ireland last faced an African side 15 years ago when Algeria visited Dublin with the home side running out 3-0 winners.

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