Archive June 23, 2025

Lisbon Lion John Clark, 84, passed away in the company of Celtic in tribute to him.

Clark won four league titles and numerous other notable awards while playing for the club in more than 300 games.

His greatest achievement, however, came in 1967 when Celtic defeated Inter Milan to become the first British team to win the European Cup.

“Greatness” is a word that people use, but for John Clark, it is a very fitting tribute,” said Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.

John’s contribution to our greatest day ever will be remembered forever in Celtic’s proud history.

After his professional playing days, Clark returned to the club to work in the youth organization. He made his Celtic debut in 1959.

In the 1966- 1966 season, he first worked for Aberdeen and then Celtic as Billy McNeil’s defensive partner before becoming assistant.

He also oversaw Cowdenbeath, Stranraer, and Clyde, but he once more returned to Celtic and spent almost 20 years as a kit man.

He spent more than four decades with the club.

“I know that John’s continued presence at Celtic for so many decades, which included myself,” Rodriguez said.

It has been a great privilege for everyone to have him join us as a member of the club for so long. We were so moved by it. John has made a significant contribution to the club thanks to his wisdom, knowledge, and genuine love for Celtic.

Clark was described as a “very dear friend and colleague,” according to Peter Lawwell, chairman of Celtic.

John, along with his great team mates, did so with such grace and humility, as Lawwell noted, “he was actually a hero to me and so many others.”

Lisbon Lion John Clark, 84, passed away in the company of Celtic in tribute to him.

Clark won four league titles and numerous other notable awards while playing for the club in more than 300 games.

His greatest achievement, however, came in 1967 when Celtic defeated Inter Milan to become the first British team to win the European Cup.

“Greatness” is a word that people use, but for John Clark, it is a very fitting tribute,” said Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.

John’s contribution to our greatest day ever will be remembered forever in Celtic’s proud history.

After his professional playing days, Clark returned to the club to work in the youth organization. He made his Celtic debut in 1959.

In the 1966- 1966 season, he first worked for Aberdeen and then Celtic as Billy McNeil’s defensive partner before becoming assistant.

He also oversaw Cowdenbeath, Stranraer, and Clyde, but he once more returned to Celtic and spent almost 20 years as a kit man.

He spent more than four decades with the club.

“I know that John’s continued presence at Celtic for so many decades, which included myself,” Rodriguez said.

It has been a great privilege for everyone to have him join us as a member of the club for so long. We were so moved by it. John has made a significant contribution to the club thanks to his wisdom, knowledge, and genuine love for Celtic.

Clark was described as a “very dear friend and colleague,” according to Peter Lawwell, chairman of Celtic.

John, along with his great team mates, did so with such grace and humility, as Lawwell noted, “he was actually a hero to me and so many others.”

Rory McIlroy says he’s “excited” to take a break before the Royal Portrush Open Championship in July.

The 36-year-old did well over the weekend to place in a tie for sixth place in the Travelers Championship, but he won’t play until the Scottish Open on July 10 or 13, a week before Portrush’s final significant return.

After winning the Masters and winning his first career Grand Slam in April, the world number two from Northern Ireland feels he did not take enough time out of the sport.

After winning the emotional match at Augusta and the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head, McIlroy and Shane Lowry tied for seventh place in the Zurich Classic, and he and he were back in action just 10 days later.

At the US PGA Championship and US Open, he then cut a frustrated figure.

It will just be better for me mentally to take a little break and return to my neck of the woods, he said, “more so than anything else.”

I’m excited for that, and I’ve already mentioned that I probably haven’t had enough time to reflect on what transpired in April.

McIlroy shot a better round than his 65 on Sunday, while McIlroy’s winner, Keegan Bradley, shot a better round than McIlroy’s, who finished three shots back of him for sixth place overall.

It was a good way to wrap up the week, McIlroy said, “kind of good, positive vibes going into a couple of weeks’ break here to get ready for Scotland and The Open.”

British and Irish Lions v Western Force

Australia’s Super Rugby superstars must appear for their hosts’ pre-Test series matches, according to the British and Irish Lions’ warnings.

Five Wallabies, including Nick Champion de Crespigny, Dylan Pietsch, Tom Robertson, Darcy Swain, and Nic White, were released to the Perth-based side for the match, which is their first game on Australian soil on Saturday.

However, Australia’s head coach Joe Schmidt has retained their club team-mates Carlo Tizzano and Ben Donaldson.

According to Lions CEO Ben Calveley, “We’ll see a competitive fixture at the weekend,” “we’re looking for that.”

“We want to make sure our guys are capable of winning the Test series.”

The agreement is very explicit, and it mandates that Test players be allowed to leave their positions in matches that precede that series. That is what we anticipate.

“We’ll play the game over the weekend, and we’ll continue to talk to]Rugby Australia’s CEO, Phil Waugh, and take it step-by-step.”

The competitive nature of these games is crucial. The fans, partners, and broadcasters who are all anticipating competitive fixtures, are all right about it because of how well it performs.

Schmidt has long sought to keep his top players out of their club sides and prevent injury, but he may now be persuaded to change that approach.

Before taking on Australia in Brisbane on July 19, the Lions play games against the Queensland Reds, the ACT Brumbies, and the NSW Waratahs.

In Adelaide, the Lions play an invitational side made up of players from Australia and New Zealand in their final game before the series even begins.

Although Les Kiss has been appointed as the team’s head coach and will succeed Schmidt as Australia’s head coach in July 2026, he still hasn’t signed any players to play in the match.

Richie Mo’unga, a fly-half from New Zealand who is eligible for the All Blacks while still holding a lucrative contract with a Japanese club rugby team, was scheduled to headline the show but is unable to play due to a broken hand.

Michael Hooper, the former captain of Australia, has also decided against retiring for the game.

Calveley also acknowledged that the Lions’ customary roster of destinations was in dispute.

The Lions currently play in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa on a four-year tour.

However, Calveley says there is room for improvement on the team’s schedule because their first women’s side will travel to New Zealand in 2027.

It has been cited as a potential future option due to the strength of France’s national and club sides, the popular nature of the sport among French citizens, and the relative affordability of Lions fans following the tour.

We are still open to discussions about what the Lions’ potential holds in the future, according to Calveley.

You can see why people in France are excited about that concept, they say.

What’s wrong with some of those wonderful clubs you can play in and some of those wonderful venues in the summertime, too?

The Austrian Grand Prix will host the first Formula 1 weekend for the first time in 22 years under the guidance of Alex Dunne.

Lando Norris will take the stage for McLaren’s first practice on Friday in place of the championship rival Lando Norris.

McLaren development driver Dunne impressed in his first year competing in the sport, winning two races and leading the championship.

He had his first practice session at Zandvoort in May when he had his first experience driving an outdated Formula 1.

Dunne reportedly had a second test at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, to get ready for his first F1 weekend.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to drive in Austria during FP1.” I’m really looking forward to getting some laps in the MCL39 while also supporting the team during the upcoming race weekend,” said Dunne.

Dunne will become the first Irish driver to compete at a grand prix since 2003’s Ralph Firman.

In 2003, Firman, who was born in England, competed for Jordan on an Irish license.

Eddie Irvine, a former Ferrari and Jaguar driver from Northern Ireland and licensed to race in the UK from 1993 to 2002, was the last Irishman to win an F1 license.

In the 24-race season, F1 teams must provide four practice sessions for drivers who are just starting out.

Pato O’Ward, the IndyCar star, will compete in his native country’s Mexico City Grand Prix in October.

Dunne won his first F2 championship victory at the second round for Rodin Motorsport in Bahrain, and he did it once more at Imola in May.

The Offaly driver also claimed pole position in Monaco after a blistering lap, but after being found fault and being disqualified for a first-corner collision that resulted in him and several other drivers being pulled out of the race.

He then took the lead in the championship with a strong drive in the following round in Barcelona, moving from the 19th place penalty to second, and reclaimed the lead with fifth place in the feature race.

Friday at 12:30 BST will be the first F1 practice session in Austria.