It's St. Patrick's Day, but there are no parades, no pubs, and no All-Ireland finals (though they were gone anyway, I suppose). We're all shackled up and isolating away, but there's still lots happening around the world in sport and elsewhere. Stay with us today as we keep you to date with everything you need to know.
We are expecting an official announcement from UEFA this afternoon which should see Slovakia vs Ireland officially postponed and the Euro 2020 pushed back to 2021. We'll have that here as soon as it happens, as well as everything else.
In this scary. dark. and depressing time, there are also lots of shining lights. The Irish people are coming together as they self isolate, and we'll also share all this goodness as much as possible.
2.54 - Ireland's Play-Off Against Slovakia Postponed Until June
With UEFA confirming today that EURO 2020 has been postponed until 2021, the Republic of Ireland's play-off against Slovakia has also been pushed back until the international window at the start of June, subject to review.
In their statement, released this afternoon, UEFA say:
All UEFA competitions and matches (including friendlies) for clubs and national teams for both men and women have been put on hold until further notice. The UEFA EURO 2020 Play-off matches and international friendlies, scheduled for the end of March, will now be played in the international window at the start of June, subject to a review of the situation.
Read the full story here.
*********
2.05 - A bit of Paddy's Day spirit you can enjoy at home
While we may be staying at home this Paddy's Day, The Ramparts' Chamber Choir's version of Rocky Road to Dublin, recorded a while back, will bring you some joy.
*********
13.10 - Giovanni Trapattoni has issued a special plea on his 81st birthday
On his 81st birthday, Trap is reminding people to stay safe during the current crisis, posting a Twitter thread that includes:
"Many thanks for the good wishes! Living in isolation is not easy, but we have a duty to help those who are working hard to contain the emergency, limiting those behaviors that could worsen the situation.
In this context, we elders should make an extra effort because we are the most vulnerable. My advice? Stay Home, Stay Safe. Don't be stubborn and ask for help. Use phones and other tech devices to fight loneliness."
Ringrazio tutti di cuore per gli auguri!
Vivere in isolamento non è facile, ma abbiamo il dovere di aiutare coloro che stanno lavorando duramente per contenere l'emergenza, limitando quei comportamenti che potrebbero peggiorare la situazione. pic.twitter.com/zJAAlI6NEE— Giovanni Trapattoni (@giovanni_iltrap) March 17, 2020
*********
13:01 - Tom Brady is leaving the New England Patriots
After 20 years and six Super Bowl wins, 42-year-old quarterback Tom Brady is leaving the New England Patriots.
FOREVER A PATRIOT pic.twitter.com/QSBOJBs4uy
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) March 17, 2020
*********
12:42 - The Norwegian FA has confirmed that Euro 2020 has been postponed
The tournament will now be played between June 11th, 2020 and July 11th, 2020.
UEFA har bestemt at EM utsettes til 2021. Det skal spilles fra 11. juni til 11. juli neste år. Mer informasjon kommer.
— NorgesFotballforbund (@nff_info) March 17, 2020
*********
12:21 - Listen to Dr Noelle Healy
Lets work together to protect eachother 💚 #FlattenTheCurve #itsinourhands #covid19
Ní neart go cur le chéile @WomensGPA @HSELive @dublinladiesg @LadiesFootball pic.twitter.com/mufWHD7FX5— Noëlle Healy (@NoelleHealy) March 16, 2020
*********
12:18 - Just in case you're in need of that parade fix
@scoileoinboys @aislingquinn13 Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Diarmuid (6th class) and Aoife (Scoil Mhuire 1st class) pic.twitter.com/dM8knpoeCH
— C Hayes (@CHayes1322) March 16, 2020
*********
11:47 - The UFC has postponed its next three events
Dana White has confirmed in an email to UFC employees that the promotion's next three events have been postponed.
Via MMA Junkie, the email reads:
We did everything we could to relocate our next three events– London, Columbus, and Portland. But every day, there are new restrictions put in place on travel and large public gatherings that are making it impossible to stay on schedule. We can’t even hold an event in Vegas, our home town, because there’s a ban on all combat sports events in Nevada until at least March 25.
As you heard me say, I’ve been in the fight game for 20 years, and this is what we do—we find a way to keep our events going no matter what. If fighters miss weight, if fighters get hurt, or if states won’t regulate us, we figure out a way. But this is different. The whole world is being affected right now, and nothing is more important than the health and safety of you and your families.
*********
11:34 - Confirmation that the Euros will be postponed is nearing
Understand that UEFA has now officially proposed to leagues and clubs at meeting taking place now the Euros to be delayed by a year to next summer, 2021. Decision still needs to be ratified by national federations who will be on follow up call, and then finally the exco.
— tariq panja (@tariqpanja) March 17, 2020
*********
11:17 - Happy birthday Trap!
Happy Birthday to former Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni!https://t.co/DIAB5EL818 pic.twitter.com/3QZh67Uhh5
— sportsfile (@sportsfile) March 17, 2020
*********
11:13 - Arsene Wenger, Mauricio Pochettino, Casey Stoney, Aliou Cissé, José Mourinho, Jill Ellis and Gianni Infantino offer advice on how to curb the spread of COVID-19
With the support of the @WHO, we bring you the 5 key tactics to tackle the spread of #COVID19.
ℹ️ More info: https://t.co/6qj8uRdCZk pic.twitter.com/5VW5IMeygw— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) March 16, 2020
*********
10.53 - The Serious Fallout From Last Night's "The Boys In Green" episode continues...
*********
10.14 - A Farm Parade Is Exactly What We Need Today
No #StPatricksDay parades today due to #CoronavirusOutbreak
We decided to try & cheer you all up with our very own #FarmParade for #LaFheilePadraig
Where ever you are in the world today, tweet us a photo of you with your Irish Flag 🇮🇪 #FutureofFarming #RTEVirtualParade pic.twitter.com/hZFTwvn8A1— Peter Hynes 🐄🥛🇮🇪 (@Peterhynes15) March 17, 2020
Bualadh bos
*********
9.52 - Former Dublin Hurler Michael Carton Reveals He Has Tested Positive For Covid-19
Get well soon Mick!
*********
09.24
We live right beside CUH. Hundreds of the staff walk by our home every morning. Lucy aged five felt sad that they might be scared in the hospital and that they might miss their family on St Patrick’s day so we got colouring 😍☘️ #heroes pic.twitter.com/0vHnMkfH6Q
— Lizzie Lee (@LizzieLeevale) March 17, 2020
Wonderful.
*********
09.00 - Sonia O'Sullivan calls for the Olympics to be postponed
One of Ireland greatest Olympians Sonia O'Sullivan spoke on RTE's Morning Ireland today and called the Tokyo games to be called off. With boxing and rowing having cancelled its qualifiers before they were complete, qualification for the games are presenting a tricky situation for the IOC even in the unlikely event that we're in the clear before the autumn.
Despite the IOC's and the Japanese' hopes that the games go ahead, O'Sullivan is calling for a postponement for a year.
It's such a big, iconic event. It's a tough call, it really is.
"The fairest way, might be, to have the Olympics in 2021. A lot of people will probably lose a lot of money. Nobodywins if everything is cancelled, but already, everybody is losing.
Anyone who has booked tickets in recent times, even if you can change your flight, when do you change it to? You don't know when everything will be back to normal again.
Athletes and teams, it's a logistical nightmare for everyone. There is time. It is possible it goes on, but it depends how controlled this pandemic can be.
I think I would be in favour of the Olympics being postponed until next year, as much as I would love for it to be on this summer.
