Getty ImagesAndy GrayBBC Sport NI Journalist15 minutes ago1 Comments”We talked before about who will be the player to take them to the World Cup? I think he is the biggest trump card.”Former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann was full of praise for Caoimhin Kelleher after the Republic of Ireland’s 1-1 draw with Senegal. Kelleher’s resolve was finally broken in the 81st minute after making three big saves to keep the African side out in Dublin. It has been a big week for the 26-year-old, who left Liverpool to join Brentford for an initial £12.5m, which could rise to £18m with add-ons.According to former Premier League goalkeeper Shay Given, “in the current climate he’s worth every single penny, if not more”.”No disrespect to Brentford, but I’m surprised there wasn’t a few more bigger clubs in,” Given said on RTE Sport.”Unless clubs have gone, ‘let’s have a look at him at Brentford. We know they are a selling club, let’s see him as a number one for a year or two’. “At 26 years of age he’s still plenty young enough. He looks the real deal”Given reflected upon the goalkeeping situation at Manchester United and Chelsea, and said “I would have gone in and got him”.He was speaking after Kelleher made three big saves against Senegal. The first came early in the second half when he tipped Krepin Diatta’s header onto the crossbar when it looked destined for the back of the net.It was a save Given described as “world class”, and Kelleher followed it up with another save to push the ball off the line after a big deflection onto the post, and then the initial stop with his foot to keep the ball out before Ismaila Sarr fired home the rebound in Dublin.”I don’t think there is a keeper in the group who is anywhere near as good as he is,” Hamann said on RTE when talking about the key role Kelleher could play for the Irish ahead of World Cup qualifying in September. “I said last year, I think he is one of the top five keepers in the Premier League. “Obviously one of those better than him was playing for the same club [Liverpool’s Alisson]. “You’ll struggle to find three of four better players than him in the Premier League and I think he’ll show it next season.” Getty ImagesFormer Newcastle United and Manchester City stopper Given believes Kelleher will have a point to prove as he heads to Brentford as their first choice goalkeeper after deputising for Alisson while at Anfield.Kelleher, who joined Liverpool as a 16-year-old, played in 25 Premier League games since making his debut five years ago.”He would have benefited but he would have missed out on so many games as well,” Given said on Kelleher’s time at Liverpool. “He’ll not get that back now. He’ll be hungry to play every single week and be successful in his own right. “His patience paid off. He’s gone to Brentford with a Premier League medal and it’s not like he made one or two substitute appearances. “He played really well and it was in a part of the season when the league was far from won. There was high pressure and he can deal with it, he’s got the whole lot.”Related topicsRepublic of Ireland Men’s Football TeamBrentfordNorthern Ireland SportFootball

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedMatthew HenryBBC Sport journalist at Chester-le-Street23 minutes ago10 CommentsTall or short. Right-arm or left. Leg-spin, off-spin or Dan Mousley’s darts.Eleven men bowled spin for England between Liam Dawson’s 20th and 21st international caps.Seam bowler Ollie Robinson has even turned his arm over with some offies during a miserable Ashes defeat in Adelaide since Dawson’s last Test.But in taking 4-20 against West Indies in the hosts’ 21-run win in the first T20, Dawson gave a hint at what England have been missing.”I have not played international cricket for three-and-a-half years,” the 35-year-old told BBC Test Match Special.”To contribute to a win is a really special feeling.”Even that sentence tells you something.It had, in fact, been two years and six months since Dawson’s last England appearance but he would be forgiven for thinking it had been longer.Whenever an England squad was named – or they lost a Test – Dawson’s absence was a hotly-contested topic.At times verging on culture-war status, county fans were dumfounded the leading English spinner in the County Championship in 2023 and 2024 was being consistently overlooked.England’s managing director Rob Key famously said Dawson was “not someone who wants to go around India as the 15th or 16th man” after leaving him out of a Test squad.Since then, Dawson had accepted that the call from England would never come again.”Probably not,” he said on Friday, when asked if he expected this international comeback to happen.”For a couple of years I have not expected to play.”I want to go out and enjoy my cricket, whoever I am playing for. To come back and do well, I am very proud and it is pleasing.”Dawson has shown – from Lord’s to Lahore, Dubai to Durban – he is a dependable operator in his time away from international cricket. He has been a regular pick on the franchise circuit and was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in April.And at the start of a new era under captain Harry Brook, in need of wins to halt a slide that has lasted 18 months, England finally realised that dependable was no longer a criticism but a strength.”I have played against Daws quite a bit,” said Brook. “I played with him for England a few times.”He’s such a good bowler. He’s good bloke as well, which helps.”Recalling Dawson was not solely Brook’s decision, although it is significant the comeback came for the Yorkshireman’s first T20 series in charge.After three poor white-ball tournaments in a row, Key said earlier this year England had to improve their bowling of left-arm spin in a hint at what was to come for an outfit that had previously packed their side with pace.To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedDawson, meanwhile, admits he does not try to do anything “flash”.While Shoaib Bashir and Tom Hartley have their high release points and Rehan Ahmed his googly, Dawson is a throwback – the old-school magician who can still deceive you with two hands and a pack of cards, without the need for saws, fire and flashing lights.In Chester-le-Street, he outfoxed West Indies with that understated routine of tricks.After conceding only four runs from the first over, Dawson struck in his second.With extra loop, he dropped 10mph from his previous delivery and found the sharpest turn in the match. Johnson Charles charged towards him to be left stranded and stumped.From there, after two opening overs that cost only seven, Dawson rested and West Indies rebuilt.Dawson returned, the dangerous Sherfane Rutherford on strike, and the spinner delivered for Brook as the left-hander hit to long-on.If credit for that one would be generous, Dawson’s next scalp – two balls later – came with another drop in pace and, crucially, a wider line.From outside off stump Roston Chase gave Ben Duckett another catch in the deep to make England huge favourites once again.As boundaries flowed at the other end – younger men Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks and Matthew Potts among those punished – Dawson was not hit to the rope until his fourth over.The dangerous Rovman Powell struck him for four twice but a ball later Dawson changed again.He went quicker and flatter, Powell was bowled and Dawson had his best T20 international figures.His 4-20 was also the best by a left-arm spinner for England in the format. Key could hardly have asked for more.The backdrop to England’s win is the T20 World Cup that looms next year. They have only 12 matches in this format before travelling to India and Sri Lanka, where spin is expected to be crucial.”That’s not even come into my thoughts,” said Dawson, when asked if he had one eye on making that World Cup squad.”I’m just happy to be back involved in this, take one game at a time and enjoy every time I play.”Dawson was an unused squad member when England won the 50-over World Cup in 2019.Six years on, he may finally be the one they need.Related topicsEngland Men’s Cricket TeamCricket

Getty ImagesGeorge O’NeillBBC Sport Scotland2 hours agoCieran Slicker flashed a quick smile at head coach Steve Clarke as he bounded on to the Hampden pitch six minutes and 37 seconds into Scotland’s friendly with Iceland to replace stricken starter Angus Gunn.Just 64 seconds later, the debutant took a panicked slash at a Kieran Tierney pass back and the ball eventually found its way to Andri Gudjohnsen, who arced a fine finish high over the stranded goalkeeper.The smile was gone. The misery was just beginning. The next hour of Scotland’s 3-1 defeat by Iceland might be among the worst Slicker will endure in his career.How did the nightmare unfold?Slicker didn’t really have any time to acclimatise to international football.One mistake – and a relatively small one at that – one goal. Bang.His confidence was visibly shaken and he rushed his next couple of kicks before unconvincingly clinging on to a shot from Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson at the second attempt. It was his only save of the night.The second Iceland goal was caused by dreadful work by the entire Scotland defence, culminating with Slicker failing to scramble the ball off his line after it ricocheted towards goal off Lewis Ferguson.Half-time should have been an opportunity to regroup and reset, but the third concession was perhaps the most egregious. Victor Palsson’s header was straight at Slicker, but the ball burst through his arms and into the back of the net.Moments later, the sparse Hampden crowd cheered ironically when Slicker successfully caught the ball. It summed up a torrid night for the young man.To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedSo who is Slicker?Eligible through his Scottish father, Slicker was signed by the then League One Ipswich Town from Manchester City for an undisclosed fee in the summer of 2023 on a three-year deal.The 22-year-old was an unused substitute for City manager Pep Guardiola for several first-team games in the 2021-22 season. He also spent time on loan at Rochdale before moving to Ipswich, but failed to make a league appearance.He was part of the Tractor Boys squad that recorded back-to-back promotions to the Premier League, making a few appearances in domestic cup competitions along the way and filling in as the back-up keeper on occasion too. But Slicker played just 10 minutes for Ipswich last season – in the FA Cup – and is still to make his senior league debut.He has 17 caps at under-21 level for Scotland – with three clean sheets – and was first called up for the senior squad in November 2024.What did Clarke say about it?”It’s difficult for Cieran, I really feel for him,” the Scotland head coach told BBC Sport Scotland. “He got thrown into a situation that he wasn’t quite ready for but Craig Gordon’s injured, Liam Kelly’s injured, Zander Clark is injured.”The only good thing is it came in a friendly match. I’d imagine [Angus Gunn] won’t play the next game.”I’ve had young Callan McKenna in the squad so he’ll travel then we’ll have a look and see if we can find another goalkeeper in Scotland who’s not on holiday.”To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedWhat happens now?Not only are Gordon, Kelly and Clark out at present, Robby McCrorie went down in the warm-up. It all likelihood, he’s the one who would have come on against Iceland.With Gunn and McCrorie likely to be out of Monday’s friendly against Liechtenstein, too, and Slicker’s confidence through the floor, will Clarke turn to someone else?”You have to find out what’s in the player’s mind as well, how he’s feeling about it,” former Scotland defender Willie Miller said of Slicker.”What you’re looking for is honesty from him. Does he feel like he can take on the challenge in the next game, or that he doesn’t want to?”Does the manager want to take him out of the firing line?”McKenna, 18, has more senior experience than Slicker, but not by much. He played nine matches for Queen’s Park in the Scottish Championship before signing for Bournemouth in 2024. He’s been in their development squad since and has been with the Scotland group as a training player for the past week.Given the lack of options, Clarke’s first phone call might be to Jon McLaughlin.The two-time Scotland cap, 37, only played one FA Cup game for Swansea City last season and is now out of contract. But he was a squad regular, is experienced, and would likely be considered one of the safest options. Dundee goalkeeper Jon McCracken was in Scotland squads during the season just gone, but was replaced between at Dens Park by Trevor Carson midway through the term.Other Scotland-based options would be Scott Bain – recently released by Celtic – or Ross Doohan – recently signed by Celtic.MK Dons keeper Craig MacGillivray has previously been called up by Clarke, too, but would appear to be a long way down the pecking order these days.’Frustration bordering on anger at situation’SNSScott MullenBBC Sport Scotland at HampdenClarke was much more candid about Slicker’s night than many thought he might be.He spoke about this was too early for him, him not being ready for it. It’s clear that the lad is suffering after being thrown in to a situation.It also sounds like he was always going to be third choice – and therefore there for experience rather than game time – until McCrorie’s injury in the warm-up. It’s an unforgiving position.One thing is clear though, Clarke’s manner over the goalkeeping situation was frustration bordering on anger.Related topicsScottish FootballFootballScotland Men’s Football Team

ReutersSteve SutcliffeBBC Sport journalist18 minutes agoCanadian Open second round leaderboard-12 C Champ (US); -10 A Putnam (US); -9 T Olesen (Den), R Lee (Can), N Taylor (Can), V Perez (Fra)Selected others: -8 S Lowry (Ire); -7 D Willett (Eng), R Hojgaard (Den); -4 H Hall (Eng), L Aberg (Swe); -3 R MacIntyre (Sco), P Waring (Eng); -1 J Rose (Eng); +9 R McIlroy (NI)Full leaderboardRory McIlroy carded a woeful eight-over-par 78 as he missed the cut at the Canadian Open.It is the first time the Northern Irishman has failed to make the weekend in a tournament since the Open Championship last July.The Masters champion, who won this event in 2019 and 2022, ended his second round at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley on nine over par overall, 149th in a 153-man field – a remarkable 22 shots behind leader Cameron Champ. McIlroy, who started the day on one over par, made a quadruple-bogey eight on the par-four fifth and dropped further shots at the eighth, 10th, 11th and 13th holes before recording his first birdie of the day on the 15th.Another bogey arrived at the 17th, and while he delivered a birdie on the final hole it left McIlroy well short of the projected cut line at three under.Champ, who only arrived in the early hours of Wednesday morning having been the eighth alternate last weekend, followed up an opening 62 with a four-under 66, as he opened a two-stroke advantage over fellow American Andrew Putnam.It was also a good day for Ireland’s Shane Lowry, whose two-under-par 68 took him to eight under, four shots adrift of Champ. Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen is just ahead of Lowry at nine under along with home favourites Richard Lee and Nick Taylor, and France’s Victor Perez. However, there was also disappointment for Justin Rose, who McIlroy defeated in a play-off at the Augusta National in April.The Englishman will also not be around for the weekend after missing out in unfortunate circumstances at one under par.After finding the rough off the seventh tee, the 2013 US Open champion unintentionally caused his ball to move while shifting a loose impediment and was given a two-stroke penalty after failing to put the ball back in its original position.France’s Matthieu Pavon also had a second round to forget, signing for a 10-over-par 80, which included a 12 on his opening hole, the par-four 10th. Related topicsGolf

Getty ImagesDafydd PritchardBBC Sport Wales at Cardiff City Stadium3 hours agoWorld Cup qualifier: Belgium v WalesVenue: King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels Date: Monday, 9 June Kick off: 19:45 BSTCoverage: Live on BBC One, S4C, iPlayer, BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary.Head coach Craig Bellamy vowed Wales would go on the attack in Belgium on Monday after beating Liechtenstein to top their World Cup qualifying group.Friday night’s 3-0 triumph in Cardiff extended Wales’ unbeaten start under Bellamy to nine games and took them two points clear at the summit of Group J.They face their sternest challenge yet under their former captain on Monday when they travel to Brussels to face the group’s top seeds.Belgium only started their campaign on Friday, conceding a late equaliser in North Macedonia to leave them six points behind Wales, albeit with two games in hand.Asked if he thought that result put Belgium under pressure before facing Wales, Bellamy said: “No, I don’t. These games can happen. They haven’t lost.”Did I expect them to get three points? I did. I need to see the game back to give you a better rundown on what happened and how it happened, and even for myself. But, yeah, North Macedonia played their part, so good.”We go there and I’m not camping. I’m not sitting back. It’s not in my make-up. I can’t do it, I don’t want to do it. “So let me watch the game a little bit more. I’ve got a little bit more in my head but I’m really excited about it.”Wales were utterly dominant against Liechtenstein, as they would have expected to be against predominantly part-time opponents ranked 205th in the world.Although they were initially frustrated by their determined, defensive visitors, Wales secured victory with goals by Joe Rodon, Harry Wilson and Kieffer Moore – and the winning margin could have been far greater.”There is a lot I liked. I’d really like us to make this six, seven, eight. That’s what we need to push,” said Bellamy.”These games have never been easy for our nation. We have a proven record of that and the chances we created we could make this more.”We’ll get to that, but I liked the reactions as soon as we lose we get it back. The mentality of the players was really good. Did we expect to win? Of course we did.”Did we expect such a slow game? I felt our ball boys could have been a bit quicker. “We are at home so we have a choice in that as well. I’m going to be looking for them in a bit – I’m not, I’m joking.”Related topicsWales Men’s Football TeamFootball

Getty ImagesCoral BarryCombat Sports Senior Journalist4 hours agoSunderland fighter Josh Kelly called out Conor Benn after making light work of Flavius Biea at Newcastle Arena.Kelly, 31, bulldozed Biea in one round of their light-middleweight bout, dropping the Romanian with a left hook.With just over a minute of the round left, 35-year-old Romanian Biea was slow to rise to beat the referee’s count, prompting the official to wave off the contest.Asked about who he wanted to fight next, Kelly called out domestic rival Benn.”If it’s a big domestic fight, [I want] Benn,” Kelly replied.”If it’s not Benn, if he doesn’t want to take that fight, then it’ll be a big world-title fight.”In every governing body I’m ranked number four or number three, two in some governing bodies.”I’m there. I’ve been knocking on the door for some time. I’m in my prime now. Let me run, let me run.”Benn is still considering his next move after suffering the first defeat of his career by Chris Eubank Jr in April.The Englishman usually fights at welterweight, but moved up to middleweight to face Eubank.Kelly improved his record to 17 wins, one loss and one draw, collecting just his ninth stoppage victory.After a derailing loss to David Avanesyan in 2021, Kelly has rebuilt his career with seven wins in a row.Wasserman BoxingWasserman BoxingGetty ImagesRelated topicsBoxing