(From left) NEUFC’s Allaeddine Ajaraie and Jithin MS in action with Odisha FC’s Stephen Eze at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Saturday (Photo credit: NEUFC)

KOLKATA: It was almost an encore of their Indian Super League opener as NorthEast United once again looked set for a very late win on Saturday as Odisha FC defender Stephen Eze conceded a penalty in the fifth minute of injury time.However, contrary to expectations, Alaaeddine Ajaraie’s spot kick beat goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwary but not the woodwork as the match at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar ended in a goalless draw.It was, in fact, a fair result for the eighth-paced Juggernauts, who got their first point of the season, and their impressive defence, as the Highlanders failed to continue their winning run even as the point took them to the top of the table with seven points from three matches.The match began as a tactical battle between the coaches with TS Purushothaman resorting to a strong defensive shape that the hosts have been more used to over the seasons, with three centre-backs – Jeremy Zohminghlua, veteran Eze and Thoiba Singh Moirangthem – inside the six-yard box.It was a perfect answer to Juan Pedro Benali’s tactic of quick attack with Ajaraie in a more central role in combination with Nikola Ninkovic and aided by Jithin MS and Macarton Nickson from the wings.Jithin, who scored the winner in their opener against the mighty Mohun Bagan Super Giant, created the first NEUFC attack as early as in the third minute with a run from the right wing and beating a persistent Jeremy to send in a ball at the centre. But Odisha’s young custodian Hrithik Tiwary stood tall to parry the shot from Ninkovic towards safety.Ajaraie, away from his conventional position in the flanks, made a few impressive runs throughout the first half, especially in the 23rd and 28th minutes, down the middle, but after dodging and nutmegging the defenders, failed to produce the finish that his Spanish coach hoped for from the sidelines.Odisha, on the other hand, depended on counter-attacks as Everton Nascimento, Mahmoud Eid and K Lalrinfela waited in the opposition half to find a breakthrough.The best chance of the half came to Antonio Moyano in the 45th minute but, with only Tiwary to beat, he shot the ball too high to make a difference.Although devoid of a goal, the match continued to be an exciting affair with a proactive Jithin and skilful Ajaraie used all tricks in their bag to get past the Odisha defence. There were also physical duels, like the ones involving the young Blue Tigers and Highlanders attacker Pramveer Singh and Odisha skipper Lalthathanga Khawlhring or ‘Putieia’ in the middle.However, the scoreline stayed unchanged even as the ends were changed and both coaches brought in reinforcements.Even as the NEUFC attacks continued, with Ajaraie and Ninkovic coming very close to scoring throughout the second half, Everton and Eid combined near the NEUFC goal with some impressive moves, together with substitute Rahim Ali, only for the hard-working Nikhil Barla at the back and Gurmeet Singh in goal coming to NEUFC’s rescue.That was until the 95th minute of the match when all the hard work from Odisha looked to have been put paid by the outstretched hand of Eze inside the box.However, it was not to be as the right post saved Ajaraie’s penalty kick and Odisha’s day in front of the home crowd.

At the heart of the conversation lies a broader question: how can the globalisation of professional sport translate into meaningful opportunities for communities beyond its traditional centres of influence? Kamara identifies flag football’s accessibility as a potential catalyst for wider participation, arguing that the simplified format gives newcomers an opportunity to discover the sport “on a smaller scale.”

His ambitions extend to Liberia, where he hopes to support youth engagement, entrepreneurship and development. “I go to Liberia as frequently as I can, not only to be an ambassador for sport, but also for economic growth and development,” he explains.

This Spotlight segment offers a revealing portrait of an athlete whose vision connects elite sporting performance with international representation, cultural exchange and grassroots development. From the historic stage of Paris to the prospect of Olympic competition and the future of American football in Africa, Kamara’s reflections illustrate both the opportunities and the challenges of a sport seeking a genuinely global identity.

Irish sports fans have more options when it comes to online betting than ever before.

Whether you follow the GAA championship, back your local League of Ireland club, put something on a Cheltenham runner, or have a weekly flutter on the Premier League, the number of licensed operators competing for your business has grown considerably. As part of that competition, free bets have become one of the most visible ways bookmakers attract new customers. Understanding what they actually offer, and what they quietly take back through their terms, is more useful than chasing every promotion that lands in your inbox.

What Are Free Bets and How Do They Work?

The Main Types of Free Bet Offers

Not all free bets work the same way, and the platforms that offerfree bets for irish customers vary significantly in how they structure their promotions. Understanding the differences between the common formats helps you judge whether a particular offer fits how you actually bet.

Matched free bets are the most standard format available from Irish-facing bookmakers. You deposit and place a qualifying bet at a minimum odds threshold, often around evens or just above, and the operator matches your stake with a free bet token of the same value. The qualifying bet itself is settled normally; only the bonus token carries restrictions on how it must be used.

No-deposit free bets require no upfront funding at all. The bookmaker credits a small token, usually between €5 and €10, simply for registering an account. These are less common among regulated Irish-facing operators than they were a few years ago. They tend to carry stricter minimum odds requirements and shorter expiry windows than matched offers, which partly explains why their headline value looks attractive but their practical return is often lower.

Money-back specials are not technically free bets but function in a similar way. If a specific condition is met during a match or race, your stake is refunded as a free bet token rather than cash. These are common around major fixtures like All-Ireland finals, Cheltenham races, or Six Nations weekends, when bookmakers want to drive engagement with high-profile events. They are worth noting because the triggering condition is not always as likely as it sounds, and the refund arrives as a token rather than spendable cash.

Reading the Terms: What Actually Matters

Ireland’s Regulatory Framework and What It Means for Bettors

Evaluating free bet offers is not just about the maths. It also involves assessing whether the operator making the offer is licensed to serve Irish customers legally. The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland provides the framework within which licensed operators must operate, and that framework has direct relevance for anyone placing bets online from Ireland.

The GRAI took over responsibility for gambling regulation under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, replacing the previous licensing arrangements handled through the Department of Justice and the Revenue Commissioners. For bettors, the practical consequence is that licensed operators are required to comply with responsible gambling standards, advertising codes, and dispute resolution procedures. Choosing to bet with a GRAI-licensed operator means you have a regulatory route available if an issue arises around a promotion or withdrawal, which is not guaranteed with unlicensed offshore sites.

This is worth keeping in mind when a particularly generous free bet offer from an unfamiliar operator appears. A headline-grabbing bonus from a site that is not operating under a recognised licence carries a different risk profile than a more modest offer from a regulated bookmaker. The attractiveness of an offer should not be separated from the context of who is making it and under what obligations they are operating.

Making the Most of Free Bets as an Irish Sports Fan

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The League of Ireland Title Race: What Could Happen Before the Final Whistle?

The 2026 Premier Division is delivering more drama than anyone expected. With two matchdays left, the title is still up for grabs, and every remaining fixture has become a high-stakes final where a mistake could be catastrophic. Get the full lowdown in this 1xBet.ie review.

The main contenders: Shamrock Rovers and the chasing pack

Heading into Matchday 35, Shamrock Rovers sit at the top of the table with 65 points. Their experience as champions makes them the favourites, but there is no room for complacency: Bohemians are breathing down their necks, trailing by just three points on 62.

With only one win separating the two sides and 180 minutes of football remaining, any slip-up by Rovers could immediately open the door for their rivals to claim the title. While a home game against underdogs Sligo might look straightforward, the final-day away trip to face Dundalk will be a true test.

It is worth noting that Shamrock have beaten Dundalk only once in their three encounters in 2026. The champions recorded a 1-1 home draw, a 1-0 away defeat, and a 3-2 home victory in a match in which the visitors came from behind twice to equalise. Add Rovers’ recent away losses to St Patrick’s and Galway, and it becomes clear they face a tough end to the season.

The main challenger: Bohemians’ title hopes

The Dublin club enters the final stretch as Shamrock Rovers’ closest and most dangerous rival. Bohemians would be in a much stronger position if they had drawn away to Shamrock Rovers on 12 October. However, Dylan Watts’ 76th-minute goal secured the win for their opponents, and now Bohs can only hope the favourites fail.

To win the title, Bohemians must take all six points from their remaining two matches and rely on their rivals to slip up. However, their run-in is far from easy: after hosting Shelbourne, they must travel to face St Patrick’s, who currently sit third in the table.

The St Patrick’s factor

With 59 points, St Patrick’s still have a mathematical chance of claiming the title. To do that, however, they would need to win both remaining matches and hope Shamrock Rovers lose both theirs. It would also help if Bohemians failed to beat Shelbourne. Meanwhile, the Saints’ recent 2-0 victory over Shamrock Rovers clearly showed that they can compete with the league leaders.

The problem is that a home defeat to Shelbourne, followed by another setback in Derry, has undoubtedly affected the team’s morale. Their opponents were considered underdogs before kick-off, yet St Patrick’s lacked the energy to deliver when it mattered most, much like in their earlier game against Waterford. Perhaps the team simply struggles to handle the pressure when it feels obliged to win.

Decisive fixtures and possible scenarios

The title will be decided over the coming days: Matchday 35 is scheduled for 23-24 October, while the final clashes will be held on 30 October. To lift the trophy, Shamrock Rovers need to make the most of their remaining fixtures. However, football history is full of dramatic finales. If the league leaders drop points even once, their rivals will have a chance to rewrite the script of the season.

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The qualifiers for the Los Angeles Olympics’ cricket competition will take place in January-February 2028, a media report has stated.

According to ‘Cricinfo’, the window for the qualifiers for both men and women “feature in a global events list that the ICC shared with its member boards after meetings in October in Dubai.” It also said that the 2029 World Test Championship final will take place in England from June 8 to 12.

“Overall, there are 12 men’s, seven women’s and five Under-19 events (including qualifiers) currently scheduled between the 2027 and the 2031 ODI World Cups.

“While several marquee events were already finalised by the ICC in 2021, multiple tournaments have now been assigned dates even as some dots remain to be connected,” the report said.

Cricket would be returning to the Olympics after over 100 years in the 2028 Games.

Australia, India, South Africa and Great Britain have already qualified for the women’s event as the highest-ranked teams from their respective continents based on their performance at the T20 World Cup earlier this year.

In the men’s competition, the top four teams as on December 31 this year from Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania will make the cut.

Hosts USA were declared eligible to participate in both the men’s and women’s events if they finish in the top 15 of the rankings during the qualification period from June 30, 2026 to December 31, 2026.

“If the host (USA) does not meet the ranking criteria by 31 Dec 2026, that spot is reallocated based on the ICC Women’s Champions Trophy 2027 standings (cut-off 1 March 2027),” Cricinfo quoted the ICC communication to member countries in October.

The qualifiers will each feature eight countries to be finalised by ICC based on the international rankings.

With the finals day fast approaching at Morphettville, trainer Sarah Rutten is looking to be a player in that day’s action.

But first, Rutten has to win her way into one of the finals and hopes From The Block can be that galloper.

From The Block runs in the Sportsbet Green Tick Handicap (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday where he will be joined by stablemate Eventually who is kicking off her campaign.

Rutten was considering a trip to the upcoming Flemington carnival with From The Block, but if all goes according to plan the gelding will remain in South Australia for a tilt at Finals Day on November 21.

“We had been thinking of heading across the border to Flemington, but if he could qualify for one of the finals over here, it’s a chance for us South Australians to win some good prize money without having to travel interstate,” Rutten said.

“He’s tough, he’s fit and he seems to have come through last week’s run really well.”

A winner at Murray Bridge in September, From The Block shouldered 61kg when fourth at Morphettville in benchmark 70 grade last week.

From The Block rises to benchmark 84 grade on Saturday but drops to 56kg and has Connor Murtagh back in the saddle.

“The other day he had to do it pretty hard with 61 kilos from barrier 16,” Rutten said.

“I was happy with his effort. He’s a tough horse and it’s good having Connor back on board, even though it’s a tough race, full of smart horses.

“Even though he’s quite a big horse and he does carry weight well, the weight drop is nice on Saturday.”

Rutten said Eventually will find Saturday’s race far too short and is starting a campaign that may again lead to the Adelaide Cup.

Eventually won the Lord Reims Stakes (2600m) at Morphettville before running eighth in the Adelaide Cup (3200m) in March, the mare’s most recent appearance.

Rutten had hoped to kick off Eventually’s program in the Murray Bridge Cup earlier in the month, but a few little niggles delayed that.

“Her rating is really tricky,” Rutten said.

“She’s an 89-rater and here in Adelaide it’s hard to find anything suitable. I was trying to have her up for the Murray Bridge Cup, but that did not happen.

“This is her first-up run, and she’s pretty much using this as a trial, she will be out the back and hopefully closing off.

“They will be much too sharp at that trip for her.

“If she comes through it OK, we’ll go to the John Letts Cup (on November 3), which will be more like her first proper run of the campaign.

“I would have liked a 1400-metre race to kick her off, but there are none available with her rating.”

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To most Bayern Munich fans under the age of 40, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was the club CEO who regularly spoke his mind. Fans with longer memories, or a better grasp of Bavarian football history, recall Rummenigge as one of the club’s all-time great players. He was also the last Bayern man to win the Ballon d’Or — in 1981. The last Bundesliga player to win was Borussia Dortmund’s Matthias Sammer, in 1996.

That long drought looks set to end on Monday, with Harry Kane, born 12 years after Rummenigge’s win, the favorite to pick up the trophy at a ceremony held, as a one-off, in his native London.

“It’s obviously special for me that the ceremony is taking place in London. “I come from London and lived there for a long time — maybe that’s a good omen,” Kane told club magazine Säbener51. “The Ballon d’Or would be a massive success for me.”

Lamine Yamal, the prodigious Barcelona and Spain forward who won the Euros at 16 looks to be the main competitor. At the end of the 2025-26 season, on which the award is judged, Yamal won the World Cup with Spain, as well as the La Liga title.

Kane’s career not just measured in numbers

Kane’s 73 goals for club and country last season make for a strong case, and the Bundesliga’s most expensive signing of all time has already racked up 156 goals in 158 games for the serial German champions. But it’s not just the numbers that tell the story, according to his club coach.

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“People in England saw him as a goalscorer during his time playing there,” Vincent Kompany said of Kane last season. “We’ve seen other qualities too, such as his footballing intelligence. We can appreciate that now — it was perhaps somewhat underestimated in England. He’s like a fine wine that improves with age. I also enjoy that aspect of his game.”

Kane continues to improve at 33, a point when many footballers start to regress. Though he is helped by being more reliant on guile and technique than pace, Kane’s professionalism is key to staying at the top, according to his Bayern teammate Serge Gnabry.

“He always has the right attitude, always leads the way and sets the tone,” Gnabry said ahead of Bayern’s 2-2 draw in the Champions League against Arsenal on Wednesday. “He never strays from his path, helps the team with his performance and is a top-tier player.”

Kane scored a penalty in that match and provided a sensational pass from which Alphonso Davies scored Bayern’s opener, another reminder of his all-round game. “The pass was one of my best ones,” Kane said after the match. “I knew Phonzy [Davies] would be able to get there with his speed. Whatever I can do to help the team, I’ll do. At the moment, it seems to be with assists more than goals.”

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Kane’s ‘greatest strength’

That attitude has been with Kane from the start. His first-ever coach, Dave Bricknell, from Ridgeway Rovers, an amateur club in northeast London, told DW after he joined Bayern from Spurs in 2023: “Harry’s mentality is his greatest strength. He doesn’t let anything worry him. If he misses a chance, he doesn’t care — he will go and score from another chance.”

His England coach, Thomas Tuchel, has also emphasized Kane’s leadership. “He is the first one to push everyone, and that is his mindset, and he became a very, very hardworking forward on top of his finishing skills, Tuchel said in September as Kane extended his England goal-scoring record against the Czech Republic. “He is a complete package.”

There are detractors who point to perceived “stat-padding,” or scoring against inferior opponents in international qualifiers and in the Bundesliga, where there are fewer elite teams, and a lot less money, than in England. Though Kane’s ratio of 213 goals in 320 games in the Premier League is a little off his Bundesliga stats, it bears comparison with any other player in the history of the league.

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Should Kane win the award, it will be a boost in profile for the Bundesliga, which has been unable to keep pace, both commercially and on the pitch, with other top European leagues of late, particularly the Premier League and La Liga. Winning it in a league outside of England or Spain would make Kane’s feat even greater. Other than Ousmane Dembele, who won it last year after Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League win, and Lionel Messi, a serial Ballon d’Or winner, the last player to take the Ballon d’Or for a season played outside England or Spain was was Kaka at AC Milan in 2007, when Italy’s Serie A was considered a stronger league.

Kane’s career hasn’t been straightforward, though. After signing his first senior contract with Spurs in July 2010, he was sent out on various loans to lower league sides between 2011-2013 without ever making a huge impression.

Domestic trophies won but international success eludes

For former teammate Jermain Defoe, who also coached Kane at Spurs, those experiences were formative.

“You have to show a resilience. It’s not easy when you go out on loan, it can feel like you’re being rejected by the club that you are at, which isn’t the case,” he told DW in 2023, before adding that Kane’s ability was always clear.

“When he joined up with the [Tottenham] first team, you could see the potential,” Defoe said. “He was always a good finisher, always hit the ball clean. … With Harry you already knew, he had that natural instinct and always felt comfortable in front of goal.”

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Those goals have, after a failure to win a trophy in England, led to two Bundesliga titles and a German Cup. But success with England remains elusive after a 2026 World Cup exit in the semifinals. Kane will be 35 by the time of the next Euros, in the UK and Ireland in 2028, and has a deal with Bayern until the following year. His form since joining Bayern suggests that he could get better still.

Edited by: Jonathan Harding

Centre-back Liam Scales had by far the most touches of any Celtic player with 121, well ahead of left-back Kieran Tierney (79) and goalkeeper Sam Johnstone (69).

Goalscorer Baur admitted they did not do enough to win and was at a loss when asked what needs to change. “How we played second half, last 30 minutes, we deserved it in the end,” Baur said.

When asked if he knew why his team collapsed in such a manner, he responded: “I cannot tell you, sorry.

“It can happen that you get a goal, they can score too, good team – you should then get control back, hold the ball a bit longer to take the momentum away from them. You should break that.”

Celtic did not get control back, did not break Celta’s momentum and ultimately paid the price.

“I don’t think Celtic are good enough, individually and collectively, to take on a team that’s eighth in La Liga,” former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner said on Sportsound.

“They moved the ball really well and Celtic couldn’t get close to them.

“They are not good enough at this level. Celtic are paying big money for some players because the fans are demanding it and then they come in and aren’t good enough.”

Their next European outing comes on 5 November as they host Besiktas, trying to reverse their continental woes. Whether they can or not is another matter.

Here’s a look at the results so far this season which have left Michael Carrick under so much pressure at Old Trafford…

22 Aug – Hull 2-0 Man United

30 Aug – Man United 5-2 Ipswich

6 Sept – Everton 2-2 Man United

10 Sept – Man United 4-0 Sabah

13 Sept – Man United 0-1 Man City

16 Sept – Man United 2-3 Brighton

20 Sept – Fulham 1-1 Man United

10 Oct – Man United 1-1 Spurs

13 Oct – Atletico 2-0 Man United

18 Oct – Leeds 1-1 Man United

21 Oct – Como 4-1 Man United

Oct 7, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault talks to Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (25) and guard Jared McCain (3) during the second half of a preseason game at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

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