The team have lost county finals in each of the last two seasons but have handed 1992 All-Ireland winner Brolly the reins

Former RTE pundit and Derry All-Ireland winner Joe Brolly is back in GAA management at club level. The Dungiven native has taken the reins of a senior club in Mayo, where he now resides with his wife Laurita Blewitt.

The Irish radio presenter and producer comes from Knockmore in the Connacht county and Brolly has been part of the senior men’s management team there with Ray Dempsey in a coaching capacity.

On Monday night, the club confirmed that Brolly has been appointed as senior ladies manager.

Knockmore, county ladies champions in 2023, stated on a social media post: “Following a meeting this evening, the Knockmore LGFA Chairperson, Patricia Dempsey, is happy to announce that Joe Brolly has been appointed as the Knockmore LGFA Senior Manager.

“Joe brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge and the club is extremely excited at this appointment. Joe is looking forward to the challenge and he outlined his vision earlier with great enthusiasm and all at Knockmore GAA and LGFA wish him and the Senior Ladies team every success.”

The Knockmore ladies have come up just short in the last two years in Mayo, losing to Westport in the final on both occasions.

Brolly’s wife Blewitt is a third cousin of former US president Joe Biden and the couple met with the politician several times.

She was a podcaster on The Tommy and Hector Podcast before the pair became engaged in 2021. They wed back in 2022, and welcomed a baby girl into the world two years later.

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Iran is carrying out military drills in the Strait of Hormuz, in a show of strength ahead of nuclear talks with the US in Geneva.

The naval exercises, which included test missiles, warships and helicopters, are testing the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) “operational readiness” and plans for reciprocal action in case of “potential security and military threats”.

Indirect talks began on Tuesday morning, with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner representing the US, while Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi leads the Iranian delegation. Omani officials are mediating.

After the talks began, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned president Donald Trump that even if the US boasts the world’s leading military, “the strongest army in the world can sometimes be slapped so hard it cannot get up”, according to Iranian media.

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Iranian officials have warned that the success of talks in Geneva relies on whether the US makes unrealistic demands and on its seriousness on lifting economic sanctions on Iran.

Trump meanwhile, has continued to openly voice his support for regime change in Tehran, telling reporters on Monday that it may be “the best thing that could happen”.

He said he would be involved “indirectly” in the talks and voiced his belief that Iran wants to make a deal in Geneva.

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“I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday.

“We could have had a deal instead of sending the B-2s in to knock out their nuclear potential. And we had to send the B-2s.”

Last week, US troops pulled out of bases in eastern Syria, suggesting the military could be preparing for an Iranian response to any attack it carries out.

Two officials told Reuters news agency that the US military is preparing for the possibility of weeks of operations against Iran if Trump orders an attack.

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But Iran’s minister of foreign affairs Abbas Araghchi rejected President Trump’s threats in a post on X the day before the talks began.

“I am in Geneva with real ideas to achieve a fair and equitable deal,” he wrote. “What is not on the table: submission before threats.”

Tehran had previously threatened that it would close the strait, which is critical for the world’s oil supplies, if the US were to attack, a move which would be hugely damaging for global markets.

Oil prices dropped in the Asian trade on Tuesday, as investors assessed the risk of supply disruption after Iran conducted the naval drills.

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Threats of a US attack began as a response to the Tehran regime’s brutal crackdown of widespread protests in December and January, but developed into attempt to pressure Iran into agreeing a new nuclear deal.

Tehran is looking to ward off of a repeat of last summer, when attempts to revive nuclear talks were interrupted by US-ally Israel launching a bombing campaign against Iran – which was then supported by US B-2 bombers that struck nuclear targets.

Stephen McCullagh, who turns 36 today, denies murdering Ms McNally, who was 15 weeks pregnant at the time of her death

The trial of a man accused of the murder of Natalie McNally did not start today (Tuesday) due to legal arguments.

Stephen McCullagh, who turns 36 today and who is from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, has denied murdering Ms McNally, who was 15 weeks pregnant at the time of her death.

He appeared in the dock of Belfast Crown Court flanked by two prison officers.

Ms McNally (32) sustained fatal stab wounds in her Silverwood Green home in Lurgan on December 18, 2022.

On Monday, a jury consisting of six men and six women was sworn in at Belfast Crown Court to preside over the murder trial, which is expected to last up to five weeks.

It was anticipated that the prosecution would open its case to the jury today before calling its first evidence.

However, due to legal arguments, Mr Justice Kinney sent the 12 jurors home for the day and told them to return to court on Wednesday morning when he said it was “anticipated” that the Crown’s case against McCullagh would be opened.

Before they left, the jurors were again reminded not to carry out any research on the case or discuss it with anyone else.

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Emergency services were called to a medical incident at an address in Lanark Terrace in Ferryhill on Friday, January 30, where a young child was later pronounced dead after being taken to the University Hospital of North Durham.

The death of the child was previously described as ‘unexplained’ as enquiries continued to establish the circumstances surrounding the death.

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Following weeks of enquiries, the force has now concluded its investigation.

In an update, a spokesperson for the force said: “The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time and a file is being prepared for the coroner.

“Our thoughts remain with the child’s family at this difficult time.”

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

A file will now be prepared for the coroner as the formal process continues.

Police previously said: “Police were called to a medical incident at an address in Ferryhill at 1.55pm today (Friday, January 30).

“Paramedics also attended, and a young child was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham.

“Sadly, the child was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the child’s death, which is currently being treated as unexplained.”

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

At the time, a spokesperson for the Great North Air Ambulance Service said: “We were activated at 1.54pm to reports of a medical incident in Ferryhill.

“We had a doctor and a paramedic on board our aircraft and they arrived on scene within 10 minutes.

“Our team assessed and treated the patient before the patient was transported to hospital by road.”

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A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson added: “We were called to a private address in Ferryhill, County Durham on Friday January 30 at 1.52pm.

“We dispatched two ambulance crews and were supported by our colleagues at Great North Air Ambulance Service.

“One patient was taken to University Hospital of North Durham by road.”

Five people have died and at least five others have been injured in a fire at an apartment building in Spain.

The blaze broke out at a five-storey building in Manlleu, near Barcelona, in the northeast of the country on Monday night.

The fire started in the storage room of the property, emergency services said.

The cause of the blaze is not yet known – and authorities said victims, who have not been identified, were unable to escape an attic storage room.

Catalan police said the five dead were all young people and that they did not live in the building.

Catalonia’s regional leader, Salvador Illa, said he was “deeply saddened by the death of five people”.

Authorities said ambulances and psychological support teams were made available after the incident.

Among the injured, four were later released from hospitals while one other didn’t require hospital treatment.

Three families have been relocated to a nearby hotel with the rest returning to the building, The General Directorate of Civil Protection in Catalonia wrote on social media.

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The organisation also announced that an alert related to the fire had now ended.

Catalan police have opened an investigation into the cause of the fire.

Cassia, located at Silverlink Retail Park in North Tyneside, announced the decision in a social media post.

The restaurant thanked staff and customers for their support, saying the closure would take effect at the end of March, but that plans to relocate were in the pipeline.

In a statement, Cassia said: “We are so sad to announce that unfortunately after an amazing 4 years here at Cassia our doors will be closing at the end of March.

“We would like to say thank you to our team for their passion and dedication.

“To all of our customers who have joined us over the years, thank you for your support, loyalty and sharing your moments with us bringing life into the restaurant.

“Cassia would not have been possible without you all. We’re grateful for every moment.”

It told customers to ‘keep an eye’ on its social media as it would soon be sharing plans to relocation.

The announcement was met with sadness online, despite the venue saying it would be relocating elsewhere.

Angela Dandelion Crossley said: “That’s such a shame.

“We’ve had some wonderful meals and celebrations with you. All the best for the future.”

Nad Smith said: “So gutted we always love coming, it’s our favourite place. Thank you for the amazing service and the fantastic food.”

While Dawn April Charlton said: “I can’t believe it, gutted, love the place, food is the best especially the steaks, and the staff are lovely too, looking forward to hearing where the new location is, see you there.”

Much like when you’re investing in a pair of running shoes for women or men, choosing your gym trainers takes careful consideration.

Stability is key. When you’re doing heavy lifts such as squats or deadlifts, the last thing you need is your feet rolling side to side. With this in mind, gym trainers are a little more rigid than running trainers and have a more stable sole.

Versatility is important, too. A good gym trainer should perform across different workouts such as HIIT classes, weight training and potentially even short runs on the treadmill. This does depend on which workouts you do at the gym – some wearers might prefer a specialised pair for weightlifting, for example.

You should also think about durability, fit and comfort. No one wants to feel rubbing or pinching while they’re powering through a set of walking lunges or going hard on the rowing machine.

A final (and crucial) factor is the shoes’ traction and grip. From rubber mats to polished gym floors, you need trainers that let you move without slipping or sliding.

Donald Trump has warned Iran of “consequences” if a new phase of talks on Tehran’s nuclear facilities does not produce an agreement.

Washington has sent a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East and is preparing for a possible military campaign if the negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, are inconclusive, officials have told the Reuters news agency.

Iran itself began a military drill on Monday in the Strait of Hormuz – a vital international waterway and oil export route from Gulf ‌Arab states, which have been appealing for diplomacy to end the dispute.

Iranian state TV said the route would be closed for several hours because of “safety and maritime concerns” as it conducts live fire drills. Iran has launched missiles into the Strait of Hormuz, state TV added.

It is the first time Iran has closed parts of the strait since the US began threatening military action.

Speaking on Air Force One, the US president suggested the Iranians may be motivated to reach an agreement with Washington.

“I’ll be involved ​in those talks, indirectly, and they’ll be ‌very important,” he said.

“I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal.

“We could have had a deal instead of sending the B-2s in to knock out their nuclear potential.

“And we had to send the ​B-2s,” he added, referring to last year’s US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

Previous negotiations were held in Oman earlier this month.

Mr Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner will be in Switzerland on Tuesday for the second round of talks which are being mediated by Oman.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, who is leading the negotiations for Tehran, said on X: “I am in Geneva with real ideas to achieve a fair and equitable deal.

“What is not on the table: submission before threats.”

The Trump administration is seeking a deal to limit Iran’s nuclear programme and ensure it does not develop nuclear weapons.

Iran says it is not pursuing weapons and has so far resisted demands that it halt uranium enrichment or hand over its supply of uranium.

On Monday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told a news conference in Budapest that it was hard to ⁠do a deal with Iran, but the US was willing to try.

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Rubio: ‘No one has ever made deal with Iran – we’re trying’

Mr Trump told reporters the world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford, was being sent to the region.

The USS Abraham Lincoln and accompanying guided-missile destroyers were deployed last month.

Iran has warned the US that any attack will be treated as “an all-out war against us”.

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In the last few days, Mr Trump has said that regime change in Iran “would be the best thing that could happen”.

It is thought tens of thousands of people may have been killed during protests against the Iranian regime in recent months.

On Saturday, about 200,000 people demonstrated against the Iranian regime on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

I tried seven products with results both good and bad.

I’d previously been a Slimming World member, and regardless of its detractors, I understand the attraction. I believe if you adhere to the programme, it can be effective.

I reckon Slimming World dishes and snacks offer an excellent method to monitor your calorie consumption whilst also ensuring you’re getting sufficient protein and vegetables, even if you’re not following their complete lifestyle programme.

But what happens when you’re pressed for time and unable to prepare a Slimming World-compatible lunch?

Well, this is where the Iceland frozen selection can assist time-poor individuals in maintaining their dietary objectives. The healthy lifestyle and weight-loss organisation has endorsed an extensive variety of products designed to help both its members and non-members consume nutritious meals, but are they actually tasty?

I received some items from the range to sample, and having enjoyed certain products previously (the Slimming World Cottage Pie is absolutely lovely), I was more than willing to give them a go, reports the Express.

Nevertheless, there were some letdowns for me on this occasion, and a few I definitely wouldn’t suggest. To help you save money, here’s my ranking, from worst to best, of the items I sampled.

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Slimming World 550g Chicken & Mushroom Ramen

Whilst this proved straightforward to prepare, regrettably, the broth is bland and thin. I adore mushrooms, yet these were slippery and devoid of any seasoning whatsoever.

And to make matters worse, the chicken was equally tasteless. Slimming World needs to revisit this recipe; it simply wasn’t satisfactory.

1/10.

Slimming World 300g Cauliflower Cheese

When you understand the fundamentals behind Slimming World, you can appreciate why cauliflower cheese would complement the programme so effectively. You’re better off preparing your own; though, this frozen alternative falls short.

The sauce is far too runny and acidic, possibly due to the mature cheddar employed. And there isn’t sufficient cauliflower, in my view, to justify it being a serving.

This might have been more pleasant had I cooked it in the oven rather than the microwave, but the packaging does indicate you can microwave it, so the product ought to remain palatable.

2/10.

Slimming World 500g Beef Rendang

This didn’t appear appetising, yet the sauce possessed a pleasant flavour; it featured a ginger element with sweet undertones.

However, the beef was excessively soft, and the vegetables were overly large for my liking, particularly since the peppers were rather sharp, so it somewhat detracted from the agreeable sauce.

4/10.

Slimming World 6 Pack Caramelised Onion Sausages

I genuinely hoped to enjoy these; nevertheless, if you’re an enthusiast of sausages, you’re going to be let down. Whilst they’re simple to cook (I prepared mine in the air fryer) and consumable, eating these will leave you feeling as though you’re following a restrictive diet.

The consistency resembles that of a budget sausage, whilst the absence of fat renders it parched and tough, which affects the taste. I was unable to detect the caramelised onion, and the seasoning was generally insufficient.

5/10.

Slimming World Pasta Bolognese Bowl

With a generous helping of cheese and a portion of garlic bread, this could be an excellent, straightforward lunch. I appreciate that isn’t the objective of Slimming World, but the calories saved on the pasta could be allocated to the cheese.

I’d suggest there’s an abundance of sauce relative to pasta noodles, but that’s where garlic bread might prove useful. I prepare bolognese frequently, and this doesn’t compare to my own, though it does possess a pleasant hint of oregano and contains hidden vegetables.

7/10.

Slimming World 4 Pack Large Maple Pancakes

These pancakes proved to be a complete revelation. Firstly, if you’ve ever attempted to prepare one of those “healthier” pancakes, you’ll understand how underwhelming they can be.

However, these were delightful. I simply placed them in the toaster, which created an incredibly convenient breakfast.

The toaster provided them with a pleasant crust that complemented the soft interior, and they’re a decent size.

There was a genuinely lovely maple taste, and they’d be ideal on a relaxed Sunday morning accompanied by your preferred toppings.

9/10.

Slimming World 4 Pack Large Blueberry Pancakes

Similarly, like the maple pancakes, these were excellent and remarkably convenient to seize when you’re pressed for time. Alternatively, you could enjoy one as a snack or modest lunch.

The blueberry flavour proved refreshing and zingy, an ingredient I don’t typically include in homemade pancakes, so I was delighted with this element and would purchase these again.

10/10.

Also newly available in the Slimming World range at Iceland this year:

Slimming World 550g Hunters Chicken Pasta – £4.50 (3 for £12) (NEW)

Slimming World 4 Pack Chicken Tikka Skewers, £5.25 (NEW)

The former inspector said in the park there were “hundreds of local residents in quite an agitated state” due to the disappearance of Noah

A former police inspector has told the inquest into the death of Noah Donohoe how he crawled through an underground storm drain tunnel system as part of efforts to find the missing schoolboy.

The retired officer said he believed the tunnels would have been a “very challenging place to survive if you were naked”. he inquest at Belfast Coroner’s Court, which is being heard with a jury, is now in its fourth week.

Noah, a pupil of St Malachy’s College, was 14 when he was found dead in a storm drain in north Belfast in June 2020, six days after leaving home on his bike to meet two friends in the Cavehill area of the city.

A post-mortem examination found the cause of death was drowning. Noah’s mother, Fiona Donohoe, attended the hearing on Tuesday.

A series of witness statements from retired inspector Menary, who previously managed the PSNI hazardous environment search (HES) team, was read to the jury.

Mr Menary told the inquest he had attended Northwood Linear Park in north Belfast on March 24, three days after Noah had gone missing. The former inspector said in the park there were “hundreds of local residents in quite an agitated state” due to the disappearance of Noah.

He said it took more than an hour to clear the park so police could begin an inspection of the storm drain tunnel system.

Mr Menary said the HES team searched above ground in Linear Park and below ground in the tunnels.

He said it quickly became apparent the “schematics” provided by the Department for Infrastructure about the water network system “did not match what we were finding on the ground”.

The ex-officer said: “A number of entry points to the storm drain tunnel could not be found and appeared to have been landscaped or tarred over during the most recent improvement works in the park.”

Mr Menary said cameras were sent into the tunnels first, but he then had to enter the tunnel himself due to obstructions.

He said by the end of June 24 the team had confirmed that Noah was not in the non-tidal stretch of tunnel which had been searched.

He said Noah’s name had been shouted while he was in the tunnel, but there was no response.

Mr Menary said the search had resumed on Thursday, but had to be suspended due to rising tides.

He said: “What is now clear is that the search on the Thursday almost got to the point where Noah was found, but that it had to cease due to a rising tide.”

The retired officer said he was not personally involved in the search on subsequent days.

His statement added: “I believe it would be a very challenging place to survive if you were naked.”

He also said that the search was at that point looking for evidence that Noah may have been in the tunnel at some point, but it was “not a rescue operation”.

Mr Menary said the team did not have access to a drone at the time.

He said: “I do not believe any other police force would have had a drone capable of deployment underground at the relevant time.

“At no point did I consider that we had an equipment deficit or that our search was hampered or would have been better with different equipment.”

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