It’s not enough just to be a world champion now, most of these stars have conquered their sport multiple times. One has won the world title a staggering six times in a row!

We are getting towards the business end and single figures now in the list of Northern Ireland’s top 25 sport stars of all time.

It’s not enough just to be a world champion now, most of these stars have conquered their sport multiple times.

On day one, we had international hockey star Katie Mullan, gymnast trailblazer Rhys McClenaghan, rugby legend Mike Gibson, GAA colossus Kieran McGeeney and Olympic gold medal winning swimmer Dan Wiffen.

At number 20, on day two, was soccer legend Pat Jennings. Former champion jockey Richard Dunwoody was in 19th, while Norman Whiteside, ex of Manchester United was in 18th. Three-time All-Ireland winner hero Sean Cavanagh was next in 17th, with boxing legend Wayne McCullough in 16th.

15. BETHANY FIRTH

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Bethany Firth MBE is a multiple world record holder and Paralympic champion across three separate Games – including a haul of two golds and two silvers at Tokyo 2020.

In all, Seaforde woman Firth has won six Paralympic golds and three silvers for Team GB, making her one of the most successful British Paralympians ever – winning gold medals at the London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020 Games.

The Ards Swimming Club athlete also has two silver European medals and a Commonwealth Games gold to her name.

14. SEAN O’NEILL

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The Down Gaelic football legend is one of the most celebrated figures in the game. In 1960, Down became the first team from north of the border to win the All-Ireland senior title. O’Neill and Down retained that title in 1961 and climbed the mountain again in 1968 to inspire a generation.

O’Neill won three All-Ireland titles in all, eight Ulster medals with Down, a record eight Railway Cups with Ulster and was named on the GAA Team of the Century and Team of the Millennium.

He was Footballer of the Year in 1968 and was also named as the Ulster Footballer of the Millennium in 2000. He was also honoured on the first two All-Star football teams in 1971 and 1972. O’Neill also won two Sigerson Cup medals with Queen’s in 1958 and 1964.

13. WILLIE JOHN McBRIDE

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‘Willie John’ is a legendary Irish rugby lock, regarded as one of European rugby’s greatest leaders.

His legacy was secured after captaining the unbeaten 1974 British & Irish Lions in South Africa. He held the records for 17 Lions Test caps over five tours (1962–1974) and made 63 appearances for Ireland, leading them to a 1974 Five Nations title.

In total, the legendary no-nonsense Toomebridge second-row went on five Lions tours and managed the side in New Zealand in 1983.

Incredibly, McBride only missed one of Ireland’s matches played during his 13-year international career. Fittingly, he scored his only try for Ireland in his last international at Lansdowne Road against France.

12. CARL FRAMPTON

The only Northern Ireland man to become a two-weight world boxing champion. He turned pro in June 2009, shortly after winning his second Irish amateur title.

He claimed his first world title against Kiko Martinez, who had won the IBF crown with an upset sixth round beating of previously undefeated Jonathan Romero.

The Jackal added the WBA title by beating Scott Quigg in Manchester in April and then moved up to featherweight and captured the WBA title with a unanimous decision win over Leo Santa Cruz at the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn.

Those efforts against two previously unbeaten opponents earned him a unique distinction – the first and still only Irishman to win the Ring magazine Fighter of the Year award.

His unbeaten record ended at 23-0 when, in January 2017, when he lost a majority decision to Santa Cruz in Las Vegas and he never regained quite the success thereafter.

11. JONATHAN REA

Six-time world champion Jonathan Rea is widely considered the most successful Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) rider in history. After dominating for over a decade with Kawasaki and concluding his career with Yamaha, he is set to return to Honda as a test rider this year.

The Larne-born rider won six consecutive WorldSBK titles (2015–2020), a record for most championships and most consecutive championships.

He holds the all-time record for race victories, more than double that of the next closest rival (as of late 2025) and also holds the record for the highest number of podium finishes.

He was awrded an MBA dnd later an OBE, and was runner up in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2017 – a recognition of his impact on UK sport.

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Tomorrow we unveil numbers 6-10 in our top 25 Northern Ireland sport stars of all time.

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Last year, pop culture and politics collided when Katy Perry hard-launched her relationship with former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The unexpected couple made their first official public debut in October, stepping out in Paris, aka the ‘City of Love,’ to celebrate the star’s birthday.

Since then, the pair have been pretty inseparable, with Katy documenting many of their globe-trotting escapades on Instagram.

From lunching with former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife, Yuko, in Tokyo to that steamy Santa Barbara yacht moment, the couple have fit in a lot over the last six months.

Now, Katy has given fans another glimpse into her relationship. The 41-year-old took to the ‘gram last night to share a ‘life lately’ photo dump
— which happened to include a loved-up shot of the pair.

In the photo, Katy is seen wearing a sleeveless black cocktail dress and gold jewellery, with her hair slicked back in an elegant low bun.

With her left arm on Justin’s shoulder and her right resting on his chest inside his jacket, she smiled lovingly at the former politician.

Meanwhile, Justin, 54, who also got the black attire memo in a blazer and T-shirt, placed his arm on her lower back.

Katy also shared a cryptic caption alongside the carousel, writing: ‘Never knew karma could be so rewarding.’

Fans will know this is a lyric from her 2013 Prism album track ‘Legendary Lovers,’ a spiritual song said to be inspired by her former relationship with John Mayer.

However, thanks to the lyrical themes of destined connections and describing a love that transcends ordinary romance, it almost feels as if she’s relating to the song once more.

Plus, in between the loved-up photo, she posted a snap of a fortune cookie message, which read: ‘The stage is set. Soon you will encounter a whole new world of opportunity.’

After sharing the post, many fans took to the comments section to gush over the caption and the snap of Katy and Justin together.

‘I’m so happy for you and Justin. Keep living your best life. You are amazing,’ one person said, while another typed: ‘MOM AND DAD,’ referencing the couple.

Elsewhere, someone else penned: ‘Glad to see you with Justin, hope it works. Cute couple,’ as a fourth and fifth gushed: ‘Adorable !!!! So happy,’ and ‘I love you two together,’ followed by a string of love hearts.

Before Justin, Katy was engaged to A-List actor Orlando Bloom. The pair met in 2016 and, despite a brief breakup between 2017 and 2018, they announced their engagement in 2019.

Katy and Orlando also welcomed a daughter, Daisy Dove, in August 2020. Sadly, their romance was not to be, and they called it quits for good in June 2025.

As for Justin, he split with his wife of 18 years, Sophie Grégoire, in 2023, following ‘meaningful and difficult conversations’. The pair have three children together: a son, Xavier, a daughter, Ella-Grace, and a second son, Hadrien.

MORE: Aubrey Plaza, 41, pregnant one year after husband’s death in ‘beautiful surprise’

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Police were alerted after a Ford Transit was seen in the Barnard Castle area in the early hours of the morning.

Special Constable Salkeld, who was on night shift with Durham Roads and Armed Policing B relief team, identified the vehicle and linked it to recent rural thefts.

Two people have been jailed after a police sting operation on suspected rural thieves (Image: DURHAM CONSTABULARY)

Officers set up a stinger as the van headed towards Spennymoor while travelling in convoy with a Fiat Panda.

Both vehicles failed to stop for officers when instructed, but police had already moved into position further along the route.

With SC Salkeld in place, both vehicles were successfully stopped.

The driver of the Transit then attempted to ram officers before being stopped and arrested.

The suspected stolen quad bike in the back, with the matching key found on the driver (Image: DURHAM CONSTABULARY)

Officers searching the van found a suspected stolen quad bike in the back of the vehicle, with the matching key in the driver’s pocket.

Ashleigh Fairhurst, 36, of no fixed abode, and Kyle Wright, 26, of Spennymoor, were later charged and appeared before Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on April 2.

Fairhurst pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, having no licence or insurance, failing to stop and failing to provide a specimen of blood. She was sentenced to eight months in prison and disqualified from driving until April 1, 2030.

Wright pleaded guilty to disqualified driving, failing to stop and having no insurance. He was sentenced to eight weeks in prison and disqualified from driving until March 1, 2030.

The health food store will be closing at the end of April

A major high street brand will be closing a store in a Cambridgeshire town. Holland & Barrett has confirmed it will be closing its location on Broad Street in March on Wednesday, April 22.

The health food store will be closing as part of an ongoing £70 million investment to “transform” the brand’s stores. The investment will include opening and renovating over 200 new locations across the UK. The Holland & Barrett store in March will remain open as usual until April 22.

A spokesperson for Holland and Barrett said: “The Holland & Barrett store in March will close on the 22nd April. This is part of an ongoing £70 million investment into transforming our stores, which includes opening and renovating more than 200 new locations nationwide.

“In the meantime, the store is open as usual, bringing expert-led advice alongside our range of science-backed products and services to our customers. Opening hours are available on our website, which also offers our full range of wellness solutions, plus links to health and wellbeing advice, and free 15-minute one-to-one appointments with our Body Qualified Experts.”

To get more news and top stories delivered directly to your phone, join our new WhatsApp community. Click this link to receive your daily dose of CambridgeshireLive content.

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Passengers, regardless of airline, may need to be prepared for some changes

Passengers set to fly soon with easyJet have been urged to stay prepared ahead of changes to travel. On an update on its website on April 1 of this year, easyJet notes that in an “important update”, there are “new border checks may affect queue times.”

It explains: “Airports across Europe may experience longer queues at passport control whilst the new European Entry/Exit System (EES) border checks are being completed. This will mean you may need to have your biometrics taken including your face and fingerprints scanned.”

With this in mind, it is wise for passengers to be patient as the new system is rolled out.

The budget airline suggests:

• Plan your travel to and through the airport, as you may experience longer queues
• If you need to go to Bag Drop, go there as soon as it opens
• Make your way through security as early as possible
• There may be additional checks at passport control before your gate
• Head to the gate or boarding area as soon as it’s announced
• Make sure you have the correct documents to travel
• You may experience longer queues in your arrival airport

What is EES and why is it being introduced?

An EES-dedicated website says: “The new Entry/Exit System (EES) started to be operational on 12 October 2025. European countries using the EES are introducing the system gradually at their external borders. This means that data collection will be gradually introduced at border crossing points with full implementation by 10 April 2026.”

It is being introduced as the EES:

• Modernises border checks and gradually reduces waiting times at the borders.
• Easily identifies non-EU nationals who do not fulfil the conditions of entry and stay or those who stay longer than permitted in the Schengen area.
• Enhances the security of Europe’s borders.

Which European countries use the EES?

1. Austria
2. Belgium
3. Bulgaria
4. Croatia,
5. Czechia
6. Denmark
7. Estonia
8. Finland
9. France
10. Germany
11. Greece
12. Hungary
13. Iceland
14. Italy
15. Latvia
16. Liechtenstein
17. Lithuania
18. Luxembourg
19. Malta
20. the Netherlands
21. Norway
22. Poland
23. Portugal
24. Romania
25. Slovakia
26. Slovenia
27. Spain
28. Sweden
29. Switzerland

You can find out more information about EES here. You can also read about it online via the GOV.UK website.

Three men and a woman were reported to have been fighting outside the town hall around 6.40pm on Tuesday (April 7).

Police believe the woman left the scene and are now keen to locate her as she may have suffered serious injuries and could require medical treatment.

A Durham Police spokesperson said: “If you are this person, or know who they are, please contact officers.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the force on 101 quoting reference CRI00674512, or email hayley.outterson@durham.police.uk.

What horse racing fans can expect when they want refreshment at the Grand National meeting

The Randox Grand National Festival is about to get underway. From Thursday, April 9 to Saturday, April 11, thousands of racing enthusiasts will flock to Aintree Racecourse for three days of top-class horse racing, culminating in the main event.

As the finishing touches are put to the venue, we can reveal some of the beverage prices for the festival. There are numerous bars throughout the racecourse, so drink prices may differ depending on your choice of refreshment.

Below, we’ve outlined the typical prices for draught, bottled and canned drinks, wines, champagne and spirits. Some outlets vary by approximately 50p…

Spirits 25ml

• Gin – £6.75
• Pink Gin – £6.75
• Tanqueray Gin (Various Flavours) – £7.25
• Ketel One Vodka – £7.25
• Ciroc Vodka – £8.00
• Grey Goose Vodka – £8.00
• Vodka – £6.75
• White Rum – £6.75
• Jack Daniels – £6.75
• Southern Comfort – £6.75
• Spiced Rum – £6.75

READ MORE: Grand National 2026 sweepstake kit: Print YOURS here ahead of Saturday’s big race at AintreeREAD MORE: Grand National 2026 pinstickers’ guide: All 34 runners rated, best chances and top 4 prediction

Champagne and Sparkling

• Bernard Remy Brut (750ml) – £89.00
• Canal Grando Prosecco Brut (750ml) – £46.00

Cocktails

• Pornstar Frozini – £13.00
• Strawberry Daiquiri – £13
• Strawberry Woo Woo – £13.00
• Gin N Juice – £13.00
• Tropical Rum Ball – £13.00
• Red Rum Dark N Stormy – £13.00
• Paloma – £13.00

Wines (187.5ml)

• House White – £9.50
• House Red – £9.50
• House Rosé – £9.50

Draught Beer

• Madri Excepcional – £7.80
• Rekorderlig Strawberry & Lime – £7.80
• Aspall Suffolk Cyder – £7.80
• Guinness –£7.80

Bottled / Canned Beer

• Pravha (330ml) – £7.30
• Madri Excepcional (330ml) – £7.30
• Peroni Gluten Free (330ml) – £7.30
• Doom Bar (330ml) – £7.30
• Guinness Zero (500ml) – £6.00
• Madri Excepcional 0.0% (538ml) – £4.40

Minerals & Mixers

• London Essence Mixers (150ml) – £3.10
• Fruit Juice (150ml) – £2.80
• Coca Cola (200ml) – £2.80
• Coke Zero / Diet Coke (330ml) – £3.50
• Lemonade (330ml) – £3.20
• Cordials (25ml) – £1.05

Grand National 2026 tickets

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from,£33.50

The Jockey Club

Get tickets here

The Grand National 2026 is just around the corner, with the world-famous Aintree racecourse set to host three days of racing across April 9-11.

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Standard and hospitality tickets start at £33.50 at The Jockey Club, with VIP and hospitality packages also available from £249 at Seat Unique.

Traditional shuttlecocks are made of 16 duck or goose feathers – each taken from the same wing to give the correct flight and spin as feathers from different wings curve differently.

China is the leading producer of shuttlecocks, but poultry production in the country has decreased in recent years because of outbreaks of bird flu and as people return to eating pork following an outbreak of African swine fever in 2018.

The sport has also grown in popularity in China, leading to increased demand.

Last year, the BWF played down its concerns about the shuttlecock market, while explaining its strategy to explore alternatives.

“We are aware of the global supply chain challenges and subsequent increases in feathered shuttlecock prices impacting badminton communities around the world,” BWF secretary general Thomas Lund said in a statement at the time.

“Our testing and trialling programmes for the production and introduction of competition and social-use synthetic shuttlecocks in collaboration with the manufacturers remains in place and is firmly part of our sustainability strategies for the future.”