Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has pulled out of the Northern Ireland Open for medical reasons.

The Belfast event, which starts on Sunday, will be the third straight tournament the Englishman has missed after he sat out both the British Open and the Wuhan Open.

O’Sullivan’s withdrawal was confirmed by the World Snooker Tour on Sunday night and his first-round opponent Long Zehuang receives a bye into the last 32.

The 48-year-old has not played competitively since losing in the first round of the English Open on 17 September.

The current world number five lost to Judd Trump in three successive NI Open finals between 2018 and 2020 but also withdrew before last year’s event for medical reasons.

LUKE LITTLER was left “disgusted” as Luke Humphries dumped him out of the Czech Darts Open and romped to his TENTH title in just over a year.

The teen sensation could not stop the World No1 clinically winning their semi-final in Prague 7-4, before Humphries walloped Kim Huybrechts 8-1.

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Littler, 17, simply had no answer to old foe Humphries, who didn’t miss a double in the opening seven legs to lead 5-2. 

However, The Nuke was still in with a shout of coming back until a messy ninth leg. 

Both players made a hash of the checkouts, Littler blowing five chances to break the Humphries throw. 

‘Cool Hand’ took out double one to extend his lead to 6-3 and then delivered  double 12 kill to knock out his big rival and friend. 

Humphries ended with an average of 108 with an outstanding 53 per cent checkout success rate. 

Sky Sports Commentator Dan Dawson said: “It was a stunningly high quality game. 

“The World No1 has asserted his authority, Littler bows out with a tournament average of over 110. 

“As you can see he is disgusted he has not completed one of the greatest Euro tour campaigns we’ve ever seen.”

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Humphries went on to dismantle Belgium’s World No 38 Huybrechts to pick up the £30,000 top prize.

He said: “I think I played a solid game. When I played Ritchie Edhouse in my first game I felt good but I felt like I needed a spark. 

“It kind of did happen today. I felt that spark again. I still want to change something, I still know there’s another level in me that can get better. 

“Luke (Littler) was probably one of the fantastic players of the tournament. But I knew I could beat him. I’ve done it many times and I believed in myself. 

“It’s a nice way to cap off what hasn’t been my best ProTour year.”

‘The Nuke’ had stormed through to the last four with a new Euro Tour average record of 116.51 average in beating Damon Heta 6-3.

He then gave Michael van Gerwen a 6-1 battering. The Dutch star’s 112.19 average was the highest losing average in Euro Tour history. 

The Warrington whizkid hit six 180s – leaving MVG’s 112.19 average as the highest ever from a loser in the history of the PDC European Tour. 

And the gobsmacked Dutchman took it in the best possible spirit.

Alongside a picture of himself playfully grabbing Littler’s neck, he posted on X: “This is not gonna happen again.

“Fantastic game by @LukeTheNuke180. What a talent. All the best.”

Littler’s Czech run came after he appeared to let slip by mistake that he had a new girlfriend.

He was gaming with friend ‘Angry Ginge’ when a female voice off camera said: “I’m gonna try and get some sleep because I am so tired.”

Angry Ginge pressed him on who it was – with Littler seeing the funny side but also sounding unhappy his possible secret might be out.

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At the end of the U.S. GP in Austin, winner Charles Leclerc, runner-up Carlos Sainz, and third-place finisher Max Verstappen all stood on the podium — but something was missing. Three things, in fact. None of the podium finishers of the U.S. Grand Prix were awarded the much-hyped trophies from Pirelli that were shown off in the days before the race. 

Dubbed “Heroo,” built by Pirelli, and designed by Italian artist Matteo Macchiavelli, each of the original trophies had a black body and articulating arms made from carbon fiber, with a chromed head that matched the finishing position: gold (sprinkled with actual gold dust) for first, silver for second, and titanium for third.

After the race, Pirelli confirmed to Motorsport.com that the company — in conjunction with the race promoter, and after informing the FIA — pulled the trophies from usage because it had been made aware of potential similarities with other designs. (The trophies closely resemble sculptures and collectibles created by the brand Bearbrick.)

Sainz and Verstappen lofted miniature tires like the ones given as Saturday’s qualifying awards. Leclerc appeared to be holding a tall metallic tube-shaped trophy. All three had to be flown in by Pirelli from one of the company’s U.S. offices after it pulled the original trophies, the company confirmed to Motorsport.com.

Pirelli introduced the trophies at the start of the week, and showcased them on the grid the day before the race, posing them on the pit wall and giving them their own paddock pass credentials. Pirelli also originally mentioned that collectible “art toys” would be put on sale for the public, which also may have led to potential issues.

Since Sunday’s race ended, Pirelli went so far as to remove the original link on its press site announcing the trophies. 

Everton are ready to make a move for AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze, Manchester United retain hope of signing Alphonso Davies, Dusan Vlahovic could yet end up at Arsenal.

Everton are plotting a move to sign AC Milan’s Nigeria winger Samuel Chukwueze, 25, in the January transfer window. (Football Insider), external

Manchester United are aiming to convince Bayern Munich full-back Alphonso Davies, 23, to choose them over Real Madrid when the Canada international’s contract expires at the end of the season. (Fichajes – in Spanish), external

Arsenal could land long-term Serbian target Dusan Vlahovic, 24, for a bargain price because the Juventus striker’s talks with his club over a new contract are not progressing well. (Caught Offside), external

Incoming England manager Thomas Tuchel has parted ways with long-time coaching partner Zsolt Low before taking up the Three Lions role. (Sun), external

Aston Villa have entered the race to sign Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo, 25, from Brentford. (TBR Football), external

Manchester United may loan Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee, 23, to Juventus if they sign RB Leipzig’s Slovenian frontman Benjamin Sesko, 21, next summer. (Tuttomercato – in Italian), external

Manchester City, Liverpool, and Tottenham have set their sights on Real Valladolid’s Spanish winger Raul Moro, 21. (Fichajes – in Spanish), external

Borussia Dortmund’s English winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, 20, is drawing interest from Arsenal, Tottenham, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest – though the German club want more than £50m for the player before they will consider selling. (Caught Offside), external

Arsenal, Juventus, AC Milan and Napoli are among the clubs watching Como and Argentina midfielder Nico Paz, 20. (Nicolo Schira on X), external

For each game he broadcasts during the 2024 NFL season all the way through Super Bowl LIX, FOX Sports lead NFL analyst Tom Brady is choosing one standout star as his LFG Player of the Game.

After another all-around team win from the now 6-0 Kansas City Chiefs, Brady chose one of the more overlooked members of the defending Super Bowl champions as his LFG Player of the Game: Chiefs offensive lineman — and Brady’s former New England Patriots teammate — Joe Thuney.

Tom Brady’s LFG Player of the Game: Chiefs OL Joe Thuney | Week 7 DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE

Thuney and his fellow linemen came up huge in Kansas City’s run game on a day when quarterback Patrick Mahomes had one of his worst statistical passing performances of his career. The Chiefs had 184 rushing yards, averaged 4.7 yards per carry and scored all four of their touchdowns on the ground in their 28-18 win over the San Francisco 49ers.

“As an offensive line, we always take pride in trying to run the ball, especially when the defense knows we’re going to run the ball,” Thuney told Brady. “In those situations, it takes all 11 guys — tight ends blocking, wide receivers blocking, running backs running hard, Pat making great calls — so it’s a total team effort. And [we] just couldn’t be happier.”

The Chiefs remain undefeated despite losing several key offensive weapons around Mahomes and Travis Kelce, including starting running back Isiah Pacheco, No. 1 wide receiver Rashee Rice and — early in Sunday’s game — veteran wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster. 

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“It’s really a next-man-up mentality,” Thuney said. “During the week, everyone’s practicing so hard [and] getting the playbook regardless [of whether] they’re starting or not. It’s football, it’s tough. Injuries happen. But it’s just a great team to be a part of. Everyone’s contributing to the win and really proud.”

Still, few quarterbacks in the NFL (especially now that Brady is retired) are as consistently clutch as Mahomes. That confidence in Mahomes — even on a day when he has a 59.3% completion rate, 154 pass yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions — pays dividends. Such as when he has a career-best 33-yard scramble that sets up a crucial fourth-down touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

“He’s just making plays left and right,” Thuney said. “Everyone has so much trust and faith in him, and he’s always coming through. And we all just try and do our part to make this offense succeed, and you’re just gonna be more proud.”

Thuney said he considers himself lucky to have played with both Brady and Mahomes — even while sidestepping Brady’s question over which quarterback buys him better Christmas gifts.

“You guys are 10 out of 10,” Thuney said. “Both you guys are unbelievable.”

The inaugural honor went to Cowboys pass-rusher Micah Parsons in Week 1, followed by star New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara in Week 2, Baltimore Ravens RB Derrick Henry in Week 3, Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield in Week 4, Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray in Week 5 and Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell in Week 6.

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JAMIE CARRAGHER was ordered not to bring his “CBS chat” live on Sky Sports after covering his beloved Liverpool’s win over Chelsea.

The Reds beat the Blues 2-1 at Anfield thanks to a stunning display by Curtis Jones, who won a penalty that led to Mohamed Salah’s opener and scored the winner after Nicolas Jackson’s equaliser.

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Carragher provided punditry alongside former team-mate Daniel Sturridge and Micah Richards, with whom he also covers the Champions League on CBS.

The ex-England international insisted Jones “should have” been awarded another penalty for Liverpool.

Presenter Kelly Cates immediately responded: “You’ve firmed up a bit.”

Richards addressed his fellow CBS analyst: “You were 50-50 at half-time, has someone been in your DM’s?”

The panel then burst into laughter before Carragher quipped: “No it was a penalty, you leave my DMs out of it.”

Cates replied: “Alright, don’t bring your CBS chat on here”

And Sturridge ended the funny segment by saying: “Chill out man, what’s going on.”

Carragher and Richards often find themselves taking a cheeky dig at each other live on the CBS studio alongside fellow legend Thierry Henry and presenter Kate Abdo.

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However, the duo are usually more subtle when working with Sky Sports.

The pair will be returning for the Champions League action this coming Tuesday on CBS.

They will be covering Arsenal clash with Shakhtar Donetsk before Manchester City’s encounter with Sparta Prague and Liverpool’s visit at RB Leipzig on Wednesday.