Hector 🇮🇪

• Traveling Man do @tg4tv •THL Podcast Autumn 2025 • The Irish Words You Should Know • An Irish Word A Day • 30/10/25

[The Husky @Mr_Husky1]

A 24-year-old Polish tennis player arrived in Paris last week ranked 114th in the world, with no sponsors, no guaranteed income, and no certainty she could even pay for her hotel room.

She had to win three qualifying matches just to enter the French Open main draw. Prize money is only paid at the end of the tournament, so a Polish sports drink brand quietly stepped in and covered her hotel bill.

Her name is Maja Chwalinska. And today, she plays in the French Open final.

Before this tournament, she had won exactly one Grand Slam main draw match in her entire career. She had battled depression so severe that in 2021 she couldn't get out of bed. She underwent knee surgery in 2022. She spent years grinding through small tournaments across Europe just to stay afloat.

Then she arrived in Paris, won three qualifiers, and kept winning. Zheng Qinwen. Elise Mertens. Maria Sakkari. Diana Shnaider. Nine straight matches. One set dropped.

She is now the first qualifier in French Open history to reach the final. The last time a qualifier reached a Grand Slam final, it was Emma Raducanu at the 2021 US Open. Raducanu won.

By simply making the final, Chwalinska has earned more prize money than her entire career combined. The runner-up cheque alone is $1.6 million. If she wins today, she takes home $3.25 million.
One week ago she couldn't pay for her hotel room.

[Peter Molony @Pmolony1Peter]

Honeysuckle & her cracking @RathbarryStud Blue Bresil colt back in #rathmorestud 🤩🤩🤩
He’s already a poser!!!

[Spórt TG4 @SportTG4]

(Pocanna Éirice)

@GaaClare 4
@TipperaryGAA 3

Is é Mark Sheedy an Laoch sna pocanna éirice! Cad é mar shábháil!🤯

Clare are Munster champions after a dramatic penalty shoot-out!

@GAA_BEO #GAABeo

[Spórt TG4 @SportTG4]

"The lads held some nerve out there"🗣️

Smaointe Mark Sheedy tar éis an cluiche ceannais drámatúil.

@GaaClare

@GAA_BEO #GAABeo

[Irish N.H. Tips @IrishNHTips]

That Clare U20 goalkeeper what a man to save 3 penalties in a shootout all top class but that last 1 unbelievable. If he ever wants a share in a horse hed be more than welcome to join The Farmers after a display like that! 🫣😂

[Anna @UTD_Anna_]

Sunday will be his final game at Old Trafford, some player Case 🥹❤️

[Ian Power @IHPower]

I sat in a London pub yesterday afternoon wearing running gear and a tinfoil cape while strangers bought me beer. Works every year. 😉🍻

[Reptracker | Conor McEvoy @reptracker]

“Parrott’s on fire”🎶🤣

Troy Parrott absolutely loving the celebrations after AZ Alkmaar’s Dutch Cup final victory. What football is all about!

[Jimmy Stafford @JimmystaffordDJ]

This is a must read from @davidmcw “Is Ireland the worst run country in Europe?”
The figures in this article are mind blowing . No accountability in the Senior echelons of Public Service. No wonder people are angry. #fuelprotests

[Colm Finlay @FinlayColm]

@TomasORuanaidh @clubber Credit @clubber

[Cork Safety Alerts @CorkSafetyAlert]

A Cork Safety Alerts follower has reported spotting Hemlock Water Dropwort washed up on Front Strand beach in Youghal yesterday, Wednesday 18 March. A previous sighting was also reported at Mall beach in the town.

This is one of Europe’s most toxic plants. Do not touch it and keep children and pets well away. If you or your pet have had any contact with it, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.

[Hector 🇮🇪 @hectorirl]

@BarstewardsThe Congratulations to this lady on such a fine piece of writing …. Straight from the hip …. Painting a picture for one and all of the “festiva “ Please @HRIRacing get this lady an Annual Badge for Punchestown & Galway & Navan & Ballinrobe & Listowel …. Throw in Killarney

[The Barstewards Enquiry @BarstewardsThe]

https://t.co/nBgp4qoQQs

[Hector 🇮🇪 @hectorirl]

@2013_Sylvius @tomdoorley @tcddublin We need to ensure that the future Teachers , those young people who go through our Teaching Colleges across the land get all the necessary help / tuition / guidance / with their spoken Irish IF THEY CAN SPEAK IT THEN THEY CAN TEACH IT … Tá sé chomh simplí le sin 🤞✊

[Joe Harbison MD @2013_Sylvius]

@tomdoorley @tcddublin I’ve begun to agree with Hector Ó hEochagáin who thinks that Irish in Schools needs to be divided into two subjects. Conversational and literary Irish. Everyone should do conversational Irish until Junior cert with an emphasis on communication. Literary Irish for those able

[Hector 🇮🇪 @hectorirl]

@nialltierney25 @IrishNHTips Gaelic Warrior finally showing his immense talent , & tanking himself into the race / has to be the ground / Narcisso Has returning in 2027

[Racing TV @RacingTV]

🗣️ "Speechless."

Padraig Roche - two Fred Winter victories with half-brothers Brazil & Saratoga

[Irish Embassy Addis @IrlEmbEthiopia]

Táimid fós ag ceiliúradh #seachtainnagaeilge anseo san Ambasáid! Inniu, taistealaímid siar in am go dtí 2005 chun féachaint arís ar cheann de na cláir faisnéise Gaeilge is fearr riamh faoin Aetóip, a rinne @hectorirl agus @TG4TV 🇮🇪 🇪🇹

[Irish N.H. Tips @IrishNHTips]

Just a quick summary of those that interest me on Day 1 of the Cheltenhamd Festival 2026 https://t.co/zMGcV1OIya

[Peters Punts @PetersPunts]

Great #Cheltenham Space @IrishNHTips @_Davy_Russel_ and @hectorirl
Great insight and stories!