Official counting is set to begin Saturday morning in Ireland's historic abortion rights referendum, with two exit polls predicting an overwhelming victory for those seeking to end the country's strict ban.
A woman places flowers by a mural showing Savita Halappanavar, a 31-year-old Indian dentist who had sought and been denied an abortion before she died after a miscarriage in a Galway hospital, with the word YES over it, in Dublin, Ireland, on the day of a referendum on the 8th amendment of the constitution. The referendum on whether to repeal the country's strict anti-abortion law is being seen by anti-abortion activists as a last-ditch stand against what they view as a European norm of abortion-on-demand, while for pro-abortion rights advocates, it is a fundamental moment for declaring an Irish woman's right to choose. (Niall Carson/PA via AP)
The Irish Times and RTE television exit polls suggest the Irish people have voted to repeal a 1983 constitutional amendment that requires authorities to treat a fetus and its mother as equals under the law. That effectively bans abortions, and currently, terminations are only allowed when a woman's life is at risk.
The exit polls are predictions only, with official results expected to be announced Saturday afternoon. Paper ballots must be counted and tallied.
If the projected numbers hold up, the referendum would be a landmark in Irish women's fight for abortion rights and a key turning point for a largely Catholic nation that has seen a wave of liberalization in recent years. It would also likely end the need for Irish women to travel abroad — mostly to neighboring Britain — for abortions.
Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, who campaigned for repeal, did not claim victory based on the exit polls but seemed very confident late Friday night.
"Thank you to everyone who voted today. Democracy in action. It's looking like we will make history tomorrow," he said in a tweet after the exit polls were released.
A man walks past a mural showing Savita Halappanavar, a 31-year-old Indian dentist who had sought and been denied an abortion before she died after a miscarriage in a Galway hospital, with the word YES over it, in Dublin, Ireland, on the day of a referendum on the 8th amendment of the constitution. The referendum on whether to repeal the country's strict anti-abortion law is being seen by anti-abortion activists as a last-ditch stand against what they view as a European norm of abortion-on-demand, while for pro-abortion rights advocates, it is a fundamental moment for declaring an Irish woman's right to choose. (Niall Carson/PA via AP)
Both exit polls project that the "yes" vote to repeal the ban to be nearly 70 percent. They also suggest that supporters of more liberal abortion laws may have triumphed throughout the country, not just in the cosmopolitan capital, Dublin, where a strong youth vote had been anticipated.
The magnitude of the predicted victory exceeds the expectations of abortion rights activists, but prominent opponent of repeal Cora Sherlock said the exit polls, if accurate, "paint a very sad state of affairs."
She said the "pro-life movement will rise to any challenge it faces" and resist what she called the trend toward abortion on demand.
If the "yes" forces seeking a constitutional change prevail, Ireland's parliament will be charged with coming up with new abortion laws.
The government proposes to allow abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy with later terminations allowed in some cases.
If confirmed by the official tally, the large margin of victory predicted by the exit polls would greatly strengthen the government's hand when dealing with abortion opponents in parliament.
A woman leaves a polling station after casting her vote in the referendum on the 8th Amendment of the Irish Constitution, in Dublin, Ireland, Friday May 25, 2018. The referendum on whether to repeal the country's strict anti-abortion law is being seen by anti-abortion activists as a last-ditch stand against what they view as a European norm of abortion-on-demand, while for pro-abortion rights advocates, it is a fundamental moment for declaring an Irish woman's right to choose. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
A family leave a polling station after voting in the referendum on the 8th Amendment of the Irish Constitution, in Dublin, Ireland, Friday May 25, 2018. The referendum on whether to repeal the country's strict anti-abortion law is being seen by anti-abortion activists as a last-ditch stand against what they view as a European norm of abortion-on-demand, while for pro-abortion rights advocates, it is a fundamental moment for declaring an Irish woman's right to choose. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort played riverboat gambler in his first draft last season, wheeling and dealing picks during the first round at a dizzying pace.
This time around, he didn't need to get fancy.
The Cardinals selected receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the No. 4 overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night, hoping the Ohio State star can be the team's leading playmaker for quarterback Kyler Murray.
“Kyler’s awesome,” Harrison said. “You look at his record from high school and he’s always won, and that’s the kind of guy I want to play with. He’s just so dynamic of a quarterback and I just want to go in there and make his job easier.”
The Cardinals also took Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson with the No. 27 overall pick. The 6-foot-5, 296-pounder had 8 1/2 sacks in his final college season with the Tigers and was named first-team All-Southeastern Conference.
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Harrison has drawn comparisons to Larry Fitzgerald, who was arguably the greatest player in the team's history after amassing more than 17,000 yards receiving over 17 seasons before retiring in 2020.
Ossenfort said he received multiple text messages from an excited Murray following the Harrison pick.
“With Marvin, it's maturity, accountability and dependability,” the GM said. “He checks all those boxes. He's been around football his whole life, and we're really excited about the way he approaches his job.”
Harrison has an impressive bloodline. He's the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, though considerably bigger than his dad, possessing a rare combination of size, speed and athleticism. He caught 67 passes for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns in his final season with the Buckeyes.
The receiver said having a dad who knew about the NFL made the draft process much easier.
“I love where my body is right now,” Harrison said. “I love where I'm at going into the season, going into mini-camp, going into training camp."
Arizona was in a prime position to get one of the draft's top non-quarterbacks. The teams with the top three picks all needed QBs, but the Cardinals are set at the position with Murray, who has a $230.5 million, five-year deal that could keep him in Arizona through 2028.
Robinson's selection late in the first round was no surprise considering defensive line was an area of need.
“Versatility,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said. “We're going to put him everywhere. Violent. Really good in the run and pass game.”
Robinson, who is a Michigan native, was one of the few players remaining in the NFL's green room for draft picks, but said he wasn't worried that he'd fall out of the first round.
“I wasn't antsy, I knew AZ was the one for me since the beginning of this process," Robinson said. "They were one of the first teams that met with me at the combine. One of the first teams that met with me at the Senior Bowl.”
It was the first two picks of a vital draft for the Cardinals, who have nine more picks over the next three days. Arizona's had a 4-13 record in each of the past two seasons.
Ossenfort chose to use the No. 4 pick instead of trading down for potentially more selections.
It was a different strategy from his first season with the club, when the Cardinals started with the No. 3 overall selection but made multiple trades on draft night before settling on the No. 6 pick, which was used to select offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr.
Johnson — who also played at Ohio State — started all 17 games at right tackle last season. Harrison said the two have texted back and forth over the past few months, excited about the possibility of playing together.
Harrison should also have an immediate impact, especially considering the Cardinals lack of elite receivers. Tight end Trey McBride had a breakout season in 2023 with 825 yards receiving and three touchdowns. Michael Wilson also had an encouraging rookie season with 565 yards receiving.
But the No. 1 receiver spot is up for grabs and the Cardinals certainly hope Harrison can seize it.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL
Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson poses with fans after being chosen by the Arizona Cardinals with the 27th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Missouri edge rusher Darius Robinson poses on the red carpet ahead of the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Missouri edge rusher Darius Robinson poses on the red carpet ahead of the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson walks on stage during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
FILE - Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson (6) plays against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Nov. 24, 2023, in Fayetteville, Ark. The Arizona Cardinals selected Robinson in the NFL draft Thursday, April 25. (AP Photo/Michael Woods, FIle)
Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. celebrates with fans after being chosen by the Arizona Cardinals with the fourth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Arizona Cardinals with the fourth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. walks on stage before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. poses on the red carpet ahead of the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Arizona Cardinals with the fourth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
