Murphy savours try-scoring display

UL BOHEMIAN and Munster star Barry Murphy was savouring the feeling of scoring his first full international try today as the Irish rugby squad arrived in San Francisco to begin preparations for Sunday’s Test match against the USA.
Murphy’s first half touchdown helped an experimental Irish side secure a stuttering 25-6 victory over Canada at Thunderbird Stadium, Vancouver on Saturday.


Twenty-six-year-old Murphy, operating on the right wing, latched onto Darren Cave’s well judged chip ahead to score Ireland’s opening try in the 18th minute. Ireland led 7-3 at half-time, but it was not until the visitors bagged late tries through new cap Ian Whitten and Munster prop Tony Buckley - also his first for his country - that Declan Kidney’s side could be sure of victory.
A total of eight Irish players made their senior debuts in the game. The new caps included Munster duo, Ian Dowling, who played on the left wing, and flanker Niall Ronan, both of whom made telling contributions to the victory.
Afterwards coach Declan Kidney said that while there were areas of their play that they needed to improve upon, he was pleased with the manner in which his young charges kept on trying things.
Ireland face the US Eagles in the Buckshaw Stadium, Santa Clara, California on Sunday evening next. (9pm Irish time).
“There was a lot of things in our performance we know we’d like to get better. We were trying things - that’s what pleased me,” Kidney said.
“As long as we keep trying things, we will try and work the positive out of that. We didn’t go back into our shells. We must give credit to Canada. They are an improving side. They put us under a lot of pressure and retained the ball for long periods of time.”
Canada: James Pritchard; Dean van Camp, Ciaran Hearn, Ryan Smith, DTH van der Merwe; David Spicer, Ed Fairhurst; Kevin Tkachuk, Pat Riordan (Capt), Scott Franklin; Tyler Hotson, Mike Burak; Chauncey O’Toole, Adam Kleeberger, Aaron Carpenter. Replacements: Andrew Tiedemann for Franklin, Jebb Sinclair for Carpenter (both half-time), Ander Monro for van Camp (54 mins), Luke Tait for Hotson, Nanyak Dala for O’Toole (both 58 mins), Phil Mack for Fairhurst (66 mins).
Ireland: Gavin Duffy; Barry Murphy, Darren Cave, Ian Whitten, Ian Dowling; Ian Keatley, Peter Stringer; Tom Court, Rory Best (Capt), Tony Buckley; Bob Casey, Mick O’Driscoll; John Muldoon, Niall Ronan, Denis Leamy. Replacements: Mike Ross for Court, Ryan Caldwell for Casey (both 54 mins), Eoin Reddan for Stringer, Donnacha Ryan for Muldoon (both 71 mins). Referee: C. White (England).
Meanwhile the Lions squad was due to arrive in South Africa early today as head coach Ian McGeechan warned that the Paul O’Connell captained side faced the toughest challenge in their history.
‘Airforce Scrum’ carrying the Lions squad left Heathrow Airport last night and was due to touch down in Johannesburg earlier today. As well as captain O’Connell, the Lions party also included Munster players David Wallace, Keith Earls, Ronan O’Gara and Donncha O’Callaghan.
Lions assistant coach Warren Gatland said the biggest challenge this week would settling into a new country, finding their bearings and getting their preparations in place for that first game.
“The most exciting thing for this squad is that right now, there is only a couple of players you could hang your hats on for a starting place in the first Test,” warren Gatland said.
“There’s a great opportunity for everyone. Anyone could play themselves into selection.”
The Lions’ first tour match will be against a Royal XV in Rustenberg on Saturday. The tourists then play a further five provincial fixtures before taking on the world champion Springboks in Durban.
The funeral took place today of Sean Moore, Church Road, Raheen, a past President of Young Munster RFC. The late Mr Moore is survived by his wife Eileen, sons, daughters, relatives and friends. Following Requiem Mass at Raheen Church this Monday morning, burial took place in Castlemungret Cemetery.

Colm Kinsella