Persistent injury rules out Paul O’Connell

MUNSTER flanker Niall Ronan has received a call-up to the Irish squad for four big end-of-season fixtures on a weekend when it was confirmed that an on-going groin injury would prevent inspirational lock Paul O’Connell from playing again this season.


Ronan has been drafted into the Ireland squad for Friday night’s glamour tie with the Barbarians at Thomond Park and the subsequent tour to New Zealand and Australia in place of injured Leinster player Kevin McLaughlin.
Ronan, who won the first of his two caps last year on the summer tour to Canada and the USA, has joined up with the rest of the squad in Limerick as they prepare for the first game of the tour against the Baa-Baas.
Thirty-year-old Paul O’Connell had been selected in Declan Kidney’s initial 33-man party in the hope that he would recover from a groin injury.
O’Connell suffered the injury during Ireland’s final RBS 6 Nations game against Scotland and has failed to recover in time for the tour with Ulster’s Ed O’Donoghue being called up as his replacement.
The Irish rugby squad assembled in Limerick on Saturday to begin preparations for the clash with the Barbarians at Thomond Park on Friday evening.
The squad members trained at the University of Limerick yesterday and earlier today.
The starting line-up to face the Barbarians set to be named on Wednesday next.
The Thomond Park clash will be the first time that Ireland has played the Barbarians on home soil since 2000.
The game is the first of four big end-of-season international fixtures facing Declan Kidney’s side in the coming weeks.
Ireland face a meeting with New Zealand in New Plymouth on June 12 before locking horns with the New Zealand Maoris team in Rotorua on June 18 as part of the Maoris centenary celebrations. The final game of the tour will see Ireland playing their Rugby World Cup Pool C opponents Australia in Brisbane on June 26.
The most recent meeting between Ireland and the Barbarians also coincided with the last Southern Hemisphere tour Ireland undertook in 2008 when Ireland played the Baa-Baas in Gloucester, winning the game 39-14.
The Barbarians were due to arrive in Limerick today following their 26-35 defeat to England at Twickenham yesterday. Munster full-back Paul Warwick featured for the Baa-Baas in that entertaining game.
The squad is due to hold a training session at Garryowen FC’s Dooradoyle grounds on Tuesday morning after which the side to face Ireland will be announced.
The Barbarians’ squad is coached by Philippe Saint-Andre who is assisted by Kingsley Jones. Both played for the Barbarians and worked successfully together in recent years as coaches with Sale Sharks.
Ireland’s summer match schedule - Friday, June 4: Barbarians v Ireland XV, Thomond Park, 7.45pm. Saturday, June 12: New Zealand v Ireland, Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth, 7.35pm (8.35am Irish time). Friday, June 18: New Zealand Maori v Ireland XV, International Stadium, Rotorua, 7.35pm (8.35am Irish time).
Meanwhile one Munster player, scrum half Tomas O’Leary, has been included in the 2009-10 Magners League ‘Dream Team’ announced this weekend.
Selected by a panel of 16 media experts from the three Celtic nations, who have been following the Magners League all season, the Dream Team features players from no fewer than seven of the ten clubs in the competition.

COLM KINSELLA

Eight lucky teams through to tee up beside the pros

TWENTY-four lucky golfers are dreaming of teeing it up alongside one of the world’s biggest stars after making it through to play in July’s JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am at Adare manor Hotel and Golf Resort.
Just eight teams of three made it through from the 91 teams which competed in the Grand Qualifier held over two days at Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort.
The eight qualifying teams will be drawn to play in the company of one golf’s biggest names.
Among the qualifying teams for the July 5 and 6 Pro-Am was one which featured Cian Foley, son-in-law of Pro-Am host JP McManus.
Foley, married to JP McManus’ daughter Sue Anne, is a member of Dooks Golf Club in Kerry.
He was joined on the successful side by Neal Whelan of Rathbane Golf Club and Gary Neville of Adare Golf Club. The trio were representing the Lourdes Invalid Trust.
The leading team from the Grand Qualifier returned a stunning score of 57 points.
Under the ‘Par is Your Friend’ format each team was guaranteed 36 points.
The leading team, representing St Joseph’s Foundation, included Eric Murrihy and Michael Talty of Woodstock Golf Club, along with Evan Talty of Portlaoise GC.
The eighth team to qualify returned a score of 51 points. Among the teams to make it through was one featuring the Duggans, Bernard and Dan from Patrickswell, who are members of Adare Manor Golf Club and Croagh’s Michael Hanley of Adare Golf Club. Another Adare Manor member to qualify was Donal Byrnes, who was joined by Barry Leddin of Ballykisteen, and James Quinn of Charleville. Quinn and Leddin are also talented snooker players.
More than 8,000 club golfers tried their hand at making it through to last week’s Pro-Am Grand Qualifier at pre-qualifying events held throughout 2009 and 2010.
For each €10,000 generated by the pre-qualifying tournaments the organising charity or charities were able to enter one team in the Grand Qualifier.
In total local charities have already benefited to the tune of €910,000 which was generated at the pre-qualifying tournaments.

JP McManus Grand Qualifiers: St. Joseph’s Foundation (Evan Talty - Portlaoise; Eric Murrihy - Woodstock; Michael Talty - Woodstock), Lourdes Invalid Trust– (Bernard Hackett, Padraig Hackett & Ray Hackett - Nenagh), Moore Haven (Joe O’Dwyer, Nicky Cummins & Joe Franklin - Tipperary), Lourdes Invalid Trust (Gary Neville - Adare, Neal Whelan - Rathbane, & Cian Foley - Dooks), Brothers of Charity (Michael Hanley, Bernard Duggan, Dan Duggan - Adare Manor), Adare Community Complex (Barry Leddin - Ballykisteen, Donal Byrnes - Adare Manor & James Quinn - Charleville), Pieta House (Liam O’Sullivan, Brendan Broderick & Shane Gallagher - Newcastle West), St. Gabriel’s (Kevin O’Hora - Ballykisteen, Mike Casey - Dromoland & Tim Crowe - Dromoland).

COLM KINSELLA

Willie Casey now turns his attention to a European title

LIMERICK pro-boxer Willie Casey is targeting a European title fight after Saturday’s stunning success in Sky Sport’s Prizefighter Series.
The 28-year-old Southill man claimed the £32,000 winner’s prize after three impressive wins in the Prizefighter event at London’s York Hall.
“This victory means I’m up there at the top of the division and I’ve proved I can be with the best,” said a delighted Willie Casey, who entered the Super Bantamweight Prizefighter 12 event after injured forced the withdrawal of Wayne McCullough.
“I only came here with five fights on my record, but I beat everyone against all the odds.
“The best in Britain were in this competition including Esham Pickering and Jamie Arthur, but I’m the one left standing,” said Casey.
“It was a great opportunity and if a big fight comes up then I will always take it.
“Prizefighter came along and without hesitation I accepted it. I was a bit edgy before the start as I normally come on stronger in the later rounds, but then I had a fast start in my first fight.”
He added: “I showed a lot of character and that I have a big heart as there were some great lads in this.
“Who knows what the future holds?
“I might get a shot at the European title after winning Prizefighter. I’m very proud of everything I’ve done.”
After his win Willie Casey dedicated winning the title to his uncle Jim.
“I’m proud. I’m proud for my coaches, for my family, my wife and kids, my father and everyone else. This win puts me right up there; at the end of the day the ‘Big Bang’ wins. I wasn’t interested in the money, money was the least of my worries. It was all about the trophy and getting my name up there,” said Casey.
The Limerick man brought an unbeaten record of five wins into the Prizefighter Series. He made his pro-debut in October 2008.
A former Irish intermediate featherweight champion Willie Casey is a former member of Our Lady of St. Saviour Boxing Club in Southill.
Casey, who is being coached in Dublin by former Olympian and double European championship bronze medal winner Phil Sutcliffe is nicknamed ‘The Big Bang’ and is managed by Don O’Leary.
Casey claimed the winning trophy after an epic night of live boxing on Sky Sports with a unanimous points victory over Scottish substitute Paul McElhinney.
McElhinney got his chance in the final after Welshman Ricky Owen sustained a bad cut during his semi-final win denied him a final appearance.
Willie Casey won an incredible semi-final on points against Barnsley’s Josh Wale in a contest where a staggering 532 punches were thrown in three rounds.
“Up Limerick,” said a beaming Willie Casey into the live TV cameras after the he won a split decision.
“I’m going all out for the win now.
“I’m after beating all the odds and I’m going all the way,” said the Limerick man.
Casey had started the night with a third round stoppage of Mark Moran.

JEROME O’CONNELL

Irish squad assemble in Limerick ahead of clash with the Barbarians

THE Irish rugby squad will assemble in Limerick this Saturday to begin preparations for the clash with the Barbarians at Thomond Park on Friday, June 4.
The squad members will then train at the University of Limerick on both Sunday and Monday, with the starting line-up to face the Barbarians set to be named on Wednesday next.


The Thomond Park clash will be the first time that Ireland has played the Barbarians on home soil since 2000. The game is the first of four big end-of-season international fixtures facing Declan Kidney’s side in the coming weeks. Ireland face a meeting with New Zealand in New Plymouth on 12 June, before locking horns with the New Zealand Maoris team in Rotorua on June 18 as part of the Maoris centenary celebrations. The final game of the tour will see Ireland playing their Rugby World Cup Pool C opponents Australia in Brisbane on 26 June. The most recent meeting between Ireland and the Barbarians also coincided with the last Southern Hemisphere tour Ireland undertook in 2008 when Ireland played the Baa-Baas in Gloucester, winning the game 39-14.
The Barbarians first played in Ireland in October 1957 when they beat an Ulster Invitation XV 14-11 at Ravenhill.
More recently, they beat South Africa at Lansdowne Road in 1994, played there again against Ireland in the Peace International in 1996, and as part of the summer tour in 2000.
Opponents, the Barbarians, are due to arrive in Limerick on Monday next.
The squad is due to hold a training session at Garryowen FCs, Dooradoyle grounds on Tuesday morning, after which the side to face Ireland will be announced.
The Barbarians’ squad is coached by Philippe Saint-Andre, assisted by Kingsley Jones. Both played for the Barbarians and worked successfully together in recent years as coaches with Sale Sharks.
Philippe Saint-Andre, now the director of rugby at Toulon, played three times for the Barbarians in the 1990s, including the 1994 match against South Africa when he was a try-scorer in the famous 23-15 victory for the club. Kingsley Jones represented the Barbarians twice on the 2000 summer tour.
Munster full-back Paul Warwick has been included in the Barbarians starting line-up for the opening game of their two-game summer tour, against England at Twickenham this Sunday at 5pm.
The side in full is:Paul Warwick (Munster); Paul Sackey (Wasps), Casey Laulala (Cardiff Blues), Florian Fritz (Toulouse), Cedric Heymans (Toulouse); Jean-Baptiste Ellisalde (Toulouse), Byron Kelleher (Toulouse); Rodrigo Roncero (Stade Francas), Benoit August (Biarritz), Julian White (Leicester); Ross Skeate (Toulon), Ben Kay (Leicester); Rodney So’oialo (Hurricanes), Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues), Xavier Rush (Cardiff Blues, captain).
Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Census Johnston (Toulouse), Jerome Thion (Biarritz), George Smith, Pierre Mignoni (Toulon), Fabrice Estebanez (Brive), David Smith (Hurricanes).
Meanwhile, the Munster rugby league side begin their inter-provincial campaign against Ulster this Saturday at the ALSAA Complex in Dudlin at 3pm.
The first game of the day at the ALSAA complex sees the RLI students up against Leinster at 1pm. The students will be looking to get their season underway as the volcanic ash prevented them taking part in the recent student regional championships.
Thee winners in each game going forward to contest the final on July 31.

Colm Kinsella

Barry secures his place in French Open junior championship

LIMERICK rising tennis star Sam Barry has secured himself a place in the French Open junior championships.
This Wednesday, the 18 year old reached the quarter finals of the 46th Astrid Bowl in Charleroi in the Belgian International Junior Championships. By virtue of reaching the last eight of the Belgian competition, the teenage star from the Ennis Road has been awarded a special exemption into the main draw of Roland Garros for next month’s junior championships at the French Open. This Thursday, revenge was on the mind of Barry in the quarter finals of the Astrid Bowl when he faced England’s Oliver Golding.
Back in January, Barry made history when he became the first ever Irish player to win a match in the Australian Open Junior Championships beating Russian Victor Baluda in three sets 6-7, 6-4, 6-3.
Barry was then defeated by Oliver Golding in the second round Golding - 6-7 (8-10), 6-3, 6-4.
The sixteen-year-old Golding was once a child actor in London productions of Scrooge and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as well as appearing in the feature length remake of the Disney classic Greyfriars Bobby.
The rematch between the duo takes place on Court One this Thursday afternoon in Charleroi. Having won two games in qualifying to reach the main draw, Sam Barry defeated Facundo Mena (ARG) 57 61 75 to reach the quarter finals of this Grade 1 ITF event in Belgium. On Wednesday he defeated Damir Dzumhur (BIH), who is ranked 14 in the world. A son of Michael and Jean - from his initial introduction to the sport in Limerick Lawn Tennis club at the age of six, Sam Barry has been a member of Tennis Ireland’s National Training Programme since September 2007 and he trains at the BNP Paribas National Tennis Academy which is operated by Tennis Ireland at DCU in Dublin.

Jerome O’Connell

Munster attract largest average home gate in Magners League

MUNSTER continued to attract the biggest support in the Magners League this season with ticket sales averaging 18,600 ticket for the province’s home games.
Ticket sales for Munster’s nine home League games increased by 4 per cent on last season, when Tony McGahan’s men claimed the Magners League title.
And Munster’s average home attendance is some 10,000 higher than the average in the competition as a whole.


Crowds for the 18 rounds of regular Magners League matches topped the three-quarters of a million mark for the first time ever at 771,852, representing an increase of 5.5 per cent on last season.
Average gates now stand at 8,576, more than double the average of 3,802 recorded in the 2003-04 season when home and away games in the league first began. Director of Celtic Rugby, David Jordan said: “Congratulations must go to Munster on ending another season as the Magners League’s Best Supported Team.
The loyalty of their fans in renowned throughout Europe, and the support they give their team is outstanding.
“Almost all Magners League teams have recorded an increase in their gates this year; Glasgow Warriors by nearly 28 per cent, Cardiff Blues 25 per cent whilst Connacht have seen an 8 per cent increase.
“This is a remarkable achievement in a year of economic turmoil, travel chaos and weather interruptions.”
Meanwhile, Munster will learn the identity of their opponents for the pool stages of next season’s Heineken Cup on Tuesday, June 8.
The draw for the six Pools of four teams each will take place on Tuesday week.
As Munster are ranked as a Tier 1 side, the two-time Heineken Cup winners cannot be drawn in the same pool as Heineken Cup holders Toulouse, irish rivals Leinster, Leicester Tigers, Cardiff Blues or Biarritz Olympique.
It has been confirmed that current Ireland Under 20 international Paddy Butler has joined Munster’s Development contracted players for the coming season.
Shannon star Butler, who impressed at number 8 for Ireland throughout the course of their U20 Six Nations Championship earlier this season, featured in the recent British & Irish Cup final game for Munster against Cornish Pirates in Cornwall earlier this month.
Next month Rockwell College graduate Butler will join Munster Academy players, Simon Zebo, Dave O’Callaghan and Brian Hayes on the Argentina bound Ireland Under 20 World Cup squad.

Colm Kinsella

Tom Hayes leads Exeter into the Premiership

INSPIRATIONAL captain Tom Hayes stole some of the limelight away from big brother John this week when the Limerickman helped guide the Exeter Chiefs into the Guinness Premiership for the first time.
Tom, younger brother of Munster and Ireland prop John, led the Chiefs to a resounding 38-16 aggregate win over Bristol in their two-leg Premiership play-off final this Wednesday.
It was a case of double celebration for Tom, a former All-Ireland League winning captain with Shannon, before his move cross-channel.
Tom Hayes and his wife Rachel, a member of the renowned Limerick rugby family, the Tuckers, celebrated the birth of their son Tomas Og last weekend.
Twenty nine-year-old Hayes said it was an ‘absolutely brilliant feeling’ to have led Exeter into the top flight of English club rugby, the Guinness Premiership.
The Exeter Chiefs secured promotion with a highly impressive 29-10 win over Bristol in the second leg of their final play-off at the Memorial Ground, a game which was televised live on Sky Sports.
Afterwards a delighted Tom Hayes said: “It is an absolutely unbelievable feeling. I don’t really know what to say.
“I said last week after the first leg that people at the club, who have been here a lot longer than me, set out to get to the Premiership as their goal.
“I have only been here two years, but I bought into it straight away, as soon as I got here. I had to buy into the heartache that fellows felt in finishing second in the Championship so many times over the past number of years. It is an absolutely unbelievable feeling now to finally get there this year.
“This success was all about trying to put the ghosts of the past behind us. People have doubted Exeter.
“They said the club always seemed to fold on the big stage. The club had gone to Twickenham and lost in cup finals and stuff. People said we didn’t have the bottle for the big day, but I think we put that one to bed over the past could of weeks.”
Cappamore man Tom Hayes, who previously played with Plymouth Albion in the Championship, said he was looking forward to playing on the big stage next season.
“I am looking forward to playing on the big stage,” Tom Hayes said.
“This game against Bristol was a massive game for us.
“The atmosphere was terrific. The Bristol crowd were massive and the Exeter supporters were brilliant.
“We would expect that type of atmosphere every week in the Premiership, where it may not always happen in the Championship every week.
“My first child was born on Saturday, so it has been a brilliant week for me.”
Exeter had taken a three-point lead into the second leg of the Championship play-off final after beating Bristol 9-6 in their first leg played at their Sandy Park home.
This was the first time that a place in the Premiership had been decided by a play-off.
And the RFU Management Board had already revealed Exeter had already met the authorities’ Minimum Standards criteria.

Colm Kinsella

McCrory: ‘To play in Wembley is a dream’

CROOM’S Damien McCrory goes down Wembley way this Sunday when he plays in the Coca Cola Football League Two Play-off Final.


The 20-year-old Limerick man will play with Dagenham & Redbridge when they face Rotherham United - the final game of the English soccer season takes place in Wembley Stadium and will be live on Sky Sports at 3pm.
“I can’t wait for it - it’s brilliant. I really didn’t expect this to come about this season,” Damien told Leader Sport.
“To play in Wembley is a dream - some Premier League players don’t even get to play in Wembley during their careers. As well as playing in Wembley, playing for Ireland is the other dream for any young fella growing up,” he explained.
“I am just so happy that this has happened so early in my career. I am still young. I’m 20 so it’s great that I am going to play in Wembley because not too many 20-year-olds get to do that,” said Damien who is the eldest son of Paul and Helen.
“This will be my first time there. I’ve never been there even to watch a game. We are going down (to Wembley) on Friday to have a look around and hopefully then on the match day we won’t take as much notice. All the lads can’t wait. Hopefully we will win it now because I would be gutted to loose a final in Wembley.”
McCrory started out with Croom United and played with Wembley Rovers before the call came from cross-channel.
The Limerick man signed professional terms with Plymouth Argyle in May of 2008 after progressing through their centre of excellence over a two-year period. He spent time on loan at Port Vale last season and at the beginning of this season before heading to Grimsby where he made 11 appearances. This February McCrory was among the many deadline day transfers when he signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Dagenham & Redbridge after joining from Plymouth for a five-figure sum.
McCrory left these shores as a left-sided midfielder, but has been converted into a defender at Dagenham.
“It has been a great end to the season for us. We have won a lot of games and have actually won a lot of them with late goals. When I first joined them, we were just outside the play-off places,” he said.
“In our last game we were in the play-off places and all we needed to do was win to guarantee us a play-off place, but as it turned out we only had to draw because of results everywhere else, but we won it against Darlington anyway.”
The Daggers finished in seventh place in the league table and faced Morecambe over two legs in the play-off semi-final. After a 6-0 first leg victory at home the Daggers were half way to Wembley.
“We really battered Morecambe in the first leg and after that the mood has been brilliant and the confidence is high with everyone. Everyone is hitting form at the right time and full of confidence,” he said.
Champions Notts County, Bournemouth and Rochdale have already booked their places in League One for next season and now Dagenham & Redbridge are 90 minutes away from the biggest day in their history.
“People were saying that Dagenham were not even a league team a few years ago and they have been on the up and up for the last few years. These are the best moments in the history of the club. Our usual gate is about 3,500, but we have already sold 13,000 tickets and people expect us to have something like 18,000 or 20,000 supporters in Wembley. So there could be a crowd of 40,000 and that would be brilliant,” McCrory added.
Damien McCrory returns to Croom next Tuesday, but this weekend Croom will invade London: “There are about 25 coming over for it. They are all staying in hotels near where I live so hopefully we will have a good time if we win. The two legs of the play-off were on Sky Sports so it was great that people could see me play.”

Jonathan Cosgrove
Knockainey’s Jonathan Cosgrove has been selected in the Irish squad for the qualifying rounds of the European Deaf Football Championships.
Cosgrove and colleagues will face Slovakia over two legs - starting this Sunday, May 29 at the Home Farm FC pitch in Dublin’s Whitehall.

Jerome O’Connell

Mullane a doubt for clash with the Deise

FULL-back Conor Mullane is a late injury worry ahead of Limerick’s Munster senior football semi-final against Waterford.
The St. Senan’s man tore his hamstring in training last week and is “touch and go” to be fully fit for the June 6 tie in Fraher Field, Dungarvan.
Limerick manager Mickey Ned O’Sullivan reports that all other front-line players are ready for action.
“It’s all systems go,” O’Sullivan told Leader Sport.
Limerick finalised their preparations with a challenge game against Sligo last weekend while Mickey Ned travelled to Waterford to see the home side advance past Clare last Sunday afternoon.
“They will be tough. They have played a game and to have a championship match under your belt is invaluable, as we saw last year,” explained Mickey Ned O’Sullivan.
“They are on a high. They have only been beaten by Kerry by one goal in the McGrath Cup and by us in the league final. They were the only team to go through the league games unbeaten.”
A crowd of 2,100 saw Waterford emerge 1-10 to 0-9 winners over Clare last Sunday and a similar attendance is expected in two weeks time.
“They were in control all through the game and they are improving all the time,” said O’Sullivan of Waterford.
Johnny McCarthy, Stephen Lavin and Jim O’Donovan were the main injury concerns in recent weeks, but the trio are now back in full training.
John Cooke, Philip Corrigan and Barry Fitzpatrick won’t be considered for starting places in Dungarvan due to injury, but the management team are keeping their fingers crossed that Mullane will be fit.
“This is the most difficult team I have ever had to pick - in the backs and the forwards there will be lads disappointed because they won’t start.
“It’s a 20-player game now, but all players want to start of course.”
This weekend Limerick will travel to Dungarvan to familiarise themselves with the venue.
Dungarvan will bring back happy memories for five members of the current panel as Mark O’Riordan, Conor Mullane, Stephen Lucey, John Galvin and Conor Fitzgerald were all members of the 2000 Munster under-21 football winning side.
The Munster senior football championship semi-final of 2004 was the last championship meeting of the teams on a day when Liam Kearns’ side were 1-18 to 0-7 winners.
Mark O’Riordan, Johnny McCarthy, Padraig Browne, Stephen Lucey, John Galvin, Conor Mullane and Conor Fitzgerald all started that day and remain on the panel.

Jerome O’Connell

Du Preez agrees a two year deal with Munster

WHEN prop Wian du Preez jetted back to South Africa four months ago to rejoin the Cheetahs from Munster the 27-year-old said he would relish the opportunity to be part of Tony McGahan’s squad at some future date.
Du Preez’s opportunity to return to Munster has come about quicker than many expected.


The Springbok has this week agreed a two-year deal to return to Munster after impressing while on loan at Thomond Park in the middle of last season.
Wian du Preez initially joined Munster on a three-month deal from Super 14 outfit the Cheetahs last November in place of the injured Marcus Horan.
The South African made his debut in the Magners League clash with the Ospreys at the start of December and played his sixth and final game for the province in the Heineken Cup against the Northampton Saints in January.
It is reported that since his return to South Africa to play in the Super 14 with the Cheetahs, du Preez had become disillusioned by the absence of a call-up from the Springboks selectors.
Speaking just prior to his departure from Munster earlier this year du Preez said he had really enjoyed his time with the Irish province.
“I would love to come back if the opportunity arises. I really enjoyed my stint here,” Wian du Preez said.
“My wife and I were very happy and everyone looked after us really well. With the guys and the set-up, everything was brilliant.
“Playing for Munster, you have a special bond and team spirit is really special. It’s like a brother bond you’ve got.
“Then there is the crowd. The people are crazy about Munster and that lifts you when you are tired or when you’ve got to go around and ruck again, it just motivates you.”
Du Preez’s agent, Stephan Weyers, told South African newspaper Volksblad: “Wian played for Munster in the Heineken Cup during his off-season after South Africa’s end-of-season tour in ‘09.
“They were really impressed by his scrummaging and commitment and have made a good offer.
“We told (Cheetahs coach) Naka (Drotske) early on that we are considering another offer and were open with him from the outset.
“Wian would love to come and end his career at the Cheetahs.”
While Du Preez is Munster-bound Leinster’s South African prop is on his way back to South Africa to ensure that Springbok coach Peter de Villiers can consider him for next year’s World Cup in New Zealand. CJ Van der Linde has already signed a contract with the Free State Cheetahs to strengthen last year’s Currie Cup runners-up and has also been rewarded with a place in the Springbok team for the June 5 Test against Wales in Cardiff.
In a statement on their official website Munster Rugby said du Preez would prove a valuable addition to the squad.
“The highly regarded and popular player will be a very valuable addition to the Munster squad in the run up to and throughout the World Cup,” the statement said.

COLM KINSELLA

Junior Cup final changed to Cork venue

There is fierce disappointment in local soccer circles with the news that the FAI Junior Cup final fixed for Jackman Park on June 13 has now been rescheduled.
The decider will now be played in Turner’s Cross in Cork a week earlier on Sunday, June 6.
The LDMC had Jackman Park in tip-top shape for last weekend’s FAI Youths Cup final and were looking forward to hosting the centre piece of Irish Junior Soccer.
However a phone call from the FAI this week informed them that last week’s draw for the venue for the final was null and void and with the agreement of both clubs the game has now been switched to the Cork venue.
Fairview Rangers were originally informed that the FAI cup final would be played on June 6 and on that basis a number of their players had holidays planned for the following week.
With this in mind Fairview agreed to the switch and while it is regrettable that Jackman Park will lose the final, the up side is that Fairview will be able to field a full side on the day.
The 2007 Munster Junior Cup winners Pike Rovers host Carrick United in the semi-final of this season’s competition at Jackman Park on Saturday.
The competition has been held up due to the objection against Pike Rovers in the FAI Junior Cup. It was generally believed that once Pike were removed from the national competition that their exit from the provincial competition would follow.
However Munster saw sense and took no further action paving the way for Saturdays’ clash.
With the prominent Waterford side already querying forms we may be heading down the objection road again if the result does not go their way.
Pike Rovers must put all that nonsense out of their heads and focus on the job at hand.
The players have been superb in their attitude in recent weeks and they need to bring the same professional approach into this weekend’s game.
Managers Declan Casey and Declan Considine will be delighted that they enter the game as Premier League champions following last week’s results. A 7-0 win over Regional United wrapped up a three in-a-row of league titles.
Last Sunday Pike beat Regional again (3-1) to qualify for the final of the Lawson Cup while the Hoops have also won the Tuohy Cup.
The Waterford side will be keen to make amends for last season’s decider when they went down 2-0 to Fairview Rangers. Clonmel Town are sitting pretty in the final awaiting the winner.

PAT SHEEHAN

Talented teenager Lee Jay Lynch considers his options

TALENTED Limerick teenager Lee Jay Lynch is considering attractive offers from the Glenn Hoddle Academy in Spain and Cypriot First Division side Doxa after his time with the Premier League’s West Bromwich Albion came to an end in recent weeks.
Eighteen-year-old Lynch will decide in the coming weeks whether to continue his promising football career at the renowned Glenn Hoddle Academy in Jerez, Spain or sign a two-year contract with Cypriot First Division side Doxa, based in Nicosia.
The standard of football in Cypriot’s top flight has improved significantly in recent seasons and the country’s UEFA Champions League representatives, Apoel reached the group stages of last season’s competition when their impressive run of results included an eye-catching 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Founded in 1954, Doxa play their home games at the impressive 14,500 capacity Makario Athletic Centre.
Former Regional United winger Lynch said he had enjoyed his two-year stint with West Brom, although his first season had been hampered severely by injury.
“Overall, my time with West Brom was good. My first year there was a bit of a disaster though because I seemed to be injured all year. I was called up for the Irish under-19 side, but unfortunately I was injured again,” Lee Jay Lynch said.
“In my second season at West Brom, I felt I did really well. I played 18 to 20 reserve league games.
“I had expected to get a professional contract, but it didn’t happen. The club felt I needed another year of development, really. They didn’t feel I was ready for first team football. I loved my time with West Brom. It was brilliant.
“Now I have got offers from Europe it is exciting.
“I got a phone call from Glenn Hoddle saying he wanted to sign me for his Spanish reserve team. They are based in Spain.
“A club in Cyprus wants me for a two-year professional contract. I am going to have to sit down with my family to discuss things.
“Glenn Hoddle has his own reserve academy in Jerez.
“He scouts players from England to go over and play there in a reserve league.
“He has links with Real Sociedad and Sevilla. He said he would like to get me into one of those clubs within a couple of months. That is where he makes his money.
“The offer from Cyprus is with a fully professional club who want me on a two-year deal. There was also some telephone interest from Crewe Alexandra, Sheffield Wednesday and Falkirk.
“Right now, I am probably edging towards the Cyprus offer, the chance to train with the first team.
“But I probably won’t make up my mind until the start of July. I have to let them know my decision then. I am home for the summer now and will train away.”
The former Irish under-17 international, who won two All-Ireland senior soccer titles with Limerick CBS, is from Carey’s Road.
Son of Robert and Ann Lynch, he is the third generation of the family to gain football prominence. Lee Jay’s grandfather Tommy Lynch was an outstanding midfield player with local club Caledonians while his uncle, also Tom, played with Sunderland, Shrewsbury, Gillingham, Limerick FC and Waterford United. He also managed the latter two clubs.
Glenn Hoddle and his Academy coaching team of Graham Rix, Nigel Spackman, Dave Beasant and chief scout George Foster identify young talented players who have been released by Premier League or Championship clubs and invite them to Spain for a year of development work. The aim is to get the young players back into professional football, a service for which the Academy charge a development fee.

COLM KINSELLA

Overhaul set to signal the end of AIL play-offs

A MAJOR overhaul of the All-Ireland League for the 2011-2012 season is set to signal the end of the play-off system to determine the winners of Division 1 in the short term at least.
Instead the winners of the new-look Division 1A of the League will be deemed champions. The IRFU have indicated, however, that consideration may be given to play-offs in Division 1A to be included in the future. Under the new structure Division 1A and B in the 2011-12 season will each feature ten teams with clubs playing each other on a home and away basis to ensure an 18-game regular season. Promotion and relegation between 1A and 1B would be one automatic and one decided by play-off.
Division 2 will consist of two sections referred to as 2A and 2B with 16 teams each playing 15 games. Promotion and relegation between 2A and 2B would be two automatic and one by play-off. Promotion and relegation between Division 1B and 2A would be automatic two up and two down.
Contracted players will only play in Division 1, with a reduction from three to two in the number of fully contracted players who may be included in the match day squads per team per match of which only one can be a forward. Rolling substitutes are to be introduced on a trial basis.
Under the new structure, the number of senior clubs will increase by four from 48 to 52.
This will mean that each of the provincial champions from next season will automatically gain senior club status. An emphasis for the new structure will also be a move towards playing more Friday night games to ensure that in as much as is possible, the AIL season does not come into direct competition with the provincial games by utilising the flexibility of clubs with floodlighting facilities. The present qualifying league structure (provincial junior league winner’s round robin competition) would be maintained, including the promotion and relegation system to 2B.
The team which finishes top of their respective division will be deemed to be the divisional league champions and the winners of Division 1A will be deemed the All-Ireland League Champions. The structures are to remain in place until the 2016-17 Season to provide stability to the league. The announcement follows a consultation process that was begun in October 2009 with various interested parties.
Meanwhile, Munster players Alan Quinlan and Paul Warwick are included in the star-studded Barbarians squad for the clash with Declan Kidney’s Ireland side at Thomond Park on Friday week, June 4.


Heineken Cup champions Toulouse provide All Black scrum-half Byron Kelleher, Cedric Haymans and Florian Fritz while their opponents Biarritz Olympique’s captain Jerome Thion and hooker Benoit August have also accepted invitations to make their Barbarians’ debuts.
European Challenge Cup winners Cardiff Blues are represented by Martyn Williams, Casey Laulala and Xavier Rush while runners-up Toulon supply Pierre Mignoni, Sebastien Bruno and South African Ross Skeate. The Barbarians face England in their opening end-of-season fixture at Twickenham this Sunday before facing Ireland on Friday week in Limerick (7.45pm).
While the Thomond Park game is a sell-out, there are still hospitality places available, full details can be found on the Thomond Park website or by contacting Michelle Payne at mpayne@thomondpark.ie or by phone on 061-421129.
Six Munster Rugby academy players receiving development contracts for the 2010-11 season while eleven new players have been recruited to the province’s academy.
Academy Player of the Year Scott Deasy and a number of players recently involved in the British & Irish Cup final, Ian Nagle, Dave Foley, Peter O’Mahony, Stephen Archer and Danny Barnes, have all been promoted to the senior squad on development contracts.
New recruits include sub academy players Luke O’Dea, Cathal Sheridan, Simon Zebo, Sean Henry, Brian Hayes, Dave Kilcoyne, Alan Cotter, Gareth Quinn McDonogh and Ronan O’Mahony, who continue to progress making the move into the academy programme. First Year Academy Players: Alan Cotter (Young Munster) prop, JJ Hanrahan (School Rockwell, Club TBC) out-half-centre, Brian Hayes (Cork Con) second row, Sean Henry (UL Bohs) hooker, Corey Hircock (TBC) centre, David Kilcoyne (UL Bohs) prop, Luke O’Dea (Shannon) full-back, Ronan O’Mahony (Garryowen) full-back-winger, Gareth Quinn McDonogh (Shannon) out-half, Cathal Sheridan (UL Bohs) scrum-half, Simon Zebo (Cork Con).

Colm Kinsella

July end for Markets Field

THE Markets Field will close its doors on July 17.
The Irish Greyhound Board have confirmed that almost 80 years of racing at the current Limerick Greyhound Stadium will end with a special night of racing in mid-July.
With the new multi-million euro stadium on the Dock Road not opening until October 8 Limerick will be without greyhound racing for over two months.
“We have worked closely with the local greyhound owners and breeders association and credit is due to them for taking the long-term view on this. The inconvenience will soon pass while the stadium will be a major success story for many decades,” said Irish Greyhound Board Chief Executive Adrian Neilan.
The Irish Greyhound Board is putting on additional racing at the Kingdom Stadium in Tralee and at Galway Stadium to accommodate as best as possible those owners and trainers who would normally race at Limerick.
The main construction work on the new stadium on the Greenpark site is now complete and the laying of the racing surface will commence in mid-July ahead of trials in early September.
The CEO explained the reason behind the two months without racing.
“Of crucial importance to the opening of the new stadium is the assurance of a safe and consistent running surface for competing greyhounds. To ensure that all welfare needs are met in this regard the decision to move the sand from the existing Markets Field site has been taken. This will ensure that the racing surface quickly knits and beds in and that there are no long time delays in waiting for the surface to settle as has been the case in the past when stadia opened with new racing circuits,” said Neilan.
“We have experienced problems with quarry sand at Kilkenny earlier this year and we will not compromise the safety or quality of the track at Limerick.
“In order to move the sand and bed in the new track this does mean there will be a period of a little over two months when there will be no racing in the city, but it is in the best interests of the welfare of the greyhounds in the long-term.
“We must also remember the St Leger is scheduled to run in December and we have a responsibility to our owners and trainers to ensure every measure is taken to ensure the safety of their greyhounds when the new stadium opens,” Neilan added.

Jerome O’Connell

Munster dealt an injury blow

MUNSTER have been dealt a blow ahead of the start of next season with confirmation that centre Lifeimi Mafi is to miss the opening games of the 2010-11 campaign as he recovers from a shoulder operation.


Mafi had an operation on the troublesome shoulder last week and the 28-year-old is not expected to feature for the province until after the new season has begun.
Since arriving in Ireland in 2006, former New Zealand under-19 and under-21 international Lifeimi Mafi has played 94 times for Munster and scored ten tries.
Elsewhere, the news on Munster’s long-term injury victims is positive.
Denis Leamy (knee), Donnacha Ryan (shoulder), Darragh Hurley (eye), Felix Jones (neck) and Barry Murphy (leg) are all expected to be fully fit and available for the province’s opening pre-season match against the Leicester Tigers on Friday, August 20.
Munster prop Darragh Hurley, who sustained an eye tear which subsequently became infected, has been cleared by medics to take full part in training.
Ireland internationals Denis Leamy and Donnacha Ryan are both recovering well from their injuries and are expected to return with Hurley for pre-season training when it starts at the end of next month.
The versatile Barry Murphy is still at the recovery stage, but is also expected to report for full training then. Promising full-back/winger Felix Jones has taken part in the last couple of training sessions before the season’s end and should be cleared for full contact when pre-season starts.
The venue for Munster’s pre-season clash with Leicester has yet to be confirmed, nor has it been decided where the second pre-season game - against Gloucester on Friday, August 27 - will take place.
Meanwhile, players from around the world have accepted invitations for the Barbarians’ 2010 summer tour which includes the sell-out MasterCard Trophy clash with Ireland at Thomond Park on Friday week, June 4.
Several members of Toulouse’s Heineken Cup-winning side, including All Blacks’ scrum-half Byron Kelleher and his club mate Jean-Baptiste Ellisalde, are expected to feature for the Barbarians in Limerick. Australian fly-half Brock James is also due to join the squad.
In a particularly strong back-row Wallabies’ record cap-holder George Smith is flying over to join another world-class flanker Martyn Williams of Wales, Munster and Ireland star Alan Quinlan, and Cardiff Blues’ talismanic New Zealand number 8, Xavier Rush.
Elsewhere in the pack, Argentina’s Rodrigo Roncero, Springbok Jannie du Plessis and David Barnes provide formidable selection options in the front row.
The prominent French flavour includes two more Heineken Cup medal winners from Saturday with the Toulouse duo of Cedric Haymans and Florian Fritz included in the squad along with Jerome Thion and Sebastien Bruno.
The Barbarians’ squad will be coached by Philippe Saint-Andre, assisted by Kingsley Jones.
The Barbarians begin their two-match end-of-season schedule in the MasterCard Trophy match clash England at Twickenham on Sunday next, May 30.

COLM KINSELLA

Fairview on course for historic double

ON Sunday afternoon Fairview Rangers landed the first leg of a potentially historic national double when the club’s under-18 side won the FAI Youths Cup final thanks to Shane Power’s sensational goal which saw off the challenge of Mervue United at Jackman Park.
Now, Fairview Rangers turn their attention to the FAI Junior Cup final on Sunday, June 13.
In that decider Fairview will face St. Michael’s who beat their Tipperary rivals Clonmel Town 3-0 in the semi-finals at Cahir on Sunday - St. Michael’s lost to Pike Rovers (2-4) in the quarter-finals, but earned a reprieve when they lodged an ultimately successful objection against the eligibility of one Pike Rovers player. The Hoops were left heart-broken when they were thrown out of the FAI Junior Cup on a technicality, but their pain was soothed somewhat on Sunday morning when Pike Rovers collected the District League Premier League title for the third consecutive season.
Pike have already won the Tuohy Cup, have now added the league title to their 2009-10 haul, find themselves in the final of the Lawson Cup and next Saturday night will be chasing Munster Junior Cup glory when they face Carrick United in the semi-final of the prestigious provincial tournament at Jackman Park - Tipperary’s Clonmel Town await the winners of that semi-final.
The FAI Youths Cup has not resided on Shannonside since 1975 when Ballynanty Rovers won the coveted title, but Fairview bridged that 35-year gap with a superb performance on Sunday afternoon.
The ‘View had their work cut out for them at Jackman Park with the naming of Rangers goalkeeper Keith McCarthy as the man of the match illustrating how much the pressure the Fairview Rangers defence often had to endure.
Fairview manager Derek Whyte was thrilled by the disciplined performance of his players and even though Whyte enjoyed a decorated playing career he ranked winning this cup final as the absolute pinnacle of his footballing life.
“Absolutely, this the probably the best yet,” Derek Whyte told Leader Sport after Sunday’s thrilling game.
“They’re a great bunch of young fellas and it’s a pleasure to work with them. I think they got what they deserved today. They came up against a very, very good team, but we dug in and held out.”
Mervue United had the better of the opening half, but Fairview improved significantly after the interval before Shane Power, a second half substitute, broke Galway hearts with a stunning 25-yard volley in the 78th minute.
Mere minutes after Milo Corcoran presented Fairview Rangers captain Craig Madigan with the Youths Cup manager Derek Whyte was hoping that the Blues’ senior side could go on to beat St. Michael’s in the FAI Junior Cup decider: “Yeah, hopefully the lads can go on and do it now in what would be a first ever national double for the club.
“At least now I can sit back and let Jason Purcell (manager of the Fairview Rangers junior squad) at it. We’re thrilled to win this. This cup hasn’t come to the city too many times, 1975 was the last time so we’ve bridged a 35-year gap and we’ve made history in our club because we’d never won it before. So, it’s a very special day for everyone involved in the club”.
Meanwhile Pike Rovers winger Eoin Hanrahan was introduced as a second half substitute for the Irish amateur side which played Giovanni Trapattoni’s Republic of Ireland development squad at Malahide on Friday night.

BRIAN MCDONNELL

Casey set to feature on Prizefighter

LIMERICK pro-boxer Willie Casey has jumped at the chance to accept a last minute call-up to Sky television’s latest Prizefighter Series.
The 28-year-old Southill man will fly out to London this week to fill the void left by the late withdrawal of Wayne McCullough.
The Super Bantamweight Prizefighter event takes place next Saturday night in London.
“He was an idol to me and I really looked up to him when I was starting out,” said Willie Casey, who has four knock-out victories in his unbeaten five-fight pro-career.
“I followed his career from after the 1992 Olympics, he fought some great Mexicans and took on Naseem Hamed and I remember watching those fights.
“I don’t feel under pressure as his replacement though, it’s more excitement - although it would’ve been so great to fight him and I know his style would suit me. But I’m just delighted to be in Prizefighter and it’s my chance to prove that I can make it to the top,” said Willie Casey.
The Limerick man enters the Prizefighter Series after an impressive victory over the previously undefeated Canadian Super-Bantamweight champion Tyson Cave, flooring him four times enroute to his fourth knockout victory.
Casey made his pro-debut in October 2008. A former Irish intermediate featherweight champion, Casey is a former member of Our Lady of St. Saviour Boxing Club in Southill.
Casey, who is being coached in Dublin by former Olympian and double European championship bronze medal winner Phil Sutcliffe is nicknamed ‘The Big Bang’ and is managed by Don O’Leary.
“They don’t call me Big Bang for nothing - I like a good scrap,” said Casey.
“I like to get in there and I like boxers who like to get involved as it makes the fights more exciting.
“Cave was 10-0 before he faced me and I went over to Canada and beat him so my confidence is sky high going into this.”
Despite the late call-up to Saturday’s live event on Sky Sports, Caseys is adamant that he is ready.
“I train for every type of fight and every type of scenario and I prepare for everything - last minute replacements, change of fighters, anything,” said Casey.
“You have to prepare for everything in this game as anything can happen at the last minute - mentally and physically you have to be ready for that and I am.
“I’m an exciting fighter and the last thing people want to do with me is take me lightly.
“Don’t look at my record and think ‘he’s only fought five times’ - you don’t want to take any chances with the Big Bang.”

JEROME O’CONNELL

Limerick FC cancel Barca clash

SADLY, Limerick FC have confirmed that the proposed friendly with FC Barcelona on Saturday, July 31 at Thomond Park has now been canceled.
Last week Limerick FC were mere hours away from signing an agreement with the Spanish giants, but the Football of Association of Ireland refused to sanction the game. On Thursday Limerick FC released a statement criticising the FAI for refusing to do so while the club estimated that the event could be worth €10 million-plus to the local economy.


Following several days of controversial press coverage FC Barcelona, on Monday evening, contacted Limerick FC requesting a final clarification on whether the proposed friendly was likely to go ahead. Considering the FAI stance Limerick FC officials had no option but to resign themselves to the fact that, practically, the friendly could not go ahead.
On Tuesday night the club publicly admitted that the game was off - Limerick FC explained that FC Barcelona needed to finalise their pre-season plans, especially since the club planned to begin their Asian tour in the first week of August.
The statement also indicated that its wording had been agreed by Barcelona officials and that “the only reason that this match is not going ahead is the decision of the Airtricity League Director (Fran Gavin) and the FAI not to sanction the proposed match”.
Limerick FC also claim in their latest statement that FC Barcelona emailed FAI officials on Monday, May 17 confirming their desire to play at Thomond Park and stated their disagreement with the decision not to sanction the game.
Limerick are also eager “to thank FC Barcelona for the professional nature in which all negotiations were carried out and their support for Limerick FC’s attempts to get the necessary sanction from the FAI. Limerick FC would also like to thank its fans, its fellow league clubs and all the public who supported their call for sanctioning of the game.
“It is extremely disappointing,” the statement reads, “that Limerick FC and FC Barcelona will now not meet in Thomond Park as a result of the decision by the Airtricity League Director and the FAI not to sanction the game. The loss to the region both economically and in terms of improving the profile of soccer in the region is enormous.
“Limerick will continue to appeal the decision of the Airtricity League Director as a matter of principle as there is a need to fully clarify the position all Airtricity League clubs now find themselves in with regards to the receiving of a sanction for friendly games of this nature.
“Limerick FC,” the statement concludes, “still hope that at some stage in the future they will be in a position to welcome FC Barcelona to the mid-west region and allow all sports lovers the opportunity to see some of the world’s greatest stars in person”.

Fixtures clash
Originally the FAI cited a clash with Airtricity League fixtures as their reason for refusing to sanction the game, but the national association has since explained that they are precluded from doing so because of an agreement signed with a third party charged with bringing friendlies, which would attract crowds in excess of 15,000, to Ireland.
The FAI have scheduled an Airtricity League XI to play Manchester United at the Aviva Stadium on August 4. The Man United match could clash with European ties for Irish clubs with Bohemians potentially playing in the second leg of the Champions League and several other Airtricity League clubs embroiled in Europa League action.
In conversation with Marian Finucane on RTÉ Radio One Football Association of Ireland CEO John Delaney elaborated on the FAI’s decision not to sanction Limerick FC’s proposed friendly with Spanish giants FC Barcelona while he also labeled Limerick FC officials as “naive”.
“I think Limerick have acted very naively in the whole situation,” FAI CEO John Delaney explained.
John Delaney also said that the FAI were contractually bound to a third party in terms of arranging friendly games involving Irish clubs.
“We would have a relationship in terms of the organisation of friendlies coming into Ireland and there are certain games that we can grant and certain games that we cannot grant in terms of attendance figures,” John Delaney said.
Limerick Fine Gael TD Kieran O’Donnell, who was also party to the discussion on RTÉ Radio One, challenged John Delaney on his ability of the FAI to sanction the game.
“It’s not within out ability,” John Delaney replied.

Hardened stance
On Monday evening the FAI released a statement as its stance hardened on the Limerick FC issue.
In that detailed statement the national association emphasised its sole objective to foster the game in Ireland and that any profit the FAI makes is “delivered straight back into the development of the game”.
Even though Limerick FC furnished Leader Sport with a copy of the heads of agreement contract between Limerick FC and FC Barcelona for the friendly in question, the FAI questioned the bona fides of that contract. In the statement the FAI also outlined that the national association is precluded legally from granting friendly games in stadiums with a capacity in excess of 15,000 and that the FAI is obliged to retain ownership of Saturday, July 31 because of Airtricity League fixtures.
Late on Monday night Limerick FC publicly replied to that FAI statement in an effort to clarify their stance on the issue. The Super Blues refuted the FAI claim that they were aware of the third party commercial agreement in question.
Once more they reiterated the fact that the reason they were given for the FAI refusal to sanction the proposed friendly was because of a clash with Airtricity League fixtures. The club were also annoyed by the FAI accusation that they had not finalised the deal to bring FC Barcelona to Limerick. In fact Limerick had reached an agreement with the Spanish giants, but could not sign the contract as the FAI were required to sanction the deal beforehand.

Ramifications
The issue could have wide-ranging ramifications on the Airtricity League since the FAI’s third-party agreement essentially precludes all clubs from arranging similarly attractive friendlies against top class opposition.
Such an arrangement could prove disastrous for Limerick FC. The club’s five-year plan features a determination to arrange such friendlies, in conjunction with Thomond Park, as a major part of its fund-raising initiatives. Now, it appears that Limerick FC will not be in a position to raise much-needed funds in that way.
Limerick FC have lodged an official objection with the FAI Disciplinary Control Unit regarding the Airtricity League Director’s refusal to sanction the friendly against FC Barcelona. A letter regarding same from Limerick FC was scheduled to arrive at the FAI HQ in Abbotstown on Tuesday.

FAI Ford Cup
The draw for the third round of the FAI Ford Cup took place on Monday night - Limerick FC will face either Tolka Rovers or Tralee Dynamos at Jackman Park on the weekend of June 6.

Brian McDonnell

FAI harden friendly stance

DESPITE all 19 of Limerick FC’s Airtricity League club colleagues moving a motion on Monday night to support the Super Blues in their on-going battle with the Football Association of Ireland the FAI have hardened their stance and as a result Limerick FC officials are now resigned to the fact that FC Barcelona will not be playing at Thomond Park on Saturday, July 31.


The controversy erupted on Thursday last when Limerick FC released a statement criticising the FAI for refusing to sanction a friendly against the Spanish giants.
Originally the FAI cited a clash with Airtricity League fixtures as their reason for doing so, but the national association has since explained that they are precluded from sanctioning the game because of an agreement signed with a third party charged with bringing friendlies which would attract crowds in excess of 15,000 to Ireland.
On Monday night, just hours before the FAI Ford Cup third round draw, a meeting of the Airtricity League clubs saw all members vote to support the Limerick FC stance while it is understood that the league members will now seek the exact details of the FAI agreement which precludes all clubs from arranging high-profile friendlies.
On Monday evening the FAI released a statement as its stance hardened on the Limerick FC issue.
In that detailed statement the national association emphasised its sole objective to foster the game in Ireland and that any profit the FAI makes is “delivered straight back into the development of the game”. The FAI have suggested that the agreement they have signed with regard to friendlies is “to benefit the game as a whole”.
Even though Limerick FC have furnished Chronicle Sport with a copy of the heads of agreement contract between Limerick FC and FC Barcelona for the friendly in question, the FAI have once again questioned the bona fides of that contract. In the statement the FAI also outlined that the national association is precluded legally from granting friendly games in stadiums with a capacity in excess of 15,000 and that the FAI is obliged to retain ownership of Saturday, July 31 because of Airtricity League fixtures.
The FAI have also pointed to the fact that all Airtricity League clubs, including Limerick FC, have signed a participation agreement which entitles the FAI to enter into any agreement which its sees as beneficial to the game and that no club can arrange a friendly without the national association’s prior consent.
Late on Monday night Limerick FC publicly replied to that FAI statement in an effort to clarify their stance on the issue. The Super Blues have refuted the FAI claim that they were aware of the third party commercial agreement in question and that it referred to stadiums with a capacity in excess of 15,000. Once more they have reiterated the fact that the reason they were given for the FAI refusal to sanction the proposed friendly was because of a clash with Airtricity League fixtures.
The club were also annoyed by the FAI accusation that they had not finalised the deal to bring FC Barcelona to Limerick.
In fact Limerick had reached an agreement with the Spanish giants, but could not sign the contract as the FAI were required to sanction the deal beforehand.
Sadly, Limerick FC have now learned that FC Barcelona are now assessing other potential pre-season friendlies before the Spanish champions embark on their Asian tour in August.
Therefore there is little if no chance that the friendly will go ahead at Thomond Park on Saturday, July 31 and the mid-west region has missed out on an estimated €10 million in revenue associated with the potentially ground-breaking event.
It is also thought that the issue could have wide-ranging ramifications on the Airtricity League since the FAI’s third-party agreement essentially precludes all clubs from arranging similarly attractive friendlies against top class opposition.
Such an arrangement could prove disastrous for Limerick FC. The club’s five-year plan features a determination to arrange such friendlies in conjunction with Thomond Park as a major part of its fund-raising initiatives. Now, it appears that Limerick FC will not be in a position to raise much-needed funds in that way.
On Monday, speaking exclusively to the Limerick Leader, club chairman Pat O’Sullivan explained that he was not going to take the FAI decision “lying down”, but he, like all Super Blues supporters, must be very concerned by the position the club now finds itself in.
Limerick face Waterford United on Tuesday night at 7.45pm at Jackman Park in the semi-final of the Munster Senior Cup while the third-placed Super Blues are back in Airtricity League First Division action this Friday night when they travel to take on league leaders Derry City at the Brandywell.
Although over-shadowed by the FC Barcelona controversy the draw for the third round of the FAI Ford Cup took place on Monday night - Limerick FC will face the winner of the second round clash between Tolka Rovers and Tralee Dynamos at Jackman Park on the weekend of June 6.
In other news Chronicle sport has learned that Pike Rovers, who were thrown out of the FAI Junior Cup following an arbitration hearing last week, have been reinstated to the Munster Junior Cup. The Hoops were scheduled to take on Carrick United in the semi-finals last April, but the Munster Football Association decided to postpone that semi-final until the result of the protracted dispute over the eligibility of certain Pike Rovers players following an FAI Junior Cup quarter-final against St. Michael’s (Tipperary) was known.
Pike Rovers expected the Munster Football Association to follow the example of the arbitrator in last week’s decision to remove the Limerick club from the FAI Junior Cup, but, extraordinarily, the Hoops have been reinstated in the Munster Junior Cup and will host Carrick United at Jackman Park on Saturday, May 29 at 7.30pm.

Brian McDonnell

Controversial comments inflame friendly debacle

FURIOUS Limerick FC officials are meeting this morning to discuss their next move following controversial comments made by FAI CEO John Delaney on Sunday morning.
In conversation with Marian Finucane on RTÉ Radio One Football Association of Ireland CEO John Delaney elaborated on the FAI’s decision not to sanction Limerick FC’s proposed friendly with Spanish giants FC Barcelona. Delaney labelled Limerick FC officials as “naive” while he also suggested that the club had no agreement in place to bring FC Barcelona to Thomond Park on July 31.


Limerick FC have refuted this allegation and presented Leader Sport with a copy of the heads of agreement contract between FC Barcelona and the Airtricity League club.
In a detailed interview (see page 23) Limerick FC CEO Pat O’Sullivan has told Leader Sport that the Airtricity League club will not take the FAI’s refusal to sanction the friendly with FC Barcelona at Thomond Park “lying down” - it is estimated that the game could have benefited the local economy to the tune of €10 million.
“I think Limerick have acted very naively in the whole situation and I’ll tell you why,” FAI CEO John Delaney explained on RTÉ Radio One.
“Noel Mooney, who works for the FAI, spoke to the owner of Limerick on Thursday morning and explained to him that we couldn’t grant the game, that we are contractually bound to other people and that we weren’t able to grant the game. I would love to have the game played in Limerick. I have nothing against Limerick.”
John Delaney also said that the FAI were contractually bound to a third party in terms of arranging friendly games involving Irish clubs.
“We would have a relationship in terms of the organisation of friendlies coming into Ireland and there are certain games that we can grant and certain games that we cannot grant in terms of attendance figures,” John Delaney said.
“So, we explained that to Limerick on Thursday morning and they accepted that. The owner of Limerick Football Club accepted that position and he said that would be the end of the matter. Unfortunately then they started issuing statements on Thursday night and they have tried to, I suppose, bring it into the public arena to put public pressure on us.
“We’re unable to grant it that’s the bottom line. We were negotiating with Barcelona to come to Dublin next year.
“Padraig Smith and Noel Mooney went out there three or four weeks ago and met Barcelona. They looked for a proposal which was going to be sent to them in the autumn. We have also got correspondence from Barcelona last week saying that they have not agreed to the game in Limerick.”
Limerick Fine Gael TD Kieran O’Donnell, who was also party to the discussion on RTÉ Radio One, challenged John Delaney on his ability of the FAI to sanction the game.
“It’s not within out ability,” John Delaney replied.
“The game will not be going ahead. I would love it to go ahead, but the game will not be going ahead . . . We have signed up an agreement, as I said earlier, with an agency who will bring games into Ireland on our behalf. That restricts our ability to grant friendlies of a certain capacity. We’re contractually bound . . . We can’t let it happen . . . We’re legally restricted from it.”
Kieran O’Donnell asked John Delaney if it was possible to now sit down with Limerick FC and work the issue out, but the FAI CEO said: “It’s too late for that . . . If you behave in the manner that they’ve done (Limerick FC) you’re bringing the game into disrepute over the last couple of days with the way they have been behaving,” John Delaney added.
“Around the time of the opening of the stadium as well on Thursday night issuing legal letters that come into us on Friday morning was done in poor taste, naive. I also think, and I keep going back to the point, I deal with clubs all the time, I deal with national associations, I deal with agents, I know the way it works. I think the guys in Limerick have been very naive about how they’ve dealt with this and who they’re dealing with.”
FC Barcelona collected their 20th Spanish league title beating Real Valladolid on Sunday evening and while Limerick FC are still hopeful that the FAI will reverse their decision not to sanction the proposed friendly time is fast running out for the Super Blues to seal the deal.

BRIAN MCDONNELL

Munster’s season comes to a disappointing end

A MONTH which promised much for Munster rugby ended in despair at the RDS on Saturday night as Leinster simply overwhelmed Tony McGahan’s side in their glamour Magners League semi-final play-off.


The disappointing defeat has raised questions over the future of the team, with several members of the squad - especially in the pack - coming towards the end of their playing careers at the highest level. For the fourth successive time Munster failed to score a try against tenacious opponents who were good value for their 16-6 victory.
Disappointingly, Munster lost the battle in the set-piece with Leinster assuming the upperhand in the scrums as well as forcing their opposition line-out to creak badly on occasion.
Afterwards a defiant Tony McGahan insisted that his squad - semi-finalists in both the Heineken Cup and Magners League this season - was not too far off the best sides in club rugby.
Tony McGahan said: “We have reached two semi-finals this season losing 18-7 and 16-6. I don’t think we are very far off the mark.
“But there are always going to be questions there about the age profile of the side. That is inevitable. That is always going to be there.
“I think it has been there for a few years. We kept rebounding back and keep competing for trophies at the top end of the season.
“I think there is no doubt there are players coming towards the end of their career,” he said.
“That is well-documented - 12 months and 24 months for the majority of them - so we need to keep moving on.
“We introduced a lot of players this year, up to 11 or 12. They have had a great opportunity to play rugby and next year it will be even more so,” McGahan said.
While Munster’s season ended with Saturday night’s defeat in Dublin several members of the squad are set to be involved in Ireland’s summer tour to Australia and new Zealand next month.
Irish coach Declan Kidney will announce a 32-man squad for the tour tomorrow.
Meanwhile three Munster players have been included in the ERC European Dream Team chosen as part of the celebrations to mark 15th season of European club rugby.
Out-half Ronan O’Gara, flanker David Wallace and number eight Anthony Foley have all been included in the Dream Team selection.
Ronan O’Gara and Wallace are two-time Heineken Cup medal winners while Anthony Foley skippered Munster to their first success in the competition in 2006. Munster’s long-serving number ten O’Gara, was named as the inaugural winner of the ERC European Player award.
O’Gara, who has scored a Heineken Cup record 1,138 points in 91 appearances, is the only double winner, becoming the first ever ERC European Player Award winner and a member of the Dream Team selection. Toulouse’s Guy Noves received the Best Coach award.
A disappointing weekend for Munster on the playing pitch continued last night when the province’s A side suffered a 23-14 reverse to the Cornish Pirates in the inaugural British and Irish Cup final in Camborne.
Afterwards Munster A team manager Mick Galwey said that while they were disappointed to lose the final the experience gained through the competition would stand to the squad.
Galwey said: “It was a big learning experience for our young guys - the average age was 22. We’ve had great success in the British and Irish Cup this season, but it was just a step too far.”

COLM KINSELLA

Brian Peters promises Andy Lee a title shot

ANDY LEE will fight for the European middleweight title in Limerick this Autumn, according to promoter Brian Peters. And, the fight will take place in the UL Sports Arena and not Thomond Park as had been speculated.
The news came after the 25-year-old Limerick southpaw defeated Mamadou Thiam by technical knockout at the Yanjing Fight Night in the UL Arena on Saturday night.
Thiam injured his back after three crashing falls in the opening round and failed to come out for the third round.


Promoter Peters told Leader Sport that he hopes to attract European champion Darren Barker to Limerick.
“As far as Andy’s concerned in Ireland we would be hoping to get Mr. Barker over here in October or November.
“We have to have a talk and see, but I think when you see the support that Andy had here tonight this is the place for him. I think it would be a fantastic fight, live on RTE, in the Fall and here in Limerick,” said Peters.
“I believe this is the place for a European title fight,” he said of the UL Arena adding that he would envisage a capacity of 5,000.
Andy Lee’s manager-coach Emanuel Steward is still adamant that the Castleconnell middleweight will be a world champion.
“Let’s move to a championship fight - European or World title,” Steward said after Andy Lee stretched his pro-record to 21 wins from 22 contests.
“The one that everybody thinks is the best one right now is Andy. I received a call from people who want to start making negotiations for the title fight,” said Steward.
“I still say the best middleweight in the world is right here from Limerick. Andy wants to fight for the middleweight title and Brian is working on making that happen. If Andy Lee wins the world title and when he wins it, at least one defence will be in Ireland because of the support of the Irish people. No matter what network or promoter comes we will tell them Andy is fighting one defence in Ireland, be it Dublin or Limerick.”

JEROME O’CONNELL

FAI respond to Limerick FC statement

THE Football Association of Ireland have responded to a Limerick FC statement which criticised the national body's refusal to sanction a high-profile friendly between the Super Blues and FC Barcelona on Saturday, July 31 next.


Limerick FC, led by chairman Pat O'Sullivan, arrived at an agreement this week with the Spanish giants which would see the Airtricity League club take on FC Barcelona, featuring marquee names such as Lionel Messi, at Thomond Park.
The FAI however refused to sanction the game which could have benefited the local economy to the tune of €10 million.
The FAI released a statement on Thursday evening (May 13) stating: “As the FAI has already told Limerick FC, their request for authorisation to confirm to FC Barcelona that they would be able to play in Ireland on July 31, was refused because of third party commercial agreements which prevent the Association from doing so.
“In addition, the FAI has also told Limerick FC that it is in active and ongoing negotiations with FC Barcelona in relation to a visit to the Aviva Stadium.
“Thirdly, the association told Limerick FC that it was obliged to retain ownership of the July 31 date because of Airtricity League fixtures.
“Although the timing of Limerick FC’s proposal means this request cannot be granted, the FAI has already given permission to Limerick FC for a match it applied for involving Sunderland in Thomond Park on July 13”.

Brian McDonnell

FAI refuse to sanction friendly with FC Barcelona

LIMERICK FC were left reeling this Thursday afternoon with the news that the Football Association of Ireland has refused to sanction a high-profile friendly against Spanish giants FC Barcelona at Thomond Park.


As previously reported by Leader Sport Limerick FC have confirmed that they were engaged in on-going negotiations with FC Barcelona with a view to hosting a friendly against the 2009 European champions at Thomond Park this coming July.
The Airtricity League club, led by CEO Pat O'Sullivan, were thrilled when they reached an agreement with FC Barcelona to schedule the match for Saturday, July 31 - that contractual agreement guaranteed that the FC Barcelona team to play the Super Blues would include marquee stars such as Lionel Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Xavi and all new marquee signings.
The proposed fixture was subject to sanctioning by the Football Association of Ireland. Unfortunately, Limerick FC have now been informed by the FAI that the Airtricity League Director has refused to sanction the game. Sadly, the failure of the FAI and the Airtricity League Director to sanction this game ensures that fans throughout the mid-west region and beyond will not have the opportunity to see the world’s greatest stars in action.
“This is a massive setback for Limerick FC, Limerick city and the mid-west region,” Pat O’Sullivan, the Limerick FC chairman, said reacting to this devastating news.
“We along with Thomond Park and local tourism bodies have worked tirelessly to bring a team of the stature of FC Barcelona to the sports-mad mid-west region. The potential benefit to the local economy of up to €10 million and to the profile of soccer in the region is enormous. This makes it imperative that the Airtricity League Director reverse his decision, sanction this match and allow fans all over the region see the likes of Lionel Messi grace Thomond Park in July.”
As previously reported by Leader Sport a UK-based sports agent visited Limerick last week with the stated intention of bringing FC Barcelona to the mid-west. The agent in question attended Limerick FC's Airtricity League First Division game against Shelbourne while he also inspected the facilities at the Gaelic Grounds. The continued existence of the GAA's Rule 42, which prohibits sports other than Gaelic Games being played at the Ennis Road venue, essentially pointed to Thomond Park as being the only Limerick venue capable of hosting such a unique event.
Leader Sport is currently awaiting a response to the story from the Football Association of Ireland.

Brian McDonnell

Premier League soccer comes to Thomond Park

ON Tuesday afternoon Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn announced the details of an exciting charity match between his English Premier League side and a Munster XI which will form the centre-piece of ‘A Day For Shane’ in honour of Shane Geoghegan.
The game, in association with the Shane Geoghegan Trust, will take place on Tuesday, July 13 at Thomond Park and although the game itself will kick-off at 7.45pm ‘A Day For Shane’ will also include a schools long puck competition, a celebrity penalty shoot-out, mini-rugby and hurling, celebrity Sumo wrestling and a parade of sport while Munster stars will also compete in a novel 100-metre dash.
The Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn was joined at the launch by Munster Rugby president Declan Madden, Limerick FC CEO Pat O’Sullivan and Tony Geoghegan of the Shane Geoghegan Trust.


“We are now bringing the team over to support the on-going work that the Shane Geoghegan Trust so valuably carries out. All funds from the night will go to this marvellous initiative and we hope to continue supporting it for a long time,” an enthusiastic Niall Quinn explained.
‘A Day For Shane’ has been billed as a family event and the ticket prices have been structured accordingly - €5 for children and €20 for adults.
Niall Quinn also insisted that Sunderland will be treating the game as part of their pre-season preparations and that Steve Bruce will bring his A squad to Thomond Park.
“Absolutely, Steve Bruce is really looking forward to coming,” Niall Quinn said.
“We have a pre-season plan worked out for our team and this is a very important part of it, it is the first game we play. The players will have done a fortnight’s training and will get themselves in shape for the game.”
Niall Quinn also called on the “powers that be” to back-up the work of the Shane Geoghegan Trust.
“Officially it’s a game of football for Sunderland, but there’s a lot more than that happening. A great family day, a sports and cultural day that will be so fitting to such a marvelous trust and to such a marvelous memory to keep alive like Shane Geoghegan’s. He was a brilliant and brave sportsman who did all he could as the captain of his club,” Quinn said.
“I want to get one very strong message out there, that the people that have the power back something like this. That they have the belief in the Shane Geoghegan Trust and back it all the way.
“I hope the people who have the purse strings will release those purse strings and grow and nurture the Shane Geoghegan Trust.
“The expertise to do it is there and I am 100 per cent certain that this will be such a successful thing over the years to come. This could be a fitting tribute to Shane, but it will only be a fitting tribute if people get behind it.”
The Munster XI selection, managed by Limerick FC’s Pat Scully, will be drawn from Airtricity League clubs around the province while the event organisers also hope to attract a number of established international footballers with links to Munster to be part of the team.
Pat O’Sullivan, CEO of Limerick FC, said he was delighted to have the Super Blues associated with such a momentous event: “Limerick FC are delighted to be able to assist the Shane Geoghegan Trust as the goals of both organisations are very similar in relation to their commitment to the local community.
“People on the ground in Limerick need to look within themselves and say what can we do to help,” Pat O’Sullivan insisted.
“I would like to think this trust could be a catalyst to help bring all the different mindsets and groups together.
“We should look at the problems we have in our city and recognise that sport is the simplest tool to help solve those problems.
“That’s the sole reason I got involved in Limerick soccer.
“We need to keep the club alive just like we need to keep the Shane Geoghegan Trust strong.
“But it’s not about money all the time, it’s about leadership.”
Munster Branch president Declan Madden said they were delighted to make Thomond Park available for this unique event: “Munster Rugby are delighted to be associated with such a worthy project and to be able to make Thomond Park available to host the Sunderland game.
“It is appropriate that Munster Rugby supports the Shane Geoghegan Trust as Shane was a true rugby person who played and loved the game, was a great clubman with Garryowen FC and embodied all the qualities of heart and spirit which makes Munster Rugby what it is.
“It’s terribly unfortunate what happened to Shane, that he was the unfortunate victim of a mindless crime.
“But if something good comes of this, having known Shane, he would be very happy.”
Tony Geoghegan, chairman of the Shane Geoghegan Trust and Shane’s uncle, said the event would be “a day for Shane, a day for Munster and a day for fun and I would urge the people of Munster to come out and support their team”.
The Shane Geoghegan Trust was set up in the aftermath of Shane’s murder to provide children with an alternative to anti-social behaviour by making a range of sporting and cultural activities available to them.
A ‘Day For Shane’ will take place on July 13 in Thomond Park.
Tickets for the event will range from €5 for children and €20 for adults. For more see: www.sgt3.com

FC Barcelona
A Thomond Park source has refuted a claim made in the Limerick media this week that a delegation was flying out to Spain this Wednesday (May 12) to finalise a deal which would see the 2009 European champions Barcelona play a friendly at the Limerick venue this July.
Leader Sport has confirmed that a UK-based sports agent did visit Limerick last week.
The agent in question attended Limerick FC’s Airtricity League First Division game against Shelbourne while he also inspected the facilities at the Gaelic Grounds.
The continued existence of the GAA’s Rule 42, which prohibits sports other than Gaelic Games being played at the Ennis Road venue, essentially points to Thomond Park as being the only Limerick venue capable of hosting such a unique event.
Limerick FC have confirmed that the club officials from the Airtricity League club met with the sports agent in question, but that suggestions of FC Barcelona playing a high-profile friendly at Thomond Park were premature.
A soccer friendly could not take place at Thomond Park without the express permission of the Football Association of Ireland.
Limerick FC have indicated that the club has fielded a number of applications proposing to bring high-profile soccer clubs to the region, but that no agreement is in place with regard to Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona side.
Limerick FC have also confirmed that it remains a stated ambition of the club to host high-profile friendlies in the city in their efforts to raise the profile of the game in Limerick and to raise much-needed funds for the Airtricity League club.

Brian McDonnell

Lee returns to UL Arena for a spectacular night of boxing

PRO-BOXING is back in Limerick this Saturday when Castleconnell’s Andy Lee takes another step towards a title fight. In his fourth headline bout in the UL Sports Arena, the 25-year-old middleweight will face Mamadou Thiam.
The Yanjing Fight Night will be televised live on RTE 2, with coverage starting at 9pm.
Andy Lee is expected into the ring at around 10pm.
The television coverage will show Lee’s fight live as well as the super middleweight clash of Luis Garcia and Alexander Sipos, who Andy Lee defeated in Dublin’s O2 last year.
Saturday night’s event will feature Limerick’s first-ever title fight when local favourites Jamie Power challenges Mayo’s John Waldron for the vacant belt. The 29-year-old Norwood Park native is the top attraction on the undercard.
A married father of two, who lives in Caherconlish, Power brings a record of seven wins from eight contests into the title fight. The Power-Waldron title fight will take place at about 8pm.
Promoter Brian Peters was hit with three injury withdrawals this week, but there will still be eight fights in total.
Gone from the event is world and European Lightweight Champion Katie Taylor and the cruiserweight title fight between Michael Sweeney and Ian Tims. Coleman Barrett also withdrew, but this has created the opportunity for a piece of history.
Cuban heavyweight sensation Mike Perez could be set to box twice on the one night.
Aside from the Prizefigher series on Sky television, is appears that no pro-fighter has ever fought twice on the one bill. Perez will open the Yanjing Fight Night when he boxes Edgars Kalnars of Lativa at around 6pm and if all goes according to plan and with the doctors permission, Mike Perez could face Tomas Mrazek of the Czech Republic at about 7.30pm. Perez, a Cork based southpaw, is unbeaten in eight contests and in his last Limerick appearance the former world junior amateur champion needed just 41 seconds to chalk up another KO victory.
Another intriguing contest on the bill will see Limerick based Galwegian Alan Donnellon make his professional debut in a Light Middleweight contest. The LIT graduate in quantity surveying is a member of St Francis Boxing Club and is coach to LIT Boxing Society.
“We’ve put together a great undercard for this show,” explained Brian Peters.
He said that Andy Lee’s contest will be the most difficult of his career to date.
“Thiam cannot be overlooked though, he has a 94 per cent KO ratio which is phenomenal and he also has all that top level experience so he is a real dangerman. He is one of those guys who throws every punch with bad intentions. His record speaks for itself, he’s a veteran of 54 fights and 50 of those have ended inside the distance so it’s safe to say that this is a guy who rarely relies on the judges,” said Brian Peters.
“For me throughout his career both in the amateur and professional ranks Andy has always performed at his best when he’s been faced with a real threat and that’s exactly what he will be coming up against in Thiam. Andy will need to be very careful but he’s no slouch either in the power department so I think it’s safe to say that it’s a fight that will produce fireworks.”
Tickets are still available. Priced from €30 to €100, they can be purchased from the University Sports Arena, the George Hotel and the South Court Hotel, as well as from Ticketmaster (ticketmaster.ie).

Jerome O’Connell

McGahan: ‘It’s been an OK season, but the real goal is to finish with silverware’

MUNSTER coach Tony McGahan believes his side have had an ‘ok’ season to date, but qualifying for the Magners League play-offs gives the competition’s holders a chance to claiming some precious silverware.
Standing in the way of Munster’s appearance in the Magners League Grand Final later this month are arch rivals Leinster. The Irish provinces come face-to-face in a glamour semi-final clash at the RDS this Saturday evening (8pm).


Munster have suffered defeat in each of their last three meetings with Leinster including a 30-0 drubbing at the hands of Michael Cheika’s men on their most recent Magners League visit to the RDS in October.
Munster have been installed as 6/4 outsiders with the bookies to prevail in this Saturday’s tie and that seems like a fair quote from the layers. 8/15 favourites Leinster bounced back from their Heineken Cup semi-final defeat to Toulouse in impressive fashion against Edinburgh last weekend.
And Munster’s long list of injury worries is another reason why the home side deserved the tag of favourites this weekend.
Coach McGahan delayed naming his squad for Saturday’s until this Wednesday as a result of on-going injury doubts over several key players. Winger Ian Dowling and captain Paul O’Connell have already been ruled out of Saturday’s tie. Keith Earls is rated a doubtful starter for the clash due to an on-going groin injury.
Coach McGahan is hopeful that the vastly experienced winger Doug Howlett will be available for the trip to Dublin. The coach is also keeping his fingers crossed that hooker Jerry Flannery, who missed the weekend defeat to the Cardiff Blues as a result of a calf strain and lock Mick O’Driscoll, who has been troubled with an ankle injury, will both be fit for selection. The Munster management team also moved to refute earlier media reports suggesting Paul O’Connell had undergone surgery for his on-going groin injury. In a statement, a Munster spokesman indicated that O’Connell was admitted to hospital in Cork in order to facilitate the application of antibiotics for an infection related to his groin injury.
Prop John Hayes, who was rested for Sunday’s trip to Cardiff, will return to the squad this weekend.
Coach McGahan said the players had been boosted by their gritty performance at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday when the losing bonus point secured against the Blues in a one-point defeat ensured their passage to the play-offs.
“Look, it’s been an OK season, but the real goal for us is to finish with silverware and we have to give ourselves every opportunity with 80 tough minutes on Saturday,” Tony McGahan said this week in UL.
“We haven’t shied away from the fact that we have been inconsistent this particular season.
“We’ve had some excellent days out, but, at the same time, we’ve certainly let ourselves down with inconsistency right across the park.
“It hasn’t been limited to one or two areas, it’s been set-piece perspective, it’s been attack, it’s been defence, it’s been breakdown, it’s been goal-kicking, it’s been field-kicking. We haven’t really been able to gel everything together. We’ve reached a semi-final in the Heineken Cup, we’re into a semi-final in the Magners League, and we’ve got a final with the A team at the weekend. I think in the weekend game with Cardiff - even though we didn’t win - we had done enough to get the result and that has certainly given the squad a big boost.
“Heading into a semi final weekend, in Dublin, there is plenty to be pleased about and we are certainly looking forward to that aspect of it . . .
“I think the kicking game is going to be a huge part of the weekend.
“Leinster certainly demonstrated over the last number of years and especially so in this particular year their physicality in their carrying and the physicality in their defence. So that’s going to be a real area for us.”
Leinster captain Leo Cullen misses Saturday’s game due to a shoulder injury. However, out-half Jonathan Sexton, who sustained a broken jaw in the Heineken Cup quarter-final win over Clermont Auvergne, is included in the squad for Saturday’s showdown.
Iarnrod Eireann have announced that they will provide a return train service from Dublin to Limerick for Munster supporters. The auxiliary train will depart Heuston Station at 11.15pm calling at Thurles, Limerick Junction and Limerick. Further details at: www.irishrail.ie

Sam Tuitupou
Meanwhile Munster have confirmed that Worcester Warriors centre Sam Tuitupou will join them - subject to the usual medical and fitness examinations - at the start of the next season along with Leicester Tigers and Ireland Wolfhounds winger Johne Murphy. Twenty-eight-year-old Tuitupou played nine times for the All Blacks between 2004 and 2006 and was a regular for Auckland Blues in the Super 14 before moving to English side Worcester in 2007.
Back row Tommy O’Donnell, prop Dave Ryan and scrum half Duncan Williams have moved up from development contracts to senior contracts as Munster finalise their squad for next season. O’Donnell, Ryan and Williams have all featured for Munster in the Magners League this season. Academy players Ian Nagle, Dave Foley, Stephen Archer, Scott Deasy, Peter O’Mahony and Danny Barnes have been promoted to full development contracts with the province.
Training-contracted player Declan Cusack, of Thomond, who is Munster’s top scorer in the British & Irish Cup, has also been impressing the province’s management. The exciting out-half has been bumped up to a full development contract.

Young Munster
Meanwhile Young Munster were chosen as Senior Club of the Year Munster Rugby’s annual awards which took place on Sunday night.
Munsters’ scooped the award on the back of an excellent season which saw the Clifford Park club gain promotion to Division 1A of the AIL, as well as claiming the ODM Munster Senior Cup and Limerick Charity Cup.
Mick O’Driscoll was selected as the Munster Player of the Year beating off Keith Earls, David Wallace and Denis Fogarty for the award. O’Driscoll was selected as the award winner by readers of the Irish Examiner. Scott Deasy claimed the Academy Player of the Year Award, while the Young Player of the Year accolade went to Billy Holland. The School of the Year award went to Crescent College Comprehensive, winners of this season’s Munster Schools Junior Cup. The Dooradoyle school also claimed the Kidney and McCarthy Cups.
Thomond won the Club Mini Awards for the excellent work the club does with budding young players aged between 6 and 12.
The club’s youth officer John Airey plays a key role in the development of Thomond’s under-age players.

Munster A
THE Munster A squad is gearing up for Sunday’s British and Irish Cup final showdown with the Cornish Pirates at the Camborne Recreation Ground. Kick-off for the final is at 6pm and the game will be televised live on Sky Sports.
Munster remain the only unbeaten side in the inaugural British & Irish Cup, having won all six of their encounters in the competition so far.
The run has been based on a formidable defensive effort which has seen the Munstermen yield just three tries in 480 minutes playing time.
Sunday’s opponents, the Cornish Pirates, finished in 6th place in the RFU Championship table this season but could not progress through their play-off pool to reach the semi-final stage. The Pirates’ only victory in their last four matches in all competitions was the semi-final triumph in the British & Irish Cup at home to Doncaster Knights.

Colm Kinsella