IRELAND hooker Sean Cronin says Friday night’s clash with the Barbarians at Thomond Park will be a ‘huge’ occasion for him if, as is widely expected, he receives game-time in the glamour MasterCard Trophy clash.
Limerick man Cronin, who has won two full international caps to date, has enjoyed a highly-successful season with Amlin Challenge Cup semi-finalists Connacht.
With Rory Best ruled out of Ireland’s four game end-of-season fixture programme which includes a tour to New Zealand and Australia, hooker Sean Cronin is likely to add to his haul of international appearances in the coming weeks.
The dynamic 24-year-old returns to Thomond Park this Friday night (7.45pm), a venue he is very familiar with from his playing days with Shannon and for a shorter period in the Munster Academy.
Speaking at Ireland’s team base at UL Sean Cronin said: “It (Friday) is going to be a huge night, the chance to play in front of a packed house at Thomond Park. I played a lot of my rugby there at under-age and with Shannon.
“If I am selected it will be a big night for me, for my family and everything that goes with it.
“If selected I have to try and put that to one side and prepare myself as best I can for the game.
“The training have been going extremely well. All of the guys have been pulling together really well. I think everyone involved in the squad is looking forward to these three or four games. It is all ahead of us now.
“It is going to be a tough three and a half weeks. There are a lot of guys going down here with a point to prove in terms of selection for the future. I don’t think they are going to be feeling any tiredness at the end of year.
“In terms of selection, I have to put my best foot forward and hopefully give them some headaches.”
Ireland’s starting XV to face the Barbarians this Friday night is due to be revealed at lunch-time today.
Former Ardscoil Ris star Cronin said he was happy with his move to Connacht 18 months ago where he has been able to get more regular first team action. But he is not ruling out the possibility of a return to his native Munster should the opportunity arise.
“It reached a stage where I had to sit down and weigh up my options, to be honest. Deccie (Kidney) was coaching Munster at the time and I had a good chat with him,” Sean Cronin said.
“We looked at what the best option for me would be. There was a lot of competition in Munster at the time. They were going extremely well, winning Heineken Cups and stuff.
“I had to be honest with myself.
“I am happy that I made the decision to go to Connacht. It has worked out reasonably well.
“Munster is close to my heart. I was in the academy here and I got a few caps with the senior squad.
“The fellows I was in the Munster Academy with here are pushing on into the senior squad, the likes of Tommy O’Donnell, Dave Ryan, Duncan Williams and Billy Holland.
“Obviously from seeing them play on TV down here and at Thomond Park, it is both good to watch and hard to watch. I would never say never about coming back here anyway.”
Two Munster players have been included in the Barbarians side to face the Ireland XV in Friday night’s game.
Paul Warwick will line out at full-back while flanker Alan Quinlan will team up with Wallaby legend George Smith and Cardiff Blues number eight Xavier Rush in a powerful looking back-row. Kiwi Xavier Rush will also captain the side.
Paul warwick (Munster); Cedric Heymans (Toulouse), Casey Laulala (Cardiff Blues), Seru Rabeni (Leeds Carnegie), David Smith (Hurricanes); Brock James (Clermont Auvergne), Pierre Mignoni (Toulon); David Barnes (Bath Rugby), Schalk Brits (Saracens); Census Johnston (Toulouse); Jerome Thion (Biarritz), Malcolm O’Kelly (Leinster); Alan Quinlan (Munster), George Smith (Brumbies), Xavier Rush (Cardiff Blues) (Capt).
Replacements: Julian White (Leicester), Benoit August (Biarritz), Rodney So’oialo (Hurricanes), Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues), Byron Kelleher (Toulouse), Jean-Baptiste Ellisalde (Toulouse), Paul Sackey (Wasps), Fabrice Estebanez (Brive).
COLM KINSELLA
Showing posts with label Ireland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ireland. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Flannery expected to recover
THE Irish management team is confident hooker Jerry Flannery will have recovered from a bruised shoulder injury in time to be considered for selection for Ireland’s RBS Six Nations Championship opener against Italy at Croke Park on Saturday week.
Thirty-one-year-old Flannery made his comeback from an Achilles injury when playing 40 minutes for Shannon in their AIL Division 1A clash with UL-Bohemian at Thomond Park on Saturday.
However, as a result of his bruised shoulder injury Flannery is not included in the Ireland A squad to face the England Saxons in Bath on Sunday.
There was good news for Flannery’s Munster colleague Marcus Horan who is included in the A squad to face the Saxons this weekend. Horan, who played the final 10 minutes of Munster’s Heineken Cup game with Northampton on Friday night, played the entire 80 minutes for Shannon in that AIL clash with UL-Bohemian the following day.
Horan is joined in the 22-strong Ireland A squad by Munster colleagues, Tony Buckley, Mick O’Driscoll, Niall Ronan, Ian Dowling, Denis Hurley and Peter Stringer.
Limerick-born centre Keith Matthews, currently playing with Connacht, is also named in the squad.
Speaking at the Irish training camp in Limerick this week, manager Paul McNaughton said: “Marcus Horan played 10 minutes with Munster on Friday night and has been involved with his club side in their two most recent AIL games.
“He is definitely going across to England this weekend to get some game time against the Saxons.
“Jerry Flannery got 40 minutes of game time on Saturday. He has a bit of a bruised shoulder and we will not risk him on Sunday against the Saxons. Jerry should be eligible for selection for the Italy match.”
A number of players sat out the Irish squad training session in Limerick this Tuesday. Donncha O’Callaghan (knee), Sean Cronin (sprained ankle) and Stephen Ferris (shin) did not train, but none of the players have been ruled out of contention for the first weekend the RBS Six Nations Championship. Keith earls has not yet joined the Ireland training camp due to illness.
The team and replacements for the Ireland ‘A’ team’s clash with the England Saxons at the Recreation Ground, Bath at 2pm on Sunday is named this Thursday.
Prior to Saturday’s AIL match at Thomond Park when her lined out for Shannon, hooker Flannery had not seen competitive action since helping Ireland secure a precious Test win over World Champions South Africa in November.
Afterwards Flannery, who was making his first appearance for the AIL holders since a 2007 appearance against UCD when he was coming back from a shoulder reconstruction, said: “This is my first time to get any game time since the South Africa match and it was good to get through 40 minutes. For the team to get a win was the main thing.
“One half was all they wanting me to play. This is my first week back with rugby. They wanted to limit my game time to 40 to see how the injury reacts. But I came through it ok.
“It was good to come back and play for the club. You see some things haven’t changed with the club. Andrew Thompson is still around and a lot of the other guys are too.
“Marcus was playing and Gaillimh (Mick Galwey) was also in the dressing room after the match. There was a real good family feel about the club, especially after the hard week it has had.
While he has been able to do running exercises while injured, 34-time capped Flannery was relieved to be able to play a competitive game at the end of the week.
“It is the same no matter what level you play rugby, you want to get a game at the end of the week,” Flannery explained.
“For me, it was just a normal week. For seven weeks previously, I was just running all the time and icing the leg and see how it reacts. It was like a seven-day week. Instead of taking the weekend off and playing a game you were giving the injury as much time to recover as you can. It is good to be able to train towards playing.”
Ireland A Squad v England Saxons, Recreation Groud, Sunday January 31, 2pm:
Rory Best (Ulster), Isaac Boss (Ulster), Tony Buckley (Munster), Darren Cave (Ulster), Ryan Caldwell (Ulster), Ian Dowling (Munster), John Fogarty (Leinster), Marcus Horan (Munster), Ian Humphreys (Ulster), Denis Hurley (Munster), Shane Jennings (Leinster), Keith Matthews (Connacht), John Muldoon (Connacht), Fergus McFadden (Leinster), Johne Murphy (Leicester), Mick O’Driscoll (Munster) , Sean O’Brien (Leinster), Niall Ronan (Munster), Mike Ross (Leinster), Peter Stringer (Munster), Devin Toner (Leinster), Paddy Wallace (Ulster).
Colm Kinsella
Thirty-one-year-old Flannery made his comeback from an Achilles injury when playing 40 minutes for Shannon in their AIL Division 1A clash with UL-Bohemian at Thomond Park on Saturday.
However, as a result of his bruised shoulder injury Flannery is not included in the Ireland A squad to face the England Saxons in Bath on Sunday.
There was good news for Flannery’s Munster colleague Marcus Horan who is included in the A squad to face the Saxons this weekend. Horan, who played the final 10 minutes of Munster’s Heineken Cup game with Northampton on Friday night, played the entire 80 minutes for Shannon in that AIL clash with UL-Bohemian the following day.
Horan is joined in the 22-strong Ireland A squad by Munster colleagues, Tony Buckley, Mick O’Driscoll, Niall Ronan, Ian Dowling, Denis Hurley and Peter Stringer.
Limerick-born centre Keith Matthews, currently playing with Connacht, is also named in the squad.
Speaking at the Irish training camp in Limerick this week, manager Paul McNaughton said: “Marcus Horan played 10 minutes with Munster on Friday night and has been involved with his club side in their two most recent AIL games.
“He is definitely going across to England this weekend to get some game time against the Saxons.
“Jerry Flannery got 40 minutes of game time on Saturday. He has a bit of a bruised shoulder and we will not risk him on Sunday against the Saxons. Jerry should be eligible for selection for the Italy match.”
A number of players sat out the Irish squad training session in Limerick this Tuesday. Donncha O’Callaghan (knee), Sean Cronin (sprained ankle) and Stephen Ferris (shin) did not train, but none of the players have been ruled out of contention for the first weekend the RBS Six Nations Championship. Keith earls has not yet joined the Ireland training camp due to illness.
The team and replacements for the Ireland ‘A’ team’s clash with the England Saxons at the Recreation Ground, Bath at 2pm on Sunday is named this Thursday.
Prior to Saturday’s AIL match at Thomond Park when her lined out for Shannon, hooker Flannery had not seen competitive action since helping Ireland secure a precious Test win over World Champions South Africa in November.
Afterwards Flannery, who was making his first appearance for the AIL holders since a 2007 appearance against UCD when he was coming back from a shoulder reconstruction, said: “This is my first time to get any game time since the South Africa match and it was good to get through 40 minutes. For the team to get a win was the main thing.
“One half was all they wanting me to play. This is my first week back with rugby. They wanted to limit my game time to 40 to see how the injury reacts. But I came through it ok.
“It was good to come back and play for the club. You see some things haven’t changed with the club. Andrew Thompson is still around and a lot of the other guys are too.
“Marcus was playing and Gaillimh (Mick Galwey) was also in the dressing room after the match. There was a real good family feel about the club, especially after the hard week it has had.
While he has been able to do running exercises while injured, 34-time capped Flannery was relieved to be able to play a competitive game at the end of the week.
“It is the same no matter what level you play rugby, you want to get a game at the end of the week,” Flannery explained.
“For me, it was just a normal week. For seven weeks previously, I was just running all the time and icing the leg and see how it reacts. It was like a seven-day week. Instead of taking the weekend off and playing a game you were giving the injury as much time to recover as you can. It is good to be able to train towards playing.”
Ireland A Squad v England Saxons, Recreation Groud, Sunday January 31, 2pm:
Rory Best (Ulster), Isaac Boss (Ulster), Tony Buckley (Munster), Darren Cave (Ulster), Ryan Caldwell (Ulster), Ian Dowling (Munster), John Fogarty (Leinster), Marcus Horan (Munster), Ian Humphreys (Ulster), Denis Hurley (Munster), Shane Jennings (Leinster), Keith Matthews (Connacht), John Muldoon (Connacht), Fergus McFadden (Leinster), Johne Murphy (Leicester), Mick O’Driscoll (Munster) , Sean O’Brien (Leinster), Niall Ronan (Munster), Mike Ross (Leinster), Peter Stringer (Munster), Devin Toner (Leinster), Paddy Wallace (Ulster).
Colm Kinsella
Monday, November 30, 2009
Munster season has now reached a crucial stage
IRELAND hooker Jerry Flannery has admitted that the next three weekends are likely to define Munster’s season in both the Magners League and Heineken Cup competitions.
Tony McGahan’s Munster side will play their first competitive fixture in five weeks when they travel to the Liberty Stadium to face the Ospreys in the Magners League this Saturday (kick off 6.30pm).
Holders Munster are currently one position outside the play-off spots in the Magners League.
However, McGahan’s men have the same number of points as second-placed Edinburgh and lie fifth as a result of their inferior points difference.
The results of Munster’s back-to-back Heineken Cup fixtures against Perpignan on the two subsequent weekends should go a long way towards determining whether Munster make it through to the knock-out stages of the competition.
Munster will host French champions Perpignan at Thomond Park on Friday, December 11 before making the trip to Stade Aime Giral for the return leg on Sunday, December 20.
Fresh from inspiring Ireland to their impressive 20-15 Guinness Series victory over world champions South Africa at the weekend Jerry Flannery said: “From now on we switch back to Munster and we have three very big games coming up with the province. We have the Ospreys and Perpignan twice. These fixtures are pretty much going to define our season.
“From the autumn internationals with Ireland we switch back to provincial mode straight away.
“For the Irish team to do well the provincial teams must be successful.
“I think, much and all as it hurt last year when Leinster beat us in the Heineken Cup semi-final, it was good that they went on and won the competition.
“The winning mentality is spreading through Irish players and it is manifesting itself in the Irish squad.”
Flannery said he was encouraged by the number of younger front-row players coming through at Munster this season.
“Coming through at the minute you have the likes of Stephen Archer and when you look at hooker, you have Damien Varley and Denis Fogarty with Munster. They are both very good players,” Flannery said.
“It is just difficult to find these massive John Hayes-type players. There are not a whole lot of them going around. We have a small player base in Ireland, but we just have to make them the best players we can.
“With the Irish squad we look at ourselves and how we are progressing. We don’t have a massive player base in the country so it is important with the players who are there that we use that to our advantage. We are a tight-knit group. We have to take ownership of the team and try and drive it on. We have to keep improving. Playing against the top sides you learn a lot.”
Meanwhile in the British and Irish Cup Munster A maintained their impressive start to the new competition when recording an impressive 18-6 victory over English Championship side Bristol at Nenagh RFCs club grounds on Friday night.
Munster are currently one point ahead of Nottingham Rugby in the Pool B table. Table toppers Munster will host Nottingham in the next series of games in the inaugural British and Irish Cup on the weekend of February 12-14, 2010 at a venue to be confirmed.
Garryowen will face a trip to Cork to take on Dolphin in the semi-finals of the AIB Cup. Dolphin defeated Galwegians in their re-arranged quarter-final tie to set up the last four meeting with Garryowen on Saturday, December 19 at Musgrave Park.
The AIL resumes next weekend with all seven of Limerick’s senior clubs due to back in action.
COLM KINSELLA
Tony McGahan’s Munster side will play their first competitive fixture in five weeks when they travel to the Liberty Stadium to face the Ospreys in the Magners League this Saturday (kick off 6.30pm).
Holders Munster are currently one position outside the play-off spots in the Magners League.
However, McGahan’s men have the same number of points as second-placed Edinburgh and lie fifth as a result of their inferior points difference.
The results of Munster’s back-to-back Heineken Cup fixtures against Perpignan on the two subsequent weekends should go a long way towards determining whether Munster make it through to the knock-out stages of the competition.
Munster will host French champions Perpignan at Thomond Park on Friday, December 11 before making the trip to Stade Aime Giral for the return leg on Sunday, December 20.
Fresh from inspiring Ireland to their impressive 20-15 Guinness Series victory over world champions South Africa at the weekend Jerry Flannery said: “From now on we switch back to Munster and we have three very big games coming up with the province. We have the Ospreys and Perpignan twice. These fixtures are pretty much going to define our season.
“From the autumn internationals with Ireland we switch back to provincial mode straight away.
“For the Irish team to do well the provincial teams must be successful.
“I think, much and all as it hurt last year when Leinster beat us in the Heineken Cup semi-final, it was good that they went on and won the competition.
“The winning mentality is spreading through Irish players and it is manifesting itself in the Irish squad.”
Flannery said he was encouraged by the number of younger front-row players coming through at Munster this season.
“Coming through at the minute you have the likes of Stephen Archer and when you look at hooker, you have Damien Varley and Denis Fogarty with Munster. They are both very good players,” Flannery said.
“It is just difficult to find these massive John Hayes-type players. There are not a whole lot of them going around. We have a small player base in Ireland, but we just have to make them the best players we can.
“With the Irish squad we look at ourselves and how we are progressing. We don’t have a massive player base in the country so it is important with the players who are there that we use that to our advantage. We are a tight-knit group. We have to take ownership of the team and try and drive it on. We have to keep improving. Playing against the top sides you learn a lot.”
Meanwhile in the British and Irish Cup Munster A maintained their impressive start to the new competition when recording an impressive 18-6 victory over English Championship side Bristol at Nenagh RFCs club grounds on Friday night.
Munster are currently one point ahead of Nottingham Rugby in the Pool B table. Table toppers Munster will host Nottingham in the next series of games in the inaugural British and Irish Cup on the weekend of February 12-14, 2010 at a venue to be confirmed.
Garryowen will face a trip to Cork to take on Dolphin in the semi-finals of the AIB Cup. Dolphin defeated Galwegians in their re-arranged quarter-final tie to set up the last four meeting with Garryowen on Saturday, December 19 at Musgrave Park.
The AIL resumes next weekend with all seven of Limerick’s senior clubs due to back in action.
COLM KINSELLA
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Declan Kidney wary of a South African backlash at Croke Park
IRELAND coach Declan Kidney believes South Africa’s disappointing run of results during their tour of Europe will make the Grand Slam champions an even bigger target for the Springboks in Saturday’s big Guinness Series international at Croke Park (2.30pm).
To date South Africa suffered defeat to France in a fiercely-competitive Test in Toulouse as well as to both Leicester and Saracens when not fielding full-strength sides.
The world champions did record a 32-10 victory over Italy last weekend and Declan Kidney is hoping to guide Ireland to an unbeaten year in 2009.
Coach Kidney said: “I regret the results South Africa have had on their tour. We are sort of lined up, really. The have beaten the Lions in their three-game series. They have won the Tri Nations.
“Not too many teams go to the South of France and win. That defeat to France then will be the one which will disappoint them.
“Mid-week matches, like the ones South Africa played against Leicester and Saracens, are hugely commercially attractive fixtures, but they are difficult for the touring sides because of the travelling and logistics involved. This is the last game’s of South Africa’s season. We know we are a bit of a target for them.
“I am sure, what their results so far on the tour have done, is target us even more.
“It would be a fine finish to their season, to beat us on our own patch.
“I think they will be well motivated on Saturday.”
The big talking point from Kidney’s team selection for Saturday was his surprise decision to name Jonathan Sexton at out-half instead of the vastly experienced Ronan O’Gara.
Otherwise Kidney has kept faith with the XV that drew 20-20 with Australia in Ireland’s autumn opener with Keith Earls replacing knee injury victim Luke Fitzgerald.
Ronan O’Gara will be 34 by the time the next World Cup arrives in 2011 and there has been a critical lack of depth at fly-half, until Sexton’s arrival.
The Springboks will offer a clearer picture of whether Sexton is the solution and Kidney admitted he needed to see him properly tested.
“I know we have a world-class outside-half in Ronan (O’Gara), but we have to find out things about ourselves,” Kidney said this week.
“Jonathan had a good game last week, but with respect Fiji were short of a few so it was difficult to read. I need to find out more.
“Ronan is disappointed, but is the perfect pro. He’s taken it on the chin, has continued training and has contributed to the team exactly as he would normally.
“It was a difficult call, but that doesn’t really matter. My job is to pick an Ireland team and that’s what I’ve done.”
There was disappointment for Limerick scrum-half Eoin Reddan who was not included in the match day 22 for the big game.
Munster scrum-half Peter Stringer was named among the replacements instead of Leinster star Reddan who started last week’s tie against Fiji at the RDS.
IRELAND TEAM
Rob Kearney (Leinster); Tommy Bowe (Ospreys), Brian O’Driscoll (Capt) (Leinster), Paddy Wallace (Ulster), Keith Earls (Munster); Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), Tomas O’Leary (Munster); Cian Healy (Leinster), Jerry Flannery (Munster), John Hayes (Munster); Donncha O’Callaghan (Munster), Paul O’Connell (Munster), Stephen Ferris (Ulster), David Wallace (Munster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster). Replacements: Sean Cronin (Connacht), Tony Buckley (Munster), Leo Cullen (Leinster), Denis Leamy (Munster), Peter Stringer (Munster), Ronan O’Gara (Munster), Gordon D’Arcy (Leinster).
Colm Kinsella
To date South Africa suffered defeat to France in a fiercely-competitive Test in Toulouse as well as to both Leicester and Saracens when not fielding full-strength sides.
The world champions did record a 32-10 victory over Italy last weekend and Declan Kidney is hoping to guide Ireland to an unbeaten year in 2009.
Coach Kidney said: “I regret the results South Africa have had on their tour. We are sort of lined up, really. The have beaten the Lions in their three-game series. They have won the Tri Nations.
“Not too many teams go to the South of France and win. That defeat to France then will be the one which will disappoint them.
“Mid-week matches, like the ones South Africa played against Leicester and Saracens, are hugely commercially attractive fixtures, but they are difficult for the touring sides because of the travelling and logistics involved. This is the last game’s of South Africa’s season. We know we are a bit of a target for them.
“I am sure, what their results so far on the tour have done, is target us even more.
“It would be a fine finish to their season, to beat us on our own patch.
“I think they will be well motivated on Saturday.”
The big talking point from Kidney’s team selection for Saturday was his surprise decision to name Jonathan Sexton at out-half instead of the vastly experienced Ronan O’Gara.
Otherwise Kidney has kept faith with the XV that drew 20-20 with Australia in Ireland’s autumn opener with Keith Earls replacing knee injury victim Luke Fitzgerald.
Ronan O’Gara will be 34 by the time the next World Cup arrives in 2011 and there has been a critical lack of depth at fly-half, until Sexton’s arrival.
The Springboks will offer a clearer picture of whether Sexton is the solution and Kidney admitted he needed to see him properly tested.
“I know we have a world-class outside-half in Ronan (O’Gara), but we have to find out things about ourselves,” Kidney said this week.
“Jonathan had a good game last week, but with respect Fiji were short of a few so it was difficult to read. I need to find out more.
“Ronan is disappointed, but is the perfect pro. He’s taken it on the chin, has continued training and has contributed to the team exactly as he would normally.
“It was a difficult call, but that doesn’t really matter. My job is to pick an Ireland team and that’s what I’ve done.”
There was disappointment for Limerick scrum-half Eoin Reddan who was not included in the match day 22 for the big game.
Munster scrum-half Peter Stringer was named among the replacements instead of Leinster star Reddan who started last week’s tie against Fiji at the RDS.
IRELAND TEAM
Rob Kearney (Leinster); Tommy Bowe (Ospreys), Brian O’Driscoll (Capt) (Leinster), Paddy Wallace (Ulster), Keith Earls (Munster); Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), Tomas O’Leary (Munster); Cian Healy (Leinster), Jerry Flannery (Munster), John Hayes (Munster); Donncha O’Callaghan (Munster), Paul O’Connell (Munster), Stephen Ferris (Ulster), David Wallace (Munster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster). Replacements: Sean Cronin (Connacht), Tony Buckley (Munster), Leo Cullen (Leinster), Denis Leamy (Munster), Peter Stringer (Munster), Ronan O’Gara (Munster), Gordon D’Arcy (Leinster).
Colm Kinsella
Keith Wood backs Ronan O’Gara
FORMER Irish rugby captain Keith Wood has backed Munster out-half Ronan O’Gara to bounce back from the disappointment of being dropped for Ireland’s glamour autumn international clash with world champions South Africa at Croke Park this Saturday.
Wood described the decision to opt for Jonathan Sexton at number 10 as a ‘bold’ one, but said the choice of the Leinster man at out-half wasn’t that big a surprise considering the player’s excellent form.
O’Gara has started every Test match for Ireland against top-ranked opposition for the past six seasons.
The 32-year-old has amassed 93 caps since 2000.
Grand Slam champions Ireland will go through the 2009 calendar year unbeaten if they can avoid defeat against the Springboks (2.30pm).
“I was very surprised that Jonathan Sexton was selected. I didn’t really think that is was going to happen,” Keith Wood admitted in Limerick on Tuesday night.
“But having said that, Jonny (Jonathan Sexton) has been playing unbelievably well. I don’t think you can say that it is a great surprise in relation to form.
“I think it’s a big call. It will be interesting to see what happens. We want Jonny to do well and see how Ronan comes back from this. He hasn’t been dropped for an awful long time. He is a guy who has delivered time and time and time again for Ireland.
“I would expect him to do so again. We are not getting towards the end of Ronan O’Gara. There is a few years left in him yet.
“He is a guy who, every time he has been given a chance, has delivered time and time again.
“Declan (Kidney) had to make a call at some stage. We are blessed to have another out-half. We have been so lucky over the past 10 years that we have had no injuries to Ronan O’Gara.
“We are in a situation where we have guys playing well and you have to incentivise guys who are playing well, give them an opportunity.
“But people are wrong if they write Ronan O’Gara off now. Everybody gets dropped. It is absolutely the nature of the game. It’s guaranteed. It is how you get over it. You don’t have a Divine right to play, but Ronan will just come back stronger.”
The box seat
Keith Wood said he believed Sexton would be in the ‘box seat’ to start for Ireland in next year’s Six Nations championship should he perform well against South Africa and maintain his good form for Leinster over the next couple of months.
“There is a huge amount of games to be played between now and the start of the Six Nations. While Saturday’s match is a very big game for Ireland, but it isn’t one with a trophy dependant on it,” Keith Wood said.
“It makes the selection of Jonny (Sexton) an easier punt maybe than if we were playing against France in the Six Nations.
“If Jonny comes through this and plays unbelievably well, he then is in the box seat, without a shadow of a doubt, for the Six Nations. He has played well for nine months now. He got his chance with Leinster and with Ireland last weekend and has delivered very well. Each time he has done very well. We wish he would do well against South Africa.”
Good news for Keith Earls
While there was disappointment for one Munster player with team selection, there was good news for another, Keith Earls, who is included on the left wing to face South Africa.
Wood has been hugely impressed with the progress Earls has made in a short space of time.
The former Irish hooker said he would have the versatile Limerickman in the side, irrespective of the injury suffered by Luke Fitzgerald.
“I think Keith (Earls) is magic. He has a spark about him. You can see it in Thomond Park. Every time he touches the ball, there is a collective in-take of breath by the supporters. He has got something very special,” Keith Wood said.
“I would have had him in the side anyway. He was a young guy going out to South Africa with the Lions. I would say he came back with his eyes opened to what is out there in rugby.
“I thought his performance was phenomenal on the Lions tour. He may have had a rocky start, but it was the way he dealt with it.
“I remember talking to a chunk of the English press when they came back from the tour and they said he was one of the nicest guys they had ever come across.
“This is a guy who has been elevated to a very high position, touring with the Lions on almost his first year in big time rugby. He goes on a Lions tour and things don’t exactly go as well as he would have liked on the first week.
“But he fights tooth and nail, worked harder than anyone to get there in the end. He has earned the respect of every other player who was on that trip home with him.”
Wood believes Ireland have a fighting chance of sending the South Africans home from their tour of Europe on a losing note this weekend.
“On Saturday, I am hoping we make South Africa remember how much they want to go home. And they do want to go home,” Wood stressed.
“It has been a long year for them. And I hope we can give them a bit of a torrid day of it to remind them every single minute for 80 that these guys want to go home the next day.
“I hope we can win. I think we have a decent chance of winning.”
Colm Kinsella
Wood described the decision to opt for Jonathan Sexton at number 10 as a ‘bold’ one, but said the choice of the Leinster man at out-half wasn’t that big a surprise considering the player’s excellent form.
O’Gara has started every Test match for Ireland against top-ranked opposition for the past six seasons.
The 32-year-old has amassed 93 caps since 2000.
Grand Slam champions Ireland will go through the 2009 calendar year unbeaten if they can avoid defeat against the Springboks (2.30pm).
“I was very surprised that Jonathan Sexton was selected. I didn’t really think that is was going to happen,” Keith Wood admitted in Limerick on Tuesday night.
“But having said that, Jonny (Jonathan Sexton) has been playing unbelievably well. I don’t think you can say that it is a great surprise in relation to form.
“I think it’s a big call. It will be interesting to see what happens. We want Jonny to do well and see how Ronan comes back from this. He hasn’t been dropped for an awful long time. He is a guy who has delivered time and time and time again for Ireland.
“I would expect him to do so again. We are not getting towards the end of Ronan O’Gara. There is a few years left in him yet.
“He is a guy who, every time he has been given a chance, has delivered time and time again.
“Declan (Kidney) had to make a call at some stage. We are blessed to have another out-half. We have been so lucky over the past 10 years that we have had no injuries to Ronan O’Gara.
“We are in a situation where we have guys playing well and you have to incentivise guys who are playing well, give them an opportunity.
“But people are wrong if they write Ronan O’Gara off now. Everybody gets dropped. It is absolutely the nature of the game. It’s guaranteed. It is how you get over it. You don’t have a Divine right to play, but Ronan will just come back stronger.”
The box seat
Keith Wood said he believed Sexton would be in the ‘box seat’ to start for Ireland in next year’s Six Nations championship should he perform well against South Africa and maintain his good form for Leinster over the next couple of months.
“There is a huge amount of games to be played between now and the start of the Six Nations. While Saturday’s match is a very big game for Ireland, but it isn’t one with a trophy dependant on it,” Keith Wood said.
“It makes the selection of Jonny (Sexton) an easier punt maybe than if we were playing against France in the Six Nations.
“If Jonny comes through this and plays unbelievably well, he then is in the box seat, without a shadow of a doubt, for the Six Nations. He has played well for nine months now. He got his chance with Leinster and with Ireland last weekend and has delivered very well. Each time he has done very well. We wish he would do well against South Africa.”
Good news for Keith Earls
While there was disappointment for one Munster player with team selection, there was good news for another, Keith Earls, who is included on the left wing to face South Africa.
Wood has been hugely impressed with the progress Earls has made in a short space of time.
The former Irish hooker said he would have the versatile Limerickman in the side, irrespective of the injury suffered by Luke Fitzgerald.
“I think Keith (Earls) is magic. He has a spark about him. You can see it in Thomond Park. Every time he touches the ball, there is a collective in-take of breath by the supporters. He has got something very special,” Keith Wood said.
“I would have had him in the side anyway. He was a young guy going out to South Africa with the Lions. I would say he came back with his eyes opened to what is out there in rugby.
“I thought his performance was phenomenal on the Lions tour. He may have had a rocky start, but it was the way he dealt with it.
“I remember talking to a chunk of the English press when they came back from the tour and they said he was one of the nicest guys they had ever come across.
“This is a guy who has been elevated to a very high position, touring with the Lions on almost his first year in big time rugby. He goes on a Lions tour and things don’t exactly go as well as he would have liked on the first week.
“But he fights tooth and nail, worked harder than anyone to get there in the end. He has earned the respect of every other player who was on that trip home with him.”
Wood believes Ireland have a fighting chance of sending the South Africans home from their tour of Europe on a losing note this weekend.
“On Saturday, I am hoping we make South Africa remember how much they want to go home. And they do want to go home,” Wood stressed.
“It has been a long year for them. And I hope we can give them a bit of a torrid day of it to remind them every single minute for 80 that these guys want to go home the next day.
“I hope we can win. I think we have a decent chance of winning.”
Colm Kinsella
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Kidney sounds a note of caution
IRELAND rugby coach Declan Kidney has sounded a note of caution ahead of Sunday’s big Guinness Series clash with Australia at Croke Park, pointing out that the Grand Slam winners have only beaten the Wallabies twice in their 10 meetings during rugby’s professional era.
Kidney’s Ireland begin their three-match autumn international series with a fixture against an Australian side boosted by their victory over England at Twickenham on Saturday.
Sunday’s meeting at GAA headquarters has a 3pm kick-off.
Head coach Kidney is hoping Ireland build on their Grand Slam heroics of last March, but he stressed that the team was under no illusion about the size of the task facing them in the coming weeks with Test matches against Australia, followed by fixtures with Fiji and World champions, South Africa.
“Last year we played one Tri-Nations team and came a bad second to New Zealand. They (Tri-Nations teams) are the next target for us,” Declan Kidney pointed out.
“This year we have four games against Tri-Nations teams and we play Australia twice; they are the first game of our international season and the last game.
“We’re under no illusions as to the size of the task that we’re up against and we know the difficulties and the challenges that we are up against. Ireland have played Australia 10 times in the professional era and only won two of them.
“Ireland v Australia matches have always been good clashes and we are looking forward to it.’
“Our job is to put in the best performance we can against Australia. That is definitely the priority. Have we been working on plans towards the World Cup in 2011? We certainly have, towards fixtures and planning. That is what we have been doing.
“It is a time to park that now and get ready for this because you want to get you want to build momentum and you want to build confidence.
“Working towards the next World Cup, given that Australia are in our group, means that we should concentrate 100% on playing Australia.”
Ireland’s Australian-born backs coach, Alan Gaffney said there are clear signs that the Wallabies are developing into a top class team.
Former Munster coach Gaffney, who also spent time as back coach to the Wallabies said: “I think Australia are very close to being a very good side. I don’t think they are too far away at the present time.
“There are areas of their great, I am sure, they would like to improve on. But across the board now, I think they are a very good side.
“They have a good set-piece generally. Their scrum is very competitive now where there were years in the past when it hadn’t been. And they have a very good backline.
“They have the makings of a very good team.”
Meanwhile, Munster’s new South African prop Wian du Preez has been named on the Springboks’ replacements’ bench for their Test match with France in Toulouse this Friday night (7.45pm).
Du Preez, who is due to join up with Munster squad in time for the December 5 Magners League tie with the Ospreys, is the only uncapped player included in the Springboks’ 22 for the Test match with France at the Stade Municipal.
Munster confirmed this week that Cheetahs loosehead prop du Preez will join the Magners League champions on a short term contract once his commitments with the Springboks current tour of Europe is complete later this month.
With Marcus Horan and Dave Ryan ruled out through illness and injury respectively until after Christmas, and Darragh Hurley also on the injured list, Munster confirmed that the 27-year-old du Preez would be joining the squad until the end of January.
Du Preez was originally omitted from the Springboks squad for the current tour, which ends with a Test match against ireland at Croke Park on Saturday, November 28.
However, he was called up to Peter de Villiers squad over the weekend along with Cheetahs team-mate Adriaan Strauss.
Subject to obtaining clearance from his home Union, obtaining a work permit and passing the normal medical procedures, du Preez will join up with the squad in time for the Ospreys game which takes place the week before Munster resume their Heineken Cup campaign against Perpignan at Thomond Park on Friday, December 11.
Colm Kinsella
Kidney’s Ireland begin their three-match autumn international series with a fixture against an Australian side boosted by their victory over England at Twickenham on Saturday.
Sunday’s meeting at GAA headquarters has a 3pm kick-off.
Head coach Kidney is hoping Ireland build on their Grand Slam heroics of last March, but he stressed that the team was under no illusion about the size of the task facing them in the coming weeks with Test matches against Australia, followed by fixtures with Fiji and World champions, South Africa.
“Last year we played one Tri-Nations team and came a bad second to New Zealand. They (Tri-Nations teams) are the next target for us,” Declan Kidney pointed out.
“This year we have four games against Tri-Nations teams and we play Australia twice; they are the first game of our international season and the last game.
“We’re under no illusions as to the size of the task that we’re up against and we know the difficulties and the challenges that we are up against. Ireland have played Australia 10 times in the professional era and only won two of them.
“Ireland v Australia matches have always been good clashes and we are looking forward to it.’
“Our job is to put in the best performance we can against Australia. That is definitely the priority. Have we been working on plans towards the World Cup in 2011? We certainly have, towards fixtures and planning. That is what we have been doing.
“It is a time to park that now and get ready for this because you want to get you want to build momentum and you want to build confidence.
“Working towards the next World Cup, given that Australia are in our group, means that we should concentrate 100% on playing Australia.”
Ireland’s Australian-born backs coach, Alan Gaffney said there are clear signs that the Wallabies are developing into a top class team.
Former Munster coach Gaffney, who also spent time as back coach to the Wallabies said: “I think Australia are very close to being a very good side. I don’t think they are too far away at the present time.
“There are areas of their great, I am sure, they would like to improve on. But across the board now, I think they are a very good side.
“They have a good set-piece generally. Their scrum is very competitive now where there were years in the past when it hadn’t been. And they have a very good backline.
“They have the makings of a very good team.”
Meanwhile, Munster’s new South African prop Wian du Preez has been named on the Springboks’ replacements’ bench for their Test match with France in Toulouse this Friday night (7.45pm).
Du Preez, who is due to join up with Munster squad in time for the December 5 Magners League tie with the Ospreys, is the only uncapped player included in the Springboks’ 22 for the Test match with France at the Stade Municipal.
Munster confirmed this week that Cheetahs loosehead prop du Preez will join the Magners League champions on a short term contract once his commitments with the Springboks current tour of Europe is complete later this month.
With Marcus Horan and Dave Ryan ruled out through illness and injury respectively until after Christmas, and Darragh Hurley also on the injured list, Munster confirmed that the 27-year-old du Preez would be joining the squad until the end of January.
Du Preez was originally omitted from the Springboks squad for the current tour, which ends with a Test match against ireland at Croke Park on Saturday, November 28.
However, he was called up to Peter de Villiers squad over the weekend along with Cheetahs team-mate Adriaan Strauss.
Subject to obtaining clearance from his home Union, obtaining a work permit and passing the normal medical procedures, du Preez will join up with the squad in time for the Ospreys game which takes place the week before Munster resume their Heineken Cup campaign against Perpignan at Thomond Park on Friday, December 11.
Colm Kinsella
Thursday, November 05, 2009
D-Day looms for Marcus Horan
DOUBTS over the participation of prop Marcus Horan in the upcoming autumn internationals are expected to be cleared up this weekend when the results of medical tests carried out on the 32-year-old are known.
Marcus Horan was replaced mid-way through the opening half of Munster’s Heineken Cup Pool match against Treviso at Thomond Park last month after reportedly feeling unwell.
Sixty six times capped Horan has been undergoing medical tests away from the Limerick-based Irish camp this week and the results of those tests are expected to be known this Friday.
Ireland will face Australia in the first of three games in the Guinness autumn international series on Sunday, November 15.
Irish coach Declan Kidney explained: “There are on-going investigations and, not being a medic, I wouldn’t know (exactly what is wrong). I know that Marcus is not able to train and it is just prudent. He is just getting looked after and as soon as we know more we will let you know. In this job you can’t afford to rule guys out until they are definitely out. He would need to be active next week to be involved with it.
“The investigations are taking place and the latest that we have is that they will have something concrete on Friday. I would only be adding to the rumours if I was to come out and say something now.
“But I was talking to him - he’s in good form - giving out to me as much as ever. He’s just not medically right. Sometimes you can talk about injuries in terms of calves and muscles, but this is something else. What it is I just don’t know yet.”
Jerry Flannery setback
Speaking at a press conference at the Carlton Castletroy Park Hotel this Wednesday, Kidney also explained that Munster hooker Jerry Flannery had a setback in training this week.
Flannery hasn’t played since tearing his calf against Northampton in Munster’s opening Heineken Cup pool match in the middle of last month.
Flannery will be given every opportunity to prove his fitness before the clash with the Wallabies at Croke Park.
Kidney revealed that the Irish medical staff have had a number of injuries and ailments to deal with over the first two days of the Limerick camp.
“We have a number of players who are at different stages - Tomas (O’Leary), Paddy Wallace and Denis Leamy have colds,” Declan Kidney said.
“We got through training okay this morning (Wednesday), but we just had to work our way through it.
“With the lads playing last weekend, and that’s what we would have wanted as you don’t want to go too long without a game, but you don’t want to cut it too short either.
“Rob (Kearney) was out, Gordon D’Arcy played a little bit of a part this morning as did Brian (O’Driscoll). The non-contact stuff basically for the two of those.
“Tony Buckley is rehabbing away (on a calf injury) and that’s probably one of the more long-term ones. It will probably be a week or so before he gets back into it. Jerry (Flannery) didn’t tog out today, Leo Cullen is rehabbing and Paddy Wallace will hopefully get back into things tomorrow.”
Team captain
Declan Kidney also confirmed that Brian O’Driscoll will continue as Ireland captain for their opening internationals of the new season.
Coach Kidney said: “Paul (O’Connell) has captained the Lions and captained Munster quite well, Donncha (O’Callaghan) has captained the Lions and Ronan (O’Gara) has captained the Lions. Ronan has captained with Munster and Ireland also.
“In Brian’s case, he brings a lot of experience to it, like the other lads would do, he is motoring well at the moment so we just felt it prudent.
“It’s been a long time since we were together, six or seven months, so, for continuity and for a whole host of reasons really, we decided to stay with him.”
But the Irish management team will continue to take a series by series approach to the captaincy, meaning that they may opt for a new man when Ireland defend their Six Nations title in the spring.
“It’s like we dealt with it last year, it is just on a series by series basis,” Kidney continued.
“That helps in Brian’s case, too, as it doesn’t heap pressure on him for a whole year and allows him to come in and be captain and then just get on with his game in December and January. We will see him again come February, but I think any one of a host of guys could actually do that.”
Ireland’s current 39-man squad will be whittled down to 30 players this Friday, with the team and replacements to face Australia being named on Wednesday afternoon.
Munster A
James Coughlan will lead Munster A, in their final before the start of the British and Irish Cup, when they take on Ulster in Musgrave Park on Friday afternoon (2pm).
The side shows just five changes, three in the backs and two up front, from the one that saw off Leinster 21-15 last time out in Clonmel RFC.
Ian Nagle- injured on that occasion- returns to partner Dave Foley in the second row, while the experienced Damien Varley comes into the front row in place of Mike Sherry who is included on the bench.
In the backs, injury rules Duncan Williams out and Paul Rowley steps up to partner Declan Cusack while coach Anthony Foley can call on senior international Denis Hurley and A international Felix Jones to replace Danny Barnes and Ronan O’Mahony respectively.
O’Mahony is named on the bench and Barnes will be on duty tomorrow for the Munster Academy when they take on the Ireland U20s in Athlone.
Munster A: Danny Riordan; Felix Jones,Tom Gleeson, Scott Deasy, Denis Hurley; Declan Cusack, Paul Rowley; Dave Kilcoyne, Damian Varley, Stephen Archer; Ian Nagle, Dave Foley; Billy Holland, Tommy O’Donnell, James Coughlan (Capt).
Replacements: Mike Sherry, Christy Condon, Kieran Essex, Pater O’Mahony, Conor Murray, Ronan O’Mahony, Eric Maloney.
Colm Kinsella
Marcus Horan was replaced mid-way through the opening half of Munster’s Heineken Cup Pool match against Treviso at Thomond Park last month after reportedly feeling unwell.
Sixty six times capped Horan has been undergoing medical tests away from the Limerick-based Irish camp this week and the results of those tests are expected to be known this Friday.
Ireland will face Australia in the first of three games in the Guinness autumn international series on Sunday, November 15.
Irish coach Declan Kidney explained: “There are on-going investigations and, not being a medic, I wouldn’t know (exactly what is wrong). I know that Marcus is not able to train and it is just prudent. He is just getting looked after and as soon as we know more we will let you know. In this job you can’t afford to rule guys out until they are definitely out. He would need to be active next week to be involved with it.
“The investigations are taking place and the latest that we have is that they will have something concrete on Friday. I would only be adding to the rumours if I was to come out and say something now.
“But I was talking to him - he’s in good form - giving out to me as much as ever. He’s just not medically right. Sometimes you can talk about injuries in terms of calves and muscles, but this is something else. What it is I just don’t know yet.”
Jerry Flannery setback
Speaking at a press conference at the Carlton Castletroy Park Hotel this Wednesday, Kidney also explained that Munster hooker Jerry Flannery had a setback in training this week.
Flannery hasn’t played since tearing his calf against Northampton in Munster’s opening Heineken Cup pool match in the middle of last month.
Flannery will be given every opportunity to prove his fitness before the clash with the Wallabies at Croke Park.
Kidney revealed that the Irish medical staff have had a number of injuries and ailments to deal with over the first two days of the Limerick camp.
“We have a number of players who are at different stages - Tomas (O’Leary), Paddy Wallace and Denis Leamy have colds,” Declan Kidney said.
“We got through training okay this morning (Wednesday), but we just had to work our way through it.
“With the lads playing last weekend, and that’s what we would have wanted as you don’t want to go too long without a game, but you don’t want to cut it too short either.
“Rob (Kearney) was out, Gordon D’Arcy played a little bit of a part this morning as did Brian (O’Driscoll). The non-contact stuff basically for the two of those.
“Tony Buckley is rehabbing away (on a calf injury) and that’s probably one of the more long-term ones. It will probably be a week or so before he gets back into it. Jerry (Flannery) didn’t tog out today, Leo Cullen is rehabbing and Paddy Wallace will hopefully get back into things tomorrow.”
Team captain
Declan Kidney also confirmed that Brian O’Driscoll will continue as Ireland captain for their opening internationals of the new season.
Coach Kidney said: “Paul (O’Connell) has captained the Lions and captained Munster quite well, Donncha (O’Callaghan) has captained the Lions and Ronan (O’Gara) has captained the Lions. Ronan has captained with Munster and Ireland also.
“In Brian’s case, he brings a lot of experience to it, like the other lads would do, he is motoring well at the moment so we just felt it prudent.
“It’s been a long time since we were together, six or seven months, so, for continuity and for a whole host of reasons really, we decided to stay with him.”
But the Irish management team will continue to take a series by series approach to the captaincy, meaning that they may opt for a new man when Ireland defend their Six Nations title in the spring.
“It’s like we dealt with it last year, it is just on a series by series basis,” Kidney continued.
“That helps in Brian’s case, too, as it doesn’t heap pressure on him for a whole year and allows him to come in and be captain and then just get on with his game in December and January. We will see him again come February, but I think any one of a host of guys could actually do that.”
Ireland’s current 39-man squad will be whittled down to 30 players this Friday, with the team and replacements to face Australia being named on Wednesday afternoon.
Munster A
James Coughlan will lead Munster A, in their final before the start of the British and Irish Cup, when they take on Ulster in Musgrave Park on Friday afternoon (2pm).
The side shows just five changes, three in the backs and two up front, from the one that saw off Leinster 21-15 last time out in Clonmel RFC.
Ian Nagle- injured on that occasion- returns to partner Dave Foley in the second row, while the experienced Damien Varley comes into the front row in place of Mike Sherry who is included on the bench.
In the backs, injury rules Duncan Williams out and Paul Rowley steps up to partner Declan Cusack while coach Anthony Foley can call on senior international Denis Hurley and A international Felix Jones to replace Danny Barnes and Ronan O’Mahony respectively.
O’Mahony is named on the bench and Barnes will be on duty tomorrow for the Munster Academy when they take on the Ireland U20s in Athlone.
Munster A: Danny Riordan; Felix Jones,Tom Gleeson, Scott Deasy, Denis Hurley; Declan Cusack, Paul Rowley; Dave Kilcoyne, Damian Varley, Stephen Archer; Ian Nagle, Dave Foley; Billy Holland, Tommy O’Donnell, James Coughlan (Capt).
Replacements: Mike Sherry, Christy Condon, Kieran Essex, Pater O’Mahony, Conor Murray, Ronan O’Mahony, Eric Maloney.
Colm Kinsella
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Ireland rugby captain won’t be named until November
MUNSTER captain Paul O’Connell will have to wait until November to learn whether his successful spell as Lions skipper this summer will result in the Limerick man assuming the role of Irish captain this season.
Irish coach Declan Kidney said he planned to adopt the same policy in relation to naming his team captain as last season.
Then Kidney delayed making the announcement that Brian O’Driscoll would continue in the role until just before the November internationals.
Grand Slam champions Ireland face Australia, Fiji and South Africa on successive weekends in Dublin this autumn.
Brian O’Driscoll led Ireland to their first Grand Slam success in 61 years last March while Paul O’Connell received lavish praise for his captaincy of Ian McGeechan’s Lions squad this summer.
Speaking in Limerick yesterday during an Irish squad training camp at UL Kidney explained: “I have talked to Brian (O’Driscoll) about it and we will do the same as last year. I think it is well documented that he had some laser surgery on his eyes over the past couple of weeks, so his own pre-season needs a bit of time and space for him to have a good one.
“Let’s see who rolls up in November and we can see where we go from there then.
“I think one of the strengths is that we have a Grand Slam-winning captain, we have a Lions captain and two other guys who captained the Lions at different stages of the tour, the Heineken Cup captain, a co-captain in the Magners League and one from the Churchill. I understand there will be a bit of speculation, but my job is to try and look after each guy.”
Kidney explained that Ireland and Munster hooker Jerry Flannery will be out of action for ‘a couple of weeks’ after tweaking his calf muscle last week.
Munster scrum-half Tomas O’Leary will not resume contact work in training until he visits his surgeon at the end of this month to find out how his recovery from a fractured ankle injury is progressing.
Coach Kidney said O’Leary’s recovery was ‘progressing nicely’ .
Irish coach Kidney also warned supporters about having sky-high expectations of the side as a result of their Grand Slam-winning exploits in March.
“I was lucky enough to be involved with teams which won something one year and you become the target everyone else judges themselves off the next season,” Kidney said.
“That is just pretty much the same. I feel there was lots of talk that when we managed to get the win over Argentina that we were not too good.
“I didn’t think that was true. I don’t think we are the greatest team in the world right now even though that might be thought in some places.
“If we did nothing else, but learn off the economic situation for the past 10 years, let’s not get greedy.
“If we get greedy and expect it, then no one is going to have any fun out of any of this.
“We have a match against Australia in two months time. That is all we are looking forward to.”
Meanwhile Munster back-row Nick Williams, who was forced out of last weekend’s game against Sale Sharks at Musgrave Park with a knee injury, will miss Friday’s game against London Irish at Musgrave Park (7pm).
The injury however is not as bad as it first appeared with Kiwi Williams expected to recover after a period of rest. He is set to have further medical assessment later in the week.
This will be the second year in succession that Munster and London Irish play each other in a pre-season game. It’s also the second successive year they will compete for the Jack Wakefield Memorial Trophy.
Colm Kinsella
Irish coach Declan Kidney said he planned to adopt the same policy in relation to naming his team captain as last season.
Then Kidney delayed making the announcement that Brian O’Driscoll would continue in the role until just before the November internationals.
Grand Slam champions Ireland face Australia, Fiji and South Africa on successive weekends in Dublin this autumn.
Brian O’Driscoll led Ireland to their first Grand Slam success in 61 years last March while Paul O’Connell received lavish praise for his captaincy of Ian McGeechan’s Lions squad this summer.
Speaking in Limerick yesterday during an Irish squad training camp at UL Kidney explained: “I have talked to Brian (O’Driscoll) about it and we will do the same as last year. I think it is well documented that he had some laser surgery on his eyes over the past couple of weeks, so his own pre-season needs a bit of time and space for him to have a good one.
“Let’s see who rolls up in November and we can see where we go from there then.
“I think one of the strengths is that we have a Grand Slam-winning captain, we have a Lions captain and two other guys who captained the Lions at different stages of the tour, the Heineken Cup captain, a co-captain in the Magners League and one from the Churchill. I understand there will be a bit of speculation, but my job is to try and look after each guy.”
Kidney explained that Ireland and Munster hooker Jerry Flannery will be out of action for ‘a couple of weeks’ after tweaking his calf muscle last week.
Munster scrum-half Tomas O’Leary will not resume contact work in training until he visits his surgeon at the end of this month to find out how his recovery from a fractured ankle injury is progressing.
Coach Kidney said O’Leary’s recovery was ‘progressing nicely’ .
Irish coach Kidney also warned supporters about having sky-high expectations of the side as a result of their Grand Slam-winning exploits in March.
“I was lucky enough to be involved with teams which won something one year and you become the target everyone else judges themselves off the next season,” Kidney said.
“That is just pretty much the same. I feel there was lots of talk that when we managed to get the win over Argentina that we were not too good.
“I didn’t think that was true. I don’t think we are the greatest team in the world right now even though that might be thought in some places.
“If we did nothing else, but learn off the economic situation for the past 10 years, let’s not get greedy.
“If we get greedy and expect it, then no one is going to have any fun out of any of this.
“We have a match against Australia in two months time. That is all we are looking forward to.”
Meanwhile Munster back-row Nick Williams, who was forced out of last weekend’s game against Sale Sharks at Musgrave Park with a knee injury, will miss Friday’s game against London Irish at Musgrave Park (7pm).
The injury however is not as bad as it first appeared with Kiwi Williams expected to recover after a period of rest. He is set to have further medical assessment later in the week.
This will be the second year in succession that Munster and London Irish play each other in a pre-season game. It’s also the second successive year they will compete for the Jack Wakefield Memorial Trophy.
Colm Kinsella
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Pre-season preparations crank up a gear
MUNSTER’S pre-season preparations crank up a gear this Friday night when the Magners League champions host the Sale Sharks in an attractive friendly at Musgrave Park (7pm).
The fixture is the first of three Munster will play against Guinness Premiership opposition in the coming weeks. Tony McGahan’s men face London Irish, again at Musgrave Park on Friday, August 21 and complete their programme of friendlies away to Leicester Tigers a week later.
Munster and their opponents this Friday night, the Sharks were drawn in the same pool in last season’s heineken Cup. The second of their two meetings at Thomond Park in January ended in an emphatic 37-14 win for Munster. The victory ensured the Irish province’s passage into the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup for an 11th successive season.
Munster must plan without the services of their Lions players, Paul O’Connell, Keith Earls, Ronan O’Gara, David Wallace and Donncha O’Callaghan for Friday night’s game. The quintet are due to return to competitive action for round four of the Magners League in late September.
The Munster squad and management flew home this Wednesday from a week-long intensive training camp at the Browns Sports & Leisure Centre in Vilamoura, Portugal.
Included in the 43 strong squad were newcomers this season, French international prop Julien Brugnaut, former Garryowen hooker Damien Varley who played his rugby with London Wasps last season, Kiwi scrum-half Toby Morland, former Connacht player Danny Riordan and one-time Ireland Under-20 full-back Felix Jones.
Also included on the Portugal trip were scrum-half Tomas O’Leary and hooker Jerry Flannery, both reported to be making excellent progress from their respective injuries.
Munster coach Tony McGahan is set to field an experimental side for Friday night’s game in Cork with at least some of the province’s new signings expected to feature in the fray.
Co-incidentally the Sale Sharks spent the opening week of their pre-season at the Browns Sports and Leisure Centre in Vilamoura.
Sale Sharks have already had two pre-season games, a 5-12 defeat to Montpelier last week in Millau and a 19-22 reverse at the hands of Albi, when the English Premiership side fielded a mix of young and experienced players.
Sale arrived in Munster this Wednesday to begin preparations for Friday night’s game in Cork.
Sharks coach Kingsley Jones sees the Munster game as the key part of his squad’s build up to the season and he is expected to include the likes of Charlie Hodgson, Andrew Sheridan, Luke Abraham, Ben Cohen and fully fit again Dwayne Peel in his squad for the trip to Munster.
Also expected to feature in the Sale side on Friday night are newcomers, Scotland international Gavin Kerr, David Seymour, who joins from Saracens, and the Fijian international Sisaro Koyamaibole, who played with Toulon last season.
Match tickets for the match at Musgrave Park were still available earlier this week. They are priced at €25 for the West Stand, €20 for uncovered seating, €15 for adult terracing and €5 for schoolboys.
Further details are available on munsterrugby.ie or by telephoning the Ticketmaster hotline on 0818 719 300.
Meanwhile, 15 Munster players have been included in the 37-strong Irish squad which will be involved in a three-day training camp in Limerick from Sunday.
The camp, which runs from Sunday until Wednesday, August 19, will feature Munster’s Lions players, Paul O’Connell, John Hayes, Ronan O’Gara, Keith Earls, Donncha O’Callaghan and David Wallace.
Four Munster players, Denis Fogarty, Felix Jones, Barry Murphy and Niall Ronan, who were involved in Ireland’s first camp in Belfast at the end of July, make way for the returning players.
Irish coach Declan kidney said: “The Belfast camp was productive in that we were able to continue to work with the players and pick up where we left off from the summer tour and the Churchill Cup.
“A lot of players are being given an opportunity and from that point of view as well, we were happy with the spread of players we were in contact with in Belfast.”
Irish rugby squad
Neil Best (Northampton), Rory Best (Ulster), Tommy Bowe (Ospreys), Tony Buckley (Munster), Tom Court (Ulster), Sean Cronin (Connacht), Leo Cullen (Leinster), Gordon D’Arcy (Leinster), Ian Dowling (Munster), Keith Earls (Munster), Stephen Ferris (Ulster), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster), Jerry Flannery (Munster), John Hayes (Munster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Marcus Horan (Munster), Shane Horgan (Leinster), Shane Jennings (Leinster), Robert Kearney (Leinster), Denis Leamy (Munster), Fergus McFadden (Leinster), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Brian O’Driscoll (Leinster), Donncha O’Callaghan (Munster), Paul O’Connell (Munster), Mick O’Driscoll (Munster), Ronan O’Gara (Munster), Tomas O’Leary (Munster), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), Peter Stringer (Munster), Devon Toner (Leinster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster), David Wallace (Munster), Paddy Wallace (Ulster), Brett Wilkinson (Connacht).
Colm Kinsella
The fixture is the first of three Munster will play against Guinness Premiership opposition in the coming weeks. Tony McGahan’s men face London Irish, again at Musgrave Park on Friday, August 21 and complete their programme of friendlies away to Leicester Tigers a week later.
Munster and their opponents this Friday night, the Sharks were drawn in the same pool in last season’s heineken Cup. The second of their two meetings at Thomond Park in January ended in an emphatic 37-14 win for Munster. The victory ensured the Irish province’s passage into the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup for an 11th successive season.
Munster must plan without the services of their Lions players, Paul O’Connell, Keith Earls, Ronan O’Gara, David Wallace and Donncha O’Callaghan for Friday night’s game. The quintet are due to return to competitive action for round four of the Magners League in late September.
The Munster squad and management flew home this Wednesday from a week-long intensive training camp at the Browns Sports & Leisure Centre in Vilamoura, Portugal.
Included in the 43 strong squad were newcomers this season, French international prop Julien Brugnaut, former Garryowen hooker Damien Varley who played his rugby with London Wasps last season, Kiwi scrum-half Toby Morland, former Connacht player Danny Riordan and one-time Ireland Under-20 full-back Felix Jones.
Also included on the Portugal trip were scrum-half Tomas O’Leary and hooker Jerry Flannery, both reported to be making excellent progress from their respective injuries.
Munster coach Tony McGahan is set to field an experimental side for Friday night’s game in Cork with at least some of the province’s new signings expected to feature in the fray.
Co-incidentally the Sale Sharks spent the opening week of their pre-season at the Browns Sports and Leisure Centre in Vilamoura.
Sale Sharks have already had two pre-season games, a 5-12 defeat to Montpelier last week in Millau and a 19-22 reverse at the hands of Albi, when the English Premiership side fielded a mix of young and experienced players.
Sale arrived in Munster this Wednesday to begin preparations for Friday night’s game in Cork.
Sharks coach Kingsley Jones sees the Munster game as the key part of his squad’s build up to the season and he is expected to include the likes of Charlie Hodgson, Andrew Sheridan, Luke Abraham, Ben Cohen and fully fit again Dwayne Peel in his squad for the trip to Munster.
Also expected to feature in the Sale side on Friday night are newcomers, Scotland international Gavin Kerr, David Seymour, who joins from Saracens, and the Fijian international Sisaro Koyamaibole, who played with Toulon last season.
Match tickets for the match at Musgrave Park were still available earlier this week. They are priced at €25 for the West Stand, €20 for uncovered seating, €15 for adult terracing and €5 for schoolboys.
Further details are available on munsterrugby.ie or by telephoning the Ticketmaster hotline on 0818 719 300.
Meanwhile, 15 Munster players have been included in the 37-strong Irish squad which will be involved in a three-day training camp in Limerick from Sunday.
The camp, which runs from Sunday until Wednesday, August 19, will feature Munster’s Lions players, Paul O’Connell, John Hayes, Ronan O’Gara, Keith Earls, Donncha O’Callaghan and David Wallace.
Four Munster players, Denis Fogarty, Felix Jones, Barry Murphy and Niall Ronan, who were involved in Ireland’s first camp in Belfast at the end of July, make way for the returning players.
Irish coach Declan kidney said: “The Belfast camp was productive in that we were able to continue to work with the players and pick up where we left off from the summer tour and the Churchill Cup.
“A lot of players are being given an opportunity and from that point of view as well, we were happy with the spread of players we were in contact with in Belfast.”
Irish rugby squad
Neil Best (Northampton), Rory Best (Ulster), Tommy Bowe (Ospreys), Tony Buckley (Munster), Tom Court (Ulster), Sean Cronin (Connacht), Leo Cullen (Leinster), Gordon D’Arcy (Leinster), Ian Dowling (Munster), Keith Earls (Munster), Stephen Ferris (Ulster), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster), Jerry Flannery (Munster), John Hayes (Munster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Marcus Horan (Munster), Shane Horgan (Leinster), Shane Jennings (Leinster), Robert Kearney (Leinster), Denis Leamy (Munster), Fergus McFadden (Leinster), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Brian O’Driscoll (Leinster), Donncha O’Callaghan (Munster), Paul O’Connell (Munster), Mick O’Driscoll (Munster), Ronan O’Gara (Munster), Tomas O’Leary (Munster), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), Peter Stringer (Munster), Devon Toner (Leinster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster), David Wallace (Munster), Paddy Wallace (Ulster), Brett Wilkinson (Connacht).
Colm Kinsella
Monday, June 22, 2009
FAI announce details of tickets for Thomond clash
ON Friday afternoon last (June 19) the FAI announced that tickets for the Republic of Ireland’s friendly against Australia in Thomond Park on August 12 will go on sale from Wednesday, June 24 - tickets will be made available to the general public on ticketmaster.ie and will be sold in 18 outlets throughout Munster and Connacht while tickets in Limerick city are available from Gleeson Sports Scene on Upper William Street. Tickets for the game will also be available to buy in Record Rack in Ennis and at Roxy Records in Shannon.
Tickets for this the eagerly-awaited clash will be available for €25 (South terrace), €35 (East and West terrace) and €55 (East and West stands) - 2,000 €7 tickets will also be distributed through schoolboy and schoolgirl clubs throughout the country in July.
Mere weeks ago Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni visited Gleeson Sports Scene, along with FAI CEO John Delaney, to launch 1,000 pre-release tickets for the match against the Socceroos on Wednesday, August 12 (kick-off 7.30pm).
“I am looking forward to returning to Limerick in August to play Australia,” Trapattoni told Leader Sport.
“The game will be a good opportunity to prepare for the important World Cup qualifier against Cyprus on September 5. I hope it will give everyone in the mid-west an opportunity to get behind the team against a highly-rated Australian side. Limerick is a very nice place.
“It’s important to us to play well, to show people what our football is about and to get more kids in the region playing football. We believe that the facilities are there, the stadium is really good and we believe that the fans will come to the stadium for this occasion. This will give the fans an opportunity to watch us. Until now they have only been able to see us on television and we wanted to change that. We hope people will come and join us in Thomond Park.”
Trapattoni made an appearance in Limerick following the Republic of Ireland’s one-all draw in Sofia on Saturday night - a result which should at the very least secure a World Cup play-off spot for Ireland while it also ended Bulgaria’s qualification hopes.
The Republic now trail group leaders Italy by a point while the Italians hold a game in hand over Ireland. Ireland’s next competitive fixture is against away to Cyprus on Sept. 5 and Giovanni Trapattoni will use the game against Australia at Thomond Park as a warm-up for that critical encounter.
The Republic will play a second international friendly against South Africa on Tuesday,
September 8 in Thomond Park before they complete their qualifying campaign against Italy and Montenegro.
Pim Verbeek’s Australian side became the second team, mere hours after Japan, to qualify for the World Cup on Saturday following their nil-all draw away to Qatar - the Australians remain unbeaten in their 2010 campaign and should feature players like Scott McDonald (Celtic), Harry Kewell (Galatasaray) and Tim Cahill (Everton) for their visit to Limerick. The game against Australia respresents the first time the Irish senior team has ever played in Limerick and will be the first meeting of the sides since 2003 when the Irish beat the Socceroos 2-1 at Lansdowne Road.
BRIAN MCDONNELL
Tickets for this the eagerly-awaited clash will be available for €25 (South terrace), €35 (East and West terrace) and €55 (East and West stands) - 2,000 €7 tickets will also be distributed through schoolboy and schoolgirl clubs throughout the country in July.
Mere weeks ago Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni visited Gleeson Sports Scene, along with FAI CEO John Delaney, to launch 1,000 pre-release tickets for the match against the Socceroos on Wednesday, August 12 (kick-off 7.30pm).
“I am looking forward to returning to Limerick in August to play Australia,” Trapattoni told Leader Sport.
“The game will be a good opportunity to prepare for the important World Cup qualifier against Cyprus on September 5. I hope it will give everyone in the mid-west an opportunity to get behind the team against a highly-rated Australian side. Limerick is a very nice place.
“It’s important to us to play well, to show people what our football is about and to get more kids in the region playing football. We believe that the facilities are there, the stadium is really good and we believe that the fans will come to the stadium for this occasion. This will give the fans an opportunity to watch us. Until now they have only been able to see us on television and we wanted to change that. We hope people will come and join us in Thomond Park.”
Trapattoni made an appearance in Limerick following the Republic of Ireland’s one-all draw in Sofia on Saturday night - a result which should at the very least secure a World Cup play-off spot for Ireland while it also ended Bulgaria’s qualification hopes.
The Republic now trail group leaders Italy by a point while the Italians hold a game in hand over Ireland. Ireland’s next competitive fixture is against away to Cyprus on Sept. 5 and Giovanni Trapattoni will use the game against Australia at Thomond Park as a warm-up for that critical encounter.
The Republic will play a second international friendly against South Africa on Tuesday,
September 8 in Thomond Park before they complete their qualifying campaign against Italy and Montenegro.
Pim Verbeek’s Australian side became the second team, mere hours after Japan, to qualify for the World Cup on Saturday following their nil-all draw away to Qatar - the Australians remain unbeaten in their 2010 campaign and should feature players like Scott McDonald (Celtic), Harry Kewell (Galatasaray) and Tim Cahill (Everton) for their visit to Limerick. The game against Australia respresents the first time the Irish senior team has ever played in Limerick and will be the first meeting of the sides since 2003 when the Irish beat the Socceroos 2-1 at Lansdowne Road.
BRIAN MCDONNELL
Sean Cronin’s try helps Ireland A to a stunning win
A try from Castletroy’s Sean Cronin just one minute into the second half set Ireland on their way to a 49-22 victory over the England Saxons in the Churchill Cup final in Colorado.
The try from the Connacht hooker pushed Ireland’s lead to 25-12 and even the introduction of Danny Cipriani and Shane Geraghty to the Saxons’ lineout could not ignite a fightback.
The Limerick man was one of the stars of the competition, along with Munster bound full back Felix Jones, Munster back row Niall Ronan and Johnny Sexton.
Yesterday’s emphatic victory ensures a perfect end to Declan Kidney’s first season as national coach. Kidney and the senior coaching staff used the tournament in Colorado to explore Irish strength in depth and it proved a resounding success.
England made the early running and Rugby League convert Stephen Myler initially looked the part, the Northampton Saints fly-half landing two early penalties.
Sexton responded with a penalty and gradually began to dictate the tempo, showing a Ronan O’Gara cross-field kick is also part of his repertoire. Right wing Denis Hurley of Munster did well to gather but Bath fullback Nick Abendanon made a fine try-saving tackle.
From the resulting scrum, Ireland worked the phases with Cian Healy held up inches short before a clever Niall Ronan offload sent Devon Toner over for a 14th minute try. Sexton added the conversion but Myler kept the Saxons in touch with his third penalty as temperatures peaked at 117 degrees.
Ireland were playing excellent continuity rugby with Brian O’Driscoll’s understudy at Leinster, McFadden, making a clean line break, Sean Cronin rumbled a few extra yards before Isaac Boss crashed over. Sexton made it 17-9 and despite dominating the set pieces, the Saxons only points were coming off the boot of Myler after Tony Buckley was penalised for not holding his bind against David Flatman.
Some excellent fielding by Munster bound fullback Felix Jones laid the platform for another try, but the attack ended with Saxons prop Dan Cole sin-binned for not rolling away. Irish number eight Chris Henry joined him when Australian referee Matt Goddard harshly yellow carded him for retaliation.
Unperturbed, Sexton slipped into the pocket to nail a drop goal before needless hands in the ruck saw him binned a minute before half-time. Myler missed the resulting penalty.
Starting the second-half with 13 men to the Saxons 14, Ireland got the perfect start with Cronin brushing off Stuart Hooper and Tom Varndell for a try that put Ireland out of sight.
England responded immediately with Ben Woods repeating his Heineken Cup final trick to fend off Niall Ronan and club mate Johne Ronan for a try in the corner. Any chance of a revival ended, however, when Felix Jones raced over on 55 minutes. An attacking scrum came off a kick by Myler going dead down the other end.
Jones split through the defence again moments later, after another nice piece of fielding, he offloaded to McFadden who did likewise to put Murphy over for a fifth try.
Danny Cipriani and Shane Geraghty were introduced by the Saxons, but despite such lofty reputations neither player could make an impact as Connacht captain John Muldoon bull-dozed over late on. A Tom Vardell try in injury time made no impact.
Ireland A: F Jones; D Hurley, F McFadden, K Matthews, J Murphy; J Sexton, I Boss; C Healy, S Cronin, T Buckley; D Ryan, D Toner; N Best (capt), N Ronan, C Henry. Replacements: J Muldoon for C Henry (42 mins), D Fogarty for S Cronin (60 mins).
England Saxons: N Abendanon; N Cato, D Waldouck, B Barritt, T Varndell; S Myler, M Young; D Flatman, R Webber, D Cole; S Hooper, N Kennedy; P Dowson (capt), B Woods, L Narraway.
Referee: M Goddard (Australia).
JEROME O’CONNELL
The try from the Connacht hooker pushed Ireland’s lead to 25-12 and even the introduction of Danny Cipriani and Shane Geraghty to the Saxons’ lineout could not ignite a fightback.
The Limerick man was one of the stars of the competition, along with Munster bound full back Felix Jones, Munster back row Niall Ronan and Johnny Sexton.
Yesterday’s emphatic victory ensures a perfect end to Declan Kidney’s first season as national coach. Kidney and the senior coaching staff used the tournament in Colorado to explore Irish strength in depth and it proved a resounding success.
England made the early running and Rugby League convert Stephen Myler initially looked the part, the Northampton Saints fly-half landing two early penalties.
Sexton responded with a penalty and gradually began to dictate the tempo, showing a Ronan O’Gara cross-field kick is also part of his repertoire. Right wing Denis Hurley of Munster did well to gather but Bath fullback Nick Abendanon made a fine try-saving tackle.
From the resulting scrum, Ireland worked the phases with Cian Healy held up inches short before a clever Niall Ronan offload sent Devon Toner over for a 14th minute try. Sexton added the conversion but Myler kept the Saxons in touch with his third penalty as temperatures peaked at 117 degrees.
Ireland were playing excellent continuity rugby with Brian O’Driscoll’s understudy at Leinster, McFadden, making a clean line break, Sean Cronin rumbled a few extra yards before Isaac Boss crashed over. Sexton made it 17-9 and despite dominating the set pieces, the Saxons only points were coming off the boot of Myler after Tony Buckley was penalised for not holding his bind against David Flatman.
Some excellent fielding by Munster bound fullback Felix Jones laid the platform for another try, but the attack ended with Saxons prop Dan Cole sin-binned for not rolling away. Irish number eight Chris Henry joined him when Australian referee Matt Goddard harshly yellow carded him for retaliation.
Unperturbed, Sexton slipped into the pocket to nail a drop goal before needless hands in the ruck saw him binned a minute before half-time. Myler missed the resulting penalty.
Starting the second-half with 13 men to the Saxons 14, Ireland got the perfect start with Cronin brushing off Stuart Hooper and Tom Varndell for a try that put Ireland out of sight.
England responded immediately with Ben Woods repeating his Heineken Cup final trick to fend off Niall Ronan and club mate Johne Ronan for a try in the corner. Any chance of a revival ended, however, when Felix Jones raced over on 55 minutes. An attacking scrum came off a kick by Myler going dead down the other end.
Jones split through the defence again moments later, after another nice piece of fielding, he offloaded to McFadden who did likewise to put Murphy over for a fifth try.
Danny Cipriani and Shane Geraghty were introduced by the Saxons, but despite such lofty reputations neither player could make an impact as Connacht captain John Muldoon bull-dozed over late on. A Tom Vardell try in injury time made no impact.
Ireland A: F Jones; D Hurley, F McFadden, K Matthews, J Murphy; J Sexton, I Boss; C Healy, S Cronin, T Buckley; D Ryan, D Toner; N Best (capt), N Ronan, C Henry. Replacements: J Muldoon for C Henry (42 mins), D Fogarty for S Cronin (60 mins).
England Saxons: N Abendanon; N Cato, D Waldouck, B Barritt, T Varndell; S Myler, M Young; D Flatman, R Webber, D Cole; S Hooper, N Kennedy; P Dowson (capt), B Woods, L Narraway.
Referee: M Goddard (Australia).
JEROME O’CONNELL
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
‘We need to do justice to the Lions jersey’
CAPTAIN Paul O’Connell says it is crucial the Lions do justice to the red jersey in South Africa this summer unlike four years ago when they suffered a whitewash Test series defeat to New Zealand.
Ian McGeechan’s Lions squad are continuing their preparations for the 10-match tour to South Africa at a training camp at Pennyhill Park in Surrey this week. The squad departs for South Africa on Sunday next with the opening match in the tour taking place on Saturday, May 30 when the Lions face a Highveld XV in Rustenberg.
The tourists then play a further five provincial fixtures before taking on the world champion Springboks in Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg on June 20, 27 and July 4 respectively. Lock O’Connell said the experience the Irish and Welsh players had gained from winning Grand Slams should stand them in good stead during the tour, but playing for the Lions was the next step up for all the squad members.
“We have a lot of players who have been a bit more successful,” O’Connell pointed out this week.
“Ireland got the Grand Slam at last, the Welsh have two. For a lot of those players being on a successful Lions tour is the next level.
“We need to do justice to the Lions jersey, I don’t think we did that in 2005. We need to do the Lions proud over there and see what happens after that.”
The 29-year-old lock said the squad needed to work on gelling as a unit as quickly as possible.
“First and foremost, the talent is here,” Paul O’Connell insisted.
“The coaching staff have very good ideas on how we want to play and how we want to perform. I think all those bits are going to be ticked off so it’s about us coming together as a team.
“We don’t have a lengthy time frame so we don’t have time to suss each other out. We really have to work on coming together as a team in a short space of time. If we can do that then we’ll have a very good chance.”
Meanwhile, two Munster players will win their first full international caps when Ireland face Canada in their summer international in Vancouver this Saturday. Winger Ian Dowling and flanker Niall Ronan are two of the six new caps named in Declan Kidney’s side to face the Canucks at Thunderbird Stadium. Kick-off is at 10pm Irish time (Live coverage on RTE 2).
New caps Dowling and Ronan are two of seven Munster players named in the starting XV for the game. The Magners League winners are also represented by winger Barry Murphy, scrum-half Peter Stringer, prop Tony Buckley, lock Mick O’Driscoll and number eight Denis Leamy.
The replacements’ bench will feature five players who are in line to win their first caps if introduced. These include Limerick-born hooker Sean Cronin and Munster full-back Denis Hurley.
Fourteen-time capped scrum-half Eoin Reddan, who will move from London Wasps to Leinster later in the summer, is also named on the replacements’ bench.
Ireland: Gavin Duffy (Connacht), Barry Murphy (Munster), Darren Cave (Ulster), Ian Whitten (Ulster), Ian Dowling (Munster); Ian Keatley (Connacht), Peter Stringer (Munster); Tom Court (Ulster), Rory Best (Ulster), Tony Buckley (Munster); Bob Casey (London Irish), Mick O'Driscoll (Munster); John Muldoon (Connacht), Niall Ronan (Munster), Denis Leamy (Munster).
Replacements: Sean Cronin (Connacht), Mike Ross (Harlequins), Ryan Caldwell (Ulster), Donncha Ryan (Munster), Eoin Reddan (London Wasps), Niall O'Connor (Ulster), Denis Hurley (Munster).
Colm Kinsella
Ian McGeechan’s Lions squad are continuing their preparations for the 10-match tour to South Africa at a training camp at Pennyhill Park in Surrey this week. The squad departs for South Africa on Sunday next with the opening match in the tour taking place on Saturday, May 30 when the Lions face a Highveld XV in Rustenberg.
The tourists then play a further five provincial fixtures before taking on the world champion Springboks in Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg on June 20, 27 and July 4 respectively. Lock O’Connell said the experience the Irish and Welsh players had gained from winning Grand Slams should stand them in good stead during the tour, but playing for the Lions was the next step up for all the squad members.
“We have a lot of players who have been a bit more successful,” O’Connell pointed out this week.
“Ireland got the Grand Slam at last, the Welsh have two. For a lot of those players being on a successful Lions tour is the next level.
“We need to do justice to the Lions jersey, I don’t think we did that in 2005. We need to do the Lions proud over there and see what happens after that.”
The 29-year-old lock said the squad needed to work on gelling as a unit as quickly as possible.
“First and foremost, the talent is here,” Paul O’Connell insisted.
“The coaching staff have very good ideas on how we want to play and how we want to perform. I think all those bits are going to be ticked off so it’s about us coming together as a team.
“We don’t have a lengthy time frame so we don’t have time to suss each other out. We really have to work on coming together as a team in a short space of time. If we can do that then we’ll have a very good chance.”
Meanwhile, two Munster players will win their first full international caps when Ireland face Canada in their summer international in Vancouver this Saturday. Winger Ian Dowling and flanker Niall Ronan are two of the six new caps named in Declan Kidney’s side to face the Canucks at Thunderbird Stadium. Kick-off is at 10pm Irish time (Live coverage on RTE 2).
New caps Dowling and Ronan are two of seven Munster players named in the starting XV for the game. The Magners League winners are also represented by winger Barry Murphy, scrum-half Peter Stringer, prop Tony Buckley, lock Mick O’Driscoll and number eight Denis Leamy.
The replacements’ bench will feature five players who are in line to win their first caps if introduced. These include Limerick-born hooker Sean Cronin and Munster full-back Denis Hurley.
Fourteen-time capped scrum-half Eoin Reddan, who will move from London Wasps to Leinster later in the summer, is also named on the replacements’ bench.
Ireland: Gavin Duffy (Connacht), Barry Murphy (Munster), Darren Cave (Ulster), Ian Whitten (Ulster), Ian Dowling (Munster); Ian Keatley (Connacht), Peter Stringer (Munster); Tom Court (Ulster), Rory Best (Ulster), Tony Buckley (Munster); Bob Casey (London Irish), Mick O'Driscoll (Munster); John Muldoon (Connacht), Niall Ronan (Munster), Denis Leamy (Munster).
Replacements: Sean Cronin (Connacht), Mike Ross (Harlequins), Ryan Caldwell (Ulster), Donncha Ryan (Munster), Eoin Reddan (London Wasps), Niall O'Connor (Ulster), Denis Hurley (Munster).
Colm Kinsella
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Kidney selectrs touring party
THE Limerick duo of Sean Cronin and Keith Matthews will be hoping to win their first full international caps when Ireland face Canada and the USA in two end-of-season internationals later this month - Cronin and Matthews, both playing with Connacht, have been included in Declan Kidney’s 25-strong squad for the games with Canada in Vancouver on May 23 and the USA in California on May 31.
While several players are being rested for the tour, 12 capped players are named in the travelling party including Eoin Reddan and Munster stars Peter Stringer, Mick O’Driscoll and Denis Leamy. Munster flanker Niall Ronan and winger Ian Dowling are two other uncapped players who will be hoping to make their full international debuts during the tour. Munster props John Hayes and Marcus Horan are being rested and will not travel on the tour.
Meanwhile hooker Sean Cronin and centre Keith Matthews are just two of several players who have also been selected in the Ireland A squad for next month’s Churchill Cup in Colarado.
The tournament includes teams from Argentina, USA, Canada, Georgia and the England Saxons and will see Ireland A play pool games against Canada and Georgia as well as a final game in the tournament playoffs.
Bruff referee George Clancy has been appointed to take charge of this season’s European Challenge Cup final between Northampton Saints and Bourgoin at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday, May 22. Clancy was promoted to the IRB’s High Performance panel in November and took charge of France’s RBS Six nations Championship clash with Scotland at the Stade de France earlier this season.
Munster’s Alan Quinlan is due to appear before an independent Disciplinary Committee in Dublin tomorrow as a result of a citing arising from the Heineken Cup semi-final match against Leinster.
The citing lodged by the Citing Commissioner for the match, John Byett is for alleged contact with the eye/eye area of Leinster player Leo Cullen in contravention of Law 10.4 (k). The independent Disciplinary Committee will be chaired by Roger Morris (Wales) and also comprise Simon Thomas (Wales) and Mike Hamlin (England).
Munster rugby will come under the spotlight in the Setanta Ireland series Sports Matters tonight at 10pm.
The programme, which begins with a short film entitled Alone it Brands, will discuss how Munster rugby has developed its strong brand identity and huge fan base.
Ireland Tour Squad (25): Rory Best (Ulster) Captain, Tony Buckley (Munster), Ryan Caldwell (Ulster), Bob Casey (London Irish), Darren Cave (Ulster), Tom Court (Ulster), Sean Cronin (Connacht), Ian Dowling (Munster), Gavin Duffy (Connacht), Chris Henry (Ulster), Denis Hurley (Munster), Ian Keatley (Connacht), Denis Leamy (Munster), Keith Matthews (Connacht), John Muldoon (Connacht), Barry Murphy (Munster), Niall O’Connor (Ulster), Mick O’Driscoll (Munster), Eoin Reddan (London Wasps), Niall Ronan (Munster), Mike Ross (Harlequins), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Peter Stringer (Munster), Bryan Young (Ulster)
Ireland A Churchill Cup Squad (27): John Andress (Exeter Chiefs), Neil Best (Northampton Saints), Isaac Boss (Ulster), Tony Buckley (Munster), Fionn Carr (Connacht), Sean Cronin (Connacht), James Downey (Northampton Saints), Dennis Fogarty (Munster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Chris Henry (Ulster), Trevor Hogan (Leinster), Denis Hurley (Munster), Felix Jones (Leinster), Simon Keogh (Leinster), Keith Matthews (Connacht), Fergus McFadden (Leinster), John Muldoon (Connacht) Captain, Frank Murphy (Connacht), Johne Murphy (Leicester Tigers), Sean O’Brien (Leinster), Niall O’Connor (Ulster), Ed O’Donoghue (Ulster), Niall Ronan (Munster), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), Devon Toner (Leinster), Bryan Young (Ulster).
Irish Tour Schedule: Depart Sunday May 17 for Canada. Canada v Ireland, Saturday May 23, 2pm (local time), Thunderbird Stadium, Vancouver. USA v Ireland, Sunday May 31, 2pm (local time), Buckshaw Stadium, Santa Clara, California.
Churchill Cup Schedule: Ireland A v Canada, Wednesday, June 10, 4.30pm (local time), Infinity Park, Glendale, Colorado. Georgia v Ireland A, Sunday June 14, 3.30pm (local time) Infinity Park, Glendale, Colorado. Finals Day, Sunday June 21, Dicks Sporting Goods Park, Denver, Colorado.
Colm Kinsella
While several players are being rested for the tour, 12 capped players are named in the travelling party including Eoin Reddan and Munster stars Peter Stringer, Mick O’Driscoll and Denis Leamy. Munster flanker Niall Ronan and winger Ian Dowling are two other uncapped players who will be hoping to make their full international debuts during the tour. Munster props John Hayes and Marcus Horan are being rested and will not travel on the tour.
Meanwhile hooker Sean Cronin and centre Keith Matthews are just two of several players who have also been selected in the Ireland A squad for next month’s Churchill Cup in Colarado.
The tournament includes teams from Argentina, USA, Canada, Georgia and the England Saxons and will see Ireland A play pool games against Canada and Georgia as well as a final game in the tournament playoffs.
Bruff referee George Clancy has been appointed to take charge of this season’s European Challenge Cup final between Northampton Saints and Bourgoin at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday, May 22. Clancy was promoted to the IRB’s High Performance panel in November and took charge of France’s RBS Six nations Championship clash with Scotland at the Stade de France earlier this season.
Munster’s Alan Quinlan is due to appear before an independent Disciplinary Committee in Dublin tomorrow as a result of a citing arising from the Heineken Cup semi-final match against Leinster.
The citing lodged by the Citing Commissioner for the match, John Byett is for alleged contact with the eye/eye area of Leinster player Leo Cullen in contravention of Law 10.4 (k). The independent Disciplinary Committee will be chaired by Roger Morris (Wales) and also comprise Simon Thomas (Wales) and Mike Hamlin (England).
Munster rugby will come under the spotlight in the Setanta Ireland series Sports Matters tonight at 10pm.
The programme, which begins with a short film entitled Alone it Brands, will discuss how Munster rugby has developed its strong brand identity and huge fan base.
Ireland Tour Squad (25): Rory Best (Ulster) Captain, Tony Buckley (Munster), Ryan Caldwell (Ulster), Bob Casey (London Irish), Darren Cave (Ulster), Tom Court (Ulster), Sean Cronin (Connacht), Ian Dowling (Munster), Gavin Duffy (Connacht), Chris Henry (Ulster), Denis Hurley (Munster), Ian Keatley (Connacht), Denis Leamy (Munster), Keith Matthews (Connacht), John Muldoon (Connacht), Barry Murphy (Munster), Niall O’Connor (Ulster), Mick O’Driscoll (Munster), Eoin Reddan (London Wasps), Niall Ronan (Munster), Mike Ross (Harlequins), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Peter Stringer (Munster), Bryan Young (Ulster)
Ireland A Churchill Cup Squad (27): John Andress (Exeter Chiefs), Neil Best (Northampton Saints), Isaac Boss (Ulster), Tony Buckley (Munster), Fionn Carr (Connacht), Sean Cronin (Connacht), James Downey (Northampton Saints), Dennis Fogarty (Munster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Chris Henry (Ulster), Trevor Hogan (Leinster), Denis Hurley (Munster), Felix Jones (Leinster), Simon Keogh (Leinster), Keith Matthews (Connacht), Fergus McFadden (Leinster), John Muldoon (Connacht) Captain, Frank Murphy (Connacht), Johne Murphy (Leicester Tigers), Sean O’Brien (Leinster), Niall O’Connor (Ulster), Ed O’Donoghue (Ulster), Niall Ronan (Munster), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), Devon Toner (Leinster), Bryan Young (Ulster).
Irish Tour Schedule: Depart Sunday May 17 for Canada. Canada v Ireland, Saturday May 23, 2pm (local time), Thunderbird Stadium, Vancouver. USA v Ireland, Sunday May 31, 2pm (local time), Buckshaw Stadium, Santa Clara, California.
Churchill Cup Schedule: Ireland A v Canada, Wednesday, June 10, 4.30pm (local time), Infinity Park, Glendale, Colorado. Georgia v Ireland A, Sunday June 14, 3.30pm (local time) Infinity Park, Glendale, Colorado. Finals Day, Sunday June 21, Dicks Sporting Goods Park, Denver, Colorado.
Colm Kinsella
Monday, May 11, 2009
FAI address schoolboy controversy
PETER Sherard, the FAI Director of Communications, has insisted that an allocation of schoolboy tickets will be made available for the Republic of Ireland's upcoming international friendlies at Thomond Park.
The Republic will face Australia on Wednesday, August 12 and South Africa on Tuesday, September 8.
Although FAI CEO John Delaney had announced that schoolboy tickets would be made available at a cost of €7 for both those games Limerick clubs had feared that the national association would not honour that commitment.
The controversy erupted when the FAI circulated ticket order forms to the schoolboy leagues which made no reference to a provision for schoolboy applications in April - the prices quoted on that order form for both international friendlies were: €55 (stand), €35 (terrace) and €25 (terrace).
Speaking to Leader Sport the FAI's Director of Communications Peter Sherard described the suggestion that schoolboy tickets would not be made available for both games at Thomond Park as "nonsense".
Indeed Sherard insists that the FAI had budgeted for 2,000 schoolboy tickets in February and that each schoolboy league will be given an opportunity, six or seven weeks before the games, to apply for schoolboy tickets.
"Six of seven weeks before the games in Thomond Park," Peter Sherard explained, "application forms will be forwarded to the schoolboy league secretaries.
"Two thousand tickets are available and always have been available for the games.
"Both games will be tremendous occasions and are something everyone in Limerick should be looking forward to."
Although the secretary of the District Schoolboy League, Gerry McCormack, has welcomed Peter Sherard's comments on the matter he remains annoyed by the manner in which the schoolboy ticket allocation has been handled by the FAI.
"They are saying now that there are and always have been schoolboy tickets available for both international matches at Thomond Park," Gerry McCormack told Leader Sport, "but if that's the case why are the ticket office saying there are no schoolboy tickets available?
"If that is the case why did the FAI send out order forms to the schoolboy leagues which made no reference at all to schoolboy tickets?"
On receipt on an order form for tickets in April, an order form which had to be completed and returned to the FAI by the end of April, Gerry McCormack contacted the FAI ticket office to enquire about the availability of schoolboy tickets.
The individual Gerry McCormack spoke to said that no schoolboy tickets would go on sale for the clashes with Australia and South Africa in Thomond Park.
"After an article appeared in a national paper (the Irish Mail highlighted the issue)," added Mr. McCormack, "I was contacted by an FAI official about the matter.
"He insisted that there would be 2,000 tickets available and that those tickets were always available for the games in Thomond Park, but when I asked him when those tickets would be available and how we apply for them he wasn't able to answer me. The FAI only reacted when something appeared in the national press. Several clubs have been in contact with me and to say they are disappointed with the situation would be an understatement. I phoned the ticket office myself and they said there were no tickets available. The FAI say that was a mistake, but they must correct that mistake."
It is hoped that the confusion surrounding this issue will be cleared up as soon as possible. The provision of schoolboy tickets for international games has been a long-standing tradition associated with Irish soccer while two high profile international friendlies in Thomond Park provide administrators of the game in Limerick with an opportunity to promote the game in the mid-west.
Although the FAI had discussed basing their preparations for both games at UL the team will train at St. Michael's FC (Tipperary Town) and stay at the Ballykisteen Hotel & Golf Resort.
More event information will be made available closer to the match dates on both fai.ie and thomondpark.ie.
Brian McDonnell
The Republic will face Australia on Wednesday, August 12 and South Africa on Tuesday, September 8.
Although FAI CEO John Delaney had announced that schoolboy tickets would be made available at a cost of €7 for both those games Limerick clubs had feared that the national association would not honour that commitment.
The controversy erupted when the FAI circulated ticket order forms to the schoolboy leagues which made no reference to a provision for schoolboy applications in April - the prices quoted on that order form for both international friendlies were: €55 (stand), €35 (terrace) and €25 (terrace).
Speaking to Leader Sport the FAI's Director of Communications Peter Sherard described the suggestion that schoolboy tickets would not be made available for both games at Thomond Park as "nonsense".
Indeed Sherard insists that the FAI had budgeted for 2,000 schoolboy tickets in February and that each schoolboy league will be given an opportunity, six or seven weeks before the games, to apply for schoolboy tickets.
"Six of seven weeks before the games in Thomond Park," Peter Sherard explained, "application forms will be forwarded to the schoolboy league secretaries.
"Two thousand tickets are available and always have been available for the games.
"Both games will be tremendous occasions and are something everyone in Limerick should be looking forward to."
Although the secretary of the District Schoolboy League, Gerry McCormack, has welcomed Peter Sherard's comments on the matter he remains annoyed by the manner in which the schoolboy ticket allocation has been handled by the FAI.
"They are saying now that there are and always have been schoolboy tickets available for both international matches at Thomond Park," Gerry McCormack told Leader Sport, "but if that's the case why are the ticket office saying there are no schoolboy tickets available?
"If that is the case why did the FAI send out order forms to the schoolboy leagues which made no reference at all to schoolboy tickets?"
On receipt on an order form for tickets in April, an order form which had to be completed and returned to the FAI by the end of April, Gerry McCormack contacted the FAI ticket office to enquire about the availability of schoolboy tickets.
The individual Gerry McCormack spoke to said that no schoolboy tickets would go on sale for the clashes with Australia and South Africa in Thomond Park.
"After an article appeared in a national paper (the Irish Mail highlighted the issue)," added Mr. McCormack, "I was contacted by an FAI official about the matter.
"He insisted that there would be 2,000 tickets available and that those tickets were always available for the games in Thomond Park, but when I asked him when those tickets would be available and how we apply for them he wasn't able to answer me. The FAI only reacted when something appeared in the national press. Several clubs have been in contact with me and to say they are disappointed with the situation would be an understatement. I phoned the ticket office myself and they said there were no tickets available. The FAI say that was a mistake, but they must correct that mistake."
It is hoped that the confusion surrounding this issue will be cleared up as soon as possible. The provision of schoolboy tickets for international games has been a long-standing tradition associated with Irish soccer while two high profile international friendlies in Thomond Park provide administrators of the game in Limerick with an opportunity to promote the game in the mid-west.
Although the FAI had discussed basing their preparations for both games at UL the team will train at St. Michael's FC (Tipperary Town) and stay at the Ballykisteen Hotel & Golf Resort.
More event information will be made available closer to the match dates on both fai.ie and thomondpark.ie.
Brian McDonnell
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Across The Gain Line . . . with Colm Kinsella
THE deafening noise which greeted the arrival of Irish lock Paul O’Connell back to his old school Ardscoil Ris on Monday was only surpassed by the incredible din which followed when the Munster skipper asked whether the pupils should get a half day from school this Friday!
Less than 24 hours after helping Ireland secure their first Grand Slam success in 61 years, O’Connell honoured a promise he had made to his old school some months ago to drop in for a visit.
The school’s Director of Rugby Des Harty said many other players would have opted out of the visit given the exceptional circumstances, but the Munster skipper had lived up to his word by turning up. Paul O’Connell told the captivated students that the two reasons he had gone so far in his rugby career were Ardscoi l Ris and Young Munster RFC.
The captains of Ardsoil’s Ris various school’s rugby teams then got an opportunity to ask the Irish lock some questions about the sport.
O’Connell was asked whether he felt the British and Irish Lions Tour to South Africa this summer would prove to be a success?
Taking nothing for granted
Although he is taking anything for granted himself, 29-year-old O’Connell looks a certainty to be named in Ian McGeechan’s squad for the tour when it is unveiled next month.
Indeed, the second row is second favourite- behind his Irish team mate Brian O’Driscolll- with most bookies’ to be named as the Lions skipper.
O’Connell told his enthralled audience that he firmly believed the Lions tour could prove successful because of the expertise head coach Ian McGeechan would bring with him from his time managing a successful Lions Tour in the past.
O’Connell said he felt it had been easier for Lions squads in the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s to bond as a team. This was in the pre-professional era and more of an emphasis was placed on bonding and the social aspect of things. There had not been much of an emphasis on team bonding during the tour to New Zealand in 2005.
O’Connell felt Ian McGeechan would place a bigger emphasis on the importance of team bonding during the course of this Tour.
In relation to Ireland’s win in the Six Nations championship O’Connell said the side had not played the most glamorous rugby at times, but it was winning rugby.
The Young Munster clubman said the greatest memories he would take from his time playing school’s rugby was of the friends he had made there.
“Most of the guys I played with then are still good friends of mine. I have made friends for life from those days,” Paul O’Connell said.
O’Connell’s schoolmates at Ardscoil Ris at time included former Munster and current London Wasps star Mossie Lawler, Garryowen captain Paul Neville and Young Munster centre Clem Casey.
Paul O’Connell played for the Irish school’s team in the 1997-98 season.
Asked what advice he would give to any schoolboy playing rugby today, O’Connell said physical fitness was a massive part. The 6’ 6” second row said an average player could become a good player by getting fitter and faster than the guy beside him.
O’Connell also advised the budding young rugby players to work on their ball skills and to bring a rugby ball with them wherever they went.
Lions selection
Since the final whistle sounded at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday night, newspapers, radio, TV shows and websites have been inundated with possible Lions selections for the First Test against South Africa in June. Guessing the make-up of the team to face the Springbok is an interesting past time, but the reality is that several players who are seen as ‘certain’ starters right now, will not be in the XV for the Durban clash.
Some players will lose form or get injured and several more who are seen as most likely to be involved in the mid-week games (dirt-trackers as they are referred to in some quarters) will succeed in forcing their way into the Test side.
One respected rugby man with a proven track record, who offered his views on the possible make-up of the Lions Test team, was Gareth Edwards.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Edwards’ team consisted of six Irishmen, six Welshmen, two Englishmen and a Scot.
He opted for Paul O’Connell as team captain, adding: “It just feels right. Willie John McBride in ‘74, Martin Johnson in ‘97. The successful template is there. (Brian) O’Driscoll would then be freed up to concentrate on his game and getting the best out of the Lions back division, which he will effectively run.”
Gareth Edwards’ Lions XV: Lee Byrne (Wales), Tommy Bowe (Ireland), Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland), Riki Flutey (England), Shane Williams (Wales), Stephen Jones (Wales), Dwayne Peel (Wales), Gethin Jenkins (Wales), Jerry Flannery (Ireland), Euan Murray (Scotland), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales), Paul O’Connell (Ireland, capt.), Tom Croft (England), David Wallace (Ireland), Jamie Heaslip (Ireland).
Munster jerseys
One question which occupied the minds of many Irish rugby fans in Cardiff last weekend was why Munster fans persist with wearing their Munster jerseys at international games? Sure they are proud of where they come from, sure they are proud of their team’s achievements.
But on Saturday, at the Millennium Stadium in TV shots, decked out in their red jerseys, several Munster supporters were mistakes for Welsh fans.
Is the current recession a contributing factor? Are fans who have a Munster jersey in their wardrobe unable to find the disposable income necessary to buy an Irish shirt? But then again if they can afford to travel to Cardiff to watch Ireland play surely they can find the money to buy a jersey. The intrigue continues.
Colm Kinsella
Less than 24 hours after helping Ireland secure their first Grand Slam success in 61 years, O’Connell honoured a promise he had made to his old school some months ago to drop in for a visit.
The school’s Director of Rugby Des Harty said many other players would have opted out of the visit given the exceptional circumstances, but the Munster skipper had lived up to his word by turning up. Paul O’Connell told the captivated students that the two reasons he had gone so far in his rugby career were Ardscoi l Ris and Young Munster RFC.
The captains of Ardsoil’s Ris various school’s rugby teams then got an opportunity to ask the Irish lock some questions about the sport.
O’Connell was asked whether he felt the British and Irish Lions Tour to South Africa this summer would prove to be a success?
Taking nothing for granted
Although he is taking anything for granted himself, 29-year-old O’Connell looks a certainty to be named in Ian McGeechan’s squad for the tour when it is unveiled next month.
Indeed, the second row is second favourite- behind his Irish team mate Brian O’Driscolll- with most bookies’ to be named as the Lions skipper.
O’Connell told his enthralled audience that he firmly believed the Lions tour could prove successful because of the expertise head coach Ian McGeechan would bring with him from his time managing a successful Lions Tour in the past.
O’Connell said he felt it had been easier for Lions squads in the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s to bond as a team. This was in the pre-professional era and more of an emphasis was placed on bonding and the social aspect of things. There had not been much of an emphasis on team bonding during the tour to New Zealand in 2005.
O’Connell felt Ian McGeechan would place a bigger emphasis on the importance of team bonding during the course of this Tour.
In relation to Ireland’s win in the Six Nations championship O’Connell said the side had not played the most glamorous rugby at times, but it was winning rugby.
The Young Munster clubman said the greatest memories he would take from his time playing school’s rugby was of the friends he had made there.
“Most of the guys I played with then are still good friends of mine. I have made friends for life from those days,” Paul O’Connell said.
O’Connell’s schoolmates at Ardscoil Ris at time included former Munster and current London Wasps star Mossie Lawler, Garryowen captain Paul Neville and Young Munster centre Clem Casey.
Paul O’Connell played for the Irish school’s team in the 1997-98 season.
Asked what advice he would give to any schoolboy playing rugby today, O’Connell said physical fitness was a massive part. The 6’ 6” second row said an average player could become a good player by getting fitter and faster than the guy beside him.
O’Connell also advised the budding young rugby players to work on their ball skills and to bring a rugby ball with them wherever they went.
Lions selection
Since the final whistle sounded at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday night, newspapers, radio, TV shows and websites have been inundated with possible Lions selections for the First Test against South Africa in June. Guessing the make-up of the team to face the Springbok is an interesting past time, but the reality is that several players who are seen as ‘certain’ starters right now, will not be in the XV for the Durban clash.
Some players will lose form or get injured and several more who are seen as most likely to be involved in the mid-week games (dirt-trackers as they are referred to in some quarters) will succeed in forcing their way into the Test side.
One respected rugby man with a proven track record, who offered his views on the possible make-up of the Lions Test team, was Gareth Edwards.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Edwards’ team consisted of six Irishmen, six Welshmen, two Englishmen and a Scot.
He opted for Paul O’Connell as team captain, adding: “It just feels right. Willie John McBride in ‘74, Martin Johnson in ‘97. The successful template is there. (Brian) O’Driscoll would then be freed up to concentrate on his game and getting the best out of the Lions back division, which he will effectively run.”
Gareth Edwards’ Lions XV: Lee Byrne (Wales), Tommy Bowe (Ireland), Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland), Riki Flutey (England), Shane Williams (Wales), Stephen Jones (Wales), Dwayne Peel (Wales), Gethin Jenkins (Wales), Jerry Flannery (Ireland), Euan Murray (Scotland), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales), Paul O’Connell (Ireland, capt.), Tom Croft (England), David Wallace (Ireland), Jamie Heaslip (Ireland).
Munster jerseys
One question which occupied the minds of many Irish rugby fans in Cardiff last weekend was why Munster fans persist with wearing their Munster jerseys at international games? Sure they are proud of where they come from, sure they are proud of their team’s achievements.
But on Saturday, at the Millennium Stadium in TV shots, decked out in their red jerseys, several Munster supporters were mistakes for Welsh fans.
Is the current recession a contributing factor? Are fans who have a Munster jersey in their wardrobe unable to find the disposable income necessary to buy an Irish shirt? But then again if they can afford to travel to Cardiff to watch Ireland play surely they can find the money to buy a jersey. The intrigue continues.
Colm Kinsella
Monday, March 23, 2009
‘Ireland can kick on from here’
INSPIRATIONAL international lock Paul O’Connell believes Saturday’s dramatic Grand Slam success can prove the launch pad for further Irish rugby glory. Twenty nine-year-old O’Connell turned in an awesome display as Ireland claimed a first Grand Slam success in 61 years with a nail-biting 17-15 victory over Wales at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.O’Connell said: “I absolutely believe Ireland can kick on from here.
“In the last three games we have not played fabulously well.
“We have just been clever in what we have done. We went about winning games. That is the most important thing.
“It was something we had lost track of before. We can develop here now. I think if you try to play expansive sometimes you can hit a wall.
“In this Six Nations we have relied a lot on our pack.
“I think it is easier to build from there.”
O’Connell paid tribute to the part coach Declan kidney had played in the success of the side.
“Deccie (Declan Kidney) has the Midas touch,” O’Connell enthused.
“We had a lot of meetings. He was trying to get players to say things, to try and get them to come out with different things.
“In fairness, there was a lot of good things said.
“We had a good meeting in Enfield over Christmas. We had Padraig Harrington in that week. He was highly inspirational.
“A good atmosphere was built out of that.
“It was a very important time for that team.”
O’Connell said honesty and humility were two of the defining traits of the current Irish side.
“I think, being Irish, this is a humble team,” O’Connell said.
“A lot of the stuff which went on in the media in the lead up to the game with Warren Gatland, you wouldn’t see an Irish coach doing that.
“You wouldn’t see an Irish person doing that. We are very honest in everything we did.
“That is a big part of our trait.
“That is a big thing with Munster and with Ireland too.”
After a string of outstanding displays O’Connell is a certainty to be included in Ian McGeechan’s 35-man Lions squad for this summer’s tour to South Africa - that squad is set to be named next month.
The Irish squad members rejoin the Munster set-up this week as Tony McGahan’s men step up preparations for Friday night’s away Magners League tie with the Glasgow Warriors (kick-off 7.45pm).
It seems likely that the vast majority of Munster’s contingent in the Grand Slam-winning side will be rested this weekend ahead of Saturday week’s crunch Magners League clash with Leinster at Thomond Park.
Meanwhile there was disappointment for the two remaining Limerick sides in this season’s AIB Cup when Garryowen and Young Munster exited the competition at the semi-final stage.
Garryowen suffered a shock defeat away from home to Second Division Ballynahinch while Young Munster came out second best in their semi-final clash with Cork Constitution at Tom Clifford Park.
Colm Kinsella
‘I have loved Munster all my career and now I really love this team’
“I HAVE loved Munster all my career and now I really love this team. It is a special dressing room at the minute." Frank, compelling and ecstatic, Ronan O’Gara is wearing a smile as broad as Cardiff’s River Taff.
Fly half O’Gara has known some wonderful days at the Millennium Stadium with Munster. Now he has scaled the dizzy heights in the green of Ireland. The 32-year-old has a Grand Slam, RBS Six Nations Championship and another Triple Crown to go with his two Heineken Cup medals. Having come close to securing a ‘Slam’ on several occasions in recent years, O’Gara could now savour the magnitude of the team’s achievements.
“It was fantastic. It was bloody difficult. We made it difficult at times and we also played great rugby,” Ronan O’Gara stressed.
“We could have ripped them apart. We had them on the rack. They came back and I think the penalty count was something like 17-4 which was unbelievable.
“To win a game with a penalty count like that against us proves the bottle in the team. That is what counted. We stuck at it away from home. We had fantastic support. I think half of Ireland must be here.
“There is great belief in this team now and it is a happy team.”
So what did O’Gara remember of the drop goal which ultimately secured Ireland’s first Grand Slam title in 61 years?
“That drop goal came about 90 seconds too early!,” O’Gara insisted.
“I remember Clive Woodward saying that it took 30 seconds to win a World Cup and it is the same with winning a Test match.
“That is all you need. The forwards did fantastic and then Rory Best got lost a little bit. I was hoping he would get out of the way. They (Wales) definitely cheated on the charge, so I had to get the ball up as opposed to kick through it. That meant I had to break my technique. I spiralled it through which shouldn’t happen for a drop goal, but it went straight.
“But as you saw there was a lot more drama left after that. I think when you score two tries you deserve to win two finals. They never looked like scoring a try and that was the key point. There is massive support for this team.
“This morning I had three fellows, David Humphries, Nicky English and Barry McGuigan from three different sports, sending me powerful texts. And that gets through to you.
“It shows what you represent when you see the President on the pitch.
“I thought Brian (O’Driscoll) was exceptional. I thought we came good in the second half. We probably had a quiet first half, made a few errors, but then we came good when the pressure came on. That is all we need. We had key men in the key positions. There is real belief in this team. We were not going to lose this game. Mistakes happen when you are put under pressure. People forget sometimes that your heart rate is up around 200. It is easy looking at it from a seat and commenting on it.
“We don’t intend making mistakes. I don’t intend making a mistake, but they happen. You just keep at it and keep going, giving the forwards direction. I think we scored two fantastic tries. We were the side which put them under pressure more. But the whole thing today was about belief and this team has belief now.”
O’Gara’s Munster colleague Donncha O’Callaghan had the inkling that Wales were going to ‘target’ the Irish out-half from the moment their captain Ryan Jones stuck out a leg to trip him in the opening minutes.
So O’Callaghan let Jones and the Welsh know that Ireland would not be intimidated, even if his chastising of the Welsh captain resulted in the visitors conceding the first of a whopping 15 penalties.
“They definitely targeted Rog. When you see a buddy being treated like that, you want to look out for him,” Donncha O’Callaghan said.
“Granted, it is probably not ideal to get into the game like I did. I always pride myself on my discipline. Sometimes you cannot be bullied either. If you look at the video I am sure you will see plenty of incidents where Rog (Ronan O’Gara) got cheap shots. When you have a player of his quality and you go out to play against other teams, they are going to target him. When it is your friend, you are going to row in behind him.
“Rog showed what an incredible pro he is with that drop goal late on. Another fellow would have kept his head down and ran out the gate.
“But Ronan thrives on pressure like that. I know that when our front five or front eight saw that ball coming back to him in the dying minutes of the game, it could not be coming into safer hands.
O’Callaghan found the hours leading up to Saturday’s 5.30pm kick-off long.
“The time before kick-off was hell. The day crawled,” Donncha O’Callaghan revealed.
“A 5.30pm kick-off for an international is a disaster, to be honest.
“The only comfort you can take is that David Wallace is worse that everyone. He comes down ash-faced, looking like a Goth. That’s it. Once you know there is one person worse than you, you know you will survive.
“People say you should enjoy that, but I don’t personally enjoy it. It’s the aftermath of a game you win that you enjoy. It is not just about this team. There are the fellows who have gone before. You like at the effort the likes of Earlsie (Keith Earls) and Quinny (Alan Quinlan) made. You feel sorry for these guys who didn’t make it into the 22. There is a great togetherness in the squad.”
O’Callaghan said it was great that a bunch of players who had endured a hugely frustrating World Cup less than two years ago had bounced back in such style.
“We had some really tough days at the World Cup. To have a special day like that with the group of lads is great,” O’Callaghan said.
“There is a different feeling around the team as well. Everyone has rowed in behind us as well. The support we have received has been incredible.”
Colm Kinsella
Fly half O’Gara has known some wonderful days at the Millennium Stadium with Munster. Now he has scaled the dizzy heights in the green of Ireland. The 32-year-old has a Grand Slam, RBS Six Nations Championship and another Triple Crown to go with his two Heineken Cup medals. Having come close to securing a ‘Slam’ on several occasions in recent years, O’Gara could now savour the magnitude of the team’s achievements.
“It was fantastic. It was bloody difficult. We made it difficult at times and we also played great rugby,” Ronan O’Gara stressed.
“We could have ripped them apart. We had them on the rack. They came back and I think the penalty count was something like 17-4 which was unbelievable.
“To win a game with a penalty count like that against us proves the bottle in the team. That is what counted. We stuck at it away from home. We had fantastic support. I think half of Ireland must be here.
“There is great belief in this team now and it is a happy team.”
So what did O’Gara remember of the drop goal which ultimately secured Ireland’s first Grand Slam title in 61 years?
“That drop goal came about 90 seconds too early!,” O’Gara insisted.
“I remember Clive Woodward saying that it took 30 seconds to win a World Cup and it is the same with winning a Test match.
“That is all you need. The forwards did fantastic and then Rory Best got lost a little bit. I was hoping he would get out of the way. They (Wales) definitely cheated on the charge, so I had to get the ball up as opposed to kick through it. That meant I had to break my technique. I spiralled it through which shouldn’t happen for a drop goal, but it went straight.
“But as you saw there was a lot more drama left after that. I think when you score two tries you deserve to win two finals. They never looked like scoring a try and that was the key point. There is massive support for this team.
“This morning I had three fellows, David Humphries, Nicky English and Barry McGuigan from three different sports, sending me powerful texts. And that gets through to you.
“It shows what you represent when you see the President on the pitch.
“I thought Brian (O’Driscoll) was exceptional. I thought we came good in the second half. We probably had a quiet first half, made a few errors, but then we came good when the pressure came on. That is all we need. We had key men in the key positions. There is real belief in this team. We were not going to lose this game. Mistakes happen when you are put under pressure. People forget sometimes that your heart rate is up around 200. It is easy looking at it from a seat and commenting on it.
“We don’t intend making mistakes. I don’t intend making a mistake, but they happen. You just keep at it and keep going, giving the forwards direction. I think we scored two fantastic tries. We were the side which put them under pressure more. But the whole thing today was about belief and this team has belief now.”
O’Gara’s Munster colleague Donncha O’Callaghan had the inkling that Wales were going to ‘target’ the Irish out-half from the moment their captain Ryan Jones stuck out a leg to trip him in the opening minutes.
So O’Callaghan let Jones and the Welsh know that Ireland would not be intimidated, even if his chastising of the Welsh captain resulted in the visitors conceding the first of a whopping 15 penalties.
“They definitely targeted Rog. When you see a buddy being treated like that, you want to look out for him,” Donncha O’Callaghan said.
“Granted, it is probably not ideal to get into the game like I did. I always pride myself on my discipline. Sometimes you cannot be bullied either. If you look at the video I am sure you will see plenty of incidents where Rog (Ronan O’Gara) got cheap shots. When you have a player of his quality and you go out to play against other teams, they are going to target him. When it is your friend, you are going to row in behind him.
“Rog showed what an incredible pro he is with that drop goal late on. Another fellow would have kept his head down and ran out the gate.
“But Ronan thrives on pressure like that. I know that when our front five or front eight saw that ball coming back to him in the dying minutes of the game, it could not be coming into safer hands.
O’Callaghan found the hours leading up to Saturday’s 5.30pm kick-off long.
“The time before kick-off was hell. The day crawled,” Donncha O’Callaghan revealed.
“A 5.30pm kick-off for an international is a disaster, to be honest.
“The only comfort you can take is that David Wallace is worse that everyone. He comes down ash-faced, looking like a Goth. That’s it. Once you know there is one person worse than you, you know you will survive.
“People say you should enjoy that, but I don’t personally enjoy it. It’s the aftermath of a game you win that you enjoy. It is not just about this team. There are the fellows who have gone before. You like at the effort the likes of Earlsie (Keith Earls) and Quinny (Alan Quinlan) made. You feel sorry for these guys who didn’t make it into the 22. There is a great togetherness in the squad.”
O’Callaghan said it was great that a bunch of players who had endured a hugely frustrating World Cup less than two years ago had bounced back in such style.
“We had some really tough days at the World Cup. To have a special day like that with the group of lads is great,” O’Callaghan said.
“There is a different feeling around the team as well. Everyone has rowed in behind us as well. The support we have received has been incredible.”
Colm Kinsella
Monday, March 16, 2009
Declan Kidney: ‘Our job is to stay professional’
IRISH rugby coach Declan Kidney believes his Grand Slam-chasing players should enjoy the build up to Saturday’s mammoth clash with Wales at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. Rejuvenated Ireland will bid to win a first Grand Slam since 1948 when they lock horns with Warren Gatland’s Welsh side (kick-off 5.30pm).
Ireland are guaranteed to win the RBS Six Nations Championship if they avoid defeat by less than 13 points against the Welsh. But a first Grand Slam title in 41 years is the main aim this Saturday after Ireland extended their winning run in this season’s championship to four games with a 22-15 success over Scotland at Murrayfield.
Coach Kidney believes his players should embrace the attention they receive in advance of this weekend’s clash: “I won’t be shielding the players from the pressure. This is a week to be enjoyed. If you don’t enjoy times like this you won’t enjoy anything.
“Our job is to stay professional. We’ll prepare the same way for this one as we did with every other match, but admittedly this is new territory for everybody. Wales will be tough. I’ll be accused of mind games, but they are defending Grand Slam champions and are playing at home.
“They’re playing for the championship, for the Triple Crown and have rested most of their players this week.”
Ireland and Munster supporters will await news on Denis Leamy’s shoulder injury which forced the number eight off during the course of Saturday evening’s game with great interest.
Meanwhile the Irish women’s team, captained by Limerick woman Joy Neville, scored a 23-0, three-try, victory over Scotland in the Women’s Six Nations Championship - the win automatically qualifies Ireland for next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup
Ireland face Wales at Taffs Wells in Cardiff next Saturday (kick-off 1pm) in their final match of the campaign.
The Irish clubs side suffered an 18-31 defeat to their Scottish counterparts in an international match at Myreside, Watsonians FC on Friday night.
UL Bohemian clubman Ed Torrie lined out at full-back for the game while Young Munster’s Derek Corcoran played on the wing.
Limerick man Barry O’Mahony, now playing with Dolphin, scored one of the Irish side’s two tries.
Ireland’s hopes of achieving an RBS Under-20 Six Nations Grand Slam were blown out of the water in Perth when they suffered a 35-20 defeat to Scotland. Garryowen’s Ronan O’Mahony lined out on the wing for Ireland while his clubmates Andrew Burke and Conor Murray were included on the substitutes’ bench.
Colm Kinsella
Ireland are guaranteed to win the RBS Six Nations Championship if they avoid defeat by less than 13 points against the Welsh. But a first Grand Slam title in 41 years is the main aim this Saturday after Ireland extended their winning run in this season’s championship to four games with a 22-15 success over Scotland at Murrayfield.
Coach Kidney believes his players should embrace the attention they receive in advance of this weekend’s clash: “I won’t be shielding the players from the pressure. This is a week to be enjoyed. If you don’t enjoy times like this you won’t enjoy anything.
“Our job is to stay professional. We’ll prepare the same way for this one as we did with every other match, but admittedly this is new territory for everybody. Wales will be tough. I’ll be accused of mind games, but they are defending Grand Slam champions and are playing at home.
“They’re playing for the championship, for the Triple Crown and have rested most of their players this week.”
Ireland and Munster supporters will await news on Denis Leamy’s shoulder injury which forced the number eight off during the course of Saturday evening’s game with great interest.
Meanwhile the Irish women’s team, captained by Limerick woman Joy Neville, scored a 23-0, three-try, victory over Scotland in the Women’s Six Nations Championship - the win automatically qualifies Ireland for next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup
Ireland face Wales at Taffs Wells in Cardiff next Saturday (kick-off 1pm) in their final match of the campaign.
The Irish clubs side suffered an 18-31 defeat to their Scottish counterparts in an international match at Myreside, Watsonians FC on Friday night.
UL Bohemian clubman Ed Torrie lined out at full-back for the game while Young Munster’s Derek Corcoran played on the wing.
Limerick man Barry O’Mahony, now playing with Dolphin, scored one of the Irish side’s two tries.
Ireland’s hopes of achieving an RBS Under-20 Six Nations Grand Slam were blown out of the water in Perth when they suffered a 35-20 defeat to Scotland. Garryowen’s Ronan O’Mahony lined out on the wing for Ireland while his clubmates Andrew Burke and Conor Murray were included on the substitutes’ bench.
Colm Kinsella
Limerick trio feature in schoolboy international
WHILE Limerick FC swept to an impressive four-one win over Mervue United at Jackman Park on Friday night one of the club’s rising stars, Jason Hughes, captained the Republic of Ireland schoolboys (under-18) to a one-all draw against Scotland in the Carnegie Centenary Shield.
Hughes (Limerick CBS) was joined in the Irish side by Ian Storan (Crescent College) while Limerick CBS’ Eoin Hanrahan also played his part as a second half substitute at Tynecastle.
Jason Hughes survived a late fitness test to take his place at the centre of midfield for the Republic, but the Irish schoolboys were disappointed not to come away with all three points against the Scots.
The Republic of Ireland spurned several scoring chances and failed to add to the 3-1 victory they registered over Wales.
Ireland took the lead after 35 minutes when Carl Forsyth coolly slotted home the opening goal, but Scotland equalized through Jamie Burstow two minutes later.
Jason Hughes almost reclaimed the lead for the Republic of Ireland in the 43rd minute, but he was denied by a superb save.
Eoin Hanrahan also came close to grabbing all three points for the Republic in the 81st minute, but his shot flew narrowly wide of a post.
The point leaves the Republic of Ireland level with Scotland on four points with two games played.
Northern Ireland and England are tied on three points apiece, but both enjoy a game in hand on their rivals.
The Republic now face Northern Ireland away next Friday (March 20) in the Riada Stadium, Ballymoney in what is now a must-win game (kick-off 7pm) since England are now best-placed to wrestle the Carnegie Centenary Shield away from Ireland, the defending champions.
England face Northern Ireland on March 27 and Scotland on April 17.
The final game of the campaign sees the Republic of Ireland host England in the RSC (Waterford) on April 14 - that game will be televised live on Sky Sports (7.35pm).
Republic of Ireland: Aaron McCarey (St. Macartan’s College), Garvan Broughall (Athlone Community College), Tomas Boyle (Salesian College), Ian Storan (Crescent College Comprehensive), Neil Harney (St. Aloysius College), Jason Hughes (Limerick CBS), Paul Corry (Belvedere College), James Keohane (Kilkenny CBS), Gary Burke (Larkin Community College), Carl Forsyth (Cabinteely Community School), Shane Howard (Colaiste Eoin, Carlow). Subs: Eoghan Osborne (Colaiste Ris, Dundalk) for Ian Storan, Jason Dwane (St. Peter’s College, Dunboyne) for Neil Harney, Eoin Hanrahan (Limerick CBS) for James Keohane, Robert Benson (Marist College, Athlone) for Carl Forsyth.
Brian McDonnell
Hughes (Limerick CBS) was joined in the Irish side by Ian Storan (Crescent College) while Limerick CBS’ Eoin Hanrahan also played his part as a second half substitute at Tynecastle.
Jason Hughes survived a late fitness test to take his place at the centre of midfield for the Republic, but the Irish schoolboys were disappointed not to come away with all three points against the Scots.
The Republic of Ireland spurned several scoring chances and failed to add to the 3-1 victory they registered over Wales.
Ireland took the lead after 35 minutes when Carl Forsyth coolly slotted home the opening goal, but Scotland equalized through Jamie Burstow two minutes later.
Jason Hughes almost reclaimed the lead for the Republic of Ireland in the 43rd minute, but he was denied by a superb save.
Eoin Hanrahan also came close to grabbing all three points for the Republic in the 81st minute, but his shot flew narrowly wide of a post.
The point leaves the Republic of Ireland level with Scotland on four points with two games played.
Northern Ireland and England are tied on three points apiece, but both enjoy a game in hand on their rivals.
The Republic now face Northern Ireland away next Friday (March 20) in the Riada Stadium, Ballymoney in what is now a must-win game (kick-off 7pm) since England are now best-placed to wrestle the Carnegie Centenary Shield away from Ireland, the defending champions.
England face Northern Ireland on March 27 and Scotland on April 17.
The final game of the campaign sees the Republic of Ireland host England in the RSC (Waterford) on April 14 - that game will be televised live on Sky Sports (7.35pm).
Republic of Ireland: Aaron McCarey (St. Macartan’s College), Garvan Broughall (Athlone Community College), Tomas Boyle (Salesian College), Ian Storan (Crescent College Comprehensive), Neil Harney (St. Aloysius College), Jason Hughes (Limerick CBS), Paul Corry (Belvedere College), James Keohane (Kilkenny CBS), Gary Burke (Larkin Community College), Carl Forsyth (Cabinteely Community School), Shane Howard (Colaiste Eoin, Carlow). Subs: Eoghan Osborne (Colaiste Ris, Dundalk) for Ian Storan, Jason Dwane (St. Peter’s College, Dunboyne) for Neil Harney, Eoin Hanrahan (Limerick CBS) for James Keohane, Robert Benson (Marist College, Athlone) for Carl Forsyth.
Brian McDonnell
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
John Hayes is an example to us all
ALL eyes will be on John Hayes this week. Normally you might expect an international prop to embody the brooding demeanour of an off-duty assassin, but in person Cappamore’s favourite son is quiet, friendly and all the talk of Ireland’s most capped player will probably bring the hint of an embarrassed blush to the face of the 35-year-old.
Fuss isn’t John Hayes’ thing; he takes the art of self-effacement to new levels - when Munster won the Heineken Cup in 2006 he dodged the celebrations and watched Declan Kidney’s players tour around Limerick from the comfort of his sitting room.
But Hayes will find fuss hard to avoid this week. Against England he equaled Malcolm O’Kelly’s Irish caps record (92) and he will surpass it against Scotland to become Ireland’s most-capped player in international rugby history.
Hayes has only missed 11 of Ireland’s last 103 international tests, if he plays against Wales in Cardiff he will surpass Fabien Pelous’ all-time record of 48 appearances in the Six Nations and he will draw level with Anthony Foley as the joint-record holder for most appearances in the Heineken Cup if he plays a part in the quarter-final clash with the Ospreys.
Then there’s the career highlights: helping Munster to Heineken Cup glory (twice), the Triple Crowns and Shannon’s string of All-Ireland League titles.
Only tells half the story
Such highlights however only tell half of the John Hayes story.
John was intrigued by rugby after watching the 1991 World Cup and a year later, at the age of 19 in September 1992, he played his first game in the back-row for Bruff against Newcastle West - a 0-0 draw.
Hayes had gingerly stepped onto a rugby field like a man easing himself into a canoe, but found he liked it.
Hayes played a handful of games for Bruff in ’92 before moving to the Shannon under-20s and under the nose of Niall O’Donovan who played a critical part in his development.
His next move was to play for Marist in Invercargill, New Zealand. The Kiwis transformed Hayes from a welder who played rugby into a rugby player who welded. Marist also moved him from the second row to prop forward - when the RFU decided to permit lifting in the line-out everything changed for the Cappamore man.
When he returned to Ireland Hayes slotted into the Shannon front-row and was soon packing down in the colours of Munster.
He helped the Parish to the 1998 AIL title and next thing he knew he was called into the Irish squad for the summer tour to South Africa, he was too green for the ’99 World Cup, but he made his debut for Ireland against Scotland the following year.
Unfair criticism
Like a gopher in the garden, the notion that John Hayes isn’t good at what he does, keeps popping its nose up out of the dirt. It’s a pesky rodent which requires a whack in the skull.
His critics suggest he is too tall to be a prop and that he can’t scrummage. To ask a player of John Hayes’ size to play at number three is asking for trouble and he has had his off days in rugby’s most demanding and most technical position - indeed the true horror of the scrum cannot be grasped by those who have never faced one. But a bulldozer wouldn’t budge John Hayes in a scrum now; you could take a lump hammer onto the field and not get anything off him. If, in May 2006, Hayes had not held his ground in a vital scrum against Biarritz in the Heineken Cup final Peter Stringer could not have stolen in to score his crucial try.
John Hayes can also run forever, he’s an awesome rucker, one of the best defensive props in the game and the best lineout lifter in the world - remember the 2008 Six Nations: against Italy at Lansdowne Road Paul O’Connell stole an Italian throw which led to Jerry Flannery’s try. The remarkable thing about that score is that John Hayes lifted O’Connell all by his lonesome.
Looking everyone in the eye
Questions used to follow John Hayes around, but now he can look everyone in the eye. He has been through the mill and come out with a high polish. If there’s one man Ireland can’t do without it’s John Hayes, he’s indispensable - God help Ireland if John Hayes twists a ankle out herding his 150 acres some evening.
A question is often asked about sporting prowess: how much is success down to perseverance as opposed to natural talent?
Since the same question can be asked of life in general, the answers might provide some clues as to how much of our destinies are in our own hands. More profound is the whole issue of whether we could have achieved more, if only we had tried harder. When you watch someone like Brian O’Driscoll perform brilliantly it’s actually reassuring to think that we could never have competed with them, but the argument doesn’t follow that we could not have competed at a high level.
Natural talent is just one ingredient of success and not always the most important one. In fact most sports feature notable examples of people like John Hayes whose hard work has enabled them to overachieve.
If effort and determination can separate the very good and exceptional, can it also make the difference between being mediocre and being able to compete at a high level?
It’s peculiar that some people often seem to rejoice (at least a little) when an average player fails to make the grade. It’s as if it confirms what perhaps many secretly fear: that our own failures are not down to what life has presented us with in terms of talent, but instead our inability to make the most of it.
At the launch of his rugby career John Hayes was known as the calf, then the bullock and now the bull.
That progression is a sporting example to us all.
Brian McDonnell
Fuss isn’t John Hayes’ thing; he takes the art of self-effacement to new levels - when Munster won the Heineken Cup in 2006 he dodged the celebrations and watched Declan Kidney’s players tour around Limerick from the comfort of his sitting room.
But Hayes will find fuss hard to avoid this week. Against England he equaled Malcolm O’Kelly’s Irish caps record (92) and he will surpass it against Scotland to become Ireland’s most-capped player in international rugby history.
Hayes has only missed 11 of Ireland’s last 103 international tests, if he plays against Wales in Cardiff he will surpass Fabien Pelous’ all-time record of 48 appearances in the Six Nations and he will draw level with Anthony Foley as the joint-record holder for most appearances in the Heineken Cup if he plays a part in the quarter-final clash with the Ospreys.
Then there’s the career highlights: helping Munster to Heineken Cup glory (twice), the Triple Crowns and Shannon’s string of All-Ireland League titles.
Only tells half the story
Such highlights however only tell half of the John Hayes story.
John was intrigued by rugby after watching the 1991 World Cup and a year later, at the age of 19 in September 1992, he played his first game in the back-row for Bruff against Newcastle West - a 0-0 draw.
Hayes had gingerly stepped onto a rugby field like a man easing himself into a canoe, but found he liked it.
Hayes played a handful of games for Bruff in ’92 before moving to the Shannon under-20s and under the nose of Niall O’Donovan who played a critical part in his development.
His next move was to play for Marist in Invercargill, New Zealand. The Kiwis transformed Hayes from a welder who played rugby into a rugby player who welded. Marist also moved him from the second row to prop forward - when the RFU decided to permit lifting in the line-out everything changed for the Cappamore man.
When he returned to Ireland Hayes slotted into the Shannon front-row and was soon packing down in the colours of Munster.
He helped the Parish to the 1998 AIL title and next thing he knew he was called into the Irish squad for the summer tour to South Africa, he was too green for the ’99 World Cup, but he made his debut for Ireland against Scotland the following year.
Unfair criticism
Like a gopher in the garden, the notion that John Hayes isn’t good at what he does, keeps popping its nose up out of the dirt. It’s a pesky rodent which requires a whack in the skull.
His critics suggest he is too tall to be a prop and that he can’t scrummage. To ask a player of John Hayes’ size to play at number three is asking for trouble and he has had his off days in rugby’s most demanding and most technical position - indeed the true horror of the scrum cannot be grasped by those who have never faced one. But a bulldozer wouldn’t budge John Hayes in a scrum now; you could take a lump hammer onto the field and not get anything off him. If, in May 2006, Hayes had not held his ground in a vital scrum against Biarritz in the Heineken Cup final Peter Stringer could not have stolen in to score his crucial try.
John Hayes can also run forever, he’s an awesome rucker, one of the best defensive props in the game and the best lineout lifter in the world - remember the 2008 Six Nations: against Italy at Lansdowne Road Paul O’Connell stole an Italian throw which led to Jerry Flannery’s try. The remarkable thing about that score is that John Hayes lifted O’Connell all by his lonesome.
Looking everyone in the eye
Questions used to follow John Hayes around, but now he can look everyone in the eye. He has been through the mill and come out with a high polish. If there’s one man Ireland can’t do without it’s John Hayes, he’s indispensable - God help Ireland if John Hayes twists a ankle out herding his 150 acres some evening.
A question is often asked about sporting prowess: how much is success down to perseverance as opposed to natural talent?
Since the same question can be asked of life in general, the answers might provide some clues as to how much of our destinies are in our own hands. More profound is the whole issue of whether we could have achieved more, if only we had tried harder. When you watch someone like Brian O’Driscoll perform brilliantly it’s actually reassuring to think that we could never have competed with them, but the argument doesn’t follow that we could not have competed at a high level.
Natural talent is just one ingredient of success and not always the most important one. In fact most sports feature notable examples of people like John Hayes whose hard work has enabled them to overachieve.
If effort and determination can separate the very good and exceptional, can it also make the difference between being mediocre and being able to compete at a high level?
It’s peculiar that some people often seem to rejoice (at least a little) when an average player fails to make the grade. It’s as if it confirms what perhaps many secretly fear: that our own failures are not down to what life has presented us with in terms of talent, but instead our inability to make the most of it.
At the launch of his rugby career John Hayes was known as the calf, then the bullock and now the bull.
That progression is a sporting example to us all.
Brian McDonnell
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