Leinster Schools Senior Cup Final: Blackrock College V St Michael’s College – The Irish Examiner – March 18 2024

Blackrock overcome St Michael’s to land 71st Leinster Schools Senior Cup 

Supplementing Niall Smyth’s third consecutive brace in this year’s competition, Michael Walsh and Mark Walsh also grabbed tries as ‘Rock convincingly made amends for the 2023 defeat.
DAIRE WALSH, RDS

LEINSTER SCHOOLS SENIOR CUP FINAL:  Blackrock College 28 St Michael’s College 12 

Blackrock College produced a clinical display against south Dublin rivals St Michael’s College at the RDS to get their hands on the Leinster Schools Senior Cup crown for a remarkable 71st time.

Supplementing Niall Smyth’s third consecutive brace in this year’s competition, Michael Walsh and Mark Walsh also grabbed tries as ‘Rock convincingly made amends for their final reversal to first-time winners Gonzaga College 12 months ago.

Starting with six of the players that featured in that showpiece defeat to Gonzaga, ‘Rock broke the deadlock in this game with just under four minutes on the clock. Following an excellent catch by Donnacha McGuire off Jack Pollard’s line-out delivery, tighthead prop Smyth drove powerfully over the opposition whitewash for an unconverted try.

This was an early set-back for a Michael’s side that recorded an impressive 32-0 victory against reigning champions Gonzaga at the semi-final stage in 2024 and they suffered a further blow when blindside flanker Joe Elliot was withdrawn through injury in the 15th-minute.

‘Rock’s Derry Moloney was also forced off moments after making a big break up the right-wing, but this coincided with a successful Conor O’Shaughnessy penalty to leave the Williamstown side eight points in front on 25 minutes.

The pressure on the Michael’s defence was becoming relentless and it came as little surprise when back-row Michael Walsh applied the finishing touches for ‘Rock’s second try just shy of the half-hour mark.

Now playing with extreme confidence, ‘Rock further enhanced their title prospects before the first half drew to a close. A late inclusion in their starting line-up, Michael’s right-wing Daniel Ryan was sent to the sin-bin in the 33rd minute for a deliberate knock-on as Charlie Molony attempted to pick out Brian O’Flaherty inside the ‘22’.

‘Rock immediately took advantage of their temporary numerical supremacy as Smyth burst over the line for his second try of the afternoon. While O’Shaughnessy was off-target from the ensuing bonus kick, ‘Rock ultimately brought a commanding 20-0 cushion into the break.

Requiring a strong start to the second period to give themselves a fighting chance of forging a dramatic comeback, Michael’s instead conceded a fourth try when ‘Rock inside centre Mark Walsh chased down his own block off an attempted kick into enemy territory and proceeded to cross over in ruthless style.

Although he couldn’t add the extras to this five-pointer, O’Shaughnessy emphatically split the uprights off a 47th minute penalty to leave ‘Rock 28 points clear moving into the final-quarter.

The final outcome was effectively beyond doubt as a result, but credit must go to Michael’s for the way they continued to battle until the very end of the contest.

Following much persistence, the Ailesbury Road outfit finally opened their account when second row David Walsh touched down at the end of a ‘tap and go’ move with 13 minutes remaining.

Replacement scrum-half Chris O’Connor also put Ryan through for a Michael’s try on the stroke of full-time, but this did little to dampen the spirits of the jubilant Blackrock College players, coaches and supporters.

Scorers for Blackrock College: Tries – N Smyth (2), Michael Walsh, Mark Walsh. Pens – C O’Shaughnessy (2). Cons – C O’Shaughnessy.

Scorers for St Michael’s College: Tries – D Walsh, D Ryan. Cons – E Black.

BLACKROCK COLLEGE: C Molony; D Moloney, C Woodcock, Mark Walsh, B O’Flaherty; C O’Shaughnessy, A Lindner; P Moore, J Pollard, N Smyth; T Butler, D McGuire; Michael Walsh, J O’Neill, J Angulo.

Replacements: J O’Sullivan for Moloney (25), L Coffey for Lindner, G Wall for Michael Walsh (both 47), P Clancy for O’Shaughnessy, B Walsh for Butler (both 59), L Magee for Moore (65).

ST MICHAEL’S COLLEGE: D Lucey; D Ryan, E Black, C McConnell, P Wood; J Quigley, J Sherwin; B O’Donohoe, D Maguire, R Coogan; D Walsh, F McKenna; J Elliot, R Brown, S Corrigan.

Replacements: M Berman for Elliot (15), B Conry for Quigley, E McLaughlin for O’Donohoe (both 47), C O’Connor for Sherwin (57).

Referee: S Holt (LRR).

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Leinster Schools Senior Cup Final: Blackrock College V St Michael’s College – The42.ie – March 17 2024

Blackrock beat St Michael’s to claim 71st Leinster Schools Senior Cup

Niall Smyth, Michael Walsh and Mark Walsh scored Blackrock’s tries at the RDS.

Blackrock College 28

St Michael’s College 12

BLACKROCK COLLEGE PRODUCED a clinical display against south Dublin rivals St Michael’s College at the RDS this afternoon to get their hands on the Leinster Schools Senior Cup crown for a remarkable 71st time.

Supplementing Niall Smyth’s third consecutive brace in this year’s competition, Michael Walsh and Mark Walsh also grabbed tries as ‘Rock convincingly made amends for their final reversal to first-time winners Gonzaga College 12 months ago.

Twenty points adrift at the midway stage in the proceedings, St Michael’s were much-improved on the restart, but ultimately couldn’t rein in their impressive counterparts.

Starting with six of the players that featured in the 2023 showpiece defeat to Gonzaga, ‘Rock began this game with enormous attacking intent.

After opting for touch for the second time in quick succession, Justin Vanstone’s charges ultimately broke the deadlock with just under four minutes gone on the clock. Following an excellent catch by Donnacha McGuire off Jack Pollard’s line-out delivery, tighthead prop Smyth drove powerfully over the opposition whitewash for an unconverted try.

This was an early set-back for a Michael’s side that had recorded an impressive 32-0 victory against reigning champions Gonzaga at the semi-final stage of this year’s competition and they suffered a further blow when blindside flanker Joe Elliot was withdrawn through injury in the 15th-minute.

Rock’s Derry Moloney was also forced off moments after making a big break up the right-wing, but this coincided with a successful Conor O’Shaughnessy penalty to leave the Williamstown side eight points in front on 25 minutes.

The pressure on the Michael’s defence was becoming relentless and it came as little surprise when a second ‘Rock try arrived just shy of the half-hour mark. At the end of an extended attacking move, it was left for back-row Michael Walsh to apply the finishing touches from close-range.

Now playing with extreme confidence, ‘Rock further enhanced their title prospects before the first half drew to a close. A late inclusion in their starting line-up, Michael’s right-wing Daniel Ryan was sent to the sin-bin in the 33rd minute for a deliberate knock-on as Charlie Molony attempted to pick out Brian O’Flaherty inside the ‘22’.

Rock immediately took advantage of their temporary numerical supremacy as Smyth burst over the line for his second try of the game – and his sixth in the 2024 Senior Cup. While O’Shaughnessy was off-target from the ensuing bonus kick, ‘Rock ultimately brought a commanding 20-0 cushion into the break.

Requiring a strong start to the second period to give themselves a fighting chance at forging a dramatic comeback, Michael’s were on top of possession in the minutes that initially followed the resumption. However, ‘Rock maintained their composure and were in for a fourth try when inside centre Mark Walsh chased down his own block off a Michael’s kick and proceeded to dot down in ruthless style.

Although he couldn’t add the extras to this five-pointer, O’Shaughnessy emphatically split the uprights off a 47th minute penalty to leave ‘Rock 28 points clear moving into the final-quarter.

The final outcome was effectively beyond doubt as a result, but credit must go to Michael’s for the way they continued to battle until the very end of the contest.

Following much persistence, the Ailesbury Road outfit finally opened their account when second row David Walsh touched down at the end of a ‘tap and go’ move with 13 minutes remaining in the action. Replacement scrum-half Chris O’Connor also put Ryan through for a Michael’s try on the stroke of full-time, but this did little to dampen the spirits of the jubilant Blackrock College players, coaches and supporters.

Blackrock College scorers:

Tries – Niall Smyth 2, Michael Walsh, Mark Walsh

Conversions – Conor O’Shaughnessy [1 from 4]

Penalties – Conor O’Shaughnessy [2 from 2]

St Michael’s College scorers: 

Tries – David Walsh, Daniel Ryan

Conversions – Ethan Black [1 from 2]

BLACKROCK COLLEGE: Charlie Molony; Derry Moloney (Johnny O’Sullivan ’25), Charlie Woodcock, Mark Walsh, Brian O’Flaherty; Conor O’Shaughnessy (Paddy Clancy ’59), Albert Lindner (Luke Coffey ’47); Patrick Moore (Louis Magee ’65), Jack Pollard, Niall Smyth; Thomas Butler (Brian Walsh ’59), Donnacha McGuire; Michael Walsh (Geoffrey Wall ’47), Jack O’Neill, Jack Angulo.

ST MICHAEL’S COLLEGE: David Lucey; Daniel Ryan, Ethan Black, Charlie McConnell, Patrick Wood; Joe Quigley (Ben Conry ’47), James Sherwin (Chris O’Connor ’57); Billy O’Donohoe (Edward McLaughlin ’47), Duinn Maguire, Riain Coogan; David Walsh, Frazer McKenna; Joseph Elliot (Myles Berman ’15), Rory Brown, Sam Corrigan.

Referee: Sam Holt.

Daire Walsh

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LIDL National Football League Division One: Dublin V Cork – Ladiesgaelic.ie – March 16 2024

Dublin march on as Cork’s survival hopes take another hit

Lidl National Football League

Dublin 2-11

Cork 0-6

By DAIRE WALSH

Caoimhe O’Connor and Kate Sullivan grabbed goals in each half at DCU St Clare’s on Saturday as Dublin bolstered their Lidl National Football League Division 1 prospects with an emphatic victory against Cork.

The result of tomorrow’s showdown between Kerry and Meath could see them dropping down in the league standings, but Mick Bohan’s reigning TG4 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship winners find themselves occupying second place in the NFL’s top-tier for the time being — leaving them well in contention for a league final spot ahead of their away encounter with Armagh next Saturday.

Despite showing plenty of endeavour throughout, this game represented Cork’s fifth consecutive reversal of 2024 and they will be battling to avoid relegation to Division 2 when they pay a visit to Meath tomorrow week (March 24).

While the Leesiders opened the scoring in this contest courtesy of a sixth-minute point from wing-forward Emma Cleary, Dublin responded with unanswered scores by Orlagh Nolan, Carla Rowe and Hannah Tyrrell (free).

Pointed frees from Ellie Jack and Abigail Ring brought Cork back on level terms just shy of the first-quarter mark, but Dublin created significant daylight when O’Connor fired clinically beyond the reach of Caoimhe Richmond for a goal on 19 minutes.

Marauding half-back Kate Murray and Rowe also found the range either side of another Ring free to propel Dublin towards a 1-5 to 0-4 interval cushion.

On the resumption, Bohan introduced St Sylvester’s duo Sinead Aherne and Nicole Owens for their first appearances of the campaign – the latter featuring for the first time since their TG4 All-Ireland SFC quarter-final defeat to Donegal in July 2022.

Several other substitutes were added to the mix as the action progressed, but the hosts continued to defend and attack with confidence. A fine point from Aherne followed up a brace from Tyrrell and when Sullivan rattled the net from close range in the 47th minute, it effectively placed the outcome beyond doubt.

Annabelle Timothy and Chloe Darby (fresh from winning the Yoplait O’Connor Cup with DCU Dochas Eireann last weekend) also added their names to the scoresheet off the bench, before Cork finally responded with a Sadhbh McGoldrick point on 56 minutes.

Lydia McDonagh also split the uprights for the visitors late on, but a Sullivan score moments earlier ensured Dublin finished with 11 points to spare.

Scorers – Dublin: K Sullivan 1-1, H Tyrrell 0-3 (2f), C O’Connor 1-0, C Rowe 0-2 (1f), K Murray, O Nolan, A Timothy, S Aherne, C Darby 0-1 each. Cork: A Ring 0-2 (2f), L McDonagh (1f), E Jack (1f), E Cleary, S McGoldrick 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: R Fleming; L Caffrey, M Byrne, J Tobin; H McGinnis, O Carey, K Murray; G Kos, J Dunne; K Owens, O Nolan, C O’Connor; C Rowe, H Tyrrell, N Hetherton. Subs: S Aherne for Murray, N Owens for K Owens, K Sullivan for Rowe, N Donlon for Tobin (all h-t), J Egan for Kos, A Timothy for Aherne, C Darby for N Owens (all 49), C Coffey for Dunne, E Deeley for O’Connor (both 54), A Nyhan for Byrne, G Fitzsimons for McGinnis (both 55).

CORK: C Richmond; M Duggan, S Leahy, E Twomey; E Jack, A Healy, K O’Driscoll; M O’Callaghan, A O’Mahony; A McDonagh, L Coppinger, E Cleary; A Ring, H Looney, E Hurley. Subs: A Ryan for Jack, S O’Leary for Hurley (both h-t), S Cronin for O’Mahony, L McDonagh for Ring, D Kiniry for Twomey (both 42), K Redmond for A McDonagh (both 46), S McGoldrick for Duggan, K Smith for O’Driscoll (both 53), M Burke for Coppinger (58).

Referee: Kevin Phelan (Laois).

 

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Masita Croke Cup Final: St Kieran’s College V St Raphael’s, Loughrea – GAA.ie – March 16 2024

St Kieran’s retain Masita Croke Cup 

Masita GAA Post Primary Schools Croke Cup Final

St Kieran’s College (Kilkenny) 0-26 St Raphael’s, Loughrea (Galway) 1-18

After extra-time

By Daire Walsh at Croke Park

Defending champions St Kieran’s College produced the goods in extra-time against St Raphael’s, Loughrea at Croke Park on Saturday afternoon to get their hands on the Masita GAA Post Primary Schools Croke Cup for a 25th time.

While the sides couldn’t be separated at the end of normal time (0-18 to 1-15), Brian Dowling’s Kilkenny men ultimately flexed their muscles in the additional periods of an absorbing All-Ireland Senior ‘A’ Hurling Championship showpiece – outscoring their Galway counterparts by 0-8 to 0-3 to ensure the silverware returned to the Noreside for a second year in succession.

Kieran’s stormed into the game with unanswered points from inside forwards Edward McDermott and Aaron McEvoy (two) and whilst Raphael’s got up and running with fine scores courtesy of Paddy MacCarthaigh and Bobby Feeney (free), the title holders reinforced their authority with further white flag efforts by James Hughes and Ed Lauhoff.

Kieran’s remained three in front after their right corner-forward Rory Glynn traded points with his opposite number Vince Morgan, but this was followed by a dominant spell from a determined Raphael’s side. Although Kieran’s attacker Hughes split the uprights in response to back-to-back efforts from Paddy MacCarthaigh and Feeney, the Loughrea school took the lead for the very first time with a clinically-taken goal by Morgan on 20 minutes.

Raphael’s appeared to have serious momentum behind when the midfield duo of Luke McInerney and Cullen Killeen both chipped in with a point each, but Kieran’s ultimately entered the interval on level terms (0-10 to 1-7) thanks to successive contributions from Sean Bergin, Hughes and McEvoy.

Raphael’s marksman Morgan and McEvoy swapped scores in what proved to be a tentative start to the second half, before Kieran’s eventually regained the lead on 38 minutes with a superb point from Glynn.

Kieran’s then created some daylight with scores by the impressive Glynn and McEvoy in the wake of Paddy MacCarthaigh posting an equaliser at the far end of the Jones’ Road venue, but their stubborn Connacht opponents continued to play with great spirit and endeavour.

After the dependable Feeney knocked over frees either side of a Sean Hunt score for Kieran’s, wing-back Oscar O’Gorman and the outstanding Paddy MacCarthaigh pointed to move Raphael’s back into the lead in the 53rd-minute.

However, the pendulum swung back in the direction of Kieran’s when the increasingly-prominent Hunt amassed three points in a five-minute spell that also featured a score from Killeen for Raphael’s and it took a nerveless free by Feeney deep into stoppage-time to force the action into 20 additional minutes.

While McEvoy and Morgan swapped scores at the start of extra-time, a rejuvenated Kieran’s knocked over three points on the bounce through Glynn, Lauhoff and Bill McDermott to establish a 0-22 to 1-16 buffer by the 70th minute of the play.

Even though Paddy and Diarmuid MacCarthaigh split the uprights for Raphael’s (whose sole final victory at the grade was back in 1995), McEvoy and substitute Ciallin Brennan struck a brace of points on the resumption to help St Kieran’s ease over the line in the end.

Scorers for St Kieran’s College: Aaron McEvoy 0-8 (4fs, 1 ‘65’), Sean Hunt, Rory Glynn 0-4 each, James Hughes 0-3, Ed Lauhoff, Ciallin Brennan 0-2, Sean Bergin, Edward McDermott, Bill McDermott 0-1 each.

Scorers for St Raphael’s College, Loughrea: Vince Morgan 1-3, Bobby Feeney 0-5 (5fs), Paddy MacCarthaigh 0-5, Cullen Killeen 0-2, Oscar O’Gorman, Diarmuid MacCarthaigh, Luke McInerney 0-1 each.

St Kieran’s College: Stephen Manogue; Sean Bergin, Evan Murphy, Timmy Kelly; Cathal Hickey, Jeff Neary, Tom McPhillips; Rory Connellan, Ed Lauhoff; James Hughes, Sean Hunt, Tomas Roche; Rory Glynn, Edward McDermott, Aaron McEvoy.

Subs: Oisin Bateman for Glynn (48-49), Bateman for Roche (50), James O’Neill for McDermott (51), Ciallin Brennan for Hughes (60+2), Tom Brennan for Kelly (61), Bill McDermott for Glynn (66-71), Bill McDermott for McPhillips (72), Sean Deely for Hickey (78).

St Raphael’s College, Loughrea: Shane Murray; Jason Griffin, Daniel Keane, Gavin Maher; Oscar O’Gorman, Diarmuid MacCarthaigh, Finn Beirne; Luke McInerney, Cullen Killeen; Donnacha Campbell, Paddy MacCarthaigh, Eoghan Mulleady; Vince Morgan, Thomas Stratford, Bobby Feeney.

Subs: Stephen Keane for Stratford (39), Jack Shaughnessy for Mulleady (56), Louis Keary for Griffin (66), Mulleady for Feeney (75), Eoin Spellman for Beirne (78).

Referee: John Keenan (Wicklow).

Posted in Hurling, Schools GAA | Comments Off on Masita Croke Cup Final: St Kieran’s College V St Raphael’s, Loughrea – GAA.ie – March 16 2024

The Big Interview: Niamh Carmody (Kerry/Finuge-St Senan’s) – Media West Ireland – March 16 2024

‘It’s very much in our own hands whether we make the league final or not’

Kerry are still in the reckoning for a spot in the Division 1 showpiece as they currently occupy second place in the league standings.

A DEFEAT AWAY to pace-setters Armagh last Sunday week was something of a set-back, but Niamh Carmody has insisted Kerry’s destiny in Division 1 of the Lidl National Football League very much remains in their own hands.

Winners of the NFL top flight last April with an emphatic final win over Galway at Croke Park, the Kingdom made a strong start to 2024 courtesy of successive victories at the expense of Dublin, Waterford and Cork. Yet the title holders had to be content with a share of the spoils in their round four meeting with Mayo at Fitzgerald Stadium on February 17 and Armagh ultimately had the measure of them a little over a fortnight later at the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds.

Nonetheless, Kerry are still in the reckoning for a spot in the Division 1 showpiece as they currently occupy second place in the league standings — a point ahead of both Meath and Dublin. Tomorrow afternoon’s clash against Meath in Ashbourne (throw-in 3pm) presents Kerry with an ideal opportunity to bolster their prospects and there is also a final round game on the horizon at home to Galway next weekend.

“It’s very much in our own hands whether we make the league final or not. We’ve had an alright start to the league. We’ve only lost the one, and we’ve had three good wins and a draw,” Carmody stated.

“Disappointed obviously with how last week went, but as I said, it’s very much in our own hands whether we make the league final now or not. We’ve Meath and Galway left to go and both of them will obviously be two tough games. Happy enough with how the league is going so far.”

A senior debutant for Kerry in 2017, Carmody subsequently took a year out to go travelling before eventually returning to the Kingdom fold again for the 2019 inter-county season. A regular presence in their attack since then, she was part of their successes in Division 1 and Division 2 of the Lidl National Football League over the past two years and has won a brace of TG4 All Stars in the same period.

There has also been disappointments for Carmody in the green and gold as she was a starter for Kerry in their TG4 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final losses to Meath and Dublin in 2022 and 2023 respectively.

She contributed 0-2 from right half-forward in the latter showpiece and came away with the same haul when the Kingdom secured a 1-8 to 0-6 win over the Jackies at Parnell Park in the opening round of this year’s NFL Division 1. For Carmody and Kerry, who are once again jointly-managed by Declan Quill and Darragh Long in 2024, this was the perfect way to move on from their All-Ireland final defeat and build towards another productive season.

“It was a very disappointing end to last year, but we had a big break there for the winter. You go away, you get a chance to go on holidays and meet up with your friends that you don’t get the chance to do when you’re in mid-season. You kind of forget about how the year ended and you try your best to just look forward to this year and training away again.

“Trying to put your best foot forward and then when it came to the Dublin game, it was just getting the dirty diesel that is accumulated over the winter out of the system. It was great that we got a win over them as well. Last year was last year and we’re fully focused on this year, and going one better.”

That league encounter with Dublin represented a significant milestone for Carmody as it was her first game since assuming the captaincy of Kerry. Taking over from 2023 skipper Síofra O’Shea, her club Finuge/St Senan’s were afforded the opportunity to nominate Carmody for this role as a result of their breakthrough senior county championship win last October.

Carmody views it as a great privilege to be able to lead the Kingdom into the battle, though she readily acknowledges that there are other leaders around her in the squad.

“Representing your club and family as the captain of the county is a fantastic honour. We have a great club back in Finuge/St Senan’s. I think it was only 2017 when we were Junior ‘A’ and we’ve kind of climbed the ranks since then.

“I’ve two vice-captains there in Anna Galvin and Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh, two incredible leaders in the group and very vocal. Outside of even them, you’ve the likes of Aishling O’Connell, Kayleigh Cronin, Eilís Lynch. You’ve got super girls there that have committed so many years to the green and gold, that everyone looks up to them on the panel as well.”

While Carmody has been kept busy on the field of play this year — she has featured in all five of Kerry’s league fixtures to date — life is also proving to be quite hectic off it.

Employed as an automation engineer with Thermo Fisher Scientific in Cork, the past few months has seen her taking up a Bachelor of Engineering course at ATU Sligo, which she is doing online due to her currently being based on the Leeside.

“It’s very handy that way, I can catch up on the lectures when I can and tip away at the assignments, but I don’t actually have to be in class. That has been a lifesaver for me. I don’t think I could do it otherwise,” Carmody added.

“Obviously we train Wednesday and Friday evenings, and you can’t be missing the trainings trying to go to lectures. That’s when it gets too much then. I’m very grateful that online courses have become much more of a big thing, so I can juggle it that way. It has been a pretty full on season so far with the captaincy, college and training hard.

“I’m living up in Cork, so there’s a good bit of commuting. It’s all go at the moment and I’m very busy, but I’m lucky enough as well that there’s another good few girls up in Cork, so we can share the driving and have that bit of banter coming down in the car. It makes those long drives much more bearable when there’s three or four of you in the car.”

Daire Walsh

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Ireland U20s Build-Up To Scotland Home In Six Nations Championship: Bryn Ward – The42.ie – March 15 2024

The son of Ulster’s Heineken Cup hero seeking U20 Six Nations glory

Bryn Ward’s father Andy also earned 28 senior international caps for Ireland from 1998 to 2001.

WHEN IT COMES to learning about the intricacies of being an openside flanker at international level, Ireland U20s star Bryn Ward doesn’t have far to look for some sage-like wisdom.

Originally from Whangārei in New Zealand, Ward’s father Andy moved to Ireland in 1994 and subsequently donned the number seven jersey for Ulster during their historic Heineken Cup final success over Colomiers at the old Lansdowne Road five years later. He also picked up 28 senior international caps for Ireland from 1998 to 2001 – all of them coming under his fellow Kiwi Warren Gatland.

Only time will tell if his son Bryn follows in his footsteps and figures at the highest grade of the international game, but he has certainly established himself in the U20 ranks over the past few weeks. Having started all four games to date for Richie Murphy’s outfit, he has once again been selected in the Irish back-row for their Six Nations finale against Scotland at Virgin Media Park this evening (kick-off 7pm).

Additionally, Ward has played all but six minutes of Ireland’s Championship campaign thus far and being durable is perhaps the biggest piece of advice that his father has passed onto him in recent times.

“The main thing is just about how fit you’ve got to be to play in the back row. I read Richie McCaw’s book, he [Andy] told me to read that when I was younger. The first thing he said was his Dad told him that the fitter you are the more you will enjoy the game,” Ward explained during a media call on Wednesday.

“That was the main thing for me, just trying to be as fit as you can. You definitely need it in those last 20 minutes. Scotland are yet to put in an 80-minute performance and fitness could be a big part of it this week, so we can take them to that place where they can’t cope.”

Yet it isn’t just Andy that Bryn looks to for inspiration in the Ward household as his older brother Zac is also operating within the Irish system at the moment. Also an openside flanker by trade in the 15s code, Zac Ward was first called up to the Ireland Sevens squad in 2021 and he helped them to qualify for this year’s Olympic Games in Paris with a gold medal finish at the 2023 European Games in Krakow.

“All the family give you a lot of advice, but over recent years I’ve been really close to my brother. Him especially going to the Sevens, making that change from 15s, he’s been giving me a lot of advice and tips around how to cope with a lot of things inside and outside the game.”

Tonight could potentially see Bryn adding to the Ward medal haul as the Ireland U20s are very much in contention for a third consecutive Six Nations title heading into their bout with the Scots in Cork. Trailing pace-setters England by the bare minimum in the Championship table, Ireland would give themselves a great chance of finishing on top once again if they managed to come away with a bonus point victory on the Leeside.

They will be hot favourites against a nation that have recorded just one win from their last 19 games in this tournament, but Ward insisted there are areas that Ireland will need to focus strongly on if they are to come away with a desired result.

“I think the set piece will be a massive part of the game on Friday. We’re trying to put that best performance in to date, so I think the set piece will have a massive part to play. Also, I think the breakdown last week [against England] was our main thing. We were trying to get after the breakdown the whole time. Again, for Scotland, that will be a tough area of the game,” Ward added.

“We won’t be getting ahead of ourselves with bonus points or anything. The theme of our team the whole way through has been moment by moment and we’re just going to be striving for that throughout the whole game.

“If we can score four tries that’s great, it [England’s own game against France] will be at the back of our minds no doubt, but we’ll just be going moment by moment and hopefully we can put that performance in.”

Daire Walsh
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Ireland U20s Build-Up To Scotland Home In Six Nations Championship: Bryn Ward – The Irish Examiner – March 15 2024

Bryn Ward: ‘Fitness could be a big part of it this week, so we can take them to that place where they can’t cope’

DAIRE WALSH

When it comes to learning about the intricacies of being an openside flanker at international level, Ireland U20s star Bryn Ward doesn’t have far to look for some sage-like wisdom.

Originally from Whangārei in New Zealand, Ward’s father Andy moved to Ireland in 1994 and subsequently donned the number seven jersey for Ulster during their historic Heineken Cup final success over Colomiers at the old Lansdowne Road five years later. He also picked up 28 senior international caps for Ireland from 1998 to 2001 – all of them coming under his fellow Kiwi Warren Gatland.

Only time will tell if his son Bryn follows in his footsteps and figures at the highest grade of the international game, but he has certainly established himself in the U20 ranks over the past few weeks. Having started all four games to date for Richie Murphy’s outfit, he has once again been selected in the Irish back-row for their Six Nations finale against Scotland at Virgin Media Park this evening (kick-off 7pm).

Additionally, Ward has played all but six minutes of Ireland’s Championship campaign thus far and being durable is perhaps the biggest piece of advice that his father has passed onto him in recent times.

“The main thing is just about how fit you’ve got to be to play in the back row. I read Richie McCaw’s book, he [Andy] told me to read that when I was younger. The first thing he said was his Dad told him that the fitter you are the more you will enjoy the game,” the Ballynahinch club man explained during a media call on Wednesday.

“That was the main thing for me, just trying to be as fit as you can. You definitely need it in those last 20 minutes. Scotland are yet to put in an 80-minute performance and fitness could be a big part of it this week, so we can take them to that place where they can’t cope.”

Yet it isn’t just Andy that Bryn looks to for inspiration in the Ward household as his older brother Zac is currently part of the Ireland Men’s Sevens squad and helped them to qualify for this year’s Olympic Games in Paris with a gold medal finish at the 2023 European Games in Krakow.

Tonight could potentially see Bryn adding to the Ward medal haul as the Ireland U20s are very much in contention for a third consecutive Six Nations title heading into their bout with the Scots in Cork. Trailing pace-setters England by the bare minimum in the Championship table, the Irish would give themselves a great chance of finishing on top once again if they managed to come away with a bonus point victory on the Leeside.

However, Ward acknowledged this won’t necessarily be at the forefront of the players’ minds coming into the game this evening.

“We won’t be getting ahead of ourselves with bonus points or anything. The theme of our team the whole way through has been moment by moment and we’re just going to be striving for that throughout the whole game,” Ward added.

“If we can score four tries that’s great, it [England’s own game against France] will be at the back of our minds no doubt, but we’ll just be going moment by moment and hopefully we can put that performance in.”

Posted in International Rugby, U20 Six Nations Rugby | Comments Off on Ireland U20s Build-Up To Scotland Home In Six Nations Championship: Bryn Ward – The Irish Examiner – March 15 2024

Updated Dancing With The Stars Odds Piece: Gambling.com – March 14 2024

Dancing With The Stars: Who Will Win This Year’s Series?

Daire Walsh

The concluding episode of the competition is coming fast on the horizon and with just four contenders remaining, betting sites are having a final look at who will be crowned Dancing With The Stars champion for 2024.

Despite being viewed as the main challengers for almost the entire duration of this year’s series, both Blu Hydrangea and David Whelan have found themselves close to elimination over the past two weeks.

Whereas Hydrangea (a Northern Irish drag queen) emerged victorious from a week nine dance-off against Virgin Media presenter Katja Mia, Whelan had to go through a similar process seven days later.

While the 2023 Eurovision contestant drew a perfect score of 30 from the judges for his Salsa to Olly Murs’ Wrapped Up with dance partner Salome Chachua, the voting public placed him in the bottom two alongside former national hunt jockey Davy Russell – who had garnered a combined total of 27 points for a Viennese Waltz with Kylee Vincent to Never Tear Us Apart by INXS.

Whelan Survives Dance-Off To Remain In The Running

Cork native Russell had become a very popular member of the show having initially struggled in the opening weeks of the competition, but Whelan and Chachua were always going to be a tough double act to overcome.

As has been the case for each dance-off to date in season seven, judges Brian Redmond and Arthur Gourounlian were in agreement as to who should be saved and even though her vote wasn’t required, Loraine Barry revealed that she also would have kept Whelan and Chachua in the competition.

Their presence will certainly help to make the Week 11 finale all the more intriguing and Whelan is still featuring highly in the betting stakes with BoyleSports currently offering odds of 2/1 on the Wild Youth band member securing the DWTS title.

However, at the time of writing, he no longer finds himself as the front-runner for an overall success in this dancing extravaganza.

Fox The New Favourite For DWTS Success

More recently seen on TV screens as the host of the long-running Sunday evening programme Ireland’s Fittest Family, RTE’s Laura Fox is the new favourite for DWTS glory at 7/4 with specials betting sites

This is in spite of the fact that her tally of 26 points for an American Smooth to Bobby Pickett’s Monster Mash with Denys Samson was the lowest score secured by any of the five contestants that participated in the Fright Night semi-final.

Nevertheless, this was still a respectable total and the Galway woman had plenty of credit in the bank after scoring 10 points each from Redmond, Gourounlian and Barry a week earlier for a Charleston to Do Your Thing by Basement Jaxx.

Irish bookmakers had Fox breathing down the neck of Whelan for a number of weeks and with that in mind, it is perhaps no surprise that she usurped him with the finishing line coming sharply into view.

Consistent Hydrangea Still In Contention Heading Towards Final 

The aforementioned Hydrangea had generally been the second favourite for the top dancing prize in this competition, but the inaugural winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is now third in the running at 3/1 with new betting sites.

This isn’t necessarily reflective of the performances that have been delivered by Hydrangea and professional dance companion Simone Arena as they followed up an impressive 29 points in week seven for a Viennese Waltz to Lose Control by Teddy Swims with three straight totals of 30.

Their most recent maximum effort was for last Sunday’s Charleston to The Cartoons’ Witch Doctor – an American novelty song that was first released in 1958.

There is every chance that Blu and Simone will produce another dance to get the judges and the audience off their feet this Sunday and it certainly would be foolish to rule them out of the reckoning.

Odds On Determined Smyth Have Been Cut

Finally, having been viewed as rank outsiders for so long, Paralympic legend Jason Smyth and his partner Karen Byrne have managed to make it all the way to the DWTS final.

Although Smyth’s central vision is affected by Stargardt’s disease (which means he is legally blind), he has continued to overcome obstacles in much the same way as he did on the athletics track.

Last weekend saw him and Byrne claiming their highest score of the 2024 series – a 27 for a Tango to Disturbia by Rihanna. Betting apps may still regard the Derry man as an outside bet to come away with the ultimate prize, but he finds himself joining Hydrangea on 3/1 ahead of Sunday’s show.

Posted in Entertainment | Comments Off on Updated Dancing With The Stars Odds Piece: Gambling.com – March 14 2024

Ireland U20s Build-Up To Scotland Away In Six Nations Championship: Luke Murphy – The42.ie – March 14 2024

‘I wasn’t ever the greatest hurler… rugby was pretty much always on my mind’

Cratloe’s Luke Murphy on his background in GAA, and his all-important try against England last week.

DESPITE HAILING FROM the GAA stronghold of Cratloe in southeast Clare, rugby has always been the first love for Ireland U20s back-row Luke Murphy.

The current holders of the Clare Senior Football Championship, Cratloe is also home to All-Ireland winning hurlers Podge Collins, Conor Ryan, Conor McGrath and Cathal McInerney – all of whom played a part in the Banner County’s All-Ireland SHC final replay success over Cork in 2013.

Murphy also featured prominently at underage for the club but ultimately decided to focus solely on rugby in recent years, a move that has paid significant dividends for the Shannon RFC star. Having made a strong contribution off the bench in a Six Nations opener away to France at the beginning of February, he was thrust into the starting line-up after an ankle injury ruled his Munster colleague Brian Gleeson out of contention.

Selected at No 8 for subsequent bouts with Italy, Wales and England, Murphy has also been named in this pivotal position for their final round clash against Scotland at Virgin Media Park tomorrow night (kick-off 7pm).

“I played GAA pretty much until two years ago. My Dad played rugby, he’s from Malahide. He would have played around Malahide. When he came into Limerick, he played a bit with Young Munster,” Murphy explained on Wednesday.

“I started with Shannon as early as I can remember really. I went to school in Limerick, in Ardscoil Ris and then just [played] through Munster and all that way through then,” Murphy explained.

“I wasn’t ever the greatest hurler. I always enjoyed it with the lads because they were the lads I grew up with, but rugby was pretty much always on my mind as my first sport.”

While a third consecutive Grand Slam is ruled out of the equation, Murphy has played a big part in ensuring Ireland are still in contention for another Six Nations title at this grade. With the game seemingly drifting away from his side, Murphy dotted down for a stoppage-time try in their gripping round four encounter with England at the Recreation Ground in Bath last Friday.

A routine Sean Naughton conversion meant the teams were ultimately inseparable, the 32-32 draw leaving Richie Murphy’s men a single point adrift of their English counterparts in advance of tomorrow night’s action.

Though this was a big moment for Murphy, he did his best to downplay his own role in what could yet prove to be one of the most decisive moments in this year’s Championship.

“Firstly, it was a real team try. We had a minute and a half left, and I know if I was watching the match, I would have thought that we wouldn’t have been able to bring it back, but just the team we have, everyone pulled together.

“When we were on the pitch, we knew we were going to score, it was just a matter of who it was. I was just the one who got lucky, after a few carries close to the line. After the match [I realised] it was a big try. At the moment you don’t think about it.”

In order to leapfrog England and get their hands on top spot in the Championship for a third successive year, Ireland may well require a bonus-point victory in Cork that is coupled with England failing to match this result in their duel against France at Stade du Hameau in Pau.

However, given they have no control over what happens in the latter game, Murphy insisted Ireland can only concentrate on their own showdown with the Scots.

“This week we’re focusing on ourselves. Making sure we get everything right and just do as much as we can on the pitch really. In general, I think we’ve all been really good as a group and everyone has known their roles. It has been really good,” Murphy added.

Daire Walsh

Posted in International Rugby, Women's Rugby | Comments Off on Ireland U20s Build-Up To Scotland Away In Six Nations Championship: Luke Murphy – The42.ie – March 14 2024

Ireland U20s Build-Up To Scotland Away In Six Nations Championship: Luke Murphy – The Irish Examiner – March 14 2024

Ireland U20s star Luke Murphy reaping rewards for picking rugby over GAA

With the game seemingly drifting away from his side, Murphy dotted down for a stoppage-time try in their gripping round four encounter against England at the Recreation Ground in Bath last Friday.
DAIRE WALSH

Despite hailing from the GAA stronghold of Cratloe in southeast Clare, rugby has always been the first love for Ireland U20s back-row Luke Murphy.

The current holders of the Clare Senior Football Championship, Cratloe is also home to All-Ireland winning hurlers such as Podge Collins, Conor Ryan, Conor McGrath and Cathal McInerney.

Murphy featured prominently throughout the underage ranks of the club, but ultimately decided to focus solely on rugby in recent years and this has paid significant dividends for the Shannon RFC star.

He has played some part in all four games that the Ireland U20s have played in this year’s Six Nations and has also been selected at No 8 for their final round clash with Scotland at Virgin Media Park tomorrow evening (kick-off 7pm).

“I played GAA pretty much until two years ago. My Dad played rugby, he’s from Malahide. He would have played around Malahide. When he came into Limerick, he played a bit with Young Munster,” Murphy added.

“I started with Shannon as early as I can remember really. I went to school in Limerick, in Ardscoil Ris and then just [played] through Munster and all that way through then.

“I wasn’t ever the greatest hurler. I always enjoyed it with the lads because they were the lads I grew up with, but rugby was pretty much always on my mind as my first sport.”

While a third consecutive Grand Slam is ruled out of the equation, Murphy has played a big part in ensuring Ireland are still in contention for another Six Nations title at this grade.

With the game seemingly drifting away from his side, Murphy dotted down for a stoppage-time try in their gripping round four encounter against England at the Recreation Ground in Bath last Friday.

A routine Sean Naughton conversion meant the teams were ultimately inseparable in The Rec (32-32 was the final scoreline) and this leaves Richie Murphy’s men a single point adrift of their English counterparts in advance of tomorrow night’s action.

Though this was a big moment for Murphy, he did his best to downplay his own role in what could yet prove to be one of the most pivotal moments in this year’s Championship.

“When we were on the pitch we knew we were going to score, it was just a matter of who it was. I was just the one who got lucky, after a few carries close to the line.”

In order to leapfrog England and get their hands on top spot in the Championship for a third successive year, Ireland may well require a bonus point victory in Cork and hope that England don’t match this result in their duel with France at Stade du Hameau in Pau.

However, given they have no control over what happens in the latter game, Murphy insisted Ireland can only concentrate on their own showdown against the Scots.

“This week we’re focusing on ourselves. Making sure we get everything right and just do as much as we can on the pitch really,” Murphy added.

Posted in International Rugby, Women's Rugby | Comments Off on Ireland U20s Build-Up To Scotland Away In Six Nations Championship: Luke Murphy – The Irish Examiner – March 14 2024