Updated National Hurling League Odds Piece: Gambling.com – February 4 2025

Posted on February 4, 2025 by admin

GAA Betting: Who Are The Contenders For 2025 National Hurling League Title?

By Daire Walsh

It was another weekend of intense action, and with round three of the competition just around the corner, betting sites are looking at who the main challengers are for this year’s National Hurling League.

Having begun the 2025 season with an emphatic victory over Galway seven days earlier, Tipperary are now sitting at the summit of the NHL Division 1A table courtesy of their 1-22 to 0-19 win over Wexford.

Their maximum return from the opening two games of the season leaves them a point in front of Cork – who followed up an earlier victory against Wexford by sharing the spoils with Limerick in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Saturday evening.

In the wake of losing out to Tipp in the first round, there was pessimism surrounding Galway ahead of their visit to Kilkenny on Sunday.

Yet, with Declan McLoughlin helping himself to a brace of goals, the Tribesmen earned a morale-boosting triumph on a final score of 2-19 to 1-19.

Cork And Limerick Inseparable Favourites

After their high-octane start to 2025, Cork will receive a bye this weekend from the seven-team Division 1A.

This could affect their odds with betting apps come Sunday evening, but the Leesiders are neck and neck with provincial rivals Limerick in the National Hurling League betting.

In the eyes of Bet365, both Munster counties are 9/4 to come away with the top-tier NHL title.

There appears to be little to separate the teams at the moment and this was reflected in their meeting in Cork at the weekend.

Despite the adverse conditions, 23,402 spectators passed through the turnstiles to see a compelling derby unfold.

While Adam English and Patrick O’Donovan led the way for Limerick with four points apiece, a 10th point from Darragh Fitzgibbon rescued a draw for Cork right at the death.

Tipperary Are Potential Dark Horses

Tipperary have won three All-Irelands since last winning an NHL crown in 2008, but their recent summer hurling form has been somewhat dubious.

It has been an encouraging start to the year for the Premier, but Sunday’s visit to Limerick in the Gaelic Grounds will be a major litmus test.

Ace marksman Darragh McCarthy (1-7) was one of 12 scorers for Tipperary in their win over Wexford, and a similar spread might be required if they are to beat Limerick.

Another victory would further underline their league title credentials, but for the time being, they are rated as third favourites for Division One at 11/2 with BoyleSports.

Kilkenny Still In Contention

Even though they came up short to Galway on their home patch last weekend, Kilkenny remain in the running for a 2025 league crown at 6/1 with GAA betting sites.

Eight points down deep into the second half, the Noresiders registered 1-6 without reply – their goal coming from Eoin Cody – to move a point clear of the Tribesmen inside the final quarter.

The westerners did eventually reinforce their authority with four unanswered points, but Derek Lyng’s Cats had shown plenty of fight during an entertaining second half.

A visit to Wexford on Saturday night gives them a chance to get their campaign back on track, and Lyng may well be targeting this year’s competition after losing the last two finals to Clare and Limerick.

Clare And Galway Neck And Neck

Even though they are the reigning National Hurling League and All-Ireland champions, Clare (8/1) are only fifth favourites ahead of their meeting with Galway (10/1) at Pearse Stadium on Saturday.

Clare were idle last weekend after losing to Kilkenny in the opening round of the league, and it remains to be seen how beneficial this might prove to be on Saturday.

What is intriguing about their clash with Galway is that, whereas the Banner are still missing a number of their All-Ireland winning side, Tribes boss Micheal Donoghue has opted to use a huge amount of players across his team’s two games thus far in the league.

He is clearly looking to identify new talent within the county, which makes it very difficult to gauge what kind of line-up he will select in a given week.

After the Tipperary game, the prospect of a major challenge in the NHL seemed highly unlikely, but another win this weekend could dramatically change things.

Wexford Well Out Of The Reckoning

Meanwhile, it has been a difficult start to 2025 for Wexford, who are currently rooted to the foot of the Division One table following their aforementioned defeats to Cork and Tipperary.

Their performance against the latter was a significant improvement on their performance against the former, with Cian Byrne amassing seven points from their final tally of 0-19.

Yet Wexford are missing a number of experienced performers for various reasons, and it is showing at the moment.

You have to go all the way back to 1973 for the Slaneysiders’ last top-division triumph in the NHL and 1993 for their last appearance in a Division One final.

The odds of them ending this long barren spell are rated at 100/1 at best.

Posted in Gaelic Games, Hurling | Comments Off on Updated National Hurling League Odds Piece: Gambling.com – February 4 2025

Updated Six Nations Championship Odds Piece: Gambling.com – February 4 2025

Posted on February 4, 2025 by admin

Six Nations Betting Odds: Who Will Win This Year’s Championship?

By Daire Walsh

Following a fascinating opening weekend that saw the last two winners of the tournament making bright starts, betting sites are once again giving their considered takes on who the main challengers are for this year’s Six Nations Championship.

Ireland, France and Scotland were the winners in round one of the tournament, and the Green Army and Les Bleus lead the early betting markets.

There is plenty more rugby to be played, however, so the odds are sure to change many times in the coming weeks.

Ireland, France And Scotland Triumph

Title holders for the last two years, Ireland began life under new interim head coach Simon Easterby with a 27-22 triumph over England at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Under the watchful eye of main supremo Andy Farrell – taking a sabbatical from the side to concentrate on his duties with the British & Irish Lions – the Irish did find themselves 10-5 behind at the interval in Dublin.

Yet with Bundee Aki, Tadhg Beirne and Dan Sheehan all crossing the line to supplement a first-half effort from Jamison Gibson-Park, Ireland emerged with maximum points from a tense duel with their arch-rivals.

Some might see this display as a statement of intent from the Irish, but the same could be said about 2022 champions France, who secured an emphatic 43-0 win against Wales in Saint-Denis on Friday.

Antoine Dupont was returning to the Six Nations after taking a break in 2023 to focus on his commitments with the French 7s, and he played a pivotal role as Les Bleus convincingly put Warren Gatland’s men to the sword.

Meanwhile, Scotland avenged their round four reversal to Italy in last year’s tournament by seeing off the Azzurri at Murrayfield Stadium.

Huw Jones registered a hat-trick of tries in a 31-19 bonus point success for the Scots.

France Slight Favourites

In advance of the opening round, many betting apps viewed France and Ireland as joint-favourites for this year’s Six Nations.

Their respective wins last weekend keep both of them very much in the mix, but the French are slightly ahead of their Irish counterparts in the betting stakes ahead of their visit to Twickenham Stadium to face England this Saturday.

With William Hill, France are currently rated as 11/10 favourites to get their hands on the Championship crown for the first time since 2022.

It seems extraordinary given their rich pedigree in the tournament, but that success three years ago is the only one Les Bleus have enjoyed in the past 15 years.

Yet with the aforementioned Dupont continuing to play sparkling rugby, many see Fabien Galthie’s charges as not only likely winners of the championship but also of a Grand Slam.

Ireland Hot On France’s Tails

However, if any team is going to bring a halt to their title march, then Ireland look to be best placed to do so amongst the remaining contenders.

Winning a third consecutive Six Nations would be a major achievement for the boys in green and they will go into Sunday’s away trip to Scotland with plenty of confidence.

The battle between Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley for the out-half berth in this Irish team remains a fascinating one and the latter will be hopeful of getting the nod after helping his country to close out last Saturday’s tie in impressive style.

At 11/8 with William Hill, Ireland may not be the current favourites for the Championship, but they are very much in the reckoning for the top prize again.

England Dark Horses After Loss To Ireland

While a Grand Slam and a Triple Crown have now been eliminated from the equation, England are still in contention for an overall Six Nations success.

However, last Saturday’s defeat to Ireland put them on the back foot, and another loss to France this weekend would likely leave them with too much of a mountain to climb.

Yet, being back at Twickenham will help Steve Borthwick’s side on Saturday.

With the 10-12-13 axis of Marcus Smith, Henry Slade and Ollie Lawrence capable of offering them attacking momentum, the tournament’s most successful team can’t be dismissed lightly.

That said, the odds of 11/1 available with several rugby betting sites suggest they are currently dark horses at best heading into round two.

Scotland Outsiders Despite Positive Start

The same could be said about Scotland, despite the fact they are level on points with both France and Ireland in the Championship standings – and ahead of the latter on score difference.

It is widely acknowledged that Gregor Townsend’s Scots are capable of beating any team in this competition on their day but lack the consistency to sustain a title challenge.

Additionally, Ireland have won their last seven clashes against Scotland in the Six Nations and will be expected to extend that winning run this weekend.

Although a first victory since 2017 over their Celtic cousins would leave them in a nice position, the Scots are available at just 12/1 with BoyleSports at the time of writing.

Nonetheless, UK bookmakers are giving far more consideration to a Six Nations triumph for Scotland than they are for either Wales or Italy – who will get the round two action underway at Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Saturday afternoon.

Wales And Italy Out Of The Reckoning

Even though some bookies are siding with either Wales or Italy as distant fifth favourites for the Championship, several others – including Spreadex – are offering 500/1 on both of them for an unlikely title success.

While Wales have won the Six Nations on six occasions since the tournament expanded in 2000, they are currently at a low ebb with just two wins in their last 16 Championship outings.

Warren Gatland has also overseen 13 consecutive Test losses in his second spell as Welsh head coach.

Following a heavy opening-round defeat to France, his troops will have their work cut out to overcome Italy on Saturday.

The Italians are coming into this year’s Six Nations on the back of picking up two wins and a draw in the 2024 Championship.

There was plenty of encouragement to take from their first-round loss to Scotland – finding themselves on level terms in the 46th minute before the Scots regained the initiative.

They are still some way off forging a serious challenge for top honours.

Posted in International Rugby | Comments Off on Updated Six Nations Championship Odds Piece: Gambling.com – February 4 2025

Updated National Football League Odds Piece: Gambling.com – February 4 2025

Posted on February 4, 2025 by admin

GAA Betting: Who Are The Favourites To Win The National Football League?

By Daire Walsh

After another compelling weekend of action, betting sites are once again examining who the main contenders are for the 2025 edition of the National Football League.

While Kerry and Donegal were playing for the first time in this year’s competition, the remaining teams in Division One of the National Football League have now had two outings under the new rules for Gaelic football.

Although it remains the subject of intense debate and discussion, it was felt that last weekend’s fare served as a strong advertisement for the significant alterations that have been made to the game.

Round Two Winners Scoring Freely In NFL

Kerry, Galway, Armagh and Donegal all registered massive scoring tallies last week.

Galway in particular took advantage of the new scoring arc that awards a team two points if they manage to split the posts from a distance of 40 metres or greater, with seven such efforts helping them to establish a strong foothold in their clash with provincial rivals Mayo.

Not every rule change has been met with universal approval, but a consensus is beginning to grow that Gaelic football is slowly becoming a more enjoyable spectacle for players and supporters alike.

Despite this originally being set aside as a fallow week for the National Football League, this weekend will see refixed encounters across Divisions 1, 2 and 3 – following their earlier postponements when Storm Eowyn was taking a firm grip on the nation last month.

In the top division, Kerry and Donegal will meet at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney on Saturday afternoon with both teams hoping to make it two wins from two in this year’s NFL.

Galway New Favourites With Bookmakers For A League Triumph

From the six teams in Division One that have already played a brace of games, 2024 All-Ireland senior football championship finalists Galway are presently the only team with a 100% record.

This might explain why the Tribesmen are now 11/4 favourites with Bet365 for a Division One league success, though there has been plenty of evidence in their wins to date over Armagh and Mayo to suggest they are capable of a springtime triumph.

Across those victories, Galway have kicked no fewer than 10 two-pointers with the long-range prowess of Shane Walsh and Cillian O Curraoin providing the platform for Padraic Joyce’s men to defeat their fellow westerners Mayo on a final score of 0-26 to 0-16 in Castlebar last Sunday.

They will next be in action against Derry in Celtic Park on February 15 and another win in that game would further strengthen their title credentials.

Whereas other counties have experimented thus far in the NFL, Galway’s first 15 in the Mayo game featured 10 players that started last July’s All-Ireland final defeat to Armagh.

In comparison to the injury crisis he was dealing with this time 12 months ago, Joyce has a strong hand to pick from at the moment.

Donegal And Kerry Very Much In The Mix For Football League

Even though they had delayed starts to 2025, Donegal and Kerry began their Division One campaigns in fine style last weekend.

Daire O Baoill and Oisin Gallen shone for the former in their 0-20 to 0-16 success at home to Dublin, while three late goals from Paul Geaney (two) and Donal O’Sullivan gave Kerry a dramatic 5-15 to 1-24 victory against Derry in Celtic Park.

This will substantially increase anticipation for the forthcoming showdown between Donegal and the Kingdom this weekend. Both sides as joint second favourites for an NFL title at 10/3, but this could change if either team comes out on top on Saturday.

All-Ireland Champions Armagh Remaining In Contention

After losing out by six points to Galway in the opening round, Armagh served up a timely reminder of their quality by defeating Tyrone on a scoreline of 1-23 to 0-18 in the Athletic Grounds on Saturday.

The new football rules don’t curtail the influence of the roving goalkeeper and Orchard County netminder Ethan Rafferty took full advantage of this by kicking 0-5 in the win over the Red Hand – including a brace of two-pointers.

Andrew Murnin (1-4), Conor Turbitt (0-4) and Ross McQuillan (0-3) also made strong contributions as Armagh picked up their first points of the year. Though they are slightly down the pecking order, Kieran McGeeney’s charges remain available at 15/2 for an NFL victory.

Dublin And Tyrone Seen As Outsiders For A League Crown

Despite only losing last year’s final on a penalty shootout, Dublin are currently seen as outsiders for a league final triumph at 8/1.

The news that Jack McCaffrey, Paul Mannion and Michael Fitzsimons are unlikely to return to a set-up that has already lost Brian Fenton and James McCarthy suggests team manager Dessie Farrell is going to continue with a rebuilding phase for the remainder of the 2025 league.

Con O’Callaghan will return to the squad in the coming weeks following his heroics in the club championship with Cuala, but evidence to date indicates this could be a mixed campaign for Dublin.

Although their second game of the league ended in that eight-point reversal to Armagh, Tyrone are a slightly bigger price than Dublin for the National Football League at 10/1 with GAA betting sites.

Their opening round win over Derry means they are still very much amongst the chasing pack and their odds could shorten by achieving some more positive results in the coming weeks.

Derry And Mayo Not Seen As Major Challengers

Defending champions Derry were much improved against Kerry last weekend after coming up short to Tyrone on their first day out in 2025, with new manager Paddy Tally gradually finding his feet in the Oak Leaf hotseat.

Yet two losses from two leaves has put pressure on the Ulster county and their current odds of 80/1 with BoyleSports suggests that a second successive Division One crown might be out of reach.

Mayo have generally been very competitive in the National Football League over recent years, but consecutive defeats to Dublin and Galway has them facing the threat of relegation in the early stages of 2025.

The likes of Jordan Flynn, Aidan O’Shea and Patrick Durcan are still to return to the fold, but even though they will undoubtedly make them a better team, the green and red are also outsiders for a league success from their current vantage point with bookies odds as long as 50/1.

Posted in Gaelic Football, Gaelic Games | Comments Off on Updated National Football League Odds Piece: Gambling.com – February 4 2025

Lidl National Football League Division One: Meath V Mayo – Ladiesgaelic.ie – February 3 2025

Posted on February 3, 2025 by admin

Wall back with a bang as Meath chalk up second win

Lidl National Football League

Meath 4-9

Mayo 2-6

By Daire Walsh

The returning Vikki Wall bagged 2-1 at Pairc Tailteann, Navan on Monday as Meath made it two wins from two in Division 1 of the Lidl National Football League with an impressive triumph over Mayo.

Whereas Saoirse Delaney and Bree Hession were late inclusions on the Mayo team, former TG4 Senior Players’ Player of the Year Wall was added to the Meath side for her first start since a TG4 All-Ireland senior football championship quarter-final defeat to Kerry in July 2023.

The multi-sport exponent made her presence felt in the early moments and with Ciara Smyth (two), Kerrie Cole and Meadhbh Byrne all finding the target, the Royals were four points clear at the end of the opening quarter.

Even though Sinead Walsh cancelled out a free from Smyth to finally get Mayo up and running in the 21st minute, Meath reinforced their authority when Wall drilled the ball to the opposition net moments later.

Yet Mayo were back in contention when Walsh claimed a superb solo goal of her own on 26 minutes and despite temporarily losing the MacHale Rovers attacker to injury arising from an incident that led to Wall being yellow-carded, Maria Cannon converted a close-in free to leave the westerners just three points adrift (1-5 to 1-2) at the interval.

Walsh was back in time to narrow the gap at the start of the second half with a place-ball strike from distance, before Meath regained a firm stranglehold when a Smyth point was supplemented by a green flag finish from Cole – who had bagged a brace of goals in her county’s opening round win over Tyrone.

However, Walsh was proving to be a real thorn in the side of the Meath defence and she rattled the net for a second time on 38 minutes via a neat one-two with Hession. This meant the Royals were three in front upon Wall’s return to the field of play and this cushion remained intact after Mayo midfielder Erin Murray and Smyth traded points.

This advantage was then doubled when Wall hammered home from a tight angle in the wake of Mayo defender Ella Brennan being sin-binned for a foul on the Dunboyne ace, and even though Walsh continued to lead the way for the visitors, a fourth goal off a counter-attack by raiding wing-back Niamh Gallogly helped Meath to ease over the line.

Scorers – Meath: V Wall 2-1 (0-1f), C Smyth 0-6 (3f), K Cole 1-1, N Gallogly 1-0, M Byrne 0-1.

 Mayo: S Walsh 2-4 (0-4f), M Cannon 0-1 (f), E Murray 0-1.

 MEATH: R Murray; A Sheridan, S Wall, N Troy; N Gallogly, MK Lynch, C Millington; A Cleary, V Wall; M Thynne, O Sheehy, C Smyth; M Byrne, M Farrelly, K Cole. Subs: K Bermingham for Sheehy, E Moyles for Thynne (both 41), K Newe for Troy (46), O Callan for Farrelly (53), C Lawlor for Byrne (58), M Collins for Cole (59).

MAYO: R Dyar; E Brennan, S Lally, D Caldwell; S Delaney, S El Massry, H Reape; E Murray, A Geraghty; L Wallace, A Gough, C Durkin; M Cannon, S Walsh, B Hession. Subs: K Doherty for Walsh (30-h/t), K Doherty for Wallace (36), K Sullivan for El Massry (46), C Whyte for Hession (47), A Fitzpatrick for Gough (48), M Sheridan for Delaney (53), S McNulty for Sullivan (55), J Mortimer for Murray (58).

Referee: Kevin Phelan (Laois).

Posted in Ladies GAA | Comments Off on Lidl National Football League Division One: Meath V Mayo – Ladiesgaelic.ie – February 3 2025

The Big Interview: Charlene Tyrrell (Leitrim/Mohill) – Media West Ireland – February 1 2025

Posted on February 1, 2025 by admin

Leitrim intend to be serious competitors in Senior Championship says Charlene Tyrell

Ladies Football: “We’re obviously not looking forward to games ahead in the senior championship as just making up the numbers. We intend to compete and be serious competitors”

By Daire Walsh

While she briefly contemplated the idea of retirement, Leitrim’s Charlene Tyrell has admitted the prospect of playing in the TG4 All-Ireland senior football championship was one of many reasons why she decided to extend her inter-county career into 2025.

Having made her debut as far back as 2003, Tyrell was in the starting line-up when the O’Rourke County defeated Wexford to claim an All-Ireland intermediate title four years later. After returning to the fold in 2020 following a near decade-long absence, Tyrell went on to feature at full-back at the age of 38 last August when the Connacht side secured another second-tier crown with a thrilling final win over Tyrone at Croke Park.

Leitrim did enjoy a couple of senior campaigns in the wake of their intermediate success of 2007, but circumstances dictated that Tyrell didn’t play for them at the grade. With Jonny Garrity’s side set to compete in both the Connacht and All-Ireland senior championships later this year, Tyrell will finally get an opportunity to sample life at the highest level of ladies football.

“There was a period after all the celebrations and everything had settled down, and I sort of enjoyed not having anything to do. I had considered ‘God, will I go back?’, but once I got back to training, the desire is there and the love is there. Mainly to get out of Division Four, first and foremost, but really excited to play senior championship this year,” Tyrell explained.

“It will obviously be one competition at a time, but really excited to be playing against some of the best teams in the country and see how we fare. I haven’t played senior championship with Leitrim, so it will be really exciting.

“We’re obviously not looking forward to games ahead in the senior championship as just making up the numbers. We intend to compete and be serious competitors. Hopefully we can establish ourselves as a senior team and stay up in the senior ranks. By the time I retire, hopefully I’ll be leaving Leitrim in a better place. Leaving a nice little legacy behind.”

Aside from those All-Ireland intermediate championship triumphs 17 years apart, the other national title Tyrell has won in the colours of Leitrim is a Lidl National Football League Division 4 crown from 2010.

The Mohill defender and her inter-county colleagues have been pushing hard for a second success in the latter competition, but the past four years has seen them suffering a brace of reversals at both the semi-final and final stages of Division 4.

Despite losing their opening game of this year’s league to Fermanagh, Leitrim will just need to finish in the top-four at the end of the group phase in order to advance to the knockout rounds of NFL’s fourth-tier. Although last weekend saw their proposed clash with Wicklow being postponed, the O’Rourke women will be back in action this Sunday against Derry in Kiltubrid.

Both teams that qualify for the Division 4 decider will automatically gain league promotion for 2025 – which wasn’t the case when they lost NFL showpieces in 2021 and 2023 – but Tyrell is adamant Leitrim will be aiming to come away with the top prize if they get that far.

“Last year we lost out in the semi-final stages, which was completely heartbreaking, the nature of that loss. I think that will haunt me forever, but last year ourselves and Fermanagh flew through the group stages and topped the group.

“We were well ahead on points and I’m not sure if a little bit of complacency set in, so we’re definitely a lot more focused this year on what we want to achieve and it’s to win Division Four. It’s not to just be promoted, it’s to win it, but we’ll take that one game at a time. We’ll look forward now to next weekend and tick off that box.”

When Leitrim lost to Limerick in a Lidl NFL Division 4 semi-final on March 24 of last year, Tyrell found herself coming up against Roisin Ambrose. Fast forward a little over 10 months and she is now joining forces with the Treaty joint captain as an ambassador for DFI Beds – who were unveiled on Thursday as the official Sleep partner of the LGFA.

“When I was asked, I actually wasn’t entirely sure what I was saying yes to! It’s great to be involved and represent Leitrim. It’s great coverage for us as well. It’s lovely to be involved and to be asked.

“I’ve only ever sort of met Róisín on the pitch. I never met her off the field, so it’s lovely. That’s what football is all about too. It’s not just about playing on the field, but it’s about making friends outside the football side of things and outside the county. It’s lovely, she’s a great girl. We had good fun now doing some of the photographs that you’ll see appear!”

In addition to all the above and her day job as a sports therapist, Tyrell has also been kept busy in recent months with her role as a mental health facilitator for the Movember Ahead of the Game campaign that is jointly run by the GPA, the GAA and Movember.

Given she has spoken so openly about her own personal struggles in the past, Tyrell was delighted to get involved in this campaign and has found it extremely rewarding to date.

“I just go around to the clubs around Connacht, delivering mental health workshops to underage teams and parents and coaches as well. I only started that in September, so that’s lovely. I love doing that,” Tyrell added.

“It’s definitely something I wish I had when I was younger, because it wasn’t until I was in my early 20s and had my son [Noah] that I suffered myself with postnatal depression. Didn’t know even what it was at that age when it came on me. To give the kids the understanding of the signs and symptoms, and to reach out and to talk.

“I think it’s something that we get great feedback from the players and the coaches, that they’ve a better understanding that your mental health is your health. It’s not two separate things, your mental health and your physical health, it’s all one. It is vitally important.”

  • Leitrim’s Charlene Tyrell was speaking as DFI Beds were announced as ‘Official Sleep Partner of the LGFA.’
Posted in Ladies GAA | Comments Off on The Big Interview: Charlene Tyrrell (Leitrim/Mohill) – Media West Ireland – February 1 2025

Ireland Build-Up To England Home In Six Nations Championship: Simon Easterby – The Irish Sun – January 31 2025

Posted on February 1, 2025 by admin

Easterby rising for Ireland

By DAIRE WALSH

SIMON EASTERBY is ready to send Ireland into battle against England and admits it is a “privilege” to oversee the latest era of Irish rugby.

The former international flanker has stepped up to interim head coach, with Andy Farrell taking time out to focus on leading the Lions.

Easterby’s maiden selection sees out-half Sam Prendergast handed his Six Nations debut.

It is a baptism of fire for both with England coming to the Aviva Stadium in the opener.

Easterby does not know where tomorrow’s blood-and-thunder battle will rank in his career just yet.

However, he lists it as a special achievement.

The 49-year-old said: “I haven’t really thought about it in those terms.

“I know I’ve been around a while. I made my debut in the year the Six Nations formed but it’s special. I was fortunate as a player but I have been as a coach, being part of this group and the progression of Irish rugby.”

His first task is turning over the side that denied Ireland a Grand Slam last year, with the hosts aiming to win a third championship on the spin.

Easterby purred: “I feel very privileged to be doing this but it’s probably been a long time in the process of different experiences that I’ve had.”

The Yorkshire native in England who – along with his brother Guy – qualified to play for Ireland through their Dublin mother.

Easterby lined out in four successive Six Nations victories against the country of his birth from 2004 to 2007.

For the former blindside flanker, tomorrow’s back-row battle at Lansdowne Road is exciting.

The inclusion of Leinster trio of Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris ensures there will be cohesion at the base of Ireland’s pack.

Baird was called in as cover when Tadhg Beirne had to move to the second row after Joe McCarthy took a “nasty blow” to the head in training on Wednesday.

Steve Borthwick has named Curry twins Tom and Ben at blindside and openside respectively.

The English back row is completed by Saracens’ Ben Earl.

Easterby believes the selection of the Curry brothers offers a clue of how the opposition will approach the game.

He said: “I didn’t expect England would select them both and Ben Earl in the back row.

“They’ve done something similar before, with Tom Curry, Earl and Sam Underhill.

“Ben and Tom are both fabulous players who have been playing very well for Sale and they understand their strengths and how they play with each other.

“They have not done it in a starting Test before but they have been in a 23 together.

“It poses other threats in terms of what they bring to the game.

“But it also signals a little bit about how England want to play the game.”

Ben Curry added: “We know that Ireland are a good team, especially at home.

“But we both want to keep coming at them – and if we’re good enough on the day they might hopefully think there’s more than two of us!”

Posted in International Rugby | Comments Off on Ireland Build-Up To England Home In Six Nations Championship: Simon Easterby – The Irish Sun – January 31 2025

DFI Beds & LGFA Partnership: Róisín Ambrose (Limerick) – Media West Ireland – January 31 2025

Posted on January 31, 2025 by admin

‘Ambassador Ambrose’ – Limerick’s Róisín Ambrose plans big year on and off the field

By DAIRE WALSH

Limerick footballer Róisín Ambrose has said she considers it an honour to be asked to come on board as an LGFA ambassador for the very first time.

It was announced on Thursday that DFI Beds – Ireland’s largest online bedding retailer, which offers a wide range of mattresses, headboards and divan bases – is to become the official sleep partner of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association and Ambrose jumped at the opportunity to become an ambassador for this new initiative alongside Leitrim’s Charlene Tyrrell.

“This is my first time being an ambassador, there’s a first for everything! I was kind of honoured actually to be asked and that just shows the growth of women in sport and particularly in the LGFA,” Ambrose acknowledged.

“When I heard that DFI Beds were partnering up with the LGFA, I thought it really made a lot of sense.

“Sleep is very important for everyone’s general wellbeing, but I suppose as athletes and footballers, it’s very important for our recovery process and for even just having energy when we go out training or playing a match. It’s definitely something that I was interested in getting involved in.”

Joint captain with Monagea’s Yvonne Lee for the second successive season, Ambrose was in action last Saturday as a newly-promoted Limerick lost out to Down on a score of 0-14 to 2-6 at Mungret St Paul’s in the opening round of Division 3 in the Lidl National Football League.

While they came up just short to the Mourne County in the end, the Old Mill star was glad to be back amongst competitive fare following an extended bout of pre-season training and is now eagerly anticipating their second round clash with Wexford at Mick Neville Park in Rathkeale at 4pm on Sunday.

“It’s great to be back. We put down a tough month of training, but it’s nice to have matches week in and week out. Obviously it wasn’t the start that we wanted. Everyone wants to go out and win in their first game of the year, but we know that we have the beatings of these teams in Division Three.

“It’s our first year in Division Three, so it’s exciting for us. It’s a new challenge playing against a lot of teams that we haven’t come across before.”

Like Down, Limerick’s upcoming opponents Wexford will be operating in the TG4 All-Ireland intermediate football championship later on this summer.

The Treaty have aspirations of moving up to this grade for 2026 and this would be achieved by emerging victorious in the TG4 All-Ireland junior football championship – a competition Ambrose previously won during her debut year as a Limerick panellist in 2018.

She was skipper when they lost out narrowly to Down in a 2023 junior showpiece at Croke Park and she admits the Munster outfit’s stated ambition for this year is to get their hands on the West County Hotel Cup once again.

“That’s our goal for this year. In the league we want to retain our Division Three status, but really we’ll be gunning for the junior championship. There’s no point denying it, we want to be there this year and we definitely want to be winning it,” Ambrose added.

Posted in Ladies GAA | Comments Off on DFI Beds & LGFA Partnership: Róisín Ambrose (Limerick) – Media West Ireland – January 31 2025

Leinster Schools Senior Cup First Round: Cistercian College Roscrea V Presentation College Bray – The Irish Examiner – January 31 2025

Posted on January 30, 2025 by admin

Cistercian College Roscrea power past Presentation College Bray in Leinster Schools Senior Cup 

Courtesy of unanswered tries by Deegan, Carney (his second), Eoin Naughton and Fionn Higgins, Roscrea brought an insurmountable 33-3 cushion into the interval.
DAIRE WALSH

Leinster Schools Senior Cup First Round: Cistercian College Roscrea 47 Presentation College Bray 15

Inside centre Jack Deegan amassed a personal haul of 17 points at Energia Park on Thursday as Cistercian College Roscrea powered into the Leinster Schools Senior Cup quarter-finals with a convincing victory against Presentation College Bray.

Eager to lay down a marker at the Donnybrook venue, Roscrea broke the deadlock in the fifth-minute when Kealan Dunne released Deegan’s midfield partner Rob Carney for the opening try of the contest. While their Wicklow counterparts got up and running moments later with a successful penalty from Daniel Moraghan, the school from the Offaly-Tipperary border subsequently assumed full control of the proceedings.

Courtesy of unanswered tries by Deegan, Carney (his second), Eoin Naughton and Fionn Higgins, Roscrea brought an insurmountable 33-3 cushion into the interval.

The 2015 champions continued to dictate the play on the resumption and scrum-half Fionn Carney added a sixth try that was supplemented by a fifth conversion from the boot of Deegan.

To their credit, Pres Bray did improve as the play progressed and lively replacement Luca Nolan bagged a brace of tries for the Putland Road outfit.

Yet Cistercian College Roscrea were determined to have the final say and a converted try from full-back Sam Cusack helped them to round off the scoring in clinical style.

Scorers for Cistercian College Roscrea: Tries: R Carney 2, J Deegan, E Naughton, F Higgins, F Carney, S Cusack. Cons: J Deegan 6.

Scorers for Presentation College Bray: Tries: L Nolan 2. Cons: D Moraghan. Pens: D Moraghan.

CISTERCIAN COLLEGE ROSCREA: S Cusack; K Dunne (H Finlay 51), R Carney, J Deegan (R Sullivan 64), F Higgins; A Moloney, F Carney; O Doody (W Powell 64), E Naughton (R O’Neill 63), H Maher (A Carroll 64); J Walsh, J Finn (A Kinsella Garcia 63); S Killeen (51), E Brophy, W Hayes (J Miller 51).

PRESENTATION COLLEGE BRAY: R O’Boyle; J Brandon (C James 67), L Mooney, A McDonald (L Nolan 48), F Kelly (P Doyle 67); D Moraghan, S McDonald; H Graham (D Corrigan 48), M Lawless, S Gillespie; A O’Dowd (R Hayes 23), M McGovern; D Jordan, B O’Reilly-Rhodes (E Croysdill 32), R Wrafter.

Referee: E Lyons (LRR).

Posted in Schools Rugby | Comments Off on Leinster Schools Senior Cup First Round: Cistercian College Roscrea V Presentation College Bray – The Irish Examiner – January 31 2025

Leinster Schools Senior Cup First Round: Gonzaga College V Newbridge College – The Kildare Nationalist (Online) – January 29 2025

Posted on January 30, 2025 by admin

Newbridge College beaten by late try in Leinster Schools Senior Cup

Although they led with less than ten minutes to go, Newbridge College were ultimately beaten today in Donnybrook

DAIRE WALSH

LEINSTER SCHOOLS SENIOR CUP FIRST ROUND 

GONZAGA COLLEGE 20 NEWBRIDGE COLLEGE 15

There was disappointment for Newbridge College at Energia Park on Wednesday as they suffered an opening round defeat at the hands of Gonzaga College in the 2025 edition of the Leinster Schools Senior Cup.

This game represented a quick renewal of acquaintances, given the two sides clashed in the Leinster Schools Senior League final at the same venue as recently as December 4th of last year.

Conor Hanly, Michael Murphy and Luke Kelly tries propelled Newbridge into a commanding 19-3 lead during that encounter, only for a stirring Gonzaga comeback to be completed by a last-gasp drop goal from fly-half Daragh O’Dwyer. Following some early pressure in their latest duel in Donnybrook, the same player had an opportunity to break the deadlock for the Ranelagh-based outfit.

Although he was forced to wait while referee Sam Holt had his earpiece readjusted, O’Dwyer stroked a ninth-minute penalty between the posts to create some daylight. There was still a long way to go in the action of course and Newbridge were close to breaking over the Gonzaga whitewash on 13 minutes.

Yet their Metropolitan counterparts held firm under enormous pressure and subsequently increased their cushion inside the second-quarter. After a powerful surge by Jamie Sheil offered Gonzaga attacking momentum, Newbridge lock Daniel Cox conceded a penalty close to the try-line and found himself in the sin-bin as a result.

In the wake of his temporary departure, Sheil opted for a ‘tap and go’ and when the ball was worked towards a central channel, Patrick Masterson was on hand to dot down in routine fashion. O’Dwyer comfortably added the bonuses to move Gonzaga 10 points in front, but Newbridge finally opened their account with 33 minutes gone on the clock.

After out-half Michael Kenny had opted for touch on several occasions, the persistence of the Kildare school eventually paid off when hooker Lee Fitzpatrick powered over the Gonzaga whitewash. Kenny’s half-back partner Ben O’Connor went on to supply the extras and this left Newbridge just three points adrift (10-7) at the interval.

As a consequence of their strong finish to the opening period, Johne Murphy’s side had fresh impetus on the resumption. Though there was some initial hesitancy from the touch judge, it was determined that Kenny’s kick to touch off a 39th minute penalty had landed in the right corner.

An elongated move off the resulting line-out kept Gonzaga firmly on the back-foot and it was left for Fitzpatrick to crash over for a second time to the right of the posts. Despite O’Connor firing his bonus kick past the target, Newbridge were in the ascendancy for the very first time.

A successful O’Dwyer place-kick ensured their two-point advantage was short-lived, but Newbridge fired back with a three-pointer of their own from O’Connor on 49 minutes.

The latter score coincided with Gonzaga’s John Brophy being yellow carded and while the hooker’s team-mates coped well in his absence, Newbridge nevertheless brought a 15-13 buffer into the final-quarter.

However, 2023 champions Gonzaga predictably increased the tempo of their play as the action progressed and after being frustrated by the Newbridge defence on a number of occasions, the south Dubliners were rewarded with their second try of the game with six minutes of normal time remaining.

After Daragh O’Dwyer kicked a penalty to touch from inside the Newbridge half, James O’Dwyer applied the finishing touches to the resulting set-piece attack.

Daragh O’Dwyer converted superbly from the left-flank to put Gonzaga five points in front and even though Kelly ran underneath the posts for what would have been a game-changing try, Kenny’s pass towards the winger was deemed to have gone forward and this meant Newbridge ultimately came up short.

GONZAGA COLLEGE: Patrick Coleman; Eoghan O’Donavan, Patrick Masterson, Bobby Colbert, Zachary Mulligan; Daragh O’Dwyer, James O’Dwyer; Jamie Sheil, John Brophy, Matthew O’Herlihy; Michael Wall, Ronan Crowe; Joshua Mulligan, Borja Salto-Galdon, Charlie Kennedy.

NEWBRIDGE COLLEGE: Billy Cross; Patrick Waters, Alex Craig, Joseph Flanagan, Luke Kelly; Michael Kenny, Ben O’Connor; Charles O’Loughlin, Lee Fitzpatrick, Odhran Brannigan; Conor Hanly, Daniel Cox; Brion Donagh, Jonathan Fardy, Michael Murphy. Replacements: Tom Martin for Craig (43), Ruairi Harrington for O’Loughlin (52), Sam O’Loughlin for Brannigan (66).

Referee: Sam Holt (Leinster Rugby Referees).

Posted in Schools Rugby | Comments Off on Leinster Schools Senior Cup First Round: Gonzaga College V Newbridge College – The Kildare Nationalist (Online) – January 29 2025

National Hurling League Odds Piece Round Two: Gambling.com – January 28 2025

Posted on January 29, 2025 by admin

GAA Betting: Who Are The Contenders For 2025 National Hurling League Title?

By Daire Walsh

Following an opening weekend that saw six of the seven teams in the competition making their bows for 2025, the best betting sites are once again looking at who the most likely winners are of this year’s National Hurling League.

While Limerick were left idle due to the uneven number of counties in Division 1A of the NHL, their provincial rivals Cork and Tipperary were in action and made a bright start to their respective campaigns.

First Round Wins For Cork, Tipperary And Kilkenny

At Chadwicks Wexford Park last Saturday evening, 2024 All-Ireland finalists Cork recorded a comprehensive 2-21 to 0-12 triumph over Wexford – Declan Dalton (1-5), Padraig Power (1-4), Darragh Fitzgibbon and Brian Hayes (0-4 apiece) leading the scoring for the Rebels.

On Sunday afternoon, Tipperary began their third season under the management of Liam Cahill in fine style as they defeated Galway on a final scoreline of 3-25 to 2-16.

Darragh McCarthy, Dylan Walsh and Gearoid O’Connor all found the net to guide the Premier County towards a morale-boosting win.

Rounding out the Division 1A winners last weekend were Kilkenny, who enjoyed a narrow two-point victory (0-23 to 0-21) at the expense of defending league and All-Ireland champions Clare at Cusack Park, Ennis on Sunday.

Interestingly, all three games at the weekend in the NHL top flight saw the away side come out on top.

Whether this trend continues over the next few weeks remains to be seen, but Limerick will be hoping to become the latest winners on the road when they face Cork in Pairc Ui Chaoimh this coming Saturday evening.

Limerick Still Slight Favourites

Despite only taking on a watching brief for the opening round of fixtures, the Treaty remain the favourites for league glory at 9/4 with Bet365.

While there have been seasons when Limerick were short of their best in the springtime, they have nevertheless secured NHL titles under current boss John Kiely in 2019, 2020 and 2023.

The championship will be the main priority for Limerick following a 2024 campaign that saw them losing out to Cork at the semi-final stage of the Liam MacCarthy Cup, but they may well be looking to lay down a marker in the NHL.

Cork, on the other hand, could potentially do with the boost of a national title, given their most recent crown of this nature was the All-Ireland senior hurling title of 2005.

You have to go back to 1998 for the last time they earned top league honours, and the odds of them bridging this 27-year gap are 5/2 with Bet365.

Kilkenny Realistic Contenders For The League

Having lost to Limerick and Clare in the last two NHL finals – before being defeated by both teams at the business end of the championship – Kilkenny are seeking to go a step further in 2025.

Billy Drennan and Martin Keoghan were in fine form during their aforementioned win over title holders Clare, amassing a combined tally of 12 points.

They continue to be in the mix since Derek Lyng took over as Cats supremo from the legendary Brian Cody and they are currently available at 4/1 for a league success.

Resurgent Tipperary Aiming For Record NHL Haul

On the competition’s roll of honour, Kilkenny are joint top with Tipperary on 19 titles.

However, since the Premier last tasted league success in 2008, their Noreside counterparts have won the NHL on six occasions – albeit their most recent triumph in 2021 was shared with Galway.

Their victory over Galway last weekend indicates they are intent on claiming a 20th crown and will be confident of making it two wins from two against Wexford in Thurles this Sunday.

After being viewed as seventh favourites for the NHL with some betting apps before their game with the Tribesmen, Tipp are now fourth in the betting rankings with Boylesports at 11/2.

Defending Champions Seen As Outsiders

Following their narrow loss to Kilkenny on the opening day of the league, Clare are now in the midst of a down week in Division 1A of the NHL.

Banner manager Brian Lohan didn’t exactly have his full complement of players on the field against the Cats, with just five of the players who started last July’s All-Ireland final win over Cork selected in the first 15.

Tony Kelly and hurler of the year Shane O’Donnell were notable absentees, but David Reidy did finish the game with 0-8 to his name and Clare had initially been in a strong position before Kilkenny eventually rallied.

It is unknown how high a league title win will be on Lohan’s list of priorities for 2025, but as it stands, they are just 8/1 to win a second successive NHL crown.

Galway And Wexford Not Seen As Major Contenders

In the wake of their heavy defeat to Tipperary, Galway will have a lot of work to do if they are to establish themselves as potential league title challengers.

It doesn’t get any easier for the Connacht men as this Sunday sees them travel to Nowlan Park for a second round tussle with Kilkenny.

With a new look to their panel at the moment, there is a sense that Micheal Donoghue’s men will have to go through some short-term pain before potentially achieving a long-term gain.

The Clarinbridge native did win an NHL title in his first spell as manager, but 10bet rate the prospect of them doing so again as only a 12/1 possibility.

It is thanks to second half goals from John Fleming and Declan McLoughlin that Galway are marginally in front of Wexford on score difference towards the foot of the table.

Considering the likes of Conor McDonald, Jack O’Connor and Lee Chin are currently marked absent – and they have lost Diarmuid O’Keeffe, Matthew O’Hanlon and Liam Og McGovern to retirement – it is perhaps unsurprising that Wexford were second best to Cork last weekend.

Keith Rossiter’s charges will be doing well to avoid relegation to NHL Division 1B for 2026.

With several GAA betting sites rating their chances of winning the top tier of the league this year at 100/1, survival rather than a title charge will likely be the main focus for the Slaneysiders in the next couple of months.

Posted in Gaelic Games, Hurling | Comments Off on National Hurling League Odds Piece Round Two: Gambling.com – January 28 2025