LIDL National Football League Division Two Final Follow-Up: Kildare V Tyrone – Media West Ireland – April 8 2024

Posted on April 8, 2024 by admin

LILIES LOVING IT

Diane O’Hora thrilled after seeing her Kildare side secure NFL Division 2 crown with deserved win over Tyrone

A relative of a Gaelic football icon starred for the opposition though
Daire Walsh

KILDARE manager Diane O’Hora said she is thrilled that they had the ability to see off a strong Tyrone side and claim their first Lidl Division 2 in 20 years.

First half goals from Claire Sullivan and Neasa Dooley were crucial at Croke Park on Sunday afternoon as Kildare captured the title.

“Over the moon,” said O’Hora. “When we were starting out here at the start of the year, we wanted to consolidate our position in the division, stay safe.

“Then obviously the focus changed as we got a few wins and got some momentum.

“I think today in terms of Mary Hulgraine’s leadership from goals, the whole way up to Roisin Byrne up front, I thought everyone absolutely dug in really deep.

“Tyrone threw the kitchen sink at us. They did a really good job on their analysis.

“They did a lot of work since we played them a couple of weeks ago and they’re formidable opponents, I’ll tell you and they’re going to go very well in intermediate, no doubt.

“For us, we’re just really, really pleased with the defensive unit and the leadership at the back.

“Especially with Laoise Lenehan not being there in full-back.

“Mia (Doherty), Aoife (Clifford) and Fiona (Troute) did a great job.”

Tyrone manager Sean O’Kane said he was really proud of his team and that while they were disappointed not to claim the trophy, they have made considerable progress in this season’s Lidl NFL.

“A lot of positive things to take out of it the league.

“We gave away a bad goal before half-time and we were on the back-foot then,” said O’Kane.

“We were always chasing it, but I’m very proud of the girls, very proud of the management.

“Very proud of everybody, it was a good game.

“You’ve got to realise, just over two years ago we were looking at relegation down to Division 3, so it’s a good shift up.

“Kildare are a good side. They’ve good targets. They play well with a good shape, they’re obviously well-organised.

“We had our chances too and we didn’t take them and Kildare had a couple of goal chances too and they whizzed by the post.

“I think the best team probably won on the day.”

After Roisin Byrne had opened the scoring with a second-minute point, Emma Conroy responded with a brace at the opposite end to edge Tyrone in front.

However, Kildare, appearing at GAA HQ for the first time since winning last year’s TG4 All-Ireland intermediate championship title, were already showing considerable attacking intent.

And they bagged their first goal on six minutes when Byrne fed the raiding Sullivan for a low finish to the net.

Dead-ball specialists Byrne and Maria Canavan — an extended member of that famous Tyrone family — went on to trade points at either end of the pitch.

But with sunshine making way for driving rain in north Dublin, this showpiece suddenly became less free-flowing in nature.

Nevertheless, a two-point salvo by Canavan got Tyrone back on level terms in the 18th-minute and they then squeezed into the ascendancy again when Sasha Byrne found the target from close-range.

Yet Byrne added a brace of her own just as the conditions started to brighten up again and thanks to Dooley’s superb three-pointer on 27 minutes, Kildare brought a 2-4 to 0-6 cushion into the interval.

Tyrone, who drew with Kildare during the Division 2 group stages, were still in contention on the restart, however, and another clinically-executed Canavan free got them back up and running.

Captain Aoibhinn McHugh also burst through from midfield for a point that shook the woodwork on its way over, before Kildare finally opened their second half account on 41 minutes with a white flag contribution from Trina Duggan.

The ever-dependable Canavan and Lilywhites substitute Lara Curran cancelled each other out with points as the third-quarter drew to a close, only for the Tyrone sharpshooter to once again chip in with a placed ball effort.

Niamh Farrelly later joined Curran in registering a point off the Kildare bench and this was followed by a majestic Ellen Dowling score from out towards the left-wing.

While Canavan brought her personal tally up to 0-8 in the closing moments, a Dooley point ensured that O’Hora’s Lilies had three points to spare in the end.

Scorers – Kildare: N Dooley 1-1, R Byrne 0-4 (2f), C Sullivan 1-0, T Duggan, E Dowling, L Curran, N Farrelly 0-1 each. Tyrone: M Canavan 0-8 (7f), E Conroy 0-2, A McHugh, S Byrne 0-1 each.

KILDARE: M Hulgraine; F Troute, A Clifford, M Doherty; L Murtagh, R Sargent, L Gilbert; G Clifford, H McLoughlin; T Duggan, E Dowling, C Sullivan; N Dooley, R Byrne, A Rattigan.

Subs: N Farrelly for Rattigan (25), E O’Toole for McLoughlin (40), L Curran for Murtagh (43), H Tyrrell for Dowling (53), S Munnelly for Duggan (54).

TYRONE: C Donnelly; J Lyons, J Barrett, E Quinn; C Campbell, E Mulgrew, M Corrigan; A McHugh, M Mallon; EJ Gervin, E Conroy, A Horisk; M Canavan, Z Loughran, S Byrne.

Subs: A Daly for Horisk (19-22), E McCanny for Byrne (45), C Daly for Barrett (48), A Grimes for Conroy (50), A Daly for Horisk (53), KR Muldoon for Corrigan (60).

Referee: Shane Curley (Galway).

Posted in Ladies GAA | Comments Off on LIDL National Football League Division Two Final Follow-Up: Kildare V Tyrone – Media West Ireland – April 8 2024

LIDL National Football League Division One Final: Armagh V Kerry – Ladiesgaelic.ie – April 7 2024

Posted on April 8, 2024 by admin

Glory for Armagh as Mackin and Mallon guide them to first ever league title

Lidl National Football League Division 1 final

Armagh 2-12

 Kerry 2-9

 By Daire Walsh

 Aimee Mackin and Kelly Mallon combined for 1-9 at Croke Park on Sunday as Armagh got the better of defending champions Kerry to claim the Lidl National Football League Division 1 title for the very first time.

Having lost out by three points to the Kingdom in a NFL Division 2 decider at the same venue two years ago, this is a sweet victory for an Armagh side that were also appearing in their maiden top tier league showpiece.

A fine point by Aoife McCoy edged Armagh in front for a second time after free-takers Mallon and Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh had exchanged early frees, but the Kingdom received a massive boost when Lorraine Scanlon fired to the net on 10 minutes after a dead-ball strike from Ní Mhuircheartaigh had dropped short. This was only a minor set-back for Armagh, however, as midfielder Niamh Coleman palmed a goal of her own after Kerry netminder Mary Ellen Bolger had knocked down Mackin’s attempt at a point.

An earlier Mallon score meant Armagh led 1-3 to 1-1 on the first-quarter mark and this cushion was extended when Mallon superbly split the uprights from an acute left-hand angle.

Yet Kerry never allowed panic to creep into their play and three points on the bounce from Ní Mhuircheartaigh had the sides level at 1-4 apiece during the break.

After Mary O’Connell pounced on a defensive mishap by Armagh three minutes into the second half, Niamh Ní Chonchuir comfortably fired home a second Kingdom goal.

While this looked like being a major blow for the Orchard County, but they were instead galvanised in the minutes that followed Ní Chonchuir’s major. After unanswered points from Mallon, Mackin (two) and Niamh Henderson moved Armagh in front once again, the increasingly-dangerous Mackin rifled an unstoppable shot to the roof of the Kerry net on 39 minutes.

Further points from the Shane O’Neills ace either side of the third-quarter mark suddenly left Armagh six ahead, but much-needed contributions from Ní Mhuircheartaigh (two) and Hannah O’Donoghue offered fresh life to the Kingdom challenge.

Their deficit remained at three points when centre half-back Ciara Murphy cancelled out a Mallon free with a well-worked score, but even though Ní Mhuircheartaigh added her seventh point for a battling Kerry, substitute Corrina Doyle also found the range to ensure Armagh sealed a breakthrough success.

 Scorers – Armagh: A Mackin 1-4 (0-2f), K Mallon 0-5 (3f), N Coleman 1-0, A McCoy, N Henderson, C Doyle 0-1 each. Kerry: L Ní Mhuircheartaigh 0-7 (6f), N Ní Chonchuir, L Scanlon 1-0 each, C Murphy, H O’Donoghue 0-1 each.

ARMAGH: A Carr; G Ferguson, C McCambridge, R Mulligan; C Towe, L McConville, D Coleman; N Coleman, C O’Hanlon; E Druse, A McCoy, L Kenny; A Mackin, N Henderson, K Mallon. Subs: S Quigley for N Coleman (24), C Doyle for Druse (49), M McCambridge for Kenny (57), S Grey for McCoy (58), E Lavery for Mallon (59).

KERRY: ME Bolger; C Lynch, D Kearney, E Lynch; A O’Connell, C Murphy, K Cronin; M O’Connell, A Galvin; N Carmody, N Ní Chonchuir, L Scanlon; H O’Donoghue, E Dineen, L Ní Mhuircheartaigh. Subs: D O’Leary for NíChonchuir, C O’Brien for Kearney (both 39), A Harrington for Scanlon (44), K Brosnan for O’Donoghue (57).

Referee: Gus Chapman (Sligo).

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LIDL National Football League Division Two Final: Kildare V Tyrone – Ladiesgaelic.ie – April 7 2024

Posted on April 8, 2024 by admin

Goals from Sullivan and Dooley secure Division 2 title for Kildare

Lidl National Football League Division 2 final

Kildare 2-9

Tyrone 0-12

 By Daire Walsh

First half goals from Claire Sullivan and Neasa Dooley were crucial at Croke Park on Sunday afternoon as Kildare defeated Tyrone to claim their first Lidl National Football League Division 2 crown since 2004.

After Roisin Byrne had opened the scoring with a second-minute point, Emma Conroy responded with a brace at the opposite end to edge Tyrone in front.

However, Kildare, appearing at GAA HQ for the first time since winning last year’s TG4 All-Ireland intermediate championship title, were already showing considerable attacking intent and bagged their first goal on six minutes when Byrne fed the raiding Sullivan for a low finish to the net.

Dead-ball specialists Byrne and Maria Canavan  — an extended member of that famous Tyrone family — went on to trade points at either end of the pitch, but with sunshine making way for driving rain in north Dublin, this showpiece suddenly became less free-flowing in nature.

Nevertheless, a two-point salvo by Canavan got Tyrone back on level terms in the 18th-minute and they then squeezed into the ascendancy again when Sasha Byrne found the target from close-range.

Yet Byrne added a brace of her own just as the conditions started to brighten up again and thanks to Dooley’s superb three-pointer on 27 minutes, Kildare brought a 2-4 to 0-6 cushion into the interval.

Tyrone, who drew with Kildare during the Division 2 group stages, were still in contention on the restart, however, and another clinically-executed Canavan free got them back up and running. Captain Aoibhinn McHugh also burst through from midfield for a point that shook the woodwork on its way over, before Kildare finally opened their second half account on 41 minutes with a white flag contribution from Trina Duggan.

The ever-dependable Canavan and Lilywhites substitute Lara Curran cancelled each other out with points as the third-quarter drew to a close, only for the Tyrone sharpshooter to once again chip in with a placed ball effort.

Niamh Farrelly later joined Curran in registering a point off the Kildare bench and this was followed by a majestic Ellen Dowling score from out towards the left-wing. While Canavan brought her personal tally up to 0-8 in the closing moments, a Dooley point ensured that Diane O’Hora’s Lilies had three points to spare in the end.

Scorers – Kildare: N Dooley 1-1, R Byrne 0-4 (2f), C Sullivan 1-0, T Duggan, E Dowling, L Curran, N Farrelly 0-1 each.Tyrone: M Canavan 0-8 (7f), E Conroy 0-2, A McHugh, S Byrne 0-1 each.

 KILDARE: M Hulgraine; F Troute, A Clifford, M Doherty; L Murtagh, R Sargent, L Gilbert; G Clifford, H McLoughlin; T Duggan, E Dowling, C Sullivan; N Dooley, R Byrne, A Rattigan. Subs: N Farrelly for Rattigan (25), E O’Toole for McLoughlin (40), L Curran for Murtagh (43), H Tyrrell for Dowling (53), S Munnelly for Duggan (54).

TYRONE: C Donnelly; J Lyons, J Barrett, E Quinn; C Campbell, E Mulgrew, M Corrigan; A McHugh, M Mallon; EJ Gervin, E Conroy, A Horisk; M Canavan, Z Loughran, S Byrne. Subs: A Daly for Horisk (19-22), E McCanny for Byrne (45), C Daly for Barrett (48), A Grimes for Conroy (50), A Daly for Horisk (53), KR Muldoon for Corrigan (60).

Referee: Shane Curley (Galway).

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Leinster Build-Up Leicester Tigers Home In European Champions Cup: Leo Cullen – The Irish Sun – April 6 2024

Posted on April 7, 2024 by admin

RUGBY CHAMPIONS CUP 

The fruits of our labour

LEO: WE’LL RELY ON SQUAD

Daire Walsh

LEO CULLEN has full faith in his squad despite missing his influential joint-captains.

James Ryan is expected to be sidelined with an arm injury for another couple of weeks at the very least.

But it was hoped that Garry Ringrose would have shake off a shoulder issue in time to face Leicester in their Champions Cup last-16 bout this evening.

In their absence, Caelan Doris will lead Leinster at the Aviva.

Cullen said:

“This time of the year, that’s just the nature of running a professional rugby team. It’s rare that you are going to have what the outside perception is of your best 23 available.

“You need to be relying on the group that you have, the squad and making sure you plan for these eventualities.”

As it turns out, their opponents Leicester are in much the same boat with England international George Martin ruled out, as well as Wales star Tommy Reffell.

Even with a new head coach added in the summer, Cullen knows what to expect from his former club in their second meeting this season.

He added: “They have pretty good experience across their group, Leicester. Their DNA is their DNA. They have obviously had a change of coach recently enough with Dan McKellar coming in, but they will go back to forward power and trying to disrupt.

“They have a strong kicking game, they kick the most of the teams in the competition now. It tends to suit these types of games, which is more pressure, knockout games.

“We have seen that at the highest level over the last couple of years. We need to make sure we have prepared for certain things in their game.”

Both teams may need to rely on a strong kicking game, due to the presence of Storm Kathleen.

Although Dublin is not one of the five counties expected to have severe winds today, a Status Yellow wind warning is in place for the entire country from 5am until 8pm.

Considering 8pm is also the kick-off time, it is hoped that the worst of the storm will have subsided.

However, should conditions prove to be tricky, Cullen is confident his side will adapt.

He continued: “The weather does play a big part in this game that we play. We’ve got to play in all sorts of conditions. Think back to La Rochelle away. The conditions were pretty horrific that day.

“Out there earlier on and the wind is due to be a lot stronger tomorrow. Supposed to ease a little bit by kick off so we’ll see how that plays out.

“The Aviva is more enclosed depending on what way it comes. One end is a lot more protected than the other end. It has a tendency to swirl in the stadium anyway, which is another dynamic.

“Adaptability, I think, is key. Again, when you get to this knockout stage it’s a consideration because you’d like to play. There’s definitely more a feeling of shelter at the big end. I think it’s does drop a little as the game goes on, but we’ll see how that progresses.”

Posted in European Rugby | Comments Off on Leinster Build-Up Leicester Tigers Home In European Champions Cup: Leo Cullen – The Irish Sun – April 6 2024

LIDL National Football League Division Three Final: Clare V Roscommon – Ladiesgaelic.ie – April 6 2024

Posted on April 6, 2024 by admin

Considine leads the way as Clare capture Division 3 league crown

Lidl National Football League Division 3 final

Clare 1-6

 Roscommon 1-4

 By Daire Walsh

 The impressive Ailish Considine grabbed 1-2 at Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park in Birr on Saturday as Clare held off a late surge from Roscommon to claim the Lidl National Football League Division 3 title.

Having lost out to Kildare after extra-time in last year’s third tier showpiece, Clare got their hands on national silverware in the Offaly venue and will now embark on their TG4 All-Ireland intermediate football championship campaign with renewed confidence.

Unbeaten on their way to this decider — including a group stage draw away to Clare — Roscommon ultimately fell short in their quest for a second Division 3 final success in just three years.

After their goalkeeper Helena Cummins turned away a couple of early goal chances, Roscommon edged in front with a pointed free from Laura Fleming on five minutes. While Clare found it difficult to keep the scoreboard ticking over facing into a stiff breeze, they opened their account in spectacular style on the first-quarter mark.

Known in recent years for their prowess in soccer and Australian Rules football respectively, marauding wing-back Laurie Ryan released Ailish Considine for a smooth low finish beyond the reach of Cummins. This was an early set-back for Roscommon, but Ollie Lennon’s charges had restored parity by the 20th minute with a brace of points from the dependable Fleming.

Although midfielder Aisling Reidy moved Clare back into the driving seat with a point, a fourth successful free from Fleming left the teams on level terms at the break at 1-1 to 0-4 for Roscommon.

It proved to be an initially cagey start to the second half, but it was the team with the elements behind them that eventually created some daylight. Supplementing a 0-2 salvo from the increasingly-influential Ailish Considine — one from play and one from a free — substitute Ciara McCarthy and Reidy also split the uprights to move Clare four clear on 43 minutes.

McCarthy followed up her earlier effort with a sublime pointed free off the outside of her right boot inside the final-quarter and this left them a step closer to claiming their first Division 3 crown since 2011.

An Aisling Hanly goal with just over a minute remaining suddenly brought life back to Roscommon’s challenge, but time ran out for them in their bid for a dramatic comeback triumph.

Scorers – Clare: A Considine 1-2 (0-1f), C McCarthy 0-2 (1f), A Reidy 0-2. Roscommon: A Hanly 1-0, L Fleming 0-4 (4f).

 CLARE: A Lenihan; A Keane, S Ni Chonaill, G Harvey; L Ryan, J Doohan, R Considine; S Considine, A Reidy; L Griffin, C Harvey, A Sexton; T Collins, F Marrinan, A Considine. Subs: C McCarthy for Griffin (39), O Devitt for Sexton (46), L Griffey for Collins (49), K Mullen for R Considine (56).

ROSCOMMON: H Cummins; A McGrath, E Irwin, J McDermott; R Fitzmaurice, S Wynne, C Cregg; L O’Rourke, K Nolan; L Fleming, L Shanagher, A Hanly; A MacAuliffe, A Shanagher, A Feeley. Subs: S Farrell for Feeley (13), N Feeney for MacAuliffe (40), E Thompson for McDermott (42), A O’Connor for Shanagher (51), A Gavin for Nolan (57).

Referee: Barry Redmond (Wexford).

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LIDL National Football League Division Four Final: Carlow V Limerick – Ladiesgaelic.ie – April 6 2024

Posted on April 6, 2024 by admin

O’Neill goal seals Division 4 league crown for Carlow

Lidl National Football League Division 4 final

Carlow 1-7

 Limerick 0-6

 By Daire Walsh

Substitute Maeve O’Neill struck a 55th minute goal at Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park in Birr on Saturday to help Carlow towards a first ever Lidl National Football League Division 4 title.

 Thanks to the presence of Storm Kathleen on these shores, Limerick played with the aid of a gale-force breeze in the opening half of this contest. It took the Treaty women a little while to get up and running, but unanswered scores from wing-back Meadhbh MacNamara, dead-ball specialist Deborah Murphy and Iris Kennelly ultimately gave them a three-point lead on the first-quarter mark.

Although the likes of Aoife Carroll and skipper Ruth Bermingham were performing well in defence, Carlow were struggling to create attacking opportunities when playing against the elements.

Yet the Barrowsiders were able to keep Limerick on their toes with extended spells of possession football and they finally opened their account on 25 minutes as Bennekerry/Tinryland star Cliodhna Ni She split the posts off a close-range free.

This significantly boosted the spirits of their travelling supporters and having managed to keep their Munster counterparts scoreless for 18 minutes, Ed Burke’s side were just two points adrift at 0-3 to 0-1 at the interval.

A wind advantage now in their favour, Carlow levelled matters within three minutes of the restart thanks to a brace of successful frees by the dependable Ni She. Momentum now appeared to be with the Leinster outfit and even though Limerick attempted to batten down the hatches, Roisin Bailey and Rachel Sawyer knocked over quickfire points from play to give Carlow a 0-5 to 0-3 platform on the stroke of 40 minutes.

However, Limerick reduced the deficit to the bare minimum with a second point from Kennelly moments later and subsequently breathed a sigh of relief when Ni She had a goal disallowed from a long-distance free.

Limerick then restored parity through Monagea’s Murphy, only for Ni She’s latest place-ball point to edge Carlow back into the ascendancy in the 48th-minute.

After also scoring a crucial goal in their semi-final victory over Fermanagh, it was then left for the impactful O’Neill to roll a low shot to the net with five minutes remaining on the clock.

Caoimhe McGrath’s pointed free kept Limerick in the hunt, before Bermingham chipped over an excellent score at the death to seal a precious national crown for Carlow.

 Scorers – Carlow: C Ni She 0-4 (4f), M O’Neill 1-0, R Bermingham, R Bailey, R Sawyer 0-1 each. Limerick: D Murphy 0-2 (1f), I Kennelly 0-2, M MacNamara, C McGrath (f) 0-1 each.

 CARLOW: N Hanley; A Carroll, A Roche, S McCullagh; R Bermingham, N Murphy, N Forde; E Hayden, R Bailey; B Nolan, R Sawyer, S Doyle; E Molloy, E Coogan, C Ni She. Subs: S Hayden for McCullagh (h-t), M O’Neill for Coogan (47), T Lyons for Nolan (52), M Townsend for E Hayden (55), E Ware for S Hayden (59).

LIMERICK: C Bateman; J McGuire, Y Lee, F Bradshaw; G Lee, C Mee, M MacNamara; R Ambrose, L Ryan; K O’Leary, D Murphy, K Heelan; E Woulfe, A O’Sullivan, I Kennelly. Subs: G Mullane for Heelan, R Browne for McGuire (both h-t), C McGrath for O’Sullivan (47), K Kennedy for Ryan (55), M Kavanagh for Woulfe (59).

Referee: Declan Carolan (Armagh).

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Ireland Women’s Build-Up To Wales Home In Six Nations Championship: Eve Higgins – The Irish Examiner – April 6 2024

Posted on April 6, 2024 by admin

Eve Higgins excited for Ireland’s Six Nations road trip

“One of the things that us as a team want to do is to get more support and to bring rugby around the country.”
DAIRE WALSH

Despite being in the middle of her third campaign with Ireland, Eve Higgins has admitted it remains surreal to be playing in the Women’s Six Nations.

Having featured prominently on the 7s circuit up to that point, the Lucan native made her Championship debut in 2021 – starting all three games Ireland played in a truncated edition of the tournament that took place at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

She was initially part of the set-up for the 2022 Six Nations, before eventually returning to the 7s programme in the aftermath of a third round win over Italy.

While she also wasn’t involved last year when they finished at the foot of the Championship table, Higgins played a key role last October as Ireland claimed the inaugural WXV 3 title in Dubai. The Railway Union star is also aiding the 15s cause in 2024 and is set to make her third consecutive appearance of this year’s Six Nations against Wales next weekend.

“It’s amazing, it’s something different. My first Six Nations was during Covid, so it was very weird. I didn’t really get the full sense of it,” Higgins acknowledged at a virtual press conference on Thursday.

“Since I started playing rugby when I was younger, something I look forward to every year is watching the Six Nations. Still I find it surreal playing in it and it’s an amazing experience.”

Having scored her first international try at 15s level in the previous round against France, Higgins also crossed the whitewash in that aforementioned 29-8 triumph over Italy back in April 2022. This encounter took place at Virgin Media Park in Cork and it is there that Ireland will entertain Wales next Saturday (April 13th) at 4.45pm.

This comes on the back of playing the Italians at the RDS – in front of a record crowd for a standalone Women’s Six Nations game on these shores – and there is also a final round meeting with Scotland at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast to look forward to on April 27.

Given the Irish players are eager to grow their support base, Higgins is fully on board with the idea of spreading home games around the island.

“It’s actually brilliant. One of the things that us as a team want to do is to get more support and to bring rugby around the country. To inspire young people. Not just girls, but boys as well.

“A way of doing that is to actually go into different areas of the country and it’s something that is really exciting. With the record crowd there last week, there’s no reason why we can’t keep bringing it into Musgrave and then later on in Kingspan.”

After linking up to good effect at times with Aoife Dalton in an opening round reversal to France in Le Mans, Higgins was joined in the Irish midfield by Enya Breen for their 27-21 loss against Italy at the RDS last weekend.

A native of Skibbereen, Breen had been away from the international game since injuring her knee away to Wales in the opening round of last year’s Championship and Higgins was thrilled to see her making a strong impact on her return to the fold.

“I think everyone in the squad can say that we were happy and so proud to see her because we have seen her for the last year rehabbing to get back. I think it showed in the fact that in the first 10 minutes she had so many great involvements. It was as if she didn’t have a year out in rehab, so it is not surprising to us how amazing she played,” Higgins added.

Posted in International Rugby, Women's Rugby | Comments Off on Ireland Women’s Build-Up To Wales Home In Six Nations Championship: Eve Higgins – The Irish Examiner – April 6 2024

The Big Interview: Joanna Doohan (Clare/Kilmurry Ibrickane) – Media West Ireland – April 6 2024

Posted on April 6, 2024 by admin

‘They were up for it in that game in February’ – Clare’s Joanna Doohan ready for Roscommon challenge

Daire Walsh

After gradually coming to grips with the pressures and demands of the inter-county game during the past three years, 2024 has seen Kilmurry Ibrickane’s Joanna Doohan establishing herself as a key figure for the Clare ladies footballers.

An All-Ireland Minor ‘C’ Football Championship winner with the Banner County back in 2022, Doohan first sampled life in Clare’s adult ranks with substitute appearances against Kerry and Meath in Division 2 of the Lidl National Football League a year earlier. While she did go on to start the occasional game across the two seasons that followed, it wasn’t until this year’s NFL Division 3 campaign that Doohan properly nailed down a starting spot for her native county.

With team captain Caoimhe Harvey relocated to a more advanced position, a place opened up at centre half-back in the Banner side. Although she had mainly been used as either a midfielder or a half-forward previously, Doohan has made the number six jersey her own throughout this year’s third-tier.

She is set to fulfil this pivotal defensive role at Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park in Birr later today as Clare face off against Roscommon in a Lidl NFL Division 3 decider (throw-in 4pm).

“I’m delighted and honoured really to be playing in centre-back. It’s big shoes to fill. Caoimhe Harvey was there last year and she was very good for us. Big shoes to fill, but I’m enjoying it. The lads are very encouraging and all the girls are very encouraging as well. I’m really enjoying being part of the starting team this year,” Doohan said of her 2024 to date.

Whereas Clare entered last year’s Division 3 showpiece against Kildare at Parnell Park needing a win in order to gain promotion to the second-tier of the NFL, a new structure ensures that both themselves and Roscommon are already assured of spots in next season’s Division 2 before their meeting in Offaly this afternoon.

Posted in Ladies GAA | Comments Off on The Big Interview: Joanna Doohan (Clare/Kilmurry Ibrickane) – Media West Ireland – April 6 2024

Leinster Build-Up To Leicester Tigers Home In European Champions Cup: Joe McCarthy – The Irish Sun – April 5 2024

Posted on April 5, 2024 by admin
THREE, TRY, FOE, SCRUM

Joe McCarthy admits Leinster chasing Six Nations redemption from familiar faces against Leicester in Champions Cup

Joe McCarthy will square up against a trio of stars who helped England to victory over Ireland in the Six Nations
Daire Walsh

JOE McCARTHY could be surrounded by a trio of familiar faces when Leinster host Leicester tomorrow evening.

Having faced the Tigers in the pool stages of this season’s Champions Cup — touching down in a 27-10 victory at Welford Road — the 6ft  6in giant lock came up against Leicester’s George Martin, Ollie Chessum and Dan Cole when Ireland lost to England in the Six Nations last month.

McCarthy, 23, said: “They’re different teams but there’s obviously a lot of players who played in that game. We take a bit of confidence from that. It’s a very separate game, but we’ll be looking to go out and put a bit of a statement in this game.”

The former Blackrock College student had a compelling battle with Martin in the second row during the England encounter.

Much of the same will be expected if both men are selected at the Aviva Stadium.

Yet the motivation for McCarthy and Leinster will centre around the team performance in this last-16 clash. He added: “It’s very different, you’re playing for Leinster.

“They still play a bit differently, even though there’s aspects obviously with the English players, but we haven’t really spoken about that.

“It’s a knockout game for the Champions Cup, so I don’t need much more added motivation. We’re looking to just try and win, because we want to win the Champions Cup.

“All focus is on just winning this game. I find you can’t get too involved and overthink individual battles because it’s a team performance you’re looking to get.”

McCarthy has had an eventful few months in green. Having failed to claim major silverware with Leinster since making his debut in January 2022, he has played a major role in Ireland winning back-to-back Six Nations titles.

While he was named in the squad for last year’s campaign, an ankle injury sustained after being released back to the province between rounds meant he did not play a part in the Grand Slam success.

However, he lined out twice at last year’s World Cup and on the back of his provincial form, started all five games in this year’s Six Nations.

He was named man of the match on his competition debut in the opening-night victory over France.

McCarthy said: “To play in every game is class, it’s exactly what you want.

“I have had a few campaigns within the Ireland camp and it’s still class, because you get all the coaching.

“You get all the bits when you’re in the squad but you don’t actually get to be there on match-days much.

“To get backed by the coaches was unbelievable for the five games, it was class.

“I felt like I got a lot better and probably got a lot more confidence after playing against those European nations. I felt good after.”

Posted in European Rugby | Comments Off on Leinster Build-Up To Leicester Tigers Home In European Champions Cup: Joe McCarthy – The Irish Sun – April 5 2024

Ireland Women’s Build-Up To Wales Home In Six Nations Championship: Scott Bemand – The Irish Examiner – April 5 2024

Posted on April 5, 2024 by admin

Scott Bemand wants to bring growing support on his side’s journey

Bemand is encouraged by the fact there is growing support amongst the general public for his charges.
DAIRE WALSH

Having seen his side attract a record crowd for a standalone Women’s Six Nations game on these shores last weekend, Ireland head coach Scott Bemand is hoping for another big atmosphere when Wales pay a visit to Cork’s Virgin Media Park tomorrow week (April 13).

Surpassing the previous tally of 6,113 that was set when they faced the Welsh in the same venue two years earlier, Ireland’s Easter Sunday clash with Italy at the RDS saw 6,605 spectators passing through the turnstiles.

While the hosts ultimately fell short to Giovanni Raineri’s Italian outfit, Bemand is encouraged by the fact there is growing support amongst the general public for his charges.

He was still employed as England’s lead coach when 5,309 followers descended upon Virgin Media Park for their fourth round win over Ireland in last year’s Championship and with the Leeside venue’s official capacity stands at 8,008, tomorrow week’s game could go close to matching the new record attendance.

“We want to take people along with us. We want to give people something to shout about. I know we didn’t get the result we wanted last weekend, but in terms of performance and the game having moments in it that could really let an Irish crowd get behind their team, we’d love to see it again,” Bemand remarked in a video call yesterday.

“We’d love to see a full, packed out stadium. We want to see noise, we want to see flags, we want atmosphere. It’s something we’re really conscious of, taking it around the country. Hopefully we can put on another show and get a real bit of noise behind us.”

Despite losing out to France and Italy in the opening two rounds of this year’s Six Nations, Bemand remains in a relatively upbeat mood ahead of their meeting with Wales – who have suffered consecutive losses of their own to Scotland and England thus far in the 2024 Championship.

“When you review a game, you generally look at stuff that you need to fix to get the best version of you out there, but you know where it’s going. We know what we’re going into in two weeks, we know the situation that we’re both in,” Bemand added.

“We talk about being an honest group and we talk about wanting to walk towards pressure, so we’ll enjoy this week getting it right. We’ll enjoy next week, attacking the build-up to Wales and we’ll enjoy inviting Wales over to our shores.”

Posted in International Rugby, Women's Rugby | Comments Off on Ireland Women’s Build-Up To Wales Home In Six Nations Championship: Scott Bemand – The Irish Examiner – April 5 2024