Home Blog Page 190

Most Supported Premier League Teams in Ireland

Whilst lots of Irish soccer fans are ardent fans of their local clubs, such as Shamrock Rovers, Bohs or Dundalk there’s also a massive following of Premier League teams.

This isn’t too surprising, as it’s the most watched league worldwide. Besides that though, nearly every English team has had many industrious and talented Irish players throughout the years, which makes them compelling viewing for fans of the Irish national side. 

Plus, it’s just an incredibly exciting competition to indulge in, with the current situation in the English Premier League being exhilarating, both in the title-race at the top, and in the battle to avoid relegation down at the bottom. So, here’s a quick look at some of the most supported Premier League teams in Ireland. 

Liverpool

The ties between Liverpool and Ireland go back centuries, and historically, the ferry that runs between Dublin and the city in northern England was the major connection between the two countries. Additionally, in the 1850s, almost 40% of the population of Liverpool was Irish. 

This enduring link has led to an immense number of Liverpool supporters, but it has also been helped by the fact that the team was so successful for so long in the 70’s and ’80s, drawing many eyes to Anfield, as they romped to multiple league titles, and sustained European glory. 

There were also several Irish national players in those triumphant teams, including the left-midfielder, Steve Heighway, who made 329 appearances for Liverpool between 1970 and 1981, and whose name is still belted out on the Kop to this day. It’s not just resigned to history though, that the Reds have Irish players turning out for them, as they currently have a young keeper, who shows amazing potential. In fact, this season, Ireland’s Caoimhin Kelleher was the hero as Liverpool won the League Cup on penalties. 

Manchester United

The red side of Manchester are a club that have featured some of the crown jewels of the Irish soccer world, so it’s no wonder that you’ll find a plethora of Manchester United shirts plastered across the country. Stars such as Denis Irwin, who was a tenacious left-back, Roy Keane, who cemented the tough-tackling midfield role, and of course, the genius silky winger, George Best, have all made Old Trafford their home away from home. 

Unfortunately for their numerous fans, the club have struggled recently to reach the stratospheric heights they soared in the 1990’s and 2000’s, when they dominated the league, winning an immense thirteen titles between 1992 and 2012. Of course, this was all under the meticulous management of Sir Alex Ferguson, who left the club in 2013, for a much deserved retirement. 

He now, happily, spends his days watching horse-racing all around the world. Interestingly, he never used to be into the sport, and used to ban his players from watching it, according to a recent reveal by Gary Pallister, who played for United from 1989 to 1998. It’s Ferguson’s passion currently though, and he even owns several race-horses. 

If, like Fergie, you enjoy the races, and even partake in a bet or two, then you’ll be after SBO.net, as they feature the best betting horse racing sites in the UK, as well as Ireland. They offer detailed information on all the different types of bets possible in horse-racing, as well as providing top tips from their knowledgeable experts. Not to mention, there are masses of sign-up offers that will have you smiling before your race even begins.    

Chelsea 

This London club’s rampant success since 2003, when they were taken over by Roman Abramovich, has seen them become one of the most supported teams worldwide, and that’s no different in Ireland.

The blue shirts of Chelsea are now seen up and down the country, especially on people under thirty. This will be particularly perplexing to older soccer fans, as Stamford Bridge was rather renowned for not being particularly welcoming to Irish people, especially in the 80’s and 90’s. 

In fairness though, the club have cleaned up their image a lot in recent times, making them a much more attractive option. Plus, they had the magic of Irishman Damien Duff, who used to fly down their touchline between 2003 and 2006, helping them win their first league title since the fifties.

Dublin v Laois – Preview and Starting teams – Start time 6:30pm

Dublin v Laois – Preview and Starting teams – Start time 6:30pm

It’s their third championship meeting in four seasons, with Dublin having won a  Leinster quarter-final in 2020 and Laois winning an All-Ireland preliminary  quarter-final in 2019. 

LAST FIVE CHAMPIONSHIP MEETINGS 

2020: Dublin 2-31 Laois 0-23 (Leinster quarter-final) 

2019: Laois 1-22 Dublin 0-23 (All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final) 2017: Dublin 2-28 Laois 1-15 (All-Ireland qualifiers) 

2015: Dublin 4-17 Laois 0-19 (All-Ireland qualifiers)

2012: Dublin 3-23 Laois 1-7 (Leinster quarter-final) 

Dublin’s record in the Leinster ‘round robin’ in 2018-2019 reads: Played 8;  Won 3; Drew 1, Lost 4. Laois are in the ‘round robin’ for the first time. 

Dublin finished third in Group B of the Allianz League (3 wins, 1 defeat, 1  draw); Laois finished fifth (1 win, 4 defeats). Dublin beat Laois by 2-31 to 1-24  in Round 5. 

Westmeath v Kilkenny – Preview & starting teams – Start time 6pm

Westmath v Kilkenny – Preview & starting teams – Start time 6pm, Brian Cody leads Kilkenny into the championship for a 24th successive year.

WESTMEATH v KILKENNY
They meet in the championship for the first time since 2006 when Kilkenny won the Leinster semi-final by 14 points. Westmeath have never beaten Kilkenny in the Leinster championship.

LAST FIVE CHAMPIONSHIP MEETINGS
2006: Kilkenny 1-23 Westmeath 1-9
1989: Kilkenny 4-29 Westmeath 3-5
1987: Kilkenny 4-20 Westmeath 4-5
1985: Kilkenny 1-30 Westmeath 1-10
1982: Kilkenny 7-31 Westmeath 0-13
*#

Westmeath are back in the Leinster championship for the first time since 2017 when they reached the quarter-finals, via a ‘round robin.’ They lost to Offaly in the quarter-final.

Brian Cody leads Kilkenny into the championship for a 24th successive year. He played against Westmeath twice in the championship in 1976 and 1982.

Westmeath are playing in the Leinster ‘round robin’ for the first time. Kilkenny’s ‘round robin’ record in 2018-2019 reads: Played 8; Won 5; Drew 1; Lost 2. They lost the 2018 final to Galway and the 2019 final to Wexford.

Kilkenny finished top of Group B in this year’s Allianz League (Div 1), having won four and lost one of five games. They lost the semi-final to Cork. Westmeath won five of seven games in 2A, earning them promotion to Division 1.

 

Galway v Wexford – Preview and Stating teams – Start time 4:30 Saturday

Galway v Wexford – Preview and Stating teams – Start time 4:30 Saturday. This is the first match in the Leinster Hurling championship.

GALWAY v WEXFORD 

This will be the 14th championship clash between the counties, with Wexford  having six wins to Galway’s five while there were two draws from the previous  thirteen. 

LAST FIVE CHAMPIONSHIP MEETINGS 

2020: Galway 1-27 Wexford 0-17 (Leinster quarter-final) 

2019: Galway 0-16 Wexford 0-16 (Leinster ‘round robin’) 

2018: Galway 1-23 Wexford 0-17 (Leinster ‘round robin’) 

2017: Galway 0-29 Wexford 1-17 (Leinster final) 

2010: Galway 2-22 Wexford 1-14 (Leinster quarter-final) 

Wexford are seeking their first win over Galway in the championship since  1996, which was also the last time they won the All-Ireland title. 

Wexford beat Galway (2-15 to 0-15) in this year’s Allianz Hurling League clash  in Pearse Stadium in February. Wexford won all five games in Group A before  losing the semi-final to Waterford. Galway finished third in 1A, winning three  and losing two of their five games. 

Goals have been scarce in recent Galway-Wexford championship games. The  last four games in 2017-18-19-20 produced only three goals (2-1 to Galway). 

Managing in the championship is new to Galway boss, Henry Shefflin, who is  in his first season but he has plenty experience of playing against the Model  county. He featured on eleven Kilkenny teams that played Wexford in the  championship, winning ten. The only defeat was in the 2004 Leinster semi final. 

How they fared in the previous Leinster ‘round robin’ championships in 2018- 2019 (excluding finals):  

Galway: Played 8; Won 6, Drew 1; Lost 1.  

Wexford: Played 8; Won 3, Drew 3, Lost 2 

Galway won the 2018 final; Wexford won the 2019 final.

Starting teams

Wexford

Galway

London v Leitrim – Preview, Starting teams – Start time 2:30pm Sunday

It’s the opening game of the Connacht championship and we preview London v Leitrim, we also have starting teams and start times. 

LONDON v LEITRIM 2:30pm Sunday

London return to Connacht championship action for the first time in three years, having had to withdraw due to Covid in 2020-21. 

LAST FIVE CHAMPIONSHIP MEETINGS 

2017: Leitrim 3-10 London 0-16 (Connacht 1st round) 

2013: London 2-11 Leitrim 1-13 (Connacht semi-final) Replay 

2013: Leitrim 0-13 London 2-7 (Connacht semi-final) 

2012: Leitrim 0-12 London 1-8 (Connacht 1st round) 

2007: Leitrim 1-12 London 2-5 (Connacht 1st round) 

London beat Leitrim by 2-5 to 0-9 in their Division 4 clash in February. 

Championship games between London and Leitrim have been very close affairs in recent  times. Leitrim have won three of the last five by an average of 2.6 points; London won one  by a point while another was drawn. 

Sunday’s winners will play Galway or Mayo in the semi-final.

Connacht Championship fixtures

Quarter-finals: April 17: London v Leitrim; New York v Sligo; April 24: Mayo v Galway Semi-finals: May 1: Roscommon v Sligo/NewYork; May 8: Mayo/Galway v London/Leitrim Final: May 29

Fermanagh v Tyrone – Video Preview and starting teams – Start time 6:30pm Saturday

All Ireland champions Tyrone start the 2022 football championship away to Fermanagh, we preview the match and have the starting teams. 

They played in the last game of the 2021 GAA All-Ireland football championship, crowning a  great season with a win over Mayo in the final, and Tyrone will now feature in the opening game of the 2022 season when they play Fermanagh in the Ulster first round in Enniskillen on  Saturday.

Connacht quarter-finals: London v Leitrim, McGovern Park, Ruislip, 2.30; New York v Sligo,  Gaelic Park, 7.30 (Irish time) 

FERMANAGH v TYRONE 

They meet for the first time in the Ulster championship since 2007 when Tyrone won a quarter-final by 0-13 to 1-9. 

LAST FIVE CHAMPIONSHIP MEETINGS 

2007: Tyrone 0-13 Fermanagh 1-9  

2004: Tyrone 1-13 Fermanagh 0-12 

2003: Tyrone 1-21 Fermanagh 0-5 

1999: Tyrone 0-18 Fermanagh 0-8 

1996: Tyrone 1-18 Fermanagh 0-9 

Fermanagh are seeking their first Ulster championship win over Tyrone for 40 years. They beat Tyrone by 1-8 to 0-10 in the 1982 Ulster final before losing to Armagh in the final.

Tyrone finished fifth in Division 1 in this year’s Allianz Football League (P7, W3, D1, L3);  Fermanagh finished fifth in Division 3 (P7, W2, D2, L3). 

Championship games between Fermanagh and Tyrone tend to produce few goals. The last eight games have had only eight goals. Neither team scored two goals in any of those games. The last time two goals were scored by one team was in 1968 when Fermanagh beat Tyrone by 2-8 to 0-8. 

 

STARTING TEAMS

Fermanagh: Not announced

Tyrone: Not announced

Sam Waley-Cohen on returning to work on Monday after winning Grand National

Amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen insists he will not go back on his decision to retire but admits watching someone else ride his Randox Grand National winning horse Noble Yeats will “feel like a girlfriend going off with someone else”.

The 39 year old revealed last week that his ride in Saturday’s race would be his last and despite winning the most famous steeplechase in the world he will be back at his desk on Monday morning.

Waley-Cohen, who won Saturday’s Grand National on the 50-1 chance his father Robert owns, founded dental firm Portman Healthcare in 2008 and remains its CEO.

The family were planning to fly to Ireland today (Sunday) to see Noble Yeats and trainer Emmet Mullins, who won the race with his first ever runner.

Speaking to The Jockey Club, Waley-Cohen explained: “I’ll 100% be back to work on Monday! Life keeps moving and one of the things that I’ve learned is things like these are incredible highs and you’ve got to have a steady reintroduction back into life, otherwise the down is too severe, so it’s actually quite helpful to get on with things.

“I’ll be in the office and we’ve got a conference in Manchester on Tuesday and I’ll be there so it’s just onwards really. It’s great and there’s nothing better than having people there to support you.”

Despite victory at Aintree on Saturday being the culmination of years of hard work and his 10th attempt in the Grand National, he stresses he is not tempted to come out of retirement.

Asked what it will be like to watch other jockeys wear the colours of his racehorse owner father Robert and even ride his Grand National-winning horse, he said: “Other jockeys have carried my dad’s colours before. Work is that busy that I haven’t been able to ride every horse.

“When you have a horse like Noble Yeats it’s going to feel like a girlfriend going off with someone else I suppose!

“In this situation though it’s all with pleasure, they’re family days and you can still enjoy it as a family day even if you’re not riding.”

There were also no wild parties afterwards – just a long trip home in the car with Annabel, 40, at the wheel and the chance to read messages of congratulations on his phone.

Waley-Cohen, who is now the only amateur rider ever to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National, added: “To be honest it was a long journey home!

“We ended up sat in a traffic jam so I had a chance to read my messages and there was so much goodwill after it and so many incredible messages. I enjoyed watching the replays and replying to people and enjoying it really.

“It feels different to winning the Gold Cup on Long Run and you get a real sense that this is the people’s race. The Grand National captures everybody’s imagination in a different way to the Gold Cup and you just get the sense of the excitement. It feels like lots of people have really enjoyed the story, which is very special.

“My phone is burning red hot! It’s so nice because I’ve had so many nice messages and so many kind words and that’s actually what you remember in the long term I think.

“I watched the race back with the social media guys at The Jockey Club at the racecourse before heading home. I had actually walked the course to give some tips to one of the jockeys Alice (Stevens) who hadn’t ridden it before on the Thursday.

“They recorded all that and then on the Saturday they said to me they weren’t really expecting that to be a chat from the Grand National-winning jockey! I’ve seen the race back and we certainly got lucky, what a charmed run round!”

Many of Waley-Cohen’s family and friends were there to see history being made, including wife Annabel and his children Max, nine, Scarlet, six, and two year old Xander.

However, there were exceptions, including his sister who was abroad and his brother Thomas, who tragically died of cancer aged 20 in 2004.

He added: “My sister was sadly away on a holiday which she’d booked and had kept being moved back due to the pandemic so unfortunately she couldn’t make it, but it was pretty much a full family affair other than that.

“My kids will never forget it and I think the older two are just completely overwhelmed by it. It was a surreal experience and you couldn’t get bigger than that so they’ll spend a long time hunting for another day like it!

“They loved it and we’ve had a good family day today, enjoying breakfast with the trophy on the table! We’ll definitely have pictures all around the house for years to come.

“Days like those are family days and as a family if somebody is not there it’s very noticeable. Your mind always goes to Thomas on these days, but it’s joy of happiness and also a little bit of reflection.

“Dad’s trying to get everything organised so we’re going to see if we can’t get ourselves over to Ireland in time for this evening’s ‘homecoming’.”

Despite the race being worth £1 million in total prize money and the winning jockey usually receiving around £50,000, Waley-Cohen receives nothing as an amateur.

However, he did explain that the money is not lost and will be put to good use instead, along with prize money he won in 2011 for his Cheltenham Gold Cup win and victory in the Becher Chase at Aintree with Oscar Time in 2014.

He said: “I don’t get a share of the prize money as an amateur rider but I think a good chunk of it goes to the Amateur Jockeys Association, so they’ve probably had more days in the sun from each of Long Run, Oscar Time and Noble Yeats than they budgeted for!”

In a separate interview this morning on Sky Sports Racing, Waley-Cohen insisted it had still not sunk in that he can now call himself a Grand National-winning jockey.

He explained: “To be honest we’re still waiting to wake up from it! We’re pinching ourselves and asking ourselves if it’s true, so it’s a bit of a fantasy and it doesn’t feel like it actually came off.

“Life keeps rolling and we took a kids out for a ride this morning to escape some of the interest and enjoy the sunshine and let it all sink in.

“I think from the moment I arrived on the course I felt swept along by the amount of goodwill and people being really generous about me, saying I was going to retire and saying well done and to enjoy everything – so it was a special day even before the race. People were so generous with their thoughts and their well wishes and that very much swept us along.”

Talking more about his brother’s death 18 years ago, Waley-Cohen added: “I was riding before Thomas died but suddenly when Liberthine won at Cheltenham in 2005 that was probably the first really good thing that happened since he had died and it really did bring us all together, so the racing was a bit of a totum to all gather and to have days at the races together with a joint interest.

“It’s something that we’ve enjoyed and sometimes commiserated around but always together whatever the outcome and that’s what’s been special about it.

“Dad had horses before I was riding and he rode. We’re breeding some horses at home now and we’ve got Liberthine here amongst others, so it’s an addiction that’s hard to get away from and it’s something that we can continue to enjoy together and we’ll carry on doing that.

“I don’t have an immediate replacement (for the thrill of race riding) but life is full on as an entrepreneur, sportsman and family man – it’s really intense so it’s quite nice to catch your breath for a second. I think when you want to live life and you look for interests in life they find you, so I don’t think I’ll be sitting there bored.”

Waley-Cohen also revealed why had not turned professional during his career.

He said: “I have nothing but admiration for the professional jockeys – it’s an unbelievably tough life being on the road so much while also having the pressure and the injuries.

“Yes, there are successes but there’s an incredible hardness that they have to have and for me I wanted to do the sport for the love of it. I never wanted to win a race and think about the money.

“I wanted to be involved in racing for every bit of the experience, whether it was for a point to point where there’s no money to speak of or whether it was the Gold Cup – that was irrelevant to me.

“I think as soon as you go professional it inevitably becomes about earning a living and it’s about the money. You can’t escape from that to some extent and I thought that would change the sport for me. I was in a position where I had a business as an entrepreneur that I wanted to pursue and it allowed me to do both things.”

Punchestown Festival Champions Hurdle – Honeysuckle v Constitution Hill

A stupendous catalogue of some of jump racing’s most lustrous talents feature as the entries for the Punchestown Festival’s 12 Grade 1 races are released today.

Anticipation is building for what is being billed as ‘The Great Comeback’ as the five-day Punchestown Festival gets under way on Tuesday, April 26 and continues right through to Saturday, April 30.

Quality is the watchword throughout all the categories, as a host of previous Grade 1 winners, Cheltenham and Aintree victors, elite champions and stars of the future eye the Punchestown Festival to bring the curtain down on another thrilling season of jumps racing.
The dream heavyweight clash between record-breaking champion, dual Champion Hurdle winner and 2021 PADDY POWER CHAMPION HURDLE victor Honeysuckle and the pretender to her throne, Constitution Hill is still in the pipeline.

The eye is drawn to a host of delectable treats right through the five-day carnival but the prospect of HoneyHill unfolding at such an arena and with so much at stake has the entire racing world on tenterhooks.

The Friday, April 29 feature has attracted ten entries in total, with Henderson also opting to give an entry to Epatante, Honeysuckle’s predecessor as Cheltenham Champion Hurdle winner, who chased her home in March before recording an impressive triumph in the Aintree Hurdle on Saturday.

Gordon Elliott has entered Teahupoo and Zanahiyr. The former disappointed in the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle when hotly fancied, Zanahiyr was a brave third before falling at the last flight in the Aintree Hurdle when still in contention.

Elliott has enjoyed a very strong campaign, with five domestic Grade 1s, two Cheltenham successes and then Saturday’s stunning Grade 1 double at Aintree, on the same day that Delta Work finished third in the Grand National.

He has many fond memories of the Punchestown Festival and emphasises it as a high priority in his year.

“We’ve made entries for all the Grade 1 races at Punchestown and we will be well represented throughout the week,” said Elliott.

“It’s our season-ending Festival in Ireland and a fantastic five days. We’ve had a bit of luck there in the past and hopefully we can finish the season off with a high. It’s where my owners want to have runners and it’s where I want to have runners.

“We had two winners at Cheltenham and two Grade 1 winners at Aintree and the horses have been running well. We haven’t always had the best of luck in the last few weeks but a lot of the horses that weren’t winning were hitting the crossbar and finishing second so it was brilliant to have the couple of big winners at Aintree and see Delta Work and Escaria Ten run so well in the National itself.

“We’ve had some great days at Punchestown. It’s a brilliant place and they’ve a great team there on the track and behind the scenes and they provide beautiful ground which is so important at this time of year.

“My memories of Punchestown go way back. I won the Grade 1 Champion Bumper there on King’s Road in 1998 for Nigel Twiston-Davies. For me to win a Grade 1 as a jockey was a brilliant thrill and that was another great day… that wasn’t today or yesterday though!
“We won the race with Fayonagh then in 2017 when she did the Cheltenham/Punchestown double which was another great day. She was a special mare.

“I’ll never forget the day Don Cossack won the Punchestown Gold Cup there in 2015. I had made no secret of how much I thought of Don Cossack and he showed how tough and talented he was that day after being third at Cheltenham and winning at Aintree he still came back and put up one of his best performances to date to win at Punchestown.”
Three Stripe Life was among Elliott’s Liverpool leviathans and the six-year-old is included a stellar line-up in Friday’s other Grade 1, the ALANNA HOMES CHAMPION NOVICE HURDLE, where he could be joined by Minella Crooner, who is also among the IRISH MIRROR NOVICE HURDLE entries.

“I’d hope to have a runner in each of the novice hurdles. Three Stripe Life was brilliant at Aintree and will go over fences next season so he might take in Punchestown but again, he’ll tell us over the next few days. He’s a horse to really look forward to next season.
“Minella Crooner has options of the Alanna Homes and the Irish Mirror Novice Hurdles. It was disappointing that he picked up a setback just before Cheltenham but it was very minor. We were just forced to miss a few days with him at the wrong time but he’ll go to Punchestown fresh now and I’ve been happy with him in the last couple of weeks and I’m looking forward to getting him back out.”

Sir Gerhard denied Three Stripe Life at Grade 1 level at the Dublin Racing Festival and Cheltenham and he is also included in the entries for the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle. Other top-tier victors from the Willie Mullins yard, The Nice Guy and Minella Cocooner could also line up, while Aintree Grade 1 winner Jonbon is another possibility to represent Nicky Henderson and champion owner, JP McManus.

The Punchestown Festival kicks into gear on Tuesday, April 26 with three Grade 1s, the BECTIVE STUD CHAMPION NOVICE HURDLE starting it all off. Constitution Hill, Sir Gerhard, Three Stripe Life and Jonbon hold entries in this contest too, while County Hurdle winner State Man would be an intriguing contender.

Three Stripe Life’s fellow Cullentra inmate, Mighty Potter got the better of him in the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas but will be on the redemption trail after being pulled up in the Supreme at Cheltenham.
“Mighty Potter didn’t run his race at Cheltenham but has come home well and he’ll definitely go to Punchestown and I’d love to have a big winner there for his owners, Andrew and Gemma Brown.
“We also have Fil Dor for them as well and he’ll go for the BALLYMORE CHAMPION FOUR-YEAR-OLD HURDLE on the Saturday. He has to try turn the tables with Vauban, who beat him at Cheltenham and the Dublin Racing Festival but we’ll give it a go. Punchestown is a different type of test and if he can run his race we’d be delighted.”

Tuesday’s other Grade 1s include the DOOLEY INSURANCE CHAMPION NOVICE CHASE and WILLIAM HILL CHAMPION CHASE.

The latter may only have attracted seven entries but it offers the likelihood of the Cheltenham champion Energumene resuming rivalries with his Closutton stablemate Chacun Pour Soi, who came a cropper five out at Prestbury Park and has a fantastic Punchestown Festival record. Another stablemate, Ryanair Chase winner Allaho is also included, along with the Joseph O’Brien-trained Aintree Grade 1 winner Fakir D’oudairies.
Meanwhile, the DOOLEY INSURANCE NOVICE CHAMPION CHASE offers the possibility of a fantastic rematch between Galopin Des Champs and Bob Olinger, with the former having fallen at the last with the Turners Novice Chase at his mercy. Bob Olinger picked up the pieces but was reported afterwards by trainer Henry de Bromhead to have suffered a muscle injury.
There are three more Grade 1 prizes up for grabs on Wednesday, April 27, the most sumptuous dish on the menu perhaps being the LADBROKES PUNCHESTOWN GOLD CUP, which features the Paul Nicholls-trained defending champion, Clan Des Obeaux attempting a remarkable ‘Double Double’, having repeated his Betway Bowl success of 12 months ago at Aintree last week. His bold, front-running effort in the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup last year was one of the highlights of the entire week.
Dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Al Boum Photo was a length-and-a-half second on that occasion is likely to be back in the fray, as is his Cheltenham successor Minella Indo, who finished second in this year’s renewal to stablemate, A Plus Tard.
Another Grade 1-winning chaser set to take part is the Gordon Elliott-prepped Galvin, who finished just two and a half lengths behind Minella Indo in fourth last month. Elliott has also given an entry to Delta Work, who followed his Cross-Country Chase defeat of Tiger Roll with a very brave run in Saturday’s Grand National.

“Galvin is in the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup and hopefully he’ll go there,” Elliott revealed.
“He kept answering every call for us this season and earned his crack at the Gold Cup. He ran well, he finished fourth and if we can freshen him up and get him back to Punchestown in good order he has some very solid form and it would be nice to give him another go at a race like that before he goes on his summer holidays. Delta Work has probably done enough for the season but we’ll have a chat with Michael and Eddie. They are very sporting in how they make their entries and they’ll let the horse tell us how he is closer to the time.”
The RACE & STAY AT PUNCHESTOWN INH FLAT RACE offers the possibility of another interesting reunion in the form of exciting Cheltenham Champion Bumper Facile Vega and American Mike, who was a valiant runner-up.

Sire Du Berlais put up a career best performance in claiming the scalp of dual Stayers’ Hurdle hero Flooring Porter at Aintree on Saturday and Elliott will see how JP McManus’s two-time Cheltenham Festival winner recovers from those exertions before deciding whether he takes on the likes of his Coral Cup-winning stablemate Commander Of Fleet, as well as Klassical Dream, Thyme Hill and the Emma Lavelle-trained former champion stayer, Paisley Park in the LADBROKES CHAMPION STAYERS HURDLE on Thursday, April 28.
“Sire Du Berlais probably did surprise me a small bit but he had the form to put up that type of performance and it was great to get him back to that,” Elliott enthused.

“He beat a very good horse in Flooring Porter and we were delighted. He is in the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers at Punchestown and we’ll just see how he comes home from Liverpool over the next few days and I’ll speak with JP McManus and Frank Berry and we’ll see what we do.

“We’ve got Commander Of Fleet in there as well and he deserves to take his chance after Cheltenham. He is a horse we’ve always liked and he was good and tough in Cheltenham and is on the ticket for Punchestown.”

Gentleman De Mee lowered the colours of Arkle Chase winner Edwardstone in Aintree last week and he heads a seven-strong Willie Mullins team in the BARBERSTOWN CASTLE NOVICE CHASE that also includes Dublin Racing Festival Grade 1 winner, Blue Lord as well as Gavin Cromwell’s Arkle runner-up Gabynako, who finished just ahead of Blue Lord at Cheltenham.

A fantastic feast concludes on Saturday, April 30, with two Grade 1s. The second of those is the aforementioned Ballymore Champion Four-Year-old Hurdle, while Nicky Henderson includes Epatante as well as Cheltenham Mares’ Hurdle winner Marie’s Rock in the COOLMORE IRISH EBF MARES’ CHAMPION HURDLE.

William Hill Champion Chase
William Hill Bet: Energumene 8/11, Chacun Pour Soi 13/8, Allaho 3/1, Fakir D’oudairies 10/1, Envoi Allen 14/1, Andy Dufresne 16/1, Captain Guinness 33/1
Early entries for Day One of the Punchestown Festival
Early entries for Day Two of the Punchestown Festival
Early entries for Day Three of the Punchestown Festival
Early entries for Day Four of the Punchestown Festival
Early entries for Day Five of the Punchestown Festival

New Galway Races Sponsors : Bathshack’ Irelands top bathroom retailer

The planning is well underway for the welcomed return of Ireland’s largest horse racing festival, the Galway Races that takes place from Monday 25th to Sunday 31st July for one action packed week. Today Galway Racecourse proudly announced a new sponsor to their race week programme, ‘Bathshack’ the UK’s and Irelands top bathroom retailer.

Bathshack have signed a two-year sponsorship deal with Galway Racecourse to sponsor the fourth race on Saturday 30th July ‘The Bathshack Maiden of €17,000’ for three-year-olds and up. Commenting on the new sponsorship, Chief Executive of Galway Racecourse Michael Moloney said, “we’re delighted to welcome Bathshack onboard for the Summer Festival. Bathshack has a thriving online business, with six showrooms here in Ireland and are expanding their further. The Galway Races presents many great opportunities for sponsors to engage with a large audience and we look forward to working with the team at Bathshack on making their sponsoring a great success”.

Commenting on their new two-year agreement, Lorraine Kelly, Marketing & Ecommerce Manager at Bathshack said, ‘with further plans for expansion within Ireland this year we are delighted to be able to increase our brand awareness through such a great sponsorship. We are delighted to sponsor The Galway Races for 2022/23 and cannot wait to see ‘The Bathshack Maiden’ in action on the 30th of July.’

Widley regarded as the highlight of the Summer Season in Ireland, the Galway Races looks forward to welcoming its race goers back to Ballybrit for one amazing week that offers its guests great horse racing, entertainment, fashion, reunions with friends and family and an electric fun atmosphere that continues to draw people from all over the world. To book your ticket to this year’s Galway Races check out www.galwayraecs.com See you in Galway!

Cork Constitution clinch an Energia All-Ireland League semi-final place

Matisse Lamarque d’Arrouzat emerged as the unlikely hero as Cork Constitution clinched an Energia All-Ireland League semi-final place with a 21-17 win over Lansdowne.

The Frenchman’s first league try for the club, with five minutes remaining in Saturday’s Temple Hill thriller, saw Cork Con dramatically hold onto fourth spot in Division 1A, setting up a trip to table toppers Clontarf in two weeks’ time.

Needing a final round victory to hold off Dublin University’s charge, former Con captain Niall Kenneally raided in from the right wing for a 13th-minute opener.

However, third-placed Lansdowne hit back with a quick-fire double through wingers James Reynolds and Stephen Madigan. Then, a brilliant attack, sparked by centre Andy Marks, right on half-time saw full-back Eamonn Mills go over.

Charlie Tector’s conversion made it 17-7, but Munster’s Sean French broke the line to second lock Cian Barry over in the 44th and Con coped well with Max Abbott’s subsequent sin-binning.

Despite the hosts failing to convert a couple of set piece opportunities, Larmaque d’Arrouzat collected fellow replacement Duncan Williams’ offload and powered in under two defenders for the decisive score.

Lansdowne will be away in their semi-final to Terenure College who cemented second place with a 50-14 triumph at UCC. Craig Adams’ hat-trick of tries took his season’s haul to 14.

Clontarf wrapped up the regular season with their 17th win, overcoming UCD 35-17. ‘Tarf’s prolific hooker Dylan Donnellan sits proudly at the top of the try-scoring charts with 17 tries, following another brace at Belfield.

Dublin University, who missed out on the play-offs by a single league point, defeated Garryowen 34-12. Tricky winger Ronan Quinn scored twice and set up Max O’Reilly’s closing try.

Ulster Academy back Conor Rankin fired over four well-struck penalties in Ballynahinch’s 17-10 victory over Young Munster. ‘Hinch will face UCC in a two-legged relegation play-off.

Centre Gary Kavanagh ran in a hat-trick as Naas booked the last promotion play-off spot in Division 1B with a barnstorming 53-7 win over Old Belvedere. They will be away to Old Wesley on April 23.

Shannon, who hammered a much-changed Wesley 61-12, will also be on their travels to Highfield. Replacement John McLoughlin’s 67th-minute try saw Highfield overcome St. Mary’s College 28-24 to confirm their second place finish.

Whoever loses the Division 2C relegation shootout between City of Derry and Clonmel will be replaced by Instonians who won a thrilling Round Robin Qualifying final against Bective Rangers at Dundalk RFC.

Replacement Andrew Keane’s well-worked try – his second of the game – in the left corner gave Instonians enough of a cushion in an eventual 25-21 win. Captain Alan Whitten led a dominant Inst scrum.

ENERGIA ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE RESULTS –

DIVISION 1A:

Division 1A Semi-Finals (April 23): Clontarf v Cork Constitution, Castle Avenue; Terenure College v Lansdowne, Lakelands Park
Division 1A Final (May 1)

Relegation Play-Off First Leg (April 23): UCC v Ballynahinch, the Mardyke
Relegation Play-Off Second Leg (April 30): Ballynahinch v UCC, Ballymacarn Park

BALLYNAHINCH 17 YOUNG MUNSTER 10, Ballymacarn Park
Scorers: Ballynahinch: Try: Josh Hanlon; Pens: Conor Rankin 4
Young Munster: Tries: Eoin O’Connor, Shane Malone
HT: Ballynahinch 11 Young Munster 10

BALLYNAHINCH: Conor Rankin; Ronan Patterson, Callum McLaughlin, Greg Hutley, Aaron Cairns; Ryan Wilson, Conor McAuley; John Dickson, Josh Hanlon, Kyle McCall, Cormac Izuchukwu, John Donnan, Thomas Donnan (capt), Reuben Crothers, Bradley Luney.

Replacements: Ben Cullen, Peter Cooper, Kyle Gill, Callum Irvine, Chris Gibson, Ben McMullan.

YOUNG MUNSTER: Patrick Campbell; Conor Hayes, Conor Phillips, Harry Fleming, Aaron Kelly; Evan Cusack, Donnacha O’Callaghan; David Begley, Shane Malone, Conor Bartley, Sean Rigney, Eoin O’Connor, Conor Moloney, Liam Neilan, Bailey Faloon.

Replacements: Aidan Quinlivan, Paul Allen, Colm Skehan, Luke Fitzgerald, Jack Lyons, Cian Casey.

CORK CONSTITUTION 21 LANSDOWNE 17, Temple Hill
Scorers: Cork Constitution: Tries: Niall Kenneally, Cian Barry, Matisse Lamarque d’Arrouzat; Cons: Aidan Moynihan 3
Lansdowne: Tries: Stephen Madigan, Eamonn Mills, James Reynolds; Con: Charlie Tector
HT: Cork Constitution 7 Lansdowne 17

CORK CONSTITUTION: Billy Crowley; JJ O’Neill, Alex McHenry, Niall Kenneally, Sean French; Aidan Moynihan (capt), Gerry Hurley; Liam O’Connor, Max Abbott, Rory Burke, Cathal O’Flaherty, Cian Barry, John Forde, James Murphy, Luke Cahill.

Replacements: Luke McAuliffe, Luke Masters, Eoin Quilter, Matisse Lamarque d’Arrouzat, Duncan Williams, Rob Jermyn.

LANSDOWNE: Eamonn Mills; James Reynolds, Andy Marks, Paul Kiernan, Stephen Madigan; Charlie Tector, Jack Matthews; Oisin Michel, Jamie Kavanagh, Greg McGrath, Ruairi Clarke, Dan Murphy, Joey Szpara, Clive Ross (capt), Mark Boyle.

Replacements: Luke Thompson, Ben Popplewell, Jack Dwan, Michael O’Brien, Peter Hastie, Kyle Dixon.

GARRYOWEN 12 DUBLIN UNIVERSITY 34, Dooradoyle
Scorers: Garryowen: Tries: Ed Barry, Tony Butler; Con: Tony Butler
Dublin University: Tries: Thomas Clarkson, Harry Sheridan, Gavin Jones, Ronan Quinn 2, Max O’Reilly; Cons: Mick O’Kennedy 2
HT: Garryowen 0 Dublin University 17

GARRYOWEN: Colm Quilligan; Matthew Sheehan, Liam Coombes, Jack Delaney, Tommy O’Hora; Tony Butler, Ed Barry; Michael Veale, Kieran McCarthy, Mark Donnelly, Tim Ferguson, Kevin Seymour (capt), Roy Whelan, Des Fitzgerald, Cian Hurley.

Replacements: Dylan Murphy, Darragh McCarthy, Sean Rennison, Johnny Keane, Evan Maher, Jack Madden.

DUBLIN UNIVERSITY: Max O’Reilly; Rob Russell, Luis Faria, Gavin Jones, Ronan Quinn; Mick O’Kennedy (capt), Louis O’Reilly; Donnacha Mescal, Mark Nicholson, Thomas Clarkson, Jack Dunne, Jamie Berrisford, Harry Sheridan, Alan Francis, Aaron Coleman.

Replacements: Ben Nel, Thomas Connolly, Dylan Ryan, Jody Booth, Cormac King, Aran Egan.

TERENURE COLLEGE 50 UCC 14, Lakelands Park
Scorers: Terenure College: Tries: Michael Melia, Conall Boomer, Craig Adams 3, Adam La Grue, Alan Bennie, Caolan Dooley; Cons: Caolan Dooley 5
UCC: Tries: Matthew Bowen, Sam O’Sullivan; Cons: Daniel Squires 2
HT: Terenure College 22 UCC 7

TERENURE COLLEGE: Adam La Grue; Caolan Dooley, Colm de Buitléar, Peter Sylvester, Craig Adams; James Thornton, Alan Bennie; Dewald Barnard, Levi Vaughan, Andy Keating, Matthew Caffrey, Michael Melia, Harrison Brewer (capt), Luke Clohessy, Conall Boomer.

Replacements: Conor McCormack, Adam Tuite, Mike Murphy, Adam Melia, Tiernan Neville, Jack Hunt.

UCC: Louis Bruce; Timothy Duggan, Killian Coghlan, Daniel Squires, Matthew Bowen; Billy Kiernan, Louis Kahn; Rory Duggan, Billy Kingston, Alan McDonald, David O’Halloran, Richard Thompson, Patrick McBarron, Conor Booth, John Willis.

Replacements: Tadgh McCarthy, Alessandro Heaney, Jack Kelleher, Sam O’Sullivan, Ryan O’Sullivan, Darragh French.

UCD 17 CLONTARF 35, UCD Bowl
Scorers: UCD: Tries: Chris Cosgrave, Ross Deegan, Jack Gardiner; Con: Chris Cosgrave
Clontarf: Tries: Dylan Donnellan 2, Matt D’Arcy, Tadhg Bird, Barry Gray; Cons: Conor Kelly 5
HT: UCD 12 Clontarf 21

UCD: Chris Cosgrave; Ross Deegan, David Ryan, Luke Maloney, Jack Ringrose (capt); Tim Corkery, Paddy Patterson; Jack Boyle, Killian McQuaid, Chris Hennessy, Mark Morrissey, Gerry Hill, Jack Gardiner, Simon Burke, Bobby Sheehan.

Replacements: Rory Mulvihill, Evin Coyle, JJ Landers, Robert Gilsenan, James Moriarty, Alex O’Grady.

CLONTARF: Tadhg Bird; Ben Woods, Michael Brown, Matt D’Arcy (capt), Cian O’Donoghue; Conor Kelly, Angus Lloyd; Ivan Soroka, Dylan Donnellan, Darragh Bolger, Fionn Gilbert, Mick Kearney, Alex Soroka, Brian Deeny, Tony Ryan.

Replacements: Cathal O’Flynn, Ben Griffin, Barry Gray, Andrew Feeney, Aitzol King, Cormac Daly.

DIVISION 1B:

Promotion Play-Off Semi-Finals (April 23): Old Wesley v Naas, Energia Park; Highfield v Shannon, Woodleigh Park
Promotion Play-Off Final (April 30): Home advantage to highest-ranked team

Relegation Play-Off First Leg (April 23): Navan v Banbridge, Balreask Old
Relegation Play-Off Second Leg (April 30): Banbridge v Navan, Rifle Park

CITY OF ARMAGH 18 BANBRIDGE 28, Palace Grounds
Scorers: City of Armagh: Tries: Tim McNiece, Dylan Nelson; Con: Harry Boyd; Pens: Harry Boyd 2
Banbridge: Tries: Max Lyttle, 2 Penalty tries, Josh Cromie; Cons: Adam Doherty 2, 2 Pen try cons
HT: City of Armagh 10 Banbridge 14

CITY OF ARMAGH: Shea O’Brien; Andrew Willis, Chris Colvin, Tim McNiece (capt), Dylan Nelson; Harry Boyd, Alex Johnston; Dylan Poyntz, Jonny Morton, Peter Lamb, Josh McKinley, John Glasgow, James Morton, Ryan O’Neill, Neil Faloon.

Replacements: Jack Treanor, Eoin O’Hagan, Sam Glasgow, James Hanna, Evin Crummie, Kyle Faloon.

BANBRIDGE: Adam Doherty; Conor Field, Joe Finnegan, Ben Carson, Josh Cromie; Andrew Morrison, Neil Kilpatrick; Callum Reid, Peter Cromie, Michael Cromie (capt), Brendan McSorley, Max Lyttle, Alex Weir, David McCann, Robin Sinton.

Replacements: Josh Chambers, Stuart Cromie, Martin Vorster, Dale Carson, Aaron Kennedy, Ross Cartmill.

NAAS 53 OLD BELVEDERE 7, Forenaughts
Scorers: Naas: Tries: Adam Coyle, Donal Conroy, Gary Kavanagh 3, Connor Johnson, Sam Cahill; Cons: Peter Osborne 6; Pens: Peter Osborne 2
Old Belvedere: Try: Connor Owende; Con: Peter O’Beirne
HT: Naas 22 Old Belvedere 7

NAAS: Peter Osborne (capt); Donal Conroy, Gary Kavanagh, Matt Stapleton, Sam Cahill; Bryan Croke, Tim Murphy; Adam Coyle, John Sutton, Peter King, Paul Monahan, Patrick O’Flaherty, Cillian Dempsey, Will O’Brien, Ryan Casey.

Replacements: Connor Johnson, Conor Doyle, David Benn, Paulie Tolofua, Connor Halpenny, Fionn Higgins.

OLD BELVEDERE: Colm Hogan; Ariel Robles, David Butler, Jack Gilheany, Joe White; Tommy Whittle, Peter O’Beirne; James Bollard, Joe Horan, Evan Tyndall, Dean Moore, Connor Owende (capt), Paddy Dowling, Jack Breen, Colin Mallon.

Replacements: Conor Byrne, Jack Egan, Eoghan Fitzgerald, Briain Leonard, Tom Molony, Jamie McAleese.

NAVAN 24 MALONE 64, Balreask Old
Scorers: Navan: Tries: Hardus van Eeden, Ronan Hannon, Keelan Murphy; Cons: Colm O’Reilly 3; Pen: Colm O’Reilly
Malone: Tries: Dan Kerr, Adam McNamee, Shane Kelly 2, Ben McCaughey, Aaron Sexton 3, Daryl Maxwell, Andy Bryans; Cons: Rory Campbell 7
HT: Navan 10 Malone 33

NAVAN: Shane Walshe; Mark Coen, Willie McAleese, Riaan van der Vyver, Ben McEntagart; Colm O’Reilly, Cillian Farrell; Alex McGoey, David Clarke, Charles Johnston, Leigh Jackson, Conor Ryan, Ciaran O’Reilly, Jack Nelson, Hardus van Eeden.

Replacements: Eoin O’Reilly, Ronan Hannon, Ronan Meegan, Andrew Beggy, Sean Walsh, Keelan Murphy.

MALONE: Aaron Sexton; Andy Bryans, David McMaster, Ben McCaughey, Rory Campbell; Callum Smith, Shane Kelly; Ben Halliday, Dan Kerr, Ricky Greenwood, Adam McNamee, Zach Devine, James McAlister, Daryl Maxwell, Callum Smyton.

Replacements: Stewart McKendrick, Aidan McSwiggan, Cory Tipping, Jonny Betts, Conor Spence, Lee Barlow.

SHANNON 61 OLD WESLEY 12, Thomond Park back pitch
Scorers: Shannon: Tries: Declan Moore, Kelvin Brown 2, Aran Hehir, Alan Flannery, Penalty try 2, Colm Heffernan, Ian Leonard; Cons: Jake Flannery 6, 2 Pen try cons
Old Wesley: Tries: David Poff, David Young; Con: Paddy McKenzie
HT: Shannon 35 Old Wesley 5

SHANNON: John O’Sullivan; Jamie McGarry, Killian Dineen, Alan Flannery, Ian Leonard; Jake Flannery, Aran Hehir; Kieran Ryan, Declan Moore, Luke Rigney, Ronan Coffey, David Maher, Sean McCarthy, Kelvin Brown, Lee Nicholas (capt).

Replacements: Jordan Prenderville, Darragh McSweeney, Daniel Okeke, Jamie Ryan, Cillian Corkery, Colm Heffernan.

OLD WESLEY: Jack Maybury; Brendan Monahan, Jack Costigan, David Poff, Paul Harte; Paddy McKenzie, Charlie O’Regan; Sam Kenny, Robert Byrne, Jacob Barrett, Zak Bursey, Iain McGann (capt), Alastair Hoban, Howard Noonan, Brian Short.

Replacements: David Young, Cronan Gleeson, Harry Noonan, Mark Robinson, Ewan Watson, Eoin Deegan.

ST. MARY’S COLLEGE 24 HIGHFIELD 28, Templeville Road
Scorers: St. Mary’s College: Tries: Ian Wickham, David Aspil, Conor Dean, Adam McEvoy; Cons: Conor Dean 2
Highfield: Tries: Sam Burns, Colin O’Neill, Mark Dorgan, John McLoughlin; Cons: Shane O’Riordan 4
HT: St. Mary’s College 10 Highfield 14

ST. MARY’S COLLEGE: Hugo Conway; Mark Fogarty, Myles Carey, Mick O’Gara, Craig Kennedy; Conor Dean, Adam McEvoy; Adam Mulvihill, Richie Halpin (capt), Mick McCormack, Peter Starrett, Ian Wickham, David Aspil, Nick McCarthy, Ronan Watters.

Replacements: Steven O’Brien, Padraig Dundon, Tom O’Reilly, Liam Curran, Matt Timmons, Conor Corcoran.

HIGHFIELD: Sam Burns; Colin O’Neill, Paddy O’Toole, Mark Dorgan, Luke Kingston; Shane O’Riordan, Chris Banon (capt); James Rochford, Travis Coomey, Daragh Fitzgerald, Dave O’Connell, Fintan O’Sullivan, Ronán O’Sullivan, Cathal Gallagher, Miah Cronin.

Replacements: Robert Murphy, Mick Dillane, Eoin Keating, Eddie Earle, Cal Óg Healy, John McLoughlin.

DIVISION 2A:

Promotion Play-Off Semi-Finals (April 23): Queen’s University v Ballymena, Dub Lane; Cashel v Buccaneers, Spafield
Promotion Play-Off Final (April 30): Home advantage to highest-ranked team

Relegation Play-Off First Leg (April 23): Rainey Old Boys v Nenagh Ormond, Hatrick Park
Relegation Play-Off Second Leg (April 30): Nenagh Ormond v Rainey Old Boys, New Ormond Park

Dolphin 22 UL Bohemians 19, Musgrave Park
Ballymena 33 Queen’s University 20, Eaton Park
Cashel 38 Buccaneers 43, Spafield
MU Barnhall 28 Nenagh Ormond 45, Parsonstown
Old Crescent 33 Rainey Old Boys 10, Takumi Park

DIVISION 2B:

Promotion Play-Off Semi-Finals (April 23): Greystones v Galway Corinthians, Dr Hickey Park; Belfast Harlequins v Blackrock College, Deramore Park
Promotion Play-Off Final (April 30): Home advantage to highest-ranked team

Relegation Play-Off First Leg (April 23): Galwegians v Ballina, Crowley Park
Relegation Play-Off Second Leg (April 30): Ballina v Galwegians, Heffernan Park

Ballina 14 Galwegians 20, Heffernan Park
Dungannon 7 Greystones 19, Stevenson Park
Galway Corinthians 31 Blackrock College 24, Corinthian Park
Malahide 33 Belfast Harlequins 45, Estuary Road
Wanderers 46 Sligo 10, Merrion Road

DIVISION 2C:

Promotion Play-Off Semi-Finals (April 23): Enniscorthy v Tullamore, Alcast Park; Skerries v Bangor, Holmpatrick
Promotion Play-Off Final (April 30): Home advantage to highest-ranked team

Relegation Play-Off First Leg (April 23): Clonmel v City of Derry, Ardgaoithe
Relegation Play-Off Second Leg (April 30): City of Derry v Clonmel, Judge’s Road

Bruff 20 Bangor 38, Kilballyowen Park
City of Derry 49 Tullamore 28, Judge’s Road
Clonmel 24 Sunday’s Well 25, Ardgaoithe
Midleton 24 Enniscorthy 29, Towns Park
Omagh Academicals 21 Skerries 22, Thomas Mellon Playing Fields

ENERGIA ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE ROUND ROBIN QUALIFYING FINAL:

BECTIVE RANGERS 21 INSTONIANS 25, Dundalk RFC (Instonians are promoted to Division 2C for next season)
Scorers: Bective Rangers: Tries: Bobby Holland, Matthew Keane, Denis Coulson; Cons: Matthew Gilsenan 3
Instonians: Tries: Matthew Kilpatrick, Andrew Keane 2, Zak Davidson, Matthew Keane
HT: Bective Rangers 7 Instonians 15

BECTIVE RANGERS: Ben Garrett; Shane O’Meara, Bobby Holland, Elliot Stone, Michael O’Hare; Matthew Gilsenan, Dylan Carpenter; Rodrigo Gens, Fox Fallon, Colin Jackson, Gerard Warde, Oisin Lennon (capt), Jamie Lawless, Mark Bennett, Donagh Lawlor.

Replacements: Daniel Byrne, Tom Dever, David Kealy, Eoin Vaughan, Matthew Keane, James O’Kane, Danie Poolman, Denis Coulson.

INSTONIANS: Mark Keane; Zak Davidson, Bevan Prinsloo, David Scott, Matthew Kilpatrick; Ruairi O’Farrell, Matthew Keane; Conor Gallagher, Neil Saultiers, Alan Whitten (capt), Eoghan Murphy, Josh Hartley, Mark Mairs, Paul Pritchard, Alistair Burke.

Replacements: Frazer Laughlin, Onisi Burekama, Terence Coombs, Ryan Hanson, Richard McCarthy, Matthew Nelson, Andrew Keane, Ross Jenkins.

1...189190191...585Page 190 of 585

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

ABOUT US

SportsNewsIreland is an Irish website launched in 2009 to offer sports fans in Ireland an alternative and independent source to keep them up to date with all the news from around the country. Every week we bring you live score updates from all levels of GAA, rugby, soccer, racing and athletics. Contact

Contact us: Email: info@sportsnewsireland.com

FOLLOW US

Design by SportsMediaIreland.ie