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GAA fixtures May 2022

We have an up to date list of GAA fixtures for May 2022 the list will be updated as information becomes available last updated 08-02

 

We have an up to date list of GAA fixtures for May 2022, the list will be updated as information becomes available

Sunday 1 May

Connacht SFC semi-final
Roscommon v New York / Sligo

Leinster SFC quarter-finals
Kildare v Louth / Carlow
Meath v Laois / Wicklow
Westmeath v Longford

Munster SFC quarter-final
Waterford v Tipperary

Ulster SFC quarter-final
Derry v Fermanagh / Tyrone

Leinster SHC round 3
Westmeath v Dublin

Joe McDonagh Cup round 3
Down v Offaly

Saturday 7 May

Munster SFC semi-final
Kerry v Cork

Christy Ring Cup round 4
Derry v London
Wicklow v Kildare
Mayo v Sligo

Nickey Rackard Cup round 4
Roscommon v Tyrone
Warwickshire v Donegal
Armagh v Fermanagh

Lory Meagher Cup round 4
Lancashire v Leitrim
Louth v Cavan
Monaghan v Longford

Saturday 7/Sunday 8 May

All-Ireland U20FC semi-finals
Connacht v Leinster
Munster v Ulster

Sunday 8 May

Connacht SFC semi-final
London / Leitrim v Galway / Mayo

Ulster SFC semi-final
Donegal / Armagh v Antrim / Cavan

Munster SHC round 3
Waterford v Cork
Clare v Limerick

Saturday 14 May

Leinster SHC round 4
Dublin v Kilkenny
Laois v Galway
Westmeath v Wexford

Joe McDonagh Cup round 4
Meath v Antrim
Carlow v Down
Kerry v Offaly

Christy Ring Cup round 5
Kildare v Sligo
Mayo v Derry
London v Wicklow

Nickey Rackard Cup round 5
Fermanagh v Roscommon
Tyrone v Donegal
Warwickshire v Armagh

Lory Meagher Cup round 5
Cavan v Longford
Monaghan v Lancashire
Leitrim v Louth

Saturday 14/Sunday 15 May

All-Ireland U20FC final

Sunday 15 May

Leinster SFC semi-finals

Munster SFC semi-final
Tipperary / Waterford v Clare / Limerick

Ulster SFC semi-final
Monaghan / Down v Fermanagh / Tyrone / Derry

Munster SHC round 4
Limerick v Tipperary
Cork v Clare

Saturday 21 May

Leinster SHC round 5
Laois v Westmeath
Kilkenny v Wexford
Galway v Dublin

Joe McDonagh Cup round 5
Antrim v Kerry
Offaly v Carlow
Down v Meath

Saturday 21/Sunday 22 May

All-Ireland SFC preliminary round (If required)

Tailteann Cup preliminary round (If required)

Christy Ring Cup final

Nickey Rackard Cup final

Lory Meagher Cup final

All-Ireland U20HC final
Leinster winner v Munster winner

Sunday 22 May

Munster SHC round 5
Clare v Waterford
Tipperary v Cork

Saturday 28 May

Leinster SFC final

Munster SFC final

Saturday 28/Sunday 29 May

Tailteann Cup round 1

Sunday 29 May

Connacht SFC final

Ulster SFC final

Live GAA, Football & Sporting fixtures Dublin – March

ENHANCE_RESOLUTION

The 2022 Preakness Stakes Contenders

6 Horses You Should Be Betting On This Racing Season 

With a prize purse of $1 million, all the best horses will be taking part in the Preakness Stakes this year. 

This race is the second race in the American Triple Crown and takes place between the Belmont Stakes and the Kentucky Derby. It is at this race where we discover if we could have a Triple Crown winner each year. 

If you are looking to do any preakness stakes betting this year – then these are the 6 horses you should be keeping a close eye on. 

#6 – Keepmeinmind – David Cohen 

Let’s kick this list off with Keepmeinmind. This horse trained by David Cohen has only ever won one race. However, they may be the most inconsistent horse out there because they have finished between 2nd and 7th in every other race.  

Keepmeinmind will be starting his third year as a competitive horse this year. They are another horse that we haven’t seen race since the middle of last year. Last August to be exact. 

The one race that Keepmeinmind won was in 2020 and it was the Kentucky Jockey Club G2 race. 

#5 – Rombauer – Michael W. McCarthy

Despite not having raced since June last year, we have to talk about last year’s winner as a serious contender for the 2022 Preakness Stakes. 

Of the 8 races Rombauer has taken part in, they have won 3, come 2nd once, and come 3rd twice. This is a pretty good record for any horse. 

However, it is worth noting that Rombauer has not taken part in a race since he came 3rd in the Belmont Stakes last season – where he lost to Essential Quality and Hot Rod Charlie. 

#4 – Crowded Trade – Chad Brown 

This is the first of Chad Brown’s horses that we are going to talk about today. While Crowded Trade isn’t Brown’s best hope at the Race for Black Susans this year, Crowded Trade does have a history of surprising bookies. 

Crowded Trade won his very first race – the Maiden Special Weights 2021. They haven’t won a race since but they did put in a few podium finishes across 2021. 

We are yet to see Crowded Trade race in 2022, but if they have improved their form slightly, then there is a good chance they could make it into the Top 3 again. 

#3 – Risk Taking – Chad Brown 

Risk Taking is the top (but not the only) offering from renowned trainer Chad Brown this year. 

He came 7th in the Preakness Stakes last year but performed much better than most had expected him to. This horse is still young and has a lot of potential that a good trainer like Brown could harness. 

Brown has won the Preakness Stakes before, and this year, Risk Taking is his best hope of repeating that. His best length is 11/8 miles, so we are all looking forward to seeing what the horse can do this year. 

#2 – Midnight Bourbon – Steve Asmussen 

2021 might not have been the best year for Steve Asmussen and his horse Midnight Bourbon – although it ended better than it started. 

Midnight Bourbon finished 6th in the Kentucky Derby, 3rd in the Preakness, and didn’t even compete in the Belmont. However, he was a fierce competitor for Medina Spirit all year. 

However, after the tragic death of Media Spirit, all of the odds of Midnight Bourbon have jumped up and Steve Asmussen seems confident that his horse is going to have a much better year. 

#1 – Concert Tour – Bob Baffert 

If you like to look up your horses before you bet on them – then good luck with this one. Baffert has given this horse a name that makes them nearly impossible to find on Google. 

Concert Tour looks like they will be the next big thing in the world of horseracing. Bookies currently have them down as most likely to win all three Triple Crown races this year. 

With Bob Baffert as their trainer, we are really not shocked to find this out. Baffert has more Triple Crown wins under his belt than any other trainer in history. *

There is no doubt that Bob Baffert is one of the greatest American trainers of all time – so, none of us are surprised to see that his top horse for the season looks most likely to win the Preakness Stakes. 

 

The results of the Kentucky Derby will give us a good insight into his form. 

 

Who are Ireland’s biggest sports stars?

Ireland is home to a number of famous sports stars who have had a huge impact across the world with what they have been able to achieve in their respective disciplines.

Whilst many will instantly know about the phrase in regard to “the luck of the Irish” and hope that it rubs off on them especially when they play the Irish-themed games using their Happyluke bonus, there certainly is no luck associated to those who are considered to be amongst the biggest sports stars to hail from the Emerald Isle.

Indeed, Ireland has always been associated as a nation that has featured a number of tough people and, whilst some may suggest that it is a stereotype, it would seem to be one that is true given the names that can be argued to be amongst the biggest sports stars.

However, with so many to have come from the small country, who can be considered to be amongst the biggest?

Conor McGregor

Perhaps at the top of the list for many when thinking of Irish sports professionals, Conor McGregor is an individual that is certainly one that is renowned around the world due to what he has managed to do whilst in the Octagon for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) promotion.

Nicknamed ‘The Notorious’, McGregor became a household name all over the world and has been recognised for his fight style and ability, with him having been able to prove how good he has been throughout his career with various Championships.

Becky Lynch

Becky Lynch is one of the top athletes to be currently competing in the WWE’s female division at the moment and through her work for the promotion, she has become a huge name and one that Ireland has been able to be proud of.

She is a four-time WWE champion and has even been named as one of the Top Female Athletes in the World on a list in 2019 via Twitter. She created history within the WWE recently, as she managed to become both the Raw Women’s Championship and the SmackDown Women’s Championship at the same time.

Roy Keane

Perhaps one of football’s hardmen in his playing days, Roy Keane is another famous sports star to have hailed from the Emerald Isle.

Although he spent a few years at Nottingham Forest, many will associate the former combative midfielder with his time at Manchester United where he was the club’s leader and a player who had a no-nonsense approach as he won seven Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League title.

Indeed, his career was not without controversy, with Republic of Ireland fans remembering him for his infamous falling out with Mick McCarthy ahead of the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan whilst he has always shown that he is not scared of saying things the way he felt they were.

Admittedly, the Cork-born hardman does appear to have mellowed out in recent years, with many having witnessed an unlikely relationship with Micah Richards appear to blossom in recent years.

Others to mention

Rory McIlroy

Johnny Sexton

Katie Taylor

Can Conor McGregor Reach the Heights of Becoming Lightweight Champion Again?

Conor McGregor has risen to become one of the most recognisable athletes on the planet. The fact he was ranked as the world’s highest paid athlete by Forbes in 2021 tells you everything you need to know. However, despite earning significant sums of money, McGregor has not been at his best in the octagon for some time and the question is, can McGregor reach the heights of becoming lightweight champion again?

McGregor joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2013 and just two years later won the UFC Interim Featherweight Championship, beating Chad Mendes via TKO. A Featherweight Championship unification bout quickly followed, and McGregor did not mess about, knocking out José Aldo for the UFC Featherweight Championship and winning the “Performance of the Night” bonus into the bargain. At the time, it was the fastest knockout in a title bout in UFC history and McGregor was quickly making his mark on the UFC.

In 2016, McGregor bounced back from his first UFC loss to become the first man to hold titles in two different weight classes. Having stopped Eddie Alvarez in the second round, McGregor held both the UFC Lightweight Championship and the UFC Featherweight Championship simultaneously. There was a lot of talk of the ‘luck of the Irish’ but there was nothing lucky about the performances of McGregor. He was at the top of his game and if you are feeling confident about your chances of winning, why not try the casino games at Casumo? The slots are where you need to get lucky but the live table games require skill and you could follow in the footsteps of McGregor and win big money if successful.

McGregor took time away from UFC following his UFC Lightweight Championship victory, including a boxing event with Floyd Mayweather Jr. McGregor was ultimately stripped of his lightweight title due to inactivity but returned in 2018, in what was billed as being the biggest fight in the history of the UFC. McGregor lost in the fourth round and announced his retirement in 2019. McGregor came out of retirement in 2020 and quickly defeated Donald Cerrone in a welterweight bout before talks of retirement resumed. The Irishman was back in 2021 and suffered a technical knockout defeat at the hands of Dustin Poirier before losing to the same man for the third time in his career, having suffered a broken tibia.

It was an awful leg break and McGregor has been working hard to overcome the injury. It may be the injury rather than his ability that holds McGregor back from claiming the UFC Lightweight Championship again. UFC owner, Dana White, believes McGregor will make a return to the octagon in 2022 and it could come at UFC 276. The event is confirmed to take place on July 2 in Las Vegas but having lost three of his last four fights and suffered the broken leg, it could prove to be a tough night at the office for McGregor.

However, a potential clash with current lightweight title holder Charles Oliveira has been rumoured and it would hand McGregor the opportunity to win the title immediately on his return to action. McGregor released a video after being in surgery where he talked about the successful operation on his leg and how he plans to build back. The UFC lightweight division is stacked with some of the best fighters in the world right now, with Oliveira being the pick of the bunch. It would take an incredible effort for McGregor to come back from a broken leg and beat Oliveira on his return but you would be brave to bet against Notorious, whatever the situation.

Honeysuckle claims 14th win with victory in Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle

The star billing on Day 2 of the Dublin Racing Festival, Honeysuckle (1/5f) and Rachael Blackmore, delivered the 2 mile Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle to the delight of the packed stands at Leopardstown.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained super mare is now 14 wins from 14 runs and equals Bula’s longstanding record, after her win in the €200,00 Grade 1 over 2 miles.

Nestled in third throughout by Rachael Blackmore, the eight-year-old jumped into the lead at the second last flight of hurdles. To the cheers of the crowd in the stands, the mare extended her lead before the final flight, defeating her main market rival Zanahiyr (6/1) by six and a half lengths, with 25/1 Echoes In Rain a further half a length back in third.

Grade 1 treble for Townend and Mullins

The Grade 1 Ladbrokes Novice Steeplechase of €150,000 was the first of a Grade 1 treble for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins.

Galopin Des Champs (4/9f), highly impressive in a beginners chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival, was a comfortable winner of the 2 mile 5 furlongs contest to claim the €88,500 first prize.

Half an hour later, the Closutton team was back in the winners’ enclosure as 4/7f Chacun Pour Soi came back to form to take the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Dublin Steeplechase, worth €150,000, over 2 miles 1 furlong. It was a third win in succession in the race for the French-bred ten-year-old.

Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) of €150,000 run over 2 miles was the final part of a Day 2 treble for jockey Paul Townend and trainer Willie Mullins.

The Cheveley Park Stud-owned son of Jeremy, Sir Gerhard (8/13f), had enough in hand coming to the last, which neither he nor the runner-up Three Stripe Life (5/1) jumped very well. He ran out a six-length winner with the same distance further back to Colonel Mustard (14/1) back in third.

Gordon Elliott scored a 1-2 in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle. Davy Russell steered the 7/4 favourite Party Central to victory in the colours of Bective Stud, while the Robcour-owned Say Goodbye (33/1) stayed on for second under jockey Robbie Power, one and a quarter lengths behind the winner.

The Bulmers Secret Orchard Leopardstown Handicap Steeplechase of €125,000 over 2 miles 5 furlongs went to the bottom weight Birchdale (9/2) for Enda Bolger and rider Mark McDonagh.

The winner of the 2 mile Liffey Handicap Hurdle (€125,000) was won by Call Me Lyreen (20/1) while Lily Du Berlais (40/1) was the final winner of the 2022 Dublin Racing Festival as she claimed the highly competitive €100,000 Coolmore N.H. Sires Santiago Irish EBF Mares I.N.H. Flat Race (Grade 2) over 2 miles.

 

Conflated (18/1) wins Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown

Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell teamed up to claim their second Grade 1 Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup on Day 1 of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown.

In the colours of Michael O’Leary’s Giginstown House Stud, the 18/1 shot, stayed on well to hold off the late challenge of 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo (11/2) by six and a half lengths, with the JP McManus-owned Janidil (7/1) a neck further behind in third.

Minella Cocooner leads all the way in Grade 1

The €150,000 Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors ‘€50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff’ Novice Hurdle over 2 miles 6 furlongs was won in determined fashion by the front running Minella Cocooner.

In the colours of David Bobbett, the Danny Mullins-ridden gelded son of Flemensfirth, was an eight winner of the race for trainer Willie Mullins. Minella Crooner and Jack Kennedy were runners up at 100/30, and were best of the Gordon Elliott-handled runners. Another Cullentra House resident, Hollow Games (9/4f) was third in the seven-runner field.

Quick double for Mullins

Willie Mullins quickly doubled up when Paul Townend steered Vauban (9/2), who came on the outside of the 9-runner field to take the Grade 1 €125,000 Racing TV €12 per Month For This Weekend Only Juvenile Hurdle over 2 miles.

A race in which both Icare Allen (9/2) and Vadaly (18/1) put their unbeaten records on the line, it was Davy Russell’s mount, the 6/5f Fil Dor that gave the eventual winner most to do, before the Closutton inmate Vauban ultimately took the race by three lengths. Another Mullins runner, Il Etait Temps, was two and three-quarter lengths further back in third spot.

Four-timer on the day for Mullins and double for Townend

The €150,000 Grade 1 Patrick Ward Solicitors Irish Arkle Novice Steeplechase over 2 miles 1 furlong brought up a Grade 1 double for jockey Paul Townend and a Grade 1 treble for trainer Willie Mullins.

Blue Lord (5/2) siezed the advantage at the last as the favourite Riviere D’etel (2/1f) blundered under Jack Kennedy. With the rider reorganising the mare in the run from the last, the momentum moved to Blue Lord.

The eventual winner crossed in front of the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned Blue Lord forcing stewards to call an enquiry. Despite the official distance between the winner and runner-up being only half a length, the result stood, giving Willie Mullins an open treble on the card.

The Paddy Power ‘I’d Love A Can But Pints Are Cheaper’ Handicap Hurdle of €250,000 over an extended 3 miles went to the Kevin Sexton mount Good Time Jonny (17/2) for Co. Meath-based trainer Tony Martin.

A Wave Of The Sea repeated last year’s win in the Paddy Power ‘I’m Never Going Back To The Office’Handicap Steeplechase worth €100,000 over 2 miles and a furlong. The 9/2 chance was a winner for five pound claimer Shane Fitzgerald and trainer Joseph O’Brien.

The final race on the Day 1 card, the Grade 2 Goffs Future Stars INH Flat Race (C&G) over 2 miles of €100,000, went the way of Facile Vega (8/11) for Patrick and Willie Mullins.

Day 2 on Sunday is an eight-race card, with Honeysuckle, the crowd favourite, attempting to win another Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle.

U20 Six Nations – Ireland 53 Wales 5

Credit: @IrishRugby.

Ireland began their U20 Six Nations campaign with an impressive 53-5 win over Wales at Musgrave Park in Cork on Friday night.

Tries from Chay Mullins, Matthew Devine and Mark Morrissey during the first 40 minutes, while five-pointers from Reuben Crothers, James McNabney, Mullins again, James McCormick and Ben Brownlee in the second half ensured the Welsh suffered a heavy defeat in this Six Nations U20 opener.

Three tries in opening half

Early pressure from Ireland saw the visitors concede three penalties. The final in a series of penalties gave Lansdowne’s Charlie Tector a relatively straightforward kick at the posts, which he duly scored, for an early 3-0 lead.

The strength and power of the Irish scrum was soon rewarded as it set up the speedsters from the back. Munster’s Patrick Campbell cut like a scythe through the Welsh defence and as he drew in men in red, he freed up winger Chay Mullins who touched down in the corner for the opening try of the game.

Tector’s conversion attempt, from a difficult position on the touchline, just drifted left of the posts and wide, leaving Ireland with an 8-0 advantage after 16 minutes.

Wales down to 14 players

On 22 minutes the Wales side was reduced to 14 men when winger Ollie Andrew was sent to the sin bin. The player’s outstretched arm led to a deliberate knock on as Ireland attacked. The team of officials took little time in deciding the young Welsh player’s fate.

Matthew Devine soon made the visitors pay as he burst through the Welsh defensive line to touch down in a central position, allowing Tector an easy kick for the conversion. Ireland U20s were comfortably in control at this stage and had a 20-0 on the score board with only 25 minutes on the clock.

Mullins thought he had bought up a brace of five-pointers just after the half hour as he again touched down in the corner. On review of the TV footage the try was ruled out for obstruction earlier in the move.

Lock Mark Morrissey of Leinster soon made up for the cancellation of Mullins’ try as he scored his side’s third try of the evening within ten minutes of the half time whistle. With Tector adding the conversion, Richie Murphy’s side has a 22 point advantage at the break.

Half time: Ireland U20 22  Wales U20 0

Plenty more Irish tries in second half

It didn’t take lone for the hosts to extend their lead at the beginning of the second half. Ireland U20s showed ambition when awarded a penalty and opted to kick to the slide line. A win from the resultant lineout and a strong drive from the boys in green saw captain Reuben Crothers claimed the score, which kicker Tector converted successfully.

The points had barely registered on the scoreboard when Ballymena’s James McNabney  got in on the scoring action with a try. Though Tector’s conversion effort went left of the posts this time, Ireland were up to 34 points.

That didn’t remain the situation for long, however, as they claimed their sixth try of the game through Chay Mullins, who was claiming a brace of tries on the night. Tector’s last piece of action before his substitution was to add the extras for 41-0.

Another try, this time from hooker James McCormick extended the lead to 46-0 while the  conversion attempt that followed went astray.

Wales U20 finally got on the score board when Oli Andrew breached the Irish defence to claim his side’s only score of the game with a try five minutes from the end, but Ireland had the final say as Ben Brownlee scored a try which was converted by Aitzol King.

Final score: Ireland U20 53 Wales U20 5

Ireland U20 Team:

15. Patrick Campbell (Young Munster RFC/Munster), 14. Chay Mullins (Bristol Bears/IQ Rugby), 13. Fionn Gibbons (UCD RFC/Leinster), 12. Ben Brownlee (Blackrock College/Leinster), 11. Shane Mallon (UCD RFC/Leinster), 10. Charlie Tector (Lansdowne FC/Leinster), 9. Matthew Devine (Corinthians RFC/Connacht).

1. Jack Boyle (UCD/Leinster), 2. James McCormick (Ballymena RFC/Ulster), 3. Scott Wilson (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster), 4. Conor Ó Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster), 5. Mark Morrissey (UCD RFC/Leinster), 6. James McNabney (Ballymena RFC/Ulster), 7. Reuben Crothers (Ballynahinch FC/Ulster)(Captain), 8. James Culhane (UCD RFC/Leinster).

Ireland U20 Replacements:

16. Josh Hanlon (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster), 17. Oisín Michel (Lansdowne FC/Leinster), 18. Rory McGuire (UCD/Leinster), 19. Adam McNamee (Malone RFC/Ulster), 20. Ronan O’Sullivan (Highfield RFC/Munster), 21. Ethan Coughlan (Shannon RFC/Munster), 22. Tony Butler (Garryowen FC/Munster), 23. Aitzol King (Clontarf FC/Leinster).

Wales U20 Team:

15. Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby), 14. Harri Houston (Ospreys), 13. Bryn Bradley (Harlequins), 12. Eddie James (Scarlets), 11. Oli Andrew (Dragons), 10. Daniel Edwards (Ospreys), 9. Harri Williams (Scarlets).

1. Joe Cowell (Cardiff Metropolitan University), 2. Efan Daniel (Cardiff Rugby), 3. Nathan Evans (Cardiff Rugby), 4. Joe Peard (Dragons), 5. Lewis Jones (Ospreys), 6. Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby), 7. Ethan Fackrell (Cardiff Rugby), 8. Ben Moa (Dragons).

Wales U20 Replacements:

16. Morgan Veness (Ealing Trailfinders), 17. Rhys Barratt (Cardiff Rugby), 18. Ellis Fackrell (Ospreys), 19. Benji Williams (Ospreys), 20. Tom Cowan (Bath Rugby), 21. Morgan Lloyd (Dragons), 22. Jac Lloyd (Bristol Bears), 23. Joe Hawkins (Ospreys).

Ireland
Try: Mullins (2), Devine, Morrissey, Crothers, McNabney, McCormick, Brownlee.
Conversion: Tector (4), King.
Penalty: Tector

Wales
Try: Andrew
Conversion:
Penalty:

List of Live Six Nations Rugby Matches on RTE and Virgin Media

We have the schedule of all the live Six Nations Rugby matches with channel and kick-off start times.

Friday 4th February
Ireland U20 27-44 Wales U20 Result

Saturday
Ireland v Wales, 2:15pm – Live on RTE2
Scotland v England, 4:45pm – Live on BBC1 & Virgin

Sunday
France v Italy, 4pm – Live on Virgin

RTÉ and Virgin Media Television today announced details of its historic partnership to bring all of the 2022 Six Nations Rugby action, free-to-air for Irish sports fans. Starting on Friday 4 February with Ireland U-20’s taking on France, coverage includes all matches from Ireland Men’s, Women’s and U-20s tournaments.

The partnership will see all matches in the Guinness Six Nations equally aired across both broadcasters, showcasing the agonies and ecstasies of Rugby’s Greatest Championship. Ireland open the 2022 edition of the Championship on Saturday 5 February against reigning champions, Wales. Then on 26 March the Women’s Six Nations begins with current title holders England taking on their age-old rivals Scotland.

Commenting, Dee Forbes, RTÉ Director General said: “There’s always great excitement among sports fans at this time of the year about the start of the Six Nations Rugby action and more so this year with all three tournaments – Men’s, Women’s and Under-20s – being available, free-to-air, on RTÉ and Virgin Media Ireland. We are delighted to have the Guinness Six Nations back on RTÉ and we are looking forward to bringing great coverage and analysis of all three Championships to audiences across our services.”

Paul Farrell, Virgin Media Television Managing Director said: “This unique partnership puts sport and rugby fans first and we’re delighted that this historic agreement ensures that the Six Nations Rugby, across Men’s, Women’s and Under 20s competitions will continue to be available to Irish audiences on free-to-Air Television”.

RTÉ’s comprehensive Six Nations Rugby coverage of all 45 matches across the three tournaments includes exclusive free-to-air matches on RTÉ2, RTÉ Radio and RTÉ Player, while RTÉ.ie/Sport will have minute-by-minute match coverage alongside news, analysis and interviews and on @RTErugby. Against The Head returns with the latest news and discussions on Monday nights on RTÉ2 and RTÉ sport will bring fans closer to all things Six Nations on The RTÉ Rugby Podcast. RTÉ News will have the latest coverage around the Six Nations, including updates on the RTÉ News Now app.

Virgin Media Television will broadcast live and exclusive coverage across Virgin Media One, Virgin Media Two, Virgin Media Sport and Virgin Media Player. Coverage will be live every weekend with weekly studio highlights, starting on Sunday at 8pm on Virgin Media Two. The weekly VMTV Rugby Podcast will keep you up to date with all things Six Nations. There will also be updates across Virgin Media News bulletins and on the @VMSportIE twitter page. If you miss any of the action Virgin Media Sport will have extended highlights of all the matches from the weekend throughout the week.

Fans will also see a new Six Nations promotional campaign, created by RTÉ and Virgin Media Television broadcast on both channels, a first for both stations.

Guinness Six Nations Men’s Rugby coverage on RTÉ and Virgin Media is sponsored by Vodafone.

Hansen and Aki in Ireland starting team to play Wales in Six Nations

Mack Hansen and Bundee Aki are both starting for Ireland against Wales on Saturday, kick-off time 2:15 pm. Both could be seen as surprising.

Andy Farrell has named the match day 23 to kick start Ireland’s 2022 Guinness Six Nations Championship campaign against Wales at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

The 23 includes one new cap and two players set to make their Championship debuts.

Johnny Sexton will captain the team on his 102nd cap for Ireland and his 53rd appearance in the Championship.  Sexton is joined at half-back by Jamison Gibson Park while Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose link up in the centre for a fifteenth time for Ireland.

 

Mack Hansen – Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

The uncapped Connacht wing Mack Hansen lines out on the left wing with Andrew Conway on the right and Hugo Keenan at fullback starting his seventeenth consecutive Test match.

In the pack, the front row features Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong with Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan locking down the second row.  Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan are named in the backrow.

In the replacements James Hume and Dan Sheehan are set to make their Championship debuts. They are joined on the bench by Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Ryan Baird, Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray and Joey Carbery.

Ireland Team & Replacements (v Wales, Guinness Six Nations, Saturday, February 5, 2:15pm)

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 16 caps
14. Andrew Conway (Munster/Garryowen) 27 caps
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 37 caps
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians) 33 caps
11. Mack Hansen (Connacht) uncapped
10. Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 101 caps CAPTAIN
9. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 12 caps
1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 40 caps
2. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 16 caps
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 52 caps
4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 25 caps
5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 40 caps
6. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 12 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 35 caps
8. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 22 caps

Replacements
16. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne) 2 caps
17. Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 112 caps
18. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 18 caps
19. Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University) 6 caps
20. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 79 caps
21. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 92 caps
22. Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf) 27 caps
23. James Hume (Ulster/Banbridge) 1 cap

 

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