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Parsons among Ireland Women’s squad named for Dubai 7s tournament

The Ireland Women’s Sevens squad that will take part in this weekend’s 2022 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series opener in Dubai has been named, and it includes a number of 15s stars.

IRFU Director of Women’s and Sevens Rugby, Anthony Eddy, has called up four players that were involved in Ireland’s (15s) win over the United States in Dublin earlier this month.

Beibhinn Parsons, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, Stacey Flood and Eve Higgins were all part of Adam Griggs’ squad for the November Internationals before leaving to join the Sevens squad for the upcoming tournament.

Sevens captain Lucy Mulhall returns to the setup after spending time with the national rugby union team during their failed World Cup qualification campaign.

Mulhall will lead the Ireland Women as they make a welcome return to World Series action for the first time since Sydney in February 2020.

The uncapped Erin King is set to make her senior Sevens debut in Dubai after being called up following some stand-out performances for Leinster in last summer’s Under-18 Women’s Interprovincial Championship.

Ireland, under the guidance of Eddy and incoming Head Coach, Aiden McNulty, kick off their 2022 campaign against Fiji in Pool B on Friday morning (9.22 am local time/5.22 am Irish time).

Ireland Women then face familiar foes Great Britain (12.34 pm local time/8.34 am Irish time) and Canada (6.07 pm local time/2.07 pm Irish time) in further Pool outings on Friday, before going head-to-head with Russia in their final first-round clash on Saturday (9.44 am local time/5.44 am Irish time).

Commenting ahead of the Dubai 7s, Eddy said: “Both squads are extremely excited to be back on the World Series and Dubai is always a quality tournament and a great experience for the players.

“The teams will be very eager to perform well over the two weekends of competition and get off to a good start for the Series ahead.”

All games are available to watch live on World Rugby’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series website here, while there will be live coverage on the Irish Rugby social media channels.

Ireland Women’s Sevens squad for Dubai

Kathy Baker (Blackrock College RFC)
Claire Boles (Railway Union RFC)
Brittany Hogan (Ballynahinch RFC/Old Belvedere RFC)
Erin King (Old Belvedere RFC)
Katie Heffernan (Mullingar RFC/Railway Union RFC)
Stacey Flood (Railway Union RFC)
Aoibheann Reilly (Blackrock College RFC)
Lucy Mulhall (Rathdrum RFC) (capt)
Eve Higgins (Railway Union RFC)
Kate Farrell McCabe (Suttonians RFC)
Béibhinn Parsons (Blackrock College RFC)
Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe (Railway Union RFC)
Megan Burns (Blackrock College RFC)

Six Olympians in Ireland Men’s Sevens squad for World Series opener

The Ireland Men’s Sevens team that will compete in the upcoming 2022 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series opener in Dubai has been named.

IRFU Director of Women’s and Sevens Rugby, Anthony Eddy, has selected a 13-player panel that will represent the national team in the United Arab Emirates this weekend – the tournament will be held at Dubai’s Sevens Stadium from Friday, November 26 – Saturday, November 27.

Six Olympians have been named in the squad as the side look to build on their first-ever Olympic appearance in Tokyo earlier this year as well as two positive tournaments in Canada back in September.

Billy Dardis once again captains the side, with fellow Olympians Jack Kelly, Mark Roche, Bryan Mollen, Hugo Lennox and Terry Kennedy all named in the squad for Dubai.

Ireland will be coached by James Topping for the tournament – Topping previously took charge of the side for the competitions in Canada.

Ireland get the Men’s tournament up and running in Pool C against South Africa on Friday morning (9.32 am local time/5.32 am Irish time). Clashes against Great Britain (1.46 pm local time/9.46 am Irish time) and Japan (4.08 pm local time/12.08 pm Irish time) follow on Friday.

The Women’s squad has also been named for their HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series opener, also held in Dubai.

Commenting ahead of the Dubai 7s, Eddy said: “Both squads are extremely excited to be back on the World Series and Dubai is always a quality tournament and a great experience for the players.

“The teams will be very eager to perform well over the two weekends of competition and get off to a good start for the Series ahead.”

All games are available to watch live on World Rugby’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series website here, while there will be live coverage on the Irish Rugby social media channels.

Ireland Men’s Sevens Squad – Dubai 7s

Jack Kelly (Dublin University FC)
Liam Turner (Dublin University FC/Leinster)
Mark Roche (Lansdowne FC)
Zac Ward (Ballynahinch RFC)
Bryan Mollen (Blackrock College RFC)
Billy Dardis (Terenure College RFC) (capt)
Sean Cribbin (Suttonians RFC)
Hugo Lennox (Skerries RFC)
Aaron O’Sullivan (Blackrock College RFC)
Terry Kennedy (St. Mary’s College RFC)
Niall Comerford (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Ed Kelly (Dublin University FC)
Jude Postlethwaite (Banbridge RFC/Ulster).

Waterford FC owner ‘left with no other option’ but to sack Bircham

Waterford FC owner Richard Forrest has released a statement after the club relieved Marc Bircham of his duties as head coach this morning.

The sacking of the ex-Canadian footballer comes three days before the team’s biggest game of the season – a promotion/relegation play-off against SSE Airtricity League First Division side UCD.

Bircham had joined the side in May, becoming the fifth manager to do so in a 12-month period and the team finished 27 points above Longford Town under his tutelage after being bottom upon his arrival.

However, draws to Longford and St Patrick’s Athletic in their final two games meant they could not avoid a play-off, which now sees their Premier Division status hang in the balance after being promoted for the 2018 season.

Bircham had revealed on Tuesday morning that he had been suspended by Forrest for a week after a conversation via text the previous night but, less than an hour after he made the information public, he was sacked.

In his statement about today’s events, Forrest said: “Since I arrived in Waterford my full and total commitment has been to unite the club and build a Waterford FC we can all be proud of.

“I am extremely disappointed to have had to make this tough decision we did today especially given the huge match we have facing us on Friday.

“I feel we were backed into a corner, given an ultimatum, which as an owner left me no choice but to act now in the long term best interests of the club.

“I would have only made this decision when left with no other option and I take no personal satisfaction from it.

“Therefore, it would not be right for me to comment any further on the above as we now need to put all our energy into Friday’s game and have the squad fully focused.

“The club would like to thank Marc for the great job he has done for us and wish him all the best for the future.

“Finally, I would encourage everyone to all get behind the team as you have done throughout this season as we, THE BLUES, fight for our right to be in the League of Ireland Premier.”

Waterford will play UCD on Friday, November 26 at Richmond Park with kick-off scheduled for 7:45 pm.

Devin Toner: ‘I’d like to think the young lads look up to what I’ve done’

Devin Toner has been a Leinster player since 2006 and currently has the record for the most appearances in blue with 268.

His name has been a mainstay for years in matchday squads, with this season being his 17th with the province, and he was also an important member of the Irish national side in the previous decade – particularly under Joe Schmidt.

Head Coach Leo Cullen described him as a “hugely influential” figure in the squad at the beginning of the season, noting that he had given the side a talk ahead of their United Rugby Championship match against Glasgow Warriors in October.

The 35-year-old underlined how he sees his role within the squad at Monday’s press conference.

“I’m just a player in the squad, obviously,” Toner said. “Whenever I’m picked to play, I do my best.

“Whenever I’m not picked to play, I do my best to prepare the lads which is like obviously, whoever we’re playing, the opposition we’re playing, we have to prepare their lineouts and prepare them in the game and do what they can.

“I’d like to think the young lads would look up to what I’ve done and, you know, the games that I’ve played and see me as a source of knowledge if they like and ask me whatever they want.

“I’d like to think I’m a bit of an open book for the younger lads and I suppose an ear and a bit of knowledge for them. Hopefully anyway.”

Among the younger lads in the squad is lock Jack Dunne, a 23-year-old who shares the same position as Toner.

Dunne will play for the Barbarians this weekend in Twickenham where they will face Samoa.

The Trinity College forward is coming off of a major ankle injury and returned to action in the All-Ireland League last weekend, with the Baa-Baas now set to make up the next stage of his comeback.

“I’m absolutely delighted for Dunners. He’s had his time with injury in the last while after breaking his ankle and stuff.

“He is a great player and [he’s only 23] but it seems like he has been around for ages. He’s some character, man, and I think he definitely is one for the future.

“He used to be a bit of a lump to try and lift last year but I think, after he got injured he’s kind of leaned down and he you can fly him up in the air now anyway.

“I’d be delighted to see how he gets on with the Barbarians – him and Rob [Kearney] back together again.”

Tipperary footballer Brian Fox announces retirement

Tipperary’s 33-year-old stalwart forward Brian Fox has called time on his inter-county career after 14 years with the Premier County

The Eire Óg Annacarty Donohill player has finally parted ways with the county team since his debut in 2009. The highlight of his long career came during the Covid-19 lockdown as he won the Munster SFC final in 2020.

Fox was part of the team that won Tipperary’s first provincial title in 85 years on the weekend of the centenary of Bloody Sunday. That was the forward’s sixth attempt at the Munster title after making it to the crowning game at minor, U21, and senior levels.

Tipperary manager David Power has paid a tribute to Fox after his retirement.

“Brian Fox has been a great servant to Tipperary Football, he has represented the blue and gold with great distinction over the years, he will be a massive loss to the senior panel not only for his leadership on and off the pitch, but he was superb with all the new players that came into the panel, he was always there to help.

“On a personal note, I will never forget his face of pure emotion and joy when that final whistle was blown down in Cork last year, and thank him for all the great memories, he was part of over the last ten years.”

Brian Fox also released a statement through the Tipperary County Board. He described is time with the team as an honour and a privilage.

Brian Fox’s statement

“Firstly, I would like to thank all the Tipperary players I’ve shared a dressing room with. The great memories and friendships will always be prized more than any silverware won. I am also very grateful to the various managers and their backroom teams who gave me so much advice and encouragement throughout my career.

“To my club, Eire Og Annacarty Donohill, a very special place, thanks to everyone in the club. We are a small but proud club, and I couldn’t have been prouder to have represented you for Tipperary. I look forward to many more years in the blue and white.

“My parents Kevin and Josefa, who instilled a huge love of Gaelic games in me and did everything to help me try and realise my dream of playing for Tipperary. My siblings Fiona, Karen and Kev, who in no small way helped me develop my competitive nature! And to all my extended family and friends who have travelled everywhere in convoy to support me and made those memorable moments all that bit more special. Thank you.

“I am very fortunate to have had the support of my wife Siobhan throughout the course of my career. She has seen all the highs and lows and often been the sympathetic ear after a tough loss, but that has just made the good days that bit sweeter. Last year’s Munster final victory was obviously the highlight of my career, but getting to share it with her and our two children, Tadhg and Lily, made it all the more magical.

“Finally, I want to wish David and the lads all the best for the year ahead. I look forward to watching and roaring you on from the stands for what I’m sure will be many more great days. Tipp Abu”.

To read more from this writer, click here.

And to read more in-depth and up-to-date Tipperary and intercounty club GAA news, click here.

Liverpool to check fitness of Robertson and Henderson before Porto game

Liverpool will monitor the fitness of Andy Robertson and Jordan Henderson before their UEFA Champions League fixture against Porto on Wednesday night at 8 pm.

The two players picked up injuries in the recent international window and both missed out on starting spots against Arsenal at the weekend as a result.

Henderson appeared as a substitute during the second half of the 4-0 victory over Arsenal, while Robertson was not involved with the matchday squad.

Offering an update on the duo at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Jürgen Klopp said: “We always respect the competition but we have to think about ourselves, our schedule and the situation of our players first.

“Hendo, we will see. [Monday], I would say maybe he was not at 100 per cent. So he can play, he can do pretty much everything but it’s about really being at 100 per cent fit.

“So I thought when he came on against Arsenal it was just to see the game out and controlling a little bit – that was exactly actually what he had to do from the rehab point of view, so he used these few minutes. But now we have to see. I don’t know 100 per cent.

“Robbo, similar. Both are OK, but are both now ready to play, ready to start with the schedule, with games coming up? We have to make these decisions.

“We didn’t make these decisions yet, to be honest, because, how we all know, in this time of the season the medical department has a big hand in line-ups. So we will see.”

Liverpool have already won their Champions League group after winning their first four games at that stage of the competition for the first time in their history.

Porto sit second in the group, seven points off Liverpool and one ahead of Atletico Madrid – wins for Porto and AC Milan will send the Portuguese club into the last 16.

Waterford manager Marc Bircham sacked before play-off

Waterford FC manager Marc Bircham has been sacked before his side’s promotion/relegation play-off against UCD on Friday, November 26.

The game, held at Richmond Park, will determine the league status of both clubs for the 2022 season.

Waterford finished ninth in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division while UCD finished third in the First Division and beat Treaty United and Bray Wanderers to get within one game of the top flight.

Initially, Bircham claimed that he was suspended by the club’s owner after a “difference of opinion on a couple of matters” with the club’s owner, Richard Forrest, on Monday night.

However, Waterford announced via social media that the manager had been sacked under an hour later.

Their brief statement reads: “Waterford FC have terminated the contract of Marc Bircham. The club will be making no further comment at this time.”

Bircham had joined the club in May when they were bottom of the league and his efforts saw them finish 27 points ahead of Longford Town but fail to avoid a play-off.

He was the fifth manager the club had employed in 12 months since the departure of Alan Reynolds.

Speaking to WLR this morning following his sacking, Bircham said that he was surprised at the decision, but could not say much more under the advice of his legal team.

“I put out a statement today which I thought was perfectly fine, just stating facts and letting everyone know I wasn’t there and I won’t be at the game.

“Then I just found out on social media that they terminated the contract. Nobody has contacted me whatsoever.

“The owner texted me last night that I was suspended for a week and I’m not allowed contact players or staff.

“I was surprised this morning and even more surprised now. My official statement is that I am surprised. It’s all out of my control.

“The decision has been made without me.”

Waterford will play UCD at Richmond Park on Friday, November 26 at 7:45 pm with their Premier Division spot on the line.

Chelsea v Juventus – Preview, Betting, Probable Starting Teams

The Blues are looking for an important win as they host a top of Group H clash this evening in the Champions League

Chelsea v Juventus will kick off at 20:00 on Tuesday, 23rd November in Stamford Bridge. Serbian referee Srdjan Jovanovic will take charge of the tie. Highlights of the match will be shown on Virgin Media Two and Sky Sports.

Manager Thomas Tuchel will be very happy to come into this tie after going nine games unbeaten, including two Champions League wins against Malmo. Those wins have Chelsea sitting in second place in the group with nine points, six ahead of third-place Zenit St Petersburg.

A good result tonight will ensure their qualification from the group and help them leapfrog Juventus into first place.

The Old Lady are beginning to turn their season around.  Although they are historically the strongest Italian team with Maximilliano Allegri as manager, Juventus are in eighth place in their league.

It may be too late for them to win the league title but they can focus their efforts on finally winning silverware in Europe.

The Italian giants have owned this fixture in the last decade. They have played three times since 2012 with Juventus coming out on top twice and one game ending in a draw.

Most recently in late September, Allegri’s team kept a clean sheet as they won 1-0 in the Allianz Stadium in Turin. That night, Chelsea were very poor in front of goal, with 73 percent possession and 16 shots but only one on target. Tuchel will want a stronger performance to ensure their team’s qualification.

Chelsea v Juventus Probable Starting Teams

Chelsea

Formation

3-4-2-1

Probable Starting 11

Mendy (GK), Rudiger, Christensen, Azpilicueta, Chilwell, Jorginho, Kanté, James, Pulisic, Mount, Havertz.

Injuries / Suspensions

Kovacic (Hamstring)

 

Juventus

Formation

4-4-2

Probable Starting 11

Szczesny (GK), Sandro, de Ligt, Bonucci, Cuadrado, Rabiot, McKennie, Kulusevski, Morata, Chiesa.

Injuries / Suspensions

Ramsey (Muscle injury), Danilo (Muscle injury), Bernardeschi (Groin), Chiellini (Achilles tendon), De Sciglio (Hamstring)

Chelsea v Juventus Match Betting

Chelsea to win: 4/7

Draw: 14/5

Juventus to win: 5/1

 

Score Prediction

Juventus were able to prove their strength earlier in the season but injuries seem to be their main downfall tonight. Tuchel will want to keep the club’s unbeaten run going over the last two months and that will continue in this game.

Expect the game to end 2-0 to Chelsea.

To read more from this writer, click here.

And to read more in-depth and up-to-date Champions League and international club football news, click here.

McBryde puts trust in Leinster medical staff to help James Ryan

Leinster assistant coach Robin McBryde has put his trust in the province’s medical staff to help lock forward James Ryan back to fitness.

The Irish international suffered a head injury in the national side’s 53-7 rout of Argentina at the weekend and has entered Leinster’s Return to Play protocols.

The second-rower will miss the team’s first interprovincial game of the season against Ulster on Saturday night but McBryde knows that it is for the best to put Ryan’s health first.

“We’ll be led by the medics. I don’t think it’s just confined to Leinster. It’s throughout world rugby at the moment with regards to trying to lessen these impacts and making sure that we look after the player. Put their health first,” McBryde said.

“You’ve just got to go through those protocols and trust that they’re in the best hands. I’m sure they are. We’ll just have to wait and see on that one.”

Leinster have a 10-game stretch on the horizon after the end of the international window and will tap into their depth throughout those ten weeks.

In the case of their first match of that block against Ulster, first-team players such as Ryan, Jack Conan (quad) and captain Jonathan Sexton (knee and ankle) will not be available for selection.

McBryde applauds the province’s strength-in-depth and believes it will shine positively on the most recent league champions in the coming weeks, with their European fixtures also set to kick-off soon.

“The guys back here have been working hard for this past month and I know they’re ready to take an opportunity if it comes their way.

“We’re fortunate that we’ve got good strength-in-depth, so we can afford to treat each individual case with regards to how much minutes they’ve played etc. Make sure they don’t get burn out.

“Because it’s going to be a busy schedule ahead of us, this next block of games for us. We’re into the interpros and then we’re into Europe.

“Back into the interpros and then they’re straight into the Six Nations after going back into Europe.

“It’s a big block of games, but we have got strength in depth. We’ve got quality. Hopefully, we’ll be able to manage everybody and make sure none of them get that burnt-out feeling.”

The game this week is Leinster’s first matchup of the United Rugby Championship’s new Irish Shield – points in this match go towards both the regular-season table and a smaller table with all four provinces.

Ulster come into the match against the unbeaten Pro 14 champions off the back of a heavy defeat to Connacht at the Aviva Stadium.

However, McBryde knows the quality of the opponent that his team are scheduled to face this weekend.

“They proved difficult in the last game we played them in the Rainbow Cup. They’re big men, they’ve got good go-forward.

“They carry hard, they make it really difficult for the opposition to get their game going as well.

“It will be a big test for us, but it will be hopefully one that we can stand up to and show some of the work we’ve done in the past month as well with these guys.

“We haven’t been standing still, we’ve been working on one or two things and hopefully we’ll see that come to the fore on Saturday.”

Energia All-Ireland Cup Quarter-Final Draw

The 2021/22 Energia All-Ireland Cup quarter-final draw has been made, with several entertaining matchups on the horizon in the competition.

Blackrock College and Railway Union will go head-to-head for a spot in the final four – both teams have had recent success in the competition.

Blackrock were the champions in 2017 and 2019 while Railway won the crown in between those successes in 2018.

The pair met in the competition in 2016 in a match where Blackrock emerged victorious but five years later, in what could be the tie of the round, the fixture could go any way.

Galwegians came through a tough test against non-league opposition when they beat Kerry in Tralee at the weekend.

They’ll face a similar challenge in the last eight with a trip to Belfast to take on Queen’s University.

Wicklow and Ballincollig were both non-league sides the last time this competition was played and showcased their development with wins against Co. Cavan and OLBC respectively.

Their reward for their progression is a pairing together in the quarter-final brackets.

Cooke will await the winners of the round of 16 match between Old Belvedere and UL Bohemian after the game was postponed.

The Energia All-Ireland Plate will be contested by the four teams knocked out of the cup quarter-finals, meaning that the loser of the postponed round of 16 fixture will not be able to compete for it.

However, the Energia All-Ireland Shield exists as a competition for teams that lost in the Cup’s Round of 16. It commences with quarter-finals – the loser of Old Belvedere v UL Bohemians will enter this competition.

Kerry receive a bye first up and will visit the winners of Malone v Tipperary in the semi-finals.

The team that loses the cup game between Old Belvedere and UL Bohemian also has a bye and will have home advantage against the winners of Co. Cavan v OLBC.

Quarter-final games will be played on the weekend of January 8th, 2022, with fixture details to be confirmed.

Quarter-Finals

Energia All-Ireland Cup

Wicklow v Ballincollig

Queen’s University v Galwegians

Railway Union v Blackrock College

Old Belvedere/UL Bohemian v Cooke

Energia All-Ireland Shield

Co. Cavan v OLBC

BYE v Kerry

Malone v Tipperary

Old Belvedere/UL Bohemian v BYE

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