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Brighton keeper Megan Walsh joins Ireland WNT squad

Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper Megan Walsh has joined the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team squad ahead of their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia and Georgia.

Walsh received international clearance from FIFA to become eligible for selection by Ireland manager Vera Pauw as she had represented England at Under-17, U-19 & U-23 level.

The 27-year-old also represented Great Britain at the 2017 Summer Universiade but has yet to earn a senior international cap.

The Brighton & Hove Albion stopper – who holds the Women’s Super League record for most saves – qualifies for Ireland through her Wexford-born Grandfather, William Walsh, and finally got the green light.

“It is a real honour and privilege to be called up into the Ireland squad. I was with Rianna Jarrett, Denise O’Sullivan and Megan Connolly at Brighton last year when my Irish heritage came up and things went from there,” said Walsh.

“It has taken about 12 months to finally get here. I am excited at the opportunity to be part of the Irish Women’s Team and to work with Vera.

“My Grandparents, on my Dad’s side, were from Enniscorthy, County Wexford, where we still have family.

“I know they would be so proud of me being part of the Women’s National Team.”

Walsh reported into Ireland camp following Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Reading, where fellow Ireland goalkeeper Grace Moloney kept a clean sheet.

“I realise I will have to fight hard for a place on the team but that’s always the case in elite football and I have had to do that wherever I have been in football,” said Walsh.

“The main thing is to qualify for the World Cup and I know all the squad will want to make sure we get out of the Group.”

Shelbourne midfielder Jess Ziu has also been added to the squad alongside 16-year-old clubmate Jessie Stapleton, Celtic’s Isibeal Atkinson and Birmingham City forward Emily Whelan.

Injuries rule out Glasgow City’s Claire Walsh, Wexford Youths midfielder Ellen Molloy and Liverpool forward Leanne Kiernan.

The squad will train at the FAI National Training Centre on Monday afternoon ahead of taking on Slovakia on Thursday, November 25th and then Georgia on Tuesday, November 30th – both at Tallaght Stadium.

Republic of Ireland squad for Slovakia and Georgia

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Defenders: Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Diane Caldwell (North Carolina Courage), Jessie Stapleton (Shelbourne), Savannah McCarthy (Galway WFC), Éabha O’Mahony (Boston College), Áine O’Gorman (Peamount United)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Niamh Farrelly (Glasgow City), Ciara Grant (Shelbourne), Aoibheann Clancy (Wexford Youths), Roma McLaughlin (Central Connecticut State University), Jess Ziu (Shelbourne)
Forwards: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Amber Barrett (FC Koln), Kyra Carusa (HB Koge), Emily Whelan (Birmingham City) Isibeal Atkinson (Celtic), Saoirse Noonan (Shelbourne), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)

Fixtures

2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Round – Group A
Republic of Ireland v Slovakia
Thursday, November 25th
Tallaght Stadium
KO 19:00
LIVE on RTÉ2
#IRLSVK

2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Round – Group A
Republic of Ireland v Georgia
Tuesday, November 30th
Tallaght Stadium
KO 19:00
LIVE on RTÉ2
#IRLGEO

Connors and Clarkson back in full training with Leinster

Leinster Rugby head coach Leo Cullen has issued an injury update ahead of Saturday’s United Rugby Championship game against Ulster at the RDS Arena – their first interprovincial game of the season (Kick-Off: 8.00 pm).

Thomas Clarkson and Will Connors have returned to training for the province after their respective hamstring and knee injuries.

Clarkson helped his club Dublin University to a dramatic victory over Lansdowne in the Energia Men’s All-Ireland League at the weekend.

Connors will undergo further assessment in his first week of full training since picking up his knee injury.

Jamison Gibson-Park will also be assessed throughout the week after he missed Ireland’s win over Argentina with a thigh injury.

Jack Conan, Johnny Sexton and James Ryan are not available for selection this weekend after picking up injuries on international duty.

Conan and Ryan withdrew late from the Ireland matchday 23 to face Argentina, whom they were both set to start against.

Number eight Conan will be further reviewed this week for a quad injury while lock Ryan has entered the Graduated Return to Play Protocols.

Leinster and Ireland captain Johnny Sexton will be unavailable for three to five weeks due to a knee and ankle issue.

Conor O’Brien and Dave Kearney are also unavailable after picking up injuries in last week’s Leinster ‘A’ win away to Ulster.

O’Brien will be sidelined for several months after sustaining a hamstring injury while Kearney will only need a couple of weeks to recover from his back injury.

No updates were given on the status of prop Michael Milne and back Rory O’Loughlin who continue to recover from their calf and shoulder injuries.

Glen earn first-ever Ulster SFC win to progress to quarter-finals

Derry senior football champions Glen beat Donegal’s St Eunan’s by the finest of margins to book their place in the Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final.

The first-time county champions were held at bay by Rory Kavanagh’s defensively sound Donegal outfit for the majority of the game but a mistake at the back was what brought them down, as Glen forward Danny Tallon kicked an easy free to win it in the dying moments.

Eunan’s were the better side for most of the game in what was initially a dour affair but a late penalty save from Shaun Patton and the even later winning free added excitement to the first game of this year’s Ulster Championship.

Watty Graham’s had the lion’s share of the possession throughout the game but Eunan’s goal after the first water break led to a period where both sides traded blows.

Tallon put the ball over the bar twice in the highest-scoring period of the game after the sole goal, coming close to replying to the Donegal side with a goal of his own.

However, the second half followed the same pattern of failing to excite as Eunan’s maintained their lead of two points until late.

Glen half-back Ciaran McFaul reduced the lead to one and the side went on the attack soon after in search of another score.

The uniform defence of the Donegal champions was burst open and Stevie O’Hara was one-on-one with Donegal number one Patton before being brought down.

Patton saved the resulting penalty but the defence was rattled and the Derry champions took advantage of this.

Michael Warnock knocked over the equaliser after being allowed a free shot by the nervous Eunan’s backline and a back pass after the following kick out allowed Danny Tallon to do what he does best, sealing the first-ever win for his club in the Ulster Senior Football Championship.

Tallon and co. will now progress to face Monaghan champions Scotstown in the quarter-final in two weeks time.

Liverpool star Morton ‘cant wipe the smile off his face’ after PL debut

Tyler Morton made his Premier League debut when he came on for Liverpool on Saturday evening in their 4-0 win over Arsenal at Anfield.

It was the 19-year-old’s third senior appearance of the season after appearing in the clubs’ two Carabao Cup fixtures of the season to date.

Morton played 45 minutes against Norwich City and started the team’s 2-0 win over Preston at the base of a midfield three.

He replaced Thiago Alcantara in the 84th minute on Saturday, running onto the Anfield pitch in front of 50,000 fans for the final minutes of the game – the 50,000in attendance included his family.

“As you can see on my face, I can’t wipe the smile off it!” Morton told Liverpoolfc.com.

“It’s a different feeling to any other feeling, especially your boyhood club, as everyone will know. Being a fan all my life and now stepping on the pitch, it felt surreal.

“But that’s where I want to be, so that’s where I’m going to push to be.”

Morton has excelled for Liverpool’s Under-23’s this season and his performances across all competitions for them has earned him spots on the bench in important games such as the Arsenal clash.

His showing in the UEFA Youth League in particular have caught the eye of fans and staff at the club, with his ability to control games evident.

It was fitting that that was his first task as a Premier League player when he replaced Liverpool’s regular conductor, Thiago.

“I was straight in the zone, no messing about for me! I was straight into the game, making sure we secured the win, making sure I kept the ball and doing everything I normally do nicely. It all went to plan in the end.

“My family – everyone dreamed of being a Liverpool footballer and I’ve gone and done it. They tell me every day going to training how proud they are of me. And it just felt so good doing it for them and doing it for my best mate.

“And especially the manager and the players I’m working with are different class, to get a warm ‘well done’ off them is just amazing.”

After Morton’s performances this season at both U23 and senior level, more appearances under Jurgen Klopp are certain to come his way.

Three Sri Lanka players test positive for Covid-19

Three Sri Lanka players at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2021 have tested positive for COVID-19 and are isolating.

The players tested positive following a screening of all team members after one player showed mild symptoms, as per the bio-secure protocols in place to ensure the safety of all participants in the nine-team event, which got underway in Harare on Sunday.

Two of the players are experiencing mild symptoms, whilst the third is asymptomatic. All three are isolating and receiving the appropriate medical care.

The remainder of the Sri Lanka squad are negative but are currently isolating as a precaution and will be re-tested ahead of their opening match against the Netherlands on Tuesday.

ICC Head of Events Chris Tetley said the event would be proceeding as planned: “We have playing squads of 15 at the event, which allows for injuries and illness, including COVID-19 to be managed, and in addition teams have had the option of bringing traveling reserves with them.

“As you would expect, the remainder of the squad are being closely monitored and they will all be re-tested ahead of taking to the field on Tuesday.

“The event bio-security plan provides us with protocols to manage positive tests effectively with the intention of enabling the event to proceed whilst keeping all other players and participants safe.”

Sri Lanka play the Netherlands in their opening match on Tuesday with their remaining Group A matches on Saturday (vs the West Indies) and Monday (vs Ireland).

Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Zimbabwe and the USA form Group B, with three sides from each group making it to the Super Six stage, in which the final placings will be decided.

The tournament decides three qualifiers for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 to be held in New Zealand from 4 March to 3 April, joining five teams who have already qualified through the ICC Women’s Championship – Australia, England, India, South Africa and hosts New Zealand.

The three qualifiers as well as the next two teams will also ensure places in the next ICC Women’s Championship (IWC) along with the top five from last time, as the number of teams in the third cycle of the IWC goes up from eight to 10 teams.

Energia Men’s All-Ireland League Round-Up – Round 6

Dylan Donnellan showed he is the lineout maul maestro with a hat-trick of tries as Clontarf ended Young Munster’s unbeaten start to the Energia Men’s All-Ireland League season.

Munsters’ five-match winning run in the Energia Men’s All-Ireland League was halted by Clontarf who triumphed 33-17 in Greenfields to move to the top of Division 1A. In-form hooker Donnellan now has eight tries to his name.

A devastating lineout drive in the 10th minute propelled him over for his first score, superbly converted from out wide by Conor Kearns.

It was 21-5 by half-time as the north Dubliners continued to pack a punch up front, Donnellan was driven over on two more occasions before Jack Harrington’s try gave the Cookies a late lift.

Yellow cards for David Begley and Max Kearney preceded a ‘Tarf penalty try and a converted Dan Walsh effort at the other end.

Michael Brown’s excellent offload saw the visitors strike the killer blow in the 67th minute, as replacement Adrian D’Arcy touched down. Conor Hayes responded late on with his seventh try of the campaign.

Meanwhile, after putting it up to Munsters last time out, UCC broke their duck with a hard-earned 10-6 win at Ballynahinch. All of the points in this basement battle – including Matthew Bowen’s well-finished try – were crammed into the first quarter.

Defending champions Cork Constitution have undoubtedly hit form, this time handing UCD a 38-10 beating at Temple Hill for their third successive win. Classy centres Greg Higgins (2) and Niall Kenneally contributed three tries.

Terenure College reeled off second half tries from Levi Vaughan, Craig Adams, who had a James Lowe-esque finish, and Alan Bennie to overcome Garryowen 25-13 at Lakelands Park.

On Friday night, Lansdowne lost 27-25 on their home patch to Dublin University who watched their stand-in out-half Aran Egan arrow over a last-gasp match-winning penalty.

Two counter-attacking tries, scored by Cathal Gallagher and Paul Stack, saw Highfield win Division 1B’s top of the table clash. They beat Old Wesley 20-7, with fit-again out-half James Taylor kicking 10 points.

Ulster starlet Aaron Sexton touched down twice in Malone’s 22-21 derby defeat of Banbridge, while Andrew Willis’ 67th-minute try – his second of the game – guided City of Armagh past Naas on an 18-17 scoreline.

St. Mary’s College continued on the winning trail, edging out Old Belvedere 24-21 thanks to a smashing Ronan Watters try and some defiant late defence.

WEEKEND RESULTS:

ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE DIVISION 1A:

LANSDOWNE 25 DUBLIN UNIVERSITY 27, Aviva Stadium back pitch (played on Friday)
Scorers: Lansdowne: Tries: Peter Hastie, Mark Boyle, Eamonn Mills, Jamie Kavanagh; Con: David Moran; Pen: Peter Hastie
Dublin University: Tries: Alan Francis, Louis O’Reilly, Jamie Berrisford; Cons: Aran Egan 3; Pens: Aran Egan 2
HT: Lansdowne 13 Dublin University 14

LANSDOWNE: Stephen Madigan; Liam O’Sullivan, Paul Kiernan, Corey Reid, Andy Marks; Peter Hastie, Cormac Foley; Frank Kavanagh, Luke Thompson, JJ Hession, Joey Szpara, Jack Dwan, Clive Ross, Jack O’Sullivan (capt), Mark Boyle.

Replacements: Jamie Kavanagh, Oisin Michel, Daniel Murphy, James Kenny, Eamonn Mills, David Moran.

DUBLIN UNIVERSITY: Luis Faria; Hugh Twomey, Marcus Kiely, Gavin Jones, Ronan Quinn; Aran Egan, Louis O’Reilly; Bary Vermeulen, Mark Nicholson, Thomas Connolly, Joe McCarthy, Harry Sheridan, Anthony Ryan, Alan Francis, Diarmuid McCormack.

Replacements: Donnacha Mescal, Thomas Clarkson, Jack Dunne, Jamie Berrisford, Cormac King, Louis McDonough.

BALLYNAHINCH 6 UCC 10, Ballymacarn Park
Scorers: Ballynahinch: Pens: Jack Milligan 2
UCC: Try: Matthew Bowen; Con: Rob Hedderman; Pen: Rob Hedderman
HT: Ballynahinch 6 UCC 10

BALLYNAHINCH: Yasser Omar; Shane Ball, Tagen Strydom, Rory Butler, Aaron Cairns; Jack Milligan, Chris Gibson; John Dickson, Zack McCall (capt), Kyle McCall, James Simpson, John Donnan, Thomas Donnan, Oli Loughead, Bradley Luney.

Replacements: Nacho Cladera Crespo, Joshua Hanlon, Diego Vidal Souza, Callum Irvine, Conor McAuley, Greg Hutley.

UCC: Rob Hedderman (capt); Louis Bruce, Darragh French, Daniel Squires, Matthew Bowen; Cian Whooley, Louis Kahn; Alessandro Heaney, Scott Buckley, Corey Hanlon, Sam O’Sullivan, Mark Bissessar, Aidan Brien, Jack Kelleher, Jack O’Sullivan.

Replacements: Daniel O’Connor, Tom Ormond, Michael Cogan, Patrick McBarron, Luke Kerr, Timothy Duggan.

CORK CONSTITUTION 38 UCD 10, Temple Hill
Scorers: Cork Constitution: Tries: Niall Kenneally, Greg Higgins 2, JJ O’Neill, Cathal O’Flaherty, John Poland; Cons: Aidan Moynihan 4
UCD: Try: James Tarrant; Con: James Tarrant; Pen: Chris Cosgrave
HT: Cork Constitution 22 UCD 3

CORK CONSTITUTION: Billy Crowley; JJ O’Neill, Greg Higgins, Niall Kenneally, Rob Jermyn; Aidan Moynihan (capt), Gerry Hurley; Brendan Quinlan, Max Abbott, Paddy Casey, Cian Barry, Eoin Quilter, John Forde, Michael Casey, David Hyland.

Replacements: Jack Dinneen, Dylan Murphy, Cathal O’Flaherty, Luke Cahill, John Poland, Tomas Quinlan.

UCD: Chris Cosgrave; David Heavey, David Ryan, James Moriarty, Jack Ringrose (capt); James Tarrant, Rob Gilsenan; Chris Hennessy, Bobby Sheehan, Evin Coyle, Diarmuid Mangan, Tom Coghlan, Alec Byrne, Sean O’Brien, Ronan Foley.

Replacements: Richie Bergin, Rory Mulvihill, Rory McGuire, Jack Gardiner, Harry Donnelly, Tim Corkery.

TERENURE COLLEGE 25 GARRYOWEN 13, Lakelands Park
Scorers: Terenure College: Tries: Levi Vaughan, Alan Bennie, Craig Adams; Cons: Caolan Dooley 2; Pens: Caolan Dooley 2
Garryowen: Tries: Nicky Greene, Jamie Shanahan; Pen: Tony Butler
HT: Terenure College 6 Garryowen 5

TERENURE COLLEGE: Adam La Grue; Sam Coghlan Murray, Colm de Buitléar, Caolan Dooley, Craig Adams; Cathal Marsh, Alan Bennie; Campbell Classon, Levi Vaughan, Andy Keating, Mike Murphy, Michael Melia, Harrison Brewer, Luke Clohessy, Conall Boomer.

Replacements: Conor McCormack, Adam Tuite, Matthew Caffrey, Robert Lalor, Mark O’Neill, Jake Swaine.

GARRYOWEN: Jamie Heuston; Colm Quilligan, Bryan Fitzgerald, Jack Delaney, Jamie Shanahan; Tony Butler, Ed Barry; Mark Donnelly, Pat O’Toole, Darragh McCarthy, Roy Whelan, Kevin Seymour (capt), Nicky Greene, Daniel Feasey, Sean Rennison.

Replacements: Dylan Murphy, Michael Veale, Jack Madden, Aaron Cosgrove, Tommy O’Hora, Alan Fitzgerald.

YOUNG MUNSTER 17 CLONTARF 33, Tom Clifford Park
Scorers: Young Munster: Tries: Jack Harrington, Dan Walsh, Conor Hayes; Con: Evan Cusack
Clontarf: Tries: Dylan Donnellan 3, Penalty try, Adrian D’Arcy; Cons: Conor Kearns 3, Pen try con
HT: Young Munster 5 Clontarf 21

YOUNG MUNSTER: Patrick Campbell; Conor Hayes, Pa Ryan, Harry Fleming, Jack Harrington; Evan Cusack, Jack Lyons; David Begley, Mark O’Mara, Conor Bartley, Alan Kennedy (capt), Tom Goggin, Bailey Faloon, John Foley, Dan Walsh.

Replacements: Peter Meyer, Paul Allen, Sean Rigney, Eoin O’Connor, Adam Maher, Craig O’Hanlon.

CLONTARF: Jack Power; Michael Brown, Michael Courtney, Matt D’Arcy (capt), Seni Reilly Ashiru; Conor Kearns, Angus Lloyd; Darragh Bolger, Dylan Donnellan, Ben Griffin, Cormac Daly, Ed Kelly, Adrian D’Arcy, Max Kearney, Tony Ryan.

Replacements: Barry Gray, Ivan Soroka, Jonny Phelan, Peter Hoy, Cian O’Donoghue, Fionn Gilbert.

ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE DIVISION 1B:

HIGHFIELD 20 OLD WESLEY 7, Woodleigh Park
Scorers: Highfield: Tries: Cathal Gallagher, Paul Stack; Cons: James Taylor 2; Pens: James Taylor 2
Old Wesley: Try: Ben Burns; Con: Ian Cassidy
HT: Highfield 3 Old Wesley 0

HIGHFIELD: Luke Kingston; Gavin O’Leary, Paddy O’Toole, Mark Dorgan, Paul Stack; James Taylor, Chris Banon (capt); James Rochford, Travis Coomey, Ian McCarthy, Dave O’Connell, Fintan O’Sullivan, Ryan Murphy, Cathal Gallagher, Miah Cronin.

Replacements: Robert Murphy, Cillian Buckley, Ronan O’Sullivan, Eddie Earle, Shane O’Riordan, David O’Sullivan.

OLD WESLEY: Conor Gaston; Tommy O’Callaghan, Jack Costigan, Eoin Deegan, David Poff; Ian Cassidy, Ben Murphy; Cronan Gleeson, Ben Burns, Rob O’Donovan, JJ O’Dea, Iain McGann (capt), Paul Derham, Josh Pim, Reuben Pim.

Replacements: Robert Byrne, Sam Kenny, Alastair Hoban, Will Fay, Paddy McKenzie, Charlie O’Regan.

MALONE 22 BANBRIDGE 21, Gibson Park
Scorers: Malone: Tries: Stewart McKendrick, Aaron Sexton 2; Cons: Rory Campbell 2; Pen: Rory Campbell
Banbridge: Tries: Conor Field, Max Lyttle; Con: Adam Doherty; Pens: Adam Doherty 3
HT: Malone 12 Banbridge 8

MALONE: Aaron Sexton; Rory Campbell, David McMaster, Nathan Brown, Andy Bryans; Callum Smith, Lewis Finlay; Tommy O’Hagan, Claytan Milligan, Ricky Greenwood, Adam McNamee, Stewart McKendrick, James McAlister, Dan Kerr, Dave Cave (capt).

Replacements: Harry Andrews, Aidan McSwiggan, James Welling, Conor Spence, Shane Kelly, Ben Halliday.

BANBRIDGE: Adam Doherty; Conor Field, Joseph Finnegan, Josh Cromie, Ross Cartmill; Andrew Morrison, Neil Kilpatrick; Michael Cromie (capt), Peter Cromie, Stuart Cromie, Alex Thompson, Brendan McSorley, David O’Connor, Max Lyttle, Robin Sinton.

Replacements: Tim Savage, Josh Chambers, Matthew Laird, Alexander Weir, Aaron Kennedy, Dean Hayes.

NAAS 17 CITY OF ARMAGH 18, Forenaughts
Scorers: Naas: Try: Bryan Croke; Pens: Peter Osborne 4
City of Armagh: Tries: Andrew Willis 2; Con: Kyle Faloon; Pens: Kyle Faloon 2
HT: Naas 8 City of Armagh 11

NAAS: Peter Osborne (capt); Donal Conroy, Gary Kavanagh, Matt Stapleton, Sam Cahill; Craig Ronaldson, Connor Halpenny; Conor Doyle, John Sutton, Adam Coyle, David Benn, Paul Monahan, Cillian Dempsey, Will O’Brien, Ryan Casey.

Replacements: Connor Johnson, Peter King, Patrick O’Flaherty, Paulie Tolofua, Tim Murphy, Bryan Croke.

CITY OF ARMAGH: Kyle Faloon; Andrew Willis, Chris Colvin, Matthew Hooks, Tim McNiece (capt); Harry Boyd, Gerard Treanor; Peter Lamb, Jack Treanor, Paul Mullen, Josh McKinley, Sam Glasgow, James Hanna, Ryan O’Neill, Neil Faloon.

Replacements: Jack Sleator, Aaron Whyte, John Glasgow, Ryan Morton, Alex Johnston, Evin Crummie.

NAVAN v SHANNON, Balreask Old (Covid-19-affected match cancelled – 0-0. Both teams are awarded two points)

ST. MARY’S COLLEGE 24 OLD BELVEDERE 21, Templeville Road
Scorers: St. Mary’s College: Tries: Liam Curran, Mick O’Gara, Ronan Watters; Cons: Conor Dean 3; Pen: Conor Dean
Old Belvedere: Tries: Jerry Cahir, James McKeown; Con: Justin Leonard; Pens: Justin Leonard 3
HT: St. Mary’s College 14 Old Belvedere 10

ST. MARY’S COLLEGE: Mark Fogarty; Matt Timmons, Myles Carey, Mick O’Gara, Ruairi Shields; Conor Dean, Dave Fanagan; Daniel Lyons, Richie Halpin (capt), Mick McCormack, Liam Corcoran, Ian Wickham, Liam Curran, Niall Hurley, Ronan Watters.

Replacements: Steven O’Brien, Tom O’Reilly, David Aspil, Tim MacMahon, Aaron O’Neill, Daniel Leane.

OLD BELVEDERE: Colm Hogan; James McKeown, Robbie Deegan, Jack Gilheany, Jack Keating; Justin Leonard, Aaron Atkinson; Jerry Cahir, John McKee, Ryan McMahon, Connor Owende (capt), Fionn McWey, Paddy Dowling, Jack Breen, Tom Ryan.

Replacements: Joe Horan, Hugh Flood, Dean Moore, Jack Culligan, Tommy Whittle, David Butler.

ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE DIVISION 2A:

Cashel 24 Ballymena 14, Spafield
Dolphin v Buccaneers, Musgrave Park (Covid-19-affected match cancelled – 0-0. Both teams are awarded two points)
MU Barnhall 18 Old Crescent 23, Parsonstown
Nenagh Ormond 15 Queen’s University 45, New Ormond Park
UL Bohemians 32 Rainey Old Boys 24, UL Arena

ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE DIVISION 2B:

Ballina 24 Wanderers 40, Heffernan Park
Belfast Harlequins 9 Greystones 13, Deramore Park
Blackrock College 14 Sligo 16, Stradbrook
Galway Corinthians 52 Dungannon 16, Corinthian Park
Malahide 33 Galwegians 17, Estuary Road

ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE DIVISION 2C:

City of Derry 9 Clonmel 6, Judge’s Road
Enniscorthy 32 Sunday’s Well 0, Alcast Park
Midleton 27 Skerries 28, Towns Park
Omagh Academicals 17 Bruff 15, Thomas Mellon Playing Fields
Tullamore 34 Bangor 15, Spollanstown

Ireland v Argentina – Preview, Teams, Odds, Where To Watch

The Ireland Men’s national team face Argentina in their final test of the Autumn Nations Series and the 2021 calendar year.

Andy Farrell’s side will aim to close out the year on a high and finish their Autumn Internationals with a 100% record from three games following previous wins over Japan and the All Blacks.

On top of this, the Irish have the chance to extend their win streak to eight and take a huge amount of momentum with them into the next Six Nations tournament.

Their impressive wins this November have showcased an expansive brand of attacking rugby that the team has only previously tapped into on occasion.

However, the matchday squad is a slight departure from those that faced their last two opponents, but every player has had a run-out in the system Andy Farrell and his backroom are pushing.

Argentina are searching for their second win of the Autumn Internationals to end the year after a dismal run of form starting with the beginning of The Rugby Championship in August.

Their last win came against Italy and before that a depleted Wales side who they played twice in the middle of a British and Irish Lions tour.

It was a convincing, clinical victory but the week before had exposed the defensive frailties and indiscipline that has plagued them since as they allowed Wales to rescue a draw from the clutches of defeat.

Argentina currently have the third-highest average penalty count of Rugby Championship and Six Nations sides this year, conceding 13 per game – in contrast, Ireland have the best with their figure sitting at 10.

Argentina are actually the side that are improving their penalty count – it shot up to 14 in 2020 but has reduced by one ahead of their last game of the year.

Ireland, on the other hand, have conceded considerably more penalties under Andy Farrell than they did with Joe Schmidt as Head Coach.

However, Ireland kept it low compared to other teams and have made up for the increase with their impressive set-piece ability and now a more exciting attacking structure.

Argentina have not. This year was the first time they have won three times in a calendar year under Ledesma yet the famous win over New Zealand last November feels a lifetime away.

A fourth win of the year this year will improve morale in the squad but their discipline needs to improve if they are to find the consistency they crave.

Teams

Ireland

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 15 caps
14. Robert Baloucoune (Ulster/Enniskillen) 1 cap
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 35 caps
12. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers) 52 caps
11. James Lowe (Leinster) 8 caps
10. Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf) 26 caps
9. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 91 caps
1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 39 caps
2. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 15 caps
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 51 caps
4. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy) 65 caps
5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 39 caps CAPTAIN
6. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 11 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 34 caps
8. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 22 caps

Replacements 
16. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne) 1 cap
17. Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 111 caps
18. Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 1 cap
19. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 24 caps
20. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 78 caps
21. Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon) 3 caps
22. Harry Byrne (Leinster/Lansdowne) 1 cap
23. Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster) 95 caps

Argentina

Emiliano Boffelli (Edinburgh), Mateo Carreras (Newcastle Falcons), Matias Moroni (Leicester Tigers), Jeronimo de la Fuente (Perpignan), Lucio Cinti (London Irish) Santiago Carreras (Gloucester), Tomas Cubelli (Biarritz); Thomas Gallo (Benetton), Julian Montoya (Leicester Tigers, capt), Francisco Gomez Kodela (Lyon);Guido Petti (Bordeaux), Tomas Lavanini (Clermont Auvergne) Santiago Grondona (Exeter), Marcos Kremer (Stade Francais), Pablo Matera (Crusaders).

Replacements: Facundo Bosch (La Rochelle), Ignacio Calles (Pau), Eduardo Bello (Zebre Parma), Lucas Paulos (Brive), Facundo Isa (Toulon), Gonzalo Bertranou (Dragons), Nicolas Sanchez (Stade Francais), Facundo Cordero (Exeter Chiefs).

Odds

Ireland 1/8

Draw 25/1

Argentina 5/1

Where To Watch

The match will kick off at 2:15 pm on Sunday, November 21 with live coverage available on RTÉ 2 (1:30 pm) and Channel 4 (1:45 pm).

No Zebo as Ireland announce last matchday squad of 2021

Simon Zebo will not make his return in the green shirt of Ireland in 2021 after the matchday squad for Sunday’s clash with Argentina was named.

The Munster winger is not among the Ireland 23 set to be involved against Mario Ledesma’s South American side.

Mack Hansen, Luke McGrath and Jack Carty also miss out – all three were called up after the initial squad announcement for the international window.

Instead, the back three consists of the ever-present Hugo Keenan, high-flyer James Lowe and Ulster prospect Robert Baloucoune, who gets his second start for the team after he made his Ireland debut against the USA in July, scoring a scintillating try.

A new, all-Munster half-back pairing of Conor Murray and Joey Carbery is introduced while Leinster’s Robbie Henshaw makes his season debut at inside centre, partnering clubmate Garry Ringrose in the midfield.

The front row of Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher and Tadgh Furlong is retained as is the back row of Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan – two units of Leinster and Ireland’s teams that have been exceptional so far since the start of the 2021-22 season.

James Ryan assumes the captaincy in the absence of Johnny Sexton and is partnered in second row by Iain Henderson, who keeps his spot after starting last week’s win over New Zealand.

Dan Sheehan, who won his first cap against Japan earlier this month, and Tom O’Toole, who was capped against USA in July, are named as front row cover alongside Cian Healy.

Tadhg Beirne, Peter O’Mahony, Craig Casey, Harry Byrne and Keith Earls complete Andy Farrell and co.’s final 23 of 2021.

Ireland Team v Argentina

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 15 caps
14. Robert Baloucoune (Ulster/Enniskillen) 1 cap
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 35 caps
12. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers) 52 caps
11. James Lowe (Leinster) 8 caps
10. Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf) 26 caps
9. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 91 caps
1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 39 caps
2. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 15 caps
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 51 caps
4. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy) 65 caps
5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 39 caps CAPTAIN
6. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 11 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 34 caps
8. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 22 caps

Replacements 
16. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne) 1 cap
17. Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 111 caps
18. Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 1 cap
19. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 24 caps
20. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 78 caps
21. Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon) 3 caps
22. Harry Byrne (Leinster/Lansdowne) 1 cap
23. Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster) 95 caps

Unite The Union Champions Cup To Be Rescheduled For 2022

The upcoming Unite the Union Champions Cup competition has been rescheduled for 2022 due to the rising number of Covid-19 cases on the island of Ireland.

The next instalment of the competition was launched at the National Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast last month.

The semi-finals would see teams in the SSE Airtricity League and the Northern Irish Football League final go head-to-head.

The final was scheduled to be played at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday, December 4 but fans will now have to wait longer for the fixtures to be fulfilled.

A statement on the decision reads: “In light of the current COVID-19 situation on both sides of the border, Unite the union has asked the Football Association of Ireland and the Irish Football Association to postpone the Unite the union Champions Cup tournament until 2022 and both Associations have agreed to this request.”

Unite the Union Deputy Regional Secretary Davy Thompson stated: “Due to the rising number of Covid-19 cases both North and South, we in conjunction with the FAI and IFA have taken the decision to postpone the Unite the Union Champions Cup until 2022.

“While this was a decision we hoped we would not have to take, we believe it is the responsible approach given the current pressures on our health services.

“Unite has stood in solidarity with our health services throughout this pandemic, and we feel that a major cross-border event such as the Champions Cup could potentially place an additional burden on healthcare workers.

“We would like to thank the Associations and clubs for the joint decision taken today. We also want to take this opportunity to thank all those working on the front line for their continuing dedication to the public.”

League of Ireland Director Mark Scanlon added: “We apologise to the fans of all clubs involved in the Unite the union Champions Cup from both the League of Ireland and the Irish League but all concerned feel this is the best decision in the current climate.

“We look forward to restaging these fixtures as early as possible in the New Year.”

National Champions movie – Plot, Trailer and Release Date

‘National Champions’ is an upcoming American sports drama film that tackles the question of whether college athletes in the United States should be paid to play.

Plot

The film will take place in the lead-up to the National Championship game in college football, and will focus on a star quarterback who begins a player strike before the match begins.

He does so in order to fight for fair compensation, equality, and respect for the athletes who put their bodies and health on the line for their schools.

The player strike causes a rift between those who want to maintain the status quo and those who want to change the way college football is perceived.

The rift affects the relationship between the coaches and players of Missouri as the biggest game of their season draws near.

Trailer

The trailer was released on November 16 and depicts the main character, LeMarcus James, beginning the strike and introducing characters that will be on both sides of the fence – players, coaches, NCAA suits.

It introduces the stakes of the premise – the player’s strike will lead to a boycott of the biggest game of the college football calendar if it is not resolved.

James calls out the disparity between players and coaches in a live television interview, as well as those in high positions with the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

The trailer showcases several viewpoints in the aftermath of James’ actions – his own, the other players, his coach, and those who run the NCAA.

It also features NFL players Malcolm Jenkins and Russell Wilson, who both are seen answering questions on the ordeal.

The strong cast is seen throughout the trailer, with established veterans such as JK Simmons and Timothy Olyphant working alongside actors working their way up the pyramid – Stephan James, who previously played Jesse Owens in ‘Race’, and Lil Rel Howery of ‘Get Out’ are seen in the trailer.

Release Date

‘National Champions’ will be in cinemas in the USA on December 10 and is expected to be made available in Ireland at a later date.

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