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GOAL Mile appealing for supporters this Christmas

The people of Ireland are asked to stand with GOAL this Christmas. It will also be the first time ever that it will take place in person and virtually

Irish humanitarian aid agency GOAL is launching this year’s hugely popular Christmas fundraiser, the GOAL Mile.

The event is open for people across Ireland and abroad, with registration now open at the GOAL website

The annual event sees people across the country gather over the Christmas holidays to run, jog or walk a mile in support of vulnerable communities across 14 countries where works take place in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.

 

Starting first in 1977, this year’s GOAL Mile is supported by AIB. This will be the first of a new three-year partnership, announced just last month.

This year marks the first time that both in-person and virtual events are taking place. This is following the move online due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Prior to the pandemic, over 170 Miles events were organized across Ireland. In 2019, approximately 50,000 people raised over €250,000.

GOAL’s Director of Fundraising and Marketing, Eamon Sharkey, sees the option of physical or virtual GOAL Miles as an opportunity to connect even more people with their communities, the Irish diaspora and GOAL’s work this Christmas.

“We are so excited to re-connect with people in-person this Christmas.”

“For many people, it will have been two years since they were last with family, friends, and neighbors, and we hope the GOAL Mile can play a part in bringing people together as we come out of such a challenging period.”

“Of course, there are many people around the world who still can’t be at home or take part in physical events this Christmas. That is why we are delighted to also be encouraging virtual GOAL Miles once again. Last year people from every corner of the world took part to make it a truly global event, and we would love to see that become a part of the longstanding tradition of the GOAL Mile.”

 

GOAL CEO Siobhan Walsh hopes to reach more communities throughout Ireland and across the globe with this year’s fundraiser.

“Hundreds of communities across Ireland already know and love the GOAL Mile,” said Ms. Walsh.

“They show incredible compassion for communities in need across the world that this event supports. GOAL helped more than 14 million people in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America last year. We could not have achieved this without the continued support of the Irish people.”

AIB Chief Executive, Colin Hunt, said:

“At AIB we are committed to building a sustainable tomorrow by backing those who are building it today, and by supporting GOAL we are reaching those communities that are already suffering deeply from the impact of crises, poverty and climate change.“

To register for your local event or to arrange one at a new location, please visit GOAL’s official website.

To read more from this writer, click here.

And to read more in-depth and up-to-date Irish sports news, click here.

Dublin to host Women’s 2022 EuroHockey Championship qualifier

Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland will host the upcoming Women’s 2022 EuroHockey Championship qualifier event in August of next year.

The men’s qualifier will be held in Calais, France and both qualifiers are new on the international hockey calendar.

The European Hockey Federation confirmed the breakdown of events on Thursday morning with both events running between August 21st and 27th, 2022.

The 12th ranked Irish women will be the top seed for a Dublin-based event that also features Poland (27th), the Czech Republic (24th), Turkey (33rd) and Finland (unranked).

The Irish women won the last qualifier they took part in, earning themselves the right to play in the 2022 FIH World Cup.

The 14th ranked men are placed in Qualifier B alongside host side France – 13th in the world – as well as Ukraine (28th), Turkey (44th), Lithuania (62nd) and Slovenia (71st).

Previously, the level of European championship competition countries took part in was on a promotion and relegation basis.

This new format sees four men’s and four women’s qualifier tournaments with one ticket to the top tier championships in 2023 on offer from each event – each qualifier tournament will be held in a different location.

The second and third-placed finishers in each tournament will play in the 2023 EuroHockey Trophy; fourth and fifth-placed sides go to the third tier while the remaining teams will go into the fourth tier.

2022 EuroHockey Championship qualifiers (all August 2022)
Men
Qualifier A (Ourense, Spain): Spain, Poland, Italy, Portugal, Slovakia
Qualifier B (Calais, France): France, IRELAND, Ukraine, Turkey, Slovenia
Qualifier C (Vienna, Austria): Austria, Russia, Belarus, Croatia, Denmark, Hungary
Qualifier D (TBC, Scotland): Scotland, Wales, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Gibraltar, Finland

Women
Qualifier A (Durham, England): England, Wales, Russia, Croatia, Slovakia
Qualifier B (Dublin, Ireland): IRELAND, Poland, Czech Republic, Turkey, Finland
Qualifier C (TBC): Belarus, Italy, Ukraine, Lithuania, Gibraltar
Qualifier D (Dunkirk, France): France, Scotland, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia

One change to Ireland side for All Blacks clash in Dublin

Andy Farrell and his coaching team have announced the Ireland side that will take on New Zealand two years after their World Cup quarter-final defeat, with only one change to the starting XV that played against Japan.

Ulster captain Iain Henderson takes his place in the second row alongside James Ryan, with Munster star Tadhg Beirne making way.

Captain Johnny Sexton will face New Zealand for the 14th time in his international career, leading a side that includes several players new to the fixture.

The back three of Hugo Keenan, Andrew Conway and James Lowe will play New Zealand at senior level for the first time – Jamison Gibson-Park will do so as well in the number nine shirt.

Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose are partnered in midfield for the fourteenth occasion in green.

The Leinster-heavy pack is retained, with the only swap involving players who don’t wear blue for their club.

Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong keep their spots in the side, much like the back row trio of Caelan Doris, Josh Van Der Flier and Jack Conan.

However, only one Leinster star makes the bench – Cian Healy. The rest of the bench is filled with players from the three other provinces, including the dropped Beirne.

Ireland Team v All Blacks

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 14 caps
14. Andrew Conway (Munster/Garryowen) 26 caps
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 35 caps
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians) 32 caps
11. James Lowe (Leinster) 7 caps
10. Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 100 caps CAPTAIN
9. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 11 caps

1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 38 caps
2. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 14 caps
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 50 caps
4. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy) 64 caps
5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 38 caps
6. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 10 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 33 caps
8. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 21 caps

Replacements 
16. Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 22 caps
17. Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 110 caps
18. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 17 caps
19. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 23 caps
20. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 77 caps
21. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 90 caps
22. Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf) 25 caps
23. Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster) 94 caps

Autumn Nations Series Fixtures 2021

IRELAND v New Zealand
Aviva Stadium , Saturday 13th November, 2021

IRELAND v Argentina – Buy Tickets Here
Aviva Stadium , Sunday 21st November, 2021

Greatest all time League of Ireland Ultimate Team cards

The League of Ireland may be one of the lower leagues in FIFA Ultimate Team but that does not mean it has not produced some great cards

There have been some amazing Ultimate Team Cards from the Airtricity League dating from FIFA 12 to this year’s edition.

Billy Dennehy’s FIFA 14 Team of the Season card and Conan Byrne’s In-Form in FIFA 18 are just some of the players that make our honourable mentions list.

The 2022 edition of the football game has proved to be divisive so far but we can expect a few more classic cards to join this roster in the coming months.

Here is a list of the Top 7 League of Ireland FIFA Ultimate Team Cards.

7. Richie Towell

Dundalk FC – 70 – FIFA 16

Hopping in first with one of the Irish leagues’ most accomplished players. Before moving to Preston North End in England, he managed to earn a very decent defensive midfielder card for Dundalk.

His card has four base stats above 70 including 87 stamina and 80 penalties.

 

6. Harry Ascroft (Hero)

Finn Harps – 69 – FIFA 20

This may not have been the best defender to use but the New Zealander was definitely one for the card collectors. The centre half was handed the card after he scored a 107th-minute winner against Drogheda United in the Relegation Play-off final.

5. Graham Burke (In-Form)

Shamrock Rovers – 75 – FIFA 20

Burke was a strong player in FIFA only hampered by his positioning. His lack of pace on the wing lets down his strong shooting and dribbling. This card at least stands as a reminder of the time that the Rovers player was called into the Irish national team setup.

4. Daryl Horgan (Player of the Year)

Dundalk FC – 74 – FIFA 17

Back in FIFA 17, this card became one of the first ‘must-haves’ for any League of Ireland fan. His speedy pace and the purple colour made him very desirable for any gamer. As one of the first POTY cards in all of FIFA, many people wanted to see what the hype was around Horgan.

 

3. Kieran Sadlier (In-Form)

Cork City FC – 75 – FIFA 18

It has been a long time since Irish fans have heard about the young winger Kieran Sadlier. The 27-year-old now plays for Rotherham United but back in FIFA 18 he became League of Ireland’s first gold Ultimate Team cards. After two In-Forms, the powers that be granted him a strong card with two base stats over 80.

 

2. Michael Duffy (Player of the Year)

Dundalk FC – 81 – FIFA 19

Duffy became the leagues first player to break the 80-rated mark when he was awarded as Player of the Year in 2019. The winger was given a very well rounded card but the main attraction is his four-star weak foot and skill moves. The Derry man still plies his trade with Dundalk and continues to earn nice cards with each FIFA edition.

 

1. Jack Byrne (Team of the Season)

Shamrock Rovers – 86 – FIFA 20

Lastly, the greatest Ultimate Team card goes to probably the best League of Ireland players in recent years. The 5’9” winger was best used as a CAM in FIFA two years ago. He now plays for APOEL FC with many Irish fans hoping that he will return from injury strong and back onto the national team.

 

To read more from this writer, click here.

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

Sinead Kavanagh: I’ve seen Cyborg and I ain’t afraid’

Sinead Kavanagh is prepared for the biggest fight of her mixed-martial-arts career when she faces Cris Cyborg for the Bellator Women’s Featherweight title on Friday evening at Bellator 271.

Kavanagh’s quest for gold will potentially reach its final boss just a week after SBG Ireland teammate Peter Queally was stopped by Patricky Pitbull in Dublin.

The challenger, who is on a two-fight win streak, comes into the fight with confidence in her training and her abilities.

“[I feel] good, everything’s perfect,” the featherweight said. “I’m feeling strong. You can’t doubt this week like, it’s been a great week. I’ve seen her and I’m not afraid.”

Cris Cyborg is seen as one of the greatest women’s mixed-martial artists of all time and has held the Bellator featherweight title since winning it on her debut in the organisation.

She followed up her title win over Julia Budd with victories against Arlene Blencowe and Leslie Smith and will now entertain the Dubliner in Florida.

Kavanagh has lost half of her eight fights in the organisation, with losses to Blencowe and Smith on her record but her latest streak has earned her the chance of a lifetime

However, Cyborg is a heavy 1/20 favourite to defend her latest belt for a third time with a win over Kavanagh, who says the veteran’s mind games have already started.

“You won’t believe what they’re up to. They’re up there tagging me in that suplex. We’re out running, she’s in her sweat gear.

“Two o’clock in the afternoon like, blistering heat in that sweat gear like, and they’re running and then me and me missus are walking past and video cameraing and stuff like that.

Kavanagh also revealed that Cyborg has been using cards based on the hit Netflix show ‘Squid Game’ in an attempt to intimidate her.

“She has these cards, these squid game cards with her face on it and she’s leaving them everywhere I go like – leaving them in me corner, leaving them on me floor like.

“She’s trying to play mind games, she’s trying to break me but she can’t like – that’s what she does to her opponents.”

Cris Cyborg and Sinead Kavanagh will battle it out for the belt in the main event of Bellator 271 – the main card is set to begin at 3 am GMT.

All Blacks team to face Ireland on Saturday

The All Blacks team has been named to play Ireland at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland, on Saturday 13 November. (Kick-off:  3.15PM)

The forward pack which ran out against Wales two weeks ago has been retained, with the front row of Joe Moody, Codie Taylor and Nepo Laulala.

The second row is the experienced Samuel Whitelock, who will captain the side, and Brodie Retallick, while in the loose forwards, Ethan Blackadder is at blindside flanker, Dalton Papalii is at openside, while Ardie Savea is number eight.

Dane Coles comes in as reserve hooker, alongside fellow reserves: props Karl Tu’inukuafe and Tyrel Lomax, lock Tupou Vaa’i and loose forward Akira Ioane.

In the backs, TJ Perenara is at halfback, with Beauden Barrett at 10, while Anton Lienert-Brown moves to second five-eighth and Rieko Ioane is at centre.

Sevu Reece is on the left wing with Will Jordan on the right and Jordie Barrett is at fullback.

Halfback Finlay Christie, first five-eighth Richie Mo’unga and David Havili are the back reserves.

All Blacks Head Coach Ian Foster said: “We’ve had a great week here in Dublin. We travelled well from Italy and are back into our more traditional routine of hitting a town and then moving onto the next one.

“The weather has been great here and we’ve enjoyed training in those conditions and getting ready for what will be a massive occasion on Saturday.

“We obviously have objectives we want to get out of each training session and we feel we have done that well.  The guys are focused and we achieved what we wanted to achieve.”

Speaking on the changes in the starting backline, Foster said: “That’s the way we finished the Welsh game, with Anton moving in, Rieko moving to centre and Sevu on the wing.

“It’s a little bit of a reward for that combination. We’ve been able to use this series of games and the time together to try different things and thought a little change there would be good for us.

“We’re also pretty excited at the impact that Finlay, David and Richie will have off the bench.”

Foster added: “We’ve watched Ireland’s development this year with interest, particularly through the latter part of the Six Nations and last week’s big win over Japan. They are certainly playing with confidence and ambition and represent a formidable challenge.

“We have no doubt what Saturday is going to bring at a full Aviva Stadium.  It’s a big occasion, rugby is back to Dublin in terms of full grandstands, so we know what it’s going to mean here, and we want that kind of stage. It’s big and it’s exciting and is what motivates this team.”

All Blacks team v Ireland

1-15 starters, 16-23 bench.
  1. Joe Moody (55)
  2. Codie Taylor (65)
  3. Nepo Laulala (38)
  4. Brodie Retallick (90)
  5. Samuel Whitelock (130) – captain
  6. Ethan Blackadder (8)
  7. Dalton Papalii (11)
  8. Ardie Savea (57)
  9. TJ Perenara (77)
  10. Beauden Barrett (100)
  11. Sevu Reece (16)
  12. Anton Lienert-Brown (55)
  13. Rieko Ioane (45)
  14. Will Jordan (11)
  15. Jordie Barrett (34)
  16. Dane Coles (78)
  17. Karl Tu’inukuafe (24)
  18. Tyrel Lomax (13)
  19. Tupou Vaa’i (10)
  20. Akira Ioane (11)
  21. Finlay Christie (5)
  22. Richie Mo’unga (30)
  23. David Havili (13)

Best young Irish football players yet to get their first senior cap

Many pundits have been proclaiming and hoping that Ireland has a team for the future. There are still many young Irish players waiting for their first chance

Best young Irish footballers waiting for their senior international cap

6. Tyreik Samuel Wright

Salford City (on loan) – Right-Wing – 20-years-old

This is Wright’s first full year as part of the senior set-up of a professional club. The winger was born in Ovens, County Cork and made his name at Lakewood FC before moving into Aston Villa’s youth system.

Last season he spent six months at Walsall making 16 league appearances. This year in League Two, Wright has made four starts, scoring his first senior goal. Still a young man, he has gotten seven caps with the Irish U21 team and has scored a goal.

 

5. Zachary Elbouzedi

AIK – Right Midfield – 23-years-old

Elbouzedi has been a name on many Irish fans tongues for the last few years. The Dublin man began his youth career at West Bromwich Albion but after not breaking into the side he started travelling between Scotland, England and Ireland. Now he finds himself playing for AIK in Sweden. So far he has made 17 appearances since July scoring one remarkable goal.

The midfielder is still yet to get a senior cap even though he has for every one of Ireland’s underage teams from U15s to U21s. Still only 23 years old, his day could still come.

4. Joshua Kayode

Rotherham United – Centre Forward – 20-years-old

Stephen Kenny has found great success in finding young Irish talents in Rotherham this year. Kayode could soon join his compatriot Chiedozie Ogbene in pulling on the green jersey. Born in Lagos, Nigeria he has represented the Ireland U21s team since October 2020. He even scored on his first full debut for the team away against Luxembourg last year.

He scored eight goals last year on loan at Carlisle United last season which has led to him playing six games already for his parent club Rotherham.

 

3. Liam Scales

Celtic FC – Left Wing Back – 23-years-old

This is one of the most likely people on this list to get the call-up. Scales has been playing very well for Celtic since moving from Shamrock Rovers this summer. He was called up for Ireland’s last set of qualifiers but was unlucky not to make it onto the pitch.

Although he is not featured in the squad for the upcoming matches, if his form continues to go up then we could see him in the squad soon.

2. Conor Coventry

Peterborough (on loan) – Centre Midfield – 21-years-old

Coventry is another English born player that has found a chance in the Irish set-up through his mother. He first joined Ireland’s U17s team and was recently part of Stephen Kenny’s U21 team before Kenny took the senior job.

He is presently on a season-long loan from parent club West Ham in the Championship with Peterborough. He has made eight appearances in the league and showed his strength as a defensive option for the club.

1. Gavin Kilkenny

AFC Bournemouth – Centre Midfield – 21-years-old

It is a surprise that Kenny did not call up Kilkenny for this set of games. For a young player, he has shown great composure and strength on the ball for a Championship-topping Bournemouth side. He has made 11 starts for the club already this year making Scott Parker’s side proud as one of their homegrown talents.

Surely a call-up will be coming soon for the young man as he continues to hear stories about international duty from his teammates Robbie Brady and Mark Travers.

To read more from this writer, click here.

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

Johnny Sexton Closing In On O’Gara’s Ireland Record

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton is edging closer to Ronan O’Gara’s record for the most points scored for the national team in Test rugby. O’Gara, who played for Ireland between 2000 and 2013 as a fly-half, leads the way with 1,083 points.

After Ireland’s mauling of Japan, Sexton was up to 941 points. The skipper of the national team looks set to surpass O’Gara in 2022 or 2023, as long as he stays injury free. The 36-year-old celebrated his 100th cap for the national team during that 60-5 victory over Japan in the Autumn international.

Sexton has no plans to retire from international rugby any time soon. He signed a one-year extension to his contract with the Irish Rugby Football Union earlier this year. This means he is signed up to play until the end of the 2021/22 season.

Following the fixtures in November, attention will turn to the 2022 Six Nations which begins in February. Ireland are third best in the rugby union outright betting for the trophy at 4/1. They have not prevailed in that competition since 2018, the year they won the Grand Slam.

Sexton has scored 496 points during the Six Nations. He is fourth on the all-time list behind O’Gara (557), Jonny Wilkinson (546) and Owen Farrell (500). The Irishman looks set to be involved in a great battle with Farrell for the top spot in the standings in 2022 as they chase down O’Gara’s record.

2023 World Cup A Goal For Sexton

The next World Cup in international rugby will come in 2023 in France and Sexton has expressed his desire to play in that tournament. That is sure to be his last appearance at a World Cup if he does represent Ireland.

Playing until the 2023 World Cup also increases Sexton’s chance of breaking O’Gara’s points tally, it could also see him go a long way clear of the current record. By the time the tournament comes around, Sexton will be 38 years old.

Ireland, with Sexton in their squad, have been eliminated at the quarter final stage at the last three World Cup tournaments. They were beaten by New Zealand in 2019 in a one-sided game which finished 46-14.

Since they first appeared at the World Cup in 1989, Ireland have yet to advance past the last eight. They will be hoping to put that right in 2023. With the tournament set to be held in Europe, it gives them advantage over the southern hemisphere teams.

The 2018 World Rugby Player of the Year captained Ireland at the 2019 World Cup which would have been a huge honour for him. If he can help Ireland have their best ever performance at the tournament in 2023, it will be some way to bow out.

Ireland are 14/1 in the outright betting for the 2023 World Cup. Head coach Andy Farrell has just under two years to prepare for that event. There is a lot of rugby to be played before then so plenty of opportunities for players to impress Farrell.

Sexton is already a legend of Irish rugby. He looks set to break numerous records before he retires and with O’Gara’s points tally in his sight, that may be the next to go his way.

How the Champions League group stages are shaping up for the English sides

The European football season has once again been halted due to another international break, with the remaining 2022 Qatar World Cup qualifiers set to bring the groups to an to end and ultimately decide the fate of several nations over the course of the next couple of weeks. 

When club football eventually resumes in mid-November there is going to be a lot to play for in the Champions League. The majority of teams are still fighting for their place in the knockout rounds, while others will have their sights set on finishing third and ensuring that their European journey continues in the Europa League. 

That said, read on as we take a look at how the Champions League group stages are looking at this stage of the competition. 

Group A – Manchester City

One of the favourites to win the tournament in the latest Champions League winner odds, Manchester City are in command in Group A. A victory over Paris Saint-Germain will seal their place in the round of 16 as group winners, while they will also progress if they lose and Club Brugge don’t get the better of RB Leipzig. 

If results don’t go in their favour in gameweek five, they will still likely go through as Club Brugge would need to beat both PSG and Leipzig, while City will need to lose both of their remaining games. 

The French giants look to be rather safe in second, but it will be interesting to see how the battle for that Europa League spot pans out between Brugge and Leipzig. 

1st: Man City – 9

2nd: PSG – 8

3rd: Club Brugge – 4

4th: RB Leipzig – 1

Group B – Liverpool

Deemed the ‘Group of Death’ when Group B was drawn back in August, Liverpool fans must have been dreading the prospect of having to go toe-to-toe with three European heavyweights in the form of Atlético Madrid, Porto and AC Milan. 

However, Jürgen Klopp’s side, who won the tournament for a sixth time in 2019, have breezed their way through the group and have already secured their place in the round of 16 as group winners with four wins from four. 

Second place looks set to be a two-horse between Porto and Atléti, but Milan can still progress as well — albeit needing a miracle as they currently only have one point. 

1st: Liverpool – 12

2nd: Porto – 5

3rd: Atlético Madrid – 4

4th: AC Milan – 1

Group F – Manchester United

Manchester United may be sitting top of Group F after four matches, but their place in the round of 16 is far from confirmed as this group looks set to go down to the wire. 

The Red Devils are joint-level on points (7) will Villarreal and Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s men will head to El Madrigal in Spain for a crucial top-of-the-table encounter in the next round of fixtures — where a defeat could see them drop down to third should Atalanta beat Young Boys.

Luckily, Man United round the group off with a home tie against the Swiss Super League side and with Atalanta and Villarreal having to go head-to-head, it is likely that the Old Trafford outfit will pick up the three points against Young Boys and feature in the round of 16. Nothing is to be taken for granted though, anything can still happen in this group!

1st: Manchester United – 7

2nd: Villarreal – 7

3rd: Atalanta – 5

4th: Young Boys – 3

Group H – Chelsea

Chelsea’s place in the round of the 16 may not be fully confirmed yet, but the defending European champions already have one foot in the first knockout round. The Blues’ only blemish in the Champions League this season was a 1-0 defeat away to Juventus, who are already in the next round, and with the Italians up next at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have the opportunity to strike revenge and book their place in the round of 16 — a draw will also do Thomas Tuchel’s side. 

Malmö, who are bottom of the group with zero points, need to beat Zenit at home in their next game if they want to stay in contention for the Europa League spot, while the Russian side will take that place with a draw or a win in Sweden. If Zenit pick up three points at the Eleda Stadium and Chelsea lose to Juve, they will go head-to-head with the Premier League side for second at the Gazprom Arena. 

However, with Chelsea needing just one point from the remaining two matches, it looks extremely unlikely that the west London side are going to exit the Champions League in the group stages. 

1st: Juventus – 12

2nd: Chelsea – 9

3rd: Zenit – 3

4th: Malmö – 0 

 

 

Ireland Women’s Rugby announce team for USA test

Manager Adam Griggs has announced the Ireland Women’s squad for the first of their Autumn tests against the USA Eagles

Ireland women’s rugby are back in action after their heartbreak in Parma. The side was narrowly beaten and missed out on qualification for the upcoming World Cup in New Zealand.

This has been a hectic week in the media for the players after the Director of Irish women’s rugby Anthony Eddy made controversial claims to the media about the team’s lack of success. Some current and former players have spoken out against the Director on social media in recent days.

Players Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe and Nichola Fryday spoke in a press conference today and said that they are only focused on their job at hand; their game against the Americans.

Manager Adam Griggs has shown his excitement in facing the star-studded USA team:

“We have had two good weeks of preparation for the Autumn Tests and the group are excited to get back out on the pitch and put that hard work into action. A first Test at the RDS under Friday night lights will be a special occasion and we’re looking forward to having family, friends, and our supporters back in the stands to get behind us.”

Ireland v USA Eagles will kick off at 19:45 on Friday 12th November in the RDS.

Their next match will be against Japan at 15:00 on Saturday 20th November.

 

Ireland Women’s squad v USA Eagle

Ireland women: 15. Lauren Delany, 14. Laura Sheehan, 13. Eimear Considine, 12. Sene Naoupu, 11. Beibhinn Parsons, 10. Stacey Flood, 9. Ailsa Hughes; 1. Lindsay Peat, 2. Cliodhna Moloney, 3. Leah Lyons, 4. Nichola Fryday, 5. Sam Monaghan, 6. Ciara Griffin (c), 7. Edel McMahon, 8. Anna Caplice

Replacements: 16. Neve Jones, 17. Katie O’Dwyer, 18. Linda Djougang, 19. Hannah O’Connor, 20. Maeve Óg O’Leary, 21. Kathryn Dane, 22. Eve Higgins, 23. Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe

To read more from this writer, click here.

And to read more in-depth and up-to-date Irish and international club rugby news, click here.

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