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Kearney opens up on ‘perfect’ stay with Western Force

Irish Rugby legend Rob Kearney has spoken about his ‘perfect final six months’ while playing for Australian side Western Force

Ireland’s most decorated rugby player is in the twilight of his career after spending 15 years at provincial side Leinster. After over 200 competitive appearances for the club and nearly a century of caps for the Boys in Green he felt it was time to try something new.

Before returning to his boyhood Gaelic football club Cooley Kickhams for a few games, he spent six months down under playing for Western Force.

Speaking at a media event for the new season of rugby on Premier Sport yesterday, Kearney spoke about his short stay in Australia:

“I had a great time away in Australia. It was almost the perfect final six months for me to get away and I’d always planned to play outside Ireland, and I suppose the older I got and the longer my contracts with Leinster and the [Irish Rugby] Union went on, the less likely it became.”

The Louth man only managed eight caps while playing for the Perth club, scoring a single try against the Blues.

The accomplished defender noted the challenges when moving to the new club. He understood that Southern hemisphere rugby was more focused on attack than defense and he knew he could still improve in places.

“[If] you’re a 35-year-old fullback, the changes have already been made for you, I was down there very much with the mindset that aerial game, kicking game, backfield coverages was going to be the areas, to play my strengths,” added Kearney.

While in Australia, he also found some of the cultural differences to be a shock. Although the Wallabies have been a powerhouse in international rugby for many years, it is still not one of the more popular sports in the country.

Union rugby has to compete with the ASL, cricket, and emerging soccer to get more schoolboys and girls playing the game in the fields.

Because of this, Kearney understands the importance of the nation’s double victory of the Springbok, especially the home win on Saturday.

“It is very different, Rugby Union is very much down the pecking order, and you do feel for the Australians a little bit that the game is under real pressure there,” the rugby player added.

“That’s why that win at the weekend was huge for them, not just from that group of players but for the game as a whole in the country,”

Premier Sport announce Rob Kearney as new pundit

Premier Sports has announced that Irish rugby icon Rob Kearney will join its TV team for its live coverage of the new-look United Rugby Championship in Ireland

Kearney joins a star-studded line-up of Premier Sports pundits for its Irish rugby coverage including fellow former internationals Stephen Ferris and Andrew Trimble. They will appear with the experienced TV team of Bernard Jackman, Graham Little, Mark Robson, and lead Irish commentator Ryle Nugent.

As Ireland’s most decorated player ever, Rob Kearney (93 caps) won four Six Nations titles, four Heineken Cups, six PRO 12/14 trophies, and one European Challenge Cup plus was named 2012 European Rugby Player of the year.

Kearney was also part of two Lions Tours in 2009 and 2013.  He played for Leinster for 15 seasons with more than 200 appearances for his home province.

Also, new to the Premier Sports team in Ireland will be popular rugby presenter and podcast host Christina Mahon who brings great rugby contacts and knowledge to the team at Premier Sports.

Premier Sports has also been awarded TV rights for the Republic of Ireland for the first time in the new era of the tournament expanding its coverage to bring together live games from each round to a wider rugby audience across the UK and Ireland.

Premier Sports viewers can enjoy double delight high profile sport with Premier League action from 14:30 this weekend as Leeds faces West Ham before a URC doubleheader as the Irish provinces met South African teams first up with Leinster v Bulls before Munster host Sharks.

Premier Sports team on duty this weekend are Graham Little, Rob Kearney, and Bob Skinstad in the studio with Ryle Nugent and Stephen Ferris on commentary at the Aviva, and Connor Morris and Alan Quinlan in Thomond Park.

Dundalk Into FAI Cup Semi-Finals After ET Win Over Finn Harps

Dundalk have reached the FAI Cup semi-finals for the seventh time in a row after a 3-1 win over Finn Harps in their quarter-final replay on Tuesday night.

The defending champions scored twice in extra time to put proceedings in their favour after going a goal down after six minutes.

Sean Murray, Patrick Hoban and Michael Duffy got on the scoresheet for the Lilywhites on a night they were missing several players through Covid-related absences.

They did not call upon their inexperienced bench throughout the match and fought back after Sean Boyd notched the first goal of the evening and his third in two games.

Finn Harps maintained their lead for the majority of the first half but Vinny Perth’s side grew into the game and an acrobatic cross from Patrick Hoban found Sean Murray who brought the sides level with only minutes to go in the half.

The replay was not the classic that the initial fixture was as both sides failed to take their chances in the second 45.

Extra-time proved to be the part of the match where the winners stood out as Dundalk notched two goals with no reply to book their place in the semi-finals of the competition.

Harps centre-back David Webster brought down midfielder Sami Ben Amar in the box and Patrick Hoban took the chance that was given to him from 12 yards out.

Michael Duffy’s free-kick sealed the deal for the 12-time FAI Cup holders before the break in extra time and the Lilywhites held on from there to reach the semi-finals of the competition once again.

They join fellow Premier Division sides St Patrick’s Athletic, Bohemians and Waterford in the final four.

The draw for the penultimate round will be made on RTE 2 following their coverage of Pat’s against Shamrock Rovers on Friday evening.

Liverpool Debutants Impress In Comfortable Win Over Norwich

The three debutants on the night – Conor Bradley, Kaide Gordon and Tyler Morton – all impressed in the third round of the Carabao Cup against Norwich City as Liverpool put three past the struggling Canaries.

Takumi Minamino scored four minutes into the game and added another early in the second half before Divock Origi killed the tie with a third for the side while left-back Kostas Tsimikas was instrumental throughout.

However, it was the Redmen’s young guns that caught the eye on their big nights as the trio seamlessly slotted into the system that Liverpool use.

Northern Irish right-back Conor Bradley was adept at making use of the right half-space in between the midfield and the right flank.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is known for making use of this area of the pitch when providing support in attack.

Bradley’s time in the Liverpool academy and with the Northern Irish senior side showcases his ability to join the midfield and help sustain pressure on the opposition.

However, the Tyrone native gave away a penalty towards the end of the first half but Kelleher, who hails from the same island, made sure the debutant’s mistake was not costly.

Summer signing Ibrahima Konate also helped the 18-year-old in his first game for the senior team, often occupying the right flank to cut out counter-attacks.

Kaide Gordon, born in 2004, made his anticipated debut at Carrow Road on the right wing and linked up well with Bradley.

Gordon worked hard and did well on the back to force his way into spaces and create goalscoring opportunities.

He was the only member of the front three that did not get himself a goal but it was not for lack of trying on the night the former Derby County player became Liverpool’s fifth youngest-ever player at 16 years and 351 days.

Liverpool leaked counter-attacks in the first-half as the midfield that looked like it lacked a defensive presence on paper lacked a defensive presence.

Neither of the three starting midfielders were objectively bad and all added something to the Liverpool attack but a natural six was needed.

Step up Tyler Morton for his first 45 minutes under Jurgen Klopp – Naby Keita went the other way after picking up what appeared to be a minor muscle injury.

Morton was given lots of time and space on the ball by the hosts and did well with it as he became the assured presence that calmed the eight-time league cup winners’ midfield.

The U23 star made 31 passes while only taking 39 touches and also helped in defence, filling in for those who had left a space in the back four.

On a night that could have been so unspectacular for Liverpool, one cannot help but feel impressed by the seamless integration the youngsters had into the senior side’s style of play.

Ireland Snap Losing Streak And Stun Matildas In Tallaght

Vera Pauw’s Ireland snapped a seven-game losing streak by recording a deserved 3-2 victory against Australia in front of 3,314 supporters at Tallaght Stadium.

The Matildas played their first game since competing in the Olympics against a side 22 places below them in the world rankings but could not break the blossoming losing streak they currently hold.

It is Ireland’s biggest win over a higher-ranked opponent in over two decades and they set off to achieve it straight away with Amber Barrett unleashing a stinging shot inside two minutes.

Australia barely had a chance to catch their breath when debutant Lucy Quinn curled a powerful free-kick at goal, which struck the post and rebounded in off goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.

The game was back and forth in many ways but Ireland were never outclassed by a team led by star striker Sam Kerr, who was making her 100th appearance for her national side.

Mary Fowler twice got the visitors back into the contest, albeit with a bit of luck, but Ireland also profited when a strike from Denise O’Sullivan was deflected in.

At the end of a thrilling first half, it was 2-2 but Ireland will have felt that they were slightly on top. And they continued to play with confidence in the second period.

Louise Quinn powered in a header early in that half to reassert a lead that they would not surrender as Pauw’s team showed how recent performances against top-quality opponents stood to them.

Ireland, who were roared on by a vocal crowd, finished the game by battling for every ball and proving that they belonged in competition against such a good team.

Next up is their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign, starting at home to Sweden on October 21st.

Republic of Ireland: Brosnan; Fahey, Louise Quinn, McCarthy; O’Gorman, McCabe; Finn (Caldwell 90), O’Sullivan, Barrett (Farrelly, 60); Payne (Kiernan 90), Lucy Quinn (Whelan 72).

Australia: Arnold (Williams HT); Polkinghorne, Kennedy (Checker HT), Nevin (Beard 68); Yallop (Gant 68), Logarzo (Wheeler 53), Cooney-Cross, Catley; Gielnick, Kerr, Fowler.

Referee: Paula Brady (Ireland).

GAA President Larry McCarthy Hits Back At ‘Cowardly’ Criticism

GAA President Larry McCarthy has hit back at the criticism thrown at players who played in the All-Ireland final in a statement released on Tuesday, labelling it as “cowardly.”

Mayo GAA released a statement on Monday that hit out at the personal attacks that have aimed at players and management involved in their All-Ireland final defeat to Tyrone.

The county board deemed these attacks “unnecessary and unacceptable to all those involved with Mayo GAA.”

McCarthy doubles down on the stance Mayo have taken towards the comments aimed at figures that can be seen online.

“Words matter, what one says matters, what one puts in the public domain matters,” said McCarthy.

“This was a point I made at Congress in February 2021 in the context of, what Bob Costas calls, a corrosive assault on civility. That corrosive assault has been perpetuated recently by members of the ‘critics collective’ and by many people who term themselves supporters in their reaction to the All-Ireland football final.

“The criticism emanating from these people has been overly harsh, unfair and in some cases downright cowardly. It has gone well beyond fair analysis of team performance. Critical evaluation of match performance is fine and expected, but overly harsh scrutiny of amateur players is unjustifiable. It is inexcusable when it moves beyond the realm of what happens on the field.”

The GAA President added that he was surprised by the level of discord directed at players that some critics claim to support.

“It beggars belief that people who consider themselves supporters of a team would castigate members of that team, the management and the County Committee in a crude and, in some cases, personal fashion. Nobody sets out to play badly, nobody sets out to lose an All-Ireland, but it happens. Supporters, who are members of GAA clubs, who attend club games, and who know the commitment and sacrifice the players make, understand this. Unfortunately, it is a point that seems to have escaped far too many people in the last week.

“Stop unwarranted critiques of GAA members. Stop this corrosive assault on civility. Perspective is needed when commenting on games and sport in general – not least when players are amateurs. None of us know the long-lasting impact of this type of harsh criticism on amateur players and we need to be mindful of the positive mental health of others.”

Ireland back-rower Edel McMahon Ready For Scotland Showdown

Ireland back-rower Edel McMahon is confident heading into the final round of fixtures of the Rugby World Cup 2021 Europe Qualifier.

The national side beat Italy by eight points on Sunday to keep their qualification hopes alive after a shock loss to Spain in the opening round.

McMahon has confidence in the game plan that Griggs and co. have worked with them after the side were able to deal with the pressure on them following the defeat to Spain, who qualified for the tournament through their 2019-20 Rugby Europe Championship win.

“We knew what pressure was on us last week, it’s part of elite sport, international rugby,” McMahon said. “I thought everybody dealt with the pressure well, we challenged it and used it as a catalyst to make us better.”

Ireland produced a much-improved performance against hosts Italy than they did against the Spaniards and reaped the rewards for their work in the week in between the two fixtures.

Defence coach Kieran Hallett helped the side to fix the issues that were evident in their first fixture and Ireland were able to keep Italy scoreless when 15 women in green were on the pitch.

The Wasps star felt that the team dealt with the pressure well and overcame it by using it to fuel themselves.

“We didn’t go into our shells or hide from it and that’s what will help us this weekend.

“We’ve held our hands up when the game-plan didn’t work or we made errors, and though it wasn’t perfect against Italy, we saw we got a reward for our effort.

Their opponents this weekend, Scotland, made sure that everyone had something to play for in the final round after a 27-22 win over Spain.

Spain, who were physically dominant against Ireland, were matched by the Scots and ultimately beaten via a driving maul that led to the winning try.

In attack, Ireland have shown glimpses of their attacking quality, with winger Beibhinn Parsons shining the brightest in the two games so far but the side is yet to get up to speed, with only three tries to their name in two games.

“Like us, Scotland didn’t reflect what they could do against Italy and you saw how they came out of the blocks against Spain and it’s all to play for both of us this weekend.

“They want this as much as we do and they will be just as physical in defence. We just need to get our clinical edge in attack spot on and if we do that can take us over the line.”

Dundalk v Finn Harps – Preview, Lineups, Where To Watch

Dundalk and Finn Harps will meet for the second time in a week on Tuesday night for a replay of the FAI Cup quarter-final following an eventful 3-3 draw at Finn Park.

A spot in the last four of the competition is at stake – Dundalk are keen to retain their crown and return to Europe next season while Harps are hoping to reach their first semi-final in seven years.

The reigning champions were 3-1 up against Ollie Horgan’s men before a comeback granted the Donegal side a second chance.

Sean Boyd rescued the Ballybofey side from the jaws of defeat with two late goals sealing a rematch and sending the fans at Finn Park into overdrive.

His late, late equaliser came 11 minutes after he lowered the deficit between the sides to one goal.

Harps fan favourite Tunde Owolabi had opened the scoring before Jordan Mustoe was controversially given his marching orders after deeming that the ball had struck the 30-year-old defender’s arm.

Dundalk striker Patrick Hoban levelled proceedings and the Louth side took control of the tie after Sean Murray’s deflected strike.

The holders extended their lead when their two goalscorers combined to give them a two-goal cushion, with Hoban finishing, and seemingly sink the Ballybofey side, who were impressive before the red card.

Yet, that was not to be as substitute Sean Boyd saved the day with a brace to leave the result of this tie in the balance until Tuesday night.

Harps will miss Mustoe and goalkeeper Mark Anthony McGinley through suspension and Will Seymore, Tunde Owolabi and Shane McEleney are fitness doubts.

Dundalk will be without several players due to a Covid outbreak within the squad.

One player had missed Friday’s clash between the sides due to Covid-related issues and it is understood that four further players may miss the replay.

FAI rules state that teams must be able to name at least 14 players for a matchday squad or they will be forced to forfeit.

Lineups

Dundalk (4-2-3-1): Cherrie; Dummigan, Animasashun, Leahy, Jurkovskis; Sloggett, Murray; Ben Amar, Patching, Duffy; Hoban.

Subs: Yates, Kwelele, O’Kane, Hanratty, Kavanagh, Douglas, Keyes, Nwodo.

Finn Harps (4-4-2): Doherty; Boyle, Sadiki, Webster, McEleney; O’Sullivan, Coyle, McNamee, Rainey; Boyd, Owolabi.

Subs: McGarvey, Dunleavy, Timlin, Connolly, Logue, S Doherty, Hawkins, Foley, Rudden.

Where To Watch

The match will be held at Oriel Park and will kick-off at 7:45 pm. The game will be available to watch on LOI TV.

Meath’s Vikki Wall announced as PwC GPA Women’s Player of the Month

Meath’s Vikki Wall has been announced as the PwC GPA Women’s Player of the Month in Football for September 2021.

The 2020 intermediate Player of the Year was influential in Meath’s monumental All-Ireland senior success earlier this month against five-in-a-row chasing Dublin.

Vikki was the player of the match for the Royals in the All-Ireland final in Croke Park on the 5th of September.

With her powerful frame, aerial prowess and strong runs, shrugging off many Dublin tackles with ease was the catalyst for much of Meath’s good play as her side defeated hotly favoured Dublin with a scoreline of 1-11 to 0-12 points.

This is the third month in a row where the women’s footballer of the month award has been won by a Meath footballer. With Wall winning it for the second month, retaining her crown from August, while forward Emma Duggan pick up the accolade in July.

Meath’s Vikki Wall has been announced as the PwC GPA Women’s Player of the Month in Football for September 2021.

Wall’s Reaction to AFL Speculation

Vikki’s performance this season has attracted interest from many AFL teams, whose attributes would make her a valuable addition to any team, she has admitted she is happy with Meath for the time being.

“It’s something I wouldn’t rule out in the future but at the moment I’m happy, I’m going back to do my Masters in DCU, starting this week,” said the 23-year-old. “I’ll be here for this year and committing to Meath this year and really hoping to do well again next year.”

Meath’s ladies team did not have any players abroad in Australia for the past year and Wall admitted it may have led to their success in 2021.

“Yeah, I think you can look at it in that way,” she said. “I think for us as well, people might have had the thought of going travelling or doing J1s this year but obviously that wasn’t a possibility.

“So for us, county has really been our club this year. Last weekend was the first match I’ve played with my club since last October.

“I think that definitely helped us that we got to fully commit to county. We weren’t going to and from the club. I’d definitely be in favour of a split season.

“I think it really helps you to be able to focus on one thing at a time. I know it probably didn’t help Dunboyne, my own club, the fact that we had five on the Meath team, they probably didn’t have us for the league so that probably didn’t help them but, on the other side of it, it really did help the county this year with the fact that we got to fully commit to it.”

For more News and Stories on all things GAA, click here.

Steve Cooper Appointed Nottingham Forest Manager

Steve Cooper has been appointed Nottingham Forest manager on a two-year contract, the club has announced.

The former Swansea manager led the Welsh outfit to back-to-back Championship play-off finals from 2019 to 2021 before leaving the club in July by mutual consent.

Cooper will be Nottingham Forest’s 11th manager in seven years after being appointed manager.

He will now take over from recently sacked Chris Hughton after his departure last week, following their bad run of form, being bottom of the table.

The Welshman was Liverpool’s academy manager before taking charge of some of the England underage teams.

The 41-year-old Welsh native took over the England U16 team from 2014 to 2015, before spending four years in charge of the England U17 from 2015 to 2019.

He was very successful in that time frame, winning the 2017 FIFA U17 World Cup and placing as Runners-up in the 2017 European Championships.

Steve Cooper has been appointed Nottingham Forest manager on a two-year contract, the club has announced.

Nottingham Forest Chief Executive, Dane Murphy gave his thoughts on the appointment;

 “Steve was our first choice as head coach and we are delighted to have secured his services. His record of developing young talent is exceptional.

“Steve knows what is required to be successful in the Championship and has a proven track record with Swansea.

“We have reduced the age of our squad over the summer and Steve is the ideal coach to blend a team to start moving us up the table.

“On behalf of the owner and the Board, we welcome Steve to the club and look forward to providing every support he needs to be a success at Nottingham Forest.”

Cooper took training on Tuesday and will be joined by Steve Rands and Alan Tate as part of his backroom staff, who both worked with Cooper at Swansea.

His first match in charge of Forest will be against Millwall on Saturday at 3:00 pm after their first win of the season in a 0-2 away win against Huddersfield last weekend.

For more News and Stories on all things Football, click here.

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