Home Blog Page 292

Ireland Squad Named To Face Italy In Qualifier Showdown

Ireland head coach Adam Griggs has named the matchday 23 that will take on Italy in the all-important Rugby World Cup 2021 Europe Qualifier match.

Griggs has made four changes in personnel to his starting XV from the Round 1 defeat to Spain at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, with Laura Feely, Sam Monaghan, Edel McMahon and Eve Higgins coming into the side.

Ciara Griffin captains Ireland for the Round 2 clash against the host nation, as Griggs’ side bid to bounce back and keep their hopes of automatic qualification for next year’s Rugby World Cup from this tournament alive.

Higgins’ return to the Ireland midfield alongside Sene Naoupu – restoring their partnership from the Women’s Six Nations – is the only change to the backline from last weekend, with Eimear Considine, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe and Beibhinn Parsons continuing in an unchanged back three.

Lucy Mulhall, the Irish Sevens captain, makes way for Higgins after starting on her debut for the 15s against Spain.

Kathryn Dane and Stacey Flood are named at scrum-half and out-half once again, with Feely coming into the Ireland front row alongside Linda Djougang and Cliodhna Moloney for her 21st cap.

Having made her debut off the bench in Round 1, Monaghan is set for her first Test start in the second row alongside Nichola Fryday, while McMahon’s inclusion in the back row sees Griffin revert back to number eight, with Dorothy Wall continuing at blindside flanker.

Neve Jones, Lindsay Peat, Leah Lyons, Brittany Hogan and Claire Molloy are named on the bench, while Emily Lane, Enya Breen and Lauren Delany once again provide Griggs with the backline cover.

The game will be played at the Stade Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma – where the tournament is hosted – and will kick-off on Sunday, September 19 at 2 pm.

Ireland Squad v Italy

15. Eimear Considine (UL Bohemian/Munster)(19)
14. Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe  (Railway Union/Munster)(3)
13. Eve Higgins (Railway Union/Leinster)(3)
12. Sene Naoupu (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(42)
11. Beibhinn Parsons (Ballinasloe/Blackrock College/Connacht)(12)
10. Stacey Flood (Railway Union/Leinster)(4)
9. Kathryn Dane (Old Belvedere/Ulster)(14)

1. Laura Feely (Blackrock College/Connacht)(20)
2. Cliodhna Moloney (Wasps/IQ Rugby)(27)
3. Linda Djougang  (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(13)
4. Nichola Fryday (Blackrock College/Connacht)(19)
5. Sam Monaghan (Wasps/IQ Rugby)(1)
6. Dorothy Wall (Blackrock College/Munster)(8)
7. Edel McMahon (Wasps/IQ Rugby)(10)
8. Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemian/Munster)(Captain)(37)

Replacements:

16. Neve Jones (Malone/Ulster)(4)
17. Lindsay Peat (Railway Union/Leinster)(35)
18. Leah Lyons (Sale/IQ Rugby)(27)
19. Brittany Hogan (DCU/Old Belvedere/Ulster)(5)
20. Claire Molloy (Wasps/IQ Rugby)(71)
21. Emily Lane (Blackrock College/Munster)(4)
22. Enya Breen (UL Bohemian/Munster)(7)
23. Lauren Delany  (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby)(15).

Republic of Ireland drop to 50th in FIFA World Rankings

Republic of Ireland drop to 50th in FIFA World Rankings

The Republic of Ireland have dropped to 50th in the newly released FIFA World Rankings upon their recent poor form.

At the start of the year, Ireland were placed 42nd, slowly moved their way down to 47th and now see themselves in 50th position.

This is Irelands lowest world ranking since 2015, when they were placed at a staggeringly low 67th in the world.

Rivals Northern Ireland move up to 47th, Scotland moves up to 45th. While Wales sit in 19th and Euro Runners-up England move into the top 3 for the first time (equalling their highest ever position) since September 2012 only behind Brazil in second and Belgium in the top spot.

Looking at Ireland’s World Cup opponents, Portugal have moved into the top 10, placing seventh. Serbia moves up to 28th, Luxembourg rise to 94th while Azerbaijan drop three places down to 117th.

Republic of Ireland drop to 50th in FIFA World Rankings

When Martin O’Neill took over in July 2014, Ireland was in their lowest ever ranking, placing 70th when the squad were winless from six games heading into the 2016 European Championship qualifiers.

By 2016, the Martin O’Neill era saw the team find form, qualify for the Euro’s and rise to a very respectable 23rd in the world rankings.

By 2017 however, they had dropped out of the top 30.

Under the short-term stint of Mick McCarthy in September 2019, the team got back in the top 30, placing 28th. But, since then have fallen off yet again.

When Stephen Kenny took over from Mick McCarthy in April 2020, the team were placed 34th in the world. But, yet again, have slowly progressed down the rankings to 50th.

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

Spurs v Chelsea – Preview, Team News, Betting

Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea will want to continue their long unbeaten run as they face Spurs away on week five of the Premier League

The match will kick off at 16:30 on Sunday 19th September in White Hart Lane with Paul Tierney as referee.

Nuno Espirito Santo surprised many by easily winning his first three games but this all change within a week. Firstly, a red card to Tanganga led to a humiliating defeat against Crystal Palace, next they had a tough draw in their first Europa Conference League game against Rennes.

Chelsea’s strong start has progressed into the Champions League after they beat Zenit St Petersburg on Tuesday. With four teams still joined at the top of the table with ten points. Tuchel’s men will want to pull away.

The squad’s injury list remains small as well as having good depth on their bench. They will look at this as a must win game.

The Blues are the major favourites in this London derby, as two longstanding Premier League clubs, they have faced each other many times. In their last 29 meetings, Chelsea has won an outstanding 14 of them. There have also been 10 draws while Spurs have only won five games.

Last season, two uninteresting sides ended 0-0 and 1-0 to Chelsea.

Predicted Starting 11s

Tottenham Hotspur

Formation

4-3-3

Predicted Starting Team

Lloris (GK), Reguilon, Rodon, Romero, Emerson, Lo Celso, Skipp, Hojbjerg, Alli, Kane, Gil

Injuries / Suspensions

Dier (Leg), Son (Calf), Moura (Ankle), Sessegnon (Knock), Bergwijn (Knock), Tanganga (Suspended)

Chelsea

Formation

3-4-2-1

Predicted Starting Team

Mendy (GK), Chalobah, Silva, Azpilicueta, James, Kovacic, Jorginho, Alonso, Mount, Havertz, Lukaku

Injuries / Suspensions

Pulisic (Ankle), Kanté (Ankle)

Betting

Tottenham 15/4

Draw 11/4

Chelsea 8/11

 

Score Predictions

Injury problems have really hampered Tottenham’s chances even though they play at home. Espirito Santo will want his team to push on but a bad week of results may have knocked their confidence.

Expect this tie to end 2-1 to Chelsea.

Leinster Development Squad Announced for Connacht Clash

Leinster Development Squad Announced for Connacht Clash

Simon Broughton has announced a Leinster Rugby Development XV to face Connacht Rugby in the second interprovincial game to be held tomorrow in the IRFU High-Performance Centre in Abbotstown.

The game is part of a series of games being played in Abbotstown behind closed doors over the coming weeks to help players who have missed out on so much club and representative rugby over the last 18 months.

The team came up short against Ulster Rugby last weekend in a nail-biting 27-34 loss.

Broughton is keen on using these games as an opportunity to give game time to many future stars of Leinster Rugby.

Belvedere College player Dylan O’Grady starts at full back, with Fionn Gibbons on the right wing and Aitzol Arenzana-King, who scored two tries against Ulster, on the left.

In the centre former Blackrock College student Ben Brownlee lines up alongside Mullingar RFC man Conor Gibney.

Seanan Devereux wears the number nine jersey this week with Kilkenny College’s Charlie Tector outside him at ten. Tector kicked eight points from the tee last week.

There are though a number of changes in the pack.

Leinster Academy hooker John McKee again captains the side and is joined in the front row by Ben Popplewell who came off the bench last week and by another replacement last week Thomas Connolly at tighthead.

In the second row, Fionn McWey starts having been at blindside flanker against Ulster and he joins St Michael’s College’ Conor Ó Tighearnaigh.

Finally, in the back row, there are two changes on the flanks with Will McDonald and Dylan Ryan starting this week and Donough Lawlor again selected at No. 8.

Leinster Development Squad Announced for Connacht Clash

Leinster Rugby Development XV vs. Connacht Rugby Development XV

15. Dylan O’Grady (Belvedere College)
14. Fionn Gibbons (Castleknock College)
13. Conor Gibney (CBS Mullingar/Mullingar RFC)
12. Ben Brownlee (Blackrock College)
11. Aitzol Arenzana-King (CUS/Balbriggan RFC)
10. Charlie Tector (Kilkenny College/Lansdowne FC)
9. Seanan Devereux (St. Mary’s College)
1. Ben Popplewell (Wexford Wanderers/Blackrock College)
2. John McKee (Old Belvedere RFC) CAPTAIN
3. Thomas Connolly (DUFC)
4. Fionn McWey (Cistercian College Roscrea)
5. Conor Ó Tighearnaigh (St. Michael’s College)
6. Will McDonald (IQ Rugby)
7. Dylan Ryan (St. Michael’s College/DUFC)
8. Donough Lawlor (Newbridge College)

Replacements:

16. Barry Gray (Colaiste Lorcáin, Castledermot/Clontarf FC)
17. Oisín Michel (Partrician Secondary School, Newbridge/Lansdowne FC)
18. Michael McCormack (St. Mary’s College RFC)
19. Paul Deeny (St. Peter’s College, Wexford/Clontarf FC)
20. Jonathan Ross (Belvedere College)
21. Conor Duggan (St. Vincent’s Castleknock College)
22. Daniel Hawkshaw (Belvedere College)
23. Callam O’Reilly (St. Michael’s College)

For More News and Stories on all things Rugby, click here.

Ireland Host One Day Camp At IRFU High-Performance Centre

Andy Farrell and his coaching team have assembled a group of 50 players for a one day camp at the IRFU’s High-Performance Centre at the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin.

No uncapped players are involved in the short camp but nine players with only a cap to their name are.

The Ireland men’s squad have an action-packed 12 months ahead with games against  Japan, New Zealand and Argentina at the Aviva Stadium in the Autumn Nations Series in November.

In February and March, there are tricky away games against England and France in the 2022 Six Nations Championships while Ireland host Wales, Italy and Scotland at the Aviva Stadium.

In July 2022 the team are also due to play a three-Test tour against the All Blacks in New Zealand.

During the summer Ireland recorded victories over Japan and the USA while capping nine new players – Robert Baloucoune, Caolin Blade, Paul Boyle, Harry Byrne, Gavin Coombes, James Hume, Tom O’Toole, Nick Timoney and Fineen Wycherley.

Jack Conan, Tadgh Furlong and Robbie Henshaw started all three Tests for the British and Irish Lions against South Africa this summer while Conor Murray featured in all three games, starting the second Test.

Tadhg Beirne was a replacement in the first two Tests and Bundee Aki started the series decider.

Ireland’s Autumn Nations Series games at the Aviva Stadium will be televised on RTE (ROI) and Channel 4 (NI).

The IRFU will finalise stadium capacity for these games following direction from the government in October.

Backs (23)
Will Addison (Ulster/Enniskillen) 5 caps
Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians) 31 caps
Robert Baloucoune (Ulster/Enniskillen) 1 cap
Caolin Blade (Connacht/Galwegians) 1 cap
Billy Burns (Ulster) 7 caps
Harry Byrne (Leinster/Lansdowne) 1 cap
Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf) 24 caps
Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon) 3 caps
Andrew Conway (Munster/Garryowen) 25 caps
Shane Daly (Munster/Cork Constitution) 2 caps
Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster) 93 caps
Chris Farrell (Munster/Young Munster) 15 caps
Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 10 caps
Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers) 52 caps
James Hume (Ulster/Banbridge) 1 cap
Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 13 caps
Jordan Larmour (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 30 caps
James Lowe (Leinster) 6 caps
Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor) 5 caps
Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 89 caps
Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 34 caps
Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 99 caps
Jacob Stockdale (Ulster/Lurgan) 35 caps

Forwards (27)
Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University) 5 caps
Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 16 caps
Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 22 caps
Paul Boyle (Connacht/Buccaneers) 1 cap
Ed Byrne (Leinster/UCD) 6 caps
Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 20 caps
Will Connors (Leinster/UCD) 9 caps
Gavin Coombes (Munster/Young Munster) 2 caps
Ultan Dillane (Connacht/Corinthians) 19 caps
Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 9 caps
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 49 caps
Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 109 caps
Dave Heffernan (Connacht/Buccaneers) 6 caps
Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy) 63 caps
Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 22 caps
Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 13 caps
Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians) 45 caps
Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 76 caps
Eric O’Sullivan (Ulster/ Banbridge) 1 cap
Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 1 cap
Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 37 caps
Rhys Ruddock (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 27 caps
James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 37 caps
John Ryan (Munster/Cork Constitution) 24 caps
Nick Timoney (Ulster/Banbridge) 1 cap
Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 32 caps
Fineen Wycherley (Munster/Young Munster) 1 cap

Autumn Nations Series

IRELAND v Japan
Aviva Stadium, Saturday 6th November, 2021

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

IRELAND v Argentina
Aviva Stadium, Sunday 21st November, 2021

2022 Guinness Six Nations Championship

IRELAND v Wales
Aviva Stadium, Saturday 5th February, 2022

France v IRELAND
Stade de France, Saturday 12th February, 2022

IRELAND v Italy
Aviva Stadium, Sunday 27th February, 2022

England v IRELAND
Twickenham Stadium, Saturday 12th March, 2022

IRELAND v Scotland
Aviva Stadium, Saturday 19th March, 2022

2022 Summer Tour

New Zealand v IRELAND
TBC

New Zealand v IRELAND
TBC

New Zealand v IRELAND
TBC

Kerry Ladies’ Football Club Championship – Preview, Fixtures & Results

The Kerry Ladies’ Football club championship got underway last week with five teams fighting to be queens of the Kingdom

This championship is a small competition with only five teams in one group with the top four teams qualifying for the semi-finals.

The final will take place in mid-October with the winners claiming the Randles Brothers County Championship title.

Last year’s winners Rathmore are looking strong again this year while Finuge St Senans are the new kids on the block after they won the intermediate championship last year.

Southern Gaels would be considered one of the favorites for this competition after they won the Donal Curtin Cup last month. They beat Rathmore 4-11 to 1-13 in the final with both sides breezing through the championship.

Another team to watch out for will be Na Gaeil after they made a big impression in their first match of the season against Beaufort.

Group 1: Beaufort, Finuge St Senans, Na Gaeil, Rathmore, Southern Gaels

 

Round 1

Beaufort (0-04) v Na Gaeil (4-18)

Southern Gaels (0-09) v Rathmore (0-08)

Upcoming Fixtures

Finuge St Senans v Beaufort – Sunday, 19th September

Rathmore v Na Gaeil – Sunday, 19th September

Beaufort v Rathmore – Sunday, 26th September

Finuge St Senans v Southern Gaels – Sunday, 26th September

Southern Gaels v Beaufort – Sunday, 3rd October

Na Gaeil v Finuge St Senans – Sunday, 3rd October

Na Gaeil v Southern Gaels – Sunday, 10th October

Rathmore v Finuge St Senans -Sunday, 10th October

 

Tipperary Camogie Club Championship – Preview, Fixtures & Results

The Tipperary Club Camogie championship has begun and nine teams are battling to be called queens of the county

The nine teams have been split into two groups with the best two teams going into the knockout rounds and the bottom club going into a relegation playoff.

This county championship will certainly attract the eyes of many Gaelic games enthusiasts across the county and throughout the country.

It will serve as a marker of current standards within the county and given that the Tipperary senior team seems to be getting better and better, gaining ground on the top-three every year, the contest at club-level should be quality entertainment.

Drom & Inch come into this year’s competition as reigning champions and heavy favorites to lift the trophy again.

An underdog to root for in this championship would be Cashel who keeps improving each year and are hungry for some silverware.

With the eyes of Tipperary and the county senior management watching, it will be interesting what players emerge as real powers.

Group 1: Thurles Sarsfield, Clonoulty/Rossmore, Annacarty, Drom & Inch, Toomevara

Group 2: Silvermines, Nenagh, Cashel, Burgess/Duharra

 

Round 1

Thurles Sarsfield (4-12) v Annacarty (0-10)

Clonoulty (0-10) v Drom & Inch (1-15)

Upcoming Fixtures

Toomevara v Annacarty – 17:00, 18th September – Toomevara GAA

Burgess/Duharra v Cashel – 17:00, 18th September – Burgess GAA

Nenagh v Silvermines – 17:00, 18th September – Nenagh GAA

 

Annacarty v Clonoulty/Rossmore – 16:00, 25th September – Annacarty GAA

Drom & Inch v Toomevara – 16:00, 25th September – Drom & Inch GAA

Silvermines v Burgess – 16:00, 25th September – Silvermines GAA

Limerick Camogie Club Championship – Preview, Fixtures & Results

The Limerick Senior camogie championship throws in this weekend with seven teams looking to lift the legendary trophy

The competition commences on Sunday as they battle for this highly regarded county championship. As Limerick improves on the Irish camogie scene, this is the competition to watch to see their current and future legends.

Killeedy was named champions last year after beating Newcastlewest in the final. It was the first time they won the title in seven years so they will be hungry to retain the trophy.

The seven teams have been split into two groups, the top two teams in each group will qualify for the semifinals. The relegation playoff will be decided by the last place of the group of four playing a game against the loser of the two other sides that have not qualified for the semifinals.

The county final is scheduled to be played in the first week of November with the Treaty’s best side claiming the trophy.

Group 1: Newcastle West, Ahane, Bruff, Crecora

Group 2: Killeedy, Granagh/Ballingarry, Na Piarsaigh

Upcoming Fixture

Round 1 – Sunday 19th September

Newcastlewest v Ahane – 11:30

Bruff v Crecora – 11:30

Killeedy v Granagh/Ballingarry – 11:30

Round 2 – Sunday 3rd October

Ahane v Bruff – 11:30

Crecora v Newcastlewest – 11:30

Na Piarsaigh v Killeedy – 11:30

Round 3 – Sunday 17th October

Bruff v Newcastlewest – 11:30

Ahane v Crecora – 11:30

Granagh/Ballingarry v Na Piarsaigh – 11:30

 

Leinster Centre Garry Ringrose Focused On Getting Back From Injury

Leinster centre Garry Ringrose maintains that his focus is on returning from the shoulder injury that ruled him out of the Vodafone Summer Series in July.

Ulster’s James Hume filled his spot in the international squad this summer as Ringrose began his recovery.

The 26-year-old has had an IKD in Santry recently to test the strength of his shoulder and, although he feels that it went well, the Leinster man is still disappointed that injury derailed his previous season.

“It was unlucky, I guess, probably a couple of years worth of injuries squeezed into the one season, but that’s just kind of how it goes,” Ringrose conceded. “It’s the nature of the beast, unfortunately.

“It was frustrating. For each of them, they were all kind of broken bones really, which is just unlucky. I wasn’t left wondering was it something I could have done differently in preparation.

“You just kind of deal with it, you’ve 24 or 48 hours to get the head right and then kick on and reset the focus to rehab and get back. There were a few times last year, and hopefully, I don’t have to do it all this year once I get through this shoulder.”

The Irish international also spoke of the mental toll the injuries have had on him throughout the last year.

He appeared only ten times in the blue shirt throughout last season as he broke his jaw against Italy last October, which was the beginning of several injuries in several months.

Ringrose hurt his jaw once again in December but was suited up in green during the Six Nations.

However,his return did not last long as an ankle injury during the tournament saw him miss the rest of the season, with a shoulder problem being the icing on a very unwelcome cake.

“Certainly in the immediate, you’re in a bit of a hole, probably a bit angry at the situation, a bit upset by it but thankfully I’ve people close around me that are incredibly helpful and supportive, family and friends, and then the guys at Leinster, the medical team, they kind of helped me through that initial bit and then it’s reset, set new targets and kick on from there.”

Those targets included getting back training and with all the extra time on his hands, he was able to, with the help of physios, medics and coaches Kieran Hallett and Denis Leamy.

Ringrose is also expecting to be able to increase the amount of contact and hits he can take in training to further his rehab, and says that he has a few markers to hit that will give him a clear indication of when he will return to the pitch.

The centre currently sits on 86 appearances for the provincial outfit and spoke of his thoughts on potentially reaching 100 in this upcoming season, fitness pending.

“I haven’t thought about that at all but now that you’ve said it, it’s a pretty special milestone to reach.

“It will probably be towards the end of the season if it happens. That would be a pretty cool one to tick off.”

The United Rugby Championship begins on Friday, September 24 and games will be free-to-air on RTÉ and TG4.

Leicester v Napoli – Preview, Team News, Odds, Where To Watch

Leicester City kick-off their 2021/22 UEFA Europa League campaign when they host Napoli for the first of six Group C clashes for the club on Thursday night.

Leicester will be looking to get off to a good start in the competition when they come up against Luciano Spalletti’s side who are currently unbeaten in Serie A.

Brendan Rodgers’ squad has no new injuries for the clash and the Northern Irish manager has provided updates on those reganing their fitness at the club.

Speaking from inside the King Power Centre at LCFC Training Ground on Wednesday, Rodgers provided an update on the condition of his Leicester squad.

Defenders Wesley Fofana (fibula) and James Justin (ACL) are the only long-term absentees at the club.

“We’re looking very good on the injury front,” the manager explained. “Most of the guys, apart from Wesley and James, are available or there to be in the squad.

“It’s such an important period because of the proximity of games. You’re going to need your players. Whichever team I put out, I look to get a positive result.”

Nampalys Mendy is also suffering from an injury with an unknown return date.

Their opponents, Napoli, are missing several key figures of their squad, including goalkeeper Alex Meret.

Full-back Mario Rui is not fit to feature for the side tonight while fellow left-back Faouzi Ghoulam will miss out.

Diego Demme has been sidelined with a knee injury since a friendly match in July while Slovakian Stanislav Lobotka will miss the Europa League clash after returning from the international break with an injury.

Lineups

Leicester City (4-4-2): Schmeichel; Pereira, Evans, Vestergaard, Bertrand; Perez, Ndidi, Soumare, Barnes; Iheanacho, Daka.

Subs: Ward, Söyüncü, Amartey, Thomas, Ricardo, Choudhury, Dewsbury-Hall, Tielemans, Albrighton, Maddison, Lookman, Vardy.

Napoli (4-3-3): Ospina; Malcuit, Rrahmani, Koulibaly, Di Lorenzo; Fabian, Zambo Anguissa Zielinski; Lozano, Osimhen, Insigne.

Subs: Boffelli, Idasiak, Juan Jesus, Manolas, Zanoli, Elmas, Ounas, Petagna, Politano.

Odds

Leicester 7/5

Draw 5/2

Napoli 21/10

Where To Watch

Leicester – Napoli will be available to watch on BT Sport 2 with kick-off scheduled for 8 pm.