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Heineken Cup Draw: Munster Fixtures, Dates, Kick-off Times and Pool Opposition

The Heineken Cup Draw has been revealed, after the pool draw took place in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Wednesday at 12:00 UK and Irish time. 

With 24 of Europe’s best sides learning of their opponents for the upcoming 2021/22 competition.

Following the conclusion of the draw, the EPCR have announced exact dates, venues, kick-off times and TV coverage.

Here is everything you need to know about Munster for the upcoming 2021/22 competition:

Pool A

La Rochelle
Exeter Rugby
Leinster Rugby
Montpellier
Bath Rugby
Glasgow Warriors
Racing 92
Sale Sharks
Ulster Rugby
Clermont Auvergne
Northampton Saints
Ospreys

Pool B

Toulouse
Harlequins
Munster Rugby
Castres Olympique
Wasps
Cardiff Blues
Bordeaux Begles
Bristol Bears
Connacht Rugby
Stade Francais
Leicester Tigers
Scarlets

Pool Opposition

Castres Olympique

Wasps Rugby

Munster Fixtures/Fixture Dates – TBC

Kick-off times  – TBC

2021/22 key dates

Round 1 – 10/11/12 December

Round 2 – 17/18/19 December

Round 3 – 14/15/16 January 2022

Round 4 – 21/22/23 January 2022

Round of 16 (first leg) – 8/9/10 April 2022

Round of 16 (second leg) – 15/16/17 April 2022

Quarter-finals – 6/7/8 May 2022

Semi-finals – 13/14/15 May 2022

Challenge Cup final – Friday, 27 May 2022, Stade Vélodrome, Marseille

Heineken Champions Cup final – Saturday, 28 May, 2022, Stade Vélodrome, Marseille

IRFU Want To ‘Leave a Legacy’ In 7s Programme

The IRFU have announced a new set of targets for their Sevens programme after the Irish Men’s side achieved qualification to the Tokyo Olympics.

Anthony Eddy‘s squad are currently finalising their preparations for a maiden Olympics campaign in Tokyo.

As excitement builds for the start of the Rugby 7s competition on Monday 26 July, a huge opportunity awaits for Irish Rugby and the shortened format of the game in Ireland.

The realisation of their Olympic Dream promises to be a watershed moment for Irish Sevens Rugby, elevating the players, sport and programme to a whole new level in front of a global audience.

“The Ireland Men’s Sevens team qualifying for the Olympics is a huge opportunity for us to be able to build a sustainable pathway for Sevens Rugby in Ireland,” IRFU Performance Director, David Nucifora, says.

“The interest that the Olympics will bring gives us the opportunity to be able to grow the game of Sevens throughout the country.”

The IRFU want to ensure that there is a clear pathway for young children to get into Sevens rugby.

Sevens is an accessible sport for all ages and the value of Sevens programmes and competitions in schools and colleges and Age-Grade Interprovincial Structures cannot be underestimated with Irish Rugby fully aligned and committed to ensuring Tokyo 2020 is truly a watershed moment for the sport in Ireland.

“The opportunity created by the Men’s Sevens being in the Olympics enables us to be able to connect the Domestic Participation part of the game for young boys and girls to be able to see an opportunity to follow their Olympic Dreams,” Nucifora continues.

“Our ambition is to be able to make the game of Sevens a sustainable game within its own right, with the ambition of qualifying our Men’s and Women’s teams for the 2024 and 2028 Games in Paris and LA and our Men’s and Women’s U18s teams for the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar.”

For Nucifora, the goal is clear: to build a pathway that connects the Participation and Domestic components of the game with the High Performance Programmes.

This will enable young boys and girls to play the sport in their school and club, granting them access to selection for Provincial teams, National Underage squads and then the National Sevens squads, leading them into Olympic Games opportunities in the future.

“We’re focused on leaving a legacy as a result of the team’s qualification for Tokyo,” he says.

“We want to build a Participation Pathway for the game of Sevens through the schools and clubs to open up the sport to non-traditional areas and players. It is a true pathway for a rugby player and we’re striving to get the development part of it right and truly open up the game for all and make it as accessible as possible. We’ll see the grow game in Ireland off the back of that.

“Tokyo is on our mind right now but looking towards Paris, it is only a three year turnaround and our ambition is to be there with both our Men’s and Women’s teams. We’re hugely excited for what’s ahead and know we can achieve all of these goals and ambitions in the years ahead.”

Football – Tipperary v Cork – Starting News, Live Scores, Betting; TV Coverage

Munster U20 Football Championship Final – Tipperary v Cork – 7:30 pm

Tipperary will face-off against Cork at Semple Stadium, Thurles, in County Tipperary this coming Thursday at 7:30 pm in the U20 Munster Football Championship Final.

The Premier County come into this game on the back of two solid performances but tough games against Limerick in the quarter-final, coming out victors by 3 points with a score of 0-16 to 1-10 at Semple Stadium in Thurles.

Facing off against Waterford in the semi-final, also at Semple Stadium in Thurles, they came out 2 point winners with a score of 0-11 to 0-09 last Thursday.

Their opponents, Cork, saw off Munster and long-term rivals Kerry in an outstanding game at Páirc Uí Chaoih last Thursday. Edging out The Kingdom by a single point to book their place in Thursday’s final.

It was a back-and-forth game that could have gone either way, with both teams showcasing their attacking prowess throughout.

Defensively speaking, all tactics went out the window as soon as the goals poured in. On went, the extra time and Kerry did seem to fade, with Cork’s constant running game too much come to the end of the game.

Cork star, Conor Corbett, who terrified the Kerry backline scored a ridiculous 2-04, bouncing on every loose ball and showing his quality to give his side a real chance in their game against Tipp.

Tipperary full-forward Sean O’Connor looked dangerous against Waterford in their semi-final clash, scoring 0-06 and making Waterford retreat back in a defensive shell many times just in order to stop him from causing more damage.

Conclusion

Cork vs Tipperary is always a game that can go either way, usually, I would favour Tipperary to come out with the spoils but based on the past few games both sides have played I would have to give the edge to Cork.

Looking clinical in front of goal and boasting a great forward line, showcased in their performance against Kerry, they look a real threat.

Attacking wise, Tipperary look void of idea’s, never looking comfortable in front of the goal will be a real issue they must solve if they have any chance of toppling The Rebels.

Prediction: Cork by 10 points

Starting Teams 

Tipperary

Cork

Betting

Tipperary: 8/11

Cork: 5/4

Draw: 9/1

Check out our preview for the Leinster U20 Football Championship Final between Dublin and Offaly along with much more.

Heineken Champions Cup 2021/22 Pool Draw

The 2021/22 Heineken Champions Cup Pool Draw has taken place in Lausanne, Switzerland, with some exciting ties to come.

Leinster and Ulster have been draw into Pool A with Munster and Connacht residing in Pool B.

Leinster Rugby Champions Cup fixtures – They face Montpellier once again after drawing them at the pool stage last year.

Leo Cullen and Stuart Lancaster’s men will also come up against Bath Rugby.

Ulster Rugby Champions Cup fixtures – They have some tough fixtures with Jono Gibbes’ ASM Clermont Auvergne and the talent-filled Northampton Saints going head-to-head with Dan McFarland’s side.

Munster will face French side Castres Olympique and Gallagher Premiership team Wasps in their pool games.

Finally, Connacht will have a trip to England to play Leicester Tigers and will also play Stade Francais in their group games.

POOL A (with opponents in brackets)

Stade Rochelais (Bath Rugby, Glasgow Warriors)

Exeter Chiefs (Montpellier Hérault Rugby, Glasgow Warriors)

Leinster Rugby (Montpellier Hérault Rugby, Bath Rugby)

Racing 92 (Northampton Saints, Ospreys)

Sale Sharks (ASM Clermont Auvergne, Ospreys)

Ulster Rugby (ASM Clermont Auvergne, Northampton Saints)

ASM Clermont Auvergne (Sale Sharks, Ulster Rugby)

Northampton Saints (Racing 92, Ulster Rugby)

Ospreys (Racing 92, Sale Sharks)

Montpellier Hérault Rugby (Exeter Chiefs, Leinster Rugby)

Bath Rugby (Stade Rochelais, Leinster Rugby)

Glasgow Warriors (Stade Rochelais, Exeter Chiefs)

 

POOL B (with opponents in brackets)

Stade Toulousain (Wasps, Cardiff Rugby)

Harlequins (Castres Olympique, Cardiff Rugby)

Munster Rugby (Castres Olympique, Wasps)

Union Bordeaux-Bègles (Leicester Tigers, Scarlets)

Bristol Bears (Stade Français Paris, Scarlets)

Connacht Rugby (Stade Français Paris, Leicester Tigers)

Stade Français Paris (Bristol Bears, Connacht Rugby)

Leicester Tigers (Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Connacht Rugby)

Scarlets (Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Bristol Bears)

Castres Olympique (Harlequins, Munster Rugby)

Wasps (Stade Toulousain, Munster Rugby)

Cardiff Rugby (Stade Toulousain, Harlequins)

 

2021/22 weekends

Round 1 – 10/11/12 December

Round 2 – 17/18/19 December

Round 3 – 14/15/16 January 2022

Round 4 – 21/22/23 January 2022

Round of 16 (1st leg) – 8/9/10 April 2022

Round of 16 (2nd leg) – 15/16/17 April 2022

Quarter-finals – 6/7/8 May 2022

Semi-finals – 13/14/15 May 2022

Challenge Cup final – Friday 27 May 2022; Stade Vélodrome, Marseille

Heineken Champions Cup final – Saturday 28 May 2022; Stade Vélodrome, Marseille

Team Ireland announce flag bearers for Tokyo 2020

Boxers Kellie Harrington and Brendan Irvine will lead Ireland in the opening ceremony for the Tokyo Olympics, carrying the tricolour

Each country attending the Games has to select a male and a female to carry their nation’s flag during the opening ceremony.

Harrington and Irvine will be joining a list of legends like Sonia O’Sullivan, Niall Griffin and Katie Taylor who have been flag bearers for Ireland.

Boxing is Ireland’s most successful Olympic sport with 16 of Ireland’s 31 medals coming in the competition. Seeing this, it is understandable why Team Ireland chose the boxing team captain, Irvine, and one of lightweight’s top seeded boxers, Harrington, for the task.

This will be Irvine’s second time at an Olympic Games after he competed at Rio 2016. This is Harrington’s first appearance at the Olympics but she stands as one of the best in her weight class.

Speaking about her selection, Harrington said:

“This means so much to me, to be able to represent not only myself as a person, but as a boxer, for boxing, for my family and for Ireland. It’s an amazing honour, there are so many athletes out here, and to be chosen as one of the flag-bearers is absolutely fantastic.

“I can’t believe it really. Walking out there and realising I’m the flag-bearer, it’s the start of the Olympic Games, and I’m at the pinnacle of our sport.”

Team Ireland is sending 116 athletes to Tokyo this summer, many of them already in the Olympic village.

https://3.249.64.60/other_sports/list-of-irish-athletes-qualified-for-the-2020-olympic-games/

The first of the Irish athletes to compete will be the rowers on Friday, 23rd July. The opening ceremony will take place later that evening, RTE will begin coverage of the event at 11:30.

The competition will run until Sunday, 8th August and hopefully a few Irish athletes will be bringing home medals too.

Hannah Matthews Ready For First Olympic Venture

Ireland Women’s hockey star Hannah Matthews is looking forward to the side’s first-ever Olympic venture at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games.

The side will play their first-ever Olympic match on Saturday when they face South Africa in their pool stage opener.

Sean Dancer’s side is looking to take this tournament one game at a time rather than worry about the bigger picture.

“At the moment, it’s just taking one game at a time. This is all really new to us, we’ve never been to an Olympics and we are one of the few teams [in the tournament] who have never been to an Olympics before,” said Matthews.

The Olympic call-up will be a special memory for the 30-year-old defender but it is also a weird one.

Matthews explains the uncommon label she has put on the experience by noting that the aftermath was different to what a call-up would have meant before the pandemic.

It felt bittersweet as there were players who trained with them that missed out on a spot and there was no possibility of a big celebration, with it only kicking in for Matthews on kit day.

“It was really emotional. I’m obviously so delighted, it’s a dream come true but it was really hard to believe that it was actually happening.”

The teacher has been allowed to commit herself fully to the national hockey preparations for the tournament after going on a career break.

The career break was more to do with contractual obligations, according to Matthews, but she feels she has benefitted from it and added that the school she works at has been really supportive.

Their preparations have included an underwhelming EuroHockey Nations Championship campaign in the Netherlands.

The side was knocked out of the group stage on goals scored and suffered an embarrassing 5-1 loss to England, finishing sixth and missing out on an FIH 2022 World Cup qualification spot.

“I think we were definitely disappointed – more so in our performances. We just felt like we didn’t really represent how well we’ve been playing and how well we’ve been training.”

However, Matthews did note that it was the best Olympic preparation they could have asked for as they played against top sides throughout their time in the tournament.

The defender cited the improved performance against the Netherlands, compared to their World Cup final loss, and hopes that the side will keep improving.

They come into the Olympics ranked ninth in the world and Matthews feels that part of that is down to their close-knit group, both on and off the pitch.

Many of the players were part of the 2018 FIH World Cup campaign, including Deirdre Duke, and have grown close to each other over the years.

“It’s a massive thing for our squad. It’s always going to be a benefit when you’re in such close quarters for that long.”

However, their families will not be able to travel to cheer the girls on at the Olympics in Tokyo.

The Loreto captain lamented that some families may miss players’ last games if they retire.

But, the Dubliner does not believe that the lack of crowds will affect the Irish side as they have played in empty stadiums before.

 “The support we had against Canada [in the Olympic play-off] and in the World Cup was incredible, I’ve never experienced anything like it. But, we also have experience of playing to absolutely no one and empty stands unfortunately so I guess we’ll draw on that…It’s something we’re used to so I dont think it’ll affect us that much.”

She takes comfort in knowing that everyone is in the same boat.

Dancer’s Ireland go into this tournament with others wary of what they are capable of after current New Zealand boss Graham Shaw led them to a World Cup silver medal in a tournament where they were outsiders.

Matthew and co. also have nothing to compare the experience of playing at the Olympics too but the defender has confidence they can do well, noting that anything can happen in tournament hockey.

“You have to believe in yourself or it’s no use to anyone.”

Ireland Kick Off FIBA Euros For Small Countries With Win

Ireland 104-33 Andorra

Ireland Women kicked-off their FIBA European Championship For Small Countries campaign in Nicosia, Cyprus with a 71-point victory over Andorra.

The game marks their first match since 2019 after they were forced into a Covid-induced break, and also their first win.

Ireland started as they meant to go on with the offensive power of the side proving to be too much for the Andorran defence early on.

Dayna Finn, who was on her debut, led the side in scoring on the night with 14 points and was an important figure at the start of the game.

Finn helped her side gain a commanding 17-0 lead and James Weldon’s side marched on from there, never letting go of the advantage they had.

Edel Thornton was the thorn in the Andorrans’ sides as she racked up three steals in the first quarter alone.

Ireland upped their game in the second quarter, posting 32 points – their largest haul in any quarter.

The side’s defensive rebounds were instrumental in their attacking display as their counter-attacks proved lethal against the Andorran defence.

The Andorrans suffered an error-filled display courtesy of the hard work and tenacity of the likes of Thornton and Rachel Huijsdens.

Hower, Noah Mico Lorenzo and Cristina Andres Rabasa showed up for their country and put up double-digit points.

Through this solid defence, the Irish continued to have unanswered high-scoring runs.

The side finished the game with 36 defensive rebounds and 27 offensive rebounds, including the one that led to the lay-up Grainne O’Dwyer pounced on to break the 100-point barrier.

Weldon and co. will be impressed with their showing in the opener in Nicosia and will now look towards a game against Malta on Thursday afternoon.

Ireland: Michelle Clarke (9), Aine McKenna (10), Dayna Finn (14), Claire Rockall (7), Rachel Huijsdens (9), Grainne Dwyer (11), Edel Thornton (4), Fiona O’Dwyer (10), Claire Melia (9), Hannah Thornton (5), Sorcha Tiernan (12), Aine O’Connor (4).

Andorra: Cristina Andres Rabasa (10), Noah Mico Lorenzo (13), Laura Laurent Marrugat, Mariona Palou Vidal, Carla Solana Perez (2), Claudia Brunet Solano (6), Julia Marquez Tomas (2), Anna Mana Buscall, Patricia Meira Gallego, Mireia Magrinya Alonso, Cloe Torcuato Rodriguez (DNP).

To see the recently announced Men’s squad, click here.

Lions Team To Face Springboks Announced

British and Irish Lions Head Coach, Warren Gatland has named his Lions team to face the Springboks for the First Test.

The Lions will face off against the Springboks in their First Test at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday 24th of July, with kick-off at 5 pm BST (British Summer Time).

Team News

Having recovered from a dislocated shoulder in their 28-10 win over Japan at Murrayfield Stadium, Tour captain Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, Wales) will resume his captaincy duties on Saturday after Stuart Hogg was handed the role in their last game.

Jones, will be joined in the second row by Maro Itoje (Saracens, England) who claims his fourth successive Lions Test cap this term.

While Lion’s front row will consist of Wyn Jons (Scarlets, Wales). Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, England) and Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland).

Robbie Henshaw (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) and Elliot Daly (Saracens, England) will partner each other in midfield after the Irishman made his first appearance in last weeks 3-49 win over DHL Stormers after sustaining a hamstring injury.

Warren Gatland Interview

Gatland said in a recent interview;

“In my four Tours as a Lions coach, this was by far the hardest Test selection I have been involved in,” 

“We couldn’t have asked for more from the players so far; they’ve all put their hands up and made picking a starting XV incredibly difficult. In truth, we would have been happy with any number of different combinations across the 23, however, we’re very pleased with the side we’ve settled on.

“We know what we’re coming up against on Saturday. It’s going to be an arm wrestle, there’s no doubt about it. We’ll need to front up physically and be ready to go from the first whistle. When we played SA ‘A’ last week we probably took a bit too long to get into the game, something we can’t afford to do that again this weekend.

“We need to make sure we play in the right areas of the field, not give them easy territory and take our chances when they come.

“While the stands will be empty in Cape Town Stadium, we know Lions fans from across the home nations will be cheering us on back home. We’ll do our best to get the win.”

The much-anticipated clash between the two teams is the first of three main Test matches in the Castle Lager Lions Series that will be shown live and exclusively on Sky Sports.

SOUTH AFRICA v THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

15. Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs, Scotland)

14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, England)

13. Elliot Daly (Saracens, England)

12. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster Rugby, Ireland)

11. Duhan van der Merwe (Worcester Warriors, Scotland)

10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints, Wales)

9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland)

1. Wyn Jones (Scarlets, Wales)

2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, England)

3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland)

4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, England)

5. Alun Wyn Jones – captain (Ospreys, Wales)

6. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, England)

7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, England)

8.Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland)

Replacements:

16. Ken Owens (Scarlets, Wales)

17. Rory Sutherland (Worcester Warriors, Scotland)

18. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, England)

19. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby, Ireland)

20. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland)

21. Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland)

22. Owen Farrell (Saracens, England)

23. Liam Williams (Scarlets, Wales)

Ireland FIBA European Championship For Small Countries Squad Named

Ireland National Basketball Team head coach Mark Keenan has finalised his 12-man squad for the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries.

Jason Killeen has been given the captaincy for the tournament and is one of three Griffith College players in the squad.

The Griffith College star will want to follow on in the footsteps of Keenan and captain Ireland to glory at an international tournament in Dublin.

Lorcan Murphy and Neil Randolph are also part of the Ireland squad for the competition.

UCC Demons’ Kyle Hosford will be the Ireland vice-captain for the FIBA competition.

The tournament will take place in less than three weeks’ time at the National Basketball Arena in Dublin, from August 10-15th.

Speaking about his selection for the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries, Ireland head coach Mark Keenan said: “As a coaching staff we are delighted with the squad selection we have made. It was a very difficult task as we anticipated at the start of the programme that many great players would not make the final tournament squad.

“From 2019 to now we have worked with a group of approximately 30 players in total. All have contributed greatly to the progress of the team and I consider all those players as still being a part of our extended squad and part of our group.

“I would like to thank all those players for their dedication, hard work and desire for wanting to be part of this Irish senior men’s team.”

Twice-capped CJ Fulton has made the squad with Will Hanley joining him on the teamsheet, in line for his international debut at the tournament.

Hanley and Power Forward Jason Blount will be the two unsigned players on the side.

Four players who played European basketball last season are included – John Carroll (Albacete), Adrian O’Sullivan (Aquimisa Carbajosa), Jordan Blount (Aquimisa Carbajosa) and Sean Flood (Arvato College Wizards), however both Blount and Flood are now unattached and have yet to reveal where they’ll be playing next season.

Tralee Warriors forward Eoin Quigley and Pryrobel Killester point guard Ciaran Roe complete the squad.

Ireland will play their opening fixture against Andorra on August 10th, with games against San Marino, Gibraltar and Monaco also scheduled for the 12th, 14th and 15th respectively.

Ireland Men’s Squad For FIBA EC for SC

CJ Fulton (Lafayette College)

Ciaran Roe (Pyrobel Killester)

Kyle Hosford (UCC Demons) (VC)

Sean Flood (Unsigned)

Lorcan Murphy (Griffith College Templeogue)

Neil Randolph (Griffith College Templeogue)

Adrian O’Sullivan (Aquimisa Carbajosa)

Jordan Blount (Unsigned)

Eoin Quigley (Tralee Warriors)

Will Hanley (Unsigned)

John Carroll (Albacete)

Jason Killeen (Griffith College Templeogue) C

Replacements
Isaac Westbrooks (Pyrobel Killester)
Aidan Quinn (Belfast Star)
Stephen James (Griffith College Templeogue)
James Gormley (Griffith College Templeogue)

James O’Donoghue Leaves Kerry Panel Ahead Of Munster SFC Final

Former Footballer of the Year James O’Donoghue has left the Kerry football panel before their Munster Senior Football Championship final against Cork.

The 2014 Footballer of the Year has played just 85 minutes for his county in the last two seasons, having been sidelined with injury for much of his career.

He has returned to his club Killarney Legion, the team he had played with at the weekend, scoring 1-2 against Kenmare Shamrocks on Saturday night.

Kerry GAA chairman and senior football team liaison officer Tim Murphy confirmed the news.

“To be fair to Peter Keane, this probably happened post-Friday’s media briefing,” said Murphy.

O’Donoghue was tipped by Keane to be fighting for a place in the matchday 26.

However, O’Donoghue has not been part of the Kerry matchday 26 so far this season and did not feature in the Kerry A v B game which was also played on Saturday.

“James indicated that he wanted to take some time out from the Kerry set-up and play some club football to see could he get some form back and see where that would take him.

“It probably means that he will not be involved if we beat Cork because we have a very short window with everything to be completed within 4/5 weeks if Kerry does go all the way.”

The 31-year-old was part of the last All-Ireland winning Kerry side in 2014, starting the final at full-forward alongside Kieran Donaghy and Paul Geaney in Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s lineup.

The Tralee-born Gaelic footballer has also been an All-Star twice in his career, both earned consecutively in 2013 and 2014.

He scored 4-24 in the 2014 All-Ireland Championship, second overall across the season, and scored 2-06 in a stunning semi-final replay against Mayo.

O’Donoghue’s injury problems, coupled with Kerry’s depth in attack, has seen him without a game for the county since a league match against Galway in February 2020.