Home Blog Page 330

Ireland U20 Winger Ben Moxham Ready For England Test

Ireland under-20s winger Ben Moxham is ready for his side’s match against England U20s on Thursday night in Cardiff.

The winger has started both of Ireland’s games prior to their Triple Crown match against the English is an admirer of their game.

Moxham noted that England U20s are a very physical side that like to kick – similar to Eddie Jones’ England of late in that sense.

“They’re definitely a good side – probably the best side we’re going to face yet,” said the Larne native.

He complimented the performances of their back three in their first two games and understands they will be a challenge.

However, the 20-year-old relishes the challenge facing him.

Moxham has come a long way since getting into rugby five years ago after not making it in football.

After deciding on rugby because it was “the only other sport” in Larne and putting a lot of hard work behind the scenes, he was recruited by Ulster.

Moxham has been working with the seniors at Ravenhill for a year and says that training with them has improved his game greatly.

“Training with the [Ulster] seniors has helped me massively…You’ve got [Jacob] Stockdale, [Ian] Madigan, James Hume and others that are eager to help you as a young player.”

Moxham cited his coaches and full-back, Jamie Osborne, as figures that have helped him throughout the U20 Six Nations Championship so far.

The Ulster winger said that Head Coach Richie Murphy has been a huge help to him.

His defensive game is his strong point in his own opinion and the connection he has with Osborne on the pitch has helped him to do his job well.

“Jamie’s [a] really good [communicator], it makes my job a lot easier.”

The Ireland U20s match against England U20s kicks off at 8 pm on Thursday night and will be available to watch on RTÉ News Now and the RTÉ Player.

Click here to see the starting lineup.

Ireland U20 Forward Alex Soroka Focused On Task Ahead

Ireland under-20s forward Alex Soroka has said that the side’s sole focus is the match against England on Thursday night and not any silverware that comes along with it.

The two sides will face off at 8 pm on Thursday in Cardiff, having both won their first two games ahead of their match.

Soroka is not worried about the silverware that will come with a win or the implications that a loss will have.

“We’re just treating it as another rugby game,” said Soroka.

The Leinster prospect has been a huge figure for Ireland at set-pieces and sees the clash with England as a very tough matchup, but an exciting one.

He’s gathered from the video footage studied throughout the week that England are a multi-faceted side.

They can play through teams or play around teams and have some impressive kickers.

“I think it’s pretty exciting for us as a team to play against a team that has that much quality.”

However, the utility forward is confident of his side’s abilities in a head-to-head clash with the England u20s.

The 20-year-old enjoyed his team’s two wins and believes they can play well against their biggest opposition to date on Thursday night.

Their game-by-game approach has helped the side, according to the man starting at lock on Thursday.

“We are just focusing on ourselves, not thinking about other rugby stuff.”

He believes that their set-piece will be able to challenge England’s, even if Ireland does not have the height advantage.

Soroka has studied their lineout and believes that skill and technique will be enough to counter the height advantage.

His time studying and calling the lineouts during the tournaments has proved successful with the side boasting an 88% success rate in their two games.

He believes Ireland can impose their will upon this English side, in one way or another.

“We want to show what we can do.”

Forwards Coach Cullie Tucker Impressed By Ireland And England U20s

Ireland under-20s forwards coach Colm ‘Cullie’ Tucker has been impressed by England U20s ahead of Thursday night’s match between the two teams.

Their strong, cohesive forwards have looked powerful in their set-pieces and the side are very comfortable with playing direct or going wide.

However, Tucker has been impressed most by another aspect of their game.

“One of the most impressive things for me about the team so far has been their character,” said the forwards coach.

England have gone two from two in the 2021 U20 Six Nations Championship so far with both wins impressing Cullie.

Their bonus-point comeback win against France and their victory over Scotland after being down to 13-men at one point in the game has underlined the strength of Alan Dickens’ side.

“There’s massive threats within them.”

Fortunately, Ireland U20s have multiple threats of their own, particularly among their pack which has been very impressive in the competition so far.

Tucker praised Ireland’s set-pieces in their opening games, noting their 88% success rate at the lineout.

Their scrummaging has also been very good with over 10 players showing their quality in that area of the game.

Ireland’s depth has looked impressive in the two games, especially at prop and Tucker says that, if the quality’s there, the coaches should not be afraid to rotate.

“There’s no doubt our depth will be tested and it’s up to us as coaches to trust our squad.”

The two Alex’s – Kendellen and Soroka – both earned individual praise from their coach.

Cullie described Kendellen as a great leader who wouldn’t ask anything of his fellow players that he would not do.

The coach put Soroka’s versatility down to his hard work off the field – studying set-pieces and other team’s calls.

“His versatility has been a huge asset to us.”

Ireland U20s will play England U20s at 8 pm on Thursday with a Triple Crown at stake for Richie Murphy’s side.

The game will be available to watch on RTÉ News Now and the RTÉ Player.

The starting lineup and bench can be seen here.

Japan Side Announced For Match in Dublin

Japan have announced their team to face Ireland this Saturday at 1 pm in Dublin.

The side will play their first test against another country since the 2019 Rugby World Cup quarter-final against South Africa.

Few changes have been made to the Japan team that played the British and Irish Lions for the first time ever.

Seven of the pack that faced off against the Lions start in Dublin.

Inagaki, Sakate and Koo line up in the front row with Wimpie Wan Der Walt and James Moore behind them in lock forward.

Captain Michael Leitch and Pieter Labuschagne are once again starting at flanker.

Last week’s try-scorer Kazuki Himeno comes into the starting XV at number eight, replacing Amanaki Mafi.

Naoto Saito comes into the side at scrum-half with the ever-reliable Yu Tamura beside him in the fly-half position.

Ryoto Nakamura and Timothy Lafaele will be the centre partnership for the second week in a row.

30-year-old Semisi Masirewa will start at 14 alongside Siosaia Fifita and Kotaro Matsushima.

Kaito Shigeno and Asaeli Ai Valu are among the players on the bench.

Japan Team v Ireland

15. Kotaro Matsushima (Clermont Auvergne)

14. Semisi Masirewa (Kinetsu Liners)

13. Timothy Lafaele (Kobelco Steelers)

12. Ryoto Nakamura (Suntory Sungoliath)

11. Siosaia Fifita (Kintetsu Liners)

10. Yu Tamura (Canon Eagles)

9. Naoto Saito (Suntory Sungoliath)

Forwards

1. Keita Inagaki (Panasonic Wild Knights)

2. Atsushi Sakate (Panasonic Wild Knights)

3. Ji-won Koo (Honda Heat)

4. Wimpie van der Walt (NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes)

5. James Moore (Munakata Sanix Blues)

6. Michael Leitch C (Toshiba Brave Lupus)

7. Pieter Labuschagne (Kubota Spears)

8. Kazuki Himeno (Highlanders)

Replacements

16. Kosuke Horikoshi (Suntory Sungoliath)

17. Craig Millar (Panasonic Wild Knights)

18. Asaeli Ai Valu (Panasonic Wild Knights)

19. Jack Cornelsen (Panasonic Wild Knights)

20. Tevita Tatafu (Suntory Sungoliath)

21. Kaito Shigeno (Toyota Verblitz)

22. Rikiya Matsuda (Panasonic Wild Knights)

23. Shane Gates (NTT Communications Shining Arcs)

European Baseball: Ireland dominate a poor Hungary team

Ireland improved on their last game to inflict a very heavy defeat on Hungary on Day 2 of the European Baseball Qualifiers

In a group with Slovakia, Hungary, and Finland, the Irish are proving to be the team to beat. After defeating Finland 6-1 on the first day, they have thrashed a poor Hungary side.

Mitch Hillert showed his precise pitching with the batting of Frank Andrew’s team also got some impressive scores.

Ireland (16) v Hungary (3), Bratislava

Ireland started the match batting and with real tenacity. After captain Leo Farrell walked to first and stole second, a sweet swing by Fionn Gallahar-Hal let the captain run home for the first point of the game.

Next, a high Brian McAuliffe hit lets Gallahar-Hall and David Gallagher at second base run home for two more points.

Hungary calmed themselves to stop any more Irish scores but could not handle pitcher Mitch Hillert’s tricky throws.

In the second inning, Ireland showed a short masterclass in baseball. With the bases loaded a Farrell double sent Mike McGee and JP Dolan home. Tim Shea then was allowed to walk home after a pitching mistake.

McAuliffe, Gallagher, and Farrell made it home by the end of the inning to make it 9-0.

Hungary had trouble pitching, changing their pitcher halfway through the second inning. Hillert did not have the same trouble finishing the round keeping his opponents scoreless.

Ireland took a break from scoring in the third inning as Hungary improved their defense. The score remained the same going into the top of the fourth.

Ireland brought back the class of earlier batting in this round. McGee stole third before a Farrell single let him reach home base. With two strikeouts, Ireland needed some magic which David Gallagher produced. A fantastic home run, the first of the competition, but three more points on the board, with Tim Shea and Farrell also scoring.

Hungary still had no response to the Irish onslaught as the green defense held firm.

The fifth inning was quiet as both teams made changes knowing the game was already won. The score was 13-0 going into the sixth.

Ireland managed to get another man to home base after more stealing from Gallagher and McGee batting the ball far enough for him to score. The score was now at 14-0, Hungary would need points on the board soon or the game would be forced to end early.

Hillert continued to scare Hungary batters with his fastballs, adding two more strikeouts to his long tally.

Ireland made one last push at the start of the seventh inning. Hungary ended the game with their fourth pitcher, but he could not stop the Irish from getting two more points. First Dolan made an easy jog home from third base and Shea rounded off Ireland’s 16th score.

Like the Finland game, Hungary made a last-ditch attempt to get some points. With men on the second and third base, a great bat by Carlos Rubio sends the first two Hungarians home. Rubio was their star player and he got himself home before substitute pitcher Patrick Mitchell upped his game.

Three was not enough for Hungary to keep the game going and Ireland was given the win after the seventh inning with a score of 16-3.

 

This was a dominant team performance with no standout players. This game leaves them with a lot of confidence going into their last game against the home country, already qualified for the final.

Ireland will face Slovakia tomorrow, the 2nd of July with all matches being shown live on YouTube on the Slovakia Baseball page.

 

Ireland Team Announced For Japan Test

Ireland have announced their side to face Japan in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, July 3rd at 1 pm.

The 23-man matchday squad was carved out of the 36-man squad available for selection.

The starting lineup is filled with players familiar with the Irish setup and the bench features some international prospects.

Dave Kilcoyne and Finlay Bealham will line up on either side of Ronan Kelleher, who had recently with Warren Gatland’s British and Irish Lions.

James Ryan returns to the starting lineup as captain and is paired with Ultan Dillane at lock forward.

Peter O’Mahony, Josh Van Der Flier and Caelan Doris round off the starting forwards in the back row.

Jamison Gibson-Park will wear the number nine shirt while Joey Carbery makes his first appearance in green since the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Stuart McCloskey and Chris Farrell provide a veteran presence at inside and outside centre.

Jacob Stockdale, Jordan Larmour and Hugo Keenan fill out the back three.

Rob Herring and Billy Burns are joined by the uncapped Gavin Coombes and others on the bench.

The game will be available to watch on RTÉ 2 with coverage starting at 12:30 pm.

Ireland Team v Japan

Backs

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 11 caps
14. Jordan Larmour (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 29 caps
13. Chris Farrell (Munster/Young Munster) 14 caps
12. Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor) 4 caps
11. Jacob Stockdale (Ulster/Lurgan) 34 caps
10. Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf) 22 caps
9. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 9 caps

Forwards
1. Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians) 43 caps
2. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 11 caps
3. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 14 caps
4. Ultan Dillane (Connacht/Corinthians) 18 caps
5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 35 caps Captain
6. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 75 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 31 caps
8. Caelan Doris (Leinster/UCD) 7 caps
Replacements
16. Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 21 caps
17. Ed Byrne (Leinster/UCD) 4 caps
18. John Ryan (Munster/Cork Constitution) 23 caps
19. Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University) 3 caps
20. Gavin Coombes (Munster/Young Munster) uncapped
21. Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon) 1 cap
22. Billy Burns (Ulster) 6 caps
23. Shane Daly (Munster/Cork Constitution) 1 cap

B&I Lions Team Annouced For First Test In SA

The British and Irish Lions have announced their starting lineup for their first test in South Africa against the Emirates Lions.

No Irish player is present in the starting XV with Gatland and his selectors instead opting to lean on the British side of the squad for talent.

There is only one survivor from the starting lineup against Japan with Josh Adams starting at 11 this week.

Scotland full-back Stuart Hogg will captain the team for their match this weekend.

Louis-Ress Zammit will get his first minutes as a Lion this weekend when he starts on the opposite wing to Adams.

Owen Farrell and Chris Harris will offer different qualities in midfield while Scotland duo Ali Price and Finn Russell will wear the 9 and 10 shirts respectively.

In the pack, Jamie George and Kyle Sinckler provide an English feel to the front row alongside Wyn Jones.

Maro Itoje and Jonny Hill come into the side at lock forward, replacing the benched Iain Henderson and the injured Alun Wyn Jones.

Courtney Lawes shows his flexibility with a start at six while Hamish Watson and Taulupe Faletau round out the forwards.

Bundee Aki and Exeter star Sam Simmonds take their places on the bench alongside Henderson.

The match will kick-off at 5 pm on Saturday, July 3rd and the game will be available to watch on Sky Sports.

The British & Irish Lions Team v Emirates Lions

Backs

15. Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs/Scotland) C

14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester/Wales)

13. Chris Harris (Gloucester/Scotland)

12. Owen Farrell (Saracens/England)

11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues/Wales)

10. Finn Russell (Racing 92/Scotland)

9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)

Forwards
  1. Wyn Jones (Scarlets/Wales)
  2. Jamie George (Saracens/England)
  3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears/England)
  4. Maro Itoje (Saracens/England)
  5. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs/England)
  6. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints/England)
  7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh/Scotland)
  8. Taulupe Faletau (Bath/Wales)
Replacements

16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs/England)

17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens/England)

18. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)

19. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Ireland)

20. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs/England)

21. Gareth Davies (Scarlets/Wales)

22. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Ireland)

23. Elliot Daly (Saracens/England)

 

Irish goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu joins Portsmouth on loan

The young former Shamrock Rovers keeper Bazunu has joined the League One outfit from parent club Manchester City

It is understood that there were a few clubs looking for the goalkeeper, but he is now happy to be playing for Portsmouth.

This will be Bazunu’s second time in League One after a busy season last year with relegated Rochdale. The 19-year-old made 32 appearances and kept five clean sheets for the struggling team.

The best part of the young man’s year was his four starts for the Irish national team under Stephen Kenny. He played in one World Cup qualifier match against Luxembourg and three other friendlies over the summer.

Kenny high rates the shot-stopper and this loan move will only give him more experience between the sticks.

Although he is yet to make a start, Manchester City also highly rate the Irishman after handing him a long-term contract at the club to keep him till 2024.

How will Portsmouth help Bazunu?

Portsmouth will be a small step up from playing in Rochdale with the Fratton Park team planning to compete for the third division title.

The formerly great Portsmouth missed out of a playoff place for promotion after a slip-up at the end of the season.

Three of Portsmouth’s goalkeepers left the club this season leaving the first-place spot open for Bazunu. He will now join fellow Irishman Ronan Curtis who netted 10 goals last season.

The Pompey manager has said that he wants his goalkeepers to be fast off their line and good with their feet. These are both two qualities that the Dubliner has performed well at while playing for Ireland.

This is an important move for Bazunu who needs first-team football to help him hold his position for Ireland over Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher and West Ham’s Darren Randolph.

McIlroy Ready For Triple Header

Rory McIlroy will begin the first of a triple-header on Thursday afternoon when he tees off for the first round of the 2021 Irish Open.

He had hoped to bring his family to Kilkenny with him but strict travel restrictions made this tough and impractical with the golfer instead opting to go alone and play in the Scottish Open next week.

This will be followed by the Open Championship in two weeks time, giving the golfer a run of three tournaments in three weeks.

“I just felt like it wasn’t fair to put them through what they would have to go through to be here with me, so plans changed very quickly,” said McIlroy.

The 32-year-old has never played at Mount Juliet before but is enjoying his time there.

He did go to the course as a child to watch the WGC-American Express Championship in 2002 and 2004 and has fond memories of his time there.

He was on the 18th green for the prize ceremony when Tiger Woods won the tournament in 2002 and even managed to close to the American golfing icon.

“His glove was still in the back pocket and I could have reached and got it and ran – it would have been a great story to tell him.”

Working with coach Pete Cowen has got Rory back into his stride at times and he is eyeing up silverware for the second half of the 2021 season.

His win at Quail Hollow last month is a positive sign that their work is coming together nicely.

After getting himself into contention at the US Open, he wants to chase another major with the Open only two weeks away.

McIlroy also cited the FedEx Cup, the Race to Dubai and the Ryder Cup as challenges he wants to tackle.

The current number 10 in the world feels confident after his promising Torrey Pines performance.

“I went out at Torrey on Sunday at least with a plan….previously over the last couple of years it has been more of a wishful, hopeful sort of thing.”

However, he is still looking forward to the Irish Open and many are confident that he will get the win on Sunday.

McIlroy noted similarities between the course designed by Jack Nicklaus and the course at the K Club, where he won in 2016.

Parkland courses are something McIlroy plays often overseas on the PGA Tour.

Following in the footsteps of his hero Tiger Woods and join the list of Major winners with a victory at Mount Juliet is something that McIlroy wants to do.

“I hope to continue that trend for sure.”

Irish Open tee times for Irish players and TV details are available here.

Declan Rice Turns Down Two West Ham Contract Offers

England Midfielder Declan Rice has turned down two West Ham contract offers putting Chelsea and Man United on high alert.

Rice is adamant in rejecting any further attempts from West Ham to sign a new deal to stay at the Hammers, with his hope of either Chelsea or Man United placing a bid for him.

West Ham has reportedly offered Rice a bumper pay wise, but the salary offered is much less than he could potentially earn elsewhere.

Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel has named Rice his prefered midfield option this summer, alongside Monaco midfielder Aurélien Tchouameni.

United are big admirers of Rice, who are looking for a suitable central-defensive midfielder, and could offer Jesse Lingard as part of the deal after his successful loan spell last season contributing to nine goals and five assists.

The Hammers have put a price tag of £100 million on Rice, who still has 3 years left on his own current contract with the option for a further year.

The midfielder is keen on listing to any new bids and wants to be informed of any offers for him if they come in during this summers transfer window.

The England international, who is currently a starter for Gareth Southgate’s side at the European Championship, with his performance against Germany in England’s 2-0 Round of 16 victory on Tuesday being a standout.

Team-mate Mason Mount is Rice’s closest friend from their time together at Chelsea’s Academy and has gone on record of wanting to play with the Chelsea Champions League winner in the future.

Former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard was a huge fan of the West Ham captain, and prior to his sacking recommended Rice to the Blues last summer in Chelsea’s massive overhaul of players.

 

 

1...329330331...574Page 330 of 574

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

ABOUT US

SportsNewsIreland is an Irish website launched in 2009 to offer sports fans in Ireland an alternative and independent source to keep them up to date with all the news from around the country. Every week we bring you live score updates from all levels of GAA, rugby, soccer, racing and athletics. Contact

Contact us: Email: info@sportsnewsireland.com

FOLLOW US

Design by SportsMediaIreland.ie