Colm ‘Collie’ Tucker is the forwards coach for the Ireland U20s and is currently involved in the Connacht senior setup after being the academy’s Elite Player Development Officer.
“We would have had him since Under 17s, myself and a few of the other Connacht lads here so it has been good to have a familiar face here with the Connacht coaching staff.
“Obviously he was here last year and had massive experience at this level – it has been brilliant.”
Forde thinks that the experience he had in the U20 squad for last year’s curtailed Six Nations is important.
The experience of training with the Connacht seniors will also pay dividends for the 19-year-old.
Forde highlighted the advice given to him by established figures in the province as one of his biggest takeaways from his time with the seniors.
“Obviously, I got massive experience from the likes of Jack and Bundee, Forde noted.
“They have been fairly helpful to my game – Bundee knows his stuff and he has been great to me.
“I’m always looking for fixes for my game and if he spots them, they’ll call them out to me, give me a few tips.”
The energy in this year’s squad is similar to the Triple Crown winners of last year, according to Forde.
The free-flowing rugby visible last year could be on show again this year and the Connacht academy star is supportive of that.
“It is a case of enjoying our rugby and going out and give a performance.”
Ireland Sevens captain Billy Dardis has waited a long time to lead his side out in search of Olympic qualification at the World Rugby Sevens repechage in Monaco.
On Saturday, the 26-year-old will do just that as Ireland face Zimbabwe, Mexico, and Tonga to kick off their final push for Tokyo 2020.
Dardis feels that the national sevens side has been growing and growing since their third-place finish at the Rugby Europe Sevens Olympic Qualifying tournament in Colomiers in 2019.
“Each tournament was building up to that qualifier in Monaco in June but that got pushed back and the whole world went on hold for a year and then this year has just been one long preseason,” said Dardis. “
We’ve been lucky enough to play against academies and [Great Britain] and at the moment we actually feel we are coming into it pretty nicely which is good, but it has been a long build-up to be fair.”
Dardis believes that he and his teammates were very lucky to have the Monaco Repechage to work towards over the last 18 months.
It motivated the former Leinster academy player to work hard during the lockdowns and keep his physical and mental wellbeing in check.
To have Olympic qualification in the back of his mind was a blessing.
“We have been building towards this for the last two years, and it was tough like. This time last year, we were in the middle of lockdowns, we were training by ourselves…driving yourself to a dark place every day by yourself can be really tough.”
Dardis and co. have been able to train together ahead of the repechage.
However, the former Newbridge and Terenure student has something unique to push him that bit further in training.
The thought of captaining an Irish side to that goal made it even sweeter for the Ireland 7s veteran.
“To captain this team, to represent Irish rugby, Ireland on the biggest stage in the world, the chance to carry the hopes and dreams of a nation for a weekend, the chance to inspire a generation of kids for weekend….to be in that spotlight for a weekend would be absolutely incredible – it’s very motivating.”
Furthermore, Dardis has been here before with head coach Anthony Eddy in 2016.
Eddy’s 2016 side won their group that included 2020 opponents Zimbabwe, Tonga and Samoa but fell to Spain in the quarterfinals.
However, the national sevens side has reached new heights since then, most notably becoming a World Series core team in 2019.
Dardis thinks that the growth of the Irish sevens programme has been consistent in the last few years.
“I’ve been with the squad five years now and it has changed each year. There has been an influx of lads every season but each year players are getting better and better. But it has been quite a journey [from his first cap at Malmo to now].”
The Irish sevens captain would be overjoyed if that journey took him to Tokyo – “We are all best mates and we enjoy each other’s company…I think it’d be really special to go to the Olympics together.”
The GAA championship will return after a rather entertaining Allianz league campaign, the 134th edition of the GAA championship will commence on the 26th of June. With a set number of teams in contention to bring home Sam Maguire, other teams will be content to compete with the elite.
With Kilkenny not competing, and London and New York withdrawing due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there are 31 contenders vying for the crown of champions of their respective provincial championships and of course the All-Ireland.
We will rank and rate every side and where we think they will end up come August. Here is a full list of the 2021 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.
Antrim
After securing promotion to Division 3, Antrim’s league campaign was a stellar one. Winning all three of the games against Sligo, Louth, and Leitrim.
Not the highest opposition in reality, but for a county to have never won an All-Ireland or National League title in their history, and staying irrelevant in the Ulster Championship since 1951, their league campaign this year is a massive coup.
Enda McGinley’s appointment in November 2020 raised a few eyebrows at the time. It is safe to say he has improved The Glensmen where they could eventually compete in Ulster, but for now, they face Armagh in the Quarter-Finals as well as a potential meeting with Monaghan in the semi-finals.
Prediction: Ulster Quarter-Finals.
Armagh
Armagh is always a tricky side to talk about, they managed to see off Roscommon in the last league game to retain their status in Division 1 after a run of inconsistent performances.
Last years Ulster semi-finalists can be a dangerous outfit and with the addition of Kerry legend Kieran Donaghy as a member of Kieran McGeeney’s backroom staff for the upcoming season. They could surprise a few.
Overall, they not the team they once were from the early 2000s and the shark tank that is the Ulster championship. While they should beat Antrim, they would then face Monaghan.
If you are a betting person, stay clear of The Orchard County.
Prediction: Ulster Semi-Finals
Carlow
Their league campaign was successful and something to build on for the future. Defeating Waterford sparingly and edging out Wexford.
With an eight-point defeat to Louth for promotion to Division 3 last time out, they will feel hard done by.
Ultimately, to go far in Leinster, you will need massive amounts of luck and the hope that teams will have an off day.
They should have too much for Longford in the opening round of the Leinster championship, but that will be their highlight of 2021.
Prediction: Leinster Quarter-Finals.
Cavan
Having endured an eventful and ultimately downbeat league campaign. The Breffni county will hope to put things right in Ulster and beyond after relegation to Division 4.
The reigning Ulster Champions shocked the footballing world last year after defeating a poised Donegal side to win their 40th Ulster title (the most of any side in Ulster) and their first success since 1997.
They face Tyrone in their opening fixture, who is coming off a hammering from Kerry.
They still have plenty to prove.
Prediction: Ulster Semi-Finals
Clare
The Banner County turned a few heads after impressing against Jack O’Connor’s Kildare side earlier on in the league and finishing above Cork will give them momentum heading into the Munster title picture.
After being narrowly defeated by Mayo in the last outing that stopped them from booking their place in Division 1 for next season. They will hope to perform in Munster.
They just so happen to be facing a scary-looking Kerry side, who were recently crowned Division 1 champions along with Dublin.
Prediction: Munster Quarter-Finals
Cork
While Cork will always be considered in and around the elite teams of the championship, there is always something left to be desired from the Rebel County.
Ronan McCarthy is doing the best he can with the panel he has at his disposal. Despite winning two out of three league games his side still managed to survive a relegation play-off.
They will face Kerry in the Munster final, and unless a repeat of last years semi-final were to inexplicitly happen again, they will be left pondering for another year.
Prediction: Munster Finalists
Derry
The Oak-Leaf County stunned a lot of people by gaining promotion to Division 2, winning all their games, defeating two Ulster rivals in Fermanagh and Cavan after hammering Longford.
Being spearheaded by star full-forward Shane McGuigan all throughout their run in getting promoted. Rory Gallagher will hope he can produce at a higher level in the coming weeks.
They should falter when they face off against All-Ireland contenders, but stranger things have happened.
Prediction: Ulster Quarter-Finals
Donegal
While league form is not often looked at deeply for when the championship comes around, Donegal’s league campaign has been uninspiring.
Drawing to Monaghan and Armagh in entertaining games and beating a struggling Tyrone side is not what Declan Bonner would have hoped for.
They face off against Down in the Preliminary Round of the Ulster championship, which should be a walk in the park.
It is likely that they will face off against Monaghan in the final, which will be a toss-up affair.
Prediction: Ulster Champions and All-Ireland semi-finalists
Down
Not much can be said about this below than average Down team that has not been said already.
Bleak performances in Division 2, just about avoiding relegation and facing off against Donegal in the opening round of the Ulster championship is not what Paddy Tally would have hoped for.
The 2010 All-Ireland Finalists will be an underwhelming outfit yet again.
Prediction: Ulster Preliminary Round
Dublin
Trying to make a case for any other team to dethrone Dublin will be an uphill battle for anyone. They genuinely have not a single weakness to their game.
Posing outstanding talent in every position and with a phenomenal bench to call upon if they do encounter trouble. They remain a scary prospect for anyone and will remain so for years to come.
The Dubs will breeze through Leinster, and as the defending All-Ireland champions. They will aim to complete an unprecedented seven-in-a-row.
Prediction: Leinster and All-Ireland Champions
Fermanagh
Ryan McMenamin has a mountain to climb to make Fermanagh contenders in the Ulster championship. To no fault of his own.
They face off against a Monaghan side who recently survived relegation and will be looking to bounce back.
No one expects much from Fermanagh, and they will remain in the shadows for the foreseeable future.
Prediction: Ulster Quarter-Finals
Galway
No one would have thought that Galway would be playing Division 2 football. Losing too Monaghan in a relegation play-off is not what Pádraic Joyce would have wanted.
Having been a dominating force in Connacht from 2015 onwards, questions will still be asked on rather or not they can hamper Mayo’s hopes after last year’s loss.
Prediction: Connacht Semi-Final
Kerry
The Kingdom is coming into the championship having retained their league title (alongside Dublin). Remaining unbeaten throughout their group and hammering Tyrone in their last outing.
After last year’s shock exit at the hands of Munster rivals Cork, they will have more than enough to bounce back.
Peter Keane’s side keeps improving with each passing year, with Dublin in their horizon. They should impress.
Prediction: Munster champions and All-Ireland Finalists
Kildare
Jack O’Connor has done a respectable job since being appointed as Kildare manager all the way back in 2019.
Having admitted that his side is ‘’not prepared for a step up in class’’. Their main goal is to get closer to Dublin.
Only suffering one defeat to a vibrant Clare side during their league campaign, they gained promotion to Division 1. They still have a long way to go if they want to compete with the elite.
Prediction: Leinster Semi-Final
Laois
Nothing is expected of Laois moving forward for this championship season. Being relegated from Division 2 alongside a poor Westmeath side, boasting an identical league record.
They will face Westmeath in the Quarter-finals of the Leinster championship and should be favourites coming into the fixture.
Prediction: Leinster Semi-Final
Leitrim
The Ridge County are often the whipping boys of the Connacht championship.
They will go head-to-head with either Mayo or Sligo in the semi-final, and unless Sligo pull off an upset, they will be outclassed by Mayo.
Prediction: Connacht Semi-Final
Limerick
After a successful league campaign, Limerick will hope to go as far as they can in Munster.
Overperforming and surprising some doubters, Billy Lee and his backroom staff will be confident in reaching the latter stages of the Munster title picture.
However, I can see The Treaty County faltering early on.
Prediction: Munster Quarter-Final
Longford
Longford caused one of the shocks of the summer by beating and relegating reigning Munster champions Tipperary in their last outing at Pearse Park.
If they were to continue this form going forward, they would light up the championship.
Realistically they will not get past the first round once they meet stronger opposition.
Prediction: Leinster Round 1
Louth
The Wee County gained a massive coup by gaining promotion to Division 3 after some relatively fruitful performances.
Once they hit the championship, they should be out of their depth, no fault of their own but the level of competition is just beyond them at the moment.
Prediction: Leinster Round 1
Mayo
What can be said about Mayo that has not been said already? After another loss to Dublin at Croke Park in December of last year, not many give them the credit they deserved.
The level of young and prosperous players James Horan has at his disposal is unquestionably brilliant.
After picking up their first Connacht title since 2015 against Galway last year and will play Division 1 football next year. They are once again looking like a strong outfit.
Prediction: Connacht Champions and All Ireland Semi-Finalists
Meath
Meath will always be in and around the latter stages of the Leinster title picture. The only problem being that this Dublin team exist.
They have a relatively easy route to the final, but the outcome will be set in stone.
Prediction: Leinster Finalists
Monaghan
Monaghan is often seen as the dark horses for the championship every season, and every year they tend to fall apart.
Conor McManus can only do so much and on the verge of turning 35 this year, Séamus McEnaney will hope his squad can perform without their star player.
Having survived relegation by defeating Galway, they will jump at the opportunity to redeem themselves.
Prediction: Ulster finalists
Offaly
Gaining promotion to Division 2 after three successive wins, Offaly will dream that they can go all the way in Leinster.
They will not go further than the hope, but with Division 2 on the horizon, the foundations are strong for this young team to improve for next year’s exploits.
Prediction: Leinster Quarter-Finals
Roscommon
The Connacht giants make up the trifecta of challengers alongside Mayo and Galway in the west.
Losing to Mayo in last years semi-final will have stung the Rossies, and who can forget the humiliation they suffered in the 2017 All-Ireland Quarter-Finals.
Getting past Galway will be a challenge, but if they do. They will have to face a Mayo side who know how to best them when it really matters.
Prediction: Connacht Finalists
Sligo
Not a lot can be said about Sligo. They have underwhelmed in the Connacht championship for years now and are out of depth whenever they go up against the big three.
Having not competed in a Connacht final since 2015 and not picking up silverware since 2007, it is a bleak future for The Yeats County.
Prediction: Connacht Quarter-Finals
Tipperary
The reigning Munster champions have fallen off since their heroics last year. Being relegated down from Division 3.
It is sad to see such an underrated side underperform in a group they should stroll past.
They face an uphill battle to beat Kerry in the semi-final if they want to try and retain their title.
Prediction: Munster Semi-Finals
Tyrone
Fergal Logan and Brian Dooher must be scratching their heads after their humiliating defeat to Kerry last week.
Thoroughly outplayed and outmuscled from minute one, the O’Neill County will hope to put their league performances behind them come the championship.
Cavan is next up, who also has a lot to prove after their relegation.
I predict an upset.
Prediction: Ulster Quarter-Finals
Waterford
Division 4 contenders Waterford only played 2 games in the league, getting hammered by Carlow and edging out Wexford by a point.
They are the outside bet in Leinster and should surprise a few if they can manage to perform in the big games.
Prediction: Munster Semi-Finals
Westmeath
The Lake County had a dire league campaign, being handed three defeats from three. Equally, no one expected them to pick up many points with Mayo and Meath in the same group.
They will now play Division 3 football come next year.
Jack Cooney’s men will face off against fellow relegated Laois in their opening game of the Leinster championship.
Prediction: Leinster Quarter-Finals
Wexford
Wexford had a poor league campaign, finishing bottom of Division 4 South, picking up no wins in the process.
It would take a miracle for them to compete in an already stacked Leinster title picture.
They would face Dublin in the Quarter-Finals if they get past Wicklow, which would leave a lot to be desired.
Prediction: Leinster Quarter-Finals
Wicklow
Like Wexford, Wicklow has been nothing short of terrible throughout the league, finishing bottom of Division 3 South.
They will beat Wexford in the opening round, but after that, its down to Dublin on rather or not they go hard on them.
The draw for the first round of Champion League qualifying sees Irish champions Shamrock Rovers face tough opposition
Champions League
The draw announced that League of Ireland (LOI) winners Shamrock Rovers will face SK Slovan Bratislava in Champions League qualifying.
The first leg will be played away on the 6th or 7th July. The return game will be in Tallaght on the 13th or 14th July.
The last time an Irish side faced the Slovakian champions was in 2019 when Dundalk lost 4-1 on aggregate in the third round of qualifying for the Europa League.
The second-round draw on Wednesday morning revealed that the winner of the tie would play against Swiss league winners BSC Young Boys.
As Ireland’s representatives in the Champions League, Rovers are already guaranteed €810,000.
The second-round draw also announced that Celtic will play against Danish club FC Midtjylland.
☘️ 𝗨𝗘𝗙𝗔 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗚𝗨𝗘 𝗗𝗥𝗔𝗪 |
Shamrock Rovers FC will face Slovan Bratislava in the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League 1st Qualifying Round.
Ireland will have no sides in the first round of qualifying for the Europa League. Instead, the newly formed Europa Conference League will have three Irish teams competing.
The draw announced that club Bohemians will be facing Icelandic team Stjarnan in the first round.
Sligo Rovers will also play Icelandic opposition with FH Hafnarfjorour in their first European game.
After winning the FAI cup, Dundalk will face against Welsh team Newtown AFC.
The first leg of each of these matches will start on the 8th of July and the return leg will be the following week on the 15th July.
If Shamrock Rovers lose to their Slovakian opponents, they will be given a bye into the third round of the Europa Conference League qualifying.
Team Ireland sponsor FBD have announced personalized music tracks for three Irish athletes that will be missing their families while in Tokyo this July
This year’s Olympic Games will kick off on Friday 23rd of July, nearly 10,000 miles away in Tokyo, Japan. Overseas supporters, including the athlete’s friends and family, are not allowed to attend the events due to Covid19 restrictions.
On Wednesday, FBD announced a new campaign to remind the athletes of the support they’re getting from home.
A video was released showing boxer Kellie Harrington, badminton’s Nhat Nguyen and hockey star Chloe Watkins listening to personalized tracks.
Dublin music producer Richard Egan and team psychologist Jessie Barr helped to create the music tracks.
Each track was made with a mash-up of sounds from the athletes’ training sessions and supportive messages by family members.
Team Ireland Psychologist Jessie Barr said:
“From my experience as an athlete and as a Sports Psychologist, I know first-hand how important friends, family members, official support team staff and fans’ support is to an athlete.
Symbol of support for what they will achieve in Tokyo
“Whether it is words of encouragement after a tough session or cheering from the stands at a competition, knowing you have the support of others is so important.
“FBD Sound Support lets the athletes know that we are right behind them as they seek to inspire the nation on the biggest sporting stage of all – the Olympic Games.”
This will be a very different Olympics and Team Ireland want to ensure that they are in the right mindset.
They will also be sharing messages from the public to the athletes on social media throughout the Games.
Commercial Director with the Olympic Federation of Ireland, Catherine Tiernan added:
“Team Ireland have dedicated years of their lives to compete at the Olympic Games.
“The steps taken by FBD with Sound Support is indicative of the incredible support FBD have provided to us since coming on board as the top tier sponsor in 2018.”
FBD has made each of the athlete’s music tracks available to listen to on Spotify with the link:
The championship’s all-time leading scorer Cillian O’Connor will be a serious doubt for the remainder of the 2021 championship with an Achilles injury, Mayo GAA has confirmed.
The Ballintubber man hobbled off in their promotion win against Clare in Sunday’s Allianz Football League semi-final.
There was much concern over the extent of the injury.
His involvement in Mayo’s Connacht Semi-Final opener against Sligo is looking increasingly unlikely.
It has now been confirmed by the Mayo county board, that Mayo’s leading scorer has damaged his Achilles tendon.
In a statement on the Mayo website, it read:
“Following last Sunday’s NFL game versus Clare GAA, all injured players received further assessment with the Mayo medical team,”
“Cillian O’Connor sustained an Achilles tendon injury that will require a procedure this week.
“We wish him well and look forward to seeing him on the playing field again as soon as possible.”
No timeline for a return to fitness has been issued, leading to worries rather or not O’Connor will be involved in Mayo’s championship season.
Spanish champions Atletico Madrid want £43 million pounds to sell Kieran Trippier with Manchester United interested.
The England international is currently at the Euro’s and has two years left on his contract.
The Spanish champions don’t want to let sell the defender but will listen to offers if any club meets their demands.
United are looking to add reinforcements at right-back with Aaron Wan Bissaka in need of competition.
Madrid has not received an offer for the 30-year-old, who won his first title for Diego Simeone’s title-winning campaign.
Man United will look to improve on their defence, with last years acquisition of left-back Alex Telles bringing out the best in Luke Shaw.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is also looking at other alternatives, with Norwich’s highly-rated defender Max Aarons gaining interest from both United and Arsenal.
United are also in the market for a marquee signing. With their much-maligned transfer saga for Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho still up in the air.
Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton is on the verge of signing for United subsequent to medical and personal terms. He is set to sign a deal until 2023.
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