Home Blog Page 370

Preview: Munster Football Quarter Finals – Limerick v Waterford, Kerry v Clare

The 2021 Munster Senior Football Championship commences with a double-header on June 26th.

The six counties of Munster will go head-to-head for the Munster Cup.

The provincial finalists in 2020 – Tipperary and Cork – have earned byes to the semi-final.

The draw can be seen here.

Munster Quarter Finals

Limerick v Waterford

Limerick will host Waterford in the first of two quarter finals.

The winner will face last year’s finalists Cork on July 10th.

Limerick’s Gaelic football has had a promising start to the season, building on their impressive 2020.

In contrast, the new league format has flattered Waterford.

Billy Lee’s Limerick has gone from strength to strength over the past few years and saw themselves a game away from Division Two after some impressive performances.

The Treaty County got their revenge on Munster champions Tipperary after last year’s tight Munster semi-final loss.

However, they were unable to make it two promotions on the bounce as they fell to Rory Gallagher’s Derry.

Waterford was beaten convincingly by Division Four South’s top side Carlow.

A lifeless performance in Dungarvan was cushioned by a one-point win over Division Four Shield winners Wexford.

The slim victory saw Waterford in with a chance of promotion but those hopes faded quickly.

Antrim’s blazing start against the Deise saw Shane Ronayne’s side condemned to another year in the fourth tier.

Billy Lee’s Shannonsiders should ease through.

Prediction: Limerick by 5

Kerry v Clare

Kerry will welcome Clare in the other quarter final tie in Fitzgerald Stadium on the same day.

The winner of the tie will advance to face defending Munster champions Tipperary on July 10th.

Peter Keane’s Kerry side has started 2021 as they mean to go on with some fantastic showings in the National Football League.

A stellar second-half comeback against Dublin is the prize jewel in a magnificent crown.

The fluency of play and domination of the midfield and high-ball showed how good Peter Keane is as a tactician.

David Clifford has reached the next level of his game in 2021 with some fine attacking displays, most notably bagging a hat-trick against Galway.

Their opponents Clare had another bright season in Divsion Two.

A four-point loss to Mayo is indicative of the quality the side has.

Their one-point loss to Cork halted their push for first in Division Two South.

However, they have the opportunity to continue to build upon their recent growth.

Furthermore, David Tubridy broke the National Football League points record during the season.

Kerry will have too much in the canister for Clare to handle but the Banner have the chance to let Peter Keane and co. know that they’re serious.

Prediction: Kerry by 5

Down v Donegal – Ulster Preliminary Round – Preview, TV Details and More

The 2021 Ulster Senior Football Championship will begin on June 27 2021.

All nine counties of Ulster will take part in the tournament, including defending champions, Cavan.

The Anglo-Celt could change hands this year after a poor league campaign from the champions.

However, there will be several sides vying for the Ulster crown.

Preliminary Round

A preliminary round will take place to bring the number down to eight for the provincial quarter-finals.

Down and Donegal will contest the first game of the 2021 Ulster Championship.

Both sides fell to Cavan last year at the semi-final and final stages respectively.

The winner of the tie will face Rory Gallagher’s Derry.

Paddy Tally’s Down struggled in the National Football League Division Two North.

A convincing win over Laois assured the side of their Division Two status for 2022.

However, Down will want better results if they are to reach the final this year.

Tired displays against Mayo and Meath spell disaster for Down.

Rory Burns has been a bright spark for the Mourne County in 2021.

However, the poor defending in front of him has led to high scores for the opposition.

The team will be in trouble if they have similar struggles against sides stronger than Meath in Ulster.

But Donegal has not been fantastic so far this year either.

A confident showing against a dangerous Tyrone side was a promising start to the year.

However, defensive frailties were exposed against Monaghan and Dublin.

In addition, Tyrone amassed 12 wides in their game against Donegal.

Hypothetically, converting three of them would have won the game for Feargal Logan and Brian Dooher’s side.

Furthermore, a lacklustre showing against a Dublin yet to reach top gear cemented a disappointing league campaign for the 2012 All-Ireland winners.

Yet, Donegal’s attack is one of the best in the country and has kept the side in games that they were slipping away from.

Championship football may not be so kind but the match-up of a strong attack against a defence at odds with itself provides only one conclusion.

Predicted winner: Donegal

By How Much?: 10 points

 

Mo Farah has one last chance for Olympics

The Olympic champion needs to make the qualifying time in Manchester at the British Athletics Championships

The 38-year-old, Mo Farah has won four Olympic gold medals in 5,000m and 10,000m races, getting medals in Rio de Janeiro and London.

Farah is struggling to make the qualifying time after recovering from an ankle injury.

He needs to break a time of 27 minutes 28 seconds to qualify and fight to retain his title in Japan.

The runner came close after running 27:50.64 at the British 10,000m Championships on the 5th of June.

 

His last chance to make the team going to Japan next month will be on the 24th June at the British Athletics Championships. Qualification for the competition ends on 27th June.

Farah still feels hopeful that he can retain his title if he qualifies.

The gold medallist quit running on the track so that he could focus on the longer marathon race in 2017.

Farah told Sky Sports:

“At the same time, if it is in a situation like now, then there’s no choice but I believe if I get my head down in the next three or four weeks, knuckle down, get this little (ankle) niggle out the way and then hopefully we should be alright.”

 

2021 Rugby Fixtures – Irish rugby squad for Japan and USA games

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell and his selectors have named the 37-man squad that will be involved in the Vodafone Summer Series.

The national side will host Japan and the USA on the third and tenth of July respectively.

The Japan game will kick off at 1:00 pm while the USA match will begin at 7:15 pm.

Furthermore, both fixtures are part of the government’s outdoor pilot sport event programme.

To clarify, the games will see limited fans return to the Aviva Stadium.

The squad is inexperienced with only six players above 30 caps.

Peter O’Mahony is the most experienced player available with 75 caps to his name.

However, Johnny Sexton, Cian Healy and Keith Earls have been left out of the Summer Series squad to allow other players to gain more experience, according to Andy Farrell.

Furthermore, 11 uncapped players have been drafted into the squad for the two matches.

Connacht captain Paul Boyle and Munster’s Gavin Coombes are among those expected to earn their first cap this summer.

Those selected for the British and Irish Lions are unavailable for selection.

However, Ronan Kelleher is training with the British and Irish Lions squad this week but has been selected in Andy Farrell’s squad. (INSERT INTERNAL LINK)

Both games will be broadcast live by RTÉ (Republic of Ireland) and Channel 4 (Northern Ireland).

Ireland 2021 Vodafone Summer Series Squad

Backs (17)

Will Addison (Ulster/Enniskillen) 4 caps
Robert Baloucoune (Ulster/Enniskillen) uncapped
Caolin Blade (Connacht/Galwegians) uncapped
Billy Burns (Ulster) 6 caps
Harry Byrne (Leinster/Lansdowne) uncapped
Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf) 22 caps
Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon) 1 cap
Andrew Conway (Munster/Garryowen) 24 caps
Shane Daly (Munster/Cork Constitution) 1 cap
Tom Daly (Connacht/Lansdowne) uncapped
Chris Farrell (Munster/Young Munster) 14 caps
Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 9 caps
Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 11 caps
Jordan Larmour (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 29 caps
Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor) 4 caps
Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 34 caps
Jacob Stockdale (Ulster/Lurgan) 34 caps

Forwards (20)

Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University) 3 caps
Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 14 caps
Paul Boyle (Connacht/Lansdowne) uncapped
Ed Byrne (Leinster/UCD) 4 caps
Gavin Coombes (Munster/Young Munster) uncapped
Ultan Dillane (Connacht/Corinthians) 18 caps
Peter Dooley (Leinster/Lansdowne) uncapped
Caelan Doris (Leinster/UCD) 7 caps
Dave Heffernan (Connacht/Buccaneers) 5 caps
Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 21 caps
Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 11 caps
Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians) 43 caps
Ross Molony (Leinster/UCD) uncapped
Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 75 caps
Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch) uncapped
James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 35 caps
John Ryan (Munster/Cork Constitution) 23 caps
Nick Timoney (Ulster/Banbridge) uncapped
Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 31 caps
Fineen Wycherley (Munster/Young Munster) uncapped

You can view the full announcement here.

2021 GAA Division 1 League Results – Dublin share title with Kerry

Reigning All-Ireland champions Dublin will share the Division 1 Allianz League title with Munster rivals, Kerry, after a hard-fought win over Ulster contenders Donegal at Kingspan Breffni Park on Saturday evening.

With no actual final set to take place due to championship commitments, and with Kerry dismantling Tyrone in the first semi-final earlier on in the day, both teams were given the honour.

The juggernaut that is Dublin looked out of sorts for a short period of the opening half, falling behind by two points before warming into the game and taking control.

The first half saw the two teams look nervous, a few misplaced passes gave off a cagey and stuttering start, with Donegal ahead by two, with points from Michael Langan and Niall O’Donnell.

Dublin immediately responded with a point from Con O’Callaghan to get back into the game and calm any nerves they may have had. By the 15 minute-mark, Cormac Costello restored the game to level the game at 0-04 each.

The Dubs smelled blood shortly after, with Niall Scully attempting an audacious goal chance after Donegal goalkeeper Shaun Patton was caught lacking but the shot went wide.

A turnover for Dublin ultimately led to Paddy Small coolly rounding Patton and calmly placing the ball down the middle of the goal with ease.

The end of the first half saw Dublin lead 1-08 to 0-07.

The start of the second half saw the Dubs notch a further three points in three minutes from Ciaran Kilkenny, Sean McMahon, and midfield general Brian Fenton, before Paddy McBrearty got a hat-trick of points for Donegal to get them back in the game.

With Dublin’s lead at 1-16 to 0-11 points with the game soon to end, Brendan McCole squandered a goal chance just before Eoghan McGettigan scoring a goal.

The final scoreline was complementary to Donegal, starting off well before Dublin inevitably took control and made an example out of the Ulster giants.

 

Donegal

Shaun Patton; Eoin McHugh, Stephen McMenamin, Brendan McCole (0-01); Ryan McHugh, Odhrán McFadden Ferry, Ethan O’Donnell; Caolan McGonagle (0-02), Hugh McFadden; Ciaran Thompson, Odhrán Mac Niallais (0-01), Niall O’Donnell (0-01); Patrick McBrearty (0-06, 0-01m, 0-02fs), Michael Langan (0-02), Oisin Gallen.

Dublin

Evan Comerford; Michael Fitzsimons, David Byrne, Sean McMahon (0-01); Eoin Murchan, Brian Howard (0-01), James McCarthy; Brian Fenton (0-01), Peadar O Cofaigh Byrne; Colm Basquel, Ciaran Kilkenny (0-02), Niall Scully; Paddy Small (1-03, 0-01m), Con O’Callaghan (0-03), Cormac Costello (0-06,0-05fs, 0-01’45’).

Jonathan Caldwell wins first European Tour event

Northern Irish golfer wins European Tour Scandinavian Mixed after a stunning final round

Caldwell finished on 17 under par after carding an eagle and some impressive birdies. He beat Spain’s Adrian Otaegui by a single stroke to snatch the trophy in Sweden.

The battle went down to the wire when Otaegui had a final putt to win the competition but put the ball five feet past the hole and missed the next shot too.

That handed Caldwell his maiden Tour event win.

 

The 37-year-old from Bangor in Down has partnered Rory McIlroy in the 2007 Walker Cup.

After the win, Caldwell told Sky Sports: “It’s been a dream of mine for a long time. A lot of hard work goes into it. It hasn’t quite sunk in yet, but hopefully more to come.

“In 2009, I played my first year, lost my card, played mini tours and Challenge Tours over the years; worked as well in a local golf store. It’s been a long road but finally I’m here.

“The golf club at home will probably be going bonkers so just put a tab on and crack on boys and enjoy.”

 

He will take home €166,000 and a two-year extension on the tour for winning the competition.

England’s Alice Hewson narrowly finished third which is the first event on the European Tour history to feature men and women competing on the same course for one prize fund and one trophy.

 

 

Kelleher joins British and Irish Lions team

Leinster’s Ronan Kelleher has joined the Lions team as a backup player that is now training in Jersey.

The 23-year-old plays at hooker and has had a good season in the Pro14 and the Champion’s Cup with the provincial team.

A statement has been released that although he is training with the team, he is not formally part of the 37-man squad.

Kelleher was called in to cover English player, Jamie George, who is still in action with Scarlets.

 

Some pundits had given Kelleher an outside chance of making the Lions team, this is a great opportunity for him to show his talents.

He has already made 11 caps for Ireland in his young career.

Lions coach, Warren Gatland said: “I’m delighted to welcome Ronan to train with the squad this week while we wait for Jamie George to complete his domestic season with Saracens next weekend.”

A total of 26 players are beginning preparations for the game versus Japan on 26th June.

Backs (12):

  • Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, Wales)
  • Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby, Ireland)
  • Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints, Wales)
  • Gareth Davies (Scarlets, Wales)
  • Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby, Scotland)
  • Robbie Henshaw (Leinster Rugby, Ireland)
  • Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland)
  • Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland)
  • Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby, Wales)
  • Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland)
  • Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, England)
  • Liam Williams (Scarlets, Wales)

Forwards (14):

  • Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby, Ireland)
  • Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland)
  • Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland)
  • Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby, Wales)
  • Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland)
  • Iain Henderson (Ulster Rugby, Ireland)
  • Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, Wales)
  • Wyn Jones (Scarlets, Wales)
  • Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby, Ireland)
  • Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, England)
  • Ken Owens (Scarlets, Wales)
  • Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland)
  • Justin Tipuric (Ospreys, Wales)
  • Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland)

 

Kerry storm past Tyrone to retain league title

Kerry scored six goals to steamroll a shocked Tyrone side on their way to retaining the Division 1 football title at Fitzgerald Stadium in the Allianz football on Saturday afternoon. Although, due to Munster championship commitments, they will share the honour with All-Ireland champions Dublin.

Tyrone, coming into this game were in need of a much-improved performance after drawing with Monaghan at Healy Park in Omagh. As soon as the ball was thrown in at 5:00 pm sharp, The O’Neill County were in for a rude awakening and must have hoped they had another week to prepare that came upon them.

After a few minutes, it was apparent that Kerry was in a superior outfit. With Tyrone leading by a point after five minutes, Kerry was awarded a penalty after David Clifford was deemed to be foul after his shot was saved by Joe O’Connor and the Fossa man made no mistake, driving the ball low and hard to the right-hand side.

From then on, the saying of when it rains, it pours would be sufficient to sum the rest of the first half.

A further four more goals in the first half laid down a marker for Kerry. With wing-back, Gavin White notching a picture-perfect lob from 40 metres out, after Niall Morgan’s restart gave White the ball.

Their second goal led to three quick-fire goals and the Kingdom dominantly led 3-1 to 0-3 prior to the much-needed water break.

Shortly after, Tyrone conceded another goal, after Clifford assisted Dara Moynihan who slotted the ball past Morgan.

As Kerry blossomed, Tyrone where hopeless going forward. Often kicking the infamous high ball in towards Conor McKenna and Paul Donaghy in the hope to shake up Kerry but to no avail.

The first half scoreline was an embarrassing one, with Kerry leading by a massive fourteen points at the interval.

A further two points from Killian Spillane and Michael Burns made Tyrone give up on any hope to salvage the game, and after Jack Barry scored the sixth goal into an empty net. It put an exclamation mark on proceedings.

Kerry will now have to share the League title with rivals Dublin, and with a Munster Championship quarter-final against Clare on the horizon, they will be a hard side to stop this summer.

For Tyrone, it’s back to the drawing board. Having to prepare for a recently relegated Cavan side, but are also the reigning Ulster champions. They should have enough but based on this performance, it is well and truly up in the air.

Kerry

Kieran Fitzgibbon, Brian O Beaglaoich, Jason Foley 0-01, Tom O’Sullivan, Mike Breen 0-01, Gavin Crowley, Gavin White 1-00, Diarmuid O’Connor, Adrian Spillane, Stephen O’Brien, Sean O’Shea 0-03, Paul Geaney 2-00, David Clifford 1-06 (1-00 pen, 0-04f), Dara Moynihan 1-00, Paudie Clifford.

 

Tyrone

Niall Morgan, Cormac Monroe, Ronan McNamee, Padraig Hampsey, Michael McKernan, Peter Harte 0-01, Liam Rafferty, Matthew Donnelly 0-01, Frank Burns, Kieran McGeary 0-03, Darragh Canavan, Conor Meyler, Darren McCurry 0-03 (0-01f) , Conor McKenna, Paul Donaghy 0-01 (0-01f).

 

Ireland 7s Legend Harry McNulty Returns For Olympic Qualification Bid

Ireland Sevens’ most capped player Harry McNulty has returned to the side ahead of the Monaco Repechage.

Mr McNulty signed for the LA Giltinis ahead of the 2021 Major League Rugby season.

The 48-time Ireland Sevens star rejoined the squad after the Irish Rugby Football Union and his club reached an agreement.

To clarify, the agreement allows McNulty to re-join the national sevens side for its Olympic qualification bid.

Ireland Sevens Head Coach Anthony Eddy noted that the IRFU approached the LA Giltinis to see if this was possible.

Mr Eddy said: “We approached him, we also approached the club there in LA and they were happy to release Harry for the Olympics which is fantastic and very nice of them to do.”

As a result, McNulty will be part of the squad for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo if the side is victorious in Monaco.

This will cap off a fantastic career in the Ireland Sevens programme for the former Munster academy man.

The Bahrain-born star’s club in America saw this as a valuable opportunity for him.

However, Anthony Eddy noted that the arrangement is not permanent and that his contract with the Los Angeles club is still intact.

“Hopefully, he gets what he deserves,” concluded Eddy.

McNulty’s move to America joined part of a long list of Ireland Sevens stars that were able to make the switch to rugby union.

For context, Leinster’s Will Connors and Hugo Keenan as well as Ulster’s Robert Baloucoune are among those who made the switch previously.

Eddy sees this as one of the successful aspects of the Irish Sevens programme.

The rugby coach thinks sevens is a great platform to develop players for their rugby union careers.

Furthermore, he thinks it is great that the country’s rugby union side is seeing the benefits of the sevens programme.

“There will be plenty more to come in the future.”

The full Irish squad and fixture list for the Monaco Repechage is available here.

All Blacks to play 14 Tests this year

The All Blacks are set to play five Test matches at home in this year’s Rugby Championship, as well as an extra Bledisloe Cup Test.

The schedule for the 2021 Rugby Championship was recently unveiled with a full roster of teams, including South Africa. The bulk of the Rugby Championship matches will be played in Australia and New Zealand, with both countries hosting five matches each and South Africa two.

The All Blacks play the opening Bledisloe Cup Test before the start of the Rugby Championship, at Eden Park, Auckland, on Saturday 7 August.

The second Bledisloe Test is at Optus Stadium, Perth on Saturday 21 August. The third will be at Sky Stadium, Wellington on Saturday 28 August.

Busy September for the All Blacks

September will see four Tests in a row for the All Blacks, with back-to-back Tests against Argentina, at Eden Park on Saturday 11 September and Sky Stadium, Wellington on Saturday 18 September. The latter is a “home” game for the Pumas.

The first of the back-to-back Tests against South Africa at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin on Saturday 25 September will be the 100th Test match between the two famous foes. The 100th year anniversary game between the sides will be played in the same city as that first ever Test. It was Played at Carisbrook on 13 August 1921 with the All Blacks winning 13-5.

The All Blacks’ final Rugby Championship Test against South Africa will be at Eden Park on Saturday 2 October. This is a “home game” for the Springboks.

The All Blacks will play three Tests in the earlier Steinlager Series, one against Tonga and two against Fiji. They will also play four Tests on their Northern Hemisphere Tour against Wales, Italy, Ireland and France later in the year. The All Blacks will play 14 Tests in total this year, their busiest year since 2017 when they played 14 Tests and two non-Test matches.

1...369370371...598Page 370 of 598

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