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Séamus Coleman takes dig at Liverpool during post-match interview

The Everton captain started as his side played out a scoreless draw against Brighton.

Everton took on Bright & Hove Albion in the Premier League yesterday and played out a scoreless draw. Despite Everton’s substandard performance, Coleman impressed on the night while starting as a right wing-back. He regularly bombed up the channels and at times looked Everton’s most dangerous player, while also assisting in defence time and time again.

After the match, Coleman was interviewed on Sky Sports and asked a number of questions following the performance.

One of which being: “Did injuries play a part?” as Everton were without several players for the match.

“We don’t want to be harping on about injuries, there’s plenty of other teams doing that,” said Coleman in response.

“It’s part and parcel of the Premier League season. You know, injuries happen and unfortunately for us, we’ve missed quite a few lads through injury.

“But as the manager touched on before hand, he never complains about the players that are out, it’s about the players that are playing.”

Jamie Carragher, obviously thinking Coleman was taking a dig at Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool, replied: “You’re not talking about Liverpool there with injuries, are you Séamus?”

Coleman smirked in response and quipped: “No, that might be in your head, Jamie.”

It’s a well-known fact at this stage that Liverpool have had their injury problems this season, particularly at the back.

Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joël Matip have all been missing for large portions of the season, resulting in Liverpool completing deals for centre-backs Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak in January.

Liverpool play Real Madrid in a vital Champions League quarter-final second leg tomorrow, having lost the first leg 3-1.

Tommy O’Donnell to retire at the end of the season

Munster Rugby’s Tommy O’Donnell has announced that he will retire from professional rugby at the end of this season.

A one-club man, O’Donnell has made 186 Munster appearances since his debut in 2007. Her also earned 13 caps for Ireland.

He was named Greencore Munster Rugby Academy Player of the Year in 2009. Four years later, he was Munster Rugby’s Player of the Year. O’Donnell also featured in two 6 Nations-winning campaigns for Ireland.

“The greatest honour and privilege”

O’Donnell, who turns 34 next month, said of his decision:

“It has been the greatest honour and privilege to represent Munster Rugby for the past 14 seasons. I feel it is the right time for me and my family to step away from rugby.

“I’m proud to know that I will retire as a one-club man. I am confident and content in my decision. I have chased the dream from the age of 16 through the youths, underage and academy systems to represent Munster and Ireland.

“While it is not the end just yet and I’m very much looking forward to contributing to the team in the final part of the season. I felt the time was right to make my intentions to retire known.

A product of Clanwilliam FC, O’Donnell lined out for UL Bohs in the AIL. He made his Munster debut against Scarlets in 2007 as a 20-year-old Academy player.

He was part of the Ireland U20 Grand Slam-winning team of 2007. The Tipperary man was named Academy Player of the Year in 2009. He featured in Munster’s famous win over Australia at Thomond Park in 2010. The 2011-12 season saw O’Donnell establish his place in the back-row and he won the Munster Player of the Year award in 2013.

His rise continued with a first Irish cap against the USA in June 2013 and he played in Emerging Ireland’s 2014 Nations Cup-winning campaign.

O’Donnell made his Six Nations debut against Scotland in 2014. He went on to contribute in both Championship-winning campaigns in 2014 and 2015.

Tommy O’Donnell suffering his share of injury setbacks over the seasons. His most notable was arguably a hip dislocation that kept him out of contention for the 2015 World Cup.

As a first time captain, he led Munster to victory in their historic win over the Maori All Blacks in November 2016. In 2017, he made his 150th appearance for Munster in a game against Racing 92.

Tribute from Johann van Graan

Head Coach Johann van Graan added of Tommy O’Donnell:

“Tommy has been a brilliant player for Munster Rugby and has made a massive contribution to this club, always giving 100% in every situation.

“A fantastic man on and off the field, he is a real leader and a hugely positive influence on the group. “To play at such a high level for 14 seasons is a testament to his quality, his determination and his resilience.

“A one-club man. I can only thank Tommy for everything he has done for Munster but he still has a part to play for the remainder of the season.”

Preview of the Newmarket Craven Meeting Day 1

Preview of the Newmarket Craven Meeting Day 1, Andrew Balding looking forward to the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket on Tuesday.

Taking centre stage is the Listed bet365 Feilden Stakes over nine furlongs which often provides some valuable pointers to the future, most significantly in recent years when it went to Golden Horn in 2015. The Anthony Oppenheimer-owned colt, who was trained by John Gosden, went on enjoy a fabulous campaign with victories in the Derby, Coral-Eclipse, Irish Champion Stakes and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

The field of nine for tomorrow’s contest includes a pair from Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby – Secret Protector (William Buick) and Highland Avenue (James Doyle). Both already have made their mark in 2021 with Secret Protector easing to a comfortable victory in an extended nine furlong conditions race at Meydan, UAE and Highland Avenue, a Dubawi colt out of 2015 Cheveley Park Stakes heroine Lumiere, rattling off two wins on the Polytrack at Kempton Park, most recently in the ‘Road To The Kentucky Derby’ Conditions Stakes on 3rd March.

Youth Spirit has been not been seen out since finishing third in the Group Two Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood in late July, having previously won a seven-furlong maiden on Newmarket’s July Course earlier in the same month.

Trainer Andrew Balding reports the son of Camelot to be in good order for his return to action tomorrow when he will be partnered by Oisin Murphy.

Balding said: “I am very happy with Youth Spirit and have been pleased with how he has been working so far this spring.

“He will come for the run tomorrow but I am looking forward to getting him going again.

“He showed a very decent level of form last year and he is an exciting horse for this year.”

Roger Varian is represented by Royal Champion, who was the impressive winner of his only start in 2020 when landing a mile maiden on the Rowley Mile. Ireland’s champion trainer Aidan O’Brien sends over Arturo Toscanini, who similarly won on his sole start last year when taking a Curragh maiden in November.

Fancy Man also held an entry in Thursday’s Group Three bet365 Craven Stakes but trainer Richard Hannon has opted for tomorrow’s contest instead. The son of Pride Of Dubai landed two of his three starts last year, rounding off the campaign with a Listed victory in the Betfair Exchange Ascendant Stakes at Haydock Park.

Gentleman Joe left his debut form well behind when the comfortable winner of a mile maiden at Kempton Park on 17th March and the Authorized colt takes a step up in class tomorrow when he will be partnered by Hollie Doyle.

Trainer Joseph Tuite reported: “Gentleman Joe is in great form and I have been very happy with him since his win at Kempton Park.

“Tomorrow is obviously a step up in class and will tell us where we are with him but he is a nice horse and I couldn’t be happier with him.

“He does have an entry in the Dante Stakes at York but as I say tomorrow’s race will tell us where we are with him.”

Also lining up are Group Three UAE Derby third New Treasure (John and Thady Gosden), and Bodroy (Anthony Carson).

Tomorrow’s seven-race card at Newmarket also features the Pat Smullen Memorial Handicap, which has been organised by friends of the late nine-times Irish Champion Jockey who sadly passed away in September last year. Newmarket is the track was where Smullen recorded his first British Classic victory, partnering Refuse To Bend to victory in the 2000 Guineas in 2003. He went on to ride 1,845 winners in Ireland and 47 in Britain, winning both the Derby at Epsom Downs and the Irish Derby on Harzand in 2016.

The bet365 Craven Meeting continues on Wednesday 14th April and Thursday 15th April.

The going at Newmarket is currently Good, Good to Firm in places. The forecast is for dry and sunny conditions throughout the week with temperatures of nine to 11 degrees Celsius. Five millimetres of irrigation was applied to the course on Thursday and a further three millimetres was put down on Saturday. Further irrigation will be undertaken today.

Proof of concept match with spectators set for RDS in May

Leinster Rugby has announced the submission of detailed plans to Government for a proof of concept test event, to assess the use of rapid antigen testing as a solution for the safe return of spectators to matches at the RDS Arena.

 

With matches in the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup scheduled for the coming weeks, a trial match could take place as early as next month, May 2021.

 

Details of the comprehensive plans, which have IRFU approval and are a direct response to the Government’s Rapid Testing Group’s recommendation to immediately implement antigen trial events, were submitted to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media on Friday, 9th April and include:

  • Leinster Rugby would host a match where a pilot scheme for rapid antigen testing to detect COVID-19 would be trialled with a limited number of 2m socially distant spectators.
  • Pre-match antigen testing would take place by appointment and would be on site at the RDS.
  • The chosen rapid antigen testing system is EU approved and can successfully detect Covid-19 and all variants of concern.-
  • The antigen tests would complement existing Covid-19 guidelines already in place at the RDS Arena for staff and teams.
  • Capacity for this proof of concept match at the RDS Arena will be capped at 2,000 spectators, just 11% of normal match-day capacity.
Addressing the plans Leinster Rugby CEO, Mick Dawson outlined the background to the submission.“This is an expertly researched project, which has been subject to robust scrutiny at every level, and we see it as a key contribution to the Government’s efforts to return our country to some form of normality. This initiative has the potential to be used as a blueprint by all sporting, cultural and community organisations for the safe return of limited crowds to their events.

“In October 2020, a combined working party from the FAI, GAA and the IRFU submitted proposals to the Department of Sport around the return of supporters to our grounds in a safe and Covid-19 compliant manner. The report made a number of recommendations but in particular the need for trial games ahead of any full re-opening of stadia.

“Similarly, a report was launched last week by the Government’s Rapid Testing Group, chaired by Professor Mark Ferguson, which also recommended the immediate use of antigen testing on a trial basis in schools, colleges, workplaces and sporting organisations, as an additional tool to help fight the spread of Covid-19.

“Leinster Rugby has been working with key stakeholders for a number of months to finalise plans for a phased re-opening of the RDS Arena. We are confident that we have the infrastructure in place to ensure a safe and efficient trial and Martin Murphy, Chair of the combined working party, has written to the Department of Sport accordingly, outlining our readiness for such a trial and indeed, as I have stated earlier, our willingness that any data and lessons from such a trial be shared with relevant authorities and with other National Governing Bodies.”

The 52-page Covid-19 response plan incorporating rapid antigen testing drafted by Event Safety Consultants, Eamon O’Boyle & Associates, adheres to all recommendations contained in the Government’s Rapid Testing Group Report, and is in addition to the current Covid-19 Event Management Plan already in place at the RDS Arena and in operation successfully since October 2020.

Since the resumption of professional sport, 11 Leinster Rugby matches have been played behind closed doors at the RDS Arena, with no incidences of Covid-19 reported as a result of these games taking place.

“What we are offering the Government” continued Dawson, “is a pilot test event that meets all the recommendations of the Rapid Testing Groups’ Report.

“This is an opportunity to show that matches with supporters are possible, under strict testing, supervision and management of course, and that there is a roadmap ahead that rugby and indeed all sports and events can follow.

“The lessons that we could all take from hosting such a trial match would be invaluable as the wider sports and entertainment industry looks to recover from the effects of the last 12 months and looks forward to a better and a brighter future when we can hope to resume some level of normality.

“At some stage we have to take those first steps, and we believe that we have a robust and safe plan in place that will allow us to do just that, and plan for the safe return of all supporters from the beginning of next season.”

The capacity for the trial game would be a maximum of 2,000 spectators, just 11% of the normal RDS Arena match-day capacity.

Leinster Rugby Official Members will be offered an opportunity, by ballot, to purchase a pair of tickets and each attending pair of spectators must come from the same household or Covid-19 bubble.

The antigen testing centre would open on match day from 7.00am, with testing by appointment only through a secure mobile App. Originating from Germany, the rapid antigen testing system chosen to be deployed is on the EU approved list of antigen tests and can successfully detect Covid-19 and all variants of concern.

The secure mobile App and related testing technologies for this proof of concept event are also approved by the UK Government and will be used for multiple large sporting events in the UK over the coming weeks as the UK further lifts Covid-19 restrictions.

Access to the RDS Arena to attend the match will be on the basis of each spectator receiving a negative antigen test result.

Spectators, who have received a negative result, will be segregated into four separate RDS Arena zones of 500 people.

Each zone will have their own entry and exit points and facilities. Seating will be on the basis of two metres social distancing between each pair and wearing of face masks will be compulsory.

Any spectator in receipt of a positive antigen result, a Covid-19 PCR test will be organised for them either at the RDS or using the current HSE testing system. That spectator and their companion will not be permitted entry to the match.

Punchestown Entries – Honeysuckle, Minella Indo, Monkfish & Envoi Allen declared

Honeysuckle, Minella Indo, Monkfish & Envoi Allen are all set for Punchestown Festival as Grade 1 entries revealed

Honeysuckle, Put The Kettle On, Minella Indo, Al Boum Photo, Epatante, Monkfish, Envoi Allen and Tiger Roll all among stellar entries.

46 trainers with Grade 1 options at Punchestown
36 individual Grade 1 winners among the entries

In a season where history has been made and records have been broken the spotlight on jump racing pivots to what will be a fitting grand finale as Grade 1 entries for the 2021 Punchestown Festival are today revealed.

From Tuesday 27th April to Saturday 1st May, Punchestown will play host to a home coming of champions with 40 races over the five days including a dozen grade one contests attracting the highest rated horses over hurdles and fences. Meanwhile, running alongside the top class racing action will be two nail-biting jockey championship battles the first of which centres around title holder Paul Townend and the ground breaking Rachael Blackmore, whilst Patrick Mullins bids to hold off Jamie Codd in the amateur championship.

Heroes and heroines from throughout the season and both the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals feature strongly and include class acts such as the Henry de Bromhead duo of Champion Hurdle star Honeysuckle and Gold Cup winner Minella Indo. Importantly, and what has become integral to the status of the Punchestown Festival itself, is a continued strong representation from across the Irish Sea as, Epatante, Goshen, Nube Negra and Ahoy Senor feature with overseas runners entered in 10 of the 12 early closing races. Furthermore, Mica Malpic is a potential first French runner at Punchestown since 2005 and may line up for the Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle.

Conor O’Neill, CEO Punchestown Racecourse said: “The performances and achievements by Irish horses, trainers, jockeys and owners throughout this season have been nothing short of outstanding. It is an honour and privilege to welcome these flagbearers of our great sport back to the home of Irish jump racing for what is shaping up to be one of the best quality renewals of the Punchestown Festival in recent memory.
“Whilst this year’s Punchestown is not going to be the brilliant social event that we have all known and enjoyed for so many years we look forward to sharing the action with everyone through coverage on RTÉ, Racing TV and the various Punchestown social media channels. Believe us when we say that preparations are already underway for the much anticipated return of crowds for the 2022 Punchestown Festival.”

Tuesday 27th April
William Hill Champion Chase Day

Champion Chase rematch on the cards
It’s On – Monkfish versus Envoi Allen

Following a historic raid on the major festivals so far, Henry de Bromhead’s Punchestown Festival campaign will hit the ground running on the opening day with Put The Kettle On in the newly sponsored €250,000 William Hill Champion Chase. The magnificent mare will attempt to emulate the 2013 feat of Sprinter Sacre by completing the Cheltenham and Punchestown double in the two-mile chase division.
A potential rematch with Cheltenham runner-up Nube Negra is on the cards as Dan Skelton eyes a first Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival following his best ever season domestically.
Willie Mullins won the last two renewals with Un De Sceaux and has the notable entry of Ryanair Chase winner Allaho engaged alongside Chacun Pour Soi and Cilaos Emery, while Joseph O’Brien’s Aintree winner Fakir D’oudairies is also a significant contender.

Grade 1 action will commence with the eCOMM Merchant Solutions Champion Novice Hurdle of €100,000 and stand-out novices Appreciate It, Bob Olinger and Echoes In Rain would look the most likely to join a roll of honour that includes Douvan, Faugheen, Jezki, Hurricane Fly, Brave Inca and Moscow Flyer.

The opening day of the Punchestown Festival has produced some of the most memorable racing moments in the past and one of the clashes of the entire season is on the cards here in the Grade 1 Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase where Monkfish and Envoi Allen could lock horns in what would be a battle for the ages. Further depth is added to the field by the likes of Chatham Street Lad, Colreevy, Janidil and Latest Exhibition.

Wednesday 28th April
Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup Day

Golden moments assured on day two of the Punchestown Festival

The best staying chaser in the land will be crowned at the Punchestown Festival with Minella Indo and his two-time Cheltenham predecessor Al Boum Photo set to serve it up to each other in the €250,000 Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup.
In a golden age of staying chasers residing in Ireland, Minella Indo, already a Grade 1 winner at the Punchestown Festival as a novice hurdler, recorded a memorable success at the Cheltenham Festival last month when winning the Gold Cup there. A successful Cheltenham-Punchestown double in this division was last completed by Sizing John in 2017 and War Of Attrition in 2006 before that.

Al Boum Photo had to settle for minor honours when this race was last run in 2019, a renewal that will be forever remembered for Kemboy’s success which marked Ruby Walsh’s retirement from the saddle. Al Boum Photo, Kemboy, Melon and the dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll are among those that could stand in the way of Minella Indo from achieving the illustrious Cheltenham-Punchestown double while Allaho and Fakir D’oudairies have this option as well as the two mile Champion Chase on the opening day.

The Grade 1 €100,000 Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle might well be the next port of call for Scottish raider Ahoy Senor who upset the odds with a big race success at Aintree last week for trainer Lucinda Russell. Their potential rivals would include the Gavin Cromwell-trained Vanillier who recorded a career best to win at Cheltenham last month, while other Cheltenham winners, Galopin Des Champs and Telmesomethinggirl join the Emmet Mullins-trained Cape Gentleman in a 24-strong list of entries for this three miler.

The future stars of the sport will come to the fore in the Grade 1 ITM – Supporting Irish Stores Sales Champion Bumper with the rematch between Sir Gerhard and Kilcruit likely to divide opinion even within the Willie Mullins stable where they both reside. Three Stripe Life, Grangree and Ramillies who were fourth, sixth and eighth respectively in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham also appear among the 14 entries, while Belle Metal, Dysart Dynamo, O’Toole and Teuchters Glory could put their unbeaten record on the line.

Thursday 29th April
Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle Day

Four Cheltenham Festival winners add flavour to fascinating Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle

Multiple Greyhound Derby winning trainer Paul Hennessy has already proven his adaptability by enjoying major festival success and his stable star Heaven Help Us is one of 25 entries for the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown. The seven-year-old daughter of Yeats destroyed a competitive field in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival and would face her toughest task yet when taking on Stayers Hurdle winner Flooring Porter who gave trainer Gavin Cromwell another winner at the top level.
The €250,000 Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle has attracted the largest entry of the championship races at Punchestown with Agrapart, Lisnagar Oscar, Paisley Park, Third Wind and Vinndication forming a strong British delegation.
Paul Nolan has earmarked this target for his latest Cheltenham Festival winner, Mrs Milner, while the Emmet Mullins-trained The Shunter holds multiple Grade 1 entries at Punchestown and the Cheltenham Festival winner is an intriguing inclusion here.

The Willie Mullins-trained Energumene is unbeaten in his last five starts and has racked up victories with a combined total of 53½ lengths in four outings over jumps and he spearheads the entries for the €115,000 Ryanair Novice Chase. Nicky Henderson has kept the Punchestown option open to his unbeaten chaser Shishkin who could look to do the Cheltenham-Aintree-Punchestown treble that Henderson completed with Sprinter Sacre. The talented Captain Guinness and vastly improving Jungle Junction also feature, while Henry de Brohmead has given himself the choice to drop Envoi Allen back to the minimum distance also.

Friday 30th April
Paddy Power Champion Hurdle Day

Get ready for Ladies Day at Punchestown as Honeysuckle and Epatante renew rivalry

The 2021 Champion Hurdle heroine Honeysuckle is on course to continue Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead’s historic run but may face old rivals in the battle of the mares as 2020 champion hurdle winner Epatante features in the entries for the €250,000 Paddy Power Champion Hurdle. In addition to Epatante, Henderson has included the 2019 winner of this race, Buveur D’air, while Gary Moore has already booked Goshen’s ticket to County Kildare for the penultimate day of the Punchestown Festival.

The Evan Williams-trained Grade 1 winner Silver Streak could come over from Wales, while the home challenge to Honeysuckle is headed by a couple of her stable companions at Henry de Bromhead’s all-conquering Waterford base, Aspire Tower and Jason The Militant. No stranger to breaking records himself, champion trainer Willie Mullins will bid for a ninth win in this years renewal with his top class team of Sharjah, Saldier, Klassical Dream and James Du Berlais, while Aintree winner Abacadabras could go in search of more big race glory for Sneezy Foster.

Henry de Bromhead keeps his options open with leading novice hurdler Bob Olinger as he also features in the €100,000 Grade 1 Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle over two and a half miles. The 26-strong list holds a similar look to the other Grade 1 novice hurdles in the week with Appreciate It, Cape Gentleman, Echoes In Rain and Telmesomethinggirl all likely to be Punchestown bound and sure to set up a fascinating tussle within the novice ranks.

Saturday 1st May
Ballymore Family Day

Big names turn up as richest ever mares hurdle race is up for grabs

Skyace, who has been transformed by trainer Shark Hanlon from humble beginnings in the sales ring as a shrewd £600 purchase to Grade 1 winner, is among 15 entrants for the €120,000 Grade 1 Coolmore Kew Gardens Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle.
Dreams became a reality for connections of Skyace at Fairyhouse on Easter Sunday and the richest ever hurdle race for mares in Ireland or the UK was immediately put to the top of the agenda for Skyace who will face stiff opposition once again with Willie Mullins holding a typically strong hand.

Burning Victory, Concertista, Echoes In Rain, Great White Shark, My Sister Sarah, and Stormy Ireland make up the potential team for the champion trainer, while Cheltenham winners Heaven Help Up, Mrs Milner and Telmesomethinggirl add loads of depth to this two and a half miler.

Mica Malpic, a winner in France, is a fascinating inclusion in the Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle, where he could take on the rapidly improving Jeff Kidder who has racked up wins at Cheltenham and Fairyhouse for Noel Meade. The standout name in the list is the Triumph Hurdle winner Quillixios who would be seeking to close a memorable chapter in the season for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore.

The 2021 Punchestown Festival will take place from Tuesday 27th April to Saturday 1st May. Full coverage will be available each day on RTÉ and Racing TV as well as interaction on all Punchestown social media platforms.

Punchestown Grade 1 Entries – Tuesday 27th April
Punchestown Grade 1 Entries – Wednesday 28th April
Punchestown Grade 1 Entries – Thursday 29th April
Punchestown Grade 1 Entries – Friday 30th April
Punchestown Grade 1 Entries – Saturday 1st May
Click here to visit the Punchestown website

Former Leinster Scrumhalf to Re-Join Ahead of 2021/22 Season

Leinster Rugby has confirmed the signing of former player Nick McCarthy for next season, he will compete with Luke McGrath and JGP.

The 26-year-old scrumhalf came through the Leinster Rugby Academy system and scored four tries in 36 appearances for Leinster before signing with Munster ahead of the 2019/20 season.

Speaking to leinsterrugby.ie, Leinster Rugby Head Coach Leo Cullen said, “Nick is a player we know very well. We know the qualities that he brings as a player but also as a person and the additional experience he now has from two years in another environment is an added advantage.

“We look forward to him joining us for pre-season and welcoming him back to UCD.”

McCarthy has been capped at Ireland Under 20s level and captained them at the 2014 U20s World Cup.

“I want to thank everyone for my time in Munster Rugby. It’s a special club to play for with a great rugby culture. I have really enjoyed the experience, learned loads and made friends for life.

“I am excited now to get back to Dublin in the summer. I will continue to challenge myself, compete at the highest level and hopefully add value to the squad in Leinster.” said McCarthy.

McCarthy made his Leinster Rugby debut in December 2015 in the Aviva Stadium against Toulon in the Champions Cup and his last game for his home province was the Guinness PRO14 Final against Glasgow Warriors in Celtic Park in 2019.

Nick McCarthy:

DOB: 25 March 1995
Position: Scrumhalf
Height: 1m 80cm
Weight: 84kgs

Womens International Football – Belgium 1-0 Republic of Ireland

Ireland lost to Belgium by the only goal of the match, the Irish women’s team is preparing for World Cup qualifiers.

An early goal gave Bekgium a 1-0 win over Republic of Ireland in Brussels but that did not tell the full story of this international friendly.

Vera Pauw chose this opponent as she wanted to test her Irish team. Well that certainly worked as a Belgium side ranked 17th in the world provided a tough contest in the King Baudouin Stadium.

Ireland matcher their hosts in all areas but their failure to score – as well as conceding one – ultimately saw them fall short in terms of the result, but score high in terms of the performance.

The deadlock was broken on 14 minutes when Tine De Caigny reacted quickest to get in front of her marking and direct an in-swinging free-kick in from close range.

There was little between the two teams up to that point but Belgium were dangerous on the counter attack as they pushed their wing-backs forward at every opportunity.

Ireland had passage of good play and should have benefitted from a breakaway at the half-way line, but Ruesha Littlejohn was fouled before she could play the decisive pass.

The offside flag then denied Kyra Carusa after breaking in behind the Belgian backline but the best chance on goal came from Heather Payne on 39 minutes when she cut inside and fired directly at the opposition goalkeeper.

Almost straight after the restart Katie McCabe could have earned a penalty when she tumbled under pressure inside the box, but the referee opted not to award a spot kick.

On 61 minutes, Courtney Brosnan pushed a shot from De Caigny wide when the same player should have converted an earlier chance. It was a rare moment when Ireland looked under real pressure.

Littlejohn forced the best from Belgian goalkeeper Odeurs with a curling free-kick on 78 minutes with what was Ireland’s best chance up to that point.

Denise O’Sullivan set substitute Rianna Jarrett free in the final passage of the game but the Wexford native was unable to get enough power behind her shot. And with that Ireland slipped to a narrow defeat.

Belgium: Odeurs; Deloose (Wijnants 65), De Neve (Onzia 20), Tysiak; Cayman, Missipo, Biesmans, Vanhaevermaet, Delacauw (Vanmechelen 65), De Caigny; Wullaert.

Republic of Ireland: Brosnan; Murphy (O’Gorman 46), O’Riordan, Caldwell, Walsh (Quinn 83), McCabe; Connolly (Nolan 74), O’Sullivan, Littlejohn (Jarrett 83); Payne (Molloy 67), Carusa (Whelan 67).

Referee: Lizzy Van Der Helm (Netherlands).

Video Highlights – Hideki Matsuyama wins 2021 US Masters Golf

We have video highlights of Hideki Matsuyama winning the 2021 US Masters Golf championship by one shot over Will Zalatoris.

Matsuyama closed with a 1-over 73 and a one-shot victory that was only close at the end, and never seriously in doubt after Xander Schauffele’s late charge ended with a triple bogey on the par-3 16th.

Moments before Dustin Johnson helped him into the green jacket, Matsuyama needed no interpreter in Butler Cabin when he said in English, “I’m really happy.”

So masterful was this performance that Matsuyama stretched his lead to six shots on the back nine until a few moments of drama. With a four-shot lead, he went for the green in two on the par-5 15th and it bounded hard off the back slope and into the pond on the 16th hole.

Matsuyama did well to walk away with bogey, and with Schauffele making a fourth straight birdie, the lead was down to two shots with three to play.

The next swing all but ended it. Schauffele’s tee shot on the par-3 16th bounced off the hill left of the green and dribbled into the pond. His third shot from the drop area went into the gallery. It added to a triple bogey, and his third close call in a major.

Never mind that Matsuyama bogeyed three of his last four holes, the first Masters champion with a final round over par since Trevor Immelman shot 75 in 2008.

All that mattered was that uphill walk to the 18th green, needing only to blast out of the bunker and take two putts for the victory.

And that’s what he did, soaking in the moment with a few thousand spectators on their feat to celebrate a career-changing moment — for the 29-year-old Matsuyama, and he hopes for an entire country.

“Hopefully, I’ll be a pioneer and many other Japanese will follow,” Matsuyama said.

Will Zalatoris, the 24-year-old Masters rookie, holed an 18-foot par putt on the last hole for a 70 and was runner-up. It was the best performance by a first-timer to the Masters since another Dallas kid, Jordan Spieth, was runner-up in 2014 to Bubba Watson.

Spieth had a few fleeting thoughts of coming from six shots behind except for too many missed putts early and missed opportunities late. He bogeyed his last hole for a 70 and tied for third with Schauffele, who shot a 72 with a triple bogey and a double bogey on his card.

Matsuyama finished at 10-under 278 for his 15th victory worldwide, and his sixth on the PGA TOUR.

He becomes the second man from an Asian country to win a major. Y.E. Yang of South Korea won the 2009 PGA Championship at Hazeltine over Tiger Woods.

Returning to the 18th green for the trophy presentation, he again put on the green jacket and raised both arms in triumph. Augusta National allowed limited spectators, believed to be about 8,000 a day, and most might have remembered him from a decade ago.

He won the Asia-Pacific Amateur to earn an invitation to the Masters, and he was low amateur — tied with defending champion Phil Mickelson that year — to earn a trip into famed Butler Cabin. He won in Japan as an amateur, and four times after he graduated college and turned pro. His first PGA TOUR victory was at the Memorial Tournament in 2014, prompting tournament host Jack Nicklaus to say, “I think you’ve just seen the start of what’s going to be truly one of your world’s great players over the next 10 to 15 years.”

That moment came Sunday.

Matsuyama is not big on emotion, and he speaks even less even when cornered after every round by the large contingent of Japanese media.

Most of the media was absent this year due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, and Matsuyama had said on the eve of the final round that it has been a lot less stress.

There was plenty on the golf course, right from the start.

Matsuyama sent his opening tee shot into the trees right of the first fairway. He punched it under the trees from the pine straw, hit a soft pitch that rolled down the slope away from the pin and was happy to leave with bogey. Two groups ahead of him, Zalatoris opened with two straight birdies.

Just like that, the lead was down to one.

No one got any closer until the final hour. Matsuyama made birdie from the front bunker on the par-5 second hole. He didn’t make another birdie until the par-5 eighth, and it didn’t matter because no one could put any pressure on him.

Zalatoris misjudged the speed on No. 3 and three-putted for bogey from just off the back of the green. Schauffele was within three of the lead going to the third hole, only to go bogey-bogey-double bogey on the toughest three-hole stretch on the course.

Matsuyama delivered what appeared to be a knockout punch with a nifty up-and-down from right of the green on the eighth for a tap-in birdie, and a lob wedge to the dangerous left pin on the ninth that rolled out to 3 feet. That sent him to the back nine with a five-shot lead.

For the longest time, it looked as though Matsuyama couldn’t wait to get to Butler Cabin and see how he looked in green.

Schauffele, however, rammed in a 20-foot birdie putt from behind the 12th green. He two-putted from 10 feet for birdie on No. 13. He nearly holed out from the fairway for a tap-in birdie on the 14th. And with he nearly holed his greenside bunker shot on the par-5 15th for a fourth straight birdie.

And then all that that worked ended when his ball disappeared below the surface of the pond.

Matsuyama could afford a few bogeys, and all that affected was the final margin. He is the Masters champion, a major that defines his elite status in the game and gives Japan the biggest week it has ever had in April. The week started a week ago Saturday when Tsubasa Kajitani won the second Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

Matsuyama wasn’t around to see it, but he was well aware of it. All he wanted was to follow her path and made Japan proud. His play spoke volumes.

Heineken Champions Cup Semi-Final draw – La Rochelle v Leinster

The draws for the semi-finals of the 2020/21 Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup took place on Sunday with Leinster drawing La Rochelle away.

Champions Cup draw:

La Rochelle v Leinster Rugby, Stade Marcel Deflandre

Toulouse v Bordeaux-Bègles, Stade Ernest Wallon

Challenge Cup draw: 

Leicester Tigers v Ulster Rugby, Welford Road

Bath Rugby v Montpellier, The Rec

The matches will be played on the weekend of 30 April and 2 May with the exact dates to be confirmed soon.

Ulster will travel to Welford Road to face Leicester Tigers on the weekend in the Challenge Cup semi-finals.

This afternoon’s Heineken Champions Cup semi-final draw saw La Rochelle – who feature in the semi-finals for the first time – facing off against Leinster, who O’Gara has fond memories of taking on in the last four of Europe’s elite club competition. 

European Rugby’s top points scorer was at his brilliant best in the 2006 semi-final between his Munster side and Leinster, scoring 20 points including a 77th minute try as Munster marched to a 30-6 victory at Lansdowne Road. 

That win sent the Irish province into a final with Biarritz Olympique, a match they would edge 23-19 with O’Gara kicking 13 points on that occasion. 

La Rochelle secured a spot in the Heineken Champions Cup semi-finals after a 45-21 win over Sale Sharks on Saturday afternoon, whilst Leinster saw off Exeter Chiefs 34-22 in a gripping clash at Sandy Park. 

The semi-final fixtures, which will be played on the weekend of 30 April – 1/2 May, are confirmed as follows: 

La Rochelle v Leinster Rugby, Stade Marcel Deflandre

Toulouse v Bordeaux-Bègles, Stade Ernest Wallon

The semi-finals will be broadcast live on BT Sport

Jesse Lingard well and truly revitalized under David Moyes

The West Ham loanee scored a brace today in a 3-2 win.

If someone told you that Jesse Lingard would become the most in-form player in the Premier League a couple of months ago, you’d probably have called them mad. Rightly so, too. Lingard’s playtime (and form) for Manchester United had gradually declined over the years, resulting in zero Premier League appearances for the club this season.

Obviously, this would have been a frustrating experience for Lingard given the fact he should have been in his prime at the age of 28.

After months of sitting on the bench and – more often than not – being excluded from the matchday squad, West Ham made a move for him in January on a season-long loan deal.

Since then, Lingard’s form has been nothing short of outstanding resulting in a career renaissance. The England international scored 2 goals today in a 3-2 win for West Ham, taking his tally to an incredible 12 goal contributions in just 9 Premier League games. West Ham currently sit in a Champions League spot with just a handful of games remaining to be played this season.

Lingard’s form has naturally attracted attention from a host of clubs. Arsenal are reportedly one of the clubs interested in Lingard’s services, as well as Italian Serie A club Roma. West Ham are also, of course, interested in retaining the midfielder.

But would Manchester United be willing to let Lingard go once he returns from loan?

Obviously, it would make sense from a financial viewpoint, but Lingard has shown in the past that he’s capable of performing at a high level for Manchester United. He was particularly impressive at times during the 2017/18 season, where he managed 14 goal contributions in 33 Premier League appearances for The Red Devils.

Whatever happens, his performances can only be a good thing for Manchester United. They’ll either receive substantial financial compensation for the sale of the midfielder or he’ll *presumably* return with a newly-found confidence that could propel him into the starting XI for the 2021/22 season.

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