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Recent Updates for Grand Nationals 2021

After last year’s cancelation of Grand National due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers are hosting a steeple race in the Aintree Racecourse. Over 500 Million people will be watching the three-day festival to see their favorite runner finish off the race. 40 Grand National runners & riders will participate against each other and jump over 30 fences in a 4.25-mile Aintree course.

Red Rum was the first champion to make history and win numerous consecutive Grand National races. However, if we consider the last Grand National races, Tiger Roll won bothgames, eliminating all doubts about its competence.

Grand Nationals 2021

The Grand National festival, 2021, will begin on 8 April, and the final day would be 10 April. Organizers will ensure that the festival takes place in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines by the government. Even though there is some uncertainty about the dates due to the lockdown situation, the expected dates are 8-10 April. According to Dickson White, there is no solid reason to move the Grand National Race at Aintree to any other day onthe calendar.

Will Tiger Roll Make his Name in the Grand National List?

Even though this year’s Grand National is a chance for Tiger Roll to win the third season, owners announced that he would not take part in the race. Tiger Roll is the first horse to win back-to-back Grand National races since Red Rum. The champ marked his name in the history for the steeple race of 2018 and 2019. If you want to bet on your favorite Grand Nationalrunners this season, read this comprehensive guide about the race to increase your chances of predicting the final results.

Grand National Runners & Riders

The final Grand National list is yet to be confirmed, but according to post ante predictions, a few names are obvious. According to various online bettors, Cloth Cap is a favorite out of the many Grand National runners. Other than Cloth Cap, Burrows Saint, Kimberlite Candy, and Any Second Now are also standing out in the competition to win the race.

1. Cloth Cap

This is the first time Cloth Cap will appear on the Grand National list. According to bettors, he has a high chance of winning the race. He has shown impeccable ability to jump through tough Aintree fences. Even though Cloth Cap’s trainer,Jonjo O’ Neil, has no winning title, the horse is a good nominee to win the race.

2. Any Second Now

This nine-year-old horse has a good profile, making him another tough contender for the race. Any Second Now won in 2019,and he is in the form to win the Grand Nationals since then. The owner, JP McManus, and the trainer, Ted Walsh, are eager to make Any Second Now the new champion.

3. Kimberlite Candy

Kimberlite Candy is famous for coming second in the BecherChase twice. This horse knows how to handle fences, similar to the Aintree course. Tom Lacey as his trainer, has Grand Nationalrace experience. Kimberlite Candy’s profile makes him one of the top contenders for this race.

Conclusion

With three weeks remaining for the Grand Nationals, the enthusiasm and excitement surrounding Grand National is drastically increasing. From the bettors to fans, everyone is waiting to see this year’s winner finishing off first. Fans are considering the favorites of this steeple race so they can predict the race and make an informed decision before betting.

Irish player ratings in disappointing defeat to Luxembourg

STARTING XI

Gavin Bazunu – 7

Mark Travers was dropped after starting against Serbia to be replaced by Manchester City goalkeeper – on loan at Rochdale – Gavin Bazunu.

Making his first appearance for an Ireland senior team, it should have been a daunting experience for the 19-year-old. However, you wouldn’t have known that based on his performance.

Bazunu exuded confidence on the night. He received plenty of touches due to his willingness to show for the ball, was commanding in his box and produced a brilliant save to deny Gerson Rodrigues’ lob.

He could do nothing about Luxembourg’s winner and can be very proud of his performance.

Matt Doherty – 5

Didn’t really affect the game much during his time on the pitch. He was accurate with his passing but didn’t offer much in an attacking sense.

Subbed off at half-time after picking up a minor injury in the first-half.

Enda Stevens – 5

Got forward on occasion but failed to influence in the final third other than a handful of good passes down the line.

Séamus Coleman – 7

One of Ireland’s better players on the night, Coleman was very good defensively and comfortable in possession.

Despite playing at centre back, he got forward on occasion looking to create chances.

Dara O’Shea – 7

Another solid defensive performance from O’Shea. The West Brom centre back looked like an experienced international despite playing just his 6th game for Ireland.

His distribution from the back was also good on the night.

Ciaran Clark – 6

Made one excellent defensive intervention in the box to head over the bar and deny any Luxembourg players an opportunity and was comfortable defensively in his time on the pitch.

One criticism would be his passing out from the back, which was inaccurate at times.

Josh Cullen – 7

Another composed midfield performance from Cullen.

The Anderlecht midfielder showed for the ball whenever he could and was generally very accurate with his passing. Opted for the short pass most of the time but played a couple of killer balls to onrushing Ireland players in behind.

Hustled and harried throughout the 90 minutes and was impressive throughout.

Jason Knight – 7

Started in place of Jayson Molumby and played very well. His energy and determination allowed him to intercept and draw fouls on a number of occasions.

His passing was also accurate for the most part,

Alan Browne – 5

After a very good performance on Wednesday, Browne was more than underwhelming tonight.

He gave the ball away on a handful of occasions and squandered the chances that came to him, including one header in particularly which he dragged wide despite being in plenty of space.

Callum Robinson – 6

The Sheffield United man was heavily involved in Ireland’s best attacking move of the game. He produced a pinpoint cross into James Collins’ feet but his shot was somehow saved by the Luxembourg ‘keeper.

Otherwise, though, he was quiet in the final third.

James Collins – 6

Ireland’s most dangerous player on the night.

Arguably should have scored after latching onto Callum Robinson’s cross but he made something out of nothing more than once in the game, also.

Very nearly scored a spectacular overhead kick but, again, luck wasn’t on his side.

SUBSTITUTES

Robbie Brady – 6

Came on at half-time for Matt Doherty and started off well, swinging a couple of good crosses into the box.

He gradually faded out of the game though and was sloppy in possession at times.

James McClean – 5

Tried to get down the left flank and change Ireland’s fortunes but failed to produce.

The Stoke City winger wasn’t effective after coming on, unfortunately.

Shane Long – 6

Worked hard as usual and had one half-chance with a header but failed to get enough power onto his effort to trouble the ‘keeper.

Troy Parrott & Jayson Molumby – N/A

Not on long enough.

Ireland u21s in friendly victory over Wales

Jonathan Afolabi and a Morgan Boyes own goal helped Ireland to the win.

Ireland u21s took the field for the first time since November as they faced Wales in a friendly match this afternoon. The fixture marked the first time the two nations met at that age level.

Although there were no competitive consequences to come from the match, places were still up for grabs and players would have been keen to impress, particularly with the European Championship qualifiers coming up in September.

FIRST HALF

The opening minutes of the match were scrappy as both teams struggled to gain a foothold of proceedings, much due to the weather conditions.

Wales were, however, becoming increasingly dominant and that paid off in the 11th minute. Welsh midfielder Joe Adams – who plays for Brentford – opened the scoring with a precise finish into the bottom corner after some great work down the right flank by his compatriot.

The Welsh began to dominate after the goal, controlling much of the possession and creating a handful of chances. They could have easily scored another in the minutes following the goal with the pressure they applied.

They didn’t convert again, though, and the first half finished 1-0 to Wales.

Ireland failed to register a single shot on target in the half and a much better 45 minutes to follow was necessary for Jim Crawford’s side.

SECOND HALF

Ireland started the second half much better than they had played in the first. They controlled much of the possession and were looking increasingly dangerous in the final third.

Their first real opportunity of the contest came in the 57th minute. Derby County midfielder Louie Watson did well to play in captain Lee O’Connor who galloped into the box and shot from a somewhat tight angle. Unfortunately, though, it was straight at the Welsh ‘keeper and he gathered with ease.

Although Ireland were dominating play in the second half, Wales had the best chance of the half. Birmingham City midfielder Ryan Stirk found himself in the box and was fortunate enough to find the ball right at his feet after a bounce off an Irish defender, however, his effort was wayward despite having the time and space to score.

Wales would come to regret their missed chance(s) as Ireland managed to grab an equalizer in the 76th minute. Borussia Mönchengladbach 20-year-old Conor Noß did brilliantly down the byline as he took on and beat his man before skimming the ball across the box which was met by Celtic striker Jonathan Afolabi who could hardly miss.

In a bizarre turn of events, Ireland went ahead just a minute later through a Welsh own goal courtesy of Morgan Boyes. His misplaced backpass to the ‘keeper sailed into the net to make it 2-1 to Ireland.

Jonathan Afolabi had a golden opportunity to get his second of the afternoon just a couple of minutes later. Substitute Conor Grant played a brilliant cross into his feet but he shot wide of the goal. Ireland were really beginning to assert their dominance on the game now.

Ireland certainly made up for a poor first half with a dominant second half performance. The full-time whistle sounded with the scoreline at 2-1 to Ireland.

2021’s Best Android Sports Apps for Soccer, Basketball Updates

If you’re a huge sports fan, having all of the latest updates at hand would be amazing. Here we are to introduce you the best apps for Android that could help with that. They can make your experience with sports statistics and streaming easier than ever. Another good way of getting the fresh sports data is Buaksib and their sports Livescore section.

What should you be looking for when scouting out such an app?

Even though there are now tons of live score apps on the web, you have to make sure it’s compatible with your device. Some apps are not available for Android and some for iOS. 

As with every other app, it’s important to find it comfortable to use. So, when choosing among all the apps, try some and find out which one is the best for you. 

You might also be the one who is into multiple sports at once. If this is about you, an app which covers different sports would be extremely useful. And don’t worry, we have such apps on the list below too.

What are the best football live score apps for Android?

  • Yahoo Sports covers a vast number of sports. It is one of the leading apps on the market for following sports statistics. It also allows you monitor updates on your favorite teams and players, as well as leagues. It’s interface is a big perk, since it’s easy in use and will be suitable for users of all ages.
  • Live Score is another top-ranked sports app. It provides you will all of the statistics you need on both football and basketball. You may also receive updates on multiple games at once. This feature makes it easier to keep an eye on games while you’re busy. 
  • theScore is an amazing app that also covers a large number of competitions and leagues in different sports. It also sends you a reminder before each match, making sure you never miss out on them. 
  • Soccer 24 is on out top 5 for a reason. It offers comprehensive stats, including ball possession, fouls, corners and shots. Provides users with accurate live scores for more than 1200 soccer cups and leagues. 
  • FlashScore is one of the best apps on the market with news and stats on more than 30 sports. Here you can choose your favorite sport, team, matches and players to receive customized updates. The app sends notifications, which won’t let you miss a single goal or any important announcement. Its speed is fascinating, you receive the updates at the same time as live audience. It also has a live commentary feature. It will keep you up-to-date with everything when you are not watching the match.

Which ones should you download?

Now it all depends on your taste only. If you need updates on multiple sports, here you go, we’ve got you covered. You can also try to use Sbobet app and try to monetize your football knowledge with betting on your favorite teams. You can choose one of such apps from the list. And if you’re all about football, there are apps dedicated to it exclusively. Go ahead, do your little research on our recommendations and feel free to choose.

You might also benefit from special VPNs that simplifies your betting experience and allow you to participate from any country even if there’s a restriction for this type of activity.

2021 Sport Games Not to Miss On Sky Sports

The last year has seen sports games take a hit and with many now playing in no crowd games it’s harder for fans to celebrate and watch a game live. Sky sports cover a variety of sports games Including football, rugby, golf, basketball, darts, horseracing and many more. Here are a few games you can catch over the next year.

Premier League (football)

Football is one of the most popular games followed by a huge fan base. In 2020 we saw Liverpool reach 64 undefeated games within the premier league and only time will tell if they can reach the finals in May 2021 and lift that trophy up, hopefully in front of a small crowd. Manchester City, Tottenham, Everton, Leicester and Southampton have all made themselves known and should all be kept an eye on. You can catch all the games on Sky sports which are running until the end of May when the premier league crowns its winning team.

Ryder Cup (golf)

If golf is your choice of game then you probably have been following the Ryder Cup. Due to the pandemic, this is one of the sports that have unfortunately been affected. Being played in America it has been difficult to organise for the 24 players from all over the world to play safely. Therefore the organisers thought it best to postpone the tournament until September 2021, where hopefully spectators can attend. If you can’t afford the tickets to go and watch it live then Sky sports is the next best thing.

British and Irish Lions Tour To South Africa (rugby)

In July 2021 our British and Irish rugby boys will be setting off to play in Johannesburg and Cape Town to see what South Africa has to offer. South Africa is currently the world cup winner after beating England back in 2019, so our boys will be heading out there to reclaim victory. Games for the British and Irish Lions Tour to South Africa should start airing live in July this year.

Anthony Joshua VS Tyson Fury (boxing)

The fight everyone has been waiting for is nearly here. Both champions in their own right with Joshua holding the champion title for the IBF, WBA and WBO, whereas Fury is the two time champion of the WBC. The date for this long awaited fight has yet to be confirmed but as soon as it is head on over to Sky sports to catch it.

Other popular games we hope to see back in 2021 are; The hundred (cricket), Euro2020 (football), Tokyo Olympics, World T20 (cricket), NFL (American football), NBA (basketball), PDC World Darts Championship and many many more. We can wait to get back in the stadiums or courtside watching all our favourite games live but in the meantime check out the Sky sports website or call Sky Ireland TV Contact Number to get the full list of upcoming games or sign up so you can enjoy the live games in the comfort of your living room.

Pro14 Rugby Final – Leinster V Munster – Team News, Stats & Kick Off Time

It the Pro14 Rugby Final on Saturday, kick-off 5pm. We have team news, stats, and all you need to know about Leinster v Munster.

Leinster and Munster clash in the Guinness PRO14 final at the RDS Arena on Saturday with the hosts going in search of a fourth consecutive title while their visitors chase their first in a decade.

Every final in the competition’s history has featured at least one of these sides but this will be the first meeting between the two in the showpiece since 2011, when Munster came out on top.

Leinster earned their place by finishing seven points clear of Ulster at the summit of Conference A while Munster topped Conference B by 19 points from Connacht.

The victors will become the 20th champions since the competition started life as the Celtic League in 2001, with these sides also having contested the first final. Leinster were the champions on that occasion.

Leinster went unbeaten on their way to the title last season but have proven themselves to be human this time around after suffering home defeats to Connacht and the Ospreys – the latter in dramatic fashion last weekend.

They have won their last five meetings with Munster and have dashed the hopes of the men from Limerick at the semi-final stage in each of the past three seasons, going on to lift the title on every occasion. Munster’s last win against Leinster came back in December 2018 when they were 26-17 victors at Thomond Park.

Of 161 matches played between the sides in all competitions, Leinster have won 102 to Munster’s 48.

Leinster have appeared in nine of the 11 finals held since the return of the play-offs in the 2009-10 season. The Dubliners are chasing their eighth title overall and were 27-5 victors over Ulster in last year’s final.

Munster, who have been crowned champions on three previous occasions, have finished as runners-up twice since they last lifted the trophy with a 19-9 victory over Leinster in 2011. They came up short against Glasgow Warriors in 2015 before losing to the Scarlets two years later.

Team news
Luke McGrath will captain the side for the first time in a major final, while Devin Toner will become the most capped Leinster Rugby player of all time when he takes to the field in Leinster blue for the 262nd time.

Hugo Keenan starts at full back having played in every minute of Ireland’s recent Guinness 6 Nations campaign, with Jordan Larmour on the right wing and Dave Kearney on the left. Kearney has scored ten tries in all competitions for Leinster this season.

In the centre Robbie Henshaw will wear the number 12 jersey with Rory O’Loughlin starting in a final for the first time outside him.

In the half backs, 28-year-old McGrath will captain Leinster Rugby for the first time in a major final. The scrum half, who has 19 Ireland caps to his name, made his Leinster debut against the Dragons in May 2012 and has played a total of 144 times for his native province.

He will be joined by fellow St. Michael’s College alumni Ross Byrne.

In the pack, there is a return for a trio of players involved with Ireland last weekend against England as Cian Healy, Rónan Kelleher and Andrew Porter start in the front row.

Scott Fardy, who wins his 75th cap, will be partnered in the second row by record breaker Toner.

The Meath man made his Leinster Rugby debut in January 2006 against Border Reivers and has since gone on to also win 70 Ireland caps in a stellar career in blue and in green.

Finally the back row sees Rhys Ruddock at blindside flanker, with Josh van der Flier at openside and Jack Conan named at number eight.

On the replacements bench there is another possible landmark for Jamison Gibson-Park with the scrumhalf in line to win his 100th cap should he be introduced. He made his debut in September 2016 against Benetton Rugby.

While James Lowe is in line to win his 50th cap for Leinster.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):

15. Hugo Keenan (24)
14. Jordan Larmour (54)
13. Rory O’Loughlin (79)
12. Robbie Henshaw (53)
11. Dave Kearney (164)
10. Ross Byrne (97)
9. Luke McGrath (144) CAPTAIN
1. Cian Healy (226)
2. Rónan Kelleher (19)
3. Andrew Porter (71)
4. Devin Toner (261)
5. Scott Fardy (74)
6. Rhys Ruddock (185)
7. Josh van der Flier (91)
8. Jack Conan (100)

16. James Tracy (124)
17. Ed Byrne (64)
18. Tadhg Furlong (109)
19. Ross Molony (111)
20. Ryan Baird (19)
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (99)
22. Johnny Sexton (171)
23. James Lowe (49)

Mike Haley starts at full-back with Andrew Conway and Keith Earls completing the back three.

Damian de Allende and Chris Farrell form the centre partnership as Conor Murray and Joey Carbery start in the half-backs together for the first time this season.

James Cronin, Niall Scannell and John Ryan pack down in the front row with Jean Kleyn and Tadhg Beirne starting in the engine room.

Gavin Coombes, captain Peter O’Mahony and CJ Stander complete the starting XV.

Dave Kilcoyne has completed the return to play protocols and is named among the replacements.

Munster: Mike Haley; Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Damian de Allende, Keith Earls; Joey Carbery, Conor Murray; James Cronin, Niall Scannell, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne; Gavin Coombes, Peter O’Mahony (C), CJ Stander.

Replacements: Kevin O’Byrne, Dave Kilcoyne, Stephen Archer, Billy Holland, Jack O’Donoghue, Craig Casey, JJ Hanrahan, Rory Scannell.

What do Republic of Ireland need to do it make it out of the group stages?

The Republic of Ireland entered a tough group for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers as Portugal and Serbia among the top teams in Group A. However, Ireland’s chances of securing their first World Cup qualification since they made it to the round of 16 in 2002 could be boosted by upcoming fixtures against Azerbaijan and Luxembourg.

Kenny’s side got off to a poor start on Tuesday evening as they were narrowly defeated 3-2 in Belgrade by an Aleksandar Mitrovic inspired Serbia. The visitors started the match positively, and Alan Browne scored Ireland’s first international goal in seven games on 18 minutes. However, Dulan Vlahović’s goal before half time and a Mitrovic brace in the second period handed Ireland a fourth defeat in five games. James Collins scored a late consolation for Ireland, but it wasn’t enough to gain a point.

The result leaves Kenny winless in his first nine games as Ireland manager. With seven losses and just two draws during this run, Ireland will need to improve drastically to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.

What they need to do to qualify?

Even at these early stages of the World Cup qualifiers, Ireland’s loss to Serbia could be a big blow. To qualify outright for the 2022 World Cup, Ireland must finish top of Group A, which would mean defeating both Serbia and Portugal in upcoming fixtures.

However, Ireland’s chances of finishing second are far from over and much more likely. To finish second, and enter the playoff stages, Kenny will be aware that his side must defeat Luxembourg, who Ireland play this Saturday, and Azerbaijan, who narrowly lost 1-0 to Portugal in their Group A opener, to stand any chance of qualifying.

As Group A takes shape in the coming months, it’s likely Ireland will battle for second with either Serbia or Portugal. The round one loss to Serbia already makes automatic qualification a tough ask.

Key Players 

Ireland has been buoyed by the return of captain Seamus Coleman for their World Cup qualifiers. The Everton defender played his first international since 2019 against Serbia and he could be key to turning Ireland’s fortunes around. Coleman started in a back three alongside Dara O’Shea and Ciaran Clark and the Irish defence looked organised for long spells against Serbia. But they were only undone by some Mitrovic brilliance.

Kenny has also placed faith in the young centre forward Aaron Connolly to lead the line. The Ireland manager will need the Brighton striker to find the net more often to take the pressure off Ireland’s scoring woes in the coming matches. However, Kenny has also selected more experienced options through Shane Long, James Collins and Callum Robinson, who could all partner Connolly against Luxembourg this weekend.

Midfielder Alan Browne also impressed in the opening match against Serbia and capped his performance with a well-taken goal. His partnership in centre midfield alongside Josh Cullen Jason Molumby could help sure up Ireland’s structured 3-5-2 and provide another focal point in attack too.

Upcoming Fixtures

Ireland host Luxembourg this Saturday in Dublin in their second Group A fixture – a key match for Kenny’s side to win to keep their qualification hopes alive. Ireland then faces Qatar in a friendly match three days later on March 30th.

In September, Ireland travels to Portugal before back-to-back home matches against Azerbaijan and Serbia before the final round of World Cup qualifiers in October and November 2021.

 

Player ratings as the Republic of Ireland fall to Serbia

STARTING XI

Mark Travers – 4

It was a tough competitive international debut for Travers. The Bournemouth ‘keeper was thrown into the deep end on the night and he never really looked comfortable or assured.

He was particularly at fault for Serbia’s second goal. His positioning allowed Aleksandar Mitrović to produce a stunning chip over his head and give Serbia the lead.

Otherwise, he opted to knock the ball long when at his feet instead of using the shorter option.

Travers will have better games in an Ireland shirt but tonight wasn’t his night.

Matt Doherty – 6

Playing at right wing-back as he has done in the past for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Doherty produced a reasonably good performance.

His off the ball movement caused problems for Serbia at times but his end product was lacking.

He was also defensively solid when called upon.

Enda Stevens – 5

There was plenty of space down the left flank for Stevens to operate in and at times he presented danger to the Serbian defence, but probably not enough for the amount he had the ball in the final third.

He wasn’t particularly effective defensively, either.

Not a great night for the Sheffield United man.

Séamus Coleman – 7

The return of Coleman to the Ireland fold after missing a number of squads was a much-needed boost to Stephen Kenny and his coaching staff.

Despite a typically solid performance, though, he was unable to inspire his country to a positive result.

Coleman made a handful of important defensive interventions to disrupt Serbian attacks as well as looking composed on the ball, all while playing in the unnatural position of centre-back.

Dara O’Shea – 7

Perhaps Ireland’s best defensive performance on the night, O’Shea proved he’s more than capable of stepping up to the plate at international level.

He was particularly impressive in the early stages of the game, regularly stalling Serbian attacking moves.

He also made a number of line breaking passes which allowed Ireland’s more offensive minded players to get forward.

Ciaran Clark – 6

In his first international game in two years, Ciaran Clark looked relatively comfortable on the left side of the back three.

He played one particularly good ball down the left-hand channel which could have resulted in an Ireland opportunity.

Overall, it was a fairly good return to the international fold for Clark.

Jayson Molumby – 5

A lack of game time this season meant Molumby’s inclusion in the starting XI was a surprise to many, particularly given how well Jason Knight has played for Derby.

His rustiness was evident as he gave away a number of fouls, particularly in the first half.

As usual, he tried his utmost to influence the game but his effort wasn’t rewarded.

Josh Cullen – 7

In what was his first competitive start for Ireland, Cullen looked as composed as anyone else on the pitch.

He’s been terrific for RSC Anderlecht this season and his performance tonight displayed some of the qualities that have made him such a fan favourite at the Belgian club.

His passing, while not always the most progressive, provided a foundation for the more creative players in the squad to advance the play.

He was also relentless in his pressing and work rate throughout.

Alan Browne – 8

He showed glimpses of his potential against Slovakia in that crucial European Championship play-off last year, but Alan Browne really made his presence known tonight.

He was voted man of the match after an impressive performance which seen him score the opening goal and display a good passing range.

The Preston North End captain showed why he’s so highly valued by the Championship club tonight.

Hopefully there’s much more to come from the Corkman.

Callum Robinson – 8

In truth, either of Alan Browne or Callum Robinson could have been awarded man of the match.

The former Preston team mates linked up well for the opening goal as Robinson provided the assist onto Browne’s head.

He also looked very comfortable on the ball and played a number of good passes/crosses throughout the match.

Aaron Connolly – 5

Apart from one controversial decision from the referee not to award a penalty for a tackle on Connolly, the Brighton forward failed to get into the game otherwise.

Despite being part of a front two, Connolly appeared isolated for much of the match.

He was eventually subbed off after getting injured in the 67th minute.

 

SUBSTITUTES

Jeff Hendrick – 5

The first substitution of the night was Jeff Hendrick, but you wouldn’t have known he was on the pitch based on his involvement – or lack of – after coming on.

Shane Long – 6

Coming on for Aaron Connolly in the 67th minute, Long made the most of his time on the pitch as his persistence helped Ireland to a second goal with just minutes remaining in the match.

He capitalized on a defensive mistake after some good pressing before laying the ball off to James Collins who scored his first competitive goal for the country.

James Collins – 7

A bad night for Ireland but a good one – personally at least – for James Collins.

The Luton Town striker came on with about 10 minutes remaining and it didn’t take him too long to make his mark.

He displayed good composure in front of goal to pull one back for Ireland with just minutes remaining.

His cameo tonight could well influence Stephen Kenny to start him on Saturday.

James McClean – 6

Often the scapegoat for when things go bad for Ireland, McClean played well after coming off the bench.

His urgency was much needed going into the dying embers of the game and he got down the line well, playing in several crosses in his short time on the pitch.

He also completed the majority of his passes.

Robbie Brady – 6

His decrease in minutes recently for Burnley possibly influenced Stephen Kenny not to start Brady tonight, but he played fairly well when he was called into action.

He was instrumental in Ireland’s second goal, playing a decent ball down the line which ended up in the back of the net thanks to Long’s persistence and Collins’ composure.

Beibhinn Parsons set to star as Six Nations squad is announced

Beibhinn Parsons is the star name included in the Irish Six Nations squad for the forthcoming tournament.  

Parsons who is in her first year of University is the major try-scoring threat Ireland has and with the new format, score difference could be huge. Let’s hope the Ballinasloe native can score lots of tries over the coming weeks.

The Ireland coaching group have included five uncapped players in a squad of 35 for the upcoming Women’s Six Nations Championship.

All five have been capped at 7s and represented Ireland at the HSBC World Rugby Sevens. The quintet includes Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe who was the series Top Try scorer in 2019 and named in the Dream Team.

Stacey Flood, Eve Higgins, Emily Lane, Grace Moore, and Murphy Crowe have been part of the training squad since the conclusion of the Championship back in October.

Claire Boles and Emma Hooban were also added to the squad at the same time and are named for the upcoming tournament.

Ireland will be without the experienced trio of Ciara Cooney, Edel McMahon and Grand Slam winner Larissa Muldoon as all three are unavailable due to injury.

Dates and kick off times for the Championship were confirmed today by Six Nations Rugby. Ireland start their campaign away to Wales on April 10th with a 5pm kick off.

A week later they are back at Energia Park to face France, with that game down for a 2:15 start.

The tournament concludes with a final round of games on April 24th determined by results over the first two rounds.

Ciara Griffin will captain the squad which also includes newcomers Katie O’Dwyer, Neve Jones and Brittany Hogan, who all made their debut against Italy last October.

Ireland head coach Adam Griggs commented: “It means a huge amount to us to have test rugby on the horizon. This group have been working very closely together over the past number of months and the Six Nations was always going to be a priority for us.

We have two more camps to fine tune things ahead of the first fixture and competition for match squad places will be high.”

Ireland Squad (Women’s Six Nations Championship 2021)

Player/Club/Province/Caps

Backs (16):

Enya Breen (UL Bohemian/ Munster) 4
Eimear Considine (UL Bohemian/ Munster) 15
Kathryn Dane (Old Belvedere/ Ulster) 10
Lauren Delany (Sale Sharks/ IQ Rugby) 12
Aoife Doyle (Railway Union/ Munster) 6
Katie Fitzhenry (Blackrock College/ Leinster) 13
Stacey Flood (Railway Union/Leinster) *
Eve Higgins (Railway Union/Leinster) *
Ailsa Hughes (Railway Union/ Leinster) 12
Emily Lane (Blackrock College/Munster) *
Ellen Murphy (Blackrock College/Leinster) 7
Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe (Railway Union/Munster) *
Sene Naoupu (Old Belvedere/ Leinster) 38
Beibhinn Parsons (Ballinasloe/Blackrock College/ Connacht) 8
Laura Sheehan (Exeter Chiefs/IQ Rugby) 4
Hannah Tyrrell (Old Belvedere/ Leinster) 17

Forwards (19):

Claire Boles (Railway Union/Ulster) 3
Anna Caplice (Harlequins/ IQ Rugby) 14
Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere/ Leinster) 9
Laura Feely (Blackrock College/ Connacht) 15
Nichola Fryday (Blackrock College/ Connacht) 15
Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemian/ Munster) 33
Brittany Hogan (DCU/Old Belvedere/Ulster) 1
Emma Hooban (Blackrock College/Leinster) 7
Neve Jones (Malone/Ulster) 1
Leah Lyons (Harlequins/ IQ Rugby) 25
Aoife McDermott (Railway Union/ Leinster) 13
Claire Molloy (Wasps/IQ Rugby) 70
Cliodhna Moloney (Wasps/ IQ Rugby) 23
Grace Moore (Railway Union/IQ Rugby) *
Hannah O’Connor (Blackrock College/ Leinster) 2
Katie O’Dwyer (Railway Union/ Leinster) 1
Chloe Pearse (UL Bohemian/ Munster) 2
Lindsay Peat (Railway Union/ Leinster) 31
Dorothy Wall (Blackrock College/ Munster) 4

* Denotes uncapped at this level

Women’s Six Nations 2021 Fixtures

Wales v Ireland, Cardiff Arms Park, Saturday, April 10, 5pm

Ireland v France, Energia Parck, Saturday, April 17, 2:15pm

v

Lanigan-O’Keeffe chases Olympic qualification in Budapest

Two-time Olympian Arthur Lanigan-O’Keeffe is focusing on performances, not results, in the next two months as he bids to secure his place at a third Games.

The Kilkenny pentathlete is playing catch-up in the UIPM Olympic World Rankings despite winning bronze in the only elite competition that took place last year – UIPM 2020 Pentathlon World Cup Cairo.

After another intense pre-season, Lanigan-O’Keeffe returns to action tomorrow (March 25) in the men’s qualification round at UIPM 2021 Pentathlon World Cup Budapest. But the 29-year-old is taking each step at a time as he looks for the points he needs to qualify for the rescheduled Olympics in Tokyo.

“My plan for this season is to control the elements that are within my control, try to remain calm and composed about the elements that are out of my control and above all express myself through competition, showcasing the work I have been putting in relentlessly since my last competition 13 months ago,” he said.

The 2016 European champion is currently 23rd in the Olympic qualification rankings and many of the athletes above him have already secured automatic quota places for their countries. But he is determined to put permutations to the back of his mind.

“I am not a person who deep-dives into stats or ranking points,” he said. “I know if I do my job and focus on the factors that positively impact on my performance my objectives should be met. I have a great performance team whom I trust with such calculations.

“I am physically and mentally prepared enough that a positive result would not surprise me, although I am aware that I have felt this way in the past and not come back with the result I wanted or expected.

“I know being ready is no guarantee of a result, you have to make it happen and seize the opportunity. I will do my best and that is all I can do at the end of the day.”

Like his fiancée Natalya Coyle and team-mate Sive Brassil, Lanigan-O’Keeffe has received extensive support during the long break in competition since his podium success in Cairo last March, and he paid tribute to the people who have kept him in contention for his shot at a third Olympics.

“Arriving at a competition ready to perform is not an individual effort,” he said. “There are many moving parts to achieving this physical and mental state, especially after a year living with a pandemic, it’s like the iceberg that sunk the Titanic.

“There are far too many people to mention everyone but big mentions would have to go to my fiancée and training partner Natalya Coyle, coaches (Steve Macklin, Martina McCarthy and Andrei Fedotov), Sport Ireland and a particular sponsor who has supported me through every high and low in my career.

“I can’t wait to get started.”

For live competition coverage visit UIPM TV, the UIPM website or download the “UIPM Central” app.

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