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Alli Murphy delight with Ireland call up for Germany match

It’s been a long journey to reach this point, with spells playing in five different countries, but Alli Murphy is ready to add her international football call up to her list of experiences.

The Texas-born midfielder received a first call-up to the Republic of Ireland Women’s Senior Team for the UEFA Women’s EURO 2021 qualifier away to Germany and she’s excited to get going.

Murphy has held her Irish passport – secured through her Limerick-born grandparents – for several years now and it has helped her with moves to Sweden, Netherlands, Iceland, and, now, England.

GETTING THE CALL UP

Getting the call to be part of Vera Pauw’s squad for the Germany game on September 19 was unexpected but very much welcomed by the 26-year-old.

“It was a surprise, but a good surprise, to hear that I was included in the Ireland squad. I’ve always wanted to use my Irish heritage to make myself available for the team so it’s great to be in the coach’s thoughts,” said Murphy.

Following a stand-out college career with Texas Tech University (where she was Team MVP and qualified as a Civil Engineer), Murphy was selected at No 20 in the 2016 NWSL Draft by Washington Spirit. That proved to be a mixed experience so she went abroad to seek more playing time in Sweden with Gustafs GoIF.

With the more games that she played, Murphy knew that she belonged at a higher level. She won the golden boot for most goals scored during her time in Sweden but took a chance of returning home by jumping into open trials with the Houston Dash – who were managed at the time by Vera Pauw.

After an enjoyable spell with Houston, Murphy switched to Dutch club Pec Zwolle in June 2018 where she featured in the Dutch Women’s Cup Final against Ajax. And then another call came to pack her bags and fly to Iceland to link up with Selfoss, where she did win the Cup this time.

COVID-19

Since then COVID-19 hit and she was grounded back home in Texas, training on her own and helping to coach local kids. That was until London City Lionesses (who are managed by Dubliner Lisa Fallon) reached out and her wanderlust bug was reignited. She will get started with them on September 6th with the beginning of the new FA Women’s Championship season.

“I’m excited to get going with London City. It’s been a crazy few years. Then we had COVID hit, so now that football is back I’m excited to get playing again,” said Murphy.

“Lisa (Fallon) called me and the second that she started talking I felt like I had been transported back to Ireland, sitting back in my Granny’s kitchen listening to her saying ‘Go on, Go on, Go on’. So I smile every time she talks to me because it feels like home.

“I’ve played in different countries and had different experiences so I’m ready for this one. I’ve played mostly as a midfielder but I can play on the wing, up front or even at right-back, so I would say that I’m a versatile player who just wants to help the team out.

“It is fantastic to get the call-up for Ireland, but I want to get some games in with London City Lionesses first and get my fitness levels up. Then I’ll be in a much better position.”

This will not be Murphy’s first exposure to the Ireland set-up as she previously trained with Sue Ronan’s squad during a trip to the United States, but a bout of flu meant that she was not in the best condition to earn a full call-up.

Still, she has long held ambitions of pulling on that green jersey and will do everything that she can to make the final cut of 23 players for the Germany squad.

Match Details
Germany v Republic of Ireland
UEFA 2021 Women’s European Championship Qualifying – Group I
Saturday, September 19
Stadion Essen
KO 13:00 (Irish Time)
#GERIRL

Ryan Moore talks about his four rides with good chances at Goodwood

Ryan Moore talks about his four rides with good chances at Goodwood and also thinks racegoers being allowed back into tracks is a step in the right direction for horse racing.

Saturday – Goodwood

13:50 – Prado

She did it very nicely on her debut on fast ground at Salisbury, and the form looks decent enough with the experienced runner-up going one better in a nursery last time. Of course, she will have different conditions to cope with here as she steps up markedly in class – and the bare form of her win leaves her with a lot to find in this Group 3 – but of course the potential is there after just the one run.

14:25 – Breath Of Air

He is a horse I know well. He would probably prefer better ground but he has form with ease, and he only just got touched off at Haydock last time. He has gone up 1lb for that, but that small rise was to be expected and he clearly has his chance. The better the ground, the better his chance.

 

In good nick but Benbatl is the one to beat

 

15:35 – Regal Reality

All the form horses in here would like better ground than they are likely to get, and I imagine we might lose one or two to the weather by Saturday afternoon if we get more rain. My horse would certainly like it quicker, but he ran well in soft ground when third in the Wolferton first time up and he was back to form when winning well in a first-time visor at Salisbury last time.

Hopefully, he is in the same nick here and can handle conditions better than most, but Benbatl is clearly the horse to beat on form. He is rated 125 and he deserves to be on that level.

Solid each-way chance –  Ryan Moore rides

 

16:10 – Frontispiece

He has run two solid races this season. I rode him when he was second at Newmarket on his comeback and he occupied the same position at Newbury last time, when he met an improver and finished nicely clear of the third. He has gone up 1lb for that defeat, but he still gets into this 0-85 off his revised mark of 87, and he will enjoy the ground. He has another solid each-way chance.

 

Green light for racegoers a vital development

 

It is obviously great news that racegoers are set to get back on track, with the four-day St Leger meeting, starting at Doncaster on September 9, one of those chosen for the Government-approved trials and pilot schemes for sports.

I don’t think it will make that much difference to jockeys on a professional and working level, to be honest.

However, personally, I am delighted that that we have crowds back. There is no upside whatsoever to empty racecourses, and I prefer the atmosphere racegoers and owners generate.

I imagine the jockeys will still have to abide by the same strict distancing protocols that we have been racing under behind closed doors – as will the racegoers by the sound of it – so it will continue to be business as usual in that respect.

But, of course, it is vital and to be welcomed that crowds are back for the financial health of the sport.

And it is essential that we get all owners who want to attend back through the gates. They have been some of the big losers in all of this, not being able to see their horses at first hand in anything approaching a normal racing environment.

From a jockeys’ perspective, racing doesn’t necessarily need crowds to operate as a sport. We see that at plenty of all-weather meetings, and the racetrack is a place of work for jockeys.

However, for the finances of the sport and the enjoyment and engagement of all its participants, Wednesday’s news was obviously a crucial development, and a big step in the right direction.

Fingers crossed the health of the nation allows us to get back to something approaching normality now.

Ryan Moore was speaking to Betfair.

Joseph O’Brien discusses his runners at Navan and Wexford on Saturday

Joseph O’Brien discusses his four runners at Navan and two at Wexford on Saturday as Galileo Chrome bids to continue his progress

 

Navan

 

Starting to come good

 

13:45 – Tar Heel

Tar Heel has been a bit of a work in progress, but he is starting to put it together. His last two runs have represented improvement and he was a little bit unlucky not to go even closer at Naas last weekend. That form entitles him to go well in this company and with a bit of a luck he’ll be involved in the finish.

 

Lovely filly with as good a chance as any

 

15:25 – Sense Of Style

Sense Of Style is a lovely filly and was narrowly beaten at Dundalk last time. She’ll need to prove her stamina for this longer trip on what is a stiffer track, but I’m hopeful she’ll be fine over it. This looks a decent maiden, but she looks to have as good a chance as any.

 

Hopeful GC can get the job done

 

17:05 – Galileo Chrome and Degraves

Galileo Chrome is a horse we’ve always had a very high opinion of and it was great to see him do what he did in a winner’s race at Leopardstown last time. This race represents another steady step up the ladder for him and the main unknown is the longer trip. We had intended to run him in the Irish Derby a couple of months ago until a late setback ruled him out, so we’ve always thought he would stay this sort of trip. This looks a good opportunity for him to continue his progression, so hopefully he’ll get the job done.

Degraves is another with his stamina to prove. He took a step forward from his seasonal reappearance to run well in Group 3 company last time, so hopefully he can come forward again from that.

 

Joseph O’Brien Runners at Wexford

 

 

Another chance to gain experience

 

14:30 – Morning Beatrice

Morning Beatrice needed the run and experience on her racecourse debut in a maiden hurdle at Sligo. Hopefully she will show more with that under her belt in this.

 

Read to run a big race

 

15:40 – Us And Them

Us And Them has been a shade disappointing since his very good novice chase campaign, but he has run a couple of great races in that time, most notably when third in the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival last March. Returning to this shorter trip in this less competitive race should help him and hopefully he’ll run a big race.

Joseph O’’Brien was speaking to Betfair.

Is it finally JJ Hanrahan’s time to shine?

Munster coach Stephen Larkham praised JJ Hanrahan this week for his understanding of the game. A patient, careful game-plan is always required when playing the 2019 Pro14 Champions.

Thankfully, Munster had just the man to implement such a strategy. Hanrahan and Murray provided a strong base for Munster’s powerful centers to attack through. Ultimately, this led to their three tries coming from Conway and Earls on the wings. The only blemish on an otherwise solid performance from the Kerry man was a missed conversion from the right touchline. This allowed Leinster to escape with a draw but Munster won’t be demoralized.

 

A Long Road

Rewind to 2018 and history is repeating itself for JJ Hanrahan. The signing of Joey Carbery undermines Hanrahan’s role at the club. Similarly, following the retirement of Ronan O’Gara in 2013, Hanrahan was a strong contender to be his successor. However, that mantle fell to Ian Keatley despite good form from Hanrahan. As a result, he left to join the Northampton Saints in 2015 for more game time.

Injuries prevented this however and he returned to Thomond Park in 2017. This marked a return to form. As a result, a new two-year deal in December 2018 followed. His patience finally looks set to pay off with an extended run in the team. Carbery’s ongoing ankle injury has ruled him out for an “indefinite period of time”. In addition to this, Tyler Bleyendaal’s forced retirement this May leaves Hanrahan as the unopposed out-half.

With a plethora of rugby to be played in the next twelve months, this is Hanrahan’s chance to come of age. At 28 he’s no prospect. However, his own setbacks are likely to ensure he won’t let such a chance go by.

https://twitter.com/Munsterrugby/status/1299299194029649927

http://34.245.76.62/rugby/rugby_irish/which-players-will-make-cut-for-british-and-irish-lions-in-2021-tour/

List of streamed GAA matches and Live GAA on TV

This year’s absence of GAA inter-county Championships has not left fans starved of action. Club championships across the country are reaching their knockout stages. Thankfully, RTE and TG4 are aboard the GAA TV bandwagon and are ensuring we don’t miss a beat with live on TV and streamed matches.

Friday 28th

TG4 has granted its Friday night GAA Beo slot to the Tyrone senior football quarter-final between Killyclogher and Trillick. 2019 champions Trillick overcame Galbally to earn their quarter-final place a fortnight ago. Tyrone teammates Matty Donnelly and Tiernan McCann is a match-up to look out for. Throw-in is at 7.30.

Club giants Corofin are in action in Galway against An Cheathrú Rua at 7pm. Go to Galway senior football’s live stream to buy a pass for this one.

In Leinster, the pick of the games available is from Meath GAA TV where you can catch Wolfe Tones up against Moynalvey at 7.30.

Saturday 29th

RTE have given the spotlight to Mayo clubs this weekend for a Saturday night quarter-final double-header in McHale Park. Defending champions Ballintubber face off against Knockmore at 5.30. Following this, Andy Moran’s Ballaghaderreen takes on Aiden O’Shea’s Breaffy at 7.30.

Dubs TV is also offering quarter-finals on Saturday with St. Jude’s against Skerries Harps at 3pm. After this, Paul Mannion and Diarmuid Connolly do battle when Kilmacud Crokes tackle St. Vincent’s.

Hurling fans can find action in the opening round of the Kilkenny SHC. Kilkenny GAA is covering Ballyhale Shamrocks and Rower-Inistioge’s game at 2pm. Later, Danesfort and Mullinavat open their campaigns at 5pm.

In Cork, Douglas and Midleton go head-to-head at 7pm in SHC for a winner takes all clash.

In Kerry, the football continues. The county board is streaming Killarney Legion v St. Brendan’s at 5pm as an opener to East Kerry’s tie with St. Kieran’s at 7.15.

Sunday 30th

The final two quarter-final ties from the Mayo SFC are on Mayo GAA TV. Firstly, Westport take on intermediate champions The Neale at 2pm. Secondly, Ballina play Aghamore at 4pm.

Roscommon GAA have a full schedule as they’re offering streams for all three of the quarter-finals taking place in the SFC. Roscommon Gaels v Padraig Pearses at 1pm, Michael Glavey’s v St. Brigid’s at 4pm, and Western Gaels v Clann na nGael at 5pm.

Dubs TV are again making sure fans can watch the SFC quarter-finals. Holders Ballyboden St-Enda’s play Brian Fenton’s Raheny at 2pm and Ballymun Kickhams challenge Na Fianna at 4.30pm.

In Meath, Ratoath take on Simonstown Gaels at 4pm on Meath GAA TV.

Club hurling continues in Kilkenny when Bennettsbridge play Graigue-Ballycallan at 2pm and Tullaroan play Erins Own at 5pm.

Waterford is the destination for TG4’s coverage on Sunday for the SHC decider between Ballygunner and Passage at 2pm.

Tipperary SHC is also offering live-streams for its quarter-finals. Champions Borris-Ileigh will attempt to fend off Drom-Inch at 6pm. Prior to this, Clonoulty-Rossmore and Loughmore-Castleiney do battle at 2pm.

Kerry’s SFC quarter-finals will be concluded on Sunday after Dr Crokes play Templenoe at 2pm and Mid Kerry go up against Kenmare Shamrocks at 4pm. Catch both games on Kerry GAA’s streaming service.

Whatever your GAA vice, the amount of GAA streamed club games on show will not have you deprived.

http://34.245.76.62/gaa/how-the-gaa-calendar-can-benefit-from-2020s-improvised-version/

http://34.245.76.62/gaa/how-the-gaa-calendar-can-benefit-from-2020s-improvised-version/

https://www.dublingaa.ie/news/dubs-tv-live-streams-dublin-senior-1-football-quarter-finals

 

 

Tour De France “It’s the hardest race, the most beautiful race”

Nicolas Roche, one of three Irish riders in this year’s Tour de France, is looking forward to starting the first Grand Tour of the season in Nice on Saturday, the town he has lived in for almost 20 years.

The son of Irish cycling legend Stephen, Nico, is “pretty excited (as) I’ve been looking forward to this Tour for over a year now. Starting in Nice, I was looking forward to it in November when they announced it.”

This will in fact be the third time in the 36-year-old’s career that the Grand Boucle has started in the Nice area, with the riding adding: “I’ve also been lucky with the Tour in Ireland so I can’t complain with the itineraries.”

Since November’s announcement of the Grand Départ in the south east of France, Nicolas had been looking forward to racing on roads he knows very well, in front of his family and school friends who were “looking forward to coming here and enjoying the Tour de France, obviously it’s a little bit different now,” he adds.

Despite the usual start time of August for the Tour de France every rider is at the same stage of fitness and preparation due to the postponement and rescheduling of some of the season’s main races:

“2020 you just have to reset your standards and create a new normality. We’re all at the same point, it’s no different for anyone”, Nicolas explains. “For me it was key that the Tour de France happened and they’ve managed luckily enough to have it this time of the year – we just have to adapt”, he says matter of factly.

He continues by reiterating that all participants starting Saturday’s Tour are equal, and not one of them has an advantage over the other as a result of the enforced interruptions to the 2020 season:

“We’re all at the same standards and it’s the same for everybody – I’m actually happy we can start and get on with it because it’s so important for us athletes, but also for teams, the media and the business as a whole.”

While the Nice-based rider was in lockdown in France, initially for a fortnight, and then for an extended period of time, he trained at home on the balcony, a regime which was blended in with the rest of his training. With most teams organising new schedules after the Covid-19 lockdown, new training camps were tried to get ready in the best way for the Tour de France.

Looking back now on his training regime during what should have been a busy part of the racing season, Roche professes to having “trained like a maniac on the trainer” as he always believed the 2020 season would be rescued in some way.

“Everyone was asking me afterwards why did you train so hard? It’s easy to look back today and say I should have backed off because the Tour (de France) is in August but back in the lockdown, initially it was only a 2 week lockdown and racing and the Olympics and everything was still going to happen.”

The former Irish Road Race champion continues explaining about his mindset:

“It’s easy to say now, Nico you trained too hard on your home trainer but back then in early March we had no idea what was going to happen. Most people thought the Tour of Romandie was going to happen the first week of May, so for me it was about doing two weeks on the home trainer and that was it. And then after two weeks, they said it was going to be four weeks.”

With local knowledge of roads always an important factor in the sport, Nicolas feel with the unseasonal forecast for this weekend, his local insight may be an advantage to his and his team’s safety on the opening weekend of Le Tour.

“You know the good parts of the road but you also know the bad parts of the road. They’re forecasting storms for tomorrow (Saturday) and I know that these roads are lethal in the wet and I have a little bit of fear of the rain on the roads as it hasn’t rained here for a while so they could be greasy”, he warns.

Looking ahead to Sunday’s second stage, the Irish rider says the weather could potentially make racing conditions dangerous:

“Sunday’s stage is quite tricky as well and we go quite high at altitude so that will be a little more problematic if it rains. In this Tour we’re going to get some heavy showers, we’re going to get thunderstorms, we’re going to get maybe snow as it’s very common it snows in the month of September in France.”

He emphasizes that we could witness a radical change in weather conditions throughout the three weeks of racing:

“We’re in Nice, south of France, the end of August, it should be 25 degrees of sun and the day of the Tour (start) it’s going to rain and it’s probably going to be sun again next week when we leave again. I think our issue this year is going to be the real radical change of weather that we could have: 25 degrees one day and 5 degrees and rain the other day, and that is really difficult on your body.”

If the conditions are right on Sunday, Roche is adamant the route would suit a breakaway:

“It’s (Sunday) a perfect day for a breakaway as it’s really difficult. It is a really really open stage and I think on TV we could see some great racing as the roads are perfect for it.”

With Team Sunweb undertaking their first Grand Tour since the departure of Tom Dumoulin, meaning the German outfit will not have General Classification ambitions, what exactly is Nicolas Roche’s role?

“My role here is pretty open. The team has come with a sprinter’s train and then four all-rounders; we have no interest in the General Classification. Our role is to take it day by day and try and make the most of the day, so on those 4 or 5 flatter stages I will be in a little bit of support of the sprinter’s team. It doesn’t mean I’ll be doing lead-out, but it means that in the last 20km I’ll help to position the train so they don’t have to commit too early so they actually do their own lead-out. At about 20km to go, I get into position and ride for about 10km to keep them out of the way and keep them safe when we start this drag racing. Then I swing off when the race gets a little crazier and I get out of the way for the sprint.”

While success for Team Subweb would be a stage win, or wins, Nico feels he may finally achieve that coveted Tour de France stage win to add to his 3 previous Grand Tour stage successes.

“Obviously a stage win is something I have been chasing now for the last couple of years and have been so close so many times but I haven’t managed to nail it. There are a lot of opportunities in the Tour. There are a lot of higher mountain stages that are going to be very tough but there are also a lot of medium mountain stages where usually breakaways have a better chance to ride – so my goal would be to get those opportunities. One of my dreams when I was a child was to win a stage in the Tour de France. I haven’t done that yet so I’m still chasing that dream – that would be a very successful Tour” he acknowledges.

Team Sunweb will target stage wins rather than the General Classification. Credit: © Team Sunweb/Patrick Brunt.

Belgian Toesj Benoot will lead Roche’s Team Sunweb and will be accompanied by sprinters Cees Bol from the Netherlands and German Nikias Arndt. Rouleurs Søren Kragh Andersen of Denmark and Jasha Sutterlin from Germany will add strength to the team to assist talented young riders Swiss Marc Hirschi and Dutchman Joris Nieuwenhuis who will be making their Grand Tour debuts.

Le Tour de France 2020, beginning on Saturday with what Nico describes as “apparently one of the toughest weeks ever in the Tour de France – definitely the toughest week I’ve done”, the Grand Tour will then wind its way around France before ending in Paris on September 20.

Nicolas Roche will be joined by fellow Irish riders Sam Bennett of Deceuninck – Quick Step and Dan Martin of Israel Start-Up Nation in “the hardest race, the most beautiful race.”

Dan Martin is “physically ready, and mentally even more so” for Le Tour

Dan Martin will lead team Israel Start-Up Nation in the Tour de France – the first time an Israeli team will participate in the world’s greatest cycling race. The strong line-up supporting the Irishman includes Guy Niv, who will become the first Israeli rider ever to compete in the Tour, which begins on Saturday.

Martin, who won stages in the 2013 and 2018 Tours respectively was strong on his return to racing after the Covid-19 shutdown but suffered a sacral fracture in the second stage of the recent Critérium du Dauphiné.

“It’s a relief to be here” admits the Irish rider who will start his 8th Tour de France this weekend, “but also excitement as well” he continues, “as starting the Tour de France is always very special. The circumstances this year make it even more so.”

Rest, treatment and therapy have been effective, and he says, “I feel I am ready. I feel I can do something here in the Tour (but) expect to suffer through the first stages as I have missed a bit of training.”

Reflecting back on the Dauphiné crash on August 13, Martin concedes:

“It was quite a severe injury I had. I still have a fracture. Obviously it’s far from ideal and fortunately I’m here on the start line and that’s the most important thing.”

With his injury occurring only a few weeks before the Grand Départ in Nice, the Tour de France’s 2018 combativity award winner dispels any doubts about his health, physically or mentally, heading into three difficult weeks of racing:

“I would not be here if I wasn’t completely healthy and able to race because I would never take the opportunity to start the Tour de France away from one of my team mates if I wasn’t back to pretty much full health.”

Heading into this year’s Critérium du Dauphiné, a traditional prep-race for many of the Tour de France’s main participants, Martin admits to having being in good shape:

“Going into Dauphiné I was feeling in incredible condition – you don’t just lose that. It’s only been two weeks since I crashed and you don’t lose too much condition in that time.”

Though he concedes he would be happier starting Saturday’s race if he had more work done, he looks at the positive of having had an injury-enforced rest, saying:

“It would have been nice to have done a little more work but hopefully that extra little bit of rest will pay off in the third week because this is one of the most incredibly difficult Grand Tours I’ve ever seen, if not the hardest. I think it’s going to be a very challenging third week. Physically I’m ready, and mentally even more so.”

Dan Martin will lead his team in the many mountainous stages while German 11-time stage winner André Greipel will contest the sprints in his tenth consecutive Tour.

Israel Start-Up Nation’s Team Manager Kjell Carlström clearly states the squad’s aim is to win a stage at its maiden Tour:

“We have put together the team that we believe is best to execute our strategy. We are hunting for stage wins and as the route is demanding, we have ensured that we have all possibilities covered. All the teams, of course, are out for success, but we’re focused on our goal to win a stage.”

With Martin not having to concern himself with the General Classification as a result, there will be less pressure on the Irishman entering this year’s delayed Grand Boucle, something that sits easily with the former UAE Team Emirates rider:

“It’s very nice going in with no pressure on for the General Classification and I’m sure we’ll let the race unfold.”

“The main aim for the team is a stage victory”, Martin stresses, “Obviously riding the General Classification limits your opportunities as a rider to contest for stages. With the mentality of going for stage victories, the General Classification is really tricky. For us to realise our ambition for the team to get a stage victory, it’s sensible.”

With stage victories in mind, the game plan is as follows, Martin explains:

“As a team we’ll go forward and look at every stage. We can really pack every day as a new day (since we’re not contesting the GC) and try and find a tactic that we can influence to get the best result.”

With three top-ten finishes in the General Classification to his name, his experience of professional cycling tells him that despite the team plan, their priorities may change in the latter stages of the Tour:

“Obviously you never know what is going to happen. If we get to the third week and I’m there or thereabouts, we will look at it.”

Along with Martin, Greipel and Niv, the team’s strong line-up also includes Classics specialist Nils Politt, French rider Hugo Hofstetter, Krists Neilands, Ben Hermans and Tom Van Asbroeck, an outfit Martin believes “can adapt to the specifics of each day, can come together as a team to support the best rider – the rider who is best suited to the stage that we have.”

Dan Martin will be one of three Irish riders in Le Tour this year, with his first cousin Nicolas Roche, who will ride with Team Sunweb, and Sam Bennett of Deceuninck – Quick Step also starting in Nice on Saturday.

Leinster v Ulster – Starting teams – Kick-off 7:35pm Saturday

We have the starting teams for the eagerly awaited clash between Ulster and Leinster at the Aviva Stadium, kick-off 7:35 pm Saturday. 

Ed Byrne will captain Leinster for the first time in a competitive fixture, starting in the front row with Irish internationals Seán Cronin and Michael Bent.

Carlow native Byrne made his debut in February 2014 against Zebre and will win his 54th Leinster cap tomorrow when he leads out his province for the first time.

Devin Toner starts in the second row with Ross Molony, while Josh Murphy, Will Connors, and Max Deegan complete the starting pack.

In the backs, Leo Cullen has selected a back three of Rob Kearney, Hugo Keenan, and Cian Kelleher.

Ciarán Frawley and Rory O’Loughlin is the centre partnership, while in the half-backs Jamison Gibson-Park wins his 90th cap for Leinster Rugby and is joined by Ross Byrne.

Leinster Rugby Academy player Tom Clarkson is in line to make his senior debut from the bench.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets)

15. Rob Kearney (218)
14. Hugo Keenan (14)
13. Rory O’Loughlin (67)
12. Ciarán Frawley (25)
11. Cian Kelleher (14)
10. Ross Byrne (85)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (89)
1. Ed Byrne (53) CAPTAIN
2. Seán Cronin (182)
3. Michael Bent (136)
4. Devin Toner (245)
5. Ross Molony (95)
6. Josh Murphy (32)
7. Will Connors (16)
8. Max Deegan (63)

16. James Tracy (108)
17. Michael Milne (8)
18. Tom Clarkson (0)
19. Rhys Ruddock (172)
20. Scott Penny (13)
21. Rowan Osborne (4)
22. Harry Byrne (9)
23. Jimmy O’Brien (17)

MUNSTER TEAM

Sam Carter will lead out the Ulster men for the first time, as they take on Leinster in the final round of the Guinness PRO14 regular season at Aviva Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 7.35pm).

Both Ulster and Leinster go into Saturday’s game having already confirmed their place in the PRO14 semi-finals, with Ulster looking forward to an away trip to Edinburgh next weekend.

Australia international Carter is also one of eight changes to the starting XV that faced Connacht in the return to rugby action last Sunday, and he will be partnered by Kieran Treadwell in the second row. It’s all-change in the front row, as Rob Herring returns to the side at hooker, with Eric O’Sullivan and Tom O’Toole taking up the starting loosehead and tighthead positions. Matthew Rea comes in at blindside, with Jordi Murphy once again starting at openside flanker and Marcell Coetzee at number eight.

Jacob Stockdale retains his starting berth at full-back and is joined in the back three by returning wingers Rob Lyttle and Matt Faddes. The midfield combination of Stuart McCloskey and James Hume remains in situ, while recent signing Ian Madigan will make his first start at fly-half for Ulster, linking up with John Cooney for up an all-Irish international half-back pairing.

In the replacements, John Andrew, Kyle McCall, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor and Nick Timoney provide the forward bench options, and David Shanahan, Bill Johnston and Louis Ludik are the backline cover.

 

Ulster team to play Leinster, Guinness PRO14 Round 15, Saturday 29 August at Aviva Stadium (kick-off 7.35pm, live on Premier Sports & eir Sport):

(15-9) Jacob Stockdale, Matt Faddes, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Rob Lyttle, Ian Madigan, John Cooney;

(1-8) Eric O’Sullivan, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Sam Carter (Capt.), Kieran Treadwell, Matthew Rea, Jordi Murphy, Marcell Coetzee.

Replacements: John Andrew, Kyle McCall, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor, Nick Timoney, David Shanahan, Bill Johnston, Louis Ludik.

Connacht v Munster – Starting teams – Kick off time 3pm Sunday

We have the starting team for Sunday’s Pro14 clash between Connacht and Munster.

Connacht has named an experimental team, the Munster team looks very strong. The westerners have made 14 changes from the side that impressively saw off Ulster last weekend, with Andy Friend keen to give game-time to more players after a long absence due to COVID-19.

Among those starting is Sammy Arnold who makes his first Connacht appearance at outside-centre. The Irish international arrived in the summer and his debut comes against the side he joined from.

There’s also an inaugural start for powerful number 8 Abraham Papali’i. The New Zealander was signed from the Bay of Plenty and he forms a back row with Conor Oliver and Eoghan Masterson who is the only player retained from last week.

Quinn Roux captains the side having recovered from injury to take his place in the second row alongside Niall Murray, with Paddy McAllister, Shane Delahunt and Dominic Robertson-McCoy completing the pack.

Sunday’s half-back pairing consists of Caolin Blade and Conor Fitzgerald, while Arnold will be partnered in the centre by Tom Daly.

The experienced Tiernan O’Halloran and Matt Healy are included in the back three, while there’s also a first appearance for Colm de Buitléar since January 2019. The winger from Carraroe played four times during 2018/19 while in the Connacht Academy, but hasn’t featured since suffering a serious achilles injury in the 2019/20 pre-season.

Commenting on his team selection, Head Coach Andy Friend says:

“Our key objective in these two games has always been to give players some much needed game-time while putting in two positive performances which reflects the work they’ve put in as a squad these past few months. Thankfully we’ve so far managed to do that after last week’s excellent result. Now is an opportunity for a new group of players to impress so I’m looking forward to seeing them in action.”

Regarding the game itself, Friend added:

“Interpros against our neighbours Munster are always keenly contested and Sunday will be no different. They have a Guinness PRO14 semi-final to clinch but we’ll be looking to end our 2019/20 campaign on a high. We’ve also got two players making their Connacht debuts in Sammy Arnold and Abraham Papali’i so it’ll be a special occasion for them.”

The Munster team to face Connacht in Sunday afternoon’s crunch Guinness PRO14 clash at the Aviva Stadium has been named by Head Coach Johann van Graan.

A win will secure Munster’s place in the semi-finals and it is the first ever meeting of Munster and Connacht at the Aviva Stadium/Lansdowne Road, with a 3pm kick-off.

The Munster backline is unchanged with five players coming into the pack.

Jeremy Loughman, John Ryan, Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne and Chris Cloete are all drafted into the side.

Beirne is in line to make his first appearance since sustaining an ankle fracture away to Saracens in December.

Shane Daly starts at full-back with last week’s try-scorers Andrew Conway and Keith Earls on either flank.

Damian de Allende and Chris Farrell pair up in the centres for the second time with Conor Murray and JJ Hanrahan in the half-backs.

Loughman, Niall Scannell and Ryan pack down in the front row with Wycherley and Beirne starting in the engine room together for the first time.

Captain Peter O’Mahony, Cloete and CJ Stander complete the starting XV.

Kevin O’Byrne, Liam O’Connor, Jack O’Donoghue and Jack O’Sullivan are named among the replacements and set to make their first appearances since the restart.

O’Donoghue sustained a concussion at training last week but has completed the return to play protocols.

Head Coach Johann van Graan said: “We have training this afternoon and hopefully that goes well
and all players selected come through that.

“Connacht really played well last Sunday against Ulster and it’s always a big battle facing them, we expect a very good game on Sunday afternoon.”

STARTING TEAMS

CONNACHT – 15. Tiernan O’Halloran, 14. Colm de Buitléar, 13. Sammy Arnold, 12. Tom Daly, 11. Matt Healy
10. Conor Fitzgerald, 9. Caolin Blade, 1. Paddy McAllister, 2. Shane Delahunt, 3. Dominic Robertson-McCoy, 4. Niall Murray, 5. Quinn Roux (C), 6. Eoghan Masterson, 7. Conor Oliver, 8. Abraham Papali’i.

16. Jonny Murphy, 17. Conor Kenny, 18. Matthew Burke, 19. Ultan Dillane, 20. Seán Masterson
21. Stephen Kerins, 22. Peter Robb, 23. Conor Dean

Munster: Shane Daly; Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Damian de Allende, Keith Earls; JJ Hanrahan, Conor Murray; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, John Ryan; Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O’Mahony (C), Chris Cloete, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Kevin O’Byrne, Liam O’Connor, Stephen Archer, Billy Holland, Jack O’Donoghue, Craig Casey, Rory Scannell, Jack O’Sullivan.

Premier League Darts Results – Gurney Survives on Judgement Night

Premier League Darts Results  – Rob Cross was eliminated from the Unibet Premier League after a 7-4 defeat to Glen Durrant on Judgement Night in Milton Keynes as Glen Durrant maintained his lead at the top of the table.

2019 Premier League finalist Cross has endured a torrid time season, having won just one of his nine games, and a 7-4 reverse to Durrant was a third successive loss following the restart of action at the Marshall Arena.

He entered the night bottom of the table, and knew his fate was out of his own hands if Daryl Gurney earned a point or more against Peter Wright.

Fortunately for Cross, Gurney suffered a 7-4 defeat to the reigning World Champion to give the Hastings ace hope going into the final game of the night.

Cross produced arguably his performance of the season as he averaged over 103, but this came against the immovable force of table-topper Durrant who hit him back with some incredible darts.

Things got off to an awful start for Cross as Durrant fired a stunning 167 checkout on his way to establishing a 5-0 lead.

It was here that Cross finally started to find his rhythm, but needed to win all seven legs without response to keep his Premier League hopes alive.

Checkouts of 124, 81 and 90 gave him an unlikely lifeline, but Durrant chiselled away and found the required leg to seal Cross’ fate, before clinching a big win two legs later to move himself two points clear at the top of the table.

“Rob’s a World Champion and he acted like a champion tonight,” admitted Durrant. “I like Rob but I had to focus on myself and I’m really happy with the win.

“My belief is really coming through at the moment and I’m playing really well. It was a big thing for me to change my flights and it’s working well – I’m scoring well and finishing great.

“I’ve practised hard during the pandemic and I’m feeling relaxed on stage. The three days have gone perfect for me and it’s an exciting time.

“It’s down to the nitty gritty now and I’d love to finish in the top four – I’m not thinking of winning this tournament at the moment. It would be an amazing night to be in the Play-Offs.”

World Champion Wright has looked superb since the return to action, and pushed himself up to second in the table as he backed up his Night Eight win over Jeffrey de Zwaan with some more brilliant darts to beat Gurney.

It was another tense opening to the game as the pair shared the opening eight legs, with Gurney working hard to complete his Milton Keynes survival miracle.

However, Wright – who missed double 12 for a nine-dart finish – proved too strong with his finishing and doubling, breaking in the tenth leg before sealing victory in the 11th to further boost his Play-Off credentials.

“I felt really weird and I think I played rubbish tonight – I didn’t settle but I got away with the win,” said Wright. “Daryl wasn’t at his best but he had a lot of pressure on him tonight.

“There’s a long way to go still. It’s a nice position to be in but there are seven games left.”

He added: “The nine-darter would have been amazing but the dart at double 12 was awful – I was shaking! I’ll have to go and practice double 12!”

Gurney had been left with an anxious wait before Cross’ loss ensured his survival, although the Northern Irish ace had saved his season with wins over Chris Dobey and Nathan Aspinall on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“I’m very lucky,” said Gurney, a semi-finalist last year. “I put myself under so much pressure tonight and I didn’t perform, but thankfully I got four points on the other two nights.

“I struggled against Peter and I’m disappointed with how I played, but thank God for Glen Durrant!. Glen and Rob’s game was fantastic and Rob never gave up.

“I thought that if I could come here this and win five or six points I could give myself an opportunity, and I won two games. I had thrown my darts in the bin so I’ve had to get them back now!”

Gerwyn Price needed just one leg to ensure his safety going into Judgement Night, and secured his survival in style with a 7-0 thumping of Challenger Jermaine Wattimena.

The Welshman took just 11 minutes in his convincing demolition job, sealing things with some sensational ton-plus checkouts of 164 and 114 – following up his 7-1 defeat of Gary Anderson with a whitewash of the Dutchman.

“I never thought I’d go out today and it was going to be very unlucky for me not to go through, but after I won a leg I knew I was safe,” said Price. “I played a bit better today and I’m happy to win again.

“Jermaine was scoring okay in patches but was nowhere near his best, and I punished him. I felt good but it’s always easy when you’re scoring well and someone’s two or three darts behind.

“I took my chances and that’s all that matters. I’ve got a chance now to get into the top four and hopefully it keeps going in the right direction.”

Anderson heaped more misery on Michael van Gerwen as he ensured it was back-to-back defeats for the reigning champion with a brilliant 7-4 victory.

Two-time champion Anderson bounced back from his loss to Price in style to keep himself in Play-Off contention.

Van Gerwen started the brighter of the two, but couldn’t shake off Anderson who stuck with him during the opening six legs.

The Scotsman kicked on and crept his average to the 100 mark with some big power scoring and sharp finishing to put the pressure on Van Gerwen before closing out a 7-4 victory.

The defeat capped a disappointing two days for Van Gerwen, who has now dropped to fourth in the table following this defeat and his 7-3 loss to Durrant on Night Eight.

“There were some good parts and I’m happy to take the two points because the table is so tight this year,” said Anderson.

“Michael wasn’t at his best tonight and didn’t score like he can. I’m practising well but it’s still not as good as I want it to be when I get up on stage and I was a bit scratchy.”

Nathan Aspinall was the benefactor from double trouble for Michael Smith as he recovered from 5-3 down to win 7-5 in the opening game of the night.

Having moved 6-5 ahead and guaranteed a point, Aspinall watched on as Smith spurned eight chances to clinch a point, allowing the former UK Open champion to eventually take out 16 to clinch a valuable win.

“Maybe a draw would have been a fair result, but I’m happy to get the win and I’ll take it,” said Aspinall. “I feel like I’ve nicked a point from him but I’ve been in that position many times.

“It’s probably the game I’ve enjoyed most during the Premier League this season. It was a brilliant game to be involved in – we bring the best out of each other and it was another great game. He threw everything at me but I dug deep.

“At the end when he missed those doubles, but it shows that with or without a crowd, you still feel the pressure. I’m loving it though and I’ll take confidence from tonight.”

The remaining eight players will now compete in a further seven league nights from August 28-September 5 to battle for the four spots in October’s Play-Offs.

Friday’s Night Ten will see table-topper Durrant meet resurgent Price, before Scottish World Cup pair Wright and Anderson face off.

Reigning Premier League champion Van Gerwen then faces Aspinall, and Smith takes on Gurney.

The action will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, on PDCTV for Rest of the World Subscribers and through the PDC’s worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and RTL7.

Unibet Premier League

Judgement Night

Thursday August 27

Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes

Nathan Aspinall 7-5 Michael Smith

Michael van Gerwen 4-7 Gary Anderson

Jermaine Wattimena 0-7 Gerwyn Price

Peter Wright 7-4 Daryl Gurney

Glen Durrant 7-4 Rob Cross

League Table

After Judgement Night P W D L +/- LWAT Pts
Glen Durrant 9 6 2 1 +18 21 14
Peter Wright 9 5 2 2 +10 16 12
Nathan Aspinall 9 5 1 3 +5 15 11
Michael van Gerwen 9 5 0 4 +6 16 10
Gary Anderson 9 4 2 3 0 17 10
Gerwyn Price 9 3 3 3 +10 17 9
Michael Smith 9 4 1 4 +2 17 9
Daryl Gurney 9 2 2 5 -8 14 6
Rob Cross (E) 9 1 3 5 -14 17 5

Fixtures – Nights Ten-16

Night Ten

Friday August 28 (1900 BST)

Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes

Glen Durrant v Gerwyn Price

Peter Wright v Gary Anderson

Nathan Aspinall v Michael van Gerwen

Michael Smith v Daryl Gurney

Night 11

Saturday August 29 (1900 BST)

Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes

Daryl Gurney v Peter Wright

Michael Smith v Nathan Aspinall

Gary Anderson v Glen Durrant

Michael van Gerwen v Gerwyn Price

Night 12

Sunday August 30 (1900 BST)

Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes

Nathan Aspinall v Gary Anderson

Peter Wright v Gerwyn Price

Michael van Gerwen v Michael Smith

Glen Durrant v Daryl Gurney

Night 13

Wednesday September 2 (1900 BST)

Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes

Glen Durrant v Michael Smith

Daryl Gurney v Gary Anderson

Peter Wright v Michael van Gerwen

Gerwyn Price v Nathan Aspinall

Night 14

Thursday September 3 (1900 BST)

Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes

Gerwyn Price v Daryl Gurney

Gary Anderson v Michael Smith

Peter Wright v Nathan Aspinall

Glen Durrant v Michael van Gerwen

Night 15

Friday September 4 (1900 BST)

Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes

Daryl Gurney v Nathan Aspinall

Glen Durrant v Peter Wright

Gary Anderson v Michael van Gerwen

Michael Smith v Gerwyn Price

Night 16

Saturday September 5 (1900 BST)

Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes

Peter Wright v Michael Smith

Michael van Gerwen v Daryl Gurney

Nathan Aspinall v Glen Durant

Gerwyn Price v Gary Anderson

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