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tyrone v galway preview team news and live score updates

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meath v kerry preview team news and live score updates

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Kerry v Meath takes in Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney on Sunday. The game throws in at 1pm. We have a preview, team news and betting below. If you can’t make the game be sure to follow our live score updates.

Click here for LIVE GAA SCORE UPDATES

Preview

Kerry come into this game sitting in joint second in the league. They have three points from three games. They have one win, one loss and a draw. The draw came against Dublin 1-19 each in the opening round, while they suffered a loss to Tyrone, before beating Galway narrowly 1-15 to 2-11. Peter Keane has an abundance of talent at his disposal. In fact it’s a mixture of experienced and up and coming players. Players like Tommy Walsh, Paul Geaney and James O’Donoghue are all top class players as is David Clifford, Sean O’Shea and Peter Crowley.

Meath really need a draw here at the very least to have any hope of staying in the division next season. Andy McEntee’s men have struggled in their three games and sit on a scoring difference of -16. They lost to Tyrone 1-14 to 1-09 , then Donegal 3-08 to 0-07, before succumbing to a narrow 1 point loss to fellow relegation contenders Mayo. Donal Keogan, Bryan Menton and Thomas O’Reilly will need to have big performances here.

Team News

Teams have yet to be announced

Kerry (Allianz FL Division 1 v Meath): Shane Ryan; Graham O’Sullivan, Tadhg Morley, Tom O’Sullivan; Paul Murphy, Shane Enright, Gavin White; Liam Kearney, Jack Barry; Micheal Burns, Sean O’Shea, Stephen O’Brien; Dara Moynihan, David Clifford, Paul Geaney.

Meath: TBA

Betting

Kerry are 1/8 to win this game, while Meath are 11/2. For me it simply has to be a Kerry win on recent form. Therefore backing Kerry -6 ay 4/5 is the selection. There is no live coverage of Kerry v Meath so be sure to follow our match tracker above.

Master of None Podcast – Entertaining and informative on England v Ireland

On this week’s Master Of None podcast, the two lads review last weekends rugby and preview the huge game against England on Sunday.
Regular guest Jonathan (A.K.A Westy) and host Stephen preview all 3 games with France v Wales set to be a great match. There is no sign of Sam this week.
As always the podcast if entertaining and informative.

Regular guests:
Sam’s Twitter = @sami_sp
Jonathans ‘s twitter = @j_west91

List and preview of Willie Mullins Cheltenham Runners 2020

We have a review and compiled a list of all Willie Mullins runners at the 2020 Cheltenham Horse racing festival.
Mullins believes Al Boum Photo‘s light campaign is a positive as he gears up to defend his G1 Bulmers Cheltenham Gold Cup crown at Cheltenham on Friday, 13 March, the final day of The Festival™ presented by Bulmers.
Al Boum Photo is bidding to become the first horse since the great Best Mate (2002, 2003 & 2004) to win back-to-back editions of Jumps racing’s Blue Riband.
The eight-year-old has followed the same path to this year’s Bulmers Cheltenham Gold Cup, with his sole appearance resulting in a comfortable victory in the G3 Savills Chase at Tramore on New Year’s Day.
Al Boum Photo will be joined in The Festival showpiece by Kemboy, who had his stablemate’s measure in the G1 Punchestown Gold Cup last April. This season, Kemboy has twice met with defeat at Leopardstown, most recently when pushing Delta Work all the way in the G1 Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup on 2 February.
Ireland’s multiple champion Mullins is the all-time leading handler at The Festival, with 65 winners, and landed The Irish Independent Leading Trainer Award for the sixth time in 2019.
Speaking from his Closutton stables in Co Carlow this morning, Mullins said: “Last season just worked out well for Al Boum Photo, going from Tramore to Cheltenham. I did not even enter him for the Dublin Racing Festival this year, just in case I was tempted to run him. I am probably a creature of habit and when something works, we go back, do it again and hope for the best.
“He is going to come into the race nice and fresh, off a nice confidence-boosting prep run. It can be very hard sometimes for Gold Cup winners to come back and win after their Gold Cup. He has done that, albeit in a G3 race, and that is a fair statistic compared to recent Gold Cup winners. Traditionally, they don’t come back and win the following season or their form takes a huge drop. Some of them don’t come back at all and at least he has done that.
“I don’t think it is a tougher Gold Cup – I thought last year’s race was very tough. I don’t know if he is a better horse this year, as I have not pressed many buttons and he is not a horse who advertises himself at home. All I know he is on target from where we were last year and, with age and experience, he should improve. But statistically, Gold Cup winners find it very hard to come back and win. That is against him, but I think his preparation is probably a plus. He is going there in good order and in a good frame of mind. Normal improvement should come given his age and everything, and if that happens, he should have a fantastic chance.
“I have always been very happy with his jumping. Funnily enough, we thought that the day we bought him, even though he fell. That was in France and he fell at the fifth last or something. We had been following him since the time he was a three-year-old, but he was always too expensive.
“He will go for a gallop or school somewhere before Cheltenham. We were discussing that this morning. That will take place wherever we can get in. It will just be a quiet day away.
Al Boum Photo
“Kemboy will obviously go for the Bulmers Cheltenham Gold Cup. He fell at the first last year and I don’t like it when a horse falls at a track, but I hope he will be better. He put in a nice round of jumping the other day and his two runs this season have been very good. He needed the run at Christmas and then his run in the Irish Gold Cup was fantastic. If he could get a top three of four finish in the Gold Cup, I would be delighted. I suppose on the last day of The Festival, he has a better chance of getting good ground, which would be a help for him all right.”
Mullins provided updates on a galaxy of stars ahead of The Festival, including Betway Champion Chase hope Chacun Pour Soi and evergreen 12-year-old Faugheen.
Mullins said: “Chacun Pour Soi was much better the other day. He needed the run at Christmas. I think he is improving all the time and I am hoping that he is going to be a big player in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.
“I thought Min around Leopardstown was the horse to beat the last day. Min probably did not jump as well as he needed to. We have always thought the world of Chacun Pour Soi, but they still have to go out and do it. That was the sort of performance we were hoping he had in his locker and he came out and did it.
“Now he needs to improve again, but I feel he can improve because he is only just catching up on experience. He has shown us from day one that he could be different class. The day that we first schooled him in Leopardstown really opened my eyes. I sent him there to follow the graded horses around and, within two fences, Danny [Mullins] and him were in front. He led them around and that was spectacular for a horse of his experience. He was just such a natural at it and he showed that at Leopardstown the other day.
“The Champion Chase is the race a lot of people want to watch in Cheltenham. It is a spectacular race. Everyone likes to knock off another achievement and it would be nice to put that one on our CV.
“Myself and Rich [Ricci, owner] have not spoken about where Faugheen runs. Rich actually texted me last night and said, ‘I know it is your press morning tomorrow, do remember we have not spoken about our plans in Cheltenham for two particular horses!’. I think you can guess who the second one is, and that is the party line.
“I was delighted Faugheen was able to come back and win two G1s at Limerick and Leopardstown. He has been in great shape since and that is all I can say. I could not get over the reaction the in stands at Leopardstown from the time they turned in. It looked like he had a chance, then it looked like Easy Game was going to get up and beat him. I have to say I could not get over the reaction of the people. I am rarely moved on a raceourse but that to me was some reception. Florida Pearl got a great one for his fourth Irish Gold Cup and Hurricane Fly always had a great reception, but I thought Faugheen got the best reception I have ever seen. The people down at Limerick the day he won said the same. He is obviously a horse people have great affection for.
“I was disappointed in myself that I did not go chasing with him last season. I suppose people thought the Stayers’ Hurdle was a nice target for him. He is just a horse I have always wanted to go chasing with before he retires. There is a lot of pressure bringing a horse of that age back, because if the worst happened and he got a bad injury, a lot of that was going to fall back on me. That was the risk I had to take, but I felt the horse was in great form, and he still is in great form. Nowadays, not many horses race past 12 years of age, but a 15-year-old won the other day at Navan. We still have Wither Or Which (winner of the 1996 Champion Bumper) out there at 29 years of age. It is a long life for them. I think there is a lot more life in horses than people give them credit for.
Faugheen
“Min will probably go for the Ryanair Chase. I have not discussed him with Rich either! But I suppose he would probably prefer to keep them apart. The trip should not be any bother to him. Duc des Genievres could go for the Ryanair as well. That would be my preference. Certainly in future, he will be going out in trip, possible further than two and a half miles.
“My connections are very keen to go for the Champion Chase with Un De Sceaux. We probably did not get the tactics right in the Ryanair Chase last year. We tried to restrain him whereas this time we will let him do his thing. He still retains a huge amount of ability at his age. I would like to see lots of rain for him, as I think soft ground is crucial. I think part of the plan could be that Patrick [Mullins] will ride him in Champion Chase.
“Cilaos Emery after his win at Gowran (G3 Red Mulls Trial Hurdle, 15 February) will be supplemented for the Unibet Champion Hurdle. The thinking is that he will have a better chance of being placed in a Champion Hurdle than he would in the Champion Chase. The Red Mills race came up, so we said let’s see what he can do, and he did it. The prize money won there will go towards the funds for Cheltenham. He was not spectacular in winning in Gowran, but I loved what he did from the third last after making a complete mess of it. He put the race to bed in few strides, which was good enough for me and Luke [McMahon, owner] to make the decision to supplement. It is such an open Champion Hurdle. It has been hard to get horses to the race this year – that has been half the battle. When you see the injuries that have beset horses going for the Champion Hurdle, not just here but from other yards as well, it shows just how tough it is getting horses to Cheltenham.
“Sharjah will also run. His run the other day in Leopardstown was terrible. We don’t know why he did it, although he missed the first hurdle down the back. He is usually an excellent jumper and hopefully he can put that behind him. I would prefer if the Champion Hurdle was run on the last day for him, as he wants drier ground. I would imagine Patrick will ride him.
“Benie Des Dieux is in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle. She was a very unlucky loser there last year. She is also in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle. I would like to go back and get a bit of unfinished business done. You are guaranteed softer ground on the first day of The Festival and that is a big plus for her. She is a hell of a mare.
“I thought what she did in France last year [winning French Champion Hurdle] was probably completely missed by people over here. She beat their unbeaten mare De Bon Coeur and in France I don’t think they could believe what she did at Auteuil. Had she stood up in Cheltenham last year, maybe things would be different, but then again maybe they would be the same because I am a creature of habit.
“I curtailed her chasing career because it is easier to win money and keep them sound over hurdles. She has not raced a lot and that is because I had soundness issues with her. It is all very well planning difficult races for her, but I have got her to a stage now where I can run her two or three times a year, and I would like to stay at that. If she ever went chasing again, she could line up in a Gold Cup any day of the week. Three miles and two furlongs would not be any trouble to her.
“Stormy Ireland has booked her ticket for the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle. Her win at Naas was very good and I was very pleased. We tend to let her do what she wants to do and that is the way she likes to run. She is a bit more relaxed now, but she does like to be there or thereabouts.
“Penhill ran very well in Navan [2nd in Boyne Hurdle] the other day. He came out of the race well. He normally comes out of his races a bit stiff. I had to get that run into him and I think he needed it. Paul (Townend, jockey) said he thought he was going to win at the second last and then he took a blow. That should put him right for the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle.
“I have managed to get more runs into him this season. As he has got older, he is taking a lot more training. He is holding on to his condition much more, which is a good thing, but means it is harder for me to get him ready. The run the other day should help put him in the right place, but he will need an away day as well I think.
 
“Bacardys will also run in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle. He ran well in it a couple of years ago. I ran him back too quickly after he won at Navan in November.
“Cash Back is going for the Racing Post Arkle Novices’ Chase. He reminds of me of Un De Sceaux because he has that style of racing and training. He is a horse who gets on with it at home; he just loves to run and jump. This is the sort of weather I would like for him. If there is soft ground or heavy in the description, I will be very pleased. We like to think our horses can improve going into Cheltenham. Notebook will have had more experience than us. Our fella is gaining in experience whereas Notebook might have got all he is going to get. That is my hope. Cash Back’s attitude is why he reminds me of Un De Sceaux. He has a great attitude to race. He has the never say die attitude.
“Melon will go for the Marsh Novices’ Chase over two and a half. I think the last day [finished 4th over 2m] he showed us that he needs a trip. His jumping, while it’s good, is not sharp enough for the Arkle. He has good form at The Festival without winning – two seconds in the Champion Hurdle and a second in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Perhaps we have been running him over the wrong trip the whole time! He may even be a three-mile horse because he seems to gallop all day. If he gets a clear round in the Marsh, I think he will go close.
“It is still up for grabs with Easy Game. He could go for the Marsh Novices’ Chase or RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase. I would like to go where the ground is going to be best with this fella. I think that will dictate where he goes. His improvement over fences is extraordinary. The day we bought him we were looking at him as a hurdle horse that could maybe go back on the Flat. I did not dream that he would ever jump a fence. Robbie Power was buzzing when he got off him last time – he said he is a complete natural and that he’d ride him anywhere over fences. He is a horse who has surprised me nicely.
“Allaho will probably go for the RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase, that is the thinking anyway having spoken to Cheveley Park. He is light on experience, but he gallops and jumps.
“I was chatting to Ruby, Patrick and David Casey this morning and whilst we know he stays and gallops, he was quite keen. That is the only reason we may go back for the Marsh Novices’ Chase. I remember with a horse called Black Hercules, we were thinking of the four miler, for which he was favourite, and then he ended up winning the Marsh. This fella could be a little like that, that is my only worry. A few of us just feel we should see how his final bits of work go before deciding. Minella Indo beat him twice last year but I am not sure we used the right tactics. I would let him use his stride and jumping.
“We picked the National Hunt Chase a long way out for Carefully Selected, well Patrick did anyway! He looks born and bred for it, and Patrick is looking forward to riding him. He gallops and jumps and, although he does not look fast, he has more speed than watching him suggests. The opposition jockeys would look at him in the parade ring and think ‘he’s a plodder’. He is not the handsomest brute in the place, but he has more speed than he appears to have.
“Tornado Flyer disappointed me a bit over two miles. I thought he could cut the mustard over two – he is closely related to Hurricane Fly. The last day he told me that he needs two and a half. He will go for the Marsh Novices’ Chase I would imagine. Royal Rendezvous is owned by Randox Health who sponsor the Grand National. He could run here too.
“I spoke to Joe Donnelly [owner] about Asterion Forlonge and he said do whatever you want. At the moment, we feel the horse should go for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and that is where we are headed.
“I had been aiming this horse for the Albert Bartlett. I had two races marked out the first day he ran over hurdles, one in Cork and one in Naas. I decided to run Golden Spread in the three miler at Cork and this fella in the two miler at Naas, so when Golden Spread got beaten out of sight, I said: ‘Jesus, not only have I run this horse in the wrong race, now I am going to get the other fella beaten.’ I said to Paul on the day, just jump out and make it because this fella shows us no speed at home, and then he bolted in. I said after we would leave him in the two-mile race at Leopardstown, as on good ground that will tell us where to go in Cheltenham, and he answered that question.
“It is very sporting of Joe to run him and Shishkin in the Supreme, but that has always been Joe’s attitude. He says do whatever you think you should do with the horses. I am sure he says the same to Nicky Henderson. The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is a great start to The Festival, and it should be the same this year. Berkshire Royal is still in there. I have not got a run into him, as he had stone bruise before Leopardstown. He did a bit of work yesterday and is in great shape. I think he is good enough but obviously he would lack huge experience. I ran Concertista first time out in the mares’ novice last year and I could do the same with this fella, depending on how he works.
“We will keep Asterion Forlonge and The Big Getaway apart. Having spoken to my team this morning, we are pretty happy that The Big Getaway goes for the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.
“I was delighted with him last time and he is coming along nicely. You look at him and just think ‘we will be talking about him next year,’ because he looks a chaser everywhere. I hope he can run a good race in Cheltenham, although the Ballymore looks a bloody hot race.
“I would imagine Monkfish will go for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. His form got a boost yesterday. He was very green in his first run at Fairyhouse – he looked like he had never been on a racecourse before. We changed a few tactics next time and it worked. I think he is improving. He is a light-framed horse who does not take a lot of training. He is one for the future.
“Lord Royal was disappointing yesterday, but I am not losing faith in him. He could still pitch up here as well. I thought he looked very green yesterday.
“Aione has won two auction hurdles. If he travels, I imagine he will go for the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle, although he could stay at home for the Red Mills auction final. I am reliably informed that he is named after a river in Russia, although when I put it in Google Maps it came up as somewhere in Italy!
“Janidil is in all the handicaps and we will see what mark he gets, but I am thinking does he have a good profile for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle? He has lots of runs and his rating of 145 is good enough to be there. I like the fact we have run all season. Perhaps connections (J P McManus) have something better for the Albert Bartlett, but I would like to look at it. Mark Walsh loves him.
“Colreevy is still in a few of the novices’ hurdles. Although we will have a few in the Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, realistically she has to go there. I think Dolcita is quite good and she will run here as well. She ran badly at Fairyhouse [finished third] and disappointed us, but I think there is way more to come from her. Lamarckise is still in the picture for this. She looks a nice type. She has been hard to train and I think it was her ability that got her through the other day, as Paul said she blew up five times. That is the expression he used anway. Whatever she does in Cheltenham, she will be a nice mare for the future.
“Appreciate It has done everything right on last couple of runs. He looks to have a big chance in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper. Although he is by Jeremy, he is a big chasing type. He gallops all day and has a huge cruising speed, which is probably what you need for Cheltenham. He would have to be one of our main hopes of the week. Ferny Hollow could also go here. He is entered at Fairyhouse this weekend, so we will see what happens there. Five Bar Brian had a good run in England, had a bit of trouble, and he ended up over here. He won the other day and I think there is a lot of improvement. I think connections would like to have a runner at The Festival. We will see how he is. To me, Eric Bloodaxe looked the best bumper horse in Ireland until his run the last day.
“Franco De Port will be entered in all the handicaps. I am trying to think which one he will get in to. I would say the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle could be the race. We decided to make the running on him at Limerick over Christmas and it was the wrong decision – it probably gutted him. He ran better behind Stormy Ireland at Naas and, given what he showed me before Limerick, we think he is a nice sort.
“Ciel De Neige ran a cracker the other day to be second in the Betfair Hurdle, perhaps a shade unlucky. He is in all the handicaps over in Cheltenham. He went up 3lb for Newbury.
“Billaway runs in the St James’s Place Foxhunter Chase. I thought he was very impressive in Naas, and I love Naas as a track to trial any horse for Cheltenham. He is a young horse coming through the ranks and put away some half decent hunters. I think he has a big chance.”
Willie Mullins
 
Closutton, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow
 

Synopsis – Willie Mullins is the all-time leading trainer at The Festival™ presented by Bulmers, with 65 successes – one more than Nicky Henderson. He has won The Irish Independent Leading Trainer Award at six of the last nine Festivals (2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2019).
He sent out a record-breaking eight winners at The Festival in 2015, beating Nicky Henderson’s seven achieved in 2012. This record was equalled by Gordon Elliott in 2018.
Mullins has built up a formidable team of horses at his Co Carlow base and has been Ireland’s champion Jump trainer for the last 12 seasons and 13 times in all.
Born – September 15, 1956
Background – Six-time amateur champion rider in Ireland, Mullins both rode and trained Wither Or Which to win the 1996 Weatherbys Champion Bumper. He also partnered two other winners at The Festival, both in the National Hunt Chase, Hazy Dawn (1982) and Macks Friendly (1984).
He hails from one of Ireland’s most famous racing families, one of five children of the late Paddy Mullins, the outstanding all-round trainer, whose most famous star was Dawn Run, winner of the 1984 Champion Hurdle and 1986 Cheltenham Gold Cup (the only horse to win both races).
Willie started training in 1988, having been assistant to his father and Jim Bolger. He is married to Jackie, who is very involved in the training business, and their son Patrick has been Ireland’s champion amateur rider the last 10 seasons. Patrick is the most successful amateur rider ever in Ireland, passing the 600-winner mark in 2019.
First Winner as a Trainer – Silver Batchelor, M & J Gleeson INH Flat Race, Thurles, February 18, 1988. He also rode the horse.
The top 10 trainers of all-time at The Festival™ presented by Bulmers
 
65 WILLIE MULLINS IRE (1995-PRESENT)
64 Nicky Henderson (1985-Present)
45 Paul Nicholls (1999-present)
40 Fulke Walwyn (1946-86)
34 Martin Pipe (1981-2006)
28 Fred Winter (1970-1988)
27 Fred Rimell (1948-1981)
26 Tom Dreaper IRE (1946-1971)
26 Jonjo O’Neill (1991-present)
25 Gordon Elliott IRE (2011-present)
 
Willie Mullins’ record 65 winners at The Festival™ presented by Bulmers
 
1995: 1 – Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Tourist Attraction)
1996: 1 – Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Wither Or Which)
1997: 1 – Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Florida Pearl)
1998: 2 – RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase (Florida Pearl), Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Alexander Banquet)
2000: 1 – Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Joe Cullen)
2002: 1 – JCB Triumph Hurdle (Scolardy)
2004: 1 – RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase (Rule Supreme)
2005: 1 – Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Missed That)
2007: 1 – Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Ebaziyan)
2008: 2 – Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Fiveforthree), Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Cousin Vinny)
2009: 3 – Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Quevega), Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Mikael D’Haguenet), RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase (Cooldine)
2010: 2 – Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Quevega), Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle (Thousand Stars)
2011: 4 – Unibet Champion Hurdle (Hurricane Fly), Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Quevega), Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle (Final Approach), Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Sir Des Champs)
2012: 3 – Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Quevega), Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Champagne Fever), Marsh Novices’ Chase (Sir Des Champs)
2013: 5 – Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Champagne Fever), Unibet Champion Hurdle (Hurricane Fly), Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Quevega), National Hunt Chase (Back In Focus), Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Briar Hill)
2014: 4 – Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Vautour), Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Quevega), Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Faugheen), Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Don Poli)
2015: 8 – Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Douvan), Racing Post Arkle Novices’ Chase (Un De Sceaux), Unibet Champion Hurdle (Faugheen), Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Glens Melody), RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase (Don Poli), MARSH Novices’ Chase (Vautour), Randox Health County Hurdle (Wicklow Brave), Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Killultagh Vic)
2016: 7 – Racing Post Arkle Novices’ Chase (Douvan), Unibet Champion Hurdle (Annie Power), Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Vroum Vroum Mag), Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Yorkhill), Marsh Novices’ Chase (Black Hercules), Ryanair Chase (2016 Vautour), Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Limini)
2017: 6 – Marsh Novices’ Chase (Yorkhill), Ryanair Chase (Un De Sceaux), Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Nichols Canyon), Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Let’s Dance), Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle (Arctic Fire), Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Penhill)
2018: 7 – Racing Post Arkle Novices’ Chase (Footpad), Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Benie Des Dieux), National Hunt Chase (Rathvinden), Coral Cup (Bleu Berry), Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Relegate), Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Penhill), Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdles (Laurina).
2019: 4 – Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Klassical Dream), Racing Post Arkle Novices’ Chase (Duc De Genievres), Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Eglantine Du Seuil), Bulmers Cheltenham Gold Cup (Al Boum Photo)
Winner of The Irish Independent Leading Trainer Award at The Festival: 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019
                              
Willie Mullins’ entries so far at The Festival™ presented by Bulmers
First Day – Tuesday, March 10 (Old Course)
1.30pm £125,000 Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 87y – Asterion Forlonge, Berkshire Royal, Blackbow, Elixir d’Ainay, Francin, Lucky One, Tiger Tap Tap
2.10pm £175,000 Racing Post Arkle Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 1m 7f 199y – Bapaume, Cash Back
2.50pm £110,000 Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase (Grade 3) 3m 1f – Entries revealed February 20
3.30pm £450,000 Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 87y – Aramon, Sharjah
4.10pm £120,000 Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 3f 200y – Benie des Dieux, Buildmeupbuttercup, Eglantine du Seuil, Elfile, Great White Shark, Laurina, My Sister Sarah, Stormy Ireland
4.50pm £70,000 Northern Trust Company Novices’ Handicap Chase (Listed) 2m 4f 44y – Entries revealed February 20
5.30pm £125,000 National Hunt Chase (Amateur Riders’ Novices’ Chase) (Grade 2) 3m 7f 147y – Carefully Selected
 
Second Day – Wednesday, March 11 (Old Course & Cross Country)
1.30pm £125,000 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 5f – Aione, Asterion Forlonge, Berkshire Royal, Colreevy, Elixir d’Ainay, Five O’clock, Francin, Lord Royal, Lucky One, The Big Getaway, Tiger Tap Tap, Vent d’Automne
 
2.10pm £175,000 RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 3m 80y – Allaho, Castlebawn West, Easy Game, Faugheen, Salsaretta, Tornado Flyer
2.50pm £100,000 Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m 5f – Entries revealed February 20
3.30pm £400,000 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) 1m 7f 99y – Chacun Pour Soi, Cilaos Emery, Duc des Genievres, Min, Un de Sceaux
4.10pm £65,000 Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase 3m 6f 37y – Entries close February 25
4.50pm £80,000 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m 87y – Entries revealed February 20
5.30pm £75,000 Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1) 2m 87y – Entries close February 25
Third Day – Thursday, March 12 (New Course)
1.30pm £150,000 Marsh Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 2m 3f 166y – Allaho, Bapaume, Castlebawn West, Easy Game, Faugheen, Melon, Royal Rendezvous, Salsaretta, Tornado Flyer
2.10pm £100,000 Pertemps Network Final (Handicap Hurdle) (Grade 3) 2m 7f 213y – Entries revealed February 20
2.50pm £350,000 Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4f 127y – Cadmium, Chacun Pour Soi, Cilaos Emery, Duc des Genievres, Min, Real Steel, Un de Sceaux, Voix du Reve
3.30pm £325,000 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 7f 213y – Bacardys, Benie des Dieux, Killultagh Vic, Laurina, Penhill
4.10pm £110,000 Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate (Handicap Chase) (Grade 3) 2m 4f 166y – Entries revealed February 20
4.50pm £90,000 Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 179y – Entries close February 25
5.30pm £70,000 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase 3m 2f – Entries revealed February 20
Fourth Day – Friday, March 13 (New Course)
1.30pm £125,000 JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 179y – Burning Victory, Hook Up
2.10pm £100,000 Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m 179y – Entries revealed February 20
2.50pm £125,000 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 7f 213y – Aione, Asterion Forlonge, Colreevy, Drury, Eden Flight, Et Dite, Five O’clock, Francin, Janidil, Lord Royal, Monkfish, The Big Getaway, Vent d’Automne, Vis Ta Loi
3.30pm £625,000 Bulmers Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1) 3m 2f 70y – Al Boum Photo, Kemboy, Real Steel
4.10pm £45,000 St James’s Place Foxhunter Chase 3m 2f 70y – Entries close February 25
4.50pm £110,000 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 2m 62y – Entries revealed February 20
5.30pm £70,000 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (0-145) 2m 4f 56y – Entries revealed February 20
 

3 Greatest Goalkeepers of All Time

Many say that the goalkeeper is the most important player on the field. Their performance can have a dramatic effect on the outcome of a game. And any hesitation or delay on their part can mean the difference between a win or a loss. With this in mind, here are the three greatest ball custodians in soccer’s history. 

 

Lev Yashin

 

Nicknamed the Black Spider for his black attire (he even used to wear goalkeeper gloves in the hue) Lev Yashin played for Dynamo Moscow from 1950 to 1970 (unlike many other soccer stars, he only ever played for one club). Throughout his career, he played 395 games for the club and represented it at three World Cups, winning gold for the Soviet Union at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne (the first World Cup to be broadcasted internationally). Yashin is known for his offensive style of defense—instead of waiting for the action to come to him, he would leave his line to intercept crosses and meet oncoming attackers. Yashin has received numerous accolades, including the Ballon d’Or—he has been the only goalkeeper in history to receive one. He has also been named the best goalkeeper of the 20th century by the IFFHS. When questioned about the secret of his success, Yashin famously responded: “have a smoke to calm your nerves, then toss back a strong drink to tone your muscles.” 

 

Oliver Kahn

 

The only goalkeeper to ever win the Golden Ball, which he was awarded at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Kahn spent 14 years playing for Bayern Munich. While playing for the club, he won the 2001 Championship League, eight league cups and six national cups. Kahn was frequently nicknamed The Titan or King Khan due to his stamina, discipline and aggressive playing style. Probably the best known moment in Kahn’s 21-year football career came when he saved a penalty shot in the 2001 Champions League final, helping Bayern secure their first European Cup in 25 years. Another highlight was his performance at the 2002 World Cup finals in South Korea/Japan where his skills ensured his team’s spot in the finals.

 

Peter Schmeichel

 

Hailing from Denmark, Peter Schmeichel is probably most famous for his eight years with Manchester United, where he won the 1999 Champions League Final, five Premier League titles and three FA Cups. Over his career, he has also played for Brondby and Sporting Lisbon. Significantly, the Dane has also won the 1992 European Championship with Denmark and holds 129 national caps. Rather intimidating in the penalty area, Schmeichel is well known for what some refer to as ‘starfish,’ or star jump, saves. The IFFHS voted Schmeichel the World’s Best Goalkeeper in 1992 and 1993, and ranked him among the top ten goalkeepers of the 20th century in 2000 and 2001. He has also won the accolade of the best goalkeeper ever in a 200,000-participant poll held by Reuters. Interestingly, Schmeichel often ventured into the opposition’s area when his team was losing and even scored 11 goals throughout his career.

 

Bangkok v Dubai Warrior – Saturday’s Winter Derby

A fascinating showdown between high class four-year-olds Bangkok and Dubai Warrior comes to fruition in the £100,000 G3 Betway Winter Derby (3.15pm) at Lingfield Park this Saturday, February 22.
The 10-furlong Polytrack contest, one of the highlights of the All-Weather Championships, is a Fast-Track Qualifier for the £200,000 Betway Easter Classic over the course and distance on Finals Day, Good Friday, April 10.
Bangkok (Andrew Balding/Silvestre de Sousa), a G3 scorer on turf, and Dubai Warrior (John Gosden/Frankie Dettori) have staked their claim for Betway Winter Derby honours with wide margin victories over the course and distance.
Bangkok made a sparkling All-Weather debut when defeating last year’s runner-up Court House (John Gosden/Kieran O’Neill) in the Listed Betway Winter Derby Trial on February 1, while Dubai Warrior also had his stablemate in behind when landing the Listed Betway Quebec Stakes on December 21, his fourth win from five starts on the All-Weather. Bangkok is the 18/25 favourite with Betway, with Dubai Warrior next in at 2/1.
Bangkok winning the Betway Winter Derby Trial
The opposition includes Dalargno (Jane Chapple-Hyam/Ben Curtis), who captured the Listed Prix Lyphard, a Fast-Track Qualifier, at Deauville in November. He has since finished third behind Dubai Warrior and Bangkok in their respective course and distance victories.
The 2018 Betway Winter Derby hero Master The World (David Elsworth/David Probert) is aiming to become the first multiple winner of the race. Now a nine-year-old, he finished fifth behind Bangkok in the Betway Winter Derby Trial, his first start since July.
Pactolus (Stuart Williams/Richard Kingscote), a 12-time winner on the All-Weather, and Entangling (David Elsworth/William Carson) complete the seven contenders.
Betway Winter Derby – Betway prices: 18/25 Bangkok; 2/1 Dubai Warrior; 12/1 Court House; 25/1 Dalgarno; 33/1 Entangling, Master The World, Pactolus
EW ¼ odds 1,2
Dubai Warrior landing the Betway Quebec Stakes
Lingfield Park’s seven-race card also includes the £45,000 Listed Betway Hever Sprint Stakes (2.05pm, eight runners) over five furlongs, in which this season’s leading All-Weather sprinter Good Effort (Ismail Mohammed/Ben Curtis) goes for a fourth straight victory.
After plundering a conditions race at Deauville in December, the five-year-old landed a five-furlong Fast-Track Qualifier at Newcastle on January 8 and then posted his best performance to date in the Listed Betway Cleves Stakes at Lingfield Park on February 1.
Progressive filly Hareem Queen (PJ McDonald) finished third, beaten a length, behind Good Effort in the Fast-Track Qualifier at Newcastle. The daughter of Dark Angel has since captured a five-furlong handicap at Southwell on January 23, her third win from four starts on the Fibresand surface.
Trainer Karl Burke said today: “Hareem Queen is in great form and I am very happy with her.
“I am slightly concerned about the track at Lingfield and whether or not it will play to her strengths.
“We are chasing some black type, so we felt we would give it a go, but the only negative in my mind would be the downhill run of the track.
“She was not beaten far by Good Effort at Newcastle and, looking at Saturday’s race, we think we have a good chance of finishing in the first three, provided she handles the track.”
The 2017 Betway Hever Sprint Stakes victor Royal Birth (Stuart Williams/Richard Kingscote) is bidding to become the first horse since Arganil (2009 & 2010) to win multiple runnings of the race.
Corinthia Knight (Archie Watson/Luke Morris), who captured the Ladbrokes Three-Year-Old All-Weather Championship on Finals Day in 2018, and recent Wolverhampton scorer Watchable (David O’Meara/Shane Gray) also run.
Betway Hever Sprint Stakes – Betway prices: 7/4 Good Effort; 9/2 Furious; 6/1 Hareem Queen, Watchable; 8/1 Royal Birth; 11/1 Puds; 14/1 Corinthia Knight; 28/1 Chitra
EW ¼ 1,2

Irish Women’s Soccer : 2020 Fixture List

The nine-team league, which welcomes Athlone Town, Bohemians and Treaty United into the Women’s National League for the first time, will kick-off on Saturday, March 14.

Bohemians will welcome Athlone Town, Galway Women’s travel to Tolka Park to face Shelbourne and Wexford Youths host DLR Waves on the opening day.

Champions Peamount United will travel to Cork City a day later whilst Treaty United will play their first match a week later at home to Wexford Youths on Sunday, March 22.

 

Super League Basketball seasons draw nearer to the home stretch

Belfast Star will look to grasp their eighth consecutive win when they play host to Hula Hoops National Cup finalists, DBS Éanna.

Star will hope that the outstanding form of Delaney Blaylock will roll over into this contest, notching an astronomical 50-points in last week’s encounter with UCD Marian. However, Éanna will look to overcome the scoring power of Coach Adrian Fulton’s side wit hot-hand, Stefan Zecevic, who posted 20-points in their match with DCU Saints at the weekend.

Elsewhere in the Men’s Super League, Keane’s Supervalu Killorglin make the short journey to the Tralee Sports Complex to face Garvey’s Tralee Warriors. Killorglin handled their business against a struggling Abbey Seals Dublin Lions outfit at the weekend, with Rami Gahanem’s 26-points allowing the Kerry side to cruise to a 12-point victory. They’ll need a perfect performance to stand a chance against a red-hot Warriors side who dispatched of Moycullen last week by a substantial 18-points, having four different men in double-digit scoring.

Cup Champions, Griffith College Templeogue, will do battle with DCU Saints this Saturday also. Saints have had a fluctuating run of form, losing by 28-points to Éanna on Saturday after gliding past a strong UCD Marian crowd a week previous. Templeogue will hope that their run of form will continue, with usual suspects Lorcan Murphy (31), Neil Randolph (18) and Jason Killeen (16) leading the scoring in their victory over Maree last time out.

UCD Marian journey south to face bottom-side, Abbey Seals Dublin Lions at 17:30 this Saturday. Both camps will be looking to bounce back from the weekend, following defeats at the hands of Belfast Star and Killorglin respectively. James Gormley’s performance in the last game will offer hope to this Lions squad, dropping 22-points in that defeat.

Coughlan CandS Neptune will welcome Moycullen to their stadium Saturday evening in Cork. Moycullen will look to call a halt to their recent slide, dropping the last four games in a row. Neptune were unfortunate in their loss against Killester, seeing five different players post 15-points or more on the night. Player-coach Lehmon Colbert will hope for more of the same this weekend with both sides determined for a victory.

Galway side, Maree, will face up against the team a spot above them on the Super League ladder, Pyrobel Killester, when they take to Calasanctius College in the late game Saturday evening. Killester will hope the scoring of Kason Harrell (26) and Tomas Fernandez (26) will carry over into this mid-table matchup. Maree will look to put their last game behind them, with the match being essentially over as a contest before halftime against Templeogue.

 

In the Women’s Super League, Maree play host to Pyrobel Killester in what promises to be a close encounter. Killester could do the table-topping DCU Mercy a favour, by keeping the gap at six-points before they tip-off a day later. Maree will hope the form of Claire Rockall and Carly McClendon will shine through, in a win that would maintain their hounding pressure on DCU Mercy.

The league leaders make the typically testing journey to Cork’s Parochial Hall to face Singleton Supervalu Brunell in the only Sunday Super League game of the weekend. DCU took care of business last time out, largely thanks to the serial scoring of Meredith Burkhall (31) and Ashley Russell (28). Brunell’s Treyanna Clay will look to help break the winning run of DCU Mercy, with her scoring (29) carrying the Nellies over IT Carlow in the last game.

Ambassador UCC Glanmire set sail for Waterford where they’ll come up against mid-table Maxol WIT Wildcats. Glanmire rolled over the struggling Marble City Hawks with a scoreline of 82-39 in their last fixture. Top scorer, Shrita Parker (29) will be desperate to make an impact in an away game that could cause problems for the Cork side. Wildcats will hope to defend home-turf after losing at the hands of Liffey Celtics a week previous, Maria Palarino (17) was the top-scorer for the Waterford outfit during the defeat.

Marble City Hawks will be desperate to clinch their first victory on the year when they play IT Carlow at home. This matchup sees the two bottom teams face off in what could potentially be a relegation decider. A win for Hawks would see them leapfrog Carlow in the table, putting them level on points, with Hawks having the edge on points difference. A win for Carlow, spurred on by leading scorer, Kaitlyn Slagus, could be what they need to solidify them in next year’s Super League campaign.

In the Men’s Division One, Tradehouse Central Ballincollig once again look to strengthen their position at the top of the table, the Cork side playing host to EJ Sligo All-Stars. Sligo will travel in an attempt to hand Kieran O’Sullivan’s charges their first loss of the season and bring some of the trailing pack back into contention. They will take confidence in the outcome of the reverse of this fixture, Ballincollig scraping a two-point victory on their travels in November.
Scotts Lakers St Paul’s Killarney could get a firm grip on a second-place finish should they win at home to Fr Mathews, another Cork side sitting one win behind their neighbours. After a run of poor results in the new year, Mathews will look to feed on their momentum gained from a two-game win streak.
Having dropped more points last weekend, LYIT Donegal open the door for a number of teams to snatch the fourth place spot from them come the season’s end. Niall McDermott’s team will be determined to not let this happen when they make the trip to Portlaoise where Panthers await.
Limerick Celtics are one win better off than Donegal, and they can keep the teams higher up on their toes should they defeat McGowans Tolka Rovers at home.
IT Carlow and Limerick Sports Eagles will feel they are very much in the hunt for a playoff spot as they face Waterford Vikings and Ulster University Elks respectively.

Team Tom McCarthy’s St Marys could edge closer to securing a top spot in the Southern Conference in the Women’s Division One, the Castleisland side facing Griffith College Templeogue on the road this weekend. Portlaoise Panthers will look to keep the pressure on their opponentst at the top of the conference when they play NUIG Mystics in Galway. Mystics struggled against St Marys last weekend, so Panthers will be full of confidence when they make the journey west.
Elsewhere, UL Huskies seek to finish their campaign on a high by defeating Swords Thunder, both teams struggling in their respective conferences, while Phoenix Rockets and Tipperary Knights lock horns in Belfast.

Premier League Darts Cardiff – Review, Results and Table

It was night three of the Premier League darts, it was in Cardiff and we had the results, review and updated league table.

The big shock of the night was that Nathan Aspinall inflicted a first Unibet Premier League defeat of 2020 on Michael van Gerwen, while Gerwyn Price was held to a 6-6 draw by Daryl Gurney in the Welsh capital.

Having been at his imperious best in the opening two nights of action, five-time Premier League champion Van Gerwen was halted in his tracks by Aspinall who won 7-5 in front of a sell-out crowd at Motorpoint Arena.

Following a mixed start to his maiden campaign with a win and a loss in his opening two matches, Aspinall got off to a great start against the world number one as he pinned a 110 checkout on his way to a 4-2 lead.

Van Gerwen hit back with three successive legs to hit the front, only for Aspinall to stop the rot with a last dart double 18.

The 11th leg saw Van Gerwen hit some uncharacteristically low scores, and Aspinall took full advantage, hitting double top in each of the last two legs to rack up his third win in six attempts against the Dutchman.

“I feel like I’ve arrived in the Premier League now, it doesn’t get much better than beating the best player in the world on the Premier League stage,” a delighted Aspinall explained.

“I haven’t been at all happy with how I played in the first two weeks, which makes it an even better feeling to play well tonight.

“It was important for me to prove to everyone and myself that I can play well in the Premier League.

“I enjoyed every minute of it up there tonight and I think that’s when I’m at my best. The crowd were fantastic.

“I was disappointed with how I played against Michael at the World Championship so it was nice to get one back over him.”

Welsh number one Price was unable to deliver a win for his army of fans as he drew for the third consecutive week, this time against Gurney, who picked up his first point of the campaign.

A tight affair, in which both players missed a number of darts at double, saw the opening eight legs all go with throw before Price struck the first break to go 5-4 ahead.

Undeterred, Gurney won back-to-back legs to secure the draw, but Price held firm in the last leg to maintain his unbeaten start to the season.

“The crowd tonight were fantastic, I wish I could’ve won for them but it wasn’t to be,” said Price.

“Fair play to Daryl for hitting his doubles under pressure, he deserved something from the match.

“I’m not happy but I’ve picked up a point so it’s not all bad.

“Everyone is playing well against me lately but it’s time to start converting draws into wins.”

Price’s World Cup teammate Jonny Clayton suffered a baptism of fire on his Premier League debut, as Michael Smith produced the performance of the night to claim a 7-1 victory, ending his ten-match winless run in the Premier League.

Welsh number two Clayton, the highest-ranked of this year’s nine Challengers, took the opening leg but had no answer to a Smith onslaught, which saw the former Premier League runner-up average 105.51.

A 167 finish from Smith put daylight between the pair at 4-1 and three legs later he wrapped up victory with a 142 finish to taste victory in the Premier League for the first time since March.

“I’m over the moon to get my first win of the season, I can’t believe it’s been ten games since I last won in the Premier League,” said Smith.

“Jonny gave me a couple of legs at the start and the 167 really did change things.

“Once I got a lead I was telling myself not to make the same mistake as last week; I was really angry with myself that I threw that one away.”

Glen Durrant is the early leader in the standings after he made it two wins from three with an eye-catching 7-4 defeat of Gary Anderson.

Having salvaged a point against Fallon Sherrock on Night Two, Durrant was at his clinical best as he landed finishes of 107, 89 and 85 on his way to a 5-1 lead.

Two-time Premier League champion Anderson hit back with checkouts of 122 and 64, but Durrant maintained control of the contest to move to the table summit.

“I’m in a great place right now, I never thought I would be top of the Premier League at any point of my career,” Durrant admitted.

“To beat one of the all-time greats in Gary in front of this amazing crowd is an unbelievable feeling.

“I can’t say I enjoyed the Fallon game last week but tonight absolutely made up for it.

“I wish I was bullish and say ‘I’m going to finish in the top four’ but that’s not the person I am.

“I still just want to avoid being eliminated so that will be my focus until I achieve that goal.”

World Champion Peter Wright eventually found his way to a first victory of the campaign with a 7-5 defeat of Rob Cross, though Wright averaged over 20 points more than his opponent for much of the contest.

With Cross struggling to find his range on the trebles, Wright took advantage to race into a 3-0 lead thanks to a trio of 13-dart legs.

Former World Champion Cross fought back and took the match all the way to a 12th leg, but after the former World Champion failed to take out 126, Wright found a last dart double five to condemn Cross to his first loss of the season.

“I made it hard work for myself, and Rob is never going to give you a game,” said Wright.

“Rob is a fantastic player so I’m happy to get the win against him.

“I’m finding it hard work up there, I’m putting pressure on myself and I need to relax a little bit more.”

The 2020 Unibet Premier League continues with Night Four in Dublin on Thursday February 27 as Republic of Ireland’s World Cup runner-up William O’Connor stars as a Challenger against Van Gerwen, while table-topper Durrant meets Aspinall in the battle of the newcomers.

2020 Unibet Premier League Night Three
Thursday February 20
Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
Peter Wright 7-5 Rob Cross
Michael Smith 7-1 Jonny Clayton
Nathan Aspinall 7-5 Michael van Gerwen
Daryl Gurney 6-6 Gerwyn Price
Glen Durrant 7-4 Gary Anderson

Night Four
Thursday February 27
3Arena, Dublin
Glen Durrant v Nathan Aspinall
Rob Cross v Gary Anderson
Daryl Gurney v Michael Smith
William O’Connor v Michael van Gerwen
Gerwyn Price v Peter Wright
Tickets: SOLD OUT

League Table after Night Three

P W D L +/- LWAT Pts
Glen Durrant 3 2 1 0 +7 7 5
Michael van Gerwen 3 2 0 1 +6 6 4
Nathan Aspinall 3 2 0 1 +4 8 4
Michael Smith 3 1 1 1 +2 3 3
Rob Cross 3 1 1 1 0 6 3
Gerwyn Price 3 0 3 0 0 6 3
Peter Wright 3 1 1 1 0 5 3
Gary Anderson 3 1 1 1 -1 5 3
Daryl Gurney 3 0 1 2 -8 3 1

Munster trio sign new deals

Munster trio Andrew Conway, Billy Holland and Jeremy Loughman have all signed new deals with the province.

Andrew Conway has signed a three year deal which will now see him at the club till at least July 2023. Conway has been super for the province since arriving from Leinster. He has made 142 appearances and has played on the wing and in the full back position. At 28 years of age he is third in the Munster roll of honour in terms of  top try scorers. He has scored 43 tries since making his debut against Zebre 7 years ago. Moreover, at International level Conway scored three tries in the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

Billy Holland has also put pen to paper on a new deal. Holland has signed a one year contract extension. The 34 year old has made 226 appearances for the club. Holland has been a stalwart for the club and is in his 13th season. He has made a super start to the season for the Red Army, starting in 12 out of 14 games.

Furthermore, Jeremy Loughman who plays as prop with the club has also signed a new contract. He has signed a two year deal. This will keep him at Thomond Park till June 2022. The 24 year old Kildare man made his debut in 2018 and has gone on to make 36 appearances for the province. He was selected as man of the match on debut against Ospreys in the Champions Cup.

Head coach Johann Van Graan was delighted with the news that the trio of players signed contracts. Commenting on this he said, “Retaining the services of Andrew, Billy and Jeremy is again great news for Munster Rugby and for our plans for the future”. He continued, “They are a quality trio, that all add huge value to our squad with their own individual skills and experience”.

Munster take on Zebre this Friday at 7.35pm at the Stade Giovanni Mari.

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