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Andy Farrell and his coaching team have assembled a group of 50 players for a one day camp at the IRFU’s High-Performance Centre at the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin.

No uncapped players are involved in the short camp but nine players with only a cap to their name are.

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Zimbabwe took the fifth and final test in the final game of a series that was already decided to soften the blow of the setback.

Craig Ervine scored 67 for his side, achieving his third T20I half-century in an unbeaten fashion, to help Zimbabwe to their second triumph of the T20 games against Ireland.

However, the side started slowly with three batters being dismissed for single-digit scores – Mark Adair had another fruitful opener, taking two of the other and keeping Zimbabwe’s first batter, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, scoreless.

Ervine and Wesley Madhevere steadied things for the Zimbabweans after their 3/2 start and got 31 runs between them before the latter fell to Josh Little.

Ervine stepped up to the plate and achieved his unbeaten 67 with the support of Dion Myers and Milton Shumba, who added 40 between them to propel their side to 124/4 at the end of their 20 overs.

Myers became Adair’s third and final wicket of the day after scoring 26 runs in 23 balls.

Ireland failed to get going in the first six overs with Kevin O’Brien, captain Andy Balbirnie, Player of the Series Paul Stirling and Harry Tector all walking inside six overs.

Despite his early exit, Stirling finished the game as Ireland’s second-highest scorer with 19 runs from 13 balls.

The man ahead of him on the scoring charts, Neil Rock, got Ireland 22 runs off 21 balls but the side allowed too many wickets.

Luke Jongwe and Donald Tiripano picked up three wickets each as they bowled Ireland out for 119 in 20 overs.

The two sides will face each other three more times this month in the form of One Day Internationals beginning on Wednesday, September 8.

However, the next T20I action for Ireland will be at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in October – their first fixture is a match against the Netherlands on October 18.

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He becomes the latest Irish winner on the PGA Tour and the fifth ever, following in the footsteps of the likes of Pádraig Harrington and Shane Lowry in recent history.

Power is the first Irish champion of the Barbasol Championship, with his five-under-par Sunday taking him into a playoff against the overnight leader J.T. Potson who, much like Louis Oosthuizen at The Open, squandered his advantage.

Potson allowed Power to gain the advantage with his poor display on three of the final four holes and the Waterford native didn’t let go of it.

The pair birdied the first extra hole and parred the next four in the play-off but a shot into the water from Potson doomed the American’s title hopes.

The Olympian missed his first putt but stroked in his second from close range to par the sixth extra hole and win the tournament.

The 34-year-old has seen a remarkable turnaround in fortune in recent weeks, with the Tooraneena man achieving six top-20 finishes in his last six starts after nine straight cuts.

Four of those finishes are in the top 10 with his first PGA Tour win granting Power the praise he deserves after an impressive three-month spell.

The win in Kentucky earned Power his PGA Tour card for the 2022 season and his highest-ever world ranking of 113th, three of 2016 Masters Champion Danny Willett.

He currently ranks 69th in the FedEx Cup rankings and has 665 points to his name – nine events previous, his points tally was 20.

The Irish golfer is within the requirements needed to make the playoffs this year, as a result.

The FedEx Cup playoffs begin on August 19th with the first of three events, the Northern Trust, taking place at Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey.

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His side conceded twice in Slovakia and failed to provide a threat to their opposition in the final third.

Rovers boss Bradley believes were lucky not to concede more to the Belasí last week and hopes his side will be much more solid in the second leg.

“Ultimately Alan [Mannus] has kept us in the game with the save at the end. Overall, we gave away two poor goals from our point of view, and we know we’re better than what we showed over there and there’s more to come from us,” said Bradley.

Bradley praised goalkeeper Alan Mannus for his performance in Rovers’ first European game of the season.

Mannus has been the standout goalkeeper in Ireland since his return to the League of Ireland side in 2018.

His displays have helped Rovers to a league title and several European runs.

“Alan has done that over the years, he makes really important saves and he’s the best keeper in the country. In big-game scenarios, Alan makes important saves. It was fantastic and it keeps us in the tie.”

Bradley felt that his side lost concentration at key moments in the game and will rue missed chances.

Both goals came after stoppages in play, a water break and at half-time, with the head coach putting them down to dips in concentration after the breaks in play.

He feels that the side was wasteful when trying to get an away goal and feels that they let themselves down on the night.

“We were a bit wasteful in the final third but just in general, in every aspect, we know we can be better. There’s no getting away from Slovan being a good side and obviously the conditions but we know we can be better.”

However, his team are experienced in Europe and players like Mannus have played in Europe multiple times throughout their career.

The side understands what European ties mean and what is needed to win them and Bradley added that they need to show that experience in the return fixture.

The return of fans will be an added bonus for the side as they seek to overturn the deficit, with 1,500 locals in attendance at Tallaght.

We’ve had difficult games in Tallaght before. We’ve had special nights in Tallaght before and hopefully this is another one. We have 1,500 fans in and I’m sure that will feel and sound like a lot more. European nights in Tallaght are always special and so hopefully it’s another one on Tuesday.”

Shamrock Rovers’ UEFA Champions League First Qualifying Round Second Leg kicks off at 8 pm in Tallaght and will be available to watch exclusively on LOI TV.

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He is eligible to play for the United States as he has an American grandparent.

The Aran Islands native will play Ireland for the second time in his career on Saturday night in Dublin.

He first played the side in 2018 after they had beaten New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium.

Since then, he has played the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan and has made a name for himself in Major League Rugby.

“To pull on the American jersey and to represent the red, white and blue – what an honour,” Mullen exclaimed.

The 19-time USA international has not been at home in Ireland since the first lockdown.

RugbyPass did a documentary with the forward during his time on the Aran Islands before returning to the States.

“I was absolutely delighted, in one aspect to be able to spend some time with my family, to be able to help out.”

However, he had to return to the US whenever he could.

The 29-year-old started playing rugby for Glenstal Abbey School when he was 13 and eventually progressed to the Munster underage ranks.

Mullen was called up for the Ireland U19s in 2010 after his performances at the underage level.

When it was time for him to go to college, his parents wanted him to study abroad.

“They thought that if I stayed in Ireland, I’d go off playing rugby.”

The tighthead prop moved to Texas and studied for his degree in Marine Engineering Technology at Texas A&M University and then received his master’s in Marine Resource Management in 2017.

Throughout this time, the Irish-born United States international was playing rugby but at a low level.

Mullen wanted to take his game to the next level and reached out to strength and conditioning coach Ed Cosner, who had worked with World Cup-winning New Zealanders Ben and Owen Franks.

His work with the strength and conditioning coach earned the prop a contract with the Houston Sabercats in the MLR and, later, a call-up to the USA Eagles.

Mullen has plied his trade in the MLR ever since and currently plays for the Utah Warriors, who sit second in the Western Conference after 14 games.

The Galwayman will play against Ireland on Saturday and then face the LA Giltinis next Saturday in a massive clash between the two best teams in the West.

His roommate for the week, Luke Carty, plays for the LA Giltinis and the pair will play each other one game after playing with each other for the US national team.

“[The rugby in MLR] has come on a lot. I’m really excited to see where it will be in three or four years time…the progress made in the past 3/4 years, if that progress is kept up…it’ll be a serious league.”

Having players like Matt Giteau and Ma’a Nonu come into the league will also help the growth of MLR across the US and worldwide.

18 out of 23 players in the USA matchday squad for Saturday’s game against Ireland play for an MLR side.

Mullen is happy to be back with a group that he considers family, even if there are some new faces in the team.

The fact everyone is together again after being forced apart because of the pandemic is something Mullen cherishes.

“It’s absolutely fantastic, you know. I mean, just even being in camp here, granted there’s a lot of restrictions because COVID, it’s very different but just to be amongst the boys again…is brilliant.”

The USA play Ireland in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin at 7:15 pm on Saturday, July 10th.

The game will be broadcast live on RTÉ 2.

The post Paul Mullen ‘Honoured’ To Play For USA appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The announcement brings the total number of Team Ireland athletes competing across athletic events up to 25.

The number makes this year’s team Ireland’s second-biggest ever athletics team heading to the Games.

Athletics Performance Director and Team Manager for the Team Ireland Athletics Squad, Paul McNamara said: “The ‘end-game’ of the qualification period was excruciatingly difficult for many, but these athletes and their coaches expertly navigated the qualification system and have been rewarded with their place on the biggest stage.”

Today’s announcement includes athletes who both achieved qualification standards in their respective events, or who finished within their event’s Road To Tokyo rankings on the cut-off day last week.

The athletics events occur in the second week of the Games, running from Friday 30 July – Sunday 8 August, with the events taking place in both Sapporo Odori Park and the Olympic Stadium.

Thomas Barr will be heading to his second Olympics Games to compete in the Men’s 400m hurdles event.

The 28-year-old said: “I am very proud to be representing Ireland at my second Olympic Games. The men’s 400m hurdles is one of the most competitive events on the track at the moment and I can’t wait to line up and compete against the best on the biggest stage in the world.”

Barr was one of the athletes who had secured their qualification time in advance of the cut-off.

Others like 800m runner Mark English and 100m hurdler Sarah Lavin qualified late into the process, with English achieving qualification on the last day with a new national record in the event.

Team Ireland Full Athletics team named

2⃣5⃣ Athletes will compete across the athletics disciplines for #TeamIreland this summer in #Tokyo2020 #NothingInOurWay

Track & Field is one of the most anticipated events on the schedule, read more

https://t.co/F0XBZxzlhZ pic.twitter.com/uSPgKNtRbN

— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) July 8, 2021

Cork’s Phil Healy will be representing Team Ireland in three events – the most out of any Team Ireland athlete.

“It is a real honour for any athlete to be selected to represent their country at the Olympic Games,” Healy said.

“To achieve qualification in one event is a dream for any athlete as the Olympic Games is the pinnacle of any athletes career.

“I am thrilled to be selected for two individual events in addition to the mixed 4x400m relay.

“Every athlete has worked so hard to get to this point and it’s made all the more special to have such a large and strong athletics team heading to the Games.”

Team Ireland Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020, Tricia Heberle, complimented the members of the Track & Field and 20km Walk team.

She described the athletes who qualified as a talented team who have been faced with a challenging season of competition.

She believes Team Ireland is bringing a strong group over to Tokyo.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing what they can do on the world’s biggest stage.”

To see the full list of Irish athletes for the Tokyo Games, click here.

Team Ireland Athletics Team

Individuals

Thomas Barr (400m Hurdles)

Síofra Cléirigh Büttner (800m)

Andrew Coscoran (1500m)

Mark English (800m)

Michelle Finn (3,000m Steeplechase)

Eilish Flanagan (3,000m Steeplechase)

Phil Healy (200m/400m/400m Relay)

Sarah Healy (1500m)

David Kenny (20K Walk)

Sarah Lavin (100H)

Marcus Lawler (200m)

Ciara Mageean (1500m)

Nadia Power (800m)

Leon Reid (200m)

Louise Shanahan (800m)

Mixed 4x400m Relay Team (Four athletes from the following six)

Cillin Greene

Chris O’Donnell

Phil Healy

Sophie Becker

Robert McDonnell

Cliodhna Manning

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Six changes have been made to the Ireland side who beat Scotland 31-7 last Saturday.

Prop Sam Illo is rested after a stellar performance, with Mark Donnelly coming in in his place.

Leinster’s Alex Soroka is moved up to lock as Donncha Byrne gets a starting berth on the blindside.

Two of last week’s standout performers, Oisin McCormack and Captain Alex Kendellen keep their places in the starting XV.

Nathan Doak and Tim Corkery take the nine and 10 jerseys respectfully, replacing Ulster’s Conor McKee and James Humphreys.

The Connacht centre pairing of Cathal Forde and Shane Jennings starts once again while one change is made to the back three.

St. Michael’s College graduate Chris Cosgrave comes into the side to play alongside Jamie Osborne and Ben Moxham.

Illo, McKee and others are available from the bench.

The kick-off is at 8 pm with coverage starting on RTÉ One at 7:30 pm.

Backs

15. Jamie Osborne (Naas CBS/Naas RFC/Leinster)
14. Ben Moxham (Larne High School/Ballymena RFC/Ulster)
13. Shane Jennings (Garbally College/Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)
12. Cathal Forde (Colaiste Iognaid/Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
11. Chris Cosgrave (St Michael’s College/UCD RFC/Leinster)
10. Tim Corkery (St Kieran’s College, Kilkenny/UCD RFC/Leinster)
9. Nathan Doak (Wallace High School/Banbridge RFC/Ulster)

Forwards

1. Jack Boyle (St Michael’s College/UCD RFC/Leinster)
2. Ronan Loughnane (Cistercian College Roscrea/UCD RFC/Leinster)
3. Mark Donnelly (CBC Cork/Garryowen RFC/Munster)
4. Alex Soroka (Belvedere College/Clontarf RFC/Leinster)
5. Harry Sheridan (Sullivan Upper School/Dublin University FC/Ulster)
6. Donnacha Byrne (Summerhill College/Sligo RFC/Connacht)
7. Oisin McCormack (Garbally College/Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)
8. Alex Kendellen (PBC Cork/UCC RFC/Munster)(Captain)

Replacements

16. Eoin de Buitléar (Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiáran/An Ghaeltacht/Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
17. George Saunderson (Sullivan Upper School/Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
18. Sam Illo (Wesley College/Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
19. Mark Morrissey (Blackrock College/UCD RFC/Leinster)
20. Reuben Crothers (Wallace High School/Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
21. Conor McKee (Sullivan Upper School/Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
22. Ben Carson (Wallace High School/Banbridge RFC/Ulster)
23. Jude Postlethwaite (RBAI/Banbridge RFC/Ulster)
24. Fearghail O’Donoghue (Cashel Community School/Cashel RFC/Munster)
25. Daniel Okeke (Ard Scoil Ris/Shannon RFC/Munster)
26. Conor Rankin (Campbell College Belfast/Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster).

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The match will kick-off at 2 pm and will be available on RTÉ One from 1:40 pm.

The pair talked about a range of topics from selection to the game plan to what they know about Scotland.

Head Coach Richie Murphy spoke first about the squad selection for Saturday’s game against Scotland.

Some issues the head coach encountered during the selection was the lack of game time the squad had and the injuries the side suffered.

“Obviously, we picked up a few injuries along the way which is disappointing for those boys and the group but with where we are at and knowing that we are playing against Scotland, knowing the strength they have, we feel that we picked the right team for this week,” said Murphy.

Joe Schmidt sent his former colleague a text wishing him the best of luck on Saturday.

On a question about possible similarities in coaching, Murphy stated that every coach must have something unique to them.

“I think with every coach you work with; you still have to have your own beliefs. You can’t copy anyone.”

Kendellen feels that the best 15 were chosen to start at the weekend but added that all players in the squad are expected to be used during the Six Nations.

Both came across as confident ahead of Saturday’s game.

However, Murphy revealed that he was nervous ahead of his first competitive game in charge of the Ireland U20s side.

The coach is very happy with the pool of players he has at his disposal but noted their lack of fixtures before the tournament as a reason for his nerves.

The side only played twice – against Leinster and Munster’s development squads.

“I feel that we’ve prepared well in the time that we have had.”

The side will be on live TV on Saturday as RTÉ One will broadcast the game.

The spotlight on the U20s is a welcome one, according to Murphy, especially at a time when their championship is isolated from the senior Six Nations.

“I think it is going to be a massive spotlight…[The six-day turnarounds] will give people the opportunity to sit in and watch the games.”

That six-day turnaround exists to give players time to recover from their previous game.

Murphy added that the lack of recent competitive experience and player safety were factors of the decision.

Kendellen spoke of the team’s complete focus on their own game plan as they were unable to study this Scotland side.

The captain added that the side will adapt to what they learn about Scotland’s game plan in-game, but the focus will be on implementing their own.

The side will want to dominate proceedings in that way.

He looks forward to playing U20 rugby for the national team.

“It’s still a huge opportunity…to even get to play rugby is huge,” said Kendellen.

Fly-half James Humphries will wear the number 10 shirt for the U20s on Saturday.

There is interest in his selection as he is the son of David Humphreys and nephew of Ian Humphreys.

However, his head coach believes he can carve his own path on Saturday and expects him to play his own game.

“It’s a difficult one for him because, obviously, he’s got an uncle and father who have gone before him (Ian and David), but I think James is very much his own man.

He’s come into the group and has applied himself really well, he’s been diligent, and he is not too dissimilar to his father – his looks, how he carries himself, how he kicks the ball…but he is very much his own man.”

Experience could be a big factor in this upcoming U20 Six Nations Championship due to the lack of game time.

Murphy believes that it is a visible factor in training but that all players in the squad show a similar hunger.

Kendellen does not feel the need to step up for the side as he is more experienced than others because of the talent within the squad.

A lot of the experience the players have had is with their clubs and their schools, showcasing the growth of rugby at that level in Ireland.

“There’s always things that we can do better in Irish Rugby…it is good to see those guys getting picked up [Craig Casey and Daniel Okeke] that are outside the traditional schools. There’s a good representation [from various schools in the squad],” said Murphy.

Kendellen spoke of his time at Presentation Brothers College in Cork all the way to Munster.

The Ireland U20 captain sees the experience he earned so far in his career as valuable.

He said: “You can’t not look at those experiences and back yourself in these moments.”

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24 clubs, including eight each across the Top 14, Gallagher Premiership and Pro 14, will compete in this season’s instalment.

All four Irish provinces will begin their 2021/22 seasons in the Champions Cup.

The sides are ranked as the top four sides from the Pro 14 as the qualification is based on the 2020/21 Pro 14 season.

The 2020/21 Pro 14 Rainbow Cup standings do not affect the European qualification process.

The competition will once again begin with four rounds of the pool stage.

The format will likely be the same as last season’s controversial setup which had two pools of 12 with teams facing off against two sides from other leagues.

These teams are expected to face each other twice and the top eight in each pool will progress to the round of 16.

The round of 16 will be a two-legged round and will take place over two weekends.

However, the quarter-finals and semi-finals will remain as a one-and-done fixture.

Both finals will be held in Marseille’s Stade Velodrome in the south of France.

The 2020/21 finals were originally scheduled to be held at the venue.

2021/22 EPCR Weekends

Round 1 – 10/11/12 December

Round 2 – 17/18/19 December

Round 3 – 14/15/16 January 2022

Round 4 – 21/22/23 January 2022

Round of 16 (first leg) – 8/9/10 April 2022

Round of 16 (second leg) – 15/16/17 April 2022

Quarter-finals – 6/7/8 May 2022

Semi-finals – 13/14/15 May 2022

Challenge Cup Final – 27 May 2022

Champions Cup Final – 28 May 2022

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