‘Best in the world' Dan Sheehan ‘operating at another level' as former Lion hails Ireland ace with ‘very few weaknesses'
That is
the view
of former British & Irish Lion
star
is "operating at another level".
Advertisement
2
Dan Sheehan scored tries in both of the Lions' Test wins over Australia
Credit: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
2
Ugo Monye believes Sheehan is the best hooker in the world
Credit: Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Sheen, 26, has been one of the stand-outs for the Lions during their tour of
He scored a try in each of their
According to Monye, who was a tourist in 2009, he is one of four front runners for the overall Player of the Series.
He told
Advertisement
Read More on Lions
"
Monye was glowing in his appraisal of Sheehan, who has returned to the peak of his powers despite a horrific knee injury.
The Dubliner suffered an
Despite the serious nature of the injury, he was back in time for the
Advertisement
Most read in Rugby Union
He didn't look to have missed a beat as he ran in five tries - only Louis Bielle-Biarrey (8) and Tommy Freeman (6) scored more.
And Ugo Monye believes Sheehan has cemented himself as the best hooker in the world.
Katie Taylor shares inspirational message to British & Irish Lions
He added: "For Sheehan, everything stands out from his set pieces, to his attacking play, to his try-scoring ability, to his workrate on the field.
"He's in the conversation for the best hooker in world
rugby
.
Advertisement
"Everything that he does. His
running
, his understanding of the game. He seems to have very few weaknesses if any at all.
"He doesn't do it now and again, he does it consistently, operating on another level.
"When you're looking for leaders and world class players, you don't need to look much further than him and what he's doing."
The Lions have not achieved a 3-0 whitewash of a series since 1927.
Advertisement
And head coach
Andy Farrell
believes they have a
SHOOT FOR THE STARS
He said: 'You should never shy away from
shooting
for the stars — because you might end up on the moon.
'That's pretty good as well. That's the quality we're chasing.
'I don't think you should shy away from challenging each other and if you don't get there, then hopefully it's somewhere near.
Advertisement
'It sets the mentality in my mind of what delivering means and you've always got a level to aim at.
'What's really to be shy at? Players, coaches, staff and Lions supporters, everyone — they all want to win every game.
'You can't be frightened of that. So, what does it matter? We came here to
Australia
and wanted to win a series.
'We've achieved that but have a massive responsibility to make sure we finish this off with something we promised ourselves.
Advertisement
'It's a big ask but it's something we're determined to do.
'I'm definitely going to watch
Oasis
and that's why I'm going home — I'll be in the mix like everyone else.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The 42
39 minutes ago
- The 42
Sarah Lavin makes history at National Championships as O'Neill stuns Healy in women's 800m
SARAH LAVIN MADE history at the National Senior Championships today as she became the most decorated female hurdler in the history of these championships. Lavin surged to victory in the women's 100m hurdles final, clocking 12.92 to claim her 10th national senior title on the track. Molly Scott took silver in a time of 13.61 while Sarah Quinn ran 13.84 to clinch bronze. Meanwhile in the women's 800m, Alex O'Neill of Limerick A.C. caused a huge upset as she edged European Indoor Champion Sarah Healy to win in 2:04.53 while Maeve O'Neill (Doheny AC) won the bronze medal in 2:04.69. Andrew Coscoran was crowned the men's 5000m champion, clocking 13:34.14 to top the podium ahead of Brian Fay (Raheny Shamrocks) who was second in 13:34.92 with Jack O'Leary of Mullingar Harriers taking bronze in 13:41.47. Sarah Lavin coasts clear to take the Women's 100m Hurdles title Watch now on 📺 #RTESport — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 3, 2025 Coscoran also featured in the 1500m today but was edged out by Cathal Doyle of Clonliffe Harriers who won in 3:53.60. The bronze medal went to Nick Griggs who crossed the line in 3:53.90. Nicola Tuthill, who won a silver medal at the World University Games last week, continued her brilliant form by adding a fourth national title in the women's hammer. Her throw of 71.75m also sets a new Irish U23 record. Alex O'Neill is the new Women's 800m champion in a photo finish in Santry Watch live now on RTÉ 2 📺 #RTESport — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 3, 2025 Sophie Becker defended her women's 400m crown while Mark English won the men's 800m title for the 10th time as he held off the challenge of Cian McPhillips. Advertisement Bori Akinola won the men's 100m while Ciara Neville won the women's title over the same distance. Selected Day 2 Results Men's 100m Bori Akinola – U.C.D. A.C. – 10.29 Sean Aigboboh – Tallaght A.C. – 10.41 Lorcan Murphy – Dundrum South Dublin A.C. – 10.57 Men's 400m Jack Raftery – Donore Harriers — 45.71 Christopher O'Donnell – North Sligo — 46.27 Ciaran Carthy – Dundrum South Dublin — 46.34 Men's 800m Mark English – Finn Valley A.C. – 1:48.76 Cian Mc Phillips – U.C.D. A.C. – 1:49.26 Andrew Thompson – North Belfast Harriers – 1:49.93 Men's 1500m Cathal Doyle – Clonliffe Harriers A.C. – 3:53.60 Andrew Coscoran – Star of the Sea A.C. – 3:53.84 Nick Griggs – CNDR Track A.C. – 3:53.90 Men's 110m Hurdles Adam Nolan – St. Laurence O'Toole A.C. – 14.24 Gerard O'Donnell – Carrick-on-Shannon A.C. – 14.40 Conor Penney – Craughwell A.C. – 14.70 Men's 400m Hurdles Niall Carney – Clonliffe Harriers A.C. – 54.87 Briain Cullinan – Sligo A.C. – 54.89 Jason O'Reilly – Killarney Valley A.C. – 55.33 Men's 5000m Andrew Coscoran – Star of the Sea A.C. – 13:34.14 Brian Fay – Raheny Shamrock A.C. – 13:34.92 Jack O'Leary – Mullingar Harriers A.C. – 13:41.47 Men's Hammer Throw Sean Mockler — Moycarkey Coolcroo A.C – 65.62m Simon Galligan (Clonliffe Harriers A.C.) – 60.79m Cóil ÓMuirí (Fr. Murphy A.C.) – 56.68m Men's Pole Vault Matthew Callinan Keenan — St. Laurence O'Toole A.C – 4.80m Conor Callinan (Leevale A.C.) – 4.70m Joshua Fitzgerald (Leevale A.C.) – 4.60m Women's 100m Ciara Neville – Emerald A.C. – 11.44 Lauren Roy – Fast Twitch A.C. – 11.49 Mollie O'Reilly – Dundrum South Dublin A.C. – 11.60 Women's 400m Sophie Becker – Raheny Shamrock — 52.87 Rachel McCann – North Down — 53.19 Cliodhna Manning – Kilkenny City Harriers — 53.99 Women's 100m Hurdles Sarah Lavin – Emerald A.C. – 12.92 Molly Scott – St. Laurence O'Toole A.C. – 13.61 Sarah Quinn – St. Colmans South Mayo A.C. – 13.84 Women's 400m Hurdles Cara Murphy – Dundrum South Dublin A.C. – 59.85 Ellis McHugh – Ferrybank A.C. – 1:00.13 Lauren Kilduff – Craughwell A.C. – 1:00.39 Women's 800m Alex O'Neill – Limerick Track A.C. – 2:04.53 Sarah Healy – U.C.D. A.C. – 2:04.57 Maeve O'Neill – Doheny A.C. – 2:04.69 Women's 1500m Laura Nicholson – Bandon A.C. – 4:13.32 Zoe Toland – CNDR Track A.C. – 4:15.11 Niamh Carr – Dublin City Harriers A.C. – 4:16.08 Women's 5000m Niamh Allen – Leevale A.C. – 15:35.90 Anika Thompson – Leevale A.C. – 15:40.56 Fiona Everard – Bandon A.C. – 16:04.36 Women's Hammer Throw Nicola Tuthill — UCD AC – 71.75m Margaret Hayden — Tallaght A.C. – 60.22 Caoimhe Gallen — Lifford Strabane A.C. – 54.27 Women's Discus Niamh Fogarty — Raheny Shamrock A.C. – 55.08m Anna Gavigan (LSA) – 51.30m Marie Hanahan (Ballyskenach A.C.) – 38.63m Read the full list of results here
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Lions star Bundee Aki reveals he missed arrival of his daughter during Australia tour after wife gave birth in a CAR
Aki admitted he played poorly in the defeat to Australia YOU'RE KIDDING Lions star Bundee Aki reveals he missed arrival of his daughter during Australia tour after wife gave birth in a CAR BUNDEE AKI has revealed he became a dad again during the Lions' series win in Australia — with his wife giving birth in a car. The Irish centre held his hands up on his shocker in Sydney on Saturday in a 22-12 defeat, which saw the tourists miss the chance of a Wallaby whitewash. 3 Bundee Aki's wife has given birth to a daughter Credit: Instagram 3 Aki now has five children Credit: Instagram After the Lions failed to clinch a series clean sweep, Aki then announced he had become a father for the fifth time two weeks ago. The 35-year-old has yet to meet new daughter Aine, who was born in the build-up to the opening Test win in Brisbane. Wife Kayla was in New Zealand with family when she got in touch to say she was ready to give birth before he helped the Lions to a 27-19 triumph. Aki recalled: 'Credit to my wife. She's a powerful woman. I was in the hotel in Brisbane and I knew we were overdue. READ MORE IN SPORT 'BEAUTIFUL' Lando Norris' girlfriend Margarida Corceiro shows off sideboob in risque outfit 'The missus calls me and she's like, 'My waters haven't broken but I'm going to the hospital, I'm feeling contractions'. 'Five minutes later, her waters broke. I was like, 'Are you almost there?' This is like 40 minutes away from the hospital, so I said, 'You'll be all right, Mum is there'. 'Ten minutes later, she video calls me and I was like, 'S**t, what's going on?' I saw a baby on the video call, so she had it in the car. 'They're both healthy. I knew it was good juju and we were going to have a good day.' BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK All of Aki's kids have first names starting with the letter A — Armani-Jane, Adrianna, Andronicus, Ailbhe and now, Aine. But their old man admitted he put in nothing close to an A-star performance in Sydney as the Lions were mauled in a monsoon. The game was suspended after half-time for 38 minutes due to lightning, with the Aussies 8-0 up through Dylan Pietsch's try and a penalty. Finn Russell was spotted in the dressing room flicking through his phone and Aki had his feet up on a bean bag before play resumed. But the Wallabies struck twice after the delay to get the victory. Aki had his worst game in an international shirt but fronted up. He said: 'I wasn't great. It was a poor game but you have those days and you have to live with it. 'We won the series and that's all we came for. 'Now, I want to enjoy my break. I haven't seen my family for eight weeks. I have a newborn child I haven't met yet.' Australia got it over the line thanks to a turbo-charged display from lock Will Skelton, who was on the wind-up all match, and second-half tries from Max Jorgensen and Tate McDermott. Jac Morgan and Will Stuart crossed to give the Lions some consolation — but Skelton had shown the Aussies the way. Wallabies scrum-half Nic White said: 'For once, someone stood up to them.'
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Cathal Doyle lands thrilling 1500m gold as stars shine at Irish Championships in Santry
Cathal Doyle delivered a brilliant finish to win a stacked 1500m final at the Irish Athletics Championships, while Sarah Lavin and Mark English celebrated their 10th national titles STAR POWER Cathal Doyle lands thrilling 1500m gold as stars shine at Irish Championships in Santry CATHAL DOYLE reigned supreme in the men's 1500m at the Irish Championships in Santry yesterday. The Clonliffe Harriers ace saw off a top-class field that included Andrew Coscoran and Nick Griggs Advertisement 3 Cathal Doyle of Clonliffe Harriers AC after winning the senior men's 1500m Irish national 3 Sarah Lavin of Emerald AC, Limerick won the 100m hurdles final at Morton Stadium in Dublin 3 Senior women's 400m champion Sophie Becker of Raheny Shamrock AC with her medal during day two of the 153rd National Track & Field Senior Championships at Morton Stadium And there was also joy for Sarah Lavin who claimed the spoils in the women's 100m hurdles showpiece. Mark English claimed gold in the men's 800m at Morton Stadium. But the race of the day was the men's 1500m — and it did not disappoint the masses. Coscoran, Griggs, Darragh McElhinney, Callum Morgan, and Shane Bracken all in contention with Doyle. But the Clonliffe man made the decisive move with 200m to go and he never relinquished the lead as he held off Coscoran in a time of 3:53.60. Advertisement Coscoran clocked 3:53.84, while Griggs was just behind them in 3:53.80. Lavin also impressed in the 100m hurdles with a time of 12.92 to claim her TENTH national title. She saw off silver medallist Molly Scott in 13.61 as Sarah Quinn claimed bronze in 13.84. But Limerick sprinter Lavin was not the only one to claim a tenth title in Santry — as Mark English joined her. Advertisement The Donegal man crossed the line in the 800m decider with a time 1:48.76 after biding his time to rush home. Ian McPhillips pushed him closest but had to settle for second in 1:49.26, with Andrew Thompson claiming bronze with 1:49.93. Tragic Losses in Bodybuilding: Remembering Lorena Blanco and Other Fallen Athletes And English said: 'I felt great. I was a little bit nervous coming into the race because there's a bunch of guys that train together so I knew it was going to be a difficult race but I had a plan and I executed it.' Elsewhere, Sophie Becker won the women's 400m. Advertisement The Raheny woman crossed the line in 52.87 to make it three national titles in the last four years. Rachel McCann and Cliodhna Manning followed in 53.19 and 53.99 respectively. While Coscoran did not claim glory in the 1500m, he did at least take gold in the 5000m. The Star of the Sea AC star out-kicked defending champ Brian Fay to win in a time of 13:34.14. Fay clocked 13:34.92. Advertisement Leevale's Niamh Allen won the women's 5000m in 15:35.90 and was followed home by clubmate Anika Thompson who set the pace for much of the race, ultimately crossing in 15:40.56. Fiona Everard of Bandon AC completed the Cork 1-2-3 in 16:04.36. Bori Akinola claimed his first national senior 100m title in style, clocking 10.29 to add to his indoor 60m crown from earlier this season. Ciara Neville won the women's 100m to secure her first outdoor sprint title since 2019 — clocking 11.44. Advertisement Jack Raftery clocked a winning time of 45.71 in the men's 400m. Alex O'Neill claimed her first national senior title in a thrilling women's 800m final, crossing the line in 2:04.53. Laura Nicholson won the women's 1500m race in 4:13.32. Adam Nolan powered to victory in the men's 110m hurdles, claiming his first senior title with a time of 14.24. Cara Murphy won her first 400m hurdles title in 59.85. Advertisement Niall Carney broke through to claim his first senior 400m hurdles title, coming on the back of Thomas Barr's era of dominance that saw him win 12 of the last 14 runnings. Carney crossed for gold in 54.87. Reece Ademola became just the second Irish athlete to post a leap of eight meters or longer in the men's long jump. The Cork athlete produced a huge attempt to reach eight metres. Nicola Tuthill continued to shine by securing her fourth senior outdoor title in the women's hammer throw with an Under-23 record. The UCD athlete saw three throws go out over the 70m mark, with her best and last attempt of 71.75m breaking her own record. Advertisement Niamh Fogarty added the discus title to her shot put victory. Matthew Callinan Keenan won the men's Pole Vault, claiming his third outdoor title in just four years with a winning height of 4.80m. Sean Mockler won the men's hammer with a best throw of 65.62m. Lauren Callaghan soared to her first senior outdoor title in the women's long jump, landing a winning leap of 6.24m in doing so.
