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Extra.ie
24-06-2025
- Climate
- Extra.ie
Why that Argentina defeat is good news for the Irish players on tour
When the Lions' long-haul fight touches down on the tarmac at Perth Airport on Sunday evening, the players are likely to be met with torrential rain. The weather is biblical on Australia's Western Coast at the moment. After a warm weather training camp on the Algarve followed by a glorious week in Costa del Dublin, the travelling squad are braced for a serious change in conditions. It will be fitting really. The mood around the camp was significantly gloomy after Friday night's defeat in Dublin. Argentina players celebrate at the final whistle. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile Andy Farrell is usually so composed and measured when he speaks to the media. In the six years since Farrell became Ireland head coach, you could count on one hand the amount of occasions he bristled in a post-match press conference. Farrell could barely hard his irritation with his side's error-strewn, wasteful and surprisingly lethargic performance at a heaving Aviva Stadium. The 'Red Army' had packed out the bars around Ballsbridge and Baggot Street long before the 8pm kick-off and the expectant fanbase were braced for a big farewell display. Argentina never got the memo. Despite their France-based frontliners, Felipe Contepomi's fired-up side delivered a remarkable performance. Lions head coach Andy Farrell. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile Argentina, lest we forget, are fifth in the world rankings and beat the All Blacks, Springboks and Australia years. The Wallabies are currently eighth in the global pecking order. You could argue that the Lions won't face opposition still strong until the Test next month. It will be scant consolation at the moment and Farrell was in no mood for superlatives after the game. 'We need to be better than that,' the head coach bluntly stated. 'We are not sugar-coating anything.' Farrell would have expected some teething problems on opening night. This playing group has only been together for a fortnight. There were plenty of nerves, too. The players were treading a fine line between trying to impress and not wanting to suffer a series-ending injury. Were they distracted by the all the hoopla inside the stadium and the fact their flight was the next day? It's now just four weeks until the opening Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane on July 19. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile Farrell and his backroom team have plenty to time to mull over everything on the long commute to Oz. No one will be pushing the panic just yet. A lot of the problems which occurred against the Pumas can be ironed out. The Lions won't be as wasteful again. Their defence will improve. Same goes for a misfiring lineout. They will surely be sharper around the breakdown and under the high ball in the coming weeks. They need to be. This tour will fly by. It's now just four weeks until the opening Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane on July 19. A lot of the players who fluffed their lines on Friday night will already be feeling a bit jittery. Ellis Genge and Finlay Bealham were the only forwards to emerge with credit. Ben Earl had some moments, but it wasn't a compelling shift from the Saracens backrower. Maro Itoje, the tour captain, is already nailed-on for the Tests. Maro Itoje, the tour captain, is already nailed-on for the Tests. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile Tommy Freeman was the pick of a backline which struggled for cohesion and fluency all evening. The Lions will address what happened against Argentina, draw a line under it and switch their focus to matters in Perth. The Western Force are next up on the schedule at Optus Stadium on Saturday. There is a long history of club sides raising their games when the Lions arrive in town, but the tourists shouldn't encounter the same resistance they met in Dublin. The force finished ninth in the Super Rugby Pacifica tournament this year, winning four of their 14 outings. Tommy Freeman was the pick of a backline which struggled for cohesion and fluency all evening. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile It now appears that the Australian Super Rugby teams will have access to their Wallabies in the coming weeks, with Joe Schmidt previously stating that he would keep his internationals on ice until the Test series. Schmidt is already dabbling in a bit of a pre-tour mind games. If the Force have the likes of Carlo Tizzano, Darcy Swain, Nic White and Ben Donaldson available, they will be a totally different proposition next weekend. Farrell is likely to ring the changes, with a Leinster-heavy selection supplemented by Bath out-half Finn Russell. Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, James Ryan, Joe McCarthy, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan, Jamison Gibson-Park, Garry Ringrose and James Lowe are all likely to feature, with Russell pulling the strings at No10. Farrell is likely to ring the changes, with a Leinster-heavy selection supplemented by Bath out-half Finn Russell. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile A morale-restoring win in Perth will put all those mentioned above in pole position for the Test series. Yes, plenty of the English personnel will get another chance to impress in the coming weeks but it already feels like the Irish frontliners are a strong position. Farrell is likely to mix and match in week two ahead of big meetings with Queensland Reds and New South Wales Waratahs. The selection for the midweek game against the Brumbies in Canberra on July 5, just 12 days out from the first meeting with Schmidt's troops will be instructive. The Brumbies were Australia's best peforming team in Super Rugby this season, finishing third in the standings behind the Crusaders and Chiefs, the Kiwi heavyweights. Coached by Stephen Larkham, the Canberra outfit will be desperate to land a big Lions scalp. The hosts will be strong but Farrell is unlikely to go fully loaded for that one. There is the small matter of a game against an Anzac Invitational side three days later in Adelaide. That representative team will feature former All Blacks and Wallabies who ply their trade overseas. Former All Blacks boss Ian Foster is overseeing the project and word on the street is the likes of Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane, Aaron Smith and Richie Mo'unga – amongst other big names – have already singed up to feature. That game feels like a dry-run ahead of the first meeting with the Wallabies seven days later. So, there are only a handful of opportunities left for players to press their case for inclusion. Many failed their first audition. It doesn't get any easier from here. It's sink or swim time in Perth and there is already a sense that the Irish contingent are best equipped to get the Lions back on track.
The Irish Sun
10-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Kildare footballers and hurlers set for Newbridge double after Tailteann Cup quarter-final and All-Ireland SHC draw
KILDARE'S All-Ireland SHC preliminary quarter-final against Dublin and Tailteann Cup last-eight tie against Offaly will form a Newbridge double-header. The Lilywhites' 2 Kildare have been drawn against Dublin in the All-Ireland SHC Credit: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile 2 The footballers will meet Offaly in the Tailteann Cup Credit: Daire Brennan/Sportsfile The bonus prize awaiting Brian Dowling's men is a home clash with the Dubs in the race for Liam MacCarthy. And it will start the bill on a bumper Saturday evening of action at St Conleth's Park. Kildare's footballers were drawn to host the Faithful in the quarter- finals of the tier two Championship . Elsewhere in the Tailteann draw, Fermanagh's home clash with Read More on Tailteann Cup NFL Division 4 final. Laois' All-Ireland SHC preliminary quarter-final clash with Tipperary will also be played as part of a Saturday double-header at O'Moore Park. Roscommon's All-Ireland SFC final-round showdown with Most read in GAA Football SATURDAY, JUNE 14 — ALL-IRELAND SHC PRELIMINARY QUARTER-FINALS : TAILTEANN CUP QUARTER-FINALS : Brendan Cummins defends time-keeping in Munster GAA hurling final between Cork and Limerick SUNDAY JUNE 15 — TAILTEANN CUP QUARTER-FINALS : Wicklow v Westmeath, Aughrim, 1.15pm, Live on GAA+;
The Irish Sun
03-06-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
John O'Shea admits timing of June friendlies ‘awkward' but challenges Ireland stars to ‘show I'm needed' for World Cup
THE tone surrounding the talk about international football in June — excluding tournaments — is nobody likes it. But around 33,000 supporters and counting who have bought tickets for 2 Ireland face Senegal and Luxembourg in a pair of friendlies Credit: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile 2 John O'Shea challenged the players to show they are needed for the World Cup qualifiers Credit: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile Ireland's June results over the years, however, are enough reason to be wary of games being played when players could be forgiven for thinking of their summer holidays. Only recently, Shelbourne boss International Jason Knight acknowledged as much Tuesday when it was mentioned that he could be in Albufeira rather than the Aviva Stadium this week. Read More on Ireland MNT The sun is out, the English season is over and it is soon time for a holiday. At this time of year, players leaving the old Lansdowne Road or Aviva Stadium wheeling the big suitcase — the one you pack for the holiday rather than a short stay in Dublin — was a common sight. In 2009, one player even walked through a mixed zone in Bulgaria shouting, 'Vegas, Vegas', to leave onlookers in no doubt to where he was going next. It was seen as good fortune that Ireland's Most read in Football No qualifiers in June is a no-brainer. But results in June windows when nothing is at stake can be even worse. Assistant manager Heimir Hallgrimsson gives first call-up to four Ireland players in squad for friendlies vs Senegal and Luxembourg The same opponents walloped Ireland 5-1 in New Jersey as they prepared for the 2014 World Cup. Friendly wins are like hens' teeth in June, with landmarks rather than performances making them memorable. O'Shea's 118th and final cap came against the That was also a rarity for O'Shea who was so often excused from the summer action when there were no qualifiers. Earlier in his career, Steve Staunton felt he knew enough about the serial The 2007 summer tour of the USA was made up of a squad of players who often show up in 'Where are they now?' features. As O'Shea got older, he was given time off to put his feet up as Giovanni Trapattoni and Martin O'Neill looked at other options. Still, the Ireland centurion was often back in the side when the real games started. But O'Shea insisted he and boss Those in the He said: 'It's awkward in the sense of the timing, it's different in the feeling of if these were qualifiers, the whole kind of reaction around it. 'But you have to build into what it can lead to in qualifying for tournaments. 'I think that has to outweigh any kind of . . . could be on holiday somewhere, could be away somewhere or whatever it might be. 'But I think the bigger goal of qualifying for the World Cup in America, 'If we get players to have an impact this week in the friendlies that suddenly help us qualify or score a goal to qualify us for the World Cup, I think you'll say it was definitely worthwhile.' KNIGHT & DAY It is why Knight — who was only included because his Championship season was extended by The 24-year-old said: 'I could be in Albufeira, you're right! Look, there's always time for holidays. I know I'm young, but I know these caps and these opportunities are like gold dust and I'm trying to grab them as much as I can. 'This is the dream, this is where I want to be and I'm excited to be here for these two games and hopefully many more.' His assistant boss O'Shea continued: 'It's representing your country at senior level, the highest level, and that's what you have to have in the background. 'And ultimately it's for the coaching staff, for us as a staff to have the time with the players to kind of get to increase the relationship with the players, increase the bond with the players, to introduce one or two new players, all those little factors. 'That brings a freshness into the lads that have been here a good while as well. We need that kind of freshness, but also increased competition. 'And I think it's up to the lads that are here now to show, 'Right, I'm in, I'm getting a chance, I'm involved, I need to stay here, I need to prove I can be needed here'. 'And I think that's the key element, increase that competition and then we get increased levels of performance. 'The lads that are having a rest as such from what the manager has spoken about, they will be thinking, 'I wonder how the other lads might get on'. That's what we need.'
Extra.ie
01-06-2025
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Everything you need to know ahead of the Vhi Women's Mini Marathon
Let's go, girls! The day is here — the Vhi Women's Mini Marathon takes place this afternoon, Sunday, June 1. The beloved event will see thousands of women take to the streets of Dublin for a range of worth causes. 28,000 tickets for the main event are sold out, and the virtual mini-marathon took place on Saturday, May 31. Let's go, girls! The day is here — the Vhi Women's Mini Marathon takes place this afternoon, Sunday, June 1. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile EVOKE are the 2025 media partner for the Vhi Women's Mini Marathon — here's everything you need to know… The Vhi Women's Mini Marathon starts on Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2 at 12.30pm. Participants are urged to get into their 'wave' by 11.30am. Final arrival is at 12pm latest. The 10km race finishes on Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2. EVOKE confirm there will be water stations along the way, with the first station after the 3km mark on the Stillorgan Road near the Teresian School. The second will be at 6km on the Stillorgan Road near Belfield Bridge. A third and final station is situated outside AIB Place in Ballsbridge following the 8km mark. The Vhi Women's Mini Marathon starts on Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2 at 12.30pm. Participants are urged to get into their 'wave' by 11.30am. Final arrival is at 12pm latest. Pic: Getty Images Yes! There are more pacers than ever before, with participants encouraged to follow a pacer throughout the run, particularly if you are looking to finish the 10km in a certain time. Options include 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 90 and 120 minutes. Only clear bags and small bags no larger than A4 size are permitted into the event, and will be subject to searches. Bag drop locations are colour-coded to match your assigned wave. All bag drops open from 10.30am. White and Pink wave participants use the bag drop at Fitzwilliam Square with entry via Pembroke Street Upper and Leeson Street Lower while Blue and Orange can use the Baggot Street drop (entry via Hume Street and St Stephen's Green). Those in the green wave must drop their bags on Mount Street Upper, with access via Herbert Place and Mount Street Crescent and yellow wave participants will drop their bags to the Merrion Square South drop, with access via Merrion Square West and North. Yes! There are more pacers than ever before at the Vhi Women's Mini Marathon, with participants encouraged to follow a pacer throughout the run, particularly if you are looking to finish the 10km in a certain time. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile From 8am on Saturday, Herbert Street is closed while Merrion Street Upper, Ely Place, Pembroke Street, Merrion Square West, Dawson Street and Kildare Street all close from 8.30am. Further road closures take place from 10am and 11.30am including Leeson Street Lower, Leeson Street Upper, Donnybrook Road and Pembroke Road. For the full list of road closures and opening times go here. Elsewhere, the Cork City Marathon takes place on Sunday, June 1 with the marathon kicking off at 8.15am from the Patrick Street and the Half Marathon beginning at 10.15am on Monahan Road. The races will naturally impact traffic in and around the city with the city centre streets closed for most of the day. North Main Street, Liberty Street, Kyles Street, Adelaide Street and Castle Street closed at 7am on Sunday and will remain closed until 4pm, while St Patrick's Street is closed until 6om. The Jack Lynch tunnel will remain open for the day but will operate at contra-flow system from 12pm until 1pm. The full list of closures is available here.
Extra.ie
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Extra.ie
O'Rourke has pedigree to land Tyrone's fifth All-Ireland
For a calm man with a studied demeanour, Malachy O'Rourke has a long record of explosive impacts. The roll-call of achievements from his first season in a job is staggeringly good. In 2008, he led his native Fermanagh to their first Ulster final in 26 years, and they only lost to Armagh after a replay. In 2013, his debut season in charge of Monaghan brought their first Ulster title in 28 years. They reached the finals of 2014 and 2015 as well, winning in the latter campaign. Tyrone boss Malachy O'Rourke has a consoling word with Jim McGuinness. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile In 2021, he took Glen to their first-ever Derry championship; they went on to win the next two, and crowned their success with the All-Ireland club title in 2024. His appointment as Tyrone manager was hailed as a wise move, but also perhaps not fully appreciated, given just how good O'Rourke is. That reputation endures even in a football landscape transformed by rules which might have been expected to hamper his more conservative instincts. The Allianz League hinted, but only modestly, at the potential in a partnership of a veteran, wily manager and a playing group that is a tantalising mix of experienced All-Ireland winners and the bounty of successive exceptional Under 20 teams. Tyrone manager Malachy O'Rourke. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile Wednesday's riotous second-half performance against Louth gave Tyrone their third All-Ireland title at that grade in four years, and only fattened already robust expectations of what could be achieved in this season and in campaigns to come. There is no county better equipped for the years to come — but given O'Rourke's pedigree and the proven quality already available, hope grows within Tyrone that this year could yet deliver Sam Maguire. That the League ended in relegation was the result of some clunky form but it was also a freak; Tyrone won three of their seven matches, drawing another one, and were relegated on seven points. Kerry took second place in the table and a League final place with eight points. And the evidence of the Championship so far is that of a team steadily finding its groove. O'Rourke was certainly among the managers who had reservations about the Football Review Committee (FRC) overhaul during the League — despite his role with Jim Gavin's committee, which he left upon his appointment to the Tyrone role. Ciaran Daly, left, and Darren McCurry of Tyrone. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile He had reservations about the new kick-out rules and the initial rules around the 3v3 in the event of a player being sent off. But tellingly, he also predicted that the transformative effect of the changes would be most felt when pitches dried and hardened. And it's true that football's glorious rebirth began through the baking days of late April and the first half of May. But it's also a fact that one of the most impressive performances of the Championship so far was delivered by O'Rourke's side on a night of squalls and showers in against Donegal in Ballybofey last Saturday. Deliverance came through the boots of Darren McCurry and Peter Harte late on, a pair of hardy veterans, but Seánie O'Donnell, an alumnus of the 2022 U20 champions, filched two goals and also pinned Ryan McHugh back. The return of Pádraig Hampsey strengthened a defence playing behind the best keeper in the country in Niall Morgan. Tyrone goalkeeper Niall Morgan. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile Every time he places a ball on the tee, he has the reassurance of looking out at the best midfield in the country, the pairing of Brian Kennedy and Conn Kilpatrick. And now O'Rourke can harvest U20s from this year's winning side to supplement plans which already extend to the knock-out stages, given the importance of last weekend's win. They also look good to make it two out of two in Omagh tomorrow night, with a fragile-looking Mayo visiting Healy Park. Their loss to Cavan in their first group game was disastrous, while the sombre news of Kevin McStay's health concerns obliging him to step away from the sideline, is a further complication. If beating fancied Donegal in their imposing home patch has transformed the look of Tyrone's season, the 5-16 to 0-17 win the U20s recorded over Louth in Armagh on Wednesday has lightened the mood even further. Noah Grimes. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile It was a performance featuring many of the impressive characteristics of the three All-Ireland-winning teams to emerge from Tyrone in the past three years, in particular the composure of players on the ball and in tight contests. Because this was a gripping contest for 40 minutes, with Tyrone eking out a two-point lead but then devastating Louth over the final quarter of an hour; they out-scored the Leinster champions 3-7 to 0-4. Noah Grimes scored 2-6 and was named man of the match, with Eoin McElholm landing 2-4. The latter, man of the match in last year's victorious final, has already established himself in the senior squad and came off the bench in Ballybofey. He is sure to become more central to O'Rourke's plans in the coming weeks, and that attacking edge is perhaps the one area of the game where Tyrone have looked unconvincing this year. Their defence was ropy-looking during the spring, too, but the return of Hampsey after missing the League following shoulder surgery is a major corrective, while the half-back line of Michael McKernan, Rory Brennan and Kieran McGeary is key on both sides of the ball. Losing to Mayo would not have much of an impact on their progression to the knock-out stages, but it would be a rare blip in a season that has taken off. Even their Ulster semi-final defeat to Armagh came in a classic as they lost by a point in 45-point game. O'Rourke's strong record of delivery brought excitement to Fermanagh, joy to Monaghan and unprecedented jubilation to a small club in Derry. Delivering Tyrone's fifth-ever All-Ireland would be his greatest feat yet. It's an ambition that grows more convincing with every game they play.
