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Irish Independent
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
See photos as Wicklow Rovers AFC celebrate 50th anniversary with founding members
Honouring five decades of history and community dedication, the evening honoured visionary past members who laid the club's rock-solid foundation, while looking to the future that lies ahead. The event began with a heartfelt introduction by Ross Byrne, who traced the club's journey from humble beginnings, detailing how, through members' unwavering support and tireless efforts, Wicklow Rovers blossomed into the pride of Wicklow, culminating in the senior men's first team's historic quadruple win. There was a presentation for the club's honorary members, whose names are etched into the very fabric of Wicklow Rovers, with a deeply touching moment seeing the presentation of awards to the club's founding members, acknowledging those who 'bravely started this incredible journey'. Edward Dunne, Teddy Dunne's son, graciously accepted on behalf of his late father, with Michael Loughlin, John 'Spud' Murphy, Noel McVeigh, Jimmy Culbert, Anthony Earls, Jim Crofton, and Billy Dunne, also honoured. The spotlight was shone on the club's youth, with the Under 14's team of 2024 receiving a well-deserved presentation, celebrating their historic SFAI South Leinster title in 2024 – the first Wicklow schoolboy team ever to win a Leinster title. The evening also paid tribute to the growing strength of the Wicklow Rovers Ladies Senior Team, with Louise Johnson presented with the prestigious Sheila Loughlin Player of the Year award, and Molly Sweeney receiving the Top Scorer award. The achievements of the senior men's teams were also celebrated, with awards presented to top scorers and players of the year across the 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams. As attendees reflected on the club's glorious past and thriving present, eyes were cast towards the future, with chairman Garry Collins discussing exciting plans for Whitegates and the committee's vision to implement the required infrastructure to ensure the club's continued success, with a key focus being the development of an all-weather pitch at Whitegates. The night culminated with the presentation of the Volunteer of the Year 2025 award to Johnny Dunne, aka 'Mr. Wicklow Rovers', while Wicklow League committee member Liam Kilbride presented Garry Collins with a special memento, with outgoing committee members Stephen Clarke, Jimmy Nolan, Paul Delaney, and Corrinna Collins honoured. 'It was a heartwarming occasion where generations of the club came together, weaving a tapestry of shared memories, current triumphs, and boundless hope for the future,' a club spokesperson 'Founding members, their families, past players, dedicated past and present committee members, the history-making U14s team of 2024, our incredible quadruple-winning Senior Men's team of 2024-25, and so many other players and supporters gathered to mark this milestone. 'It was an evening that captured the heart and soul of Wicklow Rovers AFC. As we reflect on 50 years of passion, community, and football excellence, we are filled with immense pride in our past, joy in our present achievements, and incredible hope for an even brighter future.'
The Guardian
14-06-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Jordie Barrett helps Leinster cruise past the Bulls and win URC grand final
Leinster lifted their first trophy since 2021 after a convincing 32-7 United Rugby Championship grand final win over the Bulls at Croke Park on Saturday. The wet weather failed to deter an attendance of 46,127 – a record for a league decider in Ireland – as they became the first table-topping team to win the title in the URC era. Despite Jamison Gibson-Park's pre-match withdrawal, Leinster roared into a 19-0 half-time lead with tries from Jack Conan, Jordie Barrett and Josh van der Flier. Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion Beaten finalists in 2022 and 2024, the Pretoria-based Bulls crossed in the 50th minute through the replacement Akker van der Merwe to cancel out a Sam Prendergast penalty. Prendergast took his haul to 10 points and the replacement Fintan Gunne's closing try was fittingly converted by the Gloucester-bound Ross Byrne. Conan pointed the way for the hosts with a fifth-minute try, crashing over after an initial maul and Prendergast quickly converted. The departing Barrett got his right boot to Luke McGrath's deft dink in the 13th minute, opening up the Bulls' backfield to brilliantly score beside the posts. Van der Flier emerged through a maul to make it 19-0, as penalties continued to prove costly for the Bulls. The South Africans finally got some momentum, battering away before Willie le Roux was guilty of a poor kick and then a forward pass. Although Prendergast opened the second-half scoring, the visitors hit back when Van der Merwe drove over for Johan Goosen to convert. It remained 22-7 with Leinster failing to capitalise on a tap penalty, while Prendergast pushed another one wide. The young fly-half was back on target in the 67th minute and Gunne then scored from a neat wraparound move – a fine finish to the campaign for Leinster's 12 British and Irish Lions representatives.
The Irish Sun
14-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
What TV channel is Leinster vs Bulls on? FREE stream, kick-off time and odds for Croke Park URC final
LEINSTER and Bulls will contest the 2025 URC final from the unusual setting of Croke Park this evening. The Blues secured their spot in the play-off finale by Bulls, meanwhile, triumphed in an all-South African affair as they won their semi-final Here's everything you need to know about today's match-up: What TV channel is Leinster vs Bulls on? The showpiece game will be shown live on TG4 as well as Premier Sports 1. So everyone can avail of the free streaming platform provided by the TG4 Player. Kick-off from Jones' Road will be at 5pm. Read More On Irish Sport What are the odds? Leinster team: Leinster have been boosted by Ross Byrne is on the bench for what is his last game before he joins Gloucester but LEINSTER: J O'Brien; T O'Brien, Ringrose, Barrett, Lowe; Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Clarkson; McCarthy, Ryan; Baird, van der Flier, Conan. Most read in Rugby Union Reps: Kelleher, Boyle, Slimani, Snyman, Deegan, McGrath, Byrne, Osborne. What's been said in the build-up? Cullen has insisted that Leinster 'Pierre loving retirement' - Peter O'Mahony's wife teases Ireland legend as kids run amok in cute snap If the province do not During that time, they have lost three finals and one semi-final in the Champions Cup and three semi-finals in the URC, twice when they had finished top of the standings in the regular season. They topped the pile again this time around and Cullen does not believe his charges deserve to be automatically dismissed if they cannot get over the line again. He said: 'They're all individual games. Every play-off game is a final as such. We have played in lots, whether they come in a quarter-final, semi-final or final. 1 This will be Jordie Barrett's last game for the province 'The group is learning all the time, young players come through, you are adding layers of experience. 'I think the way some of the questions are leading me, it's like, 'Whoever loses is a failure'. In this game there are two good teams going at it. If you lose in a final, are you classified as a failure? 'You can play your best game in the final. So both of these teams could play their best games of the season but unfortunately one of the teams has to lose. 'So one of the teams, who has just played their best game, they are classified as losers because they have lost but are they failures? "You are guaranteed nothing. So you have to prepare the best you can with the time you have to put in your best performance. I hope the group goes out and does itself justice. It's on the day.'
Irish Times
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Leinster coach Leo Cullen on facing Bulls: ‘We know we're in for a serious bloody challenge'
Leinster hope the United Rugby Championship (URC) final on Saturday in Croke Park will be a positive send-off for All Black Jordie Barrett , who returns to New Zealand , and Ross Byrne , who leaves for Premiership side Gloucester after five seasons . Barrett starts at inside centre beside a recharged and healthy Garry Ringrose with Byrne poised to make an appearance from the bench. 'Ross has been unbelievable, he's been involved in some great days for Leinster,' said Leinster coach Leo Cullen . 'Hopefully he will play a part, he's been a key member of the group.' Josh van der Flier also makes a timely return to openside flanker and along with Ringrose adds to the collective experience of the group as they face South Africa's Bulls. READ MORE Cullen also spoke highly about having the playing ability and influence of Barrett around the Leinster camp. 'Listen, we're very lucky to have Jordie,' said Cullen. 'He has added in lots of different ways to the group because at the end of the day we're a tiny country in terms of playing population, and we're up against a juggernaut team who we would have watched play Super Rugby and dismantle teams over the years, so we know we're in for a serious bloody challenge. 'When we get the opportunity to bring in a player, it's fantastic to be able to do that.' With Sam Prendergast again partnering Jamison Gibson-Park , Cullen has stuck with players who brought the team to this point. Captain Jack Conan and Ryan Baird , who probably had his best game of the season against Glasgow in the semi-final , make up the backrow. [ Bulls will look to use raw power to take down Leinster in URC final Opens in new window ] In a broad conversation, Cullen was drawn on whether the players Leinster brought in such as All Black Barrett, Springbok World Cup winner RG Snyman and French prop Rabah Slimani have added to the group, and whether they were worth the wrangling. The issue arose that if Leinster do not win on Saturday and again end the season with no trophy can they be deemed failures, and can the bringing in of big name players be legitimately questioned? 'What's deemed as success or failure off the back of this?' asked Cullen rhetorically. 'So, there are two good teams going at it. If you lose in a final are you classified as a failure? They are classified as losers because they have lost, but are they failures?' More than their performances, Cullen explained the non-Irish players were also influencers and standard drivers within the squad, 'We know we've a serious challenge on our hands and it's been great to add a few of these guys into the mix because we want them to really add to the group, over the course of a career for academy players,' said Cullen. 'You mention Hugh Cooney and Charlie Tector, Jordie has played with both of those guys at different stages, over the course of the season. 'But you'd have to ask those guys what did they really learn? It's the day-to-day habits. Look, they're here in the first place because I strongly believe they do add. But maybe that's just justifying the position we're in.' Those talking points may naturally iron themselves out on the day. What is occupying Cullen's mind is what the conditions will be like at Croke Park on Saturday, after an afternoon session on Thursday at Jones's Road when the rain didn't stop falling. That will determine how Leinster set up and whether they play their game or adjust for the Bull's strengths. Leinster scored more tries than anyone across the season, while the Bulls have won more scrum penalties on their own feed than anyone. Leinster have the best gainline success, while the Bulls have averaged more metres per carry than any other team. [ Bulls stalwart Willie le Roux urges teammates to seize moment in Croke Park showdown with Leinster Opens in new window ] 'The conditions are very front and centre of my mind because it's been lashing rain here all morning,' Cullen said. 'So, look I don't think the weather is meant to be as bad on Saturday so yes, we will try and play with a positive mentality. I think you saw the group last week against Glasgow. There was a mix. There was a positive effort to play and then okay there is a heavy downpour at half time so then you've got that. 'There is a certain amount of feel and understanding of the conditions on the day.' And perhaps the key to failure or success. Leinster: J O'Brien; T O'Brien, G Ringrose, J Barrett, J Lowe; S Prendergast, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheehan, T Clarkson, J McCarthy, J Ryan, R Baird, J van der Flier, J Conan (Capt). Replacements : R Kelleher, Jack Boyle, Slimani, RG Snyman, M Deegan, L McGrath, R Ross Byrne, J Osborne. Bulls: W le Roux; C Moodie, D Kriel, H Vorster, S de Klerk; J Goosen, E Papier, J-hendrik Wessels, J Grobbelaar, W Louw, C Wiese, JF van Heerden, M van Staden, R Nortje (CAPT), M Coetzee. Replacements : A van der Merwe, A Tshakweni, M Smith, J Kirsten, N Carr, Z Burger, K Johannes, D Williams. Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR). How can Leinster end their Bulls hoodoo? Listen | 31:31
Irish Times
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Leo Cullen brings in Ringrose and Van der Flier to face Bulls in URC final
Outhalf Ross Byrne is set for his final appearance for Leinster but it will be off the bench as coach Leo Cullen starts with Sam Prendergast partnering Jamison Gibson-Park in the half back pairing for Leinster's United Rugby Championship (URC) final against the Bulls on Saturday at Croke Park (5pm kick-off). Cullen makes two changes to the Leinster side that beat Glasgow 37-19 in last week's semi-final. A fit again Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier come back into the team, Ringrose partnering Jordie Barret in the centre and Van der Flier slotting into his usual role at openside flanker alongside captain Jack Conan at number eight and Ryan Baird. Joe McCarthy and James Ryan continue their partnership in the second row with loosehead prop Andrew Porter and tighthead Thomas Clarkson scrumming down alongside last week's double try scorer, hooker Dan Sheehan. The in-form Tommy O'Brien and James Lowe continue on the wings with Jimmy O'Brien named at fullback once more as Hugo Keenan remains unavailable with a calf injury. READ MORE Leinster's impressive bench includes frontrow Rónan Kelleher, Jack Boyle and French international Rabah Slimani along with RG Snyman and Max Deegan. Jamie Osborne, who scored tries in either half against Glasgow, gives way for Ringrose and is among the replacements alongside Luke McGrath and the departing Byrne in a 5-3 bench split. Bulls coach Jake White makes one injury-enforced change to his side with Cameron Hanekom suffering an injury in the 25-13 semi-final win over the Sharks which rules him out of the game. Marco van Staden comes into the pack with Nizaam Carr coming onto the replacements bench in an otherwise unchanged squad Leinster : J O'Brien; T O'Brien, G Ringrose, J Barrett, J Lowe; S Prendergast, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheehan, T Clarkson, J McCarthy, J Ryan, R Baird, J van der Flier, J Conan (Capt). Replacements : R Kelleher, Jack Boyle, Slimani, RG Snyman, M Deegan, L McGrath, R Ross Byrne, Jamie Osborne Bulls : W le Roux; C Moodie, D Kriel, H Vorster, S de Klerk; J Goosen, E Papier, J-hendrik Wessels, J Grobbelaar, W Louw, C Wiese, JF van Heerden, M van Staden, R Nortje (CAPT), M Coetzee. Replacements : A van der Merwe, A Tshakweni, M Smith, J Kirsten, N Carr, Z Burger, K Johannes, D Williams Referee : Andrea Piardi (FIR)
