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Nine Irish players could feature in Lions Test XV, but one Leinster star could miss out
Nine Irish players could feature in Lions Test XV, but one Leinster star could miss out

Extra.ie​

time8 hours ago

  • Sport
  • Extra.ie​

Nine Irish players could feature in Lions Test XV, but one Leinster star could miss out

This Lions tour is travelling at a furious pace and it now just two-and-a-half weeks until the first Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane. On Wednesday morning, Andy Farrell's side hit a half-century mark for the second time in four days against midweek opposition as the Queensland Reds – after a bright start – wilted and suffered the same fate as Western Force in Perth. Once again, it was a mixed bag from the tourists. When the Lions hit their stride, they looked potent and threatening in the wide channels, scoring eight tries and leaving a few more out on the Suncorp Stadium pitch. Andy Farrell's side hit a half-century mark for the second time in four days. Pic:But there were some familiar issues, namely a flurry of handling errors as well as scrum and lineout malfunctions. Farrell and his backroom team will be confident that a lot of those problems will be ironed out in time for the Test series. The Lions boss is beginning to get some clarity on selection, too. There are still plenty of spots up for grabs in the matchday 23 to face Australia on July 19. The Lions boss is beginning to get some clarity on selection. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile Some players cemented that status on Wednesday while others are beginning to drift from the first-team picture… Thrall back through the many, many 'predicted Lions Test XVs' in the years and months leading up to this tour and the all-Irish frontrow of Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong was a familiar sight. Few would have argued with such predictions either. Porter is one of the premier loosehead props on the planet, Sheehan is 'World XV' material while Furlong had started six consecutive Lions tests spanning tours of duty in New Zealand (2017) and South Africa (2021). Porter is one of the premier loosehead props on the planet. Pic:With every passing week, the likelihood of the Leinster trio getting the nod to pack down against the Wallabies pack is looking increasingly unlikely, however. Sheehan remains a frontrunner. The fact he was handed the captaincy on his first Lions cap against the Force spoke volumes and the Leinster hooker duly produced a typically busy and dynamic performance. He's nailed on for Game One in Brisbane. Porter, however, will be feeling the heat from Ellis Genge, especially after Wednesday's shaky scrumming performance against the Reds. Dan Sheehan scoring a try against Western Force last Saturday. Pic: Colin Murty/AFP via Getty Images And Furlong is far from assured of a starting spot at tighthead. The Wexford native, who has endured an injury-disrupted two years, has not looked his usual rampaging self in Oz. England's Will Start didn't make a compelling case on Wednesday either. Could Finlay Bealham, who didn't make the cut initially, be emerging as the Lions Test tighthead? He's likely to get another opportunity to state his case against the Waratahs on Saturday. For a player who has clocked up more than 2,200 minutes of competitive action, for club and country, this season, Maro Itoje didn't look like a player who needed a breather in Brisbane. The England lock delivered a superb, all-action display. It was a real captain's performance. Itoje is a class act and will be central to the Lions' chances in this looming series. Who will partner the Saracens second row remains to be seen. Joe McCarthy has made the biggest impression thus far and another muscular display against the Waratahs will put the Leinster lock firmly in the frame. If Itoje and McCarthy get the nod then Tadhg Beirne is likely to shift across to the blindside flank. Maro Itoje didn't look like a player who needed a breather in Brisbane. Pic:Given the lineout yips in recent weeks, Farrell will be keen to have three lineout jumpers in his starting Test pack. Right now, Ollie Chessum looks to have the edge on James Ryan and Scott Cummings for a spot on the bench. Beirne moving into the backrow is only going to increase the competition in the backrow and one player in particular has really put his hand up for further inclusion. Josh van der Flier is a former World Player of the Year and the Leinster openside was the favourite to start the Test series before the Lions departed for Sydney late last month. Van der Flier knew that he had serious competition long before this tour squad was named. And the Ireland flanker knows he needs to deliver a massive display next time after Jac Morgan's relentless shift against the Reds. The Ospreys flanker was everywhere. Whether he was winning turnovers, making big tackles or running smart lines, Morgan made a big impression on the Lions management. Jac Morgan put in a relentless shift against the Reds. Pic:Henry Pollock's manic energy and Ben Earl's versatility – with the Saracens flanker doing a late shift at centre on Wednesday – are tailor-made for a power-packed 6-2 bench split in the Test series. If Farrell, as expected, goes for a big unit like Beirne on the blindside and Jack Conan at No8, then openside flanker looks the only position still up for grabs. Van der Flier v Morgan is going to be fascinating in the coming weeks. There was plenty of pragmatism from Gibson-Park during some dicey moments in the first half. Pic:Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell looked like first-choice half backs on Wednesday. Both players were a joy to watch in full flight. Crucially, there was plenty of pragmatism from Gibson-Park during some dicey moments in the first half. The Leinster scrum-half is known for his full-throttle attacking approach but Gibson-Park can slow things down and play the percentages as well. Russell is looking the part at No10, too. The Northampton Saints pair of Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith are locked in as the back-up options as the bench. Bundee Aki tackles Queensland Reds' Tim Ryan. Pic: David Gray/AFP via Getty Images Bundee Aki and Huw Jones grew into this game. Both centres looked most effective when they ran hard at the line, rather than trying the intricate stuff out the back. Sione Tuipulotu and Garry Ringrose remain the favourites to start the Test series, mind. Freeman looks like a frontrunner for the right wing. Pic:Tommy Freeman and Duhan van der Merwe needed big games in Brisbane. James Lowe and Mack Hansen are firm favourites of Farrell and both excelled in Perth. Van der Merwe looked suspect in defence on several occasions. The Scotland wing is a serious athlete but the Wallabies will target him. Freeman still looks like a frontrunner for the right wing. Van der Merwe is a serious athlete but the Wallabies will target him. Pic:Otherwise, the back three slots are wide open. Hugo Keenan fell further behind after withdrawing late through illness. His replacement Elliot Daly, virtually ever-present on the last three Lions tours, was having another impressive outing before that concerning late arm injury. Blair Kinghorn, a late arrival on tour following his Top14-winning exploits with Toulouse, will get a chance to impress in Sydney. The Scot looks primed to make a late surge into the Test reckoning. B Kinghorn; T Freeman, G Ringrose, S Tuipulotu, M Hansen; F Russell, J Gibson-Park; E Genge, D Sheehan, F Bealham; M Itoje (capt), J McCarthy; T Beirne, J van der Flier, J Conan. Reps: R Kelleher, A Porter, T Furlong, B Earl, H Pollock, A Mitchell, F Smith, B Aki.

Sean McComb eyes potential all-Irish fight after winning on return to the ring
Sean McComb eyes potential all-Irish fight after winning on return to the ring

Irish Daily Mirror

time3 days ago

  • Sport
  • Irish Daily Mirror

Sean McComb eyes potential all-Irish fight after winning on return to the ring

Sean McComb is open to an all-Irish showdown with recently crowned EBU European super lightweight champion Pierce O'Leary. The Belfast southpaw made a winning return to action as he fought for the first time in 14 months on Saturday night, beating Argentina's Alexis Nahuel Torres via decision. McComb hadn't been seen in action since suffering the second defeat of his career very controversially against Arnold Barboza Jr in April of last year, but was very pleased with his performance against Torres in Hull, with referee Mark Lyson scoring the bout 60-54 in his favour. In a one-sided contest, McComb outboxed his opponent from the off and hurt his eye in the fourth round as the now 13-12-1 fighter struggled with the 32-year-old's silky skills. Much bigger challenges now lie ahead for 'The Public Nuisance', who revealed Dublin's O'Leary is one name he is interested in facing next. "We all know I want a rematch with Barboza. We're not going to get it so we'll go the UK route," said McComb. "We have all the top fighters in the UK. We've got Dalton Smith, Adam Azim, Pierce O'Leary... anyone else around the domestic scene wants it, European wants it, anyone wants it I'm here. I just want to fight the best names in the hat and they're the best names in the hat." McComb's trainer Pete Taylor commented: "Nobody wants to fight Sean. He's a nightmare for anybody in the world and everybody's avoiding him after the Barboza fight. "It would have been better off really for us if he got knocked out because people would fight him. Now everybody knows where he belongs because we were robbed. We were robbed that day against BarboZa so this could have started a great journey for us." Taylor added: "We'll fight anybody and you know, boxers say that 'I'll fight anybody', we actually will fight anybody. Anybody that's out there wants to take the chance, we're there."

Winner of Shelbourne-Linfield tie to face Qarabag next in Champions League
Winner of Shelbourne-Linfield tie to face Qarabag next in Champions League

RTÉ News​

time18-06-2025

  • Sport
  • RTÉ News​

Winner of Shelbourne-Linfield tie to face Qarabag next in Champions League

The winner of the all-Irish clash between Shelbourne and Linfield in the Champions League will face Azerbaijani side Qarabag FK in the second round. It will be a tough ask for the first round winner against a side regularly featuring in the outright Europa or Conference League. The first leg will be played on 22 or 23 July, with the Irish side at home, followed by leg two on 29 or 30 July. Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic will be part of the Conference League second round draw at 1pm. The Hoops enter the competition at this stage after being upgraded following Drogheda's expulsion. With a high ranking, the draw is likely to be favourable for the Hoops. Cliftonville FC are among their possible opponents, with the entire list of Winner of La Fiorita 1967 (San Marino) vs FC Vardar (North Macedonia) NK Varaždin (Croatia) Winner of Floriana FC (Malta) vs Haverfordwest County AFC (Wales) Winner of St Joseph's FC (GIB) vs Cliftonville FC UNA Strassen (Luxembourg) The Saints will play FC Hegelmann of Lithuania in the first round. Sparta Prague, Royal Charleroi SC from Belgium, Latvia's Riga FC, Silkeborg IF of Denmark and the winner of Nõmme Kalju FC (Estonia) vs FK Partizani (Albania) are their possible opponents in round two.

Shelbourne and Linfield paired in mouthwatering Champions League cross-border qualifier
Shelbourne and Linfield paired in mouthwatering Champions League cross-border qualifier

Daily Record

time17-06-2025

  • Sport
  • Daily Record

Shelbourne and Linfield paired in mouthwatering Champions League cross-border qualifier

It's an all-Irish derby in the first round of Champions League qualifying between Damien Duff and David Healy's teams Shelbourne and Linfield are set to clash in an historic Champions League qualifier that pits two Irish sides against each other. And in an intriguing sub-plot, it will be former Celtic coach Damien Duff against ex- Rangers midfielder David Healy in the dugouts. ‌ Duff led Shelbourne to an upset league title last season and they entered today's first qualifying round draw knowing there was a chance of an all-Irish derby against Linfield, the longstanding dominant force in Northern Irish football. ‌ And so it's proved with the sides set to meet first in Dublin on Tuesday July 8 or Wednesday July 9 with the second leg at Windsor Park a week later. It will be the second cross-border clash in a year with Shamrock facing Larne in the Conference League in October. But the stakes are higher this time with the champions from both divisions facing in a qualifier for UEFA's top competition. Linfield stormed to the Irish Premiership title last season as is the norm while Shelbourne upset the odds when they won the League of Ireland Premier Division under the tutelage of Duff, who previously served as a coach at Celtic Park. The tie has huge financial implications for the team with the winner guaranteed at least two more Champions League qualifying matches – one of which at home. It comes 20 years after the teams met in the inaugural all-Ireland Setanta Cup final, with Linfield triumphant at Tolka Park. ‌ You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also on WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.

World title likely to be on the line in rematch between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan
World title likely to be on the line in rematch between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan

The 42

time13-06-2025

  • Sport
  • The 42

World title likely to be on the line in rematch between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan

A REMATCH OF the most controversial all-Irish boxing match in recent years looks set to be elevated in its significance, with Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan moving closer to meeting for the vacant IBF welterweight world title in the autumn. Eddie Hearn, who promotes both Crocker and Donovan, tonight confirmed that current welterweight king Jaron 'Boots' Ennis intends to move up to light-middleweight on health and performance grounds, which would make it 'very likely that his belts will become vacated'. Belfast's Crocker [21-0, 11KOs] is the number-one-ranked contender for Ennis' IBF title following his disqualification victory over Limerick's Donovan in March, with Donovan [14-1, 11KOs] positioned next in line due to the contentious nature of his first career defeat. Advertisement The IBF initially ordered the Irish duo to meet again in a final eliminator for the 147-pound title following an appeal by Donovan's team, but if champion Ennis was to release the IBF title in the coming weeks, the sanctioning body would likely decree that the vacant belt be contested between Crocker and Donovan. And promoter Hearn says the weight cut to 147 pounds has become too prohibitive for Ennis, this despite his sublime stoppage of the world-class Eimantas Stanionis back in April. 'Boots is moving up,' the Matchroom boss told 'Unfortunately, after the Stanionis fight, he had his team around him, the doctors, the tests, and what they're basically saying is, 'Boots is underperforming [versus] his capabilities'. 'You saw him on fight week,' Hearn added, alluding to Ennis' gaunt physical condition before fight night. 'It doesn't take a genius to see it's hard work. And the amazing thing is he did that to Stanionis at 50% of his physical capabilities. 'It's very likely that his belts will become vacated. We'll meet this week.' Were the IBF to stick with its current rankings and allow Crocker and Donovan to meet again for world honours, the sequel would become the first all-Irish world-title fight in boxing history. Matchroom have been eyeing up a late September or early October date for the rematch, which will again take place in Belfast. Windsor Park, initially considered too big for a non-title bout between boxers who are not yet established stars, is currently being re-explored as a potential destination. The original bout at Belfast's SSE Arena was, in its own right, one the most significant to take place between two Irish boxers in the modern era. 'Real Deal' Donovan and trainer Andy Lee were left furious when the previously unbeaten Munsterman was disqualified for knocking down hometown hero Crocker after the bell had sounded to end the eighth round. Donovan had already been harshly deducted two points for head clashes by English referee Marcus McDonnell. Donovan had broadly dominated a compelling contest against his domestic rival, leading 'The Croc' 69-63 x2 and 67-65 on the three judges' scorecards and earning a legitimate knockdown before being disqualified for an illegal blow.

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