Tag: BT Sport Rugby
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Furlong pulls up as preparations enter the home straight
Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out of Ireland’s Six Nations Championship opener against Wales on Saturday at the 11th hour due to an ongoing calf muscle injury. The Wexford colossus hasn’t played since December, but was considered to be on track for a return before this latest setback. Connacht’s Finlay Bealham will replace his Leinster…
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Moral victories aren’t even written on paper
Leinster… 20 Munster… 19 You often hear it said that certain things “Aren’t worth the paper they’re written on”. Well, moral victories aren’t even written on paper. If they were, it may as well be used toilet paper. Even the most ardent Munster fan must surely be sick of patronising platitudes at this stage in…
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Reserve Tanks do little to enhance their status
Ireland… 35 Fiji… 17 Anybody with the slightest knowledge about rugby for the four decades this writer has been on the go – at the very least – will surely know of the efficiency of those from the Pacific island of Fiji in the 7s format of the game. Therefore, you’d have thought that a…
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SIDELINE CUTS – 19
HARRY’S HEROICS ALL IN VAIN Now is not the time for a major analysis or critique. For personal reasons which should be fairly obvious. Meath’s defeat in Ennis last night is still far too raw. Emotionally and in other ways. Suffice to say that the end result was bitterly disappointing. Have got off to a…
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Ulster progressing, Munster stuck in gear at best
Ulster… 36 Munster… 17 Graham Rowntree must be wondering is he insane. One of the most decorated players in rugby, you’d imagine he could have plumped for any coaching job he wanted in the game. But spare an even bigger thought for Denis Leamy… The former back row forward only during the week moved back…
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Mack puts the knife into Wales on impressive debut
Ireland…29 Wales…7 A very short time into his Championship debut against Dublin, Ollie Murphy palmed the ball into an empty net in front a packed Canal End. For any Meath player it can’t get much better than that. Well, at the Aviva Stadium this afternoon, shy of scoring a try, if there is such a…
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Irish eyes smiling for different reasons
It had to happen, didn’t it? Anytime they have been required to deliver big when it mattered most, Munster have answered the call. Against the All Blacks, 1978, The Miracle Match, then defeating Glasgow days after Axel Foley was laid to rest. And again on Sunday. Yet, in ways, for this observer at least, Sunday’s…
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A quality not to be taken for granted
Munster… 16 Castres Olympique… 13 There will come a day when it won’t work. When the bucket will come up dry from the well. Don’t plan your schedule around it though. Because if it didn’t happen last night in France, there may be a lengthy wait for such a situation. Again Munster found aaawwwe teetering…
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A bit of routine and some pleasant surprises – Rugby Wrap Part II
On another weekend, the latest chapter in the Munster European heroics tome would be more than enough to keep aficionados sated. Being the first helping of continental fare for the season, it was never likely to be the only talking point. Not even from an Irish point of view. Teams from the Emerald Isle going…
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Munster outdo themselves – Rugby Wrap Part I
During a weekend with as many sporting highlights as there are Dublin busses, it’s hard to know where to begin. Between Clough-Ballacolla ousting Kllmacud Crokes from the Leinster Club SHC, Katie Taylor recording a 20th Professional win, the Irish U-23 team striking glory in cross country Athletics, Arsenal winning minus their petulant skipper. And so…