Tag: Leinster Rugby

  • Moral victories aren’t even written on paper

    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…

  • Wintry Sundays while the sun’s still shining

    Wintry Sundays while the sun’s still shining

    I only saw Brian Mullins playing once. It will probably come as a surprise to many that the once blonde colossus was seen at all. It just happened to be my second year going to matches and, as far as can be recalled, it was Brian’s final match. Tiernach and Robbie Gilbert have been family…

  • It’s a fairly safe bet he didn’t watch Italia ’90!

    It’s a fairly safe bet he didn’t watch Italia ’90!

    Italia ’90 – even now, mention of the words together conjures so many memories. Pat Bonner’s grimace before that booming kickout against the Dutch, Genoa, Penalties, Bonner again, David O’Leary, the pub scene from The Snapper. Now read on… Another recollection from that glorious summer prompted what you are about to intake. A proclamation by…

  • Ireland crumble in Fortress Eden

    Ireland crumble in Fortress Eden

    Ireland… 19 New Zealand… 42 You might think that scoring three tries against the All Blacks – especially at Eden Park – represented a commendable day’s work. Don’t be fooled… This was a classic case of ‘come into my web, said the spider to the fly’, before the resident takes a choke hold of the…

  • Boylan’s Sporting Wordle No. 24

    Boylan’s Sporting Wordle No. 24

    Former Irish rugby international Trevor Brennan worked at what before things went professional. https://mywordle.strivemath.com/?word=iwcnxej

  • Irish eyes smiling for different reasons

    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…

  • A bit of routine and some pleasant surprises – Rugby Wrap Part II

    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…

  • Munster go try-Axel to trailer more points

    Munster go try-Axel to trailer more points

    Munster…20 Connacht…18 There are two certainties about October. I will get a flu (check) and Munster will produce at least one remarkable performance at Thomond Park. If the second half of that hadn’t been accomplished before last night, the box was well and truly ticked by the time the 80 minutes had elapsed under the…

  • Meath onto a winner with horses for courses move

    Meath onto a winner with horses for courses move

    Before 1997, I’d never been in Bective. Thereafter however, it would be a GAA ground with which I would become familiar. Always receiving a wonderful welcome whenever wheels with yours truly aboard touched down thence. It has always been a happy hunting ground for Dunboyne teams too. Early in ’97, our U-14 hurlers won their…

  • Zebo homecoming a timely boost for stagnant reds

    Zebo homecoming a timely boost for stagnant reds

    Johnny Sexton’s early departure from Leinster’s victory over Exeter last weekend for yet another Head Injury Assessment (HIA) enabled Ross Byrne to deliver his best and most important performance yet in the blue jersey. Whilst not in any way seeking to construct the rugby obituary of the former World Player Of The Year just yet,…