Tag: Munster Rugby
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Progress can mean different things to different people
In the overall annals of GAA history, one wonders where the Centenary Cup resides. For Meath however, it was without doubt the spring board for the greatest era in the county’s football history. Fast forward to the present day and Westmeath will be hoping that last year’s Tailteann Cup success will similarly set them on […]
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No major surprises in Ireland Six Nations squad
The inclusion of Leinster’s uncapped centre Jamie Osborne is the only occurrence of note in Andy Farrell’s Ireland squad for the forthcoming Six Nations Championship announced this morning. Some would no doubt lament the exclusion of Joey Carbery as equally newsworthy but, in the opinion of this writer, sooner rather than later the Athy man […]
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Statements in Manchester and Munster, now it’s over to Meath
Before the cat jumps all the way out of the bag of its own accord, let’s provide the last nudge. I have returned to meaningful involvement with my local GAA club after a 15-year-hiatus. Part of which was enforced, another element thereof is old ground which doesn’t need to be ploughed up again. There may […]
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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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Impressive variety but staple diet needs freshening up
Ireland…19 South Africa…16 How much store do you place on the Autumn Internationals? A passive observer would probably deem them no more than puffed up friendlies. The aficionado, though, sees them as the laying foundations and building something as the nuts and bolts of the day job kicks off for International players. My own view […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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No winners in latest GPA stunt
When Rachael Blackmore crossed the line claiming Gold Cup glory aboard A Plus Tard, within seconds, some of the ITV Racing crew had sidled up alongside the terrific Tipperary lady to get immediate reaction to the win. Brilliant journalism from their point of view and wonderful insight for viewers tuned in. However, the couple of […]
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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 […]