Tag: 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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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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Trash or treasure?
Whenever an incumbent leaves a position – sporting or otherwise – suddenly or unexpectedly, there’s usually a significant back story. Like a GAA manager resigning in the immediate aftermath of a important defeat. Or a manager getting the sack in one of the professional sports after a bad run of results. But then, every so […]
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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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Taylor takes top gong again but there were unlucky ones
Katie Taylor was crowned RTE Sportsperson Of The Year for the third time on Saturday night as another terrific twelve months of sporting success at local, national and international level was rightly commended. The history-making Bray lady remains undefeated 22 bouts into her professional pugilism career, adjacent to spectacular success in the amateur ranks which […]
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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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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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Would You Like To Buy My Books?
Over the last couple of years I have written and published two books – “Heroics And Heartache” and ” Rolling Down Memory Lane”. Details about both and how you can purchase them are contained within.