Tag: South Africa
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Boks deserving winners despite blundering Barnes
South Africa… 12 New Zealand… 11 To a one-eyed fella sitting in a wheelchair thousands of miles away, it was blatantly obvious Ardie Savea had locked onto the ball, so how Wayne Barnes couldn’t see it from a foot away defies logic. Now read on… Furthermore, a squirming, half arsed apology in such a situation…
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All the skill and bravery in the world won’t paper over the cracks
There was a reason it took this corner quite a while to come onside with rugby. Until the nuances of the game were understood properly, all it looked like to me was f*t fellas trundling around and jumping on top of each other like young bulls turned out to fresh grass. More fool I. For…
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A game for the ages but ‘only’ an ordinary win
Ireland… 13 South Africa… 8 One of the strange curiosities of the four match saga between Meath and Dublin in the Leinster SFC of 1991 was, after all the hype and coverage had subsided, it was only a first round encounter. The victors still had several hurdles to cross before they could even contemplate silverware.…
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Another decent score with plenty to work on
Ireland… 59 Tonga… 16 A connection currently in France at the rugby said to me the other day, with a tinge of sadness attached, that it was unlikely Keith Earls would be seen in an Irish jersey again. I wouldn’t be so sure. In the reverse of what often happens in this space, let’s go…
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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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Barry bites the dust at first hurdle
It was very much a mixed bag in terms of Irish interest on the opening night of the Cazoo World Championships of Darts at the Alexandra Palace in London. Veteran thrower Mickey Mansell threw the first darts and the first 180 of the tournament as the Ulsterman recorded a rare victory for himself on the…
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Seeing is believing until you can’t believe it!
Being a writer who primarily works in sport, sometimes you are in the fortunate position of being able to witness happenings at close quarters which can be difficult to put into words. For yours truly, Kevin Foley’s goal for Meath against Dublin, Padraig Beggy coming from the clouds to win the Epsom Derby aboard Wings…
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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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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…