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Filed under: Paul O'Connell

Munster 19 v 9 Leinster

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via leinsterrugby.ie

Leinster fell to a 10-point defeat to Munster in their final match of the season, missing out on a potential Magners League and Heineken Cup double...

Leinster had their periods of dominance in the league decider at Thomond Park, but their failure to convert pressure into points came back to haunt them in the end.

Jonathan Sexton kicked three penalties from four attempts for the visitors, while Sean O'Brien, Richardt Strauss, Fergus McFadden, Kevin McLaughlin and Nathan Hines all went close to scoring tries.

Munster managed to soak up the pressure in both halves and keep their try-line intact, with Doug Howlett's 12th-minute touchdown setting them on the way to their second Magners League title in three years.

Joe Schmidt's men travelled to Limerick in buoyant mood, just seven days after their heroic Heineken Cup final victory over Northampton Saints.

Gordon D'Arcy's ankle injury saw McFadden join Brian O'Driscoll in the centre for Leinster, who reintroduced Heinke van der Merwe and Shane Jennings in the pack.

It was a win apiece earlier in the campaign - Leinster were 13-9 winners at the Aviva Stadium and a Ronan O'Gara-inspired Munster claimed a 24-23 triumph in Limerick last month - and there was a typically bruising opening to the grand final.

Sexton miscued a long range penalty with the wind behind him, six minutes in, and although Leinster won a series of early turnovers, Munster were first on the scoreboard.

The Munster pack laid the groundwork before Lifeimi Mafi got away from Eoin Reddan and laid the ball off for former All Black Howlett to score in the corner.

O'Gara read the wind superbly to stab the conversion over, rewarding his forwards for a solid start. Paul O'Connell and man-of-the-match David Wallace were both to the fore, the latter keen to impress in his 200th outing for Munster.

The turnover rate was high as the sides scrapped for every ball, with O'Brien, Jennings and Jamie Heaslip putting their bodies on the line. Leinster patiently worked themselves into the game amid a series of attacks from deep.

One such counter led to a cynical shoulder charge by Marcus Horan on O'Driscoll which was missed by the match officials. However, a subsequent scrum infringement saw Sexton convert his first penalty goal from a central position.

There was little to chose between the sides coming up to half-time and given the balance of play, Leinster would have been pleased to go in just 7-3 behind at the break.

A sparkling run and pass from O'Driscoll got Leinster immediately into scoring range early in the second half. Their forwards battered away at Munster's defensive line until Donncha O'Callaghan was sin-binned for not rolling away in front of his posts.

Sexton took the three points on offer and Munster staved off Leinster's next assault on their line - Strauss, who almost got over from a lineout move, and McFadden, tackled brilliantly by Wallace and James Coughlan, were both thwarted.

A looping pass from Sexton was mishandled by McFadden as Munster were caught for numbers out wide, but the Leinster out-half was successful with a right-sided penalty soon after for a 9-7 lead.

With just 20 minutes remaining, it was anybody's game. After such an absorbing game in Cardiff last Saturday, tiredness seemed to become a factor for the men in blue as Munster got on the front foot again.

They barged back to within metres of the Leinster line, a thunderous tackle from Luke Fitzgerald knocking Howlett to the ground just when a try looked on.

But Munster turned the screw when O'Gara lofted a cross-field kick over to Earls who avoided Isa Nacewa's initial challenge and scored despite the best efforts of Shane Horgan and O'Driscoll.

O'Gara was narrowly wide with the conversion and watched his 48-metre penalty miss the target, with nine minutes remaining.

However, Leinster's hopes were extinguished by the concession of a third try. Munster drove them back in two successive scrums close to their line and referee Nigel Owens signalled for a penalty try after the second one.

O'Gara's conversion took the lead to 10 points and although the game was now beyond them, Leinster, with the departing Paul O'Donohoe now on the pitch, were inches away from grabbing an injury-time try. Kevin McLaughlin and Nathan Hines both went close in the dying minutes.

MUNSTER SCORERS: D. Howlett (1 try), K. Earls (1 try), Penalty try, R. O'Gara (2 conversions)

LEINSTER SCORERS: J. Sexton (3 penalties)

MUNSTER: F Jones; D Howlett, D Barnes, L Mafi, K Earls; R O'Gara, C Murray; M Horan, D Varley, J Hayes, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell CAPTAIN, D Ryan, D Wallace, J Coughlan

REPLACEMENTS: M Sherry, W du Preez, S Archer, D Leamy, N Ronan, P Stringer, P Warwick, J Murphy

LEINSTER:

15: Isa Nacewa
14: Shane Horgan
13: Brian O'Driscoll
12: Fergus McFadden
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Eoin Reddan (Paul O'Donohoe, 77)

1: Heinke van der Merwe (Cian Healy, 59)
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross (Stan Wright, 71)
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Nathan Hines
6: Sean O'Brien (Kevin McLaughlin, 59)
7: Shane Jennings (Aaron Dundon, 71)
8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS NOT USED: Devin Toner, Ian Madigan, Eoin O'Malley

REFEREE: Nigel Owens (WRU), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Tim Hayes, David Jones (both WRU), 4th OFFICIAL: Alan Rogan (IRFU), 5th OFFICIAL: Trevor Collins (IRFU), TMO: Nigel Whitehouse (WRU)

via leinsterrugby.ie

Perfect stage for cullen to show world Cup worth

If you could have scripted a fixture to crown the season, this would most definitely have been it. And if anyone out there thinks that there is a single member of the new European champions dreading the trek to Limerick, then think again.

They could well lose this afternoon, but every single Leinster player will be licking his lips at the prospect of this Magners League Grand Final showdown at Thomond Park.

This is tribal rivalry at its very best -- a fixture where form is meaningless, where passion rules.

For Tony McGahan and Munster, it is a heaven-sent opportunity to turn over the top team in Europe and take the Magners League crown they clearly deserve, given that they finished 13 points clear in the table.

For Leinster coach Joe Schmidt, opportunity knocks to create history and complete the fairytale double in his first season in charge.

And then there is Ireland coach Declan Kidney, for whom the most perfect unofficial final trial unfolds before a full house, with a no-holds-barred encounter set to shed light on some World Cup selections.

Schmidt is right when he calls the Celtic final a much "tougher test" than the Heineken Cup decider. That is no slight on Northampton, just a statement of fact, given the ingredients.

Jealous

Munster are fresh, hungry and jealous -- as well as high on confidence, given their one-point win (24-23) in the home league fixture six weeks ago.

The fact that they didn't score a try and haven't in half a dozen attempts against their old rivals (an extraordinary statistic) may rankle, but they won't care a jot if Ronan O'Gara kicks them to victory this evening.

The Heineken Cup final was a classic, the best I have witnessed, but this evening's Celtic encounter also has all the right ingredients for a monumental encounter. It should replicate Cardiff for thrills and spills, with an intensity that is absolutely guaranteed.

The one-try game back in April was pure theatre and, irrespective of the outcome, I would settle for that again. One way or the other, we won't be disappointed -- take that as read.

So, what exactly can we expect?

A Leinster side that wants to win is coming to Limerick with the intention of ransacking a Munster side that has to win. With 19 victories from 22 games in the regular league, the best team over the course of the marathon campaign is desperate to complete the job now.

I have mixed views on the play-off formula. When it was first introduced to the All-Ireland League, I felt it was unfair that the team that had proven it was the best, by finishing top of the table, had to win it again -- to be sure, to be sure.

The play-off system is now part and parcel of the professional game. It is not so much a necessary evil as an extension to the long-term planning when the initial team goals are set.

To draw comparison with long-distance running, it's about pacing, about planning for the season and selecting teams throughout the campaign (in regular league and play-offs) accordingly.

What is beyond dispute is that the two best teams in the competition by a mile (those finishing first and second in the table) have made it through to today's finale, with Munster deserving of home advantage.

The attendance would have been doubled if the final had been switched to the Aviva Stadium, but that would have been unfair in the extreme -- unless the decision is made that the Grand Final should always be held in a predetermined venue (much like the Heineken).

We won't bother going through all the obvious unit and individual match-ups -- they are old hat at this stage. But, for some, the stakes are extremely high, given the switch in focus after today to New Zealand 2011.

Marcus Horan, Damien Varley, James Coughlan and Felix Jones all have a chance to lay down a World Cup marker.

For Leinster captain Leo Cullen, the stage is set to take on Donncha O'Callaghan and make it a case of either/or to partner Paul O'Connell in the second-row against the US Eagles in the World Cup opener.

Shane Horgan, Luke Fitzgerald and Fergus McFadden (who edges closer by the game) can all further their case for a place on the plane. So, too, Shane Jennings, whose half-time introduction at the Millennium Stadium last week certainly played a part in Leinster's remarkable turnaround.

He and Denis Leamy have so much to play for beyond the 'mere' result this afternoon. But make no mistake, the result is the be all and end all to putting the cap on this fulfilling Irish rugby season.

And please may we be spared the hype of heaping more pressure on the relatively young shoulders of Jonathan Sexton in advocating him for future captaincy.

He has enough on his plate, as O'Gara will be reminding him again, without this pressure at a still premature stage in his burgeoning career. In a sense, current Ireland skipper Brian O'Driscoll did him few favours with his throwaway line in the post-match interview last week about half-time speakers.

Sexton's focus is on copper-fastening his hold on the Ireland No 10 jersey and that's what he will do in ensuring a steady Leinster course by deeds not words today. It is his way and I doubt he will deviate one iota.

As to the outcome? Both teams will turn up with equal mindsets. If each delivers to form, then Leinster's greater creativity could see them home.

It should be something special. Bring it on.

- Tony Ward

Irish Independent

via independent.ie

Alan Quinlan: What was I thinking?

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You b*****. What the f*** are you at?" My hand is slapped away.

I'm looking at Leo Cullen but I'm not paying much attention to him or what he's shouting. Somebody's always shouting in the middle of a game like this. It's another way of saying, "Hello sir, how are you today? Would you like a bang on the ear or a kick in the arse to go with your double moccachino?"

I should know. I've been slapped, raked, thumped, kicked, pulled, yanked and stamped on enough times to understand how this game is played. Bad language is a helluva nicer way to be insulted than most rugby alternatives.

So, Leo Cullen calling me names or bawling me out in the middle of a Munster-Leinster Heineken Cup semi-final at Croke Park isn't something that's going to stop me in my tracks.

Besides, he can talk. He's just come barrelling through our maul, trying to pull it down moments after I lifted Paulie in the line-out.

I know Leo because Leo's like me -- he's disruptive and very competitive in close combat. He has his job to do. I have my mine.

Weak

This is what Munster pay me to do. This is what the Munster fans demand I do. They don't expect me to go weak at the knees at the sight of one of 'Les Blues' coming through the middle. This is it. This is what I do.

I am the reinforcements.

He has Paul around the neck, so I grab him and pull him backwards. I want to pull him sideways. But what can I do? I'm a strong man, and so is he, and he has momentum on his side.

I need to get him out of here. We need this maul. We need to seize the initiative. We need to put pressure on them. We need to stir our fans. We need to score. We need to get back in the game. We need to win. We need, we need, we need ...

I need to stop Leo so I reach across for his shirt and he swipes my hand and curses at me. So what? What do you expect him to say? "Hi, Quinny. Tough old game, what? Best of luck there, old boy." Hardly.

So, I don't pay much heed. You often get grabbed around the neck or pulled or obstructed. There's always somebody shouting at you. Or you're doing the shouting yourself. So, I'm thinking, 'screw it'.

I know I made contact with his face, but there wasn't much in it. After all, I know what was in my own mind, what my intentions had been. I hadn't intended to hurt him or damage him around the face, so I don't expect any big deal to be made of it.

But I know I made contact, so I tell myself, "Just be careful, like."

Nobody likes to get their face pulled at or touched in a game. I'm the same, so I wouldn't do something like that.

Why would I start doing that at this stage in my career? Going for somebody's eyes. Why would I do that? I'm 34. I'm in the last couple of years of my career.

I have a tough reputation and I catch a lot of flak for being mouthy and for giving away stupid penalties but I'm not a dirty player.

In the days, weeks, months and year ahead, people would ask me about this moment, "What was in your mind? What were you thinking?"

What was I thinking? I'll tell you what I was thinking. I was thinking, "Leo you b*****, you're going to illegally pull down the maul and I'm going to stop you."

Did I think, "Now, if I angle my fingers just right, I might be able to gouge Leo's eyeballs, cause him a serious, long-term injury, possibly put him out of work, but I need to be careful because the ref is nearby and the TV cameras might pick it up"?

Did I think that? No.

There was no plan to grab for his face. It was just grab anywhere.

Careless, but not malicious.

When it happened, you know, I kind of knew my hand shouldn't have been there but I wasn't even in aggressive form. It was just a case of, "There could have been something in that."

But right there, in the moment, in the heat of battle, I didn't have time to dwell on that.

I don't think I did anything nasty.

Leo doesn't think I did anything nasty.

The ref doesn't think I did anything nasty.

Play away.

*****

It's a funny experience being in the public eye. People think they own you, that you are public property.

At the very least they think that they're entitled to ask you questions about one of the most vitally important moments in your life. They don't consider that they are asking you about the very thing that has plunged you into an abyss, in which you're struggling to breathe.

In the midst of it all, they want to dwell on tiny points, which they think prove that I did or didn't deliberately gouge Leo Cullen.

One of their favourite questions is why I apologised to Leo after the game. As if saying sorry to him was proof that I felt guilty about it all myself and was blatantly trying to smooth things over ahead of a possible citing investigation.

But that wasn't the case at all, and I don't think Leo thought that way either.

I apologised to Leo because that's what I do. I just said to him that if there was anything in it, it wasn't intentional. I said, "Look, Jesus, I'm sorry for pulling your face there, I didn't mean anything." We shook hands and I wished him well in the final. It's in my nature to say sorry.

Over the years with both Munster and Ireland, the boys are always slagging me that I say, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." If I bumped off you in gym training, I'd probably come up to you and tell you 10 times, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry about that." Usually the response is delivered with a laugh: "Never worry, Quinny, don't worry about it."

So, saying sorry to Leo wasn't unusual.

I just told him, "Jesus, if I grabbed you in any awkward way there, that was unintended. Sorry about that and best of luck in the final." Leo didn't even remember what I was going on about. He made no reference to it.

Later, after I was cited, Leo wrote in his letter to the ERC Hearing that his reaction on the pitch was because my hand went across his face and that no player likes that in a game.

He didn't think I put my fingers in his eyes or touched his eyes.

Leo was brilliant about it and he's a tough guy, he's a tough player. He's taken plenty of swats and boots and kicks down through the years, he's a good player and I respect him. So, his reaction on the pitch didn't surprise me and I respected him a lot for how he acted and how he spoke afterwards.

It was good that he wasn't putting the boot in or telling the media that it had been deliberate or malicious. For me, personally, there was some comfort in what he said and how he acted -- he didn't point the finger.

But that didn't surprise me -- I'd have done the same thing. For me, what happens on the field should stay on the field. I've always shaken hands after the game, no matter what went on.

*****

I wouldn't say I'm over the Lions. I don't think I'll ever be over it. I think back over the last year a lot and wonder about how it might have been, of how it could have been...

*****

It was an unbelievably tense moment, like being back at school and waiting for your exam results -- you feel your entire world rests on the next few moments.

But then it happened. The chairman read out his findings and delivered his verdict. They believed it wasn't intentional, which was great, but I'd still be sanctioned. They imposed the minimum sanction, but that was still a 12-week ban starting from the day of the match.

That was it, my Lions dream was over. Sixty seconds was all it took for the chairman of the panel to tear my world apart with his ruling, but there was nothing to be done, just get out of there as quickly as possible and start dealing with it.

Ruth was there and, together, we walked outside into the glare of the TV cameras and the hue and cry of the press corps.

I'd known all along that the majority of the press weren't on my side -- I'd read some of the coverage in the newspapers soon after the match and a lot of it was very hard to take.

There were pieces written by people who I thought I knew better, but who highlighted the incident in a way which was completely at odds with how it had actually happened. I knew, in my heart of hearts, that I hadn't intentionally tried to do what some commentators were suggesting, but it was still a shock to pick up a national newspaper and see their accusations.

The Lions aspect made my case high-profile and, I suppose, some of them were being paid to give an opinion but it was still hard to accept.

I was angry that, in the eyes of some media commentators, I was guilty before I had a chance to prove myself innocent. I didn't believe my case was trial by media but I did think that there was a lot of pressure placed on the people making the decisions.

The Saturday following the verdict, I went to Ibiza with Ruth and AJ. It was great for us to get out of the media spotlight for a few days and spend some time with our son.

Red Blooded: The Alan Quinlan Story
Publisher: Irish Sports Publishing
Price: €19.99
Release Date: November 18

Irish Independent

via independent.ie

 

Bowe’s showtime has given me big boost – O’Connell

Sep 5 2010 by Simon Roberts, Wales On Sunday

LIONS captain Paul O’Connell believes Tommy Bowe’s move to Welsh rugby was the catalyst that re-ignited his career.

The Irish utility back was last week named the Magners League player of the season for last term after playing a starring role in the Ospreys’ title win.

That followed on from Bowe winning the same accolade as part of the dethroned Irish Grand Slam team in the 2010 Six Nations, all after he had been one of the successes of Ian McGeechan’s Lions squad in South Africa.

And Munsterman O’Connell stressed just how important a player Bowe has become.

“Tommy had a great season for the Ospreys and Ireland,” said O’Connell.

“The thing is that he is now a bit of a leader in both teams, I know in Ireland he is a go-to player for us now.

“He has a good head on him, is very relaxed and has a good attitude to the game and to problems on the field.

“The next step is to really become the leadership character that he can become. He has been brilliant for both teams, scoring tries and that is what you want from a wing.

“His strike-rate is great and he is winning every award going.”

That, of course, means Bowe will be viewed as a very real threat by opponents, and a player who has to be stopped.

O’Connell believes Bowe will handle his new status and even goes as far to compare his influence on any team to Ireland and Lions legend, Brian O’Driscoll.

“I think Tommy has been a marked man for quite a while now,” said O’Connell.

“He is still doing OK. He is that good a player that he is just going to keep getting better and better.

“The more experience he gets, the better he will get. He is like Brian O’Driscoll, he is a great player but seems to be becoming even cleverer on the pitch now.”

Bowe was part of an Ospreys side which finally earned the respect they have craved across the Irish Sea last season.

It saw the Ospreys become the most successful side in the Magners League’s short history by winning a third title last season.

The Ospreys 17-12 victory in the inaugural grand final over Leinster in Dublin certainly changed perceptions of them in Ireland.

O’Connell, the Munster captain, who saw his side lose the title last season, certainly saw a noticeable difference in the Ospreys.

He watched the Ospreys take fortress Thomond Park, a venue where Munster had delivered a humiliating defeat in a Heineken Cup quarter-final.

“From two years ago when we played them to last season, they were a different side,” said O’Connell.

“They were a lot stronger mentally and physically.

“They always had the talent and the players but they seemed a lot stronger mentally.

“Scott Johnson, their coach, has clearly played a big role in that and apparently he is very good at managing players.

“They have always been a very talented side but they have added the mental strength you need to that.”

But are the Ospreys ready to emulate the likes of Munster and Leinster in going all the way in Europe this season?

Are they ready to become the genuine superpower of Magners League rugby this season, taking Munster’s status away from them?

Skipper O’Connell readily admits he is aware that his side are being written off as being a too old and a side on the wane this season.

“A lot of the senior players are aging, so it’s going to be written that way,” said O’Connell.

“We are getting older but there are a plenty of good years left in a few of us yet.

“Probably our form and the way we played in fits and starts last season reflects what people are saying, so I can understand why people think were are too old or whatever.

“Most of the senior guys know we failed to produce last year and we are all eager to get started.”

via walesonline.co.uk

Ankle Sprain Confirmed For Earls

The results of a scan have shown that Munster and Ireland centre/winger Keith Earls suffered just an ankle sprain when he injured himself in a training accident in Cork last week.

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Keith Earls is pictured alongside fellow injury victim Paul O'Connell as they watch their Munster colleagues train ahead of the start of the Magners League season
© www.Inpho.ie

via irishrugby.ie

Keith Earls was in Cork again today (Tuesday) along with the rest of the Munster squad for training, although he was confined to a spectator role on the sidelines.

He is not expected to resume training again for 'several weeks.'

The 22-year-old picked up the injury in a non-contact situation during rehabiliation work on an existing groin problem.

The Munster squad for their opening Magners League clash with Aironi Rugby will be announced on Wednesday afternoon.

via irishrugby.ie

 

 

ML Preview: Munster

Denis Leamy almost back from injury

 

He's back! Denis Leamy

Club name Munster

 

 

- 2010/11 Season Preview -

 

Last season It was a trophy-less campaign for the Red Army in 2009/10 as they were dumped out of both Magners League and Heineken Cup at the semi-final stage. How different it could have been? Losing the influential Denis Leamy due to injury while Jerry Flannery was also ruled out more than he was playing was a blow, but in patches Munster were lethal with ball in-hand. Their Pool win away to Perpignan was a major highlight.

 

This season Munster have definitely strengthened their squad during the off-season with the arrivals of Johne Murphy, Sam Tuitupou and Wian du Preez set to compete against Ian Dowling, Lifeimi Mafi and Marcus Horan respectively. I would not rule them out of completing a double this year as they now possess depth all over the field that Tony McGahan can chop and change with. However, they have been dealt a tough Pool of which to get out of, alongside London Irish, Toulon and yes, they will meet the Ospreys again. But you can never write off these men from Munster.

 

Coach: Tony McGahan had some serious shoes to fill when Declan Kidney assumed the seat left by Eddie O'Sullivan. His first term in charge was impressive as Munster lifted the Magners League but he will be wanting to improve in his third following those recent painful knockout exits.

 

Captain: The absence of Paul O'Connell of course hit Munster as they crashed out of both Europe and the Magners League at the semi-final stage, to Biarritz and Leinster respectively. But after a decent rest, the 2009 Lions captain should be raring to go alongside Donncha O'Callaghan.

 

One to watch: Denis Leamy's return to fitness is a major boost for Munster as they really missed him last term. He will once again slot into a back-row line-up of David Wallace and Alan Quinlan while the impact of former Worcester centre Sam Tuitupou, linking up alongside Keith Earls or Lifeimi Mafi, and the form of Tony Buckley during June will also excite the Red Army going into 2010/11.

 

In: Johne Murphy (Leicester Tigers), Sam Tuitupou (Worcester Warriors), Wian Du Preez (Cheetahs), Peter Borlase (Crusaders), Corey Hircock (Bedford).

 

Out: Nick Williams (Aironi Rugby), Jeremy Manning (Newcastle Falcons), Julien Brugnaut (Racing Metro), Jean de Villiers (Stormers), Ciaran O'Boyle (Released), Eoghan Grace (Exeter Chiefs).

 

Home ground: Thomond Park - capacity of 26,500

 

Travel connections: The closest train station to Thomond Park Stadium is Colbert Station, Limerick. Colbert station is in Limerick City and also contains the Bus Eireann bus station.The closest airport to Thomond Park is Shannon Airport. This is approximately 25km from Limerick City. Regular bus services connect the airport to Limerick.

via planetrugby.com

 

Kidney calls in tour absentees

Ireland will host a training camp today for the players who were unavailable to tour Australia and New Zealand.

Head coach Declan Kidney has called for the meet-up at the Johnstown House Hotel in Enfield, Co Meath, to keep his injured troops up to speed ahead of the autumn series in November.

And Ireland and Munster No 8 Denis Leamy -- who is set to return following a seven-month lay-off with a knee injury -- has hailed Kidney for his approach with the World Cup only 14 months away.

Leamy (28) said: "It's nice to be kept involved by Declan and it's great news to be given the call to join up. He's an excellent communicator and it's a major strength. You always feel wanted and part of the squad. It's good to be kept in the loop.

"But I know I have to get in the Munster team first before I think about playing for Ireland again."

Leamy will be joined by the likes Paul O'Connell, Stephen Ferris and Luke Fitzgerald as Ireland aim to get back on track following summer defeats to New Zealand, the Maoris and Australia.

Irish Independent

via independent.ie

 

State of the Nation - Ireland

Buckley in the thick of it

Strong tour: Tony Buckley

Where the Irish are sitting right now is something of a mystery as injuries have blighted their recent Tests against New Zealand and Australia.

Declan Kidney has been without the likes of Paul O'Connell, David Wallace, Luke Fitzgerald, Jerry Flannery and Stephen Ferris on tour, which hasn't helped the former Munster guru's cause in what is his worst spell since taking the national reins.

The poor run all began at Croke Park in the Six Nations - when an in-form Scotland put the seal on Ireland's surrendering of their crown claimed the previous year - and since then things have not improved against the Barbarians, All Blacks, New Zealand Maori and finally the Wallabies.

Defeat to New Zealand at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth was their most painful 80 minutes as Jamie Heaslip's red-card proved to be the catalyst in a 66-28 negative. Nine tries in all were put past the tourists on a night that some had billed to be their best chance of claiming a big scalp.

So where to now then before November? They first need to find the right balance between youth and experience as Kidney will find it difficult to compete against Australia in World Cup 2011 if he opts for the old stagers. One man they should persist with is Tony Buckley ahead of John Hayes. It may also be the beginning of the end for Marcus Horan as a regular starter. Further back and they do appear to have a lock foursome that can keep each other honest - Donncha O'Callaghan, Mick O'Driscoll and Dan Tuohy are worthy partners for O'Connell.

Jonathan Sexton now seems mature enough to take over the fly-half duties on a permanent basis while the experienced Ronan O'Gara gets shunted into a 'emerge when required' role from the bench - but Ireland must not downplay his possible worth to the big-match cause. Outside the Leinster number ten and not forgetting the shoo-in that is Tomas O'Leary comes the dilemma of whether to go for a Dublin-based three-quarter, with Gordon D'Arcy alongside Brian O'Driscoll, or offer Sexton a playmaking foil in the shape of Paddy Wallace.

In Kidney's words after the Wallaby result: "There is now more competition for places and whoever plays well next season will get to wear the shirt." Maybe that was one Emerald nugget to come out of their recent journey, that the Irish were forced into blooding players that otherwise would not have got their shot at proving there is life after the 50-plus cappers.

What is desperately needed though in the near future is a strong - if unbeaten - autumn against South Africa, Samoa, New Zealand and finally Argentina at the newly built Aviva Stadium. Then it is about the Six Nations as that Pool clash with Australia closes in.

By Adam Kyriacou

via planetrugby.com

 

Paul's Blog: Light At The End Of The Tunnel

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via irishrugby.ie

 

It's been an unbelievably frustrating time for me of late but I'm happy that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

It's given me plenty of time to catch up on some reading material. I was given Andre Agassi's autobiography and I'd have to say my views on the man changed after reading it.

I'll always be an admirer of his as a tennis player but the manner in which he comes across on other levels wouldn't appeal to me. I have just picked up 'Too Big to Fail: Inside the Battle to Save Wall Street.'

My Munster team-mate Felix Jones has a wonderful collection when it comes to boxing, on a couple of hard drives, and I have spent a lot of time watching the Boxing 24/7 series, which includes pre-fight build-up including training sessions, the fights themselves and the post fight pronouncements of Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton. After watching that, I missed the training even more!

I gave up watching 'The Pacific' - it is nowhere near as good as 'Band of Brothers' - and instead took in a few matches (Cork v Kerry, draw and replay, and the Monaghan v Armagh game) in the Munster and Ulster Football Championships.

I haven't watched much of the soccer World Cup but that'll be something that will change later in the tournament.

The defeat against the All Blacks was hugely disappointing and a little bit shocking. I'm not a great spectator at the best of times but that was an excruciating morning's viewing.

(Regarding the injury), things are on the mend and I am heading in the right direction. It's been a slow, at times desperately so, process but I can see the finishing line, which is important mentally and physically.

Related Links -

Follow Paul on twitter - www.twitter.com/paul_oconnell

Paul's blogs are on www.bethedifference.ie.

Paul's Blog: The Bons, Drips And Boxing

via irishrugby.ie

 

Ireland injury woes continue

Ireland injury woes continue

McLaughlin: Headache for Kidney

Declan Kidney has more injury concerns ahead of Ireland's tour of New Zealand and Australia as flanker Kevin McLaughlin pulled out of the squad this weekend.

The Leinster forward took a blow to the knee in the Magners League Grand Final against the Osprey's on Saturday.

McLaughlin joins Paul O'Connell and hooker Rory Best on a growing injury list.

Lions captain O'Connell has a groin problem while Ulster's Best has an ankle injury.

Kidney is preparing his squad to face the Barbarians on Friday, but are already without a number of long-term absentees.

Stephen Ferris, Denis Leamy and Luke Fitzgerald are all unavailable for the trip down under.

Concerns

However, the Irish were given some better news as Niall Ronan joined up with the squad and could earn his third cap.

Leinster's Shane Jennings was also an injury concern but scans have shown that an ankle injury may not be as bad as first thought and he should be available for selection.

Ireland are due to face the All Blacks on June 12 before they play the New Zealand Maroi and the Australian national side in Brisbane.

via skysports.com

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