Glasgow vs Munster

 

Munster maintain perfect start as they secure bonus point win

Munster struck late to seal a bonus point win away in Scotland as they made it six wins out of as many games in the Pro14.

Johann Van Graan’s men hit the ground running with an early try from Billy Holland, with Healy adding the conversion.

From the resulting kick off, the home side won possession back and went on the attack, with the ball eventually ending up in Glenn Bryce’s hand who crossed for the Scottish side with the conversion was missed.

Brandon Thomson landed a monster penalty from the halfway line moments later to give the home side the lead.

It was almost like deja vu in the 31^st minute. Munster had a lineout 5 metres from the try line. They mauled the ball over the line with Fineen Wycherley crossing the whitewash. Healy missed the subsequent conversion.

The away side notched the opening points of the second half through Ben Healy with a long-range penalty.

After a sustained period of pressure by Glasgow close to the Munster line they eventually managed to cross with Grant Stewart notching the score after sustained pressure. Thomson missed the conversion.

During this period Munster captain Billy Holland was sin-binned for continuous infringements close to the line.

Munster’s Gavin Coombes managed to get over the line for the second time in as many games after Munster went through the phases. Glasgow captain Wilson had also been given a yellow card in the lead up to the try. Healy then landed the extra two points.

Munster managed to get a bonus point try right at the end of the game from another rolling maul. Jean Kleyn eventually came off the side of to drop over the line to end the game as a contest. Hanrahan missed the extras but it mattered not as Munster picked up another impressive victory.

Munster: M. Haley, C. Nash, R. Scannell, D. De Allende, M. Gallagher, B. Healy, C. Casey, J. Cronin, K. O’Byrne, S. Archer, J. Kleyn, B. Holland, F. Wycherley, J. O’Sullivan, G. Coombes.

Subs: R. Marshall for K. O’Byrne (60 mins), J. O’Donoghue for F. Wycherley (60 mins), J. Wycherley for J. Cronin (67 mins), K. Knox for S. Archer (67 mins), T. O’Donnell for J. O’Sullivan (67 mins), JJ. Hanrahan for B. Healy (71 mins), D. Goggin for M. Gallagher (71 mins), N. McCarthy for C. Casey (77 mins)

Glasgow: Glenn Bryce, Tommy Seymour, Nick Grigg, Robbie Fergusson, Robbie Nairn, Pete Horne, Sean Kennedy, A. Seiuli, G. Stewart, E. Pieretto, L. Bean, R. Harley, R. Wilson, T. Gordon, TJ Ioane.

Subs: B. Thomson for Grigg (8 mins, inj.), N. Matawalu for T. Seymour (29 mins, inj.), A. Allen for Aki Seiuli, D. Rae for Pieretto (both 51 mins), F. Lokotui for Ioane (52 mins), 

http://limerickvoice.com/sport/munster-maintain-perfect-start-as-they-secure-bonus-point-win/

Ireland Vs England

    
                            Ireland fall short once more against England

England 18

Ireland 7 

Twickenham 

England’s strong defence and Ireland’s inaccuracies paved the way for an easy win for the home side.

This is England’s fourth successive victory against the Men in Green with Ireland failing to mount a serious challenge as they failed to break down a resolute England defence.

England looked certain to score a try within the first 10 minutes after some quick thinking from Ben Youngs, but CJ Stander managed to get a hand to the ball which stopped a certain try.

Eddie Jones’s side continued to dominate and their pressure told when Johnny May grabbed the opening try after a cross field kick from Owen Farrell with the out half then missing the conversion.

England added a second try soon afterwards as through May again who ran the ball back from his own 22 after Ireland lost a lineout, Farrell added the conversion from straight in front of the posts.

This was May’s 31^st international try, level with Will Greenwood and Ben Cohen as he sits just behind Rory Underwood.

Ireland managed to gather the ball and after seventeen phases of play where England’s defence held them out. Keith Earls eventually broke the line, but England won a penalty to relieve the pressure on their line.

Ireland went in 12 points down at the break after a performance littered with mistakes and unforced errors

The home side opened the scoring against the run of play at the start of the second half with Farrell slotting over a penalty to extend the home sides advantage.

Ireland gave away another penalty within scoring distance which Farrell duly converted to extend the home sides lead by another three points.

Andy Farrell’s men eventually managed to gain a foothold in the English half but despite some intense pressure from Ireland, Maro Itoje managed to win he turnover as Eddie Jones’ side dominated the breakdown.

Ireland started to empty the bench, two of these subs Billy Burns and Jacob Stockdale combined with the latter crossing for a try as Burns notched the conversion

That last try made the score line look slightly better after a disappointing display from Andy Farrell’s men.

Ireland: Hugo Keenan, Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Ross Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Cian Healy, Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Quinn Roux, James Ryan, CJ Stander, Peter O’Mahony, Doris

Subs Used: Iain Henderson for Quinn Roux, Conor Murray for Gibson Park Rob Herring for Ronan Kelleher, Jacob Stockdale for Keenan, Findlay Bealham for Healy, Will Connors for Stander, Billy Burns for Byrne

Tries x1 Stockdale (74^th min)

Pens

Conversions x1 Burns (75^th min)

England: Elliot Daly, Jonathan Joseph, Ollie Lawrence, Henry Slade, Johnny May; Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler, Maro Itoje, Joe Launchbury, Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Billy Vunipola

Subs: Ellis Genge for Mako Vunipola, Ben Earl for Sam Underhill, Dan Robson for Ben Youngs, George Ford for Lawrence, Johnny Hill, Launchbury,  Will Stuart for Sinckler , Max Malins for Joseph , Tom Dunn for George

Tries: May x2

Conversions: Farrell x1

Penalties: X2 Farrell (45^th min), (53^rd min)

http://limerickvoice.com/sport/ireland-fall-short-once-more-against-england/

Ireland v England Preview

 

Ireland look to build upon opening round victory against England

Ireland will be looking to improve on last week’s victory against Wales as they face England in Twickenham this Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Andy Farrell’s side are missing captain Johnny Sexton along with Robbie Henshaw as the Ireland head coach makes four changes from last week’s win.

Ross Byrne comes in for Sexton at fly half, while Bundee Aki replaces Henshaw. Ireland have made two tactical changes to the team with Keith Earls replacing fellow Munster man Andrew Conway.

The final change and arguably the most interesting one is CJ Stander coming in at blindside which means Josh Van Der Flier drops out and Peter O’ Mahony moves to 7.

Leinster’s James Ryan captains the side for the first time as he will be partnered by Quinn Roux once more.

Ireland’s defence last week, even though makeshift at times, was well able to cope with what a below-par Wales side threw at them.

England will have much more options and variety in their attack as Eddie Jones’ charges are able to use the power of their pack to get over the gain line with hooker Jamie George scoring a hat-trick in England’s 40-0 win against Georgia last weekend.

Ross Byrne will be looking to improve on his performance from Ireland’s 57-15 defeat to England prior to the 2019 World Cup, where he was targeted from the beginning.

Having fellow Leinster man Jamison Gibson Park beside him at scrum-half could help Byrne play the game on his own terms.

England enter this game brimming with confidence after securing the Six Nations crown on the final day of action while they have beaten Ireland by 12 points in the last two Six Nations campaigns.

Whichever pack can gain the upper hand in the set piece along with gaining an advantage in the breakdown will lay the foundations for victory.

Hugo Keenan could be set for a baptism of fire in his second ever start at full-back.

England’s kicking game will pose a far greater challenge than what he has experienced before this but if Keenan can come out on top or even break even in this position it will give Ireland a great platform to attack.

The benches will play a huge part in the result of the game with Ireland having an interesting blend of youth and experience to call upon.

The experience of Conor Murray coming on in the final 20 minutes could help Ireland close out a tight game.

Ireland also have an English-born 10 in Billy Burns on the bench, who could help Ireland secure victory against the country of his birth.

With this game effectively deciding who finishes top of the pile in Group A and Ireland looking for revenge after defeat to the English earlier this year, Andy Farrell’s side will need to produce their best performance under his stewardship to stand any chance of producing an upset.

.http://limerickvoice.com/sport/ireland-look-to-build-upon-opening-round-victory-against-england/

Irish Rugby vs Wales Match Report

Ireland record convincing win over Wales

Ireland strong set piece and kicking paved the way to a comprehensive victory at home in the first game of the Autumn Nation Cup.

Ireland started the game well winning a couple of early scrum penalties which led to Johnny Sexton kicking the first penalty of the game. Wales responded with a penalty through Leigh Halfpenny after Ireland had surned a try scoring opportunity when getting turned over five metres from the Welsh try line.

Ireland’s pressure paid off a few minutes later after some good work by the forwards near the try-line. Quin Roux crossed for the home side’s first try of the game with Sexton adding the extras.

The out-half slotted another penalty to add to the home side’s advantage.

In the process, he also injured his hamstring which forced him to come off the pitch, handing Ulster’s Billy Burns the chance to come off the bench to make his debut in a green jersey.

On the half hour mark Halfpenny added another penalty to eat into Ireland’s advantage. Andy Farrell’s side won a scrum against the head, after a couple of phases of play Ireland won another penalty which was converted by Burns with his first kick in a green jersey.

Despite putting Wales under concerted pressure late in the first half Ireland had a 10-point lead going in at half time after seeing the TMO deem that Andrew Porter did not ground the ball just before the break.

After missing the first penalty of the half with a kick from the halfway line, Halfpenny duly slotted his next one to narrow the gap even more.

From the resulting restart Caelan Doris blocked down the attempted clearance from the Welsh. After several phases of play the home side won another penalty which Burns scored.

After a period of play where defences were on top Ireland eventually won a penalty which was slotted over by Conor Murray who had replaced Billy Burns with a HIA.

With the game heading its final 10 minutes Ireland won yet another penalty outside the 22 which was put between the posts by Murray again.

Ireland debutant James Lowe managed to get Ireland second try of the game in the final play of the game. Murray added the extra to to give Ireland a big win as they prepare to face England next Saturday.

Ireland: Hugo Keenan: Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe; Jonathan Sexton (capt), Jamison Gibson-Park; Cian Healy, Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter Quinn Roux, James Ryan, Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.

Subs: Billy Burns for Jonathan Sexton, Ed Byrne for Cian Healy, Findlay Bealham for Andrew Porter, Dave Heffernan for Ronan Kelleher, Tadhg Beirne for Quin Roux, Conor Murray for Billy Burns (HIA), Will Connors for Josh Van Der Flier, Keith Earls for Robbie Henshaw.

Tries: Roux, Lowe,

Conversions: Sexton, Murray

Penalties, Sexton x2, Burns x2, Murray x2

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies, Owen Watkin, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Rhys Carre, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Will Rowlands, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Shane Lewis-Hughes, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau

Subs: Wyn Jones, for Rhys Carre, Elliot Dee for Ryan Elias, Samson Lee for Thomas Francis, Jake Ball for Will Rowlands, Lloyd Williams for Gareth Davies. George North for Jonathan Davies, Callum Sheedy for Dan Biggar, Aaron Wainwright for Taulupe Faletau

Penalties: Halfpenny x3

http://limerickvoice.com/sport/ireland-record-convincing-win-over-wales/

Munster Championship Semi- Final

 

Limerick fall to one point extra time defeat against Tipperary

Limerick suffered an agonising one point defeat after extra time as Tipperary progressed to the Munster Senior Football final after extra time.

Billy Lee’s charges will rue letting a seven point half-time lead slip while they also led by a point during the second period of extra time.

Ultimately it was Brian Fox’s score in the 89th minute that sealed Tipperary’s win, with Seamus O’Carroll seeing a late effort drop wide for Limerick as the Treaty men fell short in their quest to reach a first Munster final since 2010.

Tipperary started the game slightly brighter firing over and early free from Connor Sweeney.

The home side then started to settle with their first effort coming from Sean McSweeney before goalkeeper Donal O’ Sullivan spilt the posts with a long-range free.

The Premier County were the better of the sides after the water break with Sweeney pointing before Quinlivan’s goal effort was put over by the Limerick keeper.

After being kept scoreless for 12 minutes, Limerick managed to break through the away sides defence with Sean McSweeney slotting low into the net.

Tommie Griffin landed a monster point minutes later before Fahy netted a second goal after a fine crossfield ball.

Sweeney nailed another free, before Killian Ryan fired over the final score of the half for Limerick as they led by 2-6 to 0-5 at half time.

The visitors flew out of the blocks after the break, hitting 1-6 without any reply from the home side.

Sweeney and Lonergan slotted frees while Kevin Fahey came up from the back to add his name to the scorers.

Lonergan notched another free, with Sweeney getting a monster point from play.

The benches started to be emptied then with Tipp sub Liam Boland adding another score.

Just before the water break, Liam Casey palmed the ball into the Limerick net.

Limerick midfielder Darragh Treacy got the home side first point of the half.

With time almost up, Cian Sheehan scored to put Limerick one point up before Sweeney hit an outrageous free from the sideline to make the game go to extra time.

Scores were difficult to come by in extra time with Tipperary kicking the only score of the first period of extra time through Boland.

Limerick flew out the blocks after the break with McSweeney scoring from play before Donal O’Sullivan slotted a ’45.

Robbie Kiely responded to level the game, before Brian Fox’s late score ensured Limerick suffered a heart-breaking defeat.

Limerick: Donal O’Sullivan (0-2, 1f 1’45); Sean O’Dea, Brian Fanning, Paul Maher; Tony McCarthy, Killian Ryan (0-1), Gordon Brown; Darragh Treacy (0-1), Tommie Childs; Iain Corbett, Cillian Fahy (1-1), Adrian Enright; Hugh Bourke (0-2, both frees), Tommy Griffin (0-1), Sean McSweeney (1-2). Subs: Padraig de Brun for Adrian Enright (h-t), Danny Neville for Sean McSweney (50mins), Cian Sheehan (0-1) for Tommy Griffin (50mins), Bob Childs for Gordan Brown (54mins), Seamus O’Carroll for Killian Ryan (65mins), Michael Donovan for Tony McCarthy (6mins, e-t), Davey Lyons for Cillian Fahy (11mins, e-t), Sean McSweeney for Paul Maher (h-t, e-t).

Tipperary: Evan Comerford; Alan Campbell, Jimmy Feehan, Colm O’Shaughnessy; Bill Maher, Kevin Fahey (0-1), Robbie Kiely (0-1); Conal Kennedy, Liam Casey (1-0); Jack Kennedy (0-2, both frees), Colman Kennedy, Emmet Moloney; Jason Lonergan, Conor Sweeney (0-7, 0-5 frees), Michael Quinlivan (0-1). Subs: Brian Fox (0-1) for Jason Lonergan (h-t), Liam Boland (0-2) for Colm Kennedy (h-t), Riain Quigley for Jack Kennedy, inj (58mins), Kevin O’Halloran for Emmet Moloney (65mins), Tadhg Fitzgerald for Colm O’Shaughnessy (68mins), Colman Kennedy for Riain Quigley (6mins, e-t), Paudie Feehan for Kevin Fahy (11mins, e-t), Kevin O’Halloran for Liam Boland (18mins, e-t).

http://limerickvoice.com/sport/limerick-fall-to-one-point-extra-time-defeat-against-tipperary/

Treaty United Preview

Rooney believes Treaty United can pull off upset

Treaty United are looking to create their own bit of history this Sunday when they travel to Bishopstown Stadium to take on local rivals Cork City in the FAI Women’s Senior Cup semi-final (kick-off 2pm).

A win on Sunday afternoon would see this new side make it to the biggest event in the Irish women’s soccer calendar.

Both sides will both be determined to reach the December 12^th showpiece event which will be broadcast live on RTE2 as a standalone event for the first time.

Treaty United manager Dave Rooney is delighted with the progress his side have made throughout this current campaign and believes his charges enter the game with no pressure on their shoulders.

“We are confident enough about the game. We enter this game as heavy underdogs which means there is no real pressure on us.”

“It will be a massive challenge for us. Cork City are a well-established club and have a pedigree in the competition, as they won the cup three years ago”.

Limerick are well prepared for this game although Rooney states there are two injury concerns among his side.

Rooney says that Irish U17 international Aoife Horgan is out of the biggest game in Treaty United’s brief history due to a foot injury.

Horgan scored last weekend as the Limerick side secured a memorable 5-4 victory against Bohemians in the league while the talented attacker also found the net in her side’s FAI Women’s Senior Cup quarter-final win against DLR Waves.

 “She could have a broken metatarsal. At the time of talking I am not one hundred per cent certain. Aoife is a huge loss for the team given she is our top scorer this year.”

The goalkeeping coach for the Irish U17 women’s side is hoping that other players step up to the mark in Horgan’s absence.

One of the players he will need to be fit is captain Marie Curtin.

However, Rooney admits the former Republic of Ireland international is struggling with a hand injury.

Despite having two players potentially out of the game, Rooney is hoping his squad will step up to the mark.

“Our squad will step up and we won’t make any excuses no matter what the result. We will work hard, stick to our plan and try our best.”

When these sides met in September, Cork City ran out 5-2 winners and Treaty United will face an uphill task to secure a result. If they do upset the odds, then it would be a huge step forward for women’s soccer in the city and county.

http://limerickvoice.com/sport/rooney-believes-treaty-united-can-pull-off-upset/

Munster Football Championship Report

 Limerick through to semis with convincing win over Waterford

Limerick secured their place in the Munster senior football Championship semi-finals after an impressive 11 point win against Waterford.

When these sides met in the league earlier this year, Limerick prevailed by three points but Billy Lee’s charges only trailed once throughout this game as they dominated proceedings.

The home side fired over the first score of the game through there captain Conor Murray. Limerick then gained control with the aid of a breeze with Killian Fahy rifling an effort to the back of the Waterford net.

Limerick kept the foot on the peddle firing over four more unanswered points from Ian Corbett, Tony McCarthy along with two from Hugh Bourke.

Limerick second major of the game came from Adrian Enright after some fine teamwork from the Limerick forwards. Murray fired over a point in response just before the water break.

However, a Fahy score maintained Limerick’s advantage as the game entered a lull with Waterford managing to get the last two scores of the half from Jason Curry and Darragh Corcoran.

Limerick flew out of the blocks at the start of the second half hitting the first four scores of the half, three of them from play with Bourke notching two of those. Waterford responded with scores from Dylan Guiry and Shane Ahearne in between a free from McSweeney.

However, Limerick maintained their composure as they emptied their bench with the game entering the final quarter. Substitute Seamus O’ Carroll fired over for Limerick but Jason Curry knocked over two place balls in reply. Ryan notched another score before Tony Gray slotted the Waterford’s last score.

Davy Lyons who had also come off the bench landed the final two scores of the game for Limerick.

The Treaty men will now be awaiting the winners of Tipperary and Clare with the Munster semi-final down for decision next week.

Waterford: Aaron Beresford: Darach Ó Cathasasaigh, Brian Looby, Robbie Flynn: Sean O’ Donovan, Tony Grey (0-1), William Hahessy, Michael Curry, Dermot Ryan : Dylan Guiry(0-1), Jason Curry (0-3 2fs, Jack Mullaney: Conor Murray(0-2), Shane Ahearne(0-1m), Darragh Corcoran (0-1)

Subs Used: Rian Reddy, James Beresford, James Walsh

Limerick: Donal O Sullivan: Sean O’ Dea, Brian Fanning, Paul Maher : Tony McCarthy(0-1), Iain Corbett (0-1), Gordon Brown(0-1); Darragh Treacy, Tommie Childs: Killian Ryan(0-1), Cillian Fahy(1-1), Adrian Enright(1-0): Hugh Bourke(0-42fs,1m), Tommy Griffin , Sean McSweeney(0-2,1p,1f)

Subs Used: Seamus O’ Carroll (0-1), Davy Lyons (0-2), Cian Sheehan, Michael Donovan, Robbie Childs

http://limerickvoice.com/sport/limerick-through-to-semis-with-convincing-win-over-waterford/

Munster Championship Preview

 Limerick footballers look to build on league success

Limerick will be travelling to Fraher Field as they face Waterford on Saturday night (throw-in 7pm) hoping to progress to a Munster Championship semi-final.

Fraher Field is always a difficult ground to travel to especially with Waterford looking to gain revenge for defeats in this year’s league and last year’s championship.

Despite Limerick securing promotion and winning Division 4 in the process, form counts for little in the white heat of Championship battle and in a one-off game it is difficult to predict what could happen.

Billy Lee’s side will be hoping to continue their flying form since the restart and show that their promotion to Division Three is a statement of intent.

If Limerick can account for Waterford then they will face Tipperary or Clare in the semi-finals

Considering Limerick overcame Tipperary in last year’s Championship while Clare only survived relegation from Division 2 by the skin of their teeth, Billy Lee’s men would certainly be in with an excellent chance of reaching their first Munster final since 2010.

Limerick’s squad improvement during the league is going to make it difficult for Billy Lee to decide on a starting 15 for this game.

To have a player like Seamus O’ Carroll potentially coming off the bench could make a huge difference if the game is in the balance in the second half.

Meanwhile, Iain Corbett has excelled at centre back with the spine of this Limerick team looking very strong.

Limerick’s defensive unit held firm against Sligo last weekend and they will hope that they show some of this defensive solidity on Saturday night also.

Goalkeeper and captain Donal O’ Sullivan could have a big say in this game at both ends with his long range free-taking important for his side as he kicked two points last weekend against Sligo.

Limerick will be favourites heading into this clash and the momentum generated from winning Division Four should help them overcome this tricky challenge on Saturday night

http://limerickvoice.com/sport/limerick-footballers-look-to-build-on-league-success/

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