World U20 Lacrosse Championships scheduled for UL postponed until 2022

 THE Ireland CEO Lacrosse has stated he was a 'bit relieved' after the World Lacrosse Men’s U20 Championships due to take place in the University of Limerick (UL) next year were postponed until 2022.

Michael Kennedy believes this is the correct decision with the Irish team unable to train together due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“This time of the year the team should be training together, preparing to compete. We are not able to train together at the moment because of lockdown.”

If the competition had gone ahead this summer, Kennedy believed some countries would suffer more due to not having adequate time to train.

“There would have always been that asterisk, well you know the teams wouldn’t have the same amount of time as they would normally have to prepare.”

He explained how there was relief that if the Covid-19 vaccines work it could allow supporters and people to come to the games in a safe environment.

“We could have run the event with really stringent COVID-19 protocols.

“With so much uncertainty around the virus pushing it out a further year, especially what is happening with the vaccine, it is going to bring a lot more certainty and give the teams and the players the right amount of time to prepare for a World Championships.”

“The whole point of hosting the event in UL is to showcase the sport of Lacrosse to people in Limerick and throughout Ireland.”

The Ireland Lacrosse CEO hopes these games will still take place in UL in 2022.

“I absolutely do not want to change the venue, I have the highest regard for UL and David Ward in particular, he has been fantastic to work with. I have absolutely no intention of having the games anywhere but Limerick.”

https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/sport/595924/world-u20-lacrosse-championships-scheduled-for-ul-postponed-until-2022.html

Munster vs Harlequins

 

Munster grind out important victory

Munster secured a 21-7 victory over Harlequins in what proved to be a tough battle in Thomond Park.

Despite not being at their free floing best Munster came out on top against an ill-disciplined Harlequins side. Johann Van Graan’s men will need to produce an improved display away to Clermont next Saturday.

After a cagy opening 10 minutes Munster won a penalty just outside the 22, which JJ Hanrahan duly slotted over to open the scoring.

Harlequins struggled to convert their opportunities, missing two penalties as they also saw a try disallowed just after for a forward pass in the build-up.

James Cronin won a penalty against the run of play for Munster which Hanrahan converted to extend the home sides lead.

Directly from the kick-off Tadhg Beirne broke through the Quins defence. This led to Quins flanker James Chisholm receiving a yellow card for a cynical foul to stop the play. Hanrahan missed the extras just before the break.

The home side levelled up the number of players on the pitch early in the second half when Danny Care took a quick penalty, Stephen Archer stopped him illegally and received a yellow card in the process.

Just after Quins got 15 back on the pitch, they conceded the first try of the game. The home side kicked a penalty into touch and after the maul was illegally brought down referee Pascal Gauzere awarded a penalty try and yellow carded Will Evans from Quins.

Quins finally managed to get on the scoreboard through winger Cadan Murley who managed to break a tackle on the wing and touch the ball down. Smith added the extra two.

With the game in the final quarter Quins captain Alex Dombrandt hit Munster fly half Ben Healy late which he got a yellow card for. Healy knocked over the penalty from well inside his own half.

The home side made the extra man count as they scored their second try with Gavin Coombes crossing the whitewash on his debut for his seventh try in eight games. Healy missed the extras as Munster secured an opening round victory.

Munster: Mike Haley; Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Damian de Allende, Keith Earls; JJ Hanrahan, Conor Murray; James Cronin, Kevin O’Byrne, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne; Gavin Coombes, Peter O’Mahony (C), CJ Stander.

Subs Rhys Marshall for Kevin O Byrne, Josh Wycherley for James Cronin, John Ryan for Stephen Archer , Fineen Wycherley for Jean Kleyn , Jack O’Donoghue for CJ Stander , Craig Casey for Conor Murray , Ben Healy for JJ Hanrahan , Rory Scannell for Andrew Conway

Tries (1 penalty try), Coombes

Conversions Hanrahan (x1)

Penalties: Hanrahan (X2) Healy (x1)

Harlequins: Mike Brown; Nathan Earle, James Lang, Ben Tapuai, Cadan Murley; Marcus Smith, Danny Care; Joe Marler, Scott Baldwin, Wilco Louw; Hugh Tizard, Glen Young; James Chisholm, Will Evans, Alex Dombrandt (C)

Subs: Elia Elia for Scott Baldwin, Santiago Garcia Botta for Joe Marler , Fin Baxter, Richard De Carpentier for Will Evans , Tom Lawday for James Chisholm, Scott Steele for Danny Care ,  Willie Edwards for Murley , Ross Chisholm for Mike Brown (failed HIA)

Tries Murley

Conversions Smith

http://limerickvoice.com/sport/munster-grind-out-important-victory/

Michael Kennedy Irish Lacrosse CEO

 

Irish Lacrosse CEO relieved after postponement of World Championships

The Ireland CEO Lacrosse has stated he was a “bit relieved” after the World Lacrosse Men’s U20 Championships due to take place in the University of Limerick (UL) next year were postponed until 2022.

Michael Kennedy believes this is the correct decision with the Irish team unable to train together due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“This time of the year the team should be training together, preparing to compete. We are not able to train together at the moment because of lockdown.”

If the competition had gone ahead this summer, Michael believed some countries would suffer more due to not having adequate time to train.

“There would have always been that asterisk, well you know the teams wouldn’t have the same amount of time as they would normally have to prepare.”

He explained how there was relief that if the COVID-19 vaccines work it could allow supporters and people to come to the games in a safe environment.

“We could have run the event with really stringent COVID-19 protocols.

“With so much uncertainty around the virus pushing it out a further year, especially what is happening with the vaccine, it is going to bring a lot more certainty and give the teams and the players the right amount of time to prepare for a World Championships.”

“The whole point of hosting the event in UL is to showcase the sport of Lacrosse to people in Limerick and throughout Ireland.”

The Ireland Lacrosse CEO hopes these games will still take place in UL in 2022.

“I absolutely do not want to change the venue, I have the highest regard for UL and David Ward in particular, he has been fantastic to work with. I have absolutely no intention of having the games anywhere but Limerick.”

http://limerickvoice.com/sport/irish-lacrosse-president-relieved-after-postponement-of-world-championships/

World Lacrosse games Postponed

 

Blow for Limerick with World Lacrosse Championships pushed back

The World Lacrosse Men’s U20 World Championships, which were due to take place at the University of Limerick (UL) next year have been postponed until 2022.

The decision is a blow for the Castletroy based college and for Limerick with the potential for visitors to the city which would lead to additional revenue.

After COVID-19 caused disruption for much of the hospitality sector, this will be disappointing news for the local economy.

A statement on the World Lacrosse website says: “The World Lacrosse Men’s U20 World Championship is also being postponed from 2021 to 2022. It is expected the event will still be held in Limerick, Ireland at the University of Limerick. The dates for the rescheduled event are to be confirmed, but likely will be late July / early August 2022.”

“In making the decision, the World Lacrosse Board of Directors examined the continued impact, uncertainty and disruption to preparations for these events brought about by the global pandemic, along with input provided by its member-National Governing Bodies and participating teams regarding athlete health and safety, team training, travel and other logistical considerations.

“These are extremely difficult decisions, particularly given the need to provide our members with as much advance notice as possible whilst managing the risk and uncertainty brought about by the pandemic.”

http://limerickvoice.com/sport/blow-for-limerick-with-world-lacrosse-championships-pushed-back/

Louise Cantilon All Ireland Hurling Piece

 Louise Cantillon talks new radio show and Limerick’s chances of winning the All-Ireland final.

If Louise Cantillon was not busy enough with writing a weekly column for The Limerick Leader and presenting with Spin South West, she has recently started co-hosting a radio show with former Limerick hurler Shane Dowling.

They christened the show ‘A Different Ball Game’, with the show taking place every Friday night on Classic Hits FM from 6.30-7pm.

It is very unusual to have a sports show on this station due to the fact it is for all intents and purposes a music station.

The show began when it was announced that the GAA Championship was going to be played during the lockdown.

This was going to make the championship even more historic if it was not going to be anyway with the delayed start to this year’s competition co-inciding with the 100-year anniversary of Bloody Sunday.

Louise and Shane’s new show airs every Friday

Herself and Shane have been friends for many years so with Louise’s knowledge of radio and Shane’s experience at competing at the highest level, it was an ideal opportunity to create a show.

Louise said: “We have been friends since we were in the same year in school.”

“Shane has a great character and a great personality and had already dabbled a little bit in media. I needed someone to be a voice of experience.”

“We just have a bit of craic and talk about what could happen in the GAA each weekend.”

Each week the pair host live chats with inter county players themselves which provides an opportunity to hear about how they are coping with the ‘new normal.’

The show has now got over 80,000 listeners since the first episode on October 30^th.

Louise’s partner Declan Hannon is captain of the Limerick team as he aims to climb the steps of the Hogan Stand and lift the Liam McCarthy for the second time in three years.

“He is feeling good sure look they have put a merciful amount of work into everything. I admire every single man on that team and on every county team who have been training during this time.”

“The lads are out in the freezing cold November training in the dark nights on the pitches.”

The intercounty scene is not as glamorous as made out to be especially during the cold winter months.

Louise says Limerick “have a great chance” in this Sunday’s eagerly anticipated All-Ireland final against Waterford.

 “The lads worked so hard that that they are a credit to themselves. They are the type of team that will go out and fight until the bitter end.”

Any side that fights in the way described will stand a great chance of winning the final.

“I reckon they will go out and they will fight for it because it’s an All-Ireland and they know what’s at stake.”

“I have no doubt it will be a tight game, but obviously I hope Limerick will come out on top in the end.”

http://limerickvoice.com/sport/louise-cantillon-talks-new-radio-show-and-limericks-chances-of-winning-the-all-ireland-final/

Ireland V Scotland Report

 Ireland 31

Scotland 16

Tries either side of half time gave Ireland the platform to come out on top against Scotland as Andy Farrell’s men secured third place in the Autumn Nations Cup.

After a patchy opening half display Ireland’s power game proved too much for Scotland to handle in a performance that summed up Ireland’ 2020: inconsistent.

Farrell can take positives from the way Ireland responded from trailing 9-3 to take control of the game thereafter.

Scotland got the opening score of the game against the run of play with a penalty from fly half Jaco Van Der Walt.

The away side extended their lead with another penalty after Ireland were penalised at the scrum. Johnny Sexton narrowed the gap for the home side with a long-range penalty.

Van Der Walt extended Scotland’s advantage from a penalty before Duncan Taylor was sin-binned for a deliberate knock in with Ireland inching closer to the Scottish try line.

Sexton added the penalty which was a reward for some great Irish play. Ireland managed to make the extra man count with a try from Keith Earls after some quick thinking from Robbie Henshaw. Earls’ try moved hi msecond on the list of all time leading try scorers for the men in green as he surpassed Tommy Bowe’s tally of 31. Sexton missed the conversion as Ireland led by two points at half time.

Ireland flew out of the blocks after the break with Cian Healy crossing the whitewash after Caelan Doris was held up just short. Sexton added the extras for the home side.

Keith Earls crossed the try line minutes later after a great hands from Peter O Mahony. Sexton nailed the touchline conversion.

The away side replied with a try from winger, Duhan van der Merwe after a period of pressure, Van Der Walt slotted the extras.

Ross Byrne came off the bench to replace Sexton, with his first kick of the game he added another three points with a penalty.

Byrne added a second penalty after Scotland’s defence was penalised after 20 phases of play to ensure there would be no comeback by Gregor Townsend’s side as Ireland secured third place in the Autumn Nations Cup.

Ireland: Jacob Stockdale; Hugo Keenan, Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Keith Earls; Jonathan Sexton (C), Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rob Herring, Andrew Porter; Iain Henderson, James Ryan; CJ Stander, Peter O’Mahony, Caelan Doris

Subs: Quinn Roux for Iain Henderson (39 mins), , Ross Byrne for Johnny Sexton (63 mins), Josh Van Der Flier for Caelan Doris (66 mins), Eric O Sullivan for Cian Healy (66 mins), Ronan Kelleher for Rob Herring (66 mins), John Ryan for Andrew Porter, Caelan Doris for James Ryan , Chris Farrell for Robbie Henshaw (79 mins) Jameson Gibson Park for Conor Murray (79 mins).

Tries: Earls (37^th min 50^th min), Healy (44^th min)

Penalties Sexton (X2), Byrne (X2)

Conversions Sexton (x2)

Stuart Hogg (C); Darcy Graham, Chris Harris , Duncan Taylor, Duhan van der Merwe; Jaco van der Walt, Ali Price; Rory Sutherland, Fraser Brown, Zander Fagerson; Scott Cummings, Jonny Gray; Blade Thomson, Jamie Ritchie, Matt Fagerson

Subs: Huw Jones for Taylor, Sean Maitland for Darcy Graham, Oli Kebble for Rory Sutherland, Sam Skinner for Scott Cummings, Blair Cowan for Jamie Ritchie, George Turner for Fraser Brown WP Nel for Zander Fagerson, Sam Hidalgo Clyne for Ali Price

Tries Van Der Merwe (55^th min)

Penalty Walt (X3)

Conversions Walt (X1)

http://limerickvoice.com/sport/strong-second-half-showing-powers-ireland-to-victory/