Category: Match wrapup

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FULL TIME TAKES

Aonghus O’Brien

First half was poor, but the second half was loads of fun and I especially enjoyed the two tries from Sam ‘Not A Running Threat’ Prendergast

Louis Hoffman

Could a scrum ‘expert’ explain to me, what all that nonsense was about? Was it the refs fault?

Kevin Kelehan

Dreadful ref, his scrum time nearly wrecked the game completely. The bench was ridiculously over strength but thankfully it worked a charm when introduced, a BP on the road is all that history will record in a game of two halves.

Jackie McEachern

Definitely a “game of two halves”. As others have said, our bench obviously made a huge difference. While the reffing was horrible, we showed good composure in the first half when we had two yellow cards to attack and score a try.

Brian Patrick Donnelly

match ruined by inept, pedantic, awful refereeing. We were good for 20 minutes and that was that.

Shane Mcdonald

Just watching it it now at half time but how on gods green earth did the ref linesman tmo miss the very very very obvious hands in the ruck when jvdf nearly got over in the corner

Stevie wonder could have seen that and tv kept showing it over over over 🤦

Greg Kelly

BP away to the 2nd placed team in England is not to be sniffed at. The officiating was poor. We got little change from the officials in the first half but credit to the lads they worked around it well. Not sure how the TMO doesn’t intervene to card Thacker for pulling the ball out of Joshs hands on the goal line in the first half but comes in to reverse a lineout🤷‍♂️

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CHAMPIONS CUP WRAP

390 : Ireland v Australia wrap

IRFU 150 Test Match, Aviva Stadium, Dublin 30/11/2024 Ireland vs Australia Ireland’s Cian Healy Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

🏉 Just not clicking

🏉 Schmidt tactics

🏉 Ten point swing

🏉 Back to adversity

🏉 Saved by the bench

THIS WEEK’S GUESTS

Post to Post Sport blog

FULL TIME TAKES

Cormac Mannion

I’m not too worried about the attack just yet. It took Catt a bit of time to sort that out when he took up the role so let’s hope Goodman makes improvements by the 6N.

However, our lineout is appalling and this is nothing new. Serious questions to be asked of O’Connell and what he’s doing there.

Big step up for Prendergast today and he’ll learn from it. Suddenly we now have options at 10 post Johnny. Crowley was really up for it when he came on too.

Another issue though seems to be the back row. We seem to get isolated an awful lot at the breakdown and giving away a lot of turnovers. Ruck clearance has definitely gone downhill this year.

Ronan McManus

I’m not sure that Prendergast’s more languid passing style helped us against the Aussie rush defence. They were in among us by the time the ball came into the centre.

Some real flashes of quality from him though.

Sort.out.the.lineout.

Kevin Kelehan

Bench was the difference between the sides, Dan Sheehan will be back once fit and Gus McCarthy should be on the bench, you need to win your own line outs, something that only happened once McCarthy came on. Jack Crowley also showed so much more accuracy and energy in his time, Prendergast just not up to the pace aged 21. Craig Casey also full of energy when introduced. Josh VDF also superb and was Doris as was Big Joe and Porter.

Sean MacDonnchadha

Can’t sweep this under the rug and say a win is a win and move on. That lazy mentality has only ever gotten us to the same QF exit in world cups. Lineout and attack are serious issues and can no longer be ignored – changes needed.

Jackie McEachern

Lineout needs to be sorted. Bench made a big impact (esp Crowley, Casey and McCarthy). Glad we got the win but that could easily have gone the other way.

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389 : Ulster v Leinster wrap

29 November 2024; Jordan Larmour of Leinster scores his side’s second try during the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Leinster at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

🏉 Scrum’s the word

🏉 HIAs & injuries

🏉 Tactical changes

🏉 Jimmy & Jordan

🏉 Unexpected bonus

THIS WEEK’S GUESTS

DAVID CORDIAL

FULL TIME TAKES

Jackie McEachern

After last year, I’m so happy to get 5 points in Belfast. But it’s frustrating that Byrne’s conversion misses wind up meaning Ulster get the LBP. JOB was great.

Gordy Graham (Ulster fan)

Amazing that Ulster got anything from that game considering the state of our scrum. Both sides had an error strewn first half, both a bit better the second but Leinster, as they often are, were clinical enough to get the win.

Sean MacDonnchadha

Slimani brought in for nights like these. A rock of solidity with the first line front rowers away. Built our win around scrum power 💪🏼 Also great to see Larmour perform so well. A leaders performance by Jack with a great steal at the end to seal the win.

Kevin Kelehan

5 points for Leinster, decent progress report for Ulster who could have been a lot further in front at half time if they converted better

Colin Mcconaghie (Ulster fan)

Hate to criticise officials but that was so poor. Reffed both teams differently

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URC WRAP

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386 : Ireland v Fiji wrap

Autumn Nations Series, Aviva Stadium, Dublin 23/11/2024 Ireland vs Fiji
Ireland’s Sam Prendergast takes a kick Mandatory Credit
©INPHO/Ben Brady

🏉 Sam, Gus & Izzy

🏉 Attacking flow

🏉 Discipline

🏉 Awkward positions

🏉 Pecking orders

THIS WEEK’S GUESTS

CIAN O’MUILLEOIR

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FULL TIME TAKES

Hubert Gallagher

Sam P’s ability to pick out a late pass and put a player into a gap was otherworldly! Set up a number of clean breaks. Loved the fact he made a number of errors but the head didn’t do down and he just played on as if it didn’t matter. Great temperament.

Gus was also brilliant- another couple of games and he’ll be pushing Kelleher and of course Sheehan when he’s back! What a debut.

Lots of really good performances from more established players Henshaw, Aki, JVDF, Doris and loved Casey’s performances – much better then I’ve seen him play before.

Lastly a word for Frawley – he took some punishment and kept going and did very well!

Opposition was quite poor however and we need to keep that in mind.

Jackie McEachern

Bearing in mind that Fiji were poor, I think we can still take away positives. Great first time starts from Sam and Gus. And many of the veterns put in strong performances – Aki, Henshaw, Doris, VdF. I was also really impressed with Casey.

I think Crowley should definitely start next week and the #10 jersey is his. But I’m excited for what Sam will also bring as he matures and his skills grow.

Bert McLoughlin

Fijian discipline shocking. Gus McCarthy had a great debut 3 assists and a try👏. Sam had a mixed bag with the yellow and a few mistakes after he can back on, but his passing gains space for players around him and is definitely a playmaker 10.

Chris McDonnell

Casey played his best game, sam recovered from some silly mistakes and played well especially after frawley came on and took loads of the pressure off playing as a second play maker. Said before the game the balance on the bench with so many 12’s and no back 3 players was always going to go badly.

Eamon Saunders

A win is a win some great individual performances but for me Robbie Henshaw was back to his best but again great performances all over the pitch

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AUTUMN NATIONS SERIES WRAP

WEEK 3

FRANCE 37-23 ARGENTINA

IRELAND 52-17 FIJI

WALES 12-45 SOUTH AFRICA

ITALY 11-29 NEW ZEALAND

SCOTLAND 27-13 AUSTRALIA

ENGLAND 59-14 JAPAN

WEEK 4

SAT NOV 30

IRELAND V AUSTRALIA

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Could’ve been the first to get a yellow before kickoff! 😜
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384 : Ireland v Argentina wrap

Autumn Nations Series, Aviva Stadium, Dublin 15/11/2024
Ireland vs Argentina Ireland’s Joe McCarthy scores a try
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

🏉 Fast start

🏉 Foul play du jour

🏉 Dr Phil

🏉 More silly mistakes

🏉 Holding on

THIS WEEK’S GUESTS

JAY LONG

HUGO GORDON

FULL TIME TAKES

Lee O Farrell

Yes, there were some sloppy mistakes at times but I think people are underestimating this Pumas team. Their defence was incredible and this is the team that has beaten France, SA and NZ (in NZ) over the past few months.

A higher score would have been great but I’ll take the win, thanks!

Cormac Mannion

Argentina are a fine side. Their physicality is right up there with South Africa at their best. We seemed to be running into brick walls for large parts of the game. However, there is still something not at all right about Ireland. Hansen still looks off the pace, as does Lowe. Crowley needs time to develop and you can see how it’s coming together for him.

Our back row seems to be playing as individuals rather than a unit. Also, far too many sloppy penalties which could point to a lack of focus. We’ve looked off the boil since midway though the 6N.

Jackie McEachern

Too many penalties again – especially when we heard all week that discipline was going to be the focus. But am very happy they hung on to win against a strong side.

Kevin Kelehan

Got over the line against a huge Argentinian pack and very useful backline, Tom Clarkson and Sam Prendergast both came through very well. Jack Crowley was superb for most and a tough nut to get up without play acting after being cynically taken out illegally. The penalty count and line out remain a serious cause for concern, Kelliher is a great scrummager and a demon in the loose but he needs to spend the next month to sort out his darts.

Jamie Bermingham

Glad we got the win but once again the discipline was very poor. Our attack in the 2nd half was practically non existent. Still a lot to work on for the next two games

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AUTUMN NATIONS SERIES WRAP

WEEK 2

IRELAND 22-19 ARGENTINA

SCOTLAND 59-21 PORTUGAL

ENGLAND 20-29 SOUTH AFRICA

FRANCE 30-29 NEW ZEALAND

ITALY 20-17 GEORGIA

WALES 20-52 AUSTRALIA

WEEK 3

FRI NOV 22

FRANCE V ARGENTINA

SAT NOV 23

IRELAND V FIJI

WALES V SOUTH AFRICA

ITALY V NEW ZEALAND

SUN NOV 24

SCOTLAND V AUSTRALIA

ENGLAND V JAPAN

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382 : Ireland v New Zealand wrap

Autumn Nations Series, Aviva Stadium, Dublin 8/11/2024 Ireland vs New Zealand New Zealand’s Will Jordan celebrates scoring their first try as Josh van der Flier of Ireland looks on dejected Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ken Sutton

🏉 Decent defence

🏉 Errors & Penalties

🏉 There for the taking

🏉 No bench impact

🏉 Adapt or else

THIS WEEK’S GUESTS

FULL TIME TAKES

John Hyland

Undercooked. A few performances to forget but they have credit in the bank. A lot of fair weather fans throwing out demands and ultimatums. This was our first loss in 19 games at the Aviva, and it was to an All Blacks team with a lot more recent game time than us.

Sean MacDonnchadha

Worrying lack of aggression first and then lack of leadership. They’ve gone on and on about unfinished business from the World Cup and getting revenge. Didn’t see that tonight.

Kevin Kelehan

The best team Ireland has ever produced were more error prone than I’ve seen them in many years. 3 more games to keep the direction of travel in the right direction

James Murphy

Our front men standing back??

Letting them bully use in lineouts and scrums,

Crowley very poor, frawley not much better

But frawley deserves start next week

Poorest Irish performance in a long time

Brian Corr

Too many errors and then too many players losing it or dropping the heads.

Decision making was terrible and lineout was very poor.

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AUTUMN NATIONS SERIES WRAP

WEEK 1

IRELAND 13-23 NEW ZEALAND

ENGLAND 37-42 AUSTRALIA

ITALY 18-50 ARGENTINA

FRANCE 52-12 JAPAN

WA;ES 19-24 FIJI

SCOTLAND 15-32 SOUTH AFRICA

WEEK 2

FRI NOV 15

IRELAND V ARGENTINA

SAT NOV 16

SCOTLAND V PORTUGAL

ENGLAND V SOUTH AFRICA

FRANCE V NEW ZEALAND

SUN NOV 17

ITALY V GEORGIA

WALES V AUSTRALIA

379 : Leinster v Lions wrap

26 October 2024; Josh van der Flier of Leinster is tackled by Edwill van der Merwe and Erich Cronje of Emirates Lions during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Emirates Lions at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

🏉 9/10 combinations

🏉 Proud Lions

🏉 Forcing knockons

🏉 Caelan & Josh

🏉 Late gloss

THIS WEEK’S GUESTS

https://twitter.com/KarlBrophy/status/1850236067011801358

FULL TIME TAKES

Cormac Mannion

Sad to see McGrath’s decline. He seemed quite hesitant last night and the time when the ball popped out of the ruck and went between his legs was a prime try scoring opportunity.

Our scrum is now a serious area for concern. “If in doubt, ping Porter”

Jackie McEachern

Tough match although I think we likely would have scored more/gone a bit easier if JGP had been playing. I thought Sam did well and Doris and JVF were excellent! Glad to see Robbie back.

Jamie Bermingham

A tough game and exactly what we needed, the young lads impressed and Doris was an absolute wrecking ball. Lions definitely came for a battle and the scoreboard does not reflect how well they played

Chris McDonnell

Jvdf is just a magnificent 7. I can’t understand why mcgrath was kept and 3 better 9s are playing for other clubs

Tom Clarke

Breakdown needs some attention. Robbie looked sharp and Cooney looks a good prospect. Dorris is a top top player, but we know that!!

Alan Jacob

#1Vs #2 ….. good outing for the boys…. Dori’s ridiculous as always!! Prendergast had a solid game especially considering Lions had the ruck under serious pressure…. Needed a proper pressure game & an 80 min performance which were both delivered in spades.

Kevin Kelehan

Way too much aimless kicking in the first half which gave the Lions great opportunities to run at a Leinster in the 13-14 channel, once that was tightened up Leinster improved. Crowd got going at times but needed to give better support

https://twitter.com/gortoshay1/status/1850235867522085150

https://twitter.com/CaptSpringbok/status/1850235765508190377

https://twitter.com/HarpinOnRugby/status/1850235380941095191

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URC WRAP

377 : Connacht v Leinster wrap

19 October 2024; Max Deegan of Leinster scores his side’s fourth try, despite the tackle of Connacht’s Shayne Bolton, during the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Leinster at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

🏉 Galway gusts

🏉 Fast start. Again.

🏉 Frawley

🏉 LaRGer than life

🏉 Defence. Again.

THIS WEEK’S GUESTS

CONOR CRONIN

CIAN O’MUILLEOIR

FULL TIME TAKES

Jackie McEachern

Happy enough with the Leinster performance. I was nervous when Frawley went off so early but thought Ross did a good job, especially in the conditions. Hope Frawley’s injury isn’t too bad.

Gavin Hegarty

Not much more else you can ask for. Top points from each outing. Yes we kinda let them back in it but we were never not dominant.

Clarkson for me had been coming into his own this season, he’ll be capped soon enough.

So utterly unlucky for frawley, this was his chance for the autumn series.

Craig Grehan

I think the match although winning shows some poorer choices of play by jpg at times.

Shows frawley is like the munster era snyman …and snyman is becoming a fan favourite.

Connacht as always put up a good fight and on another day would get more bang for their buck.

Cormac Mannion

I think we were switched on for a lot longer than last week. Hopefully Frawley’s injury isn’t too bad. Rotten luck for him

https://twitter.com/LeinsterRoyalty/status/1847735920386040209

https://twitter.com/sami_sp/status/1847746982787633384

https://twitter.com/HarpinOnRugby/status/1847735808901730633

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URC WRAP

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375 : Leinster v Munster wrap

12 October 2024; RG Snyman of Leinster celebrates with team-mates after scoring their side’s fourth try during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Munster at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

🏉 Brisk assessment

🏉 RG impact

🏉 In our defence…

🏉 Makeshift units

🏉 Doris’ day

THIS WEEK’S GUESTS

DAVID CORDIAL

HUGO GORDON

FULL TIME TAKES

Cormac Mannion

Bar 2mins just before half time, we looked really disjointed and out of ideas after we scored the third try. It really was quite bizarre because we looked incredibly sharp in the first 15mins.

Also, setting up caterpillar rucks in the opposition half and launching up and unders? Seriously?

Micheal M Priest

Leinster, true to form, fall out of the game in the second half after creating a big lead. Just like previous European Cup finals.

Alright in this league against the likes of Munster, but get punished by the likes of La Rochelle and Toulouse. With such a large talented squad, when will serious questions be asked?

Aonghus O’Brien

Leinster defence looking good. Seemed to run out of ideas in attack in the second half but hopefully they are holding a bit back for the bigger European cup games etc

John Hyland

Leinster are turning into a 40 minute team. If they want silverware, they’ll need to get a lot more ruthless

Craig Grehan

Leinster were very much a first half team in the match.

The ref killed munster at times, but then again so did munster ball handling. A win is a win though.

Kevin Kelehan

Munster kept their shape despite the score, round 3 done. Who were the 1,800 eijits who paid good money for tickets and failed to turn up?

https://twitter.com/ek_rugby/status/1845170846442172547

https://twitter.com/bernardjackman/status/1845221047009747115

https://twitter.com/LeinsterRoyalty/status/1845531898505793674

https://twitter.com/threeredkings/status/1845185777694630003

https://twitter.com/HarpinOnRugby/status/1845156963837214953

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URC WRAP

373 : Benetton v Leinster wrap

5 October 2024; Ciarán Frawley of Leinster beats the tackle of Tommaso Menoncello of Benetton on the way to scoring his side’s second try during the United Rugby Championship match between Benetton and Leinster at Stadio Monigo in Treviso, Italy. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

🏉 The Perfect 10

🏉 Injury worries

🏉 On the blitz

🏉 Split decision

🏉 He’s alright, Jack

THIS WEEK’S GUESTS