Scarlets rain on Munster parade

25^th November 2012

Munster                6

Scarlets                13

CJ Stander attempts to keep warm in Munsters defeat to the Scarlets in a rain drenched Musgrave Park 

Munster coach Rob Penney will have witnessed horrendous playing conditions like this in his home country of New Zealand on many an occasion but what he will hope is that he doesn’t see more regularly  error strewn performances like this from his new Munster charges.  

In a game which started in heavy underfoot conditions with a strong crossfield wind, the weather had disintegrated greatly by the start of the second half, and by the end the players were very grateful to see the sanctuary of the dressing rooms and in particular the hot showers. 

To their credit the visitors adapted better to the inclement conditions and after reaching the half time break on level terms after playing against the strong wind, it gave them the injection of self belief to go on and dominate Munster in the second half, particularly at scrum time, and claim their first victory in Musgrave Park in eight attempts.

Both sides were shorn of their international contingent but it was the home side who took the game to their opponents from the off.  However, for the majority of the first quarter their dominance was let down by a series of knock ons when in very promising positions.  Both fullback Felix Jones and winger Luke O’Dea were very prominent during this period and looked to counter attack at every opportunity.

Munster got the scoreboard moving in the 23^rd minute when the Scarlets were penalised for coming in from the side and outhalf Keatley converted to give them a deserved but hard earned 3-0 lead.  This score seemed to shake the men from Wales in to life, and after their first period of extended pressure in the Munster 22, the home side were penalised for not rolling away.  Outhalf Aled Thomas made no mistake from the resultant penalty and the sides were level at 3-3.

Munster continued to dictate the play but the more they tried the more the error count continued to add up with knock ons, lost lineouts and a creaking scrum adding to their frustration. 

The unlucky Niall Ronan had to be stretched off in the 35^th minute after the Scarlets Jake Bell was over zealous in his clearing out of the ruck and it is now inevitable that the lock forward will be hauled before the disciplinary authorities for the challenge.  South African new recruit CJ Stander came on to replace Ronan in the Munster backrow.

And Stander almost made a dream start when, after multiple phases by the home side, he barged his way for the tryline but after consulting the video referee, a verdict of no try was given and the sides retreated to the dressing rooms all square.

 As the second half commenced the weather had taken a significant turn for the worse with the rain now sheating down and Munster having to face in to a howling wind.  A change of game plan would be required in order to grind out the required result here.

The Scarlets almost got the perfect start to the half when an attempted clearance by Munster full back Jones was blocked down by flanker Jonathon Edwards, but luckily for the home side the bouncing ball slid beyond the endline.

They did not have to wait long for a further opportunity however when Munster’s Wian Du Preez was penalised at scrum time in the 43^rd minute.  However, outhalf Thomas’ subsequent penalty was pushed wide and Munster were let off the hook.  With the Scarlets now dominating procession, Thomas had an attempted drop goal in the 54^th minute which went left and wide also.

In what was becoming a real war of attrition you felt at this stage that a try for either side would surely close out the game.  And the home side were handed a great opportunity in the 63^rd minute when awarded a 5 metre scrum after another great break by Jones and a kick on by Keatley which had the away defence scrambling frantically.  However, once more, the Scarlets were let off the hook when Munster were penalised for an early engagement at the scrum.

And the away side added salt to the wounds in the 66^th minute when they turned the screw once more at scrum time and Thomas converted the subsequent penalty off the left upright to give the Scarlets a 6-3 advantage.

The game was up for the home side in the 70^th minute when from a scrum in the Llanelli half, the ball was spilled in midfield by O’Dea, the away side fly hacked through, and the unfortunate Jones fumbled the proverbial bar of soap on two occasions and the ever alert winger Andy Denby touched down.  It would be the games match winning score and the 6^th try of a very productive Pro 12 season for Fenby so far.  Davies converted with aplomb to extend the Scarlets lead to 13-3.

Munster were making very little headway at this stage against the elements and also against a pack which was well on top in the scrum.  The Scarlets had two further opportunities to extend their lead in the 75^th and 79^th minutes for infringements by the Munster scrum but Davies was unlucky with the first attempt which went wide off the right hand upright and the second attempt which dropped short.

Munster had one last opportunity themselves to salvage a losing bonus point from the game.  After a good drive in to the opposition 22, the Scarlets were penalised for a hand in the ruck, and substitute JJ Hanrahan stood up and slotted the penalty with the final kick of the game.   

In a game of few positives for the home side, Felix Jones got through another 80 minutes unscathed on his way back to full fitness and showed flashes of his counter attacking brilliance on a number of occasions.  It was unfortunate that his fumbles led to the defining score of the game.  CJ Stander also impressed on his debut and was never shy of some hard graft even in the very difficult playing conditions. Mike Sherry had a better night from lineout ball with Munster winning 10 out of 13 of their own throws but their scrum was to let them down with 6 penalties conceded in 10 of their own put ins. 

Scarlets Head Coach Simon Easterby will be delighted with the effort of his charges particularly considering that they were missing 15 of their frontline players.  Outhalf Aled Davies, not withstanding his second half misses, was assured in his play, wing Andy Fenby continued his hot streak with his try and hooker Emyr Philips was very accurate in the lineout and also dominant in the scrum.

Scarlets remain in second place in the standings before their top of table clash with leaders Ulster next weekend.  For Munster, they have dropped out of the play off positions after being leap frogged by neighbours Leinster, but will have the chance to correct this in next weekend’s home game in Thomond Park with the Glasgow Warriors.

Man of the Match: Emyr Philips (Scarlets)

Teams and Scorers:

Munster: F. Jones, D. Howlett, C. Lualala, J. Downey, L. O’Dea, I. Keatley (1 pen), D. Williams, W. Du Preez, M. Sherry, S. Archer, I. Nagle, B. Holland, D. O’Callaghan, N. Ronan, P. Butler  Replacements: D. Varley, M. Horan, BJ. Botha, D. Foley, CJ Stander, P. Stringer, JJ Hanrahan (1 pen), D. Hurley

Scarlets: M. Stoddart, N. Reynolds, G. Maule, G. Owen, A. Fenby (1 try), A. Thomas (2 pens, 1 con), P. John, E. Philipps, J. Adriaanse, J. Bell, R. Kelly, G. Earle, J. Edwards, C. Price Replacements: K. Myhill, S. Hopkins, S. Lee, J. Snyman, D. Thomas, R. Williams, D. Newton, A. Warren 

 

 

Sibling Power the driving force in many a title won

27 November 2012

Sibling Power the driving force in many a title won

John Burke, the St Thomas' team manager, and his son Kenneth embrace after their historic Galway Senior Hurling title win over Loughrea

 

Johnny Maher – the appreciation society!  A text came through.  “Take a look at this YouTube clip lad, this fella is a total legend!”  And there it was.  The TG4 coverage of the Galway Senior Hurling championship final between heavyweights Loughrea and surprise package St Thomas’.  In a cracking encounter in which St Thomas’ claimed their first ever Galway Senior hurling title on a 3-11 to 2-11 scoreline, it was “Rambo” Johnny’s few minutes of madness that claimed all the headlines.

With Loughrea chasing the game and pumping high balls in on top of the muscular Johnny at the edge of the square, with three minutes of normal time remaining, he was hauled down for what seemed like a much needed lifeline for his team.  However, it was the reaction that followed that has received such notoriety.  Firstly, using the butt of his hurley to down the first offender, his lash out to the arm of the second offender was reminiscent to me of a few lashes to the hind quarter of a nervous heifer who had made her mind up that the cattle crush was not for her!  The saying goes that “three strikes and your out”. Well Johnny’s charmed life continued and after converting the resultant penalty with aplomb, his subsequent blatant trip on another opposition player, right in front of the referee, was the third strike but quite remarkably he still did not see any censure.

But all these headlines and media attention should not have taken away from the magnificent achievement of St Thomas’.  An amalgamation of the Peterswell, Castledaly and Kilchreest parishes since 1968 the cornerstone of team were the six Burke brothers Kenneth, Sean, Cathal, Darragh, recent All Star winner and Galway Senior David and youngest brother Eanna.  The first five brothers all started the game while minor star Eanna took to the field for the final minutes.  The GAA has been founded on the contribution of families and the pride in playing for the parish.  I was curious then as to how siblings had progressed to the county scene and contributed to their counties push for glory.

There have been many incidents in hurling, football and camogie of siblings winning Celtic Crosses over the years but the following are some that stood out for their uniqueness.

Liam, Des and Brendan Maguire

The Maguire brothers became the first siblings to play against each other in an All Ireland Final in the football final of 1952.  Liam and Des played for Cavan while Brendan played at midfield and wore the colours of neighbours Meath.  Cavan won the game 0-9 to 0-5 and was the last time that they won the title.

Angela and Ann Downey, Kilkenny

The famous twin sisters of Kilkenny camogie who dominated the game during the 80’s and early 90’s.  They won an historic twelve All Ireland medals each including a 7 in a row between 1985 and 1991.  Angela first started playing senior camogie for Kilkenny at the age of 13 and her inter county career lasted an extraordinary twenty five years.  She captained the winning teams of 1977, 1981 and 1991.  Her twin sister Ann also captained the winning teams of 1989 and 1994.  A feat that is never likely to be surpassed.

Pat, Mick and Tom Spillane, Kerry

The famous Spillane brothers from Templenoe hold the record for the most number of All Ireland Senior Football Championship medals won by siblings.  Including medals won as non playing subs, Pat has 8 medals, Mick has 7 medals and Tom has 4 medals.  They are the only three brothers to have won three successive All Ireland medals each between 1984 and 1986.  Pat also had the distinction of lifting the Sam Maguire cup as captain at the tender age of 19 in the 1975 final after his club colleague Mickey Ned O’Sullivan was famously injured and taken to hospital during that game and therefore was not present to go up and collect the cup.

Pat, Ger and John Henderson, Kilkenny

The Henderson name is immersed with success in the Black and Amber jersey over the years.  In fact, the three brothers of Pat, Ger and John who represented their county at senior level hold the record for the longest period of time in which siblings have worn the county jersey i.e 1964 to 1991.  Pat was the eldest and played for the Cats between 1964 and 1978 winning 5 All Ireland medals in the process in 1967, 1969, 1972, 1974 and 1975.  He lost the 1971 final to Tipperary when captain in one of the great finals which will always be remembered for Hurler of the Year Babs Keating playing the closing stages of the game in his bare feet!  His brothers John and Ger played for the county team between 1978 and 1991 winning All Ireland medals each in 1979, 1982 and 1983.

George and John O’Connor, Wexford

When manager Liam Griffin led Wexford to the promised land with victory over Limerick in the 1996 All Ireland Hurling final, it was the first time that the yellow bellies had won the title since 1968.  Their last Leinster title success was back in 1977.  One of the stalwarts of Wexford hurling, George O’Connor, had soldiered through 17 barren seasons before winning that elusive All Ireland medal in 1996.  Who could forget the joyous scenes when he was shouldered off the pitch once the final whistle was blown.  George had played at midfield in that game with his brother John also being victorious in the corner back position. 

Ben and Jerry O’Connor, Cork

Twins Ben and Jerry O’Connor came from a family steeped in Cork hurling tradition.  They became the first twin brothers to win All Ireland Senior hurling championship medals and their younger sister Paula has also won All Ireland medals in camogie for Cork.  Ben broke in to the Cork senior set up slightly earlier than Jerry and was part of a very young Cork team, average age of twenty two, which defeated Kilkenny in the All Ireland final of 1999.  Both brothers were part of the back to back All Ireland winning teams of 2004 and 2005 with Ben captaining the 2004 team.  They were also the first set of twins to win hurling All Star awards in 2005.

Martin and James McHugh, Donegal

Wee Martin and his brother James were part of Donegal’s historic 1992 All Ireland triumph over Dublin under the management of Brian McEniff.  It was the county’s first All Ireland title in their first All Ireland Final appearance.  Both brothers won All Star awards also that year.  Martin McHugh was voted Donegal’s best ever footballer in the 125 year history of the GAA in a poll carried out by the local Donegal Democrat newspaper in 2009.

Noel and Tadhg Kennelly, Kerry

Sons of the great Tim “Horse” Kennelly who captained Kerry to All Ireland victory over Dublin the 1979 final and who was an integral part of the “Golden Generation” of Kerry football during that period.  Older son Noel was part of the Kerry panel that defeated Galway in the All Ireland Final replay of 2000.  Tadhg had the historic honour of being the first Irish person to win an AFL medal when part of the Sydney Swans team that captured the title in 2005.  He had stated on numerous occasions that he wanted to emulate his father Tim and brother Noel by winning an All Ireland medal and he achieved that historic feat with Kerry’s All Ireland Final victory over Cork in 2009.

Each of the players mentioned above started their careers with their local parish clubs and when the glory days in the county jersey were over they returned to give the final years of their careers to the club also.  St Thomas’ achievement is one of those heart warming stories in sport and we wish them the best of luck in the final stages of the All Ireland club hurling championship.  And who knows, maybe in the next year or so David Burke may be accompanied by some of his siblings when Galway continue their drive to win that elusive All Ireland title for the first time since 1988. 

Savea the new Lomu in the making?

22 November 2012

Savea the new Lomu in the making?

The year was 1995.  I was throwing away the shackles of state education and about to begin life in the fast lane of college life.  Mary Robinson was mid way through her term as the seventh president of Ireland and the first female to do so.  And John Bruton, or John Brutal if you were a fan of Dustin, was the Taoiseach in situ and led the Rainbow Coalition of Fine Gael, Labour and the Democratic Left! Remember them? A colourful period in Ireland’s political history one might say!

From a sporting point of view it was a year of many highs and lows.  In February there were the destressing scenes of English soccer hooligans rioting at Landsdowne Road in an international friendly with the Republic of Ireland.  In March at the Green Glens Arena in Millstreet there was Steve Collins nail biting victory over world champion Cwwwiiisss, I mean Chris, Eubank to win the WBO super middleweight title.  In September the Dubs regained the All Ireland Senior Football title for the first time since 1983.  And also in September who will forget the joyous scenes when captain Anthony Daly lifted the Liam McCarthy Cup and Clare became the All Ireland Senior Hurling Champions for the first time in 81 years.  The curse of Biddy Early had now been removed and Marty Morrissey’s famous declaration that “no cows would be milked in the Banner for a week!”  And the disappointing end to the year when Big Jack resigned as Republic of Ireland boss in December after failing to lead his charges though an emotionally charged Euro 1996 play off at Anfield with the Dutch.  

But my favourite sporting memory from that year was the historic Rugby World Cup which took place in South Africa.  It was the first major sporting event to take place there after the end of apartheid.  Ireland had been drawn in Pool C along with New Zealand, Wales and Japan and would kick off their campaign against the mighty Kiwi’s.  I have vivid memories of that game and Ireland’s early try by prop Gary Halpin and his two fingered salute to the New Zealand players when celebrating.  Talk about stirring up a hornet’s nest!!  It was Halpin’s one and only try for Ireland in his 11 cap Ireland career.

The reaction from New Zealand was as swift and brutal as downing a cider on a warm summer’s day.  They ran out very comfortable 43-19 winners but their victory was most notable for the impact made by one Jonah Lomu.  The new kid on the block had announced himself to the world with a two try salvo, swatting away Irish defenders when barging his way over the try line.  He would go on to score seven tries in total in five games in that tournament including his never to be forgotten four try haul in the semi final against England and in particular his try when he ran straight over the top of English full back Mike Catt.

Memories of Lomu’s remarkable show of power and strength came flooding back when watching New Zealand’s current tour of the Northern Hemisphere and in particular their game against Scotland and the two tries scored by left winger Julian Savea.  His second try was so reminiscent of Lomu’s try against England whereby he collected a bouncing cross field kick from outhalf Dan Carter, side stepped the first defender, handed off the second and mercifully for the Scottish defence there was no one quick enough to get back and therefore were not walked over by the rampaging Savea.

So is it reasonable that Savea would be touted as the “next Jonah Lomu”?  When asked about the similarities, he has stated himself that “it is an honour to be compared to Lomu, he was my hero growing up, if I can achieve half what he did, I’ll be delighted with my career”.  So how does Savea square up to the great man Lomu at this stage of his career?

He was born on the 7^th August 1990 and at the age of 22 has won seven caps for the All Blacks scoring a whopping ten tries.  His debut could not have been more spectacular with a three try demolition of Ireland in the first of the three test series against them in Auckland in June of this year.  It was the first time that an All Black had scored three tries against Ireland in a test match and just the fourth to score three tries on his All Black debut.  Lomu had become the youngest All Black test player at the age of 19 years and 45 days when he debuted on the wing against France in 1994, breaking a record that had stood for just under 90 years at that time. 

Both Savea and Lomu are close in terms of height with Savea standing at 1.92m and Lomu at 1.96m.  Lomu did carry a bit more bulk weighing in at 125kg as opposed to Savea at 105kg.  I am sure however with a long career ahead and the professionalism of the New Zealand backroom team that the scales will be tipping a bit higher for Savea as his career progresses.

Lomu had first come to international attention at the 1994 Hong Kong Sevens tournament as well as playing for the under 21 side that year.  Savea debuted for the All Black Sevens team in 2009 and was selected to play for the All Black Under 20 team to play at the 2010 IRB Junior World Championships in Argentina.  He scored eight tries in the tournament which the Kiwi’s won and he was also named IRB Junior player of the year.   

Lomu made 21 appearances for the Wellington Lions in the provincial/state competitions between 2000 and 2003 scoring 13 tries.  Savea marked his debut for the Lions in July 2010 with a length of the field run away try that clinched victory.  To date he has made 22 appearances and scored eight tries.

Lomu also played for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby during this period making 29 appearances and scoring 11 tries.  Savea debuted for the Hurricanes in 2011, and after a quiet debut season, his recent form and growing confidence has been devastating with a nine try haul in twenty five appearances.

Lomu debuted for the All Black’s in 1994 and won 63 caps in total scoring 37 tries.  He is officially the Rugby World Cup all time top try scorer with 15 tries.  Savea debuted for the All Blacks in June 2012 against Ireland and has won 7 caps to date scoring 10 tries.  His strike rate to date therefore is more than impressive  and with the confidence of being world champions and the quality of personnel he is playing with, who would bet against Savea breaking all sorts of International try scoring records in the future.

“He is a freak and the sooner he goes away the better” – the words of England’s Will Carling after Lomu’s famous destruction of the English in that world cup semi final of 1995.  Lucky for us spectator’s and lovers of the game, he did not.  The majority of his famous tries were ignited by his electric pace as he stepped in and out of his opponents and ran around them, using his powerful hands to fend them off.  The similarities with Savea’s scores to date are very striking.  Lets hope that he will continue to exhilarate us in the future, even if he does have to walk over other defenders on the way!

 

Gavin boots Garryowen to victory in Limerick derby

 

18 November 2012

Young Munster                 14

Garryowen                         21

In a bitingly cold and rain swept Tom Clifford Park, near neighbours Young Munster and Garryowen went to battle in this Limerick derby in Round 6 of the Ulster Bank League Division 1A.

After 80 plus minutes of high octane action, Garryowen were deserving winners in the end but had to withstand a late onslaught from the home side who will be a little bit disappointed in the end that they did not take more from the game than just the losing bonus point.  Both sides must be commended for their whole hearted performance in the very difficult playing conditions which was a far cry from the tepid, unstructured affair served up in Thomond Park twenty four hours earlier between Ireland and Figi.

Young Munster lined out as selected with their only change being on the bench where Colin Liston replaced Johnny Moroney.  Garryowen made four changes to their starting line up with Ronan O’Mahoney replacing Matt Jarvis at full back, Lorcan Burke replacing O’Mahoney on the left wing, Mark Hanrahan replacing Conor Hartigan and coming in for Anthony Kavanagh at blind-side flanker and Kavanagh then moving to the vacant openside position.  Hartigan and Jarvis were joined by Peter O’Shea on the Garryowen bench.

 

 

The visitor’s started the game the brighter and had the home side penned in their own 22 for the majority of the early exchanges.  They made their dominance count and took the lead in the 2^nd minute with a penalty from outhalf Jamie Gavin.

With Gavin dictating matters and peppering the Young Munster defence with up and unders in the difficult conditions, an attempted drop goal by the Garryowen outhalf which was called back by referee Sean Gallagher in the 8^th minute.  Gavin converted the resultant penalty in to a strong cross field breeze to extend Garryowen’s lead to 6-0 lead.   

The home side had struggled to get out of their own half in the early stages but slowly but surely they fought their way back in to the game with their forwards picking and driving and making a lot of the hard yards.  They had an opportunity to half the deficit in the 20^th minute when Garryowen’s Anthony Kavanagh was penalised for coming in from the side but scrum half Brian Haugh’s kick drifted wide of the posts and Garryowen retained their 6-0 advantage.

Garryowen seemed to have the advantage in the scrum at this juncture and they looked like extending their advantage in the 29^th minute after a beautiful spiral kick by Gavin to the corner.   Young Munster defended their line out well however and won a penalty to relieve the pressure.  The home crowd were certainly doing their best to get behind the home team at this stage.

And they were in full voice 2 minutes later when, after penning the visitors back in their own 22, the home side robbed a Garryowen line out, and when the forward drive was illegally stopped, scrumhalf Haugh had another opportunity to reduce the deficit.  Unfortunately, he was to hit the upright this time, but after recycling the ball and a number of drives, Garryowen were penalised for a high tackle by hooker James Rael on Munsters outhalf Garreth Quinn-McDonagh.  Rael was sent to the sin bin for his troubles and Haugh made no mistake this time to leave the home side trailing by 6-3.

With the game now ticking in to overtime at end of the half and supporters heading to the clubhouse for a much needed cup of tea, Garryowen launched one last attack and after good lineout work and help from his forward pack, Garryowen lock Aaron McCloskey barged over the line for the first try of the game.  Gavin’s conversion was wide to the right so the teams retreated to the dressing rooms with the visitors holding an 11-3 advantage.

The home side hit the ground running at the start of the second half and after Garryowen were penalised for going off their feet in the 41^st minute, Haugh converted to reduce the deficit to 11-6.

Unfortunately, any momentum the home side had was wiped out in the 45^th minute when, after Garryowen got the push on a scrum after a knock on by Haugh, referee Gallagher ran under the posts to award a penalty try to the visitors.  Gavin converted to increase Garryowen’s lead once more to 18-6.

This was now a pivotal juncture in the game and it was sensed that a try was needed by the hone side in order to get back in to the game.  After a fumble by Garryowen in midfield in the 47^th minute it seemed that Munster’s opportunity had arrived.  After a kick through which resulted in a 5 metre scrum, Garryowen were penalised but the home side passed up the opportunity of three points and went for a repeat scrum. Again Garryowen were penalised and again the home side turned down the three points on hand.  When the home side lost the ball forward from the scrum and Garryowen cleared from the resultant penalty, you sensed that this was a vital decision in the overall context of the game and one that the home side may regret by the end of the game.

Director of Rugby Mike Prendergast entered the fray in the 55^th minute and immediately moved in to the outhalf position in order to give the home side some extra impetus there.  However, Garryowen extended their lead a minute later with a penalty in front of the posts which was converted once more by Gavin.

The home side were not to be outdone however and after a penalty in the 59^th minute which was kicked to the corner, the Munster’s forwards mauled their way over the line with blindside flanker Mark Rowley getting the all important touchdown.  Haugh’s conversion was just short and Garryowen’s lead was now reduced to 21-11.

Sensing a way back in to the game, the home side now drove forward at every opportunity.  Garryowen were doing a good job at repelling them but a penalty conceded in 76^th minute was punished by Haugh once more and we now had a one score game at 21-14. 

 

 

Not content with being in a losing bonus point position the home side now carried all the momentum and they were creating gaps in the Garryowen defence.  Garryowen conceded a further penalty in the 78^th minute for being offside and substitute Conor Hartigan was sent to the bin. Again Munster’s kicked to the corner but after a poor lineout and subsequent knockout, Garryowen once more relieved the pressure.  In a grand stand finish, and with 8 minutes of overtime played, Munster’s went through 15 plus phases of possession which were repelled by the visitors until they eventually cleared the ball to touch to close out the game.

The Garryowen coaching partnership of Tom Tierney and Paul Neville will be delighted with this hard earned win and outhalf Jamie Gavin continues his impressive form from the boot.  Garryowen remain in second place in the standings, two points behind leaders Landsdowne.  Mike Prendergast and his assistant Denis Leamy will be disappointed with a home loss to their local rivals but will be heartened for the days ahead by the battling spirit shown by their charges in the last 20 minutes in particular where a converted try would have given them a draw which their endeavours may just have about deserved.  They remain in fourth place in the table.

Man of the Match: Jamie Gavin (Garryowen)

Teams and Scorers:

Young Munster: Craig O’Hanlon, Steve McCauley, Mark Doyle, Lukas Kuntz, Darragh O’Neill, Garreth Quin-McDonagh, Brian Haugh (3 pens), Ger Flaherty, Ger Slattery, Darragh Cantillon, Sean Duggan, Darren Gallagher, Mark Rowley (1 try), Luke Russell, Neville Melbourne  Replacements: Colin Liston, Ger Burke, Hugn McGrath, Mike Prendergast, Declan Bannon

Garryowen: Ronan O’Mahoney, Cian O’Shea, James McInerney, Conan Doyle, Lorcan Burke, Jamie Gavin (3 pens, 1 con), Neil Cronin, Rory Brosnan, James Rael, JP Cooney, Alan Kennedy, Aaron McCloskey (1 try), Mark Hanrahan, Anthony Kavanagh, Dave Sherry Replacements: Dave Rowley, Pater O’Shea, Conor Hartigan, Matt Jarvis, Geoff Ryan  

  

 

Has Rocket Ronnie fired shot for the last time?

“An enigma – genius’s are enigma’s” - the words used by former manager and chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker association Barry Hearn to describe the legend that is the Rocket Ronnie O’Sullivan.  The man that made his TV debut in the Thames Snooker Classic at the age of 14.  The man that became the youngest winner of a world ranking event at the age of 17 when defeating Stephen Hendry in the final of the 1993 UK Championships.  The man that made the fastest televised 147 clearance in 5 minutes and 20 seconds in the 1^st round of the 1997 World Championships at the Crucible against Nick Price.  The celebration and the simulation of chalking his cue to the adulation of a packed auditorium.  The man that won the first of his four World Title’s at the age of 25 in the 2001 final against John Higgins, repeating the feat in 2004, 2008 and the 2012 decider against Ali Carter.   And most ironic, the man who idolised Steve Davis whose methodic and almost boring style of play was the polar opposite to what the Rocket literally brought to the table.  A man who’s personal demons however have now forced him to skip the rest of the season and not defend his world title next May. It made me wonder as to what other champions, world champions or otherwise, have not defended their titles over the years.

Uruguay – World Cup Champions

After Uruguay had won the Olympic football tournaments in 1924 and 1928 it was decided by the FIFA president Jules Rimet that they would host the inaugural World Cup tournament in 1930.  They defeated Argentina 4-2 in the final to become the first World Cup champions.  However, in the following tournament in Italy in 1934, reigning world cup holders Uruguay declined to participate in protest at the refusal of several European countries to travel to South America for the previous world cup held there.  Therefore, the 1934 World Cup is the only one in which the reigning champions did not participate.

Rangers - 1972 Cup Winners Cup Winners

Rangers defeated Dynamo Moscow 3-2 in the final of the 1972 Cup Winners Cup but their victory was marred by a pitch invasion by their fans and which subsequently led to a one year ban for the team from European football.  This marked the first time that the holders were then unable to defend their title

Bath – Heineken Cup Winners 1997-98

Bath defeated defending champions Brive 19-18 in a pulsating encounter in Bordeaux in the final of the Heineken Cup in the 1997/98 season.  80 seconds in to injury time at the end of the game full back Jonathon Callard clinched it with his fourth penalty goal of the game, the one and only time that Bath were ahead in the entire game.  Ironically, however, the English clubs participating in the competition had made a joint decision to withdraw from the competition in a dispute over how it was run and Bath therefore were not in a position to defend their title the following season. 

Ben Hogan – British Open Golf Championship 1953

America’s Ben Hogan, the best American golfer of his era, only competed in the Open just once in 1953 at Carnoustie and won it on his one and only attempt.  Due to a schedule conflict between the Open and the match play PGA Championship during this period, Hogan did not participate to attempt to defend his title in 1954 along with the majority of his fellow American players.

Kim Clijsters – US Open 2005

Belgium’s Kim Clijsters won her first Grand Slam Singles title at the US Open in 2005, defeating Mary Pierce in straight sets in the final.  She had reached four Grand Slam finals previously where she had been unsuccessful in all.  However, while playing in a tournament in Montreal in August 2006, she slipped and fell on her left wrist, had to retire from the match and with the injury not responding as well as hoped, she had to withdraw from the 2006 US Open and therefore was unable to defend her title.

Lennox Lewis – WBA World Heavyweight Title

When Lennox Lewis defeated Evander Holyfield in November 1999 he became the holder of the IBF, WBC and WBA heavyweight belts all at the same time.  However, in early 2000, the World Boxing Association and Lewis were sued by representatives of challenger John Ruiz who claimed that they had reneged on an agreement by which Luiz would have fought Lewis for the WBA title.  A New Jersey court ruled in favour of Luiz and ordered Lewis to either have his next bout against Luiz or relinquish the title.  Lewis elected instead to fight another contender Michael Grant, therefore relinquishing his title on the day of the bout.  He therefore did not have an opportunity to retain it and instead Holyfield did so in August 2000.  

USA – Olympic Men’s Basketball Champions 1976

After beating Yugoslavia to the gold medal in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, the USA men’s basketball team would have been strong favourites to retain their title when the 1980 Olympics in Moscow rolled around.  However, led by the United States, 65 countries boycotted the games because of the Soviet war in Afganistan and therefore the men’s competition featured only the second instance featuring the US men’s basketball team failing to win Olympic Gold, the first being in the Munich games in 1972 when defeated by the USSR.  They did however regain their title once again in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

O’Sullivan is considered by many to be the most naturally talented player in the history of the game.  Although there is the “Two Ronnie’s” aspect of his character, he continued to be one of the most popular players on the circuit.  He has helped improve the image of snooker to the general public and has stated his own desire for entertaining the watching public as slow gritty games in his view puts viewers off.  As good and all as it is to see such up and coming stars as Judd Trump in the game, lets hope that we have not seen the last of the Rocket as the game of snooker will certainly be a less entertaining game without him.

Variety the spice of life for Munster at inside centre

Another dreary November afternoon.   What’s so surprising about that I hear you say? Hasn’t it been like this for the whole summer!   The first of the November Series of internationals between the Northern and Southern hemisphere teams are to take place today so to get me in the mood I sift through my collection of dvd’s for any classic rugby memorabilia.  I stumble across the official commemorative dvd of Munster’s maiden Heineken Cup win in 2006.

Oh, the memories! The tears well up once more watching Peter Stringer boot the ball in to the stand and then the shrill blast of referee Dave Pearson’s final whistle.  The Holy Grail had finally been reached.  Captain fantastic Anthony Foley lifts the cup and the streets of Limerick are in rapture.  Many aspects of that game stand out.  The kicking duel between O’Gara and Yachvilli.  The raw physicality of the Munster back row of Leamy, Walllace and Foley.  Stringer’s sniping around the fringes and what was the match winning try.  But what stood out most for me was the impact of one South African wearing the Munster No. 12 jersey, Trevor Halstead.  At a time in the first half when Munster were banging on the Biarritz door but had passed up the opportunity on a couple of occasions, it was Halstead who landed the first physcological blow when taking a pass from O’Gara and barging his way over the line dragging two Biarritz defenders with him.  Just the shot of confidence that Munster needed at that juncture.

My mind then switched to the current Munster set up and the talk among supporters during the summer that Munster had now landed an inside centre in the same mould as Halstead with the return of James Downey to the province.  After a short spell with Calvisano in Italy, Downey was snapped up by Northampton Saints and had been barging over, and through, defenders in the Aviva Premiership and Heineken Cup for the past couple of seasons.  Munster had seen this first hand themselves with their almost annual jousts with Norhampton in the Heineken Cup in particular.  All credit to Leifimi Mafi who was an excellent servant to Munster Rugby, but could Downey now be the battering ram down the number 12 channel that would drive Munster to European glory once more.  This would be the decision that new coach Rob Penney would have to make, Downey having been signed in Tony McGahan’s tenure in charge.

The requirements of a modern day inside centre are many and varied.  They are seen as the protector of the fly half or first receiver at the scrum or breakdown.  Like the fly half they generally possess a good kicking game and are good at reading the play and directing the attack.  They need to run good lines, have good passing skills and should be able to offload in the tackle, all as a means of trying to provide space for the men outside them.  They need to be solid tacklers and good at organising the defensive lines.   They also provide support at the breakdowns and can run as decoys to confuse opposing defences.  Not a lot to do there then!

I therefore took a look at the statistics of Munster’s RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup campaigns to date.  Seven games played in the Pro 12 and the opening two rounds of the Heineken Cup.  Four players have been used in the inside centre position to date.  Keith Earls versatility would also allow him to play there if required and even though Danny Barnes has seen no action there this term so far, he did have a very impressive breakthrough season there culminating in a Magners League winning performance against Leinster in the 2010/11 Grand Final.  The stats reveal the following:

1.       James Downey   

-          Played the full 80 minutes at inside centre in the first four Pro 12 games against Edinburgh, Treviso, Ulster and the Dragons

-          In the next two Pro 12 games against the Ospreys and Leinster, he replaced Simo Zebo on the wing with Casey Lualala and Keith Earls forming the centre partnership

-          Played the entire 80 minutes at inside centre against Racing Metro in the opening Heineken Cup game and again started at inside centre in the next Heineken Cup game against Edinburgh and was replaced late on by J.J. Hanrahan

-          Was not selected against either Zebre or Cardiff Blues in the Pro 12

2.       Keith Earls 

-          Was not selected in the first two Pro 12 games against Edinburgh and Treviso due to the Irish management player welfare scheme

-          In the next Pro 12 game against Ulster, he replaced Luke O’Dea early on on the wing and scored Munster’s only try in that game

-          Started at outside centre against the Dragons with Downey at inside centre.  Received Man of the Match award and was at the core of everything creative in the midfield

-          Started at outside centre against the Ospreys with Lualala at inside centre. 

-          Started at outside centre against Leinster with Lualala once again at inside centre. 

-          Was not selected against either Racing Metro or Edinburgh in the Heineken Cup or against either Zebre or Cardiff Blues in the Pro 12 

3.       Casey Lualala 

-          Played at outside centre in the first three Pro 12 games against Edinburgh, Treviso and Ulster before being replaced towards the end in each game

-          Played the full 80 minutes in the next two Pro 12 games against the Ospreys and Leinster at inside centre with Keith Earls at outside centre

-          Played the full 80 minutes at outside centre against Racing Metro and Edinburgh in the Heineken Cup with Downey at inside centre

-          Played the full 80 minutes at outside centre against Zebre in the Pro 12 with J.J. Hanrahan at inside centre

-          Played the full 80 minutes at outside centre against Cardiff in the Pro 12 with Ian Keatley at inside centre 

4.       Ian Keatley 

-          Played at outhalf in the first three Pro 12 games against Edinburgh, Treviso and Ulster

-          Came on as a substitute at outhalf for O’Gara in the next two Pro 12 games against the Ospreys and Leinster  

-          Played the full 80 minutes at full back against Racing Metro and Edinburgh in the Heineken Cup

-          Played the full 80 minutes at outhalf against Zebre in the Pro 12

-          Played the full 80 minutes at inside centre against Cardiff in the Pro 12 with Lualala at outside centre

5.       J.J. Hanrahan 

-          Replaced O’Gara  at outhalf late on in the Pro 12 game against the Dragons

-          Replaced Downey at inside centre late on against Edinburgh in the Heineken Cup

-          Played the full 80 minutes at inside centre against Zebre in the Pro 12 scoring two tries and winning Man of the Match award 

6.       Danny Barnes

-          Replaced Zebo on wing late on in the Pro 12 game against the Dragons

-          Replaced Downey at inside centre late on against Racing Metro in the Heineken Cup

 Each of the above players obviously have their own merits in the position.  Downey’s bulk ensures that he fulfils the solid tackler criteria as well as having good passing skills and an ability to offload in the tackle.  Keith Earls could be what is called a “Universal Back” in that he can play anywhere across the back five positions.  A substitute in the 2008 Heineken Cup winning side, he has a side step as good as any in the game but his versatility, which has always been a major plus for the overall cause of the team, may be to the detriment of he nailing down any one specific position in the backline which may be more advantageous for him in the long run.  Casey Lualala has been an ever present so far this season and with his All Black skill set and the fact that he has previously worked with coach Rob Penney in New Zealand, he has certainly hit the ground running.  Ian Keatley’s experience in the outhalf position ensures that he fulfils the good kicking game criteria as well as having the instinct to read the play and direct the attack.  He also possesses good passing skills and an ability to offload in the tackle.  J.J Hanrahan has received a development contract for the 2012/13 season and after run outs against the Dragons in the Pro 12 and Edinburgh in the Heineken Cup he burst on to the scene with his two try salvo against Zebre.  His first try owed much to his pace while his second showed a poacher’s instinct as he latched on to a dink through by Keatley.  Danny Barnes as a result seems to have slipped down the pecking order with only two substitute appearances this season compared to a very productive 2011/12 season where he made twenty appearances in both competitions scoring a healthy 5 tries.

It seems to date that coach Penney has a preference for the combination of Lualala at inside centre and Earls on his outside or Downey at inside centre and Lualala on his outside.  As the old saying goes “the cloth will be cut accordingly” depending on the opposition.  Such a wealth of options and competition for places can only be healthy for any team but it is hoped that the “best fit combination” can be rubberstamped in training and in the next two Pro 12 games against the Scarlets and Glasgow before the crunch doubleheader against Saracens in the Heineken Cup come the second week in December.  And lets hope that Downey and his teammates above can be inspired by the memories of Halstead and Co. and drive Munster to the pinnacle of european rubgy once more.