The Paul O'Connell interview – ‘Some day I might wake up and feel I want to be a head coach but it hasn't happened yet'
Paul O'Connell is sitting in a coaches' box, smiling as he watches the last of the 300 kids who were lucky enough to play at the Aviva Stadium, as part of Aldi's Play Rugby initiative.
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Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Cian Tracey: The future starts now as Craig Casey leads fresh Irish squad into battle
Next month's games in Georgia and Portugal provide chance to impress Cian Tracey The extent to which this is a new-look Ireland squad for the upcoming summer tour is best illustrated when considering the following: Paul O'Connell is a new interim head coach at the forefront of what is a fresh backroom team, and Craig Casey is a new captain, leading a largely inexperienced squad that includes 11 uncapped players. Indeed, this is a senior squad like no other in recent memory, as Andy Farrell, the majority of his assistants and a record 15 Ireland players are gearing up for the Lions tour to Australia. It has left O'Connell to keep the show on the road for two fully capped Tests that have important ranking points riding on them ahead of December's 2027 World Cup draw.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Tijjani Reijnders is £46million Man City signing who worked in ALDI and is named after legendary winger
TIJJANI REIJNDERS is perfectly placed to lead Manchester City's £130million supermarket sweep. The versatile midfielder used to stack shelves in Aldi but is now the first signing of a huge summer for Pep Guardiola. 11 Tijjani Reijnders is joining Manchester City from AC Milan for £45m Credit: Getty 11 The midfielder used to work in Aldi Credit: instagram @tijjanireijnders 11 He is a midfielder who can do a bit of everything Credit: Getty Reijnders, 26, idolises Kevin De Bruyne and will now be tasked with filling the gaping void left by the Belgian superstar. When the Netherlands international joined Milan he was asked about his rise to the top and said: "I recently noticed an article 'from amateur to "But when I think about it, I like 'from Aldi to AC Milan' even better!" Aldi to Manchester City will have an even better ring to it for Guardiola's new midfield general. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL It is quite the challenge for the midfielder, though he arrives with some stellar references. Milan and Netherlands great Frank Rijkaard is convinced Reijnders is destined for the top. Speaking earlier this season, he said: "I hope that "I really like his style of play. He can cover all roles in the midfield and shows his generosity: he never holds back from a run for the team and always gives his best. Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "With the quality he has, he's excellent at creating dangerous chances for his teammates and setting up the play well." Reijnders can bring a bit of everything to a Kevin De Bruyne given emotional Etihad send off as Man City take huge leap towards return to Champions League The former AZ Alkmaar man made more interceptions than any other midfielder in Serie A this season as well as creating the most chances from open play. He may not have the craft of De Bruyne when it comes to creating chances - there are few, if any, who do - but Reijnders can also find the back of the net. Milan's maestro bagged 15 goals from midfield this term - two more than any other midfielder in the Italian top flight. Reijnders' path to the top has been carefully plotted, aided by his father and agent, Martin - a former player himself who was a team-mate of The family clearly planned a footballing career for their son from day one, naming him Tijjani after former Nigerian winger, Tijani Babangida. Younger brother Eliano also plays for his father's former side, Zwolle. Martin revealed after sealing Tijjani's move to Milan that the pair had decided to turn down Barcelona in order to join the Rossoneri. Barca were on the lookout for an heir to Sergio Busquets and Reijnders' father made the brave and bold decision to tell his son that he was not quite up to the task. 11 Reijnders' parents named their son after former Ajax and Nigeria winger Tijani Babangida Credit: Getty 11 His brother Eliano plays for Zwolle Credit: Alamy 11 Reijnders is hoping to fill the void left behind by Kevin De Bruyne Credit: instagram @tijjanireijnders He told Dutch outlet Algemeen Dagblad: "I immediately told Tijjani, 'You are not that type of player. Before you know it, you'll end up on the bench. And you'd become yet another player who fails abroad.'" There was Premier League interest two years ago, but Reijnders has rapidly developed in Milan and now feels prepared to take his biggest step yet. As well as carefully planning his progression, Reijnders has studied fellow players to add as much to his game as possible. Speaking to 'Especially the way he was scanning the pitch before he gets the ball so he always knows where the space is. "I try to do the same.' Before looking to add elements of De Bruyne to his game, City's new man carefully studied another Guardiola stalwart in Andres Iniesta. There are few deals which can be a sure thing, not every signing is as obvious as Erling Haaland. But in Reijnders, Manchester City look to have identified a player capable of grabbing hold of a game who is primed to slot straight into a Guardiola side. 11 Reijnders has an eye for goal Credit: Getty 11 He is married to Marina Credit: instagram @tijjanireijnders 11 They welcomed baby son Xavien in February 2024 Credit: instagram @tijjanireijnders 11 The family regularly post snaps on social media Credit: instagram @tijjanireijnders 11 Reijnders will provide a welcome boost for Pep Guardiola Credit: Getty
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Munster's Craig Casey to captain Ireland as Paul O'Connell names squad for summer tour
Interim Ireland head coach Paul O'Connell has named a 32-man squad for the two-Test summer tour of Georgia (5th July) and Portugal (12th July). The touring party will be led by Munster scrum-half Craig Casey who is set to become the 112th captain of Ireland. O'Connell has included 11 uncapped players in the panel as the tour provides the Ireland management with an invaluable opportunity to build squad depth and expose high-potential players to meaningful game time in a green jersey. Tom Ahern, Michael Milne, Shayne Bolton, Nathan Doak, Ben Murphy and Tommy O'Brien all have recent experience in the national team environment and will be hoping to push for their debut caps this July, while Alex Kendellen, Darragh Murray, Paddy McCarthy, Stephen Smyth and Hugh Gavin all earn their first senior call ups after impressing for their Provinces and the Emerging Ireland squad earlier this season. Additionally, Ulster trio James McNabney, Jude Postlethwaite and Zac Ward have been included as training panellists and will link up with the squad at the IRFU High Performance Centre on Monday, 23 June. After only recently returning from long-term injuries, Iain Henderson and Rob Herring were not considered for selection to allow them to focus on a full pre-season programme, while Robbie Henshaw was not available due to injury. This will be the sixth time that Ireland will face Georgia, while it will be the inaugural international senior men's match against Portugal. The Ireland squad will gather for a training camp in Dublin ahead of the departure to Tbilisi on Wednesday, 2 July. The Ireland Match Day Squad for the opening Test against Georgia will then be announced on Thursday, 3 July. Broadcast details for both matches will follow once confirmed by the host unions. O'Connell said: 'I'm delighted to announce the Ireland squad for the Summer Tour and I believe we have a strong blend of youth and experience for what will be a trip into relatively uncharted territories this July. 'Georgia have made great strides in recent years, and they have made significant investment in their rugby programme which has established them amongst the leading emerging sides in international rugby. Under the experience of Richard Cockerill they have built on a traditionally strong forward unit with a talented backline and they will provide a tough test for us. "Portugal showcased their attacking prowess during the Rugby World Cup 2023 and Simon Mannix is a Coach I know having worked with him previously (at Munster). They play with confidence and we're expecting another tough test." He continued: 'With 15 players away with The British & Irish Lions, this tour presents an opportunity for those on the fringes to impress the coaching team. A number of players have been really close to selection in recent times and it's important that everyone grasps the challenge that's ahead of them. Every moment on the training field and across the two-match Series will count and there's a great opportunity for players to step up and impress. 'In welcoming the squad, I would like to congratulate Craig (Casey) on his selection as captain. He is a real leader with a strong personality and it is a huge personal honour for him and an opportunity that I know he will relish over the coming weeks.' Fixtures: Saturday, 5th July: Georgia v Ireland, Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi (kick off 9pm local time, 6pm Irish time). Saturday, 12th July: Portugal v Ireland, Estádio Nacional do Jamor, Lisbon (kick off 7pm local, same Irish time). Squad: Forwards (18): Tom Ahern (Shannon/Munster), Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht), Jack Boyle (UCD/Leinster), Thomas Clarkson (Dublin University/Leinster), Gavin Coombes (Young Munster/Munster), Max Deegan (Lansdowne/Leinster), Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Alex Kendellen (UCC/Munster), Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster), Paddy McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster), Michael Milne (UCD/Munster), Darragh Murray (Buccaneers/Connacht), Tom O'Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Cian Prendergast (UCD/Connacht), Stephen Smyth (Old Wesley/Leinster), Tom Stewart (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Nick Timoney (Banbridge/Ulster). Backs (14): Shayne Bolton (Connacht), Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster, captain), Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster), Nathan Doak (Banbridge/Ulster), Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster), Hugh Gavin (Galwegians/Connacht), Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster), Ben Murphy (Clontarf/Connacht), Calvin Nash (Young Munster/Munster), Jimmy O'Brien (Naas/Leinster), Tommy O'Brien (UCD/Leinster), Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster), Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster), Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster). Training Panellists: James McNabney (City of Armagh/Ulster), Jude Postlethwaite (City of Armagh/Ulster), Zac Ward (Ballynahinch/Ulster).
