England's Brandon Robinson Thompson surges into three-shot lead in Turkey
England's Brandon Robinson Thompson equalled the Regnum Carya course record to surge into a three-shot lead going into the final round of the Turkish Airlines Open.
Robinson Thompson's nine-under-par 62 saw him reach 14 under for the week, three clear of Spain's Jorge Campillo, China's Haotong Li and South African Robin Williams.
Starting the day five shots off the lead, Robinson Thompson burst out of the blocks with three birdies in his first five holes.
Another fine approach to six feet at the ninth saw him turn in 30 and he chipped in for eagle at the 12th, before birdieing three of the last four holes.
"I've just got notified of that (the course record) and I'm a bit bummed I didn't break it," said the 32-year-old.
"I'm super excited to have a nice round and the scary part was I probably could have had a few more but beggars can't be choosers.
"I'm here with my wife, we're staying in a beautiful hotel, the course is amazing.
"It's hard not to enjoy yourself this week – the facilities are so good. I'm here with my wife, its such an incredible place, if you're not having a good time this week win, lose or draw, there's something wrong."
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The 42
18 hours ago
- The 42
Conan: 'People definitely revel in Leinster underachieving at times'
ONE OF THE more interesting insights to come out of Saturday's URC semi-final in Dublin was provided by Leinster lock Joe McCarthy. Speaking to RTÉ on the sideline post-game, McCarthy told the panel: 'We know everyone loves to hate Leinster. That definitely drives us on.' Down the tunnel in the press conference room, Jack Conan would later play that talk down, but it's certainly a snapshot of how some of the Leinster dressing room have been framing their URC title charge. After overcoming Glasgow 37-19 to book their place in Saturday's Croke Park final [KO 5pm], the province are now 80 minutes away from ending a four-year trophy drought. 'I don't think everyone hates Leinster but I think people definitely revel in us underachieving at times,' Conan said. 'We get enough flak and stuff. I wouldn't be one much for social media either so you try to block out that noise because it's irrelevant but what we appreciate is the people who come out to see us week in week out, when the days are good and the days are bad. 'Those are the people we are doing it for, the staff, the lads in the changing room, the people that give everything to this club and you try to block out the noise. It's always nice to prove some people wrong and hopefully we can go again next week and silence a few more critics.' Advertisement There wasn't a whole lot to criticise from the win over Glasgow, with Leinster turning in their most cohesive and complete performance in weeks. A Croke Park final against the Bulls awaits. Jake White's side toppled Leinster in last year's semi-final and will hold no fear travelling to Dublin this week, as they look to become the second South African side to win the competition (following the Stormers in 2022). All three previous URC finals have had at least one South African representative, and Conan feels the league has ramped up since they joined. 'It's definitely harder than it's ever been. Add in those away trips to South Africa, they always come at a tricky time for us, the lads went down this year and lost against the Bulls but they put in a hell of an effort and beat the Sharks and that sets us up really well for the tail end of the season. 'It's incredibly tough, everyone's out to be at their best and beat everyone and that's no different for us. 'This week, we'll take it moment by moment and enjoy it. It's a special time, with a great group of lads, great staff, everyone. We want to make it a special week, we don't want to be worried about results, it's all about performance and that's what we're building for. 'We won't be overawed by the occasion, we'll enjoy it and whatever happens, happens.' Head coach Leo Cullen hopes to have some tough selection calls to make, with Garry Ringrose, Josh van der Flier, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan and Tadhg Furlong all nursing injuries. Cullen said 'one or two' of those should come back into the mix this week, with Ringrose and Van der Flier the most likely. 'What can we control now, we'll control having a really good week and enjoying it,' Cullen said. 'I love… I've been lucky to be involved in Leinster and other teams for a long time and there are so many great days, but you it's not like you cling to those days where you won a trophy, it's the day to day that I love. I love the process of getting ready for a game that's what excites me, I love getting out of bed in the morning and coming into work… because it's not work. 'This week, I'm excited because I get to do it and there's guys who are working seven days a week who will be in tomorrow doing medical checks, the coaches will be reviewing the game and pulling it together. 'Listen, once it's over it's over. The big thing is enjoying what you do. When it's over, you can't affect it then. We can effect it now, but we can't affect it post the match. 'So, when we come in for our post-match press conference in Croke Park next week, as long as we did everything we could to try and get ready for the game and give our best, there's all these other variables that we don't control and that's what makes sport amazing. 'So, we'll give our best and when next week is over and we're dealing with the fallout good, bad or indifferent, it's over. What can we control now? We can get excited about next week and that's what I love. 'I love the process, I love the people we work with. There was a good few family in the dressing-room, it's magic. Win, lose or draw, we deal with the consequences.'
RTÉ News
a day ago
- RTÉ News
Jack Conan: Leinster ready to 'silence a few more critics'
It's not quite Millwall and the old "No one likes us, we don't care" motto, but as Leinster look to rediscover their mojo, they're leaning heavily into the words of their critics. They won't be the first, and they won't be the last, but the province are embracing their status as the team the neutrals want to see beaten. It's understandable that they're in that position; a squad laden with Ireland internationals and central contracts, as well as three top quality foreign imports. A team that breezes their way through the early stages of seasons, only to fluff their lines in semi-finals and finals in recent seasons. They're an easy target. In the day or two leading up to Saturday's URC semi-final against Glasgow Warriors, the province made an Instagram post calling on Leinster fans to rally behind their team, which started with a series of damning headlines about this current Leinster side being under pressure and in a funk, which was contradicted by the caption: "We're not here to prove people wrong. We're here to prove ourselves right." Speaking to RTÉ Sport after Saturday's win, Joe McCarthy's comments would suggest that the considerable schadenfreude about Leinster's recent malaise has been a major motivational tool this week. "We know everyone loves to hate Leinster so that definitely drives us on," the second row said. Those comments by McCarthy were put to Jack Conan on Saturday evening, and while the Leinster captain did make a semantic adjustment to what his team-mate had said, he echoed the sentiment. "I don't think everyone hates Leinster but I think people definitely revel in us underachieving at times," Conan said. "We get enough flak and stuff. As Leo [Cullen] said, I wouldn't be one much for social media either so you try to block out that noise because it's irrelevant but what we appreciate is the people who come out to see us week in week out, when the days are good and the days are bad. "Those are the people we are doing it for, the staff, the lads in the changing room, the people that give everything to this club and you try to block out the noise. "It's always nice to prove some people wrong and hopefully we can go again next week and silence a few more critics." A four-time winner of the old Pro14, Conan has now gone four years without getting his hands on a trophy in a Leinster shirt. As well as the disappointment of losing three Champions Cup finals and most recently a semi-final, the province lost in the URC semi-finals in 2022, 2023 and 2024, with Saturday's win against Glasgow putting them into the decider of this competition for the first time since the arrival of the South African big four. Next Saturday's final pits the province against the Bulls at Croke Park, with Jake White's side defeating Leinster in two of those three previous semi-finals. "It's definitely harder than it's ever been," Conan (above) added. "Add in those away trips to South Africa, they always come at a tricky time for us, the lads went down this year and lost against the Bulls but they put in a hell of an effort and beat the Sharks and that sets us up really well for the tail end of the season. "It's incredibly tough, everyone's out to be at their best and beat everyone and that's no different for us. "This week, we'll take it moment by moment and enjoy it. It's a special time, with a great group of lads, great staff, everyone. We want to make it a special week, we don't want to be worried about results, it's all about performance and that's what we're building for. "We won't be overawed by the occasion, we'll enjoy it and whatever happens, happens." The province will issue a squad update on Monday, with Josh van der Flier and Garry Ringrose possibly in contention to recover from minor injuries, although Hugo Keenan and Tadhg Furlong are less likely to recover in time, with both players out with calf issues. Saturday's final will be a final outing for some Leinster stalwarts. Cian Healy (below) is set to retire this summer after a career than has spanned 18 years and more than 420 games for club and country. Similarly, long-serving out-half Ross Byrne is moving on to Gloucester this summer, while Jordie Barrett will be hoping to cap off his sabbatical at the province with a trophy. In previous seasons that Leinster have won the domestic league, the trophy lift has been handed over to their departing players, and Conan is hoping that they can give them one more special day in blue. "Absolutely, it's been a motivation for the last few weeks to give them another week in the club and do right by them. "Church [Cian Healy] has given his entire career to the club. Ross [Byrne] has been a fantastic servant. Jordie, the impact he's made. Even the likes of Liamo [Liam Turner] and Robbo [Rob Russell] have been brilliant throughout their careers here for us. "We want to do right by all those lads. It's something we've touched on a lot. I think it's part of the reason why we were so on it today because we want to give those lads the send-off they deserve but, again, it won't count for much if we don't push on and be better than where we were today."
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
'Hurt' Leinster privileged to be returning to GAA HQ for an occasion to savour
Leo Cullen says it's a privilege for his "hurt" Leinster side to make it to Croke Park and the URC final against the Bulls on Saturday. The embattled Blues boss and his players finally shook off the shock of their Champions Cup semi-final defeat to deliver a strong statement by killing off the hopes of defending champs Glasgow Warriors at the Aviva Stadium yesterday. The 32-19 scoreline flattered the visitors, who scored two late tries, but Leinster look to be back in business as they relish the prospect of their first URC final since 2021. "I think there's just a desire to come out and perform for the people who come out and support us over the course of the season," said Cullen. "So much work goes into it, sometimes people just assume we're going to win. So much work goes into a season - a lot of players used, a lot of effort goes in week to week to ensure you finish top of the pile. "So, when things don't pay off it hurts - everyone knows it hurts the team. There's an onus to get out and play well, show what you're made of and get through to the next round. "Through to the final, watching the other game it's mad to think we're getting ready to face one of the giants of the South African game in Croke Park. "We're playing in an iconic stadium in Dublin - I'm not sure anyone was predicting that at the start of professional rugby, but here we are. "It's a privilege to be here, great support there and a real, proper atmosphere. We're appreciative of our loyal supporters, we'll have a great day out in Croke Park." Cullen, meanwhile, says that Leinster feel that they have a point to prove next weekend when they will only have to cross the Liffey for their first final against South African opposition. 'We always feel like we have a point to prove," said Cullen. "Certainly I do anyway, because that's just the nature of the job I'm in and the team are in a pretty similar situation. So, listen, we would love to go out and win every week. 'What have we played this season now? Eighteen regular season games and two knockout games, four pool Champions Cup games and three knockouts. What's that, 27 games, next week we get to play a 28th - a perfect season you get to play 29. 'We will get to play 28, we have lost three. Every week you play you feel like you have a point to prove. I don't think it's hugely different, to be honest.'
