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Irish Examiner
17 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Ireland find their rhythm to overcome Scots in World Cup tune-up
Ireland 27 Scotland 21 Ireland's women tuned up for their looming World Cup tilt with a hard-fought, come-from-behind win against Scotland in Cork on Saturday afternoon. This was about as good as these warm-ups get. Scott Bemand's side was rusty as hell at first but they found their feet and did just about enough to hold off a side that already had a good 80 minutes in the bag from a week before. Captain Sam Monaghan got a good 36 minutes under her belt after 14 months on the sidelines while Eimear Corri-Fallon and Beibhinn Parsons went the full stretch after their own recoveries from injury. Add in three debuts, one off the bench for 19-year old Ailish Quinn, the five tries and a victory and it gives the squad something concrete to build on - and plenty still to work on - before they face Canada in another prepper in Belfast next week. A slow start was no shock. This was their first game in over three months, since they ended their Six Nations with defeat away to the Scots, and only four of the XV that began that match took to the field from the off here in Cork. The visitors had endured their own sluggish opening away to Italy in the first of their warm-ups last week and it showed in a dominant beginning. They were 14-0 to the good early in the second quarter. Centre Lisa Thomson claimed the first try a couple of phases on from a lineout, and it was another throw from touch that saw Lucia Scott run from deep and on a beautiful angle to carve clean through the defence. Thomson converted both. Ireland were hanging on even before those scores on the back of some last-ditch defence – Amee Leigh Costigan claiming a crucial jackal penalty at one point on their own line – and thanks to the cannon that is Dannah O'Brien's boot. Time and again the out-half lifted the siege but Scott Bemand's side needed more. Their efforts to get some rhythm going were undone by dropped balls and some bad decisions when the odd opening did arise. First-capper Ivana Kiripati dropped one of those early balls and gave away a penalty for a high hit, understandable nerves combining with the rustiness of so many weeks without a competitive game no doubt, before settling in. Nancy McGillivray, the other rookie on from the start, saw little of the ball at first as Scotland dominated the first half-hour, but Ireland flipped from rusty to ruthless in what seemed like the blink of an eye. It came after a lengthy delay for attention to Scottish hooker Lana Skeldon who had to be stretchered off after landing awkwardly in a ruck. Minutes later and the hosts were up and running on the back of some belated pressure in the 22. Tighthead Sadbh McGrath did the necessary by touching down after a succession of phases and a handful of obvious Scottish penalties. O'Brien's conversion smacked back off a post but it didn't stall the new momentum. Three minutes later and Meabh Deely scooted over in the right corner after a wonderful team move started by another big run from Grace Moore and, after some more punches through the middle, a succession of slick hands. It could have been better. Ireland pummelled the Scottish line through to the half-time whistle but couldn't cross for a third time, or on their first effort on the restart when Kiripati was held up over the line. McGillivray did claim a third try shortly after, the Exeter Chiefs centre played cleverly into a gap by O'Brien after the forwards had softened up the resistance with a series of pick and goes under the posts. A missed kick left Ireland 17-14 to the good. The Scots were in serious trouble now. Winger Rhona Lloyd got sent to the bin for a deliberate knock-on, and the introduction of Ireland's frontline front rows turned the screw at scrum time, but two chances to stretch the lead went begging with infringements in the 22. Scotland made them pay. An error here and a missed chance there and all of a sudden they were playing a game of kick-tennis that stretched the field and made the space for Emma Orr to zig and zag through for a converted try. The Scots were now in front, with Ireland having failed to take advantage of the extra player, but the lead changed hands again 12 minutes from time with big gains from Linda Djougang and Moore opening the door for Niamh O'Dowd to burrow over and leave it 22-21. Deirbhile Nic A Bhaird came up with what proved to be the clincher off a five-metre lineout, the Scottish defence melting away. Enya Breen's conversion rebounding off the post left the door open for Scotland with two minutes to play but the scoring was done. World No.2 Canada are up next and Ireland open their World Cup pool campaign a fortnight later against Japan in Northampton. IRELAND: M Deely; B Parsons, N McGillivray, E Higgins, A-L Costigan; D O'Brien, M Scuffil-McCabe; S McCarthy, C Moloney-MacDonald, S McGrath; E Corri-Fallon, S Monaghan (capt); G Moore, I Kiripati, B Hogan. Replacements: D Nic a Bhaird for Moore (3-14) and for Hogan (60); F Tuite for Monaghan (36); L Djougang for McGrath and N O'Dowd for McCarthy (both 50); E Lane for Scuffil-McCabe and E Breen for O'Brien (both 60); A Quinn for Kiripati and N Jones for Moloney-MacDonald (both 70). SCOTLAND: C Rollie; R Lloyd, E Orr, L Thomson, L Scott; H Ramsay, C Mattinson; A Young, L Skeldon, E Clarke; E Wassell, R Malcolm; R McLachlan, A Stewart, E Gallagher. Replacements: E Martin for Skeldon (32); L Bartlett for Young (HT); L Brebner-Holden for Mattinson (51); M Poolan for Clarke (55); B Blacklock for Ramsey (57); A Ferrie for Wassell and E Donaldson for Malcolm (both 65); C Grant for Brebner-Holden (71). Referee: C Munarini (FIR).
STV News
18 minutes ago
- STV News
Swinney brands Gaza crisis ‘genocide' after Fringe show disrupted
Scottish First Minister John Swinney has described the ongoing crisis in Gaza as a 'genocide' after a Fringe show he appeared at was repeatedly disrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters. Police were called to the Stand Comedy Club in Edinburgh after the First Minister was interrupted seven times by six different groups of protesters during a conversation with comedian Susan Morrison. The protesters urged the First Minister to describe the crisis as a genocide and stop state funding for arms companies. Speaking to journalists after the event, the First Minister said: 'It's quite clear that there is a genocide in Palestine – it can't be disputed. 'I have seen reports of terrible atrocities which have the character of being genocide. PA Media First Minister John Swinney appeared on stage with comedian Susan Morrison 'I've expressed that and obviously it's not reached all those individuals, but that's my feeling.' The Scottish Government has also been criticised for – while not funding directly the manufacturing of munitions – providing money for apprenticeships at firms which build weapons. But the First Minister said the Government's commercial arm, Scottish Enterprise, has the 'strictest assessments imaginable about the purpose and the use of public expenditure in companies that may be related to defence industries'. Pushed on providing money for staff who could potentially build munitions, the First Minister added: 'We're trying to enable companies to diversify their activities, that's the purpose. 'That's why the due diligence checks are applied and they are applied unreservedly.' Throughout the show, groups of attendees stood up, holding signs which spelt the word 'genocide', and heckled the First Minister. PA Media Police were called in to remove pro-Palestinian protesters from the event As the event continued, the interruptions became more forceful, before two groups stood at the same time, angrily shouting at the First Minister and chanting slogans such as 'call it genocide'. Members of his security team stood in front of the stage, stopping protesters from approaching the First Minister, before three uniformed police officers arrived at the venue to usher the protesters out. During the tense exchange, which lasted several minutes, a number of the crowd – who were not protesting – appeared to be in tears. A final disruption came from one woman in the crowd, who asked the First Minister why he had not responded to her letter about heavy metal band Disturbed playing at the Hydro in Glasgow. The band's lead singer, David Draiman, has been criticised after being pictured signing an Israeli bomb. The woman asked the First Minister why he did not speak out on Disturbed playing at the city's biggest venue, when he said it would be inappropriate for Irish band Kneecap to play the TRNSMT festival after comments members of the band had made about Tory MPs. The First Minister said his comments on Kneecap had come due to questions from the media and he 'didn't particularly' want to speak about the band earlier this year, adding that he did not want to choose what art people do and do not consume. The woman became increasingly angry with the First Minister's response and was eventually dragged from the venue by a police officer, whom she branded a 'thug'. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Swinney brands Gaza crisis ‘genocide' after Fringe show disrupted
Police were called to the Stand Comedy Club in Edinburgh after the First Minister was interrupted seven times by six different groups of protesters during a conversation with comedian Susan Morrison. The protesters urged the First Minister to describe the crisis as a genocide and stop state funding for arms companies. Speaking to journalists after the event, the First Minister said: 'It's quite clear that there is a genocide in Palestine – it can't be disputed. 'I have seen reports of terrible atrocities which have the character of being genocide. 'I've expressed that and obviously it's not reached all those individuals, but that's my feeling.' The Scottish Government has also been criticised for – while not funding directly the manufacturing of munitions – providing money for apprenticeships at firms which build weapons. But the First Minister said the Government's commercial arm Scottish Enterprise has the 'strictest assessments imaginable about the purpose and the use of public expenditure in companies who may be related to defence industries'. Pushed on providing money for staff who could potentially build munitions, the First Minister added: 'We're trying to enable companies to diversify their activities, that's the purpose. 'That's why the due diligence checks are applied and they are applied unreservedly.' Throughout the show, groups of attendees stood up, holding signs which spelled the word 'genocide', and heckled the First Minister. As the event continued, the interruptions became more forceful, before two groups stood at the same time, angrily shouting at the First Minister and chanting slogans such as 'call it genocide'. Members of his security team stood in front of the stage, stopping protesters from approaching the First Minister, before three uniformed police officers arrived at the venue to usher the protesters out. I still remember the bus ride to my first Edinburgh Festival show as a teenager, with my late mother – not knowing it would spark a lifelong love of culture. As the Festival season starts, I want every community in Scotland to have that same access to a booming cultural scene. — John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) August 2, 2025 During the tense exchange, which lasted several minutes, a number of the crowd – who were not protesting – appeared to be in tears. A final disruption came from one woman in the crowd, who asked the First Minister why he had not responded to her letter about heavy metal band Disturbed playing at the Hydro in Glasgow. The band's lead singer David Draiman has been criticised after being pictured signing an Israeli bomb. The woman asked the First Minister why he did not speak out on Disturbed playing at the city's biggest venue, when he said it would be inappropriate for Irish band Kneecap to play the TRNSMT festival after comments members of the band had made about Tory MPs. The First Minister said his comments on Kneecap had come due to questions from the media and he 'didn't particularly' want to speak about the band earlier this year, adding that he did not want to choose what art people do and do not consume. The woman became increasingly angry with the First Minister's response and was eventually dragged from the venue by a police officer, whom she branded a 'thug'.
