Craig Casey hopes Irish 'mentality' catches Lions coaches' eyes
The Munster scrum-half missed out on selection for Andy Farrell's squad and was also overlooked when Wales' Tomos Williams suffered a tour-ending injury against Western Force two weeks ago with Ben White of Scotland getting the nod.
After admitting to disappointment at missing out, the stand-in Ireland captain has not given up hope of finishing his season in Australia, where Jamison Gibson-Park, Alex Mitchell and White are the scrum-half options, if needed.
The 26-year-old did his chances no harm as he led Ireland, with 17 players already on Lions duty, to wins over Georgia and Os Lobos, scoring tries in both matches.
Interim head coach Paul O'Connell saw his charges break numerous records in Lisbon last night as they scored 100 points in a Test for the first time; a record winning margin, most tries and most conversions (12, all by Jack Crowley).
The result was never in doubt with the visitors 28-0 up by the 13th minute and Portugal providing no more than token opposition.
However, Ireland have been guilty of switching off in previous encounters against lower class opposition and Casey was glad to oversee an 80-minute performance a week before the first of three Lions Tests against Joe Schmidt's Wallabies.
"We talked about staying in it, no matter what the score was, and putting our game on it," Casey said after the 106-7 victory.
"Last week [against Georgia] we didn't really play the way we wanted to play, so this week was nice, a dry ball, and we said be ruthless with it.
"That's what the coaches wanted, and that's what the coaches in Australia would probably be looking for as well, is mentality and stuff like that.
"I think that came out in spades."
Portugal, who beat Fiji and drew with Georgia at the 2023 World Cup, lost captain Tomás Appleton to injury in the 21st minute and his replacement, Gabriel Aviragnet, departed 15 minutes later.
"It's tough for Portugal," said O'Connell.
"They lost 14 players after the World Cup, and they're in a rebuilding phase now.
"They played a 6:2 (bench split) as well, and lost their two backs early on.
"It made it a real challenge for them. so I was sorry for Portugal but delighted for our boys.
"Just their attitude is phenomenal.
"It's a different type of tour, particularly when a Lions tour happens, and one like this when we lose so many players.
"So, for us to get so many players capped and for them to train with the application they've had, and play with the mentality they had, is very pleasing, and it's good for the future of Irish rugby."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
21 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Bohs ace Cian Byrne is ‘delighted to get one over' on ex-teammates at former loan club Galway United
CIAN Byrne is hoping to help Bohemians cook up something special after learning how to fend for himself at Galway United. When Seán Grehan was brought in on loan from Crystal Palace for the first half of the season, Alan Reynolds 2 The 22-year-old played the full 90 minutes in his first game since his return from loan 2 Byrne spent the first half of the season on loan at Galway United With Grehan since joining Doncaster Rovers on a permanent deal, Byrne returned to Dalymount Park and made his first appearance of the season for them in the And the centre-half beamed: 'I'm delighted to be home. I obviously had a great loan spell there for six months and I got what I needed out of it. But I'm buzzing to be back home. 'When I spoke to the staff, they thought from last year, playing so many games, starting, to continue that, just to keep starting games and keep building my CV, if that's the right way to say it. 'It was a conversation me and Rennie had together and we both felt that was the best thing for me, a six-month loan. Hopefully now I can prove I'm good. It's great to start with a clean sheet. Read more on Irish football 'I knew with the squad we have there, when I was coming back that there was going to be a challenge to get into the starting XI, because everyone is chomping at the bit to play. 'I'm just back and I want to keep my head down. It was great to start and hopefully I can continue with it.' The 22-year-old reckons he grew on and off the pitch during his time in the west. Byrne explained: 'Obviously Galway's strengths are direct. I've been at Bohs since I was 14, so it was a different style of play. Most read in Football 'But I think the more you can understand the game, learning it from different perspectives, from John Caulfield and Ollie Horgan, was great. I'm very grateful for it. 'I was playing kind of holding midfield. I used to play there when I was younger and the lads spoke to me and said, 'I think that would be best suited for you here'. RTE pundit's one-liner about Damien Duff makes Joey O'Brien laugh after Shelbourne's win vs Linfield 'I just went about my business and hopefully I gave a good six months to the lads. I was really grateful to them.' Byrne — from James's Street — shared a house with Seán Kerrigan, Ed McCarthy and Killian Brouder and he said: 'Seán has left as well. The two lads were playing and it was good to see them. I was delighted to get one over on them — the bragging rights. 'I'd never lived away from home, I was obviously living with my parents. The amount of time I woke up during the night with my gear not washed. "And learning how to cook and clean, it was a good reality check and I think I needed it. I came back the other day and I made my breakfast and cleaned the dishes, my ma couldn't believe it! 'I've cooked her dinner, just the once. She says it's not as good as hers, but they are high standards.' EUROPEAN DREAMS Bohs set the standard on Friday with a polished performance which saw them move into second. Byrne is hopeful they can stay there so he can experience European football, having watched on during their run in 2021. The defender said: 'With the team here, you never know what could happen once you keep working hard and sticking together. 'I haven't played in Europe myself. The last time the lads were in it, I was in the academy. I was just in the stand watching, and that gives you the extra motivation to get there one day and play. 'Obviously the lads did really well that year, so hopefully we can get back this year and qualify for the group stages, because I think this group of players that we have, we have to set our goals high. 'That's definitely something that everyone wants to play in and I'd love to play in. Hopefully this season we can keep going the way we're going and qualify.'
Irish Daily Mirror
44 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Itoje insists there will be no repeat of 'geography six' as Scots trio join up
Maro Itoje has assured that the new additions to the British and Irish Lions' tour of Australia will not face the same treatment as the contentious 'Geography Six' in 2017. Scottish trio Rory Sutherland, Ewan Ashman and Darcy Graham are set to join Andy Farrell's squad in the coming week, boosting the team size to 44 following the inclusion of Jamie Osborne, Jamie George and Tom Clarkson. These new recruits have been drafted in to provide cover, ensuring key players won't have to play in the Test series whilst also featuring in next Tuesday's match against a First Nations and Pasifika XV. Farrell's decision to turn to those from Scotland's tour of nearby New Zealand has evoked memories of eight years ago when Finn Russell, Allan Dell, Kristian Dacey, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill and Gareth Davie joined Warren Gatland's Lions. Picked because of their geographical location with their national sides and not on merit, they were shunned by some squad members and Gatland later revealed that internal concern over 'devaluing the jersey' forced him to not deploy them off the bench against the Hurricanes. Itoje's Lions will take a different approach with their captain declaring 'we are all in this together'. 'I have no doubt that they will be welcomed in,' said Itoje ahead of the Saturday's first Test in Brisbane. 'The boss, Andy, has called them in because he believes they will help the Lions to achieve their goal of winning a Test series. 'All of the players who have been called in are quality players. They are players like everyone else in the team, have a high level of experience and have achieved things in their career. 'We are all in this together. It's not us and them. It doesn't matter if there's a late call-up. We've seen in the past how late call-ups have had huge impact on the tour in positive ways. 'I have no doubt that everyone who has called up will play a significant role in helping the team achieve its goal.' Meanwhile, Itoje has doubled down on Henry Pollock's revelation that the Lions are determined to complete a series whitewash of Australia – an aim that has been noted by the hosts. 'That's definitely the ambition. It goes without saying – no one ever wants to lose a game,' Itoje said. 'It would be a bit weird if one of my team-mates said we want to win two and lose one. 'If you asked any of the Wallabies players, I hope it's also their ambition to win all the games. 'We want to win, but all we're focussed on is this Saturday. The other two games will look after itself.' After playing four matches in four different states in 11 days, the Lions are based in Brisbane where preparations for the first Test have begun, 'We know there's going to be a big step up. As we get closer and closer to the game, we'll sharpen and sharpen,' Itoje said. 'There's a healthy tension in the squad because we know this is what we've been working towards.'
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Pat Ryan reveals Cork are set to link up with British & Irish Lions coach ahead of All-Ireland final
IN THEIR quest to tame a Tipperary team who skinned the Cats, Cork will hope to benefit from the input of a man who is currently dealing with Lions. Gary Keegan, the Ireland rugby team's performance guru, also lends his expertise as a mental skills coach to the Rebel hurlers. 2 The 48-year-old is desperate to end Cork's 20-year All-Ireland drought 2 Keegan has also worked with Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) and Cricket Ireland He is in Australia having been added to the Lions set-up by head coach But Pat Ryan confirmed that The Cork boss said: 'Gary has been really involved. He does a lot of one-to-ones with our players. In fairness, he's been unbelievable for us over the last couple of years. 'He's probably down to us maybe five or six times a year. He does an awful lot of one-to-ones with the lads and with myself. We do an awful lot of Zoom calls actually which helps, more of a collective Zoom together. Read more on GAA 'He's done one or two of them since he's been away in Australia with the lads and he'll do one or two more before the All-Ireland. In fairness to him, he makes the effort. 'He was up at half three the last day after one of the matches. He's gotten really, really keen. He's got a great affinity to these players and he's as good a fella that you could meet.' Tipperary, He was part of their coaching ticket in 2019 when Liam Sheedy brought the Premier County their most recent taste of Liam MacCarthy Cup success. Most read in GAA Hurling Keegan initially linked up with Cork during Kieran Kingston's reign as bainisteoir. And when Ryan took the reins ahead of the 2023 season, he was eager to retain his services. He added: 'Gary has a great affinity for this group of players. He was adamant that he wanted to stay involved. Obviously his work schedule had gotten busier and things were pulling off him and all that side of it, but he was adamant that he could do it.' 'Easiest interview I've ever had' jokes RTE GAA host after pundits go back and forth before Meath vs Donegal Commenting on the growing level of self-belief within the Cork team, Brian Hayes insisted it was 'testament to Gary Keegan' after the St Finbarr's forward delivered a man-of-the-match display in last year's All-Ireland semi-final win over Limerick. But the manager also leaned on Keegan as he sought to identify areas where gains could be made as his team looked to atone for losing the 2024 showpiece to Clare after extra-time. Ryan said: 'I suppose sometimes it's realising that you are the top man and that you are the front man. You realise that you need to be front and centre and you need to be more engaged. 'I was probably managing instead of leading. We have Gary Keegan involved with us and Gary would speak an awful lot about that with me, 'You need to lead a bit more instead of maybe managing the situations a bit more'. KEEGAN'S IMPACT 'It's not taking over or anything like that, it's that you're giving the direction clearer to people and you're giving the direction of what we want to do and the standards and expectations of everybody are clearer. "Then fellas just go and do their jobs, whatever their role is within our group. As well, the fact that we did perform really, really well in 2024, the players believed in us as a management team more. 'And when the players believe in you as a management team and understand that you're doing the right things, and that you can get them to where they want to get to, what their dreams and expectations are. "That gave us a bigger footing again in 2025 to go on and expand our game-plan and expand the way we wanted to do things. We set up a leadership group and that has worked really well this year. The lads who have come into it have been brilliant. 'From 2023 to 2024 it was better. To 2025 it's even better. We're much more player-led in what we're doing, how we play, how we analyse matches and how we come back at it. 'We've a fantastic analysis and video group led by Tomás Manning that really go after a lot of the things that we want to do. 'We've dialled it down a bit as well. The 20-minute video sessions are gone. It's five, six, seven minutes regularly just to get fellas tuned in and that seems to be working as well. 'It's working at the moment and it's going well. But the proof will be in the pudding on Sunday.' RYAN'S 'BIGGEST BUGBEAR' Meanwhile, ahead of another Croke Park full house this weekend, Ryan added his voice to the increasing sense of frustration among managers over the continued absence of the maor foirne. The role, which allowed a team official to enter the field to deliver messages, was scrapped in 2021. Cork have been playing in front of sell-out crowds all through the Championship and during games such as his side's recent When the decibels are raised by a bumper attendance, Ryan explained that it is 'impossible' to communicate with players. He said: 'It's the biggest bugbear I have. You're putting in the best time you can and you want to make changes, but you just can't. 'I was shouting at Mark Coleman ten yards away from me. It was only a simple thing, to push up on a puck-out, but he just couldn't hear me. It's crazy that we're the only sport you don't do it in. 'Maybe things went too far before, the cult of the maor foirne running on to the field all over the place and that side of it. "But I think there should be a situation where you have some sort of mechanism in place where you can maybe give instructions two or three times a half in a game and you have a runner or something like that. 'There are better fellas than me who could come up with those ideas. But it's absolutely crazy that coaches can't adjust in those situations. I'd say we're definitely the only sport that has it. It's amazing"
