RTÉ Rugby podcast: Connacht land Lancaster as URC play-offs provide the drama
This week, we discuss Connacht's high profile appointment of Stuart Lancaster as their next head coach, and the impact that could have on rugby both in the west of Ireland and on the national team.
We also look back on last weekend's URC quarter-finals, firstly with Leinster defeating the Scarlets, albeit in unconvincing fashion (17:25).
And we discuss Munster's agonising defeat to the Sharks in Durban, following a place-kicking competition which drew up quite a bit of controversy (38:45).
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Irish Independent
2 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Sean Kelly and Heather Humphreys confirm battle for Fine Gael nomination to run for Áras
Mr Kelly and Ms Humphreys had previously ruled out seeking a nomination when Fine Gael first sought a candidate. Ms Humphreys declared her intention to run for the presidency this morning on Northern Sound FM. She appeared on the Joe Finnegan Show on Northern Sound, less than an hour after her party colleague Sean Kelly confirmed his bid for the Áras. "I have decided to go for it and I will be seeking the Fine Gael nomination to be a candidate for the president of Ireland," she said. She added: "I've had a good rest. The tank is full again. Timing is a funny thing, because I have never felt as good about taking on a challenge." Fine Gael is now on course for an internal leadership battle over who should be their candidacy for the presidential election. In a statement this morning Mr Kelly said: "The time is right to put my name forward for this enormously important role." He said: "As someone who has devoted my life to serving communities across Ireland, as a teacher, as President of the GAA, and for the past sixteen years as MEP for Ireland South, I am confident that I can represent the country with integrity, inclusiveness, and a commitment to our communities. To be entrusted with that honour would be the greatest privilege of my life." He said: "I take this opportunity to particularly thank my constituents in Ireland South for their unwavering support over the years and their encouragement in recent days." He said he believed a competitive selection process is good for Fine Gael" and would "ensure that we are best placed heading into this vitally important election." ADVERTISEMENT Speaking on RTE's Morning Ireland, he said he was now 'enthusiastic' about running for president. "Obviously circumstances changed with Mairead having to withdraw and that changed the position. We needed a new candidate. I was the last man standing the last time. He continued: "I'm delighted and enthusiastic about the prospect of running for President of Ireland, reflecting what many people have said to me because I underestimated the support I had at grassroots while I was out in Europe," he said. "In the last two or three weeks I'm here at home, everywhere I went people said to me, Sean we're very disappointed you can't go forward, we had the shoes ready, we're looking forward to calling to you in the hours for a cup of tea." Mr Kelly announced on the very same programme last month that he would not seek the Fine Gael nomination for the Áras, describing the position as merely "ceremonial" compared to his work as an MEP. "Well that was in comparison to presidents maybe around the world who have executive power," he said. "But I think actually there's a huge potential in the job is the highest honour in Ireland," he said, praising the "tremendous work" carried out by previous Irish presidents. "I would bring the Áras to the people as much as the people to the Áras," he added. Mr Kelly welcomes the prospect of competing with fellow Fine Gael member Heather Humphreys which he says is "good for democracies". "We didn't have a contest for a long time now. We didn't have a contest at the last presidential election some years ago, within the contest of leadership, we wouldn't go to the contest in marriage of the nomination. So I think people would like to have a contest. Contests are good for parties, they're good for democracies."
Irish Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Rachael Blackmore and Frankie Dettori praise Irish teen jockey after debut win
Rachael Blackmore and Frankie Dettori were among those to show their appreciation for an Irish teenage jockey, who tasted victory with his first ever ride. Jamie Martin steered Alaskan View (10/1) to win the Majestic Hotel INH Flat Race at Tramore on Friday, with the pair finishing ahead of the Patrick Mullins-ridden odds-on favourite Highland Realm (2/5). Grand National and Gold Cup winner Blackmore was among those to like a video of Martin's interview with Racing TV after the race on Instagram, with legendary flat jockey Dettori also liking the clip, as did Danny Mullins and Billy Loughnane. The win was all the more special for the 17-year-old as the horse is trained by the his grandfather Willie, owned by his brother and was led up by his father Mick. Many people took to social media to praise the secondary school student for his 'brilliant' post-race interview. One person said: "Well done young fella. Brilliant interview and great winner for ye." Another wrote: "What a great young man! Well done!" Someone else commented: "He's a fantastic fella, delighted for him." One other post read: "This young man deserves every bit of success that comes his way." Speaking after the race, Martin said: "I'm just so grateful to have the likes of my father and grandfather to give me the opportunity. My brother didn't want me on the horse, but my Dad had his way. I thought I was dreaming for a second. "I was talking to a few of the lads inside and I thought I was going to be making it, but there was a bit of competition for the lead and there was three horses upsides for nearly whole first round. I was tanking along so I let Alaskan View off in front. She travelled along beautifully and heard Patrick (Mullins) coming near, but lengthened out unreal. "I thought I was going to fall off near the end but I made it! I looked across and said to Patrick 'Did I win or not?" He added, smiling: "The plan was if I won this I'd retire with a 100 per cent strike rate but I think I'll have to keep on going!"
RTÉ News
3 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Shamrock Rovers have European 'know-how' to embrace Portuguese challenge of Santa Clara
Shamrock Rovers have the European know-how to cause a potential shock against Portuguese side Santa Clara and advance past the UEFA Conference League play-off stage, according to Conan Byrne. The Hoops will have to do it the hard way against a team from one of the top leagues in Europe, however, former St Patrick's Athletic midfielder Byrne believes that Stephen Bradley's side have built up the vital experience to hand Santa Clara a tough challenge. Rovers are one of three Irish clubs in Conference League action this week as League of Ireland champions Shelbourne take on Irish League holders Linfield, and the Hoops travel away to the Azores for Thursday's first leg. As a result, the island of Ireland will be represented in this year's league phase of the competition, and the potential for two remains a strong possibility as Rovers will look to mirror last season's campaign and make it through to the 36-team format. If Rovers are to have any chance of progressing, they will need to remain in the tie away from home and hope that they can see the job to completion back on their own turf at Tallaght Stadium in the second leg. Rovers have previous in such matters and were again capable of reversing a first-leg defeat in the last round when they beat Ballkani 4-1 on aggregate. "I just love the way Shamrock Rovers play their games in Europe," said Byrne, speaking on this week's RTE Soccer Podcast. "They have the know-how now. And going away from home against Balkani and losing 1-0 in the manner that they did, to turn that around comprehensively in the second leg, it gives them so much confidence going into Santa Clara. "And playing away first is so important," added Byrne. "They can sit in, keep it tight as much as they can, and then bring it back to Tallaght. And like Stephen Bradley mentioned, it's the old cliche, but the 12th man was certainly there on Thursday night against Ballkani. "I'm sure that if the game is very much alive coming into the home leg, it'll be a massive boost to the Shamrock Rovers players. "So yeah, I do think Shamrock Rovers have a wonderful opportunity to go through." Former Rovers goalkeeper Barry Murphy was cautiously optimistic regarding his old club's chances of progression, and he emphasised the importance of the performance needed in the first leg. Murphy feels that Rovers made life difficult for themselves with a poor showing away from home in the last round and expects the Dublin club to play better this time around. "The only thing is if they play the way they played against Ballkani away from home, they'll get beaten, because they were really poor that night," said Murphy. "It's a very thin line between sitting back and soaking up pressure and getting them on the counter-attack, than going down and getting beaten. "And you're coming up against a quality side in Santa Clara. When you look throughout their team, like 17 Brazilians in that squad, and that's enough to put fear into anyone. "But listen, Santa Clara have lost their opening two league games, so if they can keep it tight over there and bring it back to Tallaght, they'll fancy beating anyone. "Rovers have that know-how just to stay in the game because they really do fancy themselves at home. You look at the results last year in Europe, kept things tight and really good home form. "I think going into this game, Rovers have that momentum; top of the league, into next round of the FAI Cup, changes made at the weekend, fresh legs coming in and they're further into their season. "So when you're looking at that, I think they've got a real good chance if they get a decent result in that first leg." Watch Shelbourne v Linfield in the Conference League play-off round on Thursday from 7.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on this game and Santa Clara v Shamrock Rovers on and the RTÉ News app
