Latest news with #Bealham
Irish Independent
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
‘I sat down outside for five minutes on my own just in tears. Then I phoned my parents, my family, my wife, it was all a bit of a whirlwind'
exclusive | Connacht and Ireland prop is proud to represent his late grandmother as he prepares for an emotional return to Australia Finlay Bealham is already grinning as he settles himself into a chair in the searing Portuguese heat before he begins to recount how he found out he was going to become a Lion. Bealham reckons he hit his top speed such was the pace with which he answered his phone when he saw Andy Farrell's name flash up on the screen while he was in the middle of a heavy gym session at Connacht's training base a couple of weeks ago.
RTÉ News
20-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Early Lions setback as Argentina claim famous win in Dublin
The British and Irish Lions were beaten by Argentina for the first time as their tour to Australia encountered an early setback with a 28-24 loss in Dublin. Trailing 21-10 at the interval, Andy Farrell's men went on to produce their most effective rugby but they could not break stubborn opponents ranked fifth in the world in front of a sold-out Aviva Stadium. It was an eventful night for the Irish contingent involved. Two of the three Irish starters – Bundee Aki and Tadhg Beirne – scored in either half, with prop Finlay Bealham part of a Lions scrum that looked strong in the first half in particular. Among the replacements, Tadhg Furlong made a welcome return to competitive action. The tighthead, now on his third Lions tour, hadn't played since Leinster's Investec Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton Saints in early May and came on for Irish team-mate Bealham on the hour mark. Rónan Kelleher and Mack Hansen, making his Lions bow, were also introduced by Andy Farrell. Berine's second-half try created a path to victory but Argentina's ruthless counter-attacking swept Santiago Cordero in for the match-winning in the 59th minute. It is the Pumas' only success in the rivals' eight meetings and the first time the Lions have lost their tour opener since 1971. The Lions showed a willingness to attack in a promising sign ahead of their arrival Down Under, but their accuracy failed to match their ambition and they were often guilty of overplaying. Fin Smith was among their standout players in a performance that suggests Finn Russell has serious competition for the out-half duties against the Wallabies, while wing Tommy Freeman shone early on. The Lions' greatest weapon was their scrum with props Ellis Genge and the afore-mentioned Bealham submitting Argentina's front row, but their line-out needs urgent attention ahead of their clash with Western Force next Saturday. Any gripes that the Dublin sendoff was little more than a money spinner were quickly forgotten amid a exhilarating start that saw both lines come under pressure – and the tension never eased until the final whistle. Luke Cowan-Dickie appeared to have finished a rolling maul but the try was disallowed for a knock on by the England hooker and it was the Pumas who were first to strike. Duhan van der Merwe had made some storming early runs but he was among those at fault for an opening in the Lions' defence, enabling the dangerous Iganacio Mendy to dart over. Sione Tuipulotu was the next to be denied a try by a knock on, but there was no stopping a surging Aki in the 19th minute as Argentina became swamped by waves of red shirts running at the line. A Tomas Albornoz penalty propelled the Pumas back in front but the Lions were threatening to cut loose through their endeavour in attack. Marcus Smith was alert to a threatening Argentina grubber and there was more pressure to come with pick and goes testing their resolve before another three points from Albornoz extended the lead to 14-10. And there was worse to come for Farrell's men on the stroke of half-time when they failed to protect the ball at the back of a ruck and the Pumas pounced through Juan Martin Gonzalez with Albornoz completing a surgical finish. The Lions started the second-half with their tails up as Fin Smith continued to impress, but it was the pack who made their presence felt by mauling their way to a penalty try with Mayco Vivas also being sent to the sin bin. Tuipulotu helped set up the field position with a barnstorming run while Smith was beginning to find space. Genge stormed upfield as the Lions continued their transformation and now they had found the killer instinct with Beirne charging through a gap. But Farrell's team could not pull clear and when Van der Merwe's defensive shortcomings were exposed again, this time by a dropped high ball, Argentina pulled the trigger with Cordero rounding off a sublime counter attacking try. The Lions dominated the closing stages but could not find a way through.
The Irish Sun
20-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Rob Kearney's hilarious boozy night out story after infamous lowpoint in Brian O'Driscoll's Lions career
EVEN stories about Brian O'Driscoll's darkest days tend to paint him in a good light. So it proved as Rob Kearney recalled him getting dropped for the third Test of the British and Irish Lions' 2013 Tour of Australia. 2 Kearney was a bit-part player in 2013 whereas he played a starring role on the 2009 Tour Credit: Sportsfile 2 There was outrage when Warren Gatland dropped O'Driscoll for the third Test against Australia Credit: Sportsfile - Subscription Kearney teed things up by recalling how when O'Driscoll was initially called to a meeting with head coach Warren Gatland, the assumption was that he was going to be made captain for it. He cited how their fellow Ireland legend Kearney told the "All the players were shocked. But Brian mucked in to be fair to him. Read More On Irish Sport "Some of us went out for drinks that night and I texted him 'Are you coming down to the pub for a few pints?' "But he replied 'No, I'm doing video analysis with Jonathan Davies'. So I responded 'You're a bigger man than me!' "It was class of him because it would've been very easy for him to say 'Sod all of this, I'm going on the beer.' "Especially because Twitter was around then so we were able to feel the absolute uproar and rage from back home here." Most read in Rugby Union Host Joe Molloy tacked on the point that it's not like the then 34-year-old had to keep in Gatland's good books in case he was in charge of the next Tour in 2017. Ultimately, the Kiwi was able to point to the result in that third match-up with the Wallabies to justify his contentious selection call as they walloped their hosts 41-16 to secure a 2-1 series triumph. 'Cried like a baby didn't ya-' - Watch Andy Farrell embarrass Ireland star over reaction to Lions call-up They had been pipped 16-15 in the previous encounter while they took the first battle 23-21. Kearney predicted another 2-1 victory for the all-star squad in this summer's edition of the fabled rugby tradition. Andy Farrell's outfit play the first of 10 total fixtures Wednesday saw him The prop has not played since He is joined in the replacements by Rónan Kelleher, the only other Leinster player involved because they were involved in There are still three Irish players in the starting XV with 2021 tourists Bundee Aki of Connacht and Munster's Tadhg Beirne included, along with Bealham. Aki and Bealham's provincial teammate Farrell has not included any Bath representatives with the side involved in the Premiership final against Leicester Tigers on Saturday. Lions: M Smith (England), Freeman (England), Tuipulotu (Scotland), Aki (Ireland), van der Merwe (Scotland), F Smith (England), Mitchell (England), Genge (England), Cowan-Dickie (England), Bealham (Ireland), Itoje (England), Beirne (Ireland), Curry (England), Morgan (Wales), Earl (England). Replacements: Kelleher (Ireland), Schoeman (Scotland), Furlong (Ireland), Cummings (Scotland), Pollock (England), Williams (Wales), Daly (England), Hansen (Ireland)
The Irish Sun
19-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘Keep it going & you'll get beaten' – Virgin Media pundit warns ‘arrogant' Irish rugby public Lions could get humbled
MATT Williams reckons the Irish rugby public have grown "arrogant" and warned the Lions "could get beaten" as a result. Since it is 2 Andy Farrell's best of Britain and Ireland side will be fancied to win the series 3-0 Credit: Sportsfile 2 Aussie Williams feels this general sense could negatively impact how the Lions perform Credit: @VMSportIE But sporting history is littered with countless examples of upsets occurring with it only afterwards that the favourites admit complacency seeped in from fans and media alike. Regular Though he acknowledged his rugby union in his nation remains at a low ebb, he told With a wry grin, he then added: "Keep it going guys because you'll get beaten! Read More On Irish Sport "I've been involved with Irish rugby for 25 years and I've never seen Irish rugby become so arrogant. "We've seen the English be arrogant for a long, long time - 800 years even! But I've never seen Irish rugby like this. "Think back to November and all of the talk was 'Awh we should've beaten New Zealand, they've lost their aura'. "And of course New Zealand ended up smacking our bums." Most read in Rugby Union The former Williams emphasized: "What Joe is trying to is reignite an Australian way of playing. Our voice and how we go about things, which is unique in the world. 'Cried like a baby didn't ya-' - Watch Andy Farrell embarrass Ireland star over reaction to Lions call-up "We lost that voice for so long and Joe deserves a lot of credit for bringing that back." In total there are 16 Irish players in the Lions squad. Farrell's charges begin their 10-game slate Yesterday saw him The headline item from it was that The prop has not played since IRISH EYES He is joined in the replacements by Rónan Kelleher, the only other Leinster player involved because they were involved in There are still three Irish players in the starting XV with 2021 tourists Bundee Aki of Connacht and Munster's Tadhg Beirne included, along with Bealham. Aki and Bealham's provincial teammate Farrell has not included any Bath representatives with the side involved in the Premiership final against Leicester Tigers on Saturday. Lions: M Smith (England), Freeman (England), Tuipulotu (Scotland), Aki (Ireland), van der Merwe (Scotland), F Smith (England), Mitchell (England), Genge (England), Cowan-Dickie (England), Bealham (Ireland), Itoje (England), Beirne (Ireland), Curry (England), Morgan (Wales), Earl (England). Replacements: Kelleher (Ireland), Schoeman (Scotland), Furlong (Ireland), Cummings (Scotland), Pollock (England), Williams (Wales), Daly (England), Hansen (Ireland).test
The Irish Sun
19-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘Cried like a baby didn't ya?' – Watch Andy Farrell embarrass Ireland star over reaction to Lions call-up
FINLAY Bealham may not thank him for it, but Andy Farrell revealed he "cried like a baby" upon being called up to the Lions squad. The Connacht prop 4 Bealham might not thank the Irish rugby social team either Credit: @IRISHRUGBY 4 He was the butt of the joke as his Lions teammates laughed at his expense Credit: @IRISHRUGBY 4 Bealham is an Australian native like fellow tourist Mack Hansen 4 Farrell went on sabbatical from his role with Ireland in November Now, in an access all areas clip, fans have got to see Farrell congratulate Bealham in front of the whole squad - while simultaneously teasing him for getting so emotional. In it the Wigan native says: "A huge congratulations to Finlay on being added to the squad full-time." He then somewhat unnecessarily adds: "Honestly, he's cried like a baby too (upon hearing)." The Ireland head coach then prods the 33-year-old by putting it to him: "Didn't ya?!" Read More On Irish Sport After a pause Bealham sheepishly replies "...yeah" which prompts laughter all around the room. Farrell's charges begin their 10-game slate The headline item from it was that The prop has not played since Most read in Rugby Union He is joined in the replacements by Rónan Kelleher, the only other Leinster player involved because they were involved in There are still three Irish players in the starting XV with 2021 tourists Bundee Aki of Connacht and Munster's Tadhg Beirne included, along with Bealham. Watch Donncha O'Callaghan & Tommy Bowe's hilarious skit as Lions fever ramps up before Aviva Stadium game Aki and Bealham's provincial teammate Farrell has not included any Bath representatives with the side involved in the Premiership final against Leicester Tigers on Saturday. Lions captain 'Maro has led the group well during our time in Portugal and then Dublin this week. This is also our first opportunity to show what the 2025 Lions are about and what we want to stand for as a team. 'We know that Argentina will challenge us up front and out wide - so Friday night will be a tough contest, but also a great occasion for all the fans.' After their first outing on Irish soil, the Lions will travel to Australia ahead of the three-Test series against the Wallabies. Lions: M Smith (England), Freeman (England), Tuipulotu (Scotland), Aki (Ireland), van der Merwe (Scotland), F Smith (England), Mitchell (England), Genge (England), Cowan-Dickie (England), Bealham (Ireland), Itoje (England), Beirne (Ireland), Curry (England), Morgan (Wales), Earl (England). Replacements: Kelleher (Ireland), Schoeman (Scotland), Furlong (Ireland), Cummings (Scotland), Pollock (England), Williams (Wales), Daly (England), Hansen (Ireland).
