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Extra.ie
a day ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Hogan in high belief ahead of Ireland's meeting with Canada
Scott Bemand has one opportunity left to look at players today ahead of choosing his final Rugby World Cup squad on Monday as Ireland host Canada at the newly named Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Ireland come into this game off the back of a hard fought 27-21 win over Scotland in Cork. It took a while for them to get going and they fell 14-0 behind early on but once they got into it, Ireland played very well and got some form of revenge for their heartbreaking defeats against the Scots in the Six Nations. There's more revenge to be had this week as Ireland as well as looking to keep up the momentum heading into the World Cup, are looking to avenge their 21-8 defeat to the Canadians they have in the WXV tournament last year. Ireland celebrate a try by Eimear Considine during the Women's WXV1 Pool match against Canada. Pic: Joe Walsh/Sportsfile It was a manic first half that cost Ireland that day in British Columbia, as yellow cards for both props Niamh O'Dowd and Linda Djougang cost Ireland dearly. All of Canada's 21 points came in that period when Ireland were down either one or two players, and when Ireland returned to a full 15, they got a great score through Eimear Considine. Speaking ahead of the clash this weekend, Number Brittany Hogan spoke about how the group felt following that loss. Brittany Hogan. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile 'We were very frustrated after that game and I suppose that goes to show the growth of the group as well, like being really frustrated about losing, not pretty narrowly, but it was quite a tight score as well. 'They only scored whenever we were down to 13 players and it was a very frustrating end to the game. We felt like we left a lot of scores and a lot of things out there. So we're hoping to show what exactly we can do against them this weekend and we're all just really excited.' Canada were the favourites heading into that match with their much superior World Ranking but Ireland held their own, especially when it was 15v15. One of the yellow card recipients that day Niamh O'Dowd spoke about the need to stay on top of their discipline and what the Canadians will have to offer. Niamh O'Dowd. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile 'Well Obviously we'll have to sort out the yellow cards like we can't have both of our props going off. But yeah, like we know what to expect and like we've played against them quite recently so we know they are a physical pack. They're all very fit, they have a lot of big units, a good set piece.' When asked to describe her lasting memory of the game last year O'Dowd only had one word for it. 'Definitely their physicality, in attack or defence they hit very hard. Niamh O'Dowd. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile 'So their physicality is what I remember from the game. Like, the scrums were tough. Obviously the mail was a huge weapon for them and they have threats all over the park. They can get the ball wide, but they can also attack around the ruck.' Canada came into that game off the back of a silver medal in the Olympics and some of those players have integrated back into the 15's squad ahead of the World Cup. Canada also recently smashed the US 42-10 in Ottawa, which was highlighted by scoring 35 points unanswered at one stage. Brittany Hogan acknowledges that they are a top side, but seems to feel confident that if Ireland can keep things together, they have enough to keep going with Canada. Brittany Hogan. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile 'They were second in the World at that particular time and they still are. They've earned their spot on the World Ranking, they're an exceptional outfit, but we did leave a lot out there that day and like our yellow cards didn't help us. 'But we kept going, we kept the drive and I suppose that just shows like our team, like we're not going to give up until the very end. So even if it's five minutes left in the game and we're down, we're going to keep going, just as last week, we were down 14-0 and we just kept going.' 'Their experience and their ranking did show off, but that was a great learning experience for is and ever since we have closed the gap. Against France and England in the Six Nations we really showed we can stick it and we beat New Zealand last year. Like we showed we are ready and capable to play at the top table.' Scott Bemand. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady It's all poised for a classic in Belfast. Players on the Irish side will be desperate to impress as it's the last chance they could have to put their hand up for places in Scott Bemand's World Cup squad. Canada will be a stern challenge and provide a good measuring stick for where Ireland need to be to compete at the top end of the World Cup later this month.
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Steenson pleased with Ireland's newcomers ahead of World Cup
After over two months of training camp Ireland finally got their Rugby World Cup warm-up matches underway last Saturday, coming from behind to beat Scotland 27-21 in Cork. It was a gutsy performance from Ireland and once the cobwebs were dusted off they really got going, showing some great composure in the multi-phase attack and scoring five tries, which is always a good sign for the attack heading into the World Cup. It was a much needed match and Ireland kicking coach Gareth Steenson was pleased to reveal that the squad came away from the weekend healthy and were 'put through the ringer' in Monday's session after running out on Saturday. Gareth Steenson speaks during an Ireland Women Rugby media conference at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile Steenson was speaking ahead of Ireland's second World Cup warm-up match against Canada and talked about how it was good for the players to get back to a Test match environment. 'I think at the time it's like anything, Scotland has had games under their belt and it was the first opportunity for the girls to actually play and I suppose that first little bit, first time back out in the Test match, probably not having played for a little bit it was, you know, I don't want to say feeling their way into the game, but it was like starting to get back up to match intensity. It's been a lot of months that has gone by since they've played.' Kicking coach Gareth Steenson speaks during an Ireland Women Rugby media conference at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile He also commended the players for keeping their cool after they went 14-0 down and trusted the process and the tactics put in place. 'But the really good thing for us was they were able to take on board. There was no panic, they stuck to what the plan was and they put it on the field, which ultimately you can see the team grow as they went through the game, which is really positive for us as coaches. Really positive for the girls as well, that they can take the confidence to know what they've been doing and working hard at and training and when they replicate it, they can put it on the field and get results. 'So a lot of positives from that, and really in quite the right place how it all unfolded in the end.' Ireland's Debutants Ailish Quinn, Ivana Kiripati and Nancy McGillivray celebrate winning the match Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ben Brady The Scotland match also saw three players make their debuts for Ireland. Ivana Kiripati and Nancy McGillivray both started the on-debut while Ailish Quinn came off the bench to collect her first cap. Steenson was happy to see those three get minutes under their belt ahead of the World Cup squad announcement next Monday. 'I think ultimately at this stage, we are prepping as much as we can for the World Cup. The debutants, we're all very pleased how they went. We were really pleased to get them in, get minutes into them. It's a really important piece for them. It also connects them into the group and what they're doing. So real positive from that point of view.' Kicking Coach Gareth Steenson Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ben Brady While many teams are beginning to settle on a starting 23, it seems that Ireland are still experimenting. A lot of that experimenting is enforced by the injuries to the likes of Aoife Wafer, Dorothy Wall and Erin King, but Steenson say that the coaches want to make sure that every player gets a fair shake of it heading into the World Cup as they can only take so much from training. Steenson also hinted at more players and combinations being given a go this weekend against Canada in Belfast. Kicking Coach Gareth Steenson Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ben Brady 'We want everyone firing and ready to go. We want competition for places. We don't want to be rocking up at the World Cup and some people are sitting maybe not feeling that they've had the opportunity. Again girls are going to get an opportunity this weekend. First of all, to get minutes and obviously put their hands up for that first game which is coming pretty soon. 'So yeah, from our point of view, the girls are training unbelievably well, but training is training, sometimes we've got to get a game out there to see what works or what will work. And it's been really good from that point of view. So yeah, hopefully this weekend just gives another set of girls and opportunity to perform and hopefully they take that opportunity.' Gareth Steenson Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ben Brady Players get one last chance to put their hand up for places in the World Cup squad before Scott Bemand announces his World Cup squad just two days later on Monday August 11. They'll then set off for the midlands where they'll play their first two World Cup matches against Japan and Spain before facing the defending champions New Zealand at Brighton. However it's all eyes on Saturday as Ireland travel up to Belfast to face World Number 2 ranked side Canada at the newly named Affidea Stadium.
Axios
4 days ago
- Business
- Axios
U.S. Army air defenses are a sizzling hot commodity
The demand for U.S. Army overhead defenses will not "be letting up anytime soon," a service leader told Axios on the sidelines of the Space and Missile Defense Symposium in Huntsville, Alabama. Why it matters: Missile defense is hot right now, from the defense of Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar — during which the single largest Patriot salvo was launched — to the service's quadrupling of its PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement acquisition goal. The stakes are further amplified by fighting in Eastern Europe and the greater Middle East, where explosive drones batter troops and civilians every day. The latest: "Our air defenders are probably one of the most in-demand and operationally deployed capabilities that we have within the Army," David Fitzgerald, the senior official performing the duties of the undersecretary of the Army, said in an onstage interview during Axios' Future of Defense: Domes, Drones and Dollars event last night in the Rocket City. "Those units get rode pretty hard," he said. "I think that's just reflective, though, of the critical capability that they bring" to the fight. The intrigue: Fitzgerald sees opportunities for increased AI application in the future. Coordinated swarms of missiles, drones and decoys have complicated the job of protecting military bases, critical infrastructure and cities. By the numbers: The Army is planning to grow its air-and-missile defense force by 30%, Defense News reported Tuesday.
The Irish Sun
13-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘I feel sorry for Portugal' admits Paul O'Connell as Ireland seal record-breaking 16-try win in first every clash
PAUL O'CONNELL admitted he felt sorry for Portugal as Ireland ran in a record-breaking 16 tries in Lisbon to register their biggest Test win in the first encounter between the two nations. Connacht pair Hugh Gavin and Shayne Bolton went over twice on their debuts and there was also a brace each for club-mate Cian Prendergast and 2 Ireland ran in a record breaking 16 tries against Portugal Credit: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile 2 Paul O'Connell admitted he felt sorry for Portugal Credit: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile With USA in 2000. Interim boss POC told Virgin Media: 'I feel sorry for Portugal but we were very clinical and took our chances. 'It is a unique summer tour given the Lions tour is on at the same time but I am very happy with how our squad applied themselves.' O'Connell was without 17 players — who are all on tour with the Lions — but his new-look side ruthlessly exposed the chasm between them and their hosts. Read More on Rugby The former lock made six changes following last week's 34-5 win against Georgia in Tbilisi and his men went over for FOUR converted tries in the opening 14 minutes. Centre Stuart McCloskey touched down in the corner after full-back Jimmy O'Brien's break straight from the kick-off and fellow centre Gavin stormed over for his first debut try in the ninth minute. Tommy O'Brien finished off another scything break in the corner and opposite wing Bolton sprinted in after breaking clear for a try on his bow, with Crowley adding his fourth conversion. Portugal full-back Nuno Guedes had a try disallowed for a forward pass before the Wolves were dealt another blow when captain Tomas Appleton was carried off on a stretcher due to an ankle injury. Most read in Rugby Union Crowley sent Tommy O'Brien in for his second try and prop Tom Clarkson bulldozed through a tired tackle for Ireland's sixth touchdown in the 33rd minute. Bolton out-sprinted Portugal's defence to touch down Craig Casey's kick ahead and the latter's pass after hooker Gus McCarthy's break sent Gavin over for his second score. Craig Casey shares hilarious 'fear' weighing on him before captaining Ireland for first time vs Georgia Crowley landed his seventh conversion to put Ireland 54-0 ahead at the interval. Scrum-half Casey followed up Bolton's break to go in under the posts 90 seconds after the restart and Prendergast barged over for an unconverted score to extend Ireland's lead to 66-0 in the 51st minute. The struggling Portuguese were given some respite when centre Vincent Pinto's offload set up flanker Nicolas Martins for a converted try but the green giants hit straight back. Replacements Calvin Nash and Ciarán Frawley touched down soon after stepping off the bench and Prendergast then notched his second try. And when debutant flanker Alex Kendellen went over for another converted score in the 73rd minute, Ireland moved 92-7 ahead. Replacement scrum-half Ben Murphy's try nudged Ireland nearer to triple figures. And Portugal's misery was complete when they conceded a penalty try in the final play of the game for bringing down a maul. O'Connell added: 'It is great to get some guys capped and scoring tries and training in an international environment.' SCORERS — Portugal: Tries , Martins; con, Aubry. Ireland: Tries , McCloskey, Gavin 2, T O'Brien 2, Bolton 2, Clarkson, Casey, Prendergast 2, Nash, Frawley, Kendellen, Murphy, penalty; cons , Crowley 12.
Extra.ie
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Three stand-out players in Ireland's record-breaking demolition of Portugal
In what was a damp squib of a test match Ireland came out of the gates firing and blazed Portugal apart in a 106-7 win in Lisbon. Stuart McCloskey got the try-scoring underway after less than a minute as there were eight first half tries. Debutants Shayne Bolton and Hugh Gavin both scored twice with Tommy O'Brien notching up another two of his own. Thomas Clarkson also strolled in a try as Ireland went into the sheds 54-0 up. It was emblematic of proceedings when the TMO had to be stopped during the first half because communications went down, both conditions and intensity were not that of a test match level. Stuart McCloskey of Ireland scores his side's first try. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile The scoring continued in the second half with Craig Casey crossing over after a minute with Cian Prendergast scoring twice as well as Calvin Nash, Ciaran Frawley, Alex Kendellen, Ben Murphy and a penalty try helping Ireland record their record win (previous record was 83-3 against USA in 2003) and most tries in a single test with 15 (previous being 12 from that same game). Another week, another debutant winger impressing and this time it's Connacht's Shayne Bolton. The South African-born winger with an Irish granny hasn't had the easiest time in Ireland as he's dealt with a lot of injury issues but when he's on form you can see why the IRFU worked hard to bring him over. He has a great blend of size and speed that Ireland don't always produce. At just 25, if he can stay fit and get into some form he could be the next-in-line for that 11 jersey. Shayne Bolton of Ireland on his way to scoring. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile He was unfortunate to not get a mention last week but Jimmy O'Brien was back to his best on Saturday. It was a very low level but of competition O'Brien still looked very good on the pitch. He fielded well and when he stepped into the line he linked up well out wide. As ever with these Leinster players you want to see them play more for their club side but it's still great to see that when called upon they're still able to step up and perform with ease. Jimmy O'Brien of Ireland is tackled by Diego Pinheiro Ruiz. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile At times it was like watching men against boys at times in this game and Jack Crowley was symbolic of that. Seemingly always having time on the ball, Crowley showed off his highlight reel of tricks throughout as he sliced and diced the Portuguese defence. It was clear to see that Crowley was a step above. The only thing he would take from the game is the solid kicking practice he got, slotting 12 of the 15 conversions taken over. It'll be hard to take much else out of this game but it's good to see so many youngsters make their breaks into the International scene and express themselves. They approached both games as they were Test matches and did two professional jobs, with minimal injuries coming out of it too you can say it's a job well done for Paul O'Connell and co.
