Latest news with #Furlong
RTÉ News
16 hours ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Leinster Lions quartet of Furlong, Van der Flier, Ringrose and Keenen still in running to face Bulls
Leinster's Tadhg Furlong, Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier trained with Leinster today "to some degree" and are still in the running to face Bulls in Saturday's BKT URC final. Ireland and Lions prop Furlong has not played since the start of May as he recovers from a calf injury. Centre Ringrose, who will go on his first Lions tour this summer, has been out since the Zebre game on 10 May with a calf issue, and missed both knockout wins over Scarlets and Glasgow. Flanker van der Flier, also a first time Lions tourist, came off after 28 minutes of Leinster's win over Scarlets with a tight hamstring nine days ago. "They were at different levels but it's great to have them out on the park," Leinster assistant Tyler Bleyendaal told RTÉ Sport when asked about Furlong and Ringrose's prospects for the Croke Park clash. "They were kind of mixing their rehab with a bit of rugby and we'll see how far they integrate during the week whether or not they are available for selection. On Van der Flier and Hugo Keenan, who was ruled out of their semi-final win against Warriors late last week with a calf injury, the New Zealander said: "The same, out on the pitch to some degree and depending on their rehab plans, they might progress more or have to stay but we'll make that assessment, probably tomorrow morning." Speaking after the 37-19 win over the defending champions, head coach Leo Cullen indicated that Van der Flier and Ringrose were closer to the "top" of the list of possible Lions players who could feature at Croke Park, while Furlong and Keenan were ranked in "the middle". "Tadhg obviously brings a lot and hopefully he comes through the week well," said hooker Dan Sheehan, who scored a brace of tries at Aviva Stadium on Saturday. "Obviously we have quite a few big names out but that's just part of this time of the season, boys are banged up so anyone we can get back would be great, but we also have a strong squad with good depth." There were no further updates on Will Connors, Brian Deeny, Caelan Doris and Robbie Henshaw, while Tommy O'Brien came through the game with no issues following a recent injury. Meanwhile, Bleyendaal admitted that Leinster, last league champions in 2021, will need to improve but felt that the Warriors battle will stand to them. Franco Smith's side scored two late converted tries to put a deceptive look on the scoreboard, while Sam Prendergast missed six kicks at goal. "It's an interesting one," said the attack specialist. "We had a tight battle against the Scarlets, who did play well and we ground out a good win. "Glasgow turned up with great intent, I thought. They are still a very difficult team. "The scoreboard might not have reflected that but if you ask the players I'm sure they are feeling all the contacts from the weekend and it definitely wasn't an easy match. "We feel like it was a great result for us, a semi-final victory, it was hard earned, and it was a physical battle. "We're grateful for the win and very much aware that we do need to improve again." Leinster and Bulls, who beat Sharks 25-13 in their semi-final, will name their teams for the final on Thursday.
The Irish Sun
27-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Another Leinster Irish international emerges as URC play-off injury concern after Robbie Henshaw blow
LEINSTER have moved to allay injury fears over Tadhg Furlong and Robbie Henshaw. Furlong and Henshaw have both been ruled out of Leinster's URC quarter-final clash against Scarlets on Saturday. 4 Tadhg Furlong won't play in Saturday's Aviva Stadium clash 4 Robbie Henshaw had already been ruled out for the rest of Leinster's season 4 Under pressure Leo Cullen could do with winning a first trophy since 2021 4 Forwards coach Robin McBryde reckons Furlong will be fine for the play-offs Henshaw would be unavailable if Leinster progress in the play-offs because of a knee injury but it is thought he could be fit if Furlong was named in the touring squad and the news that he had picked up a calf injury inevitably caused alarm. The Wexford native played only the final 33 minutes of Ireland's Six Nations campaign, against Italy, because of a lower leg injury picked up in their warm-weather training camp in Portugal. But Leinster have clarified that his latest issue is with the other calf and have claimed it is not serious. Read More On Irish Sport Forwards coach Robin McBryde said: 'Yeah, he's OK. It just tightened up during the Glasgow game when he was on the bench, as a replacement. 'Thomas Clarkson, I thought he played exceptionally well in that game, so there was no need to risk Tadhg by sending him on. "He's at a stage where we are just monitoring him to see how that develops.' On Henshaw's absence, the coach said: 'You want to be able to pick from as many fit players as you can towards the end of the season. Most read in Rugby Union "Everyone is picking up knocks so the more people you can choose from the better. 'Someone like Robbie is a quality player, high-calibre, a big-game player, so to lose someone like him is not ideal. Ronan O'Gara bizarrely ends press conference after 23 SECONDS amid La Rochelle's continued poor form 'But it gives someone else an opportunity to step up. It is not just the playing but the training against quality opposition as well.' Leinster are again Leo Cullen's men will not need to be told about Scarlets' capacity to cause a shock, after 'TOUGH NUT' McBryde added: 'There was a lot in that game but I am not going to take it away from the Scarlets. 'They had a good gameplan and stuck to it. They are currently four wins out of five, off the back of a successful South African tour. 'They've consistency in selection, they hardly make any changes, if any at all, to the starting 15, the starting pack in particular, so they're cohesive, a tough nut to crack, they're comfortable with their game, the way they go about things. 'They are well coached, good players, a tough nut.' Asked to explain their upturn in form, he said: 'It's that analogy with the stonecutter, it is not the 100th blow, it is the 99 that have gone previously. 'It is all the hard work that you put into a season. Sometimes things just happen off the back of hard work. 'In fairness to them they're a cohesive bunch, they're obviously tight as a unit, tight as a team.'
The 42
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Henshaw's Leinster season over as Furlong suffers calf injury
LEINSTER HAVE ANNOUNCED that Robbie Henshaw's season with the province is over due to a knee injury. Henshaw will be out of action for up to a month, meaning he won't play for Leinster in the URC knock-outs. However, that recovery timeframe leaves him in the mix for involvement on Ireland's tour to Georgia and Portugal, or a late call-up from the Lions. Leinster have also confirmed that tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong will miss this weekend's URC quarter-final against the Scarlets having suffered a 'minor calf injury.' Advertisement Furlong was on the Leinster bench for their clash with Glasgow two weekends ago but wasn't used as a replacement after picking up a niggle. Leinster have now revealed that Furlong has suffered a calf injury. The 32-year-old prop has had major frustration with calf and hamstring injuries this season, missing Ireland's November Tests series and all but one of their games in the Six Nations following a recurrence of his calf issue. However, it's understood that this latest calf injury is on Furlong's other leg, not the one that caused his struggles earlier this season. Furlong has been named as part of the Lions squad this summer and head coach Andy Farrell will hope to see him make a swift comeback this time around. In better news for Leinster, wing Jordan Larmour is nearing his return from injury, having been sidelined since December. Larmour is due to 'step up the final stages of his rehabilitation this week and a final decision will be made on his availability later in the week,' according to Leinster. Will Connors, Brian Deeny, James Culhane, and captain Caelan Doris remain on the injury list.
The Courier
08-05-2025
- The Courier
Thursday court round-up — Racist posters and sex scam blackmailer
A pensioner has admitted flyposting racist propaganda around Levenmouth in Fife. At Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court, admitted he displayed posters which contained racist and offensive material, referencing 'p**i rape gangs'. He admitted that on various occasions between January 30 and February 15 this year, he communicated material a reasonable person would consider to be threatening, abusive or insulting. The 72-year-old posted the racist material at Overton Road in Kirkcaldy, Sainsbury's in Leven, Groban in Leven, Methilhaven Road in Methil and Wellesley Road in Methil. He admitted his behaviour breached of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021. He accused stores in the Kingdom of being 'pedo shops'. McLauchlan, of Bayview Crescent in Methil, initially denied the offence when he first appeared in court from custody but tendered a guilty plea at a subsequent hearing. Sheriff John MacRitchie deferred sentencing until June 4 and ordered background reports. When the posters were discovered, one shopkeeper told The Courier: 'Unfortunately this is the reality of living in Scotland.' At the time, a Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'The content of these posters is very concerning and we recognise the impact this may have on our communities. 'The posters that have been discovered have since been removed, however, we would urge the public to report instances of this nature to police immediately if they come across it.' Convicted blackmailer made menacing phone calls to an Iraqi general, demanding the 'return' of his daughter to Dundee – then made up a stolen gold plot to convince him to drop criminal charges. The takeaway chef was jailed in 2022 for attempting to extort £37,000 from the officer by threatening to continue posting naked snaps of his adult daughter online. He was back in court to admit making abusive calls to his target's home in Iraq. A man has appeared in court accused of thefts in Perthshire. , 35, from Hamilton, appeared in private facing three charges of theft by housebreaking. He made no plea and was committed for further examination and granted bail. The brief court hearing took place after police revealed arrests had been made following alleged 'high-value' thefts from distilleries in Blackford and Crieff last month. A Perth blackmailer who tried to extort money from her vulnerable victim with a false sex assault claim has been jailed. lured the man to her flat, where he kissed her and placed his hand on her. She then told him she would have him charged with sexual assault and asked for his wallet. The man left after another male entered the room and told him: 'That's my girlfriend'. Perth Sheriff Court heard how the second man told Furlong: 'Don't let him leave. Lock the door.' The victim panicked and offered to withdraw money from an ATM but when he got outside he flagged down a passing car and told them he was scared of Furlong. She warned him: 'I have video of you grabbing my boobs and f***y and kissing me. 'You have 10 minutes until I phone the police.' The victim took screenshots of the messages and passed them to police and Furlong was arrested. She denied wrongdoing and claimed the victim had edited the incriminating messages to make her look bad. She told detectives the man had forced himself upon her and had subsequently offered her £400 not to go to the police. Furlong, 29, from Perth, admitted acting with another to menace the man with the intention of extorting £80 from him on December 28 2021. She was jailed for 10 months when she returned for sentencing on Wednesday. A drunken driver who demolished part of a village bridge and smashed into a parked car in Perthshire was weeks later caught motoring down the M90 at six times the legal limit. accelerated into the side of a stone crossing in Dunning centre, before steering her Volvo into a stationary Land Rover. 12 weeks later, she called for help from a motorway telephone, claiming she had run out of fuel near Perth. A man struck his ex-partner's head off a wall and dragged her down a set of stairs during a violent attack in Dundee. , 28, was previously found guilty by a sheriff of assaulting the woman on September 8 last year. Following his trial at the city's sheriff court, Kane was convicted of acting aggressively, damaging an oven by striking it, punching a door and smashing a glass off his head. Kane pulled a necklace off the woman, seized her hair and neck and struck her on the head to her injury. He struck her head off a wall, kicked her body, seized her hair and dragged her down a set of stairs. Solicitor Kevin Hampton said: 'He has maintained his position and the evidence he gave at trial but accepts that whatever happened that night is not what should have happened and is very remorseful about his behaviour. 'He understands he has to be punished.' Kane was ordered to perform 150 hours of unpaid work as an alternative to custody by Sheriff Alastair Carmichael. A two-year non-harassment order was also imposed. A prominent domestic abuse campaigner from Perthshire, who was found guilty of physical and sexual abuse of children, has been jailed for three years. – who ran the domestic abuse support group Brodie's Trust – denied assaulting the children over a 20-year period but was found guilty by a jury following a trial. A paranoid bricklayer went through his partner's phone, then smashed the device in a Premier Inn room after a wedding. Police were called to the St Andrews hotel after guests in an adjacent room heard 's alarming rampage. Dundee Sheriff Court heard how Taylor's partner was woken in the early hours of the morning by him aggressively shouting. Prosecutor Kate Scarborough said: 'He had been looking through the complainer's phone and this has been the trigger. 'There was a verbal argument between them. The accused took the phone and smashed it on the side of a cabinet, which caused the screen to smash. 'He became angrier and started to throw property and furniture around.' Taylor, of Edinburgh, pled guilty to behaving abusively and damaging property in a room at the hotel on December 29 2024. Solicitor Alanna Bryant said the 32-year-old was in the grips of a cocaine addiction at the time and is in recovery. She said Taylor and his partner are still in a relationship. As an alternative to custody, Sheriff Alastair Carmichael placed Taylor on supervision for 18 months with a requirement to engage with addiction services.
Daily Record
08-05-2025
- Daily Record
Sextortion blackmailer jailed after plot backfired when man fled her home
Connie Furlong told her vulnerable victim she planned to show video footage of him to the police while claiming she had been the victim of sexual assault. A blackmailer who plotted to lure a man to her home for sex while secretly filming him so she could extort money from him has been jailed for ten months. Connie Furlong told her vulnerable victim she planned to show video footage of him to the police while claiming she had been the victim of sexual assault. The victim fled from her home after another man jumped out of a second room to confront him when he refused to pay Furlong for sexual favours. Furlong - who met her 39-year-old victim online - later sent him a message demanding just £80 and telling him: "I like you. You don't have to give me much." Fiscal depute Emma Farmer told Perth Sheriff Court: "The complainer and accused began communicating online and by phone in relation to commencing a sexual relationship. "The victim is 39 and has mild learning difficulties. They agreed to meet. He drove to her address and arrived at 10pm. He entered and they sat down and spoke. "The victim kissed her and placed his hand on her. She stated she would have him charged with sexual assault. She asked how much he would pay for sex with her. "She asked for his wallet and another male entered the room and said 'that's my girlfriend.' The male told Furlong: "Don't let him leave. Lock the door." Ms Farmer said the victim panicked and tried to leave, and offered to go to the bank and withdraw money to pay them off. He got outside and stopped a passing driver to tell them he was scared of Furlong. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Furlong and her accomplice persuaded the driver that the man was drunk and they left the scene. "I have video of you grabbing my boobs and kissing me," Furlong warned. "You have ten minutes until I phone the police. Leave the money somewhere - you don't need to see me again. "He's going to phone them now as you're not paying. That wasn't consent." The victim took screenshots of the messages and passed them to police and Furlong was arrested. She denied wrongdoing and claimed the victim had edited the incriminating messages to make her look bad. She told detectives that the man had forced himself upon her and had subsequently offered her £400 not to go to the police. Furlong, 29 , from Perth, admitted acting with another to menace the man with the intention of extorting £80 from him on 28 December 2021. Solicitor Lynsey Barber, defending, said Furlong was responsible for several delays in the case coming to court because she had repeatedly failed to turn up. "She is entirely responsible for delays in this matter," she said. "She knows what the inevitable outcome may be." Sheriff William Gilchrist told Furlong: "Extortion is a serious charge. I am satisfied the custodial threshold has been reached."
