Latest news with #HugoKeenan
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
'Winning ugly' may serve Leinster better than blowouts
Hugo Keenan admits that Leinster won ugly against Scarlets but getting over the line in nervy contests may serve them better at the business end of the BKT URC. Just a couple of weeks ago, head coach Leo Cullen wondered about "some of these blowout games, I'm not sure what we necessarily have learned from a few of them". He was referring to the Champions Cup wins over Harlequins (62-0) and Glasgow Warriors (52-0) that did little in the way of preparing them for the dogfight that was coming down the line against Northampton in the semi-final. The 76-5 victory over Zebre a week later was of similar worth in the long run. So Cullen will be able to take some solace from the fact that Leinster were able to prevail in tighter affairs against the Warriors two weeks ago and the Scarlets, 33-21, on Saturday. URC half-time: Leinster 15-14 Scarlets - Scarlets go the length of the field at the end of the first half. Updates: LIVE: — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 31, 2025 Captain Jack Conan called the performance "inaccurate" and said they "just forced things a little bit of over-eagerness." Full-back Keenan, named player of the match, said: "It's all about getting the job done, getting the win. "It wasn't pretty, it wasn't perfect, we were ill-disciplined and a little bit scrappy, especially in that first half. "That's sometimes what it's about, winning ugly a little bit." Leinster led by just a point at the break but grabbed two tries in the third quarter to stay out of reach of Dwayne Peel's side, who had won their regular season tie at the end of April. "There was a heavy downpour at the start of the second half and we had to manage the game a bit better," added the Ireland full-back (below), who scored the fourth try. "Jamo [Gibson-Park] and Sam [Prendergast] and the lads put us in the right positions and kept them at arm's length, which was important," "In these knockout games, you can't really be taking high risks and playing rugby all the time." RTÉ Rugby analysts Jamie Heaslip and Donncha O'Callaghan were unimpressed by the Leinster showing, which sets them up for a semi-final meeting with defending champions Glasgow this Saturday (2.45pm, live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player). Heaslip called it "lacklustre"; while "rudderless was O'Callaghan's verdict. Hooker Dan Sheehan was asked about how the squad was dealing with the fall-out from the Saints defeat. "It's been up and down but I think we've done a good job of sticking together, trying to block out as much outside noise as possible," said the Ireland front row, who will go on the Lions tour. "I think mentally we're in a good spot, we're looking after each other well and I think that's all we can do. "We'll rip into our prep now for Glasgow during the week and go again." The Scottish side have lost nine of their last 11 games against Leinster, including both games this season. Head coach Franco Smith believes his team, who impressed in the 36-18 win over Stormers on Friday, are better set for another swing at Leinster. "You must put the Leinster games in perspective," he said. "The first one, we were in the middle of the season, there were a lot of injuries in that period. There were so many out at that certain stage. "The expectation [on Leinster] was massive because they hadn't played their top team since the Six Nations. "Everything worked for them. Nothing went well [for us]. "If that happens with Leinster, they could put international teams away like that. That's what we took from that. "The next time, we were more ready for the challenge. Hopefully that will help us this time."
BreakingNews.ie
3 days ago
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Off-colour Leinster advance into URC semi-finals with win over Scarlets
Leinster were not at their best but they had enough in the tank to see off Scarlets with a 33-21 victory in the BKT URC quarter-final at the Aviva Stadium. Defending champions Glasgow Warriors are Dublin bound next week after the top seeds capitalised on Alec Hepburn and Vaea Fifita's second-half sin-binnings to win in front of a disappointing crowd of 12,879. Advertisement In their first play-offs appearance since 2018, Scarlets recovered brilliantly from conceding two early tries to only trail 15-14 at half-time. James Lowe and Jamison Gibson-Park both crossed before Tom Rogers replied from the visitors' first real opportunity. Blair Murray then cancelled out a Sam Prendergast penalty with a cracking counter-attacking try just before the break. However, Leo Cullen's men had the better of the closing half, with Jamie Osborne and player-of-the-match Hugo Keenan contributing tries, and Johnny Williams grabbing Scarlets' only response. Advertisement Lowe gave the hosts a fourth-minute lead, crossing out wide via a couple of partially-blocked passes from Keenan and captain Jack Conan. Lowe's soft hands then sent Conan through a gap, with the latter putting Gibson-Park in under the posts to make it 12-0. However, a 19th-minute lineout was the launchpad for Scarlets' recovery, winger Rogers finishing strongly from a deft Sam Costelow pass. The latter crisply converted. Well-organised defence, including a Joe Roberts turnover penalty, provided more inspiration for the visitors, who had young scrum-half Archie Hughes deputising for the injured Gareth Davies. Advertisement Despite Prendergast's 47-metre penalty, Ellis Mee hacked a dropped Leinster pass back downfield, and the electric Murray expertly dribbled away from Jordie Barrett to make it a one-point game. The Irish province, who lost Josh van der Flier to injury, only had themselves to blame as their decision-making was poor at times. Osborne's timely 45th-minute effort, from a Prendergast chip kick, steadied the ship at 22-14. TMO Andrew McMenemy's tight call on the grounding went the centre's way. Scarlets fell further behind by the hour mark, with a Costelow penalty miss following by prop Hepburn's yellow card for not rolling away. Leinster's experienced bench stepped up, a Dan Sheehan charge-down eventually leading to Keenan slaloming over from a Barrett assist. Williams reduced the arrears to 30-21 in the 70th minute, darting over after lovely work in the build-up from Fifita and Marnus van der Merwe. Fifita's subsequent yellow for a high tackle on Keenan was a killer blow though, and Prendergast clipped over the clinching penalty.
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Leinster player ratings as they labour to victory over Scarlets in quarter-final
Leinster didn't have it all their own way against Scarlets in the URC quarter-final in The Aviva. While there were long periods when they dominant this was mixed with a number of occasions where standards dipped. Hugo Keenan was TV Man of the Match although he was pushed closely by Jamison Gibson-Park while Dan Sheehan, despite only coming in for the last half-hour, was particularly noticeable. Hugo Keenan - The type of scrappy game where the full-back's dependability is worth extra. Solid under the high ball, reliable and in the right place in defence. Took his try well. 8 Jimmy O'Brien - Had an uncomfortable day earning his 100th cap as the defensive line looked stretched at times and the Tom Rogers try was the result of a certain amount of confusion. 6 Jamie Osborne - Credit here, starting his first game at second-centre this season. He has been full-back, right-wing, first-centre and left-wing but not no13. A try for his troubles too. 6 Jordie Barrett - Struggled to find his normally excellent rhythm possibly allowing a bit for the idea Jamie Osborne doesn't normally play no13 and making sure their partnership gelled. 6 James Lowe - Constantly available, looking for work. Kept his nerve to stay wide and get the first try. Made a number of hard breaks down his line and was unlucky not to have a spectacular 50/22. 7 Sam Prendergast - Solid, even with Scarlets trying to work through his defensive channel. Won't look forward to review, seeing his half-time flap at the ball that cost Leinster a try. 6 Jamison Gibson-Park - Best player on the pitch through the first-half, pace on everything, ruck arrivals, passing, running. Superb tracking line for his try, the second of the game. 7 Andrew Porter - Highly visible about the park in the first-half exchanges, his energy was part of the reason Leinster gained the upper hand in the first half-hour. Solid in scrum. 7 Rónan Kelleher - Given the nod ahead of Sheehan in part because of his scrummaging excellence and the scrum held firm. Sheehan's introduction gave Leinster a bit extra about the field in attack. 6 Thomas Clarkson - There were worries Scarlets might gain some kind of advantage at scrum-time on the back of their doing so well in the last game but the Leinster tighthead held firm. 6 Joe McCarthy - Clearly up for the game from the get-go, throwing his weight around to mighty effect, his rangy running was probably the most dangerous ground-making threat in the pack. 7 James Ryan - Rumbled about the pitch before being called ashore after 46 minutes, replaced by RG Snyman who was in the wars and pumping blood necessitating his removal before the close. 6 Ryan Baird - Athletic, confrontational, staying wide at times looking for ball in space. Scarlets found him hard to knock over and he is an interesting addition to the Blues attack. 6 Josh van der Flier- Came ashore early having tweaked something trying to defend Scarlets' first try. Came from the field and immediately sat on the bench. Replaced by a busy Scott Penny. n/a Jack Conan - Key part of Leinster's first two tries, good positioning and good hands working in Leinster's favour. Was quick to let Prendergast kick penalties, three taken and worth nine points. 7Replacements: Dan Sheehan 8, Jack Boyle 6, Rabah Slimani 6, RG Snyman 6, Max Deegan 6, Scott Penny 6, Luke McGrath 6, Ciarán Frawley n/a
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Off-colour Leinster see off Scarlets to set up URC semi-final with Glasgow
URC quarter-final: Leinster 33 Scarlets 21 An occasionally brittle Leinster will meet Glasgow next Saturday in the semi-final of the United Rugby Championship after they led from beginning to end against Welsh side Scarlets at the Aviva Stadium. Four tries, the first arriving after four minutes, gave Leinster a deserved win with Scarlets coming to within one point with a counterpunch try just before the break. Leinster started with intent, their first entry into the Scarlets 22 within the first minute. Josh van der Flier, Jordie Barrett and James Ryan pounded the defence as the ball moved right to left. Finally, with the field stretched, Sam Prendergast whipped the ball wide with Hugo Keenan helping it along for James Lowe to run in the easiest of tries for 5-0. Within minutes a purposeful and accurate Leinster were pushing forward again. Moving through the phases and the gears, Ryan Baird made the initial bump through to make ground and with support coming up both sides in the middle of the field, it was scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park who romped in under the posts for 10-0, Prendergast converting to give Leinster a comfortable early lead. READ MORE How can the provinces break France's dominance? Listen | 29:52 But the young Scarlets team were not just in Dublin for the experience of being beaten by the top seeds and on 20 minutes moved the ball right to left across the pitch from their first attacking lineout. With Leinster players fanning across, a double-handed overhead pass from outhalf Sam Costelow to Tom Rogers allowed the right wing to cut back and wriggle over the line for a quick Welsh riposte, Costelow converting for 12-7. By the half-hour mark both sides were determined to keep the ball alive as play raced from end to end, with van der Flier departing and Scott Penny coming in for Leinster. Leinster's James Lowe fields a high ball under pressure from Scarlets' Ellis Mee. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho A penalty from just inside the Scarlet's half landed by Prendergast gave the 12,879 crowd something to cheer as Leinster again nudged ahead 15-7. But a misplaced kick from Prendergast that didn't find touch and Lowe went into touch on the full just invited Scarlets back into the game before a surging finish to the half saw Leinster press for a try only to be met with a sucker punch from Scarlets. Looking threatening and pressing the Scarlet's line, the pass back from Gibson-Park to Prendergast flew over the outhalf's head. He and Jordie Barrett turned and charged back towards their posts as an alert Blair Murray got to it first and kicked on. The fullback kicked a second time, controlling the ball beautifully into the Leinster danger zone where he touched down and Costelow converted for 15-14 to Leinster at the break. Rain replaced sunshine for the restart but there were no clouds hanging over Leinster. Straight into the go-forward mentality, they left little time for Scarlets to feel they had purchase on the game and from a Leinster scrum Gibson-Park fed Prendergast, who deftly chipped over for the running Jamie Osborne. Sam Costelow in action for Scarlets. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho With Rogers on his back, Osborne managed to touchdown for 22-14 and again put distance between the sides. Costelow missed a Scarlets penalty to close the gap before pressure finally yielded reward for Leinster, when replacement Dan Sheehan blocked down a Welsh kick. Leinster then flooded the zone with the supporting Keenan floating on to the ball inside the Scarlets 22 to make it 27-14. Leinster looked safe enough, and with Prendergast making it 30-14 from a penalty it looked settled. But Scarlets' sting in the tail came less than 10 minutes from the end when Johnny Williams punched through and Ioan Lloyd converted for 30-21. SCORING SEQUENCE – 4 mins: Lowe try 5-0; 9: Gibson-Park try, Prendergast con 12-0; 19: Rogers try, Costelow con 12-7; 35: Prendergast pen 15-7; 40: Murray try, Costelow con 15-14; 45: Osborne try, Prendergast con 22-14; 59: Keenan try 27-14; 65: Prendergast pen 30-14; 70: Williams try, Costelow con 30-21; 73: Prendergast pen 33-21 LEINSTER: H Keenan; J O'Brien, J Osborne, J Barrett, J Lowe; S Prendergast, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, R Kelleher, T Clarkson; J McCarthy, J Ryan; R Baird, J van der Flier, J Conan (capt). Replacements: S Penny for van der Flier (29 mins); D Sheehan for Kelleher, RG Snyman for Ryan (both 47); R Slimani for Clarkson (57); J Boyle for Porter (67); L McGrath for Gibson Park (67); M Deegan for Conan (68); Conan for Snyman (73); C Frawley for Keenan (75). SCARLETS: B Murray; T Rogers, J Roberts, J Williams, E Mee; S Costelow, A Hughes; A Hepburn, R Elias, H Thomas; A Craig, S Lousi; V Fifita, J Macleod (capt), T Plumtree. Replacements: M van der Merwe for Elias (50 mins); K Mathias for Craig (57); I Lloyd for Costellow (58); S Wainwright for Thomas, M Page for Rogers (both 64); Davis for Macleod (74); E Jones for Hughes (75). Yellow cards: Hepburn (55 mins), Fifita (72). Referee: H Davisdon (Sco).
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Leinster labour to quarter-final win over Scarlets
Leinster will host defending champions Glasgow Warriors next weekend after beating Scarlets 33-21 in the quarter-final of the BKT United Rugby Championship quarter-final at Aviva Stadium. Leo Cullen's side led 15-14 at the break thanks to tries from James Lowe and Hugo Keenan but they conceded two in a strange first half during which some familiar failings were on show again. However, their bench made a big difference and they outscored the Welsh side 18 points to seven in the second half with Jamie Osborne and player of the match Hugo Keenan crossing for tries. Out-half Sam Prendergast scored three penalties and two conversions, while the visitors had forwards Alec Hepburn and Vaea Fifita sin-binned in the second half. More to follow... Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Jimmy O'Brien, Jamie Osborne, Jordie Barrett, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Thomas Clarkson; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan (capt). Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Jack Boyle, Rabah Slimani, RG Snyman, Max Deegan, Scott Penny, Luke McGrath, Ciarán Frawley. Scarlets: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Joe Roberts, Johnny Williams, Ellis Mee; Sam Costelow, Archie Hughes; Alec Hepburn, Ryan Elias, Henry Thomas; Alex Craig, Sam Lousi; Vaea Fifita, Josh Macleod (capt), Taine Plumtree.
