Latest news with #IRELAND
The 42
2 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Ireland U20s avoid last-placed finish at World Championship with late try against Spain
Ireland U20s 38 Spain U20s 37 IRELAND U20S SEALED a late win over Spain to avoid the embarrassment of a last-placed finish at the World U20 Rugby Championship in Calvisano. Henry Walker's 78th-minute try — the hooker's second of the game — ensured that Ireland finished second from bottom of the standings, albeit relegation was never on the line with the tournament set to be expanded to 16 teams next year. Ireland took an early 14-0 lead against the Spaniards, with centre Jonny Scott opening the scoring off a lineout penalty and Charlie Molony adding Ireland's second try off a scrum attack. Both scores were converted by Tom Wood. Spain opened their account through the boot of Nicolas Infer on 10 minutes before Pau Massoni scored their first try, unconverted, for 14-8 before the quarter-hour mark. Advertisement Daniel Green's unconverted try on 20 minutes pushed Ireland out to 19-8 and when Scott crossed again seven minutes from the break, with Wood adding the afters, Neil Doak's side led 26-8. But loosehead Alberto Gomez responded for the Spanish, with Infer converting for 26-15 moments before half-time. An Infer penalty reduced the arrears further shortly after the restart and when Marcel Carreras dotted down for a seven-pointer three minutes later, Spain had moved to within a point. Ireland hooker Walker then scored from a lineout maul on 48 minutes, with Munster out-half Wood extending Ireland's lead back out to two scores at 33-25. A yellow for the try-scorer, though, saw Spain turn the contest on its head with back row Victor Ofojetu and Toulouse 10 Lucien Richardis scoring tries in quick succession to either side of the hour mark, the latter of which was converted by Gonzalo Otamendi for a 37-33 Spanish lead. With a quarter of an hour remaining, however, loosehead Dani Chico received a straight red for a high hit, and Ireland pushed to avoid a humiliating loss. Wood had a try disallowed on 73 minutes for a knock-on in the lead-up by double try-scorer Scott, but Ulster man Walker spared Ireland's blushes as he scored from a lineout drive in the right-hand corner with just over two minutes remaining. After a string of strong Six Nations campaigns as well as final and semi-final berths at the last two World Championships, Ireland have endured a poor season under Neil Doak and his coaching team, finishing last in the Six Nations and narrowly avoiding the same fate in Italy on Saturday.
Irish Post
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Post
EIRCODE: Ireland celebrates 10 years of successful post code system
IRELAND is celebrating the ten year anniversary of the launch of its 'Eircode' post code system. Rolled out in 2015, Eircodes were established to "deal with the challenges faced with non-unique addresses in Ireland". Prior to their launch some 35 per cent of all properties in Ireland shared addresses with other properties. This proved challenging for emergency services when attempting to locate addresses, an issue which was a key factor driving the introduction of a postal code system. Minister Charlie McConalogue has marked the 10th anniversary of the Eircode postcode system The lack of clarity on addresses also had a negative impact on people and businesses in rural areas and their access to goods and services. In 2013 Capita Business Support Services Ireland Limited, trading as Eircode, were awarded the contract to develop, rollout and operate a national postcode system. Since its formal launch in July 2015, 299k addresses in Ireland have received an Eircode. "Since the launch of the National Postcode System, Eircode, their usage continues to grow," Ireland's Minister of State for Postal Policy and Sport, Charlie McConalogue said today. "It is used widely among the public, businesses and public sector with independent research showing that 97 per cent of respondents were able to supply a validated Eircode for their address." He added: "The continued use of the free-to-use Eircode Finder website, which has received 197 million look-ups since launch, further proves that Eircodes are utilised on a daily basis. "I want to congratulate Capita Business Support Services Ireland Limited for the outstanding work they have done in operating Eircodes on behalf of the State, and I look forward to our continued partnership. Capita Ireland's Managing Director, Gillian Chamberlain, said he was "proud" of the role the firm has played in "delivering a service that has become an essential part of everyday life in Ireland". "Eircode has proven its value across the public and private sectors and this milestone is a testament to the dedication of our team and the strength of our partnership with the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport," he added. "We look forward to ensuring the continued success of this vital national infrastructure." See More: Anniversary, Eircode, Ireland, Post Codes
The Irish Sun
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
What TV channel is Ireland vs Portugal on? Stream, kick-off time and odds for final summer Test
IRELAND interim boss Paul O'Connel's side face Portugal in Lisbon for their final summer Test. Following up from last week's 2 Craig Casey was named captain in the absence of the injured Caelan Doris 2 The Ireland forwards coach is filling in for Andy Farrell as interim head coach Ireland and Portugal have never faced each other in a Test rugby game before. Os Lobos were back to back runners-up in the Europe International Championships in 2023 and 2024 behind Georgia who have won 12 of the last 13 competitions. An O'Connell's team will be hoping to back up the good team performance against Georgia and get another positive result. Read more on Irish sport Here is everything you need to know before watching the game: WHAT TIME IS KICK-OFF? The match kicks-off at 7pm Irish time on Saturday July 12 in the Estádio Nacional do Jamor, Lisbon. WHAT TV CHANNEL IS IRELAND VS PORTUGAL ON? The Test is being shown live on Virgin Media One with coverage starting at 6:30pm for the 7pm kick-off. It will also be available to stream live for free on the Most read in Rugby Union WHAT ARE THE ODDS? Despite losing key players to the Lions tour in Australia and handing out three debuts, Ireland are the extremely heavy favourites at 1/41 to win the match. A Portugal home win is set at 50/1 and the odds of a draw are 200/1 with the handicap being set at 36 points in favour of O'Connell's side. Craig Casey shares hilarious 'fear' weighing on him before captaining Ireland for first time vs Georgia WHAT HAS BEEN SAID IN THE BUILD-UP? O'Connell was The Leinster centre was due to start but will now be replaced by Connacht's Hugh Gavin to make his Ireland debut. He is joined by two other debutants as club teammate Shayne Bolton and Munster's Alex Kendellen have been selected to start the Test. One of last week's five debutants Tom Aherne earns his first start for Ireland replacing Cormac Izuchukwu to partner Darragh Murray. Captain O'Connell said: 'It's a very important position, out-half, more important than it's ever been. "This is an opportunity for Jack to own the week, run it and get after it. The two of them are quite supportive of each other. 'It's another opportunity to give Jack more experience. Sam was excellent last week.'
The Irish Sun
10-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Ireland hit with yet another injury blow which may rule Six Nations star out of World Cup in August
IRELAND have been hit with another injury blow as Aoife Wafer has again sustained a knee injury in the lead up to the World Cup. Ireland's Six Nations stand-out performer is now racing to get fit in time for the World Cup opener against Japan on August 24 in Northampton. Advertisement 3 Ireland had a bright start to the Six Nations but a heavy defeat to England ruled out winning chances 3 Wafer was their top performer throughout the competition 3 Scott Bemand will have a smaller pool of players to choose from for the World Cup The former Leinster backrower looks set to miss the World Cup warm-up games against Scotland on August 2 and August 9. The knee injury occurred during Despite missing the final round, the Wexford native's performances in the competition earned her Women's Six Nations Player of the Tournament. Advertisement Read more on Irish sport It was announced in May that Wafer would join up with Harlequins at the end of the Rugby World Cup. She has been with Leinster her whole professional career having led the Wolfhounds - a Leinster and Ulster combined team - to back to back Celtic Challenge Cups. The Quins were impressed with the former Enniscorthy RFC player as she was named in the 2024 World Rugby XVs Team of the Year. The 22-year-old joins key players Erin King and Dorothy Wall on the growing Ireland injury list. Advertisement Most read in Rugby Union King was ruled out of both the remainder of the Six Nations and the World Cup when suffering a knee injury - which required surgery - in Ireland's Wall World Cup dreams were also shattered during the Six Nations, sustaining an Achilles tendon injury in the final Six Nations game against Scotland. Craig Casey shares hilarious 'fear' weighing on him before captaining Ireland for first time vs Georgia Ireland's pack will be heavily weakened without three of their star players if Wafer fails to reach match fitness. Scott Bemand's side finished third in the Six Nations table for the second year in a row following a last place finish in 2023 with no points on the board. Advertisement Ireland bettered last season's Six Nations points tally by one point but saw a significant change in score difference as they went from -71 in 2024 to +5 in 2025.
The Irish Sun
09-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Our greatest export has always been our people – Irish abroad can play valuable role in nation's future & global links
IRELAND this week launched an online consultation for the Irish diaspora: The Global Irish Survey. Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond, made the announcement on a visit to 2 Minister Neale Richmond said the Irish abroad can play a huge role in the nation's future on the global stage Credit: Getty 2 Minister Richmond has said he wants to hear from Irish expats around the world Credit: PA The survey is the latest in a series of consultations he is having with Irish communities around the world as part of the To date, he has met with representatives of the Irish community in Nairobi, In the weeks and months ahead, he will host sessions in the Writing in the Irish Sun today, Minister Richmond says he has heard first hand from many remarkable members of our diaspora on the challenges and opportunities of being Irish overseas. READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS IRELAND has come a long way since some of the darkest days in our Emigration has always been a constant for the people of this country. Indeed, the Great Hunger and various periods of our past, where poverty and unemployment were extremely high, were times of significant migration from our island. Many of the people who left these shores in the 1980s, for example, would barely recognise the country which they left all those years ago. Most read in The Irish Sun There isn't a family anywhere in Ireland that doesn't have a relation abroad, be it the uncle in The experience of many Irish people who left these shores has been mixed. Victoria Smurfit leads Dublin's St Patrick's Day parade Plenty of the Irish diaspora have made incredibly successful careers and livelihoods for themselves all across the world — the Irish American story is one significant pillar of the fabled 'American Dream' — but equally the Irish have also experienced significant discrimination. One need only think of the 'No Blacks, No Dogs, No Irish' signs which were commonplace in London in the 1950s. The story of the Irish abroad is one of opportunity and hard work. Our greatest export has always been our people. GREATEST EXPORT They have always enriched the different places which they call their new home, despite the reasons for leaving. But who or what is the Irish diaspora in 2025? How do we define that; and do we have a catch all representation of this diaspora? In line with commitments in the Programme for Government, work is underway on preparing the development of the next Diaspora Strategy. Central to this is a series of consultations, which I am in the process of conducting, with diaspora communities and key stakeholders overseas and in Ireland. Since my appointment as Minister with responsibility for the Diaspora, this process of con-sultation has taken me to Brussels, Nairobi, Boston, Philadelphia, Glasgow, and Manchester. INCLUSIVE APPROACH In the weeks and months ahead, I will host sessions in the Middle East, across the US and Canada and at home to name but a few. This week, I launched the first ever global online consultation of the Irish Diaspora - the Irish Abroad: The Global Irish Survey. This survey will build on the in-person consultations and ensure we hear from as many voices as possible in order to reflect the diversity and values of our contemporary diaspora. The findings of the survey will feed into our consideration of the new strategy. LISTENING EAR It will also form the baseline for future surveys with the intention to roll others out on a regular basis, and to build up a picture over time of interests and issues that Irish communities overseas feel are important. The world, Ireland and immigration has changed since our last strategy was launched in 2020. To understand the issues affecting both long-standing emigrants and newer arrivals, I am keen to hear from a range of voices and experiences in order to ensure the new strategy meets the needs of global Irish communities and can adapt to evolving circumstances. As I'm finding out as I meet people all over the world, 'Ireland' and 'the Irish' are terms that mean a lot of different things to different sections of our diaspora. It is important that we continue to take a broad and inclusive definition of our diaspora that reflects our modern and diverse Ireland. REAL WORLD BENEFIT We are a community that encompasses Irish born citizens; and those with parents or grandparents born on the island; others with ancestral ties, as well as an affinity diaspora who may have once lived, studied or worked here; and those who hold a deep appreciation for our people and culture. Getting to hear the views of Ireland's diaspora has allowed me to delve into and reflect on some of the key issues facing our diaspora, but also some of the opportunities that the Irish abroad community presents for us as a nation. Our new diaspora strategy is not just about staying in touch with our Irish abroad, but provides very real benefits during these uncertain economic times. Our diaspora and affinity diaspora who live in the US provide us with very real and tangible benefits through their connections to state legislators and the business community. These relationships, in the US and elsewhere, are crucial to copper-fastening our current trading relationships, but also in forging new ones. FUTURE ROLE During my most recent trip to the US, I launched the Ireland-Massachusetts Trade Forum. This forum consists of Massachusetts state legislators, business leaders, educators and academics. These people, with their profound connections to Ireland, provide us with the expertise and links to opportunities. As the world becomes an ever more uncertain place, our Irish abroad can play a growing role. We need a truly representative diaspora strategy. To achieve this, we need to hear from you.
