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Irish Examiner
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
St. Flannan's College, Ennis capture National soccer title
FAI Schools First Year Boys National Cup final: St. Flannan's College, Ennis 3-2 Scoil Dara, Kilcock (Ben Lyne, '10, '13, Jack Wren '42) The curtain came down on the 2024/25 FAI Schools Post-Primary Schools National Cup campaign with St. Flannan's College, Ennis defeating Scoil Dara of Kilcock in a compelling decider at Athlone Town AFC on Monday afternoon. It had the all the makings of a pulsating tie with both teams featuring goal-scoring prowess with Ben Lyne netting all three goals in their 3-2 victory over St. Jarlath's College, Tuam in their semi-final outing while Jack Wren netted four of his schools five goals in their magnificent 5-2 display against Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana at the other end of the draw. Ben Lyne had a few chances early on to open his account but both opportunities were wide of the target but it was third time lucky as Cian O'Dwyer's free kick was delivered with precision to Lyne on the edge of the box, his quick feet and majestic turns saw him turn over three defenders before he slotted the ball past Davin Quinn at the far post. 1-0 to St. Flannan's in the tenth minute. Ben Lyne netted a second minutes later when Seadna Ryan's long ball forward wasn't dealt with by the Kilcock defence as Lyne ran onto the loose ball, his pace saw him one on one with Quinn as he released a neat finish just as the keeper was diving down to smother the effort, the ball rolling underneath him and in! The Ennis side took this two goal cushion into the break. Seadna Ryan had a beautiful curling effort drift wide of the far post six minutes into the restart as Davin Quinn denied Lyne's original effort with the rebound falling nicely to Ryan but it was inches off the woodwork. Jack Wren got his team back in contention half-way through the second period when he rifled off a shot from 20 yards out, it was too hot to handle as O'Connor lost grip of the intercept with the ball rolling into the bottom corner. Ben Lyne could have secured his hat-trick seven minute from time but his looping effort just drifted over Quinn's upright. Equally, Scoil Dara could have drawn level seconds later as substitute Ryan Tracey forced an excellent save from Ennis shot-stopper O'Connor at the other end. The Kilcock crew never gave up and had two quick fire corners in the last three minutes of the game but Graham O'Connor was superb to deny Scoil Dara an equaliser. Both teams impressed throughout the park as St. Flannan's managed the game out in the final quarter. With this win, St. Flannan's College have the opportunity to represent FAI Schools at the SAFIB Allen McKinstry Cup in May 2026 as Northern Ireland play host. Last year's National Cup Champions, St. Gerald's College, Castlebar came fourth in last week's tournament in Newcastle with Thomas Telford School in England winning the three day event. No doubt there is more to come from this young team as they merited their place alongside Scoil Dara in this season's Cup tie finale. The Ennis school are back to winning ways having served nearly a twenty year hiatus since their last National title. The Ennis girls have a fabulous Cup campaign capturing a First Year Girls National trophy back in 2007. The same crew went on to win the Minor Girls Cup crown the following season, 2008. Is this something that the boys could replicate in 2026? Time will tell. ST. FLANNAN'S COLLEGE, ENNIS: Graham O'Connor, Michael O'Leary, Oran Biswas, Cian O'Dwyer, Erik Bejenarin ©, Seadna Ryan, Bob Casey, Oscar Deegan, Ben Lyne, Daire Cullinan Alex Malone Subs: Tadhg Moloney, Jack Barrett, Donncha Ryan, Sean Daly, Eoin McInearty, Tommy Malone, Iker Zambarno Sicard. SCOIL DARA, KILCOCK: Davin Quinn, Kealan Gibson, Jamie Craig, Rapolas Tamulis ©, James McElligott, Ewan Calderwood, Adam Dunne, Ryan Connolly, Jack Wren, Giancarlo Di Mauro, Zaki Abdollah Subs: Adrian Bartczak, Ryan Treacy, Matthew Attoe, Oran O'Neill, James O'Neill, Moses Dacosta, Will Doherty Referee: Damien Conlon (Westmeath)
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Abdel Hbouch's sensational half-way line lob goal
Abdel Hbouch, US Boulogne midfielder, netted this sublime lob against Dijon in the National Cup.
RNZ News
01-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Newest official NZ rugby team set to face Sri Lanka's finest
If you're a rugby tragic, the scene at Karaka Rugby Club on Tuesday night would've warmed the heart. As the rain pelted down on the club's premier team training under floodlights after a hard day's work, inside the clubrooms the quart bottles were being popped open as dinner was cooked and the speeches prepared. This was no ordinary rugby club function, though. Families, friends and dignitaries were gathered on the tables and leaners to farewell and wish good luck to the first ever New Zealand Under 85kg team on their first ever overseas tour. Their destination: Sri Lanka, not exactly top of mind when it comes to rugby but on that certainly makes sense at the end of the long and arduous journey this team has been on to its existence. NZ U85kg team photo. Photo: Blake Armstrong/ActionPress "A lot of credit goes to those guys who have worked behind the scenes," said newly minted U85s captain and first five Jared Percival, who has also played for Mid Canterbury in the Heartland Championship and represented New Zealand in Australian Rules Football . "All those guys have a massive role and have played a huge part in growing the National Cup, getting us recognition and getting this New Zealand team over the line." The new side, who will play in a black jersey, perform the haka and represent the legacy of every other side that's represented New Zealand, was always going to be the next step after the introduction of the National Club Cup in 2020. The U85 kg grade had existed in club rugby for two and a half decades previously, developing a cult following among those involved. Probably the most important devotee to the grade is Sir Graham Henry , whose influence as a World Cup winning All Black coach was crucial in getting the team up and running. The NZ Under 85kg side prepares. Photo: Johnny Hendrikus/NZ Rugby "I suppose we're looking like the original All Blacks, they were nicknamed the 'All Backs'," said coach Ngatai Walker, who played Under 85kg rugby right back when the grade was first conceived in the 1990s. "I think that's similar to us. Like we want everyone to be able to read and react to the pictures that are in front of them on defence and attack." Why Sri Lanka? The thought process around playing Asian sides dates back to when the idea of a national team was first floated, in that the general size of players there would more or less match up with a New Zealand team. However, Sri Lankan rugby does have a long and rich history, with the Colombo Football Club established in 1879. In an odd quirk, their first ever international match was against a team marketed at the time as the 'All Blacks' in 1907 - who were actually the precursors to the Kiwis rugby league side but playing under union rules. Sri Lanka, then known as Ceylon, was also the country were Sir Colin Meads first played in a black jersey. Meads was a member of the NZ Colts side that toured there in 1955, playing in all eight fixtures and scoring three tries. Lately, the Sri Lanka Tuskers won the Asia Rugby Division 1 title last year and flogged Malaysia 59-19 two weeks ago. Dilruksha Dange of the Sri Lanka Tuskers in action at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Photo: Matt Impey/ "They like to throw the ball around, they're not they're not shy with the offloads," said Percival on the footage that they'd been able to see of their opposition. "So it's going to be an awesome game to be a part of and a spectacle as well." The New Zealand side's selection has been an interesting one, given that it is entirely based on last year's season (the 2025 club season starts this weekend). The team includes loose forward Lewis Craik, with the Dundee native reversing the usual trend of kiwis ending up playing for the Scottish national side. "I mean, growing up in Scotland I never, ever thought I'd get the chance to put on a black jersey and represent New Zealand for rugby," said Craik. Lewis Craik packs down on the side on the NZ Under 85kg scrum as they prepare to play Sri Lanka. Photo: Johnny Hendrikus/NZ Rugby "The last few days (in camp) it feels like we've known each other for about two years… everyone plays a little bit harder, a little bit faster." Craik, Percival and the rest of the squad were congratulated by Henry and given a crash course in what wearing a black jersey means by two-time World Cup winning All Black Keven Mealamu. Walker admitted that the expectation on his side is to play up tempo, exciting rugby, as well as continuing the tradition of winning. "(Sri Lanka) are a really proud rugby nation. So yeah it's pretty cool but we know that is a big challenge and they're really proud," said Walker. There is expected to be a lot of interest in the two tour fixtures, with reports out of Sri Lanka saying interest is high in the side the locals are calling the 'weight grade All Blacks'. Prime Minister and footy fan Dr Harini Amarasuriya is looking forward to the occasion, telling local news that the games "promise to energise the nation's rugby enthusiasts as they witness a powerhouse of the sport take on our national team." The NZ Under 85kg team find themselves a very unique situation where predicting just what will happen is almost impossible, however Percival confirmed that the traditional grade post match traditions will be honoured. "I think it'd be rude to say no. You know, there might be some boat races , with events in between tests…at the coaches discretion." New Zealand Under 85kg v Sri Lanka Tuskers Kick-off: 10:30pm Sunday 4 May NZT Nittawela Rugby Stadium, Kandy New Zealand Under 85kg v Sri Lanka Tuskers Kick-off: 1am Sunday 11 May NZT Racecourse Grounds, Colombo Live coverage on Sky Sport Forwards: Pasia Asiata (Poneke Wanderers, Wellington) Ben Biggelaar (Pakuranga Black Panthers, Auckland) Rory Cavanagh (Pakuranga Black Panthers, Auckland) Lewis Craik (Morrinsville Majestic Pukekos, Waikato) Jeandre Du Toit (Pakuranga Black Panthers, Auckland) Luke Eyre (Massey Rock n Rumble, North Harbour) Josh Gellert (Auckland University Slug Collectors, Auckland) Frazer Harrison (Auckland University Squids, Auckland) Tyler Koning (High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury) Jack Laity (Auckland University Slug Collectors, Auckland) Callum Nimmo (High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury) Ridgley Paxton (Karaka Razzlers, Counties Manukau) Josh Purdon (High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury) Tom Rowland (Eden Lizards, Auckland) Simon Sia (Morrinsville Majestic Pukekos, Waikato) Matt Treeby (Tawa Ducks, Wellington) Backs: Campbell Busby (Auckland University Squids, Auckland) Taine Cordell-Hull (High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury) Jackson Ephraims (Takapuna Bombers, North Harbour) Ben Megson (Grammar TEC Old Boys, Auckland) Ned Milne (High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury) Francis Morrison (Pakuranga Black Panthers, Auckland) Jarred Percival (High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury) - Captain Jamie Petford (Pakuranga Black Panthers, Auckland) Adam Preston (Tawa Ducks, Wellington) Eamon Reilly (Ponsonby Hustlers, Auckland) Ben Scott (High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury) Pieter Swarts (East Coast Bays Badgers, North Harbour) Coach: Ngatai Walker Manager: Grant Wilson
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Basketball team claim third trophy of the year
The Reading Rockets basketball team is celebrating after its men's team won a third trophy this year. The Rockets beat MK Breakers 102-91 to become playoff champions in Manchester on Sunday. They had defeated MK Breakers to claim the KitKing Trophy in March and won the National Cup in January against Hemel Storm. CEO Matt Johnson praised the club's "amazing" supporters and said they had regularly packed out the 500-capacity Loddon Valley Leisure Centre. The Azeri head coach who led the team to the victories, Samit Nuruzade, was also praised by the Azeri Embassy in London for his contribution. He is well known in his home country, helped to set up the country's national basketball programme and coached the men's national team between 2016 and 2022. Nuruzade had served as the Rockets' men's team coach between 2010 and 2013, before returning to Berkshire three years ago. The embassy said it hoped the club and Nuruzade would secure "even more victories" following their recent success. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Azerbaijan Embassy London (@azerbaijan_in_uk) It added to other success for the Division One club, with the Rockets' Justin Hopkins also named the Wilson Player of the Year at the NBL Awards at the weekend. Mr Johnson said the club's community programme, which about 900 people are part of, was critical. "We're really competitive but we don't get too caught up on one moment or one team winning one thing," he said. "Everyone's welcome. That is the beauty of it and what community sport should be. It should not be the 10 people who are in the men's or women's teams or the wheelchair seniors that are the most important. "As a sport and a club our job is to get more people joining [and] get more people enjoying it." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. National Cup win a dream come true - Rockets CEO Reading Rockets
BBC News
28-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Reading Rockets claim third trophy of the year with victory
The Reading Rockets basketball team is celebrating after its men's team won a third trophy this Rockets beat MK Breakers 102-91 to become playoff champions in Manchester on had defeated MK Breakers to claim the KitKing Trophy in March and won the National Cup in January against Hemel Matt Johnson praised the club's "amazing" supporters and said they had regularly packed out the 500-capacity Loddon Valley Leisure Centre. The Azeri head coach who led the team to the victories, Samit Nuruzade, was also praised by the Azeri Embassy in London for his is well known in his home country, helped to set up the country's national basketball programme and coached the men's national team between 2016 and had served as the Rockets' men's team coach between 2010 and 2013, before returning to Berkshire three years embassy said it hoped the club and Nuruzade would secure "even more victories" following their recent success. It added to other success for the Division One club, with the Rockets' Justin Hopkins also named the Wilson Player of the Year at the NBL Awards at the Johnson said the club's community programme, which about 900 people are part of, was critical."We're really competitive but we don't get too caught up on one moment or one team winning one thing," he said."Everyone's welcome. That is the beauty of it and what community sport should be. It should not be the 10 people who are in the men's or women's teams or the wheelchair seniors that are the most important."As a sport and a club our job is to get more people joining [and] get more people enjoying it." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
