Latest news with #NickTimoney
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ireland men's sevens team to be cut in savings drive
The Ireland men's sevens team is to be cut at the end of the 2024-25 season. The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) says the move is "part of a broader strategic effort to ensure long-term financial sustainability". The women's programme, however, is unaffected and will remain a "key development pathway" for the women's XVs game, the union added. In November, the IRFU's financial results showed an 18m euro (£15.1m) deficit for the 2023-24 season. The IRFU also said its assessment concluded that the men's sevens programme "does not contribute as a development pathway for the XVs game", adding that the provincial academy structures are offering "greater development opportunities". "The financial situation we face is challenging, and it's crucial that we take decisive action to secure the long-term success of Irish Rugby," said IRFU high performance director David Humphreys. "While the decision to end the men's sevens programme is a difficult one, it is necessary in order to ensure that our resources are focused on the areas that will have the greatest impact on the future of the game in Ireland. "We are committed to making sure that this transition is handled with the utmost respect for all those who have contributed to the success of the sevens programme." The men's sevens side played their last tournament in Los Angles earlier this month, finishing 11th and suffering relegation in the World SVNS Series. They reached two Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021 and in Paris last summer, finishing 10th in Japan and sixth in France. Ulster trio Nick Timoney, Robert Baloucoune and Zac Ward all played for Ireland's sevens side as did established Ireland 15s international Tadgh Beirne. Ward, alongside Leinster and Ireland 15s international Hugo Keenan, featured in the sevens Olympics squad in Paris. IRFU CEO Kevin Potts said that he was "very proud" of everything the sevens side has achieved. "We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the success of the men's sevens programme, especially in achieving qualification for the Tokyo and Paris Olympic games. "Their unwavering dedication, hard work and skill played a vital role in elevating the profile of sevens rugby in Ireland."
The 42
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
'We know what we need, so we can't hold anything back'
WITH SO MUCH about this interprovincial for both teams' URC play-off hopes, Nick Timoney is intent on embracing all aspects of the pressurised challenge in doing battle with Munster at Thomond Park. Both teams currently find themselves outside the top eight with just two rounds remaining – Munster are ninth but on equal points with Benetton (41), while Ulster are in 12th on 38 points – to not only secure knockout rugby in the league but also a place in next season's Champions Cup which both provinces have never missed out on. For Timoney and his teammates, it's a case of Ulster's season being on the line and, as such, the northern province are fully invested in chasing the result in Limerick from what is essentially already 'cup final' rugby. Advertisement 'It's a final (against Munster) and then it's final again the following week (at Edinburgh) if we win,' said the 29-year-old backrower and one of Ulster's most consistent performers. 'We know what we need, so we can't hold anything back. 'There's no looking past this Friday because there won't be much left to look at if we don't get it right, so it's a big one,' admitted Timoney who has played 165 times for Ulster but has never won in Limerick with the province. 'It's obviously a negative this week if we lose for a lot of reasons, so, again, (we need to) embrace it (the challenge) and make sure we've got the lads all on the pitch with that same mindset that you want to be here and that's what you want to do.' The three times capped Ireland player also spoke of using the emotion and must-win aspects of the occasion as positives to allow Ulster take the game to their hosts who look in a better place to make the top eight as their final two rounds are at home. 'It's going to be a big emotional day for them,' he said of what is likely to be a final outing at Thomond Park for veterans Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray and Stephen Archer, 'but I think we're often at our best on similar sort of occasions. 'And I think when those games get quite needly and personal, which the interpros always are, that brings out the best in us as well. 'So, we're not coming in (to this game) unaware by any stretch.'
BBC News
08-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
URC play-off race 'why you play' rugby
Ulster forward Nick Timoney says the province are "embracing" the pressure of the United Rugby Championship's tight play-off picture. Richie Murphy's side face Munster in Thomond Park on Friday night (19.35 BST) with the Irish rivals both in need of points in their efforts to make the all-important top go into what is the penultimate round of the URC in 12th place, three points off the play-off spots, with Munster in ninth but level on points with Benetton directly above them."We need it to keep our season going and I think their situation is pretty similar," said Timoney."It's the business end of the season, if you lose, it's a failure. There's no redemption after this one, if we don't win, we're not making the play-offs."That comes with a lot of pressure and a lot of weight, but that's why you play the game, that's why you play for a big club like us. We're embracing it and looking forward to it." 'We still have the players to go and win big games' Perhaps more important than a place in the play-offs, finishing in the top eight would also bring with it a spot in next season's Champions said it is "massive" for Ulster to be playing in Europe's premier competition, something they have done every year since its formation in 1995."It should be the pinnacle games through each season and it's where this club belongs, 100%," he added."We've been more talking about performances and getting results, but in the back of my head, and I'm sure everyone else's, is that is absolutely where we want to be next year."Ulster are able to recall Irish internationals Iain Henderson and Rob Baloucoune for the trip to Limerick with Richie Murphy saying this week his squad might be the strongest it has been since he took over the job in March last this season key players have missed plenty of games through injury while inexperienced players have had to fill the void. Timoney, however, does not see that as the reason for the side's inconsistent campaign. "I don't really like to use that as an excuse because when you look at our squad we still have the players to go and win big games," he said."At times this year we've had injury problems, but I'd be reluctant to use that as too much of an excuse because if you have that mindset you're giving yourself an out."We've no excuses really and we're certainly not taking any into this week."
