Latest news with #RailwayUnion
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Double try-scorer Anna McGann relishing Ireland competition
Anna McGann had three international tries to her name before yesterday, all coming in a hat-trick performance in the Six Nations win over Italy in March. Try number four for the Athlone woman came in the second half of the 47-26 defeat to Canada as Ireland mounted a comeback of sorts in Belfast. It was a trademark winger's finish, picking up possession ten yards out and beating a defender to touch down in the corner. It was her fifth try that stood out, however. The 27-year-old came off her wing, took a pop pass from Claire Boles in midfield before bursting through four defenders to score under the posts. "To be honest, I only remember dotting it down," she said modestly before reflecting on her progress since the Six Nations "If you look at Dannah [O'Brien] putting us in the right part of the pitch and that was just building in the second half. "I think it was just me dotting it down at the end of the day. It was more of a team effort. "I definitely took a bit of confidence from the Six Nations, but that was four months ago now. "We're onto a new challenge and we're constantly wanting to get better as a squad as well. "I definitely took a bit of confidence from that, but I know that this ceiling is a lot higher and I've more to grow." McGann will be included in Ireland's World Cup squad to be named tomorrow but despite an impressive recent record, knows she faces stiff competition from Béibhinn Parsons (above), who helped herself to a brace against the Canadians, as well as Amee-Leigh Costigan, an a number of other back-three options, to secure a starting spot. "I think if you look at the squad, we're probably at the most competitive that we've ever been, which is quite reflective of what a good place we're in," said the Railway Union back. "I think having the best players surrounding me is only going to drive you on more. "It has been really good to have Béibhinn back in and to have Amee-Leigh Costigan, to have her as well. "They're two massive players for our squad and two players that I strive to be more like. It makes it more competitive, but it makes it better as well. "If you take Leigh into consideration as well there's a healthy rivalry between the three of us." While the squad has been named internally, head coach Scott Bemand said there are always moving parts between the announcement and when the action starts, for Ireland, against Japan in two weeks' time. "The girls are always giving us something to think about," said Bemand. "It's a really competitive squad. "We spoke about two years ago when I first started and you're looking at competition for places across the group. And there was some but it wasn't particularly deep. "We'll name our squad outwardly on Monday and there'll be some really good players that don't make that squad. "That's the reality of competing, the reality of having a consistency of our game that you can keep getting your best performances out there."
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Bemand makes 10 changes for Ireland's final World Cup warm-up clash against Canada
Head coach Scott Bemand has named his Ireland squad for their last Rugby World Cup warm-up game against Canada in Affidea Stadium (formerly Kingspan Stadium) on Saturday, August 9 (kick-off, 12pm). Bemand has made 10 changes to the starting line-up from the win over Scotland last weekend. Neve Jones will co-captain the side with Sam Monaghan, who starts this week on the bench. In the pack, Niamh O'Dowd and Linda Djougang join Jones in the front-row. Fiona Tuite and Ruth Campbell make up the engine room, and last week's back-row of Grace Moore, Ivana Kiripati and Brittany Hogan is retained. In the backs, Aoibheann Reilly partners Dannah O'Brien again in the half-backs. Enya Breen accompanies Aoife Dalton in the centre with Anna McGann, Béibhinn Parsons and Stacey Flood in the backfield. Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Ellena Perry, Sadhbh McGrath, Eimear Corri-Fallon, Monaghan and Claire Boles are the forwards available to Bemand and his Coaching Team on a strong bench, with backs Emily Lane and Eve Higgins completing Ireland's 23. Bemand said: "Having another opportunity to test ourselves is essential in the run up to the Rugby World Cup and we know Canada will provide us with a really strong test. "Last week we fought back hard from conceding early tries and we know we will need to start stronger this week. There is a lot at stake with the squad for the Rugby World Cup being announced early next week." Ireland: S Flood (Railway Union RFC / Leinster); B Parsons (Blackrock College / Connacht), A Dalton (Old Belvedere / Leinster), E Breen (Blackrock College / Munster), A McGann (Railway Union / Connacht); D O'Brien (Old Belvedere / Leinster), A Reilly (Blackrock College / Connacht); N O'Dowd (Old Belvedere / Leinster), N Jones (Gloucester Hartpury), L Djougang (Old Belvedere / Leinster); R Campbell (Old Belvedere / Leinster), F Tuite (Old Belvedere / Ulster); G Moore (Trailfinders / IQ Rugby), I Kiripati (Creggs / Connacht), B Hogan (Old Belvedere / Ulster). Replacements: C Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs), E Perry (Gloucester Hartpury / IQ Rugby), S McGrath (Cooke / Ulster), E Corri Fallon (Blackrock College / Leinster), S Monaghan (Gloucester Hartpury / IQ Rugby), C Boles (Railway Union / Ulster), E Lane (Blackrock College / Ulster), E Higgins (Railway Union / Leinster).
Irish Independent
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
West Indies' Matthew Forde equals fastest ODI half-century record before rain earns Ireland share of spoils at Clontarf
All-rounder Forde launched a sensational assault on the Ireland attack, smashing eight sixes — several into the nearby gardens — as he reached the mark from 16 balls, a feat only previously achieved by South African batter AB de Villiers. Josh Little suffered the brunt of the brutality, being hit for four maximums in one over as the Windies tail took full advantage of the small boundaries at Castle Avenue to plunder 98 from the final six overs and post a mighty 352-8. Liam McCarthy was the pick of the Ireland attack, again bowling with good pace and claiming his first international wicket in his second match when he found an edge from West Indian captain Shai Hope. The Railway Union speedster also had Keacy Carty caught behind for 102 and ended Forde's rampage on 58 by knocking out his leg stump with a yorker, as he returned figures of 3-66. Rain then prevented the start of the reply, allowing the Boys in Green to escape with a share of the spoils and take a 1-0 lead into Sunday's final game of the series.
Irish Independent
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
West Indies' Matthew Forde equals fastest ODI half-century record against Ireland in second 50-overs game at Clontarf
All-rounder Forde launched a sensational assault on the Ireland attack, smashing eight sixes — several into the nearby gardens — as he reached the mark from 16 balls, a feat only previously achieved by South African batter AB de Villiers. Josh Little suffered the brunt of the brutality, being hit for four maximums in one over as the Windies tail took full advantage of the small boundaries at Castle Avenue to plunder 98 from the final six overs and post a mighty 352-8. Liam McCarthy was the pick of the Ireland attack, again bowling with good pace and claiming his first international wicket in his second match when he found an edge from West Indian captain Shai Hope. The Railway Union speedster also had Keacy Carty caught behind for 102 and ended Forde's rampage on 58 by knocking out his leg stump with a yorker, as he returned figures of 3-66. Rain then prevented the start of the reply, allowing the Boys in Green to escape with a share of the spoils and take a 1-0 lead into Sunday's final game of the series.
Irish Examiner
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Ireland call up uncapped talents for two-game trip to us
Hockey Ireland has announced the Senior Women's squad set to travel to Charlotte, North Carolina for a two-match series against the USA on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8. The upcoming series provides a valuable opportunity to face high-calibre international opposition as preparations intensify ahead of the EuroHockey Championships in August. The USA and Ireland are no strangers to each other, having last met during Ireland's impressive Silver Medal campaign at the FIH Hockey Nations Cup in Chile earlier this year. The squad features a number of players in line to potentially win their first senior international caps. Niamh Gowing (Railway Union) and Katie Larmour (Belfast Harlequins) have been rewarded for standout club seasons with call-ups to the senior squad. Also included is Amy Handcock, the highly rated 19-year-old UCD scholar who has continued to impress since starring for Ireland's U18 team last year. Another exciting inclusion is Jessica McMaster of Ulster Elks, who is named in a senior Ireland squad for the first time since 2017. The squad also boasts a core of experienced leaders. Captain Sarah Hawkshaw and Róisín Upton return to the fold, both with deep ties to US hockey from their college years at the University of Massachusetts and University of Connecticut respectively. They are joined by the likes of Elena Neill, Hannah McLoughlin, and several other Irish International stalwarts. Head Coach Gareth Grundie welcomed the opportunity the series presents: 'This is a great early opportunity to test ourselves against a strong USA side as we build toward the EuroHockey Championships in August. Playing top-level opposition away from home is exactly what we need at this stage of our preparations, and it's a valuable chance for both established players and new faces to challenge themselves in a competitive environment.' Both games will take place at 10:00 local time (15:00 Irish Time) at UNC Charlotte, the home of USA Field Hockey's international programme, and will be streamed live on Hockey Ireland TV. Ireland Women's Squad: Charlotte Beggs, Michelle Carey, Niamh Carey, Ellen Curran, Niamh Gowing, Christina Hamill, Amy Handcock, Sarah Hawkshaw (C), Emily Kealy, Katie Larmour, Katie McKee, Hannah McLoughlin, Jessica McMaster, Holly Micklem (GK), Lizzie Murphy (GK), Elena Neill, Siofra O'Brien, Caoimhe Perdue, Mikayla Power, Caitlin Sherin, Sarah Torrans, Róisín Upton.
