Latest news with #TadhgBeirne
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Tyrone footballers draw high praise all round
If you've even a drop of Tyrone blood running through your veins, and if Gaelic football is your passion, then there's some decidedly pleasant reading for you in the sports pages today. First, Paul Keane reports on the county securing back-to-back under-20 All Ireland titles by beating Louth at the Athletic Grounds last night. It was an evening that 'red-hot forward duo Noah Grimes and Eoin McElholm will not forget any time soon,' the pair scoring 4-10 between them. Second, Ciarán Murphy salutes Tyrone's performance against Donegal in Ballybofey last weekend, in particular their brilliance in those breathless closing minutes when we saw 'some of the new ways the rule enhancements have brought the game forward'. Laois goalkeeper Killian Roche, who'll be in action against Offaly on Saturday in the final round of Tailteann Cup group games, is happy enough with most of the new rules , conceding that the 'game needed changing'. But 'taking away the back-pass from the keeper is one thing, still insisting on the kickout going long is another layer'. In rugby, John O'Sullivan has word on Tadhg Beirne and Aoife Dalton winning the Players' Players of the Year awards , Beirne, of course, unable to accept his in the flesh – he has URC business to attend to in South Africa. Johnny Watterson talks to Beirne's Munster comrade Calvin Nash ahead of their quarter-final match against the Sharks on Saturday. READ MORE And John hears from James Lowe in the build-up to Leinster's URC quarter-final against Scarlets, Lowe determined that the departing Cian Healy and Ross Byrne – Healy in to retirement, Byrne off to Gloucester – leave with another medal around their necks. In football, the latest stage of Robbie Keane's managerial career saw him lead Ferencváros to their seventh consecutive Hungarian league title last weekend. For once, they actually had some competition, in the form of prime minister Viktor Orban's club, Puskas Akademia, recipients of 'state funding on a staggering scale'. Tom Mortimer details the wild and wacky landscape of Hungarian football. As Dave Hannigan tells us, Jim Irsay's life was a bit on the wild and wacky side too , the Indianapolis Colts owner, who died last week at the age of 65, 'adored by fans, players, and coaches alike'. He leaves behind 'an eclectic collection of artefacts', including Muhammad Ali's Rumble in the Jungle championship belt and the guitar Kurt Cobain wielded in the Smells like Teen Spirit video. How much did he love his collection? He once turned down an offer of $1 billion for it. TV Watch: Shane Lowry is the sole Irish player in the field at the Memorial, which gets under way today at Muirfield Village (Sky Sports Golf, 4.30pm), while Leona Maguire flies the flag at the US Open, the second Major of the year on the LPGA Tour (Sky Sports Mix, 5pm). Philip Reid previews both tournaments .
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Munster's Tadhg Beirne named Players' Player of the Year
Tadhg Beirne was named Men's XVs Players' Player of the Year at the Rugby Players Ireland awards at the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday night. The Munster second row beat competition from provincial teammate Tom Farrell and Leinster duo Caelan Doris and Jamison Gibson-Park, who were also nominated. Berine started every game for Ireland in this Six Nations, and has featured 16 times for Munster in his first season as the province's captain. Earlier this month, his form was rewarded with a place in the Lions squad for this summer's tour of Australia, while in February he signed a new two-year extension with the IRFU and Munster. 'I'm honoured to be named as the OCC Consulting Men's Players' Player of the Year," said Beirne. "It comes as quite a surprise given that Caelan, Tom and Jamison have all had brilliant seasons. To be chosen by my fellow Rugby Players Ireland members makes this award even more meaningful, and I really appreciate their support and acknowledgement.' The women's award was claimed by Leinster centre Aoife Dalton. The 22-year-old from Offaly has become a key player for Ireland. Amee-Lee Costigan, Niamh O'Dowd and Dorothy Wall were the others nominated. 'It's a very exciting time to be involved with this group of players," said Dalton. "To be recognised by them at such a crucial time for this team is hard to put into words. When I first came into camp, I could sense that something was beginning to build and I think we have started to see the fruits of that over recent months both collectively and individually, through the performances of my fellow nominees Amee-Leigh, Niamh and Dorothy.' Erin King won the Women's Young Player of the Year award while Sam Prendergast took the men's equivalent. Ireland and Leinster out-half Prendergast was presented with the award by his older brother Cian, the Connacht captain, who was a previous winner in the category. Two scores from the Six Nations were named the tries of the year. Dan Sheehan starting and finishing off a team move against England back in February won in the men's category. Anna McGann touching down to finish what was also a team move against Italy, one which sealed her hat-trick in the game, was named Women's Try of the Year. Eimear Considine, who retired from rugby in November after 10 years at the top level of the women's game in Ireland, won the Zurich Contribution to Irish Society Award for her contributions to mental health discourse. On behalf of the Irish men's team, Caelan Doris accepted the Moment of the Year award for Ireland's Triple Crown win in the Six Nations. Rugby Players Ireland Awards winners OCC Consulting Men's XVs Players' Player of the Year: Tadhg Beirne; OCC Consulting Women's XVs Players' Player of the Year 2025: Aoife Dalton; Nevin Spence Men's XVs Young Player of the Year: Sam Prendergast; Energia Women's XVs Young Player of the Year: Erin King; MSL Mercedes-Benz Ballsbridge Men's XVs Try of the Year: Dan Sheehan (v England); AIB Corporate Banking Women's XVs Try of the Year: Anna McGann (v Italy); Tritonlake Men's 7s Player of the Year: Dylan O'Grady; Tritonlake Women's 7s Player of the Year: Lucinda Kinghan; Zurich Contribution to Irish Society Award: Eimear Considine; Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort Moment on the Year: Ireland's Triple Crown Success (accepted by Caelan Doris.)
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Tadhg Beirne and Aoife Dalton take home top honours at Rugby Players Ireland awards
Tadhg Beirne and Aoife Dalton took home the players' player of the year honours at the Rugby Players Ireland awards at the Aviva Stadium tonight.
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Tadhg Beirne and Aoife Dalton win RPI Players' Player of the Year awards
Tadhg Beirne and Aoife Dalton have been recognised by their peers by winning the respective Players' Players of the Year awards. The prestigious awards were announced at the Rugby Players Ireland (RPI) ceremony at the Aviva Stadium. Munster captain Beirne edged the claims of provincial teammate Tom Farrell, as well as Leinster duo Jamison Gibson-Park and Caelan Doris. Kildare native Beirne missed the awards ceremony as he is with Munster in South Africa preparing for a URC quarter-final before embarking on the Lions tour in Australia. He said: 'I'm honoured to be named. It comes as quite a surprise given that Caelan, Tom and Jamison have all had brilliant seasons.' Beirne added that being chosen by his fellow professionals 'makes this award even more meaningful and I really appreciate their support and acknowledgment'. READ MORE Dalton has had an impressive campaign in the Ireland midfield when she proved herself to be teak tough in defence and clever going forward. Though just 22, she is already established as a key figure ahead of the Rugby World Cup in England later this year. She said: 'It's a very exciting time to be involved with this group of players. To be recognised by them at such a crucial time for this team is hard to put into words. 'When I first came into camp, I could sense that something was beginning to build and I think we have started to see the fruits of that over recent months, both collectively and individually.' Eimear Considine was presented with the Zurich Contribution to Irish Society Award. Having made a try-scoring return to international action following two ACL injuries and the birth of her son Caolán, Considine announced her retirement during the season. She was selected for the award in acknowledgment of both her sporting legacy and long-standing contribution to mental wellbeing discourse in Ireland. Dan Sheehan, who made a remarkable impact on his return from an ACL injury, picked up the Men's Try of the Year for his effort against England in the Six Nations, while Anna McGann was acknowledged for her try against Italy. [ Munster will need to dip into their reserves of emotional energy in Durban Opens in new window ] [ Why James Lowe is determined for Cian Healy and Ross Byrne to leave Leinster with a medal this season Opens in new window ] Having been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup later this year, Erin King was a popular winner of the Energia Women's XVs Young Player of the Year. It follows her world Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year award last November. Leinster and Ireland outhalf Sam Prendergast won the men's equivalent, which is named after the late Ulster player Nevin Spence. Connacht captain Cian Prendergast, a previous winner, was on hand to present the award to his younger brother. Dylan O'Grady was named as the TritonLake Men's Sevens Players' Player of the Year. Lucinda Kinghan was the recipient of the women's version of the award following a fine season. Ireland's Triple Crown success was named as the Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort Moment of the Year.
RTÉ News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Tadhg Beirne: 'We know we've got to do it the hard way'
As Munster's players lingered on the sidelines of Virgin Media Park after Friday's 30-21 win against Benetton, to a man they looked a couple of stone lighter. They'll be relieved to see their season last for at least one more game, and excited by the prospect of maybe even extending the campaign further than that. Given how the season was looking a few weeks ago, play-off rugby was the charry on top of Champions Cup qualification, rather than the other way around. For the team, it would have been a heavy burden to become the first Munster side in three decades of the competition to miss out on Champions Cup rugby and the team were well aware of that. "It was mentioned. A couple of weeks ago it was mentioned and then it became a reality over the last two weeks," captain Tadhg Beirne said of the pressure to secure their place at the top table of European competition next season. "Particularly in this club we proudly say we love Europe and we love being in Europe and it's a bit about Munster's identity being in Europe so not to get there that would have been really difficult." At half time at Musgrave Park on Friday night, the sense of unease was palpable. Trailing 14-10 to Benetton, results elsewhere meant that only a win would be enough to get them into the top half of the table, and for the second week in a row they found some extra gears in the third quarter, seeing out the win without any major drama. "We stuck in it. We knew how important today was not just for the league, but for Europe, for the leaving players and I think we'll look at the second-half performance, not the first half, in being proud of what we achieved today. "You know it's going to be a bit of a boxing match. The lead switched over and back, but it's just important to stay in the fight and keep at it and trust in the process. "It's two big weeks in a row for us on the back of three poor weeks. We needed a little bit of confidence. They say winning is a habit and I think on the back of two wins it will give us a good boost into these last, hopefully, three games. But we know we've got to do it the hard way." It would be an understatement to suggest this would be doing it "the hard way". Munster will take on the Sharks in Durban on Saturday 31 May in the quarter-final, and would likely be in Pretoria the following week for a semi-final with the Bulls. If they can scale those two mountains, a final against Leinster would be the likely prize. As unlikely as their 2023 triumph was on the road in Glasgow, Dublin and Cape Town, this would be a level above. "We all know how hard that can be [in South Africa], but this group has gone over there before and won so we'll quietly back ourselves and we'll get our work done behind the scenes. "We know the quality that is there. We've done it before and we've confidence in ourselves to do it again. "I suppose that was in the back of everyone's heads that if we didn't qualify we didn't get Europe. But we're here now and we know we've qualified for Europe so we're chasing a trophy now and no matter how difficult it is we'll give it one hundred per cent and make sure we give it a proper crack," Beirne added. Interim head coach Ian Costello (below) had a consistent message, although his relief at securing their place in the play-offs was clear when he was asked about his preferred quarter-final opponent late on Friday night. "Don't misquote me on this, I don't care [who we play]. We needed to be in there," he said. "You've got mental and physical energy, but I think the one that takes the biggest toll is the emotional energy when you have to go to the well. "It's easier to go to the well when you've got depth in your squad, and there's really genuine competition in places, and training is competitive. So we'll take a couple of days to decompress, probably reset, and then all the focus, which is nice, 10 to 12 days to look forward to a quarter-final, whereas we've been rolling week on week for the last while." And the Munster coach is hoping that the high-pressure nature of their last two wins against Benetton and Ulster can give them a head-start on preparing for knockout rugby. "There's some milestones there that we can go back to. We've played two weeks of knockout rugby now. We go into the third week, we'd love if it was five weeks, but that's what the last two weeks have felt like. We lose one and we're out. "So hopefully that sets us up. It's always going to be very, very difficult to go to South Africa, but we've done that before as well. We've drawn on that belief and we draw on a lot of things over the last couple of weeks as well."
