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The Irish Sun
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Ireland and Lions star reveals hidden talent as he opens up about his passion and family history
IRELAND star James Ryan has revealed a hidden talent that may serve him well after his playing days come to an end. The Leinster lock was recently named in the Lions squad by Andy Farrell for this summer's tour of Australia. Advertisement 2 Ireland star James Ryan spoke about his passion before revealing his family's deep history 2 James Ryan is announced by Board Chairman Ieuan Evans during the British & Irish Lions Squad and Captain announcement for the 2025 Tour of Australia The 28-year-old Ryan revealed that he has a huge passion for Irish history, due to family links. He said: "I've always been very interested in history and politics, yeah. "Could it be a life after rugby... I highly doubt it yet - never say never - but..." Advertisement read more on rugby Ryan went on to add that five members of his family took part in nationalistic activities during Ireland's fight for independence. James Ryan's family history is deeply woven into the fabric of Ireland's revolutionary and political past, incredibly stretching far beyond the rugby pitch. His great-grandfather, Dr James Ryan, played a prominent role in Ireland's struggle last century. Ryan's family connections don't stop there. His great-grandmother, Mairin Cregan, was a writer and a committed member of Cumann na mBan, the women's auxiliary of the Irish Volunteers. Advertisement Most read in Rugby Union The broader Ryan family also included revolutionary women such as Nell Ryan, who was arrested and went on hunger strike for anti-Treaty activities. James also revealed that he was asked to do a presentation to Ireland players on the history of 'Ireland's Call'. 'That time of year again' - Peter O'Mahony's captivating garden update includes hilarious tip for parents He added: "The difference between Ireland's Call and Amhrán na bhFiann is that Ireland's Call was intended to be inclusive for the whole island. "Particularly guys from the North - they come from different backgrounds, whether that's Unionist, Nationalist, and so on... Ireland's Call is meant to represent all of them. Advertisement "So we did a little bit on that, and I think off the back of that, people probably appreciated the song a little bit more."
The 42
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The 42
'When both of our names were called out, they barged in the front door'
THERE WAS double joy in Hugo Keenan's household last Thursday week as the British & Irish Lions squad for the forthcoming Tour of Australia was revealed at The O2 Arena in London. Along with his school friend Brian Horgan, Keenan currently lives in Clonskeagh with his provincial and international teammate Ronan Kelleher. After finishing a collective training session at Leinster's nearby headquarters in UCD, the pair returned home to watch the unveiling of the Lions selection for this summer's trip to the southern hemisphere together. Due to the forwards being announced before the backs in the English capital, Kelleher — who was drafted into the Lions squad as additional cover for their Tour of South Africa four years ago — didn't have to wait as long as Keenan to learn whether he was included or not. Yet when it came to naming the backs for the journey to Australia, head coach Andy Farrell ultimately gave the 28-year-old full-back the nod for his maiden venture with the Lions. 'Myself and Ronan sat down at the couch at 2pm. We figured we would be going through it together, whether it was good or bad for one or both of us. We have been through thick and thin, so it was cool to share that moment with him. For him to get his name called out, and then me to wait a little bit longer to get mine, was really special,' Keenan remarked at a Leinster media briefing on Monday. Advertisement 'I've been living with him for two-and-a-half years, and he would be one of my best mates in here, so that was a great moment. Will Connors is my neighbour, unfortunately! You don't get any peace and quiet, but he lives next door. 'Ross Byrne, Ciaran Frawley and Max Deegan had gone over to his house to watch the announcement. When both of our names were called out, they barged in the front door. It was cool that they did that. They were sort of hiding in there, in anticipation and in hope that we'd get the nod.' While the prospect of playing Test matches in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney is exciting, Keenan could potentially find himself in familiar territory for his first game with the British & Irish Lions. Before jumping on a plane to Australia, the Lions are set to face Argentina in a warm-up game at the Aviva Stadium on 20 June. Unsurprisingly, this is a game Keenan is eager to be selected for — though it isn't something he is thinking too deeply about just yet. 'I think that's cool. There was huge excitement when that fixture got announced. That family, friends, all at home, Irish supporters, Leinster supporters, all the provinces' supporters can get to see Irish lads in action, in a Lions jersey in the capital, is brilliant. 'I don't think we're going to be looking too far ahead to that stage. I can't say I am. I've hopefully another four games to be playing in the Aviva between now and then. The excitement of that is at the front of my mind. Hopefully, there will be as big of a crowd out for those games as there is for that Lions match.' The four games in the Aviva that Keenan refers to are Leinster's final regular round United Rugby Championship fixture against Glasgow Warriors tomorrow and three possible knockout encounters in the same competition. The eastern province will need to get through quarter-final and semi-final games if they are to play a URC decider at the Lansdowne Road venue on 14 June, but Leinster's guaranteed first-place finish in the league table ensures they will remain in Dublin until the end of the 2024/25 season. Last Saturday saw them securing top spot in the URC standings courtesy of a 76-5 demolition of Zebre in the Aviva, with 13 of those who featured in the previous weekend's surprise European Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton Saints seeing action against the Italians. Keenan wasn't involved for the Zebre game and the former Ireland 7s star — who was speaking to the media in advance of the IRFU's decision to cease their Men's Sevens programme — is looking forward to making a return to competitive fare tomorrow evening. 'I didn't get the opportunity to play last week. The lads who did obviously put in a great performance. We were keen to show what we had in us,' Keenan added. 'Hopefully, I'll get the opportunity this week, along with a few other lads, to come back in and bottle up that hurt and disappointment that we have in us in the right way and channel it for that Glasgow game. 'Because the best way to get over the hurt and disappointment is to get back on the train and to get back on the pitch. Get excited about the rugby and what's to come.'
NDTV
15-05-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Virat Kohli Was Given 'Hint' About Captaincy Return, Then 'Tone Changed': Report Claims Reason Behind Retirement
Virat Kohli 's retirement from Test cricket has left Indian cricket with a vacuum that may not be filled for a long time. Already dealing with the retirements of Ravichandran Ashwin and Rohit Sharma, Indian Test cricket lost the services of another veteran when Kohli, through an Instagram post on May 12, announced that he would not longer be continuing in the longest format. That he was not keen on continuing in Tests was a buzz that was already quite loud in the days leading up to the announcement. But when it happened, most were taken aback as reports suggested that the BCCI and several other big names had tried to convince Kohli to continue playing with India's Tour of England starting in June. Now, according to report, Virat Kohli was given a hint that he may be made the Indian cricket team Test captain again during India's Tour of Australia in December-January. In the video report by Sports Today, it is said that Kohli was hinted about a return to captaincy. This happened after India lost the second Test in Adelaide under Rohit Sharma's captaincy. "At least people close to him do seem to suggest that he was given sort of a hint that he would be getting captaincy after Adelaide. But then things changed," the report said. Then India lost the series and the report mentioned that there was a 'change in tone' and the though process of the team management was that it should look at a young captain. The report mentioned that Kohli was still hopeful of getting back the captaincy and also played a Ranji Trophy match for Delhi in February, as mandated by the BCCI. But in April, Kohli was told that he was being as a player. Then the star decided to retire. In fact, former India cricketer and national selector Sarandeep Singh, who is also the coach of the Delhi team, recently made some stunning revelations. "There was no hint (of retirement). Did not even hear from anywhere. Some days ago, I was talking to him but I did not get any hint that he was thinking about this. The kind of IPL he is having, he is in incredible form," Singh said. "I asked him if will he would play County cricket before the Test matches. He said he wanted to play two India 'A' matches before the Test series (against England). It was already settled. Suddenly, we hear he will no longer play red ball cricket. There is no fitness issue. No form issue. He got one century in Australia, but he was not satisfied. During the Ranji Trophy, he was saying that he wants to score three-four centuries in England because is the most senior player in the team." With the latest report, it seems behind Kohli's retirement there might be more reasons than what meet the eyes. Listen to the latest songs, only on
RTÉ News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Caelan Doris to miss up to six months after shoulder surgery
Leinster and Ireland captain Caelan Doris is to miss up to six months of action following surgery on his shoulder. Leinster Rugby issued an injury bulletin on Monday afternoon, confirming that the Mayo man will be absent for between four and six months after last Friday's procedure. The number eight was among the favourites to captain the British and Irish Lions on their Tour of Australia but he was omitted from the squad announced by Andy Farrell last week due to the injury picked up in defeat to Northampton Saints in the Champions Cup semi-finals. In addition to the major disappointment of missing what would have been the first Lions tour of his career, Doris is now a doubt for his country's autumn internationals. Ireland, who take on Georgia and Portugal in July, face New Zealand in Chicago on 1 November before hosting Japan, Australia and South Africa in Dublin on the following three weekends. Head coach Leo Cullen had better news on James Ryan ahead of this Saturday's dead rubber fixture against Glasgow Warriors in Aviva Stadium. The second row came through last weekend's facile win over Zebre with no issues after his return from injury. James Culhane will be further assessed this week for an arm injury before a final decision will be made. There were no new updates on Jordan Larmour, Will Connors and Brian Deeny.
Irish Examiner
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Jack Conan: 'Week of mixed emotions, highs and lows, distractions, everything else'
URC: Leinster 76 Zebre Parma 5 Following a week of mixed emotions from his own perspective, Jack Conan returned to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday to play his part in Leinster's record 71-point victory over Zebre Parma in the United Rugby Championship. Their biggest winning margin in a competition that began life as the Celtic League back in 2001, this comprehensive triumph also ensured the eastern province will finish top in the URC regular season table and are also set to remain on home soil for the duration of their knockout round campaign. After a difficult couple of days dealing with the previous weekend's surprise European Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton Saints in the Aviva, Conan's mood was significantly lifted last Thursday when he was one of 12 Leinster players to be named in Andy Farrell's British & Irish Lions squad for the forthcoming Tour of Australia. 'To be honest, I don't want another week like that. Monday and Tuesday were pretty grim, a lot of soul searching and stuff. Honest conversations about how poor we were the weekend before and then we got out, ran around on Monday and tried to bring a bit of craic. A bit of energy to it,' Conan remarked after Saturday's game. 'Tuesday night we had an awards ball, so we got to send the lads off properly, everyone who is leaving. Then obviously Thursday [the Lions announcement]. So kind of a week of mixed emotions, highs and lows, distractions, everything else. 'Then you've got to prep to go again [for the Zebre game] and make sure that you're better than you were. It wouldn't have been hard to be better than we were after last weekend. A strange old week. I wouldn't fancy doing it again now.' Deputising for the injured Caelan Doris as both team captain and Leinster's starting No 8, Conan played a pivotal role during a blistering start to Saturday's action from the Blues. Courtesy of excellent build-up play by the 32-year-old – as well as from his fellow Wicklow native Josh van der Flier for the latter score – Rónan Kelleher and Luke McGrath claimed tries for the hosts inside the opening five minutes of the contest. Ryan Baird's converted score subsequently had Leinster within sight of a bonus point and this was officially secured when Jordie Barrett was released by Sam Prendergast for a clinical finish in the 26th minute. Restored to the starting line-up in the wake of his much-discussed appearance off the bench in the Northampton game, New Zealand international Barrett proceeded to double his personal tally just past the half-hour mark. James Lowe's fifth try in just four games propelled Leinster towards an unassailable 38-0 interval cushion and the gap between the teams increased when player of the match Barrett unselfishly teed up Prendergast for a seven-pointer on the resumption. In the wake of van der Flier adding his name to the scoresheet, Leinster head coach Cullen opted to introduce seven replacements at once on the stroke of 50 minutes. Ciaran Frawley was one of those to enter the fray at this juncture and after Jamie Osborne dotted down in superb fashion on the right-wing, the Skerries man capped his 100th senior appearance for the province with a 61st minute try. While Zebre eventually opened their account with a Gonzalo Garcia five-pointer 13 minutes from time, a determined Leinster had the final say with late tries from replacement James Culhane and Osborne (his second). This means that - in advance of their final regular round fixture against third-place Glasgow Warriors at the Aviva this Saturday – Leinster are now nine points clear of Vodacom Bulls in the URC standings. LEINSTER: J Osborne; J O'Brien, G Ringrose (R Henshaw 50), J Barrett, J Lowe; S Prendergast (C Frawley 50), L McGrath (J Gibson-Park 30-35 & 67); J Boyle (A Porter 50), R Kelleher (J McKee 50), T Clarkson (R Slimani 50); J McCarthy (J Ryan 50), D Mangan; R Baird, J van der Flier (J Culhane 50), J Conan. ZEBRE PARMA: J Trulla (A Fusco 54); S Gregory, F Paea, E Lucchin, S Gesi; G Montemauri (G Da Re 54), G Garcia; L Franceschetto (M Hasa 30), G Ribaldi (T Di Bartolomeo 48), J Pitinari (I Neculai 62); R Nasove (M Canali 59), L Krumov; B Stavile (F Drago 70), I Bianchi, D Ruggeri (G Ferrari 70). Referee: S Grove-White (SRU).
