Irish Sport News, January 19, 1998

Examiner Irish Sport

Irish must win and end 10 years of miserable results

by Charlie Mulqueen
NO MATTER how much I might like to do so, I just can't jump on the bandwagon that suggests Ireland will beat Scotland at Lansdowne Road this afternoon.
I search for any good reasons why we should end ten long years of miserable results against the Scots and come up with very few indeed.
One such may be that Scotland are just as bad as Ireland, both having lost to Italy in their most recent outings. Also, that their backroom team is even more at odds, even than their Irish counterparts.
And thirdly, because the match is at Lansdowne Road – home ground advantage will swing the issue towards the men in green.
A little too simplistic for my liking.
How an Irish side with as pathetic a record as the current combination could be fancied to beat anybody stretches reality to breaking point.
There it is, populated by a host of players on the receiving end of massive hidings, week in, week out, in the English Leagues.
London Irish, who perennially prop up Division One across channel, supply one third of the Irish team this afternoon.
Bristol, who just about manage to stay a short head ahead of the exiles from season to season, provide another two.
Half the Irish team hardly know what it is to win a match these days.
In stark contrast are Shannon, who have dominated the All-Ireland League for close on four years.
They haven't a single representative – nor are they the only home-based club with a grievance where team selection is concerned.
And when I look at this afternoon's teams on paper, my feeling of apprehension grows ever deeper.
At first glance, it doesn't appear too bad up front but with a loose head prop, Reggie Corrigan, of totally unproven quality, a second-row, Malcolm O'Kelly, and an openside flanker, Kieron Dawson, in very much the same mould, I'm not so sure.
However, it's when the respective back divisions are lined up one against the other that a feeling of greater uncertainty closes in.
We should be ok at full-back, on the wings and at scrum-half. But that leaves the three midfield positions and it's here you feel the Scots will have the decisive edge.
Ireland field David Humphreys and Mark McCall of London Irish and Kevin Maggs of Bristol.
I won't belabour the point but we all know too well the defensive records of their respective clubs over the past couple of years.
And in what we used to call the last line of defence is Conor O'Shea, also of London Irish, another only too well accustomed to seeing opponents fly past on their way to his goal line.
What can that do for their confidence? What does it do to inspire a feeling of well being in Irish supporters?
Precious little. Then you take a good look at what the Irish squad are up against.
First and foremost, the Scot's four inside backs are all currently in great form playing for clubs on the crest of a wave, scrum-half Gary Armstrong and centre Alan Tait for table toppers Newcastle Falcons, out-half Craig Chalmers for leading domestic side Melrose, and Gregor Townsend, the other centre, for Northampton, comfortably ensconced in the top-half of the English League.
Nor do you see Craig Joiner and Kenny Logan on the wings and Rowan Sheppard at full-back conceding too much to Denis Hickie, Richard Wallace and Conor O'Shea.
If my scene set is accurate, it means Ireland will struggle to cope with the Scottish backs.
It is incumbent, then, not alone that we should subdue the Scottish forwards, but beat them by a distance, thus ensuring that the Irish backs are plied with quality possession and their opponents firmly pushed on to the backfoot.
Are the Irish forwards good enough to do that? High-class individuals, notably Keith Wood, Paul Wallace, Eric Miller, to name three Lions, are there. Inspirational and all as he can be, Wood struggles to finish every international he contests; Miller's recent form has been pretty poor and only Wallace isn't showing hangover effects of South Africa.
Nor would I let myself be deceived by reports of dissent in the Scottish camp after the resignation, almost certainly enforced, of coach Richie Dixon, last week.
Into the breach have stepped none other than Jim Telfer and Ian McGeechan, the duo who masterminded the Lions triumph of last summer.
Those with any knowledge of the Scottish game will accept all too well that when Telfer and McGeechan call the shots, their players respond positively and without hesitation.
The Scots won't lack for motivation. Presumably the same can be said for the Irish.
But it's a message our players have failed to get across all that clearly over the past year or so.
It's time they delivered to the Irish rugby public, to demonstrate that they really, really care.
They need telling time and again just what it means to wear the green jersey.
They insist the professional era and playing in England hasn't changed anything.
Let them prove so with their actions, not their words, this afternoon.

Kingston gives Ireland the edge for noisy Lansdowne showdown

by Barry Coughlan
WHILE cardboard megaphones will be used in a bid to set a world noise record at Lansdowne Road today, Ireland's rugby internationals will be desperate to snap a more conventional record — defeating Scotland for the first time in a decade.
Guinness, the drinks sponsor of the Irish team, are urging fans to create the "Loudest Road in the World" by distributing vehicles of noise to 15,000 people with the aim of securing a place in The Guinness Book of Records.
There was a time when Ireland could compete with the best and beat the likes of Scotland on a regular basis.
Sadly, the last victory was way back in 1988 and, if records are made to be broken, Scottish A team manager Doug Morgan doesn't believe it will be today.
"We have our own share of problems in Scotland and have taken a big hiding from South Africa and lost to Italy.
"Still, I am confident that the senior team will register a win at Lansdowne Road. These days, Ireland don't seem to be able to cope with our style of play.
"Sure, we've had a shake-up in our management structure in the last week but coaches don't come much better than Jim Telfer and Ian McGeechan. They'll know what has to be done and they will pass that on to the team."
It is interesting to note that minutes before Irish coach Brian Ashton warned of the danger from the Scottish midfield duo of Gregor Townsend and Alan Tait, Morgan hinted at the same as being a possible key to the outcome.
While Ashton is hopeful that the Irish pack will dominate today, Morgan disagrees: "I think the two packs will be evenly matched. Doddie Weir won't yield much in line outs and so it really depends who gets the most throw-ins.
"I don't really think our scrum will be dominated, although I would have the greatest respect for the Irish front row.
"Despite the presence of Eric Miller, I honestly believe we will match them in the back row. Rob Wainwright will have a major point to prove now that he has been relieved of the captaincy and I expect him to respond.
"I believe our back division is a more dangerous combination and, certainly, I feel we will have the edge in midfield."
Ashton wouldn't disagree with the possibility of Tait and Townsend creating major problems. Earlier this week he remarked: "we'll have to tackle in that area. We didn't do it last year."
But tackling and creativity are two different things entirely. Mark McCall had a superb defensive game against New Zealand but we must still remember the eventual outcome.
Maggs is an outside centre who has never settled properly into the position.
Former Irish captain Terry Kingston concurs with the view that the Scottish backline pose a major threat.
"Their backs are all quality players. I would be particularly worried about the damage Gregor Townsend is capable of doing and Gary Armstrong is still a player of high quality.
But, at that, Kingston breaks ranks with the others and is convinced that the pack can carry Ireland to victory.
"The return of David Corkery could be crucial. We needed a big hitter like him for some time. He won't worry about where he puts his body just so long as he gets in the tackles. He will introduce something different to this pack, which was, at any rate, already a pretty formidable unit."
Kingston believes that, despite the presence of Weir, Ireland will dominate out of touch and that their scrum is strong enough to withstand even the fiercest pressure.
Which is not to say that he was putting Ireland forward as favourites. "I don't think they could possibly be seen as such but, it should be remembered, Scotland haven't exactly set the world on fire either these last few months.
"Ireland will be highly motivated and there is nothing more special than a Five Nations game at Lansdowne Road. I honestly think they will win."
He will be there to roar them on to that elusive victory and he won't even need a megaphone!

Title goes to Ballyvourney

Coláiste Ghobnatain 2-9
Coáiste Chairbre 1-3
by Brendan Larkin
THE magnificent scoring ability of Donncha O´ Croinín was the main difference between these teams in this exciting Cork county vocational schools senior football championship final played at Macroom, yesterday.
Operating at corner forward and later on the mark, the Ballyvourney youngster tormented the Dunmanway defence every time he gained possession, and finished the game with the impressive tally of 2-5 of his side's total.
Playing with the aid of the gale-force wind and rain in the opening half, the winners laid siege to their opponents' goal from the throw-in.
Superbly drilled by their coach, former Kerry senior captain and trainer Micky O'Sullivan, the winners threatened to ride roughshod over their opponents playing superb controlled football.
O´ Croinín had the first of his two goals in the 10th minute when he finished off a great move and only the brilliance of the Dunmanway goalkeeper Sean Farr prevented his side falling further behind as the rampant Ballyvourney lads applied constant pressure.
Two splendid long range points by their midfielder Colmán O´ Tuama had Ballyvourney 1-8 to nil in front after 25 minutes, but the remaining minutes to half-time belonged to the Dunmanway lads.
After David Mawe, easily their best forward, opened his side's account, David O'Brien should have goaled a minute later when he beat the Ballyvourney 'keeper to the ball only to see his effort clip the crossbar. That score left Colaiste Ghobnatáin 1-8 to 0-2 in front at the break.
Dunmanway were thrown a lifeline when Brian McCarthy fisted home a goal in the 42nd minute, but they failed to build on it, mainly due to the excellence of the Ballyvourney defence where Cathal O´ Loinsigh at full back was a tower of strength.
Scorers - Ballyvourney: D. O´ Croinín 2-5; C. O´ Tuama 0-2; N. O´ Laoire, D. O´ Suilleabháin 0-1 each.
Dunmanway: B. McCarthy 1-0; D. Mawe, D. O'Brien, J. B. Collins 0-1 each.
BALLYVOURNEY: D. MacCarthaigh; D. O´ h-Iarlaithe, C. O´ Loinsigh, C. O´ Laoire; R. O´ h-Uidhir, C. O´ Briain, E. B. O´ Suilleabháin; C.O´ Tuama, M. O´ Cocláin; T.O´ Scannaill, D. O´ Suilleabháin, N. O´ Laoire; E. S. O'Suilleabháin, P. MacSuibhne, D.O´ Croinín.
DUNMANWAY: S. Farr; R. Forbes, P. Murphy, G. Hayes; P. Deane, B. Nyhan, D. Healy,; J. B. Collins, B. McCarthy; P. O'Sullivan, D. Curran, R. O'Sullivan; D. Mawe, D. O'Brien, M. O'Regan. Sub. S. Hayes for Curran.
Referee: N. Barrett (Carrigtwohill).

Early nap costs us dearly in the end

Ireland A 9
Scotland A 11
by Barry Coughlan
IRISH A coach Dave Haslett made sure to differentiate between disappointment and despondency after a galling defeat at rain-soaked Donnybrook last evening.
Scotland escaped with a fortuitous victory courtesy of a try from winger Shaun Longstaff within 30 seconds of the start, before Ireland had time to react.
Ultimately, it was the only try of a game dominated by Ireland, who did everything but breach the determined Scottish defence.
The Irish will look back in anger at a game they left drift away through a combination of factors.
They scorned at least four try-scoring chances, two of them in each half, and weren't done any favours by referee Nigel Williams.
The Welshman frustrated the players and the home section of the 5,000 crowd with a succession of bewildering decisions.
But, in the end, even captain Paul Burke accepted that most of the blame lay with the Irish themselves.
"When you get yourself into prime scoring positions you have to make the pressure pay.
"Sure, we didn't quite know what to make of the referee, and he did seem to allow Scotland a lot of latitude with the offside laws but, really, we had our chances and we didn't take them."
It took Ireland considerable time to recover from the shock of that early try, but as the game progressed they took a tight grip of proceedings.
The second half, particularly, was one-way traffic. Burke dictated the pattern of the game with some marvellous line and goal-kicking and good distribution.
Sadly, the conditions were not in favour of a team desperately trying to manufacture good backline moves in the face of a solid, if often offside, Scottish backline.
And the pitch was most certainly not geared to players moving off one foot to the other. A prime example came in the 51st minute when Darragh O'Mahony cut through a gap and tried to turn inside to go over for a try near the posts. He slipped and the chance went begging.
But if Ireland had to satisfy themselves with three penalty goals from Burke against that try from Longstaff and two penalties from Duncan Hodge, they, and some players in particular, will take heart from this display.
Coach Haslett singled out Burke for particular praise and the watching Brian Ashton can only have been impressed. O'Mahony and Kevin Nowlan showed nice touches and up front there were some top-class performances.
Michael Galwey was always in the thick of the action — dominant out of touch and always involved in the loose.
Justin Fitzpatrick was also a key figure as Ireland drove relentlessly forward in the second period. He had great support from the back row trio of David Erskine, Dylan O'Grady and Alan Quinlan, whose foot injury did nothing to stem his enthusiasm.
Scotland's first victory of the weekend was even greeted in muted fashion by coach Doug Morgan.
"We defended well but we were very lucky to escape from this one. It was like breaking out of jail."
Those words of consolation were scant given the sombre mood in a very quiet Irish dressing room afterwards.
IRELAND: K. Nowlan (St. Mary's College), J. Cunningham (Ballymena), K. Keane (Garryowen), M. Lynch (Young Munster), D. O'Mahony (Moseley), P. Burke (Bristol) captain; S. Bell (Dungannon), J. Fitzpatrick (London Irish), A. Clarke (Northampton), G. Walsh (Garryowen), M. Galwey (Shannon), B. Cusack (Bath), A. Quinlan (Shannon), D. Erskine (Sale), D. O'Grady (Sale). Subs. D. Wallace (Garryowen) for Quinlan, G. Longwell (Ballymena) for Cusack (both 76).
SCOTLAND: H. Gilmour (Heriot's), S. Longstaff (Dundee High School FP), G. Shiel (Melrose), J. McLaren (Stirling County), J. Kerr (Watsonians), D. Hodge (Watsonians), B. Redpath (Melrose), P. Wright (West of Scotland), K. McKenzie (Stirling County), W. Anderson (Kirkcaldy), S. Murray (Bedford), A. Lucking (Currie), E. Peters (Bath), S. Reid (Boroughmuir) captain; B. Poutney (Northampton). Subs. S. Brotherstone (Melrose) for McKenzie, G. McIlwham (Glasgow Hawks) for Anderson (both 73).
Referee: N. Williams (Wales).

Belvedere ladies are hoping to go one better

by Tim O'Brien
BELVEDERE ladies will be hoping to do better than the club's menfolk, losers in an agonising Irish Senior Hockey Cup tie at the hands of Harlequins last weekend, when they entertain Waterford in the opening round of the Munster Cup today.
The match will mark their first competitive appearance at the newly opened Ballincollig Community School complex and it would rank as a surprise if they were to fail to a Waterford side that has not fared at all well in the MSL. Waterford have deserved a better reward for their league efforts, however, and a recent draw with Catholic Institute suggests that Belvedere may not have it all their way.
The Belvedere panel is as follows: K Roche, M Collins, G Hassett, M Attridge, A O'Reilly, P Burke, V Fenton, A Murray (captain), A Carey, A O'Leary, B Hayes, E Gleeson, A O'Reilly. Coach I Graham, manager M Attridge.
This is a free weekend for most teams in the AIB Bank sponsored Munster Senior League — the exception being Harlequins seconds who are doubly engaged: away to Lansdowne today and a home tie at Farmer's Cross follows on Sunday against Catholic Institute.
There was generous praise for the UCC ladies from Old Alexandra coach David Judge following the students narrow defeat by the Dublin team in last Saturday's Sharwoods Irish Senior Cup semi-final.
Old Alex won with a splendid 12th minute Trish Conway lobbed shot from a short corner and they were probably relieved to hear the final whistle as UCC, applying all the pressure at this stage, came so close to scoring on three occasions in the last ten minutes.
Commented Coach Judge, a former international star, "UCC are a great hockey side and use the ball well and we were lucky to get a win." Judge also revealed that they had studied a video of the UCC defensive strategy for short corners and worked on the lob shot during the previous week.
UCC coach Alan Dobson was, naturally, disappointed with the result. "I felt we were very unlucky not to get at least a draw. Jennifer King had a great game in goal for Old Alex and she made at least four top-class saves."
Fiona Connery, the UCC captain, felt the Old Alexandra goal came against the run of play. "We lost our way after the score but in the second half I thought we played really well and did our utmost to break down their defence."
After their great run, UCC are left to concentrate on the AIB Bank sponsored Munster Senior League and Cup. They are without a match this weekend and will have a few double engagements in the coming weeks to clear the backlog.
Church of Ireland have already made a successful start to the Munster Cup competition following a 4-0 triumph over Harlequins seconds last Sunday. It was their second game in 24 hours as they had also put three in the Bandon net in a league encounter.

Munster squad for Junior inter-provincial tournament in Kilkenny on February 21/22. Vanessa Sargent, Barbara Casey, Wendy Keenan (all Ashton), Mary Rose Roche (Cobh), Cliona O'Guerin (Harlequins), Rosita Wolfe (Old Alexandra), Deirdre Cronin(Pembroke Wanderers), Cliona Twomey (UCC), Niamh Spratt, Sally Ann McAuliffe, Ann Murphy, Theresa O'Keeffe, Eveanne O'Reilly, Sue Brady, Sonya Dwyer, Keely Cantrell (all University of Limerick). Coach Rhoda Howe, assistant Catherine Scriven, manager Carmel Peare.

Bouquets to Gillian Harte and all involved in the Munster Senior Schools Cup final day at Garryduff. The game, won in fine fashion by Mount Mercy College, was a tremendous advertisement for the sport and much credit is due to Sacred Heart Convent, Clonakilty, who acquitted themselves so well in their very first appearance in a Senior decider.

Midleton open Cup defence against Kinsale

THE top prize in Munster Junior Rugby begins this weekend with ten of the21 first round ties to be decided in the Carling Munster Junior Cup.
Holders Midleton begin their defence of the trophy, with a home tie against Kinsale. The sides have met twice in the O'Neill Cup final in the last two seasons, but the Second Division side acquitted themselves well on both occasions. It is highly unlikely Kinsale will end Midleton's ambitions of retaining the trophy.
The top match of the day, should be the all First Division clash of Youghal and Bandon at Frogmore. Both sides retained their Division One status on points difference and need a good run in the Cup to make up for a disappointing season. Bandon have already recorded a 20-17 away win over their opponents in the League, but if the home side can keep going for the full eighty minutes, then should advance to the next round and a probable meeting with Midleton.
The other big game is Dolphin versus Castleisland at Musgrave Park. Dolphin have been going through a lean period recently with two heavy defeats in the Munster Seconds League, while Castleisland have been having a great run since December, losing only once a to Kilfeacle in the quarter finals of the Challenge Cup. If the visitors can maintain this form, then should cause a surprise and advance.
Another shock on the cards could be at Ennis, where the home side take on Old Crescent. The Limerick side have been struggling all season and Ennis, still in the hunt for promotion could end the visitors cup ambitions.
Making their debut in the competition are Crosshaven. They have already won promotion from Division Three in their first season playing Junior rugby. They travel to Clonmel, a side struggling at the foot of Division Two. However the home side seem to be back to winning ways in recent weeks and their experience might just be the difference. Kilfeacle disappointed after last weeks exit from the Challenge Cup, will not relish their trip to Nenagh. The First Division side are noted cup battlers and should advance, especially as they will not want to lose to a Second Division side, two weeks in a row.
There are two games where Senior club sides travel to Junior One clubs. Clonakilty will play hosts to Waterpark and if the home side can reproduce last week's performance against Thomond, then they should get through comfortably.
Highfield go to Rathcooney to take on Old Christians and should be favourites to advance. The home side are still seeking their first win of the season. They will look back on their Challenge Cup performance for inspiration, when Thomond defeated them with a score in the final minute.
Douglas hope to return to winning ways against Mallow, after last week's Challenge Cup defeat. Relegated Kanturk take on Carrick-on-Suir. Kanturk produced their best performance last week, before going down to Crosshaven 13-10 and a repeat of that form may see them cause an upset.
Abbeyfeale travel to Kilrush in Division Two of Carling Munster Junior League, with the points vital to both sides. A defeat for Kilrush will put them deeper into relegation. A vital game in the Carling Munster Seconds League is the meeting of Shannon and Young Munster at Coonagh with both sides trying to book their place in the semi-final.

Changes galore in Cork side

by Brendan Larkin
THE Cork senior hurling team to play Wexford in the final round of the Waterford Crystal South East league at Pairc Uí Rinn tomorrow shows wholesale changes from the side that failed to Waterford.
Many of the changes are enforced as the Imokilly players will be away on holiday for winning the county championship last year. But clearly the selectors are unhappy with the displays of a number of players who find themselves on the subs bench.
Selector Tom Cashman said that he and his colleagues were using the competition to experiment and give fringe players a chance to sample senior hurling. Ger Cunningham returns to goal and will be fronted by John Browne as the selectors try to find a replacement for John O'Driscoll who appears to have fallen out of favour.
There is a complete new half-backline of Derek Barrett, Brian Corcoran and Sean O´g O´ hAilpín. Pat Ryan will partner Mick Daly at midfield while only Fergal McCormack and Alan Browne remain in the same positions.
Into the side comes Timmy McCarthy, at wing forward, Micky O'Connell, who scored three points when introduced against Waterford, starts while Seanie McGrath and Joe Deane complete the full forward line with Alan Browne.
Wins for Cork and Waterford, who play Kilkenny at Walsh Park tomorrow, would see both teams meet in the final proper.

CORK: G. Cunningham (St. Finbarrs); F. Ryan (Blackrock), J. Browne (do.), D. Murphy (Ballincollig); D. Barrett (Cobh), B. Corcoran (Erins Own), S. O´g O´ hAilpín (Na Piarsaigh); P. Ryan (Sarsfields), M. Daly (Cobh); T. McCarthy (Castlelyons), F. McCormack (Mallow), M. O'Connell (Midleton); S. McGrath (Glen Rovers), A. Browne (Blackrock), J. Deane (Killeagh). Subs. P. Mulcahy (Newtown), C. McCarthy (Sarsfields), A. Cummins (Blackrock), B. Egan (Delanys), K. Murray (Cloughduv), A. Walsh (Kildorrery).

Castlehaven face tough mission

by Michael Ellard
SINCE their spectacular rise to the top of Cork football, Castlehaven, have excitingly scaled many sporting peaks.
But even for a club so renowned for its mighty heart and indomitable spirit, the AIB All-Ireland club championship has, thus far, proven to be a most intimidating obstacle for Castlehaven to surmount – an Everest out of reach.
Baltinglass in 1990 and Kilmacud Crokes five years later proved the stumbling blocks as far as Castlehaven's All-Ireland dream was concerned.
Those two semi-final defeats stymied Castlehaven's progression to the land of ultimate glory.
Tomorrow at Ruislip, in the suburbs of London, a third National campaign for the one title that has eluded them so agonisingly up to now begins for Castlehaven with a quarter-final game against current British champions, Tír Chonaill Gaels.
In the not too distant past, victory in a match between home-grown sides and British-based clubs, though played on English soil, was a mere formality for the visitors primarily because of the big gap in standards that existed between the natives and the exiles at the time.
However, with the advent of a much more organised structure on the other side of the Irish Sea in recent years that David and Goliath scenario has changed, as last season's All-Ireland finalists Knockmore of Mayo will readily testify to.
Installed as raging hot favourites to clinch a place in the penultimate stage of the competition, Knockmore were decidedly lucky to come away from Ruislip 12-months ago with a two points victory over Tír Chonaill Gaels, The 'Haven's opponents tomorrow.
Gone are the days of the overweight players who turned up for gaelic football matches on the commons of London, Warwickshire and Birmingham in unedifying spectacles.
In place is a much more professional attitude as reflected by Tír Chonaill's two recent trips to the North of Ireland to play last year's All-Ireland champions, Crossmaglen and the University of Ulster, Jordanstown in preparation for tomorrow's clash with Castlehaven.
Trips like these cost money but Tír Chonaill Gaels will not count the cost if they succeed in opening up new horizons for themselves by defeating Castlehaven, club champions of Munster.
Castlehaven, according to coach Christy Collins, are expecting a tough encounter but he said yesterday, "I feel we are going well enough at the moment to get over this hurdle."
Since beating Fethard in the Munster final prior to Christmas, 'The Haven have had three challenge games against UCC, the Cork Under-21 squad and the Garda Training College, Templemore.
Team coach Collins said: "These were all very useful workouts and we have also trained pretty well.
''Yes, I am satisfied, that we are in good shape going into tomorrow's game. We are not overconfident by any manner of means but I do feel that we should be good enough to come out of this quarter-final with a win."
Castlehaven put the disappointment of losing the county final after a replay with Beara behind them to win their third Munster title in impressive style.
They were particularly good against former All-Ireland champions Laune Rangers in the semi-final while the scintillating deeds of Larry Tompkins were a highlight of their final victory over Fethard.
In the enforced absence of inspirational skipper Niall Cahalane 'The Haven will again be looking to the mercurial Tompkins to pull another rabbit out of the hat on this occasion.
If Tompkins obliges and the rest of the Castlehaven team respond to his promptings then the Munster champions will be favoured to pick up the All-Ireland semi-final ticket on offer.
But as Tír Chonaill chairman, Eddie McGinnity said, "we have no intention of giving up this game without one heck of a fight."