Lions Vs Blues

The Lions will face the Auckland Blues on Wednesday and after the 13-7 win over the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians last Saturday. Some of the players that played in the game last week have been asked to double up with a number of players getting a place on the bench and even at this early stage after only one game a number of players will need to produce a stronger display after some poor performances last weekend.

Here’s hoping that the performance last Saturday isn’t the type of performance we will be seeing over the next 6 weeks.  At times the game plan didn’t seem to be working and the tempo with which we had been told the Lions would play was severely lacking it was only when a number of changes were made that the Lions began to come up with some exciting plays and slowly but surely began to squeeze the Babas but credit to the Barbarians they stuck to a fast paced game and they caused the Lions a number of issues in defence but thanks to strong defending the Lions survived on a number of occasions.

If you have watched rugby in New Zealand in the last few years, you will know that all the teams play a very fast game that will test all defences that come up against it. The Blues for their part just beat the Queensland Reds in Super Rugby and will relish the chance to take on the very best of British and Irish Lions who will hand out 11 debuts in the match day 23.

There will be 4 Irish Lions involved in the starting XV on Wednesday namely Jack Mc Grath , CJ Stander and the Irish centre pairing of Robbie Henshaw and Jared Payne who will get a chance to impress Warren Gatland and show what they can do , like Brian O Driscoll and Rob Henderson did in 2001 when they came from nowhere to be paired in the Test team to face Australia.

Gatland has again gone for familiar partnerships with Webb and Biggar at half back and Henshaw and Payne in the centre that familiarity can only help in the quest to beat the Blues. Tana Umaga played against the Lions in 2005 and captained the All Blacks to a 3-0 win , he is currently coaching the Blues and will want to create a piece of history by playing and coaching against the Lions.

After such an underwhelming display last Saturday the Lions will really want to get into the game early and try and set down a marker but coming back to the tempo that New Zealand teams play at it will be interesting to watch how the Lions will defend against the Blues.

The pressure is on Gatland’s men after the opening game and the time is now to set down a marker and a warning that the Lions are here to win a Test Series….

By

Cian Mc Gibney

05/06/2017

Lions Tour 2017

So the first XV of the 2017 Lions Tour has been announced and now the talking can stop and all the players can now fully focus on playing games and the end game of a Test Series vs The All Blacks. Looking closely at the selection for game 1 , he has given the first bite of the cherry to all the players that have been involved over the past few weeks.

Gatland has gone for the tried and trusted in the back row with an all Welsh back row and he has gone for a Scotland / Ireland axis at half back with Greg Laidlaw and Jonathan Sexton picked to start the opening game.  He has also gone for an all England pairing of Ben Te’o and Jonathan Joseph in the centre so you can see already that Gatland is happy to pick combinations that are familiar to each other which can only bode well for the Lions in the coming weeks.

This tour has been criticised for the amount of games the Lions will play before they face New Zealand in the opening Test . I would see it as a damned if you do and damned if you don’t scenario where no matter what the Lions did before the first Test they would be criticised. Gatland as I have shown has gone for what he knows best in particular in the back row and he will hope that familiar combinations will work throughout this campaign.

Looking to the bench , you have some real quality to come in and improve the team as the game enters the second half . Guys like Owen Farrell and Rhys Webb will be chomping at the bit to get stuck in and see how they get on.  The one thing this bench will offer is impact in open play and one feels that the Lions will need to show from Saturday that they can play a number of ways and they can’t just play one way and think that will be enough to get past all 5 Super rugby teams and the two International sides they face namely New Zealand and the Maori.

The New Zealand Barbarians have selected Bryn Gatland at 10 and he will need to be at the peak of his powers to deal with an onslaught from the Lions back row who I am sure will be hell bent on denying him time and space on the ball.

He has been selected alongside the very experienced Dwayne Sweeney who will play at number 12. An ex Irish schoolboy player will be at Tighthead for the New Zealand Babas Oliver Jager left Ireland at 17 and has been playing in New Zealand since then , he is in the Crusaders set up and will relish his battle with Joe Marler .

Looking to what is to come over the next 6 weeks , it is going to be a hell of a white knuckle ride for players , coaches , support staff , media , supporters and anybody else connected to the tour so sit back and enjoy what may come your way over the next few weeks. We can only wait and see can Gatland’s class of 2017 emulate John Dawes crew of 71 and win a Test Series in the land of the long white cloud……

By

Cian Mc Gibney

01/06/2017

Saracens have been crowned European Champions for the 2^nd season in a row after they defeated Clermont Auvergne 28-17 in the Final at Murrayfield. Saracens beat Munster 26-10 in the Semi Final in Dublin and Clermont defeated Leinster 27-22 in France.

Heading into this Final, Saracens were favourites going into to this game and if with the power of the Clermont squad Saracens always backed themselves in the tight contests and so it proved this past Saturday with Clermont facing them in their 2^nd straight Final. They were crowned Champions after dismantling Racing 92 in the Final. The squad that won that game was kept together with a key addition in the form of Schalk Burger.

All of their heavy hitters have been available for each game in this year’s campaign and they cruised through there Pool and the Quarter Final against Glasgow and although they were level at 6 all at half time in the Semi Final they still managed to find a way to grind out that result to set up the meeting with Clermont.

Mark Mc Call let Paul Gustard join the England coaching ticket alongside Neale Hatley and Steve Borthwick and moved Alex Sanderson onto the Defence coaches’ role. He also added Kevin Sorrell and Adam Powell to his staff and these men have been in and around the squad over the last few years and that made their transition to the coaching team much easier.

This Saracens side has been build up over the last 7 years where Brendan Venter started the turn around and before him current England boss Eddie Jones spent time at the helm of Saracens. This club has worked hard to put the building blocks in place to succeed and since Mark Mc Call took control the rewards have come thick and fast. They won the Premiership crown first and now they have added two European Cup’s to the trophy cabinet. The team is backboned by high quality England talent like Owen Farrell and the Vunipola brothers.

They are only the 2^nd team after Leicester Tigers in 2001 and 2002 to win back to back titles and on the evidence of the last two years there is no reason why Saracens can’t win three titles in a row or even go a step better than Toulon and Leinster and win 4 European Cups.

Mark Mc Call has done great work with this team and now has the Premiership title in his sights as he prepares his charges for the Premiership Semi Final this Saturday. Mark Mc Call in my opinion has added to his coaching repertoire and will only enhance that in the coming years if he can keep this group together and add one or two more quality players to an already well stocked squad.

For Clermont , It is yet more Final heartbreak but they can have no complainants on this occasion. They were well beaten by a far hungrier side who could have beaten them several ways had they chosen to do so. Clermont have been here before but they seemed to have learned the lesson of previous campaigns in the Semi Final win over Leinster but they again met a far superior team in terms of how to get over the winning line in a Final… Clermont have only one French Championship win in the last 17 years. They have been second best in numerous Finals at home and in Europe.

 For Clermont its back to the drawing board and for Saracens the sky is the limit……

By

Cian Mc Gibney

15/05/2017

Mom, since you passed away I have tried my best to get on with life not get held back by the fact you are not here anymore but the more I am told “It’s What Your Mam Would have Wanted “ the more  I have wanted to just have the ground swallow me up.

Even after three months of counselling there are still days and moments where all you want to do is scream and wake up from the nightmare that has been the last 8 months but you then realise that these feelings are normal and you begin to relax and see more clearly.

I am sure people are sick and tired of hearing my Mam’s name and I have done my best not to bring her name into conversations. I can actually feel myself taking on some of her traits and I am far more up front and honest with people which has been quite refreshing at times.  

Since last September I have changed as a person and I am far more in control than I ever have been which has been a huge help and I am really starting to be far more assertive with people. It still hurts me every day and people say it will get easier with time and that once the first anniversary rolls around you can move on and draw a line in the sand.  That is a load of rubbish….

 Given the relationship I had with Mam I have found it easy on certain days and then very testing on other days. I have spent days walking around like a broken man and then more days I am on top of the world but I suppose that is just way life is. Yes I realise Mam would not want me moping she would want me to go out and enjoy life.  I am for the first time in 27 years happy enough with my life. I will hopefully in time find things much easier and the impact of what happened will lessen as the years go by…

I personally have received so much help and support and I will never be able to thank people for all the kindness shown to me. I have so many people who genuinely care about me. That fact was lost on me for so many years It is only in the past few months that I have woken up to all the support and love.

 I thank each and every one from the bottom of my heart for the continued support and also a special thank you to all of those people who have let me hop in with them over the years aswell. I won’t name them because I would take up so many pages I’d be here for the night…. Thank You All

By

Cian Mc Gibney

11/05/2017

This weekend will see Saracens take on Clermont Auvergne in Murrayfield in the Champions Cup Final. Saracens are looking to win a second straight title after defeating Racing 92 in last year’s Final. They will be well set to try and defend the title they won last season after their 26-10 win over Munster in the Semi Final on April 22^nd in Dublin.

They have improved from last season and have expanded their game plan and look far more comfortable when they attack. They have a settled squad with players like Schalk Burger introduced to add an extra dimension to an already impressive squad.  

Mark Mc Call has done some terrific work with this team and although they have been caught cold a few times in the Aviva Premiership , in Europe they have gone strength to strength and will fancy denying Clermont Auvergne a first European title. Maro Itoje is one player who has grown over the past 18 months from a dominant player who captained his country at the Under 20 World Championship. He is really starting to show that he will captain his club and maybe his country very soon.

It will be a very tight final and they won’t be any quarter given and Clermont Auvergne have been to this stage in Europe a few times with no success , people feel Munster have had all the hard luck stories in the Champions/Heineken Cup but Clermont have had just as many near misses although they did manage to win a French Championship in 2010.

Since then they have added players like Remi Lamerat and Camille Lopez to the squad and these additions in particular have helped keep Clermont Auvergne in a strong position in the Top 14 and get to the Champions Cup Final , they were last here in 2013 where faced a Toulon side inspired by Jonny Wilkinson.

Looking to this weekend , players like Camille Lopez and the English pair of Nick Abendanon and David Strettle will need to be firing on all cylinders to help Clermont wrestle the Champions Cup trophy away from the men from Allianz Park.  

In Ireland earlier this year , we got to see some of the Clermont Auvergne squad up close and personal when Michael Murphy Donegal Footballer spent a week in Clermont-Ferrand getting to know the club and city  a bit better.

It was a good programme to give you an insight into how the club is run and the love the players have for the club and how they hope they can achieve big things while playing for the side.

Looking to the test they face this weekend , they have the players to beat Saracens but the one thing Saracens do have is previous experience of winning in European Finals whereas Clermont haven’t managed to get over the line but maybe just maybe this Saturday could be the day they change that fact !!

By

Cian Mc Gibney

08/05/2017

Darkness Into Light 2017

This coming Saturday will see the Darkness Into Light walk will take place at a number of locations throughout Ireland in support of Pieta House and to show those who may be struggling at this moment in time that there is support there for them if they need it.

As many of you know I suffered a huge loss last September when my Mam passed away suddenly and in those moments, you feel lost and may have nowhere to turn but thankfully a place like Pieta House is now in existence and you can go to them for support if you feel you can’t go to a close friend or family member to tell them how you are feeling.

On three different occasions in the past few years I have been very close to committing suicide over a range of issues that I have now got under control and with the help of a counsellor over the past few months I have been able to work my way through several issues. I can now say that I am in a far better place for the experience with a counsellor.

The one thing I would say to anyone who is feeling low at this point in time is do not bottle up those feelings and please do not be afraid to come forward and speak to somebody and tell them how you are feeling.

I would for many years have been the one who said “I’ll deal with this myself and It will all be alright “ but as experience has now thought me you do need to speak up from time to time and make yourself heard and don’t stop talking and asking for help until someone offers support.

As life has taught me since last September, everyone needs help now and then and it certainly isn’t a sign of weakness to ask for help.

Take it from a person who has come back from the brink three different times, Suicide isn’t the answer to what may be troubling you. I have learned that since 2014 and with the support of family and friends I have been able to see that life is worth living and what’s done is done and there is no point in going back over old ground.

The Darkness into Light walk takes place this weekend on Saturday morning at 4.15am in Listowel and in other places around Kerry and across the Country. Come out and support this worthy cause.

By

Cian Mc Gibney

04/05/2017

 

 

Referee’s Need To Be Human Too
In the last 24 hours we have seen Luke Fitzgerald come out to criticise Nigel Owens refereeing style and he has questioned the way Owens deals with certain match situations. He cited a situation in a game last October where Owens made a comment toward Cian Healy where he said to him “That rule changed three years ago “

Referees are entitled to do what they see fit during a game as long as it is within the laws and spirit of sport. Nigel Owens has made a good career out of refereeing and he has been in charge of multiple major Finals including Heineken Cup/ Champions Cup Finals alongside the 2015 World Cup Final between New Zealand and Australia.

Fitzgerald ‘s main point is he feels that Owens is going into dangerous territory with some of his remarks over the last few months. Most players seem to enjoy his on-field commentary and also he is extremely clear in his messages to all the players on the pitch.

Rugby may be a professional business since 1995 but it has not lost some of the old amateur ethos and that includes the respect in which a referee is held although that has come under some scrutiny over the last season or so since the Television Match Official or TMO to you and me has been given more powers.
Nearly every decision close to the try line is now up for debate.

I still feel that the referee should take more responsibility for some of the on-field calls and also the assistant referees need to be clearer and more direct in helping the referee to make some of the tight calls.

Nigel Owens has done a terrific job since his first international appointment in Osaka Japan , where Ireland took on Japan in 2005. What he has done is mix his personality with his professional job and this mix is still a great fit and he is still by far the best referee in both the North and South of the equator. Angus Gardener of Australia is really starting to rise up the ranks.

For me , Nigel Owens can continue to make remarks pertaining to each game as along as it doesn’t come in the way of his job as a referee. He has done a great job and long may that continue into the future….
By
Cian Mc Gibney
11/04/2017

Lions Squad 2017

Props : Jack Mc Grath , Mako Vunipola , Tadgh Furlong , Dan Cole

Hooker : Rory Best , Ross Ford , Ken Owens

Second Row :  Jonny Gray , Joe Launchbury , Devin Toner , Alun Wyn Jones

Back Row : CJ Stander , Sean O Brien , Justin Tipuric , Maro Itoje , Billy Vunipola , Sam Warbuton , Toby Faletau – 18 Forwards

Scrum Half : Conor Murray , Rhys Webb , Ben Youngs

Out Half : Jonathan Sexton , Dan Biggar

Centre : Robbie Henshaw , Jonathan Davies , Owen Farrell , Jonathan Joseph

Wingers : Keith Earls , Jack Nowell , Anthony Watson , George North

Full Back : Stuart Hogg , Leigh Halfpenny , Simon Zebo – 16 Backs

34 Player Lions Squad….

Here is my attempt at trying to select a Lions squad to face New Zealand in June. I know I have left a few players out but I think I have struck a good balance so I’d be interested to hear from people about the squad make up.

By

Cian Mc Gibney

04/04/2017

2016 – The Year of Change

So as 2016 draws to a close, it is that time of year again where people examine their lives as the New Year approaches. Of course I’ll be doing something similar tomorrow evening and at midnight I’ll be officially able to say goodbye to a year that has seen my life change forever.

Over the last 10 days I have to say I have been humbled again by the number of people who have taken time out to ask how things are and that has shown me again what community spirit is all about. I have had plenty of time to think and try and work out what might be next for me.

 I have one or two irons in the fire that I will be following up in the coming weeks. My domestic skills are coming along ok, plenty of work done but plenty still to do. To anyone who has struggled with a loss or in life in general , tomorrow evening could be the chance to put to bed all of the pain that you may have suffered in 2016 and let’s face it there has been plenty to make you wonder what kind of world are we living in.  Use tomorrow as the chance to wipe the slate clean and start a fresh because I certainly will be doing that…

2016 has been a year of refection as well as Ireland marked 100 years since the 1916 Rising. The one thing that all the leaders of the 1916 Rising would be proud of is that the sense of community is alive and kicking within every person and it is only in a time of crisis that you see people stand up and be counted and that particular quality has been seen at the door of Mc Gibney’s on countless occasions since September 7^th.

As I have already mentioned I won’t be sorry to see the back of 2016 and the dawn of a new year will give everyone the chance to turn over a new leaf and make changes to make life better in 2017. I have mentioned it a couple times in recent pieces I have written but life is short so please go out and grasp ever opportunity that presents itself in 2017 and beyond. Take it from someone who has done plenty of soul searching in the last three months, all issues can be resolved no matter how big or small!!

From this author, I’d like to again take this chance to thank each and every person for the love and support shown to the three of us in our time of need….. From myself I’d like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and All the very best in 2017 no matter what challenges it may throw your way…

By

Cian Mc Gibney

30/12/2016

Lydia Des Dolles

Hi Lydia,

How have things being going for you with MMA Connect TV since we last spoke ?

Hi Cian, yeah really good thanks it’s been super busy, filming every weekend so it’s hectic at the minute but we’re having a lot of fun covering all these events.

 

Have you got any plans to expand MMA Connect TV in 2017 ?

Yeah of course, y’know I said MMACTV as a little bit of fun – there was a huge gap in the MMA market for what we do, I really just curate the show for what I would want as a punter. That’s why social media is social important to what I do. Snapchat, Facebook Live, Twitter. I cover everything, backstage, post-fight interviews, a 360 view of the event with my Vlog, I want the viewer to feel like they are at the show, I know what it’s like when you can’t get to an event and your scrolling through social media trying to get any information on results or videos of knockouts.

 

How did your appearance at Tallaght Talks go ? Tell me a small bit about the event itself ?

It was an absolute honour to be asked by Senator Lynn Ruane & Darren Dillon from Kickstart Fitness to attend never mind speak on the panel alongside Paddy Holohan, Richie Sadlier, & Al Porter. Martial Arts changed my life & I don’t think I would be sat here today if it wasn’t for Jiu Jitsu so if my contribution made one person think about starting to train it was worth it, but hopefully more of these events will happen in the future & it will open up the conversation of mental health in Ireland. It’s something that needs to be put to the forefront of people’s minds. Hearing some of the stories from families who have lost loved ones to suicide was heartbreaking, you feel so helpless.

The Irish MMA scene is going from strength to strength since we last chatted, can you give me an update on what’s been going on ?

The rapid increase of the sport has been fantastic, we’re seeing a lot more local shows, with a lot of new faces stepping into the cage for the first time which is brilliant. Our Team Ireland Amateurs are just home competing at the IMMAF European Championships in Prague, massive congratulations to Lee Hammond, Dave fogarty & Alex O Sullivan who all represented our country and brought home medals. But y’know we also have a huge influx of people joining Martial Arts Academies for fitness, which is great to see, there’s a reason why Combat Sports athletes are constantly in good shape [Laughs] & of course we’re seeing a lot more women getting involved with Jiu Jitsu for fitness & more importantly self defence.

You recently began working for IMMAA, the Irish MMA Association, can you tell us about your role?

Sure, I’m the social media & publicity manager for IMMAA, alongside Fergus Ryan our Public Relations Officer, so between us we look after the Communications Team for IMMAA. It’s been great so far, and the public response has been received really well. My aim for getting involved was to promote Team Ireland & our amateur competitors throughout the country. There is so much happening in the sport on amateur level that people don’t know about, and there is a lot of people, especially those on the committee that are trying to grow the sport & get it the recognition it deserves. Im extremely grateful to get the opportunity to work alongside John Kavanagh, Andy Ryan and all the guys that make up IMMAA, they’ve been involved in this sport since Day 1.

How big of an impact has John Kavanagh had on Irish sport ?

[Laughs] I don’t know how much hes influenced Irish Sport but Irish MMA, yes hugely, outside of Conor he’s probably had the biggest impact. John represents everything that a coach & subsequent role model should be, it’s really hard to explain, but when you meet him you’ll understand. Kids today look at John and Conor in the same way I looked up Roy Keane & Jack Charlton growing up, in my opinion theyve both transcended their successes.

Its BAMMA 27 in a few weeks’ time in the 3 Arena, how have preparations been going for that event ?

Busy, we’re six days out now from the start of press week so the controlled mayhem is about to begin. I’ve been working with them since BAMMA 22 and every show just keeps getting better, I know it might seem like I am bias, but a BAMMA show is a difference experience, their cards are always stacked with Irish & international fighters, Jude Samuel is ahead of the game with matchmaking, honestly I can’t tell you how grateful I am to be a part of such a wonderful team.

What fight are you most looking forward to at BAMMA 27?

I mean I want to watch them all, that’s the only negative about working at the show, is that you can’t sit down with the fans and enjoy it with them. But I’m most looking forward to Rhys McKee V Jai Herbert, both fighting for the lightweight title, Marc Diakiese’s Belt before he signed to the UFC. I first met Rhys when he signed to BAMMA for his pro debut, he’s one of the sweetest people I have met in MMA and to see him grow from this quiet shy kid from Ballymena into the superstar that he’s become, getting to see him fight for this title will be really special.

What’s the best part about the work that you do, with BAMMA or with MMA Connect TV?

With MMACTV it has to be the MMA fans at the shows, they’re the best bunch, I mean that sincerely, I have a whole routine now when we cover a show, get to the venue, set up the cameras with Karl & Jenny our videographers, say hi to all the fighters & staff, get the shows running order & as soon as the doors are open I’m down at the cage meeting everyone, they’ve all seen the show so their feedback on it is really important to me, without them it doesn’t make sense to do this.  With BAMMA I love the emotional process that goes along with working on the press team, the day before the fight we have weigh ins – trying to get fighters to do photos and sign posters when they are in the middle of a weight cut & seeing their opponent face to face for the first time is difficult so you have to mind them a little bit, the next day when they get to the venue they’ve refueled but the pre-fight nerves & excitement kick in so you find they just want to talk about anything that’s not the fight, once they fought, my job is to take the winner from the cage to their medicals and then straight to the media room for their post fight interviews, that walk with them is a rollercoaster of emotions going from tears of joy to laughter. I get really emotionally invested, so for me that job is alot more than just working as part of the press team, it’s a privilege to share a little bit of their journey.

How has your training being going and will we see you in the Octagon soon ?

Really good, I still train Jiu Jitsu 5 days a week and I try do some striking 1 day a week, some days I’m like, right I’m quitting everything and just going to be a full time fighter but I’m 32 so I need to be a lot more realistic [laughs] I am definitely planning on competing MMA at an amateur level and I will always compete at Jiu Jitsu, one of my goals is to be a black belt world champion so I have a few years to prepare yet [laughs]

Conor Mc Gregor has been nominated for the RTE Sports Person Of The Year award , do you now feel with this particular piece of recognition that MMA is finally finding a place for itself in Irish sport ?

It’s a step in the right direction, but you would be an idiot to think that it was recognising the actual sport it’s not, Conor is ruling not just the MMA world but the sport world and RTE see that, having him has their sports person of the year does more for them then it does for him or MMA. But does he truly deserve that award, yes. He has carried this entire sport on his back for the last 3 years, he deserves more.

Has MMA captured the imagination in Ireland in the way you thought it would?

I’m not surprised if that’s what your asking? The growth, and the fans passion speak for themselves. I’m just really appreciative to play a tiny tiny part in getting people to see the true spirit of MMA.

Your following has grown steadily on both Twitter and Facebook and your interviewing style is something special , what are your hopes for 2017 and beyond ?

Honestly I didn’t ever design an interview style, i’m not a journalist, and I have no TV experience, I just speak from the heart and talk to the fighters like I would if there was no cameras there, what you see on camera, is how i am in everyday life, I think thats whats people enjoy, I don’t try to pretend to be something I’m not, and I’m not afraid to make mistakes or look silly. I just want to keep doing what we are doing, travel more, cover more shows outside of Ireland, were doing something really great, it’s fun and positive and it helps a lot of fighters get the exposure they deserve, that’s what’s important.

All the best at BAMMA 27 in a few weeks time…..