Time For Change

As the group stage of the 2015 World Cup comes to a close over the next few days. We will see the top 2 sides in each of the 4 groups progress to the Quarter Finals. Today for instance will see Georgia take on Namibia and South Africa will face the USA.

Japan have of course have been the stand out team of the so called tier 2 nations, beating  South Africa 34-32 in week 1. They played a nice brand of attacking rugby that allowed them to attack South Africa at the break down and also in the scrum.

They of course have a professional league that has seen some high profile southern hemisphere players ply their trade in the league. The likes of George Smith , Fourie Du Preez , JP Pieterson  and Nick Cummins otherwise known as the “ Honey Badger” have all spent time playing the top Japanese League.

This has all been a huge benefit the national team with Fuimaki Tanaka playing with the Otago Highlanders in the Super Rugby competition along with team captain Micheal Letitch who plays with the Waikato Chiefs. They also have a strong coaching team led by Eddie Jones with Steve Borthwick and Mark Del Maso.

You can see all the hall marks of the good coaching and what that has done for Japan. The don’t try and play a game that wouldn’t suit them like going toe to toe with the bigger teams and being physical. They are smart at the breakdown , they are also cleaver at the line out and they have one or two set moves that have caused the opposition problems. The other key problem that the smaller teams have suffered from is that they do not have a player that can consistently convert chances when they arise.

The Japanese however have solved that issue with a quality 10 that has converted most of the chances that have come his way. That in turn has seen them pick up two wins from three games and they still have a slim chance of making the World Cup quarter finals. Aside from Japan, Georgia have been another team playing at this World Cup with great freedom. They will go for a second win in the group over Namibia this evening.

These two teams have again shown World Rugby that it isn’t just the top nations that have been putting in the hard graft. Japan will have a team in the expanded Super Rugby competition from 2016 and this will push on their development no end. Argentina will also have a team in the 2016 Super Rugby competition. Back in 2007 Argentina made the world sit up and take notice by finishing 3^rd at that year’s World Cup.

From a European point of view Georgia deserve great credit and to this end , I feel there should be some sort of benefit for their good performances at this year’s World Cup. Tradition is strong in the game of rugby union and for that reason World Rugby may be very slow to change and give these national sides something to work towards and that is promotion and relegation in the two main International competitions, The Six Nations and The Rugby Championship.

 This would mean that all 6 teams in the Six Nations would have something to play for into the last day and in turn would give all the other teams that play in the Nations Cup something to fight for. It also makes sense as Rugby makes its debut at the 2016 Olympics and we will see all the countries that have had great success at 7s take to the world stage and fight for gold in Rio. Countries like Russia , Holland , Scotland , Wales to name just 4 countries that have been on the world stage competing in the HSBC World Series. Ireland of course made a delayed return to 7s action after a few years away.

Here’s hoping World Rugby see fit to give the so called Tier 2 nations a chance.

 

By

Cian Mc Gibney

07/10/2015.

 

Ashling Thompson Profile

I am writing this on a person I interviewed earlier this year , that person is Cork Camogie Captain Ashling Thompson. She plays her club camogie with Milford. She of course is now known for more than just playing camogie. Earlier this year she opened up about her battle with depression and how losing a close friend affected her.

Ashling will this weekend line up as captain of Cork against Galway at Croke Park as Cork look to make it 2 All Ireland’s in a row. Ashling is an incredible person and is full of confidence. She plays with her heart on her sleeve.

Club : Milford

County: Cork

Honours: Under 14 Munster and All Ireland titles , Under 16 and Munster Minor titles , Junior and Intermediate Munster titles , 3 Senior Munster titles , 1 All Ireland League , 1 All Ireland Senior title.

Club Honours : Under 14 , Under 16 County Minor titles , 4 Munster Super League Titles , 3 County , 3  Munster and 2 All Ireland Club Championship titles , Pan Celtic and All Ireland 7 a side titles.

Other Sports Honours : Football , Under 14 , Under 16 and County Minor titles , County , Munster and All Ireland Junior Club Championship title with Mourneabbey Ladies Football Club. Cork Under 14 All Ireland Football title. County, Munster and All Ireland medals Outdoor and Indoor with North Cork AC. Limerick League title with Charleville AFC . All Ireland Basketball titles with St Marys Secondary School , Charleville.

Listowel Racing Festival – 7 days of Mayhem

Next Sunday will see the start of the annual Listowel Harvest Racing Festival, which will bring thousands of revellers to the North Kerry town for 7 days of action packed racing and also the town will have its own unique welcome for visitors both old and new.

The town’s “Mart “will see the Amusements roll into to town to entertain the kids and break the bank of Mommy and Daddy for 7 days!! But this festival has been going strong for well over 100 years and will continue to get bigger and better.

The Town itself going racing mad for the 7 days and each business gets into the spirit of things by dressing their premises with racing paraphernalia. It is wonderful to see a town like Listowel coming together to showcase all that is good about the town and also the North Kerry area in general.

The Kerry National is of course the high point of the week that takes place on the Wednesday. This race is a very prestigious race and all the Irish based trainers put their best foot forward in the renewal each year, also a number of English based raiders will make the trip over.

Of course all 7 days are big days for the punters but for the more fashion forward among you mark down Thursday and Friday as the days to be on the “Island”. Thursday will see the battle for the best dressed man take place.

Friday will draw the biggest crowd of the week and will see another fierce battle contested in the fashion stakes as the best dressed lady will be crowned.

So as people can see, Listowel Harvest Racing Festival has every angle covered. Now all that people need to concentrate on now is getting those last few jobs done and clearing the decks for 7 days of fun and Frolics in “Lovely Listowel”.

By

Cian Mc Gibney

10-09-2015.

 

 

Irish Football in a Poor Place

 

Ireland last night beat Georgia 1-0 at the Aviva Stadium. This win has set Ireland on course for a place at Euro 2016. Heading into the final two qualifiers against Germany and Poland , Ireland find themselves 4 points clear of Scotland. Some might say that is a great position to be in but I feel it is a false position for Ireland.

After a poor performance last night, Ireland just about managed to squeeze past Georgia. Ireland lined up with a goalkeeper that retired after Euro 2012 , when you have the first choice West Ham goalkeeper , Darren Randolph sitting on the bench to me this sort of decision doesn’t make sense. Why is Roy Keane part of Martin O Neill’s back room staff , he offers very little on the side line.

Even with Ireland’s 2 wins from the last 2 games Ireland may still not make Euro 2016 because they now face the two top sides in the final two games needing at least 4 points to stand any hope of retaining 3^rd spot. Have Ireland got the game plan and the players to execute and make certain of a play off spot.

This was supposed to be the campaign where Ireland re established themselves at the top table of European Football. The team of O Neill and Keane was signed up to see could they turn the fortunes of an ailing Irish team around. From the first competitive fixture Georgia where Aiden Mc Geady found the net to give them the perfect start to the group. Since then Ireland have stuttered to wins and draws that has seen them garner 15 points.

This is great but the future is bleak , Ireland have yet to play for 90 minutes in this campaign and have not settled on an 11 that suits the system that O Neill wants to play. Ireland need something out of the Germany game to stand any hope of keeping the dream of a play off spot alive.

All in all the performance last night was very poor and the performances throughout qualifying have been up and down. Here’s hoping that Ireland can put in two consistent performances against Germany and Poland to claim 3^rd spot.

 

By

 

Cian Mc Gibney

 

08-09-2015

This past week saw everyone on TV and radio reminiscing about Italia 90. Draws with England and Egypt had people questioning Jack Charlton and his tactics but that was all about to change with another draw with Holland so after 2 goals and 3 games, Ireland booked a quarter final spot and they would play Romania in Genoa on June 25^th.

 

 This was Ireland’s first time on the grandest stage of them all. Yes they went to Euro 88 but this was their first World Cup appearance. From what I have seen , read and been told this was the biggest party this country had seen. The author of this piece was a month old and I spent Italia 90 in Tralee General Hospital.

 

This was a really special time to be in Ireland because everyone was united by Jack Charlton and his band of merry men. Each game was a huge occasion and families got together and as communities they watched Ireland’s maiden voyage.  

Having spoken to a number of people Tarbert was like every other small community and everyone gathered in The Lanterns on the coast road to watch Ireland face Romania. No goals were scored over the 120 minutes and so they would have to go to penalties to decide who would face hosts Italy in Rome.

So Ireland had to brace themselves for the lottery that is penalties , Cascarino , Sheedy , Houghtan , Townsend and Dave O Leary were the men intrusted with taking Ireland’s penalties.

 All of Ireland’s penalties were converted and then Daniel Timofte took Romania’s 4^th penalty that was saved, to leave Dave O Leary with a shot at Irish sporting history.

He lashed the penalty into the net and cue pandemonium in the stands and at home.

The biggest party this country had ever seen was to continue for another week and who knows had Toto Schlillaci not scored for Italy in Rome maybe the biggest party in Ireland’s sporting history may have continued.

 

Since Japan and Korea in 2002, Ireland haven’t made it to another World Cup, They did make it to Euro 2012, under the guidance of Giovanni Trapattoni. On this occasion there was to be no big party. They didn’t reach the second round, although they did score 2 consolation goals against Croatia and Spain.

As we head to the business end of another qualifying campaign after defeat to Scotland at home may have signalled the end of another major tournament, maybe just maybe the spirit of Italia 90 might be needed to breathe life into an ailing campaign. Here’s Hoping…

 

By

Cian Mc Gibney – 27-06-2015.

Kerry win All Ireland Number 37 !!

Kerry win a 37^th All Ireland title with a 2-09 to 12 points win over Donegal at Croke Park. This will be known as the day that Eamonn Fitzmaurice and his Kerry team beat “the system”. Yes Kerry did get sucked into the same type of game and played with 12 men behind the ball but they also used the ball in the correct manner and took the chances when they arose. In the first minute of the game Paul Geaney and not Kieran Donaghy popped up to fire Kerry in front with a wonderfully taken goal. Throughout the first half Kerry kept Paul Geaney in the full forward line and put James O Donaghue in the centre forward position to direct operations now as it turned out he was forced to defend for the most of the first half and was also forced to shoot from 50 yards out.

 Donegal concentrated on their kick out and seemed happy for Kerry to have possession of the football and to their great credit they had great success in sniffing out most of Kerry’s attacks. But Kerry who went man for man and copied the Donegal “system “  to the letter of the law were far better at picking off scores at crucial moments throughout the game. Michael Murphy was played at midfield and seemed out of the game for large parts. The Kerry midfield of Maher and Moran did well around the middle even if Paul Durcan kept them out of the game in the first half with his short kick outs. It was 1-03 to 6 points at half time, no classic but enthralling from minute one.

Also at half time, It seemed that Donegal like in the semi-final would bide their time and use there high intensity game to repel Kerry and after 10 forgettable minutes at the start of the second half where both teams seemed to treat it as a training session with poor shot selection being to the fore.

Eamonn Fitzmaurice and his backroom staff deserve huge credit for putting a plan in place and then going out and executing it to the letter of the law. Contrary to popular opinion I doubt very much whether todays performance will mark the end of Kerry playing the catch and kick game and now they might just reshape the game for the better into the future.  

Go back to the Munster final where they played some of their best football of the year and where they also deployed Declan O Sullivan in a quarter back type role where he orchestrated the game and put players into scoring positions. That was a sight to behold. Then today , yes Kerry forgot about the kick and catch game, but they dug in and as they say they cut a cloth to fit the pattern of play that was to frustrate Donegal and by god did it work , Yes it did.

Will anyone have any stand out memories from the All Ireland final 2014 , I doubt it but maybe the one abiding memory will be Kieran Donaghy collecting a Paul Durcan kick out and slamming it into the net. Today’s final as they say wasn’t one for the purist but it was an advertisement for heart , guts and determination from both teams might I add.

Jim Mc Guinness will go back and will assess what happened today and will come back next year with a new plan or new “ system” to conquer what Kerry did today but my feeling is that today was a watershed moment for football , The “ system “ was defeated even if Kerry used the” system” to out muscle and out think Donegal.

To the local man in the Kerry panel , Shane Enright I congratulate you and salute your marvellous achievement , well done !! You have done yourself , your Mam Stella , Dad Tom and brother Kevin and Sister Maria proud. Well done today Shane , You left here yesterday dreaming of All Ireland glory and you will arrive back in the parish the proud owner of a much sought after commodity an All Ireland winners medal…

By

Cian Mc Gibney

21-09-2014.

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My Paris Adventure

My Paris adventure began last Tuesday week, which saw this author travel to Paris for the World Cup semi-final between Ireland and England. The excitement of traveling to Paris for this particular World Cup meant so much to this author because I have grown close to a number of the players in the current Irish squad which made my trip that little bit more special. So off I went with real hope in my heart that Ireland could progress to a first ever World Cup final.

Alas this was not to be and Ireland were ruthlessly dispatched by an England team full of purpose and driven by three previous World Cup final defeats. They put Ireland under severe pressure at scrum time and also in the line out. Even though Ireland took a 7-0 lead after 15 minutes they failed to capitalise on the early pressure and went in 18-7 down at the break. Emily Scarrett the England inside centre led from the front and kicked the crucial score just before half time that saw England stretch their lead from 15-7 to 18-7, a lead that Ireland could not encroach upon and they went on to be beaten by 40-7.

While this was not the result the Irish team or support wanted, they still had to try and prepare for a 3^rd/4^th place play off against hosts France who were beaten by Canada in the 2^nd semi-final. So I had a few days to kill before Ireland would return to battle against France at The Stade Jean Bouin the home of Stade Francais.

 What would an Irish man do to pass away a few hours, I travelled down the Champs Elysees and also saw the Eiffel Tower which in my opinion looks far more impressive than the Spire that we have in Dublin!! I was also on a number of occasions mistaken for a British person, which on the first occasion is ok but around the 5^th or 6^th time begins to ware on you.

One of the most interesting conversations I had on the whole trip actually took place in the line waiting to board the plane to Paris. I as I usually do struck up a conversation with the woman standing in front of me in the queue and as we got talking she informed me that she was indeed travelling the same way as yours truly and going to see could Ireland create history and make a first ever World Cup final.

 This lady’s name is Jackie O Brien an ex Irish International in two codes. She has 13 caps for Ireland in both Rugby and Football. Not a bad achievement at a time when the rugby team had to pay their own way. It could cost up to €4000 to get yourself sorted for one season. That money paid for gear like socks, shorts, boots and jerseys.

Can you imagine asking some of our finest athletes like Roy Keane and Brian O Driscoll to pay for their own gear, I doubt you can!! The reason I took an interest in the story is the fact that while Jackie has a cap to commemorate her 13 caps in football, she does not have the same in rugby. This led me to stand there dumbstruck to be honest with you that someone that has been capped 13 times would have to pay for the honour to get her hands on a cap. That in my humble opinion is really wrong.

 I don’t care where you come down in this particular argument, If you get capped in any sport the least you deserve in recognition for that honour is a cap that you should not have to pay for. I have promised Jackie I will get her that cap at some stage in the future.

So after all that, it was onto the rugby again, a game against France to be played for either 3^rd or 4^th place at a World Cup not to be sneezed at. They went into this game sort on confidence after the 40-7 defeat against England. But they did not show any fear and led at half time 15-12, thanks to tries from Niamh Briggs and a great solo effort from Grace Davitt. Unfortunately they could not sustain this and again the scrum faltered when they needed it most. They were beaten 25-18.

They can be proud of their achievement and their 4^th place finish. Phillip Doyle and his coaching staff have brought this side from nowhere to 4^th place at the 2014 World Cup. A great achievement. To Fiona Coughlan who retired after 85 caps , Gemma Crowley who saved my bacon on the day before the semi final with a ticket that I will forever treasure. Also to Maz Reilly ,  Niamh Briggs and Siobhan Fleming , I salute you and your amazing achievement. Thank You All for making this young  journalist a happy man.

By

Cian Mc Gibney.

21/08/2014.

Ireland under 19s in Norway

The Ireland under 19s are in Norway at the moment, They are involved in the European Championships. They have beaten three of the top sides in the Women’s game , beating Spain 1-0 , England 2-1 and Sweden 2-1. They came from behind in two of the games. Savanna Mc Carthy from Listowel has been a key performer for Dave Connell’s side from centre half. She has chipped in with two crucial goals and a critical assist during the 2-1 win over Sweden that saw them into the semi final to face the Netherlands.

This team has done what Brian Kerr’s underage sides did back in the late 90s by qualifying for a major semi final. They played Netherlands last night and were beaten 4-0 for a place in the European final against Spain. They have had their feet firmly on the ground after three wins. In a refreshing turn of events, they did not fear the Dutch team.

 That Dutch team put them out of top spot in qualifying. They owed this Dutch team a performance and knowing the way they performed throughout this tournament they felt they could get to a major final. Unfortunately they were well beaten, but they can hold their heads high, because they performed really well and the future does look bright for Women’s football in this country.

To Dave Connell and his squad I salute your magnificent effort in Norway and hold your heads high because you have done this country proud.

By

Cian Mc Gibney

25/07/2014.

World Cup 2014

So the 2014 World Cup has drawn to a close , with Germany beating Argentina  1-0 at the Maracana. Mario Gotze scored the crucial goal in the 113^th minute of extra time. This particular player’s goal will bring special memories for the people associated with Listowel Celtic because back in 2008 , Mario Gotze was part of a German Under 16 team that played against Ireland who had two Kerry men in their ranks , Brian Murphy and David Culhane on that night in Tanavalla. Who could have thought on that night that less than 6 years after that game Germany would go on to claim their 4^th World Cup and that the 3,000 brave souls that braved the elements that night can say they saw Mario Gotze first !!

Argentina of course will rue some missed chances throughout the game , in particular a chance in the 21^st minute that fell to Napoli Striker Gonzalo Higuain when he beat the German offside trap to go one on one with Manuel Neuer  but he scuffed his chance wide of the post.  Then in the 46^th minute Lional Messi had his shot at immortality but he too pulled his shot just wide of the target.

 Did the fact that Argentina had to face two extra time periods in the games leading up to the final come back to haunt them ? Also were they too heavily reliant on Lionel Messi  to get them out of trouble. We have seen throughout this World Cup that teams that are too reliant on one player tend to suffer at certain points in major tournaments and maybe that is the case with Argentina. Lionel Messi  pulled Argentina out of a few sticky situations at the World Cup.  

Back to Germany , they have made great strides forward in the last few years and the work that has been put in at underage level has come to fruition at Brazil 2014. 14 members of this winning squad are under the age of 25 and even the elder statesmen in the squad are aged between 30 and 36. The squads oldest member is Miroslav Klose who has broken the World Cup scoring record held by Ronaldo since 2002.

Can this squad go on and dominate like Spain did between 2008 and 2012. At this World Cup we have also seen England fall flat again at yet another major tournament. What can England do to change their performances at a major tournament. They have invested heavily in St George’s Park as a centre of excellence and new FA chairman Greig Dyke has targeted either Russia 2018 or Qatar 2022 as the World Cup where England can fur fill their promise and win a first major trophy since the World Cup back in 1966.

By

Cian Mc Gibney

16/07/2014.