Month: June 2026

Fr Maurice Brick Tribute

Cian McGibneyLife

A very special priest will retire in the coming days after serving many parishes in Co Kerry. Fr Maurice Brick will end his ministry after serving as PP for Castleisland in recent years. He spent 6 years here in Tarbert from 2000 to 2006.

He introduced a number of things here in Tarbert and certainly had an impact on yours truly. I will say during his time in Tarbert I was at the back of the Church with a number of men and one or two women who are no longer with us namely my Grand Uncle Pat Joe Keane, Jackie Egan, Billy and Elizabeth Buckley along with Michael “Fitzy” Fitzgerald.

Fr Mossie had introduced the 9 O Clock Mass and this is where I would spend the next number of years standing beside my grand uncle and others including my grandfather. To say those days were an education would be underselling it by a long shot.

Fr Mossie has his own unique way of telling a story or getting a message across in whatever way he may feel may be needed. Fr Mossie is actually the first man to ask me to do a reading or play Our Lord in a short dramatization at Easter time, I did both and at that stage it took his persuasive talents to coax me into both jobs.

I thank him because himself and my late grandfather played a key role in me learning how to read out loud and in public.

There are a few who may read this and say why didn’t ye keep quiet and not encourage him !!! That was the thing with Fr Mossie, no matter what you were asked you nearly always said yes because it was him that asked you the question. Well I can say that for myself anyway.

I have a few small stories, I was asked to read at Christmas and it was a extremely long one but I managed it and retook my place at back of the church only for Jackie Egan to pop up beside me and whisper “You’d make a fine priest” and then return to his spot.

This particular thing had been in my mind for about 18 months and I thought long and hard about possibly join the Priesthood. I spoke to Fr Mossie after a few months of this being in the back of my mind and he said while it was a very admirable thing to want to do wait until the age of 26 or 27 before making a decision like that.

By the time I hit 26 or 27 I had made my mind up that life in the priesthood just wasn’t for men even though black suits me or so I have been told anyway…..

Fr Mossie left Tarbert in 2006 and left his mark on this parish as well as any other parish or area he has served in over the years.  May you enjoy a peaceful retirement Fr Mossie and thank you for your wisdom when I needed it…

Leinster, New Coach Required from Summer 2027

Cian McGibneyRugby

Leinster are on the lookout for a new coach to take on the role following Leo Cullen’s decision to step away at the end of next season after 12 years in charge. It will be an interesting appointment given the length of time that Leo Cullen has been at the helm of the Leinster ship.

A number of names have been instantly linked with the job, names like Ronan O Gara, Scott Robertson, Jono Gibbes who is the Chiefs coach in New Zealand at the moment and was Leinster forwards coach under Joe Schmidt. The timing of the announcement gives Leinster and the IRFU time to look at their potential targets and sound some of them out.

Already the notion of Ronan O Gara as Leinster head coach has been dismissed by a number of people owing to his time as a Munster player and the rivalry that was there in his time.

Personally while it wouldn’t go down well with the Munster support, the Leinster job is much sought after and will give their chosen candidate the chance to work with a well drilled squad that has won multiple League titles and while they haven’t won the big prize in Europe since 2018, they have made multiple final appearances and will be back competing next season.

Ronan O Gara might not be the choice of several people for various reasons but his coaching CV is what you need to look at and forget his allegiances from his playing days. He cut his coaching teeth in France and New Zealand and has achieved much success with Racing 92, Crusaders and more recently with La Rochelle.

He has yet to speak about any possible move and is keeping his powder dry which is great to see in the modern world of instant news and quotes etc… Of course his head coach in New Zealand was Scott Robertson who he worked alongside and after he left his position as New Zealand coach and was replaced by Dave Rennie for an 18 month period until the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup which is in Australia.

Scott Robertson’s coaching stock has risen and fallen after his spell in charge of New Zealand but his time in club rugby brought success to Crusaders. He also coached the New Zealand under 20 side for a spell.

Whoever Leinster look to bring in, they will inherit a good strong squad with a sprinkling of young talent that will be itching to impress next season looking ahead to the arrival of a new coach in the summer of 2027.

It will be interesting to see what way Leinster go as they look to appoint a new coach. They will have several interested parties in the position but will take their time and have the whole of next season to bring some one on board !!!

Leo Cullen has achieved plenty while in charge of Leinster and will hope he can end his time with two more trophies in the cabinet by the end of next season…..

Ireland Nations Championship 2026

Cian McGibneyRugby

Ireland depart for the Southern Hemisphere today where they will face Australia, Japan and New Zealand in the Nations Championship over 3 weekend’s in July. They face Australia first up then Japan also in Australia before heading for Eden Park to play New Zealand.

Only a small number of uncapped players have made the cut for which Andy Farrell will have to be questioned . A number of players are simply unlucky not to make the squad but while they are on holiday you can be certain they will be told to keep the phone on and will be on standby if they are needed over those weekend’s.

It is another attempt by World Rugby to revitalise the summer tour window by setting up this competition that will be played in July and then completed next November up here. The 12 best sides will face off through the July window.

As I say, only a small number of new players will get the chance to wear a green shirt this summer over the games with Australia, Japan and New Zealand.

It is also the chance for Andy Farrell to start his spell armed with a long term deal with the IRFU and with the news of Leo Cullen’s departure from Leinster at the end of next season, he will have to begin a new working relationship with a new coaching ticket in Leinster. They move back to the Laya Arena from the start of next season.

Here is my 23 to play Australia in the game on July 4th. I am using the squad selected by Andy Farrell.

15 Hugo Keenan

14 Rob Balcounne

13 Jamie Osbourne

12 Stuart Mc Closkey

11 Jimmy O Brien

10 Ciaran Frawley

9 Nathan Doak

8 Sean Jansen

7 Nick Timoney

6 Cian Predergast

5 Darragh Murray

4 Cormac Izuchukwu

3 Thomas Clarkson

2 Ronan Kelleher

1 Billy Bohan

–

16 Tom Stewart

17 Jeremy Loughman

18 Sam Illo

19 Joe Mc Carthy

20 Jack Conan

21 Craig Casey

22 Harry Byrne

23 Zac Ward

Mam 10 years On….

Cian McGibneyLife

Amazing how or when an idea will strike you for an article, I wrote about the fact Mam is 10 years gone earlier in the year but for some reason I was prompted to write this piece by a moment or a quote from an Killinskully episode I watched in the past few days.

Fionn got married a few weeks ago and that also probably played a part in me penning this 2nd piece as we heard for Mam’s 10th anniversary on September 10th.  God only knows why I am writing but I am and like the other pieces I have written to mark each anniversary I will speak from my own perspective and see what happens.

10 years ago our family of 4 was moving along and then in a split second all was changed, changed utterly. I have certainly learned many life lessons in that time since 6.40pm on September 7th 2016. I know who I can count on and I now know those who I need to keep clear of and take no heed if anything is said in my direction.

My mother was a tough woman who didn’t mind speaking her mind if it was required and even if it  wasn’t she did it anyway. She had a temper and that specific tone only known to an “Irish Mammy”

We clashed several times over a number of things over the years and as I look back  now, I know I was wrong a share of the time when I clashed with her over moving out for example or driving lessons etc to name 2 topics that were regularly broached but me being me went straight for stubborn and I am not going to listen or engage here in any way shape or form.

10 years on, I am approaching 3 years of independence and the driving matters will be delt with in my own time. What that evening in September 2016 has taught me is that things can change so suddenly and quickly and you may not have the opportunity to say what you might want to say so take that chance over the next while to sit down if you can and say what you want to say.

Mother worked hard in Listowel in Neodata and O Connors and is still fondly remembered by many in Listowel. I can testify to that having spent so much time in Listowel in the past 10 years in particular. I said she was tough and had a temper but under it all she did have a heart of gold and did many things for many people quietly and without fuss.

To anyone who has lost a parent or loved one since 2016, you have my sympathy. I won’t lie, I have gone through many different stages of grief since 2016, I have done self pity, anger, frustration, torment, anguish.

I have had the help of many people over the years, Fr Pat Moore RIP, a number of counsellors, family, a group of women who I won’t embarrass but all of them picked me up a different times and in some instances helped me straighten myself because as people might know I can be quite stubborn, what a surprise I hear people saying….   

I tried to end my life shortly after Mam died in December 2016 but I was stopped and Mikey Joe Coolahan was the man on that evening who helped me see things more clearly. Thank you Mikey Joe for that.

It is almost 10 years since Anne Marie Mc Gibney nee Keane left this world and that moment her life support machine was switched off is a moment I can still see so clearly. She donated her organs as well so a number of people were able to keep their lives going after several successful transplants were completed. That sums my mother up perfectly, constantly giving in life and even in death she was still thinking of others. If I turn into half the man my mother though I might do, I’ll be doing well….

To Mam’s many friends and work colleagues and extended family, Thank you all and I will continue to try and call to see as many of you as I can….. Mam we might be marking 10 years in September since you died but you might be gone but you are not forgotten.

My Nations Cup Squad 2026

Cian McGibneyRugby

My Ireland Squad to play in the Nations Championship in July against Australia, New Zealand and Japan…

Prop : Billy Bohan, Michael Milne, Jeremy Loughman LH

Tadgh Furlong, Thomas Clarkson, Tom O Toole – TH

Ronan Kelleher, Dan Sheehan, Tom Stewart- Hooker

Tom Ahern, Darragh Murray, James Ryan, Joe Mc Carthy, Cormac Izuchkwu – SR

Tadgh Beirne, Jack Conan, Cian Prendergast, Dave Mc Cann, Josh Van Der Flier, John Hodnett, Nick Timoney, Brian Gleeson, Caelan Doris, Sean Jansen – no 8/BR

Backs : Nathan Doak, Craig Casey, Jamison Gibson Park – SH

Jack Murphy, Ciaran Frawley, Jack Crowley – FH

Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, Dan Kelly, James Hume, Jude Postlewaite, Hugh Gavin – Centre

Jimmy O Brien, Tommy O Brien, JJ Kenny, Zac Ward, Robert Balcounne – Wing

Hugo Keenan, Mike Lowry, Jamie Osbourne – FB

I am aware a few of these players could be ruled out through injury but this is the squad I would select to face Australia and Japan in Australia before taking New Zealand on in Eden Park in Auckland.

Farrell Signs Up Until 2031

Cian McGibneyRugby

Andy Farrell has signed a fresh deal with the IRFU until 2031 and that will see him take charge of the Irish team until the World Cup in the USA. The length of this deal is unpreceded in terms of length as the IRFU would normally only hand out a 4 year deals between Word Cup’s.

Under his leadership a Championship and Grand Slam has been won in 2023 and 2024 respectively. He has been with the IRFU since 2016 when he came in under Joe Schmidt as defence coach having worked alongside Stuart Lancaster with England until late 2015.

Andy Farrell has plainly stated he has happy here and the family love living her so there was no hesitation in giving him fresh terms. It also stops any long term question around his future as both England and Saracens were touted as possible destinations after the World Cup next year.

This move also opens the door to Farrell leading the British and Irish Lions when they tour New Zealand in 2029, that is still a bit away and Farrell has a Nations Championship over July and next November to deal with and the 2027 Six Nations before the RWC in Australia.

The doubts over James Lowe’s future continue to grow but maybe now that Andy Farrell’s fate has been decided, it might sway any late decisions by Lowe and his advisors as to what may be next for the 45 times capped Irish international.

There is still plenty of work to be done by Ireland and now Farrell has the time and scope to implement any changes he may see fit to make over the next few years. The Irish squad will continue to undergo change in the next while and certain players may see this contract extension as a chance to put themselves in the shop window while others will know they need to try and wipe the slate clean and start fresh under Farrell’s watchful eye.

The length of contract is interesting as the IRFU model in times past was 4 year deals between World Cup’s and then re access just before or just after each World Cup of course that has worked to varying degrees in the past.

Andy Farrell has been with the IRFU for 10 years now as an assistant and since 2020 as the head coach. His trophy cabinet shows 3 Championships with Ireland in 2018 a Grand Slam as an assistant, in 2023, another Grand Slam as Head Coach and in 2024 a Championship win. The record at RWC’s needs work as Ireland are still waiting to win a knock out game which in my humble opinion is embarrassing in particular since 1999.

There is certainly a feel good factor attached to this particular contract extension and there is plenty of good will towards Mr Farrell although after the loss in Paris back in February one might have felt that this relationship might draw to a close but they managed to get things going again and defeat England by a record margin in Twickenham and that seemed to give him breathing space which has led to this new deal.

He has been given the vote of confidence where other Irish coaches could only dream of being given such a long term deal in times past but I suppose a Grand Slam and Championship win will give you that room for manoeuvre and also the fact that the family are happy here which is another key element which is sometimes lost in the rough and tumble of the world of professional sport.

The Nations Championship is first on the agenda in July where Ireland face Australia, New Zealand and Japan on consecutive weekends. That squad will be named in the next period of time and a number of new players will be hoping to get on the plane to play some part in any of those 3 games.

Andy Farrell has been giving the backing of those in the IRFU for the long term and now it is over to him, his coaches and players to begin the journey that has been given renewed hope and value….