Month: September 2021

David Breen celebrates Na Piarsaigh’s All-Ireland club triumph.

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

ON ST PATRICK’S Day last, David Breen finally hit the hurling jackpot.

He’d been frustrated in his efforts to bag an All-Ireland medal with Limerick, a couple of shattering semi-final losses to Clare in 2013 and Kilkenny in 2014 the closest he came.

Na Piarsaigh had been schooled in hard knocks as well, semi-final defeats in 2012 and 2014.

In February that semi-final hoodoo was finally broken, Breen bagging 1-2 as Na Piarsaigh saw off Oulart-the-Ballagh after extra-time in Thurles.

The following month’s All-Ireland final was the perfect expression of the talent in their team as they became the first Limerick club to become the best senior hurling team in the country.

They struck 2-25 past Cushendall with Breen notching a brace of points, his younger brother Adrian man-of-the-match with a 1-4 tally and his older brother Kieran anchoring the defence.

Na Piarsaigh forward Adrian Breen

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

Champions in the Croke Park sunshine after a campaign where they saw off the Clare, Tipperary, Waterford, Leinster and Ulster kingpins.

Perfect.

“It was dream come true stuff,” he recalls.

“Getting onto a pitch like Croke Park, the day is perfect, the pitch is perfect and guys produce the goods. The big difference was probably our preparation during the winter break.

“We got our preparation spot on. It is very satisfying when you’re finished, done and dusted with the season.

“You look back in terms of the teams that we did beat in terms of being under serious pressure at different stages against really high quality clubs and prevailing. It was pretty nice.”

Nine months to the day and Breen will have a front-row view of another Irish sporting collision today, west along the M6 from Croke Park as he’ll be pitchside at the Sportsground.

For the past few years Breen’s day job has been a physio with Leinster rugby. Based in Dublin, it made for a hectic schedule in juggling that with the commitments of a Limerick hurler.

Last November he stepped away from the inter-county game yet the demands of elite club hurling still consumed him.

After Na Piarsaigh’s club exploits concluded, he sat back and opted to take the plunge elsewhere. He’d enjoyed his time with Leinster, forging friendships with players like his housemate Tadhg Furlong but an opportunity arose further afield.

At the end of June he moved to take up a position as first-team physio with Wasps, who currently sit atop Pool 2 in the Champions Cup and are only a point off the summit in second place in the English Premiership.

After last week’s win at the Ricoh Arena, they head to Galway this afternoon to renew acquaintances with Connacht.

“It was a first team position that was offered that enticed me to come over. The fact that it’s a really good club and it’s definitely on the up. I’ve been enjoying it.

“A lot more responsibility with first team than academy but there’s good support around you. You’re never entirely on your own.”

Wasps physio David Breen

Source: Tony Marshall via Wasps.co.uk

He would have taken in Wasps European Cup games on TV over the years but they weren’t a club whose progress he monitored forensically.

Before making the switch, the 31 year-old did his research. It was last April before Wasps bowed out of the Champions Cup with a semi-final loss to Saracens and May before their Premiership run ended with a last four defeat to Exeter Chiefs.

Breen had plenty opportunities to closely watch matches and he was in regular contact with Ali James when his switch was locked down.

“It was a pretty short pre-season, seven or eight weeks, because Wasps finished so late in the season last year.

“It was straight into the deep end from the start. It was a baptism of fire but it was enjoyable.”

Wasps players celebrating Josh Bassett’s try against Connacht last week

Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO

Wasps roots are originally in London but they play in the Ricoh Arena in Coventry and have switched their training base to that area this season.

“This is the first season that they made the move fully from Acton in London,” states Breen.

“Now we’re based in a placed called Broadstreet Rugby Club which is just outside Coventry. The training centre is being developed this season.

“I’m living nearby in a town called Leamington Spa, near Warwick, it’s a really nice area. Luckily enough I moved in with a Cork man Gordon Brett that was working in Munster for the last few years.

“He just started here on the S&C side of things. It’s good to have a lad from back home in the same situation as yourself.”

Prop Marty Moore was another familiar face, having made the off-season switch from Leinster to Wasps on the playing side. A daily routine was quickly established with the club.

Marty Moore arriving before last Sunday’s game

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

“We meet up early in the morning for breakfast, then we have a medical team meeting before the players come in. The players would generally be scheduled in from eight o’clock.

“We’d be seeing them then right throughout the morning until their first gym session or speed session.

“Depending on the day then, they’d have backs or forward units and then rugby in the afternoons. That’s your general layout of the day.

“Mornings are pretty hectic but after guys get out on the pitch, you’ve time to work on your longer term injured players that you’d be taking through rehab or returning them.”

He enjoys observing the pitch sessions and trying to absorb nuggets of information.

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“It’s always just interesting to look at what the coaches do in rugby and compare it to how you could influence hurling.

“How aspects in preparation in rugby could be instilled into the GAA and you could make different improvements in your own sport.

“Coming from a different sport, you’re still an athlete and you’re still talking the same language as the guys every day.

“They just love their sport first and foremost, and they’re lucky to be doing it for a living.”

Wasps fans at last Sunday’s game against Connacht

Source: Inpho/Billy Stickland

The Wasps players have started to figure out hurling as a sport.

“I’m pretty much teaching them the rules from scratch. We’ve got a few hurleys lying around the training centre there. A couple of the guys are learning to hit the ball.

“They’d all be aware of hurling but they wouldn’t know too much about us. It helps now with hurling and football on Sky, they can tune in and watch a couple of games.

“They’re pretty intrigued and a lot of them are curious.”

Hearing what Breen’s inter-county schedule was like and that he pursued it as an amateur is something the Wasps professionals cannot quite fathom.

“They can’t get their heads around that players aren’t paid. I suppose once you explain the ethos around the game, that you play wherever you’re from and wherever you’re born into, that’s your club and that’s your county for better or for worse, then they kind of get it a bit more.

“But definitely the payment side of things, they struggle to get their head around. It’s unique The penny kind of drops that you really just do it for the love of the game. There’s no extra perks.

“They have a lot of admiration for the players but they generally think you’re a lunatic playing the sport, guys with stick and helmets running around a field!”

David Breen with Limerick team-mates after the 2013 Munster hurling final win

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Home is never too far away. The shocking news of Anthony Foley’s passing in October was a jolt to the Wasps setup as well, the reaction an insight for Breen of the status that the Munster great held.

“I met him myself on a few occasions myself just briefly and he was an absolute gent of a man.

“It was just a huge shock really amongst players. It must be so difficult for family and friends in Shannon and Munster. It was certainly a big talking point over here.”

Breen hasn’t completely abandoned his hurling interest. He was glad to see his friend and former Árd Scoil Rís schoolmate Paul Kinnerk join the Limerick hurling camp for 2017, intrigued to see what him and Joe O’Connor can bring from their Clare All-Ireland winning experience.

Last month he got home for the Na Piarsaigh All-Ireland medal presentation as well. Na Piarsaigh did endure a hangover in 2016 as they exited the group stages in Limerick in August. They’ll go again next year.

“For me, I’m not going to be switching to a British club or anything like that. I’m going to be trying to keep myself fit and keep the touch in and keep hurling as much as I can.

“If I get the opportunity to come home and play a couple of games next year, I’ll do that. We’ll just have to see how it fits into the schedule here but you have to put work first.

“If I was to never tog out for Na Piarsaigh again, I couldn’t ask for a better exit than winning the All-Ireland club. Unfortunately we didn’t have a great season this year, but I think guys are just mad keen to go again next year.”

Before that is the entrance to the Sportsground tonight. When the pool draws were made, it was a fixture that Breen circled on the calendar, an away trip to an Irish province and a guaranteed raucous pre-Christmas atmosphere.

Another sporting showdown at the close of a memorable 2016.

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JAMIE VARDY STUNNED Premier League followers last weekend, with a hat-trick against title contenders Man City to bring their run of dismal form to a stop. Elsewhere, Dylan Hartley was handed a six-week ban for striking Leinster’s Sean O’Brien and the reaction was largely critical.

The proposed introduction of gender quotas on sporting bodies sparked a lot of debate and the dates for Ireland’s upcoming Test matches against Japan were finalised.

Here’s what you had to say.

Dylan Hartley receiving his marching orders in the Champions Cup clash between Northampton Saints and Leinster.

Source: PA Wire/PA Images

Gary Sheehan is feeling sceptical about the length of the ban issued to England skipper Dylan Hartley.

I’m sure this is the ban that will make him see the error of his ways and work on his discipline…..

Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Patrick O’Donovan.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Ed W had this to say in reaction to the prospect of a 30% gender quota being introduced to sporting bodies from next year on.

Why do women’s products prefer to spend millions paying Hollywood stars for adverts rather than sponsoring women’s sports. The reason women’s sports don’t get the sponsorship is that advertisers don’t perceive there been value in it. Unless that changes women’s sports will be subsidised by mens sports sponsorship.

Ireland are travelling over to face Japan next year.

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

Ireland are scheduled to play Japan in two Test matches next June. Here’s what Kieran O’Callaghan had to say about the upcoming tour.

We’re just playing Japan for the sake of it…………………..

Jamie Vardy hit the net three times last weekend.

Source: PA Wire/PA Images

After netting his hat-trick last week, Leicester’s Jamie Vardy responded to comments made by TV pundit Michael Owen regarding Vardy’s reliance on luck for goals. Fran Heavey had this to say about Michael Owen’s criticisms.

Ah here……Michael Owen is getting paid to spout the drivel he is as a TV pundit……..and he thinks Jamie Vardy is lucky?

Brian McGuigan in action for Tyrone.

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

Former Tyrone footballer Brian McGuigan retired from the club earlier this week with a view to taking up management. Frank Mullen paid tribute to the three-time All-Ireland winner.

So unlucky with injuries.. but what a player

Joseph Duffy makes his return to the UFC next year.

Source: Gary Carr/INPHO

UFC’s Joseph Duffy will make his return to the octagon at UFC Fight Night 108 next March. Aaron Buckley had high praises for Duffy.

After McGregor, Duffy is by some distance our most accomplished fighter. If he defeats this guy I’d love to see him call out a top 10 name and try get a bigger fight.If he’s not up for that malarkey as he says then Bellator tbh is prob better suited to him.He will be a bigger fish in a smaller pond then and Bellator will do the promoting for him

Slaughtneil are preparing for two All-Ireland club semi-finals next year.

Source: Presseye//INPHO

Ulster double champions have appealed to the GAA to revise the fixture structures ahead of the All-Ireland club semi-finals next year. Ryan O’Sullivan had this to say on the matter.

They have to give them a two week break that’s impressive to have both codes in the semi final

Munster face Leicester Tigers tomorrow afternoon.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

Munster are sticking with the team that prevailed last weekend, when they face Leicester Tigers tomorrow in their next Champions Cup fixture. John Geary feels that Munster are on the cups of a great opportunity.

Leicester there for the taking… huge opportunity to get the away win & set us up to qualify. Trips to Paris & Glasgow going to be very tough with 3 consecutive HC games in Jan..

Source: PA Archive/PA Images

An Argentinian rugby player has been banned for three years following an off the ball hit on a female referee during a league game in Italy. Dave O’Shaughnessy was not impressed with the player’s conduct.

He should have been arrested and charged with assault – that kind of sneaky, cowardly hit, from behind, could have done irreparable damage to her spine or neck.

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FORMER MEATH FOOTBALLER Joe Sheridan is set to make an unexpected return to the inter-county fold following a three-year absence, according to the Irish Independent.

Sheridan, who broke Louth hearts in the 2010 Leinster final, is understood to have been recalled to the panel as goalkeeper rather than as a forward, where he operated for the Royals during his previous career.

Paddy O’Rourke is Meath’s current number one choice for goalkeeper, with Conor McHugh providing back-up. Sheridan now appears to be coming in as another goalkeeping option for Andy McEntee’s charges.

Sheridan was cut from the Meath panel in 2013 by then boss Mick O’Dowd, along with fellow Meath stalwarts Brian Farrell, Peadar Byrne and Caoimhin King.

Sheridan suffered a torrent of abuse following the 2010 Leinster final where he was seen to have thrown the ball into the net at the end of the game to snatch the title.

He previously told The42 that his family received hate mail and offensive messages were sent to his phone in the aftermath of the game.

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PAT HOLMES AND Noel Connelly have aired their grievances about the player revolt that ousted them as joint Mayo managers in 2015.

It’s the first time they have spoken publically about their removal 14 months ago, which occured shortly after Mayo lost to eventual champions Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final replay.

Speaking with the Irish Independent’s Martin Breheny today, the duo made a number of remarkable claims about their time in charge of their native county.

Holmes and Connelly pointed the finger at a “small number” of influential players within the Mayo squad, who were instrumental in removing the 2015 management team.

“If some egos aren’t checked and outside influences curbed, the problems will continue,” said Holmes.

“In time, memories of the trips abroad and all the other perks will fade and it won’t matter how many Twitter followers you had during your playing days. The only question that counts for players on top teams is: have you All-Ireland medals? As of now, no Mayo player since 1951 can asnwer ‘yes’ to that.

“If a small group within the squad are allowed to dictate the way they tried when we were there, it’s not good for Mayo football.  If that situation is still there, the likelihood is that they will win nothing. That’s the bottom line as we see it.”

Breheny’s 5,000 word piece also details the letter the Mayo players sent to the county board, demanding the removal of Holmes and Connelly with a threat of strike action if it was not met.

The squad also insisted on having a “number of player representatives on the selection committee” to appoint the new manager.

A number of clashes between players and the management were highlighted, including a disagreement with Aidan O’Shea over a proposed appearance in The Toughest Trade, Alan Dillon questioning the logic of why Andy Moran was starting ahead of him, and Seamus O’Shea requesting that Rob Hennelly start ahead of David Clarke “as he preferred Hennelly’s kickouts.”

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MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT Shane Ross says he disagrees with the proposal to impose cuts to state funding on sporting bodies who do not adhere to a 30% gender quota.

The initiative, which was announced by the Minister of State at the Department of Transport Patrick O’Donovan, triggered a mixed reaction, with some sporting organisations saying that they were not consulted before the decision was made.

The Irish Times reports that Mr Ross spoke with with over 50 organisations yesterday to discuss the new measure which is due to be introduced next year.

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He said he agrees that sporting bodies need greater female representation but added that he did “not favour punitive measures, especially as a weapon to be used against smaller non-governmental bodies.”

“There was a general consensus at the meeting that punitive measures would not assist us in achieving this goal,” he said.

The Minister added that he was unaware of O’Donovan’s proposal prior to the announcement and also said he would establish a new leadership group to explore solutions that would encourage more women into leadership roles.

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RTÉ SPORT CAME in for criticism recently following the announcement of their shortlist for Sportsperson of the Year.

Many were left puzzled by the inclusion of Olympic silver medalist and gold medalist at the World Championships Paul O’Donovan, and the omission of his brother Gary who was his rowing partner in Rio.

Others questioned whether national sports like GAA should have representatives alongside international athletes, while many were disappointed that Ireland footballer Robbie Brady, Thomas Barr and Rory McIlroy were also excluded.

Sports journalists Eamon Dunphy, Eamonn Sweeney and Paul Kimmage criticised the shortlist, prompting a reaction from Head of RTÉ Sport Ryle Nugent.

Speaking to the Irish Daily Star today, Nugent elaborated on why he reacted to the comments and explained the process that produced the 12 nominations.

“That was absolutely how I was looking at it (cheap shots), 100% how I was looking at it. I said what I said and I don’t want to go over it again, but we have had a phenomenal year. It’s easy to say ‘them out there don’t know what they’re doing.

“Look at the thousands of hours we produced this year across radio and television. Put it against the British broadcasters, who are much better resourced. It stands up, and I’m incredibly proud of that and everyone involved.

“It’s a subjective thing. Everyone has an opinion and we’re in the opinions business. Most of the time I don’t react because we provide opinion on everything we do. But when the opinion is based on a foundation of sand and comes from guys that should know better, I just thought ‘ok, enough now.’

“Don’t think we didn’t go through a significant process and have some criteria. The inference was that we just pulled the names out of a hat. I have no issue with RTÉ Sport being criticised. We’re not perfect, by any means. But when you have people pointing the finger and going ‘they don’t know what they’re doing… that got me frustrated.”

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THE SHORTLIST FOR RTÉ Sports Person of the Year contains a host of athletes who excelled this year.

In another remarkable year for Jim Gavin and the Dublin Gaelic football team, Niall Kelly looks at the man who shone brightest in a team of stars.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

You’d have to presume that Brian Fenton starts his daily routine each morning by pinching himself to make sure that this is all real.

And once he’s assured himself of that much, it’s back to the relentless grind that has seen this young man from Raheny become one of the most important and influential players in Gaelic football today.

Lee Keegan was deservedly named Footballer of the Year after another outstanding campaign with Mayo which came up heartbreakingly short once again.

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But few would have argued if Fenton had gotten the nod ahead of his Dublin team-mate Ciaran Kilkenny and Keegan; many, including the bookmakers, expected it.

The 23-year-old could hardly have dreamed of such a rapid rise when — after some inauspicious teenage years in which he couldn’t force his way into the county minor setup — he pulled on the blue jersey for the first time as an U21 in 2014.

His senior career is often reduced to a jaw-dropping stat line which shines a light on the dominance of Jim Gavin’s irrepressible Dublin team.

Twenty-four appearances since his first senior start in April 2015: 22 wins, two draws, no defeats and enough individual and team awards to worry even the most robust mantelpiece (two league titles, two Leinsters, two All-Stars, and two All-Irelands, the latter coming after the latest chapters in that simmering Dublin-Mayo rivalry).

But the numbers don’t even scratch the surface of what makes Fenton great. The beauty of Gavin’s Dublin is that nobody, perhaps with the exception of Stephen Cluxton, is indispensable.

But Fenton is surely one of the first names pencilled in on the week of a game.

At a time when possession has become more than nine-tenths of the law in Gaelic football, he is a magnet; hunting kickouts, breaking ball and opponents with an insatiable hunger, leaving some of the best eight and nines in the game trailing in his wake.

It’s his platform that, time and again, allows Dublin to do their thing with such ruthless efficiency — and stops the opposition from doing theirs.

A leader, a warrior, and a level-headed young man who knows that for all of his success so far, none of this can be taken for granted; that these glorious September Sundays (and occasionally October Saturdays) are hard-won and to be savoured.

For as long as he’s in Dublin’s engine room, they will be a force to be feared.

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THE KERRY HURLERS now have a new manager after Fintan O’Connor was appointed earlier today.

O’Connor, who previously worked under Derek McGrath as part of the Waterford hurling management team, succeeds Ciarán Carey on an initial two-year deal with the option of a third year.

Carey stepped down from his position earlier this month, citing “increased work commitments” as his reason for the decision. After taking over the role in October of 2015, Carey guided Kerry to victory over Carlow in the Leinster SHC, and helped them retain their position in Division 1B of the National League.

O’Connor also served on the management team at Waterford Institute of Technology for the past three years in which they reached three Fitzgibbon Cup Finals and won it in 2014.

He well announce his management and backroom teams at a later date.

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1. SO THIS IS how 2016 draws to a close. A quiet room in a city centre hotel, a table set for lunch and a tape rolling all the while. Around the table, four unique voices when it comes to women and sport.

Malachy Clerkin sits with Sarah Rowe, Mary Hannigan, Natalya Coyle and Evanne Ní Chuilinn for the Irish Times to get their views on women’s sport in Ireland.

2. Michael Owen was the last to leave the changing rooms, to feel his boot studs on the steps of the tunnel, to touch the famous “This is Anfield” sign. Waiting for him on a plinth outside was a golden trophy in the shape of a football. Waiting too was Gerard Houllier, Liverpool’s manager.

The Frenchman had been in Corsica, convalescing from a heart attack, when Owen was revealed as the European Player of the Year for 2001. The presentation of the award was delayed especially for Houllier, who wanted to be involved. The Ballon d’Or was a creation of France, and Houllier, a professor of the game and a keen historian, was proud of his country’s football heritage.

Source: PA Archive/PA Images

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There was plenty for him to smile about as he placed palm onto shoulder and passed the trophy to his centre-forward, whispering the words: “Michael, you deserve this.”

Bleacher Report’s Simon Hughes remembers the time Michael Owen ruled the world

3. Despite the fact that the film shows so many unflattering parts of the sports agent business (Jerry calls it an “up-at-dawn, pride-swallowing siege”), the film touched a nerve with high school and college students, including me. I was in my freshman year at Northwestern University. If we weren’t going to make it as pro athletes, we all wanted to be sports agents.

Source: PA Archive/PA Images

Rod Tidwell took a nasty hit only to bounce back up and deliver an unforgettable touchdown celebration. But 20 years later, that sort of thing still wouldn’t fly in the NFL. Here’s why.

“Jerry Maguire” opened our eyes to the game behind the game like we had never seen it before. Many of us loved every bit about it.

ESPN’s Darren Rovell examines the impact ‘Jerry Maguire’ had on the sports agency industry

4. It is that otherness that makes Guardiola’s presence in England so fascinating, of course; it is also, however, what makes him the subject of such heightened emotions.

In part it is because his endorsement is a considerable prize in a public relations battle; if Guardiola, of all people, can be won over by the idea that England’s top division is the most demanding of all, then it would prove beyond doubt that there is substance behind the spin.

Source: Martin Rickett

But it is more than that. If Guardiola struggles — or if he fails outright — at Manchester City, then the myth of English exceptionalism is vindicated. The Premier League can continue to regard itself as a world apart. He will have failed the Rainy Night in Stoke test, the idea that greatness accrued elsewhere in Europe can only ever come with an asterisk until it has been proved when faced with the unique array of challenges on offer in England.

Rory Smith takes an interesting look at the way we measure Pep Guardiola’s success for the New York Times

5. Armed with spray cans, the vandals last descended on Via della Madonna dei Monti, a dead-end alley not far from the Colosseum, about six months ago. They come to this corner of Rome quite often, according to the street’s weary residents. They are sick of seeing their walls daubed with slogans, but they are resigned to it now.

The mural at the end of the street is the problem. Some come to restore it, and then others return to deface it. Every time, each group adds a couple of inflammatory, insulting messages to the patchwork of tags that surrounds it. It goes on and on, an apparently eternal battle in the middle of the Eternal City.

Source: AP/Press Association Images

Even when the mural is disfigured, though, anyone with even a fleeting interest in Italian soccer can recognize whom it depicts. That silhouette — one arm raised to the sky, the taped wrist and tapered torso — is so familiar that it bleeds through even the strongest aerosol blast.

Francesco Totti cannot be brushed off or sprayed away. A.S. Roma’s eternal captain is not so much etched onto the walls of his city as scoured into its very fabric. He is burned into its soul.

Another one from the New York Times and Rory Smith – this time he profiles Roma’s legendary figure Francesco Totti

This is excellent by Vincent Hogan for the Irish Independent on Conor McGregor and his stage personality

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