[caption id="attachment_70672" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Nina Carberry will be hoping for a repeat win aboard Organisedconfusion in this year’s Irish Grand National. "]
After the disappointment of the Six Nations campaign the top Irish rugby players return to Heineken Cup action this weekend. And what a weekend of action lies ahead, with Leinster playing Cardiff in the quarterfinal at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday evening, while on Easter Sunday it’s Munster against Ulster at Thomond Park in Limerick. Leinster’s two most recent captains Brian O’Driscoll and Leo Cullen are both back after injury and former All Blacks second row Brad Thorn is settling in well for the reigning Heineken Cup holders. Leinster are unbeaten at the Aviva and it looks like it will be another full house, with 48,000 tickets sold seven days ago. It will be big change from the last time Leinster met Cardiff at the knock out stage. That was in 1995 when a crowd of around 7,000 saw the Welsh club win the semifinal at the old Lansdowne Road. With home advantage and Jonny Sexton in great kicking form Leinster should progress to the semifinals.
And it’s going to a Super Sunday in Limerick with the big all-Irish clash. Some of the Munster players are approaching the veteran stage, but none are thinking of quitting. Outhalf Ronan O’Gara has rubbished talk of retirement. He said: ‘‘I’m 35 now, but I love playing for Munster and for Ireland. Anyone who knows me knows I will be the first to call retirement when my time is up. But I’m fitter now than I was five years ago, so I have no intention of retiring.’’ And 34 year-old scrum half Peter Stringer, who has been on loan to Saracens and Newcastle Falcons in England this season, has agreed a new 12 month contract with Munster. However, Munster coach Tony McGahan is definitely quitting at the end of the season and Munster officials are currently interviewing five candidates to replace the Aussie, who is returning home next month. McGahan hopes that Paul O’Connell, who was injured against France in Paris in early March and Conor Murray and Donnacha Ryan, who were both rested for the game against Leinster last Friday, will all be back for the Ulster game. Ulster, the first Irish side to win the Heineken Cup back in 1999, have shown a huge improvement this season, but only a fool would back against Munster at Thomond Park.
KILDARE ARE
GOOD ENOUGH
Next Sunday sees the final round of the games in divisions one, two and three of the National Football League. In division one Kerry are already through to the semifinals, but the Kingdom are unlikely to take pity on an inconsistent Mayo side, who visit Killarney on Sunday. Laois, who are at home to Down on Sunday, are favourites to drop out of the top flight, but it could go down to the wire on Sunday evening. Tyrone are definitely promoted from the second division; Mickey Harte’s team have won all six of their games without conceding a goal. But there will be much interest on the meeting of Galway and Kildare in Salthill. A draw would be enough for an improving Kildare to gain promotion, but I think they are good enough to get full points, even in Pearse Stadium.
And there will be a survival battle at the foot of division two, where Meath, Monaghan, Louth and Westmeath are all grouped together on four points going into the final round of games. Meath should survive as they are at home to Louth on Sunday, while Monaghan travel to Omagh to play Tyrone and Westmeath are home to Derry. It will be a nerve wracking afternoon for all concerned. Longford and Wexford are already guaranteed promotion from division three. Tipperary are relegated from division three and they will be joined in division four next year by Offaly or Cavan. Tipp have appointed Cork-born Peter Creedon (no relation) to replace Kerryman John Evans as senior football manager. Creedon, who is a school teacher in Tipperary Town, has previously managed the Tipp minor and under 21 teams.
There are two more rounds to be played in division four, but already Fermanagh, who have been very impressive under new manager Peter Canavan, are guaranteed division three football next season. Clare look like they will also be promoted from division four.
CIRCUIT TO MARK
TITANIC’S 100
The annual Circuit of Ireland has been curtailed in recent years with the annual Easter race confined to stages in various Ulster counties. This year for the first time in over two decades the race will start in Belfast again to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Titanic. The Harland and Wolff cranes and the new Titanic building will provide a backdrop for the Titanic Special stage which will be broadcast on Eurosport on Good Friday. As part of the Titanic Festival, thousands of spectators are expected to descend on Titanic Quarter as 120 Irish and foreign drivers race across a two kilometre track, specially designed to guarantee exciting spectator viewing. The rally then moves south for 14 more stages over two days centered around Armagh and also including a city centre Power Stage in Lisburn.
At the rally launch last month First Minister Peter Robinson said: “2012 is a year of utmost importance for Northern Ireland. There are so many special events and anniversaries taking place that we can safely say we have a genuinely exciting experience to offer the world.’’’
IRISH PRECEDES
AINTREE NATIONAL
It just wouldn’t be Easter in Ireland without the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday. With Easter falling early this year the Irish National is only five days ahead of the Aintree Grand National and at this stage several horses are entered in both races. Last year’s Fairyhouse winner Organisedconfusion is likely to be ridden again by Nina Carberry. Nina, daughter of former great Tommy Carberry, recently married Ted Walsh Jr. and the Walshes will probably be represented by Seabass, who is trained by Ted Sr. and ridden by his daughter Katie. Cork-born Jono O’Neill, who trained Synchronised to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup for J.P. McManus last month, is likely to run Alfie Sherrin. McManus is likely to have a few runners and the winner could well come from a small Irish yard. If the good weather holds up it should be another great racing festival at the County Meath track.
FAI OPTS FOR
ANDREWS’S CO.
Irish tailors are naturally not happy that the contract for dressing the Republic of Ireland squad for the Euro 2012 final will be done by a British based label Chess London. Irish midfielder Keith Andrews is a shareholder in the British company and an FAI spokesman said their offer was chosen because it was free of charge and had the full backing of all the players. Andrews revealed that the Boys in Green are likely to be kitted out in grey suits with white shirts.
WINGER HORGAN
FORCED TO QUIT
Former Irish and Lions winger Shane Horgan has been forced to retire from rugby due to a long standing knee problem. The 33 year-old from County Meath, who won two Heineken Cups with Leinster, made a record 207 appearances for the province and won 65 Irish caps. “Shaggy” was on the Triple Crown winning teams of 2005, 2006 and 2007, but missed out on the Grand Slam in 2009. His last minute try against England at Twickenham is one that will always be remembered.
