Munster Defeats Scarlets Again

Irish Voice Sport

Munster Defeats Scarlets Again

December 20, 2007

by Cathal Dervan

MUNSTER maintained their march towards the quarterfinals of the Heineken Cup with a second win in a row over the Llanelli Scarlets and a 22-13 win at Thomond Park on Sunday to keep them top of Pool 5.

Munster coach Declan Kidney was happy just to get the win, inspired by a brilliant Brian Carney try and the boot of Ronan O’Gara.

Kidney said, “Llanelli kept the ball well in the first half but we made them work hard. It was a case of wearing them down in the first half and that helped us later on when we gained a few yards several times.

“I was worried at halftime though. Our dressingroom at halftime was very subdued despite our lead. We managed to get three turnovers from their lineouts and that was a big boost.

“I’m not disappointed at not earning a bonus point. We got four and that was an extraordinary achievement. We can always improve and we will look at our performance tomorrow and Tuesday.”

Munster now go to France to play Clermont Auvergne in their next game and Kidney added, “It is a hell of a place to have to go to. But 10 days ago we might have had nothing to play for and these two wins have ensured we will have a great deal to play for next month.”

Out-half Ronan O’Gara claimed, “It’s very rare that any team achieves back-to-back wins over them. People probably expected us to turn up and win but that wasn’t the atmosphere in the camp. They made a few changes and I thought Stephen Jones gave them a big presence.

“Antony Foley lost the toss for the second week in a row. We wanted to play into the wind in the first half. We got a good start and let them back in and their tails were up so to achieve the back-to-back victories has made for a very satisfied but very tired changing room.

“It was great the way the fellas reacted because I don’t think penalties would have been enough and we needed tries the way Llanelli were playing because they’re dangerous all over. We tackled well, harried and harassed and executed well and the try looked a good try from where I was watching anyway.”

Cheika Doubt

MICHAEL Cheika’s future as Leinster coach is up for debate again after the Blues all but kissed their Heineken Cup hopes goodbye in Saturday’s lackluster defeat to Edinburgh.

Cheika admitted afterwards that his future is now uncertain despite a new contract offer from the Leinster management.

Asked where he goes from here the Aussie said, “I don’t know. The club wants me to stay on but from my point of view, I’m focused on this year.

“I’m not one of these career coaches, I’m not worried about where my next job is coming from, what the next thing is. I’m worried about making sure my players, who work very hard for me, get what they deserve. I’m worried about the team, that’s the important thing, making them play better.”

Cheika had no query with the result and admitted, “Murrayfield has not been a happy hunting ground for us, but it is nothing to do with the venue — it was the standard of our rugby. Our discipline as poor in the early stages and that took the initiative away from us. We never really recovered.

“The penetration was not there and our decision-making was not up to scratch. The Heineken Cup is a tough competition and we are in a tough group. The reality is that if you don’t perform, you don’t make it.

“It is my responsibility to make sure we play good football and that didn’t happen. We did not win the key battles out there and I feel for our fans who made the journey to back us.”

Tyrone’s Ire

OPPOSITION is mounting to the agreement struck between the GAA and the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) on the issue of player grants. Fermanagh player Colm Bradley has successfully put forward a motion to his County Board convention requesting that all units of the association debate the current issue of grants to inter-county players.

A case is also being taken through a firm of solicitors in Omagh to the Disputes Resolution Authority claiming that the GAA is contravening its own rules and that the change to Rule 11 in relation to the awarding of Government grants is happening without going through the proper channels, i.e. GAA Congress.

The challenge is being taken by Tyrone natives Mark Conway and Donal McAnallen and Longford businessman Joe O’Brien, who are of the view that the payments are in contravention of the rule which governs the association’s amateur status.

Conway and McAnallen, a brother of the late Cormac, have both quit high profile positions with the GAA in protest at the grants decision.

McAnallen has quit as secretary of the Higher Education Council of the GAA and said, “Up to now I kept involved because I got a sense of fulfillment from doing that work, as I thought the association served a greater good in Irish life, and I thought everyone was working towards the same ends.

“But since the weekend, I realized that the association is changing direction altogether. Suddenly I knew I had lost interest in doing the voluntary work if the sport ceases to be for sport’s sake.

“Many GAA volunteers, including some of my fellow committee members, have made similar sacrifices. Now I wonder whether it was all worthwhile. At least I can concentrate on other things from here on.

“I have no income at present and I’m in debt. My dedication to GAA committee work has cost me too much time, effort, stress, and my health at times also.”

Vincent’s Wins

VETERAN boss Mickey Whelan promised there is more to come from his inexperienced St. Vincent’s side after they were well worth their win over Tyrellspass in the Leinster club football final on Sunday. “You can’t have seen the best of them,” said Whelan.

“And you might not see the best of them in this campaign. I’m delighted for the young fellas. They’re growing in stature all the time.

“Kevin Golden’s forward play was magnificent and Michael O’Shea’s midfield performance was great too. And before Hugh Coughlan had gone off he had laid the foundations for the win. He was brilliant for the first 15 minutes.

“What can I say about Pat Gilroy? It’s what he does with the other players on the field. He got the goal and he was involved in everything. I’m delighted that in the autumn of his career he is getting medals that he should have earned years ago.”

Tyrrellspass manager Pat Flanagan admitted his side was caught on the hop by the intensity of the early exchanges.

“I thought before the game that we could have done far better than we did, but the pace of the first 20 minutes caught us by surprise,” he said.

“I don’t think we came out of the traps, a little bit in awe as much as we tried to overcome that. All credit to St. Vincent’s, they were the better team and deserving winners.

“We had a goal disallowed and if we had got that it would have given us the confidence we needed and might have made a big difference. We were fighting an uphill battle most of the day with those decisions.

“We were on the backfoot and needed something to give us a lift. I have no doubt we would have come back again. That drove us further down.”

Loughnane Chastened

GALWAY boss Ger Loughnane has taken criticism from county board officials Bernie O’Connor and Mike Ryan on the chin after a disappointing first year in charge.

“Looking at what they said, it’s very hard to disagree,” said Loughnane. “It’s very hard to disagree with the fact that the year was a disappointment for everyone — for players, management, county board, everyone. Last summer would have to go down as disappointing. I wouldn’t disagree with them in the slightest over that.”

GAA Shorts

FORMER secretary Barney Allen has succeeded Brendan Dempsey as chairman of the Meath County Board and vowed to redevelop Pairc Tailteann during his term in office with a new stand and terracing planned for the Navan venue . . .

DUBLIN’S hopes for All-Ireland football glory next year have been boosted with the news that Jason Sherlock is to follow Ciaran Whelan’s lead and play on for another season . . .

GALWAY hurler Alan Kerins has won the inaugural GPA Halifax Fair Play Award for his charity work in Africa as well as his prowess and sense of fairness on the pitch . . .

CORK’S striking hurlers and footballers are to meet their county board this week in a bid to resolve the dispute over the appointment of selectors to both teams . . .

EXPERIENCED trio Noel Garvan, Tom Kelly and Joe Higgins have confirmed that they will carry on with Laois for at least another year . . .

AS expected: former Kerry boss Jack O’Connor has taken over as manager of Tralee side Kerins O’Rahillys . . .

FORMER boss Brian McEniff has been voted in for another term as Donegal’s delegate to Central Council . . .

THE Carlow County Board have denied reports that their main ground Dr. Cullen Park is up for sale.

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