Irish provinces set unwanted 10-year record after shocking round of URC fixtures
LEINSTER'S position at the top of the United Rugby Championship standings remains unchanged following the latest round of fixtures.
Leo Cullen's side suffered
2
Connacht's hope of making the URC playoffs are all but over - as are their hopes of qualifying for the Champions Cup
2
Ulster are in a similar position to Connacht - While Munster have fallen outside the playoff positions
But the three other Irish provinces are in a worrying positions as the season hits crunch-time.
Munster suffered a
Connacht followed with a heavy
Munster have dropped out of the top eight into ninth place.
read more on rugby
Ulster and Connacht's chances of reaching the knockout stages are now slim, with Richie Murphy's Ulster side in 12th and Connacht in 14th.
Connacht has just five wins from 16 matches this season.
It was the first time in ten years that all four Irish provinces lost on the same weekend.
The previous occasion came during round 17 of the 2014/15 Pro12 season, when Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht were all defeated.
Most read in Rugby Union
On that weekend, Scarlets beat Leinster, Ospreys overcame Munster, Dragons defeated Ulster, and Cardiff Blues saw off Connacht.
At present, Irish provinces face a more difficult situation.
'That time of year again' - Peter O'Mahony's captivating garden update includes hilarious tip for parents
With two rounds remaining, Munster must secure positive results against Ulster and Benetton to qualify for the URC playoffs and ensure participation in next season's Champions Cup.
While Ulster and Connacht also remain mathematically in contention but would require favourable results elsewhere in addition to winning their remaining fixtures.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
International cycling tour to raise awareness for COPD reaches Galway
Ireland's former professional cycling champion Sean Kelly and Italy's Claudio Chiappucci are in Galway for the last leg of an international tour to raise awareness of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Over 400,000 people are affected by the respiratory condition in Ireland. The cyclists joined Frenchman Philippe Poncet, who led the final stage of the tour with a portable oxygen device. From the Claddagh area in Galway City to Letterfrack in Conemara - this is no ordinary bike ride. It is a long and challenging 85km for elite cyclists. However, the man leading the team, Mr Poncet, is quite possibly the only COPD patient capable of cycling these distances. He is a world record holder for cycling speeds despite being diagnosed with stage 4 COPD in 2008. Mr Poncet needs oxygen 24/7 as his lungs operate at only 30% capacity. He will be stopping off along the route to replenish supplies. He said: "At this level, people don't look very well because many are dying or at the hospital or just in the armchair, right? "So this is an obstruction and destruction of the respiratory system. "So it's like you're underwater, and you try to breathe. It's not possible. But I want to raise awareness of the condition and help people who live with this disease. "To be able to cycle in the mountains is my greatest pleasure. It's what pushes me to move beyond COPD physically and mentally." Mr Poncet's remarkable story prompted former Irish champion cyclist Sean Kelly to support the COPD awareness campaign He said: "Well, it's hard to believe. Philippe is an amazing man. When they told me you know, how it'll worked, that somebody would accompany him on an 85km cycle through Conemara with his oxygen tank beside him. "It's just an amazing achievement to be able to do that. So yeah, that's part of the reason why I'm here, just to get involved and highlight COPD and give other sufferers encouragement and hope." COPD is the name given to a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It is the third leading cause of death globally and affects more than 400,000 people in Ireland. Mr Poncet was supported on his journey with respiratory assistance. Two pulmonary professors, Sean Gaine and Michael McWeeney also cycled with him. Mr Gaine said: "Philippe is a remarkable man. He has very advanced COPD, and he's going to cycle today on oxygen, about 15 litres of oxygen per minute, so it's a huge endeavor. "It's difficult and it's fraught as well. But he's done this before to highlight that even if you have a chronic disease, you can you can do more because exercise is an important part of the treatment plan. "So if you're well, you need exercise. But if you're not well, exercise is important as well. You can do enormous things to keep your resilience and keep you strong." Professor McWeeney agrees, saying: "It's so motivational for him to be doing this. It's inspirational for the rest of us, even those that are healthy because this is a significant event, and for him to do it with the limitation that he feels every minute, it's wonderful for patients to see that it's possible for them to get out and be able to do something like this. "I mean the benefits they get from the perspective of their lungs and the rehabilitation that it offers is huge, and it's great to see it showcased here in the Galway." The COPD Tour is endorsed by the UCI World Cycling Centre and supported by Cycling Ireland. President of Cycling Ireland Ciaran Cannon said: "It's a really strong message, that we should all listen to. He has proven conclusively that you can exercise through your illness, and that exercise actually has a therapeutic benefit accruing to you, while you are ill. "This is the message we consistently give to our 26,000 members of cycling Ireland, across the country. "Exercise is for all ages. Exercise is a hugely preventative measure that one can take to avoid becoming ill later in life. So it's a therapy. It's free. "All it requires is that you pick up your bike on a Saturday morning or Sunday morning and you head off with a few friends. Do 10 kilometers, do 100 kilometers. That's up to you. "But all of that brings you a benefit throughout life and I suppose that that's the real message that Philippe is giving us here today."
The 42
an hour ago
- The 42
Late goals sink Ireland in penultimate FIH Pro League match against Spain
Ireland 2 Spain 4 TWO LATE GOAL in the final quarter for Spain were the difference in Ireland's second-last match of the FIH Pro League against Spain today. Ireland led on two occasions, with Johnny McKee opening the scoring after just three minutes, and Lee Cole restoring Ireland's lead from the spot in the second quarter. A trio of goals in the final quarter, a brace from Nicolas Alvarez and a penalty corner from Pepe Cunill saw Spain secure the win with a late comeback. A calm and composed start from Ireland set the tone, holding onto the ball. With their first attack of the game Jeremy Duncan drove down the left and playing the ball into Johnny McKee to deflect past Rafael Revilla in the Spanish net to break the deadlock inside three minutes. Spain's response was swift, driving into the Irish half from the restart. They forced a save from Luke Rolleston and found the back of the net from the goalmouth scramble, but the goal was chalked off by the video umpire and Ireland maintained their lead. Ireland's effective attacking continued, Jeremy Duncan having a shot on goal with Ireland's next entry into the Spanish half, but his reverse stick shot was wide of the post. Spain threatened again immediately after, picking the Irish pocket and slapping the ball just wide of the post. Advertisement A late penalty corner in the first quarter for Spain gave them a chance which Bruno Avila took to level the scoring. Spain's intensity continued into the second quarter, where they found a way into the Irish circle from the restart, but Ireland scrambled well to clear. Luke Roleston was called into action a few minutes later, his save falling to Nicolas Alvarez on the back post. With the goal gaping Alvarez struck at goal, but Adam McAllister was on hand to block the shot. Back-to-back penalty corners for Spain forced Ireland to defend, blocking both efforts and clearing to keep the game level. Ireland continued to weather a Spanish storm, with Roleston again making no mistake. A break away from Ben Nelson offered Ireland a chance to attack, forcing a save from Revilla. From the long corner, Johnny McKee won a penalty corner which Spain saved. Another counter-attack soon after ended in a penalty stroke, Louis Rowe being shoved in the back inside the circle. Lee Cole stepped up to calmly slot the stroke into the net and restore Ireland's lead just before half-time. An even beginning to the second half saw few clear chances come for either side, with the sides cancelling each other out in their respective defensive quarters. A late attack from Spain provided one of the few chances of the third quarter, with Jaime Carr, who replaced Luke Roleston in the Irish net, alive to the threat to clear. Spain made an ideal start to the final quarter, Nicolas Alvarez capitalising on a moment of luck to drive down the right flank and squeeze the ball into the Irish net from a tight angle. Ireland continued to have to absorb pressure, with a yellow card for Peter Brown meaning Ireland had to do it a player down. A breakaway from Ben Nelson yet again saw him go one on one, taking the ball around Revilla and draw contact from the keeper. The ball went wide but Ireland used their referral believing the contact was enough to warrant a second penalty stroke. The video umpire didn't agree, and Ireland lost their referral. A chance from nothing for Spain in the final three minutes saw them go a goal up, a hopeful ball into the circle evading the Irish defenders and getting a deft touch Nicolas Alvarez to take it past Carr. A penalty corner one minute late put the game to bed, Pepe Cunill flicking into the net. Speaking after the match, captain Kyle Marshall said: 'We started well and came out of the blocks nice and aggressive. We didn't get the rub of the green with decisions at pivotal times in the game, and that maybe took the wind out of our sales a bit. 'We were definitely in the game for large parts, we will try and bring that energy into tomorrow.' Discussing the potential penalty stroke, Marshall said: 'Ben Nelson isn't a diver. He was disadvantaged by the contact. I don't know why that decision can't just be given on the pitch straight away. Even before that there was a penalty corner.' Ireland will again play Spain in their final FIH Pro League game tomorrow at 9.30am Irish time, with the game available to watch live on the TG4 Player. Report courtesy of Hockey Ireland.
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Jack Conan solely focused on British and Irish Lions duty just days after URC glory with Leinster
WITH precious little time between lifting the URC trophy and linking up with the Lions, Jack Conan made sure to worry more about care of the dog than the hair of the dog. Along with the retiring Cian Healy and the injured Caelan Doris — for whom he stood in as team captain — Conan raised Leinster's long-awaited latest piece of silverware last Saturday at Croke Park after the 32-7 final victory over the Bulls. 2 Dan Sheehan and captain Jack Conan of Leinster celebrate with the URC trophy after the win over the Bulls 2 Jack Conan is solely focused on the Lions after the club season ended in glory This was cause for celebration but with Conan being one of 12 Blues players selected in the Lions squad for the upcoming trip to Australia, there was never going to be a huge amount of time for him to bask in URC glory. While he did not feature against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium last night, he was in UCD yesterday morning as a number of Lions players hosted a training session for 90 schoolchildren from right across Ireland. And pressed on how much time he had to enjoy his province's success, the back-row ace said: 'The afterglow went pretty quickly on Monday morning when you had to pack up for the next eight weeks of your life. 'We had a great few days, it was nice. A few pints on Sunday as well early doors, which was good. I felt fresh enough on Monday morning. read more on rugby 'I had to go down to Bray at seven in the morning to get the dog. I was home early, so I was being wise. 'Monday was good. We didn't have much to do. We just came in, met everyone and got our gear. 'We had a proper runout here on Tuesday, which was soul-searching stuff. We had to run out the demons. 'You'd love to be playing against Argentina, but it is what it is. Everyone has been training away for the last week without us, so hopefully get a run out soon.' Most read in Golf Just a few short months before starting all three Tests that the Lions played during their tour of South Africa in 2021, Wicklow native Conan was in the Leinster side for their PRO14 final win over arch rivals Munster at the RDS. That was the last major title the Blues got their hands on until they collected the URC crown last weekend so Conan, 32, will hope for the same again as he looks to follow up a trophy in blue with a big summer in red. 'Big weekend' - Peter O'Mahony embarking on hectic gardening project as he aims to add '300 plants' There are still some question marks over whether the 2024-25 season will be deemed a success or a failure for Leinster given their latest Champions Cup bid ended in a shock semi-final loss to Northampton Saints at the Aviva Stadium. Yet even though he acknowledges their defeat to the English Premiership outfit was a difficult one to take, Conan stressed any campaign that sees a team winning a trophy ought to be regarded as a satisfactory one. He added: 'I think any season where you win something can never be deemed a failure. 'Obviously we want to go well in both competitions. I think if it hadn't been for the performance against Northampton . . . even if we had lost that game but we performed really well, I don't think people would have said much about it. 'The problem is when you are winning most of the time, it papers over cracks a little bit, so we had to have a good hard look at ourselves. 'You get to win a trophy in Croke Park with all your mates. 'At the end of the day, I would have taken that. 'I definitely wouldn't say it was a failure but there's definitely more in this club and in the lads. 'Hopefully a big few years still now ahead of us.'
