Fitness concerns for Jamison Gibson-Park and Hugo Keenan as Lions land in Australia
The
British & Irish Lions
have touched down in Australia with the head coach,
Andy Farrell
, revealing there are lingering injury concerns over
Jamison Gibson-Park
and
Hugo Keenan
.
Farrell's squad arrived into Perth after a 20-hour journey from Dublin via Doha, before their opening fixture on Australian soil against the Western Force on Saturday. There is doubt over whether the Ireland duo will be able to take part at Optus Stadium because of respective glute and calf problems, but Scotland centre Huw Jones has recovered from an Achilles issue and is available.
The Lions in Dublin - what to expect?
Listen |
32:59
'We'll see how they pull up in midweek,' Farrell said of Gibson-Park and Keenan. 'Huw Jones is good, he's been training. He trained fully with us last week so he's up and running.'
Farrell confirmed the team against Western Force will mostly be made up of players from Leinster, Bath and Leicester, who joined the Lions after the
URC
and Premiership finals last Saturday. There were no fresh injuries arising from
Friday's 28-24 defeat by Argentina in Dublin
, with Farrell keen not to dwell on the disappointing Tour send-off.
READ MORE
[
Malachy Clerkin: I cannot wait for Lions tour, but why does rugby always feel this need for overblown nonsense?
Opens in new window
]
[
Five things we learned from the Lions' loss to Argentina
Opens in new window
]
'We're here to build for what's going to be a fantastic Test series. We want to play some good rugby along the way,' he said. 'We'll find out more about each other as we keep on going. Of course we'll analyse what went on against Argentina and why, but that's all part of the journey, to understand where we need to go next.
'It's great to be here, this is what it's all about. We're here for a good time. Hopefully we can start this part of the Tour off really well on Saturday.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Shane Walsh 'nasty' shoulder injury, as Kerry, Armagh quarterfinal confirmed
Pádraic Joyce says Shane Walsh sustained a 'nasty looking' shoulder injury in today's Pairc Esler victory over Down, which sent Galway into next weekend's All-Ireland quarter-finals. With all four favourites winning their preliminary quarter-finals over the weekend, it means that Kerry and Armagh will go head to head in a repeat of last year's semi-final epic, which Armagh won on their way to the All-Ireland. That's because Armagh can't play any of the other preliminary round winners - Donegal, Galway and Dublin - as they've met them already in the provincial final or All-Ireland group stages. The draw takes place this morning, ive on RTE Radio, with Joyce's men set to play Monaghan, Meath or Tyrone. Whoever it is, Joyce will be hoping for an extra day's rest after yesterday's 2-26 to 3-21 victory in Newry. Two quarter-finals are set for next Saturday and two for Sunday - and with Galway having gone to Cavan and Newry over the past two weekends, and heading for Croke Park next weekend, it's a hectic schedule. Speaking about Walsh, Joyce said: 'He got a nasty injury. He fell forward and the Down player followed through with the knee on the shoulder so he's a bit of a bother there. 'We left him on for 10 minutes just to see how he got on but he's getting no better so we'll assess him here. We'll go back and see what it is. It looks a nasty injury. 'He was quite sharp after 15 minutes when he got into the game and got the shackles off a bit. He kicked a couple of great twos, kicked the free and kicked the goal.' On next weekend's scheduling, Joyce said: 'I'm not going to ask for anything but you'd be hoping you'd get a break somewhere. 'It would be brilliant if we got a Sunday fixture but again it's not my decision. Whatever's on, we'll show up and play it. 'It's massive. It's huge. But look, we put ourselves in that situation so we're not going to be complaining. We'll get on with it.' The weekend results mean the folllowing for the eight sides. Listed are the counties and who they can play next weekend with the draw due to take place on Monday morning on RTE radio. Kerry: Armagh Armagh: Kerry Dublin: Tyrone, Monaghan or Meath Galway: Tyrone, Monaghan or Meath Tyrone: Dublin or Galway Monaghan: Dublin, Galway or Donegal Donegal: Meath or Monaghan Meath: Dublin, Galway or Donegal.
Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Irish Times
A bolt from the blue for Shelbourne and League of Ireland as Duff leaves post
Damien Duff rarely fails to surprise, often providing as much entertainment with his musings on life and football, his touchline capers and feuds with rival managers as he did during his 100-cap Republic of Ireland career. But Sunday's news that he had decided to quit his job as Shelbourne manager was a bolt from the blue, even if he had been a picture of furious frustration after his side's 1-0 defeat by Derry City on Friday night. Duff confirmed to RTÉ that he had resigned on Sunday morning, ending his three-and-a-half year spell as the club's manager, Shelbourne later issuing a statement 'regretfully' announcing his departure. 'While all at Shelbourne FC are deeply saddened by Damien's decision, we fully respect that he feels this is the right choice for him at this time,' they said, describing his impact on the club as 'transformational'. 'He will always be one of our own, and we are eternally grateful for the indelible mark he has left on our club.' Shelbourne co-owner Neil Doyle also paid tribute to the 46-year-old, both for what he did for the club and the league as a whole. READ MORE It was Duff's first managerial role in football after stints as coach or assistant manager with the Irish under-15 and then senior squad, and with Shamrock Rovers and Celtic. The highlight, of course, came last November when he led Shels to their first league title since 2006 . But it was the nature of the defence of that title that rendered him exasperated, and clearly deciding that he'd had enough. The defeat to Derry left his side sixth in the table, a mountainous 15 points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers. He lashed out at his players after the game, questioning their motivation and professionalism. 'I prepared for the game like I was a professional footballer - I would really, really like to know how many of my players prepared as well as me.' 'It's my energy that has driven the players for four years,' he said. 'I've offered them the dressing room for them to lead this show. They've never really done it. I'm trying to drag them, trying to wake them up, but they never woke up.' Shels' head coach Damien Duff dejected after losing to Derry City. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho 'To become champions again, you have to be hungrier than last year, you have to work harder than last year - I'm not sure how many would say that they've done that.' And the thing about Duff is that you'd suspect he could forgive anything, other than a lack of hunger and professionalism. Once he felt he could no longer extract either of those qualities from his players, that was time for him to bid adieu. He'll leave a hell of a hole in the League of Ireland, though, not least because of his passion for it and the raised profile he helped give it. And he was never shy about standing up for it. 'This league was called the problem child for many, many years,' he said, 'but believe you me, the biggest problem child is the FAI.' It's unlikely, then, that he'll choose Abbotstown as his next place of work. So where next? It was only in April that he dismissed any notion of leaving Ireland to take up another managerial offer, Bolton said to have been the latest club to want him as their gaffer. 'I am here because they are here,' he said of his family and their life in Wicklow, 'and I want to be here. I don't picture myself anywhere else but Ireland.' Look away now, Shels fans: could he be up for taking over at another club in the league some time soon? We'll see. But one thing's for sure, you wouldn't want him staying out of the game for too long. Joey O'Brien, meanwhile, will take charge of Shelbourne for Monday night's league game away to Waterford, and could well still be in position for their Champions League qualifying games against Linfield on July 9th and 16th. 'What comes on Monday, who knows,' Duff said after the Derry game. Time, as it's proved, to think about his next step in football.
Irish Times
4 hours ago
- Irish Times
Curragh boss says marathon World Pool programmes not a problem for racegoers
Next Sunday's €1.25 million Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby will be the centrepiece of another bumper nine-race card and Curragh officials insist such marathon programmes are not an issue for racegoers. Last year, Irish racing's HQ hosted the first nine-race meeting in modern times to facilitate the lucrative Tote World Pool betting. The Curragh first hosted the pool run by the Hong Kong Jockey Club in 2023 , when it prompted the Derby date to be switched to Sunday for the first time in 14 years. Almost €30 million in global betting turnover was generated on the Curragh action in 2023. Sunday's action could end up being worth up to €700,000 for the Tote here, as well as the Curragh and Horse Racing Ireland . READ MORE Last month's Guineas festival at the Curragh was part of the pool for the first time and also saw a nine-race programme for 2,000 Guineas day. It prompted some complaints about the length of the card, while there was also disquiet at Epsom earlier this month when Derby day there was included on the World Pool and led to an eight-race card. The pool is the biggest co-mingled market in world racing and operated at Royal Ascot last week. The Irish Champions Festival in September is also included in it. The Curragh's Derby festival kicks off on Friday and once more, a €100,000 handicap has been added to Sunday to make it nine races. Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of the Curragh, said he wasn't aware of criticism relating to the length of the programme at last year's Derby or at last month's 2,000 Guineas. 'I think the big days are days when people are here for a day out,' he said on Sunday. 'We've had days when, at the finish, people are looking for more races. 'It has worked fine. It's a chance to put on a €100,000 handicap as an extra race for three-year-olds, which was run for the first time on Derby day last year. Hopefully it will generate plenty of interest and activity." Part of the commentary at Epsom last month revolved around a lack of quality in some of the contests that backed up the big race. Kavanagh said that won't be the case this coming Sunday. Horse Racing Ireland put the fixture list together; that's not just our call — Brian Kavanagh 'These are all premier handicaps, very competitive races, backed up by a number of Listed races and obviously the Derby, the feature race itself,' said the Curragh boss. 'I think people come for the day and whether they stay for all the races or some races is a matter for themselves. It's a good opportunity to put another high-value race and Hong Kong, the World Pool, will take nine races if we put them on. That's the logic to it.' Ticket pricing for the Irish Derby has also come under the spotlight in recent years, nominated sometimes as a contributory factor to underwhelming attendance figures for Ireland's premier classic. An official figure of 11,418 was returned for Derby day last year. The capacity in the grandstand alone is 13,000. Kavanagh pointed out that the entry cost for Sunday's action is €35, providing people buy their tickets online up to Friday. He says this is 'very good value'. After the Friday cut-off, tickets increase to €45. He also confirmed that officials will look at reducing next year's Guineas festival to two days and losing the Friday evening card. However, a similar move in relation to the Derby festival won't be considered. 'Horse Racing Ireland put the fixture list together; that's not just our call. We will look at that (Guineas festival) for next year,' he said. 'But three days is well established for the Derby. The Friday for the Guineas was added just before or just after Covid. The Derby has been three days for more than 20 years, so I doubt that will change.' [ Kevin Prendergast, influential trainer, dies aged 92 Opens in new window ] An unsettled weather outlook for the week ahead could prove an important factor in deciding likely opposition to the Epsom Derby winner Lambourn on Sunday. Aidan O'Brien's star is odds-on in most betting lists ahead of Tuesday's latest acceptance stage where supplementary entries can be made. However, some ease in the going could make the Curragh a possible option for the Epsom runner Lazy Griff. The Dante winner Pride Of Arras failed to act around Epsom and is another potential cross-channel contender.
