Thursday Lunch Sport

Eadestown's Beirne in Ireland team; Idah Signs New Contract; No Taylor Title Fight in Croke Pk

Ireland's preparations for Saturday's Guinness Six Nations opener against Wales have been hit, after Tadhg Furlong was ruled out.

The tighthead hasn't played since December due to a calf injury, but had been on track to play after training fully this week,

Finlay Bealham replaces him.

It's the only major news from head coach Andy Farrell's announcement, with Stuart McCloskey partnering Garry Ringrose as expected in the centre, and Bundee Aki named on the bench.

Bealham comes into the front row alomgside Leinster pair Dan Sheehan and Andrew Porter,

Eadestown’s Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan continue their second row partnership.

Peter O'Mahony starts on the blindside flank, with Josh van der Flier at openside, and Caelan Doris at number 8.

The half backs are Jamison Gibson-Park and Johnny Sexton

The centres are McCloskey and Ringrose.

James Lowe starts on the left wing, Mack Hansen is the right wing, while Hugo Keenan starts at full-back.

Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe; Johnny Sexton (capt), Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Finlay Bealham; Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan; Peter O'Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.

Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Tom O'Toole, Iain Henderson, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Ross Byrne, Bundee Aki.

There is no place for Ben Healy in the Scotland squad to play England at Twickenham on Saturday.


The Republic of Ireland under 21's will play Italy once again in the 2025 European Championship qualifiers.

Jim Crawford's side finished second behind the Italians in the last campaign before losing to Israel on penalties in a playoff.

Norway, Turkey, Latvia and San Marino are also in the group.


Republic of Ireland striker Adam Idah has signed a new contract at Norwich City.

The Canaries have tied the 21 year old Corkman to a new deal which will keep him at Carrow Road until the summer of 2028.

The forward has made 64 appearances for the club and recently returned from a long term knee injury.


France defender Raphael Varane is retiring from international football, ending a 10-year career with Les Bleus in which he won the World Cup in 2018 and was a runners-up four years later.

The 29-year-old, who has 93 caps after making his debut in 2013, and also helped Didier Deschamps's side win the UEFA Nations League in the 2020-21 season.

Croke Park administrators are set to robustly give their side of the story following the revelation by boxing promoter Eddie Hearn that Katie

Taylor's homecoming fight in May will not be at the GAA HQ.

Hearn blamed costs for his decision.

World lightweight champion Taylor is set to fight Amanda Serrano at Dublin's 3 Arena on the 20th May.

 

Tom McKibbin carded a 2 under par round of 70 at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship on the DP World Tour in the UAE today.

Japan's Ryo Hisatsune is the day one leader on 9 under.

Seamus Power is in the field for the PGA Tour's AT and T Pebble Beach Pro Am, which starts later in California.