De La Salle Waterford-Munster Senior Hurling Champions -08 after thrilling victory against Adare

Adare who led by 5 points at half time dominated the first half of this exciting and sporting game-played at Semple Stadium. Were it not for some bad shooting Adare might possibly have been out of sight at half time.
Liam Costello ,Conor Fitzgerald and Diarmuid Sexton notched points for Adare.
The De La Salle forwards could make no headway against an Adare defence ably marshalled by Mark Foley. Indeed the Adare defenders hunted in packs. John Mullane frequently found himself confronted by two Adare defenders.
In the first half the De La Salle team had absolutely no pattern to its play

However the second half was a different story. Brian Phelan scored De La Salle’s first point a minute into the half. De la Salle manager Eoin Dunphy wrung the changes for this half. These had the desired effect. Daniels and Richardson played particularly well when they came on. Costello notched two points to push Adare into a seven-point lead.
Phelan pointed again for De La Salle before Mullane snapped up a loose ball, outside the Adare square, and turned onto his left before rocketing a shot to the Adare net. Mullane was now on fire.

That 41st-minute goal was the turning point in the game. Seamus Richardson and Mullane tacked on two more points for De La Salle.
The De La Salle defence snuffed out the Adare forward line with Michael Doherty and Kevin Moran particularly to the fore. Michael Doherty could make the Waterford Senior hurling panel. Donncha Sheehan managed to edge Adare ahead again. John Mullane and Thomas Kearney notched points for De La Salle to ensure victory for the Waterford side.

2008 has been a historic year for the De La Salle club. It has won both the Waterford Senior Hurling Championship and the Munster Senior Hurling title for the first time. All the promise shown at juvenile level has come to fruition. John Mullane who should have won an All Star award will feel particularly happy with the successes of his club.
There are excellent photographs of the game at Ken Sutton photostream on Flickr

Rugby Union World Cup -Impressions

Ireland's performance against Namibia has been labelled a horror show and a shambles. These descriptions are probably too mild.




A full time professional Irish side struggled to defeat a Namibian side with just six professionals in its ranks. The 32-17 scoreline flattered Ireland. Jerry Flannery scored a late controversial try. The decision to award the try was incorrect. The Irish forwards fared badly. This does not augur well for the games against Argentina and France. Irelands back play is too stereotyped and lacking in originality. It is too easy to defend against. Nick Mallett and Alan Solomons and Robbie Kempson played a role in the coaching of the Africans. This performance will improve their career prospects.

Many of the Namibian players will use the World Cup to showcase their talents. Essentially they are hungry for contracts in Europe. The Irish players appear to lack hunger and some may be more concerned with avoiding injury. European Cup rugby is now their bread and butter. Club may be more important than country.

The lack of competition for places is probably a contributory factor. I dislike the conservative approach of Eddie O'Sullivan.
England's performance against the USA was unconvincing. Brian Ashton has inherited a mess. English club rugby may be strong but its strength is increasingly dependent upon an influx of players from the Southern Hemisphere.
Home grown talent is neglected. A similar position is developing in France. The situation will deteriorate further with a new influx of New Zealand and South African players post the World Cup. This will impinge strongly on the strength of International sides.

It is time to limit the number of foreign imports to two per club. This would aid the development of indigenous talent and help maintain the strength of European International sides.