The endless spring of winning for Irish Rugby came to an end in Cardiff with the Irish Women losing their Six Nations opener but there was plenty of success for Irish teams over the weekend, as well as a surprise return at Croke Park…
It was not a good start for the Irish Women who lost heavily to Wales in the opening fixture of the TikTok Women’s Six Nations in Cardiff.
🗣️ Post-match reaction from Nichola Fryday in Cardiff…#NothingLikeIt | #TikTokW6N pic.twitter.com/7X2rfdWKzJ
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) March 25, 2023
The final round of group games in the Allianz Football League saw Galway, Mayo, Dublin and Derry through to the D1 and D2 Finals but most of the talk was about the reappearance of Stephen Cluxton on the team sheet for Dublin.
🗣"It's a massive surprise."
🗣"What an amazing story for Dublin to have him back."
Paddy Andrews responds to his former teammate, Stephen Cluxton, rejoining the Dublin panel and their victory over Louth.
🗣"Arguably Dublin's greatest ever player."@AIB_GAA #TheToughest pic.twitter.com/X1bHg7uOI9
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) March 26, 2023
Rory McIlroy had to settle for third place at the WGC World Matchplay but he is in good form heading for the Masters and is driving the ball a staggering distance.
Another "crazy" McIlroy drive 🚀
He drives the 6th green and goes 3UP vs Scheffler. #DellMatchPlay pic.twitter.com/J4kLkpBufi
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) March 26, 2023
Kildare played their last game of the year at St Conleth’s Park in Newbridge on Sunday, exiting in style, beating Meath in a game that could yet nudge the Royal County out of the All-Ireland Championship and into the Tailteann Cup.
Newbridge Gospel Choir in full voice at Saint Conleth’s Park pic.twitter.com/xnyllQ7jUP
— Kildare GAA (@KildareGAA) March 26, 2023
The 2023 Camogie Season could be one of the most competitive yet with two single-point margins and a draw in the three games played in Division 1A of the Very National League at the weekend.
RESULTS Very Ireland Camogie Leagues. Updated results from today. #VeryLeagues @very_ireland pic.twitter.com/ZmBrrVIk5J
— The Camogie Association (@OfficialCamogie) March 26, 2023
We are loving the graphics and the visual identity of the League of Ireland and with the men’s game on a break for the international fixtures, it was the time for the women to shine.
Which attacker will reveal themselves in the early kick-off?#LOIW | #SHEGAL pic.twitter.com/626ZzHFKoe
— LOI Women (@LoiWomen) March 25, 2023
There were great wins for the U17 Republic of Ireland Women’s Team, beating Italy 1-0 to stay top of the qualification group for their Euro’s
Back-to-back wins for #IRLWU17 in their Round 2 EURO Qualifiers 👍
Jess Fitzgerald scored from a free-kick to keep the Girls in Green top of Group A5.
Next up: decider against France on Wednesday 👊
#COYGIG | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/gYt7dJwWi5— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 26, 2023
…and for the U21 men’s team coming from behind to beat Iceland 2-1 in front of a 6,000 crowd in Turners Cross
ALL THE GOALS | #IRLU21 | 🇮🇪 2-1 🇮🇸
Goals from Tom Cannon and Johnny Kenny see 10-man Ireland win in front of 6,000 fans in Turner’s Cross ☘️#COYBIG | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/8bAPM7qwsg
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 27, 2023
Though much of the football coverage was still focused on the build-up to Monday’s game, and the familiar refrain about breakthrough young talent in recent years.
🗣"He is 100% tied to Ireland…there has never been any hope of him declaring for England"
⚽️The Sunday Paper review on how Evan Ferguson could still technically qualify for England
🗣"It keeps coming up… I understand why we're so wary given our previous defections" pic.twitter.com/U1Sw9RVlpa
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) March 26, 2023
There was a big money win for Irish Showjumper Daragh Kenny in Florida.
🎉🏆Darragh Kenny wins the CSI4* $226,000 Bainbridge Companies Grand Prix in Wellington, Florida.
Daniel Coyle comes sixth.— Horse Sport Ireland (@HorseSportIRL) March 26, 2023
And finally, a great return to full crowds and endless joy at the first National Series event of the year for Gymnastics Ireland at the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus.
5500 at the first Gymnastics Ireland National Series event of 2023… https://t.co/1iUHg80qGB pic.twitter.com/6HvqurMNNO
— Gymnastics Ireland (@GymnasticsIre) March 26, 2023
