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Credit where it’s due for Ireland’s performance and new Gaelic football rules

Lineout improvement reaps dividends; Ben O’Keeffe’s game of two halves; Ferguson’s Hammers move a boost for Ireland

Dan Sheehan celebrates scoring Ireland's fourth try against England on Saturday. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho
Dan Sheehan celebrates scoring Ireland's fourth try against England on Saturday. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho
Mary Hannigan's picture
Mary Hannigan
Tue Feb 04 2025 - 10:15

Was that first-half display by Ireland against England on Saturday “a continuation of an underwhelming, error-prone Autumn Series”, or do we need to take an alternative look at it? That’s what Gerry Thornley does today, reckoning that it might deserve a bit more credit – after all, “it is one of rugby’s general truths that a superior team in the first period often doesn’t receive its rewards on the scoreboard until the second”. Which, of course, is precisely what happened.

But the trip to Murrayfield on Sunday is likely to go up another few notches on the difficulty scale, even if Scotland haven’t got the better of Ireland in the Six Nations since 2017. Gerry hears from Gregor Townsend who is hopeful-ish of snapping that 10-game losing streak.

It could well extend to 11 if Ireland can maintain the improvements to their lineout that they showed against England after it malfunctioned during the Autumn Nations Series. This time, writes John O’Sullivan, there was “a slickness and tempo” to its functionality.

Owen Doyle, meanwhile, gives his thoughts on the performances of the referees in the opening round of games, reckoning that New Zealander Ben O’Keeffe had “a very good first half” in Ireland’s game, but was “somewhat less on top of things” in the second. A bit like England.

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In Gaelic games, Maurice Deegan is encouraged by the impact of the new football rules so far, the “solo and go” in particular “revolutionising” the game already. “We are only at the foot of this particular mountain but the direction is definitely upwards,” he writes.

But why aren’t we seeing these games under lights on a Friday night? Gordon Manning wonders why “Friday night intercounty games remain kryptonite for the GAA”.

In soccer, it’s with no small relief that Gavin Cummiskey reports on Evan Ferguson’s loan move to West Ham on transfer deadline day. Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson will, no doubt, pray that the 20-year-old will start blowing bubbles again after a less than successful start to the season with Brighton.

In golf, Rory McIlroy kick-started his season with that handsome Pebble Beach Pro-Am victory, Philip Reid reflecting on his 27th PGA Tour win and how it sets him up for the challenges ahead. Shane Lowry will take plenty from his runner-up finish too. And Philip also looks ahead to Tom McKibbin’s LIV debut this week under floodlights in Riyadh.

And in racing, despite Willie Mullins being “confused” by the Irish Gold Cup being staged on a Saturday, and not being given “top billing” on the Sunday, Brian O’Connor beings word that there are no plans to switch its spot in next year’s weekend programme.

TV Watch: Occasionally, the TV pickings are slim, but tonight ... we’re talking wafer-thin. Unless QPR v Blackburn in the Championship (Sky Sports+, 7.45) or Atalanta v Bologna in the Coppa Italia (Premier Sports 1, 8.0), floats your boat.

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