Strong World Cup start for Ireland

Sometimes, boring is good.

On a weekend where New Zealand and Argentina failed to perform in their Rugby World Cup openers, an 82-8 win for Ireland over Romania was as satisfying a start as Andy Farrell’s side could have wished for.

Back in 1995, Ireland played New Zealand in their first game and we all dared to dream when Gary Halpin scored an early try. All it did was jolt the All Blacks into action and they won 43-19. Now, Ireland are that kind of side, a scalp to be taken, and while Romania did score the first try inside the opening minutes, they were limited to three points for the remainder of the game.

Ultimately, the most important thing was that there were no injuries and, with Ireland rated as 36-point favourites against Tonga this Saturday, that will be the key objective this weekend too before the tougher games against Scotland and South Africa.

That South Africa enjoyed an 18-3 win over Scotland last weekend was probably for the best – a Scotland win might have just added a complication with regard to qualification for the quarter-finals. What was perhaps surprising was that the 15-point winning margin was only slightly more than France’s against New Zealand and less than what England beat Argentina by (and that with the South Americans scoring a meaningless try at the death).

The All Blacks looked to be in a good position as they led France at half-time last Friday night but the second half was one-sided while Argentina were unable to take advantage of a great opportunity against a 14-man England side on Saturday.

With Ireland rated as 36-point favourites against Tonga this Saturday, that will be the key objective this weekend too before the tougher games against Scotland and South Africa.

In both cases, the fact that the first group match was the toughest brought with it an extra pressure and a greater sense of jeopardy, whereas the fixtures schedule has been kind to Ireland. Luck like that is necessary in such big competitions and we certainly won’t turn it down.

Tonga were the country not in action in the first round of fixtures in Ireland’s pool last week, but even the extra time off is unlikely to be that much of a help to the side ranked 15th in the world.

Aside from Ireland’s game, there’s not a huge amount to get the pulse racing this weekend, which can sometimes happen when a 20-team competition features some cannon-fodder. Fiji, so unlucky against Wales last week, might trouble Australia, who saw off Georgia without hitting their heights. Otherwise, it’s likely to be a case of the top sides avoiding banana skins.

A one-sided rugby game is a far more enticing proposition than another disappointing soccer loss and the inevitable debate around the future of Stephen Kenny.

All told, defeats to France and the Netherlands by an aggregate total of three goals was probably better than most would have hoped for. They meant that Ireland cannot qualify for Euro 2024 through their group but, if we’re all honest, we knew that that wouldn’t be happening when the draw placed us with two superpowers.

Kenny did point out afterward that Ireland could still qualify for Germany through the back door of the Uefa Nations League but, sadly, that’s straw-clutching at this stage.

He hasn’t lost the dressing room but it’s fair to say with near-certainty that he won’t be in charge for the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

The decision for the FAI is whether to change now or wait until after the games against Greece, Gibraltar and the return against the Dutch.

These weekends are busy from the point of view of reporting on Cork county championship games – across this coming Friday, Saturday and Sunday, your humble correspondent will be covering five hurling matches in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Pitching a tent on Friday has been considered.

At the end of 2019, Cork County Board brought in a new round-robin system and more streamlined grading, which has served to give clubs more games and also makes for evenly fought championships.

On Sunday in Bandon, we saw the contrasting emotions that can arise out of games being affected by matters elsewhere. In the first match, O’Donovan Rossa beat Fermoy by 3-10 to 1-13 in the Bon Secours Hospital Cork Senior A Football Championship but, because Knocknagree had beaten Kanturk by three points in the other game in that group, Rossa and Kanturk finished level – on points and scoring difference – so it came down to Kanturk having scored more across their three games.

Winner-takes-all tie

Then, in the Premier Senior Championship, Castlehaven and Clonakilty met in what was expected to be a winner-takes-all tie as Carbery Rangers were expected to beat the already-eliminated Valley Rovers in the other match.

The Haven triumphed in an entertaining match by 1-16 to 1-14 but, as word came through that Valleys had won, the blow of defeat was softened for Clon as they would also be qualifying.

The next task won’t be easy as they face county champions Nemo Rangers, but the key thing is that they are there. Matters were even closer in another group. St Finbarr’s made it three wins from three as they beat Douglas, who had already beaten St Michael’s and lost to Mallow.

A draw against St Michael’s would have sent Mallow to the quarter-finals, but instead a one-point defeat has condemned them to the relegation play-off against Carrigaline.

St Michael’s win, coupled with Douglas grabbing a late goal against the Barrs, meant the two sides were tied on points, scoring difference and total scored – and so they must meet in a play-off next Friday.

The drama was high and the good weather brought large crowds out. And, not to keep banging a drum, none of it would have happened without the split-season.