Category: Sport

Trip to Griffin Park

A overcast day and disappointing game against the Swans.

Brentford played poorly and offered little to give confidence. Not helped by letting in a goal within 20 seconds. 3-nil down within 20 something minutes and a crowd that could not find more than a whisper.

There was murmuring everywhere with the typical reaction to sack the manager. I am not sure of the necessary response but his hold on employment does look precarious.

A run of bad form and poor football

Championship

Brentford 1-2 Middlesbrough: Boro hold on to move back to second

Marcus Tavernier
Middlesbrough’s victory kept them within two points of leaders Norwich

Middlesbrough returned to second in the Championship as they held off a late Brentford fightback to win at Griffin Park.

After a relatively quiet, goalless first half, Jordan Hugill tapped in to put the visitors in front.

When Marcus Tavernier’s downward header doubled the lead soon afterwards, the points looked safe, but Alan Judge fired in to pull one back for Brentford.

A tense finale followed but Darren Randolph did well to save from the Bees’ Josh Da Silva as Boro claimed back-to-back victories.

The hosts, for whom defeat was their fifth in six games, had chances to level after Judge’s effort, but Sergi Canos’ low shot lacked the power to trouble Randolph.

I had to leave at half- time so I could reach the RAH on time for the music. Kick- off changed to 5-30pm for the sake of TV- very annoying.

The football was again very frustrating. Brentford again played in their usual style which to me has become a cliche of football – possession without purpose. At one point the player with the most forward passes must have been the goalkeeper with his ‘hoofs’ up the pitch. The ball is passed along the back four but no one has the confidence, skill or permission to take the ball forward and commit the opposition who are able to remain back, covering space and not really being troubled. So as ever the stats give a lie to the effectiveness of the ‘Bees’. Players seem to not know each other.

I am finding it hard to be excited even though I have missed a few games with being away.

The Beesotted podcast and the fans response seems to place more emphasis on the opposition and bad periods during a match. I think there is something more fundamental going wrong.

Historic Irish Win

So Ireland beat the All Blacks and we were in Duffy’s to witness the match. Joe wore his All Blacks shirt with pride and Shaz and I were also on the side of the men in black.  Anthony and the lads were ecstatic with the  deserved victory.

A fun trip to west London with more due in the future.

Ireland 16-9 New Zealand: Hosts hold nerve to earn first home win over All Blacks

By Cian Murtagh

BBC Sport NI at Aviva Stadium

Tadhg Furlong, Rory Best, Cian Healy, Peter O'Mahony and Devin Toner show their delight after the final whistle in Dublin
Irish joy was unconfined after the final whistle at the Aviva Stadium
Autumn internationals: Ireland v New Zealand
Ireland: (9) 16
Tries: Stockdale Cons: Sexton Pens: Sexton 3
New Zealand: (6) 9
Pens: Barrett 2 Drop Goal: Barrett

Ireland have beaten New Zealand on home soil for the first time with a frenzied 16-9 win at the Aviva Stadium.

Jacob Stockdale’s superb chip-and-gather try decided an absorbing contest between the top two sides in the world.

Johnny Sexton advanced his claims for the world player of the year award with the rest of Ireland’s points.

The Grand Slam champions added to their historic first win over the All Blacks in 2016 as they sent out a warning before next year’s Rugby World Cup.

Stockdale’s try pushed his side into a 10-point lead in the 49th minute and they produced a heroic defensive display, led by man-of-the-match Peter O’Mahony, to repel the inevitable New Zealand fightback as ‘The Fields of Athenry’ rang through the Dublin night.

Stockdale swings it

Identity

So last week I was happy to support New Zealand when they played England, and as it happens, won in a tight game that really England should have won.
This week the All Blacks play Ireland. Assessment of the merits of each time probably give Ireland the edge in the contest.
But emotionally who do I want to win. With me drifting more to my father’s origins maybe it is less easy to support the ABs this weekend.
At the same time  I still evoke the ‘I’m too old to invest too much emotion in these things’ mantra.

Ireland can repeat Chicago win over New Zealand, says Rory Best

• Joe Schmidt’s side beat All Blacks in the US in 2016
• Captain Best says injuries will not have big impact

Liam Napier

Ireland players celebrate the win over New Zealand in Chicago
Ireland players celebrate the win over New Zealand in Chicago. Photograph: Phil Walter/Getty Images

Rory Best is confident Ireland can repeat their history-making efforts in Chicago by claiming a maiden win over New Zealand on home soil despite suffering more late injury dramas.

Already without the Lions flanker Sean O’Brien, who broke his arm against Argentina last week, Ireland suffered another major setback on the eve of the match with the loose forward Dan Leavy ruled out. Leavy’s absence adds to a growing injury list which includes O’Brien, the influential half-back Conor Murray and Robbie Henshaw.

 

Twickenham contest

An afternoon spent in the ‘Maple Leaf’ pub watching England v New Zealand with Bridge and Elaine along with a host of other rugby fans.

Of note, other than the tight win for the ABs with the cancellation of an England try at the death thanks to the TMO, was my support for New Zealand. With these contests I am split for loyalty if that is really an important issue. NZ were the team today as being perverse comes easily with so many supporting England. Equally the arrogance of England comes into play.

And next week NZ v Ireland- a closer call.