This is The Knock On, KCLR, and Scoreline.ie’s weekly rugby podcast.
In this episode, Stephen Byrne is joined by Tom Crotty from Carlow Rugby Club, James Blanchfield from Kilkenny RFC and Paddy Browne from Tullow RFC. The Kilkenny men’s fixtures on Sunday last were called off late due to the stormy weather. The J1 and J2 games against Gorey have been refixed for this Saturday. The Kilkenny women are at home to Ashbourne, it’s their first game of the league this season.
Bective beat Carlow’s J1’s at the weekend, Tom Crotty felt they could have won it and that their scores came off Carlow’s mistakes. They were disappointed not to get a losing bonus point and the seconds had a better game beating the Dublin side. Tom says the fitness levels required for Division 1A are huge, the ball is faster and they feel like they haven’t caught up quick enough.
Carlow’s ladies’ team have their first game in over a decade this weekend against De La Salle Palmerston. Tullow’s Dannah O Brien was part of the Irish women’s senior team who made history at the weekend beating the Black Ferns. Dannah kicked the score that won the game at the end.
Meanwhile, Wicklow beat Tullow’s men’s teams in the league. Paddy Browne says Wicklow were relentless and Tullow had a hard day against them. Tullow could have some luck on their side for the next game though as Adam Johnson and Stevie Smith could be back for the clash in a week. The women were also beaten in their opening AIL game at home to Wicklow, they picked up three player injuries.
The ladies play Cooke near Belfast in the next round.
