Sunday, October 31, 2010

Times they are a changin'


Some of my recent work.




Young Canterbury prop Rodney Ah You is moving to the Northern Hemisphere, after signing for Irish side Connacht. The 22-year-old has signed an 18-month deal at the Sportsground, Galway and will be expected to fill in for the absence of English International Robbie Morris - who is injured. Ah You heads off with a fierce reputation after lifting the IRB Junior Crown in 2007 and 2008 with New Zealand. He first came to the notice of Connacht coach Eric Elwood during his Baby Blacks appearances, including New Zealand’s 65-10 win over Ireland en route to the Kiwis’ 2008 world junior rugby title.
After only taking up rugby at the age of 16, Ah You quickly progressed through the ranks at Canterbury and was capped at Under-19 and Under-20 level for New Zealand.
The versatile tighthead prop, who can also play at loosehead, made his Canterbury debut last season.
His contract will see him remain in Ireland until the end of 2011/12 season.
Connacht have had an indifferent start to their European campaign this time around, losing in Italy against I Cavalieri Estra in Round 1 before bouncing back to beat Bayonne 16-13 in Round 2.




IRELAND’S Tadhg Kennelly has already started some good-natured mind games ahead of the International Rules opener on Saturday. He texted his Swans team-mate and Australian captain – Adam Goodes – early last week cheekily boasting that he can’t wait to embarrass the Aussies in front of 80,000 Irish fans. Goodes took all in his stride – especially since his side are facing up to five players with AFL experience in the Irish squad – Tadhg Kennelly, Tommy Walsh, Marty Clarke, Colm Begley and Brendan Murphy. "There’s a little bit of banter," he smiled. "Kennelly reckons he can’t wait to embarrass us in front of 80,000 Irish supporters." Goodes trained with the round ball for the first time Saturday, but points to the soccer World Cup as a reason why the Aussies will adapt to the ball quicker than people think. He added: "The World Cup was on this year and in every footy club, the boys were playing soccer. A lot of us grew up playing soccer at school. For the boys who find it a bit strange, I’m sure after a few training sessions they’ll be ready." The captain, who represented Australia in the 2001 series, will be supported by three vice captains – Collingwood’s Dane Swan, Carlton’s Kade Simpson and the Western Bulldogs’ Matthew Boyd. "I’m really honoured by the position, to represent these young blokes because it is a huge thing," he said .

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Tuesday, October 19, 2010


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Sunday, March 21, 2010

NFL Div 2 Armagh v Kildare




NFL Division 2

Down 1-13 v Armagh 1-06

MARTIN CRUMMY

DOWN hammered fierce rivals Armagh by seven points last night, to cement their place as red hot favourites for promotion from Division Two.

Armagh wing back Finnian Moriarity got his second yellow card in the 33rd minute, compounding the visitor's poor first half in Pairc Esler.

A rip-roaring start to this local derby, saw Bennie Coulter rattle home to the net after only 50 seconds.

Danny Hughes floated a ball into the square and when Andy Mallon and goalkeeper Philip McEvoy jumped for the ball and missed it, Coulter was on hand to give his side a dream start.

And they bombed on from that opening goal, to open up a 1-3 to 0-0 lead after 5 minutes.

Scores from late inclusion Mark Poland, Martin Clarke and a well worked Coulter point, were body blows to their near neighbours.

It went from bad to worse for the Orchard County and their Down native manager, as they were 1-5 to no score down by the tenth minute. Martin Clarke's left footed effort from the left wing, the pick of the bunch.

Armagh were given a little belief in the 12th minute, when Stefan Forker won a penalty off Dan McCartan, with Steven McDonnell sending the keeper the wrong way.

James McCartan's men then shipped a blow when play marker Martin Clarke had to come off injured, but they got back on the scoring track with Coulter popping over an easy chance.

McDonnell, though, was doing his usual trick for the Armagh men, turning his marker - Brendan McArdle - and slotting over to put three between the sides.

By the half time whistle, the gap remained three points, but Armagh had lost a man with Moriarity getting his marching orders.

A major re-jig in the Orchard ranks at half time, saw Malachy Mackin come in for Forker, with Aaron Kernan moving to his usual wing back role.

It made little initial impact though, as the lead stayed constant for the hosts, with McDonnell and Conor Maginn trading points in the opening exchanges of the second half.

Midfielder Rodgers got his second of the day in the 48th minute, to leave the scores 1-9 to 1-5, with Armagh struggling to get past Down's defence, especially being a man light.

Further frees from Conor Maginn and a super right footed effort by Rodgers added to Armagh's woes, as Down were up 1-11 to 1-08 with ten minutes left.

Paddy O'Rourke's men tried for an elusive goal in the remaining minutes, but Down's defence held firm, to record a famous victory.

Scorers: Down: B Coulter 1-1, M Poland 0-3 (2f),A Rodgers 0-3 (1f), J Clarke 0-2 (1f), M Clarke 0-2 (1f), C Maginn 0-1, D Hughes 0-1,
Armagh: S McDonnell 1-3 (1f , 1pen), G Swift 0-2, F Moriarity 0-1,

Down: D Alder; D McCartan, B McArdle, D Rafferty; K McKernan, J Colgan, C Garvey; A Rodgers, K King; D Hughes, M Clarke, S Kearney; M Poland, J Clarke, B Coulter. Subs: C Maginn for M Clarke (inj) 21, C Laverty for J Clarke 47, A Brannigan for K McKernan 60, J McGovern for S Kearney 63, R Murtagh for M Poland 63,

Armagh: P McEvoy; A Mallon, B Donaghy, P Duffy; P Kernan, C McKeever, F Moriarity; R Austin, K Toner; J Feeney, A Kernan, G Swift; R Henderson, S McDonald, S Forker. Subs: C Vernon for R Henderson 20, M Mackin for S Forker HT, M Ferris for C McKeever 41, M McNamee for R Austin 56, T Kernan for J Feeney 60,

Referee: Martin Sludden (Tyrone)






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