With 25,000 fans reportedly travelling from the USA, Dublin was awash with the gold and white of Georgia Tech and the garnet and gold of Florida State.

Background

The Florida State University Seminoles, who won 10 games in 2022 and 13 games in 2023, are the only team in the ACC and one of just 12 nationally to reach double-digit wins in 2022 and 2023. Prior to kick-off today, Florida State has won 12 consecutive conference games, the 3rd-longest active conference win streak in the nation.

Georgia Tech returned 16 starters from last year’s team, which went 7-6 overall, 5-3 in ACC play (good for a tie for fourth place in the 14-team conference standings), earned its first bowl berth since 2018 and its first bowl victory since 2016 with a season-ending 30-17 triumph over UCF in the Gasparilla Bowl.

The last meeting of the sides, at Tallahassee, Florida, on November 5^th 2022 saw the Mike Norvell-coached side come out on top, on a score line of 41-16. Florida State who lead Georgia Tech 2-0 in games played at neutral sites

Early lead for Florida State

A 28 yard rushing touchdown from Lawrance Toafili at the end of his side’s first drive of the game, put Florida State, the number 10 ranked US college team, into the lead. A two-point conversion attempt was successful when Brian Courtney successfully crossed to give his side an 8-0 advantage.

The designated home team, Georgia Tech, immediately responded with a 79 yard 6-play drive which saw quarterback Zach Pyron rush over from one yard out, before Aidan Birr had little difficulty in adding the conversion to leave just a point between the sides with 7:26 remaining in the first quarter.

Backup Q̶B̶ Bulldozer

@espn
pic.twitter.com/iJnFez6pRL

— Georgia Tech Football (@GeorgiaTechFB) August 24, 2024

Shanahan sees early action

Kerry’s David Shanahan came on to punt with just over a minute remaining in the opening quarter. The Georgia Tech kickers punt went 44 yards, to the Florida State 25, where it went out of bounds. A second punt later from the Irishman – in the third quarter – travelled further, this time 49 yards to the Florida State 33 yard line.

Exactly as they had done at the start of the game, Florida State began the second quarter sprightly. A scoring dive of 8 plays, covering 41 yards and taking 5:11 minutes gave Ryan Fitzgerald the opportunity to kick for points. He duly obliged, increasing the Seminoles’ advantage to 11-8 with 11:06 to play to half-time.

Georgia Tech take the lead

The Brent Key-coached Georgia Tech finally took the lead in the game with over three minutes to play to the half-time interval. Wide receiver Jamal Haynes was push over by his team for a rushing touchdown at the end of a 7:53 drive, which covered 75 yards and involved 14 plays. An Aidan Birr kick dissected the posts to put the Bobby Dodd Stadium-based side into a 14-11 lead with 3:13 still on the second-quarter clock.

Just when Georgia Tech looked as those they would head to the half-time locker room with the lead on the scoreboard, Ryan Fitzgerald kicked an incredible 59 yard field goal as they clock was running out, to level the scores. The Fitzgerald kick, his second successful attempt matching his haul in the last clash between the sides, was a fitting end to a 9-play 34 yard drive.

Half-time score: Georgia Tech 14 Florida State 14

The first and only score of the third quarter came early in the period saw an Aidan Birr field goal attempt for Georgia Tech from 51 yards drift right and wide of the posts, leaving the score at 14-14 heading into the deciding 15 minutes of the opening game of the 2024 college football season.

Final Quarter

Georgia Tech, who had ended the previous quarter camped on the Florida State line, ran in for a touchdown through Jamal Haynes on the resumption of play. His two yard run in touchdown was converted by Aidan Birr, to seven points [21-14] between the Yellow Jackets and the Seminoles.

HAYNES HAYNES@GeorgiaTechFB TAKES THE LEAD.

@ESPNCFB x @cfbireland

pic.twitter.com/v1lExEqYFf

— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) August 24, 2024

A one-yard rushing touchdown scored by Roydell Williams was the the final of 15 plays in an 8:18 drive by Florida State. Ryan Fitzgerald stepped up again to deliver a successful conversion, tying the sides with 6:33 minutes remaining in the game.

In the dying second of a tight game, Aidan Birr kicked a 44 yard field goal for Georgia Tech go give them a tight 24-21 win in a game which had a great atmosphere throughout.

Final score:  Georgia Tech 24  Florida State 21

The post Georgia Tech 24 Florida State 21 in thrilling 2024 Aer Lingus Classic appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Ireland extended their record to 19th successive home success this afternoon, a victory that is a 40th win in the last 42 games at the Aviva Stadium, dating back to 2016.

It was the home side’s 10^th successive win against their Celtic neighbours, and their 71 in all since the two sides first met in Belfast in 1877.

Opening half lacked energy from Ireland

An opening half that was characterised by handling errors, Ireland look a pale version of the energetic side that began this Six Nations tournament a few weeks ago.

Finn Russell opened the scoring in the 143^rd test match between Ireland and Scotland with a penalty in the 8^th minute of the game. Russell was reliable as usual from the kicking tee and dissected the posts for the game’s opening score.

Sheehan fifth try of the tournament

Dan Sheehan scored his 5th try of this season’s Guinness Six Nations when being the grateful recipient from a line-out throw in. The Ireland hooker, crashed over for his 10th career test try to put Ireland into the lead for the first time in the game. A successful Jack Crowley conversion put the home side into a 7-3 lead with just 14 minutes on the clock.

𝐃𝐀𝐍 𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐄𝐇𝐀𝐍!

Steals a Scottish lineout and there’s no stopping him from there!#IREvSCO | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/4Ki6rSM0iK

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 16, 2024

Joe McCarthy conceded a penalty minutes later, his second of the game, and gave Russell an opportunity to bridge the gap, which he duly did with his second successful kick for the posts in the test match.

Jack Crowley had a penalty attempt from inside the Scottish half to extend the Irish lead with 5 minutes to play in the opening half, but the kicker’s effort went left and wide of the uprights.

Half-time: Ireland 7  Scotland 6.

With Ireland making an energetic start to the second half, Scotland were penalised on 42 minutes for being off their feet directly in front of the posts. Crowley had an easy task of slotting over to push Andy Farrell’s side into a 10-6 lead.

Officials deny Furlong a try

Tadhg Furlong looked to have added to the Ireland score-line approaching the 50 minute mark. The prop drove for the line, and though he initially looked to have touched down successfully for the score, the referee Matthew Carley stated the on-field decision was ‘no try’ as he went to his TMO for clarification. Despite the fact that Scotland’s Finn Russell seemed to be in an offside position, therefore preventing Furlong from scoring, the English referee maintained his original decision, much to the frustration of the home crowd.

Porter try secures Irish victory

Ireland went of a short penalty tap and succeed in crossing the try-scoring line, with Scotland having a man in the sin-bin. Despite incessant Irish pressure prior to that, they failed to achieve another score which might settle the result of this match. Andrew Porter scored his sixth international try to settle Irish nerves. The front-row burst through the Scottish defensive effort and with a successful conversion attempt from Jack Crowley, Ireland took a 17-6 advantage into the final 13 minutes of the test match.

𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘!

Ireland finally breach that brilliant Scottish defence through Andrew Porter!#IREvSCO | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/ggSbILafcJ

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 16, 2024

Scottish centre Huw Jones gave his side some late hope when racing in for a five-pointer with three minutes remaining on the clock. Russell added the extras to leave just four points between the sides, with an extra man on the pitch following the earlier sin-binning of Harry Byrne.

𝗜𝗧 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗚𝗢𝗧 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚!

A piece of brilliance from Huw Jones gives Scotland a late try and move within four points!#IREvSCO | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/RPdKB5dTB3

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 16, 2024

Full-time: Ireland 17  Scotland 13

The post IRELAND WIN SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

With two tries in each half from the home side, and a perfect goal-kicking performance from Jack Crowley today, Andy Farrell’s men maintained their grip on this season’s Championship.

Wales’ only score of the game was a penalty try awarded by referee Andrea Piardi, but despite the final scoreboard, it was far from Ireland’s best performance under Farrell.

Ireland dominate territory and possession early on

Jack Crowley opened the scoring in the 6th minute of this Guinness Six Nations Championship game, the 125 time Ireland and Wales clashed in the Five/Six Nations Championship, when successfully kicking a penalty from 42m out.

With Ireland dominating territory (74%) and possession (69%) in the opening 15 minutes, the home side would not be happy to have only a penalty separating the sides at that stage of the game.

Fourth try of the Championship for Sheehan

Dan Sheehan, with three tries already in this season’s championship, added another when crashing over in the 20th minute. With Ireland successfully winning the line out, the green maul drove for the Welsh line, but with the defending side struggling to cope, Sheehan touched down for the five-pointer, much to the relief of the anxious Irish crowd.

Ireland have their first try on the board against Wales as Dan Sheehan powers over #IREvWAL #SixNations

Updates – https://t.co/yTLOjzwo3W
Watch live – https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7 pic.twitter.com/BpWHhzKobP

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 24, 2024

Jack Crowley made it two successful kicks at the posts from two, as he added the conversion for a 10-0 advantage to Ireland.

James Lowe settles nervous Irish crowd

Winger James Lowe settled the nerves of the home crowd even further when scoring his 14th international try on 32 minutes.

Ireland had Wales under pressure for the preceding two minutes, with the men from the principality stoutly defending on their own line. Ireland had won the lineout but Wales held their line and forced the home side to go all the way right to Calvin Nash, before playing the ball back to the opposite wing to Lowe.

With only one defender to beat, Lowe easily touched the ball down, before Crowley maintained his 100% record at kicking for the posts this afternoon, dissecting the posts this time from a more difficult angle.

Ireland have tightened their grip on the match as they go 17-0 clear of Wales after James Lowe scores try number two #IREvWAL #SixNations

Updates – https://t.co/yTLOjzwo3W
Watch live – https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7 pic.twitter.com/BwGcrOKxrG

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 24, 2024

With the extra two points added, Andy Farrell’s side were ahead 17-0 by the half-time break.

Half-time: Ireland 17 Wales 0

Penalty-try for Wales as Beirne sin-binned

Tadhg Beirne was sent to the sin bin in the 43rd minute as Wales drove for the Irish line. The Ireland number 5 was found guilty of illegally binding to prevent Wales progressing toward the home side’s line.

Referee Andrea Piardi, the first Italian to referee a Guinness Six Nations game, consulted with his TMO to see if Warren Gatland’s side had grounded the ball. With TV footage unclear of a successful grounding, the Italian awarded a penalty try to the visitors, reducing Ireland’s lead to 10 points.

First international try for Frawley

Ireland sucked in the Welsh defence on 67 minutes, allowing fullback Ciaran Frawley to race in for his first International try, on only his third senior International appearance. The UCD man found himself unmarked as he crossed the line and raced behind the post to score.

Jack Crowley had his easiest kick of the day, and his conversion put Ireland 24-7 ahead just over 10 minutes to play.

Ireland have got a third try and it’s Ciarán Frawley who gets over as Andy Farrell’s side establish a 24-7 lead over Wales #IREvWAL #SixNations

Updates – https://t.co/yTLOjzwo3W
Watch live – https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7 pic.twitter.com/kEKVMO3JkW

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 24, 2024

James Ryan sat out the final 4 minutes of the game in the sin bin as Ireland conceded three consecutive penalties, with Wales camped on the Irish try-scoring line. Despite their best effort Warren Gatland’s side failed to score, with Cian Healy and Ronan Kelleher working in unison to hold up the Welsh-attempted touch down.

Bonus-point try for Tadhg Beirne

With Andy Farrell’s men in search of a fourth, and bonus-point try, Tadhg Beirne, who had been yellow carded earlier in the game, found himself at the end of a great team effort as he achieved the crucial score with the clock in red.

Crowley, who had been perfect kicking all afternoon, ended the game with another successful conversion, giving Ireland a 31-7 bonus-point victory over Wales.

FT: Ireland 31-7 Wales

Tadhg Beirne’s bonus-point try puts the icing on the cake for Ireland as Andy Farrell’s side make it three wins from three #SixNations #IREvWAL

Updates – https://t.co/yTLOjzwo3W
Watch live – https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7 pic.twitter.com/jNWXU1cDjT

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 24, 2024

Ireland improve record against Wales

Ireland are now unbeaten at home against Wales in their last six Guinness Six Nations Championship fixtures, a new record, with wins in 2014, 2018, 2020 and 2022, and a draw in 2016.

Captain Peter O’Mahony feels Wales deserve plenty of credit for the way in which they stymied his side at times during the second half of Ireland’s 31-7 win #SixNations #IREvWAL

Updates – https://t.co/yTLOjzwo3W
Watch live – https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7 pic.twitter.com/Rody1Ig5pA

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 24, 2024

The Irish team is now three wins from three in the 2024 Championship, and will head to Twickenham next to play England, before the final game against Scotland back in Dublin next month.

Full-time: Ireland 31 Wales 7

The post Late try gives Ireland bonus-point 31-7 win over Wales appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The 97th meeting of the Fighting Irish and the Midshipmen of the US Naval Academy was the third edition of the Aer Lingus Classic, which was played in 2016 (Georgia Tech v Boston College) and 2022 (Northwestern v Nebraska).

The game, broadcast live on NBC throughout the USA, attracted a full-house at the Lansdowne Road venue, where the game kicked off at 7.30pm Irish time.

The 2023 Aer Lingus College Football Classic marked the third meeting between the Notre Dame and Navy in Ireland, but the first time that the Fighting Irish were the designated home team. The teams met in 1996 at Croke Park where Notre Dame won 54-27 and at Aviva Stadium in 2012 where they achieved a 50-10 victory.

In a dominant opening first two quarters, Notre Dame scored four touchdowns, each of them converted. The side had 17 first downs and passed for 200 yards. They added another two touchdowns during the third and fourth quarters to complete their comfortable victory.

Notre Dame took the lead through a rushing touchdown scored by Audric Estimé, the 13th play of the drive, which covered 81 yards and took 6 minutes 28 seconds of the opening quarter. Estimé just missed out on a 1,000-yard season in 2022 (he finished with 920 yards), with his specialty is wearing down the defence throughout the game.

7⃣@AudricEstime #GoIrish pic.twitter.com/SVSn6pOIHg

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 26, 2023

The kick which followed from Spencer Shrader was successful giving the designated ‘home’ side a 7-0 lead. Shrader, a former professional soccer player, decided to play his final year at Notre Dame, claiming the starting kicker duties, has rushed twice in his career (once for a 22-yard touchdown), caught a pass for seven yards, made two tackles on kick offs, punted once for 36 yards and has converted 28 career field goals.

A 19-yard rushing touchdown from Jadarian Price, followed by another successful kick from Shrader, saw Notre Dame double their advantage to 14-0 with over a minute remaining in the opening quarter.

There he goes! @Jadarian15 #GoIrish pic.twitter.com/iMCQKbK9oS

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 26, 2023

Jaden Greathouse worked well to gather the ball from quarterback Sam Hartman at the end of a Notre Dame four-play drive. The 6-pointer extended the South Bend, Indiana college’s advantage over their great rivals. With Shrader maintaining his accuracy at the posts, Notre Dame were 21-0 ahead, with 10 minutes still remaining in the first half.

Hartman Greathouse

YES#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/eEnbFlIhEd

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 26, 2023

Placekicker Evan Warren failed to get his side on the scoreboard at the end of Navy’s next possession. His effort failed to dissect the posts. This miss was soon punished as Notre Dame’s wide receiver Jayden Thomas got in on the scoring act when claiming his side’s fourth touchdown on the cusp of half-time.

Thomas, the leading returning receiver for the Irish offence, catching 25 passes for 361 yards and three touchdowns in 2022, received a 14-yard pass from quarterback Hartman in the ninth move of the drive which saw his side move 80 yards down the field. Shrader succeeded with his fourth kick at the posts and moved his team into a comfortable 28-0 at half-time.

Hartman Thomas

28-0 at the half #GoIrish pic.twitter.com/XG4wSuMrVQ

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 26, 2023

Jaden Greathouse scored his second touchdown of the game early in the third quarter. Receiving an accurate 20-yard pass from quarterback Hartman, wide receiver Greathouse brought his personal points tally for the night to 10 points, before Shrader again kicked the extras for a 35-0 lead.

Hartman makes it happen

Another TD for @jadengreat1 #GoIrish pic.twitter.com/MUgqBjvrZR

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 26, 2023

Shrader’s impeccable record at kicking for the posts ending with 4 minutes remaining in the third quarter. A 42-yard field goal attempt went right and wide of the uprights, as Shrader’s 100% success record on the night ended.

A 25-yard reception for Deion Colzie, who posted his best game of the season against Navy last year when catching two passes for 50 yards, saw the ‘home’ team extend their lead early in the final quarter. Seven plays in the drive saw Notre Dame move 60 yards in 3:43 minutes. With Shrader adding the extra score, it was a 42-0 advantage for Irish.

COLZIE

4⃣ touchdowns on the day for @sam_hartman10 #GoIrish pic.twitter.com/L9xdl2vKzZ

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 26, 2023

An Evan Warren field goal attempt from 31 yards out finally put Navy on the score board, but it was all too little, to late. The score came at the end of a 15-play 62-yard drive which lasted 8 minutes 21 seconds.

This one-sided game saw Notre Dame run out easy 42-3 victors over Navy.

The next instalment of US college football in Dublin, the 2024 Aer Lingus College Football Classic, will see Florida State University and Georgia Tech visit the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, 24 August 2024.

The post Notre Dame 42 Navy 3 in Aer Lingus Classic appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Ireland scored five tries to Italy’s two in their opening Bank of Ireland Nations Series game at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening.

First Half

Andy Farrell’s side scored three converted tries in the first half to just the concession of one Italian penalty as the home side dominated the first 40 minutes on the scoreboard.

The Italians drew first blood inside three minutes, however, when Munster’s Dave Kilcoyne conceded a penalty. The visitors’ fullback Tommaso Allan slotted the ball between the posts from 33m out before a crowd that has yet to settle into their seats.

From there it was all Ireland. Kilcoyne made up for his earlier error when pushing over for Ireland’s first score of the game on 13 minutes. His fellow Munsterman Jack Crowley successfully converted to give the side a 7-3 advantage.

Leinster’s Caelan Doris increased the Irish lead when scoring a try, as the clock headed to the half hour mark. Another conversion from Jack Crowley, his second of the game, doubled the hosts’ score to 14 points.

Ireland starting to find their groove at the Aviva Stadium as Caelan Doris grabs their second try. Live on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player. pic.twitter.com/1BWyWrCsVL

— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) August 5, 2023

Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey soon got in on the scoring act, diving over for his side’s third five-pointer of the game seven minutes later. Crowley maintained his 100% conversion record as he again added the extras to leave Ireland with a 21-3 advantage at the break.

HT: Ireland 21-3 Italy

Good pressure hands Ireland complete control as they get their third try.

RTÉ2/RTÉ Player
https://t.co/uwepLnTuLI pic.twitter.com/bg0xDGRc4h

— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) August 5, 2023

Half-time: Ireland 21 Italy 7

Second Half

Just as they did in the first half, Italy scored first again in the second period. Replacement Lorenzo Pani crossed for a try in the 51st minute when he found himself unmarked on the far touchline. Though Irish players attempted to narrow his run for the try-scoring line, the Zebre Parma player managed to touch the ball down. Tommaso Allan, who had opened the game’s scoring early in the first half, claimed his second conversion for a 21-10 score line.

Ireland have conceded their first try of the evening as Lorenzo Pani touched down in the corner

Andy Farrell’s side still lead 21-10

RTÉ2/RTÉ Player
https://t.co/t4kubFMoau #rterugby #IREvITA pic.twitter.com/rwBy42Nf8h

— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) August 5, 2023

Like he has done so often throughout his career, Cian Healy soon burrowed over when close to the line for his 12th international try. On this occasion, however, kicker Jack Crowley was unable to increase his side’s advantage when attempting the conversion kick.

Cian Healy has powered over for Ireland’s fourth try to extend the lead over Italy

RTÉ2/RTÉ Player
https://t.co/97VDHIoK9E #IREvITA #RTERugby pic.twitter.com/qQEX1OHpgJ

— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) August 5, 2023

Tommaso Menoncello quickly replied with Italy’s second five-pointer of the game and Tommaso Allan successfully kicked at the post for the third time.

Second try for Doris

Bank of Ireland Player of the Match Caelan Doris scored his second try of the game in the latter stages of the second half. The Leinster player was industrious throughout the game and involved in much of the key action. On this occasion Ciaran Frawley took the conversion attempt, and scored.

Caelan Doris has his second try of the night and Ireland’s fifth against Italy

RTÉ2/RTÉ Player
https://t.co/97VDHIoK9E #IREvITA #RTERugby pic.twitter.com/TscS5NohEc

— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) August 5, 2023

Tom Stewart, Ciaran Frawley and Calvin Nash all came off the replacements’ bench during the second half to each earn their first international caps at senior level.

Final score: Ireland 33 Italy 17

The post IRELAND 33 ITALY 17 appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Ireland won the Grand Slam at the Aviva Stadium this evening with a 29-16 victory over England. It is the country’s fourth time claiming the Grand Slam following wins in 1948, 2009 and 2018.

Two tries from Guinness Man of the Match Dan Sheehan were crucial in Ireland’s victory over England. In their final game of the 2023 Guinness Six Nations Championship, Ireland were made to work hard by England, who had only 14 men on the field for all of the second half, and 13 for the last minutes of the eighty.

The home side had begun slowly and the quiet muted atmosphere of the Aviva Stadium didn’t help Andy Farrell’s side.

The visitors took the lead through kicker Owen Farrell in the eight minute, as the number 10 comfortably slotted over his effort from directly in front of the Irish posts.

The son of the Ireland Head Coach doubled England’s lead minutes later with another three-pointer, leaving the English in a 6-0 lead with only 15 minutes on the clock.

The hosts finally got on the scoreboard in the 19^th minute when Jonathan Sexton kicked a penalty to make him the highest points’ scorer in Six Nations history, as the Dubliner reached the 560 mark.

History in the making

The moment Johnny Sexton went past Ronan O'Gara on the all-time #GuinnessSixNations points list.#IREvENG | #SuperSaturday pic.twitter.com/bD8xxoarb0

— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 18, 2023

Ireland took the lead for the first time in the game on 33 minutes. Hooker Dan Sheehan fought off three English challenges to make his way over the try-scoring line to touchdown for the game’s first try. A Sexton conversion gave the hot-favourites a 10-6 advantage, with half-time approaching.

Dan Sheehan out of nowhere!

A perfect lineout move and Ireland get the try.#IREvENG | #SuperSaturday pic.twitter.com/Py0ORelUX3

— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 18, 2023

With the clock in red England soon received a red as a tackle by Freddie Steward on Ireland’s fullback Hugo Keenan saw him leave the field for the remainder of the game, to be replaced by Juimmy O’Brien.

Ireland reached the half-time whistle with a 10-6 lead and a one-man advantage.

Half-time: Ireland 10 England 6.

Despite only having 14 men on the field for the second half of the game, England drew first blood. Farrell kicked his third successful penalty of the evening to leave just the bare minimum between the sides, Ireland 10 England 9.

With the Irish crowd becoming ever more nervous, Robbie Henshaw helped settle some of those anxieties. The centre broke through for Ireland’s second try of the game, as the action entered the final quarter. With Sexton maintaining his accuracy at kicking for the posts, the Irish talisman pushed his side out to a 15-9 lead, with 19 minutes to play.

A huge moment!@henshawrob slices through and Ireland edge further ahead.#IREvENG | #SuperSaturday pic.twitter.com/Kv8FOEdrRD

— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 18, 2023

Dan Sheehan soon scored his second try of this Six Nations’ fixture as Andy Farrell’s men extended their advantage to 22-9, before Sexton added the extras for a 15-point lead.

Sheehan’s England counterpart, Jamie George, crashed over for the visitors only try of the game inside the final 10 minutes; with Farrell knocking over the conversion, it was 26-16 to the home side.

Replacement Rob Herring touched down for Ireland’s fourth five-pointer of the evening. Though Ross Byrne’s conversion attempt was a shade right of the upright, it meant the crowd, team and management could enjoy the remaining minutes in the knowledge that the victory, the Triple Crown, Championship and Grand Slam were all secured.

"I don't know what to say really!"

A special moment for Dan Sheehan #IREvENG | #SuperSaturday pic.twitter.com/SP4PnpxtGC

— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 18, 2023

Full-time score: Ireland 29 England 16.

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The 2022-23 Heineken Champions Cup will be competed for by 24 elite clubs. There will be eight representatives from the United Rugby Championship (URC) – including historic first appearances by the Stormers, Bulls and Sharks. The Gallagher Premiership in England will have eight clubs participating as will France’s TOP 14.

Clubs will be divided into two pools of 12 – Pool A and Pool B – and the tournament will be played over eight weekends with four rounds of matches in the pool stage.

The eight highest-ranked clubs from each pool will qualify for the knockout stage. This will consist of a Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final at the Aviva Stadium on 20 May 2023.

The draw for the Heineken Champions Cup pools on June 28 will be carried out on the same lines as last season with the clubs separated into four tiers based on their rankings. Clubs from the same league in the same tier will not be drawn into the same pool.

Champions Cup Draw

The number 1 and number 2 ranked clubs from each league will be in Tier 1, the number 3 and number 4 ranked clubs will be in Tier 2, the number 5 and 6 ranked clubs will be in Tier 3, and the number 7 and number 8 ranked clubs will be Tier 4.

The Tier 1 and the Tier 4 clubs which have been drawn in the same pool, but which are not in the same league, will play one another home and away during the pool stage, as will the Tier 2 and Tier 3 clubs which have been drawn in the same pool, but which are not in the same league.

Challenge Cup

Twenty clubs will play in next season’s EPCR Challenge Cup with eight representatives from the United Rugby Championship, including the Johannesburg-based Lions who will also be making a historic first appearance in an EPCR competition, six from the TOP 14, five from the Premiership, as well as the Cheetahs from Bloemfontein who have accepted an invitation to compete.

The clubs will be divided into two pools of 10 – Pool A and Pool B – and in a similar format to the Heineken Champions Cup, the tournament will be played over eight weekends with four rounds of matches in the pool stage.

The six highest-ranked clubs from each pool, as well as the 9th and 10th ranked clubs from each of the Heineken Champions Cup pools, will qualify for a Round of 16, which will be followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final at the Aviva Stadium on 19 May 2023.

The live-streamed draw for the EPCR Challenge Cup pools is also scheduled to take place at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday 28 June with the clubs separated into three tiers based on their rankings, and clubs from the same league will not play against one another during the pool stage.

Challenge Cup Draw

The number 1 and number 2 ranked clubs from each league will be in Tier 1, and the number 3 and number 4 ranked clubs from each league, as well as the number 5 and number 6 ranked clubs from the URC, will be in Tier 2. The Dragons, Zebre Parma, Aviron Bayonnais, USAP, Bath Rugby and the Cheetahs will be in Tier 3.

The Tier 1 and the Tier 3 clubs which have been drawn in the same pool, but which are not in the same league, will play one another home and away over four pool stage rounds.

The Tier 2 clubs which have been drawn in the same pool, but which are not from the same league, will play one another home and away during the pool stage. In order to adhere to the key principle of no same-league matches, Tier 2 clubs from the TOP 14 can only play against opposition from the URC, and similarly, Tier 2 clubs from the Premiership can also only play against opposition from the URC.

Further details and timings regarding the draws for both the Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup pools will be communicated shortly.

2022/23 HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP QUALIFIERS

TOP 14: Castres Olympique, Montpellier Hérault Rugby, Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Stade Toulousain, 5 Stade Rochelais, 6 Racing 92, 7 ASM Clermont Auvergne, 8 Lyon
Gallagher Premiership: Leicester Tigers, Saracens, 3 Harlequins, 4 Northampton Saints, 5 Gloucester Rugby, 6 Sale Sharks, 7 Exeter Chiefs, 8 London Irish
United Rugby Championship: Stormers, Bulls, 3 Leinster Rugby, 4 Ulster Rugby, 5 Sharks, 6 Munster Rugby, 7 Edinburgh Rugby, 8 Ospreys.

2022/23 EPCR CHALLENGE CUP QUALIFIERS

United Rugby Championship: 1 Glasgow Warriors, 2 Scarlets, 3 Connacht Rugby, 4 Lions, 5 Benetton Rugby, 6 Cardiff Rugby, 7 Dragons, 8 Zebre Parma
TOP 14: 1 RC Toulon, 2 Section Paloise, 3 Stade Français Paris, 4 CA Brive, 5 Aviron Bayonnais, 6 USAP
Gallagher Premiership: 1 Wasps, 2 Bristol Bears, 3 Worcester Warriors, 4 Newcastle Falcons, 5 Bath Rugby
Invited: Cheetahs

2022/23 key dates
Round 1 – 9/10/11 December 2022
Round 2 – 16/17/18 December 2022
Round 3 – 13/14/15 January 2023
Round 4 – 20/21/22 January 2023
Round of 16 – 31 March/ 1/2 April 2023
Quarter-finals – 7/8/9 April 2023
Semi-finals – 28/29/30 April 2023
EPCR Challenge Cup final – Friday 19 May 2023; Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Heineken Champions Cup final – Saturday 20 May 2023; Aviva Stadium, Dublin.

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Two games in March

Stephen Kenny’s men will play the Belgians at the Aviva Stadium on  Saturday, 26 March 2022, with a 5pm kick-off.

The Irish side will play Lithuania the following Tuesday, 29 March 2022, with a 7.45 pm kick-off.

These opening fixtures of the 2022 international season will be preparation for the UEFA Nations League campaign when Ukraine and Scotland will visit Dublin in June.

These opening fixtures of the 2022 international season will be preparation for the UEFA Nations League campaign when Ukraine and Scotland will visit Dublin in June. And you want to place a bet on who will win those games, check out these amazing UK betting sites.

Tickets

Ticketing details for the Belgium and Lithuania games will be announced by the FAI later this month. The two fixtures are included in the FAI Season Ticket for 2022 which will opens for season ticket renewals only on Tuesday, February 1st. The public sale of new season tickets will commence on Monday, February 21st.

Looking ahead to the two March fixtures, FAI Chief Executive Jonathan Hill said:

“The Centenary of the FAI demands a very special opponent to celebrate the rich history of Irish teams on the international stage and what better opponents than the top ranked team in the world. Belgium have set the standards for developing young players in recent years and we are really excited by the visit of Roberto Martinez’s team. We also look forward to welcoming Lithuania to Dublin for the second of our games in March.”

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Ireland head into the second half of the qualifiers without a win in their first four games while Serbia sit top of Group A on 10 points, ahead of Portugal on goal difference.

Stephen Kenny’s side have had a frustrating first international break of the season so far, losing away to Portugal in the dying moments of the game and failing to earn three points against a rigid Azerbaijan in Dublin.

Serbia, on the other hand, have scored four goals in both of their games in the international break, including a 4-0 win in a friendly against Qatar in Hungary.

Dragan Stojkovic’s side dispatched of Luxembourg at the Red Star stadium at the same time Ireland salvaged a draw with 112th in the world Azerbaijan.

Luxembourg had previously beaten Ireland by a goal in an empty Aviva Stadium at the end of March where the away side always looked better.

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a second brace of the World Cup Qualifiers so far to take his tally to six in the campaign.

His first brace came against Ireland in the teams’ reverse fixture – a 3-2 Serbian home win.

Ireland have produced two of their best performances against the two sides heavily favoured to progress from Group A – Serbia and Portugal – and Stephen Kenny will be hopeful of more of the same on Tuesday night.

Captain Seamus Coleman will be unavailable for the Republic of Ireland through injury after playing all 90 minutes against both Portugal and Azerbaijan while Southampton forward Shane Long is still sidelined with coronavirus.

Cyrus Christie will join the squad for the Serbia game in Coleman’s place.

Lineups

Republic of Ireland (3-5-2): Bazunu; Omobamidele, Egan, Duffy (C); Doherty, Hendrick, Cullen, Browne, McClean; Idah, McGrath.

Subs: Kelleher, Talbot, Manning, Hourihane, Parrott, Robinson, Christie, Horgan, Molumby, Collins, Arter, Scales.

Serbia (3-4-3): Rajkovic; Pavlovic, Veljkovic, Milenkovic; Gudelj, Milinkovic-Savic, Kostic, Djuricic; Tadic, Vlahovic, Mitrovic

Subs: Dmitrovic, Mladenovic, Ilic, Maksimovic, Radonjic, Jovic, Mitrovic, Racic, Lukic, Ristic, Svilar.

Odds

Republic of Ireland 12/5

Draw 23/10

Serbia 11/10

Where To Watch

The match between the Republic of Ireland and Serbia will be held at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin and will kick-off at 7:45 pm. The game will be shown on RTÉ 2 and Sky Sports Football – coverage on both channels begins at 7 pm.

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Kevin Long’s side came into the game as slight favourites with odds of 6/5 and came out of the game the side with the advantage after a goal from Ross Tierney after 15 minutes.

Dawson Devoy was once again too hot to handle for the opposition and shone on a sunny evening, creating the opportunity that Tierney was able to pounce on.

Dudelange were visibly frustrated throughout the game with two yellow cards by the end of the first half.

Bohs, on the other hand, looked comfortable with their one-goal lead.

The home side’s frustration continued in the second half as chances and penalty calls did not go their way at the Stade Jos Nosbaum.

However, the side started to take control of the tie and mount pressure on the visitors.

Players such as Bojic and Van Den Herkhof had chances that they failed to put away, with Bohs continuing to defend.

Substitutions began to happen with goalscorer Tierney coming off in place of Conor Livingston.

The final 10 minutes were tough for the Boh’s men who had to deal with an urgent wave of Dudelange pressure but did their best to stay compact and snuff out the danger.

They survived the onslaught after an extra six minutes were added on and will now take their lead back to Dublin, where 8,000 fans will await them at the Aviva Stadium next week.

However, they will have to avoid defeat to progress in 90 minutes due to the away rule being abolished before this season began.

Bohemians host F91 Dudelange at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin next Thursday for the second leg of the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League with kick-off scheduled for 7:45 pm.

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