21/08 The Sports pages

‘Ireland hints at return’ is the headline on the back page of this morning’s Irish Independent, while similar headlines relating to the same story appear on most of this morning’s sports pages.

The story in question? Stephen Ireland’s return to international duty, of course. But while the headlines tease readers into believing our Stephen is ready to come back to the fold, quotes from the new Aston Villa man himself would seem to suggest otherwise.

Speaking at his unveiling as an Aston Villa player, Stephen did say, “I am always open to discussions and having a conversation. I would not rule out speaking with the FAI but, for me, I don’t think my international career is something I have to answer about”.

Ireland also added: “I think the fact that I have not been back there for three years is a good indication of my situation and I have not spoken to anyone in the FAI. Club football and doing well for Aston Villa will always come first for me.”

“I haven’t missed it (international football). I played only six games for the national team, so I don’t really have that much to miss”.

Judging by those sentiments, we certainly wouldn’t be getting our hopes up of the mercurial Ireland returning anytime soon.

The big event of the weekend is undoubtedly the meeting of Dublin and Cork in Croke Park in the All-Ireland semi-final and the Irish Sun reckon that Cork will have to do without their inspirational leader, Graham Canty, who has been named in the starting line-up despite doubts over a hamstring injury sustained in the quarter-final triumph over Roscommon.

The paper suggests that even though Canty and fellow injury doubt Ciaran Sheehan will undergo late fitness tests, dual star Eoin Cadogan has already been lined up to replace Canty and will play in the full-back line, with John Miskella moving out to the half back line as a result.

Leinster and Munster, meanwhile got their seasons off to a losing start against London Wasps and Leicester Tigers respectively, with the English sides coming out on top in Donnybrook and Musgrave Park.

Reports of both matches in the Irish Times suggest that new Leinster coach Josef Schmidt will not be too keen to dip into his reserves this season after an understrength Blues outfit were hammered 41-6 by the London Wasps.

Munster on the other hand can take plenty of positives from their 17-13 defeat at the hands of Leicester Tigers. Denis Leamy scored a try on his return from an eight-month injury lay-off, while Ian Dowling and Sam Tuitupou also impressed.