JOE Sports Saturday

There’s time for one more Ger Farragher point before the whistle blows at Nowlan Park. An eleven point victory for the Tribesmen but they didn’t set the world alight in Kilkenny. At one stage, Wexford looked like they might make a game of it after Andy Smyth was sent off for Galway, but it didn’t happen and Galway cruised it in the end.

Bigger challenges ahead for Galway, who will be happy to have overcome this hurdle with a minimum of fuss. That’s all from me folks. Tune into tomorrow for live coverage of Donegal v Down in the football and the big one in the hurling championship as Tipp take on Cork at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Our coverage starts at 1.30, hope you’ll join me then.

What a shame. Two minutes into injury time and Wexford captain, Diarmuid Lyng has been sent off for a slightly high shoulder charge. He has been Wexford’s leading light and there was no real need for the ref to dish out a red.

People leaving Nowlan Park in their droves and the life has gone out of the crowd. Substitute Aengus Callinan piles further misery on Wexford. Galway now lead by ten.

Joe Canning fouled by about 3 Wexford players and raises his fists to the Galway faithful when he gets to his feet. All over bar the shouting in Nowlan Park.

Disappointing night for Leinster, who it has to be said, failed to show up at the RDS. The Ospreys did all the damage in the opening half and did what they had to, and comfortably in the second half. The Osprey’s tryscorers, Tommy Bowe and Lee Byrne, were outstanding while Leinster’s big guns failed to fire. No glorious send off for Cheika, O’Kelly and company, but the Ospreys were deserving winners in the end.

Eleventh score of the game for Ger Farragher and Galway now cruising.

David Burke, another championship debutant, with his first score of the game. Galway finishing strong.

Aidan Harte with a point for Galway and he’s deserved that. He had numerous chances in the first half but it just wasn’t happening for him. Excellent response by Galway to conceding the goal. They’re six in front now which should be enough with only ten minutes left.

All over at the RDS. The Ospreys are Magners League champions.

Kevin Hynes is only on the pitch and he’s made an instant impact, cutting in from the left and blasting it past Carton in the Wexford goal.

Goal Galway!!! Kevin Hynes

Ospreys get the penalty and that should be it.

Ospreys picking and driving and eating up the clock at the RDS. Time very nearly up.

Absolutely no idea who got the final touch for Wexford there. Could have been Banville or substitute Tomás Waters but there was too many bodies in the Galway area to know for sure. Wexford won’t care they’re right back in it.

GOAL Wexford!!!

Andy Smyth has been sent off for Galway for a second yellow card. Boost for Wexford with fifteen to go.

Another score from Canning to push Galway further ahead.

Sexton has missed the kick and Lee Byrne punches the air as he watches the ball sail wide. The blues now need a try with only three minutes left.

Penalty in front of the posts for Leinster after Biggar takes out D’Arcy. With only four minutes on the clock Leinster banking on Sexton’s ability and hoping to get another chance.

Damien Hayes with a fantastic score from way out on the left wing to put Galway in front by five.

Yet another point for Ger Farragher, his ninth, eases the pressure slightly.

Just over seven minutes for Leinster to make a comeback at the RDS. One of the big boys with a moment of inspiration maybe?

Wexford now within a goal after the latest effort from Rory Jacob. The Wexford faithful in the crowd now sense a comeback and are roaring on their team at Nowlan Park.

How Lee Byrne escaped without a yellow card there is beyond me. Gordon D’Arcy makes a superb break and is literally clothes lined by the full back, who knew exactly what he was doing. Penalty Leinster tapped over by Sexton. 17-12 Ospreys.

Two great saves in Nowlan Park. Noel Carton first from the feet of Joe Canning and at the other end Colm Callanan makes a fantastic save from Rory Jacob. 65′ pointed for Wexford, who get within five points.

Ger Farragher restores Galway’s six point advantage with his eighth point of the match.

Joe Canning flicks it to Portumna colleague Andy Smyth who puts Galway six in front. Immediate response by Eoin Quigley with a point for Wexford.

Sexton kicks it out on the full from just outside the 22. Sums up Leinster’s evening I’m afraid.

Diarmuid Lyng grabs the first point of the half for Wexford, but Joe Canning cancels it out immediately with his second from play.

Two quickfire wides for Galway at the start of the second half. Thirteen in total for Galway.

Knocked on by John Fogarty on his own 22 when there was space outside. Really basic error that Leinster can’t afford to make at this stage.

Back underway at Nowlan Park. No changes on either side.

Sexton lands the kick and Leinster are within eight points. 17-9 Ospreys.

Penalty Leinster in front of the posts. Jerry Collins coming in from the side. As long as there’s no yellow cards or penalty tries the Ospreys will concede penalties like that all day.

Leinster camped in the Ospreys 22. It could be now or never for the Blues.

Lovely chip through from Jonny Sexton for Nacewa to chase but Lee Byrne tidies it up well. Both O’Driscoll and Nacewa catch the full back late but he is unfazed. He’s been brilliant this evening.

Awful attempt at a drop goal from James Hook. Dan Biggar should have gone for it before him but it was still a very poor kick. Too easy for the Ospreys to get into that position. Super lines of running from both Tommy Bowe and Lee Byrne who look threatening every time they get the ball.

Leinster now doing all the probing, the Ospreys happy to sit back and play for territory.

O’Driscoll and Kearney inject some pace into the Leinster attack on the left wing, but it is turned over eventually by van der Linde. Better from the home side.

Chris White was very slow to blow his whistle there. Andrew Bishop was almost under the posts by the time he was called back for a knock on while intercepting a pass from Sexton to D’Arcy. Scrum on halfway for Leinster.

In the meantime, Dan Biggar has tapped over a penalty for the Ospreys. 11 points between the sides again.

Cruel blow for Wexford on the stroke of half time. Canning with a 21 yard free and there was no question that he was going to go for goal. 4 players on the Wexford line can’t stop it. 1-9 – 0-6 to Galway at the break.

GOAL GALWAY (Joe Canning)

So many of Leinster’s big guns have been quiet so far. No real sign of Sexton, D’Arcy, O’Driscoll or Heaslip. Rob Kearney and Isa Nacewa the only ones really carrying the fight at the RDS.

Sexton lands the penalty and the Leinster comeback begins. 14-6 Ospreys.

Damien Hayes with a point from play for Galway, his first of the day.

Alun Wyn-Jones concedes a ridiculous penalty and gives Sexton a chance to eat into the Ospreys lead.

Lyng with another free for Wexford. 0-8 – 0-6 to Galway.

No he can’t. He’s down again and Trevor Hogan comes on in his stead. Nathan Hines will now go to 6 and Hogan will slot in in the second row.

Back underway at the RDS. Stephen Keogh, who hurt his ankle just before half time, breaks down immediately at the restart. He limps back into the action but surely he can’t go on for much longer.

Not happening for championship debutant Aidan harte this eveningas he misses a one on one in front of goal and hits his fourth wide of the day. In fairness to him he’s got on a serious amount of ball so far.

Farragher comes back with his seventh of the day to restore Galway’s three point lead.

And another one from play for Gizzy Lyng, a super score on the turn. Two points between them now.

Lyng responds with his third free for Wexford. 0-7 – 0-4

The machine like Farragher with another free for Galway. In fairness, you know he’s handy if Joe Canning isn’t taking the frees.

The boys in the studio at Setanta are pointing the finger at Gordon D’Arcy for both of the Ospreys tries. I wonder is his sore shoulder from earlier on affecting him in any way?

Farragher with two frees in quick succession for Galway. 0-5 for him and Galway move three in front.

Nothing like watching rugby on the box and hurling on the laptop. Only one TV in JOE towers I’m afraid. What else would you expect from a underground cave with very little light, no heat and water dripping from every orifice!

Farragher with his third pointed free for the Tribesmen. The pace has calmed down a little now after a frantic opening.

Ger Farragher and Harry Kehoe trade points in Nowlan Park. 0-3 apiece.

Half time at the RDS.

Leinster will be glad of the half time whistle. They’ve been a long way second best in the opening half.

Kevin McLaughlin’s replacement, Stephen Keogh has gone over on his ankle and may not be able to continue. He walks away and he’ll have half time to try and recover. Only seconds to go until the break.

It was Travers’ hamstring, not his knee and the grimace on his face suggests that it could e a long recovery.

Malachy Travers is down for Wexford and clutching his knee. The team doctor signals that he has no chance of continuing. David Redmond replaces him. Meanwhile Ger Farragher points a free to level the scores.

Another sumptuous try from the Ospreys. Biggar and Hook combine to put Byrne away and the full back burns Heaslip for pace on the outside to touch down in the corner. Biggar nails the conversion. 14-3 Ospreys.

TRY OSPREYS!!! (Lee Byrne 34 mins)

Lyng with his second pointed free for Wexford. 0-2 – 0-1

Joe Canning responds with a point from play for Galway. The first of many you’d imagine.

First blood to Wexford at Nowlan Park. Diarmuid Lyng with the point for the Model County.

Kevin Mclaughlin withdrawn with what looked like a serious knee injury. Medics didn’t even wait for the ref to stop play, they strechered him to safety. Looking at the replay he badly twisted his knee under pressure hopefully he’s alright. Stephen Keogh on to replace him.

Jerry Collins dangerously close to a try for the Ospreys. They really should have got over the line there, both Alun Wyn Jones and Jerry Collins were two on one but Nacewa did extremely well to prevent the score.

 

Good pacey start to the hurling but no scores. 3 wides for Galway and 1 for Wexford.

Keith Rossiter wins his first battle with Joe Canning in Kilkenny. It won’t be their last duel of the day but good for the confidence nonetheless.

O’Driscoll passes to Horgan oh the wing and the big winger’s hands let him down. He fumbles on the wing in Osprey’s 22.

Amhran na Bhfiann ringing out in Nowlan Park. They’re almost ready to go.

Lovely kick by Sexton into the breeze. 7-3 Ospreys.

High tackle from Byrne on Kearney gives Sexton his first chance to get some points on the board.

Bowe can’t stop scoring this season and his latest effort was a super one. Biggar found Andrew Bishop who took a superb line inside D’Arcy in midfield. Bowe was waiting in support and had an easy touchdown under the posts. Biggar adds the convesion and it’s the least the Ospreys deserve. 7-0 Ospreys.

TRY OSPREYS!!! (Tommy Bowe 18 mins)

Very silly from Dan Biggar, takes a quick lineout to Mike Phillips but big Mal O’Kelly had read it from a mile away and wrapped up the scrum half as soon as he got the ball. Leinster force the Ospreys back but eventually concede the penalty.

Let off for Leinster, the out half starts it wide and tries to pull it back in but it stays outside the post and wide.

Penalty Ospreys and it was coming. The visitors have been all over Leinster up front and Shane Jennings eventually infringes at the breakdown. First chance for Biggar, normally an accomplished kicker.

Stan Wright and Rob Kearney go for the same high ball and somehow, the prop emerges with it.

Thumping hit on Shane Williams by Brian O’Driscoll. First we’ve seen of the Ireland skipper, Ospreys doing all the attcking so far.

Williams chips and chases ahead for the Ospreys. Forces Leinster back deep in their 22. Kearney does well to mop it up and Reddan clears it in the end.

Brilliant garryowen and take from Rob Kearney, but Mike Phillips looked like he didn’t want to know about it.

20 minutes to go to throw in at Nowlan Park. Here’s the line ups.

Galway: C Callanan; D Joyce, S Kavanagh, O Canning; D Barry, T Og Regan, D Collins; G Farragher, D Burke; D Hayes, C Donnellan, A Smith; A Harte, J Canning, J Gantley.

Wexford: N Carton; L Prendergast, K Rossiter, C Kenny, R Kehoe, D Stamp, M Travers, H Kehoe, C Farrell, M Jacob, E Quigley, D Lyng, R. Jacob, S Banville, P Atkinson.

Nacewa with a forward pass to Sexton in midfield. Sexton was away if Nacewa could have got it right, it was definitely forward though.

1839:

Isa Nacewa with a superb take under presure from Tommy Bowe. Dan Biggar’s cross kick was inch perfect but Nacewa did extremely well to hold on.

Gordon D’Arcy already receiving treatment for a shoulder injury, but he’s ok to continue.

Dan Biggar touches down for the Ospreys, but it had been knocked forward in the tackle before hand.

CJ van der Linde and Alun wyn Jones exchanging pleasantries immediately, handbags really. Well handbags in rugby terms, if they were at it in the soccer match at the RDS last night, they’d be looking at 10 game bans easy.

We’re underway at the RDS, Leinster playing from right to left in the opening half.

How good has he been lately by the way? Best number 8 in the world? Harinordoquy and Parisse would have something to say about it but he’s certainly up there.

JOE nearly lost all respect for Jamie Heaslip for a moment after seeing him with a pair of gaudy white wireless headphones on him while warming up. Could you imagine Paul O’Connell at something like that? Jamie’s probably just cool enough to get away it.

Cian Healy will be on the bench for Leinster. He hadn’t trained all week and there was speculation that he might miss out altogether, but he will be available to come on should Michael Cheika need him.

I waxed lyrical about Toulouse’s backline ahead of the Heineken cup final last week but the Ospreys backline and indeed Leinster’s would give them a run for their money. Some serious match ups in store this evening: Tommy Bowe against Isa Nacewa, Shane Williams against Shane Horgan and James Hook up against Brian O’Driscoll. Let’s not forget Byrne against Kearney and Sexton against Biggar. Real class on display at the RDS.

A host of people will be bidding adieu to Leinster this evening. Michael Cheika is off to Stade Francais, CJ van der Linde is heading back to South Africa and stalwart servants Malcolm O’Kelly and Girvan Dempsey are both set for retirement. Let’s hope they can sign off with some silverware.

If you didn’t know already, here’s the Leinster and Ospreys starting line ups.

Leinster: Rob Kearney; Shane Horgan, Brian O’Driscoll, Gordon D’Arcy, Isa Nacewa; Jonathan Sexton, Eoin Reddan; Stan Wright, John Fogarty, CJ van der Linde; Nathan Hines, Malcolm O’Kelly; Kevin McLaughlin, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip.

Ospreys: Lee Byrne, Tommy Bowe, Andrew Bishop, James Hook, Shane Williams; Dan Biggar, Mike Phillips; Paul James, Huw Bennett, Adam Jones; Alun Wyn Jones, Jonathan Thomas; Jerry Collins, Marty Holah, Ryan Jones.

Hello folks and welcome to JOE Sports Saturday. We’ll have all the action from the Magners League final at RDS and from the Leinster Championship at Nowlan Park. It’s 6 bells now so only half an hour to go until kick off at the RDS, proceedings get underway in Kilkenny half an hour later. Sit tight and I’ll have some team news for you shortly.