Ciaran Kennedy

Dublin

Sports Journalist at Freelance

Writer at The42

Sportswriter @the42_ie | email: [email protected] | Author of Richie Bennis: A Game That Smiles | All views mine

Articles

TG4 to become only place to watch URC for free in Ireland

1 week ago | the42.ie | Ciaran Kennedy |Murray Kinsella

TG4 IS SET to become the exclusive free-to-air broadcaster of the URC in the Republic of Ireland from next season. The Irish language broadcaster has agreed a new TV deal with the URC to continue it’s coverage for another four years, running until 2029. The league is currently shown on both TG4 and RTÉ in Ireland, with URC organisers agreeing a four-year deal with the two broadcasters back in 2021.
Provinces to pay 40% of national player contracts in change to IRFU funding model

1 week ago | the42.ie | Ciaran Kennedy |David Sneyd

THE IRFU HAVE announced a significant change to the funding model for national player contracts, due to kick in next year. From 1 August 2026 the four provinces will be responsible for 40% of the cost of national player contracts, rising from the previously set 30%. The IRFU state that the union intends to invest the funds generated from this change in the player pathways of Connacht, Munster and Ulster.
'We’re going to regret what could have been'

1 week ago | the42.ie | Ciaran Kennedy

TO GIVE A sense of the frenzied feeling that engulfed the Stade Chaban-Delmas on Saturday, there were times where the Munster coaches were unable to hear themselves on their microphones due to the noise being generated by the travelling support, the bulk of whom were seated just in front of the coaching box. The knock-on effect was that Ian Costello and Co struggled to get some of their messages down to the pitch.
Munster left to rue problems of their own making in Bordeaux

1 week ago | the42.ie | Ciaran Kennedy

MUNSTER’S PLAYERS WILL wake up today with a deep sense of frustration and regret. Few would make the argument the province are a better team than Bordeaux-Begles, but a tidier first-half performance at the Stade Chaban-Delmas yesterday might have put them in a position to really test their hosts.
'You turn over the ball against them, you get punished, and we did'

1 week ago | the42.ie | Ciaran Kennedy

LONG BEFORE HALF time arrived at the Stade Chaban-Delmas, Munster looked dead and buried. The province were 22-3 down in the 25th minute, 29-3 by the 35th, as Bordeaux-Begles showcased their stunning attacking talent by pouncing on every Munster mistake and turning it into points on the scoreboard.
Munster go down swinging after sloppy start in Bordeaux

1 week ago | the42.ie | Ciaran Kennedy

A TIDAL WAVE of Bordeaux brilliance ended Munster’s Champions Cup ambitions for another season after a roller-coaster contest at the Stade Chaban-Delmas. It was always going to be difficult for Munster to back up last Saturday’s win in La Rochelle against this wonderfully talented Bordeaux side, but the manner of today’s 47-29 quarter-final defeat will leave the province wondering what might have been.
'He’s been brilliant' - Craig Casey comes roaring back into form with Munster

1 week ago | the42.ie | Ciaran Kennedy

IF THERE WAS one moment that summed up Craig Casey’s impressive return to the Munster team, it came in the first half of the recent URC win against Connacht. Jumping back into play as he collected a Connacht kick, the scrum-half leapt over the sideline and landed on the grass putting all of his weight through one leg, testing the heavy strapping. The physios must have winced at the sight, but Casey simply bounced into action and launched a kick down the field.
Red army lands in Bordeaux dreaming of more Munster magic

1 week ago | the42.ie | Ciaran Kennedy

AS EARLY AS yesterday afternoon there were clusters of Munster supporters roaming around the gorgeous streets of Bordeaux. With temperatures touching the mid-20s, hopefully those lucky enough to be here for today’s Champions Cup quarter-final [KO 3pm Irish time, Premier Sports 1] remembered to pack spare jerseys.
Nankivell returns in Munster team as Carbery misses out for Bordeaux

1 week ago | the42.ie | Ciaran Kennedy |Gavin Cooney

ALEX NANKIVELL RETURNS to the Munster team for tomorrow’s Champions Cup quarter-final meeting with Bordeaux-Bègles [KO 3pm Irish time, Premier Sports 1]. The centre missed last weekend’s round of 16 win in La Rochelle after being hit with a two-match suspension following his red card in Munster’s URC interpro defeat of Connacht. However the 28-year-old is free to play at the Stade Chaban-Delmas having won his appeal against that suspension this week.
'It was something special. One of the best away games I've played in'

2 weeks ago | the42.ie | Ciaran Kennedy

TO FULLY APPRECIATE the satisfaction Thaakir Abrahams took from Munster’s one-point win in La Rochelle, you have to remember his difficult start to life in Limerick. Having joined the province from Lyon last summer, Abrahams injured his thigh in just his second apperance of the season and wouldn’t get back on the pitch for two months. Life was even more frustrating away from rugby, with visa delays resulting in a four-month wait to be reunited with his wife and infant daughter in Ireland.