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This weekend heralded the return of the NatWest Six Nations and it couldn’t have started
much better.
A certain fly-half became the most saught after man on the island of Ireland with a moment
of heroics that had many people reminiscing of Ronan O’Gara at the Millenium Stadium in
2009.
On the flip side, it was a disappointing Sunday for the local footballers and hurlers, while it
was a mixed weekend for soccer.
Meanwhile, there was success for Wicklow boxing as a trio of fighters earned gold in the
Golden Girl Championships in Sweden.
Rugby:
On a wet night in Paris, it took last-ditch heroics from Johnny Sexton for Ireland to secure
their first away win against France since claiming the Six Nations in 2014.
Joe Schmidt’s men were in command for much of the game. Four penalties from Sexton
had Ireland leading 12-6 going into the final 10 minutes.
However, Ireland’s inability to put the game to bed came back to haunt them when quick
hands sent Thomas through for a try for France which was converted by Belleau with six
minutes left to play.
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A missed Belleau penalty with 76 minutes on the clock set the stage for a grand-stand
finale.
A 41 phrase stretch from the 77th to the 83rd minute, featuring an inch-perfect cross-field
kick to Keith Earls executed by Sexton and a herculean six carries from CJ Stander, led to
Conor Murray spraying the ball back to Sexton who took aim from 45 metres and put the
ball between the posts for the four points – breaking the hearts of the French players who
had defended so well up to that point.
The only piece of bad news following the game is the news that Josh van der Flier will likely
be out of Ireland’s next Six Nations game after he was taken off against France with an
injury.
Ireland’s next game comes on Saturday afternoon when they host Italy at the Aviva
Stadium.
Meanwhile, Wicklow were victorious in the first round of the Provincial Towns Second Cup
when they ran out 62-14 winners against Newbridge on Sunday.
GAA:
It was a weekend to forget for Wicklow in GAA. The county footballers fell victim to a Liam
Gavaghan masterclass as they succumbed to a 1-16 to 0-10 defeat against London in
Ruislip on Sunday. Gavaghan pitched in with 1-7 during the match.
The Wicklow hurlers also felt the sting of defeat as they lost away to Down by a score of 1-
24 to 0-16.
Elsewhere, the lady footballers were given a walk-over in their game against Kilkenny
Next up for the footballers is an away trip to play against Antrim at Corrigan Park in Belfast
next Sunday. Meanwhile. the hurlers will next play Donegal at Joule Park in Aughrim on
Sunday the 18th of February.
Meanwhile, the lady footballers will next be in action on Sunday the 25th of February in
Roundwood against
Boxing:
It was celebration time in Sweden as a trio of young Wicklow boxers won gold at the Golden
Girl Championship in Borás this past weekend.
Abbie Doyle , Daina Moorehouse and Tegan Farrell all earned to honours at the weekend in
the largest all-female boxing competition in the world.
Soccer:
Bray Wanderers have been knocked out of the Leinster Senior Cup after losing to St.
Patrick’s Athletic 3-1 at the Carlisle Grounds on Sunday.