CONOR FITZGERALD will be fired up to show Munster what they’re missing, Reds out-half JJ Hanrahan believes.
Reds No.10 Hanrahan will face the man once billed as ‘Young Rog’ at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow as his side chase the last vacant place in the PRO14 semi-finals.
Both out-halves share the experience of having to leave Munster to further their careers. Hanrahan found it a struggle for action with Tyler Bleyendaal and Ian Keatley ahead of him and moved to Northampton in 2015, only to return two years later. Fitzgerald (above) was released by the Reds at 19, despite a promising underage career, and Connacht gave the Limerick youngster a chance.
The 22-year-old is in a battle with Jack Carty for the starting slot next season but had won the fight for most of the current disrupted campaign as Carty suffered with his form following Ireland’s damaging World Cup experience.
But Carty played well in the win over Ulster last Sunday and Fitzgerald is one of 14 changes for this weekend, with the Westerners already out of semi-final contention. “Fitzy’s a great player,” said Hanrahan. “I know Simon Zebo used to call him Young Rog when he was down
P W D 14 14 0 14 8 1 15 8 0 13 6 0 14 5 1 14 3 1 14 2 2
P Edinburgh 15 Munster 14 Scarlets 14 Connacht 14 Benetton 14 Cardiff Blues 14 Southern Kings 13
Beirne making a timely return for the first time since December after RG Snyman’s ACL injury. Beirne forms a new second row partnership with Fineen Wycherley.
Hanrahan had a spotlight on him last week after confirmation Joey Carbery’s return has been indefinitely delayed. The 28-year-old played well, only for his crucial last conversion attempt to go wide, costing Munster a draw.
“It’s one of those,” sighed Hanrahan. “I probably could have taken a bit more time, got my breath more and get full focus on it.”
during the lockdown. Cullen, 42, went on to take a Blues coaching role in 2014.
“Mads is a great character,” he said. “He obviously played a big role when he was here with his great versatility and reliability in terms of his goal kicking, which was of an amazing quality.
“He works very hard and is a great pro. He has spent a bit of time in France and England and is back up in Ulster so on his day he’s an excellent player. I’m sure he has a big point to prove now.”
ULSTER
CAPS: 64
DEBUT: v Treviso, won, 32-13 Jan. 2016 TRIES: 28
TOTAL POINTS: 140
IRELAND
CAPS: 28
DEBUT: v USA, won 55-19, June 2017 TRIES: 16
TOTAL POINTS: 80
EYE-OPENING Ian Madigan (left) and Leo Cullen on their GOAL trip to Ethiopia in 2013
PRO14 bosses are looking at playing the probable Leinster v Munster semi-final at the Aviva Stadium next Friday night.
The Republic of Ireland are scheduled to meet Finland in a Nations League tie at the Lansdowne Road venue on Sunday week.
Ulster will be away to Edinburgh in the other semi next weekend.
If Munster progress by getting the two points they need tomorrow against Connacht, they will face a five-day turnaround if the semi-final is fixed for next Friday. It would mean a third game in less than three weeks for the likes of Ireland stars
Peter O’mahony and Conor Murray. “Whatever happens this weekend, there will be some very tough conversations next week, I can already picture what it’s like in my mind,” said Leinster boss Leo Cullen.
GOOD & BAD Rory Mcilroy plays in Chicago yesterday
RORY MCILROY kept himself firmly in contention for the BMW Championship last night with a rare under par round on the day.
With a host of top names struggling to make an assault up the leaderboard at Olimpia Fields in Chicago, Mcilroy shot a one-under 69 to take a share of the clubhouse lead alongside American Patrick Cantlay.
But it could and should have been even better for the 31-year-old from Holywood who had to suffer four bogeys alongside his five birdies. Starting on the 10th hole,
Mcilroy recorded his first birdie on the 11th when he sunk a nine-foot putt and a second followed at the par three 13th.
But he immediately dropped a shot, only to get it back again at another par three, the 17th, when he chipped in from 13 yards.
The second half of Mcilroy’s round started well when he hit his drive 377 yards before rolling in a birdie on the 626-yard par-five first.
Although another birdie came at the fourth, it was sandwiched by bogeys as he dropped back to two under.
And the round came to a disappointing conclusion on the 251-yard par three eighth where he rolled a two-putt for bogey.
He did finish with a par at the last to end up on one under where he is joined by Cantlay who shot a two-under 68.
Only three golfers broke par in the opening round and with a similar trend becoming clear yesterday, Mcilroy is brilliantly placed for an assault on the $9.5million winner’s cheque.
He has yet to win in this disrupted season but could return to No.1 in the world rankings with victory.