This is The Knock On, KCLR Sport’s weekly rugby podcast.
In this episode, Stephen Byrne is joined by Tom Crotty from Carlow Rugby Club, James Blanchfield from Kilkenny RFC, and Paddy Browne from Tullow RFC.
Carlow’s development side played SETU and won, a good crowd watched the game, and thanks to Johnny Tobin who helped organize the game. SETU won the league recently and included Carlow, Tullow, and Kilkenny players. There was a win for Carlow over Suttonians at home in the league, the second team won well. The J1s had a strong win despite losing their tighthead prop Ross Byrne during the warm-up. Tom Crotty says “To beat a top-three team is huge for us”. Seapoint is up next and they will be a tough game, but Tom says the team will be far stronger this time around. The Carlow Christmas Party is this weekend too.
It was a quiet weekend last weekend for Kilkenny, youth games took place. The men’s first and second teams welcome Mullingar this Sunday. They lost to the same side at the start of the season so they’ll be looking for a better performance this time. The Westmeath side are top of the league at the moment. James says they are the underdogs coming into this game and they need an 80-minute performance.
Tullow was in action against Bective at the weekend, both teams were beaten, however. Tullow’s seconds had injuries to contend with but Paddy said Bective has a fantastic side. Tullow stayed in touch into the second half but the Dublin side pulled away then. Tullow put out a younger side but ran out of steam and bodies. The first were also struggling with injuries. Tullow had to dip into the subs panel a lot on the day due to injuries picked up, 42-19 was the final score. They’re up against Ashbourne next week and need a win there to stay in good shape.
We have a round-up of all the youth’s action from the three clubs as well.
Leinster will name their team today for Sunday’s Investec Champions Cup opener with Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate this Sunday evening. That game kicks off at 6 and is live on KCLR.
