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As it happened: Donegal v Kerry, Cavan v Dublin — Sunday GAA match tracker

We went around the grounds on a busy afternoon of action.

Here’s all of today’s results:

Division 1 

Cavan 0-11 Dublin 0-18
Tyrone 0-18 Roscommon 1-9

Donegal 1-17 Kerry 2-17

Division 2

Derry 0-11 Clare 1-8
Meath 0-16 Kildare 3-17
Galway 0-14 Cork 1-11

Division 3 

Longford 1-12 Offaly 0-10
Sligo 1-14 Armagh 2-11
Tipperary 2-12 Antrim 0-13

Division 4 

Waterford 2-16 London 1-08
Westmeath 2-10 Carlow 2-10
Wicklow 0-10 Leitrim 1-17
Wexford 0-14 Limerick 1-08

Walsh Cup final 

Kilkenny 0-20 Galway 0-18

***

Kevin O’Brien here and welcome to today’s GAA liveblog.

Here are the games we’ll be keeping an eye on today:

Allianz Football League

Division 1
Tyrone v Roscommon, Omagh, 2pm
Donegal v Kerry, Letterkenny, 2pm, (Deferred TG4)
Cavan v Dublin, Kingspan Breffni Park, 2pm, (Live TG4)

Division 2
Galway v Cork, Pearse Stadium, 2pm
Derry v Clare, Celtic Park, 2pm
Meath v Kildare, Páirc Tailteann, Navan, 2pm

Division 3
Longford v Offaly, Glennon Brothers Park, 2pm
Tipperary v Antrim, Semple Stadium, Thurles, 2pm
Sligo v Armagh, Markievicz Park, 2pm

Division 4
Waterford v London, Lemybrien, 1pm
Westmeath v Carlow, TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar, 2pm
Wicklow v Leitrim, Aughrim, 2pm
Wexford v Limerick, Innovate Wexford Park, 2pm

Bord na Móna Walsh Cup final
Kilkenny v Galway, Nowlan Park, 2.00

Here’s a result from this morning:

Kehoe Cup final
Wicklow 2-11 Maynooth University 1-23 FT

Waterford 0-10 London 0-05

The Deise are leading the Exiles in Ardmore. That game threw-in at 1pm.

Kilkenny have made six changes to their starting line-up for the Walsh Cup final against Galway. Richie Hogan starts at corner forward.

Richie Hogan Tommy Grealy / INPHO Tommy Grealy / INPHO / INPHO

Meath 0-0 Kildare 1-2

5 mins – Kildare scored a goal just 14 seconds into the game when debutant Ben McCormack found the net. Daniel Flynn and Paul Cribbin added a score apiece to leave the Lilywhites five in front.

Donegal 0-0 Kerry 0-1

8 mins – Donnchadh Walsh gets his campaign up and running with an early score for the Kingdom.

Derry 0-2 Clare 0-1

5 mins - Ciaran Russell gets Clare on the board.

Kilkenny 0-1 Galway 0-0

4 mins – Richie Hogan sends the Cats into an early lead.

Tyrone 0-4 Roscommon 1-0

9 mins – Niall Daly hit the net early on for the Rossies, but Peter Harte’s free for Tyrone leaves them a point in front.

We’ve got three changes on the Dublin team:

Jack McCaffrey, Niall Scully and Jason Whelan are in for David Byrne, Eoghan O’Gara and Cormac Costello.

We’ll be keeping you posted with the live scores in Divisions 1 and 2, along with the half-time and full-time scores in Divisions 3 and 4. 

Donegal 0-1 Kerry 0-3

15 mins – Jack Savage hits a quickfire brace for the Kingdom. They lead by two.

Tyrone 0-4 Roscommon 1-1

16 mins – Connor Devanney has pulled Roscommon level.

Cavan 0-1 Dublin 0-0 

1 min – Seanie Johnston sends Cavan fans into raptures with the first score of the game.

Cavan 0-2 Dublin 0-1

3 mins – Kevin McManamon and John McCutcheon trade scores. There’s a championship atmosphere at this game.

Galway 0-3 Cork 1-1 

20 mins – Paul Kerrigan hits the back of the net for Cork!

Donegal 1-2 Kerry 0-4

23 mins – Michael Murphy’s penalty sends Donegal into the lead.

Kildare 2-6 Meath 0-2

24 mins – Kildare are leading Andy McEntee’s Meath comfortably in Navan.

Derry 0-4 Clare 0-5

27 mins – Eoin Cleary sends the Banner in front.

Cavan 0-3 Dublin 0-2

7 mins – Seanie Johnston’s free leaves Cavan one ahead again.

Kilkenny 0-7 Galway 0-3

30 mins – Hogan’s free leaves the Cats four ahead.

Kerry 1-5 Donegal 1-3

30 mins - Paul Geaney has picked up where he left off last year by hitting a goal for Kerry.

Cavan 0-3 Dublin 0-3

11 mins – Michael Darragh MacAuley bursts forward and hand passes over the bar. Lovely sidestep from him to find the space.

Derry 0-6 Clare 0-5

31 mins - Carlus McWilliams hits a free for Derry, who lead by one.

Tyrone 0-7 Roscommon 1-2

30 mins – Donie Smith kicks a fine score for the Rossies.

Meath 0-5 Kildare 2-7

31 mins – Wing-back Alan Forde sends over a superb point for Meath.

Cork 1-3 Galway 0-3

31 mins – Mark Collins extends Cork’s lead to three.

Cavan 0-3 Dublin 0-4

14 mins – Dean Rock strokes over a close-range free.

Kerry 1-7 Donegal 1-4

34 mins – Tom O’Sullivan and James O’Donoghue find the target for the Kingdom.

Galway 0-5 Cork 1-3

35 mins – McHugh converts a free for the Tribesmen.

Division 1 half-time

Tyrone 0-10 Roscommon 1-2

Division 2 half-time

Derry 0-6 Clare 0-5
Galway 0-5 Cork 1-3
Meath 0-7 Kildare 2-7

Division 3 half-time

Longford 0-7 Offaly 0-6
Sligo 0-7 Armagh 1-5
Tipperary 0-5 Antrim 0-7

Division 4 half-time

Westmeath 1-3 Carlow 1-4
Wicklow 0-4 Leitrim 1-8
Wexford 0-6 Limerick 0-6

Walsh Cup half-time

Kilkenny 0-13 Galway 0-10

Cavan 0-5 Dublin 0-7 

25 mins – Lovely score for Niall Scully for the Dubs. He’s been excellent so far today.

Division 1 half-time

Donegal 1-4 Kerry 1-11

Kerry are looking extremely sharp in Donegal. Every Kerry score came from play in the opening half.

Ciaran Brady with Jack McCaffrey Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Cavan 0-5 Dublin 0-8

28 mins – Jack McCaffrey kicks his first score for Dublin in 2017. He’s enjoying himself out there and getting on loads of ball.

Cavan 0-5 Dublin 0-9

29 mins – Another free from Rock. That’s five straight scores for Dublin.

Cavan 0-7 Dublin 0-9

33 mins – Yellow card for MDMA before Niall McDermott curls over a free for the Breffni men.

Cavan 0-7 Dublin 0-10

35 mins – Rock again.

Division 1 half-time

Cavan 0-7 Dublin 0-10

As the Dubs and Cavan head in for half-time, most of the other games are back underway.

Tyrone 0-10 Roscommon 1-3

36 mins – Donie Smith slots one over from play.

Galway 0-8 Cork 1-3

42 mins – Just four scores for Cork so far today as McHugh converts another free for Galway.

Kilkenny 0-15 Galway 0-12

42 mins – It’s Kilkenny by three in the pre-season hurling decider.

Kildare 2-10 Meath 0-9

40 mins – Kildare lead by seven but you wouldn’t put it past Meath making a game of this.

Donegal 1-7 Kerry 1-11

37 mins – Donegal are still well in this game and Ciaran Thompson sends one over the bar to reduce the gap to four.

Derry 0-6 Clare 1-5

43 mins – Jamie Malone, who enjoyed a superb year in 2016, has hit the net to send the Banner in front.

Donegal 1-7 Kerry 1-13

41 mins – That’s 1-5 between Geaney and O’Donoghue already for Kerry.

Tyrone 0-13 Roscommon 1-5

46 mins – John McManus kicked a fine score for the away side.

Galway 0-9 Cork 1-5

49 mins – The Rebels edge back to within the minimum.

Meath 0-10 Kildare 3-10

48 mins – Niall Kelly reestablishes Kildare’s dominance by firing to the back of the net.

Donegal 1-8 Kerry 2-14

43 mins – Paul Geaney has bagged Kerry’s second goal.

Meath 0-10 Kildare 3-12

49 mins – McCormack and Cribbin add a score apiece.

Kilkenny 0-16 Galway 0-10

50 mins – Richie Hogan’s tenth score of the afternoon leaves the Cats sixth in front.

Cavan 0-7 Dublin 0-11

36 mins – Rock’s latest free leaves Dublin four ahead.

Galway 0-10 Cork 1-7

58 mins – Colm O’Neill points a free to draw Cork level.

Cavan 0-8 Dublin 0-12

42 mins –  James McCarthy with a fine score for Dublin.

Meath 0-12 Kildare 3-13

55 mins – Forde and Flynn trade scores.

Tyrone 0-14 Roscommon 1-7

55 mins – Mark Bradley slots one over for Mickey Harte’s men.

Galway 0-11 Cork 1-8

63 mins – O’Neill strokes one over from play to level us up again. This one is going right to the wire.

Cavan 0-8 Dublin 0-14 

46 mins – Scully with another fine score for Dublin. He’s been excellent.

KK 0-17 Galway 0-13

63 mins – Brian Cody looks set for more silverware.

Derry 0-9 Clare 1-7

63 mins – David Tubridy sends Clare a point in front.

Meath 0-15 Kildare 3-16

65 mins – We’re into the closing stages as McCormack kicks another score for Kildare.

Galway 0-12 Cork 1-10

66 mins – Cork have taken a late lead.

Tyrone 0-17 Roscommon 1-9

66 mins – The Rossies are running out of time as Cregg hits another score.

Pat Lyng dejected as he is red carded Pat Lyng dejected as he is red carded in the Walsh Cup final INPHO / Tommy Dickson INPHO / Tommy Dickson / Tommy Dickson

Temper's flare in the first half Temper's flare in the first half at Breffni Park Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Donegal 1-14 Kerry 2-17

69 mins – Not long to go in Donegal.

Galway 0-12 Cork 1-11

70 mins – O’Neill does it again for Cork. They’re two up and playing keep ball.

Galway 0-14 Cork 1-11

70 mins – Cathal Sweeney has leveled it!

O’Neill sends a late free wide for Cork. Is that their last chance?

Derry 0-10 Clare 1-8

70+5 mins – Russell leaves Clare a point up deep into stoppage time.

Division 1 full-time

Tyrone 0-18 Roscommon 1-9

Division 2 full-time

Derry 0-11 Clare 1-8
Meath 0-16 Kildare 3-17
Galway 0-14 Cork 1-11

Division 1 full-time

Donegal 1-17 Kerry 2-17

Division 3 full-time

Longford 1-12 Offaly 0-10
Sligo 1-14 Armagh 2-11
Tipperary 2-12 Antrim 0-13

Division 4 full-time

Waterford 2-16 London 1-08
Westmeath 2-10 Carlow 2-10
Wicklow 0-10 Leitrim 1-17
Wexford 0-14 Limerick 1-08

Walsh Cup final full-time

Kilkenny 0-20 Galway 0-18

Cavan 0-11 Dublin 0-16

66 mins – Johnston hits a poor wide as Dublin lead by five as we enter the final few minutes.

Division 1 full-time

Dublin 0-18 Cavan 0-11

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Hughes goal vital as 14-man Monaghan hold on for valuable opening night win over Mayo

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37 Comments
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    Mute Chicken George
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    Feb 20th 2018, 7:12 AM

    The IRFU will eventually ruin all the good work they’ve done over the last few decades. It’s laughable that an organisation that hand picks foreign talent to play in their national team can turn around to a home grown player and tell him he’s illegible because he plays in a different country.

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    Mute Conor Paddington
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    Feb 20th 2018, 7:15 AM

    @Chicken George: New Zealand and England both do the same thing. Is it laughable when they do it?

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    Mute Ted Logan
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    Feb 20th 2018, 8:03 AM

    @Conor Paddington: it’s a 24hr + flight from Europe to New Zealand. Their season also runs on a different schedule to Europe. It makes practice sense for them to have that policy.
    England have a massive strength in depth compared to Ireland.
    Wales have picked non Wales based players and have arguably seen more success on the field than Ireland.
    Policy may end up hurting us long term.

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Feb 20th 2018, 8:07 AM

    @Ted Logan: get over it. The policy won’t be changed and Ryan and zebo both knew the situation before they left.

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    Mute Conor Paddington
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    Feb 20th 2018, 8:16 AM

    @Ted Logan: it’s not a coincidence that the top 3 ranked teams in the world have the same policy. Wales is a bad counter example because they are implementing a similar policy this year, similar to Australias. South Africa have done so, too.

    NZ’s policy applies to anyone playing abroad, not just in Europe, and it isn’t just about travel time, ir is about playing in the same system. As in Ireland’s case, that means increased player welfare and a cohesive coaching philosophy. It works.

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    Mute Ted Logan
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    Feb 20th 2018, 8:26 AM

    @Jim Demps:
    Get over what?
    Ryan wasn’t offered an IRFU contract that his form deserved. Policy or no policy I’m sure he’d prefer to be playing in Ireland.
    Zebo I think you’ll find is still playing in Ireland. So he is only not getting picked now because his form is bad. That’s the only reason
    Beirne – the best Irish second row in the Pro 14 this season is not picked.
    Ireland are not in as good shape as some people think they are. I hope we are going to Twickenham in the 17th of March with a chance of a grand slam but, the next two home games will tell a lot to where we really are.
    I think we currently have one of the most talented squads of players ever but are we building to a proper World Cup Challenge next year? I am not so sure.

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    Mute Conor Paddington
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    Feb 20th 2018, 8:30 AM

    @Ted Logan: podcast Ryan’s interview on off the ball from last week. Other than being well worth a listen, he finally put this to bed. It was not about the central contract, or money. He is coming to the end of his year. First, he wanted to try something new. Second, he wanted to end his 13 years with Munster on his terms, rather than somebody else’s down the line. Anyway, the fact losing his international availability would have made him less likely to leave.

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Feb 20th 2018, 8:52 AM

    @Ted Logan: you said the policy will end up hurting us when in reality, with such a small player pool, it’s making us the team we are. The only people losing out are fringe players who decided to leave. Zebos form doesn’t warrant an Irish call up. Ryan’s maybe but I’d still pick the 22 year old over him with a view to the World Cup next year.

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    Mute Kenneth O Brien
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    Feb 20th 2018, 9:09 AM

    @Conor Paddington: England wouldn’t pick Armitage when he was the best in the world

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    Mute Paul P O'Sullivan
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    Feb 20th 2018, 9:50 AM

    @Chicken George: Zebo is hard to read alright :)

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    Mute Ruairi O'Bric
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    Feb 20th 2018, 9:52 AM

    @Chicken George: …because they are unable to pay him his market value

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    Mute Paddy O'Brien
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    Feb 20th 2018, 10:15 AM

    @Chicken George: I think I’ll trust the great rugby minds of the likes of Joe Schmidt to get this one right, rather than Mr. Burns.

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    Mute Andrew Corrigan
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    Feb 20th 2018, 10:48 AM

    @Jim Demps: Say the people calling for D. Ryan are the same people who would complain that Schmidt is to conservative even when picking Ja. Ryan. Can’t win sometimes.

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    Mute Chicken George
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    Feb 20th 2018, 2:15 PM

    @Conor Paddington: yes it is laughable and also hypocritical.

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    Mute Ray Farrell
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    Feb 20th 2018, 6:56 PM

    @Chicken George: How did Sexton not get the hump when he went to France? Is it an official rule by the IRFU or is it at their discretion?

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    Mute Conor Paddington
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    Feb 20th 2018, 8:33 PM

    @Chicken George: well that’s that settled then… thank you for clearing everything up with your incisive and intelligent response. I can go to bed with a clear head.

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    Mute Conor Paddington
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    Feb 20th 2018, 7:11 AM

    A lot of bitter people love being bitter… I hope Zebo has a fantastic two years in Paris, then I hope he comes back to Munster and back into contention for international honours.

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    Mute james
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    Feb 20th 2018, 8:43 AM

    @Conor Paddington: He’ll come back the size of a tighthead.

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    Mute Thomas Devlin
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    Feb 20th 2018, 10:13 AM

    @james: from eating canard la’orange presumably?

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    Mute EK
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    Feb 20th 2018, 11:09 AM

    @Conor Paddington: This whole situation has become quite boring for me at this stage. Everything that needed to be said has been said from both sides and every commentator on this site. There is no new angle to this story right now.

    Like yourself, I wish Zebo the best in France and hope he returns to Irish rugby in two years time.

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    Mute Eddie Hekenui
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    Feb 20th 2018, 2:33 PM

    @EK: It’s like bloody self flagellation at this stage. The same few people in every article making the exact same arguments over and over as if it’s going to change something

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    Mute Eddie Hekenui
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    Feb 20th 2018, 2:34 PM

    @james: Google Paul Alo-Emile to see a fat Zebo

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Feb 20th 2018, 7:27 AM

    Even if he was staying in Ireland he wouldn’t be making the match day 23. The wider squad maybe but not the 23. Best of luck to him in France. I’d love to see him hit his top form again.

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    Mute Anita R
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    Feb 20th 2018, 10:59 AM

    @Jim Demps: why do you think that?

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Feb 20th 2018, 11:48 AM

    @Anita R: why do I think what? That he wouldn’t make the match day squad? Because he’s not playing well enough. That’s why.

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    Mute Eric Djemba-Djemba
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    Feb 20th 2018, 8:21 AM

    Same outrage with Madigan and Marty Moore and Ireland coped just fine while they regressed, no one player is bigger then the team. And for gods sake it’s only Zebo to not overrated player of all time, I’m struggling to see why Racing even want him.

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    Mute tomeenoldstock
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    Feb 20th 2018, 8:53 AM

    @Eric Djemba-Djemba: Maybe(just maybe) they know more about rugby than you do??

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    Mute Eric Djemba-Djemba
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    Feb 20th 2018, 1:39 PM

    @tomeenoldstock: that’s a given, still doesn’t mean he ain’t shite

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    Mute MK76
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    Feb 20th 2018, 7:09 AM

    Ah now Simon, you were dropped this year on form….. (allegedly). Nothing to do with you moving away next year…..(allegedly). Schmidt’s reasoning on this is above scrutiny and questioning…..(allegedly).

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    Mute TheHeathen
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    Feb 20th 2018, 7:41 AM

    @MK76: Do you watch the Pro14 or just moan all the time? I wouldn’t pick him on his form now. He’s well down the pecking order on form, and was barely holding on to his place when he was playing well. And if he was playing well I still think the IRFU should play hard ball.

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    Mute Niall Connolly
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    Feb 20th 2018, 8:12 AM

    @TheHeathen: Carberry, Ringrose to name a few that are in the squad that have no form. Just pointing out the Zebo decision is nothing to do with form. People that believe this will believe anything.

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    Mute TheHeathen
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    Feb 20th 2018, 8:28 AM

    @Niall Connolly: Young future talent in the squad? Nothing wrong with a bit of learning and integration, as they won’t be starting. No need for Zebo to be in the squad if he isn’t starting and won’t be around for two years. He knew the rules. He’s a big boy now, off to make money and live in France, fair play to him. I think it’s the end of his Ireland career as there are much better young lads waiting for their chance.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Feb 20th 2018, 10:30 AM

    @Niall Connolly: we have injuries at centre and this weekend we will line out with two centres with no more than 10 caps between them, yet you think it’s wrong to bring into a 37 man squad a first choice centre who know the systems and game plan? Is Zebo going to cover centre if anything happens to Aki or Farrell?
    Or do you suggest he plays 10 if anything happens to sexton.
    Or maybe Zebo should be called in to cover furlong?

    25
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    Mute ktsiwot
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    Feb 20th 2018, 11:15 AM

    @Niall Connolly: I will agree that Carbery does not have form or experience as an out half, I believe his game management is not up to standered, place kicking and lack of game time as a 10 leaves us badly exposed if he has to replace Sexton in a tight game, Lenister seem to think this way as well, I have been very impressed with Byrne and as we speak he is a more competent 10 as is Keately. I do not doubt his talent, however he has had little game time and experience as a 10. As a full back he has been excellent, I believe Joe’s thinking is he can cover 10 and 15. However as a 10 to control tight matches he does not impress at present, not because lack of talent but because lack of game time and experience.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Feb 20th 2018, 1:57 PM

    @ktsiwot: he finished off the New Zealand game handy enough. He was never not selected behind Byrne and started at 15 because he was more suitable to play there that Byrne.

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    Mute Michael Wynne
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    Feb 20th 2018, 8:52 AM

    I think Zebos problem is himself. He does not fit into how Schmidt wants Ireland to play and in my opinion Schmidt thinks Zebo is a bad influence on the squad and I would agree with him. He was only brought back into the Irish set up when we had a lot of injuries

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    Mute Eddie Hekenui
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    Feb 20th 2018, 2:45 PM

    @Michael Wynne: That is complete and utter nonsense from start to finish

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    Mute andrew
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    Feb 20th 2018, 4:03 PM

    @Eddie Hekenui: it isn’t. But Simon Tweeto can now devote his time to what he is good at. Self publicising.

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    Mute Leo Erah
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    Feb 20th 2018, 8:48 AM

    I wonder sometimes has the guy thought out this move at all, he is leaving just before a world cup and by the looks of it really wants to keep playing for his country. Why is he leaving then?

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    Mute Leo Erah
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    Feb 20th 2018, 8:50 AM

    The only way to play for your country while playing abroad is to be absolutely indispensable to the team and sorry Zebo your name isint Furlong or Sexton. This move is something he will really regret in future years I think. Genuienly hope he enjoys his time away all the same.

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    Mute BlueSkyThinking
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    Feb 20th 2018, 10:37 AM

    @Leo Erah: It makes €€ sense to leave now. After the world cup, the Club market will be flooded with ex New Zealand and other world class players looking for a bit of retirement money. He’s can command more money now than after the World Cup (supply and demand). Also there’s no guarantee he’ll be picked for the Irish World Cup squad. Basically you’re asking him to hang around for 20 months on the chance he MIGHT play for Ireland, then be worth less money on the transfer market. He’s a wing too so age won’t be as kind to his performance than if he was a forward.

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    Mute Eddie Hekenui
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    Feb 21st 2018, 1:09 AM

    @Martin Quinn: You keep going on about Zebo as if he’s some kind of traitor and attacking his character. It’s pretty disgusting behaviour from someone who goes on about being a rugby man for all his life and the things you love about the game. The players owe the fans nothing. You only have to spend 5 minutes on here after a game to see the personal abuse these lads get in the wake of a bad performance.

    His first and only obligation is to himself and his family. Why would he accept significantly less money to stay in Ireland? You have no idea of the factors that went into his decision. Rugby is a short career and you’ve got to make the most of it. That’ll be particularly relevant for many of the Munster players who’ve had to bury two friends and mentors who left behind young families struggling financially. Throw in the fact they’re coached by two players who were cut down in their prime. And then they’ll have seen a host of young players have to retire unexpectedly in the last couple of years. And then there’s the possibility it may his one chance to fulfill a life long dream.

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    Mute Scott Crossfield
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    Feb 20th 2018, 9:07 AM

    Jog on his form at the moment he’s already in Paris drinking coffee and they won’t pick him either if he keeps it up

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    Mute Eddie Hekenui
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    Feb 20th 2018, 2:37 PM

    @Scott Crossfield: Or maybe he’s been preoccupied by his mother battling cancer and having an operation in the last few weeks?

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    Mute Rudiger McMonihan
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    Feb 20th 2018, 9:35 AM

    Clickbait article… Why are we still talking about this?

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    Mute Scott Crossfield
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    Feb 20th 2018, 9:42 AM

    @Rudiger McMonihan: six nations back again the weekend with some injuries possibly to come and let’s face SZ is marmite at the moment.

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    Mute Macus Mc Mahon
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    Feb 20th 2018, 10:06 AM

    I’d be a lot happier to see Zebo coming on for Kearny then lamour.

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    Mute thesaltyurchin
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    Feb 20th 2018, 10:48 AM

    In Ireland we don’t want anyone to have their cake and eat it, unless of course you’re in politics or banking.

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    Mute conex
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    Feb 20th 2018, 6:30 AM

    Laughable situation.

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    Mute Marcodub
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    Feb 20th 2018, 8:37 AM

    @conex: no sh*t Simon! You follow the cash you suffer the consequences .. get over yourself!

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    Mute Richard James
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    Feb 21st 2018, 10:01 AM

    @Marcodub: in what way is he not ‘over himself’? He expressed some sadness but acceptance and recognition of what the situation is; you’re the one who needs to ‘get over yourself’.

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    Mute Gustave H
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    Feb 20th 2018, 8:40 AM

    Tedious

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    Mute Michael Griffin
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    Feb 20th 2018, 1:40 PM

    No the IRFU have to stay strong on this one..a little bit sad for zebo though… and Ireland

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    Mute Anthony O Connell
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    Feb 20th 2018, 12:46 PM

    Again zebo is been asked the questions by the media and he’s just answering them. It’s the media building this thing up beyond what it needs to be. Zebo was by far the best full back in the country up until the zebre game and even Brian O driscoll and Co even said it. The only thing that annoys me is that schmidt just couldn’t tell the truth about why he left out zebo. Zebo with earls beside him could of done damage to alot of defences in this tournament but it’s not to be for zeebs. Meanwhile I will get behind kearney and hope he proves us all wrong by having a great tournament.

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    Mute Gary
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    Feb 20th 2018, 2:17 PM

    @Anthony O Connell: He has only one 6n try in his entire career. We have better options now.

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    Mute Eddie Hekenui
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    Feb 20th 2018, 2:44 PM

    @Gary: That one try stat is an lazy one that gets trotted out. And always with the “6 Nations” caveat to ignore the fact his try scoring rate is pretty good. Is that all we judge guys on? What about his four assists in last years Six Nations alone? Rob Kearney hasn’t scored a try in years. Should we drop him too?

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    Mute Anthony O Connell
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    Feb 20th 2018, 2:58 PM

    @Gary: don’t worry about zebo scoring tries. Think about what he could create for stockdale and earls beside him and can pop up at first reciever also. And defence was an issue at the start but with the last 2 seasons has been solid. I dunno how many last gaps tries he has prevented at this stage.

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    Mute Eddie Hekenui
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    Feb 21st 2018, 1:14 AM

    @Martin Quinn: I wasn’t saying we should drop Kearney or saying we should pick Zebo. I’ve made my position very clear on both matters. Kearney has to start and Zebo shouldn’t be considered for selection. I was just pointing out that using tries scored (in the Six Nations) is a stupid and reductive way of judging his contributions to Ireland. The fact they have to add “in the Six Nations” shows they’re cherry picking a stat line.

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    Mute Locojoe
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    Feb 20th 2018, 8:17 AM

    Simon, Simon. What have you done?

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    Mute thomas mitchell
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    Feb 20th 2018, 11:44 AM

    I wonder if murray was to move to france.would he get exiled

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    Mute Ían Ó Ceallaigh
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    Feb 20th 2018, 12:54 PM

    @thomas mitchell: No because he’s by far the outstanding player in his position.

    IRFU knows the moment they allow squad players be selectable, from abroad, that the provinces will be decimated (and not limited to the historical 1/10th meaning).
    IRFU has not got the money of France or English league clubs, they have one card to play, an Irene slot.

    Zeebo has made his decision to make some extra bank and I don’t blame him for a minute but he knows the score himself, of making that choice.

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    Mute Ían Ó Ceallaigh
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    Feb 20th 2018, 12:57 PM

    @Ían Ó Ceallaigh: predictive text nonsense auto fecking update.

    Ireland slot. I’m sure Irene’s slot is lovely too but wouldn’t be using that to keep players

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    Mute William Finnegan
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    Feb 20th 2018, 2:17 PM

    @Ían Ó Ceallaigh: lol

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    Mute The Hoodedman
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    Feb 20th 2018, 4:14 PM

    It’s a pity if he never lines out for Ireland again due to BS from the IRFU, he’s a good player on his day.

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    Mute Donal Carey
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    Feb 20th 2018, 10:21 PM

    Zebo is one of the most talented players I have ever seen he is exciting should still be playing international rugby .It is sad to lose him but these guys have a short career so when the chance comes to make the big bucks you cannot blame them good luck to Zebo .

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    Mute Eddie Hekenui
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    Feb 21st 2018, 1:16 AM

    @Martin Quinn: Another disgraceful comment. You’re letting yourself down. I’m guessing as a self confesed bias Leinster fan who feel the same way about Henshaw for abandoning Connacht and the likes of Murphy, Sexton Cullen, Madigan etc

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    Mute Ciarán Mac Cormaic
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    Feb 20th 2018, 11:33 PM

    Schmidt doesn’t like him. BO’D rates him as best form Irish full back. Under Schmidt the likes of Campeze and Blanco would never have gotten a jersey and I’d never have fallen in love with the game.

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    Mute William Finnegan
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    Feb 21st 2018, 8:02 AM

    @Ciarán Mac Cormaic: yeah because Larmour is a beacon of defensive brilliance. Zebo is not picked because he is leaving Ireland, it’s that simple

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    Mute Irish Sean
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    Feb 21st 2018, 7:27 PM

    I hope he does well…but throughout his career i never thought he was as good as the hype put on him by munster fans. Defensively always frail. Bad positioning at times. By the time rwc19 comes around he would be very lucky to be making matchday squads. I agree whole heartedly with the irfu policy of not picking foreign based players. And apart from a few exceptions the majority of players do as well. It gives them longevity to their careers. The game management of the players is obviously to their benefit.

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