THE FACE THAT didn’t seem to fit towards the end of 2013 is now part of Ireland’s final 31-man squad.
Darren Cave has had frustrating spells during his international career, but his performances with Ulster have been consistently strong in recent years and his most recent chance in green saw the 28-year-old muscularly push his Ireland claim.
The nine-times capped midfielder was excellent at the Millennium Stadium early last month to set his World Cup marker, having also performed on last summer’s tour of Argentina.
Still, Cave is something of a surprise inclusion in Ireland’s final World Cup squad even if it all makes sense now. The Ulsterman is partly the beneficiary of Joe Schmidt’s decision to travel to the World Cup with only two recognised scrum-halves, Ian Madigan the third choice in that role.
Cave’s status as a pure centre, in comparison with starters Robbie Henshaw and Jared Payne, also played on Schmidt’s mind.
With the midfield situation that we have, we feel we’ve got enough cover, but it’s a little bit of a manufactured midfield,” said the Kiwi at Carton House this afternoon.
“Robbie hadn’t played 12 until he came into this environment, and Jared had played more fullback than 13. Robbie had played more fullback than 13 in recent years too. That’s a little bit manufactured for us.
“We wanted to get one specialist midfielder in there who could play 12 or 13. His flexibility and positivity in the environment are real plusses for us.
“We’ve had the opportunity to get Keith Earls at 13 and Luke Fitzgerald some game time at 13, so we feel that amongst those five, plus Ian Madigan, who can move in there (we’re covered).”
Having mentioned Madigan as an option in the 12 shirt, where he has played extensively for Leinster, Schmidt almost immediately pointed out that stretching Madigan’s training time across scrum-half, out-half and inside centre would have been a huge ask.
I know this might sound complicated because it did seem complicated on Sunday, but having Ian cover nine and 10 as the the third-choice nine, then to expect him to cover 12 as well is a little bit more of an expectation.
“Therefore we wanted to go with a specialist 12/13 and Darren’s performances, both at training and in the match at the Millennium Stadium, meant he was a pretty deserving player to be involved.”
It’s a roundabout route but as Schmidt underlined, Cave has earned his World Cup shot.
What a hammering! Brilliant stuff!
Tipp by 8 some lad commented earlier.Must be some comeback were in for!!
well done Galway
What went wrong today ?
Can’t blame the ref for that Tipp?
@Peter R: I think you’ll find it was Davy blaming the ref last week not Tipp.
@jane: would ya stop
He took his beating
And nOw Tipp may also.
In fairness
Michael Ryan is one of the best managers out there.
Very likeable
@Peter R: well if that’s Davy taking his beating I wouldn’t like to see him when he’s not.
@jane:
Look
Regarding this game
Maybe Tipp were admiring themselves too much from last weeks game and didn’t give Galway the respect they deserve.
It was men against boys today
@Peter R: looked to me that they didn’t even try today, some of the touches and fumbles were so bad and not even trying to win back lost ball. 4 Tipp management team never moved from the same spot the whole game.
@jane: maybe
But it is only league
Bigger challenges ahead.
Galway wanted it more.
Tipp will be in the final come September
On an aside. A week between semis and final. Bit unfair. Was it not always the 1st Sunday in may??
HT Galway the better team so far,They have alot of wides which could be very costly come the long whistle.
Galway Galway Galwat the great enigma!!!!
Galway should be out of sight. Setting themselves up for a usual second half collapse.
@Kevin Shortall: you might have spoke too soon on that one
@Kevin Shortall: cheers for the insight Kev, maybe you should give Brian Cody a call and tell him your ready to takeover … ;-)
Well done to Galway, some hammering to give Tipp,they will hardly be as bad again expect them now to give Cork a hammering in the first rd,swings and roundabouts.
Congratulations to Tipp on winning the league final.
@Niall Lonergan: deferred coverage???
Tipperary by 8
@lolly ryan: good lad
Ive said it before and ill say it again steven o brien cant hurl
@DerryWanderer14: good lad….us tipp lads must get you down to give us a few sessions so. Those lads picking tipp u16, minor, u21 and senior teams know nothing sure!! Even though you’ve said it before and though you’ll say it again more than likely from that bar stool you’re hurling on!
@mmk: i never said i could hurl i just said steven o brien cant, easily one of the best midfielders in the country with the big ball but his talent is been wasted in with the hurlers
@DerryWanderer14: but he obviously can hurl to a very high level….he has been consistently selected by various mgt for tip teams. Your statement is total crap! Granted he is a fantastic footballer but there’s also many other hurlers on the tipp team who didn’t have a good game today that are fine footballers too but you’re not making that statement about them? O’Briens contributions in the league has been very good v clare, wford, kk, offaly.
Cud the gaa not go to expense of resodding the goalmouths for a league final.So unsightly but only an oul league so who gives a f**k right lads?!
Barely 17k at the Hurling League Final, @gaa need to cop themselves on with ticket prices if it’s outside Dublin…
25€ for Students/OAP’s, same as Adult ticket…?
#GWYvTIP