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Michael Meehan won All-Ireland U21 medals with Galway in 2002 and 2005. James Crombie/INPHO

Galway's Michael Meehan - 'It’s just unfortunate that it was as bad as it was. But no one died.'

The gifted player is at peace with his decision and is positive about his county’s prospects.

AN ANKLE INJURY may have halted his Galway career but Michael Meehan is at peace with his decision last year to step away from the inter-county game.

And he sees positivity in football in the county with Kevin Walsh having overseen two league wins since taking the Galway reins, Corofin having advanced to the All-Ireland club decider and the products of the triumphant 2011 and 2013 U21 sides starting to make their mark on the senior grade.

The 30 year-old underwent a small knee operation before Christmas but it is the ankle injury that continues to be the root of his fitness problems. Still he is hopeful of getting back on the field with his club Caltra.

“I didn’t really do a lot at all last year, only with my club. Most recently, I was just rehabbing a knee injury. I’m just trying to rehab that and get back on my feet properly and see what I can do this year.

“It was a relief at the time just to step away. It was a hard thing to do but it was a relief. Because just the enjoyment, there was none and that’s what the game is about really.

“There was one specific injury. It was a replay of a Connacht semi-final against Sligo down in Sligo.  I really yanked my ankle over. It’s just unfortunate that it was as bad as it was. But no one died.”

EirGrid Announced as Title Sponsor of the GAA Football U21 All-Ireland Championship The Eirgrid All-Ireland U21 football championship was launched yesterday. SPORTSFILE SPORTSFILE

Meehan was speaking yesterday at the announcement of Eirgrid’s sponsorship of the All-Ireland U21 football championship for a three-year term. It was a competition where he made his mark with scintillating displays on the Galway teams that won All-Ireland titles in the grade in 2002 and 2005.

“It’s a great competition. I enjoyed playing in it immensely and was lucky enough to be successful twice. What you want to be successful at, at the end of the day is senior level. That didn’t really happen while I played for Galway. It wasn’t for the want of trying, it’s just things didn’t work out.”

He’s hoping his counterparts on Galway’s 2011 and 2013 sides will have better luck.

“Maybe it’s about to go right for those lads! The likes of Tom Flynn and Fintan O’Curraoin were on both of those teams, those lads are only 22 or 23 now. They’re only going to develop. With Kevin Walsh as a mentor and as a manager, he’ll help get the most out of the Galway panel that’s there.

Fiontan O Curraoin lifts the cup Fiontan O Curraoin lifts the cup after Galway's All-Ireland U21 title win in 2013. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

“They’ve had a good enough start (in the league).  I think for Galway at this stage, it’s a Connacht title is what’s needed. Whether someone can take Mayo down now I don’t know, but that’s the measure.  Mayo have four-in-a-row, they’ve dominated now in the last few years, that’s the big challenge.”

Before then Meehan will be hoping to see his ex-Galway teammates from Corofin achieve what he did with his own club Caltra back in 2004. Last Saturday’s stunning win over champions St Vincent’s didn’t surprise him.

“I would have fancied them. St Vincent’s are a phenomenal team but to be going two years in a row is tough going. Delighted for them now. I’d know a lot of them very well. Their goal is not a county title any more. They’re looking much further down the road. They’ve been able to keep coming back, fair play to them.

“I think they’ve a good mix. They’ve some seasoned campaigners that won All-Ireland’s with Galway in 2001, Kieran Fitzgerald and Michael Comer. Then they have younger crop of players that won U21 All-Ireland’s with Galway in ’05 with myself, Alan Burke and Gary Sice.

Kieran Fitzgerald and Kevin Murphy celebrate at the end of the game Corofin's Kieran Fitzgerald and Kevin Murphy celebrate after last Saturday's win. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

 

“They’ve lads that have won All-Ireland’s a couple of years ago with Galway in Ian Burke and a few more. They are where they want to be now and where they’ve planned to be and they’ve a great chance.”

Clare’s Jamesie O’Connor gets the Laochra Gael treatment and here’s the trailer

There was one last colourful invasion by the Austin Stacks fans in Portlaoise yesterday

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3 Comments
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    Mute David Toke
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    May 12th 2018, 3:57 PM

    Good luck to Leinster today from a Munster man

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    Mute Porter Paddy
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    May 12th 2018, 4:13 PM

    @David Toke: Go luck to Leinster today from a man.

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    Mute Acedeuce
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    May 12th 2018, 4:37 PM

    @Porter Paddy: good luck to leinster ill be getting my dinner soon

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    Mute Sportszone26
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    May 12th 2018, 4:53 PM

    @David Toke: leinster vs racing 92 LINK===> http://bit.ly/2jSQwam

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    Mute Tom49
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    May 12th 2018, 5:04 PM

    @David Toke: good luck to Donnacha today from a Tipperary man

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    Mute Marko Polo
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    May 12th 2018, 5:31 PM

    @David Toke: Fack off.

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    Mute David Toke
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    May 12th 2018, 6:37 PM

    @Marko Polo: Marko fack u :-)

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    Mute David Toke
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    May 12th 2018, 8:40 PM

    @Martin Quinn: go luck where Martin lol

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    Mute Ciara Baines
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    May 12th 2018, 3:59 PM

    C’mon Leinster! Nerves kicking in now. Great news for us (not Carter) that he’s been ruled out. Could have made a big difference off the bench.

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    Mute Phil O' Meara
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    May 12th 2018, 3:55 PM

    Can’t wait to see the two Ryans lock horns.

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    Mute Linda Oreilly
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    May 12th 2018, 5:18 PM

    Dreadful to watch so far

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    Mute munsterman
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    May 12th 2018, 4:37 PM

    Have a feeling donnacha will sort out the ladyboys today..

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    Mute Sam Harms
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    May 12th 2018, 5:35 PM

    @munsterman: how anyone who supports a team with Zebo and Murray can call anyone else ladyboys is beyond me.

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    Mute William Finnegan
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    May 12th 2018, 6:39 PM

    @munsterman: na he sorted the ladyboys out a few weeks ago

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    Mute Pseud O'Nym
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    May 12th 2018, 6:48 PM

    @munsterman: Ha ha ha, suck it up, lad…

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    Mute Fred McHugh
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    May 12th 2018, 5:29 PM

    jp doyle has been so annoying. let the game flow. always in barnes ear. let him referee

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    Mute Eddie Hekenui
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    May 12th 2018, 5:36 PM

    Am I the only one thinking Barnes and his team having a good game?

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    Mute Parnells Eighty-Seven
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    May 12th 2018, 5:38 PM

    @Eddie Hekenui: yes!

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    Mute reg gordon
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    May 12th 2018, 5:39 PM

    @Eddie Hekenui: I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt that you are attempting humour
    Shocking reffing

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    Mute Jonathan Byrne
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    May 12th 2018, 5:41 PM

    @Eddie Hekenui: yes you are, he might as well be wearing a racing 92 jersey,

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    May 12th 2018, 5:41 PM

    @Eddie Hekenui: I thought they have been spot on. Fair too.

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    Mute Eddie Hekenui
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    May 12th 2018, 5:52 PM

    Not up for Racing at all and screaming for Leinster all the way. I was expecting a Barnes shitshow but they’ve been decent for me. Very consistent and doing lots of talking which helps the players. Nakawara could’ve got a yellow but I hate seeing big games decided by tame yellow cards and Leinster weren’t going to score. Can’t think of any other calls they’ve gotten wrong

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    Mute Eddie Hekenui
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    May 12th 2018, 8:53 PM

    @Eddie Hekenui: Yeah he definitely let lots go at ruck time but he was consistent in his interpretations. As per the chatting I think we just heard it more than you normally wood because it was being broadcast. For me it’s a good thing if they’re involved. The ref can only see so much and there were a few times they weighed in on what was happening in the scrums when Barnes couldn’t see.

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    Mute Fred McHugh
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    May 12th 2018, 10:51 PM

    @Eddie Hekenui: bad.

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    Mute Fred McHugh
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    May 12th 2018, 10:52 PM

    @Eddie Hekenui: bad. if there are another two people who think they are the main referee how will the game flow

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    Mute Eddie Hekenui
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    May 12th 2018, 10:59 PM

    @Eddie Hekenui: The best referee’s make use of their team combined with their own judgement especially when they have a better angle. Look at the disallowed try for Gloucester last night. The tj was much better placed to make a call but the referee immediately blew it up. I’d have issue if the tj’s were butting in with bad calls but they weren’t.

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    Mute thesaltyurchin
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    May 12th 2018, 5:33 PM

    ugh… Barnes. wrong choice for a final.

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    Mute Ricky Spanish
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    May 12th 2018, 4:03 PM

    My nerves are at me.

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    Mute Gareth Keenan
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    May 12th 2018, 5:35 PM

    Poor match so far

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    Mute Conor
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    May 12th 2018, 4:18 PM

    Leinster by 15-20 too good for racing imo

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    Mute Paddy
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    May 12th 2018, 5:25 PM

    @Conor: Leinster starting very slowly making alot of mistakes I hope your right but racing don’t look like they have been rattled not once yet.

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    Mute Eddie Hekenui
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    May 12th 2018, 5:13 PM

    Leinster will be happy to have got through the first 20 without Racing doing any serious damage. Key for Racing was to get a hot start with some points on the board. They’re not as effective as the game goes on while the Leinster machine will keep chugging away till the final whistle

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    Mute Just Some Guy
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    May 12th 2018, 4:09 PM

    Come on Leinster Every one of the Leinster players will be legends if they bring that trophy back here

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    Mute Les Wynan
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    May 12th 2018, 4:58 PM

    Machenaud, Lambie, Carter and possibly Vakatawa. How much luck do Leinster need

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    Mute William Finnegan
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    May 12th 2018, 5:32 PM

    Barnes is effing useless

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    Mute Kevin50
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    May 12th 2018, 6:44 PM

    Don’t care if it wasn’t champagne rugby, the best kind of final, intense pressure, 2 teams not giving an inch, congratulations to Leinster and sincerest commiserations to Racing for a tremendous display

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    Mute Now or Never
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    May 12th 2018, 6:39 PM

    Woeful game, but congrats Leinster!

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    Mute Sam Harms
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    May 12th 2018, 4:04 PM

    Hasn’t even started and it already feels like squeaky bum time

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    Mute Ben Sheridan
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    May 12th 2018, 6:04 PM

    I think Leinster could be ahead if they had gone with Lowe on the wing, Isa is having a mare

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    Mute Bluepoolroad
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    May 12th 2018, 6:26 PM

    @Ben Sheridan: Sounds so easy….

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    Mute Bluepoolroad
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    May 12th 2018, 6:29 PM

    @Ben Sheridan: Then he steps up and equalises

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    Mute Ben Sheridan
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    May 12th 2018, 6:35 PM

    @Ben Sheridan: it’s seriously tense, that’s why I think Lowes attitude would thrive in this

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    Mute Eddie Hekenui
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    May 12th 2018, 6:35 PM

    Thank you Teddy Thomas. You owed us Irish one after the Six Nations and Munster matches

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    Mute Conor HF
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    May 12th 2018, 6:27 PM

    referring has been atrocious but Leinster really have not done themselves any favours.

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    Mute Sam Harms
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    May 12th 2018, 6:38 PM

    Jesus Christ that was tense felt like a repeat of Ireland France.

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    Mute Gooney
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    May 12th 2018, 4:20 PM

    CMon Leinster!!!

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    Mute Brian Moore
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    May 12th 2018, 4:08 PM

    Any links to watch the match?

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    Mute Sam Harms
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    May 12th 2018, 4:19 PM

    @Brian Moore: try Cricfree that usually works.

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    Mute Andrew Hurley
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    May 12th 2018, 4:46 PM

    @Brian Moore: Legally on the France2 website. No bulles*t hype either https://www.france.tv/france-2/direct.html

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    Mute Conor Walsh
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    May 12th 2018, 4:54 PM

    @Brian Moore: https://youtu.be/TDb9KlJkhUU
    That’s a YouTube link, great quality. This channel always streams the big rugby and football games so I’d recommend subscribing too.

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    Mute Bluepoolroad
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    May 12th 2018, 5:46 PM

    It’s going to be very hard to break Racing down. It’s 50/50 at this stage. One mistake and Thomas is away. Need some magic from Sexton. They seem to match us everywhere else.

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    Mute Marian Lee Lynch
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    May 12th 2018, 6:42 PM

    It’s a terrible disgrace the game wasn’t on any irish TV channel.

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    Mute Sam Harms
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    May 12th 2018, 6:44 PM

    @Marian Lee Lynch: why would it be? Sky and BT have the rights to it and it was never guaranteed that an Irish team would be in the final.

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    Mute Ardmore02
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    May 12th 2018, 6:45 PM

    @Marian Lee Lynch: hardly a disgrace when tv rights are done years ago for big bucks. if no irish team were in it would it be a disgrace?

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    Mute GeorgeMallory
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    May 12th 2018, 6:47 PM

    Poor game but well done Leinster.

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    Mute Dave Fingleton
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    May 12th 2018, 4:10 PM

    Need a bib…salivating at the prospect of this

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    Mute Kenneth Hayden
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    May 12th 2018, 6:44 PM

    No links..
    Following the Journal for every move….
    Priceless for once.
    Time to chill and enjoy the beers.

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    Mute Brian Rochford
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    May 12th 2018, 6:52 PM

    Loving Lowes reaction. Hope he is selected next week

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    Mute Dave Fingleton
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    May 12th 2018, 6:51 PM

    What does it matter..workmanlike victory..no fireworks…best team in Europe..no question..

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    Mute FOX(sports)Free Live
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    May 12th 2018, 4:28 PM

    vchjugju

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    Mute William Finnegan
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    May 12th 2018, 4:32 PM

    @FOX(sports)Free Live: is that the new Fijian playing for Racing

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    Mute Brian Rochford
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    May 12th 2018, 6:49 PM

    Worst game i ever watched. Will take me a while to realise we wpn it. But holy crap 4 stars on the shirt next season. …

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    Mute Bluepoolroad
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    May 12th 2018, 6:36 PM

    Who’s complaining now about Barnes? Or Isa?

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    Mute Sportszone26
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    May 12th 2018, 4:34 PM

    RUGBY LINK===> http://bit.ly/2jSQwam

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    Mute Sportszone26
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    May 12th 2018, 4:35 PM

    RUGBY LINK===> https://t.co/fxldK6VwA2

    RUGBY LINK===> https://t.co/fxldK6VwA2

    1
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