A brief look at today's other rugby stories.
Bohemian women rule
There's another club in Limerick that will soon be laying claim to Shannon's pre-eminence as the best in the city. The UL Bohemian women's team have recently won the All Ireland League title for the fifth year in succession. They celebrated their latest success by beating Blackrock College 21-6 at Cill Dara.
The Limerick team's achievement is superb under any criteria, but made all the more outstanding by the fact the female side of the club is only five years old.
The UL Bohs women also completed a remarkable feat when Jeanette Feighrey won her first cap on the wing for Ireland in the recent victory against Canada. It meant a UL Bohemian player has now played in every position on the Irish Women's team.
Wicket challenge
A Leinster rugby XI look set to face 2002 All-Ireland champions Malahide in a 20-20 cricket challenge match on Friday week, May 19th, in Malahide Cricket Club. Leinster will call on an impressive array of talent, which could include assistant coach David Knox - a former Australia Under-19 cricket international - and England international prop Will Green.
Also expected to be named in the squad is Leinster scrumhalf Brian O'Riordan, who was capped for both Leinster and Ireland at underage levels and whose father, Alec, was one of Ireland's greatest cricketers.
The Leinster side will be captained by former Ireland and current Leinster assistant coach Gerry Murphy. A collection and post-match raffle will be made on the day to the Welcome Home charity, supporting Fr Peter McVerry who works with young homeless people in Dublin. Play is scheduled to start at 6pm.
Lansdowne double up
Lansdowne Junior rugby is in rude good health judging by recent results. It's illustrated by a Cup and League double at J3 level, and narrow defeats in the Metropolitan and O'Connell Cup finals.
It seems Stevie Keogh and his all-conquering J3 side deserve most of the bouquets. They defeated Greystones 31-7 in a hard-fought league final in Greystones , with tries from Keogh, John Quinn, Gavin Lee and Brian Cox. This was the ninth occasion Lansdowne have won that particular competition.
Keogh's ageing wonders prevailed in the Moran Cup final by beating Clontarf 18-10. The victories represented an exceptional Cup and League double, which has not been done by the club since 1969.
Wyndham Williams was the captain of the '69 side, and was there to witness this latest achievement.
The Lansdowne first team squad head off to Uruguay and Argentina on May 16th for an end-of-season tour, with matches scheduled against the Newman Hurling and Old Christian Clubs. The Lansdowne club awards night took place last Thursday, with pride of place being the presentation of awards to Enda Bohan and Stephen O'Connor, who retired after 139 and 105 AIB League matches respectively.
Rodan appeals
Fiji Sevens representative Raymond Rodan faces the prospect of an 18-month jail term for assault following a March incident in Nawaka, Fiji. The player was reportedly confronted by a group of drunks on his way to a shop and a scuffle ensued. Rodan's lawyer has argued he was acting in self-defence and that the sentence is harsh and irrational.
Rodan represented New Zealand province Wanganui in the 2003 NPC and is a contracted member of the Waisale Serevi-coached Fiji sevens team. Rodan was bailed by the high court following an appeal and will return to court today.
Belvo blitz London
Congratulations to the Old Belvedere Under-11s, who have become the first Irish team to win the London Irish blitz. They also captured the All Ireland blitz at Naas.
