Kidney's men aim to do Croke Park proud
IRELAND lock Paul O'Connell says Declan Kidney's charges are anxious to finish their time playing at Croke Park on a high.
In their 12 games to date at GAA headquarters the Irish rugby team have won eight, lost three and drawn one of their fixtures.
Last season's RBS Six Nations Champions complete their period playing at Croke Park with Saturday's clash with the Welsh (2.30pm) and their final game of the series against the Scots seven days later.
O'Connell is set to win his 69th cap against the Welsh on Saturday while his second-row partner Donncha O'Callaghan is set to win his 60th.
Irish coach Declan Kidney named the same side which defeated England at Twickenham at the end of last month for Saturday's clash with the Welsh.
Centre Brian O'Driscoll will emulate the achievement of Munster prop John Hayes when making his 100th appearance for his country this weekend.
Paul O'Connell said: "We're coming to the end of our time in Croke Park and it will be a big motivation to finish on a high there. We have two games left in the Six Nations, both at home and we're hoping for a good run in. But it's going to be a tough challenge."
O'Connell admits that memories of Ireland's defeat to Wales at Croke Park in 2008 will add to the home team's motivation this weekend.
"Looking back at the English game I felt we were quite comfortable at times," O'Connell pointed out.
"It was good to score three tries in Twickenham. If we can score three tries again this weekend we know we'll be in a very good position."
Meanwhile, Ardscoil Ris will be hoping to make it an all-Limerick final in the Avonmore Milk Munster Schools' Junior Cup when they face CBC, of Cork, in the second semi-final at Garryowen FC's grounds today, Wednesday - kick-off is at 3.30pm.
Crescent College Comprehensive booked their final place with an exciting victory over plucky Glenstal Abbey side at Tom Clifford Park yesterday.
St Munchin's College will hope to reach another Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior Cup decider when they face PBC, of Cork, at The Mardyke, in their semi-final replay on tomorrow, Thursday at 3pm. St Munchin's, three-time winners of the cup in the past decade, played out a 10-10 draw with the Cork side at Clifford Park on Sunday last. While Pres' will be boosted by home advantage tomorrow, Pat Cross, a member of the St Munchin's backroom team, said the Corbally side had traditionally played well in Cork.
"It will be difficult going to Cork, but we have always played well down there," Pat Cross said in the wake of Sunday's drawn game.
"We hold no fears of playing in Cork. We did have Pres' at an advantage in that they were coming up to Limerick. They were hot favourites to win the game. We will find it harder the next day, but there will be great heart and determination in the side as a result of this performance and I am delighted with that. The four-day turnaround is tough. And the winners' will face a final six days later."
Ireland v Wales: Geordan Murphy, Tommy Bowe, Brian O'Driscoll (capt), Gordon D'Arcy, Keith Earls, Jonathan Sexton, Toms O'Leary, Cian Healy, Rory Best, John Hayes, Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell, Stephen Ferris, David Wallace, Jamie Heaslip. Replacements: Sean Cronin, Tony Buckley, Leo Cullen, Shane Jennings, Eoin Reddan, Ronan O'Gara, Rob Kearney.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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