Planet Murrayfield

Compiled by GAVIN CUMMISKEY

Lowry wants Leinster to let rip

EVERY ONE, understandably, wants a piece of Shane Lowry this week. The Offaly GAA fraternity have already claimed him as one of their own (no one is debating that either as his father, Brendan, and two uncles, Seán and Mick, were part of the famous 1982 All-Ireland football final defeat of Kerry.

The Irish Open champion took plenty of satisfaction from the semi-final dismissal of Paul O’Connell’s Munster team. “I remember watching the semi-final win against Munster over at an amateur tournament in England that I was competing in. I was going crazy, jumping all over the place as they got each score and I hope they can go on and win it now.

“Clara, where I’m from, isn’t a huge rugby stronghold, but there’s great interest in the team there, in Tullamore and right across Offaly.

“I’ll be going away for a short break with my girlfriend this weekend, but I’ll be glued to the TV on Saturday afternoon. I believe the team are good enough and experienced enough to deal with the pressure and I’d urge them to go out there and give it a rip.”

The man practises what he preaches.

Courtney lands key ERC role

FORMER IRISH referee Donal Courtney, formerly of CBC Monkstown and Trinity College fame, has been appointed the ERC’s first match officials performance manager. “This is a fantastic opportunity for me to work in an industry which I am hugely passionate about. I hope to bring this passion and my extensive corporate and rugby refereeing experience to ERC.

“Our key objectives are the continued development of the existing ERC match officials and the identification of potential elite officials. By doing this ERC will ensure the best match official talent is available . . . and that a clear succession plan exists.”

Courtney will work with referee managers from the participating unions to coordinate and manage the areas of selection, performance review and development of all match officials for both European tournaments.

Garden party for match

THERE IS no sign of the Dublin or Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Councils following the lead of their Limerick counterparts this Saturday with a big screen on one of the main thoroughfares. There were moves to put up a big screen on the Donnybrook pitch but that plan has fallen through.

That means the biggest big-screen gathering is likely to take place in Dicey’s Garden in the Russell Court Hotel on Harcourt Street. The surrounding balcony is the self-styled “home of Leinster rugby” and famous Dublin nightclub Krystle. There will be two giant screens and 15 plasma screens catering for up to 2,000 Leinster supporters at the trendy venue.

With cheerleaders and bongo players among the live entertainment the hope is the Sky Sports cameras will make an appearance. Some Leinster players may even make a triumphant visit to the Krystle VIP Suite in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

Tuilagi strengthens Leicester's hand

THOSE WATCHING the Leicester Tigers in recent weeks can only be impressed. The return of giant Samoan Alesana Tuilagi is sure to improve their hand despite injury ruling out outhalves Springbok Derick Hougaard and England’s Toby Flood along with All Black centre Aaron Mauger.

“Alesana gives us that physicality and you wouldn’t want to be tackling him would you?” said coach Richard Cockerill. “He has had five weeks off but he will come back into the 22. Whether he’s off the bench or whether he starts, we will wait and see.”

Tuilagi received a five-week suspension for smashing Bath fullback Nick Abendanon without the ball in the Heineken Cup quarter-final.

Venues to soak up the atmosphere

THE OFFICIAL Leinster Supporters’ Club have published a list of areas that will show the game in “sports friendly environments”.

They are: the spiritual home, Kielys of Donnybrook, Donnybrook, Dublin 4; Horse Show House (supporters’ headquarters for home games, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4); Ashbourne: Kellys, Main Street; Blackrock, Dublin: The Wishing Well, Newtown Park Avenue; Bray: Jim Doyles, Seafront; Castleknock: The Carpenter, Carpenterstown Road; Clontarf: Connolly’s (The Shed), Clontarf Road; Greystones: The Burnaby, Church Road. Longford: Edward Valentine’s, Main Street; Tallyho, New Street. Naas: Haydens, Poplar Square; Stepaside: The Step Inn, Dublin 18; Swords: Wright’s, The Plaza, Malahide Road; The Old Boro, Main Street; Tullamore: The Brewery Tap, High Street; De Brun’s; Wicklow: Phil Healys, Fitzwilliam Square; Ernies, Market Square.