State.ie Film Review: TRACKS →

Director: John Curran
Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Adam Driver, Rolley Mintuma, Emma Booth, Rainer Bock, Robert Coleby
Certificate: PG-13
Runtime: 112 minutes
Release Date: April 25th

I am sceptical about soul-searching dramas. Burned too often before, I’m always fearful I may not be in the correct mood to appreciate the film. Fortunately in John Curran’s (The Painted Veil and Stone) latest work, my worries were soothed … for now at least.

Tracks depicts the real life journey of writer Robyn Davidson, who at 27, set off for the Indian Ocean from the east coast of Australia with her faithful dog, Digidy, and four camels. “Why not,” she says. Departing from Alice Springs like a one-woman circus, her belongings are piled high on the humps of her four legged troops.  A 2,700 kilometres trek across a harsh and desolate terrain, she camps with aboriginal leaders, meets rangers, and brushes off passers by along the way who come to know her as ‘the camel lady’; and I should mention not one bottle of sun cream makes a cameo in this picture.

Davidson is played by Mia Wasikowska (Jane Eyre, Stoker), who is convincing as the young lady who hides her fragility while being as stubborn as she is determined. Following her we meet a collection of characters; the most memorable being outback elder Eddy (Rolley Mintuma), who enlightens us with his method for shooing away tourists, and then, most often, photographer Rick Smolan (Girls star Adam Driver) who is covering Davidson’s footprints for National Geographic. Driver is enjoyable as the sincere and geeky artist who proves a constant hindrance to Davidson. Together the pair create some of the film’s most poignant scenes, which in turn make up for the sense that the story skips ahead too far and too often.

Despite this need to jump ahead in parts, the film is a beautiful journey that benefits from a lack of intensity, and is as much about company as it is being alone. The scene-stealer is without contest the outback itself. Orchestrated by Victoria-born cinematographer Mandy Walker (Baz Luhrmann’ Australia), quirky panning will force the audience to smile, while displays of rusty landscapes with fiery skies met by angry blue-grey clouds turn the picture into an evolving canvas.

The main drawback to Tracks is that it doesn’t appear hard enough for Robyn, as if we haven’t fully witnessed her hardship. We see her skin reddened by the sun, we see her sleep alone by a fire surrounded by desert, we see her question her grip on life, and we laugh at the comical circumstances she encounters along her route. However, as is often the case with biographical works, the reality is that it can be difficult for them to appear real through a lens. Here Tracks may not show the full trail, but it is still a journey worth taking.

State.ie Interview: Playing For Hollywood - A Chat With Irish Film Composer Stefan French

Stefan French is “feeling a little tired”, he says as he adjusts his seat outside his favourite trattoria, the menu closed in front of him. “I had a late night” he grins. “Sometimes an idea just hits me at 2am and I cant let it go. I have to work on it immediately before I lose it. Soon two hours becomes four hours and four hours becomes seven. You know what I mean?” I nodded, somewhat sure I did.

An aspiring film composer, one month before our meeting Stefan was making his way, with sheet music wrapped in a towel and rain running down his face, from Manhattan’s Upper West side towards Greenwich Village, to complete a very significant moment. To conduct an orchestra to a score of his own creation for a film sequence. Something that was at the time the most pivotal event of his career, has only launched him further towards the stars of Hollywood.

At 23 Stefan has been working as a freelance composer for the last six years; completing short projects while plucking chords in a string quartet for extra cash. Having learned the viola from a young age, Stefan’s first steps towards his career were in a music technology extracurricular class in secondary school.  “We covered the basics of playing around with music software,” Stefan recalls as he gives the lifeless gas heater above our heads a quick scowl. “But it left me wanting to learn more.” This interest led to the investing in a home system, the beginning of what would eventually become his studio and office. “It was just for fun at the time, something for me to experiment with.”

Our olive skinned waitress arrived brandishing a smile that suggested her shift was near ending, as I grew increasingly concerned about how the noise from our bustling venue would affect my recorder. I ordered the special while Stefan casually met the waitress’s smile and said, “I’ll have the same”. Handing the never opened menu back. “Where were we,” he paused. Keen to get back to business.

When Stefan talks, he does with a confidence that makes me feel uncomfortably self-conscious. He tells me how he dabbled in rock, pop and techno, experimenting with melodies and styles before finding his niche in film scores. “I suppose it came about naturally while completing my degree because it connects a lot of my interests. Artists and musicians draw from what’s around them and I’m always playing music and watching movies so it was a natural extension. Once I started I knew I wanted to make this my future.

Operating from “gig to gig”, Stefan’s day-to-day is less than typical. “The process has no set structure. Mostly I get ideas out of the blue and have to run with them before I lose them. Ill hear something in my head and ill take it to the keyboard where I can create any sound from any instrument I want. It might start as a single melody but then I can add a full orchestra.  It wouldn’t be unusual to need fourteen hours to create a forty second orchestral piece, accounting for multiple instruments. Though the way to approach a film is a little different. There you have to read the script and get a feel for each scene. To think of the pace and emotion within each one.”

But how does he find working in such a demanding industry so young? The conversation takes a polite pause as our food arrives. “Most of the time I’m detached, locked away in a dark room.  Everyday is devoted to work.  Even when I just go for a coffee my mind is thinking about work. But at the same time it never really feels like I’m working, every project is different and I’m doing what I love.” He offers a foolish grin between slurps of pasta, one of the few signs of his age. “That’s also what makes the other side of this all the more exciting.”

Stefan refers to the social aspect of his chosen profession that he has discovered. Last year’s Galway Film Fleadh saw the young Mr French make his way towards his first premier as two films he had contributed to were being unveiled; his musical strut lit by camera flash. Nocturne Passage, directed by Amy Joyce Hastings, and Steven Daly’s, Unfold, which has since gone on to screen in San Francisco, Chicago and New York. “Going to a festival and seeing music in its intended environment was amazing, and actually being on a red carpet was surreal. It wasn’t like anything you’d see in LA, but still. Attending parties with actors and directors and others dedicated to their art was what made it special. I got to work with some amazing people.”

And then came New York, as a result of Stefan earning a scholarship to a ten-day ASCAP  (American Society of Composers and Performers) workshop in New York University, which he states could not have been possible without the assistance of the Arts Council, which funded the trip.  “I applied for the, Travel and Training Award, through the Arts Council and without that I don’t know how I would have paid for it.” Embarking on classes with some of the most prestigious names in the industry. “The trip was a first on so many levels - composing and conducting an open score in front of an orchestra, gaining tutelage from the likes of Sean Callery who worked on 24 and Homeland, and from Tim Starnes who was the music editor for The Lord of the Rings and The Departed. To get one to one feedback from people who work at this level was incredible.”

Back on home soil Stefan has accepted to score the upcoming feature I Live For You, produced by Los Angeles based Sobini Films. “ It’s a dark comedy about two strangers who are drawn together by death, love, and other mystical forces, and has a lovely twist.” He is also scheduled to work with the RTE Concert Orcheststra for the animated film called, Ode to Love. This is being produced by the Dublin based, Brown Bag Films, who have previously been Oscar, BAFTA and EMMY nominated. More recently Stefan has scored the Irish production, The Guarantee, and has been selected for this years 'ASCAP Film Scoring Workshop with Richard Bellis' in Los Angeles this Summer. “It’s a pretty exciting time,” the young composer utters as I resist the urge to lick my plate clean.

In an business as cold as a butchers chopping board which is renowned for editing out careers, this confident young Irish man plays his way forward. What he has achieved thus far he has worked hard for, no mater how easy he makes it sound as I read this piece back to myself. Often glimmers of success come to freelancers teasing more. For this talent on the rise, it would be nice to see him representing Ireland in Los Angeles one day (in the opinion of this humble Irish writer). “It can be tough. It’s not the kind of career you find on a list from your guidance councilor, and thankfully my parents have been very supportive in particular after realising this wasn’t just a hobby.  You have to put yourself out there, but this is where I want to be. Even with the 2am starts.” 

Bachelor.ie Interview: It’s Different Being Number 10 - A Chat With Irish International-Munster Legend Ronan O'Gara

“It’s different being a 10, that's exactly what people don't understand. If you want to be a goal-kicker, chief strategist; you're either the main man or you're nothing,” Ronan O’Gara tells us speaking of the position he owned for so long.

As Ireland completed there second victory in two of this year’s Six Nations, thrashing the current champions Wales 26-3 on home soil, there is evidence yet again that the number 10 shirt is in as healthy a position as its ever been.

It was an overall display of superiority instead of beauty. With little flair and pure grit displayed as the warriors in green beat the visitors in the air, in the lineout, broke them down and ushered them into tight spaces for arguably the most complete performance since winning the Grand Slam.

O’Gara’s successor played a major role yet again after the sweeping of Scotland last week. Jonny Sexton secured 16 points and produced some perfect kicks to place the ball half an inch or so on the right side of the line each time- continuously bringing the play forward.

But in the 74th minute Paddy Jackson ran on to the field replacing Sexton as he had done against Scotland. The young Ulster fly-half was evidently bursting with energy and keen to be involved and soon after he took a pass from Conor Murray after a gladiatorial lock between the two teams bordering the Welsh line. Jackson caught the ball and took it over for a try and converted with ease.

When speaking of the his former position Ronan mentions that, “if you want to play out-half for Ireland there's going to be plenty of competitors. It's easy to be a challenger. I think the incumbent is the man who needs to be doing the business, because if you're not you'll find yourself out of the team”. Competition is always good and without a doubt Sexton is the man for the job, but it’s nice to know that should he succumb to the riggers of his responsibilities in France that there are others who aren’t just able to walk onto the field, but are also able to give thrilling displays in possibly the most scrutinised position in rugby.

Schmidt is spoiled for choice and has the option of rotation to the level of no other international team coach. At 22 he has Jackson who is a key player for Ulster and has become more prominent in recent months for Ireland. Ian Keatley had a great start to the year gaining man of the match for Munster in the toppling of Leinster in the Rabo12, while at 24 should Leinster’s and Sexton’s replacement Ian Madigan be able to raise his game he provides another avenue in possible back-ups for the new Irish coach. A topic more relevant since to Sexton’s recent complaints of the strenuous nature of Top14 rugby.

“Jonny's hugely competitive and used to winning, so the results over there (France) haven't been great and it's hugely frustrating at times,” O’Gara is quick to support his Racing Metro pupil. “But that's the reality and you have to deal with that and get on with it. That's what Jonny's doing. It hasn't been easy. He's left the comfy surrounds of Dublin and he's gone into a completely different environment where knowledge of players would be a lot less than he'd have. It's one thing for me dealing with it as a coach, but as a player, he has been frustrated, he will be frustrated in the future again, but he has to deal with it.”

I ask Ronan of a game against the Welsh in 2009, when he ran the pitch to swap jerseys with Steven Jones while no other exchanges were done that day. “Aw, yeah because he missed the kick, that was why. Sure I had been there myself. Sometimes people forget there's another 79 minutes in a game. He's there to kick it over and he didn't and I was just saying don't beat yourself up over it. I've had many a battle with him - It just seemed the natural thing to do.”

But returning the conversation to today, “I think from Jonny's point of view it's good that I'm gone. Hopefully we'll see him performing in a green jersey like he has done in a blue jersey for Joe Schmidt - it's obviously an awful lot harder because international rugby, compared to the Heineken Cup is probably two steps up.”               

Sexton’s skills make him one of the world’s elite, as did Ronan O’Gara’s in his day. It only seems like yesterday we were discussing this promising young player rising through the ranks and who might one day replace ROG. It’s too early to talk like that now about Sexton, but where once there was one in the rearview mirror, now there are three.

Food for thought after a Six Nations victory in which Sexton was no longer the young whippersnapper. 

Bachelor.ie: Heineken Cup Week 2 : The Four Provinces

Zebre V Connacht: There’s Always Hope

Zebre 6-33 Connacht

The whole of Ireland would cheer if Connacht pulled off a sneaky Lazarus act in this year’s Heineken Cup. And after a succinct annihilation over Zebre this weekend, the forgotten province made enough noise in Italy for all of Europe to hear.

Beating Zebre is not something to boast about. In fact of the teams within Connacht’s pool most would have expected Connacht to take two wins from them this tournament. But it’s this coupled with their performance against Saracens last week that provides food for thought. They didn’t win, but there was fight. And in a game pasted with bad decisions it was a battle that should have went their way.

Zebre opened with clear thoughts on victory, but were consistently unable find gaps in the Connacht defense.  Connacht took this game by the scruff of the neck with a second minute penalty from Dan Parks, and held their composure till the final whistle; eager not to let more points slip away.

Parks was instrumental throughout. Converting and completing two penalties just before the half to give his side a comfortable 19-3 lead at the break. The Italians again came strong trying to take something from this, forcing Connacht to defend with grit. But despite the pressure no tries came with again Luciano Orquera taking a penality to slightly improve their position on the scoreboard.

But again Parks was there as Connacht almost lay in wait to give him the opportunities. Shutting the game down with a whiff for more penalties. Parks sailed three more penalties in quick succession before a final try from replacement Mata Fifita finished the Italians off.

With pride and a suborn determination Connacht flew home with the win, but lets wait and see how they do next week.

Zebre: Ruggero Trevisan, Dion Berryman, Tommaso Iannone, Gonzalo Garcia, David Odiete, Luciano Orquera, Brendon Leonard, Matias Aguero, Tommaso D'Apice, Dario Chistolini, Mike Van Vuren, Marco Bortolami (capt), Mauro Bergamasco, Dries van Schalkwyk, Samu Vunisa,

Connacht: James So'oialo, Danie Poolman, Robbie Henshaw, Craig Ronaldson, Matt Healy, Dan Parks, Kieran Marmion, Brett Wilkinson, Sean Henry, Rodney Ah You, Michael Swift (capt), Craig Clarke, Andrew Browne, Jake Heenan, George Naoupu.

 

Munster V Gloucester: Back to Business But . . .

Munster 26-10 Gloucester

This is nothing to get excited about.  A Gloucester team with twelve changes from last week.  The venue, the mighty Thomand. This wasn’t so much back on track but at least the Munster machine is moving in the right direction after the shock that was Murrayfield.

Munster appear to be adopting a new approach this season. Against Gloucester the released a ferocious physical assault.  Battering the middle of the park while relying heavily on Ian Keatley again for points instead of their pacey wide men.  Don’t get me wrong, it worked against the 'Cherry and Whites' and against Leinster in the Rabo, but this feel like a back up plan as if they were unable to replicate their style of years past.

Mike Tindall as per usual was the beating heart of Goucester’s efforts, at times taking on the red army single handedly but ultimately to no affect. As Keatley continued to sail penalties to ware down the Gloucester fight.

This was not a perfect game for Munster by a long shot.  Conceding a try amongst foolish errors and through a Jonny Bentley penalty allowed Gloucester go down the tunnel only six points behind at 16-10 at the break.

The second half saw a less exciting array of passing with Gloucester stepping up their game in the scrums, but despite a lack of creativity Munster’s pure strength cancelled out any possibility of further points for the visiting Brits. Keatley kicked a fourth penalty as the resurgence of the Gloucester scrum collapsed. The game ended with the power of O’Connell and co in center having completed their duties, Keatley again not wavering under pressure, Perhaps with a fully fit Zebo Munster will make more runs in the future, but for now plan B will get the job done.

Munster: Jones; Earls, Laulala, Downey, J Murphy; Keatley, Murray; Kilcoyne, Varley, Botha, D O'Callaghan, O'Connell, D Ryan, Ronan, P O'Mahony, Hurley.

Gloucester: M Thomas; Sharples, Tindall, Mills, May; Bentley, Robson; Murphy, Dawidiuk, Harden, Lokotui, James, Cox, Qera, B Morgan.

 

Montpellier V Ulster:  The Revolution Came to France

Montpellier 8-25 Ulster

No matter Ulster’s final position in this year’s Heineken Cup, this will be remembered as one of the wins of the tournament.  In the home of last seasons quarter finalists, Andrew Trimble's solitary try in the opening fifteen minutes complimented the five points from Paddy Jackson; and fifteen points blitz from kicking expertise of Ruan Pienaar to remind us all of the unpredictable nature of this game. 

This was a thrashing, a thoroughly entertaining one. But more importantly it has emphasized the extent to which the Ulster experiment has matured into an efficient animal. Beating a French elite always adds to a team’s credentials, but an away victory of this caliber is stirring.

There were no indications of this in the opening as the home side took the early lead through a Jonathan Pélissié penalty, though this was swiftly answered with a try from the combined effort of Bowe, Cave and Trimble which was easily converted.

Despite the Ulstermen missing three penalty attempts which gave opportunity for the French to fight back. The second half brought the air raid from Pienaar and Jackson that left the home side constantly looking to the sky while feeling their hearts sink. They attempted to fight back, but it was just a case of that they were simply not able. Spurning their single try scoring opportunity and falling victim to sporadic mistakes.

The smiles of the Ulster team were the brightest thing in France that evening, and they take with them a healthy dose of confidence into the nest game.

Montpellier: A Flock, T Nagusa, A Tuitavake, W Oliver, Y Audrin, F Trinh-Duc, J Pelissie, Y Watremez, M Ivaldi, M Butos, J Hamilton, T Privat, F Ouedraogo (capt), M Gorgodze, K Galletier.

Ulster: J Payne, A Trimble, D Cave, L Marshall, T Bowe, P Jackson, R Pienaar; T Court, R Best, D Fitzpatrick, J Muller (capt), D Tuohy, R Diack, C Henry, R Wilson.

 

Leinster V Castres: Neither At Their Best, One Significantly Better

Leinster 19-7 Castres 

At the end of the tournament, will we look back and say that the best thing to happen to Leinster this year was Jimmy Gopperth? Food for thought I think considering the impact the experienced fly-half is having in a role that is nothing if not under scrutiny.

Despite missing one penalty the New Zealander easily cleared four and a conversion, the first of which in the opening minutes. Castres came to the RDS without fear but were unable to convert the majority of the pressure they applied into points.  Kockott, the only contributor for the visiting team sealed both a try and conversion to put consolation points on the board that more decorative than anything, 

And while Castre were missing two players to the sin bin,  Jack McGrath muscled his first Heineken try over the line. He took the final move of a combination with McFadden and the two Kearney brothers, breaking through Wihongi and at the same time the hopes of the French outfit. Man of the match Gopperth finished them off with his conversion.

Castre dug deep at times during the game but Leinster’s explosive nature in the center cancelled any efforts out. The blue storm has raged stronger and will have to again in this competition, but it’s nice to see messers such as Gopperth, Heaslip, O’Brien and now McGrath imposing themselves.

Leinster: R Kearney; McFadden, Macken, D'Arcy, D Kearney; Gopperth, Boss; Healy, S Cronin, Moore, Toner, McCarthy, K McLaughlin, O'Brien, J Heaslip.

Castres: Dulin; Martial, Cabannes, Lamerat, Evans; Tales, Kockott; Lazar, Mach, Peikrishvili, Gray, Capo Ortega, Bornman, Wannenburg, Classen.

Bachelor.ie: Heineken Cup Week 1 : The Four Provinces

Leinster V Ospreys : Blue Storm Rising

Leinster 19-9 Ospreys

Wales’s greatest hope for having a home team in this year’s Heineken Cup final took a hit as Leinster picked themselves up after a worrying defeat to Munster. Each side boasted four from the victorious Lions squad, but it was Leinster that stepped up.  There was something different in their play. They were cunning, pumped, organized; clearly the more knowledgeable. And with two hands and heart, they ripped the win and pride from a team that has proved a daunting opponent in competitions past.

They are two for whom this Heineken Cup means more than before. Here they will be asked do they still have what it takes to fight against Europe’s elite.  The Blues who had been crowned tournament champions three times in the previous four seasons, were without Brian O'Driscoll and have as of yet to choose a permanent number 10 with newly signed veteran Jimmy Gopperth taking to the field after a curious performance by young gun Ian Madigan.  Where as the Ospreys though still hold strong with their trio of their Jones’s, Dan Biggar and Justin Tipuric. Now they hold a selection of backs which after a shuffle are without the household names of the last few years.

Ospreys opened the scoring with Biggar, the first of three kicks, which would be the only scoring for the Welsh giants. Leinster’s defense was a hulking force, and despite loosing Mike Ross to a leg injury eighteen minutes in, a fluid combination from Jamie Heaslip, Jimmy Gopperth, Sean Cronin led to Sean O’Brien crossing the line for the first time in the game and to put his side ahead. Another penalty from Gopperth leaving the score at 13-6 to the visitors at the break.

Gopperth controlled the game, his experience and game smarts evident while O’Brien was ferocious throughout. Himself and Heaslip tanking through the centre of the park employing force and discipline. Ospreys were unable to establish themselves in Leinster territory, forced to attack long, beaten consistently by a blue scrum.

After a final kick from Gopperth to widen the win to 19-9, Leinster stopped their push and held ground. Nothing was getting past them and the game was theirs. A number 10 showing his caliber and giving options to his manager. While man of the match Sean O’Brien again put the question, how good can he get?

Ospreys: Richard Fussell; Ben John, Andrew Bishop, Ashley Beck, Eli Walker; Dan Biggar, Tito Tebaldi; Duncan Jones, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), James King, Ryan Jones, Joe Bearman, Justin Tipuric.

Leinster: R Kearney; F McFadden, B Macken, G D'Arcy, D Kearney; J Gopperth, I Boss; C Healy, S Cronin, M Ross; D Toner, M McCarthy; K McLaughlin, J Heaslip (capt), S O'Brien.

 

Munster V Edinburgh: Surprise Comes in All Shapes and Colours

Munster 23-29 Edinburgh

Tim Visser earned a late try to earn Edinburgh a surprise 29-23 victory over the Munster, their first Heineken Cup success since slipping past Toulouse in the 2011- 12 quarter-finals. Munster, a running force of strength, are hotly tipped to top this group with none of the opposition at their measure. But what the red machine encountered at Murrayfield was a bloody battle to take the first test, and they were found wanting.

The Scots captain Greig Laidlaw kicked nineteen points to complete an inspired display in what was a riveting first test.

After the opening five minutes it was Matt Scott who gave Edinburgh the lead, only for Munster to comeback with tries from Casey Laulala and Mike Sherry. At this point it was thought business would continue as usual for Munster.  But it was Laidlaw who raised the stop sign. Kicking four penalties before the break, rousing the roars of the home crowd and letting Munster know this would not be a straightforward game.

When the teams returned Ian Keatley who spearheaded the red’s response. Fresh from his man of the match winning performance against Leinster he sailed the ball twice pushing his team ahead. As the game closed it appeared the Irishmen were finding their confidence despite Simon Zebo being carried off. But with ten left on the clock

Visser tore down the left wing for the try that led to the victorious kick. Poetically lifted by Laidlaw a final time. The captain who fought from beginning to end, as his team beat their pool’s Goliath.

Edinburgh: J Cuthbert, D Fife, N De Luca, M Scott, T Visser; H Leonard, G Laidlaw (capt) A Dickinson, R Ford, W Nel , G Gilchrist, S Cox, D Basilaia, C Du Preez, D Denton.

Munster: F Jones; K Earls, C Laulala, J Downey, S Zebo; I Keatley, C Murray; D Kilcoyne, M Sherry, S Archer; D Ryan, P O'Connell (capt); P Butler, N Ronan, J Coughlan.

 

Ulster V Leicester:  Ulstermen Grab Tiger by the Tail

Ulster 22-16 Leicester

Leicester fell to Ulster (again) possibly setting the tone of this pool. Granted home advantage must be taken into account, particularly as Ulster have now won fifteen of their sixteen games at home in this tournament, but there was a particular feeling in the air of this oddly windless evening. Ulster know what they’ve got.

 With a stadium redevelopments hindering full capacity, Leicester were unable to capitalize while missing key players as they treaded the blades of this arena mid-construct. Each player will look down on Irelands coastline from the plane thankful for claiming a bonus point amidst the loss. Clearly bullied after a strong start. Almost as if in the Ulstermen waved a finger at Leicester saying, “oh no you don’t,” before responding with power. 

The Tigers missed Manu Tuilagi's ever-passionate presence and Miles Benjamin never quite looked comfortable unlike Ulster scrum-half Ruan Pienaar who graced the field after the break to have an immediate effect. But it must be said that the stand out performance was Paddy Jackson who of Ulster’s twenty-two points kicked seventeen of them between the posts. An aerial attack that rained down. Obliterating Leicester’s hopes of a valuable away win before they’re followed back home. The only bad weather for Leicester on the night as their scrum continued to break on the away soil. 

The Tigers clawed the final points of the game. Fly-half Owen Williams intelligently sealing a drop goal to steal what may be a valuable bonus. But the damage was done. Leicester’s and times winded demeanor unable to undo Ulster’s tempo. The Irishmen’s relentless good play kicking the cat out the door.  

Leicester: Morris, Benjamin, Goneva, Bowden, Thompstone, Flood, B Youngs, Mulipola, T. Youngs, Cole, Deacon, Parling, Slater, Salvi, Crane.

Ulster: Payne, Trimble, Cave, L. Marshall, Bowe, Jackson, P Marshall, Court, Best, Fitzpatrick, Muller, Tuohy, Wilson, Henry, Williams.

 

Connacht V Saracens: Strong Signs, But No Result

Connacht 17-23 Saracens

I’m not fond of watching an Irish team loose a contest. But heart particularly dips when are unable to accomplish even somewhat similar statistics to her neighboring provinces (no this does not mean I am perpetually depressed).

The fight put on by Connacht was admirable to say the least. This was a tough and physical game against a side that reached the semi-finals last year. And was it not for a few . . . questionable . . . decisions by Italian referee Pascal Gaüzère, Connacht might well have taken victory from this hard fought match up, and brought some valuable momentum into game two.

The home side came at Saracens, consistently finding space and applying pressure. You could taste how much they wanted this win and will no doubt be disheartened while the men in black will be grateful to come away with four points from a team that when at home can hit as hard as anyone else.

Robbie Henshaw was partnered with new signing James So'oialo in the center to good effect. Though the absence of several injured parties including Eoin Griffin was clearly felt. Where as Saracens welcome the return of fly-half Owen Farrell to the fold who kicked two-second half penalties and whose presence allowed for a favorable shuffle of positions.

A penalty awarded to the out rage of Connacht coach Pat Lam finished the game while Connacht were going for the win. A bitter defeat to a great effort. To many this no result will come at no surprise. But the team from the west can take solace in knowing that they truly deserved the win.

Connacht: 15. Gavin Duffy, 14 Fionn Carr, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 James So'oialo, 11 Danie Poolman, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Kieran Marmion; 1 Brett Wilkinson, 2 Sean Henry, 3 Rodney Ah You, 4 Michael Swift (c), 5 Craig Clarke, 6 John Muldoon, 7 Jake Heenan, 8 George Naoupu.

Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Joel Tomkins, 12 Chris Wyles, 11 David Strettle, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Neil de Kock; 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Schalk Brits, 3 Matt Stevens, 4 Steve Borthwick (c), 5 George Kruis, 6 Kelly Brown, 7 Will Fraser, 8 Billy Vunipola.

Bachelor.ie: Heineken Cup 2013/2014: Irish Force Still Present

With the taste of excitement still present from the battlefield down under, the beasts of men have returned to their respective province teams.  The Heineken Cup. The elite competition in rugby where power houses of teams administer frightening levels of passion and skill. This year will bring as much in adrenaline as it will in considerations.  Questions will be asked of the Irish representatives, well not so much Connacht, but this new chapter will bring new tests that will have strong indications on where the future of Ireland lies in Heineken Cups to come.

 

Pool 1: Leinster Rugby

 

·      Castres Olympique

 

·      Northampton Saints

 

·      Ospreys

 

Leinster have arguably the toughest pool of the Irish provinces. The Blues face a challenge with no Jonny Sexton in the swan song season of Brian O’Driscoll as they line up against a collection of unflinching oppositions. Ospreys have been the bogey team for Leinster in recent clashes, having being beaten by them twice in the Rabo Direct Pro 12 finals both of which were in the RDS.  They won’t fear Leinster, or playing in front of the Dublin crowd and will bring the toughest test. Castre Olympique like most French teams are a mixed bag with a variety of approaches to rely on making them somewhat unpredictable. They will keep focused not chancing a weakened side and attempt their on revolution on the field. The Northampton Saints are a side to be reckoned with particularly at home. With a strong scrum and physicality they will be hard to play and will attempt to bully Leinster up front (Lions sensation George North will be someone to keep an eye on), however will be limited in their performances out wide.

 

Though Leinster are not the storm they have been in recent years, their defense is one to be wary of and there is no team more exciting in attack. Going forward with the ball, pushing, pin point passing and runs is the bread and butter of this group of players with the likes of Cian Healy, Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip. BOD will be needed for the magic only he can provide and though while Ian Madigan has proven he can play at this level, he is no replacement to the prodigious Sexton. If the Leinster line out holds strong, they are capable of topping this group, but it will not be a push over for even the highest ranked team in European Rugby.

 

 

 

Pool 3: Connacht Rugby

 

·      Sarecens

 

·      Toulouse

 

·      Zebre

 

 

When it comes to battle lines drawn on grass, Connacht are the forgotten province in Ireland. Don’t expect anything from them. They will play with pride but in the end they don’t have the talent to tackle the forces of nature that are Toulouse and Sarecens. However, with Italian team Zebre they stand a very good chance of at least winning 2 games. Which as this would be the first time this has happened in the Heineken Cup, there is still opportunity for some history to be made.  The silver lining for Connacht is that in Galway every other team is a fish out of water. Top sides have been slain here in the wind and torrential rains at levels only Connacht are accustomed to, and it wouldn’t be surprising that should the season bring another series of monsoons the team from out west could keep their head above the tide.  But the main two fixtures here are the Tolouse versus Sarecens games. Whomever comes out on top of these two will win the pool.

 

 

Pool 5: Ulster Rugby

 

·      Benetton Treviso

 

·      Leicester Tigers

 

·      Montpellier

 

 

Ulster have proven their talent in recent years hasn’t been a flash in the pan and the return of the prodigal son Tommy Bowe has served them well. The Ulster experiment is up and running, it works, and the rugby world knows it. Treviso here will be the whipping boys of the group. Expect all three teams to beat them both home and away. Montpellier are a strong French side but not the strongest, and it is well within both Ulster and Leicester’s skill set to beat them. Bluntly put, Ulster could win this. Last year’s performance announced that they are a strong European rugby side, and are capable of winning away on English and French shores.  

 

Formerly in the shadow of giants Leinster and Munster, it is an exciting time for Ulster emerging as Ireland’s third heavyweight. Ulster’s clashes with Leicester will be the deciders of the pool, with Geoff Parling (stand in for Paul O’Connell on this year’s Lions Tour) bashing in the middle of the park. Where he’ll have to keep an eye on Ulster Hooker Rory Best. The Tigers have a strong forward pack but should The Ulstermen keep their cool, this is theirs for the taking.

 

Pool 6: Munster Rugby

 

·      Edinburgh Rugby

 

·      Gloucester Rugby

 

·      Perpignan

 

 

The red army have an interesting balance in their squad this season. A potent mix of strength, experience and speed. This is a group that a team of Munster’s talents can walk. Munster at home in the Heineken Cup are machines, having only lost twice in sixteen years. Within the walls of their Fortress Thomand, it can be expected that Munster will beat all three of their opponents without many blood stains. Edinburgh are not at their level, Gloucester it must be said are the weakest of all English teams, and Perpignan having last been Runners-ups in the Heineken Cup 2003 (their highest placement), they don’t strike the same fear other French teams are capable of.

 

Munster will more than likely beat at least two of these threats away by playing a tight forward game, followed by fluid back play when needs be. With the engine room of the team “lock’d” up by Donncha O’Callaghan and Ryan along with the manic aggression of Paul O’Connell, Munster will tractor their way to the top of this pool. And with youth the likes of Simon Zebo dancing down the wings, this team is guaranteed to gain the ground needed to flood the scoreboard. Expect Munster to get a home Quarter Final and possibly going all the way.

 

 

Heineken Cup starts 11th of October

Entertainment.ie TV Review: UFC Finds a Kingdom on TV

If you’re a fan of Conor McGregor you’ll no doubt be tuning in to his new documentary, The Notorious, now showing on RTE. But in case the paltry thirty minutes a week of Irelands favourite cage-rattler isn’t enough, here is another way to grapple a UFC fix.

 Kingdom has been green lit for a second season and comes from the talent of writer/producer Byron Balasco (Without A Trace) and producer Tim Iacofano (24). The show follows the Kulina family with their mixed martial arts gym and the relationships they have with each other and their members.

Alvey Kulina played by Frank Grillo (Warrior) is a former world champion who trains his sons, Jay and Nate, with hopes of them reaching the same heights as he did at his prime. Quiet Nate is played by Nick Jonas of Jonas Brothers fame and is the breakout rookie of the year with nothing but potential at his feet, where as Jonathan Tucker’s (Sleepers) hothead Jay, juggles his fighting commitments with a more rock n’ roll lifestyle giving little thought to where his natural ability could bring him. With so many egos and even more testosterone, the Navy St gym is kept under the watchful eye and business knowhow of Alvey’s sassy better half, Lisa Prince, brought brilliantly to live by Kiele Sanchez (The Perfect Getaway).

The series begins with the lives of all being shaken up when Lisa’s former fiancée and Alvey’s protégée Ryan Wheeler, played proficiently by Matt Lauria (Friday Night Lights), returns to Navy St after four years in prison.  Alvey, seeing success and acclaim for his gym sponsoring a former champ, welcomes Ryan in with the promise to help him claim his former glory. And so begin the sparring and love triangles and conditioning and angst all by the sand of Venice Beach California.

Where this show connects is in the fight and training scenes that will draw in a casual observer of the sport with each being carefully coordinated by former UFC champion Joe Stevenson. The large gym sets the interesting base for the numerous storylines, but this isn’t solely a fisticuffs show. The roster is made up of some likeable and engaging character and will hold your attention when the bell is not being ringed. Most notably Jonathon Tucker revels in his role of Jay steeling each scene he is a part of. Bringing a sort of rambunctious obnoxiousness we all get a kick out of viewing from a far.

Unfortunately where it misses is that the show relays heavily on suspense, which is not used to good effect. While entertaining fights occur Ryan is the big-fish the show is aimed at and we see little of his ability until towards the end of the series when you’ve started to care a little bit less. Other story lines, in particularly Nick Jonas’s, are predictable to the point of being transparent, leading to the viewer getting even more impatient with the lack of action.

Frank Grillo’s role is more or less one he has played before on the big screen and so can handle him in his less than complicated story arch and Kiele Sanchez is very likeable as the tough gym manager with attitude to boot. For me the mystery here is Matt Lauria who seems restricted in his role as Ryan. Having seen Lauria in other projects I know he can deliver a performance but with so much of the non-existent suspense surrounding his character he often comes across as bland and hopefully this is something that will be addressed now that the best is out of his cage so to speak.

The final verdict is that although I was disappointed slightly more than I was satisfied, there are some promising points to this show and they have cornered a niche being the only UFC themed series on television. That and with the extra funding the show will receive in series 2 along with the acknowledgement by the shows creators that more hand-to-hand combat is required. If this blood thirst is satisfied, Kingdom has the potential to rise high in the television rankings. Maybe give it a round or two while Conor rests up after his victory… 

Entertainment.ie TV Review: Wait For True Detective With A Good Killing

When True Detective eased onto our screens after a series of curious and enticing trailers narrated by the drawl of Mathew McConaughey, few could have imagined that the eight part mini series led by two of Hollywood’s most underrated, most typecast and most gifted actors, would illustrate for us just how good TV story telling could be.

     McConaughey with fellow Texan Woody Harrelson, led the crime drama written by Nic Pizzolatta which used multiple timelines to trace the exploits of two Louisiana State Police Homicide Detectives hunting for a serial killer across seventeen years. The shiver-inducing plotlines knitted together with rich, colourful and provocative dialogue, left audiences screaming ‘bloody murder’ for more. And with confirmation that our own Colin Farrell is set to lead season two alongside Vince Vaughn and Rachel McAdams, The Killing is just what the coroner ordered to stave off the need for obsessive television antics until then.

      Set in Seattle, Washington, The Killing, like True Detective, follows two Homicide Investigators as they attempt to resolve shocking acts that have darkened their wet and dreary city.  The series is led by and launched the careers of Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman, and despite being cancelled twice was resuscitated both times based on fan outcry. What I’m going to say may wrinkle some brows, but hear me out.  If The Killing were created with two already established cult icons, such as McConaughey and Harrelson, it would with out a doubt be held in similar esteem as True Detective.

     The four-season murder mystery is based upon the Danish television series Forbrydelsen (The Crime) and is reminiscent of David Lynch’s, Twin Peaks, holding a cold, tragic undertone, lightened by the eccentricities of its leading cast members. In each series a single case is explored rather than a case-per-episode basis. During its life span it was praised by critics for being absorbing and addictive, and where it outwits most other productions operating within the genre is through the level of misdirection and suspense the stories are portrayed with. Leaving us the audience, to trip over our own guesses and hold our breaths through even the subtlest of plot twists.

     Enos’s relentless and fragile Sarah Linden meshes beautifully with Kinnaman’s laidback vegetarian Steven Holder, who hilariously orders cheeseburgers ‘without the patty” in fast food establishments.  The actors are solid in their ‘yin and yang’ performances, one matching the others street-smart with deductive intelligence, and since The Killing first aired both have seen their careers blossom. Enos can now be seen in such productions as World War Z alongside Brad Pitt while Kinnaman was recently unveiled as the latest incarnation of Robocop. However despite so many of the right boxes being ticked, The Killing suffered with two unknowns operating in lead roles. It didn’t draw the masses the way True Detective or other series with established actors (C.S.I and 24) did.

     Though despite suffering an initial cancellation after the second season the niche fan base it had cultivated spoke several octaves up and a return was brought about. With it again scheduled to be dropped after the third season Netflix stepped in to produce a fourth and took the option to hold the entire set on their widely followed online presence. They acknowledged the popular demand for The Killing but also the need for an orchestrated end to the adventures of these individuals and not simply a cancellation to their tales. And so the commissioned fourth season would be the final act, allowing the series to come full circle and the fans to have a ‘whole’ collection. 

     Ultimately The Killing doesn’t explore the seediest depths of human nature to the same extent as True Detective, and without a seventeen-year timeline to work with, the characters are not as layered nor the story lines quite as shocking. Nevertheless this is show that employs all the right elements to be considered a cult classic and for fans of True Detective I believe it will not disappoint. For excellent storytelling that keeps you glued to the couch for at least three episodes an evening (ah sure we’ll just watch one more), The Killing can be classed among the elite.