The Knock On Rugby Podcast

This is The Knock On, KCLR Sport's weekly rugby podcast.

In this episode, Stephen Byrne is joined by Tom Crotty from Carlow Rugby Club, James Blanchfield from Kilkenny RFC and Paddy Browne from Tullow RFC.

Tullow and Athy drew in their game in the firsts, Paddy Browne gives us a run down of that game, we also hear about the women's game in the AIL and more.

Kilkenny lost to Dundalk despite going sixteen points up, which James says they can't understand, however the seconds won. Kilkenny's women's teams however had great weekend.

Carlow beat Ashbourne after a tough start to the season. Preparations were disrupted too as the ref was an hour late for the game. Tom Crotty says they're happy with their performance and that they are going in the right direction, the break this weekend means that the players can recuperate and get ready for the next game. The J3 team are in action this weekend where they take on Clondalkin. Carlow's women's team are at home against the Midlands Warriors, it will also be their first game with 15 on 15.

We have news from all the youth's sides from the weekend as well.

This is The Knock On, KCLR Sport's weekly rugby podcast. In this episode, Stephen Byrne is joined by Tom Crotty from Carlow Rugby Club, James Blanchfield from Kilkenny RFC and Paddy Browne from Tullow RFC.

Kilkenny were away to De La Salle Palmerston in a nail-biting game, Kilkenny got a last minute kick to win it 19-21, their first away win of the season. They're away to Dundalk at the weekend and could have a few injuries to contend with. Kilkenny women head for Longford this weekend in the league. 

Tullow played Seapoint who sit on top of the table, both the J1 and J2 teams were beaten. Tullow had a few injuries before the game so it disturbed preparations. The consolation was that they did pick up bonus points against the Dublin club. Tullow take on Athy this weekend. The women take on Railway Union in the AIL. 

Carlow took on Athy in a tight affair and lost, "another game we should have won" says Tom Crotty. He said mistakes and lapses of concentration hurt them. He says " they're so close to getting it right".  Carlow head for Ashbourne this weekend in an almost "must win" game as Carlow need to stay off the bottom of the league table. Carlow ladies had a friendly against Thurles and were beaten, but plenty learned from the game. They take on Lansdowne this weekend. SETU were in action during the week where they beat UL with some local players involved. We have news from all the youth

This is The Knock On, KCLR Sports weekly rugby podcast. In this episode, Stephen Byrne is joined by Tom Crotty from Carlow Rugby Club, James Blanchfield from Kilkenny RFC and Paddy Browne from Tullow RFC. 

Tullow were the only club in action last weekend in terms of men's games. They won their AIL Cup game against Creggs 34-26, they're away to Seapoint in the next round. As it turns out, Tullow are away to Seapoint this weekend in the Leinster League Division 1A. The women were beaten last weekend against Galwegians, they have a break this weekend. 

Carlow host Athy in the Leinster League this weekend, it's another local derby Tom Crotty says, "We are on target preparations wise" he says for what should be a close game. The Carlow ladies take on Thurles in a friendly at home this weekend. 

Kilkenny meanwhile are away to De La Salle Palmerston. We also have updates from all the youths games across the clubs this weekend and we have some reaction to Graham Rowntree departing Munster.

This is The Knock On, KCLR Sport's weekly rugby podcast. In this episode, Stephen Byrne is joined by Tom Crotty from Carlow Rugby Club, James Blanchfield from Kilkenny RFC and Paddy Browne from Tullow RFC.

Tullow beat Carlow 37-31 in the big local derby at the weekend, the seconds won 15-12. Tullow got a good start initially but Carlow kept in touch in the firsts, but Tullow made a lot of ground in the second half and was too much for Carlow to catch. Tom Crotty says their slow start cost them and they were playing catch up after that. 

The Carlow seconds were looking good for a win in what was a great game, but Tullow got a late try and sealed the deal. Carlow were happy to pick up the losing bonus points. The Tullow men are in the All Ireland Junior Cup this weekend.Tullow's women lost 26-10 to Barnhall. 

Kilkenny firsts beat Boyne, and the seconds lost to Boyne. James Blanchfield says their centre's were the difference in the J1 game, they were in flying form both in attack and defence. 

Kilkenny women lost on the road to Greystones, they're having a tough opening campaign in the league, they take on Tallaght this weekend. Carlow and Kilkenny have no men's games this weekend. 

We have updates from all the youths action in the three clubs and previews of this weekend's action. The lads also discussed the naming of the Ireland squad for the Autumn Internationals.

In this episode, Stephen Byrne is joined by Tom Crotty from Carlow Rugby Club, James Blanchfield from Kilkenny RFC and Paddy Browne from Tullow RFC.

Tullow lost to Suttonians in their league game at the weekend, their fourth loss on the trot. Tullow conceded the second game. The women’s team had no game at the weekend. However, the second team was away to Clondalkin, making history in the process by being the first ladies' second side in quite some time. They won 78-14. They’re in action against Ballincollig this weekend at home. It was a mixed bag with the youth teams.

Kilkenny lost to Wanderers, had a strong team out but can’t put their finger on why they lost. Performances are very disjointed says James Blanchfield, discipline was a factor again this weekend. James says the team just aren’t gelling well together, he did say there are a lot of positives too. The seconds won their game. The women’s team lost out as well. The youths had some cracking games. Kilkenny host Boyne this weekend, they tend to struggle against this side and James says it’s their bogey team. The women’s team are away to Greystones.

Carlow lost to Wicklow and suffered a few injuries during the game, Tom Crotty says he’s not too worried at this stage of the season he says, they need to regroup this week and figure out what they need to do. The Seconds beat Wicklow and got the breeze in the first half too which helped a lot. The Youths had a mixed bag.

Tullow hosts Carlow this weekend. It's a huge derby game and a “different kettle of fish” says Tom. Paddy Browne says there are three games on in Tullow this weekend with the two derbies, and the Tullow ladies' game is also a home game in the AIL.

The lads also discussed the development of players and how many stay on in their own club after the age of 18, and there’s a percentage of players that play senior rugby and didn’t come up through the youths in that club.

This is The Knock On, KCLR, and Scoreline.ie's weekly rugby podcast. 

In this episode, Stephen Byrne is joined by Tom Crotty from Carlow Rugby Club, James Blanchfield from Kilkenny RFC and Paddy Browne from Tullow RFC. 

Kilkenny got the better of Gorey by a point in what was a cracking game, says James Blanchfield. However, discipline is an issue, as they saw another two cards handed out—that’s five in two games. The second team lost their game. The Kilkenny women were beaten heavily by Ashbourne, and they play the South East Lions next. The youth sides had a mixed bag at the weekend. 

Kilkenny takes on Wexford in J1 and J2 this weekend. 

The Carlow youths had a good weekend with a few wins chalked up while the U18s lost. Carlow’s ladies' team had their first game in over a decade against De La Salle Palmerston and won. Tom Crotty says they’ve 22 players in the squad and more coming on board now. The U18 Rhinos team played with 14 players and had a great win. The J1 and J2 teams travel to Wicklow this weekend in the league in what’s another tough encounter. Tom Crotty is expecting a big physical game and they’ve yet to adjust to the step up to Division 1 rugby. 

The Tullow ladies took on Cooke in their second round of the AIL, they lost the game 36-12. Their women’s seconds team will make their debut, making more history for ladies' rugby in the club. Tullow’s J1 and J2’s head for Suttonians this weekend where Paddy Browne is expected another tough game. The youths sides won seven out of the eight games they played. Tullow got twenty thousand euro in funding as well to upgrade their walking track. 

The lads also talk about the advantage the Dublin teams have in Division 1A of the league in terms of strength and so on. Country players have quite a lot of commuting for work, and physical work, and lose young players when they head off to college in Dublin. 

This is The Knock On, KCLR, and Scoreline.ie's weekly rugby podcast. In this episode, Stephen Byrne is joined by Tom Crotty from Carlow Rugby Club, James Blanchfield from Kilkenny RFC and Paddy Browne from Tullow RFC. 

The Kilkenny men’s fixtures on Sunday last were called off late due to the stormy weather. The J1 and J2 games against Gorey have been refixed for this Saturday. 

The Kilkenny women are at home to Ashbourne, it’s their first game of the league this season. Bective beat Carlow’s J1’s at the weekend, Tom Crotty felt they could have won it and that their scores came off Carlow's mistakes. They were disappointed not to get a losing bonus point and the seconds had a better game beating the Dublin side. Tom says the fitness levels required for Division 1A are huge, the ball is faster and they feel like they haven’t caught up quick enough. 

Carlow’s ladies' team have their first game in over a decade this weekend against De La Salle Palmerston. Tullow’s Dannah O Brien was part of the Irish women’s senior team who made history at the weekend beating the Black Ferns. Dannah kicked the score that won the game at the end. 

Meanwhile, Wicklow beat Tullow’s men’s teams in the league. Paddy Browne says Wicklow were relentless and Tullow had a hard day against them. Tullow could have some luck on their side for the next game though as Adam Johnson and Stevie Smith could be back for the clash in a week. The women were also beaten in their opening AIL game at home to Wicklow, they picked up three player injuries. 

The ladies play Cooke near Belfast in the next round.

This is The Knock On, KCLR, and Scoreline.ie's weekly rugby podcast.

In this episode, Stephen Byrne is joined by Tom Crotty from Carlow Rugby Club, James Blanchfield from Kilkenny RFC, and Paddy Browne from Tullow RFC.

Tullow started their Leinster League season with a loss to Ashbourne. It's a game they would have been aiming to win having come up against them a lot over the past few years. The second team however did beat Ashbourne and even brought on their BUM-SQUAD as they call it which included 62-year-old Tommy Dwyer. The men travel to face Wicklow this weekend in a tough match against their old rivals.

It's a huge week for the women's team as they start life in the AIL on Saturday when they take on Wicklow at home, a huge crowd is expected for that one.

Carlow lost in their league opening game in Division 1A away to Suttonians. They have another tough game in store this weekend as they take on Dublin side Bective, however they do have home advantage for that one.

Kilkenny lost to Mullingar in their opening league game. Several players made their debut on the day however it was the three sin-binnings that did the damage as the backs lost continuity during the game and it's something they'll have to work on this week says James Blanchfield. The Seconds also had several debuts on their team and won their match.

Kilkenny are at home to Gorey this weekend where they're looking to bounce back and are expecting big numbers at Foulkstown to watch that one.

The Kilkenny women are in action against the South East Lions.

This is The Knock On, KCLR, and Scoreline.ie's weekly rugby podcast. In this episode, Stephen Byrne is joined by Tom Crotty from Carlow Rugby Club, James Blanchfield from Kilkenny RFC, and Paddy Browne from Tullow RFC.

Carlow open their Leinster League campaign away to Seapoint this weekend in their first Division 1A game this season. They have already picked up silverware this season with the South East League title. Carlow has a women's team for the first time in over a decade again, and we hear the news from over the summer as well as youth news.

Kilkenny are away to Mullingar this weekend in Division 1B of the league, James Blanchfield is quietly confident. He talks about the club's new players this year, the departing ones, and new coaches. Kilkenny's focus will be all on the pitch action after investments into their facilities over the last number of years. James also talks about women's and youth rugby. 

Tullow get their Division 1A season up and running at home this weekend against Ashbourne. Paddy thinks they're a bit undercooked coming into this one as they didn't play in the South East League, and their training numbers are down due to the GAA season still in progress. Sean O'Brien is also a huge doubt this season playing with Tullow as he struggles with a hip injury. The Tullow women begin life as a senior team in the AIL when they take on Wicklow on the 28th of September.

On the final edition of The Knock On for season 3 (the 2023/24 club season), The Knock On team wrap up the season and have a look back over what was a successful campaign for the three clubs of Tullow, Kilkenny and Carlow including 

• Back-to-back Provincial Towns Cup wins for Tullow, and promotion to Division 1A for Carlow
• Tullow ladies securing AIL rugby for the 2024/25 season
• Sean O'Brien and Stevie Smith also revealed that they will play again next season as they bid for the three in a row.
• Kilkenny turning their focus to onfield matters for 2024/25 following facility improvements and club developments this season in Division 1B
• Plus, Doc O'Connor has stepped down as the coach of the Kilkenny firsts, however, he will remain on as a player with Corey Carthy comes in as the new manager for next season.