JANUARY feels like twice the length of any other. But it does mean one thing for sports fans, the Guinness Six Nations is on its way.,
I love this tournament, not just for the unpredictable nature of each match but because by the time it’s over in March it’s almost spring. The nights are lighter, the trees are blooming and we can hit the golf courses again for a quick 9 holes after work! And with the women’s Six Nations starting just after the men’s tournament until the end of April we’ve plenty of rugby to look forward to over the next few months.
The middle of January is when the juices start flowing. Guinness host an annual launch day for the media which is when the head coaches and captains for each nation get together to answer the usual questions “any injury updates?”, “how do you view your chances this year?” and “why is this tournament so special?”
This year it was in the stunning backdrop of the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin.
It felt different than most years. And not just because Storm Jocelyn caused major havoc with all travel – France didn’t make it to the event as their flight was cancelled, England Captain Jamie George had to conduct his press conference via video link due to the same problem and Italy’s representatives got diverted to Shannon the day before, sat on a runway for four hours and circled Dublin twice before eventually landing at their final destination after midnight.
It felt different because of so many changes. Ireland no longer have Johnny Sexton after his post World Cup retirement; England are without France bound Owen Farrell who signed for Racing 92 for the next two years so isn’t eligible to play for his country while abroad; Scotland have a new co captain leadership, one of which is the mischievous Finn Russell who has previously had public fall outs with his coach Gregor Townsend; Wales have their most inexperienced squad ever under Warren Gatland, Italy have a new head coach and, last but not least, rugby’s main superstar Antoine Dupont has opted not to compete in the Six Nations so that he can play in the French sevens team at this summers Olympics in Paris.
So this year’s Championship will be intriguing, and I’ve no doubt that first game between France and Ireland in Marseille will set the scene for a thrilling tournament.
The beauty of the Six Nations is how it’s free for all to view on terrestrial TV. While many sports are now behind a pay wall in the current climate of mega deals for television rights, this Championship has remained free to air. This year you can watch all of Ireland’s matches live on UTV.
Defending a Grand Slam is extremely difficult so I’m not sure if Andy Farrell’s side will do that but I am backing Ireland to win this year’s Championship again.
Farrell made a an important point at the launch, that he isn’t a fan of the four year cycles. So while everyone talks about building for the next World Cup in Australia in 2028, Farrell wants to continue building on what has been a hugely successful few years for Ireland. Johnny Sexton, one of Ireland’s greatest ever athletes never mind rugby players, may no longer be part of the team but Farrell has appointed the vastly experienced and respected Peter O’Mahony to take up the mantle of captaining his team.
I have interviewed O’Mahony many times down through the years for UTV and have always been impressed by his passion, pride and maturity, both on and off the pitch.
He commands respect when he walks into a room and has a presence around the group having been one of the main leaders over the past several years.
At the media launch he told me that he wasn’t expecting the captaincy and described the phone call from Andy Farrell as “very, very special”. He also said he’d talked a lot to Johnny Sexton after getting the call and, while he has learnt so much from his former skipper, he is his own person so will put his own stamp on the role.
I for one am excited to see how he leads the team forward and can’t wait for the memes to start during the six nations… my favourite one from recent years is Superman wearing Peter O’Mahony pyjamas!
Speaking of Superman, I have a feeling we could see Rory McIlroy do something special this year. He has had a blistering start to the year finishing runner up at the Dubai Invitational in his first start of 2024 before going out the following week to win the Dubai Desert Classic for the fourth year in a row, the only golfer to have done so.
So much has been made of Rory not winning a major since 2014 but he has been one of the most consistent golfers on the planet. If he could go on and win the only major he hasn’t won, the Masters, this year in April he would become only the sixth player of all time to win all four majors. The way he’s been playing you can never write him off and on his day he’s the best in the world. I would love to see him win it this year as his talent and drive deserves nothing less.
Later in the year golf fans will get the opportunity to watch out very own superstar as Rory has confirmed he will play in this years Amgen Irish Open. The national open, which Rory won in 2016 at the K Club, returns to Northern Ireland and to Newcastle’s Royal County Down for the first time since 2015. Irish star Shane Lowry will also be there. This year’s tournament runs from September 12-15 so get your tickets sorted early to avoid disappointment if you want to see some of the worst best golfers up close and in person – you’ll not be disappointed!
Finally congratulations to Glenn Irwin for picking up the Irish Racer of the Year at the motorcycle awards in January. Glenn enjoyed his most successful year yet and just missed out on the British Superbikes title title by half a point. If he chooses to race here instead of the United States this coming season, I believe he can go one better. Michael Dunlop was also a big winner on the night, he was crowned “King of the Road” and picked up the “Team of the Year” accolade. 2024 is a massive year for him as he aims to equal and overtake his uncle Joey’s all time win record of 26 TT wins, Michael is currently sitting on 25 race victories. It was also great to hear Maria Costello, who held the Guinness World Record for being the fastest woman to lap the Isle of Man TT course until 2009, say on the night that she’s now helping other females fulfil their dreams of racing bikes in what has, for years, been a male dominated industry.
Watching Ulster v Toulouse at Kingspan stadium
With Glenn Irwin and Alastair Seeley at the Adelaide Insurance Irish Motorcycle awards
Glenn Irwin was named Irish Racer of the Year for a second successive year
Four in a row… Rory McIlroy started 2024 on a high, winning his fourth successive Dubai Desert Classic
Ireland rugby coach Andy Farrell introduces Peter O’Mahony as his new captain
Home of the black stuff… Guinness hosted a fantastic event for the Six Nations rugby launch at their famous Dublin Storehouse. This is one of the stunning views from the Gravity bar
I spoke to new Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony at the Six Nations rugby launch
