#joemccarthy

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has named his squad for the upcoming autumn internationals, and while captain Caelan Doris has been included, key player Joe McCarthy misses out due to injury. Sports Channel takes a detailed look at the squad, injury updates, and the storylines heading into one of the busiest periods on the rugby calendar.

Captain Doris Set for Return

Leinster captain Caelan Doris makes the squad despite not having played since shoulder surgery in early May. Doris has recently returned to training with Leinster, but it remains uncertain whether he will be fit to face New Zealand in the blockbuster clash at Soldier Field in Chicago on 1 November.

Doris’ leadership will be vital for Ireland as they take on the All Blacks in a rematch of their 2016 meeting. His presence also provides reassurance in the second row, where Jack Conan is poised to deputise should Doris’ recovery take longer than expected.

Injury Woes Leave Gaps

Joe McCarthy misses out after failing to recover from the foot injury he sustained during the first British and Irish Lions Test against Australia in July. Ulster lock Cormac Izuchukwu and Munster wing Calvin Nash are also unavailable due to injury, while full-back Hugo Keenan remains sidelined following hip surgery post-Lions tour.

Farrell’s squad will, however, include uncapped Leinster prop Paddy McCarthy. The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has also named uncapped Munster duo Edwin Edogbo and Brian Gleeson, along with once-capped Connacht wing Shayne Bolton, to travel to Chicago as “cover” in case of last-minute injuries or fitness issues.

Experienced Backs and Exciting Fly-Half Battle

The squad retains much of its familiar look, with a wealth of experience in the backline. Leinster’s Sam Prendergast and Munster’s Jack Crowley remain in contention for the starting fly-half spot, which is set to be tested in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash at Croke Park. Farrell has also included Ciaran Frawley as the third fly-half, while opting against calling up Leinster’s Harry Byrne.

At scrum-half, Ireland will rely on British and Irish Lion Jamison Gibson-Park and Craig Casey, who captained Ireland to summer Test wins over Georgia and Portugal. Connacht’s Caolin Blade also returns, preferred to club-mate Ben Murphy.

The midfield options are impressive with Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, and Stuart McCloskey all selected. Jamie Osborne provides flexibility, capable of filling in at centre or at full-back in the absence of Hugo Keenan.

Wings Ready to Impress

James Lowe, Mack Hansen, Tommy O’Brien, and Jacob Stockdale form a dynamic set of options on the wings. O’Brien made a strong impression over the summer with two tries in each of the wins over Georgia and Portugal, showcasing Ireland’s growing depth in wide positions.

Pack Strength and Leadership

In the forwards, Joe McCarthy is the only new name in the main squad. The loose-head prop has featured in Leinster’s United Rugby Championship games this season and previously represented Ireland A in their defeat to England earlier this year.

Munster lock Thomas Ahern retains his spot after earning his first two caps during the summer, while experienced Ulster second-row Iain Henderson returns after missing the summer tour. Jack Conan is on standby in the second row to cover for Doris if needed.

The remainder of the pack includes seasoned internationals such as Tadhg Furlong, James Ryan, Ronan Kelleher, Dan Sheehan, and Josh van der Flier, offering a combination of experience, skill, and physicality crucial for Ireland’s autumn campaign.

Challenging Fixtures Ahead

Ireland’s autumn programme kicks off with the All Blacks at Soldier Field in Chicago, followed by home fixtures against Japan, Australia, and world champions South Africa in Dublin. These matches provide an opportunity for both experienced players and newcomers from the summer tour to showcase their abilities on the global stage.

Farrell remarked, “There’s an exciting look to the panel and there’s an opportunity for the more experienced players and for those who made their debuts on the summer tour to Georgia and Portugal.” His squad selection reflects a balance between proven performers and emerging talent, ensuring Ireland remains competitive across a demanding autumn schedule.

Key Storylines to Watch

The fly-half selection will attract significant attention, with Prendergast and Crowley competing for the starting spot. Their battle will provide early indications of Ireland’s attacking strategies, while the return of Caelan Doris adds leadership and stability to the second row.

Injuries continue to shape squad dynamics. While McCarthy and Keenan are unavailable, Farrell’s inclusion of cover players like Paddy McCarthy, Edwin Edogbo, Brian Gleeson, and Shayne Bolton highlights the IRFU’s forward planning and squad depth.

The backline’s mix of experience and youth, combined with a powerful and versatile pack, positions Ireland to challenge some of the world’s strongest teams. Sports Channel notes that this autumn series could be a defining period for Farrell’s squad, giving both leaders and newcomers the chance to cement their roles.

Ireland will assemble in Dublin on Monday before flying to Chicago on Tuesday, marking the start of an autumn campaign that promises high drama, intense competition, and a chance to measure themselves against the world’s best.

N.Georges Blog Entry #7: American Demagogue

For this blog post, I found that I had to watch the documentary four times in order to fully understand what was going on. I elected to watch the documentary film entitled, “See it Now: Edward R. Murrow vs. Joseph McCarthy.” The first time I watch the report on Senator Joseph McCarthy, I continually found myself asking why I would set myself up in such a manner. It was not until after watching the documentary did I really begin to comprehend what was being said during the report.

When the documentary first begins, Edward Murrow starts off basically saying that if Senator McCarthy wants a chance to help explain himself, he would be given the opportunity at the end of the report. When he said that, I was so confused, was this report going to critic Senator McCarthy’s policies? Come to fine out, the report was more of avenue for the public to see Senator McCarthy for who he really was, someone out to gain full control over the government.

At this point, I had to go back to understand the definition of a demagogue. When the word is broken down to its roots, the Greek word demagogue breaks down into two words, demos meaning the people and agogos meaning leader. I then dug a bit deeper and finally understood that a demagogue in the political sense could be anyone that the “people” select. At this point I thought about the 2016 Presidential Election as shook my head.

Now, McCarthy had a strong passion against communism but in being so passionate, were the means of causation to bring forth such an arrogant individual. In the film there Senator McCarthy claimed that only the left wing press criticized him on his wicker case. The ratio between the newspapers that criticized him to the newspapers that supported him was a 3 to 1. One left wing paper said that “Senator McCarthy would better serve his cause if he learned to distinguish the role investigator from the role of avenging angel.” Another Newspaper’s headline read “McCarthyism involves assaults on basic republican concepts.”

The one that really got me thinking was the headline that read “The line must be drawn independent or McCarthy will become government.” That headline really had me thinking about today’s election. For one individual to believe that they have the power to control everything in government is really baffling. When you think about it, yes there is a president who is in charge of the country, but there is also a congress who can either make or break a president’s agenda. For McCarthy to be just a senator and to think that he can control the government is crazy.