Month: September 2021

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TOMORROW IS THE second coming, ten days shy of the eighth anniversary of the first coming.

James Horan handled the Mayo managerial reins for the first time in a competitive environment on 15 January 2011.

He began on home soil under the Castlebar floodlights, fashioning a 2-8 to 1-5 victory as third-level outfit GMIT provided the pre-season opposition.

Tomorrow he is back in the FBD League arena, a low-key beginning for a second coming as Mayo manager.

He’ll make the trip to face Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon for the first outing of 2019 and while the competition may be the same as that 2011 opener, the interest in how Horan fares stems from how he fared in his four seasons in charge and how Mayo fared in the last four seasons without him.

When Horan took over in September 2010, Mayo were coming off the back of a summer defined a loss to Sligo in Connacht and a loss to Longford in the qualifiers. The outlook was uncertain setting out in 2011 but that opening season would see them win back the Connacht title, take down the then Sam Maguire holders Cork and grace the last four stage of the All-Ireland.

Horan would go on to steer Mayo to four-in-a-row in Connacht, watch his team felled twice in September showpieces and the curtain fall in Limerick in August 2014 after a semi-final replay against Kerry laced with drama.

His exit did not coincide with a slump in Mayo’s fortunes, they pushed Dublin to the wire repeatedly over the next three campaigns before 2018 concluded at a stage that seemed premature given the form they had established.

There have been plenty high points mixed with heartbreak on the pitch while there was turbulence off it with the end of the Holmes-Connelly reign and Stephen Rochford’s decision to opt out over a lack of support from the executive.

That all points to one constant that has remained in the interim since Horan was last at the helm.

Mayo remain one of the most compelling cases to study in Gaelic football.

That theme has not altered in Horan’s time away and he takes over a squad that has not changed significantly either. The fact that Tom Cunniffe, Barry Moran and Alan Dillon are the only absentees now from the starting team in that 2014 thriller in the Gaelic Grounds illustrates that the rate of player turnover is not high.

James Horan during the 2014 semi-final replay against Kerry.

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

Scan the teamsheet from that first game Horan managed in 2011 and it is the names of goalkeeper David Clarke, full-back Ger Cafferkey, wing-back Chris Barrett, full-forward Andy Moran and corner-forward Cillian O’Connor that jump out.

O’Connor was a teenager fresh from the minor ranks who posted 1-6 that afternoon, his 0-5 tally from frees a precursor to the series of scoring exhibitions he has put on since. The last substitute Horan threw into that action that day was a defender who has gone on to gather up four All-Star awards and the Footballer of the Year honour in 2016. 

Lee Keegan has grown in stature since but he is an example of how this is not an unfamiliar setup for Horan to take charge of.

The links between the past and the present are strong. Horan trawled the county over the winter and held trials to scrutinise what talent was available but the sense remains that the tried and trusted will be at the core of his immediate plans.

The number of players in his squad that are 30 or over will swell to 12 in 2019 – Clarke, Cafferkey, Barrett, Moran and Keegan from that maiden game, along with Colm Boyle, Jason Doherty, Keith Higgins, Kevin McLoughlin, Seamus O’Shea, Tom Parsons and Donal Vaughan.

That group have been to the fore of Mayo’s pursuit in recent times and still remain important figures. 

And that gets to the heart of the matter as Horan takes over again in Mayo. He may have taken another four-year term, he may have afforded a wide array of players a chance to audition at the end of 2018, he may have honed in on interviews about the focus being placed on regular improvement and he may be thinking about utilising the best products from underage sides like the 2016 U21 winning side and the 2018 U20 finalists.

But for a core of the Mayo panel, there is an urgency to make their mark this year rather than taking a long-term approach. Those cheering on from the stands will be thinking along similar lines. 

The levels of expectation and anticipation amongst Mayo fans have not dipped during Horan’s time away from the hotseat and it was the rise in the county’s fortunes he oversaw in his first tenure that generated that increased spark in the first place.

It’s just over six months since the sun-splashed evening in Newbridge where Kildare’s supporters spilled onto the pitch in celebration and Mayo considered the end of the road for 2018.

Mayo players in the closing stages of last summer’s loss to Kildare.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

They’re back on the trail again for 2019 tomorrow.

And their boss on the sideline will help to ensure the interest in them remains as keen as ever.

Gavan Casey, Murray Kinsella and Andy Dunne preview the weekend’s action:

Source: Heineken Rugby Weekly on The42/SoundCloud

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CIARAN O’SULLIVAN WILL not be part of Ronan McCarthy’s management ticket in 2019 after announcing his decision to step down from his role as selector.

O’Sullivan enjoyed a lengthy playing career with the Rebels and played in the 1993 and 1999 All-Ireland senior finals, while he also served as selector under Brian Cuthbert in 2014 and 2015. 

And McCarthy brought O’Sullivan back on board for his first campaign in charge last year.

The five-time Munster medalist said work commitments were the reason for his departure. 

“I would like to thank Ronan McCarthy for the opportunity and I would like to wish the players and management all the best for the year ahead,” O’Sullivan said in a statement on the Cork GAA website.

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Rebels boss McCarthy and county chairperson Travey Kennedy paid tribute to O’Sullivan.

“I would like to thank Ciaran sincerely for his immense contribution to Cork football as a player and in more recent years as a selector,” said McCarthy.

“Ciaran has always demonstrated an enormous passion for Cork football, illustrated in the huge personal sacrifice he has made to his family and business commitments.

Ciaran O’Sullivan tackles Ciaran McDonald during the 1999 All-Ireland semi-final.

Source: Tom Honan/INPHO

“I would like to wish Ciaran and his family all the best in the future and I am sure we will see Ciaran involved again in Cork teams in the years to come.”

Kennedy added: “On behalf of Cork GAA I would like like to thank Ciaran for the service he has given as a Cork football selector.

“Ciaran has served Cork football with great distinction as a player and a selector and I would like to wish himself and his family all the best for the future.”

Cork open their 2019 campaign tomorrow afternoon where they face Limerick in the McGrath Cup semi-final.

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2016 HURLER OF the Year Austin Gleeson will make his first start of the campaign for Waterford tomorrow afternoon in the Munster hurling league meeting with Clare. 

It’s Paraic Fanning’s second game in charge of the Deise, following their six-point win over Cork on Wednesday night. 

Gleeson has been selected at centre-back, which is widely regarded as his best position.

New Deise captain Noel Connors is named at corner-back with two-time All-Star Jamie Barron at midfield. 

Clare joint managers Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor have made five changes from their 1-20 to 0-21 victory against the Rebels in the opening round. 

Tony Kelly comes in to skipper the side from midfield, with Donal Tuohy, David McInerney, Conor Cleary and Colin Guilfoyle all introduced to the starting team.

Guilfoyle was the hero against the Rebels, scoring the winning goal shortly at Cusack Park. 

The game throws-in at 2pm in Dungarvan’s Fraher Field. 

Waterford

1. Billy Nolan (Roanmore)

2. Darragh Lyons (Dungarvan)
3. Conor Prunty (Abbeyside)
4. Noel Connors (Passage – captain)

5. Michael Harney (Bunmhaon)
6. Austin Gleeson (Mount Sion)
7. Kieran Bennett (Ballysaggart) 

8. Jamie Barron (Fourmilewater)
9. Stephen Roche (Mount Sion)

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10. Colin Dunford (Colligan)
11. Shane Bennett (Ballysaggart)
12. DJ Foran (Portlaw)

13. Thomas Ryan (Tallow)
14. Stephen Bennett (Ballysaggart)
15. Jack Prendergast (Lismore)

Clare

pic.twitter.com/8brHFLwSAl

— Clare Gaa (@GaaClare) January 5, 2019

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1. “Chamney concedes he became obsessed with the rivalry, admitting that when Campbell raced in Australia he’d wake up at the crack of dawn to check his result. Then there was the time he was abroad, unable to get online, so he called a friend in Clonmel and demanded the play-by-play on Campbell’s race at the Paris Diamond League.

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 ”I was paying a euro a minute, roaming charges riddled, just to find out what he was up to. But that was the biggest thing in my life for five years. I needed that energy, that f**king resentment and bitterness I had towards him. I love it. I get off on it.”

Cathal Dennehy wrote about the Irish running rivalry fueled by hate for the Irish Examiner.

Thomas Chamney wins ahead of rival David Campbell in 2009.

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

2. This should have been an easy piece to write. All the reasons we’re going to miss Fernando Alonso in Formula 1. All the things that made him, no, that make him, a great driver. One of the finest ever to set foot inside a Formula 1 car. And yet, as with all things Fernando, it’s not quite that simple.

If only the story of Fernando Alonso was simply one of a desperately talented racer with the world at his feet. But it’s not.

 F1 Digital presenter Will Buxton penned a lovely tribute to Fernando Alonso.

3. “The first thing I learned when I became a judge is that the only place a fight can be scored accurately is from the judge’s chair. That was a hard pill to swallow, considering I had scored from home, the first row, several rows back, or from the stands at live venues. I remember challenging the chief of officials on this subject and he bluntly told me I was wrong and would understand when I began judging. He was right.

We have all seen fights where we have disagreed with a judge’s decision. I cannot speak for fights that appear to be blatant robberies but I can speak for those fights that are too close to call. If the fight is remotely competitive and the two boxers are exchanging, the only people who can accurately score the fight are the judges – not the referee, not press row, not those sitting ringside and not those sitting at home. There are a number of judges around the ring (three for pro fights, five for amateur fights) for a reason: judges seated on various sides of the ring have the best vantage point for scoring rounds accurately. I am constantly challenged on that statement, but I stand behind it firmly.

When scoring a fight, a judge must consider three things: 

1) Number of quality blows on the target area 
2) Domination of the round by technical and tactical superiority 
3) Competitiveness.”

‘What I have learned from scoring 528 fights as a boxing judge,’ by Karla Cauto for The Queensberry Rules via The Guardian.

4. “Mathieu isn’t afraid of much, but for several reasons, a three-letter question terrifies him: Why?

Tyrann Mathieu.

Source: SIPA USA/PA Images

Some of his earliest memories are of examining photographs, remembering the faces that weren’t there instead of the ones that were.

His biological father was absent from any picture after Mathieu was 2, swallowed by a life sentence following a conviction for second-degree murder. Three years after that, his grandfather’s heart quit, and so his face was gone from photos, too. An uncle disappeared after he was murdered; an aunt was gone after a car accident.

Unpleasant as those reasons were, the boy could accept them. But why was his mother, Tyra, never in the pictures? Come to think of it, why was she never in the bleachers during his youth games? Why were her arms never those surrounding him when he was injured or sad? Why was it he lived with his grandparents and then Aunt Sheila and Uncle Tyrone?”

‘One question has tortured Tyrann Mathieu’s entire life. He’s not sure he wants the answer’ — Kent Babb spoke to the Houston NFL star for The Washington Post.

5. “You know that for some people it hasn’t worked out right. For some families in this country, winning an All-Ireland was the worst thing that ever happened their family. Someone drinks too much or has a crash on a night out, or if relationships break up or break down. Or someone ends up in a situation where they are not feeling great after it’s all over.

“It can be the worst thing that happens a family, that their son or their partner could win an All-Ireland. And I didn’t want them to ever end up in a position where they regretted winning an All-Ireland. That’s what my fear was. And I could only tell them on the day of the All-Ireland itself that it starts today. You don’t start thinking about looking after yourself, and looking after everyone else, a week later. It needed to start right there. And I wanted them to just enjoy it. I just wanted the enjoyment to continue.

Limerick manager John Kiely with captain Declan Hannon.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

“I want them to be able to look back in 10 years’ time and be proud and have great memories of it. In 20 and 30 years’ time and that their families will be able to look back on this experience as something positive for them. And I didn’t want them to say, ‘my God, that was the start of an awful time for us’.

“How regretful would that be, to spend your whole life trying to win an All-Ireland as a player. And for that to turn out to be the catalyst for an episode in your life you regret. That’s the point.

“And at the end of the day you care about the players an awful lot, and you don’t want something negative to happen to someone you care about.”

John Kiely was in conversation with the Irish Examiner’s Larry Ryan, looking through a selection of images from Limerick’s magical summer in a fascinating in-depth interview.

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ROSCOMMON DEFENDER SEAN McDermott has announced his decision to retire from inter-county duty after a lengthy career. 

The Western Gaels clubman won two Connacht senior medals, in 2010 and 2017, while he made 178 appearances for the Rossies.

McDermott made his debut against Leitrim in 2005 and featured for a final time as a substitute in the Super 8s defeat to Dublin at Croke Park.

“It has been a great honour to play for Roscommon over the past 17 years, from minor level through to senior, and I have been privileged to have met, and played with, some great people along the way,” McDermott said in a statement on the Roscommon GAA website.

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“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all players and management teams, past and present, whom I have been involved with and wish them all good health and success in the future.

“I would also like to sincerely thank my club Western Gaels for all their help and support throughout my time with Roscommon, and I look forward to playing with them for many years to come.

“To the Roscommon supporters; a massive thank you for all the support over the years, through good times and bad.

“Finally, to my family. I will be forever grateful for everything you have done for me. Your support, loyalty and understanding allowed me to play for Roscommon at the highest level, and for this, I thank you sincerely.

“I am looking forward to my next chapter in life, as I build on the success of the business, I have recently started in Ballaghaderreen, and which allows me to channel my passion and skills as a barber. 

“It was a huge honour to play for Roscommon for so long and I have nothing but great memories. 

“I am now looking forward to becoming a great supporter in the years ahead.”

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JAMIE CLARKE BAGGED a goal on his competitive return to the Armagh jersey as they saw off Antrim by 14 points in the McKenna Cup this afternoon.

Clarke dispatched a first-half penalty while Ryan McShane also hit the back of the net for the Orchard in the comfortable 2-21 to 1-10 victory. 

Tyrone enjoyed a 2-14 to 1-9 win over Ulster University in a game that saw a number of the Red Hand panellists lining out for the third-level side.

Darragh Canavan was held scoreless on his first senior start for Tyrone, but goals from Declan McClure and Peter Harte led Mickey Harte’s side to victory. Lee Brennan posted four points for Ulster University, while debutant Ryan Gray bagged 0-2 for Tyrone on his debut.

Ben McCarron’s hat-trick helped Derry past Fermanagh on a scoreline of 3-9 to 2-8. McCarron led the county to Ulster U20 success last summer and was named as one of the top 20 players in the country at the grade in 2018.

All over, well done lads@Doiregaa 3-9 @FermanaghGAA 2-8 #CandC pic.twitter.com/2bqJVmzsOg

— Derry GAA (@Doiregaa) January 6, 2019

He posted 3-1 after coming on as a first-half sub for the injured Ryan Bell. It was McCarron’s second competitive appearance for the county, having made his debut off the bench against Tyrone in December.

Mickey Graham’s Cavan enjoyed a facile 0-17 to 0-13 win against Queen’s University.

Finally, St Mary’s kicked the final three scores of the game to snatch a 0-17 to 1-14 draw with Monaghan. Barry McGinn was the Farney goalscorer.

McKenna Cup results

Down 0-10 Donegal 1-17
Cavan 0-17 QUB 0-3
Monaghan 1-14 St Marys 0-17
Antrim 1-10 Armagh 2-21
Fermanagh 2-8 Derry 3-9
Tyrone 2-14 UU 1-9

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Westmeath 1-13
Kildare 1-7

Conor McKenna reports from The Downs

WESTMEATH ADVANCED TO the semi-final of the O’Byrne Cup after a six-point victory over Kildare, with a strong second half display sealing victory for the Lake County.

Kildare played over half of the game with 14 players after Pascal Connell was sent off before half-time and it was always going to be a struggle for the visitors when facing a numerical disadvantage against a well-organised Westmeath outfit.

Kildare midfielder Fionn Dowling opened the scoring with a point in the first minute, which was cancelled out by a free from Ger Egan.

It was tit for tat in the opening stages, with both sides cancelling each other out and Westmeath opted to use James Dolan as a sweeper in order to contain the Kildare attack.

Neil Flynn was very impressive for Kildare, with the Maynooth clubman registering four points in the opening half.

David Slattery got the game’s opening goal with 19 minutes played after Dowling’s high ball was parried by Kevin Fagan. Slattery made no mistake with the finish from close range to give his side a two-point advantage.

Kildare were reduced to 14 players in the 29^th minute after Connell was sent off when he picked up a second yellow card after an altercation with Sean Flanagan which gave Westmeath a man advantage heading into the second half.

Kildare led by 1-5 to 0-7 at the break but the Lake County had a dream start to the second-half when Joe Halligan’s effort made its way to the back of the net, with the aid of a deflection from Mark Dempsey, who got something on the ball but could not prevent the ball from finding the net.

Westmeath dominated the second half and held a five-point lead heading into the last 15 minutes of the game, with Ger Egan outstanding for Jack Cooney’s charges.

Westmeath held out for a deserved victory, as the hosts used their numerical advantage superbly, with Longford awaiting Westmeath in the semi-final.

Scorers for Westmeath: Ger Egan 0-6 (3f), Joe Halligan 1-0, Ronan O’Toole 0-3 (2f),  David Lynch, Kieran Martin (1f), Sam Duncan and Noel O’Reilly 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kildare: Neil Flynn 0-6 (2f, 1 45), David Slattery 1-0, Fionn Dowling 0-1.

Westmeath

1. Kevin Fagan (Tubberclair)

2. Boidu Sayeh (Rosemount)
3. Ronan Wallace (Multyfarnham)
4. Killian Daly (Mullingar Shamrocks)

7. David Lynch (St. Malachys)
5. James Dolan (Garrycastle)
17. Noel O’Reilly (Milltownpass)

8. Sean Flanagan (St. Loman’s Mullingar)
6. Noel Mulligan (Athlone)

13. Ronan O Toole (St. Lomans Mullingar)
11. Callum McCormack (Maryland)
10. Ger Egan (Tyrrellspass)

14. Kieran Martin (Maryland)
9. Sam Duncan (Milltownpass)
15. Joe Halligan (Milltown).

Subs:

20. James Maxwell (Coralstown/Kinnegad) for Daly (52)
21. Ger Leech (Coralstown/Kinnegad) for Martin (59)
18. Sean Pettit (Rosemount) for Halligan (60)
23. Ned Cully (St. Mary’s Rochfortbridge) for Flanagan (69)
25. Joe Moran (The Downs) for Mulligan (71)

Kildare

1. Mark Donnellan (Maynooth)

2. Mark Hyland (Athy)
3. Mark Barrett (Ballymore Eustace)
4. Mark Dempsey (Moorefield)

5. David Malone (Raheens)
6. Eoin Doyle (Naas)
7. James Murray (Moorefield)

8. Fionn Dowling (Suncroft)
9. Pascal Connell (Athy)

10. David Slattery (Confey)
11. Adam Tyrrell (Moorefield)
12. Conor Hartley (Sarsfields)

13. Neil Flynn (Maynooth)
14. Ben McCormack (Sarsfields)
15. Padraig Fogarty (St Laurences)

Subs:

21. Kevin Feely (Athy) for Hartley (32),
22. Aaron Masterson (Moorefield) for Malone (h-t)
23. Keith Cribbin (Johnstownbride) for Fogarty (h-t)
24. Eoghan O’Flaherty (Carbury) for McCormack (45)
17. David Hyland (Athy) for M Hyland (49)
25. Paddy Brophy (Celbridge) for Slattery (49)
19. Cian O’Donoghue (Clane) for Dowling (56)
20. Jason Gibbons (Kilcock) for Murray (60)
26. Padraig Nash (Monasterevan) for Tyrrell (63) 

Referee: Barry Tiernan (Dublin).

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Mayo 2-13
Leitrim 2-13

(Mayo win 4-1 on penalties)

Colm Gannon reports from Carrick-on-Shannon

THERE WAS NO need for extra time or replays or even free kick contests as this Connacht FBD League game went to penalties in Carrick-on-Shannon today after a dramatic injury time equaliser from Leitrim’s Damien Moran.

Evan Regan bagged the winning penalty for Mayo.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Mayo won the shootout 4-1 with Jason Doherty, Brian Reape, Fergal Boland and Evan Regan all finding the target with Ryan O’Rourke the only one to find the net for Leitrim into the town end goal of their three penalty takers.

Penalty 4, Evan Regan hits the winner, Mayo win 4-1 on penalties. We now play Galway next Sunday in Tuam Stadium. #mayogaa #gaa pic.twitter.com/0zzIE6Fixb

— Mayo GAA (@MayoGAA) January 6, 2019

Mayo go into the semi-final of the competition next weekend, but they will have an awful lot to work on before the face Galway in Tuam.

It was the first day out for both managers in Carrick-on-Shannon with Terry Hyland taking change of the home side for the first time and James Horan making his second bow as Mayo manager.

The home team started the game the brightest and led by 0-2 to 0-1 inside the opening three minutes – thanks to points from Pearce Dolan and Shane Quinn, with Jason Doherty responding for Mayo from a placed ball.

Leitrim stretched their lead out to two points four minutes in thanks to a fine effort from Jack Heslin – but their luck was out less than a minute later when Mayo bagged their first goal of the day.

Brian Reape was the man who rattled the net applying a brilliant finish after showing great strength to hold off his man to create the space for the shot. Pearse Dolan responded with a point for Hyland’s side, and the game looked to killed off as a contest with the next score of the game, or so you would have thought.

Mayo and Leitrim players battle for possession.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Mayo broke at pace and the ball was fed to Fergal Boland who made no mistake with an expert finish high to the top corner of the net to put Mayo into a 2-1 to 0-3 lead.

Leitrim did have a chance to get a goal of their own not long after but Shane Moran’s effort came back off the post and Jack Heslin pulled the rebound wide.

For the rest of the half Mayo really took control of the contest with Boland, Evan Regan, Rob Hennelly, Eoin O’Donoghue and Colm Moran all finding the target – while Leitrim kept themselves somewhat in touch thanks to Evan Sweeney, Cillian McGloin, Perase Dolan – to leave Mayo leading 2-9 to 0-8 at the break.

Leitrim almost grabbed a goal right from the restart when Jack Heslin was played through, but his effort was saved by Hennelly and put out for a 45. Five minutes into the half Leitrim were reduced to 14 men for ten minutes when Dean McGovern was shown a black card following an off the ball incident with Brendan Harrison.

The first score of the half came from Fionn McDonagh and that score completed all six of Mayo’s starting forwards getting on the scoresheet. But the game was about to get turned on its head in the matter of a few minutes.

Jack Heslin slipped over an outstanding point in the 44th minute, then a minute later Seamus O’Shea turned over the ball and it was worked to Ryan O’Rourke his shot was cleared off the line but Evan Sweeney was lurking to tuck home the rebound.

Less than a minute later Mayo were turned over again – this time Colm Moran was caught in possession and the ball was worked to Sean McWeeney who broke at speed and fed the ball to O’Rourke who drove it home to leave just one point in the game – with 20 minutes to go – with Mayo leading 2-10 to 2-9.

With 16 minutes left on the clock a huge roar went up from the home faithful when Domhnaill Flynn slotted over a free to level it up at 2-10 each. That kicked a bit of life into a Mayo performance that had become a bit listless and Fergal Boland slotted over to restore their lead after a turn over and that was followed by a Jason Doherty free to put two between the sides.

Leitrim weren’t going away though and Evan Sweeney cut the gap back to just one with ten minutes left to go – the same man should have nailed his sides third goal not long after when he intercepted a slack Mayo pass – but his effort crashed back off the bar.

O’Rourke and Damien Moran both then missed chances to level it up as the clock began to tick down.

Mayo edged their noses two points clear as the game slipped into injury time when Fergal Boland drove one over from 40 meters out, but if Leitrim had been more clinical they would have been ahead at that stage.

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There was still time for more drama when Sweeney clipped over a top class score a minute into the four minutes of injury time to leave the gap at just one point again.

Then more drama ensued when Dean McGovern looked to be shown a second yellow card by referee James Molloy – but before he left the field he got involved in the play and picked out the final pass to Damien Moran who slotted the ball over the bar and send the game to penalties.

Scorers for Mayo: Fergal Boland 1-3, Brian Reape 1-1, Jason Doherty 0-3 (0-3f), Evan Regan 0-2 (0-1f), Colm Moran, Rob Hennelly (0-1 ’45), Eoin O’Donoghue, Fionn McDonagh 0-1 each.

Scorers for Leitrim: Evan Sweeney 1-3 (0-2f), Jack Heslin 0-3, Ryan O’Rourke 1-0, Pearse Dolan 0-2, Shane Quinn, Cillian McGloin, S Moran, Domhnaill Flynn (0-1f), Damien Moran 0-1 each.

Mayo

1. Rob Hennelly (Breaffy)

2. Eoin O’Donoghue (Belmullet)
3. Ger Cafferkey (Ballina)
4. Brendan Harrison (Aghamore)

5. Lee Keegan (Westport)
6. James McCormack (Claremorris)
7. Donal Vaughan (Castlebar Mitchels)

8. Seamus O’Shea (Breaffy)
9. Stephen Coen (Hollymount-Carramore)

10. Fionn McDonagh (Westport)
11. Jason Doherty (Burrishoole)
12. Fergal Boland (Aghamore)

13. Colm Moran (Westport)
14. Brian Reape (Moy Davitts)
15. Evan Regan (Ballina)

Subs:

18. Caolan Crowe (Aghamore) for Cafferkey
20. James Kelly (Belmullet) for Coen
17. Ben Doyle (Westport) for O’Donoghue
26. Oisin McLaughlin (Westport) for Moran
21. Ciaran Tracey (Ballina) for McDonagh

Leitrim

1. Diarmuid McKiernan (Gaeil na hAline)

2. Paddy Maguire (Naomh Brigid)
3. Fergal McTague (Achadh Mhaoileann)
17. Aidan Flynn (Gaeil Liatroma)

5. Conor Reynolds (Eanach Dubh)
6. Ray Mulvey (Naomh Muire Cill Tochairt)
7. Shane Quinn (Maothail)

8. Dean McGovern (Sean O’hEislin)
21. Gary Reynolds (Oliver Plunketts)

10. Sean McWeeney (Achadh na Sileann)
11. Cillian McGloin (Gael na Meilge)
12. Jack Heslin (Gort Leitreach)

13. Evan Sweeney (Gleann an Chairthe)
14. Pearse Dolan (Achadh Mhaoileann)
15. Domhnaill Flynn (Maothail)

Subs

9. Mark Plunkett (Achadh Mhaoileann) for Flynn
20. Ryan O’Rourke (Naomh Caillin) for McGloin
21. Gary Reynolds (Oliver Plunketts) for Heslin
22. Damien Moran (Barr na Chile) for Dolan
25. Darragh Rooney (Gael na Meilge) for Mulvey

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Dublin 1-18
Laois 1-16

Steven Miller reports from O’Moore Park

DUBLIN ARE THROUGH to the semi-finals of the Walsh Cup following a hard-earned win over Laois in O’Moore Park this afternoon.

John Hetherton top-scored for the Dubs with seven points while a fourth-minute goal from Eamonn Dillon was also crucial.

Dublin will face Galway in the last four, with Wexford meeting Kilkenny in the other semi-final.

That Dillon goal helped Dublin into a 1-3 to 0-1 lead early on and it looked as if they may be in for an easy afternoon. But Laois fought back well and with PJ Scully, Aaron Dunphy and Mark Kavanagh all impressing, they moved 1-8 to 1-6 ahead by the 32nd minute.

Their goal came from Dunphy after a pass from Stephen Maher but Hetherton hit the last two points of the half to send the sides in level at the break.

Scully was again to the fore in the second half and three points from play had the home side 1-14 to 1-12 ahead midway through the half.

But Fergal Whitely, Hetherton and Oisin O’Rourke got a string of points and Dublin did just enough to pull through.

Scorers for Dublin: John Hetherton 0-7 (four frees), Eamon Dillon 1-1, Jake Malone 0-2, Cian Boland 0-2, Fergal Whitely 0-2,  Oisin O’Rourke 0-2, Chris Crummey 0-1, Sean Moran 0-1 (free).

Scorers for Laois: PJ Scully 0-7 (three frees), Aaron Dunphy 1-3, Mark Kavanagh 0-2 (one free), Enda Rowland (one free, one ’65) 0-2, Stephen Maher 0-1, Eanna Lyons 0-1.

Dublin

Alan Nolan

James Madden
Eoghan O’Donnell
Darragh Gray

Tom Connelly
Sean Moran
Shane Barrett

Rian McBride
Jake Malone

Cian Boland
John Hetherton
Fintan McGibb

Eamonn Dillon
Liam Rushe
Donal Burke

Subs:

Lee Gannon for Madden (injured – 16)
Fergal Whitely for Boland (injured – 30)
Chris Crummey for Connelly (ht)
Oisin O’Rourke for Burke (43)
David Keogh for O’Donnell (48)
Glen Whelan for McBride (49)
Caolan Conway for Rushe (53)
Conor Burke for Dillon (63)

Laois

Enda Rowland

Padraig Delaney
Matthew Whelan
Joe Phelan

Jack Kelly
Ryan Mullaney
Eric Killeen

Paddy Purcell
Donnacha Hartnett

Aaron Dunphy
Mark Kavanagh
Stephen Maher

Eanna Lyons
PJ Scully
Eoin Gaughan

Subs:

Sean Downey (Ballinakill) for Gaughan (51)
Conor Phelan (Castletown) for Scully (63)
Jake Cranny (Abbeyleix) for Killeen (68)
Neil Foyle for Lyons (70).

Referee: Michael Murtagh (Westmeath)

***

In the day’s other Walsh Cup clash, Carlow enjoyed a 2-18 to 0-18 win over Offaly. 

It was a third consecutive defeat for Offaly as goals from Chris Nolan and Martin Kavanagh helped Colm Bonnar’s side to the six-point win.

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Cork 3-15
Limerick 0-7

Denis Hurley reports from Rathkeale

TWO GOALS EARLY in the second half were decisive in helping Cork to ease past Limerick in today’s McGrath Cup semi-final at Rathkeale.

Ian Maguire bagged Cork’s third goal this afternoon.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

The holders led by 1-6 to 0-6 at half-time, Brian Hurley with a first-half goal for them, and the opening minutes after the resumption brought a pair of green flags, debutant Paul Walsh and captain Ian Maguire both netting.

While Limerick might have had a goal of their own in response immediately after that as Kieran Daly fashioned a chance, good Conor Dennehy defending denied him and Cork’s passage to the final against Clare was never in danger of being obstructed.

Ronan McCarthy’s side had ten scorers in all, with just one point from a dead ball. That came from Brian Hurley and in the first half a goal and a point from him had helped to open up a 1-3 to 0-1 lead by the 14th minute.

However, the fine free-taking of Limerick’s Seán McSweeney kept the home side in touch and a long-range effort from him just before half-time ensured that there were just three points in it at the break.

They were never given a chance to eat further into the deficit though, with Cork building on the goals with a flurry of points as subs Tadhg Corkery, James Fitzpatrick and Eoghan McSweeney were on target and Damien Gore added his second.

Sean McSweeney takes a late free for Limerick.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Scorers for Cork: Brian Hurley 1-3 (0-1 free), Ian Maguire 1-2, Paul Walsh 1-1, Ruairí Deane, Damien Gore 0-2 each, Tadhg Corkery, Kevin Crowley, James Fitzpatrick, Eoghan McSweeney, James Loughrey 0-1 each.

Scorers for Limerick: Seán McSweeney 0-5 (frees), Tommy Griffin, Kieran Daly 0-1 each.

Cork

1. Mark White (Clonakilty)

2. Conor Dennehy (St Finbarr’s)
3. James Loughrey (Mallow)
19. Kevin O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers)

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5. Kevin Crowley (Milstreet)
4. Kevin Flahive (Douglas)
7. Paul Walsh (Kanturk)

8. Ian Maguire (St Finbarr’s)
9. Killian O’Hanlon (Kilshannig)

10. Tom Clancy (Fermoy)
12. Seán White (Clonakilty)
24. Matthew Taylor (Mallow)

13. Damien Gore (Kilmacabea)
11. Ruairí Deane (Bantry Blues)
15. Brian Hurley (Castlehaven)

Subs

20. Tadhg Corkery (Cill na Martra) for Crowley (20, injured)
23. Eoghan McSweeney (Knocknagree) for Seán White (half-time, injured)
18. Aidan Browne (Newmarket) for Loughrey (45)
21. James Fitzpatrick (Carbery Rangers) for O’Hanlon (53)
17. Peter Murphy (Bandon) for Flahive (54)

Limerick

1. Donal O’Sullivan (Monaleen)

2. Michael Donovan (Galbally)
3. Seán O’Dea (Kilteely/Dromkeen)
4. Paul Maher (Adare)

5. Brian Fanning (Pallasgreen)
6. Tony McCarthy (Kildimo/Pallaskenry)
7. Gordon Brown (Na Piarsaigh)

8. Darragh Treacy (St Kieran’s)
22. Tommy Griffin (Gerald Griffins)

10. Jim Liston (Gerald Griffins)
11. Seán McSweeney (St Kieran’s)
12. Mike Fitzgibbon (Feohanagh/Castlemahon)

13. Peter Nash (Kildimo/Pallaskenry)
14. Adam Kearns (St Senan’s)
24. Kieran Daly (Na Piarsaigh)

Subs

25. Davy Lyons (Adare) for Daly (44)
19. Colm McSweeney (Gerald Griffins) for Pallasgreen (44)
15. Stephen Keeley (Adare) for Fitzgibbon (50)
26. Jamie Lee (Newcastle West) for Liston (61)
20. Luke Murphy (Monaleen) for Maher (61)

Referee: Derek O’Mahoney (Tipperary)

**************************

Clare 1-17
Waterford 1-6

CORK’S VICTORY ENSURED it will be a repeat of last year’s McGrath Cup final after earlier Clare enjoyed a successful trip to take on Waterford in their semi-final tie.

In a game played at the Gold Coast in Ballinacourty, Colm Collins saw his team run out 11-point winners and they will now take on Cork for the third time in four seasons in a McGrath Cup decider.

Clare laid the foundations early for this victory as they hit eight unanswered points –  Dermot Coughlan and Gary Brennan both notched a brace apiece – and then Conal O hAineféin’s goal essentially killed off the game. Waterford did rally but still trailed 1-8 to 0-2 at the interval.

The second half saw Clare remain in the ascendancy and a late Jason Curry goal for Waterford could not alter the picture to prevent the Banner from advancing.

*An earlier version of this article stated Cork had won by 16 points, that should have read 17 points.

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