Month: September 2021

COROFIN’S GALWAY PLAYERS are serving two masters over the coming weeks, training one night a week with the county side while they prepare for an All-Ireland club semi-final against Gaoith Dobhair on 16 February. 

A run in the All-Ireland series traditionally meant players did not join county set-ups until after their interests in the club championships were over, but the likes of Ian Burke and Liam Silke are keeping one foot in the Galway camp in a busy start to 2019.

Kieran Molloy, Dylan Wall and Bernard Power are the other Corofin players who are expected to be involved with the Tribesmen this year. 

“It’s a good complaint for the Corofin lads that we’re still going with the club,” says Burke.

We’re in training for the last while and this week again with the Galway lads. It’s nice to get in there as well and up to speed with what them lads are doing and just learn all that goes along with playing inter-county football for Galway. 

“At the moment, there’s a schedule there between both club and county. So they decided and we just go where we’re told to go.”

Reports from Kerry indicate Dr Crokes’s county contingent are also involved with the Kingdom once a week, as Peter Keane prepares for his debut campaign in charge of the senior side.

It’s an interesting position Burke finds himself in as Galway operate under Gaelic football’s experimental rules for the pre-season competitions and, potentially, the Allianz Football League.

Ian Burke lays off a handpass against Kildare in the Super 8s.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

The All-Star forward is one of the game’s best proponents of the handpass and he assisted a high percentage of Galway’s scores by hand during their run to the All-Ireland semi-final last summer. 

With four consecutive handpasses now outlawed under the propsed rules, there’s a danger that talented forwards like Burke will be severely limited in attack.

“It’s an interesting one,” he says. “I was looking at the rules there and I suppose they are proactive in a way, trying to get Gaelic football moving by cutting out the hand-passing and slow build-up play and things like that. 

“I’d probably want to see it in action a couple of times to see how it plays out. I would use the handpass quite a bit so it could be interesting to see what to do if there are three hand-passes given in.

If there’s a guy going down on the goal-line and you have to pop it and it’s called back, then it wouldn’t be good in that regard, but I understand what they’re trying to do in terms of moving the game on and making it quicker and faster.

“It’ll more things to try to keep clued in to. It’ll be interesting to see how the FBD League games play out with the new rules. I haven’t seen much of them yet, so I just want to go out and see how it works out and how the game develops and plays out.”

Burke believes the return of Cillian McDaid and Silke will greatly strengthen Galway’s panel this year as they look to build on 2018.

Former AFL player Cillian McDaid is back in the Galway camp.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

McDaid, who starred in the county’s run to the All-Ireland U21 final in 2017, has returned from a stint in the AFL with Carlton. Silke, meanwhile, opted out of the county set-up last year and spent the summer playing football in Boston.

“It’s good to have new lads in there to freshen it up. It’s obviously well needed. New lads are always welcome. They bring a different dynamic to the environment and it’s good to have those lads back. 

“There are one or two others who are coming in as well. It’s exciting times for Galway. It’s going to be a good year hopefully. It’ll be a tough challenge too, but that’s inter-county football. 

We’re looking forward to getting back into it and giving it a good crack. There’s big challenges coming along this year.

“The league is the first thing we’re really focusing on. We have to deal with Mayo on Sunday too so that’s a huge challenge given where they are. They seem to be flying, they have James Horan back and all that goes with that. So that should be an interesting game in Tuam on Sunday.

“That will probably give us a good gauge of where we are and then the League starts pretty much in January so it’ll be another battle in there to stay safe and then see where the championship takes us.”

Burke also paid tribute to former Galway coach Paddy Tally, who left Walsh’s set-up to take over his native Down.

“Paddy was a brilliant football coach. When he was with Galway he was a smart man who brought a lot of good concepts to us. He’ll make a great manager, I’d imagine, and he’s definitely an asset to Down.”

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CORK MANAGER RONAN McCarthy has named his team to face Clare in the final of the McGrath Cup on Saturday afternoon in Miltown-Malbay [throw-in 2pm].

His side defeated Limerick 3-15 to 0-7 in Rathkeale on Sunday, with Brian Hurley, Paul Walsh and Ian Maguire finding the back of the net and Peter Murphy, Aidan Browne, James Fitzpatrick and Eoghan McSweeney all coming on off the bench.

Clare saw off the challenge of Waterford in the final four, Colm Collins’ men securing a 1-17 to 1-6 win in Ballinacourty to set up a repeat of last year’s McGrath Cup decider.

Cork team to play Clare:

1. Chris Kelly (Eire Og)

2. Sam Ryan (St Finbarrs)
3. Peter Murphy (Bandon)
4. Aidan Browne (Newmarket)

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5. Liam O’ Donovan (Clonakilty)
6. Tom Clancy (Clonakilty)
7. Steven Cronin (Nemo Rangers) Captain

8. James Fitzpatrick (Carbery Rangers)
9. Ronan O’Toole (Eire Og)

10. John O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers)
11. Eoghan McSweeney (Knocknagree)
12. Cian Kiely (Ballincollig)

13. Mark Collins (Castlehaven)
14. Peter Kelleher (Kimichael)
15. Stephen Sherlock (St Finbarrs)

Substitutes:

16. Mark White (Clonakilty)
17. Kevin O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers)
18. Nathan Walsh (Douglas)
19. Conor Dennehy (St Finbarrs)
20. Tadhg Corkery (Cill Na Martra)
21. Kevin Flahive (Douglas)
22. Paul Walsh (Kanturk)
23. Tom Clancy (Fermoy)
24. Mattie Taylor (Mallow)
25. Damien Gore (Kilmacabea)
26. Brian Hurley (Castlehaven)

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DAVID TREACY KNOWS all about new Dublin manager Mattie Kenny, having worked with him for a number of years in the Cuala set-up.

The Dalkey club annexed two All-Ireland club titles during Kenny’s reign and the Galway native takes over from Pat Gilroy, who made tangible progress during his one year in charge.

There’s a strong Cuala presence in the county panel this year, with Sean Treacy, Mark Schutte and Darragh O’Connell all new additions to the squad.

Treacy says Kenny’s early focus was to familiarise himself with the players he hadn’t worked with at club level before

“I think the priority for him at the beginning was to get the know the rest of the players – he knows all us Cuala lads,” explains Treacy.

“It’s up to us then to get into good condition as quick as possible to get ready for the year. While the other players are getting used to Matty and he’s getting to know them, their strengths and weaknesses etc, we’re getting to know the new coaches who are involved there – Eoin Roche, Paul O’Brien and these lads.

“The message to the players is very simple, to take every match as it comes. That’s his personality from my experience.”

Dublin failed to make it out of Leinster last season but performed well and were on the wrong side of narrow defeats to Kilkenny, Wexford and Galway.

With a number of talented youngsters gaining valuable game-time in 2018, Treacy is hopeful the Sky Blues can make further inroads this year. 

“There was good progress made last year but Mattie’s single focus now is this season. It’s great to see it, he’s hungry to do as best as we can, and going out and trying to beat every single team we play is the priority now, beginning with the Walsh Cup.

“It’s getting as many players on the pitch now to see how it shapes up, to try out these new things, to get the best players on the pitch. It’s about getting our bodies right and being ready for the first round of the league against Carlow.

“Looking forward, it’s just about getting those one percents from last year. It’s not throwing everything out, it’s a case of where can we make improvements on what was done last year in Mattie’s style or whatever idea he has in his head.

“Great progress made last year but it’s a case of where can we add those differences instead of losing by a point or winning by a point. That starts with a big test on Sunday. We’ve had a good couple of games.

“Playing games every week is really beneficial towards us trying to get our style of hurling and knowing who plays where and making sure it’s organically becoming a system that we have.”

Dublin manager Mattie Kenny.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

A hamstring niggle against Offaly cut the 29-year-old’s Walsh Cup campaign short, but the decision was taken primarily as a precaution given his history of injuries in that area

“It was just a little niggle against Offaly toward the end of the first half,” he explains. “Mainly precautionary because I’ve had issues with that before. 

“I’m better off getting my body right at this time of the year and making sure that when I’m coming back that it’s all good. Because I don’t want to run into those issues half-way through the league or at the end of the league.”

Treacy is looking forward to lining out alongside his younger brother Sean in the Dublin colours this campaign.

“I just love being involved in that dressing room. Obviously, running and the slog, it just has to be done. You enjoy the feeling you feel after it. And you enjoy winning and being able to represent your county.

“Obviously, I’m playing with my brother this year – it’s great for my parents and I’m enjoying that as well. The enjoyment factor, without doubt, is still there for me.”

The recent retirements of Shane Durkin, Gary Maguire and Johnny McCaffrey saw three more members of Dublin’s 2013 Leinster winning side step away from the inter-county game.

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“Amazing, amazing servants. Johnny McCaffrey, Gary and Shane Durkin. When I was starting in 2009 I couldn’t believe Johnny was only a couple of years older than me – only 21 and he had a huge stature on the team.

“Gary too, if you think he’s a good goalie, you should see some of the saves he pulls off in training and then Shane’s attitude, I admire Shane a lot for his attitude towards training. They’re huge losses, they’re all huge leaders.

“The new panel is hugely positive too so I think the main priority for us, looking ahead is to keep everyone fit, to learn as much as we can and to develop a style of play for the league.”

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De La Salle Waterford 1-14
St Colman’s (Fermoy) 0-14

Tomas McCarthy reports from Fraher Field

DE LA SALLE College are back in the last four of the Dr Harty Cup after a three-year absence as they ground out victory in a game of two halves with St Colman’s this afternoon in Dungarvan.

Injury-time points by Mark Fitzgerald and Cormac Power sealed their place in the semi finals as the Waterford school withstood a late onslaught from the team in green.

Alan Kirwan’s goal helped them in an eight point lead after 23 minutes but Dermot Dooley’s side had to dig deep in the closing stages as Colman’s threatened an equaliser.

A sharper De La Salle utterly dominated the opening half hour of this contest. They sprinted five points ahead after eleven minutes. Cormac Power nailed three close range frees while Tom Gallagher obliged with two from long range as the Waterford school capitalised on the indiscipline of their opponents. James Kearney eventually got the visitors on scoreboard with thirteen on the clock.

On 20 minutes, Ben Hogan spilled a Kevin Mahony point attempt and Alan Kirwan was quickest to react and flicked the ball over the line (1-6 to 0-3). Subsequent points by Eoghan Reilly and Power (free) moved them eight in front.

Salle swarmed the middle and sent low ball into their lethal inside line. Reilly and Power struck spectacular efforts before the interval as they reached the dressing rooms 1-10 to 0-6 in front.

Colman’s retaliated with four unanswered points on the restart. Midfield duo Darragh Flynn (0-4) and Eoin Carey (0-3) spearheaded their comeback. It took De La Salle 21 minutes to register to first score of the second half via a Paddy Leavey free.

Leavey added another from play to offer them a four point cushion. Late points by Flynn, Carey and substitute Conor Barry seemed to tilt the momentum in favour of the Cork students but Salle resisted the pressure.

The two-time champions will oppose Midleton CBS in the semi finals on 26 January. They played out a draw in the group stages two months ago.

Scorers for De La Salle College: Cormac Power 0-6 (0-5f), Alan Kirwan 1-0, Tom Gallagher 0-3 (0-3f), Eoghan Reilly, Paddy Leavey 0-2 each, Mark Fitzgerald 0-1.

Scorers for St Colman’s College Fermoy: Darragh Flynn, David Lardner (0-4f) 0-4 each, Eoin Carey 0-3 (0-2f), James Kearney, Brian Roche, Conor Barry 0-1 each.

De La Salle College

1. Mark Kilgannon (Ballygunner)

2. Sean Harney (Ballygunner)
3. Darren Kenneally (De La Salle)
4. Sean O’Neill (Ballygunner)

7. Tom Gallagher (Ballygunner)
6. Cian Wadding (Roanmore)
5. Conor Ryan (Roanmore)

8. Kevin Mahony (Ballygunner)
9. Paddy Leavey (Ballygunner)

10. Alan Kirwan (Mount Sion)
11. Seaghan Walsh (De La Salle)
12. Mark Fitzgerald (Passage)

13. Eoghan Reilly (Passage)
14. Cormac Power (Ballygunner)
15. Gavin Corbett (Ballygunner)

Subs

18. Reuben Halloran (De La Salle) for Walsh (48)
17. Harry White (Roanmore) for Corbett (53)
20. Mikey Cummins (Passage) for Kirwan (59)

St Colman’s College Fermoy

1. Ben Hogan (Bride Rovers)

4. Ciaran O’Brien (St Catherine’s)
3. Jack Scannell (Fermoy)
2. Luke Ahearne (Fermoy)

5. Leon Doocey (Castlelyons)
6. Eoin Roche (Bride Rovers)
7. Greg Lardner (Fermoy)

8. Eoin Carey (Kilworth)
9. Darragh Flynn (Ballygiblin)

12. Patrick O’Flynn (Bride Rovers)
11. James Kearney (Castlelyons)
10. David Lardner (Fermoy)

13. David Morrison (Castlelyons)
14. Brian Roche (Bride Rovers)
15. Conleith Ryan (Bride Rovers)

Subs

19. Padraig O’Leary (Watergrasshill) for Ryan (40)
18. Conor Barry (Bride Rovers) for Morrison (48)
23. Peter Roche (Castlelyons) for Leon Doocey (57)

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Referee: Fergal Horgan (Tipperary)

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CORK COUNTY BOARD have unveiled their five-year Gaelic football plan, which aims to improve the standards at club and inter-county level in the code. 

The strategic plan, which will run up until 2024, will see the county making several key appointments including two games development administrators, a media relations officer and a high-performance director.

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It also states a number of outcomes which it will aim to deliver in areas such as participation and performance across all levels of football in Cork. The plan seeks to address the apathy and “growing disconnect” between supporters and the county teams. 

In addition, changes to the club championships will be made – including the immediate re-introduction of automatic relegation in all senior grades, plus a strictly-enforced fixtures calendar for adult footballers.

After a root and branch review of football in Cork, the document has been put together in response to a poor run of results in 2018 and in previous seasons. 

Cork chairperson Tracey Kennedy, former All-Ireland winning captain Graham Canty and ex-managers Conor Counihan and Brian Cuthbert were part of the committee that formed the recommendations.

You can read the full report on the Cork GAA website.

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Thurles CBS 3-31
John The Baptist CS Hospital 4-28

(After two periods of extra-time)

Conor Kane reports from Dundrum

AN ASTONISHING QUARTER-final in the Dr Harty Cup today ended without a winner, or without a loser to be more accurate, with both teams getting another merited day out after more than 90 minutes of hurling which will live long in the memory of everyone present.

Five minutes into injury-time during the “regular” match, Paddy Creedon scored the second of his hat-trick of goals to give Thurles CBS a lifeline and put the tie into extra-time.

Then it seemed that lifeline would prove enough as they belted in 1-3 without reply to move comfortably in front, before St John the Baptist roared back with a penalty goal by sharpshooter Dylan O’Shea and more points. It took a long O’Shea free from inside his own half to bring on an additional lot of extra-time.

Thurles hit the front yet again with points by Jack Leamy and Luke Cashin but O’Shea kept the Hospital school in it and after Jack Lee seemed to get a winner for CBS, another converted free from his own half by Dylan O’Shea levelled the scores for the final time.

Instead of the stipulated ’65′ competition, the teams agreed upon a replay so the large crowd get a chance to see it all again.

Scorers for Thurles CBS: Devon Ryan 0-14 (0-8f), Paddy Creedon 3-0, Jack Lanigan 0-4, Eoin Purcell, Luke Cashin, Jack Leamy 0-3 each, Max Hackett, Keith Ryan, Jack Lee, Darren Flood 0-1 each.

Scorers for St John the Baptist CS: Dylan O’Shea 2-17 (0-10f, 1-0 penalty, 1-0 free), Patrick Reale 1-1, Ryan Tobin 1-0, Oisin O’Grady 0-4, Peter Morrissey, Brian O’Grady 0-3 each.

Thurles CBS

1. Kevin Bracken (Thurles Sarsfields)

2. Peter Melbourne (Moycarkey-Borris)
3. John Kirwan (Moycarkey-Borris)
4. Jack Hickey (Emeralds)

6. Kevin Hayes (Moycarkey-Borris)
5. Frank Hanafin (Holycross)
7. Jack Ryan (Holycross)

8. Max Hackett (Moycarkey-Borris)
9. Kieran Moloney (Thurles Sarsfields)

10. Keith Ryan (Upperchurch-Drombane)
11. Devon Ryan (Kickhams)
12. Eoin Purcell (Thurles Sarsfields)

14. Darren Flood (Moycarkey-Borris)
13. Paddy Creedon (Thurles Sarsfields)
18. Jack Lanigan (Thurles Sarsfields)

Subs

15. Luke Cashin for D Flood (46)
30. Eoin Morris for F Hanafin (48)
25. Jack Leamy for J Kirwan (51)
21. James Synott for K Ryan (60)
5. Frank Hanafin for P Melbourne (68)
17. Jack Lee for P Creedon (68)

St John the Baptist CS

1. Darragh Macauley (Emly)

4. Patrick Byrne (Ballybricken)
3. Mark Quinlan (Garryspillane)
2. Killian Reale (Hospital-Herbertstown)

7. Alan Buckley (Knockainey)
6. Kevin Bonar (Bruff)
5. Brian Heavey (Garryspillane)

8. Eoin O’Mahony (Garryspillane)
9. Patrick Reale (Knockainey)

10. Ryan Tobin (Garryspillane)
11. Brian O’Grady (Kilteely-Dromkeen)
12. Michael Martin (Ballybricken)

13. Aidan O’Heney (Emly)
14. Dylan O’Shea (Garryspillane)
15. Oisin O’Grady (Hospital-Herbertstown)

Subs

17. Peter Morrissey for A O’Heney (27)
18. Killian O’Shea for P Reale (51)

Referee: Patrick Walsh (Waterford)

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THE LADIES FOOTBALL year is about to kick off once again with the return of the Lidl Ladies National Football League just around the corner.

Champions Dublin begin the defence of their first-ever Division 1 title against Donegal on Saturday, 2 February as part of a whole programme of fixtures.

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The league brings a fresh start and gives managers a chance to try and test new things throughout their panel and, of course, blood young players and reward rising talent with minutes,

Here’s a few few players who should really light up 2019.

Áine McDonagh (Galway)

McDonagh established herself as an exciting young player for Galway in 2018 and at the age of 19, her star is only going to continue to rise and rise in the year ahead.

McDonagh facing Niamh Collins last year.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

The Moycullen ace’s work-rate is through the roof as she seamlessly transitions from midfield to the forward line. Tall and slight in stature but incredibly physical, McDonagh’s hassling and winning of turnovers are a huge asset to this team, and she often chips in with a point or two.

The 2018 Connacht senior champion is most definitely also one to watch on UCD’s O’Connor Cup team, and was pivotal as they won the league in November.

Saoirse Noonan (Cork)

The 19-year-old’s role as Ephie Fitzgerald’s “super sub” was one of the stories of the summer in the 2018 All-Ireland senior championship.

Saoirse Noonan.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

After powering through the underage ranks, Noonan had a senior debut to remember as the Nemo Rangers star fired 2-2 in one half of football. From there, she added a further 4-9 in four more championship appearances off the bench, but her All-Ireland final appearance wasn’t just as prolific. 

The dual star — she’s also an underage Ireland international and plays with Cork City WFC — is currently recovering from a nasty knee injury but as she told The42 before Christmas, she’s going to drive on in 2019: “My aim is to get on earlier or try to start, grab a place maybe.”

Olwen Carey (Dublin) 

You could pick any one of several young Dublin players to watch here but for the purpose of this list Olwen Carey must take front and centre. 

Dublin star Olwen Carey.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

The Thomas Davis 22-year-old midfielder had a superb 2018 in the Sky Blue jersey but was overlooked for an All-Star. That said, hopefully that will drive her on this year as Mick Bohan’s charges target three in-a-row.

Another midfielder who seems to have it all: her engine and sheer fitness, her strength and physicality, her hassle in the tackle and cutting runs through the middle all epitomise Dublin’s game; and she’s fond of popping up with a goal at key moments.

Lauren McVeety (Cavan)

In Cavan, she’ll forever be remembered as the player who scored the goal to keep the Breffni county in senior football. 

Video: Sensational goal by teenager Lauren McVeety for @CavanLGFA, cooly chipping the keeper to complete a comeback from 9 points down to win the TG4 All Ireland SFC Relegation Final with Tipperary.. #Properfan@LadiesFootball pic.twitter.com/P5GoEZ06na

— Jerome Quinn (@JeromeQuinn) August 19, 2018

A minor at the time, she expertly lobbed the Tipperary goalkeeper, cool and collected as you like, completing a terrific comeback which saw James Daly’s side come from nine points down to retain their senior status and send the Premier county down.

McVeety, the sister of Cavan star Dara, finished with 1-2 from the bench that day.

Maria Canavan (Tyrone)

Maria Canavan (17) is one to keep an eye on.

Source: Oisin Keniry/INPHO

In Tyrone’s Ulster IFC semi-final last June, Canavan came off the bench with 38 minutes gone and by full-time, she finished top scorer with 1-7 to her name. She’s handy on the frees and can also slot a penalty or two, just as impactful starting as from the bench.

In two minutes of the Red Hand’s All-Ireland final win in Croke Park she assisted 1-1 and caught the eye alongside her cousin Áine — Peter’s daughter. Yes, she’s his niece. It really is in the blood.

Canavan also captained her club Errigal Ciaran to the Ulster minor club title in December 2017.

Source: Jerome Quinn/YouTube

Hannah O’Donoghue (Kerry)

In August 2017, O’Donoghue grabbed the headlines with a sparkling senior debut. The underage soccer international bagged 1-4 from play and well and truly caught the eye.

O’Donoghue had a senior debut to remember.

Source: Tom Beary/INPHO

2018 was slightly quieter on the senior scene for the 17-year-old sensation as she focused on her minor exploits — her scoring returns there were brilliant — and soccer with Cork City.

She was in fine goal-scoring form in late 2018 with UL and at the LGFA inter-pro tournament, a statement of intent perhaps for the year ahead. She’s a real talent and with the Kingdom looking to prove a point this year, O’Donoghue will be key.

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CORK SIDES MIDLETON CBS and Christian Brothers College both booked places in the Dr Harty Cup for the second successive year after they claimed quarter-final victories today.

They did it in contrasting styles with Midleton CBS hitting seven goals en route to a 17-point victory over Our Lady’s Templemore in Bansha and CBC Cork relying on a dramatic late goal from Declan Hanlon, who featured for Cork in the 2017 All-Ireland minor final, securing a 2-14 to 2-12 success over Nenagh CBS in Kilmallock.

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Midleton CBS, last year’s beaten finalists, were in front by 3-7 to 0-11 at the break against Our Lady’s and had seven goals on the board by the three-quarter mark. Kian Farmer and Jason Hankard both netted twice while Joe Stack, Gary Carroll and Ryan McCarthy all contributed goals.

CBC Cork, who lost out to eventual winners Ardscoil Rís at the semi-final stage last year, won an exciting clash. They were in front 1-6 to 0-7 at the break with Pádraig Power, who hit 1-8 overall, striking their goal. 

Despite being reduced to 14 men they managed to edge in front 1-14 to 1-12 near the finish. Bryan McLoughney, who notched 1-7 overall for Nenagh CBS, fired home what looked to be the winning goal in injury-time only for CBC to respond with Hanlon’s winner.

There was also schools action in round 2 in Leinster today with Coláiste Eoin triumphing in the all-capital tie with Dublin North and St Kieran’s Kilkenny saw off St Peter’s by 14 points.

Midleton CBS will now take on De La Salle Waterford, victors today over St Colman’s Fermoy, in the semi-final on 26 January while CBC Cork will meet the winners of the replay between JTB Hospital and Thurles CBS.

Dr Harty Cup quarter-final results

Midleton CBS 7-15 Our Lady’s Templemore 0-19
Christian Brothers College Cork 2-14 Nenagh CBS 2-12

Leinster Colleges SAHC Round 2
Coláiste Eoin 3-12 Dublin North 0-11
St Kieran’s Kilkenny 3-17 St Peter’s Wexford 0-12

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HOW DO YOU take down Dublin?

That’s the question on the minds of every All-Ireland contender heading into the 2019 campaign. The five-in-a-row, and immortality, is within Dublin’s grasp. Just like Offaly did to Kerry in 1982, it’s up to someone to find a way to stop them.

Michael McKernan clashes with Brian Howard during the All-Ireland final.

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

Their biggest challenge will come from the usual suspects. As All-Ireland finalists last September, Tyrone can rightfully consider themselves as the prime candidates to dethrone Jim Gavin’s side.

While they ran Dublin close in the Super 8s, the close scoreline could be put down to tightened pitch at Healy Park which suited Tyrone’s defensive, counter-attacking style.

Still, when they went man-on-man in the closing stages of that game and almost stole a draw, it showed that even Dublin could be hurt at the back if they were put under pressure.

On the wide open plains of Croke Park in the final, Mickey Harte went with a far more expansive system that pressed Dublin high up the field.

They performed far better than in the semi-final the previous year, when the Red Hand dropped 14 men behind the ball and Dublin sent them packing with a 12-point defeat.

Defender Michael McKernan believes the only way to take down Gavin’s all-conquering team is to push up and go mano a mano.

“You can’t sit back on them because every one of them can play football,” he says. “You can’t sit back because they’ll just pick through you. They’ll hold it until you come out. 

Michael McKernan of University of Ulster and Tyrone in attendance at the launch of Electric Ireland’s Sigerson, Fitzgibbon and Higher Education Championships announcement at Clanna Gael GAA Club in Dublin.

Source: David Fitzgerald/SPORTSFILE

“So it’s probably best to push up and go man-to-man for as long as you can. In the first 15 minutes the likes of Mark Bradley was very good, Connor McAliskey, all them boys inside. We were getting ball in fast. 

“I suppose the main thing is keeping it for 70 minutes. That’s very hard to do. Something we can probably improve on is our decision-making in matches. 

“Maybe in the final we went a few points in the lead and maybe started taking stupid shots. Whereas if we kept chipping away at the points it might have been a different outcome. 

“But you can’t take anything away from them, they’re unbelievable. And they probably are the best team to play Gaelic football. Fair play to them for what they’ve done.

“They’re very calm, they’ve been there and done it. They’ve experienced it. Hopefully last year’s experience will help us. You seen Mayo brought them to a replay and were only a kick of a ball away from beating them so I don’t think they’re as far as everyone says but it’s definitely a tough ask.” 

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Kernan enjoyed a brilliant debut campaign in the Tyrone rearguard. All-Star and Young Footballer of the Year nominations arrived in the winter and it’s reasonable to assume the Coalisland defender, who turns 21 this year, will only get better over the coming seasons.

He describes the experience of playing in his first senior final, and Tyrone’s first in a decade, as an “unbelievable” experience.

“I hadn’t played in Croke Park until this year. And then my third or fourth time playing in it was an All-Ireland final. It’s kind of surreal looking back on it. 

“It was a very good experience because I think maybe only Collie Cavanagh and Cathal McCarron who played in the 2008 final, no-one else had played in one. 

“Even for this year coming it gives us a lot of experience. If we get to that position again we’ll know how it feels and how not to be overwhelmed.” 

Michael McKernan celebrates after the semi-final win over Monaghan.

Source: Oisin Keniry/INPHO

Darragh Canavan’s ascension into the senior ranks has garnered plenty of attention, but McKernan points to other additions as a sign Tyrone will be even stronger in 2019.

“There’s a few new boys in. There’s Kyle Coney, Darren McCurry and Conan Grugan, they’re back in. Then there’s Liam Rafferty, Ryan Gray, Brian Kennedy – all them boys are in.

“So it’s definitely good because you have that competition pushing the boys that were there on. Hopefully it’ll be better this year than it was last year.”

He hasn’t got around to marking Canavan yet in county training as he’s focused on the upcoming Sigerson Cup campaign with Ulster University, but McKernan knows what’s coming. 

Coalisland defeated Errigal Ciaran in the Tyrone SFC quarter-final en-route to lifting the county title, and McKernan was impressed with what he saw from Peter Canavan’s son.

“He came on against us when we played them in the championship quarter-final. He came on for 15 minutes and I’d say if he was on any longer it could have been a different story – he’s just that good.

“I haven’t really had to mark him yet, but I’d say I’ll have to soon enough.” 

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OVER THE FESTIVE period, Seamus Flanagan finally got around to sticking on the tape of last August’s All-Ireland hurling final.

Seamus Flanagan after the All-Ireland final.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

The Limerick full-forward admits he “moved on pretty quickly” after a glorious rookie campaign where he helped Limerick end a 45-year famine without the Liam MacCarthy.

By reminiscing on the 2018 season for one final time, the 22-year-old feels it drew a line on that glorious summer. Onto the next one. 

“Christmas was where we sat back and watched back the games again,” he says.

“That was probably my first time watching the All Ireland final back in full. I’ve watched snippets here and there but I’ve put that to bed.

“That was then and I know it’s hard to say, you want to relive that moment again but I think I moved on pretty quickly after it and I’m just looking forward to getting back into it again.

“What’s one All Ireland when you’re 21? There’s a long career ahead and I’m looking to put back-to-back, if not more, together. You win one, you’re like that Clare team in 2013, you’re forgotten about again.

“It took them so long to get back there whereas we want to be back there next year, but again, one game at a time.”

Flanagan’s rise in the past 12 months has been nothing short of remarkable. He was an unused substitute in the 2017 All-Ireland U21 final as Limerick defeated Kilkenny for their second crown at the grade in three years.

While the likes of Cian Lynch, Aaron Gillane and Kyle Hayes were expected to backbone the senior side for years to come, Flanagan wasn’t tipped for greatness.

Flanagan at the Electric Ireland HE GAA launch. Electric Ireland launched the Sigerson, Fitzgibbon and Higher Education Championships today, announcing that Electric Ireland will live stream a selection of Fitzgibbon and Sigerson Cup games, bringing fans closer to the action than ever before.

Source: David Fitzgerald/SPORTSFILE

But John Kiely spotted a diamond in the rough and called him into the senior set-up that winter. Three months after warming the bench in that U21 final in the Gaelic Grounds, Flanagan was handed his first senior start in the Munster hurling league against Cork in Mallow.

“I remember I was more nervous for that game than I was for the All-Ireland final and that’s no joke,” he recalls.

“It was my first time getting a jersey off John Kiely. I was sitting beside Nickie Quaid and I was as white as a ghost. I thought I was going to get sick and he just said to relax and take it in my stride.”

Quaid’s words of advice worked a treat. Flanagan went out and bagged 1-2 on his debut. From that point he never looked back and became an ever-present in the Treaty side.

“I got on well enough in that game and I think I started every game from then to the All-Ireland final.”

“It’s huge and it just shows how important these games are. There was 15 lads that started the All-Ireland final and there was four or five who came on but people don’t see there’s an extended panel there of 10 or 11 and we’re after getting four or five more in this year.

“Those guys are looking for game time if not starting positions.”

Flanagan scans the field during the All-Ireland semi-final defeat of Cork.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

Flanagan’s place was by no means guaranteed after a strong pre-season with Limerick, but his form on the UCD team in their Fitzgibbon campaign helped his case even further.

“We weren’t expected to get out of our group and going down to the Mardyke there and beating UCC, that kickstarted it.

“It was massive for us and for me and I took that into the league then with me and that was where I sort of nailed my position down for the year and then kept it on for the championship.

“It was the Fitz that kicked that off and John Kiely always goes to those games you know?

“He was down at that game down in Cork and he came up to me congratulating me on the win. It was the Fitz that kicked if off and got it rolling for me then.”

An All-Star nomination and Celtic Cross were secured in 2018, but Flanagan is ready to scale new heights this year.

“Playing as All-Ireland champions, there’s always a target on your back but we’re going to take that in our stride, we’re a young team, we’ve had that in U21s, we’ve had that in minor, what’s it again in senior?

“We’ve all grown up together, we’ve all played on the same teams, everyone on that team bar the likes of Nickie Quaid and Graeme Mulcahy.

“So it’s huge but whatever, we’re going to take that on our backs and take it in our stride and bring on anyone who wants to take us on.”

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