Month: September 2021

Updated Apr 29th 2021, 6:23 PM

THERE IS GOOD news for sports teams around the country this evening with outdoor training permitted from Monday 10 May while matches can take place from Monday 7 June.

Covid 19 signage at training last summer.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

The measures were revealed as the government outlined their plans for the easing of restrictions in the coming weeks.

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On the same day, he says, hairdressers will reopen, along with libraries, museums and galleries, and team sports training in pods of 15.

He adds that up to 50 people will be allowed to attend religious services including weddings, funerals and masses.

— TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) April 29, 2021

Next week the green light will be given for adult team sports training in pods of no more than 15 people.

Then from that early June date, matches can be held outdoors but with no spectators.

Gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres will also be able to reopen their doors on 7 June, but they will not be permitted to hold classes – it will be individual training only.

Indoor team/group sports including matches, training and exercise classes is one of number of higher-risk activities that will be considered over the coming period for later in the year, along with having spectators at events.

GAA inter-county training returned on 19 April, with matches kicking off next Saturday, 8 May. 

Underage training resumed this week, as sports facilities, including pitches, golf courses and tennis courts, reopened on Monday.

League of Ireland [LOI] and Women’s National League [WNL] football have been underway for some time now, as has provincial rugby and the majority of international sport, along with horse racing meetings.

REIGNING CORK SENIOR hurling kingpins Blackrock will take on last year’s semi-finalists Erins Own after this evening’s draw for the 2021 club championships in the county.

On the day that adult club players received the green light to resume training in pods of 15 from Monday 10 May and can play games from Monday 7 June, the championship draws for the year ahead took place in Cork.

In the hurling Blackrock, who ended an 18-year wait last October for senior hurling glory, will meet Erins Own along with city rivals St Finbarr’s and last year’s senior A winners Charleville in their group.

Last year’s beaten finalists Glen Rovers will take on Douglas, Newtownshandrum, Bishopstown.

The remaining group will feature the East Cork trio of Sarsfields, Midleton and Carrigtwohill – who won five counties between them in the 2010-2014 period – and city team Na Piarsaigh.

In the football, last year’s premier senior final is still to be played but the two sides in contention, Castlehaven and Nemo Rangers, do know who they will take on in the group stages this year.

Castlehaven will meet fellow West Cork teams Carbery Rangers and Newcestown, along with the winners of the senior A final involving Éire Óg and Mallow, that is still an outstanding fixture.

Nemo Rangers will face Valley Rovers, Douglas and Carrigaline. Then it’s 2018 champions St Finbarr’s up against Ballincollig, Clonakilty and Ilen Rovers in the remaining group.

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2021 Cork Championship Draws

Premier Senior Football

• Group A – Nemo Rangers, Valley Rovers, Douglas, Carrigaline.
• Group B – Castlehaven, Newcestown, Carbery Rangers, Mallow/Éire Óg.
• Group C – St Finbarr’s, Ballincollig, Clonakilty, Ilen Rovers.

Premier Senior Hurling

• Group A – Glen Rovers, Douglas, Newtownshandrum, Bishopstown.
• Group B – Sarsfields, Na Piarsaigh, Midleton, Carrigtwohill.
• Group C – Blackrock, Erins Own, St Finbarr’s, Charleville.

Senior A Football

• Group A – O’Donovan Rossa, Bandon, Béal Áth An Ghaorthaidh, Dohenys.
• Group B – Bishopstown, St Michael’s, Kiskeam, Winner Knocknagree/Kanturk. 
• Group C – Fermoy, Loser Mallow/Éire Óg, Clyda Rovers, Bantry Blues.

Senior A Hurling

• Group A – Kanturk, Bandon, Fermoy, Blarney. 
• Group B – Ballyhea, Bride Rovers, Ballymartle, Mallow. 
• Group C – Fr O’Neill’s, Newcestown, Cloyne, Killeagh. 

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CORK STAR DOIREANN O’Sullivan is backing her club manager, Shane Ronayne, to succeed in his new role with the Waterford senior footballers.

A renowned coach on the ladies football scene, the multiple All-Ireland winning boss is making his first major management move into the men’s game.

Ronayne was appointed Déise boss in January, having stepped down from his post in Tipperary the previous month. With the Premier county, he won four national titles in as many years, while he’s also steered Mourneabbey to back-to-back All-Ireland club crowns.

It was the latter where O’Sullivan worked under Ronayne, the Mitchelstown native taking the reins in 2014 before driving the Clyda outfit to six county and provincial championship titles in-a-row.

Having spoken to Ronayne on the phone earlier yesterday, O’Sullivan reports: 

“He’s loving it, really happy to be back. I think the Waterford lads are really lucky to have Shane. He brings a huge professionalism to things.

I remember his first year with Mourneabbey, we were literally blown away with the stuff he was bringing us — and that was at club level, so you can only imagine he’s going to bring it to a whole new level at inter-county.

“He has great people with him. He was praising them this morning. He has the right structures in place. He was saying that for the first couple of weeks, he was keeping in nice and simple, getting the basics right and building that rapport with the players.

“Obviously Shane is at a disadvantage in that he has to try to get to know his management team and players, that takes time as well, and unfortunately, this year, time isn’t on his side.

“It’s a huge task in front of him but he loves that. He loves a challenge, so he’ll fly it.”

Another person she is backing to succeed in a new chapter is former team-mate Saoirse Noonan. 

Saoirse Noonan at a home-based Republic of Ireland WNT squad training this week.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

The dual star made the switch from Cork City to Shelbourne ahead of the 2021 Women’s National League [WNL] season, and stepped away from Ephie Fitzgerald’s Rebels set-up to concentrate on soccer — for now.

While ruing her loss, O’Sullivan completely understands Noonan’s decision.

“Absolutely,” she nods. “Look, I think it’s possible to balance camogie and football.

“We have a lot of dual players; Hannah Looney, Libby [Coppinger], Isobel [Sheehan], Maebh Cahalane; but it is different trying to balance soccer and football, given they’re two completely different Associations.

“She was struggling with fixture clashes, she was being dragged in too many directions so she made the decision this year to focus on soccer and give it 100% instead of, I suppose, getting distracted by other things.

Unfortunately, we are really sad to see Saoirse step away this year but she’s 22, so I have no doubt she will be back in a Cork jersey in the years to come.”

It’s all about the current crop at the minute, plenty of continuity otherwise along with young blood as they look to bounce back from December’s All-Ireland final defeat to Dublin.

Normally, club football would be there as a fresh focus after the inter-county finale, so last year was certainly challenging given its absence, along with everything that was happening off the pitch.

“Obviously, that was a hard pill to swallow. We thought we had prepared exceptionally well, had a really good first half and a poor second half, to be honest. Look, Christmas wasn’t that enjoyable. Two years in-a-row, we were celebrating club All-Irelands.”

Cork star Doireann O’Sullivan was speaking at the GPA Return to Play Media Event.

Source: Brendan Moran/SPORTSFILE

Soul-searching and analysis followed, with learnings to be taken going forward as they controlled the controllables through the lay-off.

After a successful return to training, the league kicks off on 23 May and Cork are in Division 1B alongside Dublin, Tipperary, and Waterford. That said, it is ”frustrating” not knowing the LGFA championship dates or format, with LGFA club and county players left in the dark while the GAA released its master fixture list three weeks ago.

But excitement is certainly building for the condensed league, as Cork find their feet.

“We are in transition. I kind of hate saying that but look, we are,” O’Sullivan noted at one point, just days after Niamh Cotter saying that that tag was grating on the team.

“We have lost a lot of players. Even I was watching Reeling In The Years there, the 2012 final, I think there’s two or three of us still on the team. We have a lot of new girls so we’ll be using a lot of players, as well as that league format to get the minutes under the belts.”

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

Different Backgrounds; One Association – Doireann O’Sullivan, Sarah Dervan, Paul Geaney and Dan Morrissey were taking part in the GPA’s Return to Play event to mark the first season where all senior inter-county players are part of the one player Association.

Different Backgrounds, One Association.

Thanks to Paul Geaney, Sarah Dervan, Doireann O’Sullivan and Dan Morrissey for taking part in the GPA’s Return to Play event to mark the first season where all senior inter-county players are part of the one player association. pic.twitter.com/zjEWlAZpmn

— GPA (@gaelicplayers) April 29, 2021

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KERRY STAR PAUL Geaney was given some relieving news this week as the hospitality industry looks set to reopen again after a long period of inactivity.

Kerry forward Paul Geaney.

Source: Brendan Moran/SPORTSFILE

Pubs and restaurants have been forced into long-term closures in recent months due to the ongoing threat of the Covid-19 pandemic. The situation worsened in the run-up to Christmas, as the rate of cases increased to worrying levels, resulting in a shutdown for the sector.

For Paul Geaney’s Bar & Restaurant in Dingle, the doors have been closed for some nine of the past 12 months with just takeaway and home delivery services in operation.

However, there was some positive news to report this week, indicating some light at the end of the tunnel for businesses across the country as the summer approaches.

“It’s been a tough year,” says Geaney. “We got news this morning, it’s going to be around the 6 June or so.

“So looking forward to that. We started doing a bit of takeaway there. It was home delivery – we had to sign an agreement with Diageo that we wouldn’t be selling takeaway. It got knocked on the head there around January.

“We had to sign an agreement to say we would only be doing home deliveries. So I had to kit out an old van there. I was driving around the community there the last two or three weeks, delivering pints out the back of the van – and some food.

“So we managed to get up and running a small bit. Through that, I was able to meet a couple of people as well. The excitement of delivering pints to people who hadn’t seen a draft pint in a while – it was like being Santa on Christmas morning. So there was a bit of excitement with that.”

Geaney adds that his interactions with the locals would often lead to chats about football, and the growing excitement about the start of the GAA season in the coming weeks.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

Kerry fans will be particularly eager for their league campaign to get underway after their dramatic exit from the championship last year. An injury-time goal from Mark Keane saw the Kingdom bow out to Cork in the Munster SFC semi-final. With a straight knockout format in place, that result also dumped Kerry out of the All-Ireland competition.

Geaney was ruled out of that fixture due to injury, but says he was “close” to regaining his fitness in time for selection.

Hoping that he would be back in the frame in time for the final, he was forced to look on from behind the TV screen as his team crashed out.

“It was a disaster really for us,” says Geaney who didn’t watch the All-Ireland final between Dublin and Mayo on the day as the reality of their disappointing loss was “still too fresh.” He has since watched the game where Dessie Farrell’s side completed the six-in-a-row.

“I watched it in the pub with my father. We were watching it on a big screen in an empty bar, height of winter. The weather was miserable.

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“The next thing, a late goal and we’re pipped. I turned my mind straight away to the boys in Cork, who had to travel individually to the game and then back again.

“Tom O’Sullivan, a club mate and a good friend of mine, was just up the road. I didn’t speak to him for a month afterwards. It was tough that way.”

The shock defeat at Páirc Uí Chaoimh later resulted in rumours of unrest in the Kerry squad while manager Peter Keane was reportedly coming under pressure to make changes to his backroom team.

Geaney, however, insists that those rumours are wholly untrue and stresses that the management has the full support of its players as the new season looms.

“Rumours are rumours,” he begins. “I tweeted at the time about certain rumours, that they were fake news. It was nonsense. Absolute nonsense.

“Just to put a bottom line on it while I have the chance now: it’s absolute nonsense. We’re fully behind the management team. I couldn’t be stronger on that.

“As an elder statesman in the team, it’s important to really underline that. We’re very happy with the setup. We’ve learned from the Cork game. And we’re looking forward to showing what we’ve learned.”

Remarking on how misinformation can spread rapidly on social media, Geaney added:

“It’s a reality of life today because of the nature of Whatsapp and how quickly you can forward a rumour or pictures or whatever it is these days.

“It’s just reality of the day. You have to live with that. But to be honest, I heard it and then I didn’t take any notice of it. When there’s no truth in it, I didn’t think about saying anything about it.

“There’s been worse said about other players in other situations so it’s just something in general that people in society have to deal with in this day and age because rumours can spread like wildfire.

“I’m ten years playing with Kerry now and any year without a rumour…I don’t know has there been one. If I’d a Euro for every rumour I heard, I wouldn’t worry about having to open the pub next month.”

Different Backgrounds; One Association – Paul Geaney was taking part in the GPA’s Return to Play event to mark the first season where all senior inter-county players are part of the one player association.

DUBLINER JAMES MADDEN is set to make his AFL debut for Brisbane Lions this weekend, named on the interchange bench for the Round 7 clash with Port Adelaide at the Gabba.

The 21-year-old signed for Brisbane in August 2018, after an impressive run with the Dublin minors and eye-catching outings at the AFL European Combine in UCD in December ’17 — there, he broke the the all-time AFL Draft Combine 20m sprint record — and at the the AFL Academy in Florida in January ’18, to which he was invited as a result.

Madden, of the Ballyboden St Enda’s club, was part of the Sky Blues’ 2017 Leinster minor title-winning side, who lost out to Derry in the All-Ireland semi-final. In the summer of ’18, he lined out at centre-forward for the U20 side that reached the Leinster football final.

In May 2019, he signed a contract extension Down Under, having first joined the club as a Category B international rookie on a two-year contract. That season, he began to learn his craft in the North East Australian Football League [NEAFL], playing 16 games for an undefeated side.

Now, Madden makes his AFL debut, his progression to his first senior game a testament to his determination and tireless work ethic to improve his fundamental skills and understanding of the game, says Lions head of development, Scott Borlace:

“It is a story of perseverance and I’m sure there has been the lure of going home at different times, but he has stuck at it and I’m rapt that he gets the chance to make his debut and I couldn’t be prouder of him.

“He obviously had his speed which is what attracted the club to draft him, but he is also really tough.

“For someone who comes from a sport where there’s not a lot of contact, he relishes the physical stuff and the contest so he will be hard to play against.”

The Beast & The Debutant ☘️

You asked for it… you got it! Rhys 'The Beast' returns and we welcome a speedy debutant to the fold 🦁 #Uncaged

— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) April 30, 2021

Madden replaces Darcy Gardiner, who must miss this week under the AFL’s concussion protocols, and joins Rhys Mathieson as the two new faces to the side that beat Carlton by 18 points at Marvel Stadium in Round 6.

“One thing you can count on, James Madden will have a Craic,” the team announcement released by Brisbane reads.

“It will be a celebration for the Irish speedster when he makes his AFL debut for the Lions against Port Adelaide at the Gabba on Saturday.

“Having heard the hype around his blistering pace, Lions fans would be hoping to see the jet-heeled Dubliner put on the afterburners and leave an opponent in his wake.

“But his coaches and teammates are just as excited about his willingness to crack into the contest.”

Brisbane Lions is also the adopted home of Tipperary ace Orla O’Dwyer, the ladies football and camogie dual star helping the AFLW side to Grand Final glory recently.

Elsewhere in the AFL, Colin O’Riordan [Tipperary/Sydney Swans], Zach Tuohy [Laois/Geelong], Mark Keane [Cork/Collingwood] and Darragh Joyce [Kilkenny/St Kilda] are also set to play for their respective sides this weekend. Kerry’s Mark O’Connor [Geelong] is out injured, while Meath’s Conor Nash is among the Hawthorn emergencies.

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Updated Apr 30th 2021, 3:00 PM

GALWAY CAMOGIE CAPTAIN Sarah Dervan says the financial inequality between men and women in sport is “Stone Age” stuff and says she wants to see more parity between the genders.

Galway camogie captain Sarah Dervan.

Source: Brendan Moran/SPORTSFILE

This issue came before the Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht this week, where members voiced their anger about the current situation for women in sport.

CEO of the Camogie Association, Sinéad McNulty, and Gemma Begley of the GPA/WGPA were among those who spoke during the session, and outlined the funding issues affecting female players.

It was revealed that male players in the GAA receive over €3m in Government grants while their female counterparts are given just over €700,000 annually.

Under a proposal by Sinn Féin TD Imelda Munster, the committee agreed to write to the Department of Sport and request that a task force be set-up to consider all aspects of funding for female sport.

“It’s brilliant to see that it did get the airtime that it did in the Oireachtas,” says Dervan.

“Funding is an issue, I would love to see it equal. I watched back everything that was said and it’s hard to see how the men got 3million euros and the women in sport only got 700,000 so I’d love to see that equal across all codes and genders.

“It’s definitely something we need to work on.

“It’s huge to see politicians putting the hand up and recognising that this is an issue. From the leveling the playing field report that the WGPA brought out, to see that 69% of female athletes pay for their own gym, 92% that don’t get compensation for travel [expenses].

“It’s fine for people [who are] working, but students that have to prioritise training over part-time work, they are actually out of pocket. You want to see that gone, that’s Stone Age stuff. We want to see women in sport coming to the fore and being seen as equal to the men. And that some day, not too far in the future, we’ll just call it sport.”

Doireann O’Sullivan, Sarah Dervan, Paul Geaney and Dan Morrissey were taking part in the GPA’s Return to Play event to mark the first season where all senior inter-county players are part of the one player association.

Source: SPORTSFILE

When asked how playing inter-county camogie impacts her own finances, Dervan said:

“Thankfully, I’m working in Galway so training is never too far away. I suppose I don’t really think about it too much in terms of I just get on with because it’s so normal which is shocking I think.

“It’s just become the norm that we do that, that we pay for our own hurls, we look after ourselves. Players pay for their own gym. In this day and age, it’s not good enough. Camogie and Ladies football are at such an elite level now, we want to make sure they get the showcase they deserve and be able to put their best foot forward.

“They can only do that by getting the funding. Personally for me, it’s normal and I just get on with it. I’m fortunate enough to be working full-time. If I was a student, I’d probably have a bigger issue. And I do feel for the girls that are students on our panel.”

On a more positive note, dual players are to be formally recognised by the Camogie Association. A motion was passed at the association’s Congress earlier this month, with 81% of delegates voting to officially recognise those who play both football and camogie.

Dervan hailed the move as “absolutely brilliant” while Cork footballer Doireann O’Sullivan insists that dual players need to guaranteed that fixture clashes will be avoided going forward.

“We have four girls on the panel,” O’Sullivan begins, “who are playing both and it’s just not fair on them at all. They’re out six nights a week, being pulled in different directions and the least those girls deserve is to have fixtures that suit them.

“It would be an unbelievable step forward and a huge progression in terms of women’s sport if we could have it that they met before putting pen to paper and putting dates in the calendar, that these issues could be resolved before we ever take off in 2021.”

Additionally, the GPA and WGPA announced a historic merger at the end of last year. The move was announced after hold a extraordinary general meeting [EGM] where 100% of GPA delegates and 96% of WGPA delegates voted in favour of joining forces and creating a 4,000-strong association.

Kerry footballer Paul Geaney praised both groups for the progressive decision. 

“I think it’s historic that the two Associations have merged into the one. I think it’s 4,000 strong now. And the return to play is obviously a big part of that.

“It’s needed and it’s great leadership from the GPA to do that. We’ve seen over the last year, different things in society. And equality in sport is a big thing. It’s great to see the GPA leading that.

“I have three sisters and two play with Kerry underage and Dingle as well. Dingle did the same thing; our club is very progressive; they merged the ladies and the men’s clubs together last year and we all have the same facilities.

“I think if every club in the country approached it that way I think it would go a hell of a long way rather the ladies not having dressing rooms to tog out in with all the difficulties we have.”

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THE LADIES GAELIC Football Association [LGFA] have announced that a clearer picture of the 2021 season should be outlined next week.

The dates for the Lidl Ladies National Football Leagues were recently confirmed, with the competition running from 22/23 May to finals weekend on 26/27 June.

Uncertainty reigns over the TG4 All-Ireland championship, however, with no dates or format announced.

Likewise, there is no clarity for club players as to how their season will unfold.

The GAA, meanwhile, recently released a master fixtures plan.

“It is our intention to issue a more detailed communication to Clubs and Counties next week and once further information is available,” today’s Covid-19 update, signed off by CEO Helen O’Rourke reads.

The statement comes after last night’s “positive” Government announcement, in which it was confirmed that adult team training — in pods of 15, including coaches — can return on 10 May, with the inter-county equivalent already back.

From 7 June, and subject to the public health situation at the time, behind-closed-doors club games will be permitted at all levels.

“We need to receive further clarity on aspects of what was announced last evening,” the update adds.

“We are currently liaising with the relevant Departments to seek further information on the finer details of what will be permitted at various points in the recovery plan. For the moment, we would ask for your patience in relation to questions you and the broader membership no doubt have in relation to the various return dates and the specifics of what will be allowed.”

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Covid-19 update: 30/04/2021

"It is our intention to issue a more detailed communication to Clubs and Counties next week and once further information is available"@ConnachtLGFA @LeinsterLGFA @MunsterLGFA @UlsterLadies https://t.co/lojnOrgIiA

— Ladies Football (@LadiesFootball) April 30, 2021

Like the GAA, the LGFA are also “seeking clarity” on when inter-county challenge games can commence, along with training for inter-county underage teams, with communication with county secretaries to follow.

“In the interim, we would ask for your patience while we complete this work and we look forward to communicating in detail with you all again as soon as possible in relation to the resumption of Gaelic Games activity.”

Yesterday, Cork captain Doireann O’Sullivan said it was “frustrating” not to have championship dates or formats, or clarity on how the county and club seasons will pan out.

“Now with things opening, girls want to make plans and stuff,” the Mourneabbey forward said at the GPA Return to Training event.

“Myself and my sister Ciara are playing inter-county and club football. My other two sisters, Maebh and Roisin are playing club football so from both sides of it, both club and county players, want fixtures sooner rather than later.

“I think there was an 82% push and support of the split season. From my point of view anyway, I do find it hard to balance both. You feel guilty I think if your priority is one over the other. And I know trainers and management teams do their best to accommodate players but it’s hard.

“I think we’re only going to see a spike in injuries if we don’t go down the split season road, if we don’t go down that way because girls’ training load… there’ll be a huge spike in training. I think it’s the obvious thing to do.

Different Backgrounds, One Association.

Thanks to Paul Geaney, Sarah Dervan, Doireann O’Sullivan and Dan Morrissey for taking part in the GPA’s Return to Play event to mark the first season where all senior inter-county players are part of the one player association. pic.twitter.com/zjEWlAZpmn

— GPA (@gaelicplayers) April 29, 2021

“I really do hope we get that because from a club girls point of view as well, they’re training maybe two months for one match, then another two months for another match. So from that point of view as well, I do think regular matches and to have dates in the calendar would give players huge motivation and a focus as well because at the moment it is a bit up in the air.”

“I understand they’re [LGFA] in hugely difficult circumstances, we’re in a global pandemic at the end of the day, we don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow,” she added.

“But look, with things kind of reopening and the Government announcement, I do think it’s probably possible that we have some idea. Even if it’s just which is coming first at this stage, that’s all players want to know. And that the dates come maybe at a later date.

“But is it club football, is it county football? I think these are questions that at the end of April now we really should have the answers to.”

Colin O’Riordan (right) in action for the Sydney Swans.

Source: AAP/PA Images

THERE WAS A winning start for Dubliner James Madden to his AFL career on a busy day of action for Irish players in Aussie Rules action.

Madden made his bow for Brisbane Lions in their Round 7 clash with Port Adelaide at the Gabba.

And the Lions cruised to victory, 93-44, with Madden contributing 11 disposals from his interchange role.

The Ballyboden St-Enda’s club man signed for Brisbane in August 2018 after impressing for the Dublin minor footballers and at the AFL European Combine in UCD in December 2017.

The Lions are now in the top eight after this victory as they move to seventh.

Irish debutant, James Madden, ready to roar.

Learn more about James here: https://t.co/ZBweisdZEK#AFLLionsPort pic.twitter.com/IsIOFxrfjE

— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) May 1, 2021

It was also a notable weekend for Tipperary’s Colin O’Riordan as he made his first AFL outing of the 2021 season for the Sydney Swans.

And they won 90-88 in a thrilling encounter against the Geelong Cats, who had Laois man Zach Tuohy in action with Kerry’s Mark O’Connor out injured. A match-winning goal late on from Tom Papley gave the Swans the victory.

O’Riordan had 14 disposals and three marks for the Swans while Tuohy had 18 disposals and seven marks for the Cats.

A dejected Zach Tuohy (second left) after Geelong’s defeat.

Source: AAP/PA Images

Kilkenny’s Darragh Joyce enjoyed his first win of the season in St Kilda colours as they ran out convincing 128-59 victors against Hawthorn.

Joyce played for the first time in 2021 last week against Port Adelaide, his first AFL appearance in two years. He had 12 kicks and five marks as the 2014 All-Ireland minor hurling winning captain helped his team triumph.

Darragh Joyce (centre) tries to mark the ball against the Hawks.

Source: AAP/PA Images

Meath’s Conor Nash wasn’t involved with Hawthorn in the match between teams ranked 13th and 16th on the AFL ladder.

There was disappointment for Cork’s Mark Keane as his Collingwood team lost out 79-55 to the Gold Coast Suns at the MCG.

Keane, playing only his third ever AFL game, had 13 disposals and 4 marks during the game.

Mark Keane (file photo).

Source: AAP/PA Images

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1. Imagine, just for a second, that a man did all of this. His mug would be splashed across Connolly Station Bridge so people marching on Croker could see him. His brand would amass seven-figure annual returns from a post-career media profile. He’d be a household name, loved or despised with everyone agreeing he’s an ‘athletic freak’.

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Lindsay Peat.

Source: Inpho.

O’Connor, as a coach, is well placed to explain how it is even possible for an athlete to play four sports at the highest level.

“Pound for pound she is the strongest female athlete I’ve come across. It is just sheer force of personality as well. If we were practising high catching she’d go ‘Right, we are practicing together’. Mainly because nobody else wanted an elbow in the gob but also she knew I worked a lot of the high catch ‘You practice it all the time and you are the tallest so I want to practice with you ‘cause you’ll be the hardest to beat.’

FOUR-TIME ALL-Ireland winner Katrina Parrock has returned to the Wexford camogie panel ahead of the 2021 season.

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Parrock, who was part of Wexford’s three-in-a-row All-Ireland champions, has linked up with the squad after stepping away from inter-county camogie in 2017.

She was 17 when she played in her first All-Ireland final, coming on as a substitute to score a goal against Cork in the 2007 decider and help secure a first O’Duffy Cup for the county in 32 years.

A talented athlete across various sports growing up, Parrock went on to join Wexford Youths in 2018 and scored the winning goal as they captured the FAI Cup.

They finished that season with three titles, winning the Women’s National League crown and the Women’s Development Shield along with the FAI Cup.

Parrock, who is also a three-time All-Star winner, posted “It’s Great To Be Back” on her Twitter account today as she prepares to resume her Wexford camogie career.

It's Great To Be Back 💜💛

— Katrina Parrock (@KatrinaParrock) May 3, 2021

She brings plenty of experience to the squad ahead of their Division 2 campaign which is set to begin on 15 May against Kilkenny.

The Camogie Association has come under criticism in recent days over the proposal of a controversial split-season format.

The planned camogie schedule for 2021 is inter-county league, club championship and then inter-county championship, in that order, rather than the county-before-club split season the GAA and Ladies Gaelic Football Association [LGFA] have followed.

However, the Gaelic Players Association [GPA] has revealed that 84% of players who have responded to a survey voted that they will not participate in the camogie leagues, should the current season structure be implemented.

The Camogie Association has also released a statement saying it intends to poll its members over the next seven days which “will guide our fixture calendar.”

Always worth zooming in on posts like this pre-National Leagues…! 4-time All Ireland champion & 3-time All Star sharpshooter Katrina Parrock is back with the Wexford Camogie panel for the first time since the 2017 season 👀 https://t.co/NZvxt1hChG

— Elaine Buckley (@ElaineBucko) May 3, 2021