Month: September 2021

Updated May 10th 2021, 5:11 PM

Leitrim hurler Zak Moradi at today’s launch in Croke Park.

A NEW JERSEY was launched today in Croke Park which will see the Leitrim hurlers partner with Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) in saying no to racism.

The Leitrim senior side will display the slogan ‘No To Racism’ on their jerseys for the 2021 season.

They play their opening game next Sunday afternoon of the new campaign at home to Louth in Carrick-on-Shannon in Division 3B of the Allianz Hurling League.

The project was made possible with support from The One Foundation.

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Leitrim players, One Foundation rep Brian Mulvihill and the GPA’s Colm Begley at today’s launch.

Source: Greg Byrne

“Racism is one of the worst things you can encounter,” said Leitrim hurler Zak Moradi.

“It creates a huge divide between people and without its existence we would have a more peaceful, welcoming and inclusive society.

“We want to raise awareness and create a community that sticks together as a whole with no divides. We’re all human and we all deserve a sense of belonging regardless of race. We want the same team spirit of sports: all for one and one for all.”

The Leitrim hurlers have chosen to partner with MRCI because of its long history in tackling racism and discrimination in the labour market and fighting for the rights of migrant workers and their families.

“Sport plays a very important role in promoting diversity and inclusion,” said MRCI Director Edel McGinley.

“The Leitrim jersey sends a clear message, raises awareness and shows solidarity with everyone impacted by racism. We commend the leadership shown by Leitrim Hurling team, the GAA and Zak Moradi in taking this stand. We would like to thank The One Foundation for their support in making this initiative possible.”

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Updated May 10th 2021, 7:18 PM

SLIGO FOOTBALLER NEIL Ewing has announced his retirement from the senior inter-county game.

The 33-year-old defender started out in 2008 and featured in three Connacht finals. Success eluded him in those clashes against Roscommon in 2010 and twice against Mayo (2012 and 2015).

Ewing outlined how injury had been a reason behind his decision to bow out.

“Dodged injury for a long time but luck couldn’t last forever. At the minute the body is not willing to do what the heads is telling it. It was a childhood dream to pull on the Sligo jersey. An honour to have enjoyed the opportunity to do so.

“From 2008 it has been a privilege beyond words to get to play alongside some who were heroes growing up, some who will be future stars and some whose monumental, unseen, commitment to train/travel/prepare didn’t get them a regular run in the 1-15 jersey.”

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Grateful to have had the opportunity to fulfil a childhood dream. Time for the terrace. pic.twitter.com/jbATeJIfzy

— Neil Ewing (@Bob__Ewing) May 10, 2021

The Drumcliffe-Rosses Point club man admitted his regret at not landing that provincial honour.

“Hugely disappointing to not have a Connacht championship medal. Will forever regret a free I gave away in 2010. Did everything I could, in my limited capabilities, to make up for that moment.

“In the absence of achieving ambitions I have to take solace in the great experiences shared, friends made and support received along the way.”

Confirmation also from @OfficialCorkGAA selector Sean Hayes that @carrigoon @Lockaldhino has called time on his inter-county career.
Best of luck to James who played some outstanding games in the red jersey.
Game v @KildareGAA live on @BigRedBench @C103Cork pic.twitter.com/cWPJMW0WVa

— Finbarr Mc Carthy (@FiFinnymac) May 10, 2021

Elsewhere this evening, it has been confirmed that Cork’s James Loughrey has called time on his inter-county career.

Local radio station 96fm reported the news this evening, days after The Echo first broke the Belfast-born defender’s retirement story.

Having played for Antrim before, Loughrey joined the Rebel set-up at the start of 2013 when he moved to live and work on Leeside.

The 34-year-old established himself as a mainstay in the Cork defence from there — though recently struggled with injury — while playing his club football with Mallow.  

– additional reporting from Emma Duffy.

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FOUR-TIME ALL-Ireland winner Katrina Parrock says the Camogie Association “needs to get on top” of the ongoing saga regarding the 2021 fixture plan.

Katrina Parrock in action for Wexford in 2016.

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

Members are currently being polled about what format should be adopted for the season after a consultation document was circulated last week.

Two options have been presented in the document, one of which proposes a controversial format which would see the season open up with the National Leagues. The club championship would then follow with the inter-county All-Ireland championships taking place later in the year.

The second option follows the inter-county-club schedule which the GAA and LGFA are implementing for this season.

The polling process was announced following a turbulent period for the Association after initially proposing plans to follow an inter-county-club-inter-county schedule for the season. 

A survey by the GPA also revealed that 84% of players who responded said they would not participate in the upcoming National Leagues should those plans be retained.

Parrock, who recently returned to the Wexford panel after previously stepping away in 2017, says the ongoing saga is not fair on players.

“I’m trying to stay away from it and focus on my own game,” she told The42 in a wide-ranging interview which covers different facets of her sporting career including her recent inter-county comeback. 

The second part of that interview will be published later this week.

“But I have seen things and the girls have been talking about the different options that are available.

“At the end of the day, I know it’s coming down to a vote but the Camogie Association need to get on top of this.

“County players are putting in the time effort and commitment for both club and county. And it’s just not acceptable for county players to be facing… they can’t plan anything, especially if some of them are working. How are they meant to arrange time off and that kind of stuff.

“To not know, a week going into the start of the league and there’s no resolution there. The LGFA have theirs sorted, the hurling is all sorted but yet, the camogie always seems to be that little step behind. It’s just really not on for the players and I suppose there’s nothing really we can do about it but give our word and try to put our foot down a little bit.

“We’ll see what the outcome will be tomorrow.”

The three-time All-Star added that players want to be focusing on their sport as the start of the league campaign looms. Wexford are due to get their Division 2 campaign underway against Kilkenny on Saturday.

“I’m trying to keep my focus and I’m sure a lot of players are [too] but obviously this in the background isn’t helping players look forward and get ready for the weekend ahead,” she says.

“I just think they need to think about the players a bit more and look, the LGFA and GAA and everything is in order. The Camogie [Association] always seems to want to be that little bit different. I don’t know what it is but it’s just not fair and it’s frustrating for the players.”

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

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On a more positive note, the Minister for Sport announced today that female GAA players across the LGFA and camogie are set to earn parity of State funding with their male counterparts.

Male players have previously received €1,200 from the State with female players getting just €400. Today’s announcement means there will be an annual increase of €2.4 million to the State’s funding of GAA players, which is presently €3 million. 

“It’s a huge bonus,” Parrock said when asked for her thoughts on the State funding being trebled.

“I couldn’t believe it when I saw it today, I was smiling away to myself. There’s been a lot of work put in from the GPA and their work has really paid off. Girls have obviously gotten behind it as well to give it a huge boost and it’s great to see that.

“Women are going to get nearly €3million for inter-county players in the LGFA and Camogie Association. It’s great to see such a huge boost and the quality of the women and men is going to be on a level base which is a huge bonus to women in sport.”

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THE TIPPERARY FOOTBALLERS have added Dublin All-Ireland senior and U21 winning forward Philip Ryan to their panel for the 2021 season.

Hailing from the St Brigid’s club, Ryan started at full-forward — and scored a point — in the 2012 All-Ireland U21 final win over Roscommon, while he was on Jim Gavin’s panel for the 2015 senior decider victory against Kerry.

That was Ryan’s only year involved in senior matchday squads for championship, though he was part of league-winning panels for four consecutive years; from 2013 to 2016.

It’s reported that he is a relative of Dinny Ryan, who won an All-Ireland senior hurling medal with Tipperary in 1971.

Tipperary footballers add Philip Ryan, Dublin All-Ireland senior and U21 winning forward, to their panel for 2021 season.

From St Brigid’s club, started in 2012 U21 final at full-forward v Roscommon and on panel for 2015 senior final v Kerry. #GAA

— Fintan O'Toole (@fotoole13) May 10, 2021

Former Dublin footballer Philip Ryan is going really well for Tipp in training. He has plenty of Tipp heritage with the great Dinny Ryan-who scored the winning goal in the 1971 All Ireland hurling final-among family members delighted Philip is part of the Tipp set up!! #football

— Stephen Gleeson (@StephenGleeson_) May 10, 2021

Tipperary Senior Football panel.
One notable addition under the grandparent rule is former Dublin Senior and under 21 player Philip Ryan. Philip is a nephew of Dinny Ryan from Sean Treacys who won an All Ireland Senior hurling medal in 1971. pic.twitter.com/BUCBFdegqw

Click Here: parramatta eels shirt— Shane Brophy (@BrophShane) May 10, 2021

Lovely player, sweet left boot

— Bernard Brogan (@bernardbrogan) May 10, 2021

Ryan’s is certainly an eye-catching name on the Tipperary senior football panel, which was released by manager David Power this evening.

Conor Bowe and Greg Henry are the other newcomers this year, with young guns Paddy Creedon, Kuba Beban and Sean O Connor all included for the league.

Likewise, Alan Campbell is on board, though the 2020 Munster champions will be without talismanic midfielder Liam Casey, AFL star Colin O’Riordan and the recently-retired Philip Austin this year.

Tipp open their Allianz Football League Division 3 campaign next weekend with a trip to face Limerick at LIT Gaelic Grounds.

Tipperary senior football panel

Source: Tipperary GAA.

CORK MINOR LADIES football boss Joe Carroll believes that scrapping the All-Ireland series at underage level for 2021 is ‘terribly disappointing’ and has called on the Ladies Gaelic Football Association [LGFA] to consider a U-turn.

LGFA top brass cancelled national underage inter-county competitions for 2021 last Friday, while the GAA pushes on with its equivalent.

This is the second year in-a-row this has occurred in ladies football. The LGFA have informed counties that provinces can organise a championship at these levels and that must be completed by the end of August.

“It’s very disappointing to hear the decision in the first place,” Carroll told The42 today.

“When you hear that the boys’ U17 competition from last year, 2020, is to be completed and the 2021 one will also be completed – the fixtures are made out for it – there seems to be one rule for the boys’ competitions and another rule for the girls’ competitions, that they’re not even being considered.

“It sounds to me as if it was a kind of a hasty decision: ‘Look, we can’t fit it in the calendar, so we won’t bother with it.’ From what I hear, I think the camogie are going to run with an All-Ireland series in the latter end of the year. That should be considered, any consideration at all.

We’re all looking for equality for the girls and it was good to hear yesterday that there was money coming through in that regard. But I think these kind of decisions put us back years.”

Carroll is in his fourth year involved in the Rebels minor management team, having taken the reins from John Cleary ahead of the 2020 season but is yet to oversee a game at the helm.

He says it’s especially grating given national inter-county underage GAA competitions are proceeding.

“Oh, absolutely. Because they have a lot more fixtures in the way than the LGFA have. I heard a figure quoted this morning; to run off the U14, U16 and U18 competitions, A, B and C, it would take 18 games in total. For all three. Not just one, for all three. That’s not a massive amount of games.

“Minor A, it’s only a semi-final and a final for whoever comes out of Munster, if it’s Cork, Kerry or Tipperary. Surely to God, with the pitches improving and everything, we can find a date in the calendar to play these games. It’s a matter of sitting down around the table and getting people to talk, put out the plan and look at it. Don’t be coming up negative and saying, ‘We can’t do it.’ It has to be done.”

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“I was speaking to the Galway manager and the Kerry manager, who would be our biggest oppositions for the last few years, and we’re all for it and behind trying to get this competition played again,” he adds.

All countries are united together in this. I haven’t heard any county speaking against not playing. From that point of view, hopefully they will make the decision to come back and tell us that they have found some solution. Hopefully there will be a decision to play it.”

Carroll says “the vibes from Munster council seem to be very positive, that they are going to try and run it – sometime after the Leaving Cert,” adding, “At least that will be something, but at the same time, it knocks the gloss off it a small bit.”

He says that his players are frustrated and feeling let down, one story in particular springing to mind:

“I spoke to one girl that I just happened to meet. She said that her brother is involved in the Cork U17 team, he’s going out the door training and looking forward to trying to win a Munster championship with Cork, looking forward to playing in an All-Ireland series.

“But if she does win a Munster championship, she can’t play in an All-Ireland series and that’s terribly disappointing.

Having being involved with underage inter county teams this needs to be changed! Vital competitions for these girls. Equal treatment as the boys needed @LadiesFootball pic.twitter.com/YDdquhTH7Y

— Anne O'Grady (@Anne_O_G) May 10, 2021

“For players of that age, they develop memories out of it that they never forget. Surely there can be a solution got that will solve this and put it back on the table for the LGFA.”

That this is such a pivotal developmental stage in players’ football journey is something that concerns Carroll even more, drop-off rates among teenage girls throwing up worrying figures. This lack of competition may now turn even more players away.

“That is the fear as well then if they don’t want play at inter-county level, especially at minor, that they drift away to other codes,” he concludes. “I have nothing against other codes, but they’ll drift away or we’ll lose them completely from our game.

“Even from a Cork point of view, a huge amount of [current senior inter-county] players have come through the minor ranks. Erika O’Shea was on our minor panel last year, played a starring role for Cork in the All-Ireland [senior] final just gone. Erika would be a very talented basketball player, for example, she could have drifted off to basketball, if she wasn’t involved in minor.

“We could all fully understand last year because numbers were high, but I think everyone’s keeping a positive vibe with Covid now that by August, September, we will be back to some kind of normality.”

THE MUNSTER COUNCIL have tonight confirmed the fixture details for their 2021 senior championships.

The action will begin in the province on Saturday 26 June with two football quarter-finals in Limerick and Killarney while the hurling will begin the following day in Thurles on Sunday 27 June.

Reigning hurling champions Limerick will meet Cork in Semple Stadium on Saturday 3 July while the football kingpins Tipperary will take on Kerry or Clare in Saturday 10 July.

Here are the fixtures in full:

Munster senior football championship

Saturday 26 June

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• Limerick v Waterford, Gaelic Grounds, 3pm
• Kerry v Clare, Fitzgerald Stadium, 7pm

Saturday 10 July 

• Cork v Limerick/Waterford, 3pm
• Tipperary v Kerry/Clare, 7pm

Weekend 24-25 July – Munster SFC final

Munster senior hurling championship

Sunday 27 June

• Waterford v Clare, Semple Stadium, 3.15pm

Saturday 3 July 

• Limerick v Cork, Semple Stadium, 7pm

Sunday 4 July 

• Waterford/Clare v Tipperary, Venue TBC.

Sunday 18 July – Munster SHC final

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Kerry’s Paul Geaney, David Moran and Paul Murphy.

THE KERRY WINTER departures began on New Years Day.

Jonathan Lyne was the first in 2021 to call time on his county career and his Killarney Legion club-mate Brian Kelly followed him in arriving at that decision on 4 January. Two days later Shane Enright joined the retirement club. The confirmation of Peter Crowley’s exit, which had been speculated on, only emerged in mid-April.

Perhaps it is not a sign of great change, after all only Crowley featured in Kerry’s sole championship outing of 2020 when they were tripped up at the finish line by Cork. The previous year over the course of their two All-Ireland final meetings with Dublin, only Jonathan Lyne got gametime and that was as a substitute in the drawn game.

But while they may not have recent regulars on the teamsheet, it does represent the loss of something for Kerry. Four more players with All-Ireland winning experience have moved on. It’s seven years since the county’s most recent Sam Maguire success, the last time someone other than Dublin achieved that, and being able to draw on that type of win is a commodity that is becoming depleted in the Kerry dressing-room. Kelly and Crowley started in that 2014 decider, Enright came on as a sub and Lyne had already made a valuable contribution in rifling over two points in that epic semi-final replay over Mayo.

And so there are only five players remaining at Peter Keane’s disposal who reached the pinnacle of the sport and played in that defeat of Donegal. Captain Paul Murphy, midfielder David Moran, and the attacking trio of James O’Donoghue, Paul Geaney and Stephen O’Brien. Then there is Tommy Walsh who is still involved 12 years after shooting 0-4 as Kerry held off Cork in a September showpiece.

So much of the attention regarding Kerry’s prospects turns to the gifted youngsters they have assembled at senior level after their spectacular dominance of the minor grade.

But as their 2021 season begins on Saturday, where do the older crew fit in to the outlook for Kerry?

Kerry players stand for the national anthem before last November’s game against Cork.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

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1. David Moran (Kerins O’Rahilly’s)

Moran is the most experienced player in the Kerry squad. He made his championship debut in 2008, the same year as Tommy Walsh, but given his club-mate’s spell playing Aussie Rules, it is Moran who now has the longest unbroken run of service.

A towering presence for Kerry in 2019 when he bagged his second All-Star award, he had a more difficult day in the Cork defeat. He received a black card and saw two low-percentage shots for points not find their range in extra-time as Kerry were attempting to push Cork adrift. Moran was still involved at the end of the match, partnering Diarmuid O’Connor from the off with Jack Barry the other established option at midfield.

He will turn 33 a few days after Kerry face Clare in the Munster championship opener that has been pencilled in for late June. Despite that veteran status, whatever Kerry’s midfield mix will be, Moran still seems a central player.

2. James O’Donoghue (Killarney Legion)

2020 began for O’Donoghue in a promising fashion with 0-3 against Dublin in the Croke Park opener in January and also hit 0-2 when meeting Galway in February. Then Covid wrecked the season and when the inter-county game resumed, O’Donoghue had again succumbed to injury, forced to miss the Cork match.

The 2014 Footballer of the Year, that period was when O’Donoghue was at his brilliant best. He was an All-Star attacker for two successive years but replicating that form has been tough with injuries stalling his progress. Is there a slot for him in that Kerry full-forward line and another kick in a player who turns 31 in June? An uninterrupted run on the pitch would help in giving him a chance to put his best foot forward. 

James O’Donoghue in action against Galway in the 2020 league.

Source: Keith Wiseman/INPHO

3. Paul Geaney (Dingle)

The Covid inter-county season of 2020 was a frustrating one for Geaney. Injury cast him into the role of bystander and if he was inching closer to a comeback, that Cork loss dashed his hopes of getting onto the field. It was a frustrating outcome given how sharp he looked at the close of 2019, sweeping over 0-3 against Tyrone and 0-4 when facing Dublin in the replay.

He turns 31 in November and it’s eight years since his senior championship debut. Restored to full fitness it is easy to see Geaney still playing an integral role to the Kerry attack. His experience offered a nice balance to the Clifford-O’Shea emergence in 2019 and he’s recent two-time All-Star following a hot streak of form over 2016 and 2017. Last year’s absence may fire his hunger as well for the coming campaign.

4. Paul Murphy (Rathmore)

When Cork swooped for that dramatic goal, Murphy was a defender in close proximity, almost on the line when the ball hit the net. His body language illustrated the sense of shock and in February he shed some light on the impact of that defeat, opting for a day off from work on the Monday and trying to block it out by binge-watching The US Office.

He has had some good news this year, rubber-stamped as the new Kerry captain, a role he has filled on occasion in the past and now takes it on full-time after East Kerry’s county title last autumn. A championship debutant in 2014, Murphy turns 30 in August and seems a cornerstone in that defence, one of the likely first names on the Kerry teamsheet.

Stephen O’Brien featured against Cork last year.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

5. Stephen O’Brien (Kenmare)

O’Brien was another Kerry player who had a terrific season in 2019. He came very close to gaining All-Star recognition, his running and trickery causing a lot of problems from the half-forward berth. The goal against Tyrone was the highlight but only came on in the second half of the Cork defeat and it wasn’t an easy game to impose his attacking style on.

The Kenmare man will be chasing a prolonged run of gametime again. Would still seem in a good position to nail down a half-forward berth and link up with his club colleague Sean O’Shea.

6. Tommy Walsh (Kerins O’Rahillys)

Walsh’s role this season in Kerry camp will be one of the most interesting. It was he who was under the dropping ball when it evaded him as Mark Keane crashing in that goal for Cork. He only entered the exchanges in the 85th minute, his 2020 championship run ended up being brief.

Again another who will have been left frustrated after the evidence in 2019 that he was poised to influence the inter-county game again. A valuable weapon off the bench, he was particularly instrumental in the second half comeback against Tyrone. Turned 33 last month, where will he fit in to Kerry’s plans for the coming year?

Tommy Walsh played against Dublin in the 2020 football league.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

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DUBLIN CAMOGIE PLAYER Leah Butler has backed the Camogie Association’s decision to opt for a split season after their initial schedule drew strong criticism. 

The threat of strike action prompted the organisation into a rethink and following a nationwide poll of clubs, a small majority backed a demarcation between the club and county seasons. 

53% of clubs voted in favour of the split season, with 47% voting for the initial model which would have seen the National League and All-Ireland championship take place either side of club championships. 

Dublin midfielder Butler admitted she was surprised the saga dragged on for so long.

“The GAA announced quite a while ago now that they were going with the split season, so to get the structure that we got, I was kind of surprised,” she said.

“But I’m happy now that they back-tracked and the decision got changed because I think it suits inter-county players to have the split season, to have a defined county season and a defined club season.

“As well, a lot of players play dual, they play football for their club as well as camogie. So they wouldn’t have been able to play their games in the opposite code, if they were playing championship with county and club championship [at the same time].

“It has worked out in the end. And I’m just delighted the Camogie Association listened to the players’ voice. I think a lot of people are happy now.

“I was a little bit surprised [the vote] was close, but a win is a win for Option 2 with the split season.”

A GPA poll of the camogie inter-county playing body saw 82% vote in favour of a split season, which led to the Camogie Association reviewing their initial decision.

“The Camogie Association, they were considering all players, not just inter-county players,” said Butler. “Obviously there’s tens of thousands more club players than there is inter-county players.

“So that’s where their decision came from. But it was surprising their decision was different to the three other codes. That’s just the way it went. But I’m glad it’s reversed now.”

The Cork camogie side indicated they were prepared to strike for the opening round of the league this weekend if the issues around structure were not resolved.

Asked if her team came close to announcing strike action, she said: “Not for us in the Dublin team anyway. I know Cork were talking a lot about it. I think if we had to go there, we would have.

“But it would have been a huge group decision, between maybe the inter-county managers would have come together, or the player reps or whoever. I don’t think that one county might have striked on their own, but if it would have happened, it would have been a full inter-county decision.”

Dublin take on Kilkenny in the opening round of the Littlewoods Ireland Camogie League on Saturday. Butler says the group didn’t take their eye off the ball despite the uncertainty of recent weeks.

“We remained focus on our game this weekend against Kilkenny. We obviously were aware of what was going on. But this game is going to be huge for us.

“So we were focused on that, and we kind of left all the work to the WGPA then with the Camogie Association, with regards to reversing the decision.”

Of new Dublin manager Adrian O’Sullivan, she stated: “We’ve had a good start. Our first two months was through Zoom and online. We put in a lot of groundwork before we did go back training and now we are flat out.

“We have a great management team. Adrian has brought this huge, positive atmosphere to the team and training has been really, really enjoyable.” 

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FORMER TIPPERARY DEFENDER James Barry has opened up about the recent surgery he underwent for testicular cancer. 

The two-time All-Ireland winner first discovered a lump six weeks ago and after a visit to his GP confirmed his fears, he had an operation on 11 April at University Hospital Limerick.

“With these types of cancers, the earlier you catch it the better,” he told the Tipperary Supporters Club in an interview.

“How it was found was probably lucky enough. Whatever way I bumped into my wife in the kitchen, the testicle area was sore enough. And then later on that night it was still sore – sorer than probably normal. I’ve got a few belts before in that area but nothing kind of serious.

“So, whatever way I put my hand down to feel, I felt a small, little lump. Look, it was only maybe the size of a peanut – but enough cause for concern to get it looked further into.

“My head didn’t go to thinking I had a tumour or cancer. I thought I had maybe damaged that part of the body or caused a strain.

🗣️"Whatever way I put my hand down to feel, I felt this small little lump"@TipperaryGAA's two-time All-Ireland SHC medallist @jamesbarry90 has been speaking about his recent testicular cancer diagnosis

To watch the full interview, join the TSC
👉https://t.co/r0JYAsVzTU 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/ARjVh2EgDd

— Tipperary Supporters Club (@TippSupporters) May 13, 2021

“I had it looked at fairly quickly. Two days later I was into my local GP in Thurles. His first thought was ‘I’m pretty sure it’s a tumour, so we’ll try and get you to Limerick fairly quickly.’

“To be told that news, I didn’t really know how to take it. Your head goes into overdrive.”

Barry, who retired at the end of the 2019 season, said the first he contacted after receiving the news as former team-mate Noel McGrath. The Premier star was diagnosed with testicular cancer at the age of 24 and underwent surgery in 2015.

“Obviously, I knew Noel had it, and I’ve known a few other people with stories over the years. I never really knew much about it.

“The first person I rang was Noel. I didn’t know what type of questions to ask. Noel was a huge help. He was massive for me.

“It was a wait of about a week,” said the Upperchurch Drombane clubman. “It was a long time for me to be in my own head.<

“Limerick hospital were magnificent. The doctors and consultants were fantastic. I went in on a Wednesday morning and came out the following Tuesday, between doing different scans and ultrasounds,” he said.

“The operation was to take the whole thing out. You’re safe that way. The doctor came in and said we’re happy the cancer hasn’t spread, you’re clear to go home.

“I got emotional at that stage. I’ve had loads of injuries over the years and operations. I hadn’t really put that C word on it. On all the chats I’ve had, I didn’t really want to. I hadn’t really gone that far in my head.”

The 30-year-old encouraged men to check their testicle regularly and see medical advice if they notice any lumps in the region.

“My lump was very small. For anyone listening to this, it is important no matter what size of a lump you find to get it checked out.”

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THE MAYO LADIES footballers will be without Aussie Rules star and 2017 All-Star midfielder Aileen Gilroy for the 2021 season.

New manager Michael Moyles confirmed that the North Melbourne ace had opted out of the squad while on a call with the media this evening.

28-year-old Gilroy has excelled in the Australian Football League Women’s [AFLW] over the past two seasons and has been touted as “one of the most exciting Irish talents” over there.

A former underage soccer international with Ireland, the Killala native missed most of the 2019 ladies football season with a devastating cruciate injury, before announcing her comeback with a stellar debut season Down Under.

She returned to line out in the Green and Red’s midfield last autumn, but has decided against it this time around.

“Aileen hasn’t committed this year,” Moyles, who oversees his first competitive game at the helm as his side welcome Galway to MacHale Park in next Saturday’s Division 1 league opener.

“She can’t commit to what’s needed for inter-county, really — and with a short turnaround year. We’ve been onto Aileen over the course she was in Australia. We’ve had this discussion over numerous times, we gave her ample opportunity to think about it even when she got home from Ireland and she did.

“It was something she struggled with for the last couple of years so it was coming. She’s living in Wexford, she found it difficult coming back from Australia to commit. And that’s what you find all over the country in men’s and women’s, sometimes it doesn’t fit well for the year that’s in it, and it doesn’t this year with her.

“We tried to accommodate it as best as we can but she made a decision that she couldn’t commit and that’s just it. That’s one player, we have 200 other players that may be able to fill that gap in Mayo that we haven’t come across yet.”

“Myself and Aileen have been friends for a long time before football and I know she would have loved to do it but if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out,” Moyles added.

“Aileen’s not one to half-arse anything. The last year or two, she’s struggled with it so she needs to take a year to get things around her. And that’s fine, no problem.”

The other current Mayo players who lined out in the AFLW are on board for the season ahead — Niamh and Grace Kelly, and Sarah Rowe, though the latter two are currently injured. 

“Grace is carrying a small bit of a knock so we’re not sure about the Galway game,” former Mayo player and club All-Ireland winner Moyles noted. “It might be easing her into it. Niamh is fully back. Sarah has a shoulder issue that may rule her out of a few games, it’s being monitored all the time.”

The42 understands that Rowe is staying put in Australia to rehabilitate for now, so may be unavailable for a few weeks.

Rachel Kearns, meanwhile, plans to balance two codes for the coming months, having starred with Galway WFC in her first season back in the Women’s National League [WNL] of late. 

Kearns was named Player of the Month for her stunning exploits recently, and Moyles is pleased to facilitate her status as a dual Gaelic and soccer player.

Galway WFC forward Rachel Kearns with the SSE Airtricity WNL Player of the Month for April.

Source: Harry Murphy/SPORTSFILE

“Rachel had this set up Galway before we became her management team,” he explained.

“When we had the discussion, we didn’t know if football was going to happen or not with the GAA, but the soccer definitely was. Rachel wanted to give it a go and I didn’t see an issue with that, especially since she had talked to the Galway United manager before we had actually even come in.

“She’s played very well.  She’s been carrying an ankle injury the last week or two, unfortunately. But she’s fully committed to Mayo, she’s been at all our sessions so far and she’s doing her rehab with us, which we’re delighted with.

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“I’m delighted to see Rachel doing well because sometimes players need that outlet of going to something else and just enjoying playing football again, she definitely has that. She’s a very important player for us, and we’re delighted to have her on board.”

He’s also pleased to have the Carnacon contingent back involved, having previously said in media interviews that his tenure brings a “clean slate” after the mass player walkout in 2018.

In the first summer of his predecessor, Peter Leahy’s three-year term, 12 players — eight of those from Carnacon — exited the set-up, originally citing “player welfare issues” as the reason for their departure. A lengthy saga and ugly back-and-forth ensued, and no departed players represented Mayo under Leahy’s watch afterwards.

2016 All-Star midfielder and Carnacon great Fiona McHale, who was vice-captain at the time of the walkout, is one back on board, with all returning with the right attitude.

“To be fair to Fiona and the girls coming in, it took the girls coming in but it also took the girls that were there. There’s a lot of undercurrents going on there but everybody’s just focused on Mayo, which is brilliant. The transition has been fairly smooth.

“There’s been no great speeches or people coming in to make sure everything is alright, the girls have just focused on what they’re there for; that’s for Mayo and that’s for football. They’ve been brilliant; both girls that have come in and girls that have been there.

“We have leaders that have been there for the last three years that have carried the can, we have leaders coming in that want to help out. It’s just about Mayo, nothing else. There’s no personalities involved and we’re lucky enough to have those eight, nine, 10 great leaders there and we have young girls listening to those great leaders. It can only enhance Mayo ladies football.”

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