Harte on Tyrone’s RTÉ position and brands criticism from former players as a ‘cheap shot’

Updated Aug 21st 2018, 8:41 AM

TYRONE MANAGER MICKEY Harte has doubled down on their position regarding RTÉ’s coverage of their team.

The national broadcaster released a statement yesterday morning at 9.01am stating they had made an approach to do pre-match and post-match interviews with the Tyrone camp ahead of the upcoming All-Ireland final.

A boycott has been in place since 2011, when Harte felt aggrieved over a letter he had sent to RTÉ in private was leaked to journalists, and a radio sketch featuring the track ‘Pretty Little Girl from Omagh’ aired six months after the death of his daughter, Michaela.

Asked if he was subject to any approach from RTÉ himself at the press event, Harte replied; “Not with me anyway.”

Having been informed about the statement, Harte added, “Well, if that’s what they did with those who have the choice over the contact, then that’s fine, I’m happy with that.”

Meanwhile, Harte has answered criticism of his management by former players-turned-pundits as ‘a cheap shot.’

Three-time All-Ireland winner Owen Mulligan has been critical of his former manager in the past, most recently in May after Harte started Colm Cavanagh, Lee Brennan and Tiernan McCann in the Ulster Championship defeat to Monaghan, all of whom were carrying knocks into the game.

“What was criminal from Harte was that he started three injured players Cavanagh, Brennan and McCann. None of them made an impact and they were taken off early. When you’re playing a quality side at this intensity you can’t expect to carry anyone with an injury. Surely Harte knows this?” said Mulligan at the time.

Harte’s former captain Sean Cavanagh has used even more incendiary language this season in his media appearances, suggesting at one stage in May that; ‘Mickey’s the man, and that’s just the style of leadership he has, it’s quite an autocratic style at times but that’s just where he’s at’.

Harte responded to the various criticisms, saying, “It’s not a big issue. I mean, it’s only a big issue if you allow it to be. I mean, everybody has their opinion and sometimes that opinion is solicited from them to make a headline – and I understand that.

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“Let that be as it may. I learned a long time ago that we shouldn’t determine how well we feel ourselves by what somebody else says. That’s really handing away the power of your well-being to somebody else.

“So let people make their comments, and if they have substance to back it up, then I’ll appreciate it. And if they haven’t, I’ll recognise it for what it is – a cheap shot.”

Ahead of the final, Tyrone only have Cathal McCarron ruled out through injury, with Conor Meyler making a good recovery from bone bruising around the knee, sustained in the Super 8′s win over Donegal.

“Conor obviously had quite a knock and he’s working very hard to overcome that, and the signs are positive that he will be available for some part of this final,” Harte said.

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Tributes paid after former Clare senior footballer passes away after illness

TRIBUTES HAVE BEEN paid after the death yesterday of former Clare footballer Michael O’Shea, who lined out for his county at senior level for 15 seasons.

Clare’s Michael O’Shea celebrating their 2012 Munster semi-final win over Limerick

Source: INPHO

Kilkee native O’Shea, who passed away after a cancer illness, made his debut for the Clare senior side in 1999 and was involved until he retired from the inter-county game in 2014.

O’Shea, a member of An Garda Síochána, is survived by his wife Orlaith and daughter Éirinn.

A teammate, an opposing player, a work colleague, a warrior and most importantly a friend and a fine good one at that. RIP mike. We had so many good days and nights together. Until we meet again and we will pic.twitter.com/uHLgnzGnCv

— Joe Hayes (@1JoeH) August 21, 2018

Source: Joe Hayes/Twitter

O’Shea was a forward on Clare senior teams and made one Munster final appearance in 2012, kicking 0-4 as the Banner lost out to Cork. He won two McGrath Cup medals, starting in Clare’s final victories in the pre-season competition in 2002 and 2008.

O’Shea brought his Clare career to an end in May 2014 just after helping the county claim Division 4 league promotion. With his club St Senan’s, O’Shea won Clare senior football medals in 2003 and 2005, helping them in both seasons to go on to contest Munster club finals against Kerry’s An Ghaeltacht and Cork’s Nemo Rangers respectively.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

 

After retiring, he was appointed manager of the Clare U21 football side and got involved at club level, helping Kilmihil to a county intermediate title last year.

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On behalf of everybody involved with the Kilmihil GAA Club, We would like to express our sincere sympathies to the family, friends and St. Senan's Kilkee GAA of Michael O’Shea, our former Coach and friend. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/P3nRMk7r0x

— Kilmihil Gaa (@KilmihilGaa) August 21, 2018

Source: Kilmihil Gaa/Twitter

We are all proud to have had the opportunity to have Michael coach Kilmihil and help bring our club back to senior grade last year and very privileged to have known him as a person. 2/3

— Kilmihil Gaa (@KilmihilGaa) August 21, 2018

Source: Kilmihil Gaa/Twitter

He was a fantastic player for his Club St.Senan’s Kilkee and wore the Clare Jersey with distinction for many years.. He was a wonderful character, full of life, humour and great courage.

He will be sorely missed but forever remembered 3/3

— Kilmihil Gaa (@KilmihilGaa) August 21, 2018

Source: Kilmihil Gaa/Twitter

Tributes have poured in from several Clare GAA clubs.

We would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Michael O’Shea. A fantastic servant for @stsenanskilkee and Clare and a gentleman through and through. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

— KilrushShamrocksGAA (@KilrushShamrock) August 21, 2018

Source: KilrushShamrocksGAA/Twitter

Very saddened to hear this evenings news that our friend and @stsenanskilkee stalwart Michael O’Shea has lost his final battle. He was one of the finest on the field and a gent off it, who has been taken far too soon. Deepest sympathy to family & club. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

— Naomh Eoin (@NaomhEoinGAA) August 21, 2018

Source: Naomh Eoin/Twitter

Devastating & heart breaking news today. Sincere condolences from all @Lissycasey_GAA to the family and friends of Michael O’Shea and all in @stsenanskilkee

A gent off the field and a wizard on the grass. Gone way too soon.

Rest In Peace Mike

— Lissycasey GAA (@Lissycasey_GAA) August 21, 2018

Source: Lissycasey GAA/Twitter

@LiscannorGAA offer our condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late Michael O'Shea of @stsenanskilkee on his untimely passing. Michael was always a very skilled adversary when we met on the playing fields and was a credit to his family and club off the field.

— Liscannor GAA (@LiscannorGAA) August 22, 2018

Source: Liscannor GAA/Twitter

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Opinion: Lack of player rotation contributed to Galway losing All-Ireland crown

IN RETROSPECT, GALWAY’S failure to defend their All-Ireland crown may not have been all that surprising.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

They roared to life in the concluding minutes of the All-Ireland final against Limerick to set-up a tense finish, and had there been more legs in Joe Canning’s last-minute free, we could well be preparing for a replay at this point.

But in truth, there were signs that a defeat was on the horizon for Galway considering how they stuttered to victory against Kilkenny and Clare on the way back to the All-Ireland final.

They seemed to be stuck in a habit of coughing up big leads which certainly hampered their performances, and their captain David Burke has since revealed that some of the Galway players were getting treatment for injuries at 3am, such was the physical impact of their nine-game run to the 2018 decider.

But Galway were also guilty of not introducing new blood into the starting line-up to help develop the squad as they sought to defend their All-Ireland crown.

Aside from James Skehill replacing Colm Callanan in the goalkeeper position, the same 14 outfield players started both the 2017 and 2018 All-Ireland finals. Position wise, the teams are almost identical.

James Skehill

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

That’s not to suggest that players don’t deserve their place in the team.

Regular starters such as Daithí Burke and Joe Canning have been immense during the championship while defender Pádraic Mannion was the unanimous choice on the Sunday Game panel for Hurler of the Year.

But without more players challenging for those jerseys, it leaves their starting teammates prone to falling into a comfort zone and developing a complacent mindset.

The Galway management brought eight players into the extended panel back in January, including Brian Concannon who made his senior championship debut in their Leinster opener against Offaly.

He featured regularly throughout the rest of the campaign including the drawn Leinster final against Kilkenny, and would most likely have contested for a place in the lead-up to the All-Ireland final had he not been suspended.

But a team needs more fresh faces consistently pushing to get into the team in order for the side to grow.

Niall Burke and Jason Flynn deservedly drew all the plaudits for their contribution off the bench in last year’s All-Ireland final against Waterford, hitting a combined four points from play to help Galway end a 29-year famine and reclaim the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

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Jason Flynn celebrates scoring a point during the 2017 All-Ireland SHC final.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

The problem however, is that both players were still Micheál Donoghue’s main options as impact subs during this championship. And when the team was stung with injuries to key defenders like Gearóid McInerney, there were concerns as to who could come in to replace him.

Joseph Cooney ended up coming back into their defence for the Clare replay to help fill the void.

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Speaking on Off The Ball on Monday night, Tommy Walsh remarked that Kilkenny used to make an average of three changes per game during his time in the jersey. That kind of number brings an injection of freshness to the team without causing any major disruption to the overall line out.

Tommy Walsh

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

More importantly, it keeps players on their toes and reinforces the message that no one’s hold of the jersey is secure.

Brian Cody’s legacy as the Kilkenny manager is largely down to his proactive approach to making changes in personnel, and for the most part, his instincts have proven to be correct even when the changes weren’t obvious to everyone else.

Many were left puzzled when he began moving 2008 All-Ireland winning captain James ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick out of the team’s regular rotation, but Kilkenny continued to succeed in his absence and the Ballyhale Shamrocks clubman eventually retired from inter-county hurling in 2011.

Additionally, Cody has developed a reputation for springing new talents into the team who have gone on to have a major influence in big games.

Starting Walter Walsh in the Kilkenny forward line for the replay of the 2012 All-Ireland final against Galway proved to be a masterful move on Cody’s part. Walsh was previously a fringe player in the panel but he picked up an impressive 1-3 in that replay.

Joe Canning.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

To Galway’s credit, they did come through each of those nine championship games unbeaten this year, and when Clare and Kilkenny posed questions of them, the Tribesmen responded each time to get the result.

As Joe Canning pointed out in his post-match interview with the Sunday Game after the All-Ireland semi-final replay, Clare never led at any stage in that game despite the pressure they applied in the final stages of the tie.

Galway forward Joe Canning named man of the match in the semi-final replay victory over Clare #SundayGame pic.twitter.com/nnxfmdxKiU

— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) August 5, 2018

Galway’s ability to get back to the All-Ireland final in what will surely be remembered as one of the greatest hurling championships is also a notable achievement.

But their lack of player rotation in the team was a costly factor in their loss of the All-Ireland crown.

– An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that James Fitzpatrick was a James Stephens’ clubman. This has been amended to note his club is Ballyhale Shamrocks.

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Meath’s Conor Nash rewarded for promising AFL start as he pens new deal with Hawthorn

MEATH NATIVE CONOR Nash has signed a new two-year deal with AFL outfit Hawthorn, the club has confirmed.

Nash made his debut at the MCG 11 days ago as his Hawks edged out a Geelong side which counted his compatriots Zach Tuohy and Mark O’Connor among its ranks.

The former Royals minor kicked his first goal at AFL level in Hawthorn’s win over the Saints on Saturday night, and has averaged 13 disposals and four marks in thus far in his fledgeling Aussie Rules career.

Nash joined the Hawks in late 2016 as a Category B rookie, and has penned a new deal along with two fellow youngsters, Kaiden Brand and Oliver Hanrahan, both of whom will be kept on for an extra year.

Hawthorn have also extended the contract of key forward Jack Gunston for a further three years.

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‘I was very close to packing it in’ – Confidence the key to Duggan’s big year

PETER DUGGAN HAS had some year in the Clare jersey.

Peter Duggan.

Source: Oisin Keniry/INPHO

It ended in a heartbreaking one-point defeat in their All-Ireland semi-final replay meeting with Galway in Thurles and while there is still that sense of disappointment, the Clooney-Quin star is pleased with his contribution and his individual progression.

Things were very different this time last year.

“I was close enough to packing it in,” Duggan admitted this morning as he collected his PwC GAA/GPA Player of the Month accolade for July. “Very close.

“I’d say if Clooney didn’t go well last year, I’d say I wouldn’t have went back. I was on the panel a long time and I couldn’t really make the break on.”

Thankfully though, the 24-year-old attacker shone as his club reached their first county final in 75 years and that gave him the confidence to pursue his inter-county career for at least one more year.

“It’s a huge commitment,” he explains at the close of his seventh season. “You’re a hurler before anything else. If you’re a teacher, the first thought people look at you — you’re a hurler. It’s very tough then, no one really cares what you’re at outside of hurling.

“All they ever ask you (about) is hurling, hurling, hurling. When you’re on the fringes then, it’s very tough because you’re still putting in the same hours but you’re not really getting any game time. It’s very hard to stay going at it.

“When you’re not able to contribute, it’s just tough to take really. You’d be low, you’d be down.”

With fans after their All-Ireland championship exit.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

He recalls one phonecall in particular which helped him make up his mind. He reached out to his older brother Martin over in London, an All-Ireland intermediate winner with Clare himself.

“‘I remember ringing the brother and he was just like, ‘Peter, go full hog for a year. If it doesn’t work out, if you don’t make it again this year, we’ll leave it at that and you can’t say you didn’t try. But just go full hog and see what happens.’”

And that’s what he did. All in.

He says he didn’t do anything majorly different. He always trains hard, but confidence was a big thing. Surely scoring 2-76 in seven matches for Clooney over the championship helped.

  • 2-13 against Feakle in a group stage game.
  • 0-12 against Clonlara in the semi-final.
  • 0-10 (0-8f, 0-1 ’65) in the drawn final against Sixmilebridge.
  • 0-10 (0-6f, 0-2 ’65, 0-1 sideline) in the replay.

“Lucky enough I had a little bit of confidence and things kind of went a little bit my way this year compared to other years where they wouldn’t,” he smiles.

“I was just lucky really.”

Scoring the point which leveled the 2017 county final.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

If he had to have thrown in the towel, he grins that he might have moved to Melbourne. That said, he’s not 100% sure what he would have done but he knows he wouldn’t be where he is today, reflecting on ‘one of the greatest’ summers of hurling ever.

Duggan’s personal highlight was beating Tipperary in Semple Stadium and knocking them out of the championship but for many others, the player in question was the subject of a special moment of magic.

That wonder point against Galway in Croke Park.

He’s seen it a few times, but is as modest as can be as he reflects on the moment.

“I didn’t think that’s what happened at all, looking back on the TV like,” he continues. “I didn’t realise what happened, I just thought I hit the ball over the bar.

“I can’t really think back on it too much now. I didn’t know if I gave away a free or someone gave away a free, but I thought there was some sort of a free supposed to be going – if it was me for steps or for pulling, I don’t know what it was.

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“I just remember seeing a small little bit of a breakthrough and I said, ‘Ah sure look, I’ll give it a go and see if it goes over’. I think in my head I thought for some reason I had an advantage so it was a kind of a win-win. Shoot, sure look. Shoot for the craic and see what happens like, we might have a free anyway.”

Peter Duggan with a lovely skilful point. pic.twitter.com/gOME4yoYJU

Click Here: canberra raiders rugby store— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 28, 2018

He adds: “Ah look, it’s cool. It’s nice to have a little bit of a thing to look back on. But at the same time, you’d sacrifice 100 of them for getting into the All-Ireland final.

“It’s a small little novelty to have to look back on that you got a cool score but at the same time, still in the back of your head, it kind of hurts.

“Imagine if we got another one of them we would have been in the All-Ireland final.”

The Holy Grail. He comes back to it several times during the conversation, and rightly so. Like when he’s asked if he enjoyed the year on an individual level:

“It was nice to be able to start a few games anyway. At the same time, you’d give it all back for that All-Ireland. That’s the pinnacle, that’s what you want.

“In general, I’m somewhat happy to have a starting place. It makes it easier.”

He was on the All-Ireland-winning squad in 2013, it was his ‘first real full year’ as he puts it. Not a bad place to start, he agrees, but concedes that perhaps it’d be more significant to him now rather than back then.

“To win it now, would mean a lot more and it’s the same for everyone on the Clare team,” he adds.

“That’s our main objective: to get back and win another All-Ireland. It would be something special.”

For now however, all he can do is watch on as his Limerick neighbours bask in the glory after they ended a 45-year wait for the Liam MacCarthy Cup on Sunday.

Lifting the Liam MacCarthy in 2013.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Duggan is good friends with Diarmaid Byrnes so he’s pleased for him in particular, among others. Gracious in victory, humble in defeat.

“Absolutely thrilled and delighted for them,” he says. “It’s brilliant to see them get what they deserve.

“I think every inter-county team, most deserve getting something from it. You put so much time and effort into it. We were lucky enough in 2013 but it shows how hard it is because we haven’t been able to get back to that All-Ireland final since 2013.

“It’s tough to take that Limerick did win but at the same time, it’s brilliant for them. I’m delighted for them to have won. Looking back, we had so many opportunities to be in the final with them but we weren’t really clinical enough to hit in a final blow or anything.

“Ah, but in general no, delighted for Limerick.”

But there’s a raging fire in his belly to go again. And emulate his neighbours’ feat.

– Additional reporting by Fintan O’Toole

– This article was updated to correct the length of Limerick’s wait for All-Ireland SHC glory.

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‘He’s a powerful man in everything he does’ – Limerick’s salute to their long-time GAA sponsor

OVER A DECADE serving as a player and a couple of seasons into his current role as a selector, provided Brian Geary with a perfect insight into those responsible for helping Limerick reach the hurling summit last Sunday.

All the figures in the dressing-room in Croke Park shared in the moment of All-Ireland glory after a 45-year wait.

But it was the reaction of the Limerick players when they met JP McManus, the long-time sponsor and supporter of the county’s hurling teams under the Sporting Limerick branding, that struck Geary most.

J P McManus with his hands on Liam pic.twitter.com/8hH8K69n07

— Matt O'Callaghan (@MattOCall) August 19, 2018

Source: Matt O’Callaghan/Twitter

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The moment JP McManus lofted the Liam MacCarthy Cup high in a rapturous Limerick hurling dressing room in Croke Park #GAA #LLSport #hurling #Limerick pic.twitter.com/BeQaod8BqP

— Jerome O'Connell (@JeromeSport) August 20, 2018

“He’s a powerful man in everything he does. The lads there, 19, 20, 21-year-olds had never met the man (but) the respect they gave him straight away.

“Sure they know his history and what he’s done for the GAA and what he’s been trying to do. He doesn’t throw money at the thing willy-nilly but there’s something there and it’s very much appreciated what himself and Noreen do.”

Alongside Séamus Hickey, Geary was able to contrast the post-match emotions with the Limerick’s previous final appearance in 2007, when he was centre-back on a team soundly beaten by Kilkenny.

Brian Geary in action in the 2007 All-Ireland senior hurling final against Kilkenny.

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

“I remember going in there (to the players’ lounge) in 2007, a totally different feeling. I saw the Kilkenny boys all content, sitting down, meeting their families.

“We were over in the corner trying to get a bite to eat into us as quick as possible, just get out of there. (On Sunday) we didn’t want to leave.

“Come here don’t get me wrong, the minute I got out onto the pitch, I wished I was playing but it’s brilliant to be involved. All the emotions after, I had my little cry, ah it was brilliant.

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“They’re a good bunch. John keeps them well grounded. Everything went for us this year, injury wise we were very lucky and I think Galway were probably the same last year. You need everything going your way and we got it this year.

“We thoroughly deserved it alright on the balance of play but nervous enough when they got back to a point.

“I think we were better than them alright and you need to be a good bit better maybe to win your first. It doesn’t come that easy. We’ll take it and we’ll enjoy it.”

Brian Geary (second left, back) celebrates Limerick’s All-Ireland hurling title win.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

If the current team is populated by young players who are blazing a trail and enjoying success, Geary could appreciate the struggle endured by so many Limerick hurlers to reach this point.

After that wave of setbacks, he’ll seek to savour this triumph.

“It’s well documented all the so near episodes. I suppose that makes it a small bit sweeter.

“There’s plenty good teams went before. Serious, serious hurlers have no medals. I know they’re saying this bunch has a different mindset but there’s a huge amount of seriously talented hurlers went before them and unfortunately got no medal.

“Mícheál Donoghue spoke well in the dressing room, they’re going to be back fighting next year.

“He did say you need to enjoy it and you need to give the supporters a bit back, which is totally right after 45 years. The whole county has embraced this thing so we all need to celebrate it.”

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Mayo clubs voted 26-2 in favour of throwing Carnacon out of county championship

AN OVERWHELMING majority of Mayo clubs voted in favour of throwing reigning All-Ireland ladies senior club champions Carnacon out of the Mayo championship at a county board meeting last night.

It relates to Carnacon’s decision to withdraw all eight of their players, including vice-captain Fiona McHale and all-time leading scorer Cora Staunton, from Peter Leahy’s squad 10 days before they played Cavan in the first round of the All-Ireland qualifier group stage.

The42 understands delegates at the meeting voted 26-2 in favour of removing Carnacon from the championship, with one club abstaining from the vote. The motion was proposed from the floor by club delegates at last night’s meeting.

The decision was made under rule 288 of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association which relates to bringing the game into disrepute.

The rule states that “any member of the Association found guilty of conduct calculated to bring the Association into disrepute shall be liable to expulsion or suspension by the committee, board or council concerned.”

It means that Carnacon will be unable to defend their Mayo, Connacht and All-Ireland crowns unless the decision is overturned. The club have five days to lodge an appeal with the Connacht Council, and have called a meeting for this evening to begin preparing their case.

When contacted for comment, a spokesperson for the LGFA told The42 that the issue was currently a matter for the Mayo LGFA county board.

The controversy stems from a fall-out between Carnacon players and Mayo management during the early part of the summer. The club subsequently withdrew all eight of their players from the Mayo panel, citing ‘player welfare’ as the reason.

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Leahy retained the backing of a majority of the squad and they went on to defeat Cavan by 3-23 to 4-13 after a week of intense scrutiny brought about by the exile of the Carnacon contingent.

Michael McHale from Carnacon, father of Fiona, also withdrew from the backroom team but he was acting as kit man rather than selector as was reported by some media outlets at the time.

Team captain Sarah Tierney and three players from other clubs left the squad at a later stage for personal reasons unrelated to the Carnacon contingent. All four players who later departed still had clubmates on the panel.

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Mediation talks were held between all parties to find a resolution but they failed to reach an agreement. All present signed a confidentiality agreement afterwards to keep a lid on discussions.

– Reporting by Kevin O’Brien, Gavan Casey and Fintan O’Toole

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‘I don’t think there’s any more surprises. Unless Rena comes back!’ – Cork boss set for All-Ireland final

CORK MANAGER PAUDIE Murray has revealed that Briege Corkery was due to return to action with Cork last summer but the comeback was shelved when she became pregnant.

Corkery gave birth to her son Tadhg at the end of March and set her sights on making it back this year.

The 31-year-old was named on the match-day panel for the first time for last Saturday’s Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship Semi-Final victory over Tipperary and made a late cameo appearance – her first since the 2016 All-Ireland Final.

Murray hailed the influence the Cloughduv star has already exerted on the group.

“Briege has been back with us six weeks” said Murray. “To be very honest, she was coming back last year only something else happened, which I had no control over, let’s put it that way! So it was always in the plans to come back.

“She has a bit to go yet, no doubt about but she’s a great presence to have around the place and she’ll drive us on for the next two weeks hopefully.”

Briege Corkery (front row, second right) was part of Cork’s squad last Saturday.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

Murray was unhappy with the pace of his charges’ play, especially in the first half against Tipp but is unconcerned by the unusual absence of a goal threat against a packed defence, opining that with the strength of the Kilkenny rearguard, Cork will need to be sharp with their shooting from further out to prevail.

“I’m not overly happy to be honest, I’m quite annoyed with certain things. I think we’ve two big weeks in front of us. I’m looking at getting to the level we need to be at and I’m annoyed with a lot of things

“I thought our tempo was poor at times, I thought our workrate was poor at times and you win nothing moving around the pitch like that.

“I watched Kilkenny in pieces of the first game – there’s no goals going in against Kilkenny with that defence, the way they’re playing. Their defence seems to be better than it was the last couple of years, so we’re not going to score goals.”

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He played down the chances of either Cork or Kilkenny managing to pull a rabbit out of the hat, with both sides having met so often, competing in a third consecutive All-Ireland Final and fourth in five seasons, and also crossed swords in the last two National League deciders.

“I don’t think there’s any more surprises. Unless Rena comes back!” said Murray with a smile, in reference to last year’s All-Ireland-winning captain Rena Buckley, who announced her retirement prior to the commencement of the championship.

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Cavanagh: ‘You focus on playing. You let everything else go, what’s being said in the media’

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TYRONE MIDFIELDER COLM Cavanagh has distanced himself from the back-and-forth between his manager Mickey Harte and former players-turned-pundits.

Red Hand manager Mickey Harte branded criticism from ex-Tyrone players now working the media as a ‘cheap shot’ at their All-Ireland final press event in Garvaghey GAA centre Monday.

Owen Mulligan and Sean Cavanagh — Colm’s brother — have both been critical of their county’s senior football boss of late, with Harte responding to the criticisms:

“Let people make their comments, and if they have substance to back it up, then I’ll appreciate it. And if they haven’t, I’ll recognise it for what it is – a cheap shot.”

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And this morning as he collected his PwC GAA/GPA Player of the Month accolade, Cavanagh was asked if he’s stuck between a rock and a hard place as someone who’s soldiered with these ex-players through the years, and obviously the family connection.

“Not at all,” he said.

“To be honest, when you’re playing you focus on playing. You let everything else go, what’s being said in the media.

“To be honest, I don’t watch whatever’s being said in the media, and I don’t read any of the papers. The only thing I ever see is probably on social media.

“I stay away from whatever, myself and Seán obviously my brother. It’s light-hearted conversations about it. He knows as well as me that I have to concentrate on playing football and he can concentrate on doing his punditry.

The Cavanagh brothers helped Moy to the All-Ireland intermediate championship title in February.

Source: Ken Sutton/INPHO

“He’s entitled to his opinion and every other past player is entitled to their opinion. I know well they’re entitled to that, and that’s what they’re there to do. They’re there to analyse and give their opinions and that’s fair.

“But while I’m playing and I’m part of Tyrone, I focus on playing football and winning, and that’s what the most important thing is for me.”

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TG4 to air documentary on Tyrone minor sides ‘who transformed the game’

TG4 WILL AIR a documentary on Sunday evening at 8.30pm called ‘Tír Eoghain: The Unbreakable Bond’ which looks back at the “untold narrative behind the most successful minor team in the history of the GAA – the Tyrone Class of 1997/1998.”

Cormac McAnallen, Kevin Hughes and Brian McGuigan celebrate their 1998 All-Ireland minor victory.

Source: INPHO

Under the guidance of current senior boss Mickey Harte, a talented Tyrone group were defeated by Laois in the ’97 All-Ireland MFC final before they beat the same opposition in the following year’s decider.

That group went on to win two All-Ireland U21 medals under Harte before 11 players graduated to senior level and helped the county deliver the Sam Maguire for the first time in 2003.

The untold narrative behind the most successful minor team in the history of the GAA – the Tyrone 'Class of 1997/1998'. @officialgaa @ballsdotie pic.twitter.com/7VfR3mWTRk

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) August 22, 2018

The film investigates “how an extraordinary series of personal tragedies bonded a particular group of young men and how they triumphed in the face of adversity”, according to its description.

Clár faoin bhfoireann mionúr ab fhearr riamh i stair an spóirt – foireann mionúr Thír Eoghain 1997/1998. @TyroneGAALive @UlsterGAA @ballsdotie pic.twitter.com/wEF7w3UyCA

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) August 22, 2018

A number of big names including Mickey Harte, Peter Canavan, Mark Harte, Brian McGuigan, Enda McGinley and Daire O Cinneide are interviewed as part of the documentary.

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