Month: March 2022

Updated Thu 9:30 PM

SATURDAY’S HURLING SCHEDULE will commence for Tommy Guilfoyle in Dr Hyde Park.

He’s jumped on board as coach to the Roscommon senior hurlers this year, alongside new manager Francis O’Halloran, a pair of Clare natives trying to spread the hurling gospel.

They’re having a puck around at 9am in the Roscommon county ground, to acclimatise themselves to the surroundings before Sunday’s league opener against Tyrone.

Guilfoyle, a long-serving stalwart in Clare hurling forward lines, will be on the sideline for that Division 3A fixture but in between he’ll be back home immersed in local hurling matters.

The plan is hit the road and by Saturday lunchtime be parked up at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. He’s on co-commentary duty for Clare FM, this is a game close to his heart. His alma mater St Joseph’s from Tulla partake in a moment of history, their first appearance in a Dr Harty Cup final, the premier Munster hurling colleges competition.

There will be a healthy representation of players from his own club Feakle. The semi-final win over Waterford’s De La Salle took place in Mallow and saw another day of hurling double-jobbing.

After that mid-afternoon game, he was headed to the Connacht GAA Air Dome in Mayo to witness Roscommon win a pre-season provincial league final at the expense of Sligo.

It’s a hectic time but covering so many miles on the road is worth it as he sees the impact in East Clare of this novel hurling journey.

“It’s been building since Christmas really, winning the quarter-final and the semi-final and now this unique occasion.

“The last day, the game was on the Saturday and the lockdown finished on the Friday, so we were back to normal opening. Someone described Tulla on Saturday evening as like Paddy’s weekend, there was a carnival atmosphere around the town.

“The crowd have played a big part in it. They’ve got great support from local clubs and businesses. 

“I’ve been at colleges games own the years but the after the quarter-final, the emotion and joy on the field, I never saw that level before. Parents, past pupils, grandparents, teachers, ex-teachers. There was a big sing-song on the field, I never saw it after a game.

“Just relief and great joy. So many outside people that weren’t parents or pupils to turn up to a game, and for it to take off with a school team. Saturday afternoons, watching St Joseph’s Tulla is the place to be.”

The final hurdle to be surmounted is on Saturday after a campaign filled with milestones. St Joseph’s had never won a game before in the Dr Harty Cup, that was their modest aim at the outset this season. Their team had climbed steadily through the ranks and have flourished in this knockout format, clipping the wings of St Colman’s Fermoy, CBC Cork and De La Salle Waterford.

The victories have been founded on stirring comebacks and the remarkable free-taking expertise of forward Sean Withycombe, who has hit 1-38 in their last three victories.

“Sean’s father is a Kerryman, he’s very proud of that,” says Guilfoyle.

“It’s the sum of the team more so than individuals. In the quarter-final, the corner-back Dara Ryan popped up with a score when all looked lost. The inspiration and the winnings have come from different areas.

“It’s very much player driven. That comes from a great belief amongst themselves where they’re never beaten.

“This is a once in a generation team based on the strength of the clubs around. They wouldn’t have a conveyor belt coming every year. Down the years Tulla would be looking in the road to Flannan’s, the aristocrats of hurling. I suppose Tulla were wondering, ‘Could it be us?’ ”

Feakle and St Joseph’s Tulla player Adam Hogan.

Source: Lorraine O’Sullivan/INPHO

It is a team anchored by three local clubs – Tulla, Feakle and O’Callaghan Mills supply 12 of the starting side between them. There was one player apiece from Clooney-Quin, Crusheen and Broadford in their starting fifteen for the semi-final.

They have been powered by a strong spirit and sense of unity in their playing group. Life off the pitch has illustrated to Guilfoyle how the players look out for each other and the locality is there to provide valuable support.

“What really bonds this group together is Ronan O’Connor and Oisin O’Connor, the brothers from Feakle, they’ve had a double tragedy in the last couple of years. They lost their father Pat to a farming accident and last year they buried their mother Denise, she died of cancer. It was tragic and such a tough blow for them.

“There has been great support from the school, the teachers and all the parents of their team-mates, not alone when it happened but continue to do so. The lads live just up the road from me. Their fellow players and school mates have really stuck together, in its own way it has really bound them together.

“I remember being around the house at the funerals and the most striking was the amount of students that were there for the few days. The school continues to oversee the supply of dinners and stuff like that. Ronan is the captain, he was on the Clare minor team last year.

“It shines through very strongly that they are a very united bunch. The hurling has been a great outlet for them. The support has been brilliant from everyone and continues within the parish and the clubs and more importantly, the school.”

Galway’s Aidan Harte.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

On the hurling front they have plenty expertise guiding them. Terence Fahy is the Clare U20 hurling manager. Tomas Kelly steered Inagh-Kilnamona to last year’s county senior showpiece in the Banner county. Aidan Harte has come across the border from Gort, bringing with him a wealth of playing experience in Galway colours which included the highlight of contributing to their 2017 Liam MacCarthy Cup win.

That trio of teachers adds profile to the sideline, opponents Ardscoil Rís have people of similar stature in current Clare senior Paul Flanagan, former Limerick senior Niall Moran and Clonlara’s Cormac O’Donovan, the supplier of a famous match-winner in Clare’s 2009 All-Ireland U21 final glory.

Ardscoil Rís coach Niall Moran.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

“The Clare connections add to the intrigue,” says Guilfoyle.

“I’d be a past pupil of Tulla, we had great teachers down the line. We won All-Ireland colleges B back in the ’80s. Seanie McMahon that went on to play for Clare centre-back, his father Michael was involved. John Stack was another great man that put in a lot of effort.”

“The lads now have great experience and know-how. The new school was built seven or eight years ago, and there’s an all-weather pitch there, that all helps and this team has that new identity.

“Let’s hope they can do themselves justice on Saturday. Play the game rather than the occasion because Ardscoil have been there before and they have that winning tradition.

“There’s great excitement around. Everyone wants to be a part of this.”

• Dr Harty Cup final: St Joseph’s Tulla v Ardscoil Rís, Gaelic Grounds, 1pm – Saturday 5 February.

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TIPPERARY STAR HURLER Pádraic Maher says that his decision to retire from the sport was made to ensure a greater quality of life going forward.

Paudie Maher on the ball for Tipperary.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

The three-time All-Ireland winner made the shock announcement during the week, saying that he had received medical advice to step away from contact sport due to a neck injury.

Maher had previously indicated his intentions to return for a 14th season with the Premier County, but will now be bringing the curtain down on his decorated career with both Tipperary and his club Thurles Sarsfields.

Speaking to the media today, the six-time All-Star elaborated on some of the details of his neck injury. He began by explaining how he was prompted to seek medical advice after he mistook some headaches and neck pain for possible having Covid-19 symptoms.

“I still have to meet one or two more lads about it to determine how old it is but at the moment from what I know I only got the symptoms from around the time of the county final when my neck was at me and I was getting a few headaches.

“That’s when it arose but again it could have been an accumulation of things, I don’t know. That’s why I’m hoping to meet one or two more specialists tomorrow and at the start of next week and hopefully they’ll be able to give me a bit more information as regards how old it is, how it happened, but there is a fair chance from what I told it happened in training or something between the county semi-final and final because the symptoms arose a few days before the county final.

“I said I wasn’t feeling great. At the time, I thought ‘am I getting Covid?’, I didn’t know what was going on. But then we got to the root of it recently and thankfully we did because if the doc didn’t send me for a scan I could be in training and could have been making it a lot worse unbeknownst to myself. Very unlucky but very lucky at the same time.

“So there is a fair chance I took a knock at training, noticed it myself. The way we train with Sarsfields is fairly physical so there is a fair chance I got a knock there and whether it ruptured something then or made an old injury worse I don’t know but hopefully I’ll get a lot of answers in the following weeks.”

Maher added that he was reassured by the doctor that eliminating the risk now means he can look forward to a healthy life away from hurling. He’s also clear to continue working for An Garda Síochána.

All forms of contact sport are no longer available to him, but individual pursuits like running, swimming and cycling are still safe options.

He has also recently opened the Heyday coffee house in Thurles with his Tipp team-mate Séamus Callanan, which will give him a new focus.

“He [the doctor] only listed off what the damage could be,” says Maher, “especially when you are working in the head and neck area, he put it to me, do you want your girlfriend lifting you off the couch to put you to bed every night? It was that extreme so when he started talking like that, I said, this is a fairly black and white decision for me.

“Thankfully, the risk has been taken away, please God, and with the bit of guidance from the medics going forward I will have a perfectly healthy life to live.

“It’s going to be some void to fill alright, being gone four or five nights a week and building up to big games at the weekend. So it’s going to be strange.

“I don’t know if I can be twisting or turning or moving my neck too sharply but there’s still loads for me to do between work and the coffee shop.”

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Maher departs as one of Tipperary’s greatest ever players, who won three senior All-Ireland titles throughout the course of a decade. He also enjoyed success at underage level and was part of an exciting group of emerging talents that broke through to the senior ranks in 2010.

He added that the outpouring of appreciation for his contribution to hurling has been “amazing” and that he didn’t expect the huge volume of messages.

Tipperary will get their Division 1B campaign underway this weekend when they travel to face Laois in Portlaoise. Maher’s brother Ronan is still a key player for the county, and he wants to get started on adjusting to the role of supporter.

“I’m actually thinking this morning I might go down to Portlaoise to get it out of the system. It will be strange alright but get to the first one or two games and I’ll be as much a supporter as anyone.

“Ronan is involved there as well and I need to support him as well and yeah, sure, we’ll see we might go down to Portlaoise on Saturday evening and a few pints on the way home. Life has changed a lot in the last few days, it’s very strange.”

– First published 13.59, 3 February

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MARK KEANE FELT the timing was right to pursue a hurling career with Cork after his decision last month to bring his time in the AFL to a close.

Source: Seb Daly/SPORTSFILE

The 21-year-old departed his Aussie Rules club Collingwood after being based with the Melbourne side since 2018.

His sporting focus has returned to his GAA roots in Ireland but despite starring for Cork football underage sides and famously scoring the goal for the senior team that secured a dramatic win over Kerry in November 2020, he has linked up with Kieran Kingston’s hurling squad for the year ahead.

Mark Keane is focused on Cork hurlers in 2022.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

“Football was always kind of my love, I played hurling all the way up as well,” says Keane.

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“I played minor and U20 at football level, would’ve played both if I could have. I just thought it was the right time to give hurling a go. It’s a dream for everyone really to play both codes, play Cork hurling and football. Since I’ve done the football, I just wanted to give hurling a go. I just feel like it’s the right time.

“I’ve been working closely with the selectors above in Cork senior hurling. They’ve been great and very supportive, trying to get the best out of me.

“It’s a very young crop of good players coming through, training sessions are very high intensity and very enjoyable. That’s all thanks I suppose to Kieran with Noel Furlong and Pat Mulcahy, they’ve been super. Even the training sessions are a great buzz, going up and meeting all the lads.”

Keane has a strong underage hurling track record and will link up with some colleagues from those teams now on the senior stage with Cork.

“I’ve a Munster medal and All-Ireland medal in hurling from U15 and U16 under John Meyler. Winning with the likes of Darragh Connery, Tommy O’Connell, Sean Twomey, and seeing them playing with Cork senior hurling. Seeing the Cork footballers win the U20 final (in 2019), my fellow clubmate Cathal O’Mahony win the U20 title as well. That was devastating for me as well, and I felt I could have been a part of it, if I was at home.”

Cork’s league campaign may be commencing on Saturday against Clare but Keane has a more significant assignment. His form for his club Ballygiblin has rekindled his interest in hurling, a series of powerful displays have helped propel them into the AIB All-Ireland junior final against Kilkenny’s Mooncoin.

He may have played at the MCG in Australia but this will be his first time gracing the Croke Park stage.

Mark Keane in action for Collingwood.

Source: AAP/PA Images

“It’s everyone’s dream to be in Croke Park with your club, definitely (didn’t think I would) with Ballygiblin. It’s an unbelievable buzz in fairness, it’s only a small country club outside of Mitchelstown. I couldn’t speak highly enough of Brian Molan and Liam Doc (O’Doherty), our chairman and secretary, they’ve been unreal. They’re just great characters and you just want to play and win for them any day of the week.”

After opting to close out his AFL days, Keane has no regrets at the end of a sporting chapter that saw him make five appearances for Collingwood.

“I went back over for five or six weeks for a pre-season (at the end of 2021). When I came home I just wasn’t ready to go back. Just in my own head, I’ve always went back without a bother but this time just felt it wasn’t the same and wasn’t ready to go back and commit to it.

“I suppose I always wanted to come home and play for Cork in either hurling or football. I just felt like it was the right time to come home.

“It’s always a tough decision when you’re leaving the AFL. I just had to ring the head coach and general manager and had a few conversations with them and they were very supportive of it as well, looked after me very well with my transition back to home.

“When I was over there I was always invested in it, whenever I was training, I trained to the best of my ability and stuff like that, but in the back of my mind GAA was always there. I’ve tried loads of times to ignore the GAA back here at home, but unfortunately I couldn’t get it out of my head.”

Mark Keane.

Source: AAP/PA Images

The restrictions enforced by Covid-19 made life difficult off the pitch over the past couple of years.

“I wasn’t able to get my parents and girlfriend over for my AFL debut. There were special moments like that you weren’t able to do. You weren’t able to come home as easy as you were.

“There were restrictions put on the AFL boys, even though there weren’t in Melbourne – you weren’t ablet to go to restaurants and stuff like, just to keep the AFL season up and running.

“AFL PA, and the Gaelic Players Association, have been super with helping me. AFL PA, even though you are retired, they’ll still help you for three years post-retirement, which is very good.

“The transiton has been good. It’s definitely been easier with there being a good buzz around the place, around Mitchelstown and Ballygiblin.”

When living in Australia, hurling was initially parked in Keane’s list of priorities. He then availed of an O’Neills depot in Adelaide to get himself a hurley so he could puck around with his housemate, Meath’s Cian McBride, and took in the odd training session with Melbourne club Garryowen.

Since last autumn he has become immersed in the sport again, only missing one of Ballygiblin’s matches when they played a Munster semi-final. He’s keeping an eye on Cork’s league trip to Tullamore on Sunday week against Offaly and gearing himself up for an All-Ireland club final.

The aim is achieve more than just that memorable goal for Cork in Páirc Uí Chaoimh in 2020.

“It’s always good when you’re knocking Kerry out of championship – you can’t beat them enough. I was just glad that we got to the Munster final, but we didn’t finish it off when we should have. I don’t want to be remembered just for that.

“I want to be remembered for other things: Playing with Cork hurling this year, aiding and helping Ballygiblin to get to an All-Ireland final, being around Mitchelstown in county finals, playing in the AFL as well.”

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DAITHÍ BURKE HAS been appointed as the Galway senior hurling captain for 2022.

The five-time All-Star and 2017 All-Ireland champion succeeds Padraic Mannion in the role, with Joseph Cooney named vice-captain. 

The news was announced in a Galway GAA statement, which reads: “We are delighted to announce that Daithí Burke, Turloughmore GAA, will captain the Galway senior hurling team for 2022 with Joseph Cooney, Sarsfields GAA, named as vice-captain.”

“Wishing Daithí, Joseph, the senior hurling panel, Henry Shefflin and management a successful year.”

📢PRESS RELEASE
We are delighted to announce that Daithí Burke @turloughmorehc will captain the Galway Senior Hurling team for 2022 with Joseph Cooney @SarsfieldsGAA named as Vice-Captain.
Wishing Daithí, Joseph, the Senior Hurling panel, Henry Shefflin & mgmt a successful year. pic.twitter.com/76KvhemONa

— Galway GAA (@Galway_GAA) February 3, 2022

Turloughmore defender Burke has been a mainstay for the county since making his debut eight years ago, and the 29-year-old dual star previously captained his club to the 2020 county final.

Shefflin’s Tribe open their 2022 National Hurling League campaign against Offaly at Pearse Stadium on Sunday.

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Their Walsh Cup campaign saw them beat Michael Fennelly’s Faithful county and Antrim, and lose heavily to Dublin.

Galway exited the 2021 Liam MacCarthy race after defeat to Waterford in the qualifiers.

THE MULLINAHONE LADIES team is uniquely composed of players from two different counties.

Mullinahone’s Molly Walsh [right] ahead of the All-Ireland final against St Jude’s.

Source: Seb Daly/SPORTSFILE

Situated about halfway between Clonmel and Kilkenny city, the village sits right alongside the border between the two counties. Its official address is in the Premier region. On the other side of that line, a short drive away into Kilkenny territory, is the village of Windgap.

Both clubs belong to hurling country.

But football has been progressing in Mullinahone and both localities have formed an unusual alliance over the years, allowing players from both sides of the fence to play both codes.

The longevity of that relationship has resulted in Mullinahone reaching the currentaccount.ie All-Ireland junior club final against St Jude’s of Dublin this Saturday.

The squad will that will contest the decider includes seven camogie players from Windgap.

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“Yeah, I’m from Windgap,” Mullinahone defender Molly Walsh tells the media ahead of that showdown with St Jude’s in Baltinglass.

“I’ve been playing football over in Mullinahone since I was 10. I’m here long enough anyway. When I started playing football, Mullinahone was the closest football team to me, so that’s where I went. A few more of the girls have joined in the last few years. It’s brilliant.

“The football has been really getting going this year. We’ve been working away for years but this was the first year that we won a junior county final. 

“It’s great to have Mullinahone to play football in because I would have had nowhere to play football in Windgap. It was only in primary school. I came over to Mullinahone then. There’s always been a few going over and back playing football there. We have a few playing camogie with us in Windgap.”

One of the Windgap seven that’s serving for Mullinahone is Kilkenny camogie star Denise Gaule. Gaule is a four-time All-Star in the small ball game, and was also crowned Camogie Association/WGPA Senior Players’ Player of the Year for the 2020 season.

A reliable free-taker for the Cats, Gaule converted a crucial last-minute penalty in the All-Ireland final that year which delivered a second O’Duffy Cup triumph for the county since 2016.

She’s a new recruit for the Mullinahone footballers, but Walsh says there’s been no struggle in making the transition.

“I’d say she’d adapt fairly quickly to anything she put her hand to,” Walsh says in praise of Gaule.

“She just came on board this year. The camogie finished up early. She was looking for a bit more to do. I’d be used to playing with her in Windgap.

“It’s probably good that we’re not in the same county. There’s not as much rivalry between each other. We all went out as one the other day. The supporters were brilliant. There were loads from Windgap and from Mullinahone.”

At the outset of the season, Mullinahone’s objective was to win the county final. They surpassed that goal by claiming Munster honours after defeating MKL Gaels of Kerry before earning a place in the All-Ireland final after getting the better of Galway’s St Brendan’s in last month’s semi-final.

A win over St Jude’s would be historic for Mullinahone and would make them the first Tipperary club to win an All-Ireland title at this grade.

“We’re delighted to be there,” says Walsh.

“It’s a Dublin team, they’d be much more known for their football than we would be down here. They will be a brilliant side, there’s no doubt about that.

“All the teams we’ve played are brilliant, all very close matches. [St] Brendans really put us under pressure, especially in the last few minutes.”

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University of Limerick 2-12
Queens University Belfast 0-13

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK’S hopes for a first-ever Sigerson Cup title continue after goals in either half from Kerry sharpshooter David Clifford helped them to a 2-12 to 0-13 quarter-final victory over a spirited Queens Belfast side in Abbotstown.

Clifford finished as top scorer with 2-4 (2-3 from play) and along with Donal O’Sullivan and Emmet McMahon proved to be a constant threat as the Munster outfit prevailed despite being behind at half-time.

Clifford showed the attacking firepower he possesses for his opening goal after 10 minutes as he used all his strength and skill to finish expertly to the net after getting his hands on the ball for the first time in the game. This goal put UL two points in front.

However, in the remaining 20 minutes of the half, Queens would outscore UL by 0-6 to 0-3 to go in with a one-point lead at the break. The excellent Conor Turbitt showed his accuracy from frees and play during this time with the Armagh attacker kicking seven out of his team’s eight first-half scores.

UL’s Paul Towey and Conor Turbitt of Queen’s University.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

UL needed to respond after the break and they did so very impressively, scoring 1-6 without reply between the 34th and 52nd minute. Clifford scored 1-4 of this total with his goal coming as he punched to the net after being set-up by O’Sullivan.

To their credit, Queens never gave up and they scored four points in the final five minutes. This wasn’t enough, however, to deny Declan Brouder’s side a place in the semi-finals with UL running out five-point winners.

If Clifford and co.continue to hit top form, you wouldn’t be surprised to see the Limerick college going all the way and creating history.

Scorers for UL: D Clifford 2-4 ( 1 45), D O’Sullivan 0-6 (5 f) and E McMahon 0-2.

Scorers for Queens: C Turbett 0-8 (6 f), K Hughes 0-2 (1f), P Brooks, P Finnegan, C Love (f) all 0-1.

University of Limerick

1. C Flaherty (Claregalway/Carnmore – Galway)

2. P Towey (Charlestown – Mayo), 3. C Donnelly (Bracknagh – Offaly), 4. P Maher (Adare – Limerick)

5. J Coyne (Ballyhaunis – Mayo) 6. S Powter (Douglas – Cork) 7. E McLaughlin (Westport – Mayo)

8. C Dempsey (Knockmore – Mayo), 9. D Walsh (Kilmurry-Ibrickane – Clare)

10. C Downes (Kilmhil – Clare), 11. E McMahon (Kildysart – Clare), 12. O Looney (Miltown Malbay – Clare)

13. D Clifford (Fossa – Kerry), 14. D Gray (Castledermot – Kildare), 15. D O’Sullivan (Kilgarvan – Kerry).

Substitutes:

• C Igoe (Bonniconlon – Mayo) for D Gray (Half-time)
• P Walsh (Brosna – Kerry) for D O’Sullivan (56)
• S McDonnell (Mallow – Cork) for O Looney (62).

Queens University Belfast

1. E Mulholland (Clann Eireann – Armagh)

2. S Bolger (Killeshin – Laois), 3. R Conroy (Tír na nÓg Moy – Tyrone), 4. P Fagan (St Mary’s Burren – Down)

5. G Brown (Na Piarsaigh – Limerick), 6. M Murnaghan (Killyclogher Tyrone), 7. P Brooks (Glenn – Down)

8. R Donnolly (Carrickmore – Tyrone), 9. T Bogue (Tempo Maguire’s – Fermanagh)

10. F Canavan (Bryansford – Down), 11. O Mallon (Dungannon Thomas Clarkes – Tyrone), 12. B Campbell (Ballyholland – Down)

13. K Hughes (Ballymacnab – Armagh), 14. C Turbett (Clann Eireann – Armagh), 15. A McAvoy (St Marys Burren – Down).

Substitutes:

• S McCarthy (Clann Eireann – Armagh) for R Conroy (6, inj.)
• C Gorman (Newry Shamrocks) for K Hughes (42)
• C Love (Enniskillen Gaels – Fermanagh) for O Mallon (44)
• P Finnegan (Naomh Bríd Belfast – Antrim) for F Canavan (52).

Referee: David Gough (Meath).

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MAYO GAA HAVE confirmed that star forward Tommy Conroy suffered a cruciate ligament injury, while in action in the Sigerson Cup last night.

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A statement released this evening has outlined the injury suffered by The Neale forward, who went off injured while playing for NUI Galway in last night’s quarter-final tie against Letterkenny IT.

The Mayo GAA medical team did a full assessment and examination today, which confirmd Conroy’s knee injury setback.

“Tommy is such a great person and player,” said Mayo boss James Horan.

“We all wish him well during his rehabilitation. Tommy will still play a huge part in Mayo’s season and will remain very much part of the panel. Unfortunately, injuries like this are part of sport.

“I know all the players will rally around Tommy and I am sure it will galvanise the entire team, but I know his injury will inspire other players to drive forward, step up and follow in his boots.”

“It is such an unfortunate injury at this time of year,” said Mayo GAA chairperson Seamus Touhy.

“Mayo GAA however, will provide whatever it takes to support Tommy and ensure he gets the best medical care during his recovery.”

Tommy Conroy celebrates during last year’s win for Mayo against Dublin.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

Conroy burst to prominence for Mayo in the last two seasons as he helped them reach two All-Ireland finals. He was particularly impressive in their memorable All-Ireland semi-final win over Dublin last August, scoring 0-3 from play in Croke Park. 

His absence removes a major attacking option for Mayo this season, although long-serving star Cillian O’Connor is due to return from injury this spring after tearing his Achilles tendon last year.

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NUI Galway 0-23
UCC 0-14

John Fallon reports from Dangan

NUI GALWAY SECURED home advantage for the quarter-finals of the Fitzgibbon Cup after an impressive victory over UCC at Dangan in Galway.

Both sides had already qualified for the knockout stages so home advantage was the prize on offer on a wet afternoon in Galway and Jeff Lynskey’s side delivered a solid performance in a game where they never trailed.

It helps, of course, to have the Hurler of the Year on board and the deft touches of Cian Lynch, especially in the opening half, were decisive and he could be poised to follow up his successes with Mary Immaculate in this competition with the Galway university where he is studying a Masters in Education.

But once again it was the accuracy of Galway’s Evan Niland which provided the scores as the Clarinbridge man landed twelve frees and one from play, while another who will be key to Henry Shefflin’s plans, Killimordaly’s Brian Concannon, was again impressive.

UCC were just unable to break down a rock solid Galway defence where Jack Fitzpatrick was again outstanding along with 2017 All-Ireland minor winning captain Darren Morrissey, while the 2019 successful captain Ian McGlynn was prominent in midfield.

That gave NUIG, looking for their first Fitzgibbon since 2010, a big platform and UCC were chasing the game from early on as the hosts opened up a 0-10 to 0-2 lead at the end of the opening quarter when they had the wind and rain behind them.

Three William Henn frees and points from the hard-working Shane Barrett and Mark Kehoe gave UCC hope but they turned around trailing by 0-15 to 0-6.

They needed a big start to the second-half but NUIG matched them point for point in the third quarter to lead by 0-19 to 0-10 and with UCC never looking like they would chisel their way through a resolute defence for a goal, the Galway college eased into a home quarter-final.

Scorers for NUI Galway: Evan Niland 0-13 (0-12f), Brian Concannon 0-3, Conor Walsh 0-2, Mark Gill 0-1, Ian McGlynn 0-1, Cian Lynch 0-1, John Fleming 0-1, Mark Kennedy 0-1.

Scorers for UCC: Shane Barrett 0-6 (0-5f, 0-1 ’65), William Henn 0-3f, Mark Kehoe 0-3, Conor Bowe 0-1, Simon Kennefick 0-1.

NUI Galway

1. Liam O’Reilly (Castlegar, Galway)

2. Eoin Lawless (Athenry, Galway), 3 Jack Fitzpatrick (Killimordaly, Galway), 4. Conor Caulfield (Kilconieron, Galway)

5. Caimin Killeen (Loughrea, Galway), 6. Darren Morrissey (Sarsfields, Galway), 7 Mark Gill (Castlegar, Galway)

8. Ian McGlynn (Kilconieron, Galway), 9. Diarmuid Kilcommins (Annaghdown, Galway)

10. Conor Walsh (Turloughmore, Galway), 11, Cian Lynch (Patrickswell, Limerick), 12. Brian Concannon (Killimordaly, Galway)

15. Phillip Hickey (Nenagh Éire Óg, Tipperary) 14. John Fleming (Meelick-Eyrecourt, Galway), 13. Evan Niland (Clarinbridge, Galway)

Subs

26. Mark Kennedy (Clarinbridge, Galway) for Hickey (50)

18. Sean Burke (Kilconieron, Galway) for Kilcommins (50)

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19. Adam Brett (Galway) for Gill (53)

23. Liam Forde (Galway) for Fleming (53)

17. Eoin O’Donnell (Galway) for Killeen (57)

UCC

1. Ian Butler (Kildorrery, Cork)

3. Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons, Cork), 9. Ger Millerick (Fr O’Neills, Cork), 4 Killian O’Dwyer (Killenaule, Tipperary)

17. Rob Downey (Glen Rovers, Cork), 5. Ronan Connolly (Adare, Limerick) 22 Ciaran Barry (Ahane, Limerick)

6. Tommy O’Connell (Midleton, Cork), 7. Daire Connery (Na Piarsaigh, Cork)

10. Conor Boylan (Na Piarsaigh, Limerick), 8. Conor Cahalane (St Finbarr’s, Cork), 14. Shane Barrett (Blarney, Cork)

18. Simon Kennefick (Glen Rovers, Cork), 11. William Henn (Na Piarsaigh, Limerick), 12 Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan-Kilcash, Tipperary)

Subs

21. Padraig Power (Blarney, Cork) for Barry (27)

13. Conor Bowe (Moyne-Templetuohy, Tipperary) for Henn (half-time)

15. Jack O’Connor (Sarsfields, Cork) for O’Connell (half-time)

33. Cormac O’Brien (Newtownshandrum, Cork) for Cahalane (46)

28. Eoin Roche (Bride Rovers, Cork) for Connery (52)

Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick)

Today’s other Fitzgibbon Cup results

Group A

• Mary Immaculate College 6-15 UCD 6-15

Group B

• DCU 2-13 IT Carlow 3-10
• Waterford IT 5-17 Maynooth University 0-20

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DCU 2-12
Ulster University 2-11

DCU SURVIVED IN an exciting finale after a late Darragh Canavan goal to clinch a one-point success over Ulster University in their Sigerson Cup quarter-final tie this evening.

DCU’s Liam Coleman tackles Ulster University’s Darragh Canavan.

Source: Tom Maher/INPHO

DCU, the reigning champions after their success in 2020, prevailed after a brilliant second-half display. They trailed by three points at half-time and by five early in the second half, but inspired by the impact off the bench from Galway’s Robert Finnerty, along with goals by Laois forward Mark Barry and Sligo’s Red Óg Murphy, Paddy Christie’s side secured a last four place.

#SigersonCup Full Time

Watch full time highlights here as DCU narrowly defeat UU .@DCUDocEirGAA 2-12@UlsterUniGAA 2-11#FirstClassRivals #DCUvUU@HigherEdGAA pic.twitter.com/LVR65ITzNx

— Electric Ireland (@ElectricIreland) February 2, 2022

DCU looked comfortable with a four-point advantage with a minute of normal time left but then a mix-up when in possession in defence saw the ball passed straight to Canavan on his own near goal and he side-stepped the goalkeeper before booting to the net.

Ulster University, who brought on Derry’s Conor Glass in the second half to partner Cavan’s Thomas Galligan at midfield, pushed for a levelling score in injury-time. They had two long-range speculative efforts for points that tailed wide and then the full-time whistle was blown during another passage of play.

DCU’s Shea Ryan is challenged by Ulster University’s Thomas Galligan.

Source: Tom Maher/INPHO

The terms of the first half were dictated by Ulster University as they went head 0-6 to 0-3 at the interval. McKernan struck one quality point from distance while Derry’s Niall Loughlin and Down’s Andrew Gilmore showed up well in attack, finishing 1-7 between them.

DCU were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Shea Ryan was fouled before half-time but a free was instead given which Barry converted. DCU shipped early points to Karl and Michael Gallagher in the second half, before they received a lifeline in the 33rd minute, Matthew Costello and Mark Curran combined to split the defence, the move culminating with Barry scrambling in a goal.

DCU scored four of the game’s next six points, Finnerty shooting three of those, and by the 40th minute they were level at 1-7 to 0-10. Then Ulster University came strong again with Canavan pulling the strings to set up Loughlin for a goal and place him for a mark with a brilliant pass.

Sligo’s Red Óg Murphy in action for DCU.

Source: Tom Maher/INPHO

They were 1-11 to 1-8 clear in the last quarter before DCU took over and shot 1-4 without reply. Meath’s Shane Walsh started to become influential in attack with some impressive points and the key score occurred in the 51st minute when Red Óg Murphy netted from a penalty after being fouled himself.

Canavan’s goal left DCU hanging on to their advantage but they booked their spot in the semi-finals, where they join MTU Kerry and NUI Galway.

Scorers for DCU: Mark Barry 1-2 (0-1f), Robert Finnerty 0-4 (0-3f), Red Óg Murphy 1-0 (1-0 pen), Shane Walsh 0-3 (0-1f), Joseph Hagan, Padraic Hughes, Mark Curran 0-1 each.

Scorers for Ulster University: Niall Loughlin 1-3 (0-1f, 0-1 mark), Andrew Gilmore 0-4, Darragh Canavan 1-0, Liam Nugent, Michael McKernan, Karl Gallagher, Mark Gallagher 0-1 each.

DCU

David O’Hanlon (Na Fianna, Dublin)

Dan Corcoran (Geraldines, Louth), Shea Ryan (Sarsfields, Kildare), Mark Curran (An Clochan Liath)

Luke Towey (St Molaise Gaels, Sligo), Jordan Morrissey (Éire Óg, Mayo), Matthew Costello (Dunshaughlin, Meath)

Liam Coleman (Castletown Liam Mellows, Wexford), Red Óg Murphy (Curry, Sligo)

Padraic Hughes (Kilanerin, Wexford), Shane Walsh (Na Fianna, Dublin), Bill Carroll (Cappincur, Offaly)

Shane Tierney (Daingean, Offaly), Jack Bryant (Shamrocks, Offaly), Mark Barry (O’Dempsey’s, Laois) 

Subs

Shane O’Donnell (St Eunan’s, Donegal) for Carroll (half-time)

Robert Finnerty (Salthill/Knocknacarra, Galway) for Bryant (half-time)

Karl Lynch Bissett (Naomh Mearnóg, Wexford) for Barry (40)

Joseph Hagan (Dromard, Longford) for Tierney (46)

S Byrne (Killybegs, Donegal) for Coleman (56).

Ulster University

Odhran Lynch (Magherafelt)

A Clarke (Omagh, Tyrone), F McElroy (Longstone, Down), M Gallagher (Trillick, Tyrone)

M McKearney (Dungannon, Tyrone), R Boyle (Truagh, Monaghan), M McKernan (Coalisland, Tyrone)

T Galligan (Lacken, Cavan), M McGleenan (Eglish, Tyrone)

K Gallagher (Emyvale, Monaghan), D Canavan (Errigal Ciaran, Tyrone), R Gormley (Strabane, Tyrone)

L Nugent (Rock, Tyrone), N Loughlin (Greenlough, Derry), A Gilmore (St John’s, Down).

Subs

D Mulgrew (Ardboe, Tyrone) for Gormley (h-t)

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C Glass (Glen, Derry) for McGleenan (40)

J Garrity (Trillick, Tyrone) for K Gallagher (46)

S Loughran (Ballyholland, Down) for Canavan (60).

MOURNEABBEY MIDFIELDER MÁIRE O’Callaghan has been named Cork senior ladies football captain for 2022.

26-year-old O’Callaghan takes the reins from goalkeeper Martina O’Brien, who captained the Rebels last season, and also follows in the footsteps of clubmates Doireann and Ciara O’Sullivan who filled the role in recent years.

All-Star defender Melissa Duggan has been named vice-captain.

“Cork county board along with senior manager Shane Ronayne are delighted to announce that Máire O’Callaghan, Mourneabbey, will captain the Cork senior team for 2022,” a statement from the county reads.

“Melissa Duggan, Doheny’s, will be vice captain.

“We wish both Máire, Melissa and the senior panel the very best of luck for the year.”

Both certain to be popular choices amongst the group, O’Callaghan has established herself as a key player for the Rebels over the past few years.

Also deployed as a defender at times, she has played a central part in Mourneabbey’s glittering run to two All-Ireland senior club titles, seven Munster crowns and seven county championships since 2014.

Cork Senior Captain and management announcement 2022! Congratulations and best wishes to Máire, Melissa, Shane and all the management pic.twitter.com/0KaLnPzalj

— Cork LGFA (@CorkLGFA) February 2, 2022

The Clyda outfit fell short in their bid for three national honours in-a-row against Kilkerrin-Clonberne of Galway on Saturday.

Cork LGFA have also confirmed Ronayne’s backroom team, with Denis Enright and Barry Cullinane in as coaches and selectors, and Paul Howard (strength and conditioning coach), Ger Lomard (goalkeeping coach) and Sheila Denney (female liason officer) also among the wider group.

Former Munster rugby player Johnny Holland is on board as nutritionist.

Cork open their Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1 campaign with a clash againts Meath on 12 February, in their first competitive meeting since last year’s dramatic All-Ireland semi-final defeat.

The face league holders Dublin in Croke Park the following week.

Erika O’Shea said earlier this week that new boss Ronayne is “focusing on [getting back to] the All-Ireland final,” as they eye a first Brendan Martin Cup lift since 2016.

In other Cork ladies football news, the county is set to have a Senior B football panel for 2022, as reported by local journalist Ger McCarthy:

Interesting development. @CorkLGFA pressing ahead with a Senior B football panel for 2022.

Manager @PeterOLeary15 (@InchRovers)
Coaches/Selectors:
Karyn Graham (@MourneabbeyLFC)
Ken Whelan (@NemoRangersGAA)
Tomas Mac An tSaor
Colin McTaggert (@NemoRangersGAA)#corklgfa #lgfa pic.twitter.com/h5XRSiqRwy

— Ger McCarthy (@germccarthy74) January 31, 2022

Meanwhile in Kerry, Anna Galvin has been named captain once again with Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh the vice-captain.

Southern Gaels star Galvin first took the captaincy in 2020, and was hailed a “natural leader” by management in an interview with The42 after the selection was made. 

Congratulations to Southern Gaels player Anna Galvin on her appointment as captain of the Kerry Ladies team for the 2022 season. @southerngaelsky
Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh of Corca Dhuibhne will be Vice Captain 💚💛🏐 pic.twitter.com/APlaOPnGdh

— KerryLGFA (@kerryladiesfoot) February 2, 2022

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