Month: March 2022

SARSFIELDS PLAYER LAURA Ward believes the integration of the Camogie Association with the GAA would be a major benefit in securing appropriate pitches for championship games.

Sarsfields player Laura Ward.

Source: Sam Barnes/SPORTSFILE

Ward will line out for the Galway club in next Sunday’s AIB All-Ireland senior final against Oulart-the-Ballagh of Wexford in Croke Park.

They will be playing in the best stadium in the country this weekend but Ward has plenty past experience of uncertainty surrounding the staging of their fixtures.

“It’d be absolutely unbelievable to have everything under the one umbrella, mostly for pitches. Camogie seems to struggle to get pitches. At least if we have full power to get into pitches, you can’t be kicked out at the last minute, like many teams have been.

Source: Sam Barnes/SPORTSFILE

“I remember for our All-Ireland semi-final a few years ago against Thomastown, we were kicked out literally an hour before the game and sent down to a pitch with no white lines, no flags, the grass wasn’t cut.

“We walked the pitch beforehand. I think it was the groundsman who said the pitch wasn’t playable. The pitch was 100% playable. We walked it and it was grand. It was a typical thing against camogie.

“Them things, hopefully when everything is under the one umbrella nothing like that can happen.”

A venue issue was in the spotlight again for the recent All-Ireland semi-final when Sarsfields defeated Slaughtneil.

The original venue of Kingspan Breffni in Cavan was deemed unplayable and with adverse weather conditions around the country, both teams had to journey to the south-east to play the game in Gorey in Wexford.

“It was very important for us to put all that aside and concentrate on the task in hand,” said Ward.

“It was up to management to sort out the rest and be in contact with the Camogie (Association) and sort out where we were going. We just tried to enjoy the Saturday and get ready for the game again on Sunday.

“Out of all the games I’ve ever played in it would have to be the worst conditions ever. The ball was landing and you could see the puddles splashing. You can learn a lot from a game like that, from a dogged game, especially with extra-time.”

A dejected Laura Ward after Sarsfields lost the All-Ireland club final to Oulart-the-Ballagh.

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

Sarsfields won this championship in March 2020 before losing on 18 December, the long-delayed 2021 final at the hands of Oulart-the-Ballagh.

They renew acquaintances with their Wexford opponents, just under three months later to add a surreal twist to Sunday’s showdown.

“It definitely is strange. It feels like déjà vu, especially when they’re so close together. We were just so blessed that last year’s All-Ireland series was played. We fought so hard to get it played, Sarsfields and Oulart as well.

“After that final before Christmas, we all would have felt very disheartened coming off the pitch. If that doesn’t drive any player on, I don’t know what would. If you want to win, you want to mark the best, you want to play the best and you want to beat the best so I suppose that’s enough of a drive in itself.

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“It wasn’t our A-game at all. They had their work done on us, there was that four or five-minute spell in the first half where they went to town on us and that killed us. They do that in a lot of their games. Going out there the next day, all you want to do is win the first ball and hope every other ball will bounce into your hand or bounce the right way for you.”

*****

Comedian Michael Fry is our special guest on this week’s episode of The Front Row, in partnership with Guinness. Joining host Seán Burke, Eimear Considine and Murray Kinsella, he chats about his family’s rugby background and his short-lived playing days, before using his musical ear to rank the anthems of each Guinness Six Nations team. Click here to subscribe or listen below:

JAMES O’CONNOR HAS joined the Midleton set-up as coach for the 2022 season. 

The Waterford native brought Ballyhale Shamrocks to the All-Ireland club decider where they lost in heartbreaking fashion to Ballygunner in Croke Park. He led them to two Kilkenny titles and a Leinster crown during his two-year spell with the Kilkenny kingpins. 

O’Connor stepped down as Ballyhale boss following that defeat and will form part of manager Steve Kane’s backroom team with Midleton. The Lismore clubman previously enjoyed success as manager of Carrigtwohill and Fr. O’Neills in the Rebel County.

He’ll effectively replace former Cork captain Ben O’Connor, who departed as coach following Midleton’s Munster semi-final loss to Kilmallock.

The Cork SHC champions have appointed Kane as their new manager, with outgoing boss Ger Fitzgerald retained in a selector role. Fellow selectors Terence McCarthy and Criostóir O Cathasaigh complete the backroom team.

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Ardscoil Rís, Limerick 1-18
Presentation College, Athenry 1-12

John Fallon reports from Dangan

ARDSCOIL RÍS FROM Limerick finished strongly to book an All-Ireland post-primary schools senior hurling semi-final date with Good Counsel of New Ross next weekend after this hard-fought win at Dangan in Galway.

The sides were level four times in the second-half but the Limerick school came good and reeled off six points without reply to advance after a good contest in front of a big crowd at the NUI Galway complex.

The original clash between these two sides was abandoned last Saturday week when a Presentation College player suffered a serious head injury in an accidental collision. The player is making a full recovery and was with his team for this game but did not play.

There was an edge to proceedings throughout a good game with the Athenry college building up a 1-7 to 1-3 lead in the opening quarter.

Aaron Niland, the 15-year old brother of Galway senior Evan, struck 1-3 from play in that time, while at the other end the impressive David Kennedy found the net.

The accuracy of Niall O’Farrell from placed balls was key to the Ardscoil Rís recovery, with centre-back Vince Harrington also prominent and they got back on level terms before a free from Niland edged Presentation College 1-9 to 1-8 in front at the break.

Shane O’Brien was the key figure in the second-half with the Kilmallock clubman landing four from play, levelling the game inside a minute of the restart.

The sides then exchanged points three times in the third quarter but Presentation College failed to score from play after the restart and Ardscoil Rís pulled away in the final segment, shooting six points without reply to advance.

Scorers for Ardscoil Rís: Niall O’Farrell 0-9 (0-7f, 0-1 ’65), David Kennedy 1-2, Shane O’Brien 0-4, Jack Golden 0-2, Rian O’Byrne 0-1.

Scorers for Presentation College: Aaron Niland 1-4 (0-1f), Gavin Lee 0-6 (0-4f, 0-2 ’65), Tiarnán Leen 0-1, Darragh McCartin 0-1.

Ardscoil Rís

1 Seimi Gully (Clonlara)

2 Evan O’Leary (Ahane), 3 John Fitzgerald (Na Piarsaigh), 4 Colm Flynn (Sixmilebridge)

5 Brian O’Keeffe (Murroe-Boher), 6 Vince Harrington (Na Piarsaigh), 7 Michael Gavin (Ballybrown)

8 JJ Carey (Na Piarsaigh), 9 Rian O’Byrne (Crecora-Manister)

10 Shane O’Brien (Kilmallock), 11 Niall O’Farrell (Broadford), 17 Jack Golden (Monaleen)

18 Diarmuid Stritch (Clonlara), 14 Oisin O’Farrell (Askeaton), 15 David Kennedy (Sixmilebridge).

Subs: 25 Riain McNamara (Cratloe) for O’Keeffe (45), 13 Dylan Lynch (Na Piarsaigh) for Stritch (46), 19 Fintan Fitzgerald (Mungret) for Flynn (57).

Presentation College

1 Darragh Walsh (Turloughmore)

2 Conor Lawless (Athenry), 3 Cian Shaughnessy (Turloughmore), 4 Cian Donoghue (Clarinbridge)

5 Luke Martyn (Clarinbridge), 6 Tiarnán Leen (Craughwell), 7 Darragh McCartin (Craughwell)

8 Liam Leen (Clarinbridge), 9 Matthew Tarpey (Turloughmore)

10 Thady Moran (Abbeyknockmoy), 11 Gavin Lee (Clarinbridge), 12 Oisin Quirke (Craughwell)

13 Ryan O’Donnell (Athenry), 14 Eanna Brady (Athenry), 15 Aaron Niland (Clarinbridge).

Subs: 17 Adam Stewart (Craughwell) for McCartin (51), 29 Conor Rooney (Craughwell) for Quirke (53), 19 Shaun Gilligan (Craughwell) for O’Donnell (55).

Referee: Richie Fitzsimons (Offaly).

Comedian Michael Fry is our special guest on this week’s episode of The Front Row, in partnership with Guinness. Joining host Seán Burke, Eimear Considine and Murray Kinsella, he chats about his family’s rugby background and his short-lived playing days, before using his musical ear to rank the anthems of each Guinness Six Nations team. Click here to subscribe or listen below:

THE GAA HAVE confirmed the fixture details for five football league games that were postponed last weekend due to the stormy weather conditions.

The fixtures have been pencilled in for next weekend 5-6 March, where there was a gap in the football league calendar, but means a hectic month of action is on the cards for the counties involved.

Saturday’s fixtures will see Westmeath play Longford and Fermanagh take on Laois in Division 3, the quartet currently filling the positions of fourth to seventh in that division.

On Sunday, Galway will aim to boost their promotion prospects in Division 2 after three successive wins when they host an Offaly team who are still searching for their first win.

There will also be action in Division 4 with Tipperary travelling to Wexford and Sligo hosting league leaders Cavan.

The full Allianz Football League fixture details are:

Saturday 5 March

Division Three

• Westmeath v Longford, TEG Cusack Park, 2pm

• Fermanagh v Laois, Brewster Park, 3.30pm

Sunday 6 March 

Division Two

• Galway v Offaly, Pearse Stadium, 2pm

Division Four

• Sligo v Cavan, Markievicz Park, 2pm

• Wexford v Tipperary, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 2pm

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DESSIE FARRELL REMAINS fully confident in Dublin’s ability to arrest their slide and turn the season around following their fourth defeat on the bounce.

The All-Ireland winning player and manager is enduring the most difficult period of his reign since replacing Jim Gavin at the end of 2019.

Their winless start to the league arrives on the back of last year’s All-Ireland semi-final reverse to Mayo, meaning they’ve incredibly lost five competitive games in succession. 

Farrell identified injuries to key players and a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal as the key reasons for Dublin’s recent poor run of results, but backed his team to respond in the right way.   

“Obviously we’re very disappointed,” he said after the 1-12 to 0-12 defeat to neighbours Kildare.

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“We probably felt we could have come away with something today, just the execution was poor at times and we coughed up a couple of goal chances.

“To be honest, I can’t fault the commitment and the intensity,” he continued. 

“(The players) have been remarkably positive. This is a great test of character for us all and a huge opportunity to build resilience and through adversity come to greater strength.

“It’s been a baptism of fire for new players for sure and a very different environment for the senior players. It’s all new. All you can do is embrace it and run with it – navigate your way through it and that’s what we’re about.

“There’s still a very talented bunch of players, the core group of this panel. A lot of experience, a lot of know-how. I think the challenge for us is to get everyone fit and healthy.

“We need to work out a couple of things. Build in a little bit of cohesiveness into our play and I think we will be very competitive. Where that gets us we’ll know in the course of time.

“There wouldn’t be too many backing us now at this stage. But I’m confident in the players. I’ve faith in the whole group to find a way – and that’s what we intend to do.

“Some of the senior players have found themselves in a situation that they haven’t before. How they respond to that, in terms of their attitude, commitment and the energy they’re bringing to training and how they’ve embraced young players, they’ve been fantastic.

“It’s just not clicking for us and hopefully that’ll come,” he added.

Dublin haven’t scored a goal in their last three games. While they created three decent goal chances in Newbridge, they were unable to raise a green flag. 

“Is it a little bit of confidence?” he asked. “I’m not sure.

“The effort to create opportunities was there – just the finishing wasn’t. Players were maybe a little bit out of sync and that cohesiveness isn’t there and it’s the tightest of margins balls being saved or ending up in the back of the net.”

Asked if Dublin’s aura of invincibility has disappeared, he responded: “I think people would say that was inevitable – it was always going to happen.

“It doesn’t make it any easier of course. We’ve just got to suck it up. Do what we need to do. Stay positive, stay focused on the task at hand, and that’s what we will do.”

First appearances of the season for Robbie McDaid, back after shoulder surgery, and Cillian O’Shea, who was the sole Kilmacud Crokes representative on the panel, brought Dublin to 31 players used in this campaign.

Regulars James McCarthy, Con O’Callaghan, Eoin Murchan, Cormac Costello and Paddy Small remain absent with injuries, while prospects Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne and Ciaran Archer are also out.

Jonny Cooper did make his first start since returning and Aaron Byrne and McDaid arrived off the bench follow recent lay-offs.

Farrell was coy around a timeline for the return of former All-Stars McCarthy and O’Callaghan.

“We’ve been unfortunate with some of the senior personnel who have been injured for a sustained period,” he said. “When they come back into the mix, it adds options and strength but as well, it brings an air of calm.

“We’re hoping to have a few players back in the next couple of weeks. It offers us different options for sure.”

Dublin travel to Omagh to face All-Ireland champions Tyrone in a fortnight with ties against Donegal and Armagh on the horizon. 

“We need to be converting some of these good performances into league points,” he said.  

“The focus for us has to be on the performance and take each performance game by game and continue to layer in improvements, continue to take the learnings from previous games and I think we’ve been doing that

“We’re just taking it game by game, we can’t look beyond that. We can’t get hung up on outcomes or potential consequences, it’s about performances for us. As I mentioned at the start of the league, our ambition was to build ourselves to the extent that we would be really, really competitive come summer time.

“Of course the league hasn’t gone the way we would have hoped but we have to stay focussed on what the big picture might be and that has to improve performance as we go and we’ll be looking to do that in the next game as well.”

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Allianz Football League results

Division 3

• Longford 1-10 Fermanagh 3-11

• Louth 1-15 Westmeath 1-13

Division 4

• London 1-6 Wexford 0-11

• Cavan 0-19 Carlow 1-12

• Waterford 1-13 Leitrim 2-17

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LOUTH GAVE THEIR promotion hopes a boost after a hard-fought win against neighbours Westmeath. 

The Lake County’s first defeat of the Division 3 campaign arrived as Sam Mulroy struck 11 points, all from frees, in a two-point win for Mickey Harte’s side.

Conor Grimes punched into the net in the 43rd minute and former AFL player Sam Mulroy added a brace off the bench. John Heslin hit 1-10 for Westmeath, but they were undone by Mulroy’s place kicking in the finale. 

Fermanagh were convincing winners over Longford to help ease their relegation fears. 

Trailing five at half-time, the Ernesiders hit the net twice through Sean Quigley in the second-period. A red card for Longford skipper Mickey Quinn badly hampered their chances.

Fermanagh are now just outside the relegation zone on three points, with Longford and Wicklow in seventh and eight respectively on a single point. 

In Division 4, London’s winning start came to an end in Ruislip, going down to Wexford by 0-11 to 1-6. John Tubritt and Mark Rossiter hit 0-3 apiece as the away side claimed victory, despite James Gallagher’s 1-1 for London. 

Elsewhere in the basement tier, Andy Moran’s Leitrim returned to winning ways as goals from Tom Prior and Darragh Rooney saw them enjoy an away 2-17 to 1-13 win over Waterford.

Cavan moved to the top of the table with a 0-19 to 1-12 victory against Carlow.

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Waterford and Antrim players in action.

Source: Declan Roughan/INPHO

Hurling League Results

Division 1 Group B

• Waterford 3-21 Antrim 2-22

• Kilkenny 2-28 Laois 0-17

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WATERFORD AND KILKENNY both claimed their second league wins in Division 1 Group B this afternoon, but it was in contrasting fashions.

Waterford had to survive a huge test from Antrim in Corrigan Park in Belfast before winning by two points, Neil McManus saw his late penalty tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Shaun O’Brien as the home side sought the goal that would have tied the match.

Antrim were in front 1-14 to 2-7 at the interval with Domhnall Nugent scoring their goal and McManus also to the fore, he finished with 0-13 overall. Colligan club man Colin Dunford bagged two first-half goals for Waterford but was sent-off before the break.

There were further goals in the second half with Michael Kiely raising a green flag for Waterford and Ciaran Clarke doing likewise for Antrim. Liam Cahill saw his team emerge with the spoils as Austin Gleeson (0-8) and Stephen Bennett (0-6) were accurate from placed balls.

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Waterford are now top after three games with five points, just ahead of Dublin on scoring difference, while Antrim are still searching for their first positive result after three defeats to date.

It was a more straightforward experience for Kilkenny in Nowlan Park with Tom Phelan netting twice for the Cats as they defeated Laois.

Billy Ryan is tackled by Laois player Diarmuid Conway and John Lennon.

Source: Evan Treacy/INPHO

Kilkenny were in front 1-12 to 0-11 at the interval before they pulled clear decisively thereafter and had 17 points to spare at the final whistle.

Aside from Phelan’s return of 2-1, Alan Murphy was prolific from frees as he struck 0-13 while Billy Ryan and Martin Keoghan hit 0-4 apiece for Kilkenny. Stephen Maher, Jack Kelly and Ross King each notched 0-3 for Laois.

In Division 2A, Down suffered their first defeat of the league as Kildare emerged one-point victors. Down are now joined at the top of the table on four points in a competitive division by Kerry and Westmeath, winners over Carlow and Meath respectively today.

Derry and Donegal are setting the pace in Division 2B, both impressing today with their respective victories at home to Mayo and away to Wicklow.

*****

Hurling League Results

Division 2A

• Kerry 0-20 Carlow 0-13

• Down 0-22 Kildare 2-17

• Meath 1-15 Westmeath 4-23

Division 2B

• Sligo 1-24 London 1-15

• Wicklow 3-8 Donegal 2-16

• Derry 4-24 Mayo 1-14

Division 3A

• Roscommon 4-20 Warwickshire 0-6

• Tyrone 2-21 Armagh 1-14

Division 3B

• Lancashire 3-11 Longford 1-26

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Cork 2-19
Limerick 1-13

John Keogh reports from TUS Gaelic Grounds

CORK CONTINUED THEIR unbeaten start in the Allianz Hurling League with a comprehensive win away to Limerick this afternoon.

Two first-half goals from Shane Kingston set the Rebels on their way but the Douglas man was later red carded. Limerick’s Seamus Flanagan also got his marching orders in a bad tempered end to the first half.

The defeat means that All-Ireland champions Limerick have now lost their opening three fixtures of the 2022 league.

The game was level three times in the opening 10 minutes but Horgan’s third point of the contest putting Cork into a lead they would not relinquish.

Horgan added two more with Mark Coleman landing a long range free before Kingston found the net for the first time in the 20th minute.

Robbie O’Flynn’s diagonal delivery was expertly fielded by Horgan who then turned provider for Kingston to fire a bullet past Limerick keeper Barry Hennessy that gave Cork a 1-7 to 0-3 lead.

Shane Kingston celebrates scoring a goal.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

Cork stretched that lead to 10 in the lead up to half time and things improved further when Kingston tapped home after Hennessy made a stunning save to deny Conor Lehane.

Shane Barrett followed up with a lovely effort from play to give Cork a 2-13 to 0-5 half time lead.

The game turned ugly for a brief time with Kingston seeing red for a high challenge on Sean Finn and soon after Seamus Flanagan followed for a similar offence on Niall O’Leary.

Limerick brought Aaron Gillane, William O’Donoghue and Diarmaid Byrnes on at half time with mixed success.

Byrnes fired over three frees to Gillane’s two, while O’Donoghue’s industry helped Limerick tidy up a midfield where they were out run in the opening stanza.

Limerick outscored Cork by 1-8 to 0-6 in the second half with Cathal O’Neill’s goal the only bright spark from a listless display.

Tempers flare between both sides.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

Scorers for Cork: Patrick Horgan 0-8 (6f, 1 65), Shane Kingston 2-0, Robbie O’Flynn, Mark Coleman (1f), Darragh Fitzgibbon and Conor Lehane 0-2 each, Shane Barrett, Conor Cahalane and Tim O’Mahony 0-1 each.

Scorers for Limerick: Cathal O’Neill 1-1, Diarmaid Byrnes (3f) and David Reidy 0-3 (2f) each, Aaron Gillane 0-2 (2f), Seamus Flanagan, Darragh O’Donovan, Cian Lynch and Graeme Mulcahy 0-1 each.

Cork

1. Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig)

2. Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), 19. Daire O’Leary (Watergrasshill), 4. Sean O’Donoghue (Inniscarra)

5. Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum), 6. Mark Coleman (Blarney- captain), 9. Ciaran Joyce (Castlemartyr)

7. Ger Millerick (Fr O’Neills), 8. Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville)

10. Mark Keane (Ballygiblin), 15. Shane Barrett (Blarney), 12. Robbie O’Flynn (Erins Own)

13. Shane Kingston (Douglas), 14. Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers), 11. Conor Lehane (Midleton)

Subs

21. Conor Cahalane (St Finbarr’s) for Keane (40)

25. Jack O’Connor (Sarsfields) for Lehane (50)

17. Cormac O’Brien (Newtownshandrum) for O’Leary (56, inj)

26. Alan Connolly (Blackrock) for Horgan (61)

22. Seamus Harnedy (St Itas) for Barrett (64)

23. Sean Twomey (Courcey Rovers) for O’Flynn (70)

Limerick

1. Barry Hennessy (Kilmallock)

2. Sean Finn (Bruff), 3. Dan Morrissey (Ahane), 4. Aaron Costello (K0)ilmallock)

5. Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown), 6. Declan Hannon (Adare –  captain), 7. Kyle Hayes (Kildimo-Pallaskenry)

8. Darragh O’Donovan (Doon), 9. Robbie Hanley (Kilmallock)

10. Cathal O’Neill (Crecora-Manister), 11. Cian Lynch (Patrickswell), 12. Tom Morrissey (Ahane)

13. Darren O’Connell (Kildimo-Pallaskenry), 14. Seamus Flanagan (Feohanagh-Castlemahon), 15. David Reidy (Dromin Athlacca)

Subs

20. Richie English (Doon) for Finn (37 inj)

18. Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell) for Coughlan (h-t)

24. William O’Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh) for Hanley (h-t)

21. Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell) for O’Connell (h-t)

22. Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock) for Reidy (48)

17. Conor Boylan (Na Piarsaigh) for O’Neill (53)

Referee: Sean Stack (Dublin)

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Clare 4-20
Offaly 0-16

Eoin Brennan reports from Tullamore

NORMAL SERVICE WAS resumed this afternoon when Tony Kelly returned to fire 2-12 and guide Clare to their first Allianz League League victory of the new campaign in Bord na Mona O’Connor Park in Tullamore.

Having recovered from surgery on a persistent ankle injury, the current All-Star led out his native county as captain and tormented hosts Offaly who, despite an encouraging display, were outflanked coming down the final straight.

Indeed, the final scoreline is misleading as only a point separated the sides by the 59th minute after an Eoghan Cahill-led Offaly had gone toe-to-toe with their more experienced visitors.

However, a brace of Kelly goals in five minutes completely altered the narrative as Clare gathered momentum with a further 1-7 whereas the home side only had a free from substitute Luke O‘Connor to show for the last 15 minutes.

It was all so different in the opening half when despite facing into the conditions, Offaly led on three different occasions only to be consistently pegged back by Kelly who finished the half with seven points at 0-9 to 0-9.

Robin Mounsey scores a point for Clare.

Source: Tom Maher/INPHO

Clare did hit as many wides while Ryan Taylor was unlucky not to grab at least one goal. However, they did make amends in the 44th minute when Shane Meehan pulled a rebound to the net after an initial deflected effort from effective half-time substitute Aron Shanagher at 1-10 to 0-12.

Offaly, mainly through freetaker Cahill, kept in touch but couldn’t recover from Kelly’s devastating blows as first he was teed up by Meehan at the edge of the square before converting a 64th minute penalty to the left corner after Shanagher had been impeded on his way to goal.

With Offaly’s heads dropping, the visitors finished with aplomb including a spectacular second goal from teenager Meehan to ease any relegation fears while plunging their hosts further towards a demotion play-off.

Padraig Cantwell chases after Shane Meehan.

Source: Tom Maher/INPHO

Scorers for Clare: Tony Kelly (2-12, 1-0 Pen, 7f); Shane Meehan (2-1); Ryan Taylor, Aron Shanagher (0-2 each); Shane Golden, Patrick Crotty, Diarmuid Ryan (0-1 each)

Scorers for Offaly: Eoghan Cahill (0-11, 10f), John Murphy (0-2); Eimhin Kelly, Liam Langton, Luke O’Connor (f) (0-1 each)

Clare

Eibhear Quilligan

Rory Hayes, Conor Cleary, Paul Flanagan

Diarmuid Ryan, John Conlon, Jack Browne

Paddy Donnellan, Shane Golden

Cathal Malone, Patrick Crotty, Darren O’Brien

Shane Meehan, Tony Kelly, Ryan Taylor

Subs

Aron Shanagher for O’Brien (half-time)

Robin Mounsey for Donnellan (40)

Mike Gough for Cleary (54)

Peter Duggan for Golden (63)

Offaly

Conor Clancy

Joey Keenaghan, Ben Conneely, Paddy Delaney

David King, Ciaran Burke, Killian Sampson

Eimhin Kelly, Eoghan Parlon

Brian Duignan, Liam Langton, Adrian Cleary

Eoghan Cahill, John Murphy, Jason Sampson

Subs

Luke O’Connor for Duignan (49)

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Paddy Clancy for Parlon (60)

Luke Nolan for Cahill (65)

Padraig Cantwell for Burke (68)

Dara Maher for J. Sampson (70)

Referee: Kevin Jordan (Tipperary)

Mayo 6-6

Galway 2-8

Gerard Mulreaney reports at Tuam Stadium

SINÉAD WALSH AND Lisa Cafferky both scored two goals as Mayo earned their place in the semi-finals of the Lidl NFL after victory over rivals Galway at Tuam Stadium.

The hosts were looking to bounce back from their opening round defeat in Donegal but it was Mayo who made it back-to-back wins with Ciara Whyte and Sinéad Cafferky also on target bringing their goals tally to 13 in two Division 1A games.

Mairéad Seoighe and Kate Slevin scored the goals for Galway but they suffered a heavy defeat.

Playing with the aid of a very strong breeze, Mayo got off to the perfect start and after just five minutes corner-forward Walsh beat Eimile Gavin to the ball, turned and scored low past Alannah Griffin in the Galway goal. Galway responded immediately, Seoighe muscled past Sherin El Massry to score an excellent goal with her left foot.

The sides then traded points, a free from Aoife O’Rourke for Galway and a fine score from Walsh, with the assistance of both Aoife Geraghty and Sarah Mulvihill in the build-up.

However, Mayo took the initiative in the eleventh minute when Whyte scored their second goal, as she palmed the ball into the net following a great pass from Mulvihill. And then just ahead of the water break Lisa Cafferky got on the end of a superb interchange between Walsh and Whyte to score another goal.

Galway had lots of possession after the concession of those two goals but some excellent defending from Eilis Ronayne, Sinéad Cafferky and Danielle Caldwell kept them at bay, with only an Ailbhe Davoren point to show for their efforts, as Mayo led by 3-3 to 1-3 at half-time.

Three goals in five second half minutes settled this game as Sinéad Cafferky, the superb Lisa Cafferky and Walsh scored goals in a dominant spell.

Galway battled well throughout but were no match for Mayo, however a late cameo from Slevin, who scored 1-4 in the second half, put a gloss on the scoreline.

Scorers for Mayo: S Walsh 2-2, L Cafferky 2-1, C Whyte 1-0, S Cafferky 1-0, S Howley 0-3 (2f).

Scorers for Galway: K Slevin 1-4 (1-0 pen) (2f), M Seoighe 1-1, A O’Rourke 0-1, L Coen 0-1, A Davoren 0-1.

Mayo: A Tarpey; É Ronayne, S El Massry, D Caldwell; T O’Connor, F McHale, K Sullivan; S Cafferky, A Geraghty; S Mulvihill, L Cafferky, S Howley; S Walsh, C Whyte, M Reilly.

Subs: S Lally for Ronayne (30), M McHale for Reilly (35), R Flynn for O’Connor (48), R Baynes for Whyte (40), R Flynn for O’Connor (48), T Needham for Walsh (55), H Reape for McHale (55), C Needham for Howley (55), N Hession for Sullivan (58), G Flynn for L Cafferky (59), L Moran for Geraghty (59), N McVann for Caldwell (59).

Galway: A Griffin; S Molloy, E Gavin, A Ní Cheallaigh; E Power, C Cooney, J Burke; A Davoren, S Ní Loingsigh; L Coen, M Seoighe, L Finnegan; A O’Rourke, A Trill, D Keane.

Subs: K Slevin for O’Rourke (30), L Booth for Finnegan (35), C Trill for Power (35), L Scanlon for Keane (39), F Cooney for Gavin (46).

Referee: Kevin Phelan (Laois).

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