Month: March 2022

Waterford 7-31
Laois 0-19

IT WAS ALL too easy for Waterford as Liam Cahill’s men leathered 13-man Laois by 33 points this afternoon.

2020 All-Star Stephen Bennett scored 3-8 for the goal-hungry hosts while Patrick Curran helped himself to 1-7. Carthach Daly, Austin Gleeson and Ciaran Kirwan also found the net.

Four goals in four minutes at the end of the first half ended the game as a contest.

Kirwan got 1-4 on his first start as he carried on his impressive Fitzgibbon Cup form with WIT. Curran (1-7) and Gleeson (1-3) also looked razor sharp up front. Lismore team mates Carthach Daly and Jack Prendergast combined well at midfield.

Tadhg de Búrca was back at number six for the home side. His first start since the 2020 All Ireland final against Limerick when he suffered the second cruciate knee ligament injury of his career. The biggest cheer of the day was reserved for the Clashmore/Kinsalebeg man when he made way after 49 minutes.

With his first touch, he supplied a crossfield pass for a Ciaran Kirwan point.
Austin Gleeson smashed the crossbar with a volley in the sixth minute. He doubled on a ball across the goal from Kirwan. Bennett converted two frees before De Burca assisted Kirwan for his second from play.

On nine minutes, Jack Prendergast won a turnover and passed inside to his Lismore club mate Carthach Daly and he found the net (1-4 to 0-1) for his first senior goal for the Déise.

Stephen Bergin replied for the visitors. Kirwan got his third on 16 minutes. Wind assisted Laois were guilty of five wides in the first quarter. A 65 and a free from Stephen Maher cut the gap to six. Laois shot stopper Enda Rowland saved from Ciaran Kirwan and then nailed a free from his own half. A long-range Ryan Mullaney point left just a goal between them, before Maher then shot his third of the afternoon (1-7 to 0-8).

Jack Prendergast got Waterford’s first for 13 minutes. Substitute Billy Power hit the side netting with Rowland out of his goal. Patrick Curran put over back to back points.

Four goals in four minutes from Liam Cahill’s free shooters put the game beyond the O’Moore men, with the hosts striking 4-4 in the last eight minutes of the opening half to lead 5-12 to 0-11 at the break.

On 32 minutes, Austin Gleeson rattled the top corner of the net much to the delight of the home fans. Jack Prendergast and Carthach Daly combined for Patrick Curran to unleash a shot that dribbled over the line. Stephen Bennett was next to beat Enda Rowland a minute into injury time. Off the next attack, Kirwan walked the ball into the net.

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Laois boss Seamus Cheddar Plunkett made a triple substitution at half time but it quickly got worse for the away side as Ben Conroy got his marching orders a minute into the second period for a challenge on Tom Barron.

The contest had a challenge game feel to it as the home side raised white flag after white flag. Only Stephen Maher and Ross King put up any resistance to the tsunami of Waterford scores.

On 58 minutes, Laois full back Sean Downey was dismissed on a black card and Stephen Bennett blasted home the subsequent penalty. His third successful penalty in two weeks. Mark Fitzgerald and Ian Beecher got debut scores for the Déise as they notched their first win of the campaign in facile fashion. Bennett completed his hat trick with his second penalty on 65 minutes.

Scorers for Waterford: Stephen Bennett 3-8 (2-0 pens, 6fs), Patrick Curran 1-7, Ciaran Kirwan 1-4, Austin Gleeson 1-3, Carthach Daly 1-1, Tom Barron 0-2, DJ Foran, Mark Fitzgerald, Ian Beecher, Jack Fagan, Jack Prendergast, Billy Power 0-1 each.

Scorers for Laois: Stephen Maher 0-8 (5fs, 1 65), Ross King 0-4, Enda Rowland 0-2 (2fs), Ryan Mullaney, Fiachra Fennell, Stephen Bergin, Willie Dunphy, Aidan Corby 0-1 each.

Waterford

1. Billy Nolan

2. Conor Gleeson
3. Conor Prunty
4. Iarlaith Daly

5. Jack Fagan
6. Tadhg de Búrca
7. Tom Barron

8. Carthach Daly
10. Patrick Curran

9. Jack Prendergast
13. Stephen Bennett
12. DJ Foran

14. Ciaran Kirwan
20. Michael Kiely (Abbeyside)
11. Austin Gleeson

Subs:

21. Billy Power for Kiely (22)
17. Darragh Lynch for De Búrca (49)
19. Mark Fitzgerald for Austin Gleeson (52)
22. Ian Beecher for Prendergast (55)
24. Darragh Lyons for Prunty (61)

Laois

1. Enda Rowland

2. Diarmuid Conway
3. Sean Downey
4. Donnchadh Hartnett

5. Podge Delaney
6. Liam O’Connell
7. Ryan Mullaney

8. Fiachra Fennell
9. Jack Kelly

10. Stephen Bergin
11. John Lennon
12. Ross King

13. Ben Conroy
14. Willie Dunphy
15. Stephen Maher

Subs:

21. James Keyes for Lennon (HT)
22. Conor Phelan for Bergin (HT)
23. PJ Scully for Dunphy (HT)
20. Aidan Corby for Kelly (45)
18. Padraic Dunne for Delaney (61)

Referee: Paud O’Dwyer (Carlow)

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Dublin 4-7
Waterford 1-4

By Aisling Clery

CAOIMHE O’CONNOR HIT 1-1 as reigning champions Dublin opened their Lidl National Football League Division 1B campaign with a win against Waterford at Fraher Field.

Dublin led throughout, taking a 2-3 to 0-1 lead into the half-time break, while Waterford dominated possession at times but they couldn’t make it count on the scoreboard.

Dublin were on top in the early exchanges and Hannah Tyrrell landed their first score on three minutes. Waterford tested out the Dublin defence with Emma Murray and Aisling Mullaney trying to make the most of their chances but the scores came up the other end.

Dublin’s first goal arrived after eight minutes with a sweeping team move finished to the net by Jennifer Dunne. And Kate Sullivan was unlucky to see her effort drop into the arms of Eimear Gallagher in the Waterford goals a minute later.

Leah Caffrey and Orlagh Nolan both scored points to leave Dublin with a 1-3 to 0-0 lead at the water break. Waterford enjoyed more of the possession in the second quarter and were duly rewarded when Brid McMaugh scored from distance.

Dublin’s response was immediate in the shape of their second goal. Tyrrell won possession and her offload freed O’Connor who found the net. That goal gave Dublin a 2-3 to 0-1 advantage at the interval.

Hannah Tyrrell of Dublin in action against Megan Dunford of Waterford.

Source: Ray McManus/SPORTSFILE

The hosts controlled much of the third quarter. Katie Murray grabbed their second score but this was cancelled out minutes later by a fine O’Connor point. Then substitute Siobhan Killeen left her mark on the game when she chipped Gallagher for Dublin’s third goal.

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Waterford’s pressure eventually told when Emma Murray scored a goal just before the second half water break, making it an eight-point game, at 3-4 to 1-2.

Dublin were reduced to 14 players when Abby Shiels was shown a yellow card but it didn’t swing the game in Waterford’s favour. They did score through Lauren McGregor and Brid McMaugh, but Dublin finished the stronger with Tyrrell, Siobhan Woods and Hannah Leahy all finding their range to ensure the reigning champions opened their 2022 account with a comfortable win.

Source: LadiesFootballTV/YouTube

Scorers for Dublin: C O’Connor 1-1, H Tyrrell 0-3 (2f), J Dunne 1-0, S Killeen 1-0, H Leahy 1-0, L Caffrey 0-1, O Nolan 0-1, S Woods 0-1.

Scorers for Waterford: E Murray 1-0, B McMaugh 0-2, K Murray 0-1, L McGregor 0-1 (1f)

DUBLIN: A Shiels; J Tobin, L Caffrey, H Leahy; O Nolan, M Byrne, A Kane; J Dunne, K McDaid; K Sullivan, N Owens, C O’Connor; O Whyte, H Tyrrell, J Egan.

Subs: E Gribben for Egan (30), S Killeen for Whyte (30), N Hetherton for Kane (41), S Woods for Owens (49), S Woods for Shiels (59).

WATERFORD: E Gallagher; M Dunford, C McGrath, R Casey; A Mullaney, Karen McGrath, L Cusack; E Murray, L Mulcahy; B McMaugh, H Power, M Wall; K Murray, C Fennell, Kate McGrath.

Subs: A O’Neill for Power (40), K Hogan for Fennell (40), L McGregor for Mullaney (49), M Daly for Kate McGrath (49), C Murray for Cusack (59), A Murray for C McGrath (59), S McGuckian for Casey (59).

Referee: Jonathan Murphy (Carlow).

**********

There was plenty more ladies football action down the divisions today.

After their relegation last year, Tipperary began life in Division 2A with a difficult 0-11 to 1-4 loss away to Kerry. Angela McGuigan scored the goal but it wasn’t enough in the end.

Elsewhere Laois were 2-12 to 2-7 winners in the other 2A fixture while in Division 2B, Armagh beat Tyrone 5-9 to 1-10 and Monaghan needed a last-gasp free from Jodie McQuillan to rescue a 0-10 to 0-9 victory over Cavan.

In Division 3, there were victories for Down, Kildare and Longford while Sligo and Louth could not be separated.

And in Division 4, Limerick, Leitrim, Antrim and Offaly were all victorious.

This weekend’s Lidl Ladies National Football League results

Division 1A

Mayo 7-22 Westmeath 1-12
Donegal 0-10 Galway 0-7

Division 1B

Meath 2-7 Cork 1-8
Dublin 4-7 Waterford 1-4

Division 2A

Kerry 0-11 Tipperary 1-4
Laois 2-12 Clare 2-7

Division 2B

Monaghan 0-10 Cavan 0-9
Armagh 5-9 Tyrone 1-10

Division 3A

Down 4-10 Roscommon 4-9
Sligo 1-10 Louth 1-10

Division 3B

Kildare 3-11 Wexford 0-8
Longford 1-18 Wicklow 1-12

Division 4A

Leitrim 4-18 Fermanagh 1-6
Antrim 2-16 Derry 1-8

Division 4B

Offaly 3-15 Carlow 0-7
Limerick 2-9 London 0-9.

LIKE BALLYGUNNER’S HARRY Ruddle earlier in the day, Jerome Johnston struck with an injury-time Croke Park goal for Kilcoo that sealed his club’s maiden All-Ireland senior crown. 

It’s a moment he’ll never forget, a career-defining score. Kilmacud Crokes were leading by two at the end of extra-time and seconds from victory, when Johnston struck.

He’d been struggling with cramp at that stage but managed to summon enough energy to get himself into the area to strike for a goal that broke Kilmacud hearts.

“I got a bit of grief after the Ulster final for complacency from myself and hitting it at the keeper,” he says.

“Just lucky to be in the right place at the right time.

“I sorted of waited outside the six yard box just in the hope that if it didn’t go in you’ve always a chance if you’re lurking about. It came into my head to pull on it.

“I just thought take your time here, it can go anywhere if you pull on it. I composed myself and just popped it into the top of the net and here we are.”

It was a move started and finished by Johnston brothers. 

Despite clearly struggling with cramp, Kilmacud were holding onto possession deep in their own half when Jerome pressurised goalkeeper Conor Ferris. 

His long clearance was picked up by Aaron Branagan and he fed Shealin Johnston, who in turn picked out his brother Ryan on the edge of the area. His shot on goal was magnificently denied by Cian O’Connor, but Jerome was on hand to sweep home the rebound. 

“We had put a bit of pressure on the keeper. I knew we were closing in. I said don’t make it easy for him because he was happy enough to come with the ball. He was tired as we all were.

“Luckily enough he went for the safe option with the hoof and it fell into (Aidan Branagan’s) hands and he picked out Shealin. Shealin turned down the line and this stage my legs were completely gone.

“As soon as he got it I shouted to Ryan, ‘Get to the box’. Because I was thinking if he launches it he has more height than me and I could get off his scraps. Next thing Shealin, I don’t know how, picked him out with his right foot.

“Right place. right time. Couldn’t believe it to be honest. When I seen the ball coming across to me I was like, ‘Is this for real?’”

Kilcoo’s Shealin Johnston, Jerome Johnston and Ryan Johnston together with Lár Johnston and the Andy Merrigan Cup.

Source: Ken Sutton/INPHO

Johnston saw most of his family after the final whistle and brought his six-week old son Lár onto the field during his celebrations.

He had to wait a bit longer to link up with his father Jerome Snr, who has been a driving force for the club in a coaching capacity for over three decades.  

“Daddy has got a really, really bad heart,” he explains. “I think he couldn’t come down (to the pitch) because his blood pressure was through the roof. I seen the rest (of the family) there but he’s okay. I got a text through from him.

“It’s brilliant for him and a lot of the men in the club that put a lot of work in for years. They were Division 3 in the late 90s, they got up to 2. If you had said 25 years after you’re going to be the best team in Ireland.

“In football terms to turn a club around in that time, it’s not that long. Today hasn’t sunk in yet but when we look back on it it’s a very special day.”

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Kilcoo 2-8
Kilmacud Crokes 0-13

(after extra-time)

FOR THE SECOND time today, an All-Ireland senior club final was decided by a late, late goal as Kilcoo snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

Kilcoo’s Conor Laverty and lifts the cup.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Trailing Kilmacud Crokes by two points in the 81st minute, Jerome Johnston struck the most famous goal in his club’s history to deliver the Andy Merrigan Cup for the Down kingpins in dramatic fashion.

As Crokes tried to play keep ball in stoppage-time in the second-half of extra-time, Conor Ferris cleared his lines and Kilcoo worked the ball to Shealin Johnston. He picked out brother Ryan Johnston, whose goal bound shot was blocked and another brother Jerome arrived to smash home the rebound. 

Am Breise – 20 nóim
@KilcooGAC 2-08@KCrokesGAAClub 0-13

"Deacair é a chreidiúint!" 🤩🥳

ANOTHER LAST MINUTE GOAL!!!! 😍
@GAA_BEO @officialgaa
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Kilmacud Crokes appeared to be coasting towards their third All-Ireland club title when they led this final by seven points in the third quarter, before a goal from Kilcoo goalkeeper Niall Kane turned it on its head.

It was strangely flat and lifeless display from a Kilcoo side for the opening 45 minutes, until Kane’s goal gave them life. Kilmacud Crokes, missing their star forward Paul Mannion due to a knee injury, were composed and clinical as they enjoyed a remarkable start to the game.  

A tie that looked to be drifting from Kilcoo all of a sudden came to life when Kane sensationally struck a fortuitous goal. His 45 dropped dangerously into the Kilmacud square and bounced into the net. All of a sudden a subdued Kilcoo were back in the contest.

After scoring just 0-2 in the opening half, they struck 1-5 in the second period to bring the game to extra-time as Kilmacud limped towards the finish line.  

Kilmacud’s greater strength in depth looked to be decisive in extra-time with Callum Pearson and Cian O’Connor having major impacts, but Kilcoo’s never say die attitude reared its head again in the final minutes. 

Johnston’s winner sealed a first All-Ireland club title as manager for Mickey Moran after three previous defeats in the final with Slaughtneil (twice) and Kilcoo. He was invited onto the Hogan Stand podium afterwards by Conor Laverty to lift the cup.

Kilmacud Crokes Dara Mullin jumps for a high ball against Kilcoo’s Dylan Ward.

Source: Ken Sutton/INPHO

Kilmacud will feel they should have won this game in both normal-time and extra-time but a failure to close it out cost them dearly.

Predictably, it was an unstructured game, largely down to Kilcoo’s tactic of dropping 14 men behind the ball. Kilmacud have faced a blanket defence on a few occasions this season and they showed great patience in breaking it down during the opening period. 

Unusually for a team with recent experience of the big day, Kilcoo looked nervy in the early stages. They left 1-2 behind them as Paul Devlin shot two wides and Conor Laverty saw a close-range strike on goal well-saved by Conor Ferris. 

Laverty was the only player from the Down champions to trouble the scoreboard in the opening period. He scored a brace as Kilcoo went in with 0-2 to their name, the same tally after the first-half of the 2020 decider against Corofin. 

Kilmacud’s intelligent forward play brought two well-taken points from Shane Horan, while Shane Cunningham, Tom Fox, Dara Mullin and Andy McGowan also added scores.

Shortly before the break Kilcoo full-back Ryan McEvoy saw a free ruled out after Hawk-Eye revealed it can travelled over the post. It was turning out to be that kind of day for Moran’s team.  

Dias almost turned in a goal at the start of the second-half only to be denied by a timely Mícheál Rooney flick off the line. A goal at that stage would have put the game beyond Kilcoo, but they retained a slim hope.

Devlin struck over a pair of frees and then Kane hit the net directly from a 45 after the Kilmacud defence failed to deal with his delivery. 

From a seemingly unassailable position, the south Dublin giants retreated into their shell. Laverty added his third, though Cian O’Connor responded for Crokes.

Anthony Morgan celebrates at the final whistle with Dylan Ward.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Devlin had the final say in normal-time with two late scores (one free) to put his team on level terms. A tense final passage of play saw Kilcoo probe for a winner, but they failed to pull the trigger as Kilmacud defended desperately.

They did well not to concede a free or scoring opportunity, although Laverty probably regretted not having a pop at the posts when he found himself in possession on the right wing. 

The loss of Dias and his marauding runs in the 60th minute due to cramp was significant for Crokes. With scores at a premium, extra-time was a tense and fascinating watch. 

A lengthy period of possession saw Anthony Morgan break the line and kick a booming point for Kilcoo. Kilmacud responded when Cian O’Connor pointed a pressure free, leaving the teams on a par with ten minutes to play. 

Pearson was having a major impact since his introduction – he clipped a point and won a free for O’Connor’s second. However, Kilcoo had the last laugh as Jerome Johnston struck at the death to take the cup.

Scorers for Kilcoo: Paul Devlin 0-4 (0-3f), Conor Laverty 0-3, Jerome Johnston and Niall Kane (1-0 45) 1-0 each, Anthony Morgan 0-1.

Scorers for Kilmacud Crokes: Cian O’Connor 0-3 (0-2f), Craig Dias, Shane Horan and Dara Mullin (0-1m) 0-2 each, Andy McGowan, Callum Pearson and Tom Fox (0-1f) 0-1 each.

Kilcoo

1. Niall Kane

2. Niall Branagan, 3. Ryan McEvoy, 4. Aidan Branagan

5. Mícheál Rooney, 6. Daryl Branagan, 7. Eugene Branagan

8. Dylan Ward, 9. Aaron Morgan

15. Paul Devlin, 12. Shealin Johnston, 10. Ceilum Doherty

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14. Ryan Johnston, 13. Conor Laverty, 11. Jerome Johnston

Subs

20. Anthony Morgan for Ryan Johnston (35)

17. Aidan Branagan for Morgan (47)

14. Ryan Johnston for Shealin Johnston (58)

12. Shealin Johnston for Rooney (HT in ET)

26. Sean Og McCusker for Jerome Johnston (81)

Kilmacud Crokes

1. Conor Ferris

2. Michael Mullen, 4. Ross McGowan, 7. Dan O’Brien

6. Cillian O’Shea, 3. Rory O’Carroll, 5. Andrew McGowan

8. Ben Shovlin, 9. Craig Dias

10. Cian O’Connor, 14. Tom Fox,, 12. Shane Horan

13. Callum Pearson, 11. Dara Mullin, 15. Shane Cunningham

Subs

10. Cian O’Connor for Fox (42)

20. Conor Casey for Horan (54)

18. Anthony Quinn for Jones (54)

13. Callum Pearson for Kenny (54) 

19. Conor Kinsella for Dias (60)

23. Theo Clancy for Michael Mullin (start of ET)

17. Aidan Jones for Ross McGowan (66)

26. Mark O’Leary for Cunningham (70)

12. Horan for Dara Mullin (HT in ET)

Referee: Sean Hurson (Tyrone).

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NUI GALWAY ARE to appeal the red card dished out to Hurler of the Year Cian Lynch in the closing stages of the Fitzgibbon Cup final at the weekend.

Lynch appeared to be harshly sent off three minutes from time by Tipperary referee Fergal Horgan, following advice from Kilkenny linesman Sean Cleere, after an exchange with UL centre-back Bryan O’Mara, with the Galway college leading by 2-15 to 0-17 at that stage.

UL went on to score 1-4 without reply following Lynch’s controversial dismissal but NUIG GAA Officer Michael O’Connor, said they did not want the appeal of red card to diminish the victory by the Limerick college.

“On the contrary, we want to congratulate UL on their victory and say well done to them. But we do not want Cian Lynch’s time with NUI Galway and the Fitzgibbon Cup to end on this note.

“We do not believe he should have been sent off. It’s unfortunate what happened and we are hopeful that the appeal will be successful.

“Cian has been exemplary for us on and off the field and made a huge contribution not just to us but to the competition. He made a huge effort and we are anxious that his time with us does not end in this way,” said Clare native O’Connor.

Cian Lynch in action against Darragh Corcoran.

Source: Tommy Grealy/INPHO

Lynch had previously won two Fitzgibbon Cup medals with Mary Immaculate College from Limerick and the 26-year old, who is studying a Masters in Education at NUIG, is currently doing a teaching placement at his alma mater Ardscoil Rís in Limerick.

Lynch is due to return to the Limerick squad this week as they prepare for their Allianz League clash with Cork, after manager John Kiely gave him space to concentrate on the Fitzgibbon Cup.

NUIG were bidding to complete a Sigerson Cup and Fitzgibbon Cup double but UL, who lost the football final to them on Wednesday night, came with a late flurry and Waterford’s Mikey Kiely, who snatched victory over IT Carlow in the semi-final on Thursday with a last gasp goal, was once again the hero when he cracked home the winning goal deep into stoppage time.

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“We would have loved to have completed the double but it has been a very successful year for us. We won the Sigerson and also the hurling league and Cian Lynch was a big part of that as well. We would just like to successfully appeal that red card for Cian and move on from there,” added O’Connor.

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LAST YEAR’S ALL-IRELAND finalists Meath and Dublin both sealed their progression in the Lidl Ladies National Football League over the weekend, though will renew their rivalries first in a mouth-watering group game in two weeks’ time.

Páirc Tailteann hosts the Division 1B clash on Saturday 5 March [throw-in 3pm], with the TG4 cameras pitching up in Navan for the highly-anticipated fixture.

The neighbouring counties emerge from a group also containing Cork and Waterford, after both recording back-to-back wins.

League holders Dublin continued their fine start to the league in Croke Park on Saturday night, recording an emphatic 2-15 to 2-3 win over old foes Cork, while All-Ireland champions Meath got the better of Waterford on the road yesterday.

The Round Three showdown moved into focus straight afterwards.

“We are just looking at it as another game, looking to improve and rectify, it doesn’t really matter who it is,” Dublin All-Star Hannah Tyrrell, who was named Player of the Match after her stunning 1-9 tally against the Rebels, said.

“I’m sure it will be a great game to play but we are just looking forward to getting out there, getting more game time under our belt and improving each game in the season.”

#DUBvCOR

Laoch na hImeartha Hannah Tyrell

'…moving the ball, it's the quickest thing on the pitch, bar Kate Sullivan' @GAA_BEO @lidl_ireland @dublinladiesg @LadiesFootball #SeriousSupport #GAABEO

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Meath geared up for the All-Ireland final repeat with an impressive 1-10 to 1-2 victory in Dungarvan, their Twin Towers Vikki Wall and Emma Duggan influential as ever.

2021 Footballer of the Year Wall scored an early goal, while All-Star Duggan finished an outstanding performance with 0-6 from play.

“Emma Duggan is a very special player,” Meath manager Eamonn Murray said afterwards. “I’m delighted to see all the kids here watching her. She’s only 18. Those kids aren’t far away from 18. They only have a couple of years left to be a Emma Duggan.”

(The Dunboyne ace is 19 now.)

Source: LadiesFootballTV/YouTube

While several fixtures fell foul to the weather this weekend — including the Connacht derby between Galway and Mayo, which has been re-fixed for next Sunday — Donegal made it two wins from two themselves in the other Division 1A clash.

Karen Guthrie scored two goals as the Ulster heavyweights scored a 2-11 to 2-6 win over a resilient Westmeath at St Loman’s.

“Two from two is a great place to be,” Donegal manager Maxi Curran said afterwards.

“Your destiny is in your own hands in terms of qualifying for the league semi-final and that’s really important because the championship is so far away, getting an extra competitive game would be a huge boost and a great benefit at this time of year.”

Before Dublin’s clash with Cork on Saturday night, Dublin manager Mick Bohan bemoaned the condensed league, with five games the maximum a county can play in 2022 as three group clashes are followed by knock-out semi-finals and finals.

“I think the league is the most important competition,” he told TG4. “The disappointment this year is we have only three National League games, as opposed to seven.

“For me, over the last five years, all your learnings are done in the National League. When you get into championship football, it’s very difficult to give the same opportunities to players because the stakes are higher.

“That’s obviously a little bit of a difficult one this year, because essentially, the reward in winning two games in the National League is getting another game, that’s the prize.”

– Additional reporting by Darragh Small for the LGFA.

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THREE GAMES IN to the third coming of Jack O’Connor and it’s smooth sailing so far in the return to the Kerry hotseat.

Top of Division 1 of the league. Still unbeaten. The potentially awkward assignment in Newbridge, given his personal history with Kildare, negotiated with a draw claimed.

Dublin defeated at home on a wild night in Tralee. Donegal dealt with comfortably yesterday on an afternoon of weather turbulence in Killarney.

In O’Connor’s previous two spells as manager, he began with a National League title in the opening season (2004 and 2009).

What are Kerry’s current motives surrounding the competition?

“Look we’ll assess it this week, it’s not a huge priority to win the league or anything like that,” said O’Connor.

“But if we can experiment a bit and win a few matches that’s basically it. Very tough (conditions) but our fellas showed a good attitude and adapted well to it. The goal was important because it just gave us the breathing space to be able to play with a bit of freedom and confidence then.”

The manner in which Kerry closed out this game pleased O’Connor. A fortnight ago they only posted a single point when facing the second-half wind against Dublin. They didn’t retreat into their shell in a similar fashion yesterday, closing the match down, and indeed outscored Donegal 1-4 to 0-5 in that time frame.

Jack O’Connor and Patrick McBrearty.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

“We probably got too defensive against Dublin and didn’t push on. We knew at half-time we’d have to score because seven points (as a lead) was never going to be enough and it was very pleasing that we scored the 1-4 into that gale.”

O’Connor praised the ‘fantastic attitude’ of Adrian Spillane and the emergence of defensive newcomer Dan O’Donoghue.

“There’s plenty of football in Dan. He can play it both ways, he can mark a man and he can play ball, so it’s great for im and we’re delighted.”

Ryan McHugh and Dan O’Donoghue.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

But on a day consisting of some humdrum fare, it was the contributions of Sean O’Shea and David Clifford that were most valuable. Clifford’s presence on the pitch after his second-half arrival boosted Kerry. He finished with 1-1, albeit his goal stemmed from Shaun Patton fumbling a shot that looked straightforward to take care of.

O’Shea eclipsed him with 0-7, dazzled throughout and back in his customary berth of centre-forward, seems at home in directing attacking operations.

Last August the pair scored 0-16 out of Kerry’s 0-22 tally against Tyrone, they remain absolutely critical to the county’s hopes.

“Obviously David gave us a great lift when he came in. He’s fine, he’s played a lot of games in the last three or four weeks and it was great to be able to bring him on there.

“Seanie had a great second half. Great leader and he kicked some savage scores today, including a sideline in the first half, when scores were hard to get. So he’s playing great football and probably back in his best position, which is good for him.”

49 nóim #KERvDON
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Cúl faighte ag David Clifford!! 👀

Kerry have taken a huge lead after a rare mistake from Shaun Patton!
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On the injury front, Gavin White (hamstring) and Mike Breen (leg tendon) continue their recovery, while David Moran, Stefan Okunbor and Joseph O’Connor are others that are a few weeks away from a comeback.

It has been a fractured start to the year in terms of preparation with the club campaigns of Austin Stacks and Na Gaeil, along with the Sigerson Cup involvement of UL and MTU Kerry, particularly pertinent for Kerry.

All the football focus is on Kingdom matters now for their players. Monaghan, Armagh and Tyrone await before the end of March, then they will face Cork in Munster on 7 May.

“Training has been a bit disjointed, there’s times when we have been missing seven or eight players and then you have a few injuries on top of that, so our panel has been pretty stretched, but hopefully it will settle down.

“We may use more of the panel in the next couple of games to try and get as many fellas as possible up to speed. We’ve a tough game next week above in Monaghan and it’s a place where you will find out a lot about people and players.

“Can they handle that kind of atmosphere? Monaghan are going to be fighting for their lives for points, they were very good (Saturday) night against Armagh.”

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Updated Sun 9:31 PM

A GALWAY SCHOOLBOY who suffered a serious head injury in a hurling match on Saturday is on his way to making a full recovery.

The teenager from Presentation College, Athenry, was treated on the pitch before being removed by ambulance to hospital and their All-Ireland post-primary schools quarter-final clash against Ardscoil Rís from Limerick was abandoned with ten minutes remaining.

The traumatic injury happened following an accidental clash between the player and an opponent from the Limerick school and, according to onlookers, it was apparent immediately that the teenager had suffered a serious injury.

Personnel from both schools tended to the young hurler as an appeal was issued to supporters in the stand at the Ballyhea GAA club grounds outside Ennis to establish if there was a doctor or nurse among the attendance.

Efforts were made to shelter the player from the wind and rain and after both teams returned to their dressing rooms, Clare referee Niall Malone abandoned the match.

An ambulance arrived after approximately 40 minutes and took the injured player to hospital for treatment.

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His school issued a brief statement on social media on Sunday saying that the student, who is a member of the St Mary’s GAA club in Athenry, is recovering.

“Delighted to say that our player who was injured in yesterday’s senior hurling match will make a full recovery,” said the social media post from the Presentation College.

A new date will be made for the game between the schools to take place. Ardscoil Rís were leading by 0-13 to 0-11 when the match was abandoned.

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CORK GOT THE Matthew Twomey era off to a winning start but Clare, who themselves were competing under a new eight-person management team, made sure it wasn’t a comfortable day at the office as the Rebels had to work very hard in a wet, wild and windy Cusack Park before eking out a 2-6 to 0-4 triumph in Division 1 of the Littlewoods Ireland Camogie League.

Twomey, who is stepping up to the hotseat having served his apprenticeship under Paudie Murray and can boast hurling legend Davy Fitzgerald among his coaching set-up, will be pleased with the resourcefulness shown by his charges but there was much to be positive from a Clare perspective too.

Another notable aspect of this game was the debut in red of former Down star Sorcha McCartan, who has been based in Cork since last year and plays her club camogie with St Finbarr’s. And the daughter of ex-Mourne football All-Ireland winner Greg made a significant impact, scoring a goal and a point to help the Rebels overturn a one-point interval deficit.

Áine O’Loughlin struck two points, and Chloe Morey and Eimear Kelly were also on the mark to give the hosts that half-time advantage, Izzy O’Regan, Laura Hayes and Amy O’Connor splitting the posts for the Leesiders.

O’Connor equalised soon after the restart before McCartan gave Cork the lead but it was only when McCartan blasted to the net from a penalty after 53 minutes that proceedings finally edged towards Twomey’s outfit. O’Connor raised a second green flag in the fourth minute of injury time to put a slightly flattering look on the final scoreline.

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THE AIB ALL-Ireland Senior Club Camogie final will be a repeat of the 2020 decider before Christmas, when Oulart-The Ballagh dethroned Sarsfields, after the two teams qualified once more in starkly contrasting fashion.

The titleholders cruised to a 3-11 to 0-2 victory over Scariff-Ogonnelloe, while Sarsfields came out on top in the latest episode of a captivating rivalry with Slaughtneil, edging a 2-4 to 0-9 triumph over the perennial Ulster champions and former three-in-a-row All-Ireland winners after extra time.

As with most games that survived the triple threat of storms, the conditions were atrocious but that didn’t stop Sarsfields and Slaughtneil in particular serving up a treat, the westerners’ goals earning them the verdict in the rescheduled tie at the Naomh Éanna facility in Gorey.

Siobhán McGrath and Tina Bradley were the scorers as the winners led by 0-3 to 0-2 at the interval, but Louise Dougan brought the teams level for the third time with a trademark long-distance free in the second half, and in a game of few scores, Bradley’s pointed free with nine minutes left would have left Slaughtneil supporters feeling very hopeful.

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They were rocked by a goal from the puckout however, Shannon Corcoran providing a resounding finish to reward a tremendous passage of play by Orlaith McGrath. The Galway star won possession from a ruck and soloed through the heart of the maroons’ defence. Just as she lost her footing and looked to be held up, she somehow offloaded to Corcoran, who shortened her grip to avoid the hook and lashed to the net.

Slaughtneil displayed all their renowned grit though. Bradley (free) reduced the gap to the minimum, and Shannon Graham equalised in injury time after tremendous work by Aoife Ní Chaiside and Sinéad Mellon to make it 1-3 to 0-6 before Ray Kelly signalled time and the requirement for more action.

Bradley drove over a brilliant point from a free to give Slaughtneil an early lead but after Corcoran was fouled at the other end of the field, Siobhán McGrath rifled the resultant penalty low to the net. Her sister Orlaith followed up with an excellent solo score to make it a three-point game at the break.

Once again, Slaughtneil dug deep into their reserves and two pointed frees by Dougan got them within one but time ran out on them and Sarsfields held on.

At Clonmel Commercials, Oulart-The Ballagh used a strong wind to establish a 1-7 to 0-0 interval lead and once goal machine Úna Leacy scored the first of her two second-half majors early after the resumption, the life went out of Scariff-Ogonnelloe.

Ursula Jacob, who is now just a game away from emulating clubmates Karen Atkinson and the Leacy sisters, Mary and Úna, by captaining club and county to All-Ireland glory, hit a delightful goal on the way to totting up 1-5, finishing brilliantly after Katie Gallagher beat three defenders with a fantastic run.

Jacob and Stacey Kehoe were among the point scorers too but Scariff-Ogonnelloe would still have hoped that the elements might help them get back into proceedings if they could create a goal. Instead, OTB isolated Úna Leacy on the edge of the square and when she rippled the net for the first time, there was no way back.

Anais Curran was outstanding as the red and blacks kept driving forward, Úna Leacy controlling the midfielder’s pass sensationally before finishing resoundingly for her second goal. Aisling Corbett’s two frees were all the Clare champions could offer in reply, though Jennifer Daly was among those who tried hard throughout.

In the intermediate championship, another Galway side Salthill-Knocknacarra will play champions St Rynagh’s, after defeating Portaferry (Down) by 0-10 to 1-4, Rynagh’s having overcome Gailltír of Waterford by 2-11 to 1-11.

Meanwhile, Clanmaurice of Kerry gained revenge for their defeat in the junior final by Raharney, to see off the Westmeath crew by 0-10 to 1-5 after extra time. They will play either Athleague (Roscommon) or Eoghan Rua (Derry), whose semi-final fell foul of the weather.

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