Month: September 2021

SUNDAY GAME PUNDIT Derek McGrath has defended RTÉ’s decision to put an emphasis on hurling in its 2019 GAA schedule.

Munster hurling is set to dominate the broadcaster’s coverage, with nine games from the competition being televised live this summer.

There are considerably fewer football championship games on RTÉ’s schedule for 2019.

The four provincial finals along with an Ulster SFC semi-final are the main games that will be shown live, while a number of knockout fixtures during the All-Ireland series will also feature.

McGrath believes that the emphasis on hurling in the Sunday Game’s coverage is a reflection of the sport’s popularity among GAA fans.

“It’s probably a direct reaction to the championship last year, in terms of how good it was,” says McGrath

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“I think hurling just reached new levels last year, not just for ourselves but new levels in general, in terms of its exposure, how it was played.

One game is better than the next. They’re giving the public what they want to a certain extent. I’d balance that by saying the league final between Mayo and Kerry in the football (was a great game).

“I would be hopeful that the football championship would be good this year, just a gut feeling. Sometimes what can happen is when people are waiting for something to happen, like the hurling championship might disappoint. Everything is by way of comparison.

Derek McGrath will be on Sunday Game duty this summer.

Source: David Fitzgerald/SPORTSFILE

“If everything is to go back to comparing to last year, we might struggle by comparison. You sometimes hear people saying ‘it’s not as good as last year’, before they even watch the match. I think it’ll probably even itself out over the championship.”

McGrath stepped down as Waterford hurling manager last year, after their early exit from the championship.

After five years in charge of the Déise, he admits that he finds himself missing the work “at this time of the year” as the high-point of the hurling season approaches. 

He ventured into television punditry with the Sunday Game shortly after, and says he is enjoying the challenge of analysing the game and breaking down passages of play for the viewers.

One of his ambitions in this new role is to avoid becoming “one of those smug analysts” while he also concedes that preparing to critically analyse his old team is a concern for him.

But he vows that he won’t be influenced by his connection to the Waterford dressing room.

McGrath stepped down as Waterford hurling boss last year.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

“You would [be concerned], and even going forward, if you’re involved in a match and one of the lads was sent off or was involved in a controversy.

You’re sort of thinking to yourself, ‘I hope it doesn’t happen on my watch.’ That’s natural to talk about the players. I think in the modern climate, you can constructively critical without imparting in a manner that’s hurtful or personal.

“I’m on [the Sunday Game] for the Waterford v Tipperary game on 19 May, and if I’m asked to analyse Waterford, I’ll do it to the best of my ability but not in a cold-hearted or self-centred way.

“If something happens in front of me I’ll have to say it without deliberately courting attention, or sensationalist.

“I don’t want to fall into that category.”

Former Waterford Hurling Manager, Derek McGrath teamed up with Electric Ireland and Pieta House to encourage people to experience The Power of Hope by registering for this year’s Darkness into Light event on 11th May at www.darknessintolight.ie

#ThePowerOfHope #DIL2019. Darkness into Light, organised by Pieta House is proudly supported by Electric Ireland since 2013. 

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AHEAD OF A landmark occasion, it’s always nice to look back.

Rewind the clock to the very start of the journey.

Michelle Ryan.

Still one of the stars of the Waterford show, Michelle Ryan first linked into the senior set-up in 2001. So, what would this be? Her 19th consecutive season. Consecutive? Surely there was a year out here or there? Nope. Not even one.

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“I’ve done every year,” she laughs. “Imagine… every year.”

Back to the early days so.

“I’m around a long time now,” the 33-year-old grins, settling into a couch at the Lidl Ladies Football League finals captain’s day, the hustle and bustle of the Croke Park hotel lobby not distracting her for even split second as she tells story after story from years gone by.

“I joined the panel in 2001. We won a Division 1 title in 2002. I was number 29 or 30 on the panel and probably was a bit young to take in everything that was happening and really appreciate it.

“I might have even taken it for granted in the sense of, ‘This is going to continue’. You’re very young. You’re hoping that’s what’s going to happen as your career continues but that’s just not what happens.”

Been there and done that, the bad days have probably outweighed the good. There have been highs, but there have been gut-wrenching lows too. Plenty of positives, but often more negatives. Such is life sometimes.

She’s hoping today will be a good day. Their Division 2 final meeting with Munster rivals Kerry at Parnell Park [throw-in 2pm, live on TG4].

Reeling in the years once again though.

“We went down to Division 2, down to Division 3. We were relegated from senior to intermediate in 2009 which would have been seen as a big blow at the time.

“At the end of the day, it allowed us the time to redevelop and regroup. In the last number of years we’ve gone from Division 3 to Division 2 and we’re now in a final. We’d be delighted to be playing in Division 1 but it’s a huge task on Sunday really.”

We’ll get to that shortly, but while the time machine is in full swing with more and more memories flooding back by the second, we might as well stick to that.

Michelle’s the eldest of the Ryan sisters; herself, Louise and Sinéad are synonymous with Gaelic games in Waterford along with their father, Michael, but she’s flying the Déise flag solo this year. It’s happened before, she assures.

With her sister Louise in 2016.

Source: Ken Sutton/INPHO

“They would have taken breaks here and there,” the Ballymacarbry ace explains. “They’re not playing this year, I’m still standing! 

“Look, there were opportunities for me to do a little bit of travelling and to do different things in college too, go off for summers and that through the years.

“I remember one college year I actually was in France. I’m a French teacher so I had to spend some time in France when I was doing my degree… there used to be times I’d even fly home for matches.

“I was very young at the time. I was in France on my own so even the reason to come home was huge.

“When I look back now, some people ask me do I regret not taking those opportunities. Do you know what, if I did take them, I don’t know would I be where I am right now. It’s a hard one really. 

“Thankfully I’ve seen the changes in football and it’s on its way up in Waterford for the better so. Look, you get to this stage of your career and you hope to leave it on a bit of a high.

“So far, so good. Doing alright!”

Hailing from a club as successful as Ballymac, the football is basically a year-round job at this stage. Between club and county, it’s a serious commitment. Oh, and then there’s work, furthering her education, time with family and friends, so on, so forth.

How does she do it year on year? How difficult is it every January to go again?

“It’s gas… it’s actually just my norm. It’s not new to me. You’re used to the scenarios where the down time is probably only November, December.  You’re used to your football being that long. You’re used to making the sacrifices when it comes to social events or weddings or whatever it is. 

“I kind of have to laugh sometimes…”

An interesting story pops into her head.

On the ball in 2010.

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

“Just over two years ago now I went to meet the county manager to tell him I was more or less going to retire. I didn’t know whether I had the mental strength to continue on at the time.

“Thank God he gave me a few weeks to think about it and I did. I’m glad that I made the decision I did at the end of the day.

“Look yeah, it is tough in the winter when you think about all you have to go through in the first few months of the year to get to championship football. It definitely doesn’t get any easier with age.

“But thankfully when you get to this time of the year and you’re playing important matches, it’s great… you really do play for these big days.”

She’s mad to talk about Sunday, and her side’s showdown with Kerry. But one last thing. Off the field matters. She’s a busy woman.

Ryan is a secondary school teacher. French and Irish. She’s also studying a part-time Masters and one of the candidates on the PR/Media Strand of the LGFA’s recently-launched female leadership programme.

“I’m glad I’m doing it all,” she smiles. “Pretty much apart from all of those things, there’s not much time for anything else. Football, teaching, Masters, apart from that, sleeping and eating…

“The one thing that I love about the leadership programme is not only is it a personal development opportunity, but also, it’s great for me to get involved in the LGFA who have played such an important part in my life.

“Even just the opportunity to promote it that little bit more and maybe to inspire some younger girls coming through that they can achieve playing sport — whether it’s ladies football or whatever sport it is.

“It’s given a lot to me both in my playing career and my personal life. The opportunity to give back in any bit is huge.” 

At the captain’s day this week.

Source: Brendan Moran/SPORTSFILE

Sunday, finally. A few last words. It should be an interesting battle between two old foes, with promotion to the top tier up for grabs. How brilliant would it be for Ryan’s career to come full circle?

She’s well aware of gunning the Kingdom will be after the disappointment of relegation last year, and how talented their group of players is. They know each other well, after all.

When the sides met in the round-robin stage in February, the game ended a draw. But this is a completely different story. “The upperhand lies with them,” she believes.

“They’ll be favourites on the day… but who knows?”

But who knows, indeed.

“Very excited, happy to be there as well,” she concludes. “To be honest in the last number of years, we’ve been progressing nicely. Especially since 2015, when we won the intermediate All-Ireland. This is just another step on. 

“At the end of the day there’s nothing won yet, and it’s a huge challenge that’s in front of us. Hopefully it will go well. Look, we have to focus on ourselves and just control whatever we can control.”

That they do, and the rest will come.

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THE LANDSCAPE OF London GAA has transformed remarkably over the years.

London-born GAA journalist Conor Martin has witnessed the growth of the sport in the English captial.

Source: Harry Murphy via Conor Martin

Similar to New York, the team has been largely reliant on Irish emigrants who relocated to the English capital in search of work and a new way of life.

But over the last decade, there has been a notable growth in London-born players rising through the ranks to close the gap on the exiles. The underage scene is changing too, as players of different nationalities continue to gravitate to Gaelic Games.

This Sunday, Ciaran Deely’s charges will take on Galway in the quarter-final of the Connacht SFC with a panel that contains 13 players who were born in London.

Conor Martin, a Londoner with Irish roots, points to the success of underage teams in the renowned Féile competition for prompting this evolution.

He also references Michael Maher — a coach on the London backroom team — whose contribution to GAA in the city was the subject of a programme on Irish television.

The Galway footballers are taking on London this afternoon.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

“He did a programme for RTÉ a few years ago and it followed his team,” Martin explains to The42 before going on to discuss the ethnic diversity in London’s underage scene.

They have lads from Asian backgrounds and African and they went on to win Féile, and they’ve pushed on. They have lads playing at U12, U13, U14 and minor.

“London GAA has changed in the last five years and London-born players have been coming through from Féile teams.”

The coverage of GAA in London has undergone changes too. And Martin, who is a member of the St Clarets club in West London, is at the coalface of that transition. 

Martin’s Irish connections and affection for the GAA comes from his father’s side of the family. They originally came from Glasnevin in Dublin before uprooting and heading over to London.

He was inspired by his father’s stories of Dublin and Kerry’s classic All-Ireland final tussles in the 70′s, and possessed “more Ireland jerseys than England ones” when he was growing up with his brother Cian. 

His mother is London born and bred, and Martin is equally proud of the Irish and English strands that form his identity.

He doesn’t feel exclusively bound to either nationality and has often been targeted with “Plastic Paddy” comments by those who don’t understand his mutual love for both countries. 

Despite those hostile remarks, Martin never lost his love for GAA.

London manager Ciaran Deely patrolling the line in 2017.

Source: Gerry McManus/INPHO

And when he was tasked with creating a website that focused on a niche sport while studying sports journalism, his mind immediately turned to the sport of his father.

He subsequently used his unique knowledge of London GAA to break into sports journalism both at home and in Ireland.

I started freelancing for papers here like the Irish World and the Irish Post. Since then it’s got bigger and bigger. I’ve done stuff for RTE and Sky [Sports], just covering games here.

“There’s a few lads who were on my course at Uni and they’ve got Irish backgrounds. There’s such a love for the sport here, it’s hard to describe.”

As well as pitching pieces to the major publications, Martin is also committed to developing an online presence for London GAA.

He’s utilising the usual platforms like Snapchat and Instagram to maximum effect, and gives people an insight into the lives of the players through short videos.

We’ve kept you waiting all night for part 2 of Cockneys Corner with @Kill_Butler6 so here it is 👀 enjoy #LondainAbú💚⚪️ #WeAreLondon pic.twitter.com/hH4nLImkeY

— Official London GAA (@LondainGAA) May 4, 2019

He also works closely with the team’s PRO Fiona O’Brien, who Martin greatly appreciates.

“We’ve come a long way,” he says proudly.

I think social media has helped as well through Instagram stories, Snapchat and we’ve got over 1,500 followers [on Instagram], which isn’t bad.

“Fiona works incredibly hard, not just with the football side of things, but with our hurling team too.

“Her work on matchdays is excellent, as well as dealing with our sponsors The Irish World and Clayton Hotels.”

Ireland has “always been a second home” to Martin and his family. He was in Croke Park for Dublin’s last two All-Ireland final victories, and was on press duty when London contested the 2018 Christy Ring final.

He knows about the standard of facilities that are available to GAA teams in Ireland, but the London clubs don’t have access to the same kind of resources. 

Ruislip is more than just a pitch for London GAA folk.

Source: Gerry McManus/INPHO

“It’s literally nothing like what you have in Ireland, it’s very basic,” says Martin. “Apart from Tír Chonaill Gaels, they’ve got their own clubhouse and they’ve got a few pitches.

Most GAA clubs share with rugby clubs and the GAA pitches would be rugby pitches with nets [on the goals]. And then sometimes there’s not even dressing rooms.

“Sometimes it is a bit of a struggle. And a lot of the lads commute as well because London is so big.”

But those with a love for GAA in London aren’t deterred by those drawbacks. As Martin proudly states, “the love of the game” continues to draw people back in.

The famous McGovern Park in Ruislip is more than just a GAA ground for them. It’s a focal point of social acitivity where people of Irish and other ethnicity groups come together to enjoy each other’s company, and engage with the Irish sports.

Lads will come down and go to matches with their friends that they’ve grown up with and make a day of it,” Martin explains.

“When it’s packed, it’s always a great day out.”

Taking on Galway this Sunday poses a familiar challenge for the London footballers. Predictions for a home win will be hard to come by as Deely’s side prepares to welcome the reigning Connacht champions [throw-in, 3pm].

London gave Mayo a scare in 2011.

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

They have enjoyed some big days in the provincial competition over the past few years, including a Connacht final appearance in 2013 and a narrow extra-time defeat to Mayo two years earlier.

“We’re under no illusions what’s in front of us but it’ll be good experience for the younger lads,” says Martin about the prospect of facing Galway, “especially the London-born lads to be playing at a high standard.

“Galway are going through a good patch at the minute and hopefully we can give a good account of ourselves.”

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1. Peter Crouch

Source: Peter Crouch Twitter Page.

2. Dublin GAA

Source: Dublin GAA Twitter.

3. Henry Shefflin 

Source: Henry Shefflin Twitter Page.

4. Gary Lineker

Source: Gary Lineker Twitter Page.

5. Aidan O’Mahony 

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Source: Aidan O’Mahony Twitter Page.

6. Caster Semenya 

Source: Caster Semenya Twitter Page.

7. Sheffield United 

UNREAL 😍#SUFC 🔴 pic.twitter.com/LLXf1UA4Ek

— Sheffield United (@SUFC_tweets) April 28, 2019

8. BBC Sport

This is not what you need after 26.2 miles. pic.twitter.com/ZkmJftX0Hv

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 28, 2019

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TRIBUTES ARE POURING in for former All-Ireland winning manager Eugene McGee, who passed away overnight. 

The former UCD, Cavan and International Rules manager was in charge of the Offaly side that denied Kerry a historic five-in-a-row in 1982. 

Coaches, journalists and former players paid tribute to McGee, who also served as the chairman of the GAA’s Football Review Committee.

1. Offaly GAA

2. Tomas O Se

Very sad to hear of Eugene McGees death. A man of huge talent. He has a place in Kerry hearts for ever. In a good way!! Beannacht Dé ar a anam uasal. 🙏🏼

— Tomás Ó Sé (@tomas5ky) May 5, 2019

3. Joe Dooley

Very sad to hear of the sudden passing of Eugene McGee this morning. An adopted Offaly man. Condolences to his family. May he Rest In Peace. 🇨🇮

— Joe Dooley (@DooleyJoe) May 5, 2019

4. Richie Connor

'We were lucky to have him' – 1982 @Offaly_GAA winning captain Richie Connor pays tribute to Eugene McGee with @colmanos @rtenews #rtesport #rtegaa #EugeneMcGee pic.twitter.com/GmDM9HSX3H

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 5, 2019

5. Dave Hannigan

When I started out in the Sunday Tribune, I used to spend hours in the cuttings library (pre-internet), reading old Eugene McGee pieces, the final of the Ulster championship was "the pullers and draggers' day-out". Great line. Great man.

— Dave Hannigan (@daveyhannigan) May 5, 2019

6. Colin Regan

Shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Eugene McGee. He oozed integrity. Speaking at event in Longford for me just a few weeks back he noted how the GAA played an integral part in infusing meaning and belonging in his life. A gentleman and a scholar. RIP #eugenemcgee

— Colin Regan (@Rego101) May 5, 2019

7. Des Cahill

A wonderful way to remember #EugeneMcGee – just told this by Tom Parlon.
On the morning of the 82 All Ireland a journalist asked Eugene how badly #Offaly wanted to win. He replied "there's men in that dressing room who haven't had a pint since last Wednesday night! #RIPEugene pic.twitter.com/XH8KddJYdD

— Des Cahill (@sportsdes) May 5, 2019

8. John O’Mahony 

So sad to hear of sudden passing of All-Ireland winning manager and superb GAA analyst Eugene McGee.He was a massive inspiration to all of us who followed in his footsteps Deepest sympathy to his wife and family and all in Offaly and Löngford GAA .

— John O'Mahony (@omahonyjohnno) May 5, 2019

9. Ciaran Mullooly

Very very sad news this morning : the journalist & All Ireland winning football manager Eugene McGee has died overnight . A brilliant writer and football tactician , he took ill yesterday after a family engagement . McGee was blunt , down to earth and 100 % honourable . RIP

— Ciaran Mullooly (@ciaranmullooly) May 5, 2019

10. UCD GAA

UCD GAA Club are very saddened to hear of the death of for UCD senior football manager Eugene McGee. Eugene was inducted into our Hall of Fame last year and was a huge supporter of UCD GAA Club. Condolences to Eugenes family & friends at this sad time
Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam. pic.twitter.com/fbnmBzmC9Y

— UCD GAA (@UCDGAA) May 5, 2019

11. Conor Mortimer

Sad to hear of the passing overnight of the legendary All-Ireland winning Offaly manager and journalist Eugene McGee.A great story teller and blunt as could be. RIP 🙏🙏

— Conor.mortimer (@Conmort) May 5, 2019

12. Roy Malone

Very sad to hear the news of the passing of Eugene Mcgee, he'll be an Offaly legend for eternity , his success with the Offaly team in the early 80's inspired me and generations of future Offaly footballers to play the game we love . RIP Eugene . #gaa

— Roy Malone (@roymalone100) May 5, 2019

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Galway 0-16
London 1-9

Tony Tighe reports from Ruislip

GALWAY ENDURED AN uncomfortable afternoon in the English capital as a gutsy London made the Connacht champions work hard for their victory.

Level at the break, a flurry of points at the beginning of the second half swung the game in the Tribesmen’s favour as they booked a Connacht semi-final date with Sligo on May 19.

After a low-key first quarter, Galway looked to be on their way to a comfortable win when they hit five points in 11 minutes to move 0-8 to 0-3 in front.

But they were rocked on 25 minutes when English-born forward Kilian Butler took Fearghal McMahon’s inside pass, turned his marker and rattled the top corner of Ruairi Lavelle’s net.

Two late points from Conor Doran sent London in level at half-time, 1-6 to 0-9, but a poor start to the second period saw Galway pull clear for a second time.

Shane Walsh switched to midfield and began to pull the strings, which yielded four points in five minutes.

Galway failed to kick on though and managed just three points from frees in the final half hour.

Just three points separated the sides late on and Butler should have drawn level on 67 minutes when a London counter presented him with a goal chance, but he dragged his shot wide.

Watch highlights of the @ConnachtGAA clash between @LondainGAA and @Galway_GAA #rtegaa pic.twitter.com/xR6NJoG7rh

— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 5, 2019

Scorers for Galway: S Walsh 0-7 (5f, 1 ’45), I Burke 0-2, J Heaney, T Flynn, M Daly, L Silke, A O Laoi, P Cunningham, G O’Donnell 0-1 each.

Scorers for London: C Doran 0-6 (3f), K Butler 1-1, L Gavaghan, F McMahon 0-1 each.

Galway

R Lavelle

E Kerin
SA O’Ceallaigh
D Wynne

L Silke
J Daly
G O’Donnell

T Flynn
M Daly

A O’Laoi
P Cunningham
J Heaney

I Burke
S Walsh
D Cummins.

Subs:
R Finnerty for Cummins (48)
F O Curraoin for Cunningham (52)
G Bradshaw for O’Donnell (61)
E Brannigan for Daly (70).

London

G McEvoy

P Butler
M Moynihan
C O’Neill

D Carrabine
M Clarke
E Flanagan

A McDermott
L Feerick

M Gottsche
L Gavaghan
B Tully

C Doran
F McMahon
K Butler.

Subs:

A McGarvey for Tully (64)
S Hickey for Doran (64)
J Hynes for McMahon (64)
D Dunne for Carrabine (64)
P McGirr for O’Neill (70).

Referee: N Cullen (Fermanagh).

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TWO MONTHS ON from suffering a heavy loss in the league to Waterford, the Clare hurlers are planning to stay overnight before Sunday’s Munster championship opener in order to improve their preparations for a return to Walsh Park.

Clare lost out 0-31 to 1-14 on St Patrick’s Day weekend with Stephen Bennett’s haul of 0-16 causing the greatest damage as Waterford defeated them at the league quarter-final stage.

Next Sunday sees Clare commence their Munster round-robin campaign with the Waterford city venue a novel setting for the Banner side.

“It is a completely new venture for us because, when you’re playing in the Munster Championship, it’s normally Thurles or Limerick or Cork and you can plan logistically very well,” admitted Clare joint manager Gerry O’Connor.

“You get your time lines right for the morning and the afternoon. It’s obviously going to be an overnight situation for us because there’s no way you could just rock up on the day of the game.

“It’s about two and a half to three hours but there is a whole host of logistics around that that don’t make it feasible as a day journey.

“There is the cost factor as well. We travelled down on the morning of the game against Waterford in Walsh Park in the National League and we definitely knew that that wasn’t the right thing to do.

“We were very lucky to beat them in Walsh Park in 2014 in the U21. We got a late goal but it is definitely a challenge from a logistical point of view. So be it. That is the Munster championship now.”

The provision of home games is a major boost to Waterford after their travails in 2018. O’Connor is aware of how sides can harness home advantage when operating in a different provincial structure. Last summer Clare utilised Cusack Park to their advantage when seeing off Waterford and Limerick in Ennis.

“The buzz it gave us was that, if we are fair, we had only a very middling product as a Clare hurling team and management in 2017 to sell to the Clare public and it took a while for the players and the supporters to bond and gel.

“Halfway through that first-half in Waterford last year, when Shane O’Donnell hit that shoulder on the Waterford full-back, that kind of lifted the crowd and there has been a very strong connection and bond between the Clare team and the public for the last year.

“We have essentially turned Cusack Park into a fortress now. That is a huge positive for us. We have lost very few games there and played very well. The supporters are very close to the pitch and they get right behind the team. There is an energy that comes down off the stands that the players feed off.

“It’s a massive boost for them (Waterford having Walsh Park) but it also puts massive pressure on a team at home. If you don’t start very well and there is this weight of expectation on you, I remember the Munster U21 final in 2012 up in Cusack Park and we were expected to put in a huge performance and maybe win easy.

“That was a very unusual place for a Clare team to be in a Munster final but as the game progressed there was an edginess and a tension in the ground because the crowd went silent.

“They could see we were up a point and down a point. That’s the other side of playing away, if you can get in a good start and get the team under pressure that is playing at home that puts the pressure back on them.”

O’Connor is concerned that the condensed nature of the fixture programme will place pressure on the fitness of his players this year. From 2-16 June, Clare have three clashes to contend with against Tipperary, Limerick and Cork. They are already planning without Jamie Shanahan, Ian Galvin and Conor McGrath for the season due to injury.

“What we learned (last year) was that we got really lucky with injuries. The concern, or the big challenge for us, is that we have got these three games in 14 days which we were lucky enough to avoid last year. It is nearly too much to ask.

“Galway were the only team that won a three-in-a-row last year in the 14 days so that will definitely test the resilience and the endurance of the players on our panel.

“In 2017 we played Limerick in the Munster semi-final, one player tweaked a hamstring and one tweaked a groin. Six weeks later they were back for the Munster final. If you tweak a groin or a hamstring now you’re gone for the Munster championship. That’s the reality of it because there is no way you are going to get back inside four weeks.”

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TIPPERARY’S ALL-IRELAND and All-Star winning defender Michael Cahill has suffered a major setback during his recovery from a cruciate knee injury. 

The Tipperary Star has reported that Cahill broke his kneecap in an accidental collision in training last week and has had to undergo surgery.

The news is a huge blow to the defender who was recuperating since tearing his cruciate last October.

Cahill had suffered that serious injury in last year’s Tipperary county senior hurling semi-final as his club Thurles Sarsfields lost out to Nenagh Éire Óg in a campaign where they were attempting for five-in-a-row of titles.

The 30-year-old is an experienced defender who has been part of two Tipperary All-Ireland senior triumphs in 2010 and 2016. He also won All-Ireland medals at minor and U21 level while he claimed an All-Star award in 2011.

Tipperary boss Liam Sheedy had revealed in February that it was unlikely that Cahill would feature for the county side in 2019 and that his target would be a return to club action. 

Next Sunday will see Tipperary commence their 2019 Munster round-robin campaign with an away tie against Cork in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

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LIMERICK CAMOGIE SAY they are “very disappointed” as their dual players are faced with a major fixture clash this weekend.

In a statement released by the camogie board, they added that “this is the second time this year that this has happened, through no fault of Limerick Camogie.”

Dual players across Limerick’s inter-county camogie and ladies football teams will be affected by the fixture dilemma.

On Saturday, the Limerick senior ladies will take on Tipperary in the Munster intermediate football championship at Thurles [throw-in, 5pm].

That fixture will form part of a double-header as the men’s teams from both counties will meet in the Munster SFC at the same venue later that evening at 7pm.

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Limerick are also in action in the Munster senior and junior camogie championships on Saturday. They will face Cork in those games and both matches are scheduled to throw-in at 7.15pm.

Niamh Ryan, Roisin Ambrose and Rebecca Delee are the members of both Limerick panels who will be directly affected by this fixture dilemma, and may have to face a major decision about which game to play.

Limerick ladies football manager John Ryan told the Limerick Leader that the fixture clash is “a disgrace,” while the Limerick camogie association have also released a statement, expressing their disappointment at the situation. 

Source: Limerick Camogie Twitter Page.

The full statement reads.

“Limerick Camogie are very disappointed by the clash of fixtures between our Senior and Junior Camogie Teams and the Limerick Ladies Football Team in their respective Munster Championship matches this weekend.

“The Munster Camogie Semi Finals were originally ratified for 11 May last January at the Munster Camogie Convention and subsequently we ratified all our Adult County League Finals for Sunday May 12.

“The Munster Camogie Board rescheduled the semi-finals to 12 Sunday May. Knowing that this would be a direct clash with our hectic league schedule at club level we requested that our semi-final be moved to Saturday 18 May.

“Munster could not accommodate this and the original date of 11 May, which was ratified at Convention, stood.

This, unfortunately, has led to the clash with the Limerick Ladies Football fixture. This is the second time this year that this has happened, through no fault of Limerick Camogie.

“We are aware of the dilemma this puts our dual players in, however it is an issue we tried to rectify but were unsuccessful.

“We did not highlight this clash prior to now due to the welfare of our players. We would like to wish all Limerick teams in both codes every success in their matches on Saturday.”

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Cork 1-9
Kerry 3-19

Denis Hurley reporting from Páirc Uí Rinn

KERRY PRODUCED A wonderful second-half performance to put one foot in the Electric Ireland Munster MFC final as they saw off Cork at Páirc Uí Rinn on Tuesday evening.

Leading by 0-11 to 0-8 half-time, the Kingdom were pegged back level within 24 seconds of the restart as Cork sub Jack Cahalane marked his arrival in style. However, Cork would only score once more, that in the 56th minute, with Kerry having added an unanswered 3-7 in between.

However, hope is not lost for Cork. They will now face either Clare or Tipperary, who clash in the phase 1 final tomorrow night. A win there for the Rebels would most likely put them in the decider, against Kerry, who are seeking a sixth straight All-Ireland.

The visitors certainly don’t lack for attacking prowess. Four first-half points from Dylan Geaney helped them to lead by three at half-time, with Emmet O’Shea and Jack O’Connor also impressing.

Joseph Linehan and Ronan Collins owned the skies at midfield for Kerry but, having trailed by 0-6 to 0-1, Cork were level at 0-7 each on 24 thanks to Ryan O’Donovan, who had five first-half points.

Though Kerry pushed on again, Cahalane’s goal on the resumption looked to suggest that Cork would stay with them. Instead, the response was emphatic.

After points from O’Connor and Geaney, O’Shea’s goal on 38 gave them breathing space and Gearóid Hassett added another on 42.

The third goal, from O’Connor, made it 3-18 to 1-8 with six minutes of normal time left and though Cork captain Connor Corbett almost got a consolation goal, he was denied by a marvellous save from Devon Burns, who tipped the ball over.

Scorers for Kerry: Dylan Geaney 0-8 (0-2 frees), Jack O’Connor (0-1 45), Emmet O’Shea 1-3 each, Gearóíd Hassett 1-2, Colin Crowley 0-2, Ryan O’Grady 0-1.

Scorers for Cork: Ryan O’Donovan 0-5 (0-3 frees), Jack Cahalane 1-0, Patrick Campbell, Connor Corbett 0-2 each.

Kerry

1. Devon Burns (Na Gaeil)

4. Kieran O’Sullivan (Cromane)
3. Alan Dineen (Rathmore)
2. Luke Chester (Austin Stacks)

5. Eoghan O’Sullivan (Legion)
6. Adam Curran (Austin Stack)
7. Seán O’Brien (Beaufort)

8. Joseph Linehan (Churchill)
9. Ronan Collins (Gneeveguilla)

11. Jack O’Connor (Beaufort)
10. Colin Crowley (Templenoe)
14. Darragh Lynch (Listowel Emmets)

13. Dylan Geaney (Dingle)
12. Gearóíd Hassett (Laune Rangers)
15. Emmet O’Shea (Fossa)

Subs:

19. Dylan O’Callaghan (Firies) for Lynch (33-38, blood) O’Callaghan for Crowley (48)
21. Tomás Ó hAiniféin (Na Gaeil) for Linehan (49)
17. Kevin Goulding (Ballyduff) for O’Shea
18. Jason Kerins (Dr Crokes) for O’Brien (54)
20. Ryan O’Grady (Legion) for O’Connor (56)
22. Tommy Cronin (Kenmare) for Chester (56)

Cork

1. Aaron O’Brien (Mitchelstown)

6. Neil Lordan (Ballinora)
4. Dan Peet (Clonakilty)
2. Nathan Gough (Bishopstown)

5. Darragh Cashman (Millstreet)
3. Danny Linehan (Castlemagner)
7. Joseph O’Shea (Urhan)

8. Eoghan Nash (Douglas)
9. Hugh Murphy (Éire Óg)

10. Adam Walsh-Murphy (Valley Rovers)
11. Connor Corbett (Clyda Rovers)
12. Denis Collins (Glengarriff)

15. Keith O’Driscoll (Gabriel Rangers)
13. Ryan O’Donovan (Barryroe)
14. Patrick Campbell (Nemo Rangers)

Subs:

21. Jack Cahalane (Castlehaven) for Nash (half-time)
20. Shane Aherne (Douglas) for O’Driscoll (40)
18. Seán Andrews (Shamrocks) for Gough (43)
22. Alan O’Hare (Douglas) for Collins (48)
23. Jack McGrath (Carrigaline) for Walsh-Murphy (57)

Referee: A Kissane (Waterford).

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