Month: September 2021

AFTER 17 YEARS lining out for county teams, 14 seasons as a fixture in a senior setup and a member of two Connacht triumphs, Seán McDermott officially cut the ties that bound him with Roscommon football yesterday afternoon.

Seanie McDermott made his championship debut for Roscommon in 2005.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

For the 34-year-old, it ultimately felt an appropriate juncture at the dawn of the 2009 campaign to depart.

“I found it quite difficult last year after opening the business (Seánie Macs Barber Shop in Ballaghaderreen) to fit everything in really. The other factor was that it was just really and truly a good time for me to move on in life.

“A few months back Anthony (Cunningham) had made contact with me and so had Ian Daly in relation to coming on board. They were anxious for me to stay on for another year. I did give it a lot of hard thought but I suppose I had to make the decision for myself more so than Roscommon. It was the right decision for me.”

He walks away as one of the longest serving members in the county arena and with a considerable body of work behind him.

Between the May 2005 meeting with London and the August 2017 replay clash with Mayo, he was a constant name on the starting teamsheet.

The swansong came against Dublin in the Super 8s last summer with the finally tally standing at 178 (49 championship and 96 league) senior outings for his county.

“You roll with the times. I remember starting out in 2005, I was just delighted to get an inter-county call-up and make my debut. As the years went on, you could just see the level of dedication it was taking to keep playing football. No doubt that it has risen from 2005 to present.

“Really and truly it’s just a lifestyle change, that’s what it was for me for a lot of years. But to be honest it wasn’t really even that hard for me to play inter-county football because it was just the lifestyle that I enjoyed and loved.”

A pair of summer afternoons jump out when compiling his highlights package. The first Connacht title in Castlebar in 2010

“It was special because it was my first. I came on the scene in 2005 and the first few years with Roscommon were very tough years. There was a large turnover of players and Roscommon football suffered. It wasn’t really until Fergal O’Donnell came on board in 2009 and lifted things in Roscommon. He put a lot of work into it and that’s what got us across the line in 2010.

“We actually had got relegated that year, it’s kind of unheard of a team in Division 4 winning a provincial title. We were unlucky in the league, we lost nearly every game by a point or two. Sligo I don’t think they took us for granted but they were coming in as hot favourites. We produced a fine performance that day. Donie Shine was in serious form, Cathal Cregg, Karl Mannion and Michael Finneran at midfield, the likes of Peter Domican, Geoffrey Claffey in goal, a lot of really fine players.”

Séan McDermott (2) celebrating Roscommon’s 2010 Connacht final victory with Sligo.

Source: James Crombie

And then a second arrived in July 2017 amidst a downpour in Galway when not many envisaged it.

“It’s a funny one. The years you expect to win a provincial title or the years you expect to do well, it doesn’t always happen like that. I felt in ’16 that we were primed to win a Connacht title because we had such a good panel of players and things were going very well. We fell short against Galway, the second day we were outclassed. Then in ’17 no one expected us to do it when we came to Salthill as underdogs and got over the line.”

He can recall a few days with regret but no recollection that sparks major heartbreak.

“I don’t think there was any real major disappointment. I felt we should have possibly beaten Mayo the first day in ’17 in Croke Park. Unlucky too in ’14 with John Evans against Mayo, they beat us in a semi-final in Hyde Park.

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“Maybe in ’16 I felt things were going very well, I was sorry to see Fergal and Kevin parting ways. I thought that the backroom team and panel were there and the next few years were going to be very substantial for Roscommon. Then again we won our Connacht title in ’17 and probably would have been disappointed with our Super 8s run last year.”

Anchoring the Roscommon rearguard brought McDermott into close quarters with a wide array of elite forwards. Spring schedules saw him exposed to gametime in all four divisions of the league with Derry and Waterford the only two counties he was not opposed to.

“I’ve marked quite a few of them in my time. People think of the top counties but the likes of Niall McNamee from Offaly was someone I always found very difficult to handle. Had some great battles down through the years with David Kelly from Sligo, top quality forward.

Séan McDermott and David Kelly in opposition in the Connacht championship in 2015.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

“Marked Jamie Clarke before in a qualifier in Hyde Park, he was absolutely terrific. Obviously the likes of Andy Moran and Shane Walsh. The funny thing about football is no matter where you go in the country, there’s always a good corner-forward. As a corner-back you always know you’ll have a tricky day.”

Away from Roscommon there are fond memories of getting the call up for Ireland in the International Rules in 2010 and a couple of Sigerson Cup seasons with star-studded sides in IT Sligo in 2004 and 2005.

And looking ahead there is the hope of a landmark success with his club Western Gaels along with a hopeful attitude at how Roscommon teams will fare.

“I’m playing with Western Gaels all my life, we’re senior now since 2004. We’ve been knocking on the door a couple of years, unfortunately St Brigid’s have been going so well down through the years.

“They beat us in a final in 2013 and we were unlucky in 2009 to come up against a very good Castlerea team in a final. That’ll be the focus now for the next year or two. With the help of God, we can create a little bit of history. It will take work but there’s a very good group of players there as well.

“I’d be very optimistic, I think there’s an awful lot of quality players in Roscommon. I think that they have a fantastic management team in place this year. I’m sorry at this stage of my life, I wish this had come a few years prior to this.

“I think Anthony will be terrific. He has two top, top lads in Ian Daly and Mark Dowd who in my eyes could be future Roscommon managers. I don’t think there’ll any stone unturned.”

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THE RETURN OF the Allianz Football League is just around the corner and with each new year comes fresh talent ready to burst onto the senior scene. 

David Clifford and Brian Howard lit up the championship last summer, but what young prospects will we be hearing more about in 2019? 

We’ve picked out nine youngsters who are ready to make the step up this season. 

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1. Rian O’Neill (Armagh)

Rian O’Neill helped Crossmaglen back on top in Armagh.

Source: Declan Roughan/INPHO

O’Neill was instrumental as Crossmaglen returned to the seat of power this year in Armagh.

The 21-year-old, who is a brother of Armagh senior Oisin and nephew of county legend Oisin McConville, kicked five points from centre-forward in the county final victory.

Earlier in the summer he scored four points in Armagh’s Ulster U20 final defeat to Derry. In November, the speed merchant attended the AFL Europe Combine in UCD.

O’Neill’s Armagh team-mate Ross McQuillan is another highly-rated prospect from the county who deserves a mention.

Beautiful point from the outside of the boot from Rian O'Neill pic.twitter.com/EPSQG1XBSj

— The GAA (@officialgaa) November 18, 2018

2. Ryan O’Donoghue (Mayo)

Ryan O’Donoghue in full flight.

Source: Ken Sutton/INPHO

O’Donoghue is currently sidelined after undergoing ankle surgery in the winter, but he should feature under James Horan at some stage the league.

The multi-talented sportsman spent time on the books of Sligo Rovers and is a former underage national boxing champion.

In 2018 he captained his club Belmullet to the Mayo intermediate title and Mayo U20s to Connacht glory. He’s exactly the kind of pacey forward Mayo have been crying out for.

Wonderful goal for Mayo from Ryan O'Donoghue. pic.twitter.com/OD8XwVWdaY

— The GAA (@officialgaa) August 5, 2018

3. Jimmy Hyland (Kildare)

Lilywhites sharpshooter Hyland.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

The best U20 footballer in the land last year, Hyland’s rise to senior ranks in Kildare has somewhat offset the departure of Daniel Flynn in Cian O’Neill’s attack.

He scored nine points in his opening two O’Byrne Cup games of the 2019 season, continuing his excellent form of 2018 when he led the county to All-Ireland U20 glory.

4. Darragh Canavan (Tyrone)

Darragh Canavan scores for Tyrone seniors against Derry.

Source: Lorcan Doherty/INPHO

Canavan’s last name alone with strike fear into the hearts of defenders in Ulster and beyond.

He picked up plenty of traits from his father Peter, including his game intelligence, low centre of gravity and lightning speed.

Cavanan is adept at shooting off either foot and displayed his big game temperament by scoring 1-3 during Tyrone’s All-Ireland U17 win of 2017.

Mickey Harte doesn’t call many 18-year-olds into the senior panel, so he clearly believes his clubmate has a bright future ahead of him.

Source: TG4/YouTube

5. Tony Brosnan (Kerry)

Source: Ken Sutton/INPHO

Brosnan is part of arguably the most talented front six in club football at present in Dr Crokes and one that’s keeping the great Colm Cooper on the bench.

Brosnan, a Kerry senior panellist and U21 player in 2016, put up some enormous scoring tallies for Crokes on their run to the Munster club crown last year.

Injuries and a lack of form derailed Brosnan for a couple of years, but he looks ready to make a mark under new boss Peter Keane.

Beidh sé deacair stop a chur leis na Crócaigh. Tony Brosnan le cúilín iontach le linn Cluiche Ceannais @MunsterGAA @DrCrokesGAA look like contenders! Tony Brosnan with a super point v @MiltownGAA in yesterday’s #Munster final

Highlights @ 20.00 ar @SportTG4 @Kerry_Official pic.twitter.com/y3CTieSWZO

— GAA 2018 (@GAA_2018_TG4) November 26, 2018

6. Daire Ó Baoill (Donegal)

Daire Ó Baoill made his senior championship debut for Donegal last summer.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

Another youngster who showed promise at other sports before settling on Gaelic football, Ó Baoill should become a more prominent player under Declan Bonner this season.

The former Finn Harps soccer player helped Gaoth Dobhair to Donegal and Ulster titles last year and bagged an impressive hat-trick in the provincial semi-final against Crossmaglen.

He made five appearances off the bench for the county in 2018 and looks set to add to that once his club run ends.

Dara O Baoill with a second Goal for @gaothdobhairclg pic.twitter.com/W3S29Mmx5P

— The GAA (@officialgaa) November 18, 2018

7. Kieran Molloy (Galway)

Kieran Molloy launches another Corofin attack.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

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Molloy famously completed a madcap afternoon last February when he played in both the All-Ireland club semi-final and Sigerson final on the same day with Corofin and NUIG respectively.

The athletic wing-back is a strong defender and loves to join the attack.

Corofin’s bid for back-to-back club crowns and a competitive Galway half-back line may hamper his chances of featuring for the Tribesmen this year, but he’s well capable of making a big splash on the county stage.

Micheál Lundy goal for Corofin! pic.twitter.com/qKiTlJFoac

— The GAA (@officialgaa) November 11, 2018

8. Cian McKeon (Roscommon)

Cian McKeon takes on the Mayo defence during the Connacht U20 final.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

The Boyle clubman was named as one of the top 20 players from the U20 All-Ireland championship after a campaign where Roscommon lost to Mayo in the Connacht final.

The corner-forward has a nose for goal and hit the net twice for the seniors in the FBD league meeting with Sligo last January.

McKeon will be hoping to impress new manager Anthony Cunningham over the coming months. 

9. David Garland (Monaghan)

David Garland after Tyrone’s All-Ireland semi-final win over Monaghan.

Source: Oisin Keniry/INPHO

Garland logged minutes in the McKenna Cup and league last year for Monaghan, but he’ll be hoping to push on in 2019.

He scored a seven-point haul in the All-Ireland Freshers final last year for DCU and provides another scoring option for Malachy O’Rourke.

The diminutive Donaghmoyne corner forward is an accurate free-taker and another year playing alongside Conor McManus should see his stock rise further. 

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TOMMY BUGGY WATCHED on with interest as the action unfolded on Sunday afternoon at Rodney Parade.

Padraig Amond featured for the Carlow minor hurlers in 2006.

Source: INPHO/PA

In a frantic finale he saw Newport County’s striker keep his cool to slot home the penalty that toppled Leicester City and secured the headline giant-killing act of the early January FA Cup action.

And Buggy took some personal satisfaction in Padraig Amond’s achievement, reflecting on the sporting journey travelled by one of the players from the Carlow 2006 minor hurling side that he managed.

“He’s a good chap, a really lovely chap,” says Buggy.

“I’d still be in touch with him on Twitter and keeping an eye on how he does. It’s funny, my young fella Sean used to come all those matches with me when he was seven or eight.

“Then he has ended up in college with Padraig’s brother Aaron. They’re in Maynooth, the two of them are hurling with Maynooth at the moment. It’s a small world.

“I watched him Sunday, I love soccer and I would have played it all my life. I’d say he definitely did 12-15k during the game. His work-rate was unreal. He put in some shift.”

Padraig Amond celebrating his goal for Newport County against Leicester City.

Source: PA Wire/PA Images

When Kilkenny native Buggy moved to take the reins of the Carlow minor hurlers, he immediately identified Amond as a talent he wanted to utilise.

“At the time Carlow hurling was frowned upon a little bit. There was a guy came before me, Eoin Garvey, and he’d won a couple of B All-Irelands with him, then I took over and won a B All-Ireland. I insisted to the county board that we go into A. Padraig would have won a minor B All-Ireland in 2005 with us. We knew we had a good bunch.”

The 2006 season was their time in the spotlight. They caused a tremor in the Leinster hurling landscape by taking down Offaly in a semi-final, Amond hitting 1-4 from full-forward that day in Portlaoise.

Gracing the Leinster final stage was a major step forward, even if the day was a tough one as they collided with a powerful Kilkenny outfit. Richie Hogan was serving notice of his talent in striking 2-10 while Paul Murphy and Colin Fennelly were also starting out on the inter-county trail.

Richie Hogan in action for Kilkenny against Carlow in the 2006 Leinster minor decider.

Source: Andrew Paton/INPHO

Their campaign concluded at the quarter-final stage against eventual champions Tipperary, who were packed with future senior stars. Amond scored 0-2 while marked by Padraic Maher in a game in Nowlan Park.

“In the quarter-final that year we were three points down just before half-time and Padraig broke through and he struck the bar. The ball rebounded, Tipp went down the field and got a goal. Instead of going in level, we went in six down.

“He was a very good chap. Great attitude, great application and what he had that a lot of young lads don’t have is he was willing to learn all the time. To take instruction and try and learn and improve all the time.”

It was always clear to Buggy what Amond’s sporting destination was. He was juggling Carlow minor football and hurling roles that summer, while also on the books at Shamrock Rovers.

In order to utilise the talents of a player in demand, the Carlow management were creative.

“We didn’t always have him when we wanted him but we had him most of the time and we had him when we needed him. We actually played him in a game – it wasn’t championship, it was some league game – we played him under the name Brendan Amond one night. We hadn’t seen much of him and we needed to get a game into him to get a look at him.

“I suppose it’s alright to say it now! We did play him under an assumed name alright. He was signed for Shamrock Rovers at that stage and he was going to make a career at that level at least if not further afield which he went on to do.

Padraig Amond (left) in action for Shamrock Rovers in 2006.

Source: Lorraine O’Sullivan/INPHO

“I was never going to stand in his way that time. He was the sort of chap and he came from the sort of family that they gave us everything we could while we were with them. I was never going to suggest he do anything other than soccer.”

Amond’s ability to forge a soccer career for himself  has not surprised Buggy. Sunday’s goal was his 15th of this season for the League Two outfit and came on the back of last year’s strike in the FA Cup against Tottenham. Last night’s fourth round draw presents them with an away trip to face Middlesbrough at the end of the month.

His progress has enthused his former Carlow minor boss, just like the development of others. A bunch of that team lined out on the senior stage for Carlow with players like Richie Coady and Denis Murphy backboning the Mount Leinster Rangers team that embarked on a wonderful journey to the All-Ireland club decider in 2014.

Richard Coady (left) in action against Portumna in the 2014 All-Ireland senior club final.

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

“When you coach teams for years and I have now at this stage, even I still have an underage team in my own club (Erin’s Own in Castlecomer) every year, and you see young fellas making a go of life and making a go of things at whatever they try to do, you’d have a little bit of pride in them.

“You’d always say that you knew him and gave him some bit of a hand out. I could name another 100 kids that I’d be as proud of.

“He’s getting a bit of news now and grabbing the headlines and more power to him. I’m delighted for him, Jaysus I am.

“He was just one of those young fellas that was very talented. I’d say if he took up pole vaulting in the morning, he’d be good at it.”

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AN IN-DEPTH look at the careers of GAA stars like Colm Cooper and Rena Buckley, a focus on Ireland’s leading female jockeys and live action from marquee games in rugby and soccer.

Rachael Blackmore, Colm Cooper and Garry Ringrose will all be in the TV spotlight.

Source: INPHO

Irish stations TG4 and Virgin Media TV both launched their spring broadcasting schedules earlier today with an array of sporting programmes on offer on both stations over the coming months.

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TG4 have announced their popular GAA series Laochra Gael will be returning. The careers of Offaly’s 1982 All-Ireland winning hero Séamus Darby, Kilkenny defensive star Jackie Tyrrell, Cork’s multiple dual All-Ireland winner Rena Buckley, Dublin footballer Ciaran Duff, Limerick hurler Andrew O’Shaughnessy and Kerry football great Colm Cooper will all be in the spotlight.

Jackie Tyrrell celebrates at the final whistle of Kilkenny’s 2014 All-Ireland final triumph.

Source: Lorraine O’Sullivan/INPHO

Six years ago TG4 screened the documentary Jump Boys – which followed the lives of Ruby Walsh, Davy Russell and Barry Geraghty – and they have followed that up with the planned release of Jump Girls. This production will follow well-known Irish female jockeys like Katie Walsh, Nina Carberry and Rachael Blackmore.

Katie Walsh on board Relegate claimed victory at Cheltenham last year.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Other documentary offerings on the Irish language station include Ár gClub, which goes behind the scenes in a number of local GAA clubs, and Mianach na mBan (Women in Sport), a three-part series presented by Aoife Ní Chasaide that traces the progression made by women in sport and features stars like Dame Mary Peters, Katie Taylor, Sonia O’Sullivan and Derval O’Rourke.

Their live sport action will include

• Guinness Pro14 action on Rugbaí Beo.
• GAA Beo action from the Allianz leagues and All-Ireland club championships.
• Live coverage of the men’s and women’s national cup finals.
• The Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta, which celebrates its’ 30th anniversary this year.

On Virgin Media TV, their live rugby coverage returns this weekend with the meeting of Leinster against Toulouse on Saturday at 1pm in the Heineken Champions Cup, while the final of that competition will be broadcast live on free-to-air television when it takes place in Newcastle on 11 May.

All 15 matches in the 2019 Six Nations Championship will be televised on Virgin Media One.

Ireland players celebrating last year’s Six Nations triumph.

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

The station’s soccer coverage will include the UEFA Champions League and Europe League when they return in February, the Euro 2020 qualifiers which start in March and the Nations League finals in June.

Horse racing coverage will see broadcasts from the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals, along with flat racing at the Epsom Derby and Royal Ascot.

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Updated Jan 8th 2019, 5:03 PM

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DUBLIN FORWARD NOELLE Healy was a vocal critic of Leo Varadkar’s comments on hospital workers before Christmas, when he called on doctors and nurses not to take any annual leave over the festive period due to a shortage of staff.

Noelle Healy at the launch of Future Proof Media, the low cost, jargon free marketing consultants.

Source: Ramsey Cardy/SPORTSFILE

Speaking in the Dáil last November, the Taoiseach said hospitals needed to operate “at full whack” over the Christmas and New Year, warning them not to take holidays in the first fortnight January.

Four-time All-Star Healy, who balances her inter-county career with a demanding job as an anaesthetist in Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown, was among hundreds of healthcare workers who posted messages on Twitter around Christmas with the hashtag ‘#ImAtWorkLeo.’

“I’d just come off a weekend of night shifts and was a bit emotional,” remarks Healy now about that tweet, which gained huge traction online.

Three 24 hour shifts in 6 days and 2 in the last three . It cool if I take a day or two off to celebrate Christmas with my fam @campaignforleo ?

Thank you to everyone working over the next two days and beyond #hardworkinghealthservice 🌟#ImAtWorkLeo

— Noëlle Healy (@NoelleHealy) December 24, 2018

She had little downtime during the holidays, working 24-hour shifts on 21 and 23 December and enjoying two days off before she resumed work.

“There was a lot on social media about it. I think it was just an easy out for him to say, ‘Oh, there’s not enough staff, if they were working it would be easier.’ Of course there’s not enough staff. People are leaving – half of my college friends are working in Australia at the moment because there’s better pay, there’s better work-life balance.

“It just doesn’t seem fair when people are giving up time they could be spending with their family, staying late mostly, potentially not getting paid for it, working overnight, putting themselves in stressful situations, working when they’re sick.

Noelle Healy during the 2018 All-Ireland final.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

Healy continues: “I just don’t think it was fair for them to say that because people are taking holidays, that’s why there’s a beds crisis. There’s a beds crisis because it’s winter; people are getting the flu, people are getting sick and there’s not enough beds, there’s not enough wards open, there’s not enough nurses to look after the patients.

“We don’t have big enough emergency departments, we don’t have the infrastructure for it – it’s not people aren’t showing up.

For somebody who’d worked in the industry himself, I just don’t think it was very fair. People work extremely hard, there’s a great solidarity there. That was shown on social media as well.

“It was great that it got picked up because sometimes maybe there isn’t enough appreciation for the work that staff and, yeah, the health service isn’t great, but when you actually get into the health service, the care that you get is as good as anywhere.”

She believes there is more the government could be doing in terms of healthcare, with funding a major issue.

“Prevention is better than cure. A lot of the problems that we see are smoking and alcohol-related. People get sick, people get cancer, people have accidents – that’s fine. Prevention in terms of good nutrition, anti-smoking campaigns, anti-drinking campaigns will always help reduce it.

“Better funding for GP’s would have huge say in it. They are under an awful lot of pressure. With the free health care coming in for the U6s, it’s obviously brilliant but it just puts a huge amount of pressure on them.

“I had to ring up for an appointment with a GP before Christmas and the nearest appointment was three days later. If somebody feels like they really need something, they’re just going to rock up to their local A&E.

“Prevention definitely and more front line between with improving GP’s and A&E’s. If you they could have picked one, they probably would have solved it at this stage. It’s probably a combination of an awful lot of things. ”

On the football front, the dust had hardly settled on Dublin’s second All-Ireland ladies football victory in as many seasons when rumours started to swirl about manager Mick Bohan jumping ship to the Roscommon men’s team. 

Noelle Healy shakes Mick Bohan’s hand after coming off in the 2018 All-Ireland final.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

Bohan managed ten of last season’s Roscommon side through his involvement with DCU so when Kevin McStay vacated the hot seat, the Dublin native was linked with the role.

A former skills coach with Dublin under Jim Gavin and in Clare with Colm Collins, Bohan took charge of the county’s ladies team in 2017. They’d been defeated in the last three All-Ireland finals when he was appointed, but head into 2019 with three-in-a-row in their sights. 

Despite the links with Roscommon, Healy and the rest of the Dublin squad had no concerns their manager would depart.

“No, not really,” she says. “Because he came down the day after the final and said he’d already watched the match and done analysis on it.

“He was like, ‘We’ve a few things to improve for next year.’ So you’re going, ‘Well I guess he’s staying.’ 

He has a huge passion for Dublin football. He has two young girls himself and I think he sees the way that we interact with them and the way they look up to us.

“I think, does he feel there’s more of a bond there? Or maybe that he was more of a bit of responsibility to try elevate ladies football to create more role models for young girls like his two.

Just like Mick said, we’re just trying to improve the type of football that we play because everybody is going to have improved from last year. If we stand still, we’re just going to get overtaken. We just need to see where we can improve.” 

Healy reached new heights under Bohan and was named Footballer of the Year in 2017, while she collected an All-Star in each of his two seasons over the side. 

“A lot of his coaching style is reminding us of why we play football, who we’re playing it for and what we represent and the style of football – be it men or women who have gone before – played in the Dublin style that he talks about.

I think for him he’s Dublin through and through. As much as people would see ladies football as a stepping stone, I don’t think he sees it that way.

“I think he knows not only the bond but the environment and standards that we have and also the desire to improve and to see what we can do. Thankfully he saw it as good enough to stay.”

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COROFIN’S GALWAY PLAYERS are serving two masters over the coming weeks, training one night a week with the county side while they prepare for an All-Ireland club semi-final against Gaoith Dobhair on 16 February. 

A run in the All-Ireland series traditionally meant players did not join county set-ups until after their interests in the club championships were over, but the likes of Ian Burke and Liam Silke are keeping one foot in the Galway camp in a busy start to 2019.

Kieran Molloy, Dylan Wall and Bernard Power are the other Corofin players who are expected to be involved with the Tribesmen this year. 

“It’s a good complaint for the Corofin lads that we’re still going with the club,” says Burke.

We’re in training for the last while and this week again with the Galway lads. It’s nice to get in there as well and up to speed with what them lads are doing and just learn all that goes along with playing inter-county football for Galway. 

“At the moment, there’s a schedule there between both club and county. So they decided and we just go where we’re told to go.”

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Reports from Kerry indicate Dr Crokes’s county contingent are also involved with the Kingdom once a week, as Peter Keane prepares for his debut campaign in charge of the senior side.

It’s an interesting position Burke finds himself in as Galway operate under Gaelic football’s experimental rules for the pre-season competitions and, potentially, the Allianz Football League.

Ian Burke lays off a handpass against Kildare in the Super 8s.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

The All-Star forward is one of the game’s best proponents of the handpass and he assisted a high percentage of Galway’s scores by hand during their run to the All-Ireland semi-final last summer. 

With four consecutive handpasses now outlawed under the propsed rules, there’s a danger that talented forwards like Burke will be severely limited in attack.

“It’s an interesting one,” he says. “I was looking at the rules there and I suppose they are proactive in a way, trying to get Gaelic football moving by cutting out the hand-passing and slow build-up play and things like that. 

“I’d probably want to see it in action a couple of times to see how it plays out. I would use the handpass quite a bit so it could be interesting to see what to do if there are three hand-passes given in.

If there’s a guy going down on the goal-line and you have to pop it and it’s called back, then it wouldn’t be good in that regard, but I understand what they’re trying to do in terms of moving the game on and making it quicker and faster.

“It’ll more things to try to keep clued in to. It’ll be interesting to see how the FBD League games play out with the new rules. I haven’t seen much of them yet, so I just want to go out and see how it works out and how the game develops and plays out.”

Burke believes the return of Cillian McDaid and Silke will greatly strengthen Galway’s panel this year as they look to build on 2018.

Former AFL player Cillian McDaid is back in the Galway camp.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

McDaid, who starred in the county’s run to the All-Ireland U21 final in 2017, has returned from a stint in the AFL with Carlton. Silke, meanwhile, opted out of the county set-up last year and spent the summer playing football in Boston.

“It’s good to have new lads in there to freshen it up. It’s obviously well needed. New lads are always welcome. They bring a different dynamic to the environment and it’s good to have those lads back. 

“There are one or two others who are coming in as well. It’s exciting times for Galway. It’s going to be a good year hopefully. It’ll be a tough challenge too, but that’s inter-county football. 

We’re looking forward to getting back into it and giving it a good crack. There’s big challenges coming along this year.

“The league is the first thing we’re really focusing on. We have to deal with Mayo on Sunday too so that’s a huge challenge given where they are. They seem to be flying, they have James Horan back and all that goes with that. So that should be an interesting game in Tuam on Sunday.

“That will probably give us a good gauge of where we are and then the League starts pretty much in January so it’ll be another battle in there to stay safe and then see where the championship takes us.”

Burke also paid tribute to former Galway coach Paddy Tally, who left Walsh’s set-up to take over his native Down.

“Paddy was a brilliant football coach. When he was with Galway he was a smart man who brought a lot of good concepts to us. He’ll make a great manager, I’d imagine, and he’s definitely an asset to Down.”

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CORK MANAGER RONAN McCarthy has named his team to face Clare in the final of the McGrath Cup on Saturday afternoon in Miltown-Malbay [throw-in 2pm].

His side defeated Limerick 3-15 to 0-7 in Rathkeale on Sunday, with Brian Hurley, Paul Walsh and Ian Maguire finding the back of the net and Peter Murphy, Aidan Browne, James Fitzpatrick and Eoghan McSweeney all coming on off the bench.

Clare saw off the challenge of Waterford in the final four, Colm Collins’ men securing a 1-17 to 1-6 win in Ballinacourty to set up a repeat of last year’s McGrath Cup decider.

Cork team to play Clare:

1. Chris Kelly (Eire Og)

2. Sam Ryan (St Finbarrs)
3. Peter Murphy (Bandon)
4. Aidan Browne (Newmarket)

5. Liam O’ Donovan (Clonakilty)
6. Tom Clancy (Clonakilty)
7. Steven Cronin (Nemo Rangers) Captain

8. James Fitzpatrick (Carbery Rangers)
9. Ronan O’Toole (Eire Og)

10. John O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers)
11. Eoghan McSweeney (Knocknagree)
12. Cian Kiely (Ballincollig)

13. Mark Collins (Castlehaven)
14. Peter Kelleher (Kimichael)
15. Stephen Sherlock (St Finbarrs)

Substitutes:

16. Mark White (Clonakilty)
17. Kevin O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers)
18. Nathan Walsh (Douglas)
19. Conor Dennehy (St Finbarrs)
20. Tadhg Corkery (Cill Na Martra)
21. Kevin Flahive (Douglas)
22. Paul Walsh (Kanturk)
23. Tom Clancy (Fermoy)
24. Mattie Taylor (Mallow)
25. Damien Gore (Kilmacabea)
26. Brian Hurley (Castlehaven)

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DAVID TREACY KNOWS all about new Dublin manager Mattie Kenny, having worked with him for a number of years in the Cuala set-up.

The Dalkey club annexed two All-Ireland club titles during Kenny’s reign and the Galway native takes over from Pat Gilroy, who made tangible progress during his one year in charge.

There’s a strong Cuala presence in the county panel this year, with Sean Treacy, Mark Schutte and Darragh O’Connell all new additions to the squad.

Treacy says Kenny’s early focus was to familiarise himself with the players he hadn’t worked with at club level before

“I think the priority for him at the beginning was to get the know the rest of the players – he knows all us Cuala lads,” explains Treacy.

“It’s up to us then to get into good condition as quick as possible to get ready for the year. While the other players are getting used to Matty and he’s getting to know them, their strengths and weaknesses etc, we’re getting to know the new coaches who are involved there – Eoin Roche, Paul O’Brien and these lads.

“The message to the players is very simple, to take every match as it comes. That’s his personality from my experience.”

Dublin failed to make it out of Leinster last season but performed well and were on the wrong side of narrow defeats to Kilkenny, Wexford and Galway.

With a number of talented youngsters gaining valuable game-time in 2018, Treacy is hopeful the Sky Blues can make further inroads this year. 

“There was good progress made last year but Mattie’s single focus now is this season. It’s great to see it, he’s hungry to do as best as we can, and going out and trying to beat every single team we play is the priority now, beginning with the Walsh Cup.

“It’s getting as many players on the pitch now to see how it shapes up, to try out these new things, to get the best players on the pitch. It’s about getting our bodies right and being ready for the first round of the league against Carlow.

“Looking forward, it’s just about getting those one percents from last year. It’s not throwing everything out, it’s a case of where can we make improvements on what was done last year in Mattie’s style or whatever idea he has in his head.

“Great progress made last year but it’s a case of where can we add those differences instead of losing by a point or winning by a point. That starts with a big test on Sunday. We’ve had a good couple of games.

“Playing games every week is really beneficial towards us trying to get our style of hurling and knowing who plays where and making sure it’s organically becoming a system that we have.”

Dublin manager Mattie Kenny.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

A hamstring niggle against Offaly cut the 29-year-old’s Walsh Cup campaign short, but the decision was taken primarily as a precaution given his history of injuries in that area

“It was just a little niggle against Offaly toward the end of the first half,” he explains. “Mainly precautionary because I’ve had issues with that before. 

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“I’m better off getting my body right at this time of the year and making sure that when I’m coming back that it’s all good. Because I don’t want to run into those issues half-way through the league or at the end of the league.”

Treacy is looking forward to lining out alongside his younger brother Sean in the Dublin colours this campaign.

“I just love being involved in that dressing room. Obviously, running and the slog, it just has to be done. You enjoy the feeling you feel after it. And you enjoy winning and being able to represent your county.

“Obviously, I’m playing with my brother this year – it’s great for my parents and I’m enjoying that as well. The enjoyment factor, without doubt, is still there for me.”

The recent retirements of Shane Durkin, Gary Maguire and Johnny McCaffrey saw three more members of Dublin’s 2013 Leinster winning side step away from the inter-county game.

“Amazing, amazing servants. Johnny McCaffrey, Gary and Shane Durkin. When I was starting in 2009 I couldn’t believe Johnny was only a couple of years older than me – only 21 and he had a huge stature on the team.

“Gary too, if you think he’s a good goalie, you should see some of the saves he pulls off in training and then Shane’s attitude, I admire Shane a lot for his attitude towards training. They’re huge losses, they’re all huge leaders.

“The new panel is hugely positive too so I think the main priority for us, looking ahead is to keep everyone fit, to learn as much as we can and to develop a style of play for the league.”

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De La Salle Waterford 1-14
St Colman’s (Fermoy) 0-14

Tomas McCarthy reports from Fraher Field

DE LA SALLE College are back in the last four of the Dr Harty Cup after a three-year absence as they ground out victory in a game of two halves with St Colman’s this afternoon in Dungarvan.

Injury-time points by Mark Fitzgerald and Cormac Power sealed their place in the semi finals as the Waterford school withstood a late onslaught from the team in green.

Alan Kirwan’s goal helped them in an eight point lead after 23 minutes but Dermot Dooley’s side had to dig deep in the closing stages as Colman’s threatened an equaliser.

A sharper De La Salle utterly dominated the opening half hour of this contest. They sprinted five points ahead after eleven minutes. Cormac Power nailed three close range frees while Tom Gallagher obliged with two from long range as the Waterford school capitalised on the indiscipline of their opponents. James Kearney eventually got the visitors on scoreboard with thirteen on the clock.

On 20 minutes, Ben Hogan spilled a Kevin Mahony point attempt and Alan Kirwan was quickest to react and flicked the ball over the line (1-6 to 0-3). Subsequent points by Eoghan Reilly and Power (free) moved them eight in front.

Salle swarmed the middle and sent low ball into their lethal inside line. Reilly and Power struck spectacular efforts before the interval as they reached the dressing rooms 1-10 to 0-6 in front.

Colman’s retaliated with four unanswered points on the restart. Midfield duo Darragh Flynn (0-4) and Eoin Carey (0-3) spearheaded their comeback. It took De La Salle 21 minutes to register to first score of the second half via a Paddy Leavey free.

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Leavey added another from play to offer them a four point cushion. Late points by Flynn, Carey and substitute Conor Barry seemed to tilt the momentum in favour of the Cork students but Salle resisted the pressure.

The two-time champions will oppose Midleton CBS in the semi finals on 26 January. They played out a draw in the group stages two months ago.

Scorers for De La Salle College: Cormac Power 0-6 (0-5f), Alan Kirwan 1-0, Tom Gallagher 0-3 (0-3f), Eoghan Reilly, Paddy Leavey 0-2 each, Mark Fitzgerald 0-1.

Scorers for St Colman’s College Fermoy: Darragh Flynn, David Lardner (0-4f) 0-4 each, Eoin Carey 0-3 (0-2f), James Kearney, Brian Roche, Conor Barry 0-1 each.

De La Salle College

1. Mark Kilgannon (Ballygunner)

2. Sean Harney (Ballygunner)
3. Darren Kenneally (De La Salle)
4. Sean O’Neill (Ballygunner)

7. Tom Gallagher (Ballygunner)
6. Cian Wadding (Roanmore)
5. Conor Ryan (Roanmore)

8. Kevin Mahony (Ballygunner)
9. Paddy Leavey (Ballygunner)

10. Alan Kirwan (Mount Sion)
11. Seaghan Walsh (De La Salle)
12. Mark Fitzgerald (Passage)

13. Eoghan Reilly (Passage)
14. Cormac Power (Ballygunner)
15. Gavin Corbett (Ballygunner)

Subs

18. Reuben Halloran (De La Salle) for Walsh (48)
17. Harry White (Roanmore) for Corbett (53)
20. Mikey Cummins (Passage) for Kirwan (59)

St Colman’s College Fermoy

1. Ben Hogan (Bride Rovers)

4. Ciaran O’Brien (St Catherine’s)
3. Jack Scannell (Fermoy)
2. Luke Ahearne (Fermoy)

5. Leon Doocey (Castlelyons)
6. Eoin Roche (Bride Rovers)
7. Greg Lardner (Fermoy)

8. Eoin Carey (Kilworth)
9. Darragh Flynn (Ballygiblin)

12. Patrick O’Flynn (Bride Rovers)
11. James Kearney (Castlelyons)
10. David Lardner (Fermoy)

13. David Morrison (Castlelyons)
14. Brian Roche (Bride Rovers)
15. Conleith Ryan (Bride Rovers)

Subs

19. Padraig O’Leary (Watergrasshill) for Ryan (40)
18. Conor Barry (Bride Rovers) for Morrison (48)
23. Peter Roche (Castlelyons) for Leon Doocey (57)

Referee: Fergal Horgan (Tipperary)

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CORK COUNTY BOARD have unveiled their five-year Gaelic football plan, which aims to improve the standards at club and inter-county level in the code. 

The strategic plan, which will run up until 2024, will see the county making several key appointments including two games development administrators, a media relations officer and a high-performance director.

It also states a number of outcomes which it will aim to deliver in areas such as participation and performance across all levels of football in Cork. The plan seeks to address the apathy and “growing disconnect” between supporters and the county teams. 

In addition, changes to the club championships will be made – including the immediate re-introduction of automatic relegation in all senior grades, plus a strictly-enforced fixtures calendar for adult footballers.

After a root and branch review of football in Cork, the document has been put together in response to a poor run of results in 2018 and in previous seasons. 

Cork chairperson Tracey Kennedy, former All-Ireland winning captain Graham Canty and ex-managers Conor Counihan and Brian Cuthbert were part of the committee that formed the recommendations.

You can read the full report on the Cork GAA website.

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