Month: September 2021

AFTER MEATH’S WIN over Clare this afternoon, the Super 8s groups have now been confirmed.

Just eight teams are left in the hunt for the Sam Maguire and they’ll enter the two-group All-Ireland quarter-final phase which is in its second year of existance.

Andy McEntee’s Royals will face a stern examination in Group 1 alongside Kerry, Donegal and Mayo. They’ll travel to Ballybofey to take on the back-to-back Ulster champions in the opening round next Sunday, while Mayo will visit the Kingdom.

Reigning All-Ireland champions Dublin are in Group 2 alongside Connacht winners Roscommon and qualifier sides Tyrone and Cork. The Dubs host Cork on Saturday, after Roscommon’s home tie against the Red Hand.

The GAA are due to announce throw-in times for the third round games next week. 

All-Ireland Super 8s 2019 

Group 1 – Kerry, Donegal, Mayo, Meath.

Group 2 – Dublin, Roscommon, Tyrone, Cork.

Fixtures

Sunday 14 July

Donegal v Meath, Ballybofey, 2pm
Kerry v Mayo, Fitzgerald Stadium, 4pm

Sunday 21 July

Mayo v Meath, Croke Park, 2pm
Kerry v Donegal, Croke Park, 4pm

Weekend 3/4 August

Meath v Kerry, Pairc Tailteann
Mayo v Donegal, Elverys MacHale Park

Group 2

Saturday 13 July
Roscommon v Tyrone, Dr Hyde Park, 5pm
Dublin v Cork, Croke Park, 7pm

Saturday 20 July
Cork v Tyrone, Croke Park, 5pm
Dublin v Roscommon, Croke Park, 7pm

Weekend 3/4 August
Cork v Roscommon, Pairc Ui Chaoimh
Tyrone v Dublin, Healy Park

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Meath 2-16
Clare 1-18

WHEN THE FINAL whistle sounded Meath reacted with a mixture of joy and relief in the knowledge that their last eight progression was assured.

Clare’s players collapsed in despair, their 2019 summer race grinding to a halt. They fell short by the minimum, last-gasp points by David Tubridy and Dermot Coughlan bringing them close but not enough to draw them level.

Meath survived a gruelling examination, managing to chisel out a win a fortnight after a dispiriting day at the office in a Leinster final. A burst of scores after the break was sufficient for Andy McEntee’s side to propel them into All-Ireland last eight encounters against Donegal, Mayo and Kerry.

The second half of a cracking tie commenced with a couple of goals to ignite proceedings. Meath had nudged themselves clear with a couple of points before Clare wiped out that advantage. Cian O’Dea’s delivery from the right wing hung in the air but did not seem to pose grave danger for Meath. Yet Clare corner-forward Gavin Cooney managed to apply the vital touch to divert the ball across the line despite goalkeeper Andrew Colgan and defender Shane Gallagher being in close proximity.

Meath’s response was telling. They surged downfield, Mickey Newman swiftly exchanged passes with Padraic Harnan and got on the end to palm home to the net. Donal Keogan and Ethan Devine tacked on points to send them in front by four and looking in good shape.

Andy McEntee celebrates Meath’s victory at the final whistle.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

The first half was bright, open and engaging stuff. Two teams who are frequently acquainted from their recent league meetings in the second tier were evenly matched. They were level on eight occasions and that state of parity was carried into the dressing rooms at the break, 1-9 to 0-12.

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Meath plundered a goal in injury time at the end of the half. Donal Keogan scythed through, side-stepped Stephen Ryan and drilled a shot towards the goal. Kevin Harnett did wonderfully to tear back and block it but Bryan Mention was alive to lash home the rebound for a Royal boost.

However Clare struck four of the last five scores of the half, that sequence of points keeping them in touch. Jamie Malone was their driving force, 0-4 in the first half and three of those lovely sweeping shots between the posts when his team required them most late on.

Meath could never quite shake off a resilient Clare side though. Cathal O’Connor, Tubridy and Eoin Cleary nabbed points with Meath’s only response a Shane Walsh free. The winners were in front 2-14 to 1-15 with five minutes of normal time left and they had to endure over seven minutes of additional time. Clare got within a point but Meath clung on to their advantage to prolong their summer.

Scorers for Meath: Mickey Newman 1-6 (0-5f), James Conlon 0-3, Bryan Menton 1-0, Donal Keogan, Bryan McMahon, Ethan Devine, Thomas McGovern, Ben Brennan, Shane Walsh (0-1f), Cillian O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Clare: David Tubridy 0-6 (0-3f), Jamie Malone 0-4, Gavin Cooney 1-0, Cathal O’Connor, Eoin Cleary (0-2f) 0-2 each, Gordon Kelly, Gary Brennan, Cian O’Dea, Dermot Coughlan 0-1 each.

Meath

1. Andrew Colgan (Donaghmore Ashbourne)

2. Séamus Lavin (St Peter’s, Dunboyne)
3. Conor McGill (Ratoath)
4. Shane Gallagher (Simonstown Gaels)

5. Donal Keogan (Rathkenny)
6. Padraic Harnan (Moynalvey – joint captain)
7. Gavin McCoy (St Peter’s Dunboyne)

8. Bryan Menton (Donaghmore Ashbourne – joint captain)
9. Shane McEntee (St Peter’s, Dunboyne)

19. Ethan Devine (St Colmcille’s)
11. Bryan McMahon (Ratoath)
13. Cillian O’Sullivan (Moynalvey)

15. James Conlon (St Colmcille’s)
14. Michael Newman (Kilmainham)
26. Thomas McGovern (Donaghmore-Ashbourne)

Subs

17. Thomas O’Reilly (Wolfe Tones) for Newman (temp sub) (43)
12. Graham Reilly (St Colmcille’s) for McGovern (44)
23. Shane Walsh (Na Fianna) for O’Reilly (54)
21. Seán Curran (Donaghmore-Ashbourne) for Gallagher (60)
10. Ben Brennan (St Colmcille’s) for Devine (63)
18. Seán Tobin (Simonstown Gaels) for Conlon (72)

Clare

1. Stephen Ryan (Kilrush Shamrocks)

7. Kevin Harnett (Meelick)
3. Cillian Brennan (Clondegad)
2. Gordon Kelly (St Joseph’s Miltown Malbay)

4. Dean Ryan (Na Fianna, Dublin)
6. Aaron Fitzgerald (Éire Óg Ennis)
5. Sean Collins (Cratloe)

9. Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen)
10. Seán O’Donoghue (Cooraclare)

11. Eoin Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown Malbay)
8. Gary Brennan (Clondegad – captain)
12. Jamie Malone (Corofin)

13. Gavin Cooney (Éire Óg Ennis)
14. David Tubridy (Doonbeg)
15. Cian O’Dea (Kilfenora)

Subs

21. Kieran Malone (St Joseph’s Miltown-Malbay) for O’Donoghue (46)
19. Dermot Coughlan (Kilmurry-Ibrickane) for Cooney (53)
24. Einne O’Connor (Éire Óg Ennis) for Kelly (62)
23. Gearóid O’Brien (Kilrush Shamrocks) for Ryan (65)
20. Eimhin Courtney (Éire Óg Ennis) for Cleary (72)

Referee: Derek O’Mahoney (Tipperary)

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Cork 1-40
Westmeath 0-20

Conor McKenna reports from TEG Cusack Park

CORK ADVANCED TO the All-Ireland SHC quarter-final, after a comprehensive 23 point victory over Westmeath, in TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar.

Cork had far too much for their Midland counterparts and will be pleased with the manner of this victory, although tougher tasks most certainly await the Munster side.

It was Cork’s Alan Cadogan who opened the scoring with a point after 15 seconds, before a free from Killian Doyle levelled proceedings.

Points from Cadogan and Bill Cooper gave Cork a two-point lead, which was halved following a point from Westmeath’s Eoin Price.

Cork registered the next six points in succession to leave the gap at seven points with 13 minutes played and the game was all but over as a contest at this juncture.

Cork did not go for goals in the first half, instead opting to put the ball over the bar whenever possible and they went into half-time, with a 15-point lead, with the score-board reading 0-24 to 0-9 in favour of the visitors.

Declan Dalton competes for a high ball with Darragh Egerton and Paul Greville.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

The games only goal arrived in the 41^st minute courtesy of Robbie O’Flynn, who found the net, after a pass from Patrick Horgan to give his side a 19 point lead, which was increased to 20 following Conor Lehane’s point moments later.

Westmeath finished the game with 14 men, after Gary Greville was shown a second yellow card in the 69^th minute and Cork cruised to a 23 point win.

Cork will face Kilkenny in the All-Ireland quarter-final next week, while Westmeath’s season is over following this defeat.

Scorers for Cork: Patrick Horgan 0-10 (5f), Robbie O’Flynn 1-4, Alan Cadogan, Seamus Harnedy and Shane Kingston 0-5 each, Conor Lehane 0-4, Darragh Fitzgibbon 0-3, Bill Cooper, Tim O’Mahony, Jamie Coughlan and Declan Dalton 0-1 each.

Scorers for Westmeath: Killian Doyle 0-9 (5f), Eoin Price 0-4, Aonghus Clarke 0-2, Robbie Greville, Paul Greville, Shane Clavin, Ciaran Doyle and Jack Galvin 0-1 each.

Cork

1. Anthony Nash (Kanturk)

2. Stephen McDonnell (Glen Rovers)
3. Eoin Cadogan (Douglas)
4. Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons)

5.  Christopher Joyce (Na Piarsaigh)
6. Mark Ellis (Millstreet)
7. Mark Coleman (Blarney) 

8. Bill Cooper (Youghal)
9. Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum) 

10. Conor Lehane (Midleton)
11. Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville)
12. Shane Kingston (Douglas) 

13. Alan Cadogan (Douglas)
14. Pat Horgan (Glen Rovers)
15. Seamus Harnedy (St. Itas)

Subs:

17. Damien Cahalane (St. Finbarrs) for Coleman (h-t)
22. Robbie O’Flynn (Erins Own) for Cooper (h-t)
23. Jamie Coughlan (Newtownshandrum) for A Cadogan (h-t)
24. Declan Dalton (Fr. O’Neills) for Harnedy (45)
19. Darren Browne (Kanturk) for Ellis (51)

Westmeath

1. Conor Lynch (St. Oliver Plunketts)

2. Darragh Egerton (Clonkill)
3. Tommy Doyle (Lough Lene Gaels)
4. Gary Greville (Raharney) 

5.  Liam Varley (Castletown-Geoghegan)
6. Aonghus Clarke (Castletown-Geoghegan)
17. Paul Greville (Raharney) 

8. Shane Clavin (Castletown-Geoghegan)
9. John Gilligan (Fr. Daltons) 

10. Joey Boyle (Raharney)
11. Killian Doyle (Raharney)
12. Cormac Boyle (Raharney) 

13. Jack Galvin (Cullion)
14. Eoin Price (Clonkill)
15. Robbie Greville (Raharney)

Subs:

23. Darragh O’Reilly (Castlepollard) for Clavin (39)
21. Derek McNicholas (Lough Lene Gaels) for J Boyle (45)
19. Ciaran Doyle (Raharney) for C Boyle (47)
7. Conor Shaw (Brownstown) for Clarke (52)
20. Aaron Craig (St. Anne’s, Wexford) for Varley (69) 

Referee: Patrick Murphy (Carlow).

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Laois 1-22
Dublin 0-23

A PITCH INVASION at full-time by delirious supporters and a result to cause shockwaves throughout the hurling championship.

Seven days ago Laois were toasting their success in the Joe McDonagh Cup, today they followed it up with a stunning win over Dublin on their home patch in Portlaoise.

Laois forward Ross King celebrates with manager Eddie Brennan afterwards.

It was a statement victory in the All-Ireland series for a county that have been operating largely away from the limelight of late. Dublin were nudged towards the exit door and Laois have a Croke Park date with Tipperary next Sunday. They’re part of the last six in the hunt for the Liam MacCarthy Cup in 2019. It’s momentous stuff for this group.

If the local support wanted an early boost to instil them with hope, they received it in the 10th minute. Aaron Dunphy batted home a shot to the net for Laois after Willie Dunphy had done wonderfully to keep the ball in play, cut inside and fire in a shot that Alan Nolan repelled yet he could not stop the rebound. That put Laois ahead 1-3 to 0-2 and set the tone.

Ryan Mullaney celebrates victory for Laois.

Laois went on to enjoy a five-point cushion at the break, 1-12 to 0-10, as they outscored Dublin 0-5 to 0-3 in the first-half period since the 21st minute. Dublin had struggled to get into their stride and replicate the high standards set against Galway in their round-robin triumph.

They began to tap into a scoring run after the break, firing over four of the first five points of the second half. The momentum seemed with them but Laois managed to steal a few points, Mark Kavanagh’s 48th minute free edging them four clear.

Enda Rowland produced a timely intervention to tip away a Danny Sutcliffe goalbound drive but Oisin O’Rorke did point the resultant ’65. Two more frees from the Kilmacud man and a Sutcliffe effort saw Dublin regain parity, 1-15 to 0-18.

A tough day at the office for Dublin boss Mattie Kenny.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

If it was expected at that juncture that Dublin would push into the ascendancy, Laois held their nerve and produced a telling retort. They reeled off three points without reply from excellent attackers Willie Dunphy, Kavanagh and Aaron Dunphy.

The belief grew entering the finale, Laois always managing to stay at least two points clear of Dublin. The favourites grew desperate, a stunning free from distance by Rowlands left them three adrift and chasing the game in injury-time.

Laois stood tall, their defence resolute. They coughed up a late 20-yard free from a tricky angle but Sean Moran’s blasted effort was diverted over by a packed goalmouth. Midfielder John Lennon was dismissed in the frantic finale for a second yellow card but that setback did not hinder Laois. This was an afternoon to savour.

Scorers for Laois: Mark Kavanagh 0-9 (0-7f, 0-1 ’65), Aaron Dunphy 1-2, Willie Dunphy 0-3, Charles Dwyer, Enda Rowland (0-2f) 0-2 each, Jack Kelly, Paddy Purcell, Ross King 0-1 each.

Scorers for Dublin: Oisin O’Rorke 0-12 (0-10f, 0-1 ’65), Cian Boland 0-3, Danny Sutcliffe, Ronan Hayes 0-2 each, Seán Moran (0-1f), Conal Keaney, Eamon Dillon, Paul Ryan (0-1f) 0-1 each.

Laois

1. Enda Rowland (St Lazerian’s Abbeyleix)

2. Lee Cleere (Clough-Ballacolla)
3. Matthew Whelan (Borris-in-Ossory-Kilcotton)
4. Joe Phelan (Camross)

5. Jack Kelly (Rathdowney Errill)
6. Ryan Mullaney (Castletown)
7. Pádraig Delaney (The Harps)

8. John Lennon (Rosenallis)
9. Paddy Purcell (Rathdowney-Errill – captain)

10. Aaron Dunphy (Borris-in-Ossory-Kilcotton)
11. Mark Kavanagh (Rathdowney-Errill)
26. Éanna Lyons (Ballyfin)

13. Willie Dunphy (Clough-Ballacolla)
14. Charles Dwyer (Ballinakill)
15. Ross King (Rathdowney-Errill)

Subs

17. Eric Killeen (Rathdowney-Errill) for Delaney (53)
21. Conor Phelan (Castletown) for Kelly (58)
25. Stephen Bergin (Clough-Ballacolla) for King (63)
22. Eoin Gaughan (Camross) for Kavanagh (70)

Dublin

1. Alan Nolan (St Brigid’s)

2. Paddy Smyth (Clontarf)
3. Shane Barrett (Na Fianna)
7. James Madden (Ballyboden St-Enda’s)

5. Chris Crummey (Lucan Sarsfields – captain)
6. Seán Moran (Cuala)
18. Darragh O’Connell (Cuala)

8. Seán Treacy (Cuala)
9. Tom Connolly (St Vincent’s)

10. Conal Keaney (Ballyboden St Enda’s)
11. Danny Sutcliffe (St Jude’s)
12. Cian Boland (St Oliver Plunkett’s-Eoghan Ruadh)

13. Oisin O’Rorke (Kilmacud Crokes)
14. Ronan Hayes (Kilmacud Crokes)
15. Eamon Dillon (Naomh Fionbarra)

Subs

20. Fergal Whitely (Kilmacud Crokes) for Treacy (53)
26. Paul Ryan (Ballyboden St-Enda’s) for Keaney (58)
21. John Hetherton (St Vincent’s) for Boland (65)

Referee: Alan Kelly (Galway)

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EDDIE BRENNAN’S LAOIS are one of six teams left standing in the race for the Liam MacCarthy Cup after their shock win over Dublin this evening.

The O’Moore County, who lifted the Joe McDonagh Cup last weekend, backed up that victory by stunning Mattie Kenny’s side in Portlaoise.

Midlands 103′s Jack Nolan and Shane Stapleton were on hand to provide the commentary for the massive upset. 

“The shock of the year!” Nolan declared at the full-time whistle. 

Skip to around 1:16:00 to enjoy the final few minutes of local radio commentary in this dramatic encounter.

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Source: Midlands Sport/SoundCloud

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IT WAS AN afternoon to remember for the Laois hurlers, who upset the odds with a famous victory over heavy favourites Dublin in the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final.  

Aaron Dunphy’s first-half goal propelled Laois into a five-point half-time lead and they managed to hold-off a Dublin fightback in the second period to progress.

There were joyous scenes in O’Moore Park at the full-time whistle as players and supporters came to terms with a momentous result.

Eddie Brennan and his squad deservingly soaked up the celebrations, a result which sends them back to Croke Park to face Tipperary next weekend.

WHERE DID THIS rank?

Paddy Purcell was unequivocal.

The Laois captain may have climbed the steps of the Hogan Stand last Sunday and grasped silverware.

But yesterday the spotlight was on Portlaoise, a bumper home crowd watching and a big team landing in town. A knockout blow landed against Dublin and a passage sealed to the All-Ireland quarter-final stage.

For the 27-year-old this was a shining moment from his days soldiering for the Laois hurling cause.

“This is the best I’ve ever played in. Croke Park and all is great but like it’s still a secondary competition. We want to be playing the top tier. We’ve never ever beat a top tier team. We beat Offaly a couple of years ago. This is the best for me and for all these boys.

“It’s brilliant. This is our dream but we’re not finished yet. We knew all week we had a chance. We kind of fancied this one.”

Having to undergo a swift turnaround from their Joe McDonagh Cup decider against Westmeath was put forward as a major hindrance for Laois but their players were not buying into that theory.

Laois captain Paddy Purcell lifts the Joe McDonagh Cup after their win over Westmeath.

Source: Gary Carr/INPHO

“We saw all the articles about Laois and that it’s not fair,” outlined Purcell.

‘We just got back at it. We didn’t want any excuses. There’s no crutches here. Days like this you dream of. We’re just so happy today. 

“We trained well, brought back training Tuesday, went three nights this week to get focused. We didn’t really look at Dublin, we just said if we hurled to our potential and have no regrets when we woke up Monday morning, we’d be happy enough.

“There’s fierce belief in this group. We know we have the hurlers. It was just to put in a 70 minute performance with savage work rate. We felt if we got that we’d have a great chance to win the game.

“I think we were five points up at half-time, we went into the dressing-room, just relaxed, got air into the lungs and said scoreline back to zero, we go again. So that was basically it. There’s no real magic to it, self belief and real work rate. The panel we have, it’s a credit to Eddie, he’s after playing all the boys all year and now we have a strong panel to pick from, so it’s unbelievable. Work rate probably wasn’t there down through the years, we just brought that today. It paid off.”

And after a wait since 2005 to grace Croke Park, Laois are set for a second stint at GAA headquarters. They’ll square off against Tipperary next Sunday.

“Going to Croker again, we hadn’t hurled in Croker for 14 years and we’re back twice in two weeks, it’s unbelievable,” said Purcell.

“I work in Tipperary so it could be a fun enough week! We’re under no illusions, they’re a massive team. We’ll probably enjoy tonight, recover tomorrow and go back training Tuesday night. We’ve nothing to lose sure, bring it on.”

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TIPPERARY PAIR JAKE Morris and Jerome Cahill both face a busy programme of hurling action this week with a Munster semi-final tomorrow night ahead of an All-Ireland quarter-final next Sunday.

Tipperary take on Waterford in the Bord Gáis Energy Munster U20 semi-final tomorrow  in Thurles before the senior side face Laois in Croke Park next Sunday.

Morris, who started the Munster senior decider loss to Limerick, has been named at centre-forward in Liam Cahill’s U20 team while Cahill, who came on as a sub in that Gaelic Grounds defeat, is selected at midfield for the underage team.

Wing-back Eoghan Connolly started in Tipperary’s All-Ireland U21 final success over Cork last August while corner-back Craig Morgan, who captains this team, and centre-back Paddy Cadell both came on as substitutes in that victory last August.

Goalkeeper Aaron Browne and attacker Sean Hayes were both part of a Munster minor hurling triumph last summer with Tipperary.

Tipperary

1. Aaron Browne – Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams

2. Conor McCarthy – Nenagh Éire Óg
3. Michael Purcell – Thurles Sarsfields
4. Craig Morgan – Kilruane MacDonaghs (captain)

5. Eoghan Connolly – Cashel King Cormacs
6. Paddy Cadell – JK Brackens
7. Bryan O’Mara – Holycross-Ballycahill

8. Ciarán Connolly – Loughmore-Castleiney
9. Jerome Cahill – Kilruane MacDonaghs

10. Gearóid O’Connor – Moyne-Templetuohy
11. Jake Morris – Nenagh Éire Óg
12. Joe Fogarty – Moneygall

13. Seán Hayes – Kiladangan
14. Billy Seymour – Kiladangan
15. Conor Bowe – Moyne-Templetuohy

Subs

16. Eoin Collins – Drom-Inch
17. Niall Heffernan – Golden-Kilfeacle
18. Robbie Quirke – Toomevara
19. Seán Ryan – Templederry Kenyons
20. Devon Ryan – Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams
21. Kian O’Kelly – Kilruane MacDonaghs
22. Johnny Ryan – Arravale Rovers
23. Andrew Ormond – JK Brackens
24. Ray McCormack – Borris-Ileigh

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ONE POINT SHORT at the last hurdle before the football riches of the Super 8s.

It was another towering display of effort from Clare yesterday in Portlaoise but they just could not quite reel in Meath.

The hurt felt by manager Colm Collins at this loss was apparent but he saluted the input of his players in this Round 4 qualifier.

Clare boss Colm Collins near the end of the loss to Meath.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

“When you lose a one point game you always feel like you left it behind, that’s the problem. In fairness I suppose if we were to be truthful Meath probably edged it on the day.

“You’re always a bit sorry about some of those chances at the end. They gave it everything. Absolutely devastated to lose, they died with their boots on. Very proud of the players the way they performed and the way they stood up. Just very disappointed that the result went the wrong way.

“Whilst you’d be devastated with the result, in the sense that we really felt getting to the Super 8s was so important to us, it just wasn’t to be. The only kind of mitigating thing about it was that the lads gave everything and put in a great shift. The only thing that you kind of dread with a team is that they don’t perform and to be fair they did perform.”

Collins paid particular tribute to the long-serving stalwarts of the Clare setup like defender Gordon Kelly, midfielder Gary Brennan and attacker David Tubridy.

Clare’s Gary Brennan in action against Meath’s Graham Reilly.

“These fellas every day they go out, they give so much to Clare. They’re a pleasure to deal with. They’re such professionals. They’re the reason this team has been very competitive. There’s great credit due to them, the Clare people should be proud of them.”

Collins, the third longest-serving inter-county manager in the country after Mickey Harte and Jim Gavin, will not be rushing into any decision about the 2020 season.

“What we’re going to do now is keep our powder dry. I don’t think that making decisions on the back of a championship defeat is the right thing to do. I’ll just see and give it a bit of time.”

Brennan shared the sense of disappointment felt by his manager.

“We’re gutted. We were close to it but we just weren’t good enough. We got back to Round 4 again, hadn’t been there since 2016 and the last 12. But ultimately it’s hugely disappointing today and it’ll take a while before we take any great pride in it.

“We were concerning them but we never had them panicking. We just didn’t create as much in the second half I felt as we did in the first. Turnovers similar to last week, we were just coughing the ball up and it was costing us.”

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FROM THE HIGH of Parnell to the low of Portlaoise.

Three weeks ago Dublin were brimming with optimism, a rousing victory over Galway had seen them escape from the Leinster hurling bearpit. 

Yesterday they were staring ahead at a long idle summer, despatched by Laois at the opening All-Ireland hurdle.

No complaints from manager Mattie Kenny, just a deep sense of frustration that they produced ‘an unacceptable performance’.

“We started slowly and allowed them get a grip of the game early in the first half. When they got a foothold in the game, we found it difficult to get it back off them.

“There’s an element of responsibility between the players and the management today. That was an unacceptable performance from our group. And we know that. The problem is, it’s too f***ing late now.

“It’s a disappointing way to finish the season for us. Laois put up great fight there. They had great hunger. Dublin weren’t at the required level today. And we’ve nobody to blame for that only ourselves.”

Was there any clues over the last few weeks that Dublin were heading for a slump?

“Our preparation went really well,” stated Kenny.

“But sport is funny. You have to make sure that outside influences don’t seep into the guys’ minds. A lot of people were writing about ‘Dublin are playing Tipperary’. That was being disrespectful to Laois, because Laois played really well in the Joe McDonagh and played really well again today.

“The best team won on the day. You’d be very disappointed with the Dublin performance. “Unfortunately the focus and the level of professionalism that we’d expect from ourselves wasn’t there today.”

This defeat is a painful one for the Dublin hurling camp but Kenny was keen to credit their conquerors.

“Of course it’s hard to take. But look, you can’t take away from Laois either. They fought for everything. They had far more hunger and desire than we did today.

“Today we had 17 missed scoring opportunities. That cost us dearly. But overall the intensity that we’ve been playing at for the last number of weeks, we didn’t bring it today. And I think that reflected on our tackle-rate and I think it affected on our work rate as well. 

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“Laois always got those scores to keep their noses ahead. They showed great heart and great determination. And you’d have to admire them for that.”

After all their progress in emerging from Leinster, Dublin’s season concluded on a low note.

“There’s no doubt about it. When we qualified out of Leinster, we wanted to go deep into the championship. This is not the way we wanted to go out. It’s a bitter disappointment for us.”

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