Month: September 2021

MAN-OF-THE-match last week and the scorer of the best point of the game tonight.

Cork full-forward Shane O’Regan is in a brilliant run of form at present, striking 1-6 for the county’s U20 hurling side when they defeated Limerick last Wednesday and then hitting 0-5 from play tonight against Clare.

The pick of the bunch in the Munster semi-final win over Clare was this second-half effort, a tremendous leap and catch from the Watergrasshill man before he splits the posts.

Not bad going for a player who was on the bench for the county’s U17 side two years ago but has developed into a key forward for a Cork team that will now take on Tipperary in the Munster decider.

• Turnbull and O’Regan star as Cork see off Clare to reach Munster hurling final

Shane O Regan with a ridiculous catch and an even better finish for @OfficialCorkGAA. pic.twitter.com/OWPKuf1CPr

— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 10, 2019

It was not the only standout score from the game, Clare’s Diarmuid Ryan had smashed over a brilliant point from distance in the first half with the Banner senior player dispossessing a Cork player in his own half before launching over a long-range shot.

Diarmuid Ryan with a massive point for @GaaClare. pic.twitter.com/PObZ2J3z53

— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 10, 2019

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WHEN CORK CRASHED out of the All-Ireland football championship last year, Brian Hurley and Mark Collins were on the bench in Portlaoise as the final whistle sounded.

Hurley had been withdrawn during the second half, Collins joining him on the sideline after he was shown a red card with ten minutes left. Tyrone had swatted Cork aside by 16 points, another chastening experience hot on the heels of a Munster final beat down from Kerry.

The end of the 2018 road was reached on the first weekend of July. Another season written off. 

Twelve months on, contrast and compare the mood. Cork will run out in Croke Park against Dublin on Saturday night, securing membership of the Super 8s last weekend. The draw may have been favourable to them in terms of assignments presented and opposition provided. The upcoming challenges will be considerable, most saliently in the ominous task of taking on the standard-bearers and pace-setters in the country in Round 1.

But for Cork there has been an upturn in their fortunes.

And at the heart of that are Collins and Hurley, the Castlehaven attacking duo dovetailing together effectively to spearhead their scoring drive.

“It’s five or six years since Cork were in a quarter-final, that’s not good enough for a county the size of Cork,” reflects Collins.

“It was probably one of our aims at the start of the year to make it to the Super 8s and we’ve three massive games now to look forward to and hopefully it will bring us on more as a group.”

29-year-old Collins was an eyewitness when Cork were pushing constantly for the top. He first linked up in 2010, on the periphery of the panel when they lifted Sam Maguire, a year after being parachuted in as a teenager at centre-forward for an All-Ireland U21 win over Down. His debut came in 2011 against the same county but he didn’t make a first championship start until 2013 when Cork faced Galway in a qualifier.

Since then Collins has been a constant fixture, the 2014 tie against Sligo the beginning of an unbroken run of 20 summer outings for Cork during some highs and plenty lows. In a squad that has undergone seemingly perpetual turnover, only Paul Kerrigan of the current lot has been around longer.

Hurley’s entry to senior life was more explosive. Six years ago saw his first campaign and after lining out from the off in that 2013 Munster opener against Limerick, he was in the starting fifteen for every Cork championship game until the 2015 hiding at the hands of Kildare.

Then his well-documented injury woes descended, his hamstring ripping first in June 2016 before striking him down again in March 2017. When Hurley came on as a sub against Tipperary last June it ended a two-year wait for him to sample championship fare.

The pair have been swept up in the waves of disappointment engulfing Cork football with the added dimension for Hurley being the battle to preserve his career as it hung precariously in the balance. He fought back and after a good chunk of seasons have rattled by, 2019 has seen him hit on a good, consistent run of form in tandem with his West Cork club mate.

The year began miserably for Cork as they slipped through the Division 2 league trapdoor, they came up short again in the Munster final against Kerry while their victories over the last six weeks have been against lower tier opponents in Limerick and Laois. But the bald statistics of results conceal an improvement that can be discerned and just how effective their forward pair have been.

Consider this. Hurley’s senior championship record scoring stood at 2-26 before this year and given his treatment table history, 2-23 of that was posted between the 2013 and 2014 seasons. This summer he’s hit 5-4 and if you count the final game of the league against Armagh, he’s knocked home seven goals in his last four competitive ties.

Prior to 2019 Collins, over the course of 25 games, had struck 3-29 for Cork. He’s amassed 1-24 in three championship ties already this summer, raising eight white flags in each game. It’s a striking spike in his scoring totals.

“I think a blind man can see we work well, we know each other’s runs,” says Hurley.

“It’s good to play with him and he’s a very intelligent player — he will always try to find you if it’s on. In saying that, it’s not just about me and Marky because there’s a lot of work going on out the field.”

Collins has largely been employed in a deeper-lying role for Cork, more playmaker than poacher. This spring he was even further back the pitch, largely sweeping in defence in one game against Kildare. Scoring bursts like those in 2016 of 2-1 against Tipperary and 0-5 against Limerick were sporadic. 

But Cork, who saw flagship attackers Colm O’Neill and Donncha O’Connor retire at the end of last season, have been in desperate need of reliable scoring sources.

Collins was shifted in to the full-forward line and handed the free-taking duties for the June Bank Holiday weekend clash with Limerick. Point kicking has always been a strong asset of his game at club level, he’s now more prolific on the county stage.

“It’s something a bit different, it came out of the blue,” he says.

“Ronan (McCarthy) just threw me in there for a small bit last year and then I’m there more this year. You’re just delighted wherever you play but thankfully it’s working okay so far.

And with Hurley fit and sharp alongside him, it has increased Cork’s scoring threat. During the league Cork averaged 9.5 points per game and scored eight goals, a figure swelled by the last-day blast of three against Armagh. They have 10-68 to their credit in championship with 6-28 coming from that inside duo.

Cork’s hard running game saw them open up Kerry while a strong middle third platform against Laois paved the way for quick pinpoint deliveries to their full-forward line. The scoring rush has been facilitated by Ruairi Deane’s role as the fulcrum of the side, Ian Maguire’s command at midfield and the emergence of athletic wing-backs Liam O’Donovan and Mattie Taylor.

The second-half goals against Laois illustrated the clarity and understanding that Collins and Hurley have of each other’s play. Hurley’s deft finish with his left for the first came from a weighted popped pass from Collins before they swapped roles for the third goal.

“We’ve been playing together since we were 15 or 16,” outlines Collins.

“It’s a great connection with him, I lived with him for a couple of years as well so I get on super with him. I know what he’s been through so I’m absolutely delighted he’s got to a stage like this and is doing so well.

“It just shows you what Cork have missed. You can’t buy forwards like that, he just lives for goals and at this level if you can get goals you’ve a great chance. Absolutely delighted to have him back.”

With just eight teams left standing, the scale of the challenges now rise starkly. Cork face last year’s All-Ireland finalists in quick succession, Dublin and Tyrone will offer gruelling examinations to gauge where the Munster outfit stand.

And those defences will be more alert to stopping Cork’s marksmen.

“Two games in Croke Park, it’s something to really look forward to and can’t wait for it,” states Collins.

“Where else would you rather be than having a crack off the best team in the country?”

Hurley is similarly enthused.

“We’ll be going for them, of course you will. They’re a great team, great players, but at this time of the year you have to go for them and I’m looking forward to it. There are a lot of fellas who haven’t been in Croker since ’16 and I’m looking forward to it, and I’m sure a lot of the fellas will.”

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THE RACE FOR All-Ireland semi-final spots begins this weekend as the Super 8s competition commences.

Eight teams across two groups will feature in the round-robin series with the first-round games down for decision on Saturday and Sunday.

All-Ireland champions Dublin will be joined by Roscommon, Tyrone and Cork in Group 2, but which two sides will advance to the last four of the football championship?

Dublin

Jim Gavin’s side remain on course for their drive for five after clinching their ninth Leinster SFC crown on the bounce recently.

Dublin came through last year’s Super 8s as group winners with three wins from three, although Tyrone gave them a scare when they met in Omagh.

Croke Park will host their opening round clash with Cork on Saturday at 5pm.

Roscommon

Roscommon will carry huge momentum into the Super 8s after getting the better of Galway in the Connacht SFC final.

They struggled in the round-robin series last year, losing all three matches in a tough group that included eventual All-Ireland finalists Dublin and Tyrone.

But that incredible victory in the 2019 provincial decider should leave them in a good position to get better results this time around as they prepare to take on Mickey Harte’s side this weekend.

Tyrone 

Last year’s All-Ireland finalists stumbled at the Ulster semi-final hurdle this year after bowing out to Donegal in June.

But they got their championship campaign back on track in the qualifiers, picking off Longford, Kildare and Cavan to reach the Super 8s once again.

Cork

The rebels gave Kerry a huge scare in the Munster final and threatened their charge for seven-in-a-row before just coming up short at the final whistle.

They failed to reach the inaugural Super 8s in 2018 but a comprehensive win over Laois secured their safe passage into the competition this year.

Taking on a Dublin side who are chasing a historic five-in-a-row will present a considerable challenge for Ronan McCarthy’s side this Saturday.

All-Ireland Super 8s Group 2

Round 1 Fixtures – Saturday 13 July
Roscommon v Tyrone, Dr Hyde Park, 5pm
Dublin v Cork, Croke Park, 7pm

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CORK MANAGER EPHIE Fitzgerald says that pin-pointing a potential All-Ireland semi-final showdown against Dublin is “very disrespectful to everybody else”.

Another titanic collision between the old foes has been earmarked before a ball has been kicked in the All-Ireland championship round-robin series, and Fitzgerald feels that they hype around it is unfair on other sides. 

Should the Rebels and back-to-back champions Dublin both top their respective qualifier groups, and clear the quarter-final stages, they’d meet in the last four at Croke Park on 25 August.

11-time All-Ireland winner Bríd Stack acknowledged on Tuesday that there’s plenty of football to be played yet, but it would be a tie to savour.

“It’s just vital that they’re at their peak come that game – and it’s going to be a savage game if it does happen,” she said. “You would be lining up for a new pairing as well for the All-Ireland final, which would be great for the game.”

But later that day, Fitzgerald — whose side find themselves in a group with Ulster pair Cavan and Armagh — dismissed any talk of that potential showdown with the Sky Blues.

“That’s being very disrespectful to everybody else,” he told The42 at the LGFA’s championship launch.

There’s nothing to say that we’ll top the group or get out of the group. I don’t go by any of that rubbish.

“Mayo or Galway or any of those teams are quite capable of beating us on their day, as are Armagh. If you look at Armagh’s forward line, what team in the country wouldn’t want Aimee Mackin? And her sister. The Cavan forward line the same with Aishling Sheridan.

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Fitzgerald talking to his side last year.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

“We’re not deluding ourselves into thinking anything other than we’ll have to work hard and be competitive. We are talented, there’s no denying that we are a good side. It’s just we have to go and prove it now.”

Most would regard Mick Bohan’s Dublin and Cork as the top two in ladies football.

They’ve met in four of the last five championship finals, and their most recent battle came in a dramatic Division 1 league semi-final in which the Leesiders dethroned the then holders.

Fitzgerald’s side went on to beat Galway in the final and impressed further en route to retaining their Munster crown, so understandably, their manager is pleased.

Well, there’s only two national titles. We have one so we’re happy enough with that. We’ve won the Munster championship, we’re still a few behind Kerry and that so we’re trying to catch up.

“I wouldn’t say it’s all about championship but that’s the focus now. We’ve worked hard so we’re looking forward to it. Barring any unforeseen injuries and that, we’re ready for action.”

There’s mixed news on that front with Niamh Cotter breaking a bone in her hand which will see her sidelined for now, but captain Doireann O’Sullivan is back fully fit ahead of their opening clash against the Breffni next weekend. 

The mood is good in the camp, with a nice balance being found between rest and intense training over the past few weeks. A training camp in Kerry saw them “work their socks off” last weekend, with all coming together nicely ahead of the business end of the year.

“We’ve trained harder this year than we’ve ever trained,” the Nemo Rangers club man claims. “We have a lot of nutritional work done, a lot of strength and conditioning obviously, we have some sport psychology done as well.

Doireann O’Sullivan celebrates reaching last year’s All-Ireland final.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

“We’re looking for inches, really. At this level, if we play Dublin in the morning, there’s not going to be very much between us. Galway have improved dramatically, Mayo have improved, Donegal.

There’s five our six teams there that are really in with a shout of winning the competition, we’re one of them.

“We probably have the toughest group as well with Cavan and Armagh. Our focus is fully on Cavan. If we can win that, it sets us up nicely for the next five or six weeks.”

It really is all about these big upcoming games.

“They’re televised as well which is a big boost,” he interjects, giving TG4 the nod. “It’s good for us too in terms of motivation and that having the girls on tely. They like showcasing their talents.

Hopefully we’ll give a good account of ourselves. If we play to the best of our ability, we’ll be difficult to beat. But we’ll take nothing for granted at the same time. 

He concludes: “We’re blessed with a very, very good side. As I said, we’ve worked harder this year than we’ve ever worked. Hopefully… you never know on any given day, refereeing decisions and things can go against you.

“But we couldn’t do any more than we’re doing and the girls couldn’t train any harder than they’ve done. They’re looking forward to it. If they play to the best of their ability, I think we’ll be there or thereabouts.”

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CILLIAN O’CONNOR could become the top scorer in All-Ireland SFC history this weekend as Mayo take on Kerry in the Super 8s. 

O’Connor, still just 27, travels to Killarney just four points shy of Colm Cooper’s all-time scoring record.

Legendary forward Cooper, who retired aged 33, scored 23-283 in his 85 championship games for the Kingdom, an average of 4.1 points per match. O’Connor’s scoring rate is an incredible 6.8 points per game, which gives him 23-279 after 51 games.

Cillian O'Connor will pass Cooper with at least 30 games to spare. pic.twitter.com/RXaZouPc3X

— gaelicstats (@gaelicstats) July 10, 2019

Cooper took top-spot by passing fellow Kerry hero Mikey Sheehy, who’d posted 29-205 in his 49 championship appearances in the green and gold. 

“It looks money on that he’s going to do it this weekend in Killarney and he’s going to deserve it,” said Cooper on the RTÉ GAA Podcast.

“What I like about Cillian O’Connor and it gets people a bit mad is he plays on the edge. He gets stuck in a few fracases, he kicks the ball away, he’s a very streetwise, experienced player.

“He calms everyone around him, he sets the tone for this team with his tackling and they are so much a better team when he’s in it.

“My fear for Kerry is we don’t have too many man-markers, if any, and I’m wondering who is going to pick him up, who is going to pick Darragh Coen up. It worries me a little bit because if these guys get space I think they could do serious damage in Killarney.”

O’Connor missed the entire league campaign with a knee injury and made his first start of 2019 against Galway last weekend. He played extremely well, bringing his fellow forwards into the game and kicking six points himself.

His marker Eoghan Kerin was substituted inside the opening half-hour due to O’Connor’s influence and Kerry’s defence will have a tough task to him quiet on Sunday.

Colm Cooper during his last campaign with Kerry in 2016.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

“It’s an incredible record,” continued Cooper. “He’s one of the main reasons why Mayo have played in so many big games, made so many All-Ireland finals and come within a whisker of winning the All-Ireland.

“He’s been captain, an unbelievable player for them and what impressed me about him last week was having missed so much football this year he came back in and was their most influential forward within 20 minutes, laying off the ball and scoring.

“He’s going to go miles past the record given his age. He’s 27 so he’ll play for another three, four, five years if he stays healthy.

“They’re craving an All-Ireland medal. He’s won his All Stars, he’s going to have the scoring record and I’m sure he’d give it all up for an All-Ireland medal.”

A breakdown of how he's scored his 348 total. pic.twitter.com/0CrnvHvfVH

— gaelicstats (@gaelicstats) July 10, 2019

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8-219 of the Ballintubber man’s tally have come from placed balls, with 15-60 arriving from play.

Cooper added: “He gets a bit of criticism, like when he hit the post with a free in the 2016 All-Ireland final and people were saying they would have won if it went over. I say they certainly wouldn’t have been anywhere near an All-Ireland without him.”

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2018 WAS AN historic year for Waterford Camogie, and for Beth Carton. 

Waterford star Beth Carton.

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

The Déise featured in the All-Ireland quarter-finals for the first time ever, while their scoring sensation Carton capped the journey with a first camogie All-Star for the county.

It was an incredible journey, one on which many memories were made; the standout one for the star forward the game which saw them book their place in the final eight, and etch their names into history.

It was a winner takes all tie against Clare at Cusack Park, and will surely be to the fore of Waterford players’ minds this weekend as they welcome the Banner to Walsh Park in similar circumstances [Saturday, 5pm].

It’s a day Carton is more than happy to look back on. 

“I suppose the big one would have been when we qualified for the quarter-final,” she tells The42, grinning as she recalls her standout moment of a ground-breaking 2018.

“We had a very poor start to the year against Galway. Everyone was down, but it showed the character of the girls that we put the head down. We got the win against Limerick and then we had to go to Clare to win it and make a quarter-final.

It was either us or them. Look, that was a big one because it was so close as well on the day. To know that you’re in a quarter-final and you’re playing in Pairc Ui Chaoimh against Tipp, just to get over that line was the aim at the start of the year.

“Look, even though it didn’t end well, it was a good year in hindsight.”

Carton’s 1-9 was key against the Banner, and she starred again with 1-4 against Tipperary. But it wasn’t to be as they suffered a seven-point loss, and a championship exit on Leeside.

A hugely positive year overall, the 20-year-old was instrumental from start to finish, top-scoring week in, week out, and her outstanding efforts were deservedly recognised with a place at corner-forward on the 2018 All-Star team.

Carton is a leading light in attack.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

3-36 across five championship matches and 2-37 in the league was more than enough to see her collect Waterford’s first camogie All-Star award. More history.

“I’m absolutely gobsmacked to be honest, I wasn’t expecting it at all,” she’s quoted as saying at the Citywest Hotel on the night. And that surprise is still evident seven months later at the launch of the 2019 championship.

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“Literally, I still am,” she laughs. “I’m asked the question and I don’t know what to say.

Ah no, look, it was good. But it’s behind us now. This is a completely different year. You have to start again. I have to put it behind me now and hopefully this year will be a good year.”

She’s the type that would prefer to deflect the limelight and the praise, happy to just take a back seat and talk about the next job at hand rather than dwell on the past.

But it’s important to revisit big occasions as such, and massive milestones in sporting careers.

“It was so lovely to share it with my family,” she beams about the night itself. Carton is more at ease speaking about that and those closest to her than the individual recognition and the award itself. 

Those things mean more to… Jesus, obviously it meant so much to me. But to your family, it means a lot to them, they go through it all with you.

“There were four of us nominated, there was a good Waterford crowd. I see it as accepting it on behalf of the girls here as well, any of them could have won it. It’s more of a team thing. We enjoyed it as a team.”

With the news that this year’s camogie All-Star Tour is heading to New York in November, Carton can hardly contain her excitement. But she’s well aware that there’s a hell of a lot of camogie to be played between now and then. 

Receiving her All-Star last November.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

Her beloved sport is a way of life, she beams. And has been from her childhood right the way through.

“My family would be big into it, my Dad is massive into it,” she explains with a giggle, “As soon as you could walk, you were kind of playing it.”

When she came of age, her club, De La Salle, didn’t have a camogie team back then. Her father coached the underage boys — he still does — so off Carton went to training with him one day, and she’s never looked back since.

“It took off from there, it’s just a thing that we love to do. It is a family thing as well,” she adds, explaining how basketball was her other big sport growing up.

“I played a lot of basketball . It was on in the winter so it used to suit, keep you a bit fit as well. I played with the Wildcats at home. 

I’m playing a small bit of Gaelic at the moment with Erin’s Own. We won the junior last year. I suppose it’s very hard when you’re at this age because it’s so serious. You don’t have a lot of spare time. I’d love to even be up at the [camogie] club more.

It’s the camogie now anyway, she stresses, although she’s really enjoying the football too; the fact that there’s less stress involved and it’s a bit of a break away from the small ball game.

A PE and Geography teaching student in University of Limerick (UL), Carton is heavily involved with the Ashbourne Cup camogie team there as well.

She jokes that she wouldn’t be up to O’Connor Cup football standard, but she’s most definitely a leading light on the hugely successful camogie side.

“Ah look, it’s brilliant up there. I really enjoy it. The friends you make through it is huge really. We had a great three years now, next year will be harder again but we enjoyed this year anyway.”

Celebrating UL’s Ashbourne Cup win with Roisin Breen.

Source: Oisin Keniry/INPHO

Thing’s are going fairly well on the Waterford front at the minute, with Group 2 championship wins against Meath and Dublin under their belt, and a loss to Tipperary in between. They’re second on the table behind Cork with quarter- and even straight semi-final spots at this rate a reality.

At the outset of the championship, Carton said that the Déise were back to square one, with 2018 well and truly in the past. They’ve shown that thus far anyway.

It’s going to be harder again this year,” she noted. “Teams are so close and there’s nothing between the lot. We’re just looking at taking each game as it comes.

People may look at Cork and Kilkenny as the top two, but anything could happen.

“That’s sport as well,” she agrees. “Cork, Kilkenny and Galway are that bit ahead, we’re all striving to get there. Tipp are probably next. We just have to keep working, that’s all we can do. Go out every day and give it your all, and hope your hard work pays off. 

Each team is so different and brings different challenges so it’s just trying to adapt to that each week. We just take each game as they come and hopefully the results will come too.

“It’s tough,” she concludes on the intense week on week action, the memories of last year’s huge win over Clare flooding back. “But it completely depends if you get a bit of momentum, you’re loving it.

“In my opinion, the more big games you have the better for the player. It’s what you train for. It’s why you’re training in October and November, to play games like these.

“For myself anyway, some players may be different, but the more matches you can get the better.”

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Eirgrid Munster U20 Football Championship Semi-Final:

Kerry 0-18
Limerick 1-3

Jason O’Connor reports from Austin Stack Park

KERRY BEGAN THE defence of their Munster U20 Football title with an expected but underwhelming victory this evening, as the Shannonsiders put in a much more creditable effort than last year’s outfit, who suffered a 28-point drubbing in Newcastle West in the First Round.

Last year’s team captain Donal Down O’Sullivan was Kerry’s best performer on the night with five well-taken points in the first period, as fellow 2017 All-Ireland-winning Minor Fiachra Clifford knocked over a further three points for the hosts.

Limerick’s only first-half scores came from a James Molyneaux effort in the eighth minute and a fine free from midfielder Jack Downey midway through the half. Kerry’s defence was shrewd to a lot of Limerick’s attacks, however, as Kerry native and Firies clubman Jerry O’Sullivan, the Limerick U20 manager, could not prevent his side trailing by 0-10 to 0-2 at the break.

Kerry will not have been happy with their defending for Limerick’s goal in the 36th minute, as Molyneaux reacted quickest to a John Hayes free dropping short and fisting the ball past Brian Lonergan to make it 0-11 to 1-3. It didn’t spark any major turnaround in proceedings, however, as Kerry struggled against Limerick’s blanket defence with O’Sullivan’s 0-9 (3f) total one of the few highlights of a disappointing encounter.

Kerry will want to be a lot sharper in next Thursday night’s decider away to either Cork or Waterford, who play in the other semi-final tomorrow in Clonakilty.

Scorers for Kerry: Donal O’Sullivan (0-9, 3f), Fiachra Clifford (0-3), Cathal Ferriter (0-2), Killian Falvey, Joseph O’Connor, Eddie Horan and Paul O’Shea (0-1 each)
Scorers for Limerick: James Molyneaux (1-1), Jack Downey and John Hayes (0-1, 1f each)

Kerry:

1. Brian Lonergan (Ballymacelligott)

2. Dan McCarthy (Kenmare Shamrocks)
3. Dylan Casey (Austin Stacks)
4. Michael Potts (Dr Crokes)

5. Cian Gammell (Killarney Legion)
6. Patrick Warren (Gneeveguilla)
7. Sean O’Leary (Kilcummin, Capt)

8. Joseph O’Connor (Austin Stacks)
9. Barry Mahony (St Senans)

10. Killian Falvey (Annascaul)
11. Sean Horan (Scartaglin)
12. Adam Donoghue (Castleisland Desmonds)

13. Fiachra Clifford (Laune Rangers)
14. Donal O’Sullivan (Kilgarvan)
15. Cathal Ferriter (Annascaul)

Subs:

18. Paul Walsh (Brosna) for Horan (H/T)
24. Eddie Horan (Scartaglin) for Falvey (45)
21. Paul O’Shea (Kilcummin) for O’Connor (53)
23. Brian Friel (Rathmore) for Ferriter (53)
19. Chris O’Donoghue (Glenflesk) for McCarthy (54)
17. Niall Donohoe (Firies) for Warren (54)

Limerick:

1. Cian Walsh (St Senans)

2. Jack Fitzgerald (Adare)
3. Jamie Fitzgerald (Glin)
4. Karl Moloney (Crecora Manister)

5. Dughan O’Grady (Oola)
6. Adam Shanagher (Rathkeale)
7. Reubhan McCarthy (Na Piarsaigh)

8. Jack Coyne (Mungret St Pauls)
9. Jack Downey (Oola)

23. Lee Woulfe (Newcastle West)
11. Barry Coleman (Rathkeale)
12. John Hayes (St Kierans)

13. Noel Callanan (St Kierans, Capt)
14. James Molyneaux (Dromcollogher/Broadford)
15. James Cummins (Galbally)

Subs:

10. Darragh Lane (Adare) for Downey (H/T)
18. Brian Foley (Newcastle West) for Hayes (43)
17. Niall McAuliffe (Newcastle West) for Jamie Fitzgerald (46)
22. Shane Barry (Mungret St Pauls) for Coyne (57)
19. Dylan Quirke (Fr Casey’s) for McCarthy (57)
20. DJ Stack (Fr Casey’s) for Cummins (60)

Referee: David Murnane (Cork)

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HAVING STARTED ALL four of Laois’s round-robin games in the Joe McDonagh Cup, defender Joe Phelan was disappointed to discover he’d been left out of the team for the final against Westmeath. 

“It was tough at the time getting dropped for that match,” Phelan admits. 

Despite being one of the elder statesmen on the Laois panel, Phelan was making up for lost time on the inter-county scene. He packed up and headed Down Under in 2011 as a 22-year-old.

“I haven’t been around that long,” he says. “I was in Australia for most of my mid-20s. And I’m on (the panel) three or four years. I’m one of the oldest all right.”

Phelan pitched up in Brisbane and the following year helped the Cuchulainns club win their first-ever Brisbane championship. He later moved up the Queensland coast and helped set-up a hurling team in Mackay that went on to reach the finals of the Australian 7s tournament. 

But having played minor and U21 with Laois, Phelan returned home in 2014 and was soon called up to the county panel by Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett after impressing for his native Camross.

He’s been an ever-present on the Laois squad ever since. Phelan had to make do with a brief cameo as a 71st-minute substitute against Westmeath in Croke Park, when the game was long over.

He was eager to regain his place on the team and was recalled for the Dublin game after a broken finger ruled out corner-back Donnachadh Hartnett.

“Donnachadh got an injury and I got back in. It wasn’t that tough I was really looking forward to the challenge to be honest.”

He was handed the task of keeping Dublin’s goal poacher Eamonn Dillon under wraps, which he did, holding him to a single point.

“To play in such a big game, it’s what you train for, to play in the big games. It wasn’t that tough and thankfully it went alright.

“We always believed we could do it. We came so close so many times with Laois over the last couple of years. Just to finally get over the line in the big one just makes it all worth it.

“That feeling, I’ve never felt it in a Laois jersey before. Just incredible and the atmosphere there – the place was rocking. I’ve never seen a Laois crowd as big. It was just an unbelievable place to be last Sunday.

Joe Phelan was speaking at the All-Ireland SHC series national launch.

Source: Brendan Moran/SPORTSFILE

“It was just pure pandemonium,” he reflects. “We were jumping around with the players and next thing a wave of fans, a wall of them just met you. We were out there celebrating for nearly an hour.

“It was just an unbelievable feeling, that adrenaline. To see all the supporters so happy and for the players to finally get over the line in a big match was a fantastic feeling.” 

Laois face another short turnaround when they take on beaten Munster finalists Tipperary. It will be their third game in the space of 14 days.

Considering there were Laois players going down with cramp in the closing stages of the Dublin game, their fitness levels will be further tested in Croke Park on Sunday.

For Phelan and his team-mates, there’s the small matter of going up against Tipperary’s extremely talented front six.

“It’s something they’re going to have to look at, there should definitely be a two-week break after the McDonagh Cup final.

“That was our main target for the year and when you achieve that, you go out and celebrate it. Then you have to go again the next weekend, you should really get more time. 

“Three weeks in a row is a bit much but we can’t use it as an excuse, we’re just going to have to refocus and see what happens on Sunday. 

“We’ll see how the legs hold up on, we won’t know till we go out. At the moment, everyone is on a high and it’s just about keeping it going and keeping it rolling.

“We’re in the last six of the Liam MacCarthy, it’s unbelievable. Hopefully, we can rattle Tipp and see what happens.

“A couple of weeks ago, a lot of us hadn’t played in Croke Park and now we’re back there twice in three weeks, it’s just been an unbelievable season for the hurlers and the Laois supporters. 

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“I was talking to a couple of them and they’re broke following us this year!  I’m sure they’re happy, it’s just a fantastic time to be around the setup.”

Joe Phelan tackles David Dempsey during a league encounter against Limerick.

Source: Ken Sutton/INPHO

Laois have been notable for their use of a shorter stick-passing game under manager Eddie Brennan. Against Dublin they employed John Lennon in a sweeping role and he’s likely to play as a seventh defender against the Premier once again.  

“Niall (Corcoran) and Eddie must have sat down at the start of the year and said ‘this is the way we’re going to play.’ We work on it in training all the time, working it out.

“You have to stick to the system. That’s the system we’ve been working on this year. When you are under pressure that’s the time you have to stick to it, Things can fall apart in that atmosphere.

“In fairness, we kept working it out, kept working it out and we got our just rewards. I know a few went astray midway through the second half, they got a few points, the crowd were on our back sort of, but that’s the way we play.

“That’s the way we practise in training, and you have to bring that into the game. We stuck to our guns thankfully.

“We set up a bit differently against Dublin than we usually would but that’s just trying to find the man in the best position. All the teams are doing that now, Limerick, if you watch them and Cork, they’re all playing this short, possession game and we’re just following suit and it’s working well so far. 

“Eddie is huge, he has that ruthless streak when he talks. He instils that belief and ignorance into you. He has been fantastic for this group in that sense. He is as hard as nails, he has that mentality, and he is doing a fantastic job.”

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TWO IMPORTANT OPENERS either side of the Irish sea in two days. 

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Armagh’s Aimee Mackin.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

Armagh open their All-Ireland championship campaign against Cavan tomorrow, but they’ll be without the services of one of their leading stars. Caroline O’Hanlon is tied up, captaining Northern Ireland at the Netball World Cup in Liverpool with their opening clash against Australia underway [live on Sky Sports Arena and their Youtube channel].

Well into her 18th season of inter-county football, the 34-year-old doctor is well used to balancing commitments between the Orchard county set-up and her Super League club, Manchester Thunder, flying between both. But this is on another level.

She’s leading her side on the world’s biggest stage, but will undoubtedly be following her team-mates back home. Likewise, they’ll be keeping an eye on their World Cup star across the water over the next few days.

“Caroline’s away with the netball now at the minute,” Armagh’s leading forward Aimee Mackin tells The42. “She’s flying it.

“Recently, we were looking at an advertisement and next thing Caroline pops up on Sky Sports. It’s sort of like the ladies football, it’s progressing. It’s very big in England as well.”

The 2014 LGFA Player of the Year is definitely to the fore of that progression, helping Thunder to the Super League title in May, while she’s also been a huge part of the constant positive developments in ladies football on these shores over the past few years.

O’Hanlon is one many across the length and breadth of the country admire, not just for her footballing skills and devastating performances in the Armagh midfield, but for her laudable ability to juggle the two sports and life as a doctor.

O’Hanlon ahead of Northern Ireland’s tournament opener this morning.

Source: Sky Sports Youtube.

22-year-old Mackin has always looked up to her, and now one of the finest forwards in the country, would credit O’Hanlon’s influence not only on her own game, but on the entire sport of ladies football on and off the pitch.

“It’s massive,” Mackin, who’s in her fifth year on the Armagh panel, nods when she’s asked about the shift in the game, and how much ladies football has come on through the years.

She mentions the county’s McKeever Park project which will see them make history with a centre of excellence before talking about the sport in general: “It’s a big step for our county and hopefully it improves the development of ladies football

“Even when I started, there were a lot of leaps and bounds from talking to the girls that played years back. From starting out, the past four or five years we’ve taken massive steps. It’s only good for the game and good for the upcoming future players.

“It’s exciting for new players breaking in, we have a few on the panel. It’s probably the best time to be coming in.”

It’s hard to believe that in her early twenties, Mackin is one of the most experienced players on her county side and most definitely one of the leaders at this stage.

“I don’t really think too much into it,” she smiles. “I sort of forget that I’m one of the experienced ones because I’m one of the young ones too.

“I just enjoy it. If anyone needs help on the panel, I’ll try help them out. I’m the same, I still look to the older ones with more experience and that.”

Blaithin Mackin.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

The Shane O’Neill’s star and University of Jordanstown student has someone very close to her on the team; her 20-year-old sister Blaithin.

The younger of the two has also made waves since coming onto the inter-county scene, the sister act combining to wreak havoc up front. Evidently, it’s enjoyable.

“It’s good, it’s really good. We enjoy playing together. It’s like a telepathic thing. We don’t dwell on each other too much but, it’s more about everyone else. It is nice playing with your sister.

“We try not to fight on the pitch,” she laughs, reassuring that even if there are words exchanged in the heat of battle, they’re back to normal fairly quickly afterwards.

“I think that’s the most important thing, we’re probably both thick skinned. It’s the same with everyone on the team: what’s said on the pitch stays on the pitch. Emotions can take over sometimes.”

With their brother, Connaire, on the Orchard men’s panel and four girls and two boys in the Mackin household in total, it’s most definitely a busy one.

“There’s a lot of football going on,” she beams. “Plenty of matches to go to all over the place.”

Never a truer word spoken. Even just for Aimee alone, who’s also a talented soccer player with Sion Swifts in the Women’s Premiership, the top level women’s football league in the North.

Mackin and O’Hanlon in 2017.

Source: Tom Beary/INPHO

“I love it, I really enjoy playing it,” she enthuses, explaining how there’s a few girls with county Gaelic football experience involved with the Strabane outfit, Donegal’s Ciara Grant being one. Mackin has had to cut back however after a recent injury.

“I had a problem with my knee there with tendinitis. I missed the [Ulster] semi-final against Monaghan. It’s managed now and it’s grand. I just had to cut down on the load outside of county and that. It’s going well now, no bother.

“I was two or three weeks doing my own programme. The week of the semi-final, I was in match training but I wasn’t fit enough to get on the pitch.

“I’ve been fortunate enough. Even this injury, it’s not the worst you could have. It’s frustrating being on the sidelines but I feel every other player can go out and do a job. Against Monaghan, every other player showed that.”

After beating the Farney, Armagh had a disappointing Ulster final against Donegal, with Maxi Curran collecting their third provincial crown on the bounce after a 15-point win. 

While it wasn’t the result they were looking for, it was an enjoyable and competitive  championship and one Armagh take a lot from going forward.

“It’s exciting,” Mackin says of the fierce Ulster competition. “It’s stuff you look forward to.

“You don’t really dwell on how close it’s going to be because you just know it’s going to be a great game. It’s probably one of the tightest championships of all of them. It’s exciting for the neutral to watch and see the results.

Mackin and Cavan captain Sinead Greene.

“We’re lucky enough that we can have a preliminary round, a semi-final and then the final obviously. Unfortunately, for other counties they might just have a straight final. You like to build up the amount of games, you prefer it just to build up momentum.”

She’ll be hoping they have some of that when they face the Breffni tomorrow at St Aidan’s, Bawnboy [throw-in 2pm] in their Group 1 opener. 

With Munster champions, Division 1 league holders and 2018 All-Ireland finalists Cork also upcoming opposition, they’re ready for what will be an exciting three-way battle.

“Cavan up first. They’ll be tough, they’re very physical. We played them on this pitch before in the league last year and it was a draw. I think that says it all.

“There’s always that rivalry, it’s definitely an Ulster thing. You can’t go by results, it’s whatever happens on the day.”

“Obviously Cork are probably sitting there favourites to top the group,” she concludes. “But we’re just excited to get back on the pitch after provincial finals, and looking forward to it.”

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PETER HARTE HAS been cleared to play for Tyrone in tomorrow evening’s Super 8s meeting with Roscommon (5pm). 

The influential forward was black-carded late in the Round 4 qualifier win over Cavan last Sunday — his third black card this summer, having already picked up two against Donegal and Longford. 

That meant he was due to receive a one-match suspension that would have saw him miss Saturday’s game at Dr Hyde Park. 

However, Tyrone manager Mickey Harte said afterwards that they were planning to appeal all three of his nephew’s black cards, adding that he would be “disgusted” if Peter wasn’t available. 

At a Central Hearings Committee (CHC) meeting at Croke Park last night, the decision was made to rescind the black card from the win over Longford. 

As a result, Harte is set to line out against the Rossies in his county’s Super 8s opener. 

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