Month: September 2021

Donegal 2-19
Meath 1-13 

Alan Foley reports from MacCumhaill Park 

PADDY MCBREARTY MARKED his 100th inter-county appearance with a typically influential display, firing a personal hail of 1-6 to help Donegal see off a spirited Meath effort in Ballybofey. 

The Donegal sharpshooter led from the front as Declan Bonner’s side rallied in the final quarter to hold off the visitors and get their All-Ireland senior football championship Super 8s campaign up and running on a winning note.

Meath battled valiantly throughout and conjured an impressive second-half comeback, before the hosts moved through the gears to pull clear, with 19-year-old Oisin Gallen sealing victory for Donegal with a late goal.

Meath made Donegal sweat for a while but Bonner’s side used their experience to get over the line with the scoreboard making it look far more comfortable than it actually was.

Darragh Campion, the Meath substitute, edged his team in front on 54 minutes. Meath had trailed by five points not long beforehand and an upset seemed possible.

However, from then on the visitors only managed a point from Shane McEntee, while Donegal scored 1-8 and Gallen’s injury-time goal proved hugely popular on his home club ground.

Donegal captain Michael Murphy after the game.

Source: Oisin Keniry/INPHO

McBrearty was at his best throughout while Michael Murphy put in an excellent showing.

McBrearty smashed home the only goal of the first half on 25 minutes to establish a 1-6 to 0-5 lead for the hosts, screeching away from a Ciaran Thompson pass following Shaun Patton’s swift kick-out. 

At half-time, Bonner’s side had a 1-9 to 0-8 lead.

In the second half, it was Meath doing the coming back. Donegal edged out to 1-11 to 0-9 in front with successive McBrearty points and it appeared as though the script was being adhered to. 

However, a disallowed Meath goal, when Gavin McCoy slapped in at the back post after Patton had made an excellent point-blank save from Bryan McMahon on 41 minutes, stirred the visitors.

Three minutes later, referee Conor Lane awarded Meath a penalty, which Donegal claimed was of the soft variety, when Daire O Baoill was adjudged to have fouled Donal Keogan’s progressive run. 

Michael Newman scored the penalty and then back-to-back points from McMahon and Menton had Meath level at 1-11 apiece. Campion then put them in front. 

In retrospect, Meath’s inability to push on from then was the reason they went home with nothing. They’d score just once more all game, while Donegal totted up 1-8 in the final quarter.

Meath’s Michael Newman with Stephen McMenamin of Donegal.

Source: Oisin Keniry/INPHO

Ryan McHugh’s sense of adventure was apparent throughout and alongside Murphy, who was everywhere on his way to winning man of the match, helped turn the tables.

The Donegal captain was plucking balls off his own line, protecting his square and knocking over from a 45 in those final 10 minutes.

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McHugh and Shane McEntee, at the other end, took points when goals were possible. Donegal could rely on the likes of Frank McGlynn to come on and steady the ship and when they sensed a chance to bury Meath, they did it.

Gallen’s goal was coolly taken in the 72nd minute having been played in by McGlynn.

Scorers for Donegal: Patrick McBrearty 1-6; Michael Murphy 0-3; Oisin Gallen 1-1; Jamie Brennan 0-3; Ryan McHugh 0-2; Jason McGee, Niall O’Donnell, Michael Langan, Eoin McHugh 0-1 each.

Scorers for Meath: Mickey Newman 1-2; Bryan McMahon 0-3; Bryan Menton, Cillian O’Sullivan 0-2 each; Shane McEntee, James McEntee, Darragh Campion, James Conlon 0-1 each. 

Donegal: 

1. Shaun Patton

2. Stephen McMenamin
3. Neil McGee
4. Odhran McFadden-Ferry

5. Ryan McHugh
6. Paul Brennan
7. Eoghan Ban Gallagher

8. Hugh McFadden
9. Jason McGee

10. Ciaran Thompson
11. Niall O’Donnell
12. Michael Langan

13. Patrick McBrearty
14. Michael Murphy
15. Jamie Brennan.

Subs:

Daire O Baoill for P Brennan (43)
Eoin McHugh for C Thompson (49)
Oisin Gallen for N O’Donnell (49)
Frank McGlynn for J McGee (61)
Eamonn Doherty for O McFadden-Ferry (68)
Caolan Ward for S McMenamin (70+1).

Meath:

1. Andrew Colgan

2. Seamus Lavin
3. Conor McGill
4. Shane Gallagher

5. Donal Keogan
6. Padraic Harnan
7. Gavin McCoy

8. Bryan Menton
9. Shane McEntee

10. Ethan Devine
11. Bryan McMahon
12. James McEntee

13. Cillian O’Sullivan
14. Michael Newman
15. James Conlon.

Subs:

Shane Walsh for J Conlon (43)
Darragh Campion for E Devine (46)
Sean Curran for S Gallagher (black card, 57)
Graham Reilly for B McMahon (63)
Adam Flanagan for S McEntee (66)
Thomas O’Reilly for C O’Sullivan (70).

Referee: Conor Lane (Cork).

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Tipperary 2-25
Laois 1-18

LAOIS’S MAGNIFICENT SUMMER of hurling has finally come to an end.

Seamus Callanan bears down on goal with Jack Kelly and Ryan Mullaney behind him.

Source: Gary Carr/INPHO

On their third successive weekend in action and after playing with 14 men for the majority of the second-half, Eddie Brennan’s side battled gamely but couldn’t live with the firepower of Tipperary’s attack.

There was no hammering here like many had feared would end their season on a sour note. They came well inside the 15 handicap set by the bookmakers beforehand. After last week’s win over Dublin and today’s performance, the O’Moore County look well-primed to compete in Leinster next season.

Ultimately, the 39th-minute dismissal of Aaron Dunphy, for a strike on Padraic Maher, derailed their chances.

They had rallied brilliantly with Ross King’s goal part of the 1-3 they hit shortly before half-time which left them just three points behind. Tipperary always looked like winning, but Dunphy’s dismissal robbed Laois of their sweeper and any protection in front of their full-back line. 

Ronan Maher and Eanna Lyons clash.

Source: Gary Carr/INPHO

The Premier ran up the score in the closing stages yet Liam Sheedy will be well aware that significant improvement will be required for the All-Ireland semi-final clash with Wexford in two weeks’ time. 

Their discipline is one issue that must be rectified.  Tipperary finished with 14 men themselves after Michael Breen – a 48th-minute arrival off the bench – was sent off for a second yellow card at the death. They conceded 14 frees, 11 of which were converted by Laois forward Mark Kavanagh.

Worryingly for Tipp, outside of Jason Forde (1-12) and Seamus Callanan (1-2), the rest of their starting forwards contributed 0-1 between them. 

Brennan set-up with John Lennon as a seventh defender and they were happy to allow Brian Hogan go short with his puck-outs to Tipp’s spare man James Barry. 

Laois started where they’d left off against Dublin. Four scores inside the opening ten minutes left them 0-4 to 0-2 ahead in the early stages. Callanan pulled back his first score of the day and then Forde was hauled down for a penalty that he dispatched himself. 

Five minutes later, the Premier had their second goal. Callanan was sent through on goal after an exquisite pass from Noel McGrath and the Drom-Inch ace made no mistake from close range. By the 27th minute, Tipp were eight clear and it appeared as though Sheedy’s side were primed to open up, but Laois fought back. 

Ronan Maher and Mark Kavanagh compete for a high ball.

Source: Gary Carr/INPHO

Aaron Dunphy pulled back a point after a wonderful crossfield ball from a sideline cut by man-of-the-match Jack Kelly, who also dispatched two fine scores from play. That seemed to spark the O’Moore County.

Dunphy was heavily involved moments later as Ross King stole a ball from under Brendan Maher’s nose and rattled the back of the net that got the Laois support – and remaining Kilkenny fans – off their feet.

Laois were reduced to 14 men early in the second-half, yet they continued to battle. Ten minutes after Dunphy left the fray they were still just five behind, but Laois would score just once more from play for the remainder of the game as fatigue finally caught up with them.

Noel McGrath and Ronan Maher stole forward for a brace apiece, while Forde continued to do the business on placed ball. Breen’s red card came in stoppage-time, but fortunately for him he’ll be free to line out against Wexford in two weeks.

Scorers for Tipperary: Jason Forde 1-12 (1-0 pen, 0-8f, 0-1 65), Seamus Callanan 1-2, Noel McGrath 0-3, Ronan Maher and Ger Browne 0-2 each, Padraic Maher, John McGrath, Alan Flynn, Barry Heffernan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Laois: Mark Kavanagh 0-11 (0-11f), Ross King 1-0, Aaron Dunphy and Jack Kelly 0-2, John Lennon, Paddy Purcell and Willie Dunphy 0-1 each.

Tipperary

1. Brian Hogan (Lorrha-Dorrha)

5. Brendan Maher (Borris-Ileigh)
3. James Barry (Upperchurch-Drombane)
2. Cathal Barrett (Holycross-Ballycahill)

4. Alan Flynn (Kiladangan)
6. Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)
7. Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)

8. Noel McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney)
9. Ger Browne (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams)

10. Dan McCormack (Borris-Ileigh)
11. John O’Dwyer (Killenaule)
12. Niall O’Meara (Kilruane MacDonaghs)

13. Jason Forde (Silvermines)
14. Séamus Callanan (Drom-Inch)
15. John McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney)

Subs

17. Michael Breen (Ballina) for Flynn (48)
22. Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan-Kilcash) for O’Dwyer (53) 
19. Jerome Cahill (Kilruane MacDonaghs) for Browne (56)
21. Barry Heffernan (Nenagh Eire Og) for Barry (62)
25. Jake Morris (Nenagh Eire Og) for O”Meara (67)
26. Sean O’Brien (Newport) for Barrett (blood sub, 72 – 74)

Laois

1. Enda Rowland (St Lazerian’s Abbeyleix)

2. Lee Cleere (Clough-Ballacolla)
6. Ryan Mullaney (Castletown)
4. Joe Phelan (Camross)

8. John Lennon (Rosenallis)

5. Jack Kelly (Rathdowney Errill)
7. Pádraig Delaney (The Harps)
3. Matthew Phelan (Borris-in-Ossory-Kilcotton)

13. Willie Dunphy (Clough-Ballacolla)
9. Paddy Purcell (Rathdowney-Errill)

12. Éanna Lyons (Ballyfin)
11. Mark Kavanagh (Rathdowney-Errill)
15. Ross King (Rathdowney-Errill)

10. Aaron Dunphy ((Borris-in-Ossory-Kilcotton)
14. Charles Dwyer (Ballinakill)

Subs

17. Eric Killeen (Rathdowney Errill) for Phelan (ht)
26. Stephen Maher (Clough Ballacolla) for Dwyer (44) 
21. Conor Phelan (Castletown) for Lyons (57)
25, Stephen Bergin (Clough Ballacolla) for Dunphy (60)
22. Eoin Gaughan (Camross) for Lennon (67)

Referee: Colm Lyons (Cork)

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Kerry 1-22
Mayo 0-15

Colm Gannon reports from Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney

MAYO MAY HAVE won the league final when these sides last met – but when it came to the white hot heat of Summer championship action Kerry laid down a serious marker of intent in front of 31,312 paying spectators in Fitzgearld Stadium.

Peter Keane’s men ran out 10-point winners and in reality it could have been more only for they took their foot off the gas a little down the home straight and eased into their meeting with Donegal next weekend in Croke Park.

They led by nine at the break and at the end they had extended that out by another point when the final whistle was blown, and Mayo began to make the long trip home and get ready for Meath next Sunday.

Kerry suffocated the Mayo kick-out from the start and reaped rich rewards going in leading buy nine points at half-time.

David Moran ruled the skies in the opening half and set Kerry the foundation for Kerry’s dominance on the scoreboard.

Lee Keegan got the first score of the day kicking over from close range and the scoreboard moved tit for tat over the first eight minutes with the sides splitting seven scores with Kerry having the odd one to leave them ahead.

Paul Geaney after scoring the only goal of the game.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Sean O’Shea kicked the first of his five first half points to level it up two minutes later, that was quickly followed by points from a David Clifford twice and one from Paul Geaney.

Clifford had his man in all kinds of trouble from early on and Mayo could not get a handle on him.

Mayo did respond through points from Darren Coen and Fionn McDonagh – before Kerry took complete control of the game and reeled off ten points to Mayo’s one over the next 15 minutes and it could have been worse for Mayo had David Clarke not tipped a James O’Donoghue effort over the bar 20 minutes in.

O’Shea and Clifford did serious damage for Kerry on the scoreboard in this period as did Stephen O’Brien to the satisfied cheers of the locals as they went in leading 0-15 to 0-6 at the break.

The second-half saw Cillian O’Connor get things moving inside a minute, but Kerry weren’t going to let up and Clifford and O’Shea pointed in quick succession to put to bed any ideas that Mayo might have had that they could get back into this one.

Cillian O’Connor missed a penalty for Mayo.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Three points from Cillian O’Connor — the third one seeing him become the all time leading scorer in the championship — had the the game at 0-18 to 0-10 — but the very next score was the one that really wrapped things up.

Stephen O’Brien burst down the left flank and he cut inside and found Paul Geaney in oceans of space and the Dingle man palmed the ball home to the back of the net and had Kerry’s thoughts well and truly moving towards next weekend.

Mayo did have a couple of goal chances themselves in the second half and Cillian O’Connor had a penalty four minutes from the end of normal time, but Shane Ryan brilliantly saved the ball and put it over for a point.

The Kingdom’s standing were questioned by many going into this game, but this performance once again confirmed their credentials; as for Mayo they’ll have top pick themselves up again and get back on the horse if they are to have a chance of making it out of the group.

Kerry scorers: David Clifford (0-7, 1f), Sean O’Shea (0-76f), Paul Geaney (1-2), Stephen O’Brien (0-3), David Moran (0-1), James O’Donoghue (0-1), Graham O’Sullivan (0-1), Shane Enright (0-1)

Mayo scorers: Cillian O’Connor (0-6, 3f, 1 pen), Darren Coen (0-3), Andy Moran (0-2), Lee Keegan (0-1), Fionn McDonagh (0-1), Fergal Boland (0-1), Ciaran Tracey (0-1)

Kerry

1. Shane Ryan (Rathmore)

2. Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue)
3. Tadhg Morley (Templenoe)
4. Tom O’Sullivan (Dingle)

5. Paul Murphy (Rathmore)
17. Gavin Crowley (Templenoe)
7. Gavin White (Dr Crokes)

8. David Moran (Kerins O’Rahillys)
20. Shane Enright (Tarbert)

18. Adrian Spillane (Templenoe)
11. Sean O’Shea (Kenmare)
12. Stephen O’Brien (Kenmare)

13. David Clifford (Fossa)
14. Paul Geaney (Dingle)
23. James O’Donoghue (Killarney Leigon)

Subs:
9. Diarmuid O’Connor (Na Gael) for Spillane (BS)
15. Dara Moynihan (Spa) for O’Donoghue
24. Graham O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses) for Enright
9. Diarmuid O’Connor (Na Gael) for Spillane
22. Brian O’Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht) for Foley
10. Micheál Burns (Dr Crokes) for Geaney
19. Mark Griffin (St. Michaels /Foilmore) for Crowley

Mayo

1. David Clarke (Ballina Stephenites)

2. Chris Barrett (Belmullet)
3. Brendan Harrison (Aghamore)
4. Keith Higgins (Ballyhaunis)

5. Lee Keegan (Westport)
6. Colm Boyle (Davitts)
7. Stephen Coen (Hollymount-Carramore)

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8. Donal Vaughan (Castlebar Mitchels)
9. Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy)

10. Fionn McDonagh (Westport)
11. Kevin McLoughlin (Knockmore)
12. Jason Doherty (Burrishoole)

13. Cillian O’Connor (Ballintubber)

14. Darren Coen (Hollymount-Carramore)
15. James Carr (Ardagh)

Subs:

23. Seamus O’Shea (Breaffy) for McDonagh,
25. Andy Moran (Ballaghaderreen) for Carr
21. Ciaran Treacy (Ballina Stephenites) for McLoughlin
26. Fergal Boland (Aghamore) for Darren Coen
20. James McCormack (Claremorris) for Keegan
17. Eoin O’Donoghue (Belmullet) for O’Donoghue

Referee: Sean Hurson (Tyrone)

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VICTORIES FOR KILKENNY and Tipperary today confirmed the pairings for this year’s All-Ireland senior hurling semi-finals.

It’ll be a massive weekend of Croke Park action at the end of the month with Kilkenny to face Munster champions Limerick on 27 July and Tipperary will meet Leinster champions Wexford on 28 July.

With repeats of provincial final pairings not permitted, it will be Munster against Leinster meetings in both games.

All-Ireland winners Limerick are the only member of the last four in 2018 who have returned to that stage now. They’ll take on Kilkenny in a repeat of last summer’s thrilling quarter-final at Semple Stadium.

Davy Fitzgerald’s Wexford team will take on Tipperary in their first championship meeting since the 2010 All-Ireland qualifiers.

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The winners will square off in the All-Ireland decider on Sunday 18 August.

2019 All-Ireland senior hurling semi-finals

Saturday 27 July
Limerick v Kilkenny, Croke Park, 6pm

Sunday 28 July
Wexford v Tipperary, Croke Park, 3.30pm

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Patrick Horgan and David Clifford produced some moments of individual brilliance today.

THERE WAS PLENTY of drama across the All-Ireland football and hurling championships today.

The Kerry footballers got their Super 8s campaign off to a winning start with an impressive 10-point victory over Mayo, while Donegal got the better of Meath in the other Group 1 fixture.

David Clifford starred for Peter Keane’s side in Killarney, hitting seven points throughout a dominant display. The pick of his scores was this fine effort in the first half.

With Kerry already in the ascendancy, Clifford stood over a tricky kick from the sideline. But he oozed confidence as he curled his shot over the bar with minimal fuss.

The emphatic win sets the Kingdom up nicely for their next Super 8s outing against Donegal next weekend.

David Clifford delights the home fans with this brilliant strike from the sideline. Kerry lead by eight and it's not half-time.

Watch highlights on #sundaygame 9:30pm pic.twitter.com/AAZ5THdtF4

— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 14, 2019

Elsewhere today, there were All-Ireland SHC semi-final places up for grabs in Croke Park with Kilkenny and Tipperary both coming out on top.

Cork may have bowed out to the Cats, but Patrick Horgan excelled with 3-10 for the Rebels.

Another goal for Cork from Patrick Horgan! pic.twitter.com/gkmprE359c

— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 14, 2019

His second goal was particularly impressive as he managed to drill the ball into the bottom corner of the net after falling to his knees from a tackle.

That brilliant score pushed Cork into a two-point lead in the first half, but they were ultimately undone by Kilkenny in the end.

Underdogs Laois exited the hurling championship after a spirited display against Tipperary.

They battled well with 14 men for most of the second half, with Ross King capping off this brilliant team move to score a goal just before half-time.

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Ross King with a fantastic finish for Laois! pic.twitter.com/6tIXQOa9HP

— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 14, 2019

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KILKENNY AND TIPPERARY both shook off provincial final defeats to navigate their All-Ireland quarter-finals with varying degrees of difficulty on Sunday. 

Kilkenny boss Brian Cody and Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy.

The Cats needed a titanic second-half display to overturn a half-time deficit and dismiss favourites Cork, while Tipperary beat Laois by 10 points but left Croke Park with more questions than answers ahead of a semi-final showdown with Wexford in a fortnight’s time.

You can be sure Davy Fitzgerald was carefully studying the proceedings and on this showing his side have nothing to fear from Tipperary. They look a long way off the team who won four from four in the Munster round-robin campaign earlier this summer.

Tipperary lacked an edge in the provincial final loss to Limerick and while the result was never really in doubt, they were far from convincing once again. They were well below the level to be expected from All-Ireland contenders in the middle of July.

While the other three All-Ireland semi-finalists have improved as the summer has gone on, the Premier appear to be heading in reverse.

Some important forwards are curiously looking out of form, particularly John O’Dwyer, scoreless and replaced after 53 minutes, and John McGrath who managed just a single point.

Liam Sheedy speaks to his team after the game.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

Midfielder Noel McGrath (0-3) was Tipp’s highest point-scorer from play on an afternoon where they converted just 16 of their 29 scoring chances from open play. Of course, there’s a danger of overreacting. It was a lose-lose situation for Liam Sheedy’s side coming into this game.

They were expected to beat Laois – in action for the third time in 15 days – by double-figures with anything less deemed a failure. They’d have been on their guard after Laois hoodwinked Dublin a week ago, so complacency was hardly an issue. 

Worryingly for Sheedy, there was a lack of impact from the five replacements he introduced. Barry Heffernan was the only man to grab a point and Michael Breen was sent-off for picking up two yellows in his 20-minute cameo.

Fitzgerald would have noted how Laois’s sweeper system restricted Tipperary to 14 scores in the opening 40 minutes. Aaron Dunphy’s red card provided the Premier attackers with oceans of space in the final quarter which they exploited on the scoreboard. 

In contrast, Brian Cody’s team gave a most Kilkenny-like performance as they blitzed Cork in the third quarter that laid the foundations for their victory.

Huw Lawlor and Colin Fennelly celebrate at the final whistle with teammates.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

The Cats trailed by two at the interval but posted 1-8 in an incredible 15-minute spell after the turnaround to expose Cork’s shaky defence. They began the second period with real purpose, driven by the excellent TJ Reid from center-forward.

Cork went 20 minutes without scoring from play – partly from their failure to work any sort of decent ball into attack but more down to Kilkenny’s savage hunger for work all over the field.

And while John Meyler’s outfit responded with an unanswered 1-3 at the midway point of the half, Kilkenny managed to steady the ship and navigate safely home.

The half-time introduction of Walter Walsh proved pivotal. Dropped after a poor showing in the Leinster final, Walsh looked like a man possessed once he entered the fray.

Stationed on the edge of the square alongside Colin Fennelly with Richie Hogan playing off them, Walsh fired over three points and set-up a handful more as Kilkenny went direct with their forward play. It was easily his best display in the championship.

Forwards Billy Ryan and Bill Sheehan looked lively upon their introduction and gave the Cats the impetus they needed in the closing stages. Kilkenny’s bench chipped in with 0-6, which compares favourably with Tipperary’s 0-1.

Padraic Maher is tackled by Eanna Lyons.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

After Alan Cadogan took the Kilkenny full-back line to the cleaners early on Cody shifted Padraig Walsh back to quell his impact. Cadogan still shaded their dual but Walsh managed to restrict the damage and hold him to four points.

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Patrick Horan did his best to haul the Rebels over the line with a stunning tally of 3-10 (2-2 from play), but he’ll have to wait at least another year to claim that elusive Celtic Cross.  

The return of Richie Hogan for a rare start gave Kilkenny an extra bit of class up front. By the beginning of the second-half, four of Kilkenny’s front six were All-Star winners. 

The Danesfort ace grabbed 1-2 before his 50th-minute withdrawal. Cody will be hoping Hogan’s back issues are behind him and, with another two weeks of training under the belt, his fitness should come on another level for the last four clash.

Kilkenny proved once again here that you write them off at your peril. Back-to-back Munster champions Cork were deemed to have played their provincial campaign nicely, sealing a third place finish followed by a tune-up game against Westmeath where they became the first inter-county team to scored 40 points in a game.

TJ Reid jumps highest in a pack of bodies.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

Yet they couldn’t handle it when Kilkenny dialled up the heat after half-time. By this stage, Cody will already be planning for the reigning league, Munster and All-Ireland champions.

Limerick narrowly edged them out in the last year’s quarter-final in Thurles and went on to establish themselves as hurling’s top dogs. With Hogan finally looking to be free of his injury woes and Walter Walsh returning to form, it’s still unclear if Kilkenny have the smarts to take down the all-conquering Treaty.  

Who’ll be the happier manager leaving Jones’ Road this evening?

Cody undoubtedly, though he’s not the type that will be contented with a place in the All-Ireland semi-final.

Sheedy heads back home knowing Tipperary have got plenty of room for improvement – not the worst place to be going into a last-four clash. 

Perspective is important. The Premier are still just 70 minutes away from marching behind the band on All-Ireland final day.

They’re both still in the hunt for the big prize. Onto the next one.

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EirGrid Ulster U20 Championship Final

Tyrone 4-13 Derry 1-10

DARRAGH CANAVAN STARRED for Tyrone as they defeated the reigning champions Derry to win the EirGrid Ulster U20 football championship.

Canavan finished with a tally of 0-2 and contributed hugely from general play as Tyrone ran out 4-13 to 1-10 victors at the Athletic Grounds.

It was Derry who made the better start with Tiarnan McHugh scoring a goal on 14 minutes to help them into a four-point lead in the first half.

Points from Canavan and Tiarnan Quinn brought Tyrone back into the contest before James Garrity converted a penalty to give them a three-point lead in the 25th minute.

Ulster U20 Champions 🏆 pic.twitter.com/VESZ8VKvUu

— Tyrone GAA (@TyroneGAALive) July 14, 2019

Tyrone found the net again in stoppage time through Sean Óg McAleer to leave them leading 2-9 to 1-5 at the break.

Joe Oguz pushed Tyrone further ahead with their third goal straight after the restart before Conor Quinn netted to to put them out of sight and well on the way to a comfortable win.

Electric Ireland Ulster MFC Final

Monaghan 1-13 Tyrone 1-11

Meanwhile, were crowned back-to-back Electric Ireland Ulster MFC winners after a two-point win over Tyrone at the Athletic Grounds.

The sides played out a tough battle for most of the game, but a Michael Hamill goal in the second half proved to be the crucial score for defending champions Monaghan.

Ulster Minor Champions 2019!!! pic.twitter.com/wvhDWVJHUu

— Monaghan GAA (@monaghangaa) July 14, 2019

Tyrone got off to a dream start in the second half after Michael McGleenan found the net from the throw-in, while Sean O’Donnell and Luke Donnelly were also on target to put them three points ahead.

Hamill’s 43rd minute goal edged Monaghan into a one-point lead and the holders managed to hold on as the sides traded scores for the remainder of the second half.

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AFTER THE FINAL whistle, Laois captain Paddy Purcell gathered his team-mates and lead them on a lap around Croke Park.

It was a gesture of appreciation for the blue and white hordes that had got behind the county’s hurling side over the course of a memorable week that yielded a famous win over Dublin and a battling display in this defeat to Tipperary.

Despite the loss manager Eddie Brennan hopes this can be the catalyst for further strides made by Laois hurling, while also recognising the areas where they need to improve.

“I’ve certainly never seen a team get a standing ovation like that before,” outlined Brennan.

“It’s fair play to them, they’re acknowledging the supporters. I know we don’t often see that in the GAA but it was good for the lads to acknowledge it. There’s a good bond there now and one is supporting the other and the other is performing to do what they do and represent Laois very well and that’s great.

“The guys inside there in the blue and white jerseys of Laois, that should make them chomp at the bit to come back in October, November, whenever it is you’re back. This is where the big learning is, these are the days that are the cruellest but you learn the most from.

“Individually and collectively they have to go away and reflect on that and say right where can we be in 12 months time. You’d have to say next May you’d be looking forward to a Leinster campaign where no one in that group is going to take us for granted. We have to take confidence from that but also realise there’s more work to be done.

“There’s more gains out there to be got. That’s the big thing. There’s a lot of young guys in that dressing room and today is a very steep learning curve. You just have to say what can we take from that?

“I think what was obvious there today was probably we’re coming from a lower base as regards our strength and conditioning and that. When you’re getting two or three years of good conditioning under you, that’s where you benefit. That’s so important coming down the straight.

“That’s not a criticism, that’s education, that’s learning and we have to take cognisance of that going forward and learn from that.”

The Kilkenny great praised his Laois players for battling on despite the concession of a pair of early goals and the second-half red card shown to Aaron Dunphy.

“I wouldn’t be any way critical of the players but that was a very steep learning curve for them. When you play quality in a place like Croke Park, all those little mistakes that you might have got away with at Joe McDonagh level, they are punished very hard.

“But I am thrilled with the players. They could have been forgiven for caving in there, and coming up to half-time, it looked like we were going to be in for a bit of a clipping. But they stayed at it, that is what they have done all year and what we asked them as a management team to do, to see a job right out to the end, no matter what is happening.

“And to a man today, they did when their arms and their legs were screaming out at them, that there was nothing left. I am absolutely thrilled with them, very proud of them. They represented their county with pride there against quality opposition.”

Brennan admitted the dismissal of Dunphy was a setback too far for Laois to cope with.

“I have seen it inside, and yeah there was a bit of contact with the hurl. I have been on the receiving end of those loads of times and I have never seen a lad getting sent off, but it is not going to be a case of saying that was the reason.

“It certainly made our task really, really difficult. And at that stage, you are even going, you could be in for a long evening. In fairness to the lads, they stuck at it.

“It probably did have an impact on us, it took the pressure off Tipp and we had been putting them under pressure at times. But they are a quality outfit, they did what they had to do and to be fair to them, they did not take us for granted in any way, shape or form and they stuck at it.”

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THE PRIZE FOR Kilkenny following yesterday’s stirring defeat of Cork is a last four meeting with reigning National League, Munster and All-Ireland champions Limerick.

“From the frying pan into the fire!” quipped Cats boss Brian Cody after he watched his side dismantle the Rebels in an impressive second-half showing. 

“We’re in an All-Ireland semi-final and we’re very, very happy to be there but we’re acutely aware we’re playing the best team in the country,” he continued.

“They were the best team in the country last year because they won the All-Ireland final but more so now because they followed it up by winning the league and their form the last day was exceptional.

“They’re everybody’s strong favourites to come out on top, not just the next day but with eventual honours. It’s a terrific challenge for us.”

No doubt it’s a task Cody will relish. If the 65-year-old were to lead Kilkenny to a 12th All-Ireland under his stewardship next month, it would surely go down as his finest achievement.

Colin Fennelly bats in a goal during the first-half.

Source: Gary Carr/INPHO

A 10-point haul of frees from TJ Reid, 1-2 from Richie Hogan, 1-1 from Colin Fennelly and three points from the stick of Walter Walsh were critical as Kilkenny sealed a return to the All-Ireland semi-final for the first time since 2016.

“The game was all about winning at the end of the day and get to the All-Ireland semi-final. I said it the last day here having lost the Leinster final that we’re still really in the same position.

“We couldn’t get the trophy that was going the last day but before the last day’s match we had to win one game to get to the All-Ireland semi-final. Before today, we had to win one game to get to the All-Ireland semi-final. We’ve done that and now we’re in the All-Ireland semi-final and it’s a nice place to be.

“In Croke Park it’s not communication from the sideline or anything like that. it’s players taking on responsibility and doing whatever it takes as they see things unfolding. Their willingness to keep going and keep going. They were the things that essentially swayed it for us today.

“They’re very, very good hurlers for a start but also ferociously intent on improving. They’re top-class fellas and they love hurling. That’s key to the whole thing and they work so hard at their game.”

Hogan’s return to the starting line-up proved a masterstroke by Cody. Still just 30, the four-time All-Star has been badly hampered with a back problem in recent years but he looked back to his best for the 50 minutes he played on Sunday.

“It’s huge what Richie Hogan contributed to the game and a huge ask for him to do it for 70 minutes. Would he do it? Of course, he would but it’s a question of utilising the panel and bringing on fresh legs.”

Richie Hogan celebrates after scoring a goal.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

Patrick Horgan shot an incredible 3-10 for the Rebels and Alan Cadogan clipped over four points, but the rest of Cork’s much-vaunted attacking unit were kept under wraps by the Kilkenny defence.

“They’re a top class full-forward line, a top class forward line, a top class team obviously. They’re very, very difficult to counteract and all the rest of it. I suppose, like all good teams, it starts at the other end of the field because it’s a whole team thing, a whole 15 thing.

“Without the application of everybody throughout the field it would have been very, very difficult. What I will say that some of our players did have a tough enough time early on in particular but showed real character and real resolve and real honesty and real genuineness not to just drop the head and just to keep going until the very, very end. T

“They’re serious, serious players, obviously we know that. But again, the application of our players right throughout the field and again the team, and obviously the panel and the players coming in off the bench, it’s just a whole heroic effort from everybody.

“They are a top team, there’s no doubt about that. It’s so so difficult to counteract them because when they get going they just flow so very, very well.

“But regardless you have to adapt to whatever is put in front of you and that’s the team that was in front of us today and had to take on the challenge and the players took on the challenge and we got our reward.

“Our reward is that we’re still in the championship and we’ve a huge challenge ahead of us but that’s the way sport should be.” 

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JOHN MEYLER SAID he’ll take some time to consider his future in the wake of Cork’s All-Ireland quarter-final exit yesterday.

Patrick Horgan’s tally of 3-10 couldn’t prevent the Rebels from falling to a disappointing six-point loss to Kilkenny in Croke Park.

When asked about his plans after the conclusion of his second season in charge, Meyler responded: “We’ll go home and we’ll sit down. It’s tough, it’s hard, it’s disappointing. But, you know…”

Cork led by 2-10 to 1-11 at the interval but were blitzed in the third quarter by the tigerish Cats.

“I’m disappointed,” Meyler continued. “I thought we got a great start. We really drove into it and we were running through Kilkenny early on.

“It was tit for tat really in the first half but then we went at half-time two points up and just steadied the ship, come back out but it was the goal that Richie (Hogan) got just after half-time just killed it, really. 

“They outscored us for about 10 or 15 minutes – it was 1-8 to 0-1 or something like that. 

“We just couldn’t get the ball past midfield, passed their half-back line and the substitutions Tim O’Mahony started putting quicker ball into the full-forward line and we got back into it with Cads and Hoggy (Horgan) and it’s just disappointing.”

Meyler took charge of Cork ahead of the 2018 season on a two-year term, guiding them to the Munster title in his first season.

Ultimately, his reign has been defined by their All-Ireland semi-final defeat last year and yesterday’s quarter-final loss to the Cats. It was their sixth consecutive defeat in Croke Park with this year’s exit following defeats to Limerick (2018) and Waterford (2017).

“Look, it’s just (about) getting up there and winning, that’s the bloody most important thing. That’s three years in a row – semi-final, semi-final, quarter-final.

“It’s not a jinx or a hoodoo or anything like that. It’s just getting up here and winning a tight match and that’s critical. Cork hurling will be back next, I have no doubt about that.”

John Meyler watched his team lost in Croke Park once again.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

While Horgan and Alan Cadogan chipped in with 3-14 of Cork’s 3-18 total, the rest of their forwards struggled to have an impact.

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The withdrawals of attackers Conor Lehane, Daniel Kearney and Luke Meade was symptomatic of Cork’s problems and their bench failed to have anything like the sort of effect that Kilkenny’s did.

“I think we need to go again,” said Meyler. “We need to dig deeper again. We have the U20s in the Munster final, we have a lot of young fellas out there: (Shane) Kingston, Robbie O’Flynn, Tim O’Mahony, Niall O’Leary, Sean O’Donoghue, they’re all young.

“So from that point of view the future is bright, (Mark) Coleman, Fitzy (Darragh Fitzgibbon).”

Horgan’s man-of-the-match performance may well go down as one of the all-time great performances by a losing player in the Drumcondra venue. His hat-trick almost single-handily dragged Cork over the line but his wait for an All-Ireland medal goes on.

“Look, he’s one of the best hurlers at the moment for the last 10 years, an incredible hurler, an incredible stick person. It’s just disappointing.

“I’m really disappointed for Hoggy but we need fellas around him and that’s it.”

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