Month: September 2021

THE GALWAY LADIES Footballers have announced an exciting panel ahead of their attack at Division 1 of the Lidl Ladies National Football League.

Dora Gorman and Mairead Coyne are both included.

New manager Tim Rabbitt has named a 34-strong panel as the 2018 Connacht champions, and league and All-Ireland semi-finalists look to go further this season.

A few big names have crossed codes and thrown their lot in with the Tribeswomen — the only side to beat back-to-back All-Ireland champions Dublin last time out — this year.

Former Ireland soccer international Dora Gorman has come back into the squad. The Barna native was last involved in 2016 but took some time out to pursue her medical career. 

25-year-old Gorman is now a fully-qualified doctor and has a colourful sporting history between soccer, hockey and Gaelic football.

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Another former international and soccer star, Méabh De Búrca, is also in the squad. The 30-year-old has 49 Ireland caps to her name, and currently plies her trade with Galway Women’s Football Club (WFC).

Tracey Leonard will captain the side again.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

There’s a third international on board for 2019, a rugby star by the name of Mairead Coyne.

Coyne was one of 11 Irish hopefuls who headed to Melbourne on an AFLW trial last September and while Adam Griggs’ Ireland prepare for Six Nations action, Coyne will be focusing on Gaelic games for 2019.

Star forward Tracey Leonard will captain the team again while Kilkerrin-Clonberne’s Louise Ward steps up as vice captain. She’s one of six players from the Galway and Connacht club champions included.

Veteran defender Emer Flaherty has called time on her inter-county career while fellow long-time soldier and 2018 All-Star Sinead Burke has been included in the squad, but is taking a break until March.

Siobhán Divilly has also taken the year out while Catriona Cormican, Galway’s talented dual star, is concentrating on camoige at present.

The Tribes face 2018 All-Ireland finalists Cork in their league opener on Saturday.

2018 Connacht champions Galway.

Source: Sportsfile.

Galway squad for 2019 league

• Aine Mc Donagh (Moycullen)
• Aoife Thompson (Mountbellew)
• Amy Coen (Corofin)
• Barbara Hannon (Dunmore)
• Bronagh Murphy (St Mary’s)
• Charlotte Cooney (Claregalway)
• Ciara Mc Carthy (Annaghdown)
• Dora Gorman (No club provided)
• Dearbhla Gower (Corofin)
• Emile Gavin (Claregalway)
• Fabienne Cooney (Claregalway)
• Leanne Coen (Corofin)
• Lynsey Noone (Kilkerrin-Clonberne)
• Lucy Hannon. (Dunmore)
• Linda Booth (St Brendan’s)
• Lisa Murphy (Kilkerrin-Clonberne)
• Lisa Gannon (Kilkerrin-Clonberne)
• Louise Ward (Kilkerrin-Clonberne)
• Mairead Coyne (Grainne Mhaoile)
• Megan Glynn (Claregalway)
• Mairead Seoighe (Clonbur)
• Méabh De Búrca (St Michael’s)
• Niamh Daly (St Gabriel’s)
• Nicola Ward (Kilkerrin-Clonberne)
• Noelle Connolly (Glenamaddy)
• Olivia Divilly (Kilkerrin-Clonberne)
• Riona Ni Flatharta (Leitir Mor)
• Roisin Leonard (Corofin)
• Roisin Ni chonghaile (Moycullen)
• Sarah Conneally (Dunmore)
• Sarah Ni Lionsigh (Leitir Mor)
• Shauna Molloy (St Furey’s)
• Sinead Burke (Ballyboden, Dublin)
• Tracey Leonard (Corofin)

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KERRY WILL BE without key defender Killian Young for the upcoming rounds of the Allianz Football Leagues, as he’s been sidelined with an ankle injury.

Peter Keane was forced to look elsewhere ahead of the Kingdom’s opening win over 2018 All-Ireland finalists Tyrone in Killarney yesterday, after four-time All-Ireland champion Young announced the news on Twitter on Saturday.

“Starting another rehab program once again,” the 32-year-old wrote.

“After completing a tough pre-season, I unfortunately damaged my ankle ligaments in a recent training session. Despite the bad timing, I still have a strong & positive mindset.

“Nothing for it, just to go again,” he concluded, before wishing Kerry the best of luck against Mickey Harte’s Red Hand men. 

Starting another rehab program once again. After completing a tough pre season, I unfortunately damaged my ankle ligaments in a recent training session. Despite the bad timing, I still have a strong &positive mindset. Nothing for it, just to go again. Best of luck to Kerry tomor!

— Killian Young (@killianyoung) January 26, 2019

Young is entering his 13th season of inter-county football and it’s been no easy ride for the Renard clubman. In a 2013 training session, he broke his leg and dislocated his ankle and was left doubting his future in the green and gold jersey.

After a spate of recent retirements, he’s one of the most experienced players in the set-up as two-time All-Ireland minor winning manager Keane looks to drive on with the youth of the Kingdom.

Young watched on as his side beat Tyrone by four points yesterday and began life under Keane on the right foot. Alongside Young was star forward David Clifford, who is set to miss the first half of the league campaign. 

Best seats in the house! Prawn sandwich brigade 😜 @kerrygaa_official @fitzgeraldstad 💚💛 pic.twitter.com/0tpKVOWOxl

Click Here: Warriors Rugby Jersey— Darran O'Sullivan (@Darransull86) January 27, 2019

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ST VINCENTS’ KEITH Ricken is in line to become the new Cork U20 football manager after being recommended for the position on Monday by the Executive of Cork County Board.

The Cork Institute of Technology Sigerson Cup manager has been put forward to take over for the remainder of 2019.

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Ricken is currently a GAA development officer at Cork IT, with his side exiting the Sigerson Cup in the second round last Wednesday night at the hands of Carlow IT.

He was previously a Cork minor selector, as well as managing St Vincent’s when they succeeded in winning Cork’s Premier Intermediate Football Championship in 2012 against St. Michael’s at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

The appointment of Keith Ricken (St. Vincent's) as Cork U20 football manager for the remainder of the 2019 season has been recommended tonight by the Executive, subject to full County Board approval at the meeting of January 29th. Selectors will be finalised in due course #GAA

— Cork GAA (@OfficialCorkGAA) January 28, 2019

Cork County Chairperson Tracey Kennedy said Ricken’s experience made him an ideal candidate to take over as U20 boss for the Rebel County.

“I would like to thank Keith for accepting this role, and to wish him all the very best for the season ahead,” she said.

“His vast experience through many years of work in GAA at CIT particularly equip him for this role, and I have no doubt he will embrace the challenge with enthusiasm.”

A statement released on Monday said Ricken’s appointment was subject to full approval tomorrow.

Join us to preview the Six Nations with Simon Zebo, Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey on Thursday @7pm in Liberty Hall Theatre Dublin.

MICHAEL RYAN IS back in management after being appointed as boss of Limerick champions Na Piarsaigh last night.

Ryan led Tipperary to All-Ireland glory in 2016 and stepped down as manager of his native county last August. 

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The Limerick Leader reports that the Drombane-Upperchurch native will take charge of the 2016 All-Ireland club champions, who were defeated by Ballygunner in the Munster final last November.

Ryan’s backroom team will include ex-Galway hurler Nigel Shaughnessy and Na Piarsaigh clubman PJ Breen.

He replaces Paul Beary, who led Na Piaraigh to the county title in his sole season in charge.

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Updated Jan 29th 2019, 3:23 PM

THE WESTMEATH FOOTBALLERS have been boosted by the return of key defender Kevin Maguire, while forward Kieran Martin has been appointed as captain for the coming season.

Westmeath GAA confirmed Maguire’s return to The42 after he stepped away from the panel last year to go travelling. 

The Caulry clubman has been an important part of Westmeath’s defence over the past few seasons and will be a welcomed addition to Jack Cooney’s squad for the 2019 season.

Newly appointed captain Martin is in a rich vein of form, having kicked a stoppage-time winner in the 0-13 to 0-12 Division 3 victory over Offaly last Sunday. He was also on the scoresheet in the recent O’Byrne Cup final win against Dublin.

The Maryland star is a talented forward and bagged 2-3 in Westmeath’s first ever Leinster SFC victory over Meath in the Leinster semi-final four years ago.

He’s been an ever-present in the county side since making his championship debut as a 19-year-old in 2010 against Wicklow.

He replaces John Heslin as skipper for the 2019 season. Marquee forward Heslin is expected to rejoin the Lake County squad at some point before the start of the championship.

Additional reporting by Sinéad Farrell

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PRESIDENT JOHN HORAN has again defended the GAA’s decision to increase ticket prices while addressing Seanad Éireann at the House of the Oireachtas this afternoon.

The GAA raised the cost of tickets for the league games in the top two divisions of both hurling and football, in addition to the price of All-Ireland final tickets in the two codes.

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But Dublin native Horan said the attendances marginally increased for the opening round league games in comparison with 2018, with a rise of around 1,000 extra spectators this year.

He also noted that Central Council voted unanimously to raise the price of tickets.

“Just on a point of information, last Thursday just before the start of our national leagues, we had sold over 3,000 more season tickets than we had the previous year, in the height of the criticism for our price increases,” Horan said.

“The attendances at our national league games last Sunday marginally increased to 87,000 from the 86,000 that was there before. So people may want to criticise us but the decision that was made at Central Council – and I’m going to answer the question about the vote – it was unanimous. 

“Because we made the case to the people: we were raising the prices to do something with the money for our membership and the community that exists within this country and we will not apologise for doing good work on the ground.”

He also referenced the negative reaction to the hike in ticket prices.

“The only heartening feature that I got last week was how relevant we are as an organisation. Every TV, radio programme and newspaper drove on about the fact the GAA increased the price of its tickets.

“So in relative terms, the actual attention we got, I looked on it the glass was half full, rather than half empty,” he added.

Source: Oireachtas TV

Horan, who became the first GAA president to address Seanad Eireann, reiterated that the extra revenue will be distributed among GAA clubs, both at home and abroad, in addition to the redevelopment of county grounds and to county boards themselves.

“When we came to the decision to raise our price of tickets, we did that putting in place a programme of where we were actually going to spend that increased revenue. 

“We have decided as an Association to increase our grants to clubs throughout this country from €2 million to €4 million in the space of four years. That has to be done by getting funds.

“That grant to those clubs will increase employment in those local areas, because that will go into infrastructure projects in those areas and that’s where we’re putting €0.5 million of the increased revenue we’re getting.

“You’ve also alluded to it here today about the importance of the GAA to our diaspora. Anyone who visited international cities where there are GAA clubs, the importance of those clubs to young Irish people going overseas, looking for employment and contacts because they’re suddenly away from home for the first time, looking for an outlet socially. 

“The GAA units in that part of the world have to be funded to operate and €200,000 of our increased revenue is actually going to those international units because they don’t have big sponsors, big gate receipts and we have to help them from at home here.

“Another area we’re putting it in is to improve the facilities we provide for our supporters in county grounds. Newbridge needs a new stand, it’s on our agenda to deliver it. Navan needs a new stand, it’s on our agenda to deliver it. We have Waterford on our agenda as well. 

GAA President John Horan.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

“That work cannot be done unless we get a revenue stream and that’s what we did that for. We’re also giving the rest of the money back to the actual county boards.”

The format of the session, where over 15 senators took turns to speak over a two hour period before Horan gave his closing speech, made it impossible for the GAA leader to respond to every issue raised.

But Horan did not address a question about the misleading nature of the GAA press release that stated it was the “first major review of championship ticket prices since 2011″, when in fact there had been a series of price increases in recent years.

Horan also told the Seanad that a motion to add the CEOs of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association and the Camogie Association to the GAA’s Management Committee will go before Congress next month.

“This is another symbol of the close ties that already exist and that I look forward to seeing them strengthen in the months and years ahead,” he said.

“With closer ties and collaboration I would dearly love to see that slipstream of recruitment widened to include more women meaning enhanced representation of women on our committees and organizing bodies across the wide range of portfolios that need to be filled to power the organisation.

“I hope the next GAA President afforded the privilege extended to me today will be able to describe real and meaningful change in this area in the years and perhaps that ‘he’ will be a ‘she’?”

Join us to preview the Six Nations with Simon Zebo, Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey on Thursday @7pm in Liberty Hall Theatre Dublin.

Mary Immaculate College 1-22
Maynooth University 0-12

Páraic McMahon reports from Mary Immaculate College

AS EXPECTED, TWO-time Fitzgibbon Cup champions, Mary Immaculate proved too strong for Maynooth and recorded a 13-point victory at home this afternoon.

Although the weather changed from rain to snow at various stages, the Jamie Wall managed side always remained the dominant team throughout.

Following on from their first round win over DIT, the Limerick college exerted their authority inside the opening quarter as they held a 1-09 to 0-4 advantage.

Clare duo Colin Guilfoyle and Gary Cooney collaborated for some excellent scores and linked up well on the second minute with Newmarket-on-Fergus native Guilfoyle firing home the only goal of the game.

Aaron Gillane continued his accurate form on placed balls to keep their account ticking during the opening half while Colin O’Brien, Mícheál O’Loughlin and Luke Meade also chipped in with some points.

At the other end, Tipperary’s Conor Stakelum ensured Maynooth were only ten points adrift at half-time.

While Mary I certainly took their foot off the pedal in the second half, they still outscored their Kildare counterparts by nine to six and thus recorded a deserved win.

Cathal Fenton’s Maynooth will be disappointed with the result but collectively they did not possess the strength of their opponents. Luke Walsh and Jack Fallon put in solid displays, they will need this and more to cause an upset against DIT in a winner takes all clash on Thursday.

At the outset of the campaign, Mary I’s goal was to qualify for the knockout stages, this box has been ticked and their next outing will be on 6-7 February. A semi-final place is well within their reach but a longer-lasting effort and better discipline will be required to make the last four.

Thomas Monaghan’s workrate which included half a dozen hooks set the tempo for the victors whose attacking prowess of Guilfoyle, Gillane, Cooney and O’Loughlin will test any defence while Lismore’s David Prendergast is a reliable anchor in front of solid shot-stopper Eoghan Cahill.

Scorers for Mary Immaculate: Colin Guilfoyle 1-3, Aaron Gillane 0-6 (0-6f), Colin O’Brien 0-4 (0-3f, 0-1’65), Mícheál O’Loughlin 0-3, Thomas Monaghan, Eoghan Cahill (0-2f) 0-2 each, Gary Cooney, Luke Meade 0-1 each.

Scorers for NUI Maynooth: Jack Fallon 0-6 (0-3f), Conor Stakelum 0-3 (0-3f), David Connolly 0-2, Ronan Smith 0-1.

Mary Immaculate College

1. Eoghan Cahill (Birr, Offaly)

19. Brian Buckley (Dromina, Cork)
3. David Prendergast (Lismore, Waterford)
2. Eoghan Ryan (Tipperary)

5. Craig Morgan (Kilruane McDonaghs, Tipperary)
6. Darren Browne (Kanturk, Cork)
30. Alan Walsh (Wexford)

15. Phillip Hickey (Nenagh Éire Óg, Tipperary)
9. Luke Meade (Newcestown, Cork)

12. Colin Guilfoyle (Newmarket-on-Fergus, Clare)
10. Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell, Limerick)
27. Colin O’Brien (Liscarroll, Cork)

13. Gary Cooney (O’Callaghan Mills, Clare)
11. Thomas Monaghan (Craughwell, Galway)
28. Mícheál O’Loughlin (Clonlara, Clare)

Subs

20. Sean Burke (Grenagh, Cork) for O’Loughlin (52)
22. Stephen Farrell (Kilkenny) for Hickey (55)
24. Sean Hogan (Limerick) for Walsh (59)

Maynooth University

1. Mark Doyle (Kildare)

2. Emmet Moloney (Tipperary)
3. Daniel Comerford (Laois)
4. Cormac Byrne (Wexford)

12. Jack Travers (Kildare)
5. Jack Cullen (Wexford)
6. Cathal Moloney (Tipperary)

7. David Connolly (Laois)
8. Ronan Smith (Dublin)

9. Luke Walsh (Dublin)
10. Andrew Gaffney (Kilkenny)
11. Conor Stakelum (Tipperary)

15. Conor Heary (Kilkenny)
13. Sean Buggy (Kilkenny)
18. Jack Fallon (Tipperary)

Subs

17. Fiach Ó Crualaoich (Wexford) for Travers (inj) (15)
19. Alan Hosey (Carlow) for Walsh (60)

Referee: Johnny Ryan (Tipperary)

Join us to preview the Six Nations with Simon Zebo, Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey on Thursday @7pm in Liberty Hall Theatre Dublin.

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RETIRED KERRY STAR Darran O’Sullivan says All-Ireland finalists Tyrone lacked “a bit of balls” in their defeat to the Kingdom last weekend.

Kerry opened their Allianz football league campaign with a four-point win over their Ulster rivals on Sunday to give manager Peter Keane a winning start to his time in charge.

O’Sullivan believed that the poor weather conditions in Killarney would suit Tyrone’s defensive style of play, but was disappointed with their performance which produced just two points from play throughout the tie.

He also criticised their decision-making on the ball and suggested that there was fear in their play.

“I don’t reckon they’ll be that bad again,” said O’Sullivan, who is a GAA Ambassador with Paddy Power News.

“It just didn’t happen for a couple of their bigger players. Fellas were afraid to take a chance and kick ball at times.

They’d get to a point where you’d need some creativity, or a bit of balls, and really to go for the kick. But too many of them were happier to hand-pass the ball because it was a safer option.

“Tyrone had the wind in the first half and their reluctance to kick the ball was frightening. On the occasions they did do it, their basic skills were poor and they had an inability to pull it off.

“I got up to a high vantage point to watch the game, a perfect view, and the movement in the Tyrone full-forward line was awful.

The 2009 All-Ireland winning captain added:

“Kerry’s defence was unbelievably well organised on Sunday. They were fit, strong and tenacious in the tackle, a really good unit. And there was someone always there to snuff out the danger. At no stage did I feel that Tyrone would open them up.”

Donie Smith tries to wrestle the ball from Mayo’s Keith Higgins.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

Elsewhere in Division 1, Roscommon’s Donie Smith could be facing retrospective punishment for an apparent eye-gouging on Mayo’s Keith Higgins during the clash of the Connacht sides on Saturday.

O’Sullivan indicated that he was a victim of a similar incident during his career and insisted that the GAA must take a stronger stance to eliminate it from the game.

“Stuff like eye-gouging and fingers into the mouth must be stamped out. It looks awful and the GAA are going to have to be strong on it.

“I’m sure he’s probably regretting it now, but I reckon he’s in trouble. You don’t want to see anyone suspended and missing game time, but when you make an error of judgement like that you have to pay the price.

“There has to be consequences, otherwise what’s to stop someone else doing it.”

Join us to preview the Six Nations with Simon Zebo, Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey on Thursday @7pm in Liberty Hall Theatre Dublin.

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GAA DIRECTOR-GENERAL Tom Ryan has revealed he is ‘still very uncomfortable’ with the process which saw the association finding a way around their own rules last summer to stage the Liam Miller Tribute match in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Controversy erupted last July when it was initially ruled that a charity game between a Celtic-Ireland Legends team and a Manchester United Legends side could not be played at the Cork GAA headquarters.

The decision was subsequently altered with an announcement made on Saturday 28 July that the game would be held in Páirc Uí Chaoimh and it took place in late September with a huge crowd present.

In reference to another major stadium row last summer – the staging of the qualifier between Kildare and Mayo at St Conleth’s Park – Ryan described the Newbridge furore as ‘a GAA plan which was within our gift to fix and always felt capable of resolution’ but believes the Páirc Uí Chaoimh controversy was ‘quite different’.

Writing in his annual report which was launched this morning, he was keen to first point out the charitable nature of the event and the importance that the Miller family benefitted from the event.

Later at today’s press launch, Ryan spoke about his pleasure at how successful the game was and that it did take place.

“I should preface my remarks with a reminder that the purpose of the game was charitable; all involved were doing things for the best of reasons and the main thing is that the Miller family benefitted from the event Everything else is secondary and any reservations I have about the episode should be seen in that light.”

Ryan outlined how he had an issue with ‘the blatant disregard’ shown to the governance of the GAA. 

“My problem with how events unfolded concerns not the playing of any particular match (or sport) in any GAA venue, but the blatant disregard that shown for the Association’s governance.

“Much of the clamour that arose amounted to demands for us to just ignore our own standards and indeed our decision markers. To ignore the rule or find a loophole and host the game.

“As a governing body charged with trying to uphold standards we should not be in the business of finding ways around our own rules. I personally should certainly not be. Nonetheless as the days progressed it became evident that to not ‘find a way’ would only do the Association more reputational damage, however unjustified. So that is what we did – we found a way around our own rules. That is something I am still very uncomfortable with.

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GAA President John Horan and Director-General Tom Ryan at today’s launch of the report.

“The mechanics involved identifying a legal route, establishing independently is validity, and convening at two days notice our voluntary Central Council from all around the country and overseas to a difficult meeting. I don’t think any of us were enthusiastic about the outcome we reached.

“The overwhelming sentiment being that we felt we had been bullied into a course of action that we might well have taken anyway if given the chance.”

Ryan argued that pressure on pitches is a problem facing the GAA and believes they ‘were badly served’ by comments made at the time.

“Yes, the GAA has a rule restricting use of our pitches for other sports but that is a necessity borne not out of prejudice but practicality. The single biggest resource constraint we face all over the country is pitches. We don’t have enough capacity to cater for our own needs, (including camogie and ladies football) let alone other sports.”

“In hindsight we might have handled matters differently but I do believe that the GAA was very badly served by much of the comment at the time. It consumed so much time and energy, and yet was not an issue of our making. Frustratingly I still don’t quite know how things got to where they did.

“I know that the Liam Miller organising committee were certainly not making things difficult for us. Quite the opposite in fact. Events just seemed to take on a momentum of their own, with ever more influential people expressing ever more unhelpful and unsolicited views.

“There was an inference at the time that the GAA should be under some moral, if not legal, compulsion to allow the use of our pitches for other sports because the association, or the specific pitch, had received public funding. This not factually correct and is not morally defensible.

“Any funding we receive is, and should continue to be, predicated solely on the intrinsic value of Gaelic Games. I am not aware of any other sporting organisation being assessed on the degree to which it promotes rival sports.

“And nor should they be.”

Ryan explained that the process undertaken involved conceding there was an ambiguity in the property rules and they intend to put forward a motion to ask GAA Congress to address ‘that perceived ambiguity’.

Join us to preview the Six Nations with Simon Zebo, Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey on Thursday @7pm in Liberty Hall Theatre Dublin.

A NEW SEVEN-part series on TG4 will tell the story of a GAA club from each province in Ireland during the 2018 season.

The cameras will follow An Ghaeltacht (Kerry), Na Piarsaigh (Galway), Na Dúnaibh (Donegal) and Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin), four clubs that face dramatically different challenges – on and off the field.

‘Ár gClub’ will give a unique insight into the families and communities of the clubs involved.

Source: TG4

It takes in the quest of Kerry legend Marc Ó Sé and his team-mates to win the All-Ireland intermediate football title with An Ghaeltacht and Anthony Daly’s Kilmacud Crokes bid to end Cuala’s dominance in Dublin.

Meanwhile, Na Piarsaigh continue their fight against emigration, while Na Dúnaibh prepare to host the prestigious Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta competition.

‘Ár gClub’ series begins on TG4 on Thursday 7 February at 8pm on TG4. 

Join us to preview the Six Nations with Simon Zebo, Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey on Thursday @7pm in Liberty Hall Theatre Dublin.

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