Month: September 2021

KIERAN DONAGHY HAS announced his retirement from inter-county football, drawing the curtain on an illustrious 14-year career with Kerry. 

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

The 35-year-old won four senior All-Ireland titles with the Kingdom and was named Footballer of the Year in 2006, while he picked up three All-Stars.

Donaghy confirmed his decision with a statement on the Kerry GAA website this morning, adding that his career “surpassed even my wildest dreams”.

A little poem for ye. Thanks for everything @Kerry_Official pic.twitter.com/WIxl985gkL

— Kieran Donaghy (@starryboy14) September 11, 2018

Former Kerry boss Eamonn Fitzmaurice, who played alongside and later managed Donaghy, described the Austin Stacks man as “a totemic figure for Kerry since he broke into the team in 2006 and has lead from the front since.”

Fitzmaurice said: “He book ended his career by re-energising an ailing group in 2006 and inspiring a new group in 2018.  

“He has the personality to go into management. He is the ultimate team player, has a strong appreciation of the team dynamic, possesses a great tactical understanding of the game and most importantly is brimming with ideas. I can definitely see him successfully managing Kerry teams in the future.”

Kerry county board chairman Tim Murphy also paid tribute to Donaghy, calling him “one of Kerry’s greatest servants.”

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

 Kieran Donaghy’s statement

“Today I wish to announce my retirement from the Kerry Senior Football team. The journey has been full of ups and downs but I never wanted it to end. It has surpassed even my wildest dreams, that a basketball kid from Tralee would end up playing 69 times in the championship over a 14 year period for the famous Green and Gold.

“To every one of my Kerry teammates who I was lucky enough to have played with, I thank you for your patience, help and advice during those years. I’m blessed to have had the time of my life with you boys fighting on my back trying to win games for Kerry. We had some tough times, such is life but the wonderful stories and memories we shared will stick with me forever.

“To get the opportunity to soldier with and against some of the greatest players of all time is something I will always treasure.

“During my career I have been lucky enough to work with some great Kerry managers and their respective management teams. They took a chance on me, believed in me in massive high-pressure situations. They gave me the confidence to develop my game which allowed me to perform on the biggest of occasions for Kerry .

“I would like to thank the Kerry County Board along with our sponsors Kerry Group, backroom staff and medical teams for their constant help and guidance throughout my career. Your unbelievable work is not seen by many but it’s massively appreciated by the team and by me.

“A huge thank you to the loyal Kerry fans who traveled far and wide to watch and support us. We love football in this county and while there is a pressure to perform we always embrace it. We need to get behind this young team we will have next year, so get the flags out and get to the games to support the boys.

“I would also like to thank all the supporters who live abroad but continue their love and support of Kerry.

“I would like to thank my club Austin Stacks, everything I achieved is a direct result of the help and guidance ye gave me from an early age. To represent this great club is always a massive privilege and our county championship win in 2014 gave me the ultimate honour the following season. To be captain of a county like Kerry is something I’m extremely proud to have accomplished.

“To my family, without you none of this would have been possible. Mom, I am forever grateful to you for believing in me and showing me how to be a good person first and foremost.

“To my wife Hilary, you’re all that I could ask for, thank you so much for always putting me first during my career , we have had so many wonderful experiences together throughout this journey and made life long friends along the way I can’t wait to start the next exciting chapter together with Lola-Rose & Indie.

“To the rest of my family, thank you for your support and always having my back.

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“I’m a proud Kerry man and to have represented this county meant absolutely everything to me. As the great John B Keane once said, ‘I’m one lucky hoor!’”

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CIARÁN DEELY WILL remain in charge of the London footballers for a fourth season after he was ratified by the executive and clubs of London GAA on Monday night.

“A new cycle begins of developing young London born players and integrating some top players from Ireland. Loads of work to do- can’t wait,” Deely wrote on Twitter.

London enjoyed a progressive season under Deely in 2018, finishing fifth in the Division 4 league table while also battling well against Sligo in the Connacht quarter-final before falling to a 10-point defeat.

They subsequently bowed out of the championship on the back of a defeat to Louth in the qualifiers. It was the Wee County’s first victory since 3 January.

Delighted to be ratified last night by the Executive &Clubs of @LONDAINGAA to continue for a 4th season as Manager of this great group of lads. New cycle begins of developing young London born players & integrating some top players from Ireland. Loads of work to do- can't wait!👍 pic.twitter.com/1IOoCaWy06

Click Here: Cheap Chiefs Rugby Jersey 2019— Ciaran Deely (@CiDeely) September 11, 2018

Following that defeat, Deely said that his side need more games if they are to develop and compete with the rest of the inter-county teams.

“We’ve had two championship games and six league games. For us to develop we need lots and lots of high-quality games which we are just not getting,” he said.

“I’ve been involved with the team now for four seasons, three as manager. Unfortunately, we haven’t got a championship win. As manager I carry that on my back but it’s very difficult for us to compete and to get better when we don’t have enough matches.”

Deely was first appointed as London manager in 2015 after previously serving as a selector and trainer with the team.

He was the Wexford captain when the Model County reached the 2008 All-Ireland semi-final and has also worked as a fitness coach with QPR and Indian Super League side Kerala Blasters.

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TRIBUTES ARE POURING in for Kieran Donaghy who announced his retirement from inter-county duty earlier today.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

The four-time All-Ireland winner was a popular figure on and off the field throughout his Kerry career.

His decision to step away brings an incredible career to a close. Several former team-mates and pundits have been among those to pay tribute to Donaghy since the news broke.

Ronan O’Gara

Well done @starryboy14 . Easy to enjoy the afterlife after everything you have given. Legend . Fair play.

— Ronan O Gara (@RonanOGara10) September 11, 2018

Marc Ó Sé

The best teammate I ever had bar none. The ultimate team player. Never gave up. Was never beaten. And he was some craic in the dressing room as well. Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís ! pic.twitter.com/um0dUgVZcc

— Marc Ó Sé (@osemarc2) September 11, 2018

Aidan O’Mahony

He wasn’t called the ‘ Star ‘ for no reason, epitomised everything about being a kerry legend on & off the field, safe to say we got to know each other very well inside the white lines in training for years 🤔all for the kerry cause,only one ⭐️.Friend for life 💚💛@starryboy14 pic.twitter.com/oZPNeDERFI

— Aidan O Mahony (@GmailMahony) September 11, 2018

Killian Young

@starryboy14 is without doubt a Kerry icon. Congratulations on a fantastic career and It was an absolute honor to share the Kerry Jersey with you. The very best of luck in your next chapter. #TheStar
Ps. I won’t miss him pulling my jersey though! pic.twitter.com/f6A3hF6CpB

— Killian Young (@killianyoung) September 11, 2018

Darran O’Sullivan

What a journey it’s been with this guy! The big man with the most infectious personality. Lucky enough to play with some legends & he is one of them but he’s out on his own as the best teammate you could ever have. Thanks @starryboy14 💚💛 pic.twitter.com/v8nveqawz8

— Darran O'Sullivan (@Darransull86) September 11, 2018

I hope you don’t forget who gave you your first “inch perfect” diagonal ball big guy @starryboy14 😜😂 https://t.co/v2a3gGIqq1

— Darran O'Sullivan (@Darransull86) September 11, 2018

 Joe Brolly

" What do you think of that Joe Brolly was funny at the time. Fucking cut it out now." pic.twitter.com/D6J99F7RSr

— Joe Brolly (@JoeBrolly1993) September 11, 2018

The two bombers pic.twitter.com/ZtPPTcC3GL

— Joe Brolly (@JoeBrolly1993) September 11, 2018

Michael Duignan

Best wishes on your retirement Kieran & congrats on a great career.

— Michael Duignan (@DuignanMichael) September 11, 2018

 Des Cahill

#Kerry legend, Kieran Donaghy, has announced his retirement. One of my all time favourites! (He’s the one on the left..) pic.twitter.com/uErvIQBu27

— Des Cahill (@sportsdes) September 11, 2018

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KIERAN DONAGHY SAYS that he feels now is the right time to announce his inter-county retirement following a stellar 14-year career with Kerry.

The 35-year-old confirmed his departure from Kerry on Tuesday and finishes up with four senior All-Ireland titles as well as the Footballer of the Year award in 2006. He also picked up three All-Stars in that time.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport, he said his retirement has been coming over the past few years, but that he had ‘unfinished business’ with inter-county football after being dropped for the 2015 All-Ireland final. 

It's the start of a new chapter for the Star with the X-factor, reports @MartyM_RTE #RTEgaa pic.twitter.com/6jh7nFNYBN

Click Here: gold coast titans shirt— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) September 11, 2018

“I just feel it’s time, it’s been on the cards for a few years,” he said.

“I was going to go in 2013. I was going to go after we won the All-Ireland in 2014. We won the county championship with [Austin] Stacks and I got the honour of captaining Kerry. That was huge for me.

I came back with a bit of unfinished business in 2015. The fact that I was dropped for a final and it didn’t go well for us, I felt I wanted to go back and give it another big shot.”

He continued by thanking the departing Kerry boss Éamonn Fitzmaurice for allowing him to continue to play basketball as well as committing himself to the Kerry team.

“I ended up giving it three [years] but the last four years have probably been up there with the most enjoyable of my career. I was playing, I was fit and healthy. It was enjoyable and it felt like it was bonus territory for me.

“I was able to play my basketball. Huge credit goes to Éamonn and the team for allowing me to play basketball and get my fitness up in so many ways  and then to come back to the football and be accepted back into the family was unbelievable.”

Donaghy announced himself on the senior stage in 2006 with a superb performance against Longford in the qualifiers.

Kerry were struggling in the championship at the time and Donaghy ultimately turned their season around to inspire the Kingdom to All-Ireland success that year.

He subsequently earned the nickname ‘star’ and went on to play an integral role in Kerry’s All-Ireland triumph in 2014, scoring a decisive goal against Donegal in the decider at Croke Park.

Donaghy said he felt he was ‘going to battle’ on behalf of the Kerry people when he represented the green and gold and that he ‘played on the edge’ to make them proud of his performances. 

Kieran Donaghy celebrates scoring a goal in the 2014 All-Ireland SFC final.

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

“I’m a basketballer playing football,” he added. “It’s a role that I suppose not too many other fellas were doing [at the time].

“I was a basketball kid in Tralee who thought he was lucky enough to get a year as a minor so to go on and do that at senior level has been unbelievable. I can’t say how much really it means to me to be able to do that but I take huge pride in it as well.

“It meant everything. To represent the people of Kerry, to represent the county. I’m very aware of the history and the pressure that comes with that was something I loved and embraced. 

“It’s where we’re from, I’m a big family man. For people who know me, I’m a pretty normal guy.

When I’m on the field and I’ve put that jersey on, it was a crest of honour. I was going into battle for this group of people, for this county and that’s why I was kind of so on the edge as a player.

“I just felt I had to bring that to get the best performance out of myself. It was something I never thought I would have done and to do it the way I have, to do it my way as well [was great].

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JOHN MAUGHAN’S APPOINTMENT as Offaly’s new senior football manager was officially ratified this evening.

Maughan was recommended last month by the four-man committee tasked with spearheading the search, and that proposal was rubber-stamped at Tuesday’s county board meeting.

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The Crossmolina man previously managed his native Mayo to three All-Ireland finals (1996, 1997 and 2004) and also had stints in charge of the Fermanagh and Roscommon footballers.

But undoubtedly his finest moment in management came in 1992 when he led the Clare footballers to their historic Munster senior football title.

Most recently, he was in charge of Lahardane McHales who won both the Mayo and Connacht junior club titles in 2017 before losing to Multyfarnham of Westmeath in the All-Ireland semis.

— Updated 06.50, 12 September: An earlier version of this article incorrectly described Maughan as a ‘Claremorris man’; Maughan is from Crossmolina.

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DUBLIN MANAGER MICK Bohan is hoping that last Sunday’s A versus B training game will be the hour that gives his side the edge to claim back-to-back TG4 All-Ireland ladies senior football titles for the first time in the county’s history.

Bohan is yet to reveal his starting team for Sunday’s decider against Cork – the fourth meeting between the sides in the last five finals – but he thinks their most competitive session of the year has given them the edge.

“It was a very competitive game, probably the most competitive game we’ve had all year,” said Bohan.

“What the second team showed us on Sunday was that the level in the group has jumped from what it was before. The chasing pack has come much closer to the starting group. That was the challenge we set them at the start of the season so it was fantastic to see that last weekend.

“Ultimately for some people last Sunday was their All-Ireland final and they know that they’re not going to be part of the 30 (match-day squad). They are going out there and they are not going to play a part this weekend.

“We’ve always been like this right through the year that the person who’s put their hand up on form will get their opportunity and that was the idea of Sunday.”

Twelve months ago Bohan led Dublin to their second-ever All-Ireland title, with victory over Mayo in the final.

The build-up to the game dragged on for him, but as soon as he linked up with the squad he felt at home. Even those closest to him couldn’t fathom the torturous wait for the first whistle to be blown.

“The day of the game, you’re just wishing it to start. Even with family members, who understand to a degree, nobody fully gets the feeling compared to people in the group.

“It’s like that when you win and when you lose: that’s who you want to be with because they are the ones who’ve done the hard yards with you. Meeting up in DCU, getting to that stage is when it starts to kick in, that’s the great part.”

After watching Dublin men’s footballers win their fourth All-Ireland in a row recently, Bohan is focused on his own two-in-a-row quest but he’s loathe to look any further than Sunday with his side.

He is of the opinion that the ladies game is a far tighter competition than the men’s, and with five potential winners this year in his eyes, he’s happy to be back facing the final hurdle once again.

“I’d say the women’s game is way more even at the moment, I would certainly have picked out at the start of the year the four semi-finalists and you can throw Mayo into that as well. “Those five teams I would have said to you at the start of the year, any one of those or any two of those could be competing for an All-Ireland this year.

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“I’m not quite sure you could pick out five teams in the men’s at the moment that would be in the same boat so as regards looking beyond next Sunday is madness.

“To win any trophy nationally is a huge thing, to win two of them in the one year would be magnificent, it’s certainly something we haven’t done before.

“I found this year’s men’s final particularly pleasing because they’ve gone on to create their own bit of history. Please God one more for the history books to make them the greatest team of all time, which I think they have already proven.

“We have huge connections between our own group and theirs, girls going out with some of the lads, sisters of players, and daughters of former All-Ireland medal winners. That makes the whole Dublin family thing a little bit closer.”

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AFTER COMPLETING FOUR-in-a-row, the All-Ireland champions Dublin have 12 players nominated for the 2018 GAA-GPA PWC All-Star awards with 11 counties in total having players included.

Con O’Callaghan, Paul Mannion and Dean Rock have all been nominated.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

The 45-player shortlist has been released today for this year’s awards which recognise the star players from the 2018 football championship action.

Defeated All-Ireland finalists Tyrone have seven players nominated, the same number as beaten semi-finalists Monaghan and Galway.

Kildare and Donegal have three players apiece in the frame with two Kerry players nominated in David Clifford and Gavin White.

Kerry footballer Gavin White.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Laois goalkeeper Graham Brody, Fermanagh defender Che Cullen, Armagh forward Rory Grugan and Carlow attacker Paul Broderick are all recognised as well, the only four players from counties that did not reach the Super 8s.

Carlow forward Paul Broderick

Source: Ken Sutton/INPHO

Only six players from the 2017 All-Star side are nominated on this occasion – Jack McCaffrey, Colm Cavanagh, James McCarthy, Dean Rock, Con O’Callaghan and Paul Mannion.

The nominees were decided by a committee made up of GAA media and chaired by GAA President John Horan.

This year’s All-Star awards take place on Friday 2 November in Dublin’s Convention Centre and will be screened live by RTÉ TV. 

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The list of nominees in full is:

Goalkeepers

1. Stephen Cluxton (Dublin)
2. Graham Brody (Laois)
3. Rory Beggan (Monaghan)

Monaghan goalkeeper Rory Beggan

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Defenders

1. Eoghan Bán Gallagher (Donegal)
2. Jonny Cooper (Dublin)
3. Jack McCaffrey (Dublin)
4. Eoin Murchan (Dublin)
5. James McCarthy (Dublin)
6. Che Cullen (Fermanagh)
7. Sean Kelly (Galway)
8. Eoghan Kerin (Galway)
9. Sean Andy Ó Ceallaigh (Galway)
10. Gavin White (Kerry)
11. Eoin Doyle (Kildare)
12. Karl O’Connell (Monaghan)
13. Drew Wylie (Monaghan)
14. Ryan Wylie (Monaghan)
15. Padraig Hampsey (Tyrone)
16. Michael McKernan (Tyrone)
17. Tiernan McCann (Tyrone)
18. Peter Harte (Tyrone)

Tyrone’s Peter Harte.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

Midfielders

1. Michael Murphy (Donegal)
2. Brian Fenton (Dublin)
3. Thomas Flynn (Galway)
4. Niall Kearns (Monaghan)
5. Colm Cavanagh (Tyrone)
6. Mattie Donnelly (Tyrone)

Donegal’s Michael Murphy and Dublin’s Brian Fenton.

Source: Lorraine OÕSullivan/INPHO

Forwards

1. Rory Grugan (Armagh)
2. Paul Broderick (Carlow)
3. Ryan McHugh (Donegal)
4. Niall Scully (Dublin)
5. Ciaran Kilkenny (Dublin)
6. Brian Howard (Dublin)
7. Paul Mannion (Dublin)
8. Dean Rock (Dublin)
9. Con O’Callaghan (Dublin)
10. Shane Walsh (Galway)
11. Damien Comer (Galway)
12. Ian Burke (Galway)
13. David Clifford (Kerry)
14. Daniel Flynn (Kildare)
15. Paul Cribben (Kildare)
16. Conor McManus (Monaghan)
17. Ryan McAnespie (Monaghan)
18. Niall Sludden (Tyrone)

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THERE WILL DEFINITELY be a Dublin winner in the 2018 Footballer of the Year race after three members of the triumphant All-Ireland side have been nominated for the accolade.

Defender Jack McCaffrey, midfielder Brian Fenton and forward Ciarán Kilkenny are the trio in the running for the honour which is part of the 2018 GAA-GPA PWC All-Star awards.

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The winner will be the fifth Dublin footballer to claim the award with McCaffrey one of the former recipients after his exploits in 2015. Bernard Brogan (2010), Alan Brogan (2011) and Michael Darragh MacAuley (2013) are the other Dublin players to have landed the individual prize.

McCaffrey’s nomination caps a remarkable personal revival after he tore his cruciate in the early stages of the 2017 decider but bounced back this season to become central to Dublin’s success once more and won the RTÉ Sunday man-of-the-match award after the recent final victory over Tyrone.

The Clontarf man is joined in the running by Raheny’s Fenton and Castleknock’s Kilkenny, who both will have strong claims for the award after superb showings throughout this season’s championship.

Both Fenton and Kilkenny were nominated for the award in 2016 but Mayo’s Lee Keegan emerged as the ultimate winner. 

It is the first time since 2015 that Dublin have had all three nominees in the Footballer of the Year battle. It also signals the stature of the trio, who were all All-Ireland U21 victors in 2014, in the Dublin senior ranks as they have progressed rapidly.

The nominees were decided by a committee made up of GAA media and chaired by GAA President John Horan. The award will be voted on exclusively by inter-county players.

This year’s All-Star awards take place on Friday 2 November in Dublin’s Convention Centre and will be screened live by RTÉ TV. 

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THE BRIGHTEST EMERGING talents from Dublin, Kerry and Tyrone have all been shortlisted for the Young Footballer of the Year accolade as part of the 2018 GAA-GPA PWC All-Star awards.

Dublin’s Brian Howard, Kerry’s David Clifford and Tyrone’s Michael McKernan are the trio in the running after the nominations were chosen yesterday.

Howard, a senior squad member in 2017, grew into a major player for Jim Gavin’s side this year with a series of impressive displays helping Dublin win the Sam Maguire.

Clifford made the seamless transition from minor to senior this season for Kerry. His performances in the Super 8s were particularly notable as he hit 1-5 against Galway, 1-3 against Monaghan – including that late dramatic goal to draw the game – and 2-6 against Kildare.

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McKernan started the championship campaign by coming off the bench to net for Tyrone against Monaghan in their Ulster loss before subsequently nailing down a starting spot in defence as they journeyed to the All-Ireland final.

The shortlist for the Young Footballer of the Year prize is still confined to players who are U21. Howard will be bidding to land the prize for the second successive year for Dublin after Con O’Callaghan was recognised in 2017. The most recent Kerry victor was Tommy Walsh in 2008 and the last Tyrone winner was Sean Cavanagh back in 2003.

The nominees were decided by a committee made up of GAA media and chaired by GAA President John Horan. The award will be voted on exclusively by inter-county players.

This year’s All-Star awards take place on Friday 2 November in Dublin’s Convention Centre and will be screened live by RTÉ TV.

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TWO FORMER ROSCOMMON footballers will be involved in the process to select a new manager to lead the county in 2019 after Kevin McStay’s departure last week.

Roscommon are on the hunt for a new football manager.

Source: Tommy Grealy/INPHO

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After three years in the role, McStay announced his resignation and his decision to retire from inter-county management.

The committee to find a new manager has been formed and will consist of county chairman Seamus Sweeney, county secretary Brian Carroll, county treasurer David O’Connor, former Roscommon captain Niall Carty and former Roscommon footballer Ciaran Heneghan.

Carty captained Roscommon to win the Division 3 league title in 2014 and the Division 2 league crown in 2015. Padraig Pearses defender Carty retired in November 2016 from senior inter-county duty, a decade after winning an All-Ireland minor medal with Roscommon.

Niall Carty lifts the Division 2 league trophy after Roscommon’s victory in 2015.

Heneghan was part of the Roscommon side that contested the 1998 Connacht senior football final and has been involved in underage coaching in recent years in the county.

Ciaran Heneghan in action in the 1998 Connacht final for Roscommon against Galway.

Source: Keith Heneghan/INPHO

Clubs have invited to submit nominations for the the position if they wish, with a deadline of 5pm on Friday 14 September imposed. 

The committee has also been given the authority to add an additional member if required and approach any suitable candidates themselves.

Roscommon exited this year’s championship race at the Super 8s stages after losses to Tyrone, Donegal and Dublin. They will compete in Division 1 of the league in 2019 after claiming promotion last spring.

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