KERRY GAA WILL wait for the referee to submit his report on yesterday’s senior football championship semi-final replay between Dingle and East Kerry before determining the direction of its investigation.
Sunday’s last four tie at Austin Stack Park, won by Dingle 4-13 to 0-13, was overshadowed by a mass touchline brawl, in what was the latest unpleasant incident in county games in recent weeks.
The match descended into chaos during the second half when both sets of players and backroom teams became embroiled in the altercation, which saw Paudie Clifford shown red.
Videos posted on social media show an East Kerry player struck in the face by someone entering the pitch from the sideline.
East Kerry finished the game with 13 men after Kerry star David Clifford was sent off later in the second half.
In a brief statement this afternoon, Kerry GAA said: “Following on from yesterday’s game in Austin Stack Park, the CCC are awaiting the referee’s report and will proceed accordingly.”
As for the match itself, Paul and Michael Geaney starred for Dingle as they cruised to victory, with the former scoring a hat-trick of goals for the six-time champions, who will now face Dr Crokes in the county decider.
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ROSCOMMON GAA HAVE stalled on the appointment of a new manager to the senior footballers as the wait to name Kevin McStay’s successor continues.
McStay overlooking Dr Hyde Park in 2017.
Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO
“Roscommon GAA had hoped to put the name of the new senior football manager before a county board meeting tonight,” they tweeted this evening.
“Unfortunately, our preferred candidate has requested additional time to confirm one additional member of his backroom team.”
McStay vacated the post last month and announced his retirement from inter-county management.
The former Mayo footballer spent three years in the position, delivering a Connacht title in 2017 and promotion to Division 1 of the Allianz Football League this year.
In 2018, Roscommon beat Cavan in the Division 2 final, they suffered defeat in the Connacht decider to Galway while they reached the All-Ireland SFC Super 8s but were heavily beaten by Tyrone, Donegal and Dublin.
Roscommon GAA had hoped to put the name of the new senior football team manager before a county board meeting tonight. Unfortunately, our preferred candidate has requested additional time to confirm one additional member of his backroom team. #rosgaa #gaa
— Roscommon GAA (@RoscommonGAA) October 22, 2018
Armagh All-Ireland winner Aidan O’Rourke has been heavily linked with the job.
The Orchard county native won a Celtic Cross and an All-Star award in 2002, and also has experience of inter-county management and coaching.
O’Rourke was previously manager of the Louth senior footballers, overseeing two seasons before stepping down in July 2014. Prior to that stint, he worked as a selector with Kildare and Down.
Aidan O’Rourke.
Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO
He is currently GAA Performance Manager with Queen’s University — where Mike McGurn, who’s rumoured to be in his potential backroom team, also works.
McGurn is a leading strength and conditioning coach and has worked with a host of top GAA, rugby and soccer teams in the past.
The possible decision to appoint someone from outside Roscommon to the helm once again comes as a decisive one around the county, with many voicing their thoughts on the matter.
One of such was current Rossies defender Sean McDermott, who said in a recent tweet that “Roscommon need an inside manager” and that it would be “better for the whole progression of Roscommon football”.
When are our county board going to wake up Seamus. Plenty of People inside our county well good enough for the job. Roscommon need an inside manager. Better for the whole progression of Roscommon football.
— Sean McDermott (@SeanieMac84) October 20, 2018
– Updated 23.58
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AFTER LOSING THE last three finals, not many in Cavan would have begrudged Castlerahan their maiden senior football success yesterday. The Ballyjamesduff outfit lost by a point to Kingscourt Stars in the 2015 decider, by two points after a replay to Ramor United in 2016, while Cavan Gaels defeated them by five in last year’s final.
And another defeat looked to be on the cards when they trailed a young Crosserlough side by six points after 45 minutes on Sunday. But this time, Castlerahan refused to be beaten and they powered to victory down the home straight in front of a bumper crowd of 8,469.
Crosserlough have a very young team with an average age of just 21.5, so they’ll draw comfort in the fact they have a bright future ahead of them. But this was Castlerahan’s day. A first crack at the Ulster club championship awaits for them.
2. Another mass brawl mars club game
Video footage of mass brawls at GAA club games have become an almost weekly occurrence. After various scraps took place in Tyrone, Derry and Down over the last few weeks, this time Kerry was the venue for unsavoury scenes in senior football semi-final replay between East Kerry and Dingle.
Footage has emerged from Tralee.
Left of the screen; keep an eye on the figure in a red and black tracksuit and blue no. 10; pic.twitter.com/TsRtXo8d9O
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) October 22, 2018
Three goals from Paul Geaney helped Dingle to an easier than expected win, but the main talking point was the all-out melee that broke out early in the second period. It involved both teams and management officials, leaving some players lying on the turf after receiving blows.
Kerry GAA have said they’ll wait until the referee’s report before they proceed with disciplinary proceedings. Until heavy bans are handed for those involved – without an option to appeal – this problem won’t go away.
3. Magic of club game still alive
Clonoulty-Rossmore emerged as unlikely Tipperary champions on Sunday, helping themselves to their first senior crown since 1997. Former Premier panellist Timmy Hammersley scored 0-12 for the underdogs in their win over Nenagh Eire Og and afterwards gave a brilliant interview, highlighting the importance of GAA in rural communities.
John Devane celebrates with his Clonoulty-Rossmore players.
Source: Ken Sutton/INPHO
“It just means so much to the people of Clonoulty and Rossmore,” he told RTÉ Radio 1. “I didn’t want to win it for myself. It’s for the people you grow up with. Rural Ireland has got a lot of bad coverage over the past while, jobs and so on, but you just want to give people something to be happy about.
“You can’t beat your parish and your club and your community. It’s the lifeblood of the whole of Ireland really. What separates Ireland from other countries is the GAA. It’s such a unique thing that brings people together.”
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And there were joyous scenes in Gorey last night after Naomh Eanna claimed the first ever Wexford senior hurling title in their history, just six years after they were competing in junior ranks.
Well, here was Gorey's main street earlier welcoming home the County Champions. #CountyChamps #OnThisDay #buzzing 💚💚@NaomhEannaGAA @Love_Gorey @GoreyGuardian @OfficialWexGAA @officialgaa @RTEgaa @gaaleinster @AIB_GAA @HSwexford @hoganstandgaa #Gorey #Wexford #SundayFunday pic.twitter.com/nCPxNCZg66
— Mark Redmond (@RedmondMr) October 21, 2018
Meanwhile in Kildare, Moorefield lost lifelong supporter and club member Ross Cummins during the summer. The Newbridge club honoured his memory by bringing his young son Harry up to lift the Dermot Burke Cup after their Kildare SFC victory over Athy on Sunday.
Harry Cummins's dad died earlier this year so Moorefield rewarded him with being mascot today and then they go and let him lift the Dermot Burke Cup. Just pure class. pic.twitter.com/uTmxXWxGiA
— Robert Cribbin (@rob_cribbin) October 21, 2018
4. Mayo parish claim titles in both codes
Cora Staunton grew up playing underage football with Alan Dillon and over the weekend both players were crowned senior champions in Mayo. It was quite the weekend for the parish of Burriscarra as Carnacon and Ballintubber collected the ladies and men’s titles respectively.
Source: Tommy Grealy/INPHO
Carnacon shrugged off a difficult few months of controversy with a 33-point victory against Knockmore, while Ballintubber needed some late heroics from Diarmuid O’Connor to help them over the line in the one-point defeat of Breaffy on Saturday night.
It was Ballintubber’s fourth crown since 2010 and they’ll be targetting a strong performance in Connacht after falling short in the provincial competition in the past.
5. Crossmaglen end famine in Armagh
For a club that won 18 out of 19 county titles between 1996 and 2015, Crossmaglen were conspicuous in their absence from the Armagh roll of honour for the past two seasons. But natural order was restored when Cross regained their crown with a 0-24 to 1-15 victory over Ballymacnab.
Crossmaglen now have 44 titles to their name, a whopping 30 ahead of their nearest rivals Armagh Harps. Incredibly, Cross have won the last 22 Armagh finals they’ve appeared in. Their last defeat in a decider was a 0-6 to 0-4 reverse to Carrickcruppen way back in 1982. Serial winners indeed.
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Seven-year-old Victor Clarke’s wishes came true this weekend as two clubs came together in the most amazing of ways to raise some much-needed funds.
On Saturday, the Ratoath and Magheracloone U7s went head-to-head before the Over 35s took to the field for the second part of the billing at Sean Eiffe Park.
You probably recognise the club named Maghercaloone. The Monaghan outfit hit the headlines last month as their grounds closed following devastating sinkhole damage.
What a lovely gesture @RatoathGAA @DuffaloSoldier @monaghangaa @MeathGAA @RTEgaa @SkySportsGAA @officialgaa pic.twitter.com/nwmyQ0FzsF
— Magheracloone GAA (@MitchellsGAA_) September 30, 2018
As the story developed, young Victor wrote a heartwarming letter to his Meath-based club, pitching an idea that his U7 side play their Magheracloone counterparts in a charity match to raise money.
And everyone involved made it happen on Saturday, as the Mitchells’ fundraising continues through this tough time.
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Team spirit won the day as @RatoathGAA met @MitchellsGAA_ for an U7’s charity match this afternoon.@officialgaa #EatLikeAPro #Ireland #Time2Play pic.twitter.com/DqSMgSHTpE
— Beko UK (@BekoUK) October 20, 2018
A shining light amidst the darkness.
Just brilliant.
Fair play @MitchellsGAA_ and @RatoathGAA great day #gaa pic.twitter.com/6xIZEvclUJ
— Shane Kelly (@kelshane) October 20, 2018
https://t.co/oikl8b03MG
As a result of the sudden closure of our Club grounds we are unable to access any of our training equipment. We still have teams in competition who need to train. We don’t have any footballs, cones, bibs or water bottles. Please support our club ⚫️⚪️
— Magheracloone GAA (@MitchellsGAA_) September 25, 2018
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THE IRISH EXODUS to the Australian Football League Women’s (AFLW) continues, with Tipperary’s Aisling McCarthy picked up in the 2018 Draft.
Tipperary dual star Aisling McCarthy.
Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO
22-year-old McCarthy, the 2017 Intermediate Player of the Year, has joined the Western Bulldogs, having travelled to Australia in September as part of the Cross Coders programme which took place in Melbourne last month. A group of 18 athletes travelled over vying for coveted deals ahead of the Australian league’s third season.
It’s the early hours of the morning in Ireland, but @aish_mac is excited to be a Bulldog. 🍀 #AFLWdraft pic.twitter.com/siNh14d0vB
— WesternBulldogs AFLW (@BulldogsW) October 23, 2018
McCarthy last year helped Tipperary defeat Tyrone in the All-Ireland intermediate ladies football final, scoring 1-4 in a player-of-the-match display.
In March 2016, McCarthy captained her club Cahir to win the All-Ireland intermediate club camogie title in Croke Park.
Clare’s Ailish Considine and Donegal star forward Yvonne Bonner both penned rookie contracts off the back of the camp, signing for Adelaide and Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Giants respectively.
Bonner joins Cora Staunton at the Giants, with the 11-time All-Star preparing for a second stint down under.
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Fellow Mayo native Sarah Rowe meanwhile has sealed a move to Collingwood ahead of the 2019 season.
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HIS NAME WAS floated as a contender for vacant managerial posts in Waterford and Tipperary in recent times but neither was ever a viable option for Brendan Cummins to pursue.
Brendan Cummins (centre) was at the launch of the Amanda Stapleton benefit match yesterday.
Source: Piaras Ó Mídheach/SPORTSFILE
He heard he had been nailed down as the favourite to succeed Derek McGrath despite not having any contact with the Waterford county board. Then when speculation about his candidacy in Tipperary emerged, Cummins let word drift back to the county board that work and family commitments would prevent him from coming under consideration.
His old mentor Liam Sheedy has got the job in Tipperary, something which has enthused Cummins as he weighed in with his support for the 2010 All-Ireland winning boss.
And while he did not enter the race this time, the ambition to become Tipperary hurling boss in the future, remains strong with the goalkeeping great.
“Just the timing this time around wasn’t really right for me with work. It’s amazing that I was installed as the favourite for the Waterford job even though I didn’t speak to anyone from Waterford. No phone call.
“I’m in a position, working with Aviva now as an account manager down around the south-east. Then you find yourself having to ring your boss saying, “Look, I’m not getting involved with Waterford. I love what I’m doing here in Aviva.”
“It’s flattering but there is a knock-on effect. It’s a competitive world we’re all living in with our day-to-day jobs. Every company sees an inter-county manager I suppose as something that’s a full-time job. At some stage I will get involved at the upper tier of inter-county teams.
Brendan Cummins had a long and distinguished career in goal for Tipperary.
Source: James Crombie/INPHO
“I kinda sent word back (to Tipperary) that I was under pressure time-wise. I don’t believe in taking people around the merry-go-round of interviews, unless you are 100 per cent committed to doing it.
“I’d love to be able to do it – don’t get me wrong – but at this stage, I’ve a 10-year-old and a five-year-old. Being gone every night of the week just wasn’t going to fit.
“Work, obviously as well (was a factor). Aviva I’d say wouldn’t have had a major hassle with me doing the job. But I just didn’t want to put them in that situation. Family first, work second would have been the reasons for not going.
“Definitely at some stage down the road it’s something I want to do alright.”
Sheedy is still in the process of assembling his backroom team in Tipperary with an announcement expected shortly. Yet it is the main job on an inter-county sideline that Cummins is targeting.
Liam Sheedy last managed the Tipperary senior hurlers in 2010.
Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO
“If I ever I go in to do it, I’d like to do it as taking over. All of the decisions falling on my head, to be honest with you. There is a certain edge to that.
“I’ve been a selector in Laois, been involved in Kerry and all that. But if I’m taking on a role like that, I’d want to be one of the key decision makers in there.”
A two-time All-Ireland senior winner as a player, Cummins does expect to lend a hand again to the Kerry hurlers in 2019 after being involved in coaching them this season.
“I’ve made no real decision on Kerry next year but I would expect I’ll probably go down in some role or capacity. I’ve a real grá for Kerry and the lads down there. Fintan O’Connor is doing a great job, the lads are responding really well.
“The first year was a little bit tricky but last year finished on the same points as Westmeath and just beaten out on scoring difference. Shane Conway gets Young Hurler of the Year from the U21B, so all those kind of things are feeding into a good positive story in Kerry. It’s good to be a part of it. I find it hard to say no.”
Kerry U21 hurler Shane Conway.
Source: Ken Sutton/INPHO
Cummins has expressed his sympathy for Liam Cahill and William Maher, underage winning boss with Tipperary over the last few years, in not managing to land the senior post this time.
But he feels there is a high level of anticipation at the return of Sheedy to the hotseat.
“You’d have to have some sympathy for Liam Cahill and Willie Maher, the way the process was. [They were] engaged completely in it. Then when a character like Liam comes along, all eyes turn to him. It’s exciting times.
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“I think the Tipperary players now, the length and breadth of this county are looking forward to getting in under him and helping him get us back to where we feel we should be, and that’s in the latter end of the summer and competing in Croke Park.
“Babs came back and it didn’t quite work out the way everyone had planned. But at the same time, Liam is a different kind of an animal, and he’s gotten the eight years of a break.
“Obviously work circumstances have changed for him and he’s also a proud Tipperary man. I was sitting above in the box with him on the day of the All-Ireland final. You could see, as Tipp people we were kind of looking at each other, hurting that we’re not there and had been gone for so long.”
Brendan Cummins and Liam Sheedy celebrating Tipperary’s 2010 All-Ireland final victory.
Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO
Cummins does not feel it is straightforward to suggest that Tipperary’s winning ways would certainly have continued if Sheedy had stayed on after 2010 and believes the onus is on the county’s players to step up next season.
“That’d be a bit disrespectful to Declan Ryan, Tommy Dunne and all who came in. They did good jobs with us. Then again you look at the Nicky time in 2001, Nicky stayed on until 2002 and it just petered out for us as well and he gave the same drive and energy.
“Liam is going to come in and going to put all the systems and process in place but the responsibility always falls on the player to perform. He’ll create the environment for you to do that. I think the bit of rebuilding work has to be done, players have to be bedded in, those (All-Ireland winning) U21s and all that, so it is going to take a bit of time. His ambition will be a one-year plan like he’d always have said to us, but probably I might say it’ll take two.
“You’re going to have players that are going to have to have a bit of patience and have a real team ethos. Getting that into your DNA that the jersey is more important and that’s Liam’s skill. If it’s not, you just get the door and that’s the end of it. You’re right the older lads will have to step up but the younger guys, everyone (in it) together kind of thing. That’s what I think the kind of culture Liam will try to bring to the group.
“I just still think all my years of experience, no matter what way we dress it up, it comes down to the players and that’s what it’s going to be for Tipperary in 2019 now.
“What different thinking they’re going to bring to it, the ambition that they have, the way they look after themselves on and off the field. All those things feed into being a good player and that’ll determine whether we’re going to win or not next year.”
Cummins was speaking in Borris-Ileigh yesterday at the launch of the Amanda Stapleton Benefit Match on Saturday 3 November, where the All-Ireland winning goalkeeper will be part of a Tipperary legends team facing a Kilkenny legends side in aid of the sister of Cummins former Tipperary team-mate Paddy Stapleton.
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Tipperary and Kilkenny hurling greats gathered in Borris-Ileigh yesterday at the launch of a benefit match on 3 November for Amanda Stapleton, a 31-year-old teacher from the village, who was recently diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.
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Amanda Stapleton is a 31-year-old teacher from the Tipperary village, who is now living in London, and was recently diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.
It’s the type of occasion that he is delighted to be involved with.
“It’s tough going. It’s a game of roulette that’s probably life, and the ball lands on someone in your family. It’s nice to be involved and to be able to do something.
“The support in GAA and all sports in general is going to be epitomised with what’s going to be happening up here.
“I’m certainly looking forward to getting a game against these Kilkenny boys again! There is a huge appetite for things like this amongst the players, there’s no doubt about it. We take it as seriously as we can.
“But I think on a bigger scale it’s something we could look into and it would help fundraise things along the line as well.”
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Tickets for the Amanda Stapleton Benefit Match between Kilkenny and Tipperary on Saturday 3 November are available to purchase here.
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FORMER TIPPERARY ALL-Ireland hurling winner Paddy Stapleton has described as ‘humbling’ the reaction to the fundraising efforts his family have embarked upon in aid of his sister Amanda, who was recently diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.
Former Tipperary hurler Paddy Stapleton in Borris-Ileigh yesterday.
Source: Piaras Ó Mídheach/SPORTSFILE
The response from former Tipperary team-mates and Kilkenny opponents has particularly struck Stapleton, with playing greats from the two counties set to compete in a charity match in Borris-Ileigh on Saturday 3 November.
Tipperary and Kilkenny played out a series of thrilling clashes when they contested the All-Ireland decider four times between 2009 and 2014.
Two of the very best to pick up a Hurley togging out one last time @TipperaryGAA @KilkennyCLG
The Legends Return November 3rd Borrisoleigh. Limited tickets available. Tickets can be purchased at any Centra Stores or on https://t.co/qJNcubt2nZhttps://t.co/CbUf9q74mw pic.twitter.com/bKvUYFGOhY
— Amanda Stapleton Benefit Fund (@AmandaFund) October 17, 2018
Source: Amanda Stapleton Benefit Fund/Twitter
“With a rivalry like that comes a lot of respect and there is certainly respect coming from Tipperary, way down the road.
“Paul Murphy would be very connected to Amanda from her boyfriend’s side and that’s how the connection came.
“He said that anyone who could be there was going to be there and he got a great reaction. We certainly know some of the all-time great names of hurling in Kilkenny and Tipperary will be there on the night.
“It is very tough, especially when the news broke to us first it was very, very hard. But I suppose there’s only so much sitting around and crying you can do, and then you’ve got to try and get on with life and certainly that’s what Amanda is trying to do.
“People have been constantly calling and texting. Even businesses are just rallying around and it’s not easy being in rural Ireland having a business but they’re trying to put as much stuff forward for us as possible. So it’s fantastic and very humbling.”
Tipperary hurler Patrick Bonner Maher is partaking in the Westport Sea2Summit adventure race in order to fundraise for the cause.
A leader of leaders 👏 thanks for everything Bonner. https://t.co/SY79hcjoJH
— Paddy Stapleton (@pasaint) October 19, 2018
Source: Paddy Stapleton/Twitter
“I’m not shocked at him (Bonner) because I know what he’s like, I’ve been around him for so many years and he’s just such a great human being,” says Stapleton.
“But to think people are thinking about you all the time like that and the goodwill of them is unreal and very humbling.”
The North Tipperary Hospice, Suir Haven Cancer Support Centre in Thurles and Cois Nore in Kilkenny are all charities that the fundraiser is endeavouring to support.
“The jerseys that are being worn on the night are being sold as well and that’s not to help the fund, that’s just specifically for the charities.
“Obviously we want to look after Amanda but there are other people struggling in the world as well and we’d love to help them as well.
“I think everyone has someone who has been affected by cancer. Everybody knows a friend or family member and you can feel that, people’s genuine concern when you meet them.
“Every family goes through a crisis or maybe some health issues, but we hadn’t really much in our lifetime and we are both in our 30’s.
“It has been massive mentally for ourselves and for Amanda, because she’s certainly doing well at the minute and I think it’s in no small part due to other people and how good they’ve been to her.”
Eoin Murphy and Brendan Cummins at yesterday’s launch of the Amanda Stapleton Benefit Match.
Source: Piaras Ó Mídheach/SPORTSFILE
His sister’s mental resilience has struck Paddy and she is planning to travel home for the event in Borris-Ileigh.
“She is talking about doing the walk, the club colour walk or run that morning and she is all on for taking part in that as well so she’s tougher than your average. It will obviously be a bit emotional, but she is really looking forward to it.
“She is strong at the minute, relative to what she should be. I think it’s down to her attitude and her resilience. I’ve met a lot of mentally tough people playing sports, but what I’ve seen from Amanda in the last few weeks has been unreal, because it’s something to wake up with every day.
“Her and her boyfriend are just doing so well. And they are away from home – you can’t forget that they are in London. They have their friend network over there but they are being so strong about it.”
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Tickets for the Amanda Stapleton Benefit Match between Kilkenny and Tipperary on Saturday 3 November are available to purchase here.
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A DINGLE OFFICIAL has been handed a proposed eight-week ban arising out of the brawl that erupted in Sunday’s Kerry county senior football semi-final.
Dingle triumphed in the last four tie against East Kerry at Austin Stack Park to set up a county final meeting with Dr Crokes next Sunday afternoon but the game was marred by the scenes at the start of the second half that saw players and management from both sides clashing close to the dugouts at the Tralee venue.
The CCC of the Kerry county board met on Monday to consider the report of referee Paul Hayes from the game and it is believed that they have proposed an eight-week suspension to a Dingle official for his part in the row.
East Kerry boss Gerry O’Sullivan was sent to the stand after the altercation but he has been subsequently cleared of any involvement.
East Kerry players Paudie and David Clifford, who both received red cards during the game, will serve one-match bans for their offences with those suspensions kicking in at the start of the 2019 county senior football championship.
It is also understood that both East Kerry and Dingle were handed out fines for failing to control their players, and no further suspensions are expected for any other players regarding their involvement.
The Dingle official has three days to appeal the proposed eight-week ban on receipt of notification.
Meanwhile Kerry expect to appoint a new minor football manager in the next ten days to fill the vacancy that arose when Peter Keane became the county’s senior boss.
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AFTER LOSING THE Cork SHC final to Imokilly, the last thing Conor Lehane and his Midleton team-mates wanted to do was return to training the following week.
Midleton and Cork hurler Conor Lehane at the launch of the AIB Camogie and Club Championships. This is AIB’s 28th year sponsoring the AIB GAA Football, Hurling and their 6th year sponsoring the Camogie Club Championships.
Source: SPORTSFILE
Imokilly were convincing 4-19 to 1-18 victors last Sunday week, but as the winners are divisional side, Midleton must represent Cork in the Munster club championship.
That meant they had a few days to digest the defeat before preparations began for a showdown against Waterford heavyweights Ballygunner.
“It’s strange alright,” admits Lehane. “The first few days after the final you wouldn’t even be thinking about it. You’d be in no form to even talk about it.
But as the week went on and we stopped going out and stuff we regrouped and kind of said, look, we’re there anyway, that’s the situation we’re in and we’re still representing Cork and it’s great to be still hurling at this time of the year, we haven’t done that in a long time.
He continues: “So it wasn’t long before we started getting up for it again when we realised the position we were in and we decided not to take it for granted. We got back training and it was as if we never stopped after the final. It was good to get back into that mentality.
Obviously, the few days afterwards you weren’t going to be doing anything. You’re kind of getting over the loss, it’s still in your head, but once we got back out on the pitch and pucking around and stuff we got back into a rhythm without having to say anything.
“We had a chat after and everyone was game-ball again, which was great. I didn’t think it would be that quick. Just to see everyone’s response was brilliant. It’s very encouraging going forward to the match.
“I was only thinking there after the final, that once things stopped you’d nearly half miss it. At the end of a long year once it’s over there’s a small bit of relief there as well because you’ve a bit of time to yourself and you can go off on holidays or have a few days off here and there.
Lehane won his third Munster medal with Cork this summer.
Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO
“But once you’re in that rhythm of every two weeks and training and once it stops there’s nearly an itch. Taking a rest is important, but it’s not often you get an opportunity to keep playing. You can’t be taking it for granted.”
Blackrock found themselves in the same boat as Midleton last year. They lost the Cork decider to Imokilly and found themselves on the receiving end of a 22-point pasting to eventual Munster champions and All-Ireland finalists Na Piarsaigh in the provincial semi-final.
The task isn’t much easier for Midleton, who’ve been paired with five-in-a-row Deise champions Ballygunner in Sunday’s Munster quarter-final.
“They’ve won five in a row in Waterford and they’re such a strong side. Even outside of their county players they’re a very strong side.
“They’re itching for the Munster, I’d say. They’ve been involved in the Munster championship the last four years in a row so they’ll be gunning for it. That’s none of our concern, that’s their own thing.
“It’s really just entirely up to ourselves, the attitude we’re going to decide on. Luke, our captain, was saying that we don’t disrespect the year we had by saying, ‘Ah, look, we’re not even meant to be here so go off and play and just see what happens.’
We’re going over there to play the same way we’ve been playing all year for our club so that shouldn’t change. We’re still representing our club and the county so you’re not going to go out there and give it a half-assed attempt.”
Imokilly, the back-to-back Cork champions, comprise of non-senior clubs in the east of the county, boasting star names like Seamus Harnedy, Colm Spillane and Bill Cooper in their ranks.
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Lehane has no issue with divisional sides competing in the Cork SHC, although many in the county are unhappy with it.
“I always said that when you’re a club and you’re playing against a division you’d always be thinking that realistically it’s going to be hard to justify it. I always think though that people need to have an issue with it when they’re not good, when they’re not going well.
“Not all of a sudden because they’re good now that everyone has an issue with it but no-one was saying that ten years ago when they weren’t getting anywhere. It should have been an issue then to stop it rather than just now.
Imokilly captain Seamus Harnedy lifts the Cork SHC title.
Source: Oisin Keniry/INPHO
“That’s why you can’t say anything now. You just have to deal with the situation you’re in and that’s it. That’s just the way it went and there’s nothing you can do about it.
“We were in a position to try to beat them and we didn’t. That’s sport as well. I wouldn’t hold it against anyone or anything like that. They’re still a team you have to go out and play.
“I don’t think we performed to what we can. I think there were other times when we haven’t performed as well in other games but because of the calibre of players they have other teams might have been a bit more forgiving in a way so that’s why they took advantage.
They got goals in the final at a perfect times. At the very start, after half-time, and towards the end to kill the game off. That was really the killer in the end.”
After suffering a “slight tear” in the hip earlier in the campaign, Lehane says he’s free of all niggles heading into the Ballygunner game. That includes the ankle problem that hampered him in the lead-up to the county final. “It’s grand now again,” he says “There’s no issue with it.”
The 26-year-old collected his third Munster medal with Cork during the summer, but looks back on the inter-county season with a tinge of frustration after their extra-time All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Limerick.
Cork haven’t made it back to the All-Ireland final since their replay loss to Clare in 2013 and they’ve been beaten in three semi-finals since then.
“If it keeps happening it’s kind of getting into your head, but going in the last two years that wasn’t in our head thinking we’ve lost semi-finals before.
“That wasn’t going into our heads. It would still be at the back of your head at some stage but you just train yourself mentally not to let it get in there too much because you’d end up believing it and before you know it you’ll end up playing like you believe it and then you’re kind of lost. You have to find a way to block it out as best you can and concentrate on the positive part of it.”
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IRELAND’S LATEST ADDITION to the Australian Football League Women’s (AFLW) Aisling McCarthy says she “couldn’t believe it” when she was picked in the 2018 Draft.
Aisling McCarthy was Player of the Match in the 2017 All-Ireland intermediate final.
Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO
The Tipperary star and 2017 Intermediate Player of the Year was watching on from home through the night when she was announced as a new signing for reigning champions the Western Bulldogs.
“It hasn’t even hit,” she told The42 this afternoon. “I don’t think it’s real.”
McCarthy, 22, travelled to Australia in September as part of the CrossCoders programme. A group of 18 athletes were invited to Melbourne in the hope of securing coveted deals ahead of the AFLW’s third season.
Clare’s Ailish Considine and Donegal star forward Yvonne Bonner both inked professional contracts while over there, with the other players then entering the Draft.
McCarthy admits though that once she landed home, she felt that was that.
“I hadn’t a notion,” she explains, when asked if she knew anything before the early hours of today. “There was a little bit of interest from clubs since we came home, I would have had to discuss things with them — but not the Western Bulldogs.
“I had a chat with them when I was out there and all that. They said they were kind of interested but I hadn’t heard anything from them the last few weeks. I wasn’t expecting that at all.”
Surreal, hello @BulldogsW 😍 Looking forward to the AFLW season ahead 🐶 🔴⚪️🔵 https://t.co/cWZos5XXIA
— Aisling McCarthy (@aish_mac) October 23, 2018
Awake at 2am Irish time, she watched it in bed on Facebook Live before realising her Mam was up and waiting patiently to hear her daughter’s name too.
I was watching it for about an hour and-a-half. I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is cruelty.’ Then my name gets called out — pick 23. At least I could stop worrying then. It was like, ‘I’m safe.’ I didn’t expect it at all.
“I thought it would have been further down the picks. They usually pick maybe the Australian girls first and then… I actually couldn’t believe it at all. My phone has just been buzzing like since last night.”
The dual player — she captained her club Cahir to the All-Ireland intermediate club title in Croke Park in March 2016 — concedes her disappointment that a few other Irish CrossCoders didn’t get picked in the Draft because there was interest there.
She spoke enthusiastically of their time at the camp in Melbourne, and how invaluable it was to get a full insight while there.
Just to see it first-hand was pretty cool,” she continues. “The facilities and things they had was crazy. The clubs as well, they share with the men’s so it’s very much you’re on par in that sense. That’s all great.
“Anything you want, you can ask for to make yourself better: physio, strength and conditioning, psychologist, video analysis, full-time coaching and other supports.
Thanks to @crosscoderssport for a great experience and immersion in the AFLW world down under 🏉🇦🇺 Looking forward to seeing doors opened and new adventures for people in the coming weeks🤗 @jasonehill @lozsparky
A post shared by Aisling McCarthy (@aish_mac) on
“That’s something that I’m really looking forward to, the whole professional aspect. It’ll be interesting to see how it unfolds and how I develop as a player.”
With the way the seasons fall, McCarthy and her fellow footballers can return to their respective inter-county set-ups for championship.
That’s a definite target, the UL Physiotherapy graduate confirms.
“I’m going to miss Division 1 league with Tipp. I’m disappointed about that, I haven’t played at that level yet but this is an opportunity that you just couldn’t pass up. I’m obviously delighted I’m heading over but at the same time I do wish I was playing Division 1 for Tipp. Hopefully I’ll be back for championship.
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“With all the facilities and support networks over there, surely I’ll be coming back fitter in that sense. I’ll have a lot of work put into me so hopefully that will pay dividends. It’ll be tough to get back into the Tipp team, no doubt there’s a really good crop of players.
“I wouldn’t take it that I’ll just be walking back onto the team by any chance,” she adds, reiterating that she’ll have to work hard and stay in contact with management.
“Over the next few months my sole focus will be playing AFL. It obviously doesn’t come that naturally compared to Gaelic football. There are things I need to work on.
I’ll have to put Gaelic football to one side, in terms of mentally and physically, and I’ll come back all guns blazing if Tipp want me back.”
In an article on the Western Bulldogs website, they said that the Premier county midfielder “impressed with her power and speed, as well as her ball-handling ability”.
Lifting the All-Ireland intermediate club camogie title in 2016.
Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO
She doesn’t have many details at the minute but knows that training starts on 14 November, so there’ll be plenty of visa-sorting and flight-booking before then.
The Bulldogs, she knows, are a serious outfit and are most definitely aiming for back-to-back titles after winning it last year.
“There’ll be expectations on them again. They obviously want to get a good group of players in, they set high standards.
“Paul [Groves], their coach, came to talk to us at the camp. His approach to coaching, his approach to players and the players on the team are so down to earth. It’s a professional environment but you can relate to it; it’s very like being part of a college team or your club or county team. I really enjoyed that aspect of it.
“The girls were Facetiming me this morning, they’re half-cracked! I’m excited to get over there with them. They’re on the same page as you in that sense, in that it’s a bit of fun as well.
“I know it’s obviously taken very seriously but I just found that the whole approach that the club have to the game is very relatable and wasn’t too far from home. I’m looking forward to that.”
For now though, she has sleep to catch up on from last night and plenty of planning to get done. As well as the Irish AFLW and AFL players over in Melbourne, McCarthy has family out there too so that’s a nice added extra going forward.
Facing Cavan this year.
Source: Lorraine O’Sullivan/INPHO
She’ll worry about that when she gets there, take it all in her stride. As she has done.
“I had a nervous few days leading up to the draft. You just didn’t know at all,” she concludes, saying that she basically gave up her job in case the dream came true.
It all worked out. There must someone looking down on me or something! I’m delighted.”
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