Month: September 2021

Offaly 3-19 Louth 0-19 (after extra-time) OFFALY SECURED JUST their third Leinster SFC victory since 2007, requiring extra-time to see off Mickey Harte’s Louth in a high-scoring and pulsating contest.  Louth kicked the last three scores of the 70 minutes, almost won it with Sam Mulroy’s final kick of normal time that drifted narrowly wide…

Clare 1-22 Waterford 0-21 THE FINAL POINT of this Munster hurling afternoon, that was of the low-key rather than heart-stopping variety, turned out to be an insurance score as Tony Kelly tapped over the bar for Clare. Tony Kelly celebrates scoring a late point for Clare. Source: James Crombie/INPHO That settled it at last to…

CIARÁN WHELAN DOES not think Stephen Cluxton will be playing in Dublin’s Leinster SFC opener next weekend and says his return to the panel for the 2021 season is “still of concern.” Dublin star Ciarán Kilkenny said the veteran goalkeeper had returned to training last week and indicated that their All-Ireland-winning captain was on a…

THE DISAPPOINTMENT SHONE through after another big-match defeat to Dublin, but the focus moves swiftly on. Cork captain Martina O’Brien was keen to look forward after Saturday night’s Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1 final defeat, which her side lost on a scoreline of 2-15 to 1-13. Though four-in-a-row All-Ireland champions, this was just…

CROKE PARK HAS been confirmed as the venue for the Leinster SHC semi-finals this Saturday, with 8,000 fans permitted to attend the games. Leinster GAA announced the news this evening, the venue switched from Portlaoise, in what will be a significant step forward for the gradual return of fans to live sport. The decision also…

JAMES HORAN FACED the unenviable task of replacing the championship’s all-time leading scorer on the eve of Mayo’s Connacht campaign. Mayo’s Cillian O’Connor watches on from the stand. Source: James Crombie/INPHO Still only 28, though it feels he’s been round forever, O’Connor’s numbers are remarkable.   He already has 10 years and 100 competitive games…

EARLY IN THE second half of Saturday’s league final between Dublin and Cork, a familiar face took to the field in Croke Park. Noelle Healy was called upon, but not as an impact substitute. This time, the recently-retired five-time All-Ireland champion was on the pitch as the team doctor. While she made her way out…

IN THE 50th minute of Sunday afternoon’s game, Páidí Fitzpatrick was summoned to the sideline at Semple Stadium. The Clare defender gestured with his fist as he ran off, saluting David McInerney who was coming on as a replacement. The message was clear. He had put in a huge shift to help establish a winning…

Carlow Darragh Foley dejected after Carlow’s season ended. Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO CARLOW’S CHAMPIONSHIP AMBITIONS ended with a 0-25 to 2-13 defeat to Longford in Tullamore. They fell nine points behind in the opening half and must be credited with staying in the game when a hammering looked on the cards. Niall Carew’s side struck goals…

MAYO FORWARD RYAN O’Donoghue says he’s excited to accept the challenge of becoming a key feature in the forward line as they continue their championship without Cillian O’Connor. Click Here: south sydney rabbitohs jersey Mayo’s Ryan O’Donoghue. Source: Eóin Noonan/SPORTSFILE O’Connor is a major absentee for James Horan’s side after suffering an Achilles tendon injury…