HURLING’S NEW SMART sliotar could come into senior inter-county action next year and GAA president Larry McCarthy hopes it will help maintain the “integrity of the game.”

Croke Park have unveiled the new ball which will see sliotars standardised and ensure they are supplied by approved manufacturers.

A chip is embedded in the core of the sliotar and match officials will determine its authenticity before games by holding the ball up to a smartphone app to ensure it is an official match ball. 

The use of a chip for traceability in a ball is believed to be the first of its kind in world sport.

The sliotar will be trialled in the All-Ireland U20 hurling championship later this year and could come into the Allianz Hurling League and All-Ireland SHC in 2023. It is anticipated bins of smart sliotars will be placed around GAA pitches to ensure the correct balls are used.

It was designed by a work group led by McCarthy, chaired by former Kilkenny chairman Ned Quinn and also involved former Tipperary goalkeeper Brendan Cummins and DCU professor Kieran Moran, among others. 

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The sliotar industry has largely been unregulated over the years. With the vast majority of balls now produced in Pakistan, there were issues over them falling outside the GAA’s regulations with some illegally using the official logo. The new sliotar also addresses concerns over labour practices.

McCarthy said he asked the committee to look into standardising the sliotar in response to “the distance it was travelling” in games. 

“That was my initial concern. I said to them, ‘Will you look at it please?’

“It’s standardising the ball to a certain extent. The coefficient of restitution, we can now play with that to a certain extent. We will have a ball which is our ball essentially in terms of how it’s regulated and manufactured.

“Hopefully it’ll be a step in the right direction in terms of maintaining the integrity of the game.”

He said it ensures “we have integrity in the sliotar, integrity in our equipment, and, perhaps most importantly, in our manufacturing systems. So that we’re not using child labour or anything around the world…because most of them come from Sailkot in Pakistan.”

The GAA’s rulebook around sliotar specifications has been altered to reflect the hype of sliotars currently being used. The mass of the sliotar shall be 110 – 116g (formerly 110 – 120g), rim height 1.8 – 2.6mm (formerly 2.0 – 2.8mm) and rim width 3.6 – 5.4mm (same as previous). 

Amid concerns over the distance the ball is travelling, prof. Moran said making it heavier would not necessarily counteract that.

“If you produce a ball that’s slightly heavier, it will travel further. People have a perception that if you produce a lighter ball it will travel further, but it’s the opposite.

“If it’s a heavier ball it travels further because it’ll knock the air molecules out of the way if you want to get into the science of it.”

Eoin McDonagh, Louise Conlon, Larry McCarthy, Brendan Cummins and Ned Quinn of the GAA’s Smart Sliotar Work Group.

Source: Sam Barnes/SPORTSFILE

Each manufacturer must reapply for a licence to produce the smart sliotars.

Just two have been approved at the moment (Greenfields and O’Neills), but the GAA are open to others coming on board once they can past the tests.

“The GAA are putting a process in place whereby manufacturers will now be tested on a regular basis and there will be outcomes if they don’t achieve the regulations that they initially passed on,” said prof. Moran.

“That’s being looked at at the moment to see what process will be put in to address that.”

Testing involved inter-county and club players, including Cummins, Dublin’s Alan Nolan, Tipperary’s Jason Forde and Wexford’s Rory O’Connor. They found that the chips were able to withstand heavy impact and their introduction made no change to behaviour of the ball.

While they are more expensive to produce, it’s anticipated  smart sliotars will be used at club level down the line.

“You would expect that when players see that ball at inter-county level, club players will want that ball as well,” said Quinn. “We are conscious of the price point. In normal times, we are looking at an additional €1 per ball increase. 

“There will be a modest increase in the price but that’s one of the reasons why when we’re trialling it at U20 – the GAA will supply all of the balls.

“We don’t envisage any chipped balls for club games or inter-county (senior) games (this year) so there’ll be no increase in the cost of the balls to the clubs. But they’ll have to come to the standard of specifications without the chip, which we will be testing.

“The chip will be at inter-county level and we intend to have the chipped ball in, unless something goes wrong, for 2023 in all inter-county championships.”

All the smart sliotars will be yellow in colour to aid visibility. McCarthy said feedback on the colour from players has largely “been positive”.

“It seems to be generally accepted that it is an improvement.”

Prof. Moran added: “It helps older players in particular because as you get older your ability to see contrast decreases.

“So it might not be any better for a 16, 17-year-old but as you get older and still want to play, the contrast is better.”

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THE AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL League Women’s [AFLW] season is set to kick off in August this year, with several Irish players likely facing a big decision as a result. 

A report in Australian outlet The Age confirmed that the AFL Commission informed the clubs in a meeting on Wednesday that it had been given approval for the change to the timing of the next AFLW season. 

The season would run until the end of November or early December. 

The move would have to be approved by the clubs, including the four new teams who are set to join for next season. Essendon, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and Sydney will all play in the NAB AFLW competition ahead of the 2022-23 campaign, rounding out all 18 clubs.

The42 understands if the dates are approved, several clubs are planning for pre-season to start in June with challenge games in July. One option for the start date is for AFLW games to be a curtain-raiser for the AFL finals in August. 

This would have a significant knock-on effect for the Irish contingent in Australia. Currently, 14 players are with clubs Down Under. 

Given the All-Ireland ladies football finals are fixed for 31 July, Irish players will likely have to choose between finishing out the inter-county season or presenting on time for pre-season. For the last number of years, players have been able to balance both. 

Established players may be able to arrange a flexible start date with their clubs, but a full pre-season is generally required for new recruits to get up to speed.

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WE’VE MOVED PAST the halfway point of the 2022 GAA football league as the action enters a decisive phase.

Eight teams are still awaiting their first win, frustrated in their four games to date and hoping for better luck as Round 5 fixtures await this weekend.

But who is feeling the greatest pressure as fears of relegation start to intensify?

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Division 1

Monaghan

The last day out against Kerry was Monaghan’s most dispiriting performance of the campaign, undone by the scoring magic of David Clifford and Sean O’Shea. Yet apart from that they have been highly competitive, and while that run has yielded no wins, they have a pair of points in the bag from draws against Tyrone and Armagh, along with a narrow defeat to Mayo.

They face into a difficult trip to Ballybofey on Sunday against a Donegal team buoyed by their recent win over Tyrone. The Round 6 game the following week against Kildare, a meeting of 6th and 7th currently in the table, may be the crucial one before they face Dublin on the last day. A long-running operator in the top tier, last year proved Monaghan have the wherewithal to escape from a tight spot.

Conor McManus.

Source: Ben Brady/INPHO

Dublin

The most high-profile of all the eigth sides still without a win in this spring’s football league. Having shared last year’s title and collected the silverware five times between 2013 and 2018, being rooted to the bottom of the table is a stunning scenario for Dublin to now face. It’s all the more striking because they are the only team in the country to have lost all four of their games to date.

The stakes are high as Dublin head into their final set of matches. Defeat on Sunday in Omagh could send them down, if Kildare have already won Saturday night in Armagh. Injuries have hurt their squad and there was improvements in their play last time out against Kildare, but it’s still a tough task to mount a rescue operation as Tyrone, Donegal and Monaghan await.

A dejected Dean Rock.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Division 2

Meath

Last June saw Meath lose out by three points to Kildare in a promotion play-off with Division 1 football the sizeable prize on offer. This time around it’s been a tougher season as they have travelled in the opposite direction in the second tier. They endured a horrible start, hit by the weather and a Galway onslaught in Salthill, before succumbing to Roscommon.

Meath’s last two outings have produced draws against Down and Offaly. Given those were against relegation rivals, the failure to win even one of those could be costly, albeit they were grateful for a last-gasp goal to save themselves in Tullamore. Sunday’s game against Cork looks highly significant, they have Clare and then high-flying Derry to come after that.

Cork

In a similar state to Meath as relegation concerns start to grow for Cork, and the potential knock-on impact of missing out on competing for the Sam Maguire in 2022. They have one point less than the Royals, a draw garnered against Clare their only positive outcome to date. There is vital context in their fixture list, Cork’s three losses to date have been against the three teams that will fight it out for promotion – Derry, Galway and Roscommon.

So the schedule looks kinder on paper from hereon in as they face fellow basement scrappers in Meath, Down and Offaly. But the pressure to get points on the board increases for new manager Keith Ricken, a county that finished 2021 by getting walloped by Kerry, have not seen 2022 begin in a more positive fashion.

Action from the recent Cork-Derry game.

Source: Lorcan Doherty/INPHO

Down

A draw with Meath is the only bright spot in the results record to date for Down. Similar to Cork, there is a source of comfort in that their defeats have been at the hands of this division’s dominant trio. Thus their next two games against Offaly and Cork, should in theory be less daunting.

The county did produce the All-Ireland club kingpins last month, but it’s not yet clear how many Kilcoo players will be available to fire Down’s charge. A critical eight-day period commences this Saturday night, having home advantage is a help against Offaly and the sense is they must win in Newry.

Offaly

After making the leap from Division 3 last year, Offaly will be aiming to avoid a swift return to that sector. They suffered two convincing losses to Clare and Derry to begin with, but their displays since were far more heartening against Meath and Galway. The issue is neither resulted in a victory, caught in sickening fashion by a late goal from Meath and ending four points in arrears in Salthill last Sunday, despite amassing 3-10.

Down on Saturday night is a critical encounter, then they travel to Roscommon and host Cork in their last game. At present they are bottom of the table but only on scoring difference as Cork and Down are also on a point each. Check out the scoring difference to be reminded of how tight it is – Cork (-23), Down (-24) and Offaly (-25).

Offaly boss John Maughan.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

Division 3

Wicklow

Last June, Wicklow pulled off a shock in their relegation play-off, two points superior against the then Ulster title holders Cavan. That preserved their status in Division 3 but their manager that day, Davy Burke, departed last August and his successor Colin Kelly moved on last week ‘due to a change in work commitments’. This week saw Alan Costello and Gary Duffy both installed as joint managers for the remainder of the season.

That’s plenty turbulence off the pitch and on it they have sustained three losses at the hands of Westmeath, Antrim and Limerick to date. Those defeats have been by margins ranging from four to six points, so the gap is not vast, and they did draw with Fermanagh. But they need to prevent themselves getting cut adrift. The next two games are critical as they entertain Laois, who are sixth, this Sunday, and then travel to Longford, who are seventh, on Sunday week.

Aughrim, the home of the Wicklow footballers.

Source: ©INPHO

Division 4

Waterford

Waterford are the only side in this winless group, that do at least have the comfort that relegation will not come into play. Still an upturn in results would be something their camp would appreciate before Division 4 concludes. They fought hard in their first two games to draw with Tipperary and lost by a single point to London, before defeats to Carlow and Leitrim ensued.

They are away to Wexford this weekend and then Ephie Fitzgerald’s charges have two challenging assignments before they wrap up, at home to Sligo and away to Cavan.

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ST TIERNACH’S PARK, Clones, will host a double-header of Lidl Ladies National Football League semi-finals on Saturday week.

Holders Dublin face Donegal in the opening clash on 19 March [throw-in 1pm], before 2021 All-Ireland champions Meath do battle with Mayo [3pm].

Both games will be shown live on TG4, while tickets are available now.

Dublin and Mayo both hold 100% records in the campaign thus far; Mick Bohan’s Sky Blues having defeated Meath by the minimum in their final group game at the weekend to top the pool, as their quest for a third Division 1 crown roars on.

The Royals, meanwhile, are eyeing a top-flight final after rising back through the league ranks and winning Division 2 last year.

Michael Moyles’ resurgent Green and Red and Donegal are both recent Division 1 semi-finalists, and targetting significant breakthroughs.

🏐Update on @lidl_ireland National League fixtures, including details of a Division 1 semi-final double-header (live on @TG4TV) at St Tiernach's Park, Clones, on Sat March 19@DonegalLGFA v @dublinladiesg @Mayo_LGFA v @meathladiesMLGF https://t.co/kgDlIzOkpy#SeriousSupport

— Ladies Football (@LadiesFootball) March 9, 2022

The final will take place in Croke Park on Sunday, 10 April, forming a double-header with the Division 2 showpiece. Armagh and Laois, and Kerry and Monaghan will contest the last four battles at that grade over the coming weeks.

The Division 1 relegation play-off between Westmeath and Waterford takes place this Sunday, as both sides battle for top-flight status in Abbotstown. Simultaneously, Louth and Wicklow are looking to avoid the drop to Division 4 on another pitch at the same venue and time.

The O’Connor Cup — the top-level colleges competition — is also down for decision this weekend, with DCU and UCC, and UL and NUIG in semi-final action on Friday before Saturday’s final.

This weekend’s heavy schedule for some players has led to discontent:

With the relegation game being played the same weekend as the college finals could potentially mean myself and some teammates could have to play 3 games in 3 days!! Surely there is another free weekend to play this game ?? #LGFA #playerwelfare @LadiesHEC @LadiesFootball https://t.co/73NHm0Ynjb

— Sarah Dillon (@sarah_dillon9) March 9, 2022

Great to see division 1&3 relegation games fixed for the same weekend as the college football🙄 Players potentially playing 3 must win games in 3 days!!! Surely it could have been fixed for any other weekend🤷🏽‍♀️ #LGFA #PlayerWelfare https://t.co/UQYFzyNo60

— Karen Hegarty (@kazzyheg) March 9, 2022

How can the Div1 relegation between Westmeath & Waterford go ahead the same weekend as college finals? Surely this can be pushed to next weekend, what’s the rush? Player welfare? same story.. different year 🤦🏼‍♀️ @LeinsterLGFA @LadiesFootball @LadiesHEC

— Carole Finch (@Funchla) March 9, 2022

All games, which are listed out below, are available to watch live on the LGFA Facebook and YouTube, Sport TG4 Youtube or the LGFA’s live-streaming portal.

Upcoming Lidl Ladies National Football League Fixtures

(All fixtures 2pm unless stated)

Sunday 13 March

Division 1 relegation play-off

• Waterford v Westmeath; Abbotstown, Pitch 2 (Astro)

Division 3 relegation play-off

• Louth v Wicklow; Abbotstown, Pitch 1 – 1pm

Saturday 19 March

Division 1 semi-finals

• Dublin v Donegal; St Tiernach’s Park, Clones – 1pm – Live on TG4
• Mayo v Meath; St Tiernach’s Park, Clones – 3pm – Live on TG4

Division 2 semi-final

• Armagh v Laois; TBC

Sunday 20 March

Division 2 semi-final

• Kerry v Monaghan; TBC

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Division 3 semi-finals

• Kildare v Roscommon; TBC
• Down v Wexford; TBC

Division 4 semi-finals

• Leitrim v Offaly; TBC
• Fermanagh v Limerick; Kinnegad

Sunday 3 April

Division 2 relegation play-off

• Clare v Tyrone; Glennon Brothers Pearse Park

Division 3 Final

• Kildare/Roscommon v Down/Wexford; TBC

Division 4 Final

• Leitrim/Offaly v Fermanagh/Limerick; TBC

Sunday April 10

Division 2 Final

• Armagh/Laois v Kerry/Monaghan; Croke Park – Live on TG4

Division 1 Final

• Dublin/Donegal v Mayo/Meath; Croke Park, 4pm – Live on TG4

All games not being shown live on TG4 will be available to view via the LGFA’s live-streaming service: https://page.inplayer.com/lgfaseason2022/

Yoplait O’Connor Cup semi-final fixtures

Friday 11 March

Saturday 12 March

ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONS Kilcoo will be “forever grateful” to Mickey Moran following his decision to step down as manager after guiding the Down club to glory earlier this year.

News of his departure was first reported by the Irish News, as the Derry native brings the curtain down on another successful period of his managerial career. Assistant managers Conleith Gilligan and Richie Thornton will take over as joint managers of the club as the new season looms.

Moran brought the Down outfit to their first senior All-Ireland title following a dramatic extra-time battle with Kilmacud Crokes in Croke Park last month. Kilcoo, who previously contested the 2020 showpiece, clinched victory after a late goal from Jerome Johnston.

In addition to the All-Ireland crown, Moran has also managed Kilcoo to three county championship titles and two Ulster titles during his time in charge.

“It’s unbelievable when you think of where we’ve come from when we sought Mickey out to come and manage the team in 2018,” Kilcoo PRO Michael Kane told The42 as he recalled the early days of the Moran era.

“The players are a very ambitious group and we knew there was more in them, and we needed the best man in Ulster to take us over the line.

“He did that in his first year – won Down, won Ulster and then took us to an All-Ireland final against Corofin. We lost a year with Covid, we got our county championship but never got to progress and it was probably our best year in terms of performances under Mickey.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

“We all know what happened in the recent months when we became Ulster champions for the second time and our very first All-Ireland. He was a massive part of bringing success to the club and we’re indebted to him.

“He’ll forever go down as a legend with the respect he has among the people in Kilcoo.”

Commenting on the background of Moran’s exit, Kane explained how the squad took a break on the back of their All-Ireland success. Moran then made contact with the club chairman Roger Morgan over the weekend to request a meeting with the players, which took place last night.

Kane says that it was an emotional evening as Moran informed the camp of his intention to step away after overseeing the most successful period in the club’s history.

“The players were all there. Even the ones that were away were involved through zoom to be part of it. It was an emotional evening. It wasn’t totally unexpected, we thought it was coming but Mickey decided that he wanted to go out at the top and he thanked the club for everything. He had so much good to say about the players and their attitude and commitment.

“We’re sad to see him go but we totally respect and understand his decision. Taking the travelling involved and his recent health scares, we totally respect his decision and we’re forever grateful for what he’s brought to our club.”

One of the most enduring images from Kilcoo’s victory over Kilmacud Crokes was the sight of Moran walking down to the goals at the Hill 16 end and kissing the ground after the game.

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Having suffered All-Ireland heartache as manager of other teams in the past, Kilcoo’s achievement was all the more significant for Moran. And he marked the moment with a poignant gesture to the turf in Croke Park.

Kane notes that the players were determined to deliver for their manager as much as themselves.

“It’s pure class. The effort and commitment he has shown to our guys, it’s nothing more than he deserves. We’re delighted for him that he can go out at the top and he got a guard of honour from our players as he travelled out the lane last night. He bowed out as an All-Ireland champion so what better way to go.

“What he put in place, his coaching ability and what he’s brought to the table, he’s the reason why we were back in Croke Park and he was like a father figure over our players.

“They wanted to win it for themselves but they wanted Mickey to get up them steps as well because I know, not just with Kilcoo, he had hard luck with Slaughtneil and a couple of inter-county All-Irelands.”

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WICKLOW HAVE APPOINTED Alan Costello and Gary Duffy as joint-managers for the remainder of the season.

The duo take over from Louth native Colin Kelly who stepped down last Tuesday due to work commitments. 

Wicklow gained a point from their opening four Division 3 games, leaving them in real danger of relegation as they face Laois on Saturday.

Costello and Duffy were part of Kelly’s backroom team, with the former also in charge of the Garden County U20s. 

Costello enjoyed great success during his playing career. He represented Mayo at minor level and skippered their U21s before sending time on the senior panel in the early 2000s.  

He played in the Galway championship and Sigerson Cup with NUIG, and won a Dublin crown with UCD. He won Dublin, Leinster and All-Ireland senior club medals with St Vincent’s.

As a manager, he won a pair of Division 1 league titles with Eire Og, and led Tinahely to the Wicklow IFC crown in addition to the 2020 SFC final. He also coached the UCD Freshers team. 

Duffy represented Wicklow at minor, U21, and senior levels, while he collected numerous Wicklow SFC titles with his native St Patricks as a player and coach. He was part of Kevin O’Brien’s U20 backroom set-up last year where he worked a number of the current senior panel.

“Alan and Gary, as joint-managers, have already begun working closely with the squad and management team to maximise performances in our vital three remaining league games,” said chairman Martin Fitzgerald in a statement.

“They have a talented squad to choose from and I know they will work hard to achieve positive results. The full Wicklow County Management Committee and I would like to wish Alan, Gary and the full team the best of luck over the coming months and we look forward to the whole county getting behind the team.”

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KILKENNY MANAGER BRIAN Cody has paid tribute to former Ballyhale Shamrocks player Paul Shefflin who passed away on Friday.

The younger brother of Henry Shefflin died while out running and news of his passing sent shockwaves through the local community.  

A minute silence was held for the 40-year-old father of four before yesterday’s Division 1B hurling tie between Kilkenny and Dublin in Parnell Park.

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The Cats prevailed by 2-23 to 0-16, and afterwards Cody said: “It’s so sad for everybody concerned.

“He was a very good hurler, obviously a terrific club player and underage with Kilkenny as well and Fitzgibbon (Cup). It’s just an absolute tragedy.”

Speaking to RTÉ prior to the game, he said: “It’s a really, really sad time for Ballyhale, Kilkenny and the whole hurling community everywhere.

“The Shefflin family are synonymous with the game, and Paul was a terrific hurler himself and obviously just a really popular figure.”

Shefflin won three All-Ireland club titles and six Kilkenny crowns with Ballyhale during his career.

“When the news trickled through, you were just asking yourself, ‘Why?’ said Jackie Tyrrell.

“All the things you alluded to – a great clubman, a family man. Possibly because of Henry’s success, his achievements may have been overshadowed. But you look at his list there – three club All-Irelands, a real great clubman, a coach and a treasurer there.

“I played against Paul a few times. A tough cookie, but a gentleman off the hurling field. It’s such a sad, sad day for a community like Ballyhale that have had a lot of tragedies, down through the years.”

Henry Shefflin was absent from the sideline yesterday for Galway’s defeat to Cork as he comes to term with the tragic passing.

Ballyhale’s Paul Shefflin celebrates with the Leinster club title in 2014.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Richie O’Neill, who was previously involved with Paul as part of Henry’s Ballyhale backroom team, assumed management duties for the day and he spoke afterwards about his shock at the sudden death. 

“It was shocking to get the call yesterday, the tragedy that had come on Paul, Ballyhale and the Shefflin family,” he told RTÉ.

“An absolutely brilliant chap. I got involved with Ballyhale with Henry in 2018 and Paul was just a real rock-steady solid guy in the parish and in the club.

“He carried the hurleys for us in the senior team. If you were looking for a dig out to make 15 v 15 in an internal game he’d tog out and play and was as competitive as ever.

“He was a really good guy in the community. He has young kids now and was involved in training the underage in the club.

Galway selector Richie O’Neill speaks to the media before the Cork game.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

“One of those guys you need around in every club and for something like that to happen is just unthinkable really, for his wife Aoife and his four kids it’s unthinkable.

“It makes you rethink things definitely. We all get caught running around, stressing about things that maybe aren’t worth stressing about.

“In Ballyhale, when I was there for the two years there were other tragedies (as well). We used to say that life can be cruel but sport is our outlet.”

Originally published at 10.00

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Results

Croke Cup Semi-final

St Joseph’s Tulla 1-11 St Kieran’s 3-16

Allianz Football League Division 3

Longford 0-14 Westmeath 0-10

Fermanagh 3-15 Laois 3-9  

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IN TODAY’S REFIXED Allianz Football League games, there were wins in Division 3 for Longford and Fermanagh. 

Billy O’Loughlin’s Longford eased their relegation fears with a 0-15 to 0-10 win over Westmeath, denting the promotion hopes of their neighbours in the process. 

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Driven on by Mickey Quinn, Longford shot six points in success during the second period  before Westmeath finished the game with 13 men. David Lynch was red carded seven times from time and Kieran Martin picked up a black card in injury-time. 

Fermanagh won their second game on the bounce, seeing off Laois in a six-goal thriller. They won by 3-15 to 3-9 after three-pointers from Sean Quigley, Ciaran Corrigan and Darragh McGurn. Laois hit the net through a brace from Mark Barry and one form Evan O’Carroll, but it wasn’t enough. 

In the Croke Cup semi-final, Kilkenny side St Kieran’s College sealed a return to the All-Ireland post primary schools senior hurling championship final with a 3-16 to 1-11 win against St Joseph’s Tulla.

The Clare outfit were shock winners of the Harty Cup earlier this year but their historic run ended today. St Kieran’s led by four at half-time as Brian Dowling (2) and Donagh Murphy scored goals in the second period.

They’ll face Ardscoil Rís in the final after the Limerick school saw off Wexford’s Good Counsel in the other semi-final.

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Wexford 1-22
Offaly 2-12

Ronan Fagan reports from Chadwicks Wexford Park

WEXFORD PRODUCED A late flourish to add to Offaly’s relegation worries after Saturday’s Allianz National Hurling League Division 1 duel at blustery Chadwicks Wexford Park.

A 48th minute penalty goal from Luke O’Connor gave Offaly a fighting chance of a first victory in Group A on their return to the top-flight as they battled into a 2-10 to 1-12 advantage.

But Wexford overcame a troubled display with a strong closing surge, accounting for ten of the last twelve points to maintain their push for the league semi-finals with a 100% record under new boss Darragh Egan.

Offaly must now win on the road against Limerick if they are to have any chance of avoiding the relegation play-off.

But after hammerings against Galway, Cork and Clare, the midlanders offered plenty of encouragement in this latest outing, which was preceded by an immaculate minute’s silence for Paul Shefflin, a Ballyhale Shamrocks’ club-mate of Offaly manager Michael Fennelly who passed suddenly.

Wind-assisted Offaly boosted their boss’s spirits as they crafted a 1-3 to 0-2 advantage when Luke O’Connor netted in the thirteenth minute after being located unmarked by a smart cross from Paddy Clancy.

Wexford’s Laurie Foley tackles David Nally of Offaly.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

Wexford were underwhelming. But the free-taking of Rory O’Connor and a Diarmuid O’Keeffe equaliser hauled them back level after 21 minutes (0-6 to 1-3).

However, despite incurring a booking for a late challenge in the build up to the O’Keeffe leveller, Offaly midfielder Adrian Cleary immediately restored their advantage which climbed to 1-6 to 0-6 after 25 minutes.

But Wexford transformed matters by 1-8 to 1-7 at half-time after Rory O’Connor burst in from the extreme left to ram to the net with an equalising goal before tagging on the lead score from an injury-time free.

A quick Luke O’Connor double saw Offaly reassert by 1-9 to 1-8 after 39 minutes.

And a foul on Eoghan Parlon paved the way for O’Connor to drill home a 48th minute penalty to lead 2-9 to 1-10. And after Wexford tied matters for a fifth time, O’Connor nudged Offaly back in front on 55 minutes (2-10 to 1-12).

Wexford eventually shook off their lethargy as they produced an unstoppable late charge, Rory O’Connor, substitute Connal Flood and corner-back Conor Devitt fashioning a 1-15 to 2-10 transformation after 57 minutes.

They maintained the thrust, with O’Connor forcing a fine save while teenager Corey Byrne-Dunbar rounded off the scoring on his league debut with a point as Wexford came good to leave Offaly frustrated after a promising effort.

Scorers for Wexford: Rory O’Connor (1-11, 0-9 frees), Connal Flood, Conor McDonald, Kevin Foley (0-2 each), Diarmuid O’Keeffe, Liam Óg McGovern, Conor Devitt, Jack O’Connor, Corey Byrne-Dunbar (0-1 each).

Scorers for Offaly: Luke O’Connor (2-6, 1-0 penalty, 0-4 frees), Adrian Cleary, Joey Keenaghan (0-2 each), Paddy Clancy, Stephen Corcoran (0-1 free).

Wexford

1. James Lawlor (Ferns St Aidan’s)

2. Shane Reck (Oylegate-Glenbrien), 3. Matthew O’Hanlon (St James’), 4. Conor Devitt (Tara Rocks)

5. Gavin Bailey (Ferns St Aidan’s), 6. Damien Reck (Oylegate-Glenbrien), 9. Diarmuid O’Keeffe (St Anne’s)

12. Conor Hearne (Shelmaliers), 7. Jack O’Connor (St Martin’s)

10. Charlie McGuckin (Naomh Eanna), 11. Oisín Foley (Crossabeg-Ballymurn), 8. Kevin Foley (Rapparees, capt.)

15. Rory Higgins (Rathnure St Anne’s), 14. Conor McDonald (Naomh Eanna), 13. Rory O’Connor (St Martin’s)

Subs:

26. Liam Óg McGovern (St Anne’s) for McGuckin (42)

21. Corey Byrne Dunbar (Ferns St Aidan’s) for Higgins (42)

23. Connal Flood (Cloughbawn) for Bailey (44)

24. Paudie Foley (Crossabeg-Ballymurn) for McDonald (62)

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18. Cian Byrne (Fethard) for Hearne (66)

Offaly

1 Stephen Corcoran (Coolderry)

4 Paddy Delaney (Kinnitty), 3 Ben Conneely (St. Rynagh’s, capt.), 2 Jack Screeney (Kilcormac-Killoughey)

7 Killian Sampson (Shinrone), 6 David King (Coolderry), 5 Ciarán Burke (Durrow)

8 Joey Keenaghan (Clodiagh Gaels), 23 Adrian Cleary (Shinrone)

10 Brian Duignan (Durrow), 11 Jason Sampson (Shrinone), 12 Eoghan Parlon (Coolderry)

15 Luke O’Connor (St. Rynagh’s), 14 Paddy Clancy (Belmont), 13 Liam Langton (Clodiagh Gaels)

Subs:

9 Eimhin Kelly (Lusmagh) for Delaney (HT)

25 John Murphy (Ballinamere) for Duignan (48)

22 David Nally (Belmont) for Langton (62)

17 Pádraig Cantwell (Shamrocks) for Clancy (67)

24 Morgan Watkins (Birr) for Parlon (70)

Referee: Nathan Wall (Cork)

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THE PHONE CALL came out of the blue. A few days beforehand, Monica McGuirk had made the decision to take a break from one sport.

This was at the start of 2018. An accomplished goalkeeper in the Women’s National League [WNL] at the time, she was stepping away from the top-flight of women’s soccer on these shores. Temporarily, anyway.

“I just decided, ‘Look, I’m just giving soccer a break. I just maybe need to reset and look at it again in a year or two,’” she explains ahead of today’s mouth-watering Division 1B league meeting with Dublin, a repeat of last year’s All-Ireland final.

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“I hadn’t decided to focus on Gaelic or anything like that, it was just a decision I made myself.

“I’d say within a week [Meath manager] Eamonn Murray got wind that I wasn’t playing soccer so he was straight on the phone to me, and he was like, ‘Just give me two weeks and see how you go. If you like it, you like it, and if not, you can walk away from it.’ 

“And I haven’t looked back.”

An All-Ireland senior crown, two All-Stars and plenty more medals and accolades later, she’s happy to do so for the purpose of this interview.

McGuirk had always balanced both, but up to that point, soccer came first. That was a well-known and widely-accepted fact. She played underage Gaelic football with Meath, and had been in and out of the senior set-up since 2009 or 2010. 

Irene Munnelly was the Royals’ number one, an All-Star arriving for the long-serving ‘keeper in 2011. Her understudy was swayed towards association football, signing for Peamount in late 2012. 

Reaching the FAI Cup final and lining out in the Aviva Stadium in 2014 was a certain highlight, though Peas were beaten 2-1 by Raheny United. Ireland captain Katie McCabe scored a sensational free-kick that day — “That was me alright. Horrible,” McGuirk laughs — while she had the best possible view of one of the most famous goals in the history of Irish football: directly in line with Stephanie Roche’s Puskas wonder-strike.

Two seasons at UCD Waves followed her time at Peamount, before she made a brief return to Greenogue. She caught the eye in the league week in, week out, so much so that she was called up for Ireland trials, but a coveted call-up never materialised.

Dejection in the closing stages of the 2014 FAI Cup final.

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

“At the end of 2017, the beginning of 2018. I just said, ‘Look, I’ve had enough now,’” McGuirk recalls. “My soccer career wasn’t going the way I wanted it to go, they weren’t pushing me to the limits that I felt I needed to be pushed to.

“I was constantly getting knockbacks, not getting selected for the Irish team and stuff like that. I wasn’t getting selected but yet I was able to turn around and play with the same players in the National League. D’you know what I mean? I was basically told I wasn’t good enough.

“I got callbacks to the last stages of everything and then just being told [no] at the last thing. A lot of it was to do with certain things like I needed to get fit or I’d have to lose weight, things like that.

“I’m just like, ‘This is me. If this is not what you want, then that’s fine, I’ll understand that.’ I’m a bigger person, I know who I am. But like, I’m strong. I had those knockbacks – I wouldn’t say that’s the reason why I gave up soccer, I kept going at it. I was still 26/27, I still gave it a good 10, 12 years. But it was the best decision I ever made.”

It came shortly after that fateful phone call with Murray, who had taken over as Meath boss at the end of 2017.

Munnelly had retired by then, and while a couple of goalkeepers were coming and going, there was no nailed-down replacement with the 2018 National League already underway.

“Not that he was under orders not to ring me, but he knew my situation,” McGuirk grins.

“I was playing for Peamount in Dublin, and I live in Duleek. That is a separate commitment, it’s nearly the same as Meath. There’s one or two girls that currently do it in the National League now, the likes of Lucy McCartan from Westmeath.

“If it works for her, it works for her, but I don’t think it would work for me personally. The commitment was too much. And you’ve no personal life. None of your own time to do your own thing.”

She admits that she could have easily fallen away from sport altogether, as so often happens, left disillusioned and disenfranchised after putting so much in for so little in return. 

But thankfully, McGuirk has gotten it all back in spades since her 100% commitment to Gaelic football. 

In September 2018, she switched one national stadium for another and graced the hallowed turf of Croke Park. She did the same 12 months later; back-to-back All-Ireland intermediate finals ending in heartbreaking defeat to Tyrone and Tipperary respectively.

It was in the pre-Christmas Covid finals of 2020 that the Royals finally got their hands on the Mary Quinn Memorial Cup and achieved promotion back to the senior ranks. And we all know what happened thereafter, simply stratospheric heights hit in 2021.

McGuirk celebrating Meath’s goal in the 2021 All-Ireland final.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

Celtic Crosses and a pair of All-Star awards – from 2019 and 2021 – now sit in McGuirk’s cabinet, taking pride of place after her up-and-down journey to this point.

The Duleek Bellewstown clubwoman, who works as an Operations Manager in Aura Leisure Management’s site in Drogheda, does keep in touch with former team-mates and other figures from the previous chapter.

“They obviously see what I’ve achieved through social media and stuff like that as well,” she adds. “It’s selfish even for myself to know that I was able to go and perfect it in this sport.

“I know in the back of my mind, I was good enough and I am good enough. I didn’t just get the two All-Stars because they were given to me. D’you know what I mean? I feel like I’ve proved to myself now that I know I was good enough.”

It’s fair to say that she’s had the last laugh after the setbacks, and that the success and personal accolades, in particular, hold that extra bit of significance?

“Yeah,” McGuirk smiles. “Especially the first one [All-Star]. The first one obviously, I didn’t have all the girls there. I was intermediate. I just felt I was voted and that was it.

“I felt honored just to be up there among the best, but then when they called out my name, I could not believe it. We didn’t win the All-Ireland that year either. And then to get one this year along with the other seven players was amazing, that was just a great night.”

A great night, indeed, and given the upward trajectory McGuirk’s career is on, there should be many more on the horizon.

– Meath v Dublin, Páirc Tailteann, Navan, throw-in 4pm, live on TG4.