ROSCOMMON HAVE ANNOUNCED the retirements of the county’s former senior football team captains Geoffrey Claffey and Niall Carty this evening.

A statement confirms that the pair have played their last games for the Rossies, as manager Kevin McStay looks ahead to the 2017 campaign.

Goalkeeper Claffey has indicated that he is also retiring from club football with Castlerea St Kevin’s but Carty aims to continue playing with Padraig Pearses.

Source: officialgaa/YouTube

Claffey made his championship debut against Galway in 2006 and was captain of the Roscommon senior team in 2012.

Carty, meanwhile, made his championship debut against New York in 2011, before captaining the team to Division 3 Allianz League success in 2014, and Division 2 glory a year later.

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Carty, who has been dogged by injury in recent times, was a member of Roscommon’s 2006 All-Ireland minor winning crop.

McStay said: “Like all Roscommon people, I wish both men well, they made significant contributions to two of the greatest days in recent Roscommon history, Niall in the All Ireland Minor Final Victory in 2006 and Geoffrey in the Connacht Final victory of 2010.”

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1. Missed opportunity for Thurles Sarsfields

THURLES SARSFIELDS’ PLAYERS likely still woke up this morning wondering how they let it slip…again.

Leading Clare’s Ballyea — who won their first county title a week previously — by seven points with 10 minutes to play, it looked almost certain that the Tipp champions would advance to this year’s Munster decider.

When you consider their dominance in Tipperary in recent years — winning six of the last eight county titles — the latest slip-up must be hard to stomach.

In the grander scheme of things, with the likes of Portumna, Ballyhale Shamrocks and reigning champions Na Piarsaigh already out of the race for honours on St Patrick’s Day, many had tipped Sarsfields to go all the way and claim All-Ireland glory for the first time.

But thanks to a last-minute equalising goal from football All-Star nominee Gary Brennan, and an inspirational display from former Hurler of the Year Tony Kelly, in normal and extra-time, Sarsfields somehow came out on the losing side yesterday.

Cusack Park is fast becoming a destination of Sarsfields misery; it was just two years ago that they fell to Cratloe at the same venue after losing Denis Maher to a red card at the throw-in.

Padraic Maher in action for Thurles Sarsfields yesterday.

Source: Lorraine O’Sullivan/INPHO

The plans of Maher brothers Padraic and Ronan, and Michael Cahill, to back up their All-Ireland success with the Premier County with a club All-Ireland medal fell apart much sooner than many had expected.

2. Con O’Callaghan’s frightening talent

Con O’Callaghan shot to prominence as a footballer this year, starring for Dublin’s U21s before making substitute appearances for Jim Gavin’s All-Ireland-winning seniors in their three Leinster outings.

O’Callaghan was a late inclusion for Cuala — following full-forward Nicky Kenny’s withdrawal through injury — against maiden Laois champions Borris-Kilcotton yesterday and he grabbed his chance with both hands.

The talented dual star ran riot, bagging 4-3 from play, as the Dublin champions eased to a comfortable victory.

He has form for accumulating big tallies in both codes, amassing 3-24 in four matches for Dublin’s U21 footballers this year and scoring 3-6 from play in last year’s Dublin Junior ‘A’ club final against Scoil Uí Chonaill.

Con O’Callaghan finds the net for Cuala.

Source: Colm O’Neill/INPHO

You would think he has played his way into a well-balanced Cuala team on the back of his display at Parnell Park, particularly as the Dalkey club had netted just twice in their previous three matches in the Dublin championship.

O’Callaghan, whose brother Cian is a permanent fixture at full-back for Dublin and the Dalkey club, might have caught Borris-Kilcotton off guard yesterday but you can be sure Carlow champions St Mullins will have their homework done ahead of the semi-final on 20 November.

Fans of the small-ball code in the capital could be waiting quite a while to see the younger O’Callaghan line out in blue however, as he has already stressed his desire to concentrate on inter-county football for the foreseeable future.

3. Glen Rovers’ progress against the odds

The hurling club championships have already offered up plenty of storylines this year — Ballyea’s aforementioned achievement, Slaughtneil becoming the first Derry club to win in Ulster, and Brian Hogan captaining O’Loughlin Gaels to a surprise Kilkenny final win against Ballyhale, to name but a few.

But the achievement of Cork champions Glen Rovers in reaching their first provincial decider in 40 years also deserves recognition, especially considering the financial struggles the club have overcome.

Once again led by the sharp shooting of Patrick Horgan, they saw off the challenge of Limerick’s Patrickswell on Sunday by the narrowest of margins.

Glen Rovers’ Patrick Horgan.

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

In doing so, Rovers set up a provincial decider against Ballyea, which means Munster’s champions won’t be coming from Limerick, Tipperary or Waterford for the first time since Cork’s Newtownshandrum prevailed in 2009.

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Ballyea, meanwhile, are hoping to become the first Banner club to be crowned provincial champions since Sixmilebridge in 2000.

A word of warning for other contenders down the line should Rovers succeed in Munster — the previous two times they claimed provincial honours they went on to add All-Ireland honours.

4. Oulart-The Ballagh showing no signs of easing up

The reigning Leinster champions could face Cuala in the provincial decider should they both progress in two weeks’ time.

But before they start considering a title defence they must get over the significant challenge that will be posed by Kilkenny champions O’Loughlin Gaels.

Oulart are showing no signs of sluggishness after a number of long seasons on the road — winning 10 of the last 13 county titles — and still saw off Offaly’s St Rynagh’s comfortably despite playing nearly half of the game with 14 men and being without a number of key players.

The bookmakers can’t split O’Loughlin Gaels and Oulart at the moment, and as a result Dublin champions Cuala are priced as favourites for provincial honours.

But after Oulart got across the line in Leinster last year, winning their first provincial crown and ending a cruel run of defeats at the final hurdle, you’d be brave to back against them repeating the feat.

St Rynagh’s Aidan Treacy is tackled by Rory Jacob of Oulart-The Ballagh.

Source: Ken Sutton/INPHO

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ST VINCENT’S WALKED off the field at Parnell Park in a familiar position on Saturday night. Champions. They’ve now been crowned top dogs in Dublin 28 times. Nobody else comes close.

The Marino club were warm favourites to beat Ballyboden St Enda’s in last year’s decider, but failed to catch fire and lost by four. That defeat, which dashed their three-in-a-row hopes, coupled with watching Ballyboden go on to lift the All-Ireland, spurred St Vincent’s on this year.

Diarmuid Connolly reacts to losing the 2015 Dublin SFC final to Ballyboden St Enda’s.

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

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The five-point win over Castleknock provided manager Tommy Conroy with a deep sense of satisfaction.

“We were all hurt by that and pained by that,” he said after the game.

“Taking nothing away from Ballyboden, they were excellent and they went on and won an All-Ireland. But it does spur you on. There’s a huge amount of work gone into this.

“They’ve asked questions of each other, they’ve been very honest with each other and, please God now, they’ll give a little bit more now.”

Vincent’s wing-forward Gavin Burke posted important two points in an opening half where they struggled to shake Castleknock off and didn’t have things all their own way.

“It’s probably the sweetest of the titles that we won,” Burke said. “We probably took it for granted for a few years there winning everything between the Leinsters and the All-Ireland so you do appreciate it that bit more now when you get it back.

“Castleknock have come of age this year and they are a young team so they will be around for a long time. You have Ballymun, Crokes, Boden. Any one of them can win it so it is great to do it.”

It’s the third time in four years Conroy has led his side to the county title. He was also part of Mickey Whelan’s backroom team for their All-Ireland success in 2008.

The former All-Star won an All-Ireland on the playing field with Dublin in 1983 and was part of the Vincent’s side who lost the All-Ireland club final to CastleIsland Desmonds in 1985.

Conroy was full of praise for the players and members of his management team.

“To be part of this…the group, the management team that’s there, the people that are there with me, they’re unreal. And they’re very selfless people. They’re an amazing bunch of people. Incredible.

“Tomás [Quinn] just puts so much into this. He’s a very dedicated guy, he puts an awful lot into it. I know, Diarmuid [Connolly], it probably wasn’t his greatest game, but then at the crucial times it was him that was delivering the ball into Tomás.

“I think he put in two or three great passes into him in the second half and Tomás finished them off.”

On each of the two previous occasions they’ve won the title in Dublin under Conroy, Vincent’s have gone on to lift the Leinster crown.

Gavin Burke races past Ben Galvin during Saturday’s final.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

Once again they’ll face a short-turnaround for the provincial campaign. Carlow champions Paletine are the opponents in Sunday’s quarter-final.

Burke expects a stern test. He continued: “It is very difficult and it’s been worse than previous years but we’ll have a pool session (on Sunday) and be back training Tuesday.

“We were very hurt last year so we certainly won’t be getting ahead of ourselves this time.

“Going down to Carlow in the middle of November after a tough game this week isn’t going to be easy at all. Enjoy this first and then it’s full steam ahead.”

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AFTER CRACKING THE Cork senior hurling championship code in 2015, Glen Rovers have now gone one step further.

From 1989 until last year, the Glen hadn’t won a county title but that 26-year wait came to an end with victory over Sarsfields. 

And now Rovers have ended another famine, as yesterday’s gritty win against Patrickswell has propelled them into a first AIB Munster senior club final in 40 years.

Rovers ruled the province in 1964, 1972 and 1976 and now have the chance to add a fourth crown when they face off against surprise packets Ballyea from Clare on November 20, a fixture that’s expected to be pencilled in for Semple Stadium in Thurles.

There were some big moments that got them there at the Gaelic Grounds, as county star Patrick Horgan and goalkeeper Cathal Hickey played key roles.

Hickey’s saves from Thomas O’Brien and Seanie O’Brien in the second half were crucial and Horgan showed incredible leadership to win and convert a free in the 58th minute that put his side ahead for the first time in the game.

Horgan’s radar was off in the first half as he registered three wides. He missed another effort in the second half but the ace forward still finished with eight points, including six frees.

How he managed to win that late free, with three or four Patrickswell players competing for possession, is anybody’s guess but Rovers manager Richie Kelleher has his own views on it.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

“He’s an inter-county player and he’s very strong.

“He knows where the posts are and he’s going for the jugular.

He doesn’t care what is front of him. The opposition know if they let him go, he’ll put it in the back of the net. That is why he is fouled so often.

“If he was a slighter player, he’d probably get more frees. But because he is so strong, he doesn’t get as many frees as he should. We are mad about him.”

So they should be and at a time when Cork’s inter-county fortunes are at a low ebb, the progression of Glen Rovers to a provincial club final is a timely boost.

Cathal Hickey made big saves at crucial times.

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

Indeed, their victory on Sunday was the first time since 2009 that a Cork team had won a game in the AIB Munster senior club campaign.

Since Newtownshandrum lifted the title seven years ago, the tale of woe read as follows:

• 2010 – De La Salle (Waterford) 0-22 Sarsfields 2-15 (semi-final)
• 2011 – Crusheen (Clare) 0-19 Carrigtwohill 1-10 (semi-final)
• 2012 – Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary) 2-20 Sarsfields 2-15 (semi-final)
• 2013 – Sixmilebridge (Clare) 1-17 Midleton 1-13 (semi-final)
• 2014 – Kilmallock (Limerick) 3-22 Sarsfields 3-20 (semi-final, a.e.t.)
• 2015 – Ballygunner (Waterford) 0-19 Glen Rovers 1-9 (semi-final)

Kelleher added: “I’m thrilled, to be honest. It wasn’t a great spectacle.

“To get into a Munster final is just unbelievable. It is something I never thought about. I never dreamt about being in a Munster final. It is just unreal for a club like ourselves.

A few years ago, our club was at a serious crossroads. Financially, we were in a huge hole. We didn’t know where we were going as a club hurling-wise.

“To turn all that around and be in a Munster final is just brilliant. We’ve an older parish, a win like this brings young kids in. It brings the club forward. It is magic.”

Glen Rovers hit 9 wides in the first half but were still very much in touch at the break, trailing by 0-4 to 0-7 after playing into the teeth of an icy breeze.

Dave Moriarty takes Glen Rovers through their pre-match warm-up routine.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

They hung in there and after getting level twice through that man Horgan, he put them ahead at a critical juncture late on.

Kelleher said: “We have left a lot of matches late. We make things difficult for ourselves.

“We had nine wides in the first-half. We do make it very, very hard on ourselves, but we refuse to give in or give up. We always play till the very end. Today we did that and we got over the line.”

And Kelleher reserved a very special word of praise for Hickey’s heroics.

“He’s been doing that for us all year. He did it for us in last year’s (county) final.

Cathal Hickey is a serious goalkeeper. I thought they were two certain goals the way they came through at us. For him to stop both shows his calibre.”

In less than a fortnight, Rovers will need Hickey at his best again when they face a Ballyea side that registered 4-18 against Thurles Sarsfields over the course of 80-plus minutes but in Horgan, they have a bona-fide matchwinner at the other end of the pitch.

For now, though, it’s time to celebrate. And rightly so.

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DUBLIN SENIOR HURLING manager Ger Cunningham has announced his winter training panel ahead of the 2017 season.

There are some big name omissions as former captain Johnny McCaffrey, ex joint-captain Peter Kelly, forward Paul Ryan, Daire Plunkett, Niall Corcoran and Glenn Whelan are deemed surplus to requirements.

It is understood that Shane Durkin has also opted out for next year.

Cunningham’s panel pulls the curtain down on the inter-county careers of many players who starred in the march to 2013 Leinster senior hurling championship glory.

Three years ago, McCaffrey lifted the Bob O’Keeffe Cup as Dublin stormed to provincial championship glory, securing a big win against Galway in the final.

Kelly was also honoured with an All-Star award in 2013 for his defensive exploits but has struggled with injury in recent times.

Peter Kelly is not part of Dublin manager Ger Cunningham’s plans for 2017.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Joining the panel of 38 are three members of the 2016 Bord Gáis Energy Leinster U21 winning side – Jonathan Tracey (Na Fianna), Jake Malone (Cuala) and Eoghan Conroy (St. Maurs).

There are also three members of the Leinster minor winning team drafted into the senior ranks, namely Donal Burke (Na Fianna), Cian O’Sullivan (St. Brigid’s) and Paddy Smyth (Clontarf).

Recently defeated county finalists Kilmacud Crokes have two players included – Ronan Walsh, who was a member of the panel previously, and promising young player Fergal Whitely.

Fergal Whitely has earned a call-up to the Dublin senior hurling squad.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

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Alex Quinn (Crumlin) and Canice Maher (Naomh Jude) were two other players who impressed in the recent club championship and have been handed the opportunity to stake a claim for inclusion when Cunningham whittles down his squad further for Allianz League and championship purposes.

Cunningham is clearly looking to the future with his selection and paid tribute to the players not named in his squad, thanking them for their “massive commitment.”

He said: “It is largely a young squad but, along with our aims of continuing to try and make Dublin hurling successful in the short term, one of our key aims is building a solid foundation for the future.

Ger Cunningham has thanked former panel members for their massive commitment.

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

“With this young squad, and with Dublin winning Leinster Minor and U21 titles this year, we feel we can develop and grow the potential within Dublin hurling.

“To the players not named on the provisional panel, we would like to thank them for their massive commitment to Dublin Hurling. Their service was outstanding.”

Former All-Star Danny Sutcliffe, who opted out for the 2016 campaign, is not included again as he is planning to travel abroad next year.

It is understood that the panel will remain open-ended and that will afford players showing good form and fitness at club level to put their hand up for inclusion later in the season.

The squad in full is: 

Shane Barrett – Na Fianna
Chris Bennett – Faughs
Cian Boland – St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh
Donal Burke – Na Fianna
Tom Connolly – St Vincent’s
Eoghan Conroy – St Maurs
Chris Crummey – Lucan Sarsfields
Conor Dooley – Ballyboden St Enda’s
Eamon Dillon – Naomh Fionnbarra
Oisin Gough – Cuala
James Madden – Ballyboden St Enda’s
Gary Maguire – Ballyboden St Enda’s
Canice Maher – St Jude’s
Jake Malone – Cuala
Sean Moran – Cuala
Rian McBride – St Vincent’s
Cian Mac Gabhann – Kilmacud Crokes
Fiontan McGibb – Setanta
Sean McGrath – Kilmacud Crokes
Niall McMorrow – Ballyboden St Enda’s
Cian O’Callaghan – Cuala
David O’Callaghan – Ballyboden St Enda’s
Darragh O’Connell – Cuala
Eoghan O’Donnell – Whitehall Colmcille
Ryan O’Dwyer – Kilmacud Crokes
Oisin O’Rorke – Kilmacud Crokes
Fionn O’Riain-Broin – St Jude’s
Cian O’Sullivan – St Brigid’s
Alex Quinn – Crumlin
Ben Quinn – Crumlin
Liam Rushe – St Pats
Mark Schutte – Cuala
Paul Schutte – Cuala
Paddy Smyth – Clontarf
David Treacy – Cuala
Jonathan Treacy – Na Fianna
Ronan Walsh – Kilmacud Crokes
Fergal Whitely – Kilmacud Crokes

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