THE SEMI-FINAL line-up for the Ulster senior football championship has been revealed this afternoon with Killyclogher, Slaughtneil, Maghery and Kilcoo all safely advancing to the last four.

Mark Bradley’s sweet strike was the highlight as Tyrone champions Killyclogher made light work of Cargin at Healy Park. The hosts eventually ran out 2-10 to 1-8 winners with a late Cargin goal adding gloss to the scoreboard.

They’ll be joined in the semi-finals by Maghery as they survived a brave effort from Ramor United at the Athletics Grounds with a late flurry of points.

The Cavan champions led at the break but five unanswered points from the home side settled the contest on a 1-13 to 1-10 scoreline.

2014 Ulster champions Slaughtneil secured a five-point victory over Derrygonnelly Harps at Celtic Park. The Derry side advanced as 0-12 to 0-7 winners while Kilcoo booked their place in the semi-finals with a hard-fought win over Glenswilly.

Ramor’s Conor Bradley with Conor Mackle of Maghery.

Source: Presseye/Philip Magowan/INPHO

Meanwhile, in the Leinster senior club football championship first round, there were victories for Sean O’Mahony’s, Rhode and Mullinalaghta.

Finally, St Loman’s were crowned the Westmeath football champions for the second successive year after a six-point win over Tyrrellspass at TEG Cusack Park.

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Ulster SFC quarter-finals

• Killyclogher (Tyrone) 2-10 v Cargin (Antrim) 1-8, Healy Park, Omagh
• Slaughtneil (Derry) 0-12 v Derrygonnelly (Fermanagh) 0-7, Celtic Park
• Maghery (Armagh) 1-13 v Ramor United (Cavan) 1-10, Athletic Grounds
• Kilcoo (Down) 1-12 v Glenswilly (Donegal) 1-6, Páirc Esler, Newry

Leinster SFC club first round

• Baltinglass (Wicklow) 0-9 Sean O’Mahony’s 0-10 (Louth), Aughrim
• Gusserane O’Rahilly’s (Wexford) 0-4 Rhode (Offaly) 5-22, New Ross
• Mullinalaghta St Columba’s (Longford) 1-17 Stradbally (Laois) 2-09, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park

Westmeath SFC final

• St Loman’s 1-13 Tyrrellspass 0-10, TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar

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O’Loughlin Gaels 0-19
Ballyhale Shamrocks 1-12

A POWERFUL SECOND half performance helped O’Loughlin Gaels shoot their way to the Kilkenny senior hurling title.

A year after they were in the losing dressing-room, the city side stormed back to the big stage and made no mistake as they came from behind to beat Ballyhale Shamrocks in Nowlan Park.

The Shamrocks, favourites for the spoils, took control in the early stages and seemed to be on a course for victory when T.J. Reid weaved his way through the Gaels backs for a sixth minute goal.

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Reid contributed 1-3 in the opening half but, with Ballyhale giving away needless frees, the accuracy of Mark Bergin meant O’Loughlin’s were just two points behind at the break.

O’Loughlin’s were quickly back on level terms in the second half, Martin Comerford and Bergin striking the opening scores but two from T.J. Reid and a Patrick Reid point soon had Ballyhale ahead again. It was the last time they would have such an advantage, however, as O’Loughlin’s took over the scoring in the final 20 minutes or so.

Bergin got them going with a free and a 65, then turned provider when setting up Danny Loughnane and Martin Comerford for points as they went 0-15 to 1-11 in front with ten to play.

O’Loughlin Gaels’ Mark Bergin celebrates at the final whistle.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

The Gaels were the dominant force in the closing stages. The Shamrocks drew level when Eoin Reid found room to grab a point but with momentum moving their way O’Loughlin’s surged ahead.

Loughnane, sub Sean Bolger and Paddy Deegan fired over three points in quick succession, helping their side open up a lead that Ballyhale just couldn’t claw back, before Bergin’s tenth free of the game sealed a fourth senior title for the Gaels.

Scorers for O’Loughlin Gaels: Mark Bergin (0-11, 0-10f, 65), Danny Loughnane, Martin Comerford (0-2 each), Paddy Butler, Paddy Deegan, Sammy Johnston, Sean Bolger (0-1 each).

Scorers for Ballyhale Shamrocks: T.J. Reid (1-5, 0-3f), Bob Aylward, Mark Aylward, Henry Shefflin, Colin Fennelly, Eoin Reid, Patrick Reid, Patrick Mullen (0-1 each).

Ballyhale Shamrocks:

1. James Connolly

2. Kevin Mullen
3. Padraig Holden
4. Darren Mullen

5. Richie Reid
6. Joey Holden
7. Bob Aylward

8. Mark Aylward
9. Henry Shefflin

10. Colin Fennelly
11. Eoin Reid
12. T.J. Reid

13. Ronan Corcoran
14. Patrick Reid
15. Patrick Mullen

Subs:

19. Joe Cuddihy for Corcoran (46)
20. David Hoyne for P. Reid (59)

O’Loughlin Gaels

1.Stephen Murphy

2. Anthony Forristal
3. Andy Kearns
4. Eddie Kearns

5. Alan O’Brien
6. Brian Hogan
7. Huw Lawlor

8. Paddy Butler
9. Paddy Deegan

10. Alan Geoghegan
14. Mark Bergin
12. Danny Loughnane

13. Sammy Johnson
11. Mark Kelly
15. Martin Comerford

Subs:
21. Sean Bolger for Johnston, 48 mins.
Referee: Richard Dowling (Kilmacow)

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Ballyea 2-14
Clonlara 1-14

BALLYEA POWERED TO their first-ever Clare senior hurling title after finally shaking off Clonlara with the last three points to end a titanic 120 minute battle.

In a reverse of the drawn game, it was Ballyea who led the way for the majority only to be reeled in by a John Conlon equalising goal approaching the final quarter.

Crucially however, Ballyea never let their opponents get ahead as after swapping points twice in the closing stages, they finished with successive scores from man of the match Niall Deasy, substitute Damien Burke and talisman Tony Kelly to complete a historic afternoon.

With Gary Brennan their chief target man at full-forward, Ballyea hit the ground running to surge 1-4 to 0-1 clear by the 10th minute, book-ended by 1-2 for the All Star football nominee.

Indeed, Clonlara were fortunate to only be trailing by six at this stage as goalkeeper Ger O’Connell had pulled off three important saves to keep his side in this replay.

Niall Deasy battles with Cormac O’Donovan.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

Clonlara finally settled with points from Cathal O’Connell, John Conlon and Micheál O’Loughlin only to be rocked once more by a second Ballyea goal when Deasy soloed through to push his side 2-4 to 0-4 clear by the end of the opening quarter.

The rebuilding work was predominantly carried by full-forward Conlon who earned frees for O’Connell to reduce the arrears to just three by the break at 2-5 to 0-8.

It had to take Conlon’s 41st minute goal set-up by a Colm Galvin lineball to finally gain parity however at 2-09 to 1-12.

However, any doubts that Ballyea would wilt would be banished as Deasy and Kelly led a late surge to become the tenth different winner of the Clare SHC in the past 13 seasons.

Scorers for Ballyea: Niall Deasy 1-3 (1f); Gary Brennan 1-2; Tony Kelly 0-4 (1f, 1’65); Pat Joe Connolly, Joe Neylon, Brian Carrigg, Jack Browne, Damien Burke 0-1 each

Scorers for Clonlara: Cathal O’Connell 0-8 (7f); John Conlon 1-1; Colm Galvin 0-2; Micheál O’Loughlin, Nicky O’Connell (1f), Darach Honan 0-1 each

Ballyea

1. Kevin Sheehan

4. Brian Carrigg
3. Jack Browne
2. Joe Neylon

6. Paul Flanagan
5. Gearoid O’Connell
7. James Murphy

8. Tony Kelly
9. Stan Lineen (Captain)

10. Niall Deasy
13. Pat Joe Connolly
12. Cathal Doohan

17. Martin O’Leary
11. Gary Brennan
15. Pearse Lillis

Subs:

18. Damien Burke for O’Leary (44)
19. David Egan for Connolly (54)

Clonlara

1. Ger O’Connell

2. Cillian Fennessy
7. Domhnall O’Donovan
29. Garrett Kenned

9. Cormac O’Donovan
5. Nicky O’Connell
6. Neil Ryan

3. Oisin O’Brien
8. Colm Galvin

15. Michael O’Loughlin
10. Darach Honan
13. James Hastings

18. Ger Powell
14. John Conlon (Captain)
11. Cathal O’Connell

Subs:

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27. Shane O’Brien for Ryan (24)
17. Pat O’Hare for C. O’Donovan (39)
12. Paraic O’Loughlin for O’Hare (58)
23. David Fitzgerald for Galvin (61)

Referee: Damien Fox (Clooney-Quin).

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Carbery Rangers 2-11
Monaleen 0-7

CORK COUNTY CHAMPIONS Carbery Rangers will face either Stradbally or Abbeyside of Waterford in the Munster semi-final following an impressive 2-11 to 0-7 win over Monaleen of Limerick today.

The entertaining clash, played in perfect conditions at the Gaelic Grounds, saw Monaleen come out of the blocks flying, racking up three excellent goal chances in the opening 4 minutes.

Unfortunately for Muiris Gavin’s side, the Carbery net was not rattled and the Cork title holders responded with three points from John O’Rourke, two from John Hayes and a Seamus Hayes score to put the green, white and gold 0-6 to 0-1 in front after the opening 20 minutes.

Ger Collins did reply for Monaleen before the break however, but further points from Alan Jennings and Michael Kelly left the half time score 1-8 to 0-2.

The second thirty began much like the first half ended. Carbery Rangers, effortless in their ball skills and score taking, fashion a penalty when the excellent John O’Rourke was pulled down by Monaleen’s Finbar Nash.When O’Rourke chipped the ball beyond the diving Monaleen joint captain Donal O’Sullivan, the game was over as a contest.

Monaleen did not give up and former Limerick football star Ger Collins continued to threaten a well disciplined Carbery defence.

Paul Hodnett is congratulated by a Carberry Rangers supporter after the game.

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

Limerick’s current hurling coach, Paul Kinnerk, came off the bench to raise a white flag for the Limerick city men, but there was not enough time or indeed space on the pitch for Monaleen to make any more of a dent on the Carbery lead.

The final scoreline of 2-11 to 0-7 truly reflected the dominance of the Cork champions, who live to fight another day.

Monaleen:

Donal O’Sullivan, Colm Moran, John O’Dwyer, Evan Quinlan, Padraig Quinn, Jack Hoare, Shane Cusack, Barry Fitzpatrick, Ross Mc Grath, Daniel Enright, Luke Kavanagh, Ed Doyle, Brian O’Donovan, Ger Collins, Graham O’Connell.

Subs: Nash for Cuasck (29), Kinnerk for Kavanagh (30), Barry for Quinlan (42), Kelly for Quinn (45).

Carbery Rangers:

Paul Shanahan, Micheal Kelly, Brian Shanahan, Rob Hegarty, Robbie Kiely, Thomas O’Rourke, Jerry O’Riordan, Kevin Mc Mahon, James Fitzpatrick, Alan Jennings, Chris O’Donovan, Mike Mennis, John O’Rourke, Seamus Hayes, John Hayes.

Subs: Kieran Fitzpatrick for Seamus Hayes (45), P Hodnett for Hegarthy. (48), Sean O’Neill for Chris O’Donovan (56), B Hodnett for Minnis (58).

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Simonstown Gaels 1-14
Donaghmore-Ashbourne 0-8

COLM O’ROURKE FINALLY got to experience that winning feeling on Meath SFC final day with Simonstown Gaels following a surprisingly comfortable win over Donaghmore-Ashbourne in Navan.

Powered on at midfield by his son, Shane, and the AFL bound Conor Nash, the Navan side burst out of the traps and led by 10 at half-time, holding on for an easy win and their maiden title.

The favourites had no answer for the power and purpose of Simonstown who were expertly led in attack by former Meath captain Seamus Kenny.

It was Simonstown’s third county final in total having lost the previous two under Meath legend O’Rourke in 2003 and 2004.

They opened the scoring after just 10 seconds, saved a penalty in the third minute and roared into a 1-9 to 0-2 lead at half-time.

Simonstown ultimately finished up with nine points to spare having come into the contest as considerable underdogs and will take on in form Rhode of Offaly in the AIB Leinster club championship on 13 November.

Meath captain Seamus Kenny powered his club to victory.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Meath teams have made little mark in Leinster in the last 15 years or so but Simonstown look a classy outfit with real quality and focus.

They tore into Sean Kelly’s Donaghmore-Ashbourne from the off and moved 0-7 to 0-2 up before Joe Lyons took advantage of a deflection in defence to blast home the game’s only goal.

Man of the Match and free-taker Pauric McKeever hit five first-half points for Simonstown – six in total – while Donaghmore-Ashbourne’s two points came from their full-back and a midfielder.

Andrew Tormey, who missed the early penalty for Donaghmore-Ashbourne, pointed early in the second-half but the miracle they needed never materialised.

Dublin’s Michael Deegan did add three points but they went for goals and were continuously denied as Simonstown picked off enough points to keep a considerable gap between the sides.

Kenny got a point to put his team 11 points clear at one stage while Brian McGrath and Michael Brennan were also on the mark with fine points.

Scorers for Simonstown Gaels: Pauric McKeever 0-6 (0-4f), Joe Lyons 1-0, Shane O’Rourke 0-2, Conor Nash 0-2, Conor Sheridan 0-1 (0-1 45), Seamus Kenny 0-1, Brian McGrath 0-1, M Brennan 0-1.

Scorers for Donaghmore-Ashbourne: Michael Deegan 0-3 (0-2f), Andrew Tormey 0-2, James Colgan 0-1, Conor Carey 0-1, Dylan Brady 0-1.

Simonstown Gaels:

1. Robbie Burlingham

4. Stephen Moran
3. Niall McMahon
2. Shane Gallagher

17. Michael O’Rourke
6. Brian Conlon
7. Niall Kane

8. Shane O’Rourke
9. Conor Nash

10. Joe Lyons
11. Seamus Kenny
12. Mark McCabe

13. Pauric McKeever
14. Conor Sheridan
15. Eanna Donoghue

Subs:

29. Sean Tobin for Sheridan (39)
5. Brian McGrath for M O’Rourke (44)
20. Michael Brennan for Nash (50, black card)
19. Shane Barry for Lyons (59)

Donaghmore-Ashbourne

1. Jack Hannigan

6. Thomas McGovern
3. James Colgan
2. Sean Curran

7. Paul Gilligan
4. JP Casserly
5. Daragh McGovern

8. Conor Carey
9. David Morgan

12. Conor Carton
15. Bryan Menton
10. Cathal Field

13. Dylan Brady
14. Andrew Tormey
11. Michael Deegan

Subs:

19. Cormac McGill for Morgan (14)
17. Eoin Riordan for Casserly (25)
20. Ciaran Ellis for Field (h/t)
22. Aidan Hughes for Carton (45)
23. Jack Giles for D McGovern (49)
18. Shane Melia for Gilligan (56)

Referee: Cormac Reilly (St Mary’s).

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Loughmore-Castleiney 1-9
Moyle Rovers 1-6

A THIRD COUNTY senior football title in four years went the way of Loughmore-Castleiney as they out-paced Moyle Rovers in a tense, low-scoring second half.

It’s been a great year for many of the Loughmore men, most notably the McGrath brothers with multiple All-Ireland medals, but the dual club celebrated just as wildly as ever at the final whistle in Cashel.

Tomas McGrath and John Meagher.

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

The first half saw Loughmore-Castleiney start and finish the stronger team, going 0-3 in front without reply in the opening minutes before Moyle Rovers got off the mark in the 12th minute with a Stephen Quirke 45.

As the half wore on Moyle Rovers came into it more, although they shot seven wides during this period. The led briefly just before the break as Dara Ryan brilliantly finished off a move created by Luke Boland and Liam Boland with a low shot to the net.

That made it 1-3 to 0-4 in their favour but, seconds later, Cian Hennessy had restored Loughmore-Castleiney’s advantage with a goal at the other end, despite the best efforts of Rovers’ goalkeeper Ian Browne to get a hand to the shot.

Points from Cian Hennessy and John McGrath put them 1-6 to 1-3 ahead at the interval.

Scores were at a premium in the second half with Moyle Rovers failing to score at all in the third quarter, while Loughmore-Castleiney gradually pulled further ahead – Liam Treacy and Liam McGrath sending over fine efforts, the latter twice.

A black card for hurling star Noel McGrath in the closing minutes couldn’t prevent Loughmore hanging on.

Scorers for Loughmore-Castleiney: C Hennessy (1-2), N McGrath (0-2), J McGrath (0-1), L Treacy (0-1), L McGrath (0-1), J Hennessy (0-1), A McGrath (0-1).

Scorers for Moyle Rovers: D Ryan (1-0), S Quirke (0-3, 1 45’, 2f), L Boland (0-3, 2f).

Loughmore-Castleiney:

D Brennan, L Egan,J Meagher, T McGrath, J Ryan, C McGrath, J Hennessy, N McGrath, J McGrath, B McGrath, L Treacy, A McGrath, L McGrath, E Sweeney, C Hennessy.

Subs: W Eviston for N McGrath (black card, 56), E Connolly for E Sweeney (58).

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Moyle Rovers:

I Browne, P Morrissey, A Campbell, D Lyne, D McGrath, R Mulcahy, T Fitzgerald, L Boland, D Owens, D Foley, S Quirke, S Foley, L Boland, C Condon, T Hill.

Subs: D Ryan for T Fitzgerald (10), M Dunne for C Condon (50).

Referee: David Grogan (Aherlow).

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Thursfield Sarsfields 0-17
Ballygunner 0-16

PA BOURKE NABBED nabbed a late, late victory for Thurles Sarsfields with a 65 in the fifth added minute to put them through to the Munster semi-finals.

Ballygunner rallied from four points adrift to get on level terms with the home side entering injury time.

In a thrilling finish, Stephen O’Keeffe batted away Tommy Doyle’s tame shot for a 65.

Bourke stepped up to strike his seventh point of the afternoon and clinch a place in the last four.

Midfielder Stephen Cahill also starred for the Tipp treble winners with 0-4 from play. Padraic Maher shored up the defence at centre back while Ronan Maher drove forward to hit two points.

Pauric Mahony converted eight frees on the losing side. David O’Sullivan and Peter Hogan also threatened for Denis Walsh’s men.

Thurles celebrate victory.

Source: Ken Sutton/INPHO

In a first provincial meeting between these clubs, they traded three points apiece across the opening ten minutes. Shane O’Sullivan edged the Gunners ahead but Thurles replied with four on the spin. Cahill delivered three points in a prolific opening quarter.

Centre backs Padraic Maher and Philip Mahony acted as spare defenders at opposite ends. A pair of Pauric Mahony frees narrowed the deficit to one (0-7 to 0-6).

Peter Hogan created the only goal chance of the first half but Patrick McCormack was equal to it.

Bourke and Stephen Lillis sent Thurles to the dressing rooms 0-9 to 0-7 in the clear.

The Tipp champions were awarded a penalty a minute into the second perriod after a foul on Conor Lanigan by Philip Mahony. Bourke didn’t rise the sliotar properly however and O’Keeffe saved comfortably. Cahill notched his fourth from an acute angle.

Harley Barnes and Mahony closed to the minimum. Sarsfields retrieved their three point cushion with back to back efforts through Ronan Maher and Aidan McCormack. The Gunners retaliated again with David and Brian O’Sullivan on target from long range.

The home team stretched four points away with ten minutes remaining. Wing back Denis Maher nailed his first before Bourke added a brace (0-15 to 0-11).

The determined visitors managed to pare it down to a point once again. Bourke responded to leave it 0-16 to 0-14 entering stoppage time. Mahony (free) and David O’Sullivan dragged the Waterford champions level on 62 minutes.

Dejection for Stephen O’Keefe.

Source: Ken Sutton/INPHO

Bourke had the last laugh as Tommy Maher’s charges advanced by the slimmest of margins.

Scorers for Thurles Sarsfields: Pa Bourke 0-7 (3fs, 1 65’), Stephen Cahill 0-4, Ronan Maher 0-2, Stephen Lillis, Denis Maher, Aidan McCormack, Lar Corbett 0-1 each.

Scorers for Ballygunner: Pauric Mahony 0-8 (8fs), David O’Sullivan 0-3, Peter Hogan 0-2, Harley Barnes, Shane O’Sullivan, Brian O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

Thurles Sarsfields

1. Patrick McCormack

2. Stephen Maher
4. Michael Cahill
17. Rory Dwan

7. Denis Maher
6. Padraic Maher
5. Stephen Lillis

3. Ronan Maher
9. Stephen Cahill

12. Pa Bourke
11. Aidan McCormack
15. Lar Corbett

13. Conor Lanigan
14. Richie Ruth
10. Billy McCarthy

Subs

8. John Maher for Dwan (16)
19. Tommy Doyle for Ruth (31)
20. David Kennedy for Michael Cahill (48)
21. Michael O’Brien for Lanigan (51)
26. Cathal Moloney for Corbett (58)

Ballygunner

1. Stephen O’Keeffe

2. Eddie Hayden
3. Barry Coughlan
4. Ian Kenny

5. Wayne Hutchinson
6. Philip Mahony
7. Shane Walsh

8. Harley Barnes
10. David O’Sullivan

9. Shane O’Sullivan
12. Pauric Mahony
13. Conor Power

15. Tim O’Sullivan
14. Brian O’Sullivan
19. Peter Hogan

Subs

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20. Stephen Power for Conor Power (50)
11. Billy O’Keeffe for Tim O’Sullivan (50)

Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick)

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Dr Crokes 1-14
Kilmurry-Ibricknane 0-8

DR CROKES CANTERED into a home Munster club semi-final tie with the Tipperary champions on 13 November, easing past Kilmurry-Ibrickane in Quilty.

They outscored the home club 1-7 to 0-4 in the second half.

In their previous Munster club meetings in 2011 and 2012 the Kerry club were narrow winners but this time they were completely dominant, following a competitive opening 15 minutes.

Kilmurry half forward Shane Hickey was the only home player to score from play, which illustrated their primary issue.

Dr Crokes, who led 0-7 to 0-4 at half-time, withstood a decent start from the West Clare club who defeated Cratloe last Sunday to win their 14th county championship.

However the Pat O’Shea managed Killarney club settled with points from Daithí Casey and Brian Looney taking the sting out of Kilmurry, who were backed by the majority of the 2,557 attendance.

Colm Cooper in action.

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

Four successive points from Kieran O’Leary (0-2), Eoin Brosnan, who started in midfield, and Gavin O’Shea, established a 0-7 to 0-4 lead for the winners.

The games decisive score was put away from the penalty spot byCasey, four minutes into the second half.

Kilmurry defender Martin McMahon was penalised for a foot block on Kieran O’Leary and Casey’s goal established a 1-7 to 0-5 advantage for the winners for whom substitutes Tony Brosnan, Jordan Kiely and Micheál Burns kicked 0-4 from play in that second half.

Scorers for Kilmurry-Ibrickane: Keelan Sexton (0-4f), Ian McInerney (0-3f), Shane Hickey (0-1).

Scorers for Dr Crokes: Daithí Casey (1-2, 1-0 pen), Colm Cooper (0-3, 2f), Kieran O’Leary, Tony Brosnan (0-2 each), Brian Looney, Eoin Brosnan, Gavin O’Shea, Micheál Burns, Jordan Kiely (0-1 each).

Kilmurry-Ibrickane:

1. Ian McInerney

2. Mark Killeen
3. Darren Hickey
4. Ciaran Morrissey

21. Declan Callinan
6. Martin McMahon
7. Darragh Sexton

8. Mark McCarthy
9. Keith King

11. Michael O’Dwyer
5. Shane Hickey
12. Michael Hogan

14. Enda Coughlan
24. Peter O’Dwyer
15. Keelan Sexton

Subs

13. Steven Moloney for Michael O’Dwyer (24)
19. John McNamara for Declan Callinan (31)
10. Niall Hickey for Michael Hogan (40)
30. Keith Sexton for Mark McCarthy (52)
18. Kieran Killeen for Shane Hickey (56-BC)
20. Thomas O’Connor for Enda Coughlan (60).

Dr Crokes:

1. Shane Murphy

2. John Paye
3. Michael Moloney
4. Fionn Fitzgerald

5. Gavin White
6. Alan O’Sullivan
7. David O’Leary

8. Ambrose O’Donovan
9. Johnny Buckey (captain)

10. Daithí Casey
11. Gavin O’Shea
12. Brian Looney

13. Colm Cooper
14. Kieran O’Leary
18. Eoin Brosnan

Subs:

23. Micheál Burns for Johnny Buckley (22-inj),
22. Luke Quinn for Michael Moloney (28-BC)
15. Tony Brosnan for Gavin O’Shea (50)
20. Jordan Kiely for Brian Looney (50)
17. Mike Milner for Kieran O’Leary (55)
21. PJ Lawlor for Colm Cooper (59).

Referee: Kevin Murphy (Cork).

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IN A CITY that never sleeps, amidst the skyscrapers, Lake Michigan and general hustle and bustle, lies a small but close-knit Ladies Gaelic football club.

Despite the abundance of male clubs, there are just two senior female sides in Chicago – one north of the city and one southside.

Located just 15 minutes from the heart of downtown, Aisling Gaels is the northside club, formed in December 2008 by local Irish girls living in the city.

Every year, the Gaels welcome girls on both graduate and J1 visas to play alongside their resident members, helping temporary players with employment and accommodation.

“We pride our club on the great friendships we have made over the years with players home and abroad while winning local and national championships,” club chairperson Anne Marie McCormack told The42.

The Windy City club have numerous titles to their name both from Chicago competitions and further afield, among them a North American Junior A Championship from 2015 and two Intermediate North American titles won in 2011 and 2013.

“We’re a small club built on big hearts for winning and each other. We train hard, but play and party harder,” McCormack continued.

“I only started playing Gaelic football in my early twenties when friends of mine decided to start the club.  Being first generation Irish here in the states, I am surprised I never got involved with the sport at a younger age.

“Our American players learn so much from the experienced players who always help encourage them.  It creates great camaraderie among our team.”

This year, the club fielded two teams, competing at both senior and junior level. The senior side progressed to the North American Finals in Seattle, but were narrowly beaten by a strong San Francisco contingent in the semi-final.

Source: Aisling Gaels

Aisling Gaels sanctioned at least 20 J1 visa players this summer, with most of them living together for three months. One of these players was Kate Fitzgibbon from Dublin’s O’Tooles club.

“Some of us arrived in June not knowing what to expect from the summer. We genuinely had the time of our lives!” the Dublin U21 star told The42.

“The hard work and dedication of the home-based players (both American and Irish) in the club cannot be commended enough and they will truly make it their best interest for you to have a summer you won’t forget.

You wouldn’t think that from just three months with a team could you become as closely bonded as your club at home but certainly my expectations were proven wrong and it does feel just like home.

“The craic you’ll have in Gaelic Park on a Sunday couldn’t be written and you’ll cherish these days when you come home and wish you were back.”

Source: Aisling Gaels

Despite most of the football happening in summer time, the club also welcomes players throughout the year on graduate visas.

Kate Brennan played with Aisling Gaels on her J1 in 2014, and returned shortly after on a graduate visa.

“Leaving your close-knitted clubs at home in Ireland, you never expect to get that same bond from playing with a team across the pond. Well, my expectations were wrong. The team becomes your family for the summer,” Brennan said.

“Making the decision to play with Aisling Gaels will leave you with endless memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.” McCormack finished.

If you’re interested in going to Chicago to play football, get in touch with Aisling Gaels – Chicago Ladies Football on Facebook or email [email protected]

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Carbery Rangers players celebrate their Cork senior final victory

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THERE WERE SIX players who featured during the 2003 Cork junior final that also saw gametime earlier this month when Carbery Rangers at last experienced the winning feeling on county senior final day.

If vaulting from junior kingpins to senior champions seems meteoric, they needed plenty patience as well to get to the stage where today they enter the Munster senior club football arena for the first time at the Gaelic Grounds against Monaleen.

An All-Ireland winner with Cork in 2010, John Hayes was the hub of the Carbery Rangers attack during that junior success (2003) and the intermediate win (2005).

What followed was a long slog to reach the summit, pockmarked by a succession of near misses in the knockout stages.

• 2010: Semi-final – St Finbarr’s 1-10 Carbery Rangers 0-8
• 2011: Semi-final – Castlehaven 2-12 Carbery Rangers 0-5
• 2012: Semi-final – Castlehaven 2-9 Carbery Rangers 0-9
• 2013: Quarter-final – Bishopstown 5-10 Carbery Rangers 0-14
• 2014: Final – Ballincollig 1-13 Carbery Rangers 1-10
• 2015: Semi-final – Nemo Rangers 1-11 Carbery Rangers 0-13

They were remarkably consistent over the past six season before this year all those lessons was absorbed and successfully translated into the victory they desperately craved.

Victory over Ballincollig was a testament to their patience and resilience. A first county senior title was duly cherished.

• History makers! O’Rourke stars as Carbery Rangers clinch first Cork senior football title

“We have been up senior 11 years, so those (junior and intermediate) wins are a little bit of a distant memory.

“Eventually it’s something we can look back on that we’ve come a long way but at the moment, all the last few years have been focusing on to make sure Ross are one of the stronger senior sides in Cork.

“There would have been a feeling out there that this year was our last chance. To finally win a final was just a brilliant feeling.

“For us this is a natural progression. It’s a new experience for everyone in terms of the Munster senior championship. It’s an exciting challenge.”

Carbery Rangers players celebrate their Cork senior final victory

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

On a personal level, the county final day was one to savour. Hayes kicked 0-5 en route to Carbery Rangers victory, his brother Seamus chipped in with 0-2 alongside him in attack.

Before the game, word had reached him that his cousins Darren and Ronan Crowley had enjoyed victory with Bandon in the intermediate final curtain-raiser.

!It put pressure on us a small bit after the lads won. I met the two of them when we were going out on the pitch, they were doing the lap of honour with the football cup. It was a great achievement.

“For my mom and my aunt Carmel, it was obviously great satisfaction. A lot of my family would have got a lot of enjoyment out of the day.

“In GAA there’s a lot of bad days and a lot of hard days. Your family suffers along with you when things are going badly so it was nice to see things working out well on this occasion.”

Carbery Rangers finally entered the winners enclosure with Douglas man Ronan McCarthy at the helm. It was a native of the Rosscarbery club Micheal O’Sullivan – a teammate of McCarthy’s on the Cork team that contested the 1999 All-Ireland final against Meath – that had laid the foundations.

Former Cork footballer Micheal O’Sullivan

Source: INPHO

“They’d be different guys. Haulie was an excellent coach. He was very close to a lot of guys on the panel as well so it’s not easy always for a guy who’s been involved with a lot of players to get straight into management.

“But he did an excellent job. We probably should have achieved the county title when he was in charge, so no one would lay the fault at his door.

“I think Ronan came in and a lot of the work the lads over the last few years had done, probably added a bit of freshness and opportunities for guys that weren’t featuring as much previously.”

Former Cork selector Ronan McCarthy

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

Hayes had a ringside seat for Carbery Rangers preparations, breaking away from the inter-county game for good last January to concentrate on club endeavours, and can see the fixture frustrations that engulf club players.

“It is a benefit being around the whole time training with the club but I think the first six months are a big struggle for club players. (It’s) something the GAA need to look at.

“There’s talk of a players’ body being set up but it shouldn’t need to be done to give a little bit of respect to the club competitions.

“I’ve looked at it myself in the past with other guys and as long as the inter-county structure is set up as it is with the drawn-out nature, then the club players are going to suffer and they are going to have to wait.

“As far as I can see so far there’s only lip service being paid to it in terms of actually doing anything to it.

“But at the moment, I’m only focusing on Sunday and progressing in the Munster championship is all I can worry about.”

Carbery Rangers player John Hayes

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

The provincial stage is one they want to shine on. Carbery Rangers have previous experience of Munster football at junior and intermediate level.

Rather than this being a novel bonus experience, they are treating it the same as any demanding championship encounter.

“If we go out and don’t perform, it’s going to leave a sour taste after winning the county regardless. I don’t really buy that it’s a pressure off situation.

“I want us to progress in the Munster championship. We’ve been knocking on this door, having hoped to get to this stage with a few years.

“Now we have the opportunity, it’s up to us to go out. It’s a step up in quality and a step up in class.

“There is pressure on us in wanting to represent ourselves on the Munster stage.”

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Munster SFC club quarter-final: Monaleen v Carbery Rangers, Gaelic Grounds, 3pm

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