GARY WALSH GRABBED two goals for Laois in their 3-9 to 1-10 win against Mickey Harte’s Louth in Division 3. 

Bouncing back from their O’Byrne Cup loss to Dublin, Billy Sheehan’s men hit goals at the start of the second-half through Walsh and Sean O’Flynn to set them on their way. A two-point half-time lead was transformed into an 3-7 to 0-8 advantage after their unanswered 2-3.

Westmeath also enjoyed a good start to the third tier by seeing off Wicklow by 1-16 to 2-8 in TEG Cusack Park. 

First-half goals from Darragh Fitzgerald and Eoin Darcy propelled the Garden County three points in front at the interval but a goal from Sam McCartan and seven points from John Heslin saw Westmeath over the line. 

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In Division 4, there were wins for Cavan and Sligo, while Waterford and Tipperary played out a 0-10 apiece draw. 

The Breffni men saw off Andy Moran’s Leitrim by 0-12 to 0-8, and Sligo were 0-12 to 0-10 winners over Wexford. 

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Roscommon 1-13
Cork 0-10

Kevin Egan reports from Dr Hyde Park

A DOMINANT DISPLAY by the Smith brothers along the spine of the attack gave Roscommon a measure of leadership and penetration that was sorely lacking from their Cork opponents this afternoon in the Hyde, as the Rossies cruised to a victory that was far more comfortable than the six-point winning margin would suggest.

Roscommon’s Enda Smith and Cork’s Brian Hurley.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

Enda and Donie combined to score 1-9 between them, with their Boyle club colleague Cian McKeon firing over three of the other four, but they were also representative of Roscommon’s control of all the key battles along the spine of the field.

Brian Stack never allowed Brian Hurley any penetration close to goal, Ultan Harney and Eddie Nolan offered a physical element to the midfield battle that Cork couldn’t match, and by the 65 th minute, Keith Ricken had used four substitutions – three of them to withdraw players that started at midfield, centre back and centre forward.

Cork could look back at their final tally of nine second-half wides and say that things could have been very different had they used the wind much better, but Roscommon’s control of the tackle and the turnover county meant that in many cases, Cork were reduced to taking pot shots from distance to try and bypass the Connacht county’s defence.

The inexperience and immaturity of this Rebel group will be cited but there were young players in action for Roscommon too, with Eoin McCormack, Richard Hughes and Cian McKeon all particularly impressive – albeit their job was made much easier by the performance of the established players around them.

Cork’s Colm O’Callaghan and Roscommon’s Colm Lavin.

The breeze appeared to freshen at half-time, which opened the window of opportunity ever so slightly, and when Tadhg Corkery dispossessed a Roscommon player to set up a score for Mark Cronin in the first minute, it seemed like the script might be flipped on its head ever so slightly.

Brian Hurley added the next to reduce the gap to five, but Cork were already adding to their wides tally at a ferociously quick rate, as their inability to break the tackle meant that they went for scores from some very difficult distances and angles. Hurley’s score – a free from 55 metres – demonstrated that the ‘scoring zone’ for the men in red was large, but far too many shots were taken and missed from that type of distance.

In the space of 20 minutes of play, just two points were added – both frees from Donie Smith – and all hopes of a Cork comeback were well and truly extinguished.

Roscommon’s Donie Smith and Cork’s Mark Cronin.

Scorers for Roscommon: Donie Smith 0-7 (0-5f), Enda Smith 1-2, Cian McKeon 0-3 (0-2f), Niall Kilroy (0-1).

Scorers for Cork: Brian Hurley 0-6 (0-4f, 0-1 ‘45), David Buckley, Matthew Taylor, John O’Rourke, Mark Cronin (0-1 each).

Roscommon

1. Colm Lavin (Éire Óg)

2. Fergal Lennon (Clann na nGael), 3. Brian Stack (St. Brigid’s), 4. Eoin McCormack (St. Dominic’s),

5. Dylan Ruane (Michael Glaveys), 6. Conor Hussey (Michael Glaveys), 7. Richard Hughes
(Roscommon Gaels),

8. Ultan Harney (Clann na nGael), 9. Eddie Nolan (St. Brigid’s),

10. Niall Kilroy (Fuerty), 11. Enda Smith (Boyle), 12. Diarmuid McGann (Strokestown),

20. Cathal Heneghan (Michael Glaveys), 14. Donie Smith (Boyle), 13. Cian McKeon (Boyle).

Subs

22. Ben O’Carroll (St. Brigid’s) for Heneghan (h-t)

18. Ciarán Lawless (Oran) for Ruane (50),

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23. Shane Cunnane (St. Brigid’s) for McGuane (57)

21. Ciarán Sugrue (St. Brigid’s) for Harney (64),

17. Colin Walsh (Oran) for Lennon (67)

Cork

1. Michéal Martin (Nemo Rangers)

4. Tadhg Corkery (Cill na Martra) 17. Kevin Flahive (Douglas) 2. Sean Powter (Douglas)

5. Cian Kiely (Ballincollig), 6. John Cooper (Éire Óg), 7. Matthew Taylor (Mallow)

8. Joe Grimes, 20. Rory Maguire (Castlehaven)

12. David Buckley (Newcestown), 22. John O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers), 9. Colm O’Callaghan (Éire Óg)

13. Mark Cronin (Nemo Rangers), 14. Brian Hurley (Castlehaven), 15. Daniel Dineen (Cill na Martra)

Subs

23. Eoghan McSweeney (Knocknagree) for Grimes (27)

25. Kevin O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers) for Cooper (half-time)

26. Chris Óg Jones (Iveleary) for Buckley (48)

19. Paul Ring (Aghabullogue) for O’Rourke (64)

24. Mark Buckley (Dohenys) for Cronin (66)

Referee: Seamus Mulhare (Laois)

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Mayo 0-11
Donegal 0-11

Colm Gannon reports from Markievicz Park

ROB HENNELLY WAS the hero for Mayo kicking last second injury time free to earn Mayo a draw against Donegal in Sligo.

Donegal were by far the better side in the first half going in leading by 0-7 to 0-3 at the half time whistle and were looking in compete control of the game, with Michael Murphy and Michael Langan putting in strong showings.

Points from Patrick McBrearty and Murphy had them two to the good inside five minutes. Ryan O’Donoghue got Mayo moving with a pointed free three minutes later.

But Donegal reeled off three on bounce with Murphy, Conor O’Donell and Langan all raising the white flag after periods of controlled possession .

Ódhrán McFadden Ferry got in for a goal chance but was well saved by Hennelly and on the quarter of an hour mark O’Donoghue cut the gap back to three from a placed ball. Murphy left the game for ten minutes for treatment for a blood injury, but it didn’t stop the Donegal groove and points from Ryan McHugh and Langan had their side 0-7 to 0-2 up on the half hour break.

Mayo did manage to cut the gap back to four by half-time thanks to an Eoghan McLaughlin score, but they had a lot of work left to do in the second half. Aidan O’Shea and Bryan Walsh were introduced at the break by James Horan in an attempt to turn the gam back in their favour.

Paddy Durcan put just three between the teams not long after the restart, but points from Murphy and Langan reimposed Donegal’s dominance on the scoreboard.

Donegal’s Odhran McFadden-Ferry and Mayo’s Eoghan McLaughlin.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Jason Doherty reeled off two on the bounce for Mayo, both of which were goal chances to bring his side closer, however the game looked to have gone right away from them when Stephen Coen was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Murphy for a penalty.

Up steeped McBrearty, who drove his spot kick low and to the bottom right hand corner, but Hennelly guessed the right way and put it out for a 45, which was converted by Murphy.

Langan put over his fourth point of the day to move Donegal five clear and looking good 55 minutes in, but Mayo were up to up the pressure.

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O’Donoghue pointed from play, Durcan got his second of the day, then Doherty chipped in with his third. On the 65 minute mark O’Donoghue hit a free that just scrapped inside the post and there was just one in it.

Deep into injury time Donegal tried to keep the ball and it ended up with Shaun Patton who was blown for over carrying under pressure. Hennelly made the long trek up the field and held his nerve to split the posts.

Donegal’s Eoghan Bán Gallagher with Mayo’s Ryan O’Donoghue.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Scorers for Mayo: Ryan O’Donoghue (0-4, 3f), Jason Doherty (0-3), Paddy Durcan (0-2), Eoghan McLaughlin (0-1), Rob Hennelly (0-1, 1f).

Scorers for Donegal: Michael Langan (0-4), Michael Murphy (0-4, 1m, 1f 1 45), Ryan McHugh (0-1), Patrick McBrearty (0-1, 1f) C O’Donnell (0-1).

Mayo

1. Rob Hennelly (Breaffy)

18. Brendan Harrision (Aghamore), 3. Stephen Coen (Hollymount-Carramore), 4. Padraig O’Hora (Ballina Stephenites)

5. Paddy Durcan (Castlebar Mitchels), 6. Donnacha McHugh (Castlebar Mitchels), 7. Eoghan McLaughlin (Westport)

8. Conor O’Shea (Breaffy), 9. Conor Loftus (Crossmolina Deel Rovers)

10. Fionn McDonagh (Westport), 11. Aiden Orme (Knockmore), 12. Diarmuid O’Connor (Ballintubber)

13. Tommy Conroy (The Neale), 14. Jason Doherty (Burrishoole), 15. Ryan O’Donoghue (Belmullet)

Subs

21. Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy) for Orme

24. Bryan Walsh (Ballintubber) for McDonagh

17. Sam Callinan (Ballina Stephenites) for McHugh

22. Jordan Flynn (Crossmolina Deel Rovers) for Loftus

25. Paul Towey (Charlestown) for Conor O’Shea

Donegal

1. Shaun Patton (Naomh Adhamhain)

2. Caolan Ward (Naomh Adhamhain), 3. Brendan McCole ( Naomh Naille), 4. Ódhrán McFadden Ferry (Gaoth Dobhair)

5. Ryan McHugh (Cill Chartha), 6. Paul Brennan (Realt Na Mara), 7. Tony McClenaghan (Bun an Phobhaill)

8. Caolan McGonagle (Bun Cranncha),25. Conor O’Donnell (Carn Domhnach),

10. Ciaran Thompson (Naomh Conaill), 11. Peadar Morgan (Naomh Naille), 28. Michael Langan (Naomh Micheal)

13. Patrick McBrearty (Cill Charta), 18. Michael Murphy (Glenann tSuil), 27. Eoin Ban Gallagher (Na Cealla Beaga)

Subs

9. Jason McGee (Cloich Ceann Fhaola) for Thompson

17. Jean McKelvey (Naomh Conaill) for Ward

30. Niall O’Donnell (Naomh Adhamhnain) for Conor O’Donnell

20. Ethan O’Donnell (Naomh Conaill) for McClenaghan

22. Eunan Doherty (Naomh Conaill) for Thompson.

Referee: Noel Mooney (Cavan)

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Clare 1-13
Offaly 0-7

Paraic McMahon reports from Cusack Park

COLM COLLINS BEGAN his ninth National League campaign as Clare senior football boss by overseeing a nine point win over Offaly.

Played in front of an attendance of 825, Clare got their Division 2 campaign off to a winning start deservedly seeing off the Faithful County on Sunday afternoon to collect a valuable two points.

Offaly boss, John Maughan who famously managed the Clare footballers to Munster SFC glory in 1992 returned to Cusack Park for the tie. During the outing, three members of the All-Ireland winning Offaly side of 2021, Lee Pearson, Cormac Egan and Jack Bryant featured in what will be viewed as a disappointing overall showing for the men from the Midlands. 

Clare managed to weather an early Offaly storm with the visitors carving out a 0-05 0-01 advantage with twenty three minutes on the clock. Corner forward, Bernard Allen kicked three impressive scores during this spell, his quick hands also teed up Ruairí McNamee. With sixteen minutes played, Pearse Lillis opened Clare’s account.

Wing-back Alan Sweeney had the best goal opportunity of the opening half but his marker, Dylan Hyland was on the line to prevent the umpires reaching for the green flag. With Keelan Sexton firing the last three scores of the half, it was enough to see the hosts trail by a single point when the sides retreated at half-time. 

Darragh Bohannon goaled when the second half was a mere two minutes old, the Shannon Gaels clubman appeared to be leaning back to kick a point but his apparent mis-hit was more than effective as it eluded Offaly netminder Paddy Dunican and slipped in the bottom left corner of the goal. 

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Eoin Cleary and Lee Pearson then traded scores before the Banner County hit 0-04 in succession. Offaly ended a twenty four minute scoring drought when Dunican converted a placed ball on sixty seven minutes.

Substitute Jamie Malone on the double plus white flags from Keelan Sexton and Ciaran Downes saw Clare finish with the final four scores to record a merited win. Cillian Brennan, Pearse Lillis, Ciaran Russell and debutant Manus Doherty were best for the winners with Bernard Allen and Lee Pearson showing well for Offaly. For round two, Clare travel to Cork while Offaly host Derry. 

Scorers for Clare: K Sexton 0-05 (0-5f), D Bohannon 1-0, P Lillis (0-02), E Cleary 0-02 (0-1f), J Malone 0-2, D Tubridy 0-1, C Downes 0-1. 

Scorers for Offaly: B Allen 0-3, R McNamee 0-1 (0-1f), D Hyland 0-1, L Pearson 0-1, P Durican 0-1 (0-1f).

Clare

1: Stephen Ryan (Kilrush Shamrocks) 

4: Cillian Rouine (Ennistymon), 3: Cillian Brennan (Clondegad), 2: Manus Doherty (Éire Óg) 

5: Cian O’Dea (Kilfenora), 6: Ciaran Russell (Éire Óg), 7: Alan Sweeney (St Breckans) 

9: Darren O’Neill (Éire Óg), 8: Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen) 

10: Darragh Bohannon (Shannon Gaels), 11: Eoin Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown), 12: Pearse Lillis (Cooraclare) 

15: David Tubridy (Doonbeg), 14: Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane), 13: Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey)

Subs:

17: Eoghan Collins (Ballyhaunis) for Rouine (54)

18: Padraic ‘Podge’ Collins (Cratloe) for Tubridy (54)

23: Jamie Malone (Corofin) for Griffin (57)

26: Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry Ibrickane) for Russell (64) (inj)

20: Ciaran Downes (Kilmihil) for O’Neill (71) 

Offaly

1: Paddy Dunican (Shamrocks) 

19: Lee Pearson (Edenderry), 3: James Lalor (Raheen), 4: Niall Darby (Rhode) 

5: Ciaran Donnelly (Bracknagh), 7: Cian Donohoe (St Brigid’s), 6: Johnny Maloney (c) (Tullamore)

8: Jordan Hayes (Edenderry), 9: Cathal Mangan (Kilclonfert) 

10: Bill Carroll (Capincur), 11: Anton Sullivan (Rhode), 12: Dylan Hyland (Raheen)

13: Bernard Allen (Tubber), 17: Niall McNamee (Rhode), 15: Ruairi McNamee (Rhode)

Subs:

18: Cormac Egan (Tullamore) for Carroll (34)

23: David Dempsey (Ballycommon) for Sullivan (HT)

2: Declan Hogan (Tullamore) for N McNamee (HT)

14: Jack Bryant (Shamrocks) for Hyland (48)

22: Colm Doyle (Clara) for Pearson (64) (inj)

26: Rory Egan (Edenderry) for Mangan (71) (inj)

Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry)

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Galway 1-14
Meath 0-6

John Fallon reports from Pearse Stadium

PADRAIC JOYCE’S GALWAY got their Division 2 campaign off to the best possible start against a Meath team who did not get their first score until the 45th minute of a one-sided contest at Pearse Stadium.

There was no way back for Andy McEntee’s men when they had the elements behind them after the restart and they will look to respond after this demoralising defeat next weekend when they host Roscommon.

Meath won the toss and opted to play against the strong wind and rain and found themselves 1-9 to 0-0 adrift at the interval, with just four wides to show for their efforts.

Galway used the wind well and showed good patience in building moves and with frees inevitable in the difficult conditions, Shane Walsh made them pay, landing five from placed balls and one from play in an opening half of dominance.

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They opened up a 0-3 to 0-0 lead after 12 minutes when the impressive Cillian McDaid went forward to score after a couple of early scores from Walsh.

Two more frees from Walsh pushed Galway clear and then when Meath full-back Ronan Ryan, a late replacement for the injured Conor McGill, dropped a sideline from Walsh, Tomo Culhane pounced to punch the ball to the net and leave them 1-5 to 0-0 in front after 28 minutes.

The Tribesmen pushed on from there and added two more frees from Walsh, while debutant Owen Gallagher, the former Antrim player, crowned a good display with a point.

Galway finished the half strongly and would have been even further ahead but Meath goalkeeper Harry Hogan managed to tip a shot from Rob Finnerty over the bar for them to lead by 1-9 to 0-0 at the break.

Meath needed a good start to the second-half but Galway held possession for almost three minutes after the restart before Walsh kicked his second point from play and Paul Kelly followed with another one directly afterwards to lead by 14 points, with Meath hitting four wides in the opening eight minutes of the second-half.

Meath finally got off the mark after 45 minutes when Joey Wallace kicked a point from 40 metres but it took them another 12 minutes to add to it when substitute Jordan Morris pointed to make it 1-11 to 0-2 after 57 minutes.

Morris also added a free but Galway continued to extend their lead through Finnerty and Walsh as they ran out comfortable winners.

Scorers for Galway: Shane Walsh 0-8 (0-6f), Tomo Culhane 1-0, Rob Finnerty 0-2, Cillian McDaid 0-1, Owen Gallagher 0-1, Paul Kelly 0-1, Kieran Molloy 0-1.

Scorers for Meath: Jordan Morris 0-2 (0-1f), Joey Wallace 0-1, Eoin Harkin 0-1, Mathew Costello 0-1, Shane Walsh 0-1.

Galway

1 Conor Flaherty (Claregalway)

2 Kieran Molloy (Corofin), 3 Seán Kelly (Moycullen), 4 Liam Silke (Corofin)

5 Dylan McHugh (Corofin), 6 John Daly (Mountbellew/Moylough), 7 Cillian McDaid (Monivea/Abbey)

8 Paul Kelly (Moycullen), 12 Paul Conroy (St James’)

9 Matthew Tierney (Oughterard), 10 Owen Gallagher (Moycullen), 12 Finnian Ó Laoí

15 Tomo Culhane (Salthill/Knocknacarra), 11 Rob Finnerty (Salthill/Knocknacarra), 13 Shane Walsh (Kilkerrin/Clonberne).

Subs:

19 Cathal Sweeney (Salthill/Knocknacarra) for Culhane (44)

22 Paddy Kelly (Mountbellew/Moylough) for Ó Laoí (55)

18 Tony Gill (Corofin) for McDaid (63)

23 Cormac McWalter (Tuam Stars) for Walsh (66)

Meath

1 Harry Hogan (Longwood)

4 Eoin Harkin (Dunsany), 18 Ronan Ryan (Summerhill), 2 Robin Clarke (Bellewstown)

5 Cathal Hickey (Seneschalstown), 6 Shane McEntee (St Peter’s, Dunboyne), 7 Donal Keogan (Rathkenny)

8 Padraic Harnan (Moynalvey), 9 Ethan Devine (Na Fianna)

12 Mathew Costello (Dunshaughlin), 11 Bryan McMahon (Ratoath), 10 Cillian O’Sullivan (Moynalvey)

13 James Conlon (St Colmcille’s), 14 Shane Walsh (Na Fianna), 15 Joey Wallace (Ratoath).

Subs:

25 Jordan Morris (Nobber) for McMahon (30)

24 Thomas O’Reilly (Wolfe Tones) for Conlon (46)

23 Eamon Wallace (Ratoath) for O’Sullivan (48)

22 Sarán Ó Fionnagáin (Wolfe Tones) for Wallace (53)

17 Gavin McGowan (Ratoath) for Hickey (64)

Referee: Patrick Maguire (Longford).

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Kerry 1-10
Kildare 0-13

ENTHUSIASM FOR JANUARY football was on evidence today in Newbridge with a bumper crowd that sparked a 15-minute delay to the throw-in.

Jimmy Hyland scores the free that levels the game for Kildare.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

The home fans were rewarded for their eagerness to witness live action as their Kildare team performed with commendable second-half spirit at St Conleth’s Park, firing the last four points of the game to drag Kerry into a draw.

Jimmy Hyland knocked over the injury-time free that restored parity for Glenn Ryan’s men on an overcast afternoon with their defence resolute in the final passages of play as Kerry chased a winner in this Division 1 encounter. Kildare deserved to get something tangible from this contest. Tony Brosnan cleverly engineered space in the 58th minute for a Kerry point but it proved the last time they troubled the scoreboard operator.

Paddy Woodgate hit a brace, one from play and one from a free, and Hyland supplied a similar scoring burst as the Lilywhites hauled Kerry back towards them. On a day when Glenn Ryan embarked on his Kildare management spell in the league arena and Jack O’Connor started his third Kerry era in a familiar setting after his past two seasons managerial work, there was plenty passion on display in a pulsating finale.

Kildare’s bench made a difference in the second half, Kevin Feely in towering form at midfield and Paddy McDermott lively around the middle third. Kerry struggled to gain traction in attack as the game progressed, only posting four points on the board after the 20th minute.

Killian Spillane scores Kerry’s first-half goal.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Kerry’s first score of the day was a telling one. It was a messy concession for Kildare, Killian Spillane scrambling home for a goal that was rooted in his opportunism and owed much to the danger Gavin White posed when galloping in from the left wing.

White’s hard running punched holes in the Kildare rearguard in the first half but he was forced off in the 28th minute through injury after being fouled. Kerry missed him as they only struck a single point between the 20th minute and half-time, yet were still in front 1-7 to 0-6 by the midway mark. Sean O’Shea’s frees were reliable and David Clifford knocked over a couple of stylish points.

Kildare shot the opening two points of the game but were outscored 0-5 to 0-1 between the 10th and 20th minutes. They steadied themselves thereafter with Jimmy Hyland posting four first-half points and Daniel Flynn a strong focal point up front.

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David Clifford reacts to a missed chance.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Kerry kept their noses in front throughout the second half but didn’t put sufficient daylight between the teams, despite some flashes of scoring style with Paul Geaney, Paudie Clifford and Tony Brosnan raising second-half white flags. Kildare captain Mick O’Grady kept danger man Clifford on a tight leash and while their shooting was errant early in the second half, they corrected that facet of their game successfully to claim this draw.

Scorers for Kerry: Sean O’Shea 0-3 (0-1f), Killian Spillane 1-0, David Clifford, Paudie Clifford 0-2 each, Tom O’Sullivan, Tony Brosnan, Paul Geaney 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kildare: Jimmy Hyland 0-6 (0-3f), Paddy Woodgate 0-3 (0-1f), Paul Cribbin, Kevin Flynn 0-2 each.

Kerry

1. Shane Murphy (Dr Crokes)

2. Dan O Donoghue (Spa, Killarney), 3. Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue), 4. Tom O’Sullivan (Dingle)

5. Paul Murphy (Rathmore), 6. Tadhg Morley (Templenoe), 7. Gavin White (Dr Crokes)

8. Seán O’Shea (Kenmare Shamrocks), 9. Adrian Spillane (Templenoe)

10. Micheál Burns (Dr Crokes), 11. Paudie Clifford (Fossa), 12. Dara Moynihan (Spa, Killarney)

13. Killian Spillane (Templenoe), 14. David Clifford (Fossa), 15. Paul Geaney (Dingle)

Subs

18. Brian Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht) for White (inj) (28)

20. Jack Savage (Kerins O’Rahillys) for Burns (half-time)

17. Tony Brosnan (Dr Crokes) for Killian Spillane (48)

22. Greg Horan (Austin Stacks) for Moynihan (52)

Kildare

1. Mark Donnellan (Maynooth)

3. Shea Ryan (Sarsfields), 2. Mick O’Grady (Celbridge – captain), 4. Ryan Houlihan (Moorefield)

7. Tony Archbold (Celbridge), 6. James Murray (Moorefield), 5. Jack Sargent (Eadestown) 

8. Kevin O’Callaghan (Celbridge), 9. Kevin Flynn (Celbridge)

10. Padraic Tuohy (Eadestown), 11. Paul Cribbin (Johnstownbridge), 12. Ben McCormack (Sarsfields)

13. Paddy Woodgate (Raheens), 14. Daniel Flynn (Johnstownbridge), 15. Jimmy Hyland (Ballyteague)

Subs

21. Kevin Feely (Athy) for O’Callaghan (half-time)

25. Neil Flynn (Maynooth) for McCormack (half-time)

18. Paddy McDermott (Naas) for Tuohy (52)

Referee: David Coldrick (Meath)

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KILCOO COACH CONLEITH Gilligan felt Aidan Branagan was harshly sent-off in the dramatic conclusion to normal time in yesterday’s All-Ireland club semi-final.

Kilcoo ran out five-point winners over Cork and Munster champions St Finbarr’s, but needed extra-time before they shook off the determined challenge of their opponents in Portlaoise.

In normal time Kilcoo had a chance to win the game when Paul Devlin sized up a free but the decision was overturned by referee Brendan Cawley after an incident involving Branagan, who was subsequently sent-off, and St Finbarr’s Adam Lyne.

“Look it’s very hard to make a call on it because you seen it in normal time and in normal time, the player was encroaching Paul Devlin, trying to put him off,” said Gilligan, speaking immediately after the game on the pitch at O’Moore Park.

“Now when a player is encroaching and trying to put a free-taker off, it should be a 13m move forward because he has done it on the other side but Aidan came in with a shoulder.

“Look, it looked like a harsh red card from where I was at. Having not seen it the second time, it looked shoulder to shoulder, the player seemed to go down a wee bit soft.

“But unless I see it again, out of character for Aidan Branagan and he was doing it to try and protect Paul. But look the referee seen it and that threw the game towards extra-time. The way Paul was kicking, there was a fair chance he would have kicked it over because he had the breeze. It was one of them things and the extra-time hopefully will stand to us.”

Source: Ken Sutton/INPHO

After emerging from a huge test of their credentials as favourites, Gilligan questioned the conditions in which the game was played at with the removal of the water breaks.

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The stoppage midway through either half had been in place when Kilcoo and St Finbarr’s won their respective provincial titles a fortnight ago, with Gilligan feeling it was unfair to change the system for a championship that was still ongoing.

“Look I suppose (for) players and management to take away the water break in the middle of a competition was very unfair. If you start a competition some way, you should finish it that way because obviously we were trying to get messages on. Obviously I think there was five times the amount of Finbarrs supporters behind us than there was people in Kilcoo, so it was very hard to hear anything. I thought the players done really well to control things on their own.

“Look I completely understand why from a management of the officials point of view. The fact that nobody can get in and no messages and they’re so strict on things, it is difficult. It’s one of the fastest field sports you can get. People say rugby but rugby is a very slow game, there’s rucks, it’s a very different game. To compare Gaelic football and rugby is very unfair.

“I think they probably have to look at that. That’s for somebody else. But I think the fact that the competition started with water breaks, it probably should have finished it out that way. Look the rules are the rules and we’ll just have to manage it.”

Kilcoo’s Ryan Johnston at the end of the game.

Source: Ken Sutton/INPHO

After suffering a painful experience in extra-time two years ago at the hands of Corofin in the final, Gilligan praised his players for how they responded to the occurrence of the additional period yesterday.

“I suppose look we learned a very harsh lesson against Corofin. We had pulled back four points in a row and we had them under the cosh and got to extra-time. I suppose we were very energetic and pumped up going in off that game and thought we had all the momentum, but we probably couldn’t replicate that energy in the extra-time.

“I suppose the one thing we learned, we were very, very calm, we reset and we started again. We changed the team, we brought a couple players in, just that we thought was going to do the job. Justin Clark, he had a hand in two of the points, the first two points maybe in extra-time, he got fouled for one, it was a massive thing in terms of the game. We’ve been there before, we’ve already had two extra-times through Ulster and Down, so we were kind of used to that which was good.”

DERRY CAME OUT on top of a scrappy encounter with Down in Division 2 of the Allianz National Football League, Rory Gallagher’s side beating their Ulster rivals 1-10 to 0-6 in Owenbeg this evening.

Niall Loughlin supplied the only goal of the game midway through the first half, with the hosts leading 1-6 to 0-4 at half-time.

And Derry held out in a tight second period, Gallagher’s side finishing with nine different scorers, while Andrew Gilmore top-scored for Down with 0-3.

In Division 3, Limerick survived a late rally from Longford to get their National League campaign off to a winning start, winning 4-9 to 1-11 at the Gaelic Grounds.

Limerick had built up a seven-point lead thanks to first-half goals from Brian Donovan and Cillian Fahy, but Longford managed to claw the deficit back to just two points late in the second half.

Having scored 3-5 in the opening period, after the break Limerick managed just two points before stoppage time, when Darragh Doherty’s goal brought Longford to within two points of the home side.

However Limerick pulled clear again with a late flurry of scores, including a goal from James Naughton, which extended their cushion to seven points.

Elsewhere in Division 3, Antrim hit 1-5 without reply in the final minutes to beat Fermanagh 1-14 to 0-8 at Brewster Park.

After a slow start Fermanagh managed to fight back and make it a one point game entering the final 10 minutes, but Antrim’s superior firepower saw Enda McGinley’s team pull clear again for a deserved win.

The Saffrons had the better of the first half play, leading 0-6 to 0-3 at the break.

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And Fermanagh were made to pay for some wasteful finishing when Kevin Small found the net for Antrim, with the visitors then hitting the last five points of the game to seal the win.

In Division 4, London came from 10 points down to claim a dramatic win over Carlow, the Exiles winning on a score of 2-11 to 1-13 in what was their first competitive game in two years.

The home team looked to be in control at Netwatch Cullen Park but London grew into the game after Carlow lost Jamie Clarke to a red card. 

The hosts were seven points clear at that stage, but after clawing back Carlow’s lead a point from Killian Butler put London ahead in the 60th minute.

And London held on across a tense finish to claim a three-point win and make a superb start to their League campaign. 

Kilmacud Crokes 1-11
Pádraig Pearses 0-8

Kevin Egan reports from Kingspan Breffni Park

KILMACUD CROKES WILL face Kilcoo in the AIB All-Ireland senior club football final in a fortnight’s time as a strong finish helped them overcome the challenge of first-time semi-finalists Pádraig Pearses at Kingspan Breffni Park this evening.

Crokes fired over the final five points of the game after a strong third quarter from the Roscommon side left them well-positioned to challenge before the late flurry of scores.

On four separate occasions, Pádraig Pearses cut their deficit back to a point in the second half but every time Kilmacud Crokes were able to conjure a response.

The Dublin side are now just a win away from lifting their third All Ireland crown after showing admirable resilience in a fiery encounter.

Paul Carey and Niall Daly scores for Pearses helped cut their three-point half-time deficit back to the minimum but both times Crokes found the score they craved. In a tense second half, these well-matched sides traded blows as Tom Butler reduced his side’s deficit to the minimum again but the impressive Shane Horan found the target for the Leinster champions.

A Hubert Darcy score in the 47th minute helped Pearses slash their arrears to a point once more but Paul Carey missed a 45 metre free to level the contest.

This proved to be the last chance for Pearses to mount a comeback as Kilmacud Crokes’ bench made a notable impact. Substitute Cian O’Connor fired over twice before Conor Casey moved the gap out to four, while O’Connor’s burst of pace and Casey’s high fielding ability were also crucial ingredients in the later stages of the contest.

Goalscorer Craig Dias tapped over before Anthony Quinn made sure of the win as Kilmacud Crokes will make the short trip to GAA HQ.

It was Pádraig Pearses who started the quicker with Niall Daly firing over inside the opening 60 seconds. However, despite Kilmacud Crokes enjoying limited possession in the opening stages of this contest, they created the all-important score in the eighth minute.

The Dublin side showed their patience in maintaining control of possession before Hugh Kenny fed Shane Horan, who duly found the onrushing Craig Dias. The midfielder coolly slotted the ball between the legs of the onrushing Pearses goalkeeper Paul Whelan.

Despite Paul Carey tapping over for the Connacht champions, there was a sense that Kilmacud Crokes were getting on top. They held Pearses scoreless for 22 minutes after Carey’s free as their defence frequently cut out any threat with a minimum of fuss.

Hubert Darcy was turned over deep in Crokes territory and the Leinster champions countered at great speed as Dara Mullen fired over. A despairing Niall Daly block from a Shane Cunningham effort prevented Pearses from falling further behind but Kilmacud Crokes were dominating the ball and the game, even if they too were struggling to put scores on the board.

Tom Fox ended a 10 minute scoreless spell for the Dublin side before Callum Pearson fired over, as his side held on to possession for over two minutes before carving out the chance they desired. A Paul Carey free ended Pearses’ scoring drought as Kilmacud led by three points at the break, with both sides bumping shoulders as they ran down the tunnel at the Cavan venue.

Perhaps it was the catalyst for a noted improvement in the quality of the far in the second half, even if the outcome of both periods was the same – Kilmacud outscoring Pearses by
three in both half hour spells.

Scorers for Kilmacud Crokes: Craig Dias 1-1, Dara Mullen, Shane Horan, Cian O’Connor 0-2 each, Tom Fox (f), Callum Pearson, Conor Casey, Anthony Quinn 0-1 each.

Scorers for Pádraig Pearses: Paul Carey 0-3 (0-2f), Niall Daly, Hubert Darcy (0-1f) 0-2
each, Tom Butler 0-1.

Kilmacud Crokes

1. Conor Ferris;

2. Michael Mullen, 4. Ross McGowan, 7. Dan O’Brien;

5. Cillian O’Shea, 6. Rory O’Carroll, 3. Andrew McGowan;

8. Ben Shovlin, 9. Craig Dias;

10. Tom Fox, 11. Hugh Kenny, 17. Shane Horan;

13. Callum Pearson, 14. Dara Mullen, 15. Shane Cunningham.

Subs: 20. Conor Casey for Shovlin, 22. Cian O’Connor for Kenny, 12. Aidan Jones for
Pearson, 18. Anthony Quinn for Fox, 23. Theo Clancy for Horan (60+1).

Pádraig Pearses
1.Paul Whelan;
18.Caelim Keogh, 2. Mark Richardson, 3. Anthony Butler;

5. Conor Lohan, 6. Ronan Daly, 7. David Murray;

8. Niall Daly, 9. Conor Daly;

12. Shane Carty, 11. Niall Carty, 10. Lorcán Daly;

13. Conor Payne, 14. Hubert Darcy, 15. Paul Carey.

Subs: 20. Tom Butler for S Carty, 19. Emmett Kelly for Lohan, 21. Jack Tumulty for L
Daly, 29. Eoin Colleran for Carty, 23. Shane Mulvey for Richardson.

Referee: Paul Faloon (Down)

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OLIVIA DIVILLY DROVE Kilkerrin-Clonberne to their first ever currentaccount.ie All-Ireland Senior club title following a stunning four-point win over Mourneabbey in St Brendan’s Park, Birr.

The Connacht champions are also the first team from Galway to get their hands on the Dolores Tyrell Cup since Galway Gaels in 1982.

Chloe Miskell’s 12th minute wonder goal gave them a lead they never relinquished and scores from Olivia Divilly, Louise Ward and Eva Noone helped avenge the heartache of defeat to the same opponents in 2019.

Doireann O’Sullivan opened the scoring for the reigning champions from a free on five minutes before a foul on Ailish Morrissey resulted in Eva Noone hitting the target.

But the game came to life in the 12th minute when Louise Ward, Lynsey Noone and Morrissey combined to allow Miskell score with a rocket of a shot past Meabh O’Sullivan, for Kilkerrin-Clonberne’s goal.

Doireann O’Sullivan responded from a free but the Galway club were in the ascendancy. Olivia Divilly and Morrissey scored before Nicola Ward sliced through the heart of the defence and added another point.

Kilkerrin-Clonberne led by 1-4 to 0-2 but Doireann O’Sullivan reduced arrears again. Olivia Divilly’s latest free restored Kilkerrin-Clonberne’s five-point advantage and the teams traded points, a fourth for Doireann O’Sullivan was cancelled out by Morrissey.

Ciara O’Sullivan was taken down for a Mourneabbey penalty just before half-time. Laura Fitzgerald scored the goal for the sixth consecutive game and left the Cork side just 1-6 to 1-4 down at half-time.

Divilly stretched Kilkerrin-Clonberne’s lead to three after the restart but Mourneabbey enjoyed the better chances with Doireann O’Sullivan adding two more points from frees, although two goals chances were missed. Kilkerrin-Clonberne goalkeeper Lisa Murphy saved from Laura Fitzgerald while Ciara O’Sullivan hit the crossbar.

An Olivia Divilly point gave Kilkerrin-Clonberne a 1-8 to 1-6 advantage at the last water break and they pushed on after the resumption as Olivia Divilly again, and Louise Ward, put four between them.

Ciara O’Sullivan responded with Mourneabbey’s only point from play but the second goal they needed never materialised and they finished with 13 players as Niamh and Doireann O’Sullivan picked up late yellow cards.

Eva Noone had the final say, where she finished a move involving Nicola and Louise Ward to restore Kilkerrin-Clonberne’s four-point cushion, and ensure they were crowned champions.

Scorers for Kilkerrin-Clonberne: O Divilly 0-5 (3f), C Miskell 1-0, E Noone 0-2 (1f), A Morrissey 0-2, N Ward 0-1, L Ward 0-1.

Scorers for Mourneabbey: D O’Sullivan 0-6 (6f), L Fitzgerald 1-0 (1-0 pen), C O’Sullivan 0-1.

KILKERRIN-CLONBERNE: L Murphy; A Costello, S Gormally, C Costello; S Fahy, N Ward, C Dunleavy; S Divilly, H Noone; O Divilly, L Ward, L Noone; E Noone, C Miskell, A Morrissey.

Subs: N Divilly for Miskell (42), K Mee for Fahy (47), A Clarke for Morrissey (52), M Flanagan for L Noone (60).

MOURNEABBEY: M O’Sullivan; M Burke, E Meaney, K Coakley; A Ryan, M O’Callaghan, E Jack; E Coakley, N O’Sullivan; E Harrington, R O’Sullivan, B O’Sullivan; C O’Sullivan, D O’Sullivan, L Fitzgerald.

Subs: A Cronin for Harrington (39), D Cronin for Jack (53), A O’Sullivan for Burke (57).

Referee: Kevin Phelan (Laois).

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