1. More TJ Reid heroics

COMETH THE HOUR, cometh the man. 

Ballyhale Shamrocks were two points down with 30 seconds left on the clock when TJ Reid stood over a free from a tight angle outside the 21. Realising there might not be enough time to get another score, Reid went for broke.

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His strike was pure, soaring through a forest of bodies to give the Kilkenny kingpins victory at the death. Only minutes earlier he struck home a penalty to bring Ballyhale back into the game when it was slipping from them.

It was an incredible intervention from a man who has performed more than his fair share of heroics for club and county over the last decade.

“I had only one option which was to strike the ball as hard as I could,” he told TG4 afterwards.

“I asked the referee how much was left and he said 30 seconds, so I just said to myself I’ll have to hit this as hard as I could. Lucky enough it went in.”

2. St Thomas’ heartbreak

To lose in such circumstances and have an All-Ireland final snatched from them was heartbreaking for St Thomas’. Despite winning the last  four Galway titles, they were big underdogs coming into this game. The loss of Shane Cooney in the lead-in was a devastating blow, robbing them of one of their best defenders. 

But they conjured up a stirring performance, showing the sort of form they tend to produce in Galway each year. Defensively, they were excellent, pulling off a number of last ditch blocks over the hour.

Fintan Burke was outstanding at the back, Bernard Burke and Eanna Burke were everywhere, hitting six from play between them, and Conor Cooney scored 10 frees and a sideline. 

It’s of scant consolation to them, but St Thomas’ deserved to win this game and they can take great pride in their display. 

St. Thomas’ Fintan Burke in disbelief after the game.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

3. Ballyhale underperformance

Aside from their Leinster final pummelling of Clough-Ballacolla, Ballyhale’s form has been somewhat patchy this season. They endured the fright of their lives in the Leinster semi-final against Offaly’s St Rynagh’s, snatching a draw in the dying seconds of the 60 minutes before prevailing in extra-time. 

They were second-best for the long spells of the Kilkenny final, before pulling away from O’Loughlin Gaels with some attacking class in the final quarter. And Shamrocks would admit themselves they were below their best in Thurles today.

However, the hallmark of great champions is digging out results when they’re not playing particularly well. And Ballyhale are back in Croke Park, where they tend to show their best form.  

4. Ballygunner’s first All-Ireland final

Ballygunner’s trip to the All-Ireland final was sealed with a goal at the beginning of either half by Billy O’Keeffe.

Coming into this game both the ‘Gunner and Slaughtneil were chasing a maiden appearance in the decider. Slaughtneil were defeated in their previous three semi-finals, while Ballygunner lost their last two.  

“It’s very obvious, we lost the game in the first five minutes of each half,” said deflated Slaughtneil manager Michael McShane. “We went 1-2 down before we struck a ball in thew first-half, then conceded 1-1 at the start of the second half.

“It’s inexplicable, I don’t know. I’m not going to point fingers at anybody, but they were out of the blocks very quick and that 2-3 was the difference in the end. So we’re bitterly disappointed. 

“We’ve given it everything that we could do over the last ten weeks of training and very proud to have won another Derry and Ulster title.

“But this is where we wanted to be and we wanted to win today.  We’ve had enough of glorious performances that ended in defeat and this is another one. We’re just very very down.”

Dessie Hutchinson celebrates after the game.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

5. Dream final pairing

Based just 30km apart, the final showdown between Ballygunner and Ballyhale Shamrocks is a mouthwatering tie. Many All-Ireland club hurling deciders in recent years have failed to live up to their billing, but this one should be box-office.

Both sides have dominated their respective county championships and are littered with inter-county talent. They play attacking styles that will be well-suited to Croke Park. 

Ballyhale are chasing the All-Ireland three-in-a-row, while Ballygunner are hoping to land their first title. 

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Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) 2-15
St Thomas (Galway) 0-20

TJ REID RESCUED Ballyhale Shamrocks with a sensational late goal as the champions broke the hearts of Galway’s St Thomas in the All-Ireland senior club semi-final today.

Reid smashed a 20-yard free to the net, from just to the right of the goal in the 64th minute, to secure a spot in the All-Ireland final for the Kilkenny kingpins.

He had earlier found the net from a 55th minute penalty, priceless strikes on a day where St Thomas looked to be on course for victory with Conor Cooney and Eanna Burke in inspirational form.

But Reid again displayed his hurling greatness with the critical scores to set up a final meeting with Ballygunner.

63 nóim@BallyhaleGAA 2–15@StThomassHC 0-20

CÚL EILE AG TJ!!!@BallyhaleGAA HAVE WON IT!!!!@GAA_BEO

BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/NcnNOnfM8i

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 23, 2022

Full time score

St. Thomas’ 0-20
Ballyhale 2-15

We are absolutely devastated to lose the way we did

We are so proud of ye
lads ❤️💙@WhatstheScor

— St. Thomas' GAA (@StThomassHC) January 23, 2022

Reid’s interventions were desperately needed too as Ballyhale chased this game in the second half. They trailed 0-18 to 0-14 with ten minutes remaining before a Reid free trimmed the deficit and then the James O’Connor-managed team received a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty, Colin Fennelly fouled after an incisive run from Darragh Corcoran.

Reid smashed the penalty to the net but then St Thomas wrestled back the momentum again with a pair of points from injury-time frees supplied by Conor Cooney, benefitting from the hard work of James Regan and David Burke to draw fouls.

TJ Reid in action against St Thomas.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

It appeared that St Thomas were set for a famous success but they were left devastated when Reid was fouled late on and dusted himself down to find the net. The Kilkenny star finished with 2-5 to his name with Eoin Cody (0-4) and Joe Cuddihy (0-3) also making valuable scoring contributions.

Yet this game was largely bossed by St Thomas. They got off to a brilliant start with the first four points of the game posted on the board, yet Ballyhale recovered to be in front 0-7 to 0-6 at the first water break. They were also grateful to a fine first-half save from goalkeeper Dean Mason to deny Eanna Burke.

St Thomas charged back into contention again, in front 0-13 to 0-11 at half-time, and in the ascendancy at the second-half water break, 0-17 to 0-13. They had terrific performances all over them pitch, anchored by full-back Fintan Burke, and were in a strong position until Ballyhale pegged them back with those sensational Reid goals.

Scorers for Ballyhale Shamrocks: TJ Reid 2-5 (1-3f, 1-0 pen), Eoin Cody 0-4, Joe Cuddihy 0-3, Patrick Mullen, Colin Fennelly, Adrian Mullen 0-1 each.

Scorers for St Thomas: Conor Cooney 0-11 (0-10f, 0-1 sideline), Eanna Burke 0-4, Bernard Burke 0-2, Darragh Burke, Brendan Farrell, James Regan 0-1 each.

Ballyhale Shamrocks

Dean Mason

Darren Mullen, Joey Holden, Kevin Mullen

Evan Shefflin, Richie Reid, Darragh Corcoran

Paddy Mullen, Conor Phelan 

Brian Cody, TJ Reid, Adrian Mullen

Joe Cuddihy, Colin Fennelly (captain), Eoin Cody

Subs

Eoin Kenneally for Phelan (inj) (29)

Brian Butler for Kevin Mullen (inj) (42)

Conor Walsh for Darren Mullen (55)

Eoin Reid for Kenneally (58)

St Thomas

Gerald Kelly

Cian Mahony, Fintan Burke, David Sherry

John Headd, David Burke, Cathal Burke

Evan Duggan, Bernard Burke

James Regan, Conor Cooney (captain), Eanna Burke

Oisin Flannery, Darragh Burke, Bernard Farrell

Subs

V Manso for Farrell (45)

Mark Caulfield for Duggan (58)

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St Sylvester’s (Dublin) 4-11

Kinawley Brian Borus (Fermanagh) 2-5

By Daire Walsh

DUBLIN STAR SINÉAD Aherne struck 2-5 at Gaffney Park this afternoon as St Sylvester’s convincingly overcame Kinawley Brian Borus to book their spot in the currentaccount.ie All-Ireland Intermediate club final.

Despite the absence of her inter-county team-mate Niamh McEvoy, listed amongst the substitutes but held in reserve throughout, the firepower of Aherne offered Sylvester’s a decisive edge over their Ulster rivals.

Kinawley skipper Joanne Doonan emerged with an impressive tally of 1-3 but it is the Leinster champions who progress to face Castlebar Mitchels in the forthcoming showpiece.

The hosts enjoyed a dream start to this contest as Aherne rattled the back of the Kinawley net with just over 60 seconds gone on the clock. This was a taste of things to come from Sylvester’s and the Dublin holders subsequently doubled their lead in the seventh minute.

Following a blistering run from another Dublin star, Nicole Owens, Emma Sullivan fired home clinically for her side’s second goal. Kinawley got up and running with back-to-back points courtesy of Shauna Melanaphy and captain Joanne Doonan, but Sylvester’s responded with points of their own from Aherne and Sophie McGlynn.

Owens had a goal disallowed just shy of the first-quarter mark and their Fermanagh counterparts received a significant boost when Aine McManus shot beyond the reach of Sophie Brennan for an 18th minute goal.

A master class served up by these four stars today. Our ladies were on fire! 🔥 💙💚 Bring on the Final! #clubchamps @dublinladiesg @LadiesFootball @LeinsterLGFA
Photos; @OfficialSylsGAA PRO pic.twitter.com/mNE59bneDu

— St Sylvester’s GAA Malahide (@OfficialSylsGAA) January 23, 2022

However, Aherne immediately responded at the opposite end with another emphatic finish to the Kinawley net. She finished the opening period with 2-3 to her name and with Sylvester’s establishing a 3-7 to 1-3 interval cushion, they were on course for a place in the national decider.

Already well-served in attack, the 36th-minute introduction of Katie O’Sullivan added an extra dimension to the Sylvester’s play. After Grace Twomey and Aherne had scored points either side of a successful Doonan free, O’Sullivan grabbed their fourth goal to move the Malahide outfit 4-8 to 1-4 clear.

To their credit, Kinawley kept plugging away and Doonan displayed great composure to fire past Brennan for a goal on 46 minutes.

This was only a minor speed bump for Sylvester’s, however. Katie O’Sullivan and Kate Sullivan added to their respective hauls in the closing minutes to ease the north Dubliners to a commanding victory.

They now face Mayo and Connacht champions Castlebar Mitchels, who saw off Castleisland Desmonds of Kerry in their semi-final yesterday.

Scorers for St Sylvester’s: S Aherne 2-5 (0-4f), K O’Sullivan 1-1, E Sullivan 1-0, G Twomey 0-2, K Sullivan 0-2, S McGlynn 0-1.

Scorers for Kinawley: J Doonan 1-3 (0-2f), A McManus 1-0, S Melanaphy 0-1, K Murphy 0-1.

ST SYLVESTER’S: S Brennan; C Fitzpatrick, K White, L Harrold; L Murphy, D Lawless, E Lynch; N Owens, G Twomey; K Sullivan, E Sullivan, N Harney; S McGlynn, S Aherne, L Ryan.

Subs: G McGinty for E Sullivan (35), K O’Sullivan for McGlynn (36), K Tanner for Harney (52), A McDonnell for Owens (55).

KINAWLEY: D Owens; C Breen, K Murphy, K Donnelly; E Keenan, C Murphy, C Leonard; R O’Reilly, A McGovern; L Doonan, A Haran, A McManus; S Melanaphy, J Doonan, N McManus.

Subs: G McCaffrey for Melanaphy (38), K Murphy for Haran (45), M Murphy for L Doonan (49), K Magee for N McManus (58).

Referee: Declan Carolan (Armagh).

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currentaccount.ie All-Ireland junior club semi-final results

• St Jude’s (Dublin) 3-9 Carrickmacross (Monaghan) 0-11
• Mullinahone (Tipperary) 1-6 St Brendan’s (Galway) 0-5

Aisling Gannon and Niamh Kerr scored two late goals in a devasting 60-second spell to book St Jude’s their spot in the currentaccount.ie All-Ireland Junior club final for the first time ever with victory over Carrickmacross.

An Aoife Keyes goal was all that separated the sides at the half-time when St Judes led by 1-6 to 0-6. Goalkeeper Kerrie Martin had kept the Monaghan side alive in the game and in the second half they drew level briefly, before St Jude’s struck late to ensure they got the win.

And Lorraine O’Shea’s goal was the crucial score as Mullinahone qualified as their decider opponents with a narrow win over St Brendan’s at John Locke’s GAA club in Callan.

O’Shea’s first half-goal made all the difference and she finished with 1-4 while Kilkenny camogie star Denise Gaule also shone for the Tipperary club, with 0-2.

– With reporting from Aisling Clery and Eanna O’Reilly

You can read the full reports on the LGFA website.

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Limerick 0-27
Clare 0-18

Páraic McMahon reports from Cusack Park, Ennis

A NINE-POINT was recorded by the reigning All-Ireland, Munster and National League champions Limerick against home side Clare in front of an attendance of 7,992 in Ennis for today’s Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling Cup final.

Survivors from Limerick’s All-Ireland winning fifteen included Barry Nash, Gearoid Hegarty, William O’Donoghue. Clare opted for experience but also took the chance to blood new talent with Patrick Crotty and Robin Mounsey making their first senior appearances from the bench.

Hopes for a tense, tight affair were heightened when tensions ratcheted up at the throw-in with referee Conor Doyle brandishing yellow cards to Will O’Donoghue and Jack Browne before the sliotar was in play.

This soon dissipated with Limerick proving much too strong for their Shannonside neighbours. Effectively it was game over by half-time with John Kiely’s side holding an eight point advantage. Foundations for the win were built when they put together rallies of six and five points without reply at different stages.

Victorious Limerick captain Barry Nash.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

By the first water break, just three points separated the sides but that was as good as it got for Brian Lohan’s Clare with the gap widening as the tie progressed. Limerick’s ease at crafting sequences of play moving with aplomb from their last line of defence to attack allowing them to create several scoring opportunities from near and afar.

Primarily it was the battle of David Reidys, the Dromin-Athlacca freetaker versus his Ennis namesake. They accounted for 0-12 and 0-09 of their side’s final tally and were active from placed balls particularly in the opening half.

For Clare to have had any chance of clawing their way back, they needed a major but failed to put together any meaningful opportunity to ensure Limerick took him the silverware in the pre-season competition.

In what was the first of three meetings between the counties at Cusack Park this year, Limerick gave an indication that their ranking as the country’s top team is fully justified and on course to remain. Richie English, Colin Coughlan and Oisin O’Reilly stood out for the winners while Clare were best served by Mark Rodgers, Paul Flanagan and the hard-working Jack Browne.

Limerick boss John Kiely.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

Scorers for Limerick: David Reidy 0-12 (0-11f), Darren O’Connell, Oisin O’Reilly 0-3 each, Colin Coughlan, Adam English 0-2 each, Pat Ryan, Gearoid Hegarty, Richie English, Brian O’Grady, C O’Neill 0-1 each.

Scorers for Clare: David Reidy 0-9 (0-6f, 0-2 ’65), Cathal Malone, Mark Rodgers, Diarmuid Ryan, Robin Mounsey (0-1’65) 0-2 each, Patrick Crotty 0-1.

Limerick

1: David McCarthy (Glenroe)

2: Barry Nash (South Liberties), 21: Dan Morrissey (Ahane), 4: Richie English (Doon)

5: Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown), 6: Ronan Connolly (Adare), 7: Paddy O’Loughlin (Kilmallock)

9: William O’Donoghue (Na Piarsiagh), 22: Brian O’Grady (Kilteely-Dromkeen)

11: David Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca), 10: Cathal O’Neill (Crecora-Manister), 12: Gearoid Hegarty (St Patricks)

13: Darren O’Connell (Kildimo-Pallaskenry), 14: Pat Ryan (Doon), 15: Oisin O’Reilly (Kilmallock).

Subs

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19: Adam English (Doon) for Ryan (46)

8: Rory Duff (Mungret St Pauls) for O’Donoghue (53)

17: Conor Boylan (Na Piarsaigh) for Hegarty (53)

Clare

1. Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)

4. Paul Flanagan (Ballyea), 3: Conor Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown), 25: Mike Gough (Smith O’Briens)

5: Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe), 6: Jason McCarthy (Inagh/Kilnamona), 23: Aaron Fitzgerald (Éire Óg)

8: Jack Browne (Ballyea), 9: Paddy Donnellan (Broadford)

10: Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge), 11: David Reidy (Éire Óg), 12: Shane Golden (Sixmilebridge)

21: Domhnall McMahon (Michael Cusack’s), 13: Mark Rodgers (Scariff), 15: Gary Cooney (O’Callaghans Mills)

Subs:

7: David McInerney (Tulla) for Donnellan (HT)

14: Ryan Taylor (Clooney/Quin) for Golden (HT)

17: Shane Meehan (Banner) for McMahon (43)

19: Darragh Lohan (Wolfe Tones) for Fitzgerald (46)

18: Patrick Crotty (Scariff) for Cooney (51)

20: Robin Mounsey (Ruan) for McCarthy (52)

Referee: Conor Doyle (Tipperary)

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All-Ireland intermediate club hurling semi-final results

• Kilmoyley (Kerry) 2-15 Banagher (Derry) 1-12

• Naas (Kildare) 0-18 Tooreen (Mayo) 0-13

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THERE WILL BE a novel All-Ireland hurling final meeting involving the Kerry and Kildare club champions after today’s semi-final successes for Kilmoyley and Naas.

The two clubs, competing at the All-Ireland semi-final stage for the first time this afternoon after their respective historic Munster and Leinster triumphs, will meet in the intermediate final at Croke Park on the weekend of 5-6 February.

It will mark the first time that a club from Kerry and Kildare have contested an All-Ireland hurling final.

They'll see us coming to the @ConnachtGAA Centre if Excellence on Sunday pic.twitter.com/LyxqbYJqyx

— Kilmoyley HC (@KilmoyleyHC) January 21, 2022

Congratulations to our senior hurlers on reaching the All Ireland Intermediate Hurling Final with a very hard fought victory over @TooreenHurlers@NaasBall pic.twitter.com/2hp1JhDYRF

— Naas Hurling (@SHNaas15) January 23, 2022

Two goals from Maurice O’Connor inspired Kilmoyley to victory over Ulster champions, Banagher from Derry, to victory by 2-15 to 1-12 at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence in Bekan. Daniel Collins (0-9) and Jordan Brick (0-4) were also in exceptional point-socring form for the winners.

Kilmoyley suffered an early setback when Collins saw his penalty effort saved but they recovered to lead 1-2 to 0-3 at the water break and 1-5 to 0-6 by half-time, O’Connor raising his first green flag. 

But the Derry champions enjoyed a brilliant start to the second half with a Stefan McCloskey goal helping them lead 1-8 to 1-5 as they played against the wind. Then Collins stepped up for Kilmoyley with four points in a row to restore their advantage by the second water break. They pushed on in the final quarter with Brick excelling and O’Connor netting for the second time, although the ending to the game was marred for Kilmoyley by a red card for forward Adrian Royle.

Jack Sheridan was in superb form for Naas as he fired 0-9 in their success by 0-18 to 0-13 against Mayo’s Tooreen in Duggan Park in Ballinasloe.

Tooreen, competing in their third All-Ireland semi-final, made a bright start as they went ahead 0-5 to 0-3 by the 20th minute, but Naas fought back to go front 0-9 to 0-7 at half-time. Tooreen cut the gap to a single point twice in the third quarter, but Naas hit five points without reply to move ahead 0-16 to 0-10 entering the last ten minutes.

They were able to protect their winning position from there, Sheridan pointing the way and Brian Byrne scoring 0-3 overall. Shane Boland (0-6) and Cathal Freeman (0-2) were top scorers for Tooreen.

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All-Ireland junior club hurling semi-final results

• Ballygiblin (Cork) 4-20 Fullen Gaels (Lancashire) 0-12

• Mooncoin (Kilkenny) 2-26 Salthill-Knocknacarra (Galway) 0-11

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THERE WILL BE a Cork and Kilkenny clash in this year’s All-Ireland junior club hurling final after Ballygiblin and Mooncoin won their respective semi-final clashes today.

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It will be the seventh time the champions from the two counties have met in the All-Ireland decider at this grade.

We march on! pic.twitter.com/IGS2iYRuN3

— Ballygiblin GAA (@Ballygiblingaa) January 23, 2022

AIB All-Ireland Jnr Hurling Semi-Final #theToughest #honDCoin @kilkennyclg @skgaa
Full Time
Mooncoin: 2-26(32)
Salthill-Knocknacarra (Gal): 0-11(11) well done lads !! Brilliant performance!!! ✊✊🥳🎉. All Ireland here we come!!!!!

— Mooncoin GAA (@MooncoinGAA) January 23, 2022

Ballygiblin ran out 4-20 to 0-12 victors over Fullen Gaels in O’Moore Park in Portlaoise, comfortably in control of the semi-final all through. The winner started without Darragh Flynn, a Cork All-Ireland U20 winner last year, due to injury, but did have Mark Keane, who recently brought his AFL career with Collingwood to an end, starting for them again at centre-back.

A goal by Colin English, Tipperary’s 2018 All-Ireland U21 winning captain, helped them go ahead 1-12 to 0-1 at half-time, and they were 1-17 to 0-4 clear by the second water break. Three late goals from English, Sean O’Sullivan and Adam Donegan rounded off success for the team coached by Ronan Dwane as they finished victors by 20 points.

Mooncoin also impressed in their success by 2-26 to 0-11 over Galway’s Salthill-Knocknacarra at LIT Gaelic Grounds. A Kevin Crowley goal helped the Kilkenny champions go ahead 1-15 to 0-6 at half-time, before an early second-half goal by John Fitzgerald helped put Mooncoin in an unassailable position.

They will be hoping to make amends for their last All-Ireland final appearance when they suffered a narrow defeat to Cork’s Mayfield by a point in the 2017 final.

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THE GALWAY SENIOR ladies football team remain without an official manager, just a few days out from opening their Division 1 National League campaign.

Although still out of the loop due to her club commitments with recent All-Ireland champions Kilkerrin-Clonberne, star Tribe defender Nicola Ward told The42 that the situation is “very disappointing”.

Gerry Fahy stepped down from the role two weeks ago after just one season in charge.

A Galway LGFA statement, released through Galway Bay FM, revealed that Fahy “cited questions that were raised that he and his management team were unfortunately unable to resolve and in the interest of Galway ladies football, the management team stepped aside.”

The process of appointing a new management team began thereafter, though no update was available when The42 last contacted Galway county board.

• ‘It really is a strange one’ – Galway still on hunt for new manager two weeks out from league

It’s understood that the squad continue to train as normal ahead of their 2022 Lidl Ladies National Football League opener against Donegal in Ballybofey on Saturday [throw-in 7.30pm, live on TG4], with some of the previous management team remaining in situ.

Ward confirmed as much at yesterday’s league launch in Newbridge.

“I suppose we weren’t there when everything happened,” she said. “We had been onto Gerry before club and during it, and he was very good to us to give us the time to focus on the club. We completely isolated ourselves to the club.

“It was obviously very disappointing to hear about the news. But Maghnus Breathnach and Fionna Wynne and David Mannion are all still there, there’s no new manager as such but they’re the ones that are taking training and trying to manage it as best as they can.

“Obviously it’s extremely disappointing when the league is starting this weekend, but that’s the situation for now. I think the county board are trying to source a new manager if they can.”

That there is such uncertainty and question marks over the set-up just a few days out from a return to competitive action is likely the main area of concern, regardless of the circumstances around Fahy’s departure.

Nicola Ward (right) and Emer Gallagher at yesterday’s Lidl Ladies National Football Leagues launch.

Source: Brendan Moran/SPORTSFILE

“It is disappointing. Myself and the Kilkerrin-Clonberne girls don’t really know [the ins and outs] either because [we’re out of the loop]. We’re taking a few weeks off and once we get back in, we’ll be fully committed to the cause.

“As I said, it is disappointing but they have to kind of move on and get ready for the matches because they are coming thick and fast. Hopefully come championship, there might be a better structure in place.”

While Ward and her clubmates, which include sister Louise and Olivia and Siobhán Divilly, take time to reset, the 2019 All-Star has not been in regular contact with her inter-county colleagues.

As a result, she’s unsure how they’re feeling ahead of the Donegal clash.

“I’ve only been talking to a few of them wishing us luck and congratulating us,” she explains. “I want to isolate myself from Galway for the minute, just to take that time out, completely relax from it, recharge and go again.

“I suppose they just have to go out and play the game when it comes to it.”

That, they will, with an exciting 2022 ahead and motivation aplenty in all quarters after Meath’s historic All-Ireland win and denial of Dublin’s perfect five-in-a-row.

“A lot of teams aren’t far off,” Ward concludes. “You can’t but take massive inspiration from Meath and what they did for ladies football.

“I think a lot of teams will be fairly close this year, and we’ll see that in the next few weeks through the league in who’s going to show their best side. I’m looking forward to watching the games for the first few weeks.”

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THE LAST TIME an All-Ireland club football title was on offer, Kieran Fitzgerald was immersed in the heat of the action.

That was back in January 2020, his last act as a Corofin player was a winning one, he signed off on a joyous note as the north Galway club football dynasty completed three-in-a-row.

It was their fourth national crown in six seasons but Fitzgerald had experienced the flipside when county and provincial titles could not translate into the greatest club prize of all.

In that 2020 decider they prevailed after extra-time in a gruelling battle with Kilcoo.
The Down club have returned to that final stage next Saturday, when they pit themselves against Kilmacud Crokes, and aim to complete a mission they have been on.

Since 2009, Kilcoo have won ten county titles and Ulster silverware has finally arrived in 2019 and 2021.

They just need an All-Ireland to complete the set and Fitzgerald can relate to the scenario where the pursuit of that trophy consumes a club.

“We were in that position down through the years where we were winning county championships and winning Connacht which was great but eventually you want to get to the next step and Kilcoo are at that now. They have won in Down, two in a row in Ulster and they nearly got there two years ago against us. I have no doubt that they are consumed by the pursuit of that All-Ireland championship.

“They play like guys who are thinking like that and from my experience from playing against them, they were like men possessed to get over that line. I can totally appreciate where they are coming from and in many respects for a rural club like that – like we were in Corofin – to get over that line you nearly have to be 24/7 thinking about it.”

Kilcoo’s style of football is well-defined and while Corofin faced an array of contenders in their various seasons playing on the Galway, Connacht and All-Ireland stages, Fitzgerald rates that 2020 battle as ‘one of the toughest games of club football’ he encountered.

“I’m really interested in it. There are loads of different ways of winning and that was what worked for us. What works for Kilcoo is a different form of football, that’s what they believe in, and best of luck to them. They nearly won it two years ago against us and we really struggled with that.

“They’re tough opposition, they made it so difficult for us, they were one of the toughest, most aggressive teams I’ve ever played against, and I mean that as a compliment.

“They made us earn that and it was one of the toughest games of club football I’ve ever played in. They nearly did it and I fancy them this weekend.

“Tackling, work rate, their organisation, their discipline in the defensive structure, the turnovers, the way they tackled, they led you up alleys, there’s a method to their defence, they encourage you to go up avenues then they turn you over and break.

Kilcoo manager Mickey Moran.

Source: Ken Sutton/INPHO

“They have very talented forwards and when they break they break well, wing-backs like the Branagans break at speed, Johnson up front. Mickey Moran has them well tuned and it’s going to be a very interesting final.

“They are going to have a massive test against Kilmacud Crokes, even though they are minus Paul Mannion. They are a fine outfit as well so it will be an intriguing contest, it will be low-scoring possibly and tight but I do fancy Kilcoo.”

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Fitzgerald brought a decorated playing career to a close after that 2020 club final, moving into a role as part of the Corofin management team for the past two seasons, something which aided his transition.

“I had my decision made to retire coming up to the Kilcoo All-Ireland final which seems so long ago now. Then obviously Covid hit and there was no football at all, so everybody wasn’t playing, so it wasn’t only me. It was great to play for years under Kevin O’Brien but probably didn’t have a full realisation of the extent of the work those guys were doing behind the scenes to keep the Corofin machine going.

“It was an eye opener for me to cross to the other side and see how that worked and obviously I was happy to play a small part in it.”

The theme of change in Corofin’s fortunes has been created by new county champions in Galway for the past two seasons in Moycullen and Mountbellew-Moylough.

Going into 2022 they will have a new manager at the helm in Kevin Johnson after Kevin O’Brien brought his hugely successful spell to a close late last year.

Kieran Fitzgerald celebrating the 2019 All-Ireland final win with Kevin O’Brien and Ciaran McGrath.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

After three All-Ireland club title wins as a boss, Fitzgerald feels O’Brien has the capability to move into inter-county management in the future if he desires.

“I don’t know what his ambitions are but he is very well capable of it. He is a hugely organised guy, very considerate and a great planner. He is so structured and organised, a great man manager.

“He has all the attributes to be an inter-county manager if that is the route he wants to go down but I am not sure exactly what his ambitions are. He is a super manager, he knows how players tick and I would not be surprised if he did go down that route.”

• Kieran Fitzgerald’s Laochra Gael episode airs on TG4 this week on Thursday night at 9.30pm

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UL 2-22
MTU Cork 1-19

John Keogh reports from Limerick

UL ARE INTO the semi-finals of the Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup following a six-point victory against MTU Cork at Maguires Fields tonight.

The six-time champions scored early goals through Mikey Kiely and Mark Rodgers and never looked back.

Kilkenny’s Niall Brennan chipped in with 0-5 from play in the six point victory for Brian Ryan’s fancied UL side.

MTU responded with 0-9 from Liam O’Shea and 1-1 from substitute Declan Hanlon but it wasn’t enough to catch UL late on.

The score was at one point each when Kiely pounced for the first goal on four minutes and Rodgers fired the second soon after to leave the score at 2-4 to 0-3.

The sharpshooting of O’Shea kept MTU Cork in touch but he was equally matched by his opposite number Gearoid O’Connor from UL. The Moyne-Templetuohy man finished the half with six points to help his side to a 2-12 to 0-9 advantage at the break.

O’Shea opened the second half scoring with a free to give MTU Cork a lift but Brennan slotted two sumptuous points in a row to dampen spirits for the visitors.

The Lisgoold clubman got another effort from play but a long-range Killian Sampson score and another from Brennan gave UL their 2-16 to 0-12 advantage on 40 minutes.

UL took the foot off the gas in the final 20 minutes, knowing their last four spot was all but secured and MTU Cork took advantage.

Tomas Howard, Alan Walsh and Paddy Creedon fired over efforts from play, while O’Shea also kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Declan Hanlon’s late intervention gave some hope but long range scores from Ross Hayes and Conor Flaherty secured UL’s comfortable win.

Scorers for UL: Gearoid O’Connor 0-8 (0-4f), Niall Brennan 0-5, Mikey Kiely 1-2, Mark Rodgers 1-1, Billy Power, Ciaran Connolly, Rory Hayes, Brian O’Grady, Killian Sampson and Conor O’Flaherty 0-1 each.

Scorers for MTU Cork: Liam O’Shea 0-9 (0-6f), Declan Hanlon 1-1, Tomas Howard 0-3, Alan Walsh 0-2, Brendan Twomey, Barry Kehoe, Andrew O’Connell and Paddy Creedon 0-1 each

UL

Eoin Davis (St Catherine’s, Cork)

Daniel Treacy (Scariff, Clare), TJ Brennan (Clarinbridge, Galway), Mike Gough (Smith O’Briens, Clare)

Killian Sampson (Shinrone, Offaly), Bryan O’Mara (Holycross-Ballycahill, Tipperary), Cian Galvin (Clarecastle, Clare)

Brian O’Sullivan (Kanturk, Cork), Ciaran Connolly (Loughmore Castleiney, Tipperary)

Niall Brennan (Lisdowney, Kilkenny), Gearoid O’Connor (Moyne Templetuohy, Tipperary), Brian O’Grady (Kilteely-Dromkeen, Limerick)

Billy Power (Clonea, Waterford), Mark Rodgers (Scariff, Clare), Mikey Kiely (Abbeyside-Ballinacourty, Waterford).

Subs

Conor Flaherty (Carnmore-Claregalway, Galway) for Galvin (h-t),

Rory Duff (Mungret St Pauls, Limerick) for O’Sullivan (h-t),

Ciaran Comerford (The Harps, Laois) for Connolly (45),

Rory Hayes (Crusheen, Clare) for Sampson (49),

Conor O’Grady (Hospital-Herbertstown, Limerick) for Brennan (56, inj).

MTU Cork

Ger Collins (Ballinhassig, Cork);

Billy Murphy (Carrick Swans, Tipperary), William Hurley (Valley Rovers, Cork), Liam Ryan (Inniscarra, Cork)

Stephen Keoghan (Graigue-Ballycallan, Kilkenny), Patrick O’Flynn (Bride Rovers, Cork), Jake Cranny (St Lazerians, Laois);

Brendan Twomey (Carrigtwohill, Cork), Sam Quirke (Midleton, Cork)

Tomas Howard (Dromtarriffe, Cork), Liam O’Shea (Lisgoold, Cork), Alan Walsh (Kanturk, Cork)

Barry Kehoe (Kilsheelan-Kilcash, Tipperary), Paddy Creedon (Thurles Sarsfields, Tipperary), James Mulcahy (Carrigtwohill, Cork)

Subs

Andrew O’Connell (Douglas, Cork) for Mulcahy (29)

Eoghan Collins (Newcestown, Cork) for Cranny (37)

Declan Hanlon (Blarney, Cork) for Kehoe (50)

Conor O’Leary (Ballincollig, Cork) for Twomey (51)

Cathal Hickey (Lisgoold) for O’Flynn (53)

Referee: Liam Gordon (Galway)

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IT Carlow 1-17
UCC 0-14

DJ CAREY SAW his IT Carlow team clam a fully-merited quarter-final success on home soil tonight in the Fitzgibbon Cup, knocking UCC out of the competition in the process.

Cian Kenny in action against Ger Millerick and Daire O’Leary.

Source: Evan Treacy/INPHO

UCC, who won the last two runnings of this competition, trailed for long stages of the game and were always struggling once Rory Higgins fired in a first-half goal for the winners.

Despite losing Marty Kavanagh to injury in the opening period and with Eoin Cody unavailable due to the All-Ireland club commitments with Ballyhale Shamrocks, IT Carlow triumphed with Carlow’s Chris Nolan, Wexford’s Seamus Casey and Kilkenny’s Cian Kenny all impressing.

The winners were ahead 1-11 to 0-8 at the break, both sides having players dismissed either side of the interval with UCC’s Padraig Power and IT Carlow’s Jerry Kelly both sent to the line.

UCC’s Shane Barrett with IT Carlow’s Seamus Casey.

Tipperary’s Mark Kehoe hit three first-half points for UCC and Cork’s Shane Barrett was on target from frees but they never threatened enough against an excellent IT Carlow rearguard.

IT Carlow manager DJ Carey.

Source: Evan Treacy/INPHO

IT Carlow have never won the Fitzgibbon Cup, losing finals in 2017 and 2020, but they are now only one step away from returning to the final stage.

Higgins goal in the 17th minute propelled them ahead 1-6 to 0-3 and while UCC cut the gap to four points on two occasions, the margin was six in favour of IT Carlow at half-time.

As weather conditions deteriorated during the second half, UCC tried to chip away at the IT Carlow deficit but within five points was as close. Seamus Casey’s pointed ’65 rounded off IT Carlow’s win and they nearly hit the net again in the closing stages, only for UCC goalkeeper Ian Butler to pull off an impressive double save.

Scorers for IT Carlow: Seamus Casey (0-7, 4f, 1 ’65); Rory Higgins (1-1); Chris Nolan (0-3); Thomas Keyes, Niall Brassil, Cian Kenny, Eoin Gaughan, Cathal Dunbar, Marty Kavanagh (0-1 ’65) (0-1 each).

Scorers for UCC: Mark Kehoe, Shane Barrett (0-4f) (0-4 each); Conor Boylan, Daire Connery (0-2f) (0-2 each); Rob Downey, Will Henn (0-1f) (0-1 each).

IT Carlow

Adam Howlin (Shelmaliers, Wexford)

Fergal Hayes (Kiladangan, Tipperary), Podge Delaney (The Harps, Laois), Aidan Redmond (Rathnure, Wexford)

Jason Cleere (Bennettsbridge, Kilkenny), Jerry Kelly (Borris-Ileigh, Tipperary), Niall Brassil (James Stephens, Kilkenny)

Cathal Dunbar (Naomh Eanna, Wexford), Cian Kenny (James Stephens, Kilkenny)

Eoin Gaughan (Camross, Laois), Marty Kavanagh (St Mullins, Carlow), Seamus Casey (Oylegate-Glenbrien, Wexford)

Rory Higgins (Rathnure, Wexford), Chris Nolan (Mount Leinster Rangers, Carlow), Thomas Keyes (Camross, Laois)

Subs

Brandon McGinley (Rathdowney-Errill, Laois) for Kavanagh (inj) (11)

Shane Reck (Oylegate-Glenbrien, Wexford) for McGinley (37)

UCC

Ian Butler (Kildorrery, Cork)

Cormac O’Brien (Newtownshandrum, Cork), Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons, Cork), Jerome Boylan (Na Piarsaigh, Limerick), 

Rob Downey (Glen Rovers, Cork), Iarlaith Daly (Lismore, Waterford), Daire O’Leary (Watergrasshill, Cork)

Ger Millerick (Fr O’Neills, Cork), Ronan Connolly (Adare, Limerick)

Conor Boylan (Na Piarsaigh, Limerick), Conor Cahalane (St Finbarr’s, Cork), Shane Barrett (Blarney, Cork)

Conor Bowe (Moyne-Templetuohy, Tipperary), Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan-Kilcash, Tipperary), Padraig Power (Blarney, Cork),

Subs

Daire Connery (Na Piarsaigh, Cork) for O’Brien (half-time)

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Jack O’Connor (Sarsfields, Cork) for Bowe (half-time)

Will Henn (Na Piarsaigh, Limerick) for Barrett (51)

Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford)

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