Shefflin, McManamon and Cooper will be in the club GAA spotlight this week

NINE COUNTY SENIOR finals, a couple of huge nights in Dublin club football and some significant clashes as the Leinster, Munster and Ulster senior club football championships kick into gear.

That’s the lot to get stuck into this week on the club GAA front with the Dublin football semi-finals pencilled in for the next two nights while the weekend sees senior football deciders in Mayo, Tipperary, Meath and Westmeath.

There’s county senior hurling finals to look forward to in Dublin and Kilkenny while it’s round two in Clare with Sunday’s replay in Ennis.

Potentially the game of the weekend is the Musnter club hurling quarter-final on Sunday with the TG4 cameras set to broadcast live the showdown between Thurles Sarsfields and Ballygunner.

And in football there are nine senior club provincial games down for decision as clubs eye progress after their county final wins.

Wednesday

Dublin SFC semi-final
St Vincent’s v Ballymun Kickhams, Parnell Park, 7.30pm

James McCarthy and Diarmuid Connolly will face off tonight.

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

Thursday

Dublin SFC semi-final
St Judes v Castleknock, Parnell Park, 7.30pm

Friday

Cork senior camogie final
Milford v Inniscarra, Cork IT, 7.30pm

Saturday

Dublin SHC final
Cuala v Kilmacud Crokes, Parnell Park, 3pm

Kilmacud Crokes Ryan O’Dwyer and Cuala’s Mark Schutte

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

Leinster JHC first round
St Fechin’s (Louth) v Wolfe Tones (Longford), Gaelic Grounds, Drogheda, 2pm
Rosenallis (Laois) v Maynooth (Kildare), Rosenallis, 2pm

Mayo SFC final
Castlebar Mitchels v Knockmore, Elverys MacHale Park, 7.15pm

All Ireland club finalists Castlebar Mitchels

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

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Munster JHC quarter-final
Ballyduff Lower (Waterford) v Kilgarvan (Kerry), Walsh Park, 2pm

Roscommon SHC final replay
Four Roads v Oran, Athleague, 3pm

Ulster Senior Ladies Football final
St MacCartan’s (Tyrone) v Donaghmoyne (Monaghan), Galbally, 3pm

Waterford SFC semi-final
Kilrossanty v The Nire, Fraher Field, 7.30pm

Sunday

Clare SHC final replay
Clonlara v Ballyea, Cusack Park, Ennis, 2.30pm

Leinster
SFC club first round
Baltinglass (Wicklow) v Sean O’Mahony’s (Louth), Aughrim, 2pm
Gusserane O’Rahilly’s (Wexford) v Rhode (Offaly), New Ross, 2pm
Mullinalaghta St Columba’s (Longford) v Stradbally (Laois), Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 2pm

Stradbally’s Jody Dillon and Mullinalaghta’s James McGivney

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

Intermediate Ladies Football final
Clan na Gael Fontenoy (Dublin) v Naomh Ciaran (Offaly), Kinnegad, 1pm

Kilkenny SHC final
Ballyhale Shamrocks v O’Loughlin Gaels, Nowlan Park, 3.15pm

Mayo SHC final replay
Ballyhaunis v Tooreen, Ballyhaunis, 1pm

Meath SFC final
Donaghmore-Ashbourne v Simonstown Gaels, Páirc Tailteann, Navan, 3pm

Munster Club
SFC quarter-finals
Kilmurry-Ibrickane (Clare) v Dr Crokes (Kerry), Quilty, 1pm
Monaleen (Limerick) v Carbery Rangers (Cork), Gaelic Grounds, 3pm

Martin McMahon and Kieran O’Leary are in opposition on Sunday

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

SHC quarter-final
Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary) v Ballygunner (Waterford), Semple Stadium, 2pm

IHC quarter-final
Bandon (Cork) v Dunhill/Lismore (Waterford), Cloughduv, 2pm

IFC quarter-final
Fethard (Tipperary) v Kenmare (Cork), Clonmel Sportsfield

JHC quarter-final
St Patrick’s (Limerick) v Mayfield (Cork), Gaelic Grounds, 1pm

Tipperary SFC final
Loughmore-Castleiney v Moyle Rovers, Leahy Park, Cashel, 2.30pm

Loughmore-Castleiney player Noel McGrath

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

Ulster Club
SFC quarter-finals
Killyclogher (Tyrone) v Cargin (Antrim), Healy Park, Omagh, 2.30pm
Slaughtneil (Derry) v Derrygonnelly (Fermanagh), Celtic Park, 2.30pm
Maghery (Armagh) v Ramor United (Cavan), Athletic Grounds, 2.30pm
Kilcoo (Down) v Glenswilly (Donegal), Páirc Esler, Newry, 2.30pm

Michael Murphy and Oisin Crawford celebrate Glenswilly’s Donegal county final win

Source: Kieran Murray/INPHO

IFC quarter-finals
Castledawson (Derry) v Whitecross (Armagh), Owenbeg, 2.30pm
Pomeroy (Tyrone) v Arva (Cavan), Healy Park, Omagh, 12.45pm
Aghagallon (Antrim) v Kinawley (Fermanagh), Corrigan Park, Belfast, 2.30pm
Bredagh (Down) v Donaghmoyne (Monaghan), Páirc Esler, Newry, 2.30pm

JFC quarter-finals
Blackhill (Monaghan) v Clonmore (Armagh), Clones, 2.30pm
Magilligan (Derry) v Downings (Donegal), Celtic Park, 12.45pm
Newtownbutler (Fermanagh) v Drumgath (Down), Brewster Park, Enniskillen, 1pm
Cornafean (Cavan) v Rock (Tyrone), Kingspan Breffni Park, 2.30pm

IHC quarter-final
St Brigid’s (Antrim) v Carrickmore (Tyrone), Loughgiel, 2.30pm

JHC final
Lámh Dhearg (Antrim) v Mac Cumhaills (Donegal), Owenbeg, 12.30pm

Waterford SFC semi-final
Ballinacourty v Stradbally, Fraher Field, 7pm

Westmeath SFC final
St Loman’s v Tyrrellspass, TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar, 3.30pm

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THE DECISION ON whether to take the Dublin footballers out of Croke Park for a second successive year will be decided on 16 November with seating capacity in venues set to be a key factor in making the decision.

Dublin have been drawn to play the winners of Wexford or Carlow at the Leinster quarter-final stage. The prospect of Wexford or Carlow enjoying home advantage, or a stadium like Nowlan Park being used, has not been ruled out.

Last June, Dublin face Laois at the Kilkenny venue as they played a senior football championship match away from Croke Park fro the first time since 2006.

The meeting of the CCC in Leinster on 16 November will decide the province’s championship fixtures programme for 2017.

“It hasn’t been fully decided and it won’t be until that night,” revealed Leinster Council chairman John Horan.

“If you look at the returns from the game in Nowlan Park, 11,000 people were in seats that night.

Leinster Council chairman John Horan (left) at the recent 2017 championship draws

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

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“That showed that there was a demand, but there was spare places on the terrace. So seating is in big demand and the season tickets that Dublin have is a big thing.

“Dublin have over 3,000 season tickets. Then if you think, by the time you look after the players and sponsors and whoever, how many will you have left to actually seat people?

“So the reason for Nowlan Park was seats. There was no other reason.

“It was a successful occasion (last year). I think there was a few things in it we could have tweaked.

Michael Darragh MacAuley with Dublin fans in Nowlan Park

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

“It clashed with Cat Laughs (comedy festival) and it was a Bank Holiday weekend.

“But all in all, anyone who was there said they enjoyed the atmosphere of the occasion.

“I think a lot of people felt it was fair to get them out and Dublin were the happiest of all to go down there.

“I think they viewed it as a great chance to bond, just to get their championship season on the road. Nobody in Dublin had any issue with it at any stage.”

Horan acknowledged the recent fall in gate receipts but is hopeful the arrival of high-profile managers like Davy Fitzgerald and Andy McEntee in the province will increase interest.

New Wexford hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

“Look, let’s be honest, Dublin have kind of stretched ahead of everybody and the competitive nature of the game Dublin are playing in, is not a big attraction.

“If you go back, in my three years as Leinster Chairman, we had 62,000 against Meath, the following year it was Westmeath, 48,000.

“Every body from Westmeath was there, but just they didn’t have the crowd potential to come. And then last year it dropped again.

“We got caught with the Ireland soccer match when we had our double header in Croke Park. I think we managed it well, got over 40,000.

“We changed the timing of the match and I think that went well. You have to kind of juggle circumstance.

Meath football manager Andy McEntee

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

“Hopefully Wexford get going with Davy, it causes excitement, the McEntees get Meath back on the road, those two things happen and I think it will spruce up the Leinster championship in football and hurling.”

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DUBLIN DEFENDER JAMES McCarthy insists revenge is not on his mind as his Ballymun Kickhams side take on St Vincent’s in a heavyweight last four clash in the Dublin SFC at Parnell Park later this evening [throw-in at 19:30].

Last year, the Marino men overpowered their northside rivals at the quarter-final stage before the 2014 winners succumbed to Ballyboden in the final. But McCarthy says his side are solely focused on reaching this year’s showpiece, with no lingering thoughts on the previous encounter.

“It’s not revenge. Vincent’s have had the upper hand against us for the last few years,” McCarthy says. “We’ll be up against it, but we’re delighted to be in the county semi-final and the goal is to get to the final. It should be a great game between two good teams.”

The former DCU man missed last week’s straightforward win over Raheny with a groin injury, but says he is ready to be called upon for tonight’s showdown, after also suffering injuries to his knee and shoulder earlier in the year.

“I will definitely be fit to play; the last match probably came too soon for me. I suppose, I have been unlucky with injuries in the last couple of weeks, but the knee has been healing up well. It’s not ideal, but it’s a long season.”

McCarthy was speaking at an AIB launch event where anyone who switches or purchases a new AIB Home Insurance policy can nominate a GAA club of their choice to receive a €50 cash reward.

Source: SPORTSFILE

McCarthy, who won the Dublin and Leinster title with Ballymun in 2012, will be well aware of several names throughout the Vinnies team. And perhaps no more so than his Dublin teammate Diarmuid Connolly, with familiarity bringing a healthy sense of rivalry between the opposing set of players.

“It is completely different in many ways to championship games, with the crowd on top of you and the mucky pitches. There’s a different dynamic.

“I would be friends with some of the players on the Vincent’s side, but we park it when it comes to the games.

“There will be no sympathy on either side, we’ll go hammer and tongs but shake hands afterwards. I suppose that gives a bit of an edge to these matches too,” the 26-year-old continues.

Despite winning four All-Ireland titles with Dublin over the past six seasons, the Ballymun star’s will to succeed for club or county has yet to be dampened, however McCarthy warns that the relentless demands put on the players is an area that may need to be looked at by the GAA, a point that was echoed by Vincent’s manager Tommy Conroy last week.

“It is tough. It’s no secret. Especially the first week after the two physical games in the final against Mayo, that was hard going.

“It has been a long couple of seasons, I am just happy I don’t have to also juggle the U21s and college sides as well. In an ideal world, the calendar will be rejigged but it’s up to the people to sit down and fix it.

“At times, it can be tough. But once you get the taste of success you want more and more. When you win one, you want two, and then three.”

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The march to yet more silverware continues tonight.

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Home

Bundee Aki and Ultan Dillane are staying at the Sportsground.

• Katie Taylor is reportedly set to turn professional and could make her debut as soon as next month.
• Pro12 champions Connacht have received a double boost with the news that Bundee Aki and Ultan Dillane have signed contract extensions with the province.
• Double All-Ireland winner Conor O’Brien has announced his retirement from inter-county hurling with Tipperary at the age of 31.
• Six titles have made the shortlist for the Bord Gáis Energy Sports Book of the Year with entries from Paul O’Connell, John Kavanagh and Jason McAteer included.
• Munster back Keith Earls is in danger of missing Ireland’s upcoming Test match against New Zealand as he will face an independent disciplinary committee tomorrow following his red card against Glasgow on Saturday.
• Five players have been cut from Cork‘s hurling squad ahead of the 2017 campaign as manager Kieran Kingston has brought a number of younger players into the setup.
• Leinster coach Stuart Lancaster has insisted that Ireland out-half Johnny Sexton will definitely be fit for the 5 November Test match against New Zealand in Chicago.
• Ulster forward Iain Henderson has been ruled out of their Pro12 clash with Munster on Friday with a shoulder injury, putting his availability for the All Black clash in doubt.

Away

A vendor prepares a stall prior to tonight’s EFL Cup match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.

Source: Dave Thompson

• Brazil’s 1970 World Cup-winning captain Carlos Alberto has died of a heart attack, aged 72.
• Things have gone from bad to worse for Manchester United after it was revealed that central defender Eric Bailly will be out for up to two months with a knee injury.
• England winger Chris Ashton is set to switch from Saracens to Toulon at the end of the season in a move that could end his Test career.
• Two All Blacks have been included in an exciting NZ Maori squad that will face Munster on 11 November.
• Cody Garbrandt and Dominick Cruz will contest the world bantamweight title at UFC 207 in Las Vegas, it has been confirmed.
• Former Leinster boss Michael Cheika has named three uncapped players in his 32-man squad for their European tour, which includes a Test match against Ireland.

The Best Thing We Shared

Now that is how you enter a field. The Argentinian derby between Rosario Central and Newell’s Old Boys is a must for any true soccer hipster.

On The Record

Louis Theroux was on RTÉ there last week, did anyone see that? I think it was last Monday night, he was doing a show on brain injuries and my fiancée was in tears, she was saying, ‘that was you’.

Kilmacud Crokes and Dublin hurler Ryan O’Dwyer opens up about his difficult recovery from the injuries he sustained in a Birmingham assault 12 months ago.

Where we were today

Murray Kinsella was talking to Leinster and Ireland number eight Jamie Heaslip at the launch of Vodafone’s ‘Irish Rugby: What We Did Last Summer’ documentary on the South Africa tour.

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

Sean Farrell caught up with Gordon D’Arcy and Luke Fitzgerald at Sky Sports’ launch of their upcoming coverage of Irish rugby.

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

Fintan O’Toole was in Abbotstown for the launch of the Leinster senior club championships.

Paraic Sullivan (Rhode), James McGivney (St Columbas Mullinalaghta), Shay Ryan (Sarsfields), Conor Crawley (Sean O’Mahonys), Jody Dillon (Stradbally), Shane O’Neill (Palatine), Jason Kennedy (Baltinglass) and Phillip Wallace (Gusserane O’Rahilly).

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

The Fixture List

• There are three fourth round fixtures in the EFL Cup tomorrow night, with Manchester United v Manchester City (8pm, Sky Sports 1) the headline act. Southampton host Sunderland and West Ham entertain Chelsea (both 7.45pm) in the other two ties.
• It’s a blockbuster of a semi-final in the Dublin SFC with Ballymun Kickhams and St Vincent’s doing battle in Parnell Park from 7.45pm.
• In Mayo, Conor Mortimer could be set for a shock return for Shrule-Glencorrib as they take on Lee Keegan’s Westport in the Intermediate SFC semi-final replay.
• There are also five games in the Scottish Premiership scheduled (all 7.45pm) — Ross County v Celtic (BT Sport 1), Dundee v Partick Thistle, Kilmarnock v Hearts, Motherwell v Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Rangers v St Johnstone.

Showbiz, Baby!

Svetlana Kuznetsova’s hair was pissing her off during her WTA Finals match against Agnieszka Radwanska yesterday. So she decided to give herself an impromptu haircut in between games.

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The Cork players before their qualifier against Dublin.

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

CORK HAVE CUT five players from their 2016 hurling championship squad and added several youngsters as they get set to commence their pre-season preparations for 2017.

It’s been reported by the Evening Echo newspaper today that manager Kieran Kingston has omitted William Egan, William Leahy, Michael Russell, Niall Cashman and John Cronin from his initial squad.

In addition Sarsfields player Daniel Kearney is currently taking some time out to rehab from an injury but is expected back for next spring’s league campaign.

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

Egan and Cronin started at midfield and centre half-forward respectively in the championship exit at the hands of Wexford last July, while Russell was on the bench for that game.

In addition from the team that played in that match, it has already been confirmed that Aidan Walsh will focus on football next year.

Cork footballer Aidan Walsh

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

As expected Kingston is to focus on youth in his plans for next year. Defender Mark Coleman (Blarney) and attacker Shane Kingston (Douglas) – son of the manager – both came on as substitutes in the Wexford tie, while Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville) was on the bench.

Cork hurler Shane Kingston

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

That trio linked up with the senior squad in the wake of the Cork U21′s losing out to Limerick in late June in the Bord Gáis Energy Munster U21 quarter-final.

They had previously been part of a development squad and will now get a chance to impress as they join the squad early in the campaign.

Others set to be called up from last year’s Cork U21 team are David Griffin (Carrigaline), Luke Meade (Newcestown), Michael O’Halloran (Blackrock) and Chris O’Leary (Valley Rovers).

Robbie O’Flynn (Erins Own) and Declan Dalton (Fr O’Neill’s) from the 2015 Cork minor side also join the training squad along with Jack Sheehan, who featured for Erins Own in the recent Cork senior hurling final, and Blackrock player Shane O’Keeffe.

Robbie O’Flynn (left) in action in the county final.

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

Michael Cahalane will also be involved when Bandon, who play in the Munster Club IHC next Sunday, conclude their campaign.

Cork’s panel is set to be open-ended with the squad able to collectively commence training on 1 December.

Next year’s Cork will operate in Division 1A of the Allianz hurling league before facing Tipperary in the Munster quarter-final.

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TIPPERARY SENIOR HURLER Conor O’Brien has announced his retirement from the inter-county game.

The 31 year-old’s decision was revealed this afternoon by the Tipperary county board after a senior hurling career that began in 2007.

The Éire Óg-Annacarty club man won All-Ireland senior hurling medals in 2010 and 2016 while also winning five Munster senior medals.

O’Brien won Munster medals at minor and U21 level

“Since I first joined the Tipperary senior hurling panel in 2007, I have always felt it a great privilege and honour to represent my county at senior level.

“Having enjoyed it immensely, I have decided that now is the time to announce my retirement. I will greatly miss being involved with the Tipperary senior hurling panel as all involved among the players, management and backroom team are very special people.

“I have many great memories and made many lifelong friendships over the last decade. I want to thank all the players sincerely, we had great and some disappointing times together but we have always been united in our ambition to bring success to Tipperary.

“I also want to thank the managers and backroom teams who gave me the honour of representing my county and were always very supportive of me.

Eoin Kelly and Conor O’Brien celebrate Tipperary’s 2010 All-Ireland final win

Source: Cathal Noonan

“I am very grateful to Tipperary County Board and Tipperary Supporters Club for their unstinting support of the team. My club, Éire Óg Annacarty Donohill, have always given me tremendous support and I thank them sincerely for that.

“Thanks are due too to my colleagues and supervisors in An Garda Síochána in Mayorstone in Limerick for their help and support down through the years with facilitating my training and games schedules.

“My eternal gratitude is due to my parents and family for their great loyalty and encouragement at all times.

“I want to thank especially my wife, Claire and our son Cillian, for supporting me so well and affording me the opportunity to dedicate the time required to being an inter-county player. I look forward to spending more time with them.

“Finally, I wish Tipperary well for the future, I have no doubt this team will go on to achieve many more great successes.”

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FOR A SENSE of appreciation of preparing in a county hurling final, Ryan O’Dwyer only has to reflect on his ordeal twelve months ago.

On Friday 30 October 2015, he was assaulted outside a Birmingham nightclub and knocked unconscious. The 30 year-old suffered a fractured skull, a broken jaw and bleeding in the brain.

Next Saturday, 29 October 2016, the Dublin hurler will endeavour to help Kilmacud Crokes land the senior hurling title against Cuala in Parnell Park.

It’s quite the contrast.

“I’m very lucky with the people that were surrounding me,” admits O’Dwyer.

“Chris Thompson, my family and my teammates, they are the three that got me back to where I am.

“I do appreciate it, even though some of them will be playing with Cuala there, next weekend, but I do appreciate them.

“Where I am today, it’s all down to the people who are surrounding me.”

O’Dwyer was in Birmingham with his former Dublin team mate Maurice O’Brien, the pair having stopped off for the night en route to taking in the Rugby World Cup final in Twickenham.

He has no memory of the unprovoked attack and after spending a week in hospital, journeyed home to Ireland.

The recovery process was a tough and difficult ordeal.

Ryan O’Dwyer and Mark Schutte ahead of this weekend’s Dublin county senior hurling final

Source: Piaras Ó Mídheach/SPORTSFILE

“I always say it was easier on me than it was on the people surrounding me, especially my fiancée.

“If she had put a pillow over my head and smothered me I wouldn’t have blamed her. I was a horrible person, my whole personality changed. I know a lot of people say I don’t have a good personality anyway!

“But it totally changed. I was really irritable, really aggressive, for no reason. If I was chatting to you at Christmas I’d have said, ‘ah, I’m 100 per cent right now, but looking back now, at Christmas, I was still all over (the place).

“It’s only recently I’ve done a little bit of reading into it. With brain injuries, you could get a brain injury and I could get a brain injury and it’s two totally different reactions from it.

“Louis Theroux was on RTE there last week, did anyone see that? I think it was last Monday night, he was doing a show on brain injuries and my fiancée was in tears, she was saying, ‘that was you’.

“There was a woman there, from some part of England, and she was having a row with her husband and getting real aggressive with her kids and she hadn’t seen the kids in a while. Then they interviewed the kids about it.

“Cliodhna said, ‘that was you’. I didn’t realise it, you don’t realise it when it’s happening to yourself. It’s a very scary thing.”

A couple of symptoms still linger.

“I have no sense of smell whatsoever. No sense of smell.

“And forgetfulness, if I’m having a chat with someone I could forget what I’m talking about. It’s a simple thing.”

O’Dwyer made his comeback to Dublin hurling colours in May in the Leinster championship against Wexford.

Dublin hurler Ryan O’Dwyer during their Leinster quarter-final against Wexford

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

He pays tribute to the medical experts advising him.

“Donncha O’Brien one of the neurosurgeons I was dealing with – I was dealing with three of them – but he was telling me at the start that I had to stick to a certain plan.

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“And for the first time ever I actually did what a doctor told me to.

“He told me the risks afterwards and said you have to be aware of your body and what you’re brain is telling you and what it is not telling you and you only get one chance and don’t take anything for granted.

“So it made me more aware. There is a risk associated with it, but I think it is just to listen to my body and be aware of getting a slap or running into the wrong people.

“When I knew I was allowed to go back hurling Donnncha O’Brien had said ease into it, try avoid slaps. But then I said it to Chris and he said that’s when you would get injured, when you are holding back, that’s when you do get a slap.

“And he said for your own sake don’t change your game. And I had to ask myself what got me here to where I am.

“I know I’m not the best hurler out there but I’m playing at a reasonably high level and what got me there is the way I play so I said I wasn’t going to abandon that.”

Saturday affords Kilmacud Crokes the chance to land a third Dublin senior hurling crown in five years.

Source: Piaras Ó Mídheach/SPORTSFILE

“Like I said, I’m very lucky with how things have worked out. I didn’t know what was happening a few weeks after.

“It would mean a lot to win it at any stage. I suppose if we do win I’ll look back and see the road I’ve traveled and say, ‘Jeez, I’m a stubborn man’.”

And irrespective of the result, the prospect of another campaign with Dublin in 2017 is something he would embrace.

I don’t like people asking me that, I still consider myself young,” laughs O’Dwyer.

“You get to an age where you say I’m going to go year by year now.

“And yeah I’m going to give it 100 per cent for the year coming and hopefully I stay injury free.

“If Ger (Cunningham) wants me I’ll definitely be giving it everything I can.”

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KIERAN DONAGHY WILL wait to see how is body holds up after a winter of basketball before making a decision on whether to extend his inter-county career into 2017.

As is always the case at this time of year, the Kerry full-forward’s future has been the subject of much speculation, particularly after the recent retirement of team-mate Marc Ó Sé.

Donaghy, 33, has been a mainstay of Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s forward line in recent seasons and featured 11 times for the Kingdom during their league and championship campaigns in 2016.

Speaking to The42 in our Dublin office yesterday, the four-time All Ireland winner admitted that he doesn’t quite know if it’s time to call it a day or play on for a 12th year; a lot will depend on how he feels physically and mentally over the coming months.

“I’m definitely coming to the end of my career anyway, whether it’s over or not I just don’t know,” he said.

“It’s a kind of question at this stage that I’d love to know the answer to because I’ve got asked it so much in the last few weeks. The reality of the situation is that I have to wait, play a bit of basketball through the winter and see how the body holds up.”

Donaghy is currently playing for Tralee Warriors in the Irish National Super League, the top tier of men’s basketball in Ireland.

The season runs from September to mid-March and it is only then when Donaghy will inform Fitzmaurice and the Kerry management of his decision.

Donaghy was won four All-Irelands during his career.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

“If the body holds up, then I’ve to go to my family and my job in PST Sports. I told them last year this was it, I told my family it would be the last time I would put them through the ringer of hearing abuse in the stands about me and I told my job.

“We’re doing AstroTurf pitches in the UK and Ireland so I’m over and back so I told them less of the travelling and kind of concentrate on football so that’s another talk I’m going to have.

“If it comes to the case of as I’m playing the basketball this year and if I notice little tightening or stiffening of the body and I feel I’m just not able for it, it makes it a lot easier a decision then and I’ll make that when the time comes, when that is I don’t know.

“The body could blow up in two or three months and I could say ‘you know what, this isn’t actually right’ but for now, it’s good.

“I played eleven games in a row last year, I put in an unbelievable shift for my county, it wasn’t enough in the end but back at the basketball now and I’ll see where that takes me.”

After a frustrating couple of years with injury, 2016 was a good one for Donaghy as he returned to peak form and enjoyed an extended period in the starting XV until Kerry were dumped out at the semi-final stage by Dublin.

Whether or not he’s involved going forward, the Austin Stacks man believes Kerry football is in good health for the years to come.

Donaghy and Kerry experienced disappointment in 2016.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

“Yeah absolutely,” he says, when asked if the Kingdom were in good stead. “I think we’re challenging now, we’ve challenged the last few years. We have an All-Ireland in 2014 and we were beaten in finals in 2015 and 2011 and beaten in semi-finals in ’13 and ’16.

“I’ve been always lucky enough to be knocking on the door when I’ve been in a Kerry jersey. We’ve always been there or there abouts, we’ve won All-Irelands, we’ve lost All-Irelands but we’ve always come back.

“That’s the trademark of being from Kerry. Even if you win an All-Ireland you still have to come back, and when you lose an All-Ireland you still have to come back and that’s just the pressure of wearing the jersey.

“We’ve three minors back-to-back but that doesn’t really say anything really unless they transfer that into putting their mind into being senior players because it’s a different kettle of fish altogether.

“You’d be hopeful that some of those talented minors get the bit between their teeth and don’t settle on having a minor All-Ireland and sitting in a pub in 20 years telling fellas about it.

“You want to go on and have your career at senior level and let the old fellas in the pub tell you about how great you were and that should be the goal for all those minors and I hope it is.”

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Home

Ulster GAA’s proposed designs for Casement Park.

Source: Presseye/Kelvin Boyes/INPHO

• Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has signed a new deal that will see him keep the reins until the end of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
• Pádraig Harrington has surged up 62 spots in the world rankings, moving to 97th, on the back of his win at the Portugal Masters.
• Cork All-Ireland football winner Daniel Goulding has announced his retirement from the inter-county game at the age of 30.
• Ulster GAA has revealed new plans for the €86m redevelopment of Casement Park which would see the ground’s capacity increase to 34,500.
• Katie Taylor has dismissed reports that she has returned to train in Bray Boxing Club under the stewardship of her father Pete.

Away

Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy.

Source: Nigel French

• Leicester City duo Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez are among the 30 players named on the shortlist for the Ballon d’Or.
• Tottenham midfielder Moussa Sissoko has been charged by England’s Football Association for his elbow on Bournemouth’s Harry Arter on Saturday.
• Former Ireland defence coach Mike Ford has been named as Toulon’s new head coach following the club’s decision to sack Diego Dominguez.
• Portuguese sensation Renato Sanches has beaten England and Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford to the European Golden Boy award.

The Best Thing We Shared

The Republic of Telly takes a closer look at the Irish football fans who have struggled to re-adapt to society since the Euros.

Source: RTÉ Republic of Comedy/YouTube

On The Record

That was his biggest frustration: that he believed so much in the players and he knew what they can do and what they’re capable of, but sometimes they were not believing in themselves.

Munster director of rugby Rassie Erasmus explains that the late Anthony Foley would have been immensely proud of the way the province played against Glasgow on Saturday.

Where we were today

Fintan O’Toole was at a press conference at Parnell Park today ahead of Saturday’s Dublin SHC final between reigning champions Cuala and Kilmacud Crokes.

Ryan O’Dwyer (left) of Kilmacud Crokes and Cuala’s Mark Schutte.

Source: Piaras Ó Mídheach/SPORTSFILE

The Fixture List

• There are five games in the fourth round of the EFL Cup tomorrow night: Arsenal v Reading, Bristol City v Hull, Leeds v Norwich, Liverpool v Tottenham (live SS1) and Newcastle v Preston. All of those games kick off at 7.45pm.
• Closer to home, recently-crowned SSE Airtricity Premier Division champions Dundalk travel to St Pat’s (7.45pm).
• In the NFL, the Denver Broncos are at the Houston Texans from 1.15am.

Showbiz, Baby!

Templeogue BC’s Lorcan Murphy showed some serious skills in executing this tasty reverse dunk in the Hula Hoops National Basketball Cup against UCC Demons last weekend.

Source: Templeogue Basketball Club/YouTube

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Daniel Goulding in action for Cork in Croke Park.

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

CORK 2010 ALL-Ireland winner Daniel Goulding has announced his retirement from inter-county football.

Goulding has called time after 11 seasons with the Cork senior squad, making his debut in a league game against Offaly in 2006 while his last appearance came in the All-Ireland qualifier against Longford last July.

The Éire Óg club man believes the time is right to depart.

“It is the right decision for me at this point in time,” Goulding told The42.

“The demands of the inter-county game are massive and I’m not getting as much enjoyment out of it now as I did before.

“Over the last few years, the role of a forward has changed a lot. I was best suited to a corner-forward position and that role got more difficult to play in over the years. That was frustrating at times.

“If you’re not enjoying it and if you’re not 100% up for the challenge of putting it in for the full season, you’re better off not being there.”

Goulding’s standout moment on the pitch was the 2010 All-Ireland senior final when he scored 0-9 in Cork’s win over Down and claimed the man-of-the-match award.

But for the 30 year-old, there were other highlights during his career.

“The 2010 All-Ireland final was an unbelievable experience. Cork hadn’t won it in 20 years and to be part of that of victory with a bunch of great men was a dream come through. It was a special feeling to win the biggest game in your sport.

Cork players celebrate their 2010 All-Ireland final win against Down

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

“But the friendships made over the years were also a huge highlight. I’ve made some great friends through being involved with Cork and it’s probably the thing that I’ll miss most, the craic in the dressing-room and the great people I shared company with.

“Being involved in a Cork senior panel was fantastic. You’re part of an elite sporting environment which demands that you perform to the best of your ability, both on the pitch and as a person.

“There were plenty great games but one that always stands out for me is the 2009 All-Ireland semi-final against Tyrone. It was a savage match and brilliant one to win with 14 men for over half the game against a team that were the All-Ireland champions at the time.”

Goulding retires with All-Ireland medals to his credit at senior (2010), U21 (2007) and junior (2005). He won four National League medals and four Munster senior football medals.

Goulding celebrates scoring a goal in the 2007 All-Ireland U21 final

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

“There are too many people to acknowledge who have helped me greatly throughout the years,” states Goulding.

“I’d firstly like to thank my fiancee Muireann, my parents, family and friends for their unconditional support.

“My club Éire Óg have always been great to me and I am looking forward to playing with my friends from home for the rest of my career.

“Finally, I’d like to thank all my team mates and management teams which I have had the joy of playing with over the last 10 years.

“I’d like to wish the current panel and management all the best for 2017 and look forward to supporting the Cork football team going forward.”

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