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Ulster are put through their paces before Sunday’s clash with Bordeaux in Belfast.

Source: Presseye/Jonathan Porter/INPHO

Home

• Martin O’Neill has hit back at Everton manager Ronald Koeman by defending his right to select James McCarthy for Ireland’s last two WQ qualifiers.
• Ireland’s trio of Graeme McDowell, Paul McGinley and Shane Lowry are all going well at the British Masters, which is led by England’s Richard Bland.
• Johnny Sexton will miss Leinster’s Champions Cup opener against Castres with a tight hamstring.
• 20-year-old Joey Carbery will deputise at out-half and Leo Cullen is confident he can fill Sexton’s boots.
• Andrew Trimble will captain Ulster for Sunday’s clash with Bordeaux, but there is still no sign of a return for Tommy Bowe.
• Connacht boss Pat Lam has made one change for his side’s Champions Cup return against Toulouse.
• Dave Kilcoyne has been passed fit for Munster‘s trip to Racing 92 but Keith Earls misses out.
• Páirc Uí Chaoimh won’t be ready to host Cork’s Munster senior hurling quarter-final next year as the ground won’t open after its redevelopment until July 2017.
• Ian Madigan says he has yet to play his best rugby since moving to France despite starting life with Bordeaux impressively.

A view of the ongoing redevelopment work at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Source: Gary Carr/INPHO

Away

• Footballer Ched Evans has been found not guilty of rape following a retrial in Wales.
• Jose Mourinho has pleaded with Man United and Liverpool fans to stop chanting about club tragedies ahead of their much-anticipated meeting on Monday.
• There’s no place for Dan Carter in the Racing 92 team to face Munster on Sunday as he struggles with a calf problem.
• French prosecutors today called for former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse to be charged with blackmail over a sex tape scandal involving Karim Benzema.
• Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has laughed off rumours he’s set to be sacked by the club.

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Kevin Doyle showed he’s still got an eye for goal with this cracking diver header in the MLS last night.

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On The Record

“Manager of the Month is a nice prize, but unfortunately a second ago I saw the new fixture changes. I am not too happy. I can’t believe we have less than 48 hours between City and Sunderland.”

Jurgen Klopp was fuming with the Premier League after Liverpool’s festive fixtures were re-arranged.

Where we were today

Ryan Bailey was down at the RDS as Leinster hosted their press conference before Saturday’s clash with Castres.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

The Fixture List

• The Premier League returns on Saturday with seven games down for decision, including the early kick-off between Chelsea and Leicester.
• Champions Cup rugby is back this weekend with Leinster in action against Castres (3.15pm) and Connacht hosting Toulouse (5.30pm) tomorrow. On Sunday, Munster are in Paris to face Racing 92 (3.15pm).

Showbiz, Baby!

Source: The42.ie/YouTube

Dubliner Paddy Holohan on adjusting to life as a former UFC star.

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1. Tipperary v Cork – Munster SHC quarter-final

It’s Tipp against Cork again in the Munster senior hurling championship.

Source: Lorraine O’Sullivan/INPHO

For the second successive year, Tipp and Cork will battle it out at the quarter-final stage in Munster.

There’s now a huge incentive for Cork chiefs to get Páirc Uí Chaoimh ready in time to potentially host the game, as Tipp had home advantage this year.

Given Tipp’s stellar form in 2016, this was surely the draw that Cork and manager Kieran Kingston wanted to avoid early on but the Rebels should relish the opportunity to pit their wits against the best team in the country.

It’s an age-old rivalry between these two counties and the prize for the winners isn’t easy either as Waterford await them in the Munster semi-final.

If Tipp want to retain their All-Ireland crown through the front door, they’ll have to win five matches again, excluding potential replays.

2. Tyrone v Derry – Ulster SFC quarter-final

Source: Presseye/Lorcan Doherty/INPHO

Tyrone beat Derry at this stage of the Ulster championship this year, running out comfortable 3-14 to 0-12 winners, but the Oak Leafers have the chance to avenge that loss at the same juncture in 2017.

It has been reported recently, however, that Derry have lost as many as nine players from their squad ahead of the new season, and manager Damien Barton has a big task on his hands.

After winning Ulster this year, and running Mayo close at the All-Ireland quarter-final stage, boss Mickey Harte will be confident of building on that progress.

Tyrone and Derry is a traditional rivalry but the Red Hands, at this point in time, are a far superior side and will be expected to get their 2017 campaign off to a winning start.

3. Galway v Dublin – Leinster SHC quarter-final

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

A real rivalry has built up between these two sides in recent seasons, as evidenced by their infamous Fenway brawl last year. 

Galway battered Dublin in a Leinster quarter-final replay in 2015 but the scene is set for another championship showdown between the counties, after they were pitted together in tonight’s draw.

Both sides will go into that fixture knowing that the stakes are high. The pressure is on Dublin manager Ger Cunningham and his players to make some inroads next year while Galway will hope to push on after losing the Leinster final and All-Ireland semi-final in 2016.

Dublin have already been dealt a blow ahead of the new campaign with the news that Danny Sutcliffe will be unavailable once again, while Galway are sweating on the fitness of ace forward Joe Canning after he sustained a serious hamstring injury against Tipperary in August’s All-Ireland semi-final loss.

4. Clare v Limerick – Munster SHC semi-final

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Avoiding a quarter-final in Munster is a bonus for Clare, Limerick and Waterford.

Clare and Limerick will renew acquaintances for a place in the provincial decider, having last met in championship hurling in a 2016 qualifier, won by Clare.

That game marked TJ Ryan’s last in charge of the Shannonsiders and he’s since been replaced by John Kiely, a former senior selector who guided Limerick’s U21s to an All-Ireland final win last year.

Clare will also go into championship 2017 under new management, as Gerry O’Connor and Donal Moloney join forces again following their All-Ireland three-in-a-row exploits at U21 level.

Both counties will fancy their chances of reaching a Munster final – with the added bonus of a straight route to the All-Ireland quarter-finals on offer for the winners of a tasty last four tie in the Southern province.

5. Offaly v Westmeath – Leinster SFC quarter-final

Source: Tom Beary/INPHO

The winners of this game will progress to a semi-final against Carlow, Wexford or Dublin.

And on all known form, it will be Dublin in the last four of the Leinster championship for Offaly or Westmeath.

At the quarter-final stage this year, Westmeath edged out Offaly by a point and went on to contest a final with Dublin.

For ex-Westmeath boss Pat Flanagan, now in charge of his native Offaly, this is a huge opportunity to atone for that narrow loss.

The challenge for Westmeath is to first of all get past Offaly again, and then aim for a third successive Leinster final appearance.

For manager Tom Cribbin, that will be the clear goal but Flanagan and Offaly will hope to stop the Midlanders at the very first hurdle. 

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Kerry 2-17
Cork 0-11

AN UNSEASONABLY LARGE football crowd gathered in Killarney this afternoon for the latest demonstration of Kerry’s superiority in Munster.

Kerry’s Paul Geaney and Cork’s Kieran Histon.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

Free from the crowd restrictions that have hampered the GAA inter-county scene over the past two years, there was a spike in interest amongst the locals to see how Kerry’s 2022 fortunes were progressing.

Jack O’Connor picked up the first bit of silverware on offer in his third coming as Kerry boss, his focus quickly transferring to a league campaign that commences next Sunday with a trip to his old stomping ground of Newbridge.

Cork head to Roscommon in their second tier opener, aware of the range of development required under new manager Keith Ricken. They were well beaten here, that it didn’t get as ugly as last summer’s 22-point beating in the Munster final was due to a couple of superb second-half saves from Micheál Martin, while Paul Geaney and Brian Ó Beaglaoch smacked shots against the upright in either half.

The starting Cork team was experimental with only six players starting who’d featured in the 2021 Munster decider. Of the newcomers, wing-back Rory Maguire and corner-forward Mark Cronin shone brightest. They shared 0-5 between them with Castlehaven’s Maguire rampaging forward from defence and Nemo’s Cronin lively closer to goal. 

Brian Hurley finished with 0-5 to his name, pointing the way for Cork for long stretches.

Spectators at Fitzgerald Stadium.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

Kerry laid the foundations with a sharper first-half display. They prised Cork apart for an early goal in the 4th minute, Tom O’Sullivan swiftly swapping passes with Paul Geaney and galloping into open country in the Cork defence before a smooth finish to the net.

There was a Dingle flavour to their second goal as well, Geaney stepping neatly inside the cover and planting home his shot after Micheál Burns cut the ball across. That strike occurred in the 32nd minute, the centrepiece of Kerry’s burst of 1-4 without replay the end of the half, as they capitalised in particular on the sin-binning of Cork’s Kevin O’Donovan.

Kerry were 2-9 to 0-5 clear at the interval with Paudie Clifford and Killian Spillane both catching the eye in attack. They had the luxury of introducing quality replacements with David Clifford and Jack Savage both landing a brace of points apiece in the second half, Clifford introduced at a juncture when they were 12 points clear.

Cork chipped away at the deficit near the finish with Hurley, Daniel Dineen, Cronin and Maguire on target in the second half. By the finish there was that 12-point gap separating the teams, the focus in both camps shifting to next weekend’s assignments.

Scorers for Kerry: Paul Geaney 1-4, Tony Brosnan 0-3 (0-3f), Tom O’Sullivan 1-0, David Clifford, Sean O’Shea (0-2f), Jack Savage, Killian Spillane, Paudie Clifford 0-2 each.

Scorers for Cork: Brian Hurley 0-5 (0-2f), Mark Cronin 0-3 (0-1f), Rory Maguire 0-2, Daniel Dineen 0-1.

Kerry

1. Shane Murphy (Dr Crokes)

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

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

8. Sean O’Shea (Kenmare – captain), 9. Adrian Spillane (Templenoe)

10. Micheál Burns (Dr Crokes), 11. Paudie Clifford (Fossa), 12. Stephen O’Brien (Kenmare)

13. Tony Brosnan (Dr Crokes), 14. Paul Geaney (Dingle), 15. Killian Spillane (Templenoe)

Subs

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22. Jack Savage (Kerins O’Rahilly’s) for O’Brien (inj) (6)

18. Gavin Crowley (Templenoe) for Murphy (half-time)

19. Brian Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht) for O’Donoghue (half-time)

23. Greg Horan (Austin Stacks) for Adrian Spillane (46)

17. David Clifford (Fossa) for Brosnan (46)

20. Graham O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses) for White (50)

29. Dylan Casey (Austin Stacks) for Crowley (inj) (55)

24. Paul O’Shea (Kilcummin) for Paudie Clifford (55)

21. Dara Roche (Glenflesk) for Killian Spillane (61)

26. Cian Gammell (Killarney Legion) for O’Sullivan (61)

Cork

1. Míchéal Martin (Nemo Rangers)

2. Sean Powter (Douglas), 3. Kieran Histon (Nemo Rangers), 4. Tadhg Corkery (Cill na Martra)

5. Rory Maguire (Castlehaven), 6. John Cooper (Éire Óg), 7. Matthew Taylor (Mallow)

8. Cian Kiely (Ballincollig), 9. Joe Grimes (Clonakilty)

10. Kevin O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers), 11. Blake Murphy (St Vincent’s), 12. Colm O’Callaghan (Éire Óg)

13. Mark Cronin (Nemo Rangers), 14. Brian Hurley (Castlehaven), 15. Chris Óg Jones (Iveleary)

Subs

24. Damien Gore (Kilmacabea) for Murphy (33)

23. Luke Connolly (Nemo Rangers) for Gore (inj) (half-time)

22. David Buckley (Newcestown) for O’Donovan (half-time)

25. Daniel Dineen (Cill Na Martra) for Jones (46)

21. Daniel O’Connell (Kanturk) for Kiely (46)

18. Kevin Flahive (Douglas) for Histon (50)

20. Shane Merrit (Mallow) for Grimes (52)

26. Kevin Crowley (Millstreet) for Cooper (53)

17. Paudie Allen (Newmarket) for Corkery (55)

19. Paul Ring (Aghabullogue) for Powter (61)

Referee: Niall Quinn (Clare)

St Joseph’s Tulla 0-20
De La Salle 1-13

Páraic McMahon reports from the Mallow GAA Complex

A SPIRITED SHOWING from the East Clare school in which they bossed the first and final quarter was sufficient to see St Joseph’s Tulla progress to the Dr Harty Cup decider for the first time at the expense of De La Salle.

Key to Tulla’s progression to date has been the spirit and character in their ranks and it was evident in abundance as they withstood the concession of 1-1 within the first two minutes of the contest while they also came back from a two-point deficit at the final water break to outscore De La Salle 0-7 to 0-1 in the last quarter.

Managed by the Clare U20 boss, Terence Fahy’s side were glad to have a return of 0-15 from Sean Withycombe, while the showings of centre-back Adam Hogan, Fionn Ryan at corner-back and the tireless Fionn Hickey were central to their success as they overturned their first round defeat to the Waterford school.

When Jack Twomey goaled inside the opening two minutes, teed up by an Alex Keane pass to put De La Salle in front, it would have been easy to write off the Clare school but they responded to assume the lead and hold a 0-8 to 1-2 advantage at the first water break.

Patrick Fitzgerald, De La Salle’s chief scorer over the hour with 0-11, contributed five points in the second quarter to put his side one point ahead at half-time and in a strong position. Dermot Dooley’s charges kept Tulla to two scores in the third quarter with Fitzgerald raising three more white flags.

But when the need was greatest, Tulla’s experience of clawing out results came to the fore. Oisin Clune equalised on fifty three minutes while Fionn Hickey scored an exceptional point to go ahead, indeed they fired six of the last seven scores to record a memorable and historic win.

Fitzgerald, Rory Dobbyn, Sam Pender and Conor Keane were best for De La Salle who were chasing a first Harty Cup final appearance since 2008. Defiance and determination shone through on this occasion however as the large East Clare support made their voices heard to help St Joseph’s Tulla in their pursuit of history. The shot at destiny with Ard Scoil Ris awaits in two weeks time.

Scorers St Joseph’s Tulla: Seán Withycombe 0-15 (0-12f), Fionn Hickey 0-2, Colm Cleary, Ronan O’Connor, Oisin Clune 0-1 each.

Scorers De La Salle: Paddy Fitzgerald 0-11 (0-9f), Jack Twomey 1-1, Cormac Cantwell 0-1.

St Joseph’s Tulla

1. Aaron Shanahan (Tulla)

4. Fionn Ryan (Tulla), 6. Tony Leyden (Tulla), 2. Dara Ryan (Tulla)

5. Mikey McMahon (O’Callaghans Mills), 3. Adam Hogan (Feakle), 7. Oisin Clune (Feakle)

9. Daragh Keogh (Clooney/Quin), 8. Ronan O’Connor (Feakle)

10. Oisin O’Connor (Feakle), 11. Seán Withycombe (Tulla), 12. Fionn Hickey (O’Callaghans Mills)

15. Eoghan McMahon (Crusheen), 18. Conor O’Donnell (Broadford), 13. Colm Cleary (O’Callaghans Mills)

Subs

17. Evan Maxted (Clooney/Quin) for O’Donnell (47)

De La Salle

1. Cian Troy (Ballygunner)

4. Conor Keane (De La Salle), 3. Craig O’Keeffe (Ballygunner), 2. Kieran O’Sullivan (De La Salle)

5. Aaron O’Neill (Ballygunner), 6. Paraic Murphy (Mooncoin), 7. Rory Dobbyn (Ballyduff Lower)

9. Cormac Cantwell (Ballygunner), 8. Kealan Furlong (Ballygunner)

10. Sam Pender (Roanmore), 11. Paddy Fitzgerald (Ballygunner), 12. James Alyward (Mooncoin)

13. Jack Twomey (De La Salle), 14. Alex Keane (De La Salle), 15. Darragh Nolan (Ballygunner)

Subs

18. Conor Tobin (Ballygunner) for Nolan (22)

25. Oran Hartney (Oranmore) for Keane (53)

17. Luke Horgan (Ballygunner) for Pender (53)

20. Eoin McSweeney (Ballygunner) for Tobin (56)

19. Donnacadh Williams (Keane) (60)

Referee: Eamonn Stapleton (Limerick)

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1.  Competing at the Saudi International can’t seriously be construed as professional golfers endorsing the regime or its practices, but it lays bare a reality that is no less dispiriting for being commonplace: that so many elite players can’t or won’t see beyond the perimeter of their wallets, that they consciously choose to ignore what they will contribute to an odious regime simply by doing their job.

It was the case back when the game’s best turned a blind eye to apartheid so they could play for riches in South Africa, and it’s the case today. Sure, they just want to play golf. And Leni Riefenstahl just wanted to make movies.

Truth be told, golfers are not politicians. Politicians at least pretend to have principles.

In Golfweek, Eamon Lynch criticises golfers who deflect when asked if they have any moral objection to playing at next month’s Saudi International.

Novak Djokovic [file photo].

Source: PA

2. This is a man, a phenomenal tennis player admired and adored by millions of fans across the world, who has form in this area. And we’re not talking about the kind of form that might win him the Australian Open this month. It is the kind of form that makes him a repeat offender, a man who organised a super-spreader tennis event, the Adria tour, in June 2020.

Djokovic does not actively promote anti-vax views but this is a player who tested positive for Covid a second time last month and still turned up for a photo-shoot the next day and posed for pictures without a mask. This is a man who blamed his agent for concealing the number of countries he had visited in the build-up to his arrival in Melbourne last week. This is a man who thinks rules are for the little people.

Writing for the Daily Mail, Oliver Holt takes a hard swipe at Novak Djokovic over his recent behaviour at the Australian Open.

3. Why doesn’t the City experience feel as exciting as their record-shattering numbers suggest it should be? Partly it’s the style that makes their matches too one-sided to be interesting. Even Jack Grealish is hardly worth watching these days. The most exciting footballer of last season has been subsumed into the City system as a kind of glorified ballboy whose role is to stand on the sideline and pass it quickly to the main man, João Cancelo.

But of course the main problem is, and always has been, the money. City represent the ruthlessly efficient application of overwhelming financial firepower and there simply is not a lot of magic about that story.

They will soon celebrate their fourth title win in five years, which is not an unprecedented level of dominance: Aston Villa did it in the 1890s, Arsenal in the 1930s, Liverpool twice in the 1970s and 80s, Manchester United three times in the 1990s and 2000s. City fans rightly point out that all of these dominant teams were underpinned by considerable economic clout. But in no previous case was the financial superiority as overwhelming as it is now.

Ken Early writes in the Irish Times about how money is helping clubs like Man City win titles but the football they’re playing is not exciting for fans.

4. In Deebo Samuel, the unicorn has finally arrived. Samuel is the San Francisco 49ers’ best running back and the team’s best receiver. He may be the finest running back and the finest receiver in the league, at least in terms of efficiency and explosiveness. If he’s not, he’s as near as makes no difference.

There is a childlike glee to Samuel’s brilliance. To watch him is to see an athlete who is stronger and faster than the 21 other human beings on the field – and those 21 humans are among the strongest and fastest athletes on the planet. Samuel brings intricacy for the nerds and loud highlights for when you just want to see cool athletes doing the coolest things. With the ball in his hands, he’s a leaning, bobbing, weaving, stop-on-a-dime phantom.

The Niners offense now revolves around finding an ever-increasing number of ways to get the ball to Samuel, or leveraging his threat into easy yards for everyone else.

For The Guardian, Oliver Connolly explores the impact of San Francisco 49ers star Deebo Samuel on the NFL this season.

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THERE’S A REAL new chapter feel on Leeside.

Shane Ronayne is in the hot-seat, having taken over from Ephie Fitzgerald in September.

New Cork boss Shane Ronayne.

Source: Lorraine O’Sullivan/INPHO

Ronayne, a renowned coach and All-Ireland winner with both Tipperary and Mourneabbey, landed the job after a year with the Waterford men’s footballers, while Fitzgerald went the other way after his six years at the Cork helm.

It’s an interesting change of management, and there’s no questioning the high expectations within the county.

It’s not exactly a secret that the 11-time All-Ireland champions are eyeing a first title since 2016, Fitzgerald’s debut season after the late Eamonn Ryan’s reign of terror.

And it’s a case of so far, so good, according to Erika O’Shea.

“I will always be thankful to Ephie for giving me my break and I could not speak highly enough of him,” the 2021 All-Star begins. “I will always be grateful for everything he has done.

“Shane Roynane is the same; he is a very experienced manager and he got to the All-Ireland final again with Mourneabbey and they were unlucky [they lost to Kilkerrin-Clonberne on Saturday].

“He is very intense but a very talented coach, I could not speak highly enough of him either. I am excited at the new experience. In pre-season, we undergo a lot of gym work now and a lot of running unfortunately but we are loving every minute of it.”

The Rebels open their Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1 campaign with a mouth-watering clash against All-Ireland champions Meath on 13 February, as the counties lock horns for the first time since the Royals’ sensational late comeback in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final.

Scenes at the final whistle as Cork fell to Meath in the 2021 All-Ireland semi-final.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

League holders and long-time rivals Dublin are up next in Croke Park in Round Two, with several more tough tasks to come in the top-flight.

“There is no easy game at inter-county and I don’t think there ever is,” O’Shea nods. “It keeps us on our toes which is good. Shane Roynane is focusing on [getting back to] the All-Ireland final and that is all that is in his head at the moment and we are using the league as experience and hopefully it will be very worthwhile.”

Reflecting on Meath’s historic All-Ireland final win over Dublin and the aftermath, the 19-year-old defender agrees it perhaps twisted the knife given the nature of their gut-wrenching last-four defeat after extra-time.

“I think it brought the Cork team a lot of hurt, but everyone was really respectful of Meath because they are a talented bunch and they worked hard to get where they are.

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“It definitely did affect the team, we’re out for blood this year, we’re ready for road and, yeah, it did affect us but happy for them too because they worked so hard from where they came from in intermediate all the way up to senior to win the All-Ireland.

“After the match we were all very hurt by it but we all looked at each other and said, ‘We’re going to pick each other up and come back properly next year,’ and I feel like we all learn from defeats like that.

In attendance at a photocall to announce that Yoplait are the new sponsors of the LGFA’s Third-Level Championships was UL & Cork’s Erika O’Shea.

Source: SPORTSFILE.

“As I was talking about underage before, not making the panels, I think it makes you stronger to come back and you’re ready for it and you won’t let it happen again.”

“We did gain a bit of confidence too thinking we were so close to this Meath team but I feel like we’re a team that will not take things for granted like that. We know that Meath are obviously going to improve and so will Dublin and all the other teams so we’ll take it one step at a time, and we’re just going to hope for the best.”

A fresh start, a clean slate, with big aims and goals.

“I’m really hoping for the All-Ireland anyway and it’s definitely a new chapter,” O’Shea nods.

“Shane Ronayne now, he’s a very experienced man and I can’t wait to work alongside him this year. Hopefully we’ll do it at the end of the year. It’s looking positive at the moment, so hopefully it will keep going that way.”

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TIPPERARY GREAT PADRAIC Maher has announced his retirement from hurling on medical grounds at the age of 32.

The three-time All-Ireland winner and six-time All-Star released a heartfelt statement through Tipperary GAA this morning, which begins:

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“It is not the end I would have wished for, but the time has come for me to announce my retirement from hurling.

“Unfortunately, I recently received medical advice regarding a neck injury, and I have been advised to step away from contact sport. It is heartbreaking to have to make this decision, but it’s the most important one for me and my health moving forward.

“Representing Tipperary has been my lifelong dream and I am truly honoured and privileged to have played for Tipperary for 13 seasons. I have made some truly great friends and met some great people. I have made memories that will stick with me for the rest of my days.

“While I truly wished this could have lasted a bit longer, I am glad that I can look back and know that I gave everything I had for the blue and gold jersey.”

Maher, who turns 33 this month, went on to thank all those who have impacted his career, finishing with well wishes to the team for the year ahead as he vows to be their “biggest supporter”.

Tipperary GAA Press Release – Padraic Maher Retirement – https://t.co/MYg2i4VZVM pic.twitter.com/D2el0suYMf

— Tipperary GAA (@TipperaryGAA) February 1, 2022

The Thurles Sarsfields man bows out after 13 glittering seasons with the Premier county, despite sharing his intentions to go again in 2022 last month.

Having enjoyed incredible success at underage level — All-Ireland minor titles in 2006 and 2007, an U21 crown as captain in 2010, and Munster minor and U21 honours in ’07, ’08 and ’10 — Maher burst on the senior inter-county scene after making his debut against Dublin as a substitute in the 2009 National League.

That year brought the first of five Munster senior hurling medals (2009, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2016), while the teak-tough defender went on to play a central role in three Liam MacCarthy lifts in 2010, 2016 and 2019.

Maher won six All-Stars in a host of defensive positions – 2009 (full-back), 2011 (wing-back), 2014 (centre-back), 2016 (wing-back), 2017 (wing-back) and 2019 (wing-back) — while he captained Tipperary in 2017 and 2018.

Nominated for Hurler of the Year in 2011 and 2016, Maher also enjoyed plenty of club glory with Thurles Sarsfields, including seven county senior hurling titles, and a host of other honours in both hurling and football, as outlined in the statement.

Within, he had a special word for his club: “What can I say about my beloved club Thurles Sarsfields. What you have all done for my career is unbelievable. The support I received, the great years on the field and the memories we have, I will cherish for the rest of my days. While I might not get to put on that famous blue jersey anymore, I will never be too far away from ‘The Outside Field’.” 

Maher in action in 2009.

Source: Lorraine O’Sullivan/INPHO

“The news that Padraic Maher is retiring on health issues will be greeted with great disappointment by all followers of the Blue and Gold,” chairman Joe Kennedy added.

“Padraic has been one of Tipperary’s most consistent performers over many years and has been a true leader of Tipperary senior hurlers with many inspiring performances. He was always a man for the big day and often gave his best performance for both club and county in championship finals.

“On the field he displayed tremendous courage and tenacity and was never found wanting in the heat of battle. He will be remembered as one of the greatest Tipperary hurlers and on behalf of all Tipperary followers I wish him well in his retirement. Thank you Padraic.”

Tipperary PRO Jonathan Cullen echoed those thanks, noting: “You were a true leader a warrior and an inspiration to so many over the course of your career.”

Following the retirement of namesake Brendan Maher last August, Seamus Callanan, Noel McGrath and Patrick Maher are now Tipp’s only survivors from the Class of 2010.

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AT ONE STAGE earlier in her teenage years, Erika O’Shea quit football. Though only momentarily, it all could have been so different.

The Cork star is still only 19, but is now a 2021 All-Star and a key member of the Rebels defence after two stunning seasons with the senior side. She’s also a talented basketball player, having helped Glanmire to National Cup glory last month.

But a few short years back, O’Shea was dropped from underage Cork teams. She failed to make the cut as recently as one year of U16 trials. 

Understandably, it had a big effect on her. O’Shea, and those around her, can laugh about it all now, but she remembers refusing to return to her club, Macroom, for a few weeks.

“I just didn’t want to go back. It really upset me,” she recalls, explaining how one of her club coaches at the time, Margaret Buckley, called to the house and got her back on board.

“She laughs about it now every time I see her because I actually quit and now I am on the senior team. I couldn’t believe it, I was so grateful when I did make it then.”

'I got dropped at U-14 and U-16' – new @CorkLGFA @TG4TV All Star Erika O'Shea has an inspiring story for other young girls in Ladies Gaelic Football. Just turned 19, the @MacroomGAA defender has bounced back to be on the big stage.

Full video on our Facebook Page #TG4Allstars pic.twitter.com/4wa9qcqpTJ

— Ladies Football (@LadiesFootball) November 15, 2021

It was renowned Cork coach John Cleary who ultimately re-ignited O’Shea’s inter-county involvement, drafting her into the county minors.

But again, it took some persuasion. She wasn’t going to attend trials, only for a few words in her ear from her school football coach Joe Carroll, who is incidentally the current minor manager.

“I told him straight to his face, ‘I don’t want to do it,’ and he said, ‘Erika, you should go,’ and I’m so grateful he did because I think I would have taken a completely different path. I’d say the basketball would have been a big factor.

“I feel that basketball would have been a path I would have stayed with and the football would have eased off a bit. I would have played with my club — we’re coming up, we’re Junior D this year I think but it’s hard playing at that grade too, so I would have juggled basketball more than football if I didn’t get the experience I had with John Cleary.”

O’Shea has received plenty of messages from youngsters and parents on social media since first sharing her rollercoaster journey, and she’s more than happy to listen and offer a helping hand.

“I love being asked for advice because I would have loved to have had that back then,” she smiles. “I just like to help people along and help them on their journey and keep them in sport.

“For me, anyway, I found it upsetting when I didn’t make the panel but I said to all the girls who messaged me that it benefited me, in a way more that I didn’t make it because I feel I am way more grateful for what I have now.

“I worked really hard to get there, and it didn’t come easy. I tell those girls all the time to keep going and they will get there. Don’t let [being dropped] affect you, use it as motivation to keep pushing on.”

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O’Shea facing Vikki Wall of Meath.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

O’Shea is certainly a shining example, still a minor when she was called up to Ephie Fitzgerald’s Cork senior panel.

It was a “big step-up” and a challenging transition at such a young age, but she was made feel at home immediately and her star soon rose on the field. While her debut season of 2020 ended in an All-Ireland final defeat to Dublin, she impressed throughout, holding some of the biggest names in the game scoreless from play and included in the Team of the Year.

And then in 2021, she pushed on again with a prestigious All-Star award.

“It definitely was a dream come true, first of all, because I’d never, ever expected for any of that to happen,” O’Shea beams, reflecting on her senior seasons thus far. “I’m still in shock over the All-Star itself, I still can’t believe it happened. I’m so grateful for everything I have, thank God.”

That gratitude and appreciation again shines through as she speaks of her recent involvement — and success — with Glanmire, after Mark Scannell brought her back to the panel following some time away.

While it was “a great experience,” it’s one which will likely be parked again as football takes over.

It’s full steam ahead for Cork, under the new management of Shane Ronayne, as they prepare for the Lidl Ladies National Football League, while she’ll be in colleges’ action with University of Limerick [UL] in the O’Connor Cup over the coming weeks, too.

It’s all a balancing act as she juggles her various sporting commitments and her studies in Health and Exercise Fitness, but O’Shea hails her accommodating coaches, Ronayne and DJ Collins of UL.

And others closer to home, too.

“And with basketball,” as she adds. “I feel like I might have to take a step off that now. I won’t be able to do all three, because I can’t drive either, which is a bit of a hassle. My mam, she’s taxi at the moment, the poor craytor. She’s driving up and down like yo-yo, but she loves it. As long as I’m playing away, she loves to support me, it’s great.”

Celebrating National Cup success with Glanmire last month.

Source: Evan Treacy/INPHO

O’Shea has certainly found basketball beneficial — “It’s my secret weapon now,” she grins — with both sports complementing one another, pointing to a certain Kerry legend as the perfect example.

“If you threw a ball up to Kieran Donaghy, no one else would be catching it only Kieran. When you see these basketball-football players, you see how much it complements with their ball handling and being able to catch the ball at height, and for tackling as well. For me, I find it really beneficial because I feel like I’m always on my toes, which is good. Quickness as well. I think it’s definitely something that footballers should look into.”

Speaking of looking into other sports, what about Aussie Rules, with 14 Irishwomen ripping it up in the Australian Football League Women’s [AFLW] over the past few weeks? 

O’Shea has attracted contact, but she’s pretty happy with her lot at the minute.

“Definitely in the long run I would like to play AFL if I got the chance but I’d love to play for the county first and try my best and win All-Irelands,” she concludes.

“There are such talented players going over, I would like to give it a go. I think it would be cool in a couple of years.”

Who knows what’s next for Erika O’Shea, after the meteoric rise she’s enjoyed over the past few.

UL and Cork’s Erika O’Shea was speaking as Yoplait were announced as the new sponsors of the LGFA’s Third-Level Championships.

IT’S ONLY THE second round of the league, but already Dublin’s clash with Kerry on Saturday night has taken on major significance. 

For both counties, a failure to win their opening game of Division 1 leaves obvious room for improvement. 

Kerry stuttered to a draw with Kildare in Newbridge yesterday, going the last 16 minutes without a score. Dublin’s five-point defeat to Armagh on Saturday night could easily have been by more such was the nature of their flat performance. 

Jack O’Connor’s team will see the tie at Austin Stacks Park as the perfect opportunity to stick the boot into a Dublin team that endured their second consecutive defeat in Croke Park. 

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Outside of James McCarthy, who was suspended, Dessie Farrell doesn’t expect any of his missing front-line troops to return in time for the trip to Kerry, where Dublin have failed to win since 2013.

Con O’Callaghan, Paddy Small, Colm Basquel, Jonny Cooper, Mick Fitzsimons and Robbie McDaid sat out the game against Armagh due to injury.

Younger prospects like Peadar O Cofaigh Byrne and Ciaran Archer were also absent.

Worryingly, they lost Aaron Byrne and Cormac Costello to injuries in the first-half, further depleting their options. 

“There are a few of them carrying knocks and niggles and that kind of thing, but hopefully we’ll get those tidied up over the next couple of weeks and get a clean bill of health again,” said Farrell.

“We picked up a few there (against Armagh), which was unfortunate but anyway that is the nature of what we are involved in.”

Asked if any would be in line to return for the Kerry game, he replied: “Probably not, no.”

If nothing else, the looming threat of the Kingdom provides the opportunity to awaken Dublin from their slumber. Nothing quickens the pulse of a Sky Blue footballer than the sight of the green and gold jersey.

“This year’s National League is highly competitive, any league points accrued will be hard fought and hard won, and that’s where you want to be, it’s great for the game, it’s great for the spectators and supporters and everybody else.

“For us it’s all about preparation and trying to do the work we need to do with a view to April, May coming around and trying to be in a good position at that point in time.”

The energy and firepower normally associated with Dublin was strangely absent at the weekend. They scored just 1-8 from play, were turned over countless times and their shooting was highly inefficient.

The sight of Brian Fenton hitting two wides and dropping another short summed up their struggles.

“Disappointing we had so many wides, ball dropping short, so definitely the shooting efficiency wasn’t where we want it to be,” said Farrell, “that’s obviously something we’ll take to the practice ground and have a conversation about.”

Above all it was Dublin’s unwillingness to give early ball into their forward line and their patient possession game that would have frustrated supporters.

The Na Fianna man admitted Dublin’s focus remains on the championship, which kicks off on 30 April against the winners of Wexford and Offaly. 

“Obviously you want to be competitive in every game, but at the end of the day – and this isn’t to disrespect any competition, but everyone has their sights set on what’s going to happen in the summer.

“For us we’re involved in that process, trying to build something that will be highly competitive come April-May.”