Dublin 0-21
Waterford 2-15

ON A COLD, blustery afternoon in Parnell Park, Dublin maintained their unbeaten start to the season after an entertaining draw with Waterford.

This was February hurling at its best. Both counties went hell for leather for the two points in this Division 1 Group B opener. The teams were level seven times in a tie that featured plenty of mistakes but one that was full of intensity, honesty and physicality. 

It was a full incident with two reds, two blacks and 14 yellows handed out by referee Colum Cunning. There were two penalties awarded, both for Waterford and converted by Stephen Bennett. The full-forward finished with 2-10 but was well shackled by play by the excellent Eoghan O’Donnell. 

Dublin may feel aggrieved not to have won it given they missed two late shots at the posts, but overall both Mattie Kenny and Liam Cahill could be reasonably happy with a share of the spoils.

The Sky Blues shared around their scorers far more than their opponents as nine players hit the scoreboard, though marksman Donal Burke led the way.

Having scored 0-42 in the pre-season, the Na Fianna forward continued his deadly accurate shooting with a 12-point haul here. Elsewhere Danny Sutcliffe won man-of-the-match after getting through a sight of ball and their midfield partnership of Conor Burke and Chris Crummey controlled much of the match.  

Dublin played 20 minutes with a man disadvantage having seen Cian O’Callaghan and Sean Brennan black carded in either half. O’Callaghan received a late red card to see Dublin reduced to 14 men while Conor Prunty likewise received his marching orders shortly before the finish.

Dublin’s Cian O’Callaghan is sent-off.

Source: Lorraine O’Sullivan/INPHO

This was Cahill’s first competitive game in charge since he turned down the offer to take over his native Tipperary and there was plenty to please him from Waterford’s performance. 

Despite missing their Ballygunner contingent, in addition to Jamie Barron, Tadhg de Burca and Shane McNulty, they gave their fill of it to an almost full-strength Dublin. 

The Deise were led by Austin Gleeson at centre-forward, while Tom Barron and DJ Foran  enjoyed bright spells.

The Waterford boss stated earlier this week he hopes to reach the knockout stages of the league. This may well turn out to be a valuable point in the race to emerge from a group that also includes Tipperary, Kilkenny, Antrim and Laois.  

Dublin arrived into this game in good form, having easily defeated Wexford and Galway during their run to the Walsh Cup title. 

Backed by a very strong breeze, Dublin raced into an early three point lead. The first major talking point of the clash arrived when Colin Dunford was fouled by Cian O’Callaghan after he skinned Andrew Dunphy. 

Because a goalscoring was denied by O’Callaghan, a penalty was awarded and the Cuala defender was sinbinned. Stephen Bennett drilled the penalty into the bottom corner, sending the Deise 1-1 to 0-3 ahead. 

Waterford added a pair of scores through Austin Gleeson who looked dangerous in the opening half. After O’Callaghan returned to the field and Dublin were restored to their full compliment they shot seven scores without reply to take control. 

The pick of them came from full-back Eoghan O’Donnell, who fired from over well inside his own half. Burke added five frees as Kenny’s side led by 0-11 to 1-4 at the break.

There was a sense however, that Dublin’s eight wides would prove costly given the size of the gale behind Waterford after the interval. 

It was a niggly opening period where six yellow cards were handed out, split evenly between the teams. That figure had risen to 12 by the 49th minute after an off-the-ball scuffle that resulted in a lengthy stoppage as the referee consulted with his umpires. 

Dublin’s Donal Burke tackles Carthach Daly of Waterford.

Source: Lorraine O’Sullivan/INPHO

Three scores from Burke left Dublin 0-13 to 1-6 ahead but Waterford started to assert themselves on the contest. Gleeson continued to cause problems and he won a close-range free that Bennett drilled over.

Bennett set-up Dunford with a diagonal ball for a score and then Foran drove over his second impressive effort. Just like the first, Waterford’s second goal arrived from Bennett’s stick via a penalty. Gleeson won a long delivery and picked out Jack Prendergast who somehow ghosted unmarked in front of Sean Brennan’s goal.

Brennan raced out and tripped Prendergast as he attempted to sidestep the keeper just inside the 21. Brennan was black carded, with Ronan Hayes replaced by sub goalie Alan Nolan. Bennett dispatched the penalty to push his team 2-10 to 0-15.

In the end it was a battle between free-takers Burke and Bennett as the sides were inseparable after an exciting finish.

Scorers for Waterford: Stephen Bennett 2-10 (2-0 pen, 0-9f), Austin Gleeson and DJ Foran 0-2 each, Colin Dunford 0-1.

Scorers for Dublin: Donal Burke 0-12 (0-10f, 0-1 65), Conor Burke 0-2, Eoghan O’Donnell, Chris Crummey, Riain McBride, Danny Sutcliffe, Ronan Hayes, Fergal Whitely and Eamonn Dillon 0-1 each.

Waterford

1. Shaun O’Brien (De La Salle)

2. Conor Gleeson (Fourmilewater), 3. Conor Prunty (Abbeyside), 4. Kieran Bennett (Ballysaggart)  4. Darragh Lynch (Passage)

5. Jack Fagan (De La Salle), 6. Iarlaith Daly (Lismore), 7. Tom Barron (Fourmilewater)

8. Carthach Daly (Lismore), 9. Jack Prendergast (Lismore)

10. Michael Kiely (Abbeyside), 11. Austin Gleeson (Mount Sion), 12. DJ Foran (Portlaw)

10. Patrick Curran (Dungarvan), 14. Shane Bennett (Ballysaggart), 15. Colin Dunford (Colligan) 

Subs

20. Michael Kiely (Abbeyside) for Shane Bennett (48)

21. Billy Power (Clonea) for Dunford (61)

24. Ciaran Kirwan (Kill) for Gleeson (67)

Dublin

1. Sean Brennan (Cuala)

2. Andrew Dunphy (St Brigi’ds) 3. Eoghan O’Donnell (Whitehall Colmcille), 4. Cian O’Callaghan (Cuala)

17. John Bellew (Lucan Sarsfields), 6. Paddy Smyth (Clontarf), 7. James Madden (Ballyboden St Enda’s)

8. Conor Burke (St Vincent’s), 9. Chris Crummey (Lucan Sarsfields)

12. Danny Sutcliffe (St Jude’s), 11. Riain McBride (St Vincent’s), 1. Donal Burke (Na Fianna)

13. Fergal Whitely (Kilmacud Crokes), 14. Ronan Hayes (Kilmacud Crokes) 15. Colin Currie (Na Fianna).

Subs

23 Eamonn Dillon (St Finbarr’s) for Currie (48)

16. Alan Nolan (St Brigid’s) for Hayes (54)

22. Davy Keogh (Thomas Davis) for Brennan (64)

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Referee: Colum Cunning (Antrim).

Wexford 1-11
Limerick 0-11

Ronan Fagan reports from Chadwicks Wexford Park

ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONS Limerick were rocked by a second-half Mikie Dwyer goal in Sunday’s Allianz Hurling League Division 1 opener against jubilant Wexford at a blustery Chadwicks Wexford Park.

John Kiely’s men overcame some alarming first-half shooting – ten wides – to lead 0-7 to 0-6 at the break.

But Wexford kept pace and stoutly maintained an edge after Dwyer’s 59th minute breakthrough turned the tables by 1-9 to 0-11 as the Model County secured their first competitive victory over the Shannonsiders since the corresponding league fixture in 2017.

Wexford’s odds-defying feat is testament to the fortitude of the squad just a week after suffering a sixteen point hammering by Dublin in the Walsh Cup final, and manager Darragh Egan started with eleven of that side in a resounding display of faith.

Limerick had stormed to Munster league honours in January, and they started with nine of last August’s All-Ireland heroes on this occasion.

But their finishing troubles from that pre-season tournament carried over into this Group A league duel as they squandered a host of chances despite first assistance of the strong wind.

Indeed, as they erred, Jack O’Connor fired Wexford into a 0-2 to níl lead before Declan Hannon and Aaron Gillane levelled after twelve minutes.

But Limerick’s shooting issues saw Oisín Foley, a league debutante, and Diarmuid O’Keeffe assert Wexford by 0-4 to 0-2 before Conor McDonald was denied a goal as Dan Morrissey recovered to clear.

Wexford maintained a two point advantage following a double exchange of scores, but Limerick sorted out their radar to claw out a 0-7 to 0-6 interval lead after a double from Gearóid Hegarty and a Diarmaid Byrnes’ free.

Byrnes tagged on another dead-ball on the resumption, but a further Jack O’Connor brace hammered home Wexford’s intent, and the sides remained inseparable after 47 minutes as Oisín Foley cancelled out a David Reidy free (0-9 each).

Limerick sought to steal clear as Robbie Hanley and Hegarty shot them 0-11 to 0-9 clear.

But Wexford fired back with the decisive blow – Mikie Dwyer latching onto a long-range Jack O’Connor free to net despite losing his balance.

Conor McDonald and Connal Flood increased the margin to 1-11 to 0-11 before Wexford held firm in the face of desperate Limerick efforts to salvage something.

Scorers for Wexford: Jack O’Connor (0-5, 4 frees), Mikie Dwyer (1-0), Oisín Foley, Connal Flood (0-2 each), Diarmuid O’Keeffe, Conor McDonald (0-1 each).

Scorers for Limerick: Diarmaid Byrnes (0-3, 1 ’65, 2 frees), Gearóid Hegarty (0-3), Aaron Gillane (0-2 frees), Declan Hannon, David Reidy (free), Robbie Hanley (0-1 each).

Wexford

1 Mark Fanning (Glynn-Barntown)

2 Simon Donohoe (Shelmaliers), 3 Liam Ryan (Rapparees), 4 Matthew O’Hanlon (St. James’)

5 Damien Reck (Oylegate-Glenbrien), 6 Pádraig Foley (Crossabeg-Ballymurn), 20 Connal Flood (Cloughbawn)

8 Diarmuid O’Keeffe (St. Anne’s), 9 Cathal Dunbar (Naomh Éanna)

11 Liam Óg McGovern (St. Anne’s), 7 Jack O’Connor (St. Martin’s), 12 Charlie McGuckin (Naomh Éanna)

10 Oisín Foley (Crossabeg-Ballymurn), 14 Conor McDonald (Naomh Éanna), 15 Mikie Dwyer (Fethard)

Subs:

19 David Dunne (Davidstown-Courtnacuddy) for Dunbar (60)

25 Oisín Pepper (Rapparees) for McGuckin (64)

23 Paul Morris (Ferns St. Aidan’s) for O’Connor (70)

Limerick

1 Nicky Quaid (Effin)

2 Barry Nash (South Liberties), 3 Dan Morrissey (Ahane), 4 Richie English (Doon)

5 Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell), 6 Declan Hannon (Adare), 7 Colin Coughlan (Ballybrawn)

22 Robbie Hanley (Kilmallock), 9 William O’Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh)

10 Cathal O’Neill (Crecora Manister), 11 Tom Morrissey (Ahane), 12 Gearoid Hegarty (St, Patrick’s)

13 Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell), 14 Pat Ryan (Doon), 15 David Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca)

Subs:

21 Seamus Flanagan (Feohanagh-Castlemahon) for Gillane (HT)

26 Oisín O’Reilly (Kilmallock) for Ryan (46)

17 Conor Boylan (Na Piarsaigh) for O’Neill (60)

24 Darren O’Connell (Kildimo-Pallaskenry) for Reidy (67)

8 Brian O’Grady (Kilteely-Dromkeen) for Hanley (70)

Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford).

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Meath manager Andy McEntee (file pic).

Source: Ben Brady/INPHO

Roscommon 1-15
Meath 1-11

Kevin Egan reports Páirc Tailteann

ROSCOMMON MADE IT two wins out of two while the pressure continues to mount on Meath manager Andy McEntee after a game that was far more one-sided than the final margin suggested.

Like most of the games played all across Ireland this afternoon, a strong wind was a key factor in the contest, and it favoured the Rossies in the first half.

Meath, who made five changes to the team that was named, conceded a couple of early scores but got off to a great start when Mathew Costello played a quick exchange of passes with Jordan Morris, then slipped the ball underneath Colm Lavin.

Conor Cox, Cathal Heneghan, Enda Smith and Donie Smith all showed moments of promise for the Rossies in that opening half and Anthony Cunningham’s men took back the initiative when Niall Kilroy did well to spoil a Meath kickout. A quick transfer of passes ended with Conor Cox setting up Cathal Heneghan for a palmed goal after a quarter of an hour.

Roscommon struggled to build up the lead they needed, however, and as the game approached the half-hour mark, they still led by just three points: 1-6 to 1-3.

That would have been a very slender lead to try and defend on a day when anything more than 25 metres from goal was outside scoring range against the wind, but a purple patch just before half-time completely changed the game.

Enda Smith, Conor Cox, Ultan Harney and Donie Smith all pointed as the score was moved to 1-12 to 1-3 by the interval, with Meath’s problems compounded by a black card for Robin Clarke.

The Royals needed to make a move early in the second half but Roscommon dominated the battle for possession, controlled the ball well and kicked two early frees to increase the lead by one before Clarke returned to the field.

The introduction of Eamon Wallace livened up the home side, with the Ratoath speedster kicking two points, but in general Meath’s play was lethargic and directionless, and it was only after Conor Cox was black-carded with 15 minutes remaining that they livened up.

Jordan Morris kicked some good scores over a crowded defence but they left themselves far too much to do, and by the time the game moved into stoppage time, they still trailed by six.

To compound Meath’s misery, a row broke out at the start of injury-time that led to James McEntee receiving a straight red card, as did his manager and uncle Andy McEntee.

While three late points gave a flash of hope that there might be a miraculous escape, a breakaway move led to a foul on substitute Ciarán Sugrue and a handy opportunity for Conor Cox to score his seventh point of the day from a 20-metre free.

Scorers for Roscommon: Conor Cox 0-7 (0-5f, 0-1m), Cathal Heneghan 1-1, Enda Smith 0-2, Donie Smith 0-2, Cian McKeon 0-1m, Eddie Nolan 0-1, Ultan Harney 0-1.

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Scorers for Meath: Jordan Morris 0-5 (0-3f), Mathew Costello 1-0, Harry Hogan 0-2f, Eamon Wallace 0-2, Tomas O’Reilly 0-1f, Eoin Harkin 0-1.

Roscommon

1. Colm Lavin (Éire Óg)

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

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

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

10. Niall Kilroy (Fuerty)
11. Enda Smith (Boyle)
15. Cathal Heneghan (Michael Glaveys)

13. Cian McKeon (Boyle)
14. Donie Smith (Boyle)
24. Conor Cox (Éire Óg)

Subs:

18. Ciarán Lawless (Oran) for Heneghan (temp, 45-48)
18. Ciarán Lawless (Oran) for Heneghan (55)
20. Niall Higgins (Elphin) for Lennon (55)
21. Ciarán Sugrue (St Brigid’s) for Ruane (59)
23. Shane Cunnane (St Brigid’s) for Kilroy (62)
22. Ben O’Carroll (St Brigid’s) for McKeon (66)

Meath

1. Harry Hogan (Longwood)

4. Eoin Harkin (Dunsaney)
3. Ronan Ryan (Summerhill)
2. Robin Clarke (Duleek/Bellewstown)

6. Shane McEntee (St Peter’s Dunboyne)
7. Donal Keogan (Rathkenny)
17. Gavin McGowan (Ratoath)

8. Pádraic Harnan (Moynalvey)
25. Jason Scully (Oldcastle)

9. Ethan Devine (Na Fianna)
24. Thomas O’Reilly (Wolfe Tones)
12. Mathew Costello (Senechalstown)

18. Jordan Morris (Nobber)
22. Sarán Ó Cuinneagáin (Wolfe Tones)
15. Joey Wallace (Ratoath)

Subs:

23. Eamon Wallace (Ratoath) for Ó Cuinneagáin (29)
19. Niall Kane (Simonstown Gaels) for Scully (49)
13. James Conlon (Colmcille) for J Wallace (51)
21. James McEntee (Simonstown Gaels) for McGowan (59)
10. Cillian O’Sullivan (Moynalvey) for Devine (60)

Referee: Jerome Henry (Mayo)

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Galway’s Conor Whelan and David King of Offaly battle for possession.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

Galway 4-22
Offaly 0-17

John Fallon reports from Pearse Stadium

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HENRY SHEFFLIN’S GALWAY got their Allianz Hurling League campaign off to a flying start with a double-scores win over Offaly in a low-tempo game in Salthill.

The Tribesmen always held the upper hand as Offaly – managed by Shefflin’s former Ballyhale Shamrocks team-mate Michael Fennelly – never looked like creating a shock in a one-sided encounter.

Offaly opted to play with the wind in the opening half but they were in trouble when they trailed by 1-12 to 0-8 at the interval, with Galway on top in most positions.

Galway could have had three or four goals in that opening half but didn’t turn the screw, with Evan Niland shooting a penalty wide after 22 minutes.

But the opening goal was worth waiting for as Galway half-back Gearoid McInerney took off on a 70-metre run before batting the ball to the net from close range just before the break.

It completed a miserable opening half for Offaly, with McInerney keeping close tabs on Eoghan Cahill, who had impressed when the sides clashed in the Walsh Cup last month.

The Tribesmen got on top from the outset and led by 0-4 to 0-1 after 10 minutes, with Tom Monaghan, Jack Hastings and Conor Whelan impressing up front.

Offaly managed just four points from play in the opening half and two of them came from wing-backs Jack Screeney and Killian Sampson.

Galway manager Henry Shefflin issues instructions.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

John Murphy and Adrian Cleary also found the range, with Cahill hitting four frees, but they didn’t look likely to build a lead with the wind and never actually got in front.

Galway hit eight wides to Offaly’s four in the opening half, but still managed to open up a lead with Monaghan shooting three from play in the opening 15 minutes, while Whelan picked off three as well in addition to being fouled for the penalty which Niland drilled low and wide.

Whelan blasted the side-netting with another goal chance before McInerney burst through to show his forwards how to do it as they went in leading by seven points.

John Fleming got Galway’s second goal five minutes after the restart after more good work by Whelan and they pulled away from there.

Fleming turned provider for Galway’s third goal, which Niland finished well, with Cahill doing his utmost to keep Offaly in contention.

Donal O’Shea, son of former Tipperary manager Eamon and the first player from the Salthill/Knocknacarra club to play in the Allianz League, blasted home Galway’s fourth goal after being set up by debutant Shane Ryan, son of former Galway star Eanna, in the closing stages.

Scorers for Galway: Evan Niland 1-6 (0-5f, 0-1 ’65), John Fleming 1-2, Gearoid McInerney 1-1, Donal O’Shea 1-1 (0-1 ’65), Tom Monaghan 0-3, Conor Whelan 0-3, Ronan Glennon 0-2, Brian Concannon 0-1, Cianan Fahy 0-1, Jack Hastings 0-1, Eanna Burke 0-1.

Scorers for Offaly: Eoghan Cahill 0-10 (0-8f), Liam Langton 0-2f, Jack Screeney 0-1, Killian Sampson 0-1, Jason Sampson 0-1, John Murphy 0-1, Adrian Cleary 0-1.

Galway

1. Eanna Murphy (Tommy Larkins)

2. Jack Grealish (Gort)
3. Daithi Burke (Turloughmore)
18. Declan Cronin (Cappataggle)

6. Gearoid McInerney (Oranmore/Maree)
5. Padraic Mannion (Ahascragh/Fohenagh)
7. Tiernan Killeen (Loughrea)

8. Joseph Cooney (Sarsfields)
9. Ronan Glennon (Mullagh)

10. Tom Monaghan (Craughwell)
11. Jack Hastings (Liam Mellows)
12. Cianan Fahy (Ardrahan)

13. Evan Niland (Clarinbridge)
14. Conor Whelan (Kinvara)
15. Brian Concannon (Killimordaly)

Subs:

25. John Fleming (Meelick/Eyrecourt) for Concannon (19)
26. Eanna Burke (St Thomas’) for C Fahy (56)
24. Donal O’Shea (Salthill/Knocknacarra) for Niland (56)
22. Conor Walsh (Turloughmore) for Monaghan (59)
19. Shane Ryan (Clarinbridge) for Hastings (63)

Offaly

1. Conor Clancy (St Rynagh’s)

4. David King (Coolderry)
3. Ciaran Burke (Durrow)
5. Jack Screeney (Kilcormac/Killoughey)

7. Killian Sampson (Shinrone)
6. Ben Conneely (St Rynagh’s)
2. Joey Keenaghan (Clodiagh Gaels)

8. Ross Ravenhill (Durrow)
9. Leon Fox (Belmont)

15. Adrian Cleary (Shinrone)
12. Eimhin Kelly (Lusmagh)
13. Eoghan Cahill (Birr)

14. John Murphy (Ballinamere)
11. Jason Sampson (Shinrone)
10. Luke O’Connor (St Rynagh’s)

Subs:

17. Conor Molloy (Coolderry) for King (HT)
26. Liam Langton (Clodiagh Gaels) for Cleary (HT)
20. David Nally (Belmont) for Ravenhill (56)
22. Brian Duignan (Durrow) for Fox (56)
18. Dara Maher (Shinrone) for Molloy (56)
21. Eoghan Parlon (Coolderry) for Cahill (68)

Referee: Rory McGann (Clare)

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Armagh 2-14
Tyrone 0-14

Declan Bogue reports at Athletic Grounds

TYRONE HAD FOUR players red carded after a fracas in injury time in this chastening defeat to neighbours Armagh, who also lost Greg McCabe to a red card in that dramatic ending.

In front of a 14,328 attendance here in a squally Athletic Grounds, they ran through the 2021 All-Ireland champions like they were a club side.

The huge crowd were no doubt encouraged by last week’s six point victory over Dublin and this was expected to be a more realistic test, coming signposted as it was.

By the half time break, Tyrone were 2-8 to 0-4 adrift. It could have been an awful lot more as Armagh also created three goal chances that they weren’t able to capitalise upon.

It took seven minutes for the first major to arrive. For this game, Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney moved Rian O’Neill to a deeper position.

He created the first goal with a ball inside to Greg McCabe and with Liam Rafferty caught under the dropping ball, he made space to dispatch his shot to the net.

Tyrone replied with points from Darragh Canavan and Michael McKernan, but the space afforded to Armagh soon told as they ran in six of the next seven points.

The second goal arrived in first half injury time when Connaire Mackin secured possession from an Armagh kickout. It was worked to the completely unmarked Tiernan Kelly who drew the defence before slipping to Jason Duffy who skipped around Niall Morgan to plant the ball in the net.

Tyrone managed to narrow the lead to six by the end. But with a raft of suspensions to follow, this was a meltdown from the Red Hands.

Scorers for Armagh: R O’Neill (0-4, 2f), J Duffy (1-1), G McCabe (1-0), R Grugan (0-2f), A McKay, J Óg Burns, Ciaran Mackin, T Kelly, J Hall, A Nugent, S Campbell (0-1) each

Scorers for Tyrone: C McShane (0-7f), M McKernan, P Hampsey, N Donnelly, K McGeary, D Canavan, N Sludden (0-1) each, D McCurry (0-1f)

Armagh: B Hughes; G McCabe, A McKay, A Forker; Connaire Mackin, N Rowland, J Óg Burns; Ciaran Mackin, S Sheridan; J Hall, R Grugan, T Kelly; A Nugent, R O’Neill, J Duffy

Subs: S Campbell for Kelly (HT), M Shields for Connaire Mackin (45m), N Grimley for Sheridan (50m – 64m, Blood sub), C O’Hanlon for Duffy (63m), J Morgan for Rowland (67m), N Grimley for Nugent (73m)

Tyrone: N Morgan; M McKernan, P Hampsey, L Rafferty; C Meyler, F Burns, P Harte; N Donnelly, B Kennedy; K McGeary, D Canavan, N Sludden; D McCurry, M Donnelly, C McShane

Subs: J Munroe for Rafferty, C Shields for M Donnelly (HT), P Donaghy for McCurry (47m), C McKenna for N Donnelly (52m), B McDonnell for Sludden (73m)

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Referee: David Gough (Meath)

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St Sylvester’s [Dublin] 1-6
Castlebar Mitchels [Mayo] 0-7

Darren Kelly reports at Ballinasloe

DUBLIN CAPTAIN SINÉAD Aherne scored 0-4 and St Sylvester’s were crowned currentaccount.ie All-Ireland Intermediate club champions following a thrilling win over Castlebar Mitchels at Duggan Park in Ballinasloe.

Kate Sullivan’s goal in the first attack ultimately proved the difference between the teams but the Leinster champions still needed two late points from Aherne and Niamh Harney to seal the win.

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St Sylvester’s began in scintillating fashion with their goal after just 10 seconds. Sullivan took her place at midfield for the throw-in, won possession and raced at the heart of the Castlebar defence before she struck low past Fiona McLoughlin.

And with a strong wind at their backs they added a point 60 seconds later. Aherne gave the pass to Nicole Owens to slot over.

But Anthony Cooke’s team didn’t score again from play in the first half with two further frees courtesy of Aherne giving them a 1-3 to 0-3 half-time lead.

Castlebar Mitchels were struggling to settle as they tried to gain a foothold but eventually got off the mark on 22 minutes. Danielle Caldwell pushed forward and she found Grainne Flynn to her right, who scored.

Castlebar were in the ascendency now and St Sylvester’s and finished the half strongly with two more scores to leave just three between them at the break. Flynn was involved in both, setting up Kathryn Sullivan on 29 minutes before converting a free herself to leave them just three behind at the interval.

Anna Tuohy picked out Laura Brody for a Castlebar score two minutes after the restart but St Sylvester’s hit back with a well-worked move as Louise Ryan and Sophie McGlynn combined to allow Aherne her first from play.

However, Mitchels pitched up again as Niamh Hughes started to make an impact. She converted a free won by Orla Conlon on 37 minutes before immediately adding a point from play.

Scores were at a premium as defences reigned supreme and the Mayo side struggled to find a way past a St Sylvester’s defence led by Dannielle Lawless, Lisa Murphy, Kim White and Cliona Fitzpatrick.

Flynn’s free on 50 minutes levelled it for the first time but Castlebar wouldn’t score again. Aherne won a free and scored to put St Sylvester’s back ahead.

And then Owens and Katie O’Sullivan combined to allow Harney give them a two-point cushion, which was enough to secure victory.

Scorers for St Sylvester’s: S Aherne 0-4 (3f), K Sullivan 1-0, N Owens 0-1, N Harney 0-1.

Scorers for Castlebar Mitchels: G Flynn 0-3 (2f), N Hughes 0-2 (1f), K Sullivan 0-1, L Brody 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; L Ryan, S Aherne, S McGlynn.

Subs: K O’Sullivan for Lynch (30), G McGinty for E Sullivan (38), K Slattery for McGlynn (45).

Castlebar Mitchels: F McLoughlin; K Moore, A Brody, A Towey; T Flynn, O Conlon, D Caldwell; L McManamon, K Sullivan; G Flynn, E Lyons, S Conlon; N Hughes, L Brody, A Tuohy.

Subs: S Prendergast for S Conlon (45), M McDonald or Lyons (51).

Referee: Shane Curley (Galway).

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GALWAY ALL-IRELAND winner Kieran Fitzgerald is the next GAA figure to feature in the current season of TG4′s Laochra Gael.

Fitzgerald enjoyed a successful career with the Galway footballers, winning a senior All-Ireland title in 2001 and an All-Ireland U21 crown the following year.

The episode also features the unprecedented levels of success he enjoyed with Corofin and, his wife — and former Galway ladies footballer — Emer Flaherty.

But the talented defender experienced a huge personal loss following the death of his girlfriend Mairéad Meehan, who was also a sister of the Meehan brothers who played for Galway.

When Fitzgerald won his first All-Ireland title with Corofin in 2015, he brought the trophy to the Meehans in Caltra to include Mairéad’s family in the celebrations.

“To achieve our ultimate goal on behalf of Corofin GAA club was amazing,” he recalls, “and we tried for so long, and there were many players that I played with that didn’t get there. It was for them as well.

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“The reception we received in Caltra and Castleblakeney, the home of the Meehans was so humbling. I saw the joy they had for me and I knew that they wanted me to achieve that and to feel that and have that happiness.”

In a candid account of Mairéad’s life, Fitzgerald explains how she had been diagnosed with osteosarcoma which required various surgeries and treatments.

“When I met her,” Fitzgerald begins, “you would not know she had that trauma behind her.

“She never let that hold her back and she had a personality that was so full of energy, enthusiasm and drive for life. She didn’t allow it to get in her way.

“We didn’t let it overpower us. We were always aware it was there, she was always aware it was there but we didn’t really talk about it unless we had to talk about it. There was always the cloud of an upcoming scan or a test looming.”

In 2006, Fitzgerald lined out for Ireland in the International Rules series against Australia with the first Test taking place in Galway’s Pearse Stadium.

“The following Tuesday,” he continues, “Mairéad had a result of a scan and unfortunately the prognosis of that scan was poor and essentially terminal. So, that was tough.

“As the weeks went on, Mairéad’s condition deteriorated and [she] sadly passed away at the end of January, 2007.”

Fitzgerald talks about how he struggled to cope with her passing, and the difficulties of trying to return to football.

He remembers how he eventually started to lose his desire to continue playing at inter-county level before deciding to step away in 2011.

Fitzgerald would later enjoy a successful period with his club Corofin, which culminated in an All-Ireland three-in-a-row. The last of those All-Ireland triumphs was in 2020 when Fitzgerald was 39, and still playing a key role in the team that narrowly edged out Kilcoo after extra-time in Croke Park.

The episode is a compelling and moving watch which also features contributions from Michael Meehan, Gary Sice, Stephen Rochford, and Máire Ni Bhraonáin.

You can watch Kieran Fitzgerald’s Laochra Gael on Thursday, 10 February at 9.30pm

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LET’S BEGIN WITH some unwanted statistics for Dublin. 

This is the first time they’ve lost three competitive games in-a-row since 2009 and their first time losing successive league ties since 2012. It was their largest defeat to Kerry in 13 years. Last week’s loss to Armagh aside, it was their biggest losing margin in a decade. 

For players like Brian Fenton, Brian Howard, Niall Scully and John Small, who only experienced losing a championship game for the first time last August, these are unprecedented times.

Dublin were outclassed by Kerry in Tralee last night, undone by the superior attacking play and movement of their Munster opponents.  

And even still, Kerry’s winning margin could have been far greater. They scored just a point in second half, content to protect the unassailable 13-point lead they’d build up by half-time.

“Everyone thought after last weekend that we’re trying to play possession football,  but we’re a kicking team,” Jack O’Connor surmised to RTÉ after the game. “We’ve been trying to get the boys to kick it.

“In the first-half, despite the conditions, we moved the ball really well throughout he lines and hit good ball inside. When you’ve someone like David Clifford inside you need to be getting him on ball and he was fantastic, particularly in the first-half.”

David Clifford kicked some exceptional scores for Kerry.

Source: Evan Treacy/INPHO

If Kerry are a kicking team, it’s hard to know what sort of team Dublin are right now. 

They’ll play Mayo in Croke Park next weekend and travel to the lion’s den to Omagh to meet All-Ireland champions Tyrone on 13 March. 

Mayo and Tyrone have suffered at the hands of Dublin on many occasions in the not too distant past. Kicking the Dubs when they’re down is an opportunity both counties will be relishing. 

The big test of character for Dublin is how they react to this morale-sapping start to the season. They’ve a big target on their backs now and are looking vulnerable.

The hunger and fight Dublin show in those games will tell a lot about how the rest of the year will turn out for them. 

Two defeats on live TV and a pair of flat performances have set the alarm bells ringing about the decline of the Sky Blues. 

They’ve still got veterans James McCarthy, Jonny Cooper and Mick Fitzsimons to come back into the fold, plus explosive forwards Con O’Callaghan, Cormac Costello and Paddy Small who will transform their attack. 

Dublin’s forward line last night featured rookies Lorcan O’Dell and Cameron McCormack, in addition to Dean Rock who is well short of his best form. It hardly struck fear into an almost full-strength Kerry outfit.

Given the spate of retirements they’ve suffered in the last 18 months, Dublin have reached a stage where they need to blood young talent and fast. Not alone did they lose seasoned veterans, but the drop-outs of electric athletes like Jack McCaffrey and Paul Mannion were crushing blows. 

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During the Jim Gavin era, he would introduce a player or two each season to reinvigorate a Hall of Fame team and create further competition for places. Year after year, Fenton, Howard, Scully, Small, O’Callaghan, Eoin Murchan were added to an already formidable panel of players. 

Over the past three seasons, only Evan Comerford, Robbie McDaid and Paddy Small broke through to become regular championship starters, while Sean Bugler mainly featured off the bench.

In the Gavin years, gifted newcomers like O’Callaghan and Howard had a couple of years to adjust to senior football before they became regulars. Dublin introduced a host of new players to the panel last year and 14 more this season.

Now youngsters like Darragh Conlon, McCormack and Killian McGinnis are being thrown into the fray without much time to adjust to the enormous step up.

It’s an obvious point, but they’re at a completely different stage of their life cycle than the Kingdom. Jack O’Connor has returned as manager to deliver an All-Ireland title for a group of players who’ve left several big opportunities behind them over the past few years.

Dessie Farrell mentions the word ‘transition’ on an almost weekly basis now.

Dublin look like a team not only transitioning between two generations of players, but also between styles. It has happened quicker than many expected. 

Writing for the Currency yesterday, Paul Flynn made the interesting observation that Dublin need to move on from the possession-based system that became their trademark during the six-in-a-row years. 

“The controlled style of play they have mastered is becoming stale and opposing teams have figured it out,” he wrote. “New styles of play require fresh talent and while it is not abundantly clear where that will come from there is a full league campaign to unearth a few.

“For Dessie and the team to evolve their system to whatever style they decide is required they need to ensure that players have total clarity and belief in it and it needs to be the align with their new ‘why’.”

Dublin showed signs of moving to a more direct approach in the O’Bryne Cup, before reverting to type against Armagh and in the first-half against Kerry. 

They scored just 0-9 in the opening 35 minutes of both games combined. A big reason for that is the lack of line breakers coming late from the middle third, and ball winners in the full-forward line. Teams can crowd the D and force Dublin to take pot-shots from outside the scoring zone. 

Dublin did look better in the second period against Kerry – particularly the quality of their delivery to the full-forward line – but in truth the game was long over by that stage.

While they trial the new talent, it’s up to Farrell’s on-pitch lieutenants like Ciaran Kilkenny, Fenton, Small and Howard to steady the ship. They also need to help the team shed the old style and move towards a better offensive approach.

It’s been a tough start to the season for Dessie Farrell.

Source: Ben Brady/INPHO

The slump in form since last year’s Leinster campaign has led some to speculate that things are not right in the dressing room with Farrell.

From the outside looking in, there have certainly been aspects he could have handled better.

The Covid training breach last year reportedly led to a fall-out with Stephen Cluxton and the great goalkeeper has played his last game for the county. His absence lingered like a bad smell last season. The uncertainty around his availability was an example of something that wouldn’t have happened under Gavin. 

Paul Mannion was left on the bench for much of the 2020 campaign and departed the panel afterwards. It may not have been his sole reason for leaving, but being reduced to the role of impact sub hardly helped. 

But it can’t all be put down to Farrell. Far from it. 

A depleted squad meant the competition for places isn’t as fierce as it once was, which led to standards slipping. And they miss the defensive awareness of a Cooper or Cian O’Sullivan protecting the full-back line. 

The high-profile absentees haven’t helped.

“The core group of 15 quality players in this team in my view remains unmatched,” argued Flynn. He has a fair point. 

The reality is Dublin could be a different proposition by the end of the league if they can get their established stars back into the team and settle on a style of play that suits this group. That looks a long way off right now, even if it is only early February.

The country will be watching closely at how they react in the weeks ahead.

It will make fascinating viewing. The all-conquering side is no more and strangely, Dublin are more compelling than ever.

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A NEW HURLING league season commences this weekend, the pre-season business completed as the major action starts for 2022.

A bunch of new managers step out into the county spotlight.

What awaits them as they take on major responsibilities for the new campaign?

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Henry Shefflin – Galway

The most eye-catching inter-county appointment this season.  Whenever one of the most celebrated players in the game moved into management, his progress was bound to be tracked closely. Henry Shefflin’s hurling acumen was displayed with the pair of All-Ireland titles he guided his home club Ballyhale Shamrocks to. His first county role entails a switch out west that is as dramatic as it is intriguing.

How he fares with Galway will be fascinating. Before the Leinster round-robin, which will throw up a blockbuster game against his native Kilkenny, the league schedule starts out against Offaly, a familiar face in opposition in Michael Fennelly. Expectations have spiked in Galway after Shefflin’s arrival but they produced a disappointing run in 2021.

Their talisman has retired in Joe Canning, another stalwart is also gone in Aidan Harte. Serious injuries have hit Shane Cooney and Jason Flynn, the St Thomas crew will be returning after All-Ireland club heartbreak. The Galway rebuild will command attention, supporters will be hoping the winners from the 2017-20 minor teams will start to push on at senior level.

Daithi Burke is Galway’s new hurling captain.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Colm Bonnar – Tipperary

Liam Sheedy has been such a dominant figure in Tipperary hurling terms, with his two successful spells as manager, along with the tenures of bosses closely associated to him in Eamonn O’Shea and Michael Ryan. The installation of Colm Bonnar as the Premier boss feels like a new era for the county. That sense was reaffirmed by the shock of Padraic Maher’s injury-enforced retirement this week, along with the exit last summer of another iconic figure from their modern teams in Brendan Maher.

It will be interesting to see how Bonnar manages the transition. He doesn’t lack managerial experience given his roles with Wexford, Ballyhale Shamrocks, Carlow and Waterford IT college teams. This is a position that will receive greater scrutiny though, a fact he will be keenly aware of. Tipperary heroes Paul Curran, Tommy Dunne and Johnny Enright are alongside him calling the shots.

The first half of last year’s Munster final was the most impressive display any team has produced against Limerick in the last two years. The second half slippage and the subsequent loss to Waterford demonstrate the issues that need to be solved. There’s plenty talent from the 2018 and 2019 underage triumphs, those are the figures Bonnar will be hoping to promote to bigger roles.

A dejected John McGrath after Tipperary’s loss last year to Waterford.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Darragh Egan – Wexford

The Davy Fitzgerald era drew the focus to Wexford with exhilirating highs like 2019 when they lifted Leinster and came up agonisingly short at the hands of ultimate champions Tipperary in a breathless semi-final. The two seasons did not produce a similar flow of positive championship results. That is the backdrop as Darragh Egan steps into the breach.

With a younger age profile than most managers, he is an imaginative selection. Coaching work with Tipperary teams and his club Kiladangan created a promising reputation. He has thought outside the box in his recruitment, bringing Billy Walsh from boxing and Gordon D’Arcy from rugby to offer a different approach and help him along in his first senior county management job.

Paudie Foley’s return to the fold is a boost for a Wexford team that must adapt to a new manager and demonstrate there is still scope for improvement. Was 2019 the pinnacle or can they merge new talent with an exisiting core to return to those heights?

Paudie Foley’s return is a boost to the Wexford cause.

Source: Lorraine O’Sullivan/INPHO

Joe Fortune – Westmeath

After being immersed in Dublin hurling circles, Joe Fortune took the reins on Westmeath for a two-year term, succeeding Shane O’Brien. It’s his first position in the senior ranks but the Dublin U21 (Leinster 2016) and Ballyboden St-Enda’s (county 2018) involvements both yielded silverware.

Joe Fortune.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

The Wexford native takes charge of a side that will be focused on building on last year’s Joe McDonagh Cup win. They step up to Leinster action with a glamour opening tie against Kilkenny on 16 April in Mullingar but before that the league will be the focus in Division 2A.

Stephen Molumphy – Kerry

After a sparkling career in Waterford colours as a player, and time as selector more recently alongside Liam Cahill, it is now Kerry hurling that Stephen Molumphy is concentrating on. He has taken over as boss, succeeding Fintan O’Connor who was in charge for the last five years and reached the last two Joe McDonagh Cup finals.

Stephen Molumphy.

Source: Evan Treacy/INPHO

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Getting over the line in that competition will be a clear objective. They start out in the league against Westmeath today, eager to harness the early season good vibes emanating after their landmark pre-season win over Tipperary and the progress of the Kilmoyley club to the All-Ireland final stage in Croke Park.

Cork 1-13
Clare 1-13

CORK AND CLARE played out an entertaining draw in Pairc Uí Chaoimh in Division 2 of the Allianz NFL tonight.

In a tie that was level on seven occasions it was the visitors who came from behind to earn a deserved draw as substitutes Emmett McMahon and Daniel Walsh kicked the levelling scores after Brian Hurley had put Cork in pole position to win it.

Cork seemed to be in big trouble with ten minutes to go when Podge Collins was fouled inside the square with ten minutes to go. The excellent Keelan Sexton crashed home the resultant penalty as the Bannner men’s hoodoo over Cork looked set to continue.

Cork managed to get themselves back into the game with scores from Hurley and Mark Cronin before the Castlehaven man found himself standing over a free with a chance to level the game. However, his effort dropped short but managed to squirm into the Clare net and all of a sudden Cork looked set for an unlikely victory.

Cork’s Colm O’Callaghan gets clear.

Source: Ken Sutton/INPHO

Colm Collins’ outfit are made of stern stuff, however, and they kept their cool and etched out the chances that they needed to take a share of the spoils though Cronin did have the chance to win it for the Rebels, but his effort dropped short.

Clare played with the advantage of a significant wind in the opening period, but it was Cork who started the sharper, though they struggled to make their superiority tell on the scoreboard. John O’Rourke and Brain Hurley kicked the Rebels into an early lead with fine scores from play, but Clare were soon level thanks to two Keelan Sexton scores. Blake Murphy then put Cork back in front, but this was followed by a run of three wides for the home side before Jamie Malone brought Clare level for the second time in the eighteenth minute.

Two points in two minutes from Murphy and Hurley then restored Cork’s lead but David Tubridy’s opening score and a free from Sexton made it all square again with ten minutes left to the interval. The impressive Murphy’s third score then slipped Cork back in front, but Clare then began take control as the Rebels struggled to progress beyond midfield. Eoin Cleary tapped over a free for the visitors, Cian O’Dea gave them the lead for the first time with a super score from distance before two superb Sexton strikes from dead balls gave them a 0-9 to 0-6 at the change of ends.

Cork then outscored Clare by 0-5 to 0-2 to level the game again before Sexton’s penalty and the late drama.

It leaves Clare pushing towards the top of the league, while Cork are facing a fight to avoid relegation.

Scorers for Cork: Brian Hurley 1-4 (1-2 fs), Blake Murphy 0-3, Fionn Herlihy 0-2, John O’Rourke Kevin O’Donovan, Seán Powter (free) and Mark Cronin 0-1 each.

Scorers for Clare: Keelan Sexton 1-5 (1-0 pen, 1 ’45, 3 fs), Eoin Cleary 0-2 (fs), Cian O’Dea, Aaron Griffin, David Tubridy, Jamie Malone, Emmett McMahon and Daniel Walsh 0-1 each.

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