Kerry 1-15
Dublin 0-11

Paul Brennan reports from Austin Stack Park

FIRST BLOOD OF the season to Kerry in what might or might not be a two-game series this year if, as still expected, they meet Dublin in an All-Ireland semi-final down the road in July.

What, if anything, this seven-point win will mean in high summer is anyone’s guess, but as making statements in early February go, this was pretty emphatic from Kerry. Sure, they lost the second half by 0-7 to 0-1 – yes, Kerry managed just a single Paul Geaney point in the second period – but context is needed.

Kerry won this game in the first half, taking a 13-point lead to the interval, and thereafter it was all about saving face for Dublin. Dessie Farrell might take some consolation for that second half revival but it is the first 35 minutes that will haunt the Dublin manager.

For Kerry it was almost all good, so good in fact that they could afford the luxury of a missed penalty from David Clifford in the first half.

The penalty miss came just after Sean Bugler had pointed for Dublin to have them trail 0-4 to 0-5, and it prefaced a Kerry assault on the Dublin posts in the driving wind and rain.

David Clifford takes on Lee Gannon.

Source: Ben Brady/INPHO

Dublin did have the ball in the Kerry net in the first half when Dean Rock’s shot went in through a combination of the post and Shane Murphy’s hand, but a foul by Niall Scully in the build-up saw him black carded and the goal scratched off.

It was a let-off Kerry were happy to play, and thereafter they went to town on the Dubs for the remainder of the half.

In the 26th minute Loran O’Dell overcooked his pass to Rock with just Murphy providing the Kerry cover at that stage, but Kerry weren’t nearly as wasteful. 

Points from Moynihan, Paul Geaney, David Clifford (two) and a Sean O’Shea free made it 0-12 to 0-4 and then David Clifford’s handpass into Moynihan got the finish it deserved: a right-footed shot to the top corner of Comerford’s goal that made it a 12-point game on the 35-minute mark. 

The half finished with a Geaney point, a Jack Barry black card, and Dublin reeling from a 13-point deficit going to the dressing room.

If most of the drama was squeezed into that second quarter, the second half wasn’t nearly as much fun. The best that can be said for Dublin is that they won the second period by six point; while Kerry probably won’t – nor should they – beat themselves too much for managing just that one point, from Geaney in the 47th minute.

Thereafter the game petered out with black cards for Tom Lahiff and then Paudie Clifford, while Ciaran Kilkenny, Brian Howard, Brian Fenton, Ryan Basquel and Dean Rock (three frees) restored some bit of respectability for Dublin in what was their second wash-out in a week. 

Watch the Full-Time Highlights of @Kerry_Official v @DubGAAOfficial in The Allianz Football League here! #GAANOW pic.twitter.com/WhmocBrhUW

— The GAA (@officialgaa) February 5, 2022

Scorers for Kerry: S O’Shea 0-5 (3f), D Moynihan 1-1, D Clifford 0-4, P Geaney 0-3 (1m), D O’Connor 0-1, P Clifford 0-1

Scorers for Dublin: D Rock 0-5 (4f), E Comerford 0-1 (f), B Howard 0-1, B Fenton 0-1, S Bugler 0-1, C Kilkenny 0-1, R Basquel 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. Brian Ó Beaglaioch (An Ghaeltacht)

8. Diarmuid O’Connor (Na Gaeil) 9. Jack Barry (Na Gaeil)

10. Adrian Spillane (Templenoe) 11. Seán O’Shea (Kenmare Shamrocks) 12. Dara Moynihan (Spa)

13. Paudie Clifford (Fossa) 14. David Clifford (Fossa), 15. Paul Geaney (Dingle) 

Subs

24. Stephen O’Brien (Kenmare Shamrocks) for A Spillane (54)

20. Tony Brosnan (Dr Crokes) for P Geaney (63)

18. Micheal Burns (Dr Crokes) for D Moynihan (65)

22. Jack Savage (Kerins O’Rahillys) for P Clifford (temp, 70)

19. Gavin Crowley (Templenoe) for T Morley (70)

17. Killian Spillane (Templenoe) for D Clifford (temp, 71)

23. Dylan Casey (Austin Stacks) for D O’Donoghue (72) 

Dublin

1. Evan Comerford (Ballymun Kickhams)

2. Lee Gannon (Whitehall Colmcilles), 3. David Byrne (Naomh Olaf), 4. Sean McMahon (Raheny)

17. Darragh Conlon (Ballymun Kickhams), 6. Brian Howard (Raheny), 7. John Small (Ballymun Kickhams)

8. Brian Fenton (Raheny), 9. Tom Lahiff (St Jude’s)

10. Sean Bugler (St Oliver Plunkett’s ER), 11. Ciaran Kilkenny (Castleknock), 12. Niall Scully (Templeogue Synge Street)

24. Lorcan O’Dell (Templeogue Synge Street), 20. Cameron McCormack (Ballymun Kickhams), 26. Dean Rock (Ballymun Kickhams) 

Subs

14. Ciaran Archer (St Maurs) for L O’Dell (50)

13. Ryan Basquel (Ballyboden St Enda’s) for C McCormack (50)

15. Ross McGarry (Ballyboden St Enda’s) for N Scully (65)

21. Killian McGinnis (Skerries Harps) for J Small (67)

5. CJ Smith (Lucan Sarsfields) for D Conlon (73)

Referee: Conor Lane (Cork) 

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Tipperary 0-21
Laois 1-14

Steven Miller reports at O’Moore Park

JASON FORDE HELPED himself to 11 points and Mark Kehoe and Jake Morris hit seven between them from play as Tipperary began Colm Bonnar’s reign as manager with a four-point win over Laois in O’Moore Park.

Laois played most of the second half with just 14 men following the sending off of Paddy Purcell but they put up a brave effort before eventually falling short.

The home side were made to rue a host of missed chances when they played with the wind in the opening half, hitting eight wides and missing two decent goal chances.

But Tipp, who have named Ronan Maher as their captain for 2022, were more efficient with their scoring chances even if Jason Forde could only manage a point from a 23rd minute penalty.

Ronan Maher will be the Tipperary Senior Hurling Captain for 2022

— Tipperary GAA (@TipperaryGAA) February 5, 2022

The opening 15 minutes were even enough with Stephen ‘Picky’ Maher landing four points for Laois – including three absolute peaches from play.

Jason Forde was accurate from frees and play for the visitors while Jake Morris and Mark Kehoe also pointed to leave them 0-5 to 0-4 ahead at this point.

Laois then had a great goal chance when Maher played a diagonal ball to Jack Kelly but his low shot was saved by Tipperary keeper Brian Hogan.

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And after that Laois seemed to lose their way in front of goal – finishing the half with eight wides to Tipperary’s four – and a second missed goal chance from Willie Dunphy.

Tipperary pushed on through a brace of Forde frees before they were awarded a penalty in the 23rd minute.

Jake Morris broke through and was fouled but Enda Rowland pulled off a wonderful save to flick Jason Forde’s shot over the bar.

But Tipp weren’t rattled by that miss as Mark Kehoe, Jake Morris and Cathal Barrett all pointed before the break.

Laois did grab late scores through Maher and keeper Rowland to leave it 0-11 to 0-7 at half time.

Tipp raced out of the traps when play resumed with four points in the opening three minutes – two from Forde and one each from Morris and Mark Kehoe.

Laois responded with a brace of Maher frees but any chance they had evaporated in the 45th minute when they were reduced to 14 men.

Paddy Purcell appeared to strike Craig Morgan off the ball but referee Sean Cleere initially sent off Ben Conroy.

Conroy protested his innocence and the referee consulted with the linesman before rescinding his red card and brandishing it to Purcell instead.

Laois, though, would have the deficit back to just three points with 50 minutes on the clock.

A 65 from keeper Enda Rowland dropped short but was misjudged by the Tipperary defence and ended up in the net.

Sub James Keyes added a point and Laois had now recovered to leave it 0-16 to 1-10.

Tipperary came again though and Laois keeper Rowland had to be smart to save from Denis Maher as Jason Forde and Mark Kehoe added points.

James Keyes landed a second from distance though and the score read 0-19 to 1-11 with ten minutes to go.

But Tipp had enough to see it out and finished with four points to spare.

Scorers for Tipperary: Jason Forde 0-11 (six frees, 0-1 pen), Mark Kehoe 0-4, Jake Morris 0-3, Michael Breen 0-2, Cathal Barrett 0-1

Scorers for Laois: Stephen Maher 0-8 (five frees), Enda Rowland 1-3 (1-1 ‘65s, 0-2 frees), James Keyes 0-3

Tipperary: Brian Hogan; Cathal Barrett, James Quigley, Craig Morgan; Dillon Quirke, Seamus Kennedy, Barry Heffernan; Alan Flynn, Michael Breen; Dan McCormack, Jason Forde, Ger Browne; Mark Kehoe, Denis Maher, Jake Morris. Subs: Conor Stakelum for Morris (46), Paul Flynn for Maher (58), Paddy Cadell for Flynn (65), Ronan Maher for Heffernan (67), Seamus Callanan for Kehoe (69)

Laois: Enda Rowland; Frank Flanagan, Sean Downey, Donnchadh Hartnett; Podge Delaney, Liam O’Connell, Ryan Mullaney; Fiachra C-Fennell, Jack Kelly; Paddy Purcell, John Lennon, Ross King; Ben Conroy, Willie Dunphy, Stephen Maher. Subs: James Keyes for Lennon and Jordan Walshe for Dunphy (both 49), Ciaran Comerford for King (53), Padraic Dunne for Flanagan (56), Aidan Corby for Kelly (69)

Referee: Sean Cleere [Kilkenny]

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Naas [Kildare] 0-16
Kilmoyley [Kerry] 1-11

Kevin Egan reports at Croke Park

NAAS GAA CLUB continues to break new ground across both primary sporting codes, as they became the first club from the county to win an All-Ireland club hurling title this evening.

The reigning senior football and hurling champions in the Short Grass County arrived at this evening’s All-Ireland final having won every championship game with something to spare, and when they moved six points clear early in the second half, and with the wind at their back, it looked like a similar tale was unfolding this time around.

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John Meyler’s side were made of sterner stuff however and they came back to within a single point, but couldn’t quite draw level, or get the second goal chance they badly craved through six minutes of stoppage time.

The foundations for Naas’ victory were laid in the first half, when Tom Mullally’s side hurled into the breeze but were far more effective in most sectors of the field, responding to the concession of the first two points to come back and build up an 0-11 to 0-7 interval lead.

Two superb points from Brian Byrne got them up and running, but it was their tenacity and workrate in the tackle at defence and midfield that really discommoded a lively Kilmoyley attack.

Jordan Brick picked off two good points from play but aside from the Kerry star forward on the right wing, Kilmoyley were heavily dependent on frees, where Daniel Collins was in very solid form.

Meanwhile Shane Ryan was very lively in the corner of the Naas attack, while Rian Boran added a well-taken point from distance to an excellent all round performance at midfield.

The first attack of the second half saw James Burke run though on goal from a tight angle, and while in different circumstances he might have gone for goal, instead he chose to whip the sliothar over the bar and keep the scores coming.

Jack Sheridan followed up with a free to push the gap out to six, but a couple of Kilmoyley substitutions sharpened up their attacking unit, while improvement all over the field in terms of tackling and fighting for breaks gradually brought the Kerry club back into the game.

0-14 to 0-8 became 0-14 to 0-11 as the rain poured down on Croke Park, with Paudie O’Connor and Jordan Brick firing over scores that raised the temperature in the famous stadium.

A free from Sheridan, earned for a foul on Kevin Aherne, might have stemmed the tide but instead, with the next attack, substitutes Ronan Walsh and Daire Nolan saw the arm of referee Chris Mooney outstretched to show advantage and they took the chance to go for goal, with Nolan’s low shot flashing inside Cormac Gallagher’s near post.

In a tight finish, Kilmoyley had a couple of chances to level but Daniel Collins failed to hit the target, and in a dramatic six-minute period of added time, the only score came from James Burke, who read a Kilmoyley pass and pounced to intercept and strike a point that forced the Kerry club to forlornly chase a goal in the dying minutes.

Scorers for Naas: Jack Sheridan 0-4f, Brian Byrne 0-3, Shane Ryan 0-3, Rian Boran 0-2, Simon Leacy 0-2, James Burke 0-2.

Scorers for Kilmoyley: Daniel Collins 0-7 (0-5f), Daire Nolan 1-0, Jordan Brick 0-2, Maurice O’Connor 0-1, Paudie O’Connor 0-1.

Naas

Cormac Gallagher;

John McKeon, Richard Hogan, Conor Gormley;

Seán Gainey, Ross Kelly, Kevin Whelan;

Rian Boran, Simon Leacy;

James Burke, Brian Byrne, Kevin Aherne;

Cathal Dowling, Jack Sheridan, Shane Ryan.

Subs: Conan Boran for Kelly (45-48, blood), Conan Boran for McKeon (52), Conor Dowling for Cathal Dowling (55), Kevin Kelleher for Aherne (60+1), Ian Blackburne for Sheridan (60+5)

Kilmoyley

John B O’Halloran

Donal Kennedy, Colman Savage, Flor McCarthy;

Robert Collins, Dougie Fitzell, Thomas Murnane;

Matthew Flaherty, Paudie O’Connor;

Jordan Brick, Daniel Collins, David McCarthy;

Kieran McCarthy, James Godley, Maurice O’Connor.

Subs: Ronan Walsh for K McCarthy (38), Daire Nolan for D McCarthy (45), Seán Maunsell for Godley (60+1), Kieran McCarthy for Walsh (60+2).

Referee: Chris Mooney (Dublin)

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Cork 2-30
Clare 2-21

John Coleman reports from Páirc Uí Chaoimh

A DEVASTATING BLITZ either side of half time saw Cork see off the challenge of Clare in the opening round of the Allianz Hurling League played in Páirc Uí Chaoimh this evening.

Cork hit 1-12 without reply from the twenty-second to the fortieth minute to turn a one goal deficit into an unassailable twelve-point advantage.

David Reidy eventually stopped the rot for the Banner men with his third free but Cork, for whom Ciarán Joyce and Darragh Fitzgibbon starred at midfield, were able to keep their Munster rivals comfortably at bay. They had fourteen scorers throughout, with Shane Kingston and Shane Barrett their biggest hitters up front.

For Clare, Cathal Malone and Mark Rodgers carried the fight as they struck 1-10 between them. Cork hit the thirty -point mark with five to go when Kingston tapped over his ninth point with five left to play to leave his side leading by 1-30 to 1-15. Luke Meade then crashed home Cork’s second major though Clare did finish the stronger.

Diarmuid Ryan, Malone and Rodgers all found their range before Domhnall McMahon struck for their second goal to leave the scoreboard looking more respectable.

Clare played into a significant breeze in the opening half, but they hit the ground running with Cathal Malone making headway at centre-forward and three points from him helped his side lead by 0-5 to 0-4 after ten minutes while his direct opponent, Mark Coleman, had 0-2 for Cork.

Clare continued to cause Cork problems with their movement up front and points from Mark Rodgers, Shane Meehan and Ryan Taylor all contributed to see them leading by 0-9 to 0-8.

Coleman then levelled the sides for the third time before Mark Rodgers cracked home a goal after good work from Meehan.

Then came Cork’s devastating surge. Tim O’Mahony combined with Shane Kingston for the goal, Kingston hit 0-4 himself while Alan Cadogan, Séamus Harnedy, Coleman, Joyce and Fitzgibbon also split the posts.

Clare will welcome Wexford to Ennis next weekend as they seek to get their campaign back on track while Cork travel to Offaly.

Scorers for Cork: Shane Kingston (0-9, 1 ’65, 5fs), Mark Coleman (0-5, 3fs), Darragh Fitzgibbon (0-4), Tim O’Mahony and Luke Meade (1-0 each), Ciarán Joyce and Shane Barrett (0-3 each), Séamus Harnedy (0-2), Robert Downey, Conor Lehane, Alan Cadogan and Pádraig Power (0-1 each)

Scorers for Clare: Mark Rodgers (1-5, 3fs), Cathal Malone (0-5), Domhnall McMahon (1-0), David Reidy (0-3 fs), Diarmuid Ryan, Ryan Taylor and Patrick Crotty (0-2 each), Paddy Donnellan and Shane Meehan (0-1 each).

Cork:
1. Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig)

2Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), 3. Ger Millerick (Fr O’Neill’s), 4. Seán O’Donoghue (Inniscarra)

5. Tim O’Mahony (Netwonshandrum), 6. Mark Coleman (Blarney), 7. Rob Downey (Glen Rovers)

8. Ciarán Joyce (Castlemartyr), 9. Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville)

10. Conor Lehane (Midleton), 11. Séamus Harnedy (St Ita’s), 12. Seán Twomey (Courcey Rovers)

13. Shane Kingston (Douglas), 15. Shane Barrett (Blarney), 14. Alan Cadogan (Douglas).

Subs:
21. Conor Cahalane (St Finbarr’s) for Twomey
24. Jack O’Connor (Sarsfields) for Lehane
26. Pádraig Power (Blarney) for Cadogan
22. Luke Meade (Newcestown) for Harnedy
23. Robbie O’Flynn (Erin’s Own) for Barrett
18. Seán O’Leary Hayes (Midleton) for O’Leary (Temporary, 66 – finish)

Clare

1. Éibhear Quilligan (Feakle)

23. Aaron Fitzgerald (Éire Óg) 3. Conor Cleary (Kilmaley), 4. Paul Flanagan (Ballyea)

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5. Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe), 8. Jack Browne (Ballyea), 2. Rory Hayes (Wolfe Tone’s)

26. Robyn Mounsey (Ruan), 7. David McInerney (Tulla)

15. Aaron Shanagher (Wolfe Tone’s), 10. Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge), 14. Ryan Taylor
(Clooney/Quin)

13. Mark Rodgers (Scariff), 11. David Reidy (Éire Óg), 17. Shane Meehan (Banner).

Subs:
18 Patrick Crotty (Scariff) for Mounsey
20. Domhnall McMahon (Tubber) for Shanagher
22. David Fitzgerald (Inagh/Kilnamona) for Reidy
9. Paddy Donnellan (Broadford) for McInerney

Referee: Johnny Murphy [Limerick]

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TIPPERARY ISSUED A very strong signal of their intent to take their incremental progress to the next level, as they put Down to the sword by 3-16 to 0-3 in their opening Littlewoods Ireland camogie league division 1 tie.

Defending champions Kilkenny also got their season under way successfully but were made to work much harder by Limerick before recording a 1-18 to 1-10 triumph.

Down were extremely competitive at the top tier last year but could never land a blow against a Tipp team that is now firmly entrenched in the top four but is now chasing silverware as a tangible reward for the strides made under Bill Mullaney.

While they are without some experienced and talented operators due to injury – Karen Kennedy and Clodagh Quirke – and other commitments – Orla O’Dwyer playing Aussie rules – Mullaney and his colleagues will have been pleased by the performances of the likes of Casey Hennessy, Claire Hogan and Jenny Grace as they stepped up to the plate.

Hogan and Hennessy rattled the Down net within six minutes, by which stage, they led by 2-2 to 0-0 and it was an uphill climb for the Mournewomen from there.

Ciara Fitzsimons and Aoife Keown pointed for the red and black but when Grace registered Tipp’s third goal at the beginning of the second quarter, there was no way back.

Grace O’Brien, Róisín Howard and Clodagh McIntyre raised white flags and it was 3-9 to 0-2 at the interval.

The intensity dropped considerably after the resumption but Hogan, Ciara Brennan, Ciardha Maher and Cáit Devane did extend the advantage before the final whistle.

Limerick began well in their quest to topple the titleholders and led by a point early on thanks to scores from Caoimhe Lyons and Rebecca Delee. Niamh Deely, Miriam Walsh and Aoife Doyle had responded though when Katie Nolan struck for a 12th-minute goal and that took the wind out of the Shannonsiders’ sails.

The gap continued to extend in the second half but Delee’s goal mid-way through the second half brought them to within six points once more, with a glimmer of hope. Brian Dowling’s black and amber contingent saw it out well though, Walsh and Nolan knocking over points to keep their rivals at bay.

Division 1 Results – Saturday, 5 February

Galway v Offaly, cancelled
Tipperary 3-16 Down 0-03
Kilkenny 1-18 Limerick 1-10

Division 2 Results – Saturday, 5 February

Cork 0-09 Wexford 0-14
Meath 3-08 Derry 3-05
Westmeath 0-04 Waterford 0-14
Kilkenny 3-08 Tipperary 0-07
Galway v Laois, cancelled

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Mooncoin (Kilkenny) 0-22
Ballygiblin (Cork) 1-18

Kevin Egan reports from Croke Park

MOONCOIN’S GREATER OVERALL scoring threat, embodied by two utterly incredible scores from Adam Croke and Martin O’Neill at the end of this incredible and memorable All-Ireland junior club hurling final, proved to be the vital ingredient that edged them over the line against Ballygiblin of Cork this afternoon.

As with any one-point game, there were any number of ‘what if’ and ‘what might have been’ moments over the hour’s action from the perspective of both sides, but when the game was there to be won in the closing stages, Croke and O’Neill fired points that would be worthy of any All-Ireland final, senior or junior.

Croke’s effort, swept over the posts by the 18-year-old, from an incredibly tight angle right on the hour mark, looked like it would settle this contest as it pushed Mooncoin two points clear going into stoppage time.

A Joseph O’Sullivan free, his ninth of the game for Ballygiblin, reduced the gap to the bare minimum again but with the next play, a hard run by Máirtín Gannon down the right wing forced a sideline cut at midfield. With just 30 seconds of the announced three minutes of stoppage time to play, just getting the ball out of play seemed like it was enough, but instead O’Neill stepped up and cut the sideline ball over the bar for a majestic score.

Two pucks later, Darragh Flynn whipped over his fourth point from midfield after collecting the restart, but there was time for no more, as the final whistle sounded and the heartbreak from Mooncoin’s defeat at the same stage of this competition five years ago was fully washed away.

Source: Sport TG4/YouTube

On that occasion Cork opposition, in the form of Mayfield, proved too strong, and when Ballygiblin went in at half-time with a one-point lead after playing into a quite significant breeze, it seemed like the same might be the case again here.

Mooncoin had burst out of the blocks with a fantastic start, moving 0-6 to 0-2 in front after just nine minutes. Two points from John Fitzgerald were followed up by a brace of frees and then scores from O’Neill and Kevin Crowley, as Mooncoin seemed to thrive in what was a hard, physical contest in the middle third.

Gradually however, Ballygiblin worked their way back into the game. Ryan Donegan and Darragh Flynn gave them a foothold at midfield, Seán O’Sullivan dropped into deeper positions to get some possession, and a long range strike into the breeze from Michael Walsh roused the lively Ballygiblin crowd.

Mooncoin continued to create chances but their wides tally mounted, while a wonderful save from Christopher Noonan to deny Croke looked like it could be significant, all the more so when Seán O’Sullivan struck a point and then won a 65, which when converted by Joseph O’Sullivan, made it 0-10 to 0-9 in favour of the Cork club at the break.

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As they had done in the first half however, Mooncoin made the stronger start in the second half, but the difference this time was that they didn’t let up.

Ciarán Quilty, Patrick Walsh and Killian Hogan got the first three points of the game and even after they were rocked by a close range goal from Dean Barry, they settled right back into their rhythm to get the next three scores to lead by 0-15 to 1-10.

Ballygiblin always possessed a scoring threat from distance and when Mark Keane was switched up to full forward to offer a physical and aerial threat close to goal, the former AFL player was able to win frees to keep his side in the game.

Mooncoin always seemed to be able to keep their noses in front however, and when they needed some moments of real magic late on to confirm their win, they had no shortage of heroes to step forward and deliver.

Scorers for Mooncoin: Patrick Walsh 0-7 (0-3f), John Fitzgerald 0-4, Martin O’Neill 0-4 (0-1f, 0-1 65, 0-1 s/l), Killian Hogan 0-3, Adam Croke 0-2, Kevin Crowley 0-1, Ciarán Quilty 0-1.

Scorers for Ballygiblin: Joseph O’Sullivan 0-9 (0-8f, 0-1 65), Darragh Flynn 0-4, Dean Barry 1-0, Seán O’Sullivan, Ryan Donegan 0-1, Michael Walsh 0-1, Colin English 0-1.

BALLYGIBLIN: Christopher Noonan; Brian O’Gorman, Fionn Herlihy, James Mullins; Barry Coffey, Mark Keane, Michael Lewis; Ryan Donegan, Darragh Flynn; Michael Walsh, Colin English, Joseph O’Sullivan; Dean Barry, Seán O’Sullivan, Kieran Duggan.

Subs: Dillon Sheahan for Duggan (47), Aidan Donegan for Barry (57)

MOONCOIN: Eoin Purcell; Aidan Doyle, Cormac Daly, Mark Kearns; Martin O’Neill, Paul Henebry, Jim Delahunty; Máirtín Gannon, Seán Gannon; Ciarán Quilty, John Fitzgerald, Kevin Crowley; Adam Croke, Patrick Walsh, Killian Hogan.

Subs: Seán O’Dwyer for Crowley (40)

Referee: Ciarán Keon (Galway)

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St Jude’s [Dublin] 3-9
Mullinahone [Tipperary] 1-8

Darren Kelly reports in Baltinglass

CAPTAIN AOIFE KEYES scored a crucial goal as St Jude’s were crowned the currentaccount.ie All-Ireland Junior club champions following a seven-point victory over Mullinahone in Baltinglass.

Three first half goals from Caoimhe McGrath, Keyes and Aisling Gannon gave Jeff Kane’s charges a 3-4 to 1-4 half-time lead against the elements, and they kept their opponents at bay afterwards to become the first Dublin club since St Maurs in 2016 to win the title.

But it was the Tipperary outfit who got off to a stunning start with a goal after just 28 seconds. Nicole Shelly and Denise Gaule were involved, with the latter finding Aoibhe O’Shea who finished to the net.

Mullinahone were determined to use wind to their advantage and an excellent point from Catherine Foley put them four clear.

And with the O’Shea sisters causing mayhem, Lorraine set up Aoibhe for two more scores to help Mullinahone into a 1-3 to 0-0 lead on 10 minutes.

But gradually St Jude’s got their running game in gear and the Leinster representatives finally got off the mark in the 13th minute as Hannah Hegarty and Caoimhe McGrath linked before the latter scored the goal.

A free for Ellie Young reduced arrears but when St Jude’s attacked again through Hegarty and Niamh Kerr, Keyes struck the second goal and made it 2-1 to 1-3 at the water break.
Mullinahone were on the back foot and on 20 minutes St Jude’s made them pay again with Kerr and Young assisting Aisling Gannon for goal number three.

Kerr and Young added points before Lorraine O’Shea ended a 17-minute drought for Mullinahone leaving them 3-3 to 1-4 in arrears before Young got the final score of the half.

A yellow card for Lisa Morris reduced St Jude’s to 14 players after the restart but they held par with Mullinahone during the next ten minutes. Hegarty and Young converted against two Lorraine O’Shea scores for Mullinahone.

St Jude’s applied pressure to the opposing kick outs and reaped the benefits as Claire Gannon and Young made it 3-8 to 1-6.

While the O’Sheas added to their respective tallies, Mullinahone needed a goal that didn’t come. Emma Cody was closed out for one chance while Lorraine O’Shea missed with two efforts.

Young completed St Judes’ tally with her sixth point of the afternoon and they clinched a first ever All-Ireland for the club.

Scorers for St Judes: E Young 0-6 (4f), A Keyes 1-0, A Gannon 1-0, C McGrath 1-0, C Gannon 0-1, H Hegarty 0-1, N Kerr 0-1.

Scorers for Mullinahone: A O’Shea 1-3, L O’Shea 0-4 (1f), C Foley 0-1.

St Jude’s: A McAuliffe; L Doherty, E Browne, L Butler; C McGrath, A Walsh, C Devlin; H Hegarty, N Kerr; A Gannon, E Young, C Nicoletti; L Morris, A Keyes, C Gannon.

Subs: N Murphy for Butler (37), H Begley for Morris (43), L Martina for Keyes (50), R Connolly for Devlin (56), A Darcy for Doherty (58).

Mullinahone: A Browning; E Horan, G Horan, A O’Brien; E Cody, M Walsh, J Brett; N Shelly, D Gaule; C Gunn, M Kenneally, C Foley; L O’Shea, A O’Shea, C Egan.

Subs: M Gillman for Egan (30), A Fennelly for Foley (59).

Referee: Barry Redmond (Wexford).

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NAAS CBS HAVE clinched their third Leinster senior A football colleges crown after narrowly defeating Maynooth SLS in an all-Kildare final at St Conleth’s Park in Newbridge.

Maynooth, who were competing in the final for the first time, struck for a goal after just four minutes to help them into a 1-1 to 0-1 lead. But it was Naas who squeezed over the line with a 0-14 to 2-7 victory.

Luke Jennings provided that early goal for Maynooth, while Jack Murnane grabbed their second goal late in the second half to push Naas all the way to the final whistle.

But Naas recovered from that Jennings effort as Niall Dolan grabbed a point to send his side into the half-time break with a 0-7 to 1-3 lead.

Nass continued to control proceedings in the second half, and were four points in front after 47 minutes.

Maynooth’s Sean Hever responded with two points to help reduce the gap again, but Naas were four clear before that second Maynooth goal from Murnan to set up a tense final few minutes.

Dolan and David MacPartlin both helped themselves to three points each throughout the tie as Naas secured the Br Bosco Cup which they previously won in 2018 and 2019.

They also reached the final in 2020.

Well done lads 👏👏👏Leinster PPS Br. Bosco Cup FINAL
Full Time

Naas CBS: 0-14(14)
Maynooth SLS: 2-7(13)

Congratulations to Naas CBS Leinster Schools champions 2022 @NaasGAA_SF @NaasJuvfootball @CBSNaas pic.twitter.com/iB4YpNld7R

— Naas GAA Club (@NaasGAA) February 5, 2022

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DERVLA HIGGINS HAS had a few swerve balls thrown her way in her bid to establish herself as a Galway player and while nothing is certain in an environment that emphasises equality of opportunity regardless of reputation, the Athenry defender is now one of the premier corner-backs in the land and a front runner for an All-Star when the awards are announced next month.

So Higgins celebrated her 25th birthday yesterday in a good place. She has identified a pathway for adding to her physiotherapy qualifications, while her club is in the process of creating history to be the first to develop its own camogie facility. She has climbed camogie’s Everest and maintains an appetite to do it again and again.

All of that ties into the personal equilibrium. When Galway next trot out onto the Gort pitch – today’s meeting with Offaly has been postponed –  they will do so with a new jersey, courtesy of a ground-breaking five-year quarter-of-a-million-euro sponsorship deal with Westwood Global.

It represents a commitment to the development of camogie in Galway from the academies upwards, ensuring high performance sports services are available to give young hopefuls the best chance of reaching their potential, to raise the bar even further. But there is a human element to it as well.

“It’s huge and there is a lot of publicity around it at the minute,” notes Higgins.

“It’s all the way from U14 up until the senior squads, every single age-group that benefit from the deal. It’s going to be big for all players. It’s definitely a step in the right direction for female sport. It’s a benchmark, a starting point.”

The aforementioned new kit is an eye-catching one, complete with the LGBTQ+ rainbow colours representing inclusiveness. It follows in the footsteps of UL GAA, who incorporated the colours in their jersey last year and Galway’s camogs have now brought it to the inter-county sphere.

It has a real personal meaning for Higgins, though she reports that she did not suffer any negativity surrounding her sexuality. She recognises that so many have had different experiences, however. Providing exemplars and removing any hint of ‘difference’ about not being heterosexual is imperative.

“It’s a powerful statement. It shows the Gaelic games family is a place of diversity and inclusion now. I think it’s very important for the youth as well… I’m sure it’s going to help a lot of kids at home who might be looking up to role models; if they are struggling it might make it easier for them to deal with it.

“Myself, I actually have a girlfriend for the last five years. So it’s something that I am very proud of to have on the sleeve of the jersey. I think it’s a huge step in the right direction.

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“I was very lucky, I had a very good experience. It would have been while in college in Athlone. I came to terms with it, coming out to family and friends and stuff like that. And obviously I was involved with the Galway set-up at the time as well. And everyone, management, players and backroom people were very accepting of it. They never treated me any different.

“So I do think it is such a powerful statement. I know the Galway management and the county board along with our sponsors, it was their idea. It’s a statement of their behalf as well, to show the type of team and county we are. We are inclusive of everything and everyone.”

A general view of the new Galway jersey.

Source: Sam Barnes/SPORTSFILE

Higgins is looking forward to getting back to competitive fare now, though it has been a little different this year with clubmate Noreen Coen having stepped away after a decade in maroon.

Coen was a familiar face when she joined the senior set-up first but now it is her turn to fill the mentoring role as the Rabbitte sisters – daughters of former hurling All-Ireland winner Joe – Sabina and Olwen come into the fold. Mind you, she has a bit to go yet to accumulate the bank of knowledge of another clubmate, the legendary Therese Maher, who has been a key part of the management in recent years.

All the other big names have returned, with Murray cleverly having issued the challenge within minutes of winning the All-Ireland. He said it publicly in the post-match press conference but by then, he had already put it to the players. To be a great team, you had to do two-in-a-row.

“I actually remember clear as day in the dressing room afterwards, we had a few celebrations and the cheers and stuff but it was definitely something he mentioned on that day and I have heard him mention it quite a few times since then. And I think it just goes to show the determination that he’s put amongst us as players in the camp.

“And new year this year, it’s put behind us and we have a new target put in place. It’s good to ground yourself again. In order to succeed it’s important to focus on the new task at hand.”

Higgins had been flip-flopping between the intermediate and senior squads since 2015. After impressing as Galway got to the All-Ireland intermediate final four years later, she was ready to push on but the sliotar refused to bounce for her.

“I got a good bit of gametime but I fell ill with the Covid during the championship so that kind of wiped me out of it completely… I was out for the two weeks so obviously wasn’t doing any training. I have a set-up here in the house alright with a small gym so I was able to do a bit of that.

“But I will never forget the first evening going back training, we were in Dangan, and I was just doing the warm-up, the first 15-20 minutes where we do the dynamic stretches and sprints and stuff. I just had to put my hand up, my lungs were just gone. I was chasing my tail for the rest of the 2020 campaign trying to get my fitness back up.”

Heather Cooney’s cruciate knee ligament injury left a vacancy and Higgins capitalised on the opportunity. This is the importance of the Littlewoods Ireland Leagues. There will be chances but, in this team, if you get the jersey, you can make it yours. Which is why Higgins knows nothing can be taken for granted.

“Last year when I got back in fit at the start of the year there was only one thing on my mind, poor aul Cathal Murray knew that as well. Last year would have been the first year I got myself out there and established and got my spot on the team. This year, I am just hoping to try and hold onto it as much as I can.”

Competition is fierce with Cooney champing at the bit having returned to fitness and the Sarsfields contingent have to return yet too. But Higgins doesn’t fear that. She knows about ups and downs.

Higgins lifting the O’Duffy Cup.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

It was a shock to be sent off in the All-Ireland semi-final defeat of Tipperary last year, and not having any clue why. She stressed initially that it would cost her side the result and then for a little while after, that she would miss the decider, but referee Ray Kelly was quick to put her out of her misery and report that a mistake had been made.

“To be honest, it was a complete whirlwind. When it was happening, my head was up in the clouds, I didn’t know what was going on. You were doubting yourself straight away. Did I do something or did something happen that I wasn’t aware of?

“I wasn’t long off the pitch, Murray had a glance at me and I was chatting to one or two of the girls; they seen everything that happened. They reassured me that, ‘you are actually fine, it wasn’t you’. It was the night of the next day that it came around, the statement was put in by the referee and stuff that it was just a genuine mistake.

“It didn’t carry on for too long. It was all forgotten about, head down then for the All-Ireland final. Thank God, it could have been a completely different story altogether and that would have been shocking but I got over it.”

And how. She played her part too in publicising Athenry’s fundraising initiative that yielded around €700,000, which will see two natural pitches, a full Astro-turf pitch with floodlights, clubhouse with dressing rooms and a centre for the community.

“They are putting a 1.5k floodlit walkway around the pitches as well with a particular emphasis for those with special needs. It’s going to promote female sports as well. If people know the facilities are there they might come down and watch the match and do a bit of exercise as well. It’s a community base but we need it. We have over 450 members. It’s something we struggle with every year trying to get pitches and training slots.”

The focus is back on Galway now though, in a competition the Tribeswomen won in 2019 and reached the final of last year.

“Cathal Murray said that since day one. If you are performing in training and you are putting the work in, he always gives every player equal opportunity to put your hand up in league games. That is why we do so well in the League as well I suppose. We are so competitive amongst ourselves to get on the team for the Championship.”

Higgins is the living embodiment of that philosophy and of the benefit of a healthy, inclusive environment enabling individuals to blossom.

Good news for Galway, bad news for opposition forwards.

Kilkenny celebrate their league success in 2021.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

1. Kilkenny’s hopes to retain crown

Following the conclusion of last year’s Division 1 final, Kilkenny looked set to complete a clean sweep and end the year as All-Ireland champions.

As the reigning holders of the O’Duffy Cup, they had just staged an impressive second-half display to defeat Galway and get their 2021 season off to an ideal start. That was the Cats’ second successive victory over the women from the west after narrowly edging out a tense battle in the 2020 All-Ireland final.

The win was all the more impressive given how they had absorbed a relentless sequence of Galway attacks in the first period. Brian Dowling’s side were being out-paced and out-fought.

But despite Galway’s dominance, there was still just three points between the sides at the break. And Kilkenny made better use of the half-time breather and came out roaring on the restart.

The 2021 championship didn’t go to plan for Kilkenny as they fell short against Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final, but retaining their grip on the National League will be a key element of their 2022 reboot.

Kilkenny will face Limerick in their Group 2 opener later today and will have a mouth-watering clash with Cork to gear up for next month.

2. Galway’s winning run

From being thought of as a distant third in the camogie rankings to capturing two All-Ireland titles in three years, Galway are now the dominant side in the sport.

They wilted in the second half of last year’s league final, but soared to new heights with a complete performance in the All-Ireland decider.

Cathal Murray’s side now find themselves in the same position as the 2021 Kilkenny team, and the key question is whether they can go one better and sustain their winning run through this year’s league and championship?

Galway have been drawn in Group 1 for this year’s league, and have managed to avoid the other Big Two in Kilkenny and Cork.

Their Round 1 tie against Offaly this weekend has been postponed. However, they do have some big ties to face against Dublin and Down later this month before taking on Tipperary in March.

Cork’s Pamela Mackey after last year’s All-Ireland final defeat to Galway.

Source: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

3. Cork’s wait for silverware

In most cases, four years would not be considered a long time to wait. But given Cork’s pedigree in camogie, they would probably class it as a famine.

They’re the leading county on the All-Ireland championship roll of honour, with 28 titles tucked away in their locker. Their most recent O’Duffy Cup triumph was in 2018 when they emerged as back-to-back winners.

You have to go back to 2013 to find their last National League title, a two-point win over Wexford. They’ve reached the Division 1 final three times since then but all attempts ended in defeat.

They’re still showing enough quality to reach finals, including last year’s All-Ireland decider, but a team of this calibre needs to put some silverware back on the board.

There’s been some changes in the Cork camp which will make their 2022 season all the more intriguing to watch. Matthew Twomey took over from Paudie Murray as manager last year, and has drafted in the services of Davy Fitzgerald as part of the backroom team.

Twomey takes up his new role having previously worked in the Cork backroom team and is a highly-rated coach.

Round 1 Division 1 Fixtures – 5/6 February

Group 1

Saturday, 5 February: Galway v Offaly, Gort – Postponed

Saturday, 5 February: Tipperary v Down, The Ragg, Throw-in, 2pm

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Group 2

Saturday, 5 February: Kilkenny v Limerick, John Lockes Callan, 2pm

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