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.”

THE RETURN OF inter-county hurling action and some big football games dominate this week’s GAA TV coverage. 

RTÉ’s live game next Saturday sees Kerry and Dublin face off in Tralee while BBC Northern Ireland are live-streaming the clash of Down and Galway.

TG4′s GAA BEO coverage on Sunday features the hurlers of Limerick, Wexford, Dublin and Waterford, with the football meeting of Tyrone and Armagh deferred.

It’s also a huge weekend on the club front with four All-Ireland finals in the junior and intermediate grades, across Saturday and Sunday in Croke Park. All four games are live on the Spórt TG4 YouTube channel.

Here’s the full list of what’s in store in the GAA coverage:

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Saturday

• 3pm: Spórt TG4 YouTube – Ballygiblin (Cork) v Mooncoin (Kilkenny) – All-Ireland JHC club final.

• 5pm: Spórt TG4 YouTube – Kilmoyley (Kerry) v Naas (Kildare) – All-Ireland IHC club final.

• 5pm: BBC NI Sport – Down v Galway – Division 2 football league.

• 7pm: RTÉ 2 – Kerry v Dublin – Division 1 football league.

Sunday

• 1.30pm: Spórt TG4 YouTube – Gneeveguilla (Kerry) v Kilmeena (Mayo) – All-Ireland JFC club final.

• 1.45pm: TG4 – Wexford v Limerick – Division 1 hurling league.

• 3.30pm: Spórt TG4 YouTube – Trim (Meath) v Steelstown Brian Ógs – All-Ireland IFC club final.

• 3.45pm: TG4 – Dublin v Waterford – Division 1 hurling league.

• 5.30pm: TG4 (Deferred) – Armagh v Tyrone – Division 1 football league.

• 9.30pm: RTÉ 2 – Allianz League Sunday Highlights.

Kilkerrin-Clonberne players celebrate at the final whistle.

Source: Lorraine O’Sullivan/INPHO

THE EMOTION ON show at the final whistle said it all; St Brendan’s Park erupting as Kilkerrin-Clonberne were crowned All-Ireland senior club champions for the first time.

Amidst the madness and the heartwarming celebratory scenes, one moment stood out.

Willie Ward and his daughter, Louise, shared a warm embrace, as manager and captain were reunited after the 1-11 to 1-7 win over back-to-back champions Mourneabbey.

Ward’s other daughter, Nicola, also played a central role.

Seaimpíní na hÉireann!! @KClgfa @LadiesFootball |#currentaccount |#LGFAClub pic.twitter.com/UXmeVdg6kH

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 29, 2022

This was a deserved victory for the long-time Galway and Connacht champions, Ward noting afterwards that once his side were able to negotiate the Mourneabbey challenge early, they were well on their way to a maiden crown.

Having suffered late heartbreak in the 2019 final meeting of the sides, Kilkerrin-Clonberne made amends this time around with Chloe Miskell’s goal and 0-5 from Player of the Match Olivia Divilly key at the finish.

“It’s absolutely brilliant, it’s amazing for the whole parish that’s here today, everyone came out to support us,” Willie Ward beamed afterwards.

“The confidence of the team grew towards the end. They were quite comfortable keeping the ball, comfortable on the ball. We knew exactly what we needed to do.

“You’d expect us to be nervous. We were all a bit tense. We were relaxed enough last night and they arrived this morning in good form but the initial few minutes of the game was going to be a bit edgy.

“I knew we were beginning to settle into it and I felt that nerves weren’t going to be a factor after we got five minutes over.”

Divilly also gave a brilliant interview to TG4 afterwards:

Laoch na hImeartha 🥳 Olivia Divilly@LadiesFootball |#currentaccount | #LGFAClub pic.twitter.com/nZDvXUjHW1

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 29, 2022

A special moment for Annette Clarke, one of our longest serving players, as she finally got her hands on the Dolores Tyrrell Memorial Cup this afternoon.

This sweet victory comes nearly 18 years after Annette captained Galway to the All-Ireland Ladies SFC title back in 2004. pic.twitter.com/SNJhfiHARr

— KilkerrinClonbernelgfa (@KClgfa) January 30, 2022

It was a difficult day for Mourneabbey as their three-in-a-row dream came crashing down.

While magnanimous in defeat, manager Shane Ronayne admitted afterwards that the Cork and Munster heavyweights never really got going in Birr. The fact that it took the Clyda outfit 50 minutes to score from play tells a story in itself.

“They’re heartbroken, very disappointed in themselves,” Ronayne, who is also the new Rebels’ boss, said.

“They didn’t perform and that’s not any way disrespectful to Kilkerrin-Clonberne, they had a great game plan, they executed it, we didn’t execute what we were meant to do.

“And we didn’t score from play until the ninth minute from the end. I didn’t realise that until someone pointed it out to me. That’s not us.

“We missed a chance in the first minute, if that goes over the bar, maybe it changes the momentum of the game.”

– Additional reporting by Darren Kelly for the LGFA.

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Updated Jan 31st 2022, 8:30 AM

1. Kerry’s midfield options

No David Moran. No Jack Barry. No Diarmuid O’Connor.

Kerry took to the field in Newbridge yesterday minus three leading figures around the middle from their last meaningful encounter, that late August loss to Tyrone. Injuries and club commitments ruled out that trio, the returning Stefan Okunbor from the AFL may be a future option but badly damaged his shoulder while playing for Na Gaeil on Saturday.

It left Kerry fielding Adrian Spillane and Sean O’Shea as their midfield combo, who competed well in the opening period but struggled to stifle the influence of Kevin Feely thereafter, the Athy man brought on to telling effect by Kildare at half-time. Kerry missed O’Shea pulling the strings in attack and Na Gaeil’s All-Ireland exit may pave the way for a swift return for their crew.

“Kevin is one of the best fielders in the country, I’m well aware of that,” said Jack O’Connor.

“We don’t really have any of our first choice midfielders available up to now. The boys are doing a decent job there, Seanie and Adrian, but hopefully for the game next week we’ll have a couple of Na Gaeil boys back.”

Kerry boss Jack O’Connor.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

2. A new era in Kildare

The presence of icons from the county’s football history has spiked interest in Kildare’s fortunes. Glenn Ryan is the head of the team, flanked by Anthony Rainbow, Dermot Earley and Johnny Doyle in steering them through 2022. That contributed to a healthy crowd yesterday, which prompted a 15-minute delay for throw-in, the return to a feeling of post-Covid normality must also have drawn fans to St Conleth’s Park.

For all the hype about those on the sideline, Ryan wants the focus to remain on the pitch.

“Well obviously it’s a special day for me, it’s a special day I hope for the players. It’s all about the players. If I hope for one thing during this league it’s that the focus becomes about the players and not on the fellas on the sideline because they’re the ones doing all the work and they’re the people who are going to deliver anything here.”

3. Jack’s return to Newbridge

Glenn Ryan was not the only manager attracting attention. Jack O’Connor’s third coming as Kerry boss creates a natural profile, the fact that he was in the Kildare hotseat last season added extra spice to the mix. If there was a layer of drama to the change in his managerial career, O’Connor was keen to be deferential to the hosts.

“This was always going to be a tricky game for me. A lot of good memories up here. still very friendly with a lot of the boys and the backroom staff here. I gave it absolutely everything when I was up here in Kildare for two years. I enjoyed it, no regrets but it wasn’t sustainable to keep it going.

“This was a huge game for Kildare. They were never going to be an easy nut to crack. Glenn Ryan is a legend up here and they were all going to row in behind them. They’ve an awful lot of work done and that could be seen near the end.”

Jack O’Connor shakes hands with Glenn Ryan after the game.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

4. Kildare’s attacking coach

There were some decent aspects to Kildare’s forward display. Jimmy Hyland posted 0-6, including the pressure kick to level the game. Daniel Flynn didn’t score but his fingerprints were all over Kildare’s most eye-catching attacks. Paddy Woodgate adds another scoring touch to their attack.

There is clearly scope for improvement, only scoring one point from their first five shots in the second half, and the principal area of recent interest in their attacking fortunes  was the addition of Paul Galvin to their ranks.

“There’s plenty of emphasis in our games that’s taken people’s focus away from the simple, basic things, they’re the skills,” said Ryan.

“We always try to work on the skills but maybe with Paul there we might be able to focus a bit more on them. Looking at it today, there’s plenty of work to be done.”

5. Dublin test in Tralee

Kerry’s second-half performance didn’t sit well with Jack O’Connor. He identified problematic areas in the scores they left behind in the first half, a hamstring problem robbing them of Gavin White’s probing runs and a lack of movement up front in the second half, all in a January environment that was always likely to prove testing.

The upcoming challenges don’t get easier. They have home advantage next Saturday but face a Dublin team left smarting from Saturday night’s loss to Armagh.

“Both teams will be looking to improve but I think it just shows the pre-season tournaments are grand for getting a bit of fitness but this was the real world, those games are exhibition games,” said O’Connor.

“It was always going to be a big game with Dublin coming to town. We have a bit of work to do obviously.

“They (Dublin) had 14 or 15 wides which is very uncharacteristic. In fairness to Armagh, they are moving very well. They look like they’ve a lot of work done.

“Dublin are missing a good share of players. When they get those back, they’ll be a different proposition.”

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Tyrone 0-9
Monaghan 0-9

Declan Bogue reports from Healy Park

ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONS Tyrone just about clung on with their 14 men in the final stages of this strange and wildly entertaining opening league game in an Omagh blizzard.

In a game packed with incident, the final play came down to a 50 metre free when Darragh Canavan was adjudged to have picked the ball off the ground. Meat and drink to Rory Beggan? He played it short to full-back Conor Boyle instead and his shot dropped short of the Tyrone goal. Game over.

This league might feel like an important one, but there was enough experimentation going on around the field to keep the musos occupied. Monaghan set Dessie Ward on  Conor Meyler, creating a different dynamic than in the Ulster final and Conor McManus was held until the 56^th minute.

While Tyrone went in at the break 0-6 to 0-4 up, Monaghan could have been well ahead such were the amount of chances they passed up on, including a first minute routine free from the otherwise busy and impressive Micheal Bannigan in the first minute, and goal chances for Kieran Duffy and Gary Mohan.

Tyrone were trying out debutants Nathan Donnelly and Conor Shields, two nifty, tidy footballers indeed. But this was a day for big, ignorant strapping lads as all the petty resentments built up on a vintage day for winding up and sledging.

Scorers for Tyrone: N Sludden (0-2), C McShane (0-2f), D McCurry (0-1f), N Donnelly, P Harte, L Rafferty (0-1 each), N Morgan (0-1f)

Scorers for Monaghan: R Beggan (0-3, 0-2f), K Duffy, R McAnespie, C McCarthy, S Carey, C McManus (0-1 each), M Bannigan (0-1f) 

TYRONE: N Morgan; M McKernan, P Hampsey, L Rafferty; C Meyler, F Burns, P Harte; C Kilpatrick, N Donnelly; K McGeary, R Donnelly, N Sludden; D McCurry, C Shields, C McShane

Subs: D Canavan for Shields (47m), B Kennedy for R Donnelly (47m), M Donnelly for McCurry (61m), P Donaghy for McShane (67m) 

MONAGHAN: R Beggan; G Mohan, C Boyle, R Wylie; K Duffy, D Ward, R McAnespie; D Hughes, N Kearns; C McCarthy, M Bannigan, S Carey; A Mulligan, J McCarron, A Woods

Subs: K Lavelle for Kearns (HT), K O’Connell for Mulligan (46m), D Garland for McCarron, C McManus for Mohan (both 56m) 

Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan)

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GARY WALSH GRABBED two goals for Laois in their 3-9 to 1-10 win against Mickey Harte’s Louth in Division 3. 

Bouncing back from their O’Byrne Cup loss to Dublin, Billy Sheehan’s men hit goals at the start of the second-half through Walsh and Sean O’Flynn to set them on their way. A two-point half-time lead was transformed into an 3-7 to 0-8 advantage after their unanswered 2-3.

Westmeath also enjoyed a good start to the third tier by seeing off Wicklow by 1-16 to 2-8 in TEG Cusack Park. 

First-half goals from Darragh Fitzgerald and Eoin Darcy propelled the Garden County three points in front at the interval but a goal from Sam McCartan and seven points from John Heslin saw Westmeath over the line. 

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In Division 4, there were wins for Cavan and Sligo, while Waterford and Tipperary played out a 0-10 apiece draw. 

The Breffni men saw off Andy Moran’s Leitrim by 0-12 to 0-8, and Sligo were 0-12 to 0-10 winners over Wexford. 

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Roscommon 1-13
Cork 0-10

Kevin Egan reports from Dr Hyde Park

A DOMINANT DISPLAY by the Smith brothers along the spine of the attack gave Roscommon a measure of leadership and penetration that was sorely lacking from their Cork opponents this afternoon in the Hyde, as the Rossies cruised to a victory that was far more comfortable than the six-point winning margin would suggest.

Roscommon’s Enda Smith and Cork’s Brian Hurley.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

Enda and Donie combined to score 1-9 between them, with their Boyle club colleague Cian McKeon firing over three of the other four, but they were also representative of Roscommon’s control of all the key battles along the spine of the field.

Brian Stack never allowed Brian Hurley any penetration close to goal, Ultan Harney and Eddie Nolan offered a physical element to the midfield battle that Cork couldn’t match, and by the 65 th minute, Keith Ricken had used four substitutions – three of them to withdraw players that started at midfield, centre back and centre forward.

Cork could look back at their final tally of nine second-half wides and say that things could have been very different had they used the wind much better, but Roscommon’s control of the tackle and the turnover county meant that in many cases, Cork were reduced to taking pot shots from distance to try and bypass the Connacht county’s defence.

The inexperience and immaturity of this Rebel group will be cited but there were young players in action for Roscommon too, with Eoin McCormack, Richard Hughes and Cian McKeon all particularly impressive – albeit their job was made much easier by the performance of the established players around them.

Cork’s Colm O’Callaghan and Roscommon’s Colm Lavin.

The breeze appeared to freshen at half-time, which opened the window of opportunity ever so slightly, and when Tadhg Corkery dispossessed a Roscommon player to set up a score for Mark Cronin in the first minute, it seemed like the script might be flipped on its head ever so slightly.

Brian Hurley added the next to reduce the gap to five, but Cork were already adding to their wides tally at a ferociously quick rate, as their inability to break the tackle meant that they went for scores from some very difficult distances and angles. Hurley’s score – a free from 55 metres – demonstrated that the ‘scoring zone’ for the men in red was large, but far too many shots were taken and missed from that type of distance.

In the space of 20 minutes of play, just two points were added – both frees from Donie Smith – and all hopes of a Cork comeback were well and truly extinguished.

Roscommon’s Donie Smith and Cork’s Mark Cronin.

Scorers for Roscommon: Donie Smith 0-7 (0-5f), Enda Smith 1-2, Cian McKeon 0-3 (0-2f), Niall Kilroy (0-1).

Scorers for Cork: Brian Hurley 0-6 (0-4f, 0-1 ‘45), David Buckley, Matthew Taylor, John O’Rourke, Mark Cronin (0-1 each).

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), 12. Diarmuid McGann (Strokestown),

20. Cathal Heneghan (Michael Glaveys), 14. Donie Smith (Boyle), 13. Cian McKeon (Boyle).

Subs

22. Ben O’Carroll (St. Brigid’s) for Heneghan (h-t)

18. Ciarán Lawless (Oran) for Ruane (50),

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23. Shane Cunnane (St. Brigid’s) for McGuane (57)

21. Ciarán Sugrue (St. Brigid’s) for Harney (64),

17. Colin Walsh (Oran) for Lennon (67)

Cork

1. Michéal Martin (Nemo Rangers)

4. Tadhg Corkery (Cill na Martra) 17. Kevin Flahive (Douglas) 2. Sean Powter (Douglas)

5. Cian Kiely (Ballincollig), 6. John Cooper (Éire Óg), 7. Matthew Taylor (Mallow)

8. Joe Grimes, 20. Rory Maguire (Castlehaven)

12. David Buckley (Newcestown), 22. John O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers), 9. Colm O’Callaghan (Éire Óg)

13. Mark Cronin (Nemo Rangers), 14. Brian Hurley (Castlehaven), 15. Daniel Dineen (Cill na Martra)

Subs

23. Eoghan McSweeney (Knocknagree) for Grimes (27)

25. Kevin O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers) for Cooper (half-time)

26. Chris Óg Jones (Iveleary) for Buckley (48)

19. Paul Ring (Aghabullogue) for O’Rourke (64)

24. Mark Buckley (Dohenys) for Cronin (66)

Referee: Seamus Mulhare (Laois)

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