
Joe Brolly's entertaining accumulator story does not add up
Accumulator timeline doesn't add up!
Joe Brolly's column on how he and a friend lost out on a bet was entertaining as always, although the timeline seems off.
This accumulator included Louth under-20s, Kerry and Down in the football and Tipperary hurlers, who all won, so it came down to two remaining games for, he hinted, a large return.
'Then, it was the big one: Limerick v Cork…,' Brolly wrote.
'By half-time it was 2-18 to 0-9, the Cork lads were asking for their mammy and we were feeling on top of the world.'
READ MORE
'It was then,' he added, 'I decided to tune into Midwest Radio, just to bask in the inevitability of our triumph.'
Joe 'sat there, listening sorrowfully, as it went from Cavan four up, to five, to six, to seven.'
The puzzling part is that Cavan and Mayo had thrown in at 2.30pm and the hurling didn't start till 4pm.
Confusion reigned across the board. With Limerick 1-2 to 0-0 ahead (4.02pm) and seemingly unaware Cavan were cruising with a few minutes left, Brolly's co-bettor texted him, 'home and hosed', with accompanying champagne and confetti emoji. A baffling oversight for a duo who 'agonise over wager like two great chess champions pondering their next move'!
By half-time in the hurling, when Joe switched to the Midwest commentary from Castlebar and listened as Cavan pulled clear, the football had actually been over for almost half an hour, the accumulator long sank.
Clean sheets a major priority for Donegal
GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 1, Ballybofey, Donegal 24/5/2025 Donegal vs Tyrone Donegal manager Jim McGuinness Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/John McVitty
It felt almost shocking to see Tyrone rattle the Donegal net twice in the first half on Saturday evening; conceding goals in championship is most unDonegal-like behaviour on Jim McGuinness's watch.
Before Saturday, the Glenties man had managed his county in 36 senior championship matches, with his side keeping 26 clean sheets in that time, for a strike-rate of 72 per cent. On only three previous occasions has a team scored more than one major against McGuinness's Donegal (Mayo in 2013 scored four, Cork grabbed three last year and Kerry bagged two in the 2014 All-Ireland final).
For context, Jim Gavin oversaw 12 more matches in charge of the Dubs from 2013-19 but enjoyed just one more defensive shut-out (27 clean sheets in 48 games, equalling 56 per cent).
Maybe McGuinness's understandable focus on not conceding goals was forged during his own playing career at senior level, when Donegal's habit of leaking majors cost them numerous big matches including Ulster Championship exits against Down in 1996 (1-9 to 0-11), Derry in 1998 (1-7 to 0-8), Armagh in '99 (2-11 to 0-12) and Fermanagh in 2000 and 2001 (1-12 to 0-13 and 1-9 to 0-11).
Managers take bite at Big Apple
Before a ball was pucked in the Lory Meagher, the Schemozzle reported on the disquiet among the hurling fraternity in the bottom tier at New York's inclusion. A stacked team including former Galway star Johnny Glynn, who is looking to complete the Liam MacCarthy-Lory Meagher double, entered the competition at the semi-final stage on Saturday and were priced at 1/100 to beat Monaghan.
They duly obliged, leading by 18 points with 15 minutes remaining before winning by 13. Monaghan had played five matches to reach that point and their manager, Arthur Hughes, was not happy before the game, branding New York's inclusion 'an absolute disgrace'.
In the final, New York will take on Cavan.
'It's not the New York players' fault, it's certainly not their manager's fault that they're in it, it's an absolute disgrace that they're in it, it's an absolute disgrace the way the GAA handled it,' said Cavan manager Ollie Bellew.
Quote
'He's just a great man altogether isn't he?'
Co-commentator Aaron Kernan on GAA+ after Michael Murphy sent over his second two-pointer against Tyrone.
Royals rain supreme
GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 1, Pairc Tailteann, Navan, Meath 24/5/2025 Meath vs Cork Cork's Éanna O'Hanlon looks on as the wet weather conditions set in during the game Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ben Brady
A big story from Páirc Tailteann was the biblical rain which, according to RTÉ radio commentator Martin Kiely, prompted some supporters to stream out (pun intended) even though it was still a one-point game.
'The rain is certainly pouring down now and God help the poor souls on the far side of the field that haven't got a brolly – and I'd say 80 per cent of them don't have,' noted Kiely, whose commentary was superb, at one stage.
'The water is coming in through the sheeting here, the Taoíseach is here, he might see about a grant for them,' Kiely joked.
'It feels like we're maybe in Old Trafford with the leaky roof!' chipped in co-comm Kyle Coney. There is a pun about Coney Island in there somewhere but we won't inflict it on you ...
Number: 20,000
Free tickets the Leinster Council are giving out for underage teams to attend the Leinster and Joe McDonagh Cup finals.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Irish Times
an hour ago
- Irish Times
Leaving Cert Irish paper two: Sighs of relief as predicted topics make for approachable exam
Well-chosen questions and the appearance of predicted topics on the higher level Irish paper two made for an accessible exam, teachers have said. 'The paper would no doubt have been well-received by the students,' said Stephen Doyle, subject expert and an Irish teacher at Moyle Park College in Dublin. 'The two reading comprehensions were well chosen – the first text focused on Rory Gallagher and music while the second passage about sport in Ireland was very relevant and easy to relate to,' Mr Doyle said. 'Both were very manageable. The grammar threw up no surprises while the 6B questions were a bit more specific than in previous years.' READ MORE Danielle O'Connell, an Irish teacher with , said that 6B posed the biggest challenge in an otherwise mostly accessible, manageable and fair paper. 'Section 6A followed a familiar pattern, with the grammar components proving predictable and well within students' expectations,' she said. 'However, Section 6B presented a more complex challenge, echoing a trend seen in recent years. Candidates were asked to respond to the prompt: 'Tabhair dhá phointe eolais, i d'fIocail féin, as an sliocht a léiríonn fírinne an ráitis sin' (Give two points of information, in your own words, from the passage that show the truth of this statement), which may have required additional interpretation.' In the prose section, students were relieved to see the long-awaited Hurlamaboc appear. 'Students were expecting it last year but it didn't appear; thankfully this year it did,' said Mr Doyle. 'Students had an option between Hurlamaboc and Oisín I dTír na nÓg with the questions being very straightforward with no surprises.' Nuala Úi Cheallaigh, an Irish teacher at the Institute of Education, said that it was a 'lovely continuation of previous papers with broad questions that allowed students to adapt their material.' In the poetry section, Ms Úi Cheallaigh said that both 'Colscaradh' and 'An Scailpín Fánach' were both highly anticipated. 'The questions were in line with previous years, but students looking to optimise their marks in this section would need to be attuned to the effects of the techniques asked in the middle question,' she said. The litriocht bhreise section also offered broad and approachable questions, said Ms Úi Cheallaigh. 'Those who prepared An Triail will have ample choice of material in exploring the women's failure to understand Máire's circumstances, with at least three key characters jumping to mind. 'Those doing A Thig Ná Tit Orm would have needed to focus on the specific positive moments of the author's recollections but will also have several moments to explore the requisite joy and shenanigans,' said Ms Úi Cheallaigh. 'Overall, this paper allowed students to demonstrate their work and grasp of the material in a very fair and open way. 'The real challenge will be the exam discipline necessary to make the most effective use of the tight timing by selecting and editing what to cover and what to exclude,' said Ms Úi Cheallaigh. Ordinary level On the ordinary level paper, Mr Doyle said that it was student-friendly and covered the basics well. 'The reading comprehensions focused on the Olympics and the Phoenix Park (nature), topics that were accessible and relatable for students. The prose section offered a choice between 'Dís', 'Oisín I dTír na nÓg' and 'Hurlamaboc' which was expected and gave students good options,' he said. 'The poetry section included 'Mo Ghrá-sa','An tEarrach Thiar' and 'Colscaradh' with straightforward questions that tested students' understanding of the main themes and content. 'There were no surprise questions. Overall, this paper provided ordinary level students with plenty of opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge successfully.' Try this one at home: -Leaving Cert Irish paper 2, Q2(a) (a) Freagair an cheist thíos ar an ngiota as an úrscéal Hurlamaboc. 'Tugtar léiriú dúinn sa ghiota as an úrscéal Hurlamaboc ar Lisín, bean a bhfuil go leor cúiseanna ceiliúrtha aici agus nach mbíonn riamh díomhaoin.' Déan plé ar an ráiteas sin.


The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
GAA fans ‘loved seeing and hearing' the late Micheal O Muircheartaigh as he features in RTE documentary Hell for Leather
GAA documentary series 'Hell for Leather' premiered last night on RTE and featured huge GAA stars. The documentary, which can be streamed on the Advertisement 2 The GAA community has truly missed the Kerryman and his iconic commentary 2 There was delight throughout the country as Ó Muircheartaigh took to our screens again Credit: RTE ONE Fans were particularly delighted to see the great Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh who The legendary commentator shared his insight into the origins of the sport of Gaelic Football in the first episode of the documentary series. He explained what Caid was in the documentary which is believed to be the building blocks of Gaelic football. He said: "Kerry had a game of it's own going way back. This is hundreds of years ago. All you needed was a Caid, a pig's bladder. Advertisement Read more on GAA "There was no control of the numbers that would be involved. "Played on open territories. Parishes would meet in the centre, and then the game would start "It was a hard game, there was no real strict rules." Fans took to social media to praise the first episode of the documentary series. Advertisement Most read in GAA Football Exclusive One fan said: "Loved seeing and listening to Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh once more on this Hell For Leather documentary" Former Down and Kilcoo captain Darragh O'Hanlon simply put: "Hell for Leather what a show." Brendan Cummins defends time-keeping in Munster GAA hurling final between Cork and Limerick Sports journalist Daniel Hussey said: "Excellent first episode of Hell For Leather. Well worth a watch back on RTÉ Player." The documentary series took seven years to reach the screens as it began production as the natural successor to hurling series The Game in 2018. Advertisement The series was unfortunately delayed due to Covid, an All-Ireland final played during a lockdown and the consequences for sport, film-making and life in general during that time. The project was part funded by Coimisiún na Meán, the Department of Finance, the Gaelic Athletic Association and sponsors Collen. The series featured stars such as Brian Fenton, Colm Cooper, David Clifford and Cora Staunton. But fans were most excited to hear legend of the game Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh. The Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh Cup was unveiled Advertisement The Cup is to be given to the winners of the Allianz Football League Division 1 Final. It was unveiled in the build up to the Fittingly, Kerry were crowned champions and captain Gavin White was the first to lift the Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh Cup at Croke Park.


Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Irish Times
Ireland get together in Luxembourg for one last job
You'd imagine that, at this stage of the year, Heimir Hallgrímsson's men are dreaming of lying on a beach somewhere and resting their weary bones after an interminable club and international season. Before they get to do that, though, they have a friendly away to Luxembourg to contend with, Gavin Cummiskey previewing this evening's game. And he hears from Irish captain Nathan Collins who is likely to have a new gaffer when he returns to Brentford , Thomas Frank on the verge of taking over from Ange Postecoglou at Spurs. James McDermott traces the development of football in Luxembourg , optimism rising there over their chances of qualifying for their first ever major tournament. In Luc Holtz, they have the second-longest-serving national coach in Europe, but he's been embroiled in no end of controversy after naming Gerson Rodrigues in his squad - Rodrigues is currently serving an 18-month suspended sentence after being found guilty of assaulting his former girlfriend. In Gaelic games, that penalty shoot-out in the Munster hurling final brought back some memories for Conor McManus , not least of the one that decided Monaghan's All Ireland quarter-final against Armagh two years ago. Happy memories, too - McManus scored twice. Our GAA crew pick out five things they learned from the weekend , Denis Walsh writing about how the character of the Munster final 'changed noticeably' when referee James Owens took over from Thomas Walsh after the latter suffered from cramp. Gordon Manning addresses the same matter, and asks what exactly we want from our officials ? Let the game flow, or clamp down on every infringement? READ MORE In rugby, Gerry Thornley looks ahead to the URC final between Leinster and the Bulls , Leinster badly in need of a win to wrap up a frustrating season. While Sam Prendergast 'might have left his kicking boots at home last weekend against Glasgow', Johnny Watterson hears Tyler Bleyendaal salute the young outhalf who, he says, has become 'one of the game drivers' in the Leinster squad. Owen Doyle, meanwhile, was left 'perplexed' by URC chief executive Martin Anayi's response to Jaden Hendrikse's 'cramp and wink' carry-on against Munster. ' Incredibly, he did not condemn the gamesmanship ,' instead insisting that the game needs 'characters'. If this behaviour catches on, says Owen, we will see it 'spread like slurry' in the game. In golf, Philip Reid is over at Oakmont Country Club for the build-up to the US Open, Dustin Johnson the last winner of the tournament when it was staged at the Pennsylvania course. Much has changed in the world of golf since then , Johnson among those who 'jumped ship for a bottomless pit of greenbacks' on the LIV tour. And in racing, Brian O'Connor brings news that Ireland's champion jockey Colin Keane has secured one of racing's most prized jobs after he was appointed as the number one in Europe to Juddmonte. 'It opens the way for the Meath jockey to take his career to the next level on the world stage.' TV Watch: RTÉ 2 has live coverage this evening of the Republic of Ireland's friendly away to Luxembourg (7.45), and at the same time on ITV, England play Senegal, who drew in Dublin last Friday.