Why there is no need for our top stars to head to the United States this summer
There is no doubt that both Gaelic football and hurling are thriving in a new environment just now and the indications are that the sporting atmosphere is about to be enhanced over the course of the coming weeks.
I believe this will be the case because I do not think we will have what has become an annual pilgrimage to the USA in particular by many players in search of summer sunshine and sporting action.
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The National
8 hours ago
- The National
Popular Scottish island music festival announces 2025 line-up
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Irish Examiner
17 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Nine big questions ahead of a blockbuster weekend of Sam Maguire Series drama
There are eight seismic fixtures taking place in the final round of the Sam Maguire group stages. It also signals the end of this current system. The group phase will be abolished after this year with a new qualifier-style format in place next year. Several intercounty managers have criticised this move, which was voted on at Congress last February. Was it the right call? This is just one of many big questions ahead of a blockbuster weekend. Should we get rid of this format? All-Ireland winning manager Kieran McGeeney is adamant that the GAA made the wrong move. Galway boss Pádraic Joyce and Wicklow's Oisín McConville have said similar. 'It is great this year,' agreed former Mayo manager James Horan on the Irish Examiner's Gaelic football podcast. 'Everything seems to be working right this year, with rules and everything else. It is all combining and working out ok. Should we get rid of it? 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Dylan Ruane, Ciaráin Murtagh, Enda Smith, Diarmuid Murtagh, Daire Cregg and Ben O'Carroll all started and scored. Cork must combat that threat. Enda Smith didn't have a shot in his previous two games against Galway or Kerry but he caught fire in Dr Hyde Park, kicking three two-pointers from four attempts. Ben O'Carroll is their leading assister in championship as well as scoring 1-10 from play. They are the priority. 'Traditionally I was man-on-man everywhere; it evolved over time,' said Horan. Cork will take on Roscommon in Round 3 of the All-Ireland SFC. File picture: Tom Beary/Sportsfile 'I haven't coached with the new rules yet but in games in the past we had very good man-markers to go specific on an influential player for the opposition. But players are so smart now, they go ahead of the ball, get their marker and pull him out past the ball to create little zones for players to run through. 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'Conor Glass for the sheer majesty of his performance against Galway,' said Rouse. Once again, Kingdom talisman David Clifford is one of the hot favourites to be crowned the Player of the Year. File picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile James Horan went for Armagh's Oisin Conaty: 'When did he get to this level? I think he has been absolutely amazing. That left footed point the last day, took the ball running away from goal and ran around a few, that is a serious level this guy is operating at now consistently.' Galway's Matthew Thompson is the current runaway favourite for Young Footballer of the Year. Can a player survive in the new rules without pace? 'They will struggle,' according to Galway boss Joyce. 'That has been the case at intercounty over the last few years. Unless you have pace, you will struggle. Probably more so now. 'You are going away from the traditional positions on the pitch. It is three back, eight workhorses in the middle and three up top. 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Ronan Burns has been in sensational form for Down. He made two point blank saves from Daire Ó Baoill and Aaron Doherty against Donegal. The 20-year-old has remarkable variety with his kickouts, getting a whole host of them off short despite the new limitation on the ball having to travel outside the arc. 'They are getting away a high percentage of kickouts for sure but the way I look at it, the press that was put on for some of those was watery at best,' said Horan. 'It would spur you on as an opposition. Maybe set a trap, let them have a few and go in for the smash. The kickouts, I don't think that much has happened yet. It is bog standard, an overload here and a run there. We are at the early stages.' Can Mayo get after Donegal in the middle? Colm Reape went long with every kickout against Tyrone. Donegal have shown a huge reliance on Michael Murphy for restarts and Shaun Patton's fitness is a live concern. Personnel will dictate so much on Sunday. Patton, Jason McGee, Donnacha McHugh and Diarmuid O'Connor are required for their respective teams.
The Irish Sun
18 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
UK Government's Casement Park boost hailed as ‘milestone' by GAA
THE DECISION of the UK Government to contribute €59million to the redevelopment of Casement Park has been described as 'a milestone' by the GAA. Amid a row over funding, uncertainty surrounded the future of the west Belfast venue since it lost its 2 Pacemaker Press 04-09-2024: Casement Park principal Gaelic games stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. 2 GAA President Jarlath Burns welcomed the decision by the UK government - but more funds are still needed But the latest commitment from Westminster is a considerable boost as €140m has already been pledged by the GAA, the Stormont Executive and the Irish Government. 'We thank the Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, the Chancellor of The Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, and the UK Government for their positive and generous contribution to ensure our provincial stadium at Casement Park is finally realised. 'From taking office, the Secretary of State was clear that Casement Park needs to be delivered. read more on gaa 'He recognised the GAA's commitment and goodwill in sharing venues for the benefit of everyone in our society. 'His support and that of the UK Government now represents a critical opportunity to finish this NI Executive flagship project, delivering the last remaining stadium of the 14-year Regional Stadia Programme and helping to leave a lasting legacy for all of society.' But with the Casement Park project set to cost approximately €305m, a shortfall of over €100m must still be met. Burns added: 'We know, however, that this is not the final piece of the jigsaw. Most read in GAA Football 'There is much more work to do.' GAA fans 'loved seeing and hearing' the late Micheal O Muircheartaigh as he features in RTE documentary Hell for Leather
