‘I love the bones of them' – Tony McEntee bids an emotional farewell to Sligo after five years at the helm
It was an emotional Tony McEntee who told the press that he was standing down as Sligo manager after five years in charge following their 0-21 to 1-16 defeat to Fermanagh in the Tailteann Cup semi-final.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Wicklow shock Westmeath to reach Tailteann Cup semi-finals
Tailteann Cup quarter-final: Wicklow 2-18 Westmeath 2-17 Wicklow came back from eight points down midway through the second half in their Tailteann Cup quarter-final to shock Westmeath in Aughrim. Dean Healy scored the winner for Wicklow, cutting inside the Westmeath cover to kick a point from inside the arc. It ignited rapturous scenes at Echelon Park as home supporters raced onto the pitch to celebrate. Westmeath, winners of the inaugural Tailteann Cup in 2022, had looked the most likely victors throughout. They led by three points with 12 minutes to play when Healy was fouled and referee Seamus Mulhare awarded Wicklow a penalty. He also dished out a black card to Joe Moran. Oisín McGraynor converted the kick to bring the sides level. Westmeath hit back with what appeared to be two decisive blows, first Luke Loughlin kicked a two-point free and then Sam McCartan added a two-pointer from play two minutes later to send Westmeath four clear. Conor Fee, who had entered the game just moments earlier as a replacement for McGraynor, began the Wicklow fightback with a point from play. Goalkeeper Mark Jackson, showcasing the long range kicking ability which had him on the radar of NFL teams, took his tally to seven points with a two-point free. Wicklow got their equaliser three minutes later, finishing a counter-attack with Pádraig O'Toole fisting over a point. That all came before Healy's injury time heroics. The game began with a quickfire goal by Westmeath's Shane Allen but McGraynor got one back for Wicklow in the sixth minute. They led 1-1 to 1-0 but Westmeath then raced ahead, scoring 1-5 - the goal coming from McCartan - before Wicklow managed a reply. Then came Wicklow's first fightback of the game. McGraynor got two points, Jackson three, and Seamus Kenny one as they trailed just 1-7 to 2-6 at the break. Westmeath emerged from the dressing rooms with intent, scoring six points on the bounce. Loughlin and Robbie Forde both got two-pointers from play, and each added a point from frees. They led by eight but then came another series of Wicklow counterpunches. Eoin Darcy, Christopher O'Brien, Darragh Fee and a Jackson two-point free getting them within a goal. Forde put Westmeath four up but then a Darcy free, just moments before McGraynor's penalty and the drama which followed, got Wicklow within three.
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Wicklow seal dramatic win over Westmeath to surge into Tailteann Cup semis
Wicklow booked their place in the Tailteann Cup semi-final after a historic 2-18 to 2-17 win over Westmeath. Midway through the second half the midland side lead by eight points in Aughrim but the Garden County fought back and found a winner in added time. A large crowd piled into Echelon Park for what was an exhilarating contest from the off. Westmeath started the scoring with a major from a late replacement to the match day programme Shane Allen, who caught a long ball inside and finished home. Minutes later, following a Joe Prendergast point, Oisin McGraynor found himself through on goal having used a pass from Malachy Stone to turn his man and go for the jugular. The Avondale man finished low and Wicklow led for the last time until injury time. The next spell saw the midland side settle and find scores far easier as they picked up points from Nigel Harte, Luke Loughlin and Ray Connellan and Loughlin again before, Sam McCartan fisted a goal from a miss-hit Loughlin point effort. Wicklow then hit their seventh wide from the boot off Dean Healy after a good spell of possession as things were going off script for the home side. Ronan Wallace then took a one-two with Shane Allen and fisted over to show the contrast between the sides at that time. Westmeath were finding scores far easier. McGraynor hit back for Wicklow who from here created and missed three excellent goal chances. The first chance came the way of Darragh Fee, who after a short kickout gone wrong had an open net to aim at but couldn't regain his footing. Up the other end, Stephen Smith converted before Mark Jackson landed a two-pointer from a free and McGraynor once again kept Wicklow in the hunt with another free. A further spurned goal chance from Wicklow saw Jackson convert the resulting forty-five as Mark Kenny followed his team-mate and closed the half with a point. At half time the scores were 1-07 to 2-06 in Westmeath's favour. In the second half Westmeath started far better as Robbie Forde announced himself with a free and a two-pointer. Loughlin, who began to ask for more from the crowd, then kicked a free and a majestic two-pointer from fifty yards. Eoin Darcy stopped the rot for Wicklow, and after another Jackson two-pointer free, Chris O'Brien then landed a point at the second time of asking. Fee then drove all around the back of the Westmeath cover before fisting over to keep momentum for his side. However, Forde hit back with a point. After a long spell of possession from Wicklow, Darcy put three between the sides with a free. In the next play, Wicklow won the kickout and Chris O'Brien raced through and found Healy who was fouled. Joseph Moran received a black card and McGraynor converted from the spot for a level game with 13 minutes left. Loughlin found a two-pointer free as Aughrim was at fever pitch and Sam McCartan followed that up with a stylish two-pointer of his own. Fee marked his introduction with a point minutes later for Oisin McConville's men as Westmeath were then caught with only two up. To level the contest, Jackson held his nerve and celebrated as he turned, knowing his kick had landed his side two points. By the time of Conor McCormack's restart, the game had moved past the '70 and it was whoever could get their shot off first. Wicklow won the kickout, but a misplaced pass saw Westmeath break and work the ball to Loughlin. The Downs clubman had his shot blocked down by Malachy Stone, and Wicklow broke, working the ball to Healy, who kicked Wicklow into the Tailteann Cup semi-final. Westmeath: Conor McCormack; Jack Geoghan, Sam Smyth, Jamie Gonoud; Joseph Moran, Ronan Wallace (0-01), Sam McCartan (1-02, 1tp); Ray Connellan (0-01), Brian Guerin; Shane Allen (1-00), Kevin O'Sullivan, Nigel Harte (0-01); Luke Loughlin (0-07, 1 tp, 1 tpf, 1f), Stephen Smith (0-01), Robbie Forde (0-04, 1 tp, 1f). Subs: Tadgh Baker for Stephen Smith (49 temp), Danny McCartan for Shane Allen (59) Wicklow: Mark Jackson (0-7, 1, 45, 3tpf); Tom Moran, Matt Nolan, Malachy Stone; Joe Prendergast, (0-01), Patrick O'Keane, Darragh Fee (0-01); Dean Healy (0-01), Padraig O'Toole (0-01); Christopher O'Brien (0-01), Eoin Darcy (0-02, 2f), Cathal Baker; Oisin McGraynor (2-02, 1-00 p, 2f), Craig Maguire, Mark Kenny (0-01).
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Monaghan march past Down to secure All-Ireland SFC quarter-final spot
All-Ireland SFC, Group 3, Round 3 Monaghan 2-27 Down 1-26 Jack McCarron's half-time introduction had a huge impact as Monaghan edged a classic encounter in Armagh to finish top of Group 3, securing an All-Ireland SFC quarter-final place. In what was a shoot-out for top spot between the two sides with perfect records in the group, Tailteann Cup holders Down led by four points with 20 minutes to go. But Monaghan, All-Ireland SFC semi-finalists just two seasons ago, showed all their big game experience to turn things around and lead by four points themselves at full-time. McCarron's 50th minute goal really got them going and the hugely experienced forward added another two-pointer and a single to take his tally to 1-3 as the Farney squeezed Down out. Boss Gabriel Bannigan may be a little alarmed at just how many scoring opportunities they coughed up to a livewire Down side who picked off 1-26. Read More Louth edge winner-takes-all thriller against Clare to stay in Championship But with a dozen different scorers, and tonnes of experience in this Monaghan team, he will still believe that they can go deep into the All-Ireland series as they excel under the new rules. All is not lost for Conor Laverty's Down as they will still advance to an All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final next weekend as runners up in Group 3. Pat Havern hit a dozen points for the 2010 finalists but they will rue a couple of late missed opportunities as they fought desperately to reel Monaghan in. Both sides had been putting up big scores in the group stage so an open, attacking game was always anticipated and we weren't let down. The first-half alone yielded a combined 2-29 with Down edging it by 1-15 to 1-14. Monaghan edged the two-point count in that half, four to three, with goalkeeper Rory Beggan drilling two long-range frees. Conor McCarthy and Michael McCarville curled over two beauties as well though the Farney's early 0-6 to 0-3 lead didn't last long. Down were slightly better at sweeping up the breaking ball and created chance after chance for themselves. They scored one goal, through John McGeough in the 21st minute, but could have had a couple more. The McGeough goal came at the end of a speedy move up the field, a Danny Magill kick-pass up to the influential Ryan McEvoy followed by another 30m kick pass into McGeough who finished smartly. But Beggan pulled off a great save to deny Magill a goal in the 30th minute, diving full length to his left to tip over. Rory Beggan of Monaghan kicks his second 2 pointer of the game. Pic: ©INPHO/James Lawlor. Murdock fired just over close to half-time while Monaghan defender Ryan Wylie twice blocked goalbound efforts from James Guinness and Murdock. Havern had a thrilling duel with Scotstown's Ryan O'Toole. O'Toole conceded 0-5 to Havern from play and the Down free-taker filled his boots from placed balls too, converting his second two-point free in the 43rd minute to leave Down 1-20 to 1-16 ahead at that stage. They started the second-half strongly but suddenly found themselves in Monaghan's slipstream again as the promoted Division 2 team rallied. Half-time substitute McCarron pulled Monaghan back with a 50th minute goal, finishing at the third attempt after McCarthy and Bannigan had gone close. McCarron butchered a second goal chance soon after as the ball hit the post and bounced out to safety. But the experienced attacker slotted a brilliant two-pointer in the 58th minute to tie a pulsating game up yet again, 2-21 to 1-24. Monaghan brought all their big game experience to bear in the closing 15 minutes or so as they managed the contest superbly, picking off points from O'Toole, Beggan and substitute David Garland to keep Down just about at arm's length. Scorers for Monaghan: J McCarron (1-3, 1tp, 1f), R Beggan (0-6, 3tpf), M Bannigan (1-2), S O'Hanlon (0-3), C McCarthy, M McCarville (0-2, tp) each, D Ward, A Woods, R O'Toole (0-2) each, A Carey, L Kelly, D Garland (0-1) each. Scorers for Down: P Havern (0-12, 3tpf, 3f), J McGeough (1-0), D Magill (0-4, tp), A Crimmins, D Guinness (0-2) each, O Murdock, C McCrickard (0-2, 1f) each, C Doherty, E Branagan (0-1) each. Monaghan: R Beggan; K Lavelle, K Duffy, D Byrne; R Wylie, R O'Toole, A Carey; M McCarville, D Ward; R McAnespie, S O'Hanlon, C McCarthy; A Woods, M Bannigan, S Mooney. Subs: J McCarron for Mooney (h/t), L Kelly for Lavelle (49), D Garland for Woods (57), D Hughes for Duffy (59), C McNulty for McAnespie (70). Down: R Burns; P Fegan, P Laverty, P McCarthy; C Doherty, M Rooney, R Magill; O Murdock, J Guinness; D Magill, P Havern, D Guinness; A Crimmins, J McGeough, R McEvoy. Subs: C Mooney for J Guinness (h/t), E Branagan for Rooney (54), C McCrickard for McGeough (56), O Savage for R Magill (65), A McClements for Crimmins 67. Referee: David Coldrick (Meath).
