Hyde Park under consideration for one of this weekend's big All-Ireland SFC games
King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park is a leading consideration to host one of the big All-Ireland SFC final round games on Saturday or Sunday week.
The Roscommon town grounds, which staged the Dublin-Mayo final round match 12 months ago, could be the venue for either the Donegal-Mayo or Armagh-Galway fixture.
Armagh and Galway faced off at the same stage of the competition in Markievicz Park last year but the Sligo town stadium has since been closed due to pitch reconstruction. Carrick-on-Shannon's Avant Money Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada is another alternative.
The Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) will meet on Tuesday to confirm the neutral venues, while they must also consider the Joe McDonagh Cup finalists Laois and Kildare will be at home to Dublin and Tipperary in Saturday week's All-Ireland SHC preliminary quarter-finals. This Saturday's Joe McDonagh Cup winners will play host to Dublin, while Tipperary will travel to face the runners-up.
Portlaoise's Laois Hire O'Moore Park has held Kerry's last two final round matches against Louth and their top-of-the-table Group 2 clash with Meath could be organised for there.
For the other game in Group 2, either Limerick's TUS Gaelic Grounds or Ennis's Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg would seem appropriate for the meeting of Cork and Roscommon.
In Group 4, the likes of Newry's Páirc Esler and Clones's St Tiernach's Park may stage the Dublin-Derry clash. The latter Monaghan venue was the scene for the counties's 2003 qualifier.
The final two games in each group usually throw in at the same time in the interests of fairness although the CCCC may have some wiggle room in Group 3 as neither Clare nor Louth, who face each other, can catch Down and Monaghan.
Along with two Tailteann Cup quarter-finals, GAA+ is set to show two final round games on Saturday with RTÉ televising another two on Sunday.
Meanwhile, GAA president Jarlath Burns will attend a Munster hurling development roadshow on the eve of the provincial hurling final in Limerick this Friday.
Providing the keynote address entitled Vision For The Future of Hurling, Burns will be joined in Mary Immaculate College by Munster GAA CEO Kieran Leddy and newly-appointed national head of hurling Willie Maher.
The presentation comes at a time when Kerry have been relegated to the Christy Ring Cup and Waterford failed to qualify from the Munster SHC round-robin for the sixth consecutive time.
The roadshow in MIC is one of eight the GAA have scheduled. Already, there have been meetings in Antrim, Mayo and Tyrone with the latest taking place in Kilkenny on Wednesday. In September, the roadshow will conclude with visits to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Croke Park.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Extra.ie
an hour ago
- Extra.ie
Six months on, former Derry Captain Chrissy McKaigue is content with his decision to retire
Hanging up his boots last year former Derry captain Chrissy McKaigue is still getting used to the idea of watching from the side-line but says he is still happy that he decided to call it a day. Making his debut for his county team in 2008 against Monaghan, Chrissy has a list as long as his arm when it comes to achievements with Derry, including a national league medal and two Ulster championships medals and an All-Star in 2022. However, when it comes the star has no time for regrets and concentrates more on the achievements he accomplished along the way. Chrissy McKaigue in action for Derry. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Sitting down with Extra as part of the launch of this year's Electric Ireland's Minor Championship Chrissy is still immersed in the sport. 'I'm so, heavily involved with GAA still in the day job. I work in a secondary school, coordinating Gaelic games. Not only just boys, Gaelic games, the girls, camogie and ladies football is a heavy part of my remit also. 'I'm back playing football for Slaughtneil, my club and doing bits and pieces of media too regarding GAA.' When it comes to throwing on the county jersey though he said 'I'm content to walk away from Inter-county and I'm actually enjoying the freedom of not having it and put my energy into other facets of it.' Chrissy McKaigue at the 2025 Electric Ireland GAA All-Ireland Minor Championship launch. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan 'And like, I didn't want to be that way, but it's just the way I was and It is, it's, it's, it wears heavy after a while and it certainly wears weighs heavy after 16 or 17 years, let me tell you.' The former defender who has come up against some of the best of the best over the years such as Dublin's Diarmuid Connolly and Kerry's David Clifford says it is relief to step away from the intensity of the game. 'I don't have be thinking about football or the pressures of inter-county football, because I don't take any pride in saying this, like I find it really difficult to switch off from the game. When the season started in inter-county until it finished, it probably captured too much of my thinking,' he said. Chrissy McKaigue tussling with Kerry's David Clifford. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile Admitting that doing this for several years can take its toll on your mind. Looking forward to this year's season, the Derry man has full confidence in his former team believing that Sam is up for grabs from several contenders. 'It's been so long since we've had so many teams jockeying for possession in the race for Sam,' and this year all bets are off to who will be bringing the trophy home.
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Patrick 'Bonner' Maher excited by what can emerge from Tipperary pipeline
Things are stirring in Tipp again. On Saturday last, the Premier accounted for Kilkenny in the All-Ireland Under-20 final in the Cats' own backyard, this a year after a similar success was achieved at minor level against the same opposition in the Marble City. Liam Cahill's senior side are through to the All-Ireland series in the race for Liam MacCarthy and just narrowly missed out on a place in the Munster final. Tipperary had endured a few years of provincial strife, their failure to raise any sort of a gallop leaving their fans deflated. No such deflation this summer as they strive to safely negotiate a few more obstacles in the high-stakes race for the biggest prize of all. One man who has been there and done that is Patrick Maher, known the world over as 'Bonner'. For 16 seasons, he graced the fields at senior level for Tipperary, winning three All-Irelands and a couple of All-Stars. Last autumn, he called time on all that. And now he watches on from afar. Maher has not been present at a Tipp match in this calendar year. It's not that he has lost interest, far from it, as he explained at the launch of the 2025 Electric Ireland GAA All-Ireland Minor Championships. "I haven't gone to any of the games, but I'm still engaged," he said. "I think the emotions and nerves would get to me. I'm following it closely, though. It's so different to when you were involved yourself. It was a big chunk of my life; 16 years at the senior level, so there has been a readjustment. "It's like everything else, something will fill the void. I'm playing a bit of golf and I'm still hurling away with the club, doing a bit of coaching. My job is keeping me busy. But it is hard to fill that gap, the moment when you run out in the first round of the championship down in Thurles or getting ready for the Liam MacCarthy in the All-Ireland series." That said, it was a case of no regrets when the Lorrha–Dorrha clubman made the decision to end his inter-county career last October. "I was fairly blunt about it and made my decision," he revealed. "You're seeing younger lads coming and you're thinking it's my time to step away. It was bittersweet for me, I'm physically in good shape, but I knew it was time to walk away." Maher is walking away at a point where he sees real potential for Tipperary. He has played with some of those U20s, an emerging crop that can now boast silverware. The gradual introduction of these young guns, he hopes, will bear fruit for a county that sees its place permanently at the top table, though he adds that some patience will be required. "In the last number of years the sense of disappointment was clearly evident because Tipperary were not reaping the benefits from the conveyor belt of talent coming through. "We've always produced decent minor and U20 sides. I think we're starting to get the balance right now but it takes a bit of time for them young guns to develop. "I remember my own career. My first year on the panel was 2009 and I didn't see any game time in the championship, I was on the sideline. The way the game has gone it takes a little longer for players to step up. A lot more is asked of the body because of the demands of inter-county but Darragh McCarthy and Sam O'Farrell from the U20s have made that step up. "Last year there was definitely green shoots, you could see it in and around the Tipp panel. We are beginning to see more and more of those shoots now. "Look, there is a really good mix at the moment, a really good intertwining in Tipperary. It reminds me of my younger days when the older lads did not like marking me in training. Senior lads now like Noel McGrath, Mikey Breen, Ronan Maher, they can show the young guys the ropes. All credit due to James Woodlock and Brendan Cummins for keeping the pipeline going and getting the boys up to their potential." Next up for Tipperary is an All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final against either Kildare or Laois, an ideal route to take going forward, according to Maher. "It's no harm [missing the Munster final], as it will give them a bit of time to keep the head down, he remarked. "They go into the long grass and prepare for the next round, an opportunity to regroup after Munster, which is cutthroat and it is a tough slog to get through Munster. "It's enough time for them to come in under the radar, do what they need to do and prepare for the next game. It's a great opportunity."
Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Irish Times
Premier League players who need a move to revitalise their careers
Evan Ferguson, Brighton Ferguson's breakthrough hat-trick against Newcastle feels like a lifetime ago now. The young striker seemed destined for greatness but he has struggled to live up to his early billing. Having failed to break into the Brighton team under Fabian Hürzeler, Ferguson spent the second half of the season on loan at West Ham, where he started just one league game. At 20 years of age, time is on the Republic of Ireland international's side but his future will be best served away from the Amex. Jack Grealish, Manchester City Just two years ago Grealish was at the centre of the celebrations as Manchester City won the treble. He now feels very peripheral. A combination of injuries and increased competition in the squad restricted the 29-year-old to just seven league starts this season. The FA Cup final will have been particularly frustrating for Grealish, who was left on the bench while City failed to create chances against Crystal Palace. With the game slipping away, Pep Guardiola sent on the teenager Claudio Echeverri for his debut rather than turning to Grealish. With City in the market another attacker – Rayan Cherki is a target – the former Aston Villa captain desperately needs to leave this summer to restart his stuttering career and reignite his hopes of playing at the World Cup next year. Rasmus Højlund, Manchester United Højlund moved to Manchester United from Atalanta with a big reputation. Two years and 14 league goals later, and the 22-year-old looks likely to leave Old Trafford in a transfer that would suit all parties. He has been given little service and is often feeding on scraps in a team that do not create enough chances, but the Dane has been an unmitigated disaster for United and a return to Italy has been mooted. Højlund showed bags of potential during his one and only season in Serie A, and he'll hope a summer exit gets his development back on track. Marcus Rashford. Photograph: Zac Goodwin/PA Marcus Rashford, Manchester United Rashford showcased his quality during his short loan stint with Aston Villa, where he seemed revitalised after a difficult few months working under Ruben Amorim. A permanent switch to Villa is unlikely after they failed to qualify for the Champions League, but the 27-year-old is available to any club who will bid £40m. Amorim has suggested he would rather pick his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach than Rashford and the club need to raise funds to strengthen after a disappointing season. READ MORE Jadon Sancho, Manchester United Chelsea's decision not to make Sancho's move permanent leaves the 25-year-old in limbo. It's clear he has no future at Manchester United, meaning he's another asset the club need to cash in on if they are to bolster the squad. Sancho didn't necessarily struggle during his season at Chelsea. He made 41 appearances, scoring five goals and setting up 10 more; he even capped his time at the club with a lovely goal in the Conference League final. But he was not consistent enough. Of the 156 players who attempted at least 25 crosses in the Premier League this season, he was the only player who did not find a team-mate once. Federico Chiesa, Liverpool Liverpool were quiet in the transfer market last summer, but they did bring in Chiesa to provide cover for Mohamed Salah on the right flank. The injury-prone Italian has been called upon rarely by Arne Slot, even when fit, playing just 466 minutes in all competitions – the equivalent of just over five games. With a club record £109m deal for Florian Wirtz gathering momentum, a move away from Anfield will only be a good thing for the 27-year-old. Harvey Elliott. Photograph: Adam Davy/PA Harvey Elliott, Liverpool Elliott will also fall down the pecking order if Liverpool sign Wirtz. The 22-year-old has never really consolidated a starting spot despite looking sharp when called upon by Jürgen Klopp and Slot. A switch to Bayer Leverkusen appears to be off, but the midfielder would be a great signing for a number of Premier League clubs. Darwin Núñez, Liverpool With a move for a new striker in the offing, Núñez's time at Liverpool is expected to end this summer. The Uruguayan failed to win over Slot. He had his moment in the sun, coming off the bench to score twice in a vital victory at Brentford in January, but he is painfully inconsistent. Núñez finished the season with more yellow cards (eight) than goal involvements (seven) in the Premier League. He played the full 90 minutes just three times in the league this season – not good enough for a striker who cost £85m. Kepa, Chelsea Chelsea already have a plethora of goalkeepers on the books and they are preparing to make an offer to Milan for Mike Maignan, so Kepa needs to find a permanent route out of Stamford Bridge. Football's most expensive goalkeeper was solid during his loan spell at Bournemouth last season, saving 71.3 per cent of the shots he faced, which should tempt interested parties. He is still only 30 so should have a few more seasons at the top. Raheem Sterling. Photograph: James Gill/Danehouse/Getty Images Raheem Sterling, Chelsea On paper, Sterling looked like a solid loan signing for Arsenal. He had Premier League experience, a history of winning trophies and the ability to cover any position across the frontline. However, the 30-year-old failed to make his mark, with perhaps his best performance coming in the League Cup against League One side Bolton. He did not score a single goal in 17 league appearances. Arsenal have understandably sent the winger back to Chelsea. Having been deemed surplus to requirements by Maresca last summer, his time at Stamford Bridge needs to end this summer. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Chelsea When Enzo Maresca was appointed head coach last summer, it wasn't a huge surprise to see Chelsea sign midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall for £30m to replace Atlético Madrid-bound Conor Gallagher. That money has proven a waste. The 26-year-old has started just two Premier League games for the club and was linked with a January move to West Ham. Chelsea have since signed Dário Essugo from Sporting for £18.5m, reinforcing the idea that Dewsbury-Hall needs to move on. Having failed to break into the first team under Maresca, there seems little point in the former Leicester man hanging around. Christopher Nkunku, Chelsea Nkunku moved to Chelsea two years ago for £51m with a big reputation after a stellar final season with RB Leipzig. Injuries affected the Frenchman's debut campaign at Stamford Bridge, and he has never fully recovered or consolidated a regular starting spot. Approaching the peak years of his career, the 27-year-old should leave and start again at a new club. Armando Broja, Chelsea Chelsea have been trying their hardest to sell Broja in recent windows but have only succeeded in loaning the Albanian striker to other Premier League sides. Broja had a forgettable stint with Fulham before spending this season on loan at Everton, where he registered just 331 minutes of league action. The 23-year-old is an effective frontman when fit, but a change of surroundings is a necessity to avoid a 'what if' career. – Guardian
