logo
Kellyann Hogan, Cian Lynch, Michael Murphy and Niamh Rockett scoop May Player of the Month awards

Kellyann Hogan, Cian Lynch, Michael Murphy and Niamh Rockett scoop May Player of the Month awards

RTÉ News​12-06-2025
Waterford duo Niamh Rockett and Kellyann Hogan are the May winners of the PwC GPA Women's Player of the Month awards for camogie and football, with Limerick talisman Cian Lynch and Donegal's Michael Murphy named the PwC GAA/GPA Hurler and Footballer of the month respectively.
Cian Lynch delivered commanding performances for Limerick in the Munster Hurling Championship in pivotal wins over Waterford and Cork as they pursued their sixth provincial title in a row.
Lynch was the Man of the Match in the six-point victory over the Déise and was instrumental in the 16-point victory over Cork that booked his side's spot in a seventh consecutive Munster final, won by Cork on penalties last weekend.
Donegal stalwart Michael Murphy delivered inspirational performances throughout the month, none more so than in the Ulster title decider versus defending All-Ireland champions Armagh.
After taking two years off, Murphy (35) was the difference-maker, scoring three points and helping set up plenty more as Donegal retained their provincial crown. Murphy followed this up with an eight-point haul in the defeat against Tyrone in the All-Ireland series.
Rockett made history with the Déise as they recorded their first ever senior championship victory over Kilkenny in Nowlan Park on 31 May. The free-taker scored nine of Waterford's 17 points and will look to continue her scintillating form in the next round as Waterford take on Dublin on Saturday week.
The Waterford women's football team came agonisingly close to overcoming the reigning All-Ireland champions Kerry, with Hogan's six well-taken scores a key factor in the Déise running Kerry close.
Hogan then put in a dominant performance in Waterford's nine-point victory against Cork to book a rematch against the Kingdom in the Munster Football Championship final.
A standout performance in the middle of the park and four scores from the Ballymacarby clubwoman were unfortunately not enough however, as Waterford tasted defeat at the hands of Kerry once more.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

As links to Dublin job intensify, Darcy may have to choose between blue masters
As links to Dublin job intensify, Darcy may have to choose between blue masters

Irish Daily Mirror

time20 minutes ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

As links to Dublin job intensify, Darcy may have to choose between blue masters

It was barely 24 hours after Dessie Farrell had stepped aside as Dublin manager that Declan Darcy was being pushed as his successor. Speaking on The Sunday Game highlights show, Paul Flynn, who won five of his six All-Irelands when Darcy was Jim Gavin's right-hand man, put his name forward. Flynn firstly suggested that the county board had been 'asleep at the wheel' for not developing managers from within their own ranks and acknowledged the credentials of his former teammate Ger Brennan, who was still in situ in Louth at the time, before saying: 'I think if I was the county board now I'd go and hunt Declan Darcy and try and get him back into the fold. He was phenomenal, when he was with Jim, for us.' Appointing Brennan seemed almost irresistible as he quit Louth a couple of days later, but that link seems to have cooled since. Last month, Brennan's St Vincent's clubmate said that 'I don't think that's going to happen now', while suggesting Darcy as an alternative. Rumours around Darcy have intensified in recent days, largely on the back of messages doing the rounds on WhatsApp. This, remember, is the forum that gave oxygen to a theory that all hell broke loose in the Cork dressing room at half-time in the All-Ireland hurling final - while they held a six-point lead. So, any suggestion that Darcy's appointment as the next Dublin manager is imminent should be treated with great suspicion. Yet, it appears that the speculation is not without foundation either. It is believed that discussions have taken place between Darcy and Dublin county board officials. There has been an assumption that, given his role with Leinster Rugby, Darcy couldn't take on the Dublin job. And it appears that the two roles are not compatible. Darcy works as a performance coach for the province. It's not a full-time job, but he is a contracted employee and gives them a few days a week. He is present at most training sessions and several home games, though the thrust of his work comes in one-on-one sessions with the players. Just as he was with Dublin, Darcy is highly regarded within that set up. Outside of that, he runs a construction company and has three children. Jim Gavin and Declan Darcy in 2014 One would imagine that something would have to give if managing the Dublin senior football team was landed on top of all that - and his role with Leinster is surely the most expendable. But is Darcy prepared to forego that to manage Dublin? If he does, how may he be compensated? Indeed, could Leinster seek compensation for losing a key employee? After departing with Gavin in late 2019, Darcy was touted as his possible successor but that was never likely. He had already given a sizeable chunk of service and, by all accounts, was keen to recharge at that stage. Yet, severing ties was more difficult than he envisaged it would be. Speaking on a podcast in August 2020, he admitted that 'it kind of caught me a little bit' and that he 'underestimated the personal connection'. 'When that stops, and the realisation is there that you're not going to be part of that journey any more, it was very, very hard for me to take,' he added. The number of remaining Dublin players from Darcy's time under Gavin continues to dwindle, and so that connection would clearly not be as vivid now. But it may still be strong enough for him to clear the boards to have a go at a job that, in all likelihood, probably won't come around for him again.

Áine Keane prepared for a very different All-Ireland final experience
Áine Keane prepared for a very different All-Ireland final experience

The 42

timean hour ago

  • The 42

Áine Keane prepared for a very different All-Ireland final experience

ÁINE KEANE IS a prominent figure in the major transition Galway camogie has been undertaking in recent years. At 23, the UL student has become a leader in the pack. However, the Third Level Player of the Year's influence has had to find other ways to flourish this summer. Keane will not be playing in Sunday's All-Ireland final against Cork. A torn ACL in the first round of championship against Dublin put paid to her season. She is just three weeks post-surgery now, but in the two-and-a-half months since her injury, Keane has hardly missed a training session. 'Niamh McPeake also tore her ACL during the year, and she's been very good to me. She just said 'Stay involved' after it happened, and I did. It's the best decision I've ever made. 'I haven't missed any sessions really, apart from the week after getting the operation. 'It was important for me to stay within the group.' After the immediate blow of the injury, manager Cathal Murray had a conversation with Keane regarding her role within the squad. 'I've been involved with Cathal since 2019, he's a long time over me at this stage, so he knows me pretty well. 'He was gutted for me, and he, first and foremost, just wanted to make sure that I knew I was still part of the group, and that nothing was going to change in that sense. Advertisement 'Then, it was just about finding out, where can I help, what can I do to help the group, and, in fairness, Cathal's been unbelievably good to me over the last couple of months, as has the whole management in fairness.' Galway's Áine Keane takes on Fiona Keating of Cork in the 2024 All-Ireland final. Bryan Keane / INPHO Bryan Keane / INPHO / INPHO Keane now takes on mentoring responsibilities with the many younger players coming into the Galway squad, while working with the stats team on matchday. 'It's changed my outlook, and my role has changed. I've tried to look after the younger players that are involved within the group and to help them as much as I can. 'They know that I'm there if they need anything, if they have questions or anything at all, that I'm still there. I'm still very much involved. 'I definitely feel like I have given more this year to other players than what I would have had before, and that probably does come from having the experience of playing last year in the All-Ireland final. 'It's something that's made a bit easier with the support of the girls behind me.' The level of change in the Galway setup has elevated some of the younger players, like Keane, to leadership roles. 'There's definitely been a good turnover in our group. Even this year, we had a lot of girls that played the under-23 final against Cork, and something like 15 of them are on our senior panel the next day. 'There were 10 of them that were already involved with us, but there were a few extras that have come on board now, after that great win they had. 'There has been a few that have stepped away for various reasons and injuries as well, but we've been lucky we've had great players to step in and step into new roles within the panel.' Keane was that player on the panel's fringes when Galway last won the All-Ireland in 2021, beating Cork by three points. They fell short, by the same margin, in the 2023 semi-final and 2024 final against the Rebels, who then dished out a heavy 11-point beating in the league final last April. The St Thomas' star can pass on plenty of lessons from those experiences. Cork's Meath Cahalane with Áine Keane of Galway ahead of the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Finals. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO 'There's so much going on that you could easily get distracted in the outside noise. 'Having the experience of last year, it's just going to the young girls and saying to take it all in, because it's a really, really special day to be involved in, for you, for your family, and for your club. It's just huge. 'I know there's a lot of pressure, and you obviously want to win, but it should be something you enjoy, not something you stress about. 'That's something I learned over the last couple of years, and especially with last year, that's definitely taught me an awful lot about that.' Meanwhile, Keane will be trying to keep her composure as she takes stats up in the Hogan Stand. 'You're still nervous, you're still anxious, you're still under pressure, you're still feeling every emotion that every player is feeling. 'It's not the same as when you're actually playing, but you're still feeling the same emotions.'

Friday night LOI previews: Derry look to add to Cork pain while Drogheda will sense an opportunity
Friday night LOI previews: Derry look to add to Cork pain while Drogheda will sense an opportunity

Irish Independent

time2 hours ago

  • Irish Independent

Friday night LOI previews: Derry look to add to Cork pain while Drogheda will sense an opportunity

(Ryan McBride Brandywell, 7.45) Team news: Derry lose newcomer Alex Bannon to suspension. Fiacre Kelleher is a concern for Cork. Talking point: Cork's bruised players will take heart from last week's win over Galway United, especially the clean sheet (only their second of the season) while Derry spent the week picking over the bones of their collapse in Dublin against Shamrock Rovers. This Derry side – especially a new-look defensive unit manned by July signings – is still bedding in but Tiernan Lynch has more options squad-wise than Ger Nash. Ref: Declan Toland Odds: Derry 4/11, Cork 15/2, draw 10/3 Verdict: Home win DROGHEDA UNITED v WATERFORD (Sullivan & Lambe Park, 7.45) Team news: Drogheda are missing Paul Doyle, Elicha Ahui and Steve Zishim Bawa but Warren Davis is back to full fitness. Waterford duo Kacper Radkowski and Matty Smith are out long term but otherwise the Blues have a full squad. Talking point: Back-to-back 1-0 wins show Drogheda have a formula that works, like winning away to Bohs last week despite having a small amount of possession. With some of their rivals for a top-three finish in European action this week, this is an ideal chance for Kevin Doherty's men to continue their march.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store