Donegal a victim of 'rushed' championship, writes Darragh Ó Sé
Donegal's six-day turnaround before their quarter-final against Monaghan on Saturday? 'They are 100 per cent right to be annoyed,' says Darragh Ó Sé, player welfare trailing again behind
the needs of 'the money men in Croke Park and the TV companies'
. And it's all caused by a brilliant season 'being rushed through… like we've opened a two-grand bottle of wine and we're swigging it from the neck'. But, no, those Croke Park concerts can't be pushed in to September, because 'it might rain on Oasis' or 'Robbie Williams might have to wear a jumper'.
The Dubs, though, have seven days to rest their weary bones after playing Cork, Gordon Manning hearing from
the legend that is Barney Rock
about their meeting with Tyrone - who beat them by seven points in the league back in March.
In hurling,
Davy Fitzgerald is not unfamiliar with run-ins with officialdom
when he's pacing up and down the sideline. A possible solution to all this aggro? Why not 'take the management off the sideline and put them in the stand, the same as rugby does,' he suggests to Gordon.
Seán Moran, meanwhile, is reflecting on
the Dublin hurlers' startling win over Limerick
, a 'seismic shock' that
our tactical analysis maestro Jeffrey Lynskey
examines.
READ MORE
In rugby, Gerry Thornley hears
Ronan O'Gara back off a touch from his ambitions to coach an international team
, while his old mucker
Gordon D'Arcy reflects on his own Lions experiences
- including his name being accidentally omitted from the squad announcement in 2005. 'An inauspicious start, but a start nonetheless.'
Angus Fontaine brings the view from Australia ahead of the tour, Joe Schmidt's crew heartened by the Lions' loss to Argentina.
'It put blood in the water and proved the tourists are beatable.'
Happily, there's no blood in the water at all between Dan Sheehan and Ellis Genge. '
He's definitely someone that surprises you that he's not a dickhead
,' says Sheehan of his old foe. 'It's mad how fast you can go from despising people to hanging around to go for a coffee with them.' The magic of the Lions, that.
And ahead of Ireland's tests against Georgia and Portugal next month, John O'Sullivan hears from attack coach Mike Prendergast who talks about
the input Andy Farrell will still have on team selection
for the games, despite being a bit busy down under.
In football, Keith Andrews faces a daunting but thrilling challenge after agreeing a deal to become
manager of Premier League club Brentford
, and we talk to
Crystal Palace defender Hayley Nolan
ahead of the Republic of Ireland's friendlies against the United States.
And in racing, Brian O'Connor tells us that the bookmakers reckon
Tennessee Stud is the biggest Irish Derby threat to Lambourn
. Tennessee Stud is trained by Joseph O'Brien, Lambourn by his Da Aidan. A family affair.
TV Watch
: If you'd like to see what talent is coming up through the ranks of four of football's big shots, then tune in to today's semi-finals in the under-21 European championships. At 5.0, defending champions England play the Netherlands (Channel 4), and at 8.0 Germany meet France on a channel called 4Seven which some of us are still trying to find on our telly boxes.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Paul O'Connell adds Limerick hurlers' long-time secret weapon to his staff for Ireland's summer tour
PAUL O'Connell has added highly-rated sports psychologist Caroline Currid to his Ireland coaching staff for this summer's tour. O'Connell is Advertisement 2 The Munster icon is filling in for Andy Farrell while he's with the British and Irish Lions 2 Currid has been a valuable sounding board for Limerick's stars over the years Per Currid's CV would suggest she is a vital asset to any team she aligns herself with. In Gaelic football she's worked with the Dublin and Tyrone panels when they both wound up lifting Sam Maguire. But it's in inter-county hurling she seems to really have the Midas touch. The former junior Sligo ladies footballer aided Tipperary's players on their road to hoisting Liam MacCarthy in 2019. Advertisement Read More On GAA And it's with the Limerick hurlers that she's most synonymous as it became an almost annual part of captain Declan Hannon's triumphant All-Ireland speech that he'd give her a special shout-out. It may only be a coincidence but the only three years she The Treaty failed to attain their ultimate goal of winning the All-Ireland title O'Connell's squad includes 11 uncapped players, although Tom Ahern, Michael Milne, Shayne Bolton, Nathan Doak, Ben Murphy and Tommy O'Brien have previously been in camp. Advertisement Most read in Rugby Union Alex Kendellen, Darragh Murray, Paddy McCarthy, Stephen Smyth and Hugh Gavin all win their first call-ups whilst Ulster trio James McNabney, Jude Postlethwaite and Zac Ward will train with the squad in Dublin before it leaves for the matches in Tbilisi and Lisbon. Robbie Henshaw was Peter O'Mahony shares gardening update 'I've been planning for years' on Instagram But O'Connell can still call on established stars such as captain Craig Casey, Brothers Cian and Advertisement Speaking at the squad's announcement earlier this month O'Connell said: 'I believe we have a strong blend of youth and experience for what will be a trip into relatively uncharted territories this July. 'Georgia have made great strides in recent years, and they have made significant investment in their rugby programme which has established them amongst the leading emerging sides in international rugby. 'Under the experience of Richard Cockerill they have built on a traditionally strong forward unit with a talented backline and they will provide a tough test for us. 'Portugal showcased their attacking prowess during the Rugby World Cup 2023 and Simon Mannix is a coach I know having worked with him previously. Advertisement 'TOUGH TEST' "They play with confidence and we're expecting another tough test. 'With 15 players away with The British & Irish Lions, this tour presents an opportunity for those on the fringes to impress the coaching team. 'A number of players have been really close to selection in recent times and it's important that everyone grasps the challenge that's ahead of them. 'Every moment on the training field and across the two-match Series will count and there's a great opportunity for players to step up and impress. Advertisement 'I would like to congratulate Craig on his selection as captain. "He is a real leader with a strong personality and it is a huge personal honour for him and an opportunity that I know he will relish over the coming weeks.' Ireland play in the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi on July 5 with a 6pm Irish time start and it's a 7pm kick-off a week later when they take on Portugal in Lisbon's Estádio Nacional do Jamor.
Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Palestinian GAA clubs to visit Dublin on cultural and sporting exchange
The tour, running from July 18 to August 1, will see 47 participants travelling to Dublin, this includes 33 children aged between 9 and 16. The initiative is organised by GAA Palestine, a grassroots movement founded just over a year ago and supported by a number of Irish GAA clubs and volunteers. The itinerary includes matches, sightseeing and shared cultural experiences with local clubs. In Dublin, the group will begin with a four-night stay hosted by families from Fingallians GAA and Good Counsel/Liffey Gaels. Highlights include a VIP tour of Croke Park with GAA President Jarlath Burns, a visit to Dublin Zoo, and a trip to the beach—many for the first time. Fingallians GAA Club chairman Charlie Rogan said the idea of welcoming the group 'just made sense'. 'Everyone belongs, no matter where you're from,' he told the Irish Independent. 'We've had lots of members coming behind this. These young lads and girls are travelling from the West Bank to Egypt, then on to Ireland. 'Most won't have met their host families before, but they'll be well looked after, coached by our club and introduced to a packed few days,' he added. After Dublin, the group will travel through Carlow to Thurles, Co Tipperary—the birthplace of the GAA—where they'll tour Semple Stadium and take part in a blitz at Dr Morris Park alongside clubs like Burgess, Drom & Inch and Borris-Ileigh. They'll then head to Cork, where activities include a boat tour of Bantry Bay and a train ride to Cobh—both firsts for many of the children. They'll also visit Páirc Uí Chaoimh and take part in a Palestinian solidarity march on July 26, led by local children and the touring party. Good Counsel/Liffey Gaels are also playing host and will welcome the group around the time of the All-Ireland final. Hughie Cullen a member of organising committee in the club said that hosting the GAA clubs from the West Bank was something everyone in the community was excited about. 'A lot of our members had been going to the national marches, calling for peace,' he said. 'When GAA Palestine reached out, we were only too happy to jump in. For us, it's a humanitarian thing.' Mr Cullen said the club is preparing a warm welcome that includes a mix of Irish and Palestinian food. He added: 'We've got spice boxes, fish and chips—and hopefully a local Palestinian chef cooking a traditional dish.' The club have also set up a fundraiser to help support the GAA Palestine Summer Tour with some of the funds helping to buy equipment such as hurls and helmets for the Palestinian GAA clubs. The group also plans to visit County Clare with host club Éire Óg before a final potential leg north to Belfast and Derry—though that leg depends on visa approvals. GAA Palestine founder Stephen Redmond thanked volunteers and donors who have supported the effort. 'I want to express my deepest thanks to every volunteer who has given their time and heart to support GAA Palestine, and to each and every person who has generously donated to our fundraiser—your solidarity means the world,' he said. 'We're also truly grateful to our amazing partners: Paddywagon, Forsa, O'Neills. Their support has helped turn our vision into reality.' He's also calling on political representatives to support what he describes as a 'common-sense approach' to allowing access to the North for Palestinian athletes. 'It's not safe or right to ask children to travel dangerous roads in the West Bank just to attend interviews and then pay around £10,000 for visas for a two-night stay. We need solutions that prioritise care and safety.' The first Palestinian GAA club, Moataz Sarsour GAA, was formed in Ramallah in 2023 and named after a 17-year-old player who was killed by Israeli forces shortly after his first training session. Since then, the movement has grown steadily, with four clubs now operating in the West Bank. The visa applications are currently with the Department of Justice, which GAA Palestine says is a welcome development. The department contacted GAA officials last week seeking further information, suggesting that the process is under way. However, organisers remain uncertain about how long it will take, with growing concern that the necessary approvals may not be issued in time. They are now appealing to anyone with connections in the department to help expedite the process ahead of the group's planned arrival on July 18.
The 42
3 hours ago
- The 42
O'Neill mischievously wishes Andrews well in potential Bees appointment
FORMER IRELAND MANAGER Martin O'Neill has delivered some withering analysis on the future of Keith Andrews as he seems poised to get the manager's job at Brentford. Following Thomas Frank's appointment as Tottenham Hotspur manager, Andrews – who was set-piece coach for Frank – has moved into a strong position to take the reigns at the west London club. Speaking on Talksport, former Celtic manager O'Neill expressed his hope that Andrews would get the job, 'because then he will realise what management is all about'. Advertisement While O'Neill was in charge of Ireland, Andrews was an outspoken critic of O'Neill and his assistant Roy Keane, in a spell when they reached the Euro finals and beat Italy. 'He has been their set-piece coach,' said O'Neill of Andrews. 'The irony is when I was manager of the Republic of Ireland he was a particularly vitriolic critic of mine at the time. He was really dead against me trying to use setpieces to try to win games. 'The irony is he becomes the set-piece coach. Really I say good luck to him. Brentford have decided, if it is the case, that he should get it.' He added, 'I hope he does get it because then he will realise what management is all about. It's not as easy to be sitting in a pundit's chair sitting to criticise someone who in all honesty had a much better career than he had. 'He was dealing at the bottom end of it when I was winning the European Cup. That doesn't mean you shouldn't be criticising. Everyone to their own. But it'll be a different ball game now.' It wasn't all swipes however, as he did throw some praise in Andrews' direction. 'In terms of some of the decisions he has made, I think he has done very well as the set-piece coach. A lot of credit has gone to him for the fast starts Brentford have made in games,' said the Kilrea man. 'He is stepping into an unknown. It's all very well when you can be the friend of the players. You can have the set-pieces, you can be the coach sitting there in the room. It's a different ball game when you're making the big decisions.'
