‘Opportunity knocks' for Louth and Meath
Sunday will mark just the second occasion in 21 years that a Leinster Senior Football Championship final has gone ahead without Dublin involvement – 2010 et al.
Ahead of last season's championship, provincial chairman Derek Kent spoke of the competition being 'alive and kicking' despite Dessie Farrell's side being on course for a 14th consecutive triumph, a feat they would ultimately achieve.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
5 hours ago
- Irish Times
For Eve McMahon, all seas lead to LA after announcing herself at 2024 Olympics
In June, Eve McMahon was ranked the number one sailor in the world in her class of boat, ICLA 6. It was another historic milestone for the UCD student from Howth, who has trailblazed from the junior ranks straight into medalling in senior regattas. The top ranking followed a bronze medal at the World Championships in China in May and 13th in the Olympic Games last year, where she became the youngest Irish sailor to compete at the Games. Now 21, McMahon's seamless rise and her comfort in taking on the best dinghy sailors in the world has put her on a steep trajectory towards LA 2028. Although it's three years away, the experience of Paris 2024 and the early success of McMahon allows her to reflect positively on a 2025 season and also on what is to come. READ MORE 'The Olympic Games and LA 2028 is the biggest sporting event in the world, so of course that's always going to be the bigger picture,' says McMahon. 'That's always what we are going to be training for. A massive goal in my mind, but also we have these stepping-stone regattas which are also a big deal and a lot of history involved in them. Our World Championships, European Championship and World Cup series. 'It's really nice to perform at those events because they give you a really good confidence boost for the bigger picture, the Olympics.' Eve McMahon became the youngest Irish sailor to compete at an Olympics last year, aged 20. Photograph: Andrew Conan/Inpho Even the small matter of the Olympic course has been somewhat mastered. The Long Beach regatta was one leg of five including races in Spain, France, Netherlands and Germany. The Ad Astra scholar began the final day of racing in second place before ultimately taking the lead from Britain's Hannah Snellgrove to win the gold medal. 'That was the Olympic course,' she said. 'It is something I'm massively proud of. Again, that's a confidence boost to be on Olympic waters and to perform at a very high level. 'I really love the venue as well. It's technical and quite tricky and the wind can be a bit of everything. You have to be an all-round sailor and I got on great.' There is a surety about McMahon, although she says it is the lack of security in sailing that she enjoys. Her background in training with Rio silver medallist Annalise Murphy and the Olympic medal-winning Danish team has brought her close to the best in the world. She is comfortable in such company. Although she had a more muted outing last week, where she finished 11th in the European Championships overall – as consolation winning the bronze medal for the under-23 age group − the body of work so far has been hugely encouraging. 'In sailing, there are so many variables you are never secure. I think when you finish your first games and you have a breakthrough in the senior fleet, you are kind of going 'okay this is within reach',' she says. 'But nothing is ever secure and that's what I love about it. You put pressure on yourself when you are in reach of something and you know you can do it and you have people who believe in you and you believe in yourself. Eve McMahon placed 13th in the women's dinghy event at the 2024 Olympic Games in France. Photograph: David Branigan/Inpho/Oceansport 'In youth fleet, I had a very successful career and now to make a breakthrough this year in a senior fleet in my first year. It's pretty incredible to have three medals in my first senior year.' Breakfast chat in the McMahon household is only on one topic. Her brothers Ewan and Jamie are also sailors. Ewan recently recorded his best ever gold-fleet performance at the European Championships, beating LA 2028 rival Finn Lynch to come ninth. 'My oldest brother is still competing beside me in the men's Olympic class. That's been really special,' says McMahon. 'He was in Sweden at the European Championships and he just got his personal best as well. So, it's nice to see him on his trajectory too. 'We've been a big help in each other's lives. I've another brother Jamie, who also sailed. Breakfast chat? Yeah . . . breakfast, lunch and dinner, to be honest.' A two-time Under-21 world champion, McMahon knows how to get to podiums. It's been a short career but heavily packed. 'I know exactly how to handle things because I've been through it and that's a little bit of something I'm missing,' she says. 'But I also think it's something good because I don't have any fears.'
RTÉ News
15 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Slaughtneil boss Mark Doran installed as new Antrim manager
Antrim have appointed Slaughtneil manager Mark Doran as their new inter-county football manager, replacing the departed Andy McEntee. The county confirmed the news in a statement this evening, Antrim GAA chairperson Seamus McMullan saying that Doran's "depth of experience and understanding of the modern game make him an ideal fit to lead our senior footballers forward". The former Down footballer remains the Slaughtneil manager for the 2025 club season. He had initially resigned after last year's Derry SFC loss to then All-Ireland champions Glen but was reappointed to the role in March. Doran had been strongly linked with the Derry job last year, following Mickey Harte's resignation but ultimately wound up taking a coaching role alongside Davy Burke in Roscommon. He previously held coaching roles with Down between 2019 and 2021, and had spells on the coaching ticket with Clare and Wicklow. In addition to that, he was co-manager of the Ballybay side that claimed the 2022 Monaghan SFC title. McEntee vacated the Antrim post after three seasons in charge, following their Tailteann Cup quarter-final loss to Wexford. The ex-Meath manager had succeeded in keeping Antrim in the third tier of the league in his opening two seasons, as well as reaching successive Tailteann Cup semi-finals, but the county will begin 2026 in Division 4 following relegation at the start of this year.
Irish Times
21 hours ago
- Irish Times
FAI Cup holders Drogheda United to face Shamrock Rovers in quarter-finals
Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic have avoided each other in the FAI Cup quarter-finals with Stephen Bradley's Hoops drawn away to defending champions Drogheda United . St Pat's welcome Galway United to Richmond Park while the remaining Premier Division clubs, Cork City and Sligo Rovers , will expect to progress to the semi-finals. Cork travel to Donegal to face Finn Harps while Kerry host Sligo at Mounthawk Park after John Russell's side knocked Bohemians out of the cup last Friday at Dalymount Park after a goal from teenager Owen Elding. The English-born Elding is currently completing the necessary paper work for Fifa, to make him eligible for Jim Crawford's Republic of Ireland under-21 squad ahead of next month's European Championship qualifiers against Moldova away and Andorra at Tallaght Stadium. READ MORE RTÉ will select two of the last eight matches to be broadcast live on the week ending Sunday, September 14th with the other two ties on LOITV. The final takes place at the Aviva Stadium on November 9th. In the women's FAI Cup semi-final, Shamrock Rovers will play Athlone Town and Treaty United drew Bohemians. Both games will be shown live on TG4. FAI Cup quarter-final draw Kerry FC v Sligo Rovers, Mounthawk Park Drogheda United v Shamrock Rovers, United Park Finn Harps v Cork City, Finn Park St Patrick's Athletic v Galway United, Richmond Park FAI Cup women's semi-final draw Shamrock Rovers v Athlone Town Bohemians v Treaty United All games to be played in the week ending Sunday, September 14th
