logo
Avenir Sports All-Island Cup wrap: Holders Galway United among semi-finalists

Avenir Sports All-Island Cup wrap: Holders Galway United among semi-finalists

RTÉ News​a day ago
Bohemians will host Shelbourne and Wexford will visit holders Galway United in the Avenir Sports All-Island Cup semi-finals after all four teams got through their last-eight ties on Saturday.
Reigning back-to-back champions Galway advanced to the last-four of the competition, which brings together both SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division and Northern Irish clubs, after a 3-1 win over Shamrock Rovers at Eamonn Deacy Park.
Ceola Bergin's double had Galway in control at half-time and then an own goal put Phil Trill's side 3-0 up, before the in-form Joy Ralph scored a consolation for the Hoops.
Shelbourne breezed through to the semis after a 6-0 triumph over Treaty United at Tolka Park.
Jess Gargan's early goal had Shels on course before Noelle Murray and Mackenzie Anthony solidified that advantage with two more just before the break.
Gargan would net again in the second half, with Jemma Quinn and Megan Smyth-Lynch rounding off the scoring.
Bohemians, who face second-placed Shelbourne in the league next Saturday, beat Belfast side Glentoran 3-1 at Blanchflower Stadium.
Lisa Murphy and Hannah O'Brien scored in the first half, with Murphy completing her brace in the second half after Glentoran had pulled one back via Kascie Weir.
The All-Island Cup semi-finals will be played on the week ending 27 July.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Lions XV to face Brumbies features eight Irish players
Lions XV to face Brumbies features eight Irish players

RTÉ News​

timean hour ago

  • RTÉ News​

Lions XV to face Brumbies features eight Irish players

Eight Ireland players have been named been named in the British and Irish Lions starting line-up for Wednesday's match against the ACT Brumbies as Lions Andy Farrell has names his strongest yet. The game in Canberra is shaping up to be a dry run for the first Test against Australia. Maro Itoje leads the side as part of a second-row partnership with Joe McCarthy and across the starting XV there are picks considered first choice, including half-backs Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell. The all-Ireland combination of Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose have been chosen in the centres and Blair Kinghorn makes his first start at full-back having joined the squad late because of his Top 14 duties with Toulouse. The Leinster duo of Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong at hooker and tight-head, while there's another Leinster man in at No. 8 as Jack Conan is given the nod to start. Tommy Freeman and James Lowe are the favourites to fill the wings against Australia in Brisbane and both are present, with Mack Hansen adding back-three cover from the bench against his former Super Rugby franchise. The bench players bring Ireland's involvement in the match day squad to 12 with Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Josh van der Flier and Mack Hansen all in the running to feature in Canberra. Also providing X-factor on the bench are back-rower Henry Pollock and versatile playmaker Marcus Smith in an opportunity for both England stars to prove they are ready to take on the Wallabies on 19 July. Pollock was due to start Saturday's shaky 21-10 victory over the New South Wales Waratahs but withdrew shortly before kick-off because of a tight calf, an injury that has now healed. British and Irish Lions: Blair Kinghorn, Tommy Freeman, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, 10 Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje (c), Joe McCarthy, Ollie Chessum, Tom Curry, Jack Conan.

Meath will face Kerry in the All-Ireland semi-final while Galway will take on Dublin
Meath will face Kerry in the All-Ireland semi-final while Galway will take on Dublin

Irish Examiner

timean hour ago

  • Irish Examiner

Meath will face Kerry in the All-Ireland semi-final while Galway will take on Dublin

Galway manager Daniel Moynihan expects Dublin to be on a revenge mission when they clash in the semi-finals of the TG4 All-Ireland on Sunday week. Galway, runners-up to Kerry, defeated Dublin in the quarter-finals last year and Moynihan knows what to expect this time round. 'It's going to be an interesting game. Dublin had a difficult situation last year going to extra time and us just catching them at the end. So, I'm sure their tails will be up. They'll be looking forward to playing us and getting a little bit of revenge against us,' said Moynihan. A Kate Slevin first half penalty laid the platform as Galway built a 1-7 to 0-3 interval over Waterford at Tuam Stadium before going on to win by 1-18 to 1-12. 'We have a huge variation of scorers out there and that's fantastic for me as a manager that we have that variation,' added Moynihan. 'It causes a little bit of confusion for other teams as well in knowing who to pick up. We started really, really well today.' Lauren McGregor's strike early in the second period — she finished with 1-7 — breathed new life in the Deise challenge, but they were unable to catch Galway. 'We just didn't probably hit a lot of the markers we'd laid out in the first half,' said Waterford manager Tomás Mac a tSaoir. 'We probably left too much work to do in the second half. A spirited comeback in the second half but we just couldn't squeak in close enough to maybe squeak ahead. 'Lots of things to build on. Those girls inside there know they're not that far away from busting into the top section of counties that have been performing over the last five or six years. They have to start thinking about that now for the next couple of months.' Dublin joint manager Paul Casey said they have plenty of room for improvement despite seeing off Cork by 3-15 to 0-7, with Hannah Tyrrell leading the way with 1-5. 'I think for lots of that game, there were probably lots of aspects that we weren't overly happy with,' said Casey. Our shooting let us down on a number of occasions, but in fairness to our girls they battled to the very end and their work-rate was superb throughout. We're really pleased and delighted to be in the semi-final. 'In fairness to our medical team and our S&C team, they're getting the players back when we need them now coming in. To see Orlagh Nolan coming in there. A year ago she did her cruciate and she has had to work so, so hard to come in and get her 15 minutes in there today. There is competition for places. We know there is lots of work that lies ahead, but we won't underestimate anybody that is left in this competition.' 'I thought Dublin were superb all the way through,' said Cork manager Joe Carroll. 'I think their pace, their tackling was at a different level to what we're at and what we have been used to. I would definitely say the best team we have seen play this year so far. They mightn't win an All-Ireland, but if they keep producing performances like that, they won't be far off it.' Síofra O'Shea led the way for champions Kerry, scoring a hat-trick in their 3-12 to 0-11 win over Kildare in Tralee. Two of the goals came in the opening half when the Kingdom were playing against the wind in Tralee. 'I thought the effort was much better than it was in previous games,' said Kerry manager Mark Bourke. 'We were only playing in dribs and drabs, 30 minutes here and there in the last few games, but I thought we were very good today for 50 minutes. 'The goals were absolutely crucial. To go up four points against the wind was the making of the game for us.' Even though the Lilywhites got off to a very strong start, notching four points in the opening nine minutes to take the early ascendancy, the concession of the two green flags before the break was a hammer blow to the visitors who trailed by 2-5 to 0-7 at the interval. 'It's probably small margins,' said Kildare manager Pat Sullivan. 'We had two chances for goals in the first half, and we didn't take them. We again missed a good chance of a goal just after half-time. We were pushing then, and got caught for a third goal. 'Overall, I'm very proud of the group. We had no player here today that has ever played in an All-Ireland quarter-final.' Meath manager Shane McCormack, after seeing off Tipperary by 2-17 to 1-6, said they won't lack incentive against Kerry in the last four after going out at the quarter-final stage to the Kingdom in Tralee in each of the last two seasons. Goals from Vikki Wall and Niamh Gallogly put Meath into a commanding 2-9 to 0-2 interval lead in Navan. 'I'm very proud of the girls. They've gotten a lot of criticism over the last year and a half,' said McCormack. 'The last time they won the All-Ireland was in '22. We've brought in a lot of girls and they've been working extremely hard. Very disappointed with the last two years down in Tralee, so we have them in a couple of weeks' time and we'll be ready for it. 'I have mentioned the last couple of months, we've been playing in patches. The last 15, 20 minutes we've been going out of games. It wasn't lack of fitness, it was just managing it. In fairness to the girls, there was a lot of composure shown there and we kept going for the 60 minutes. Even the girls who came on, they finished the job. Super, delighted for them.' Tipperary never looked like catching them after the break although Aishling Moloney found the net in the closing stages. 'Meath came out of the blocks far quicker in the first half,' said Tipperary manager Ed Burke. 'I think physically they were just far stronger and they dominated us. When that comes at you in one burst, I think for 10 minutes there they scored 2-5 and that's the game in a nutshell. I thought the second half in fairness, I thought we came out and we battled well. We gave a bit of a better account of ourselves. Look, Meath are deserving winners.' Meanwhile, Armagh and Mayo ensured survival in the senior grade for 2026. Read More Armagh secure safety, Donegal now face Leitrim Armagh got the better of Donegal by 0-15 to 0-5, while Mayo overcame Leitrim by 2-14 to 0-13 in relegation play-offs which doubled up as provincial derbies on Saturday. Mayo manager Liam McHale stepped down after two years in charge after ensuring his native county's top flight status. Read More Liam McHale steps down as Mayo ladies football boss Donegal and Leitrim both have a second chance next Saturday, July 12, but the losers of that tie will be relegated to the intermediate grade for next season. In the Intermediate Championship, Wicklow were victorious by 3-11 to 3-8 after extra-time over Offaly on Sunday in an all-Leinster relegation clash, to ensure survival. Wicklow can look forward to intermediate fare again next year, with Offaly relegated to the junior ranks.

'I thought we were goosed' - Kelly admits Tipp enjoyed slice of fortune
'I thought we were goosed' - Kelly admits Tipp enjoyed slice of fortune

Irish Examiner

time2 hours ago

  • Irish Examiner

'I thought we were goosed' - Kelly admits Tipp enjoyed slice of fortune

All-Ireland camogie quarter-final: Tipperary 1-22 Kilkenny 0-19 AET Six points was the winning margin at the final whistle, just as it had been when Tipperary beat Kilkenny by 0-17 to 1-8 back in March in the league. But there wasn't a soul in Croke Park who felt that there was anything more than a whisker between the sides in yesterday's Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior quarter-final. After 80 minutes, the game had been decided by the two moments where the ball hit the net – Clodagh McIntyre's stunning strike just before half-time in extra-time, and Caoimhe Keher Murtagh's one-handed sweep that wasn't allowed, as it came just after referee Ray Kelly blew his whistle for a foul on the Kilkenny sub, and a penalty. Laura Leenane saved Aoife Prendergast's penalty, and Tipp never looked back. 'I'll definitely be sending Ray a Christmas card for that one!' quipped Tipperary manager Denis Kelly afterwards, praising Leenane for her immense contribution since taking over the number one jersey this year. 'Look, they fall for you at times. I thought we were possibly goosed if that went in. 'Laura's been a huge find. We lost Nicole Walsh (who retired) so we needed someone to fill the boots and she's definitely done that. That was a huge save, as was Mairéad's,' he added, referring to Mairéad Eviston's block on a Keher Murtagh goal effort midway through the first half. 'All these things add up at the end of it, it's another game of inches.' It was a game of inches because of how Kilkenny put the shackles on a freescoring Tipp attack, holding the Premier County to 0-16 in the hour. Much of this was down to Tommy Shefflin deploying Maria Brennan as an extra defender, with Katie Power and Laura Murphy doing the work of three players to compensate at the other end. 'We brought Maria back as sweeper and just encouraged them to use the ball,' Shefflin said. 'When you're playing with five forwards you have to have good ball going in and in fairness to Katie Power, she got three wonderful scores in the first half when she was outnumbered. 'It's not a traditional thing for Kilkenny to play with a sweeper so we went against the curve with that. But we didn't want to come up here and leave ourselves wide open, maybe going a goal or two down after five or ten minutes. We wanted to stay in the match as long as we could to take belief from that, then to push up and attack the game with a few minutes to go to try and win it.' On paper, it's another quarter-final exit for Kilkenny but the mood in the Marble County will be very different to that on this day 12 months ago, when they were knocked out by Dublin in this fixture. 'We asked them for one thing – to give us something on the line that we can jump up and down, encourage each other, and to give the crowd something as well,' said Shefflin. 'The hooks, the blocks, the turnovers, at half-time we had 29 turnovers so that tells its own story. We couldn't have asked for any more." Kelly acknowledged that Kilkenny's set-up caused them some headaches, and noted that it was only after they were able to make adjustments at half-time that they found their feet. 'They were clever about it, to be fair. We were putting up big scores, they're a young team, they've a few experienced women but there's a lot of young players there. So I suppose they decided to put the sweeper there. 'At half time, we restructured that and we just decided to switch sides and get people into space a little bit more, pushing Karen (Kennedy) to centre-forward. While she wasn't having as much possessions as she normally has, she really drew them in around her." As for Jean Kelly, the Éire Óg Annacarty player was crucial to the win with three points after being introduced as a sub. 'Jean is so good off the bench. She's a little wizard there, she comes in and she gets her scores and she's zipping around. She gives us such impact off the bench.' Scorers for Tipperary: G O'Brien 0-9 (8fs); C McIntyre 1-0; C McCarthy, C Hennessy 0-2, J Kelly 0-3 each; M Burke, R Howard, C Maher, C Hennessy 0-1 each. Scorers for Kilkenny: A Prendergast 0-7 (4fs); L Murphy 0-5; K Power 0-4; L Greene 0-2; S Barcoe 0-1. TIPPERARY: L Leenane; M Eviston, K Blair, E Loughman; N Costigan, C McCarthy, S Corcoran; K Kennedy, C Maher; R Howard, M Burke, E Heffernan; C McIntyre, C Hennessy, G O'Brien. Subs: J Bourke for Costigan (23); J Kelly for Burke (46); L Purcell for McIntyre (48); N Cunneen for Howard (60+2); McIntyre for Purcell (full-time); Howard for Heffernan (79); E Cunneen for Hennessy (80). KILKENNY: A Norris; M Teehan, T Fitzgerald, D Quigley; K Doyle, N Deely, C Dowling; A O'Gorman, L Greene; S Fitzgerald, L Murphy, M O'Connell; A Prendergast, K Power, M Brennan. Subs: C Keher Murtagh for O'Connell (half-time); S Barcoe for O'Gorman (50); S Holden for Doyle (58); K Nolan for Brennan (67); S O'Dwyer for Power (74). Referee: Ray Kelly (Kildare).

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