Tyrone starlet Eoin McElholm crowned U-20 Footballer of the Year as six All-Ireland winners make season's team
Emerging Tyrone star Eoin McElholm has been crowned U-20 Footballer of the Year after a sensational season where his Red Hand side made it back-to-back All-Ireland title wins in the grade.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Netherlands hit Ireland for six in FIH Pro League
Netherlands 6-2 Ireland The Netherlands proved why they are Olympic champions and World No 1 as they inflicted a second FIH Pro League defeat on Ireland in Amstelveen in as many days. A brace from Lisnagarvey's Ben Nelson gave Ireland a major positive to take forward into their remaining FIH Pro League games, however, after Wednesday's 2-0 loss. Three saves from Luke Roleston had helped to keep the score level at the end of the first quarter and both sides had had a penalty corner before Netherlands scored through the third, Jip Janssen drag-flicking past Roleston to break the deadlock. Terrence Pieters eventually got the Netherlands' second just before half-time. A ball across the circle popped up off an Irish stick, giving Pieters the opportunity to volley into the net. The Dutch started the second half quickly, with a penalty corner in the first minute providing them an early chance. The resulting effort was deflected into the body of Lee Cole, and the Netherlands were awarded a penalty stroke, albeit a controversial one, which Jip Janssen snuck past Roleston for the Netherlands' third. Ireland remained steadfast in their efforts, but a speculative call went the way of the home side again for a corner, which Pepijn van der Heijden flicked low into the net to add a fourth. The visitors ended the third quarter positively, mounting a series of attacks, the last of which saw brothers Ben and Matthew Nelson connect well down the right flank to make their way into the circle, but selflessness from Ben as he tried to find the final pass rather than taking on the shot at goal gave the Dutch the chance to clear. Ireland made an ideal start to the final quarter, Sean Murray making a great tackle in the middle of the park and finding Ben Nelson free in the circle to fire into the net and grab Ireland's first. But the Dutch responded, restoring their four-goal lead from open play through Joep Troost. Despite the game looking out of sight, there were still plenty of positive moments in the closing stages from Ireland. An audacious lob from Ali Empey looked destined for the net but hit the side netting instead, followed by a good interchange from Ben Pasley and Adam McAllister forcing the Dutch into more defensive duties. Ben Nelson grabbed his second goal of the game sneaking the ball over Visser following a good crash ball, rewarding Ireland for their continued positive play. But the Dutch scored the final goal of the game right on the final whistle. Speaking after the game Ben Nelson said: "Playing against the top teams in the world, the Olympic Champions; it's always going to be a difficult game in their own backyard. "It's our first two matches in a block of eight, I think we need to just keep pushing on from now, take the positives from this game, see the areas we need to work on, and then push on to the next six matches." Ireland Men's Head Coach Mark Tumilty added: "It's hard to be positive after a 6-2 defeat, but we didn't deserve to lose by that margin. We created better opportunities in the first half and yet found ourselves 2-0 down at half-time." Discussing some of the umpiring decisions, Tumilty said: "I thought we should have been awarded a stroke in the first half but ended up losing our video referral. The stroke they were awarded should not have been, Luke Roleston was behind Lee Cole on the goal line. I thought those decisions were shocking. I expect decisions to be correct." Tumilty's side will travel to Antwerp next where they will begin their final stage of the FIH Pro League with an encounter with Belgium on Saturday at 2.30pm Irish time.
Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Netherlands prove their class with big win over Ireland in second match of Amstelveen double-header
Ireland started nervously, with an early defensive error offering the Dutch a chance that goalkeeper Luke Roleston saved well. They soon settled, and Ben Nelson's reverse-stick effort was well blocked by the Dutch defense. Ireland nearly struck first during a strong spell of possession. Ben Pasley's lifted ball across goal found Alistair Empey, who came close to scoring, but Dutch debutant Mauritz Visser produced a fine save. The Netherlands earned the first penalty corner of the match late in the opening quarter, forcing Roleston into two sharp saves to keep the game scoreless. Ireland continued to apply pressure in the second quarter with an effective press that disrupted Dutch build-up play. A penalty corner which could potentially have been a penalty stroke after a heavy tackle on Adam McAllister, gave Ireland a big chance but Lee Cole's shot was well defended. The Dutch responded quickly. A penalty corner saw Jip Janssen break the deadlock with a drag flick past Roleston. Moments later, another Dutch corner was well cleared, but a deflected cross shortly after allowed Terrance Pieters to volley home their second before half-time. The hosts came out fast in the second stanza, winning a penalty corner within a minute. A deflection off Lee Cole led to a controversial penalty stroke, which Janssen converted for 3-0. Despite Ireland's continued effort, the Netherlands added a fourth through Pepijn van der Heijden, who fired low from another penalty corner. Ireland finished the third quarter strongly. A promising move from brothers Ben and Matthew Nelson down the right side nearly paid off, but a pass instead of a shot allowed the Dutch to clear the danger. The visitors also started the final quarter brightly when Sean Murray intercepted in midfield and found Ben Nelson in the circle, who finished confidently to make it 4-1. However, the Netherlands hit back immediately through Joep Troost to restore the four-goal cushion. Even with the result beyond doubt, Ireland showed attacking intent in the closing stages. Ali Empey came close with a clever lob that hit the side netting, and a flowing move involving Pasley and McAllister forced more defensive work from the hosts. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Ben Nelson capped a strong individual performance with his second goal, cleverly lifting the ball over Visser. But the Dutch had the final say, scoring on the final whistle to secure a 6-2 win. Speaking after the game, goalscorer Ben Nelson said: 'Playing against the top teams in the world, the Olympic Champions; it's always going to be a difficult game in their own backyard. "It's our first two matches in a block of eight, I think we need to just keep pushing on from now, take the positives from this game, see the areas we need to work on, and then push on to the next six matches.' Head coach Mark Tumilty questioned some of the refereeing, adding 'It's hard to be positive after a 6-2 defeat, but we didn't deserve to lose by that margin. We created better opportunities in the first half and yet found ourselves 2-0 down at half-time.' 'I thought we should have been awarded a stroke in the first half but ended up losing our video referral. The stroke they were awarded should not have been, Luke Roleston was behind Lee Cole on the goal line. I thought those decisions were shocking. I expect decisions to be correct.' Ireland will travel to Antwerp next where they will begin their final stage of the FIH Pro League with an encounter against Belgium on Saturday, June 14 at 2:30pm Irish time.
Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Kerry make five changes as Mark O'Shea set to make first championship start
The Kerry team announced to start Saturday's All-Ireland SFC Group 2 final round game against Meath in Tullamore shows five changes from the side that began the Round 2 win over Cork. Barry Dan O'Sullivan (knee), Paudie Clifford (hamstring) and Paul Geaney (shoulder) were not expected to start and in come Mark O'Shea for a starting championship debut, Killian Spillane and Dylan Geaney. In defence, Dylan Casey and Brian Ó Beaglaoich make way for the experienced pair of Paul Murphy and Tadhg Morley, although Austin Stacks's man Casey is among the substitutes where Dara Moynihan returns. Morley was a late replacement for Ó Beaglaoich in Cork last month. It's certainly a depleted Kerry group that make the trip to Glenisk O'Connor Park as Diarmuid O'Connor (groin) is still unavailable. A win or a draw will be enough for The Kingdom to top the table and earn an automatic All-Ireland quarter-final place and a two-week break. KERRY (SFC v Meath): S. Ryan; P. Murphy, J. Foley, T. O'Sullivan; T. Morley, M. Breen, G. White (c); J. O'Connor, M. O'Shea; G. O'Sullivan, S. O'Shea, M. Burns; D. Clifford, K. Spillane, D. Geaney. Subs: S. Murphy, D. Casey, T. Brosnan, A. Heinrich, C. Geaney, E. Looney, S. O'Brien, T.L. O'Sullivan, D. Lyne, C. Trant, R. Murphy, D. Bourke, D. Moynihan.
