Kerry ladies have what it takes to secure back-to-back Munster titles in final with Waterford
Kerry against Waterford at any level of Gaelic football doesn't roll off the tongue like say Kerry v Cork, but there can be no doubt that the Déise are in this Munster ladies senior championship final on merit.
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Irish Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Six years of call-ups and still no cap - the Irish star stuck in purgatory
Max O'Leary is hoping to finally break his international duck this week - six years after first being called up by Ireland. The Bristol City keeper has been knocking on the Ireland door since May 2019 when Mick McCarthy brought him in as cover for Mark Travers. But since then there have been two managerial changes - plus an interim boss - but still no cap for the English-born keeper who qualifies for Ireland via his Kerry-born grandfather. O'Leary, 28, said: 'I've been around a while now and seen a few managers. Hopefully, I'll get my opportunity soon. 'I'm ready if needed. I have always been happy to come across and hook up with the players in camp and have enjoyed it every time. 'The atmosphere is great. I'm ready to go and if I get that chance, I'll be happy to take it. It's something I've wanted to do and I've put in the hard work. This is just another thing to tick off, and it'd be a great honour.' Since he first got called into the Ireland squad, O'Leary has played 125 games straight in the Championship, maturing into a much better keeper than the 22-year-old version of himself. He says: 'You get into a rhythm of playing, especially with the volume of the Championship, you get to know your body. And feel like I have done well over that longer period of time. Obviously, there are going to be mistakes in there, but the consistency I am really happy with. 'With Bristol City, I had to bide my time and be patient which was how I ended up going out on a few loans. I know I wasn't ready to make that step up. 'Nigel Pearson was the manager at the time and he just said 'go and express yourself, you are going to make mistakes. I don't care. I am going to back you'. 'And I think just having that confidence to step up.' Now he is seeking the next step with the Boys in Green who play Senegal and Luxembourg this week. O'Leary said: 'If asked, I will be ready.'
Irish Examiner
7 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Armagh All-Ireland winner Mark Shields says coming out as gay was a 'daunting task'
Mark Shields hopes speaking about being a gay inter-county footballer will be of benefit to young Gaelic games players struggling to express their sexuality. At the GPA's annual Pride Brunch, the 2024 All-Ireland winner with Armagh spoke openly in front of an audience for the first time about being gay. He is the first active male inter-county player to speak about being gay since Cork hurler Donal Óg Cusack. "I feel it's just important to tell my own story of 12 - 15 years playing inter-county, my experience of coming through the ranks, being a senior inter-county player in the male GAA environment," Shields said in a video published on the GPA's social media accounts. "It was a daunting task coming out, whenever it was, about 10 - 12 years. The culture has changed within society, within the group in Armagh. I feel that I can express myself more. The group are more accepting. "The language used around the group is changing. There's people standing up for people, for myself in the group, whereas maybe that didn't happen that much before. I think the culture is changing within the GAA itself." Shields said that some of the language used in changing rooms in the past would have been "hurtful". He added that having the type of support he feels is now available would have made his situation much easier a decade ago. "It's been excellent to have allyships and people advocating for it in social media, and around GAA set-ups, and the GPA," he said. "I hope speaking out and telling my story will help that younger player, be it male or female, non-binary to express themselves in the GAA environment." Shields advised anyone struggling with their sexuality to find someone they can trust. "For me, it was process," he said "I had to find someone I trusted in, that was my sister; I spoke to my sister a lot, and would have a close relationship with her, my partner as well. It's finding that someone you trust and you want to express yourself to them. "I found that very helpful whenever I was trying to tell my story and trying to come out. They were the ones that stood by me throughout and supported me whenever I felt down or low in the dumps or in a dark place. "It doesn't have to be in front of a group; it can be a one-to-one conversation with someone. That's how I found it easier, to have that walk on the beach, in a forest or just chatting to someone over a coffee. That was the easiest way for myself."
Extra.ie
8 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Six months on, former Derry Captain Chrissy McKaigue is content with his decision to retire
Hanging up his boots last year former Derry captain Chrissy McKaigue is still getting used to the idea of watching from the side-line but says he is still happy that he decided to call it a day. Making his debut for his county team in 2008 against Monaghan, Chrissy has a list as long as his arm when it comes to achievements with Derry, including a national league medal and two Ulster championships medals and an All-Star in 2022. However, when it comes the star has no time for regrets and concentrates more on the achievements he accomplished along the way. Chrissy McKaigue in action for Derry. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Sitting down with Extra as part of the launch of this year's Electric Ireland's Minor Championship Chrissy is still immersed in the sport. 'I'm so, heavily involved with GAA still in the day job. I work in a secondary school, coordinating Gaelic games. Not only just boys, Gaelic games, the girls, camogie and ladies football is a heavy part of my remit also. 'I'm back playing football for Slaughtneil, my club and doing bits and pieces of media too regarding GAA.' When it comes to throwing on the county jersey though he said 'I'm content to walk away from Inter-county and I'm actually enjoying the freedom of not having it and put my energy into other facets of it.' Chrissy McKaigue at the 2025 Electric Ireland GAA All-Ireland Minor Championship launch. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan 'And like, I didn't want to be that way, but it's just the way I was and It is, it's, it's, it wears heavy after a while and it certainly wears weighs heavy after 16 or 17 years, let me tell you.' The former defender who has come up against some of the best of the best over the years such as Dublin's Diarmuid Connolly and Kerry's David Clifford says it is relief to step away from the intensity of the game. 'I don't have be thinking about football or the pressures of inter-county football, because I don't take any pride in saying this, like I find it really difficult to switch off from the game. When the season started in inter-county until it finished, it probably captured too much of my thinking,' he said. Chrissy McKaigue tussling with Kerry's David Clifford. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile Admitting that doing this for several years can take its toll on your mind. Looking forward to this year's season, the Derry man has full confidence in his former team believing that Sam is up for grabs from several contenders. 'It's been so long since we've had so many teams jockeying for possession in the race for Sam,' and this year all bets are off to who will be bringing the trophy home.
