
Laois debutant James Duggan nets five first-half goals in Joe McDonagh Cup win over Kerry

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The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Wexford GAA take unprecedented step around club championship schedule due to Electric Picnic Festival
Some noses have been put out of joint over it WEXFORD GAA have taken the novel step of instituting a gap week when the Electric Picnic Festival is on. The progressive step was taken on the basis of two primary reasons. 2 This year's edition of the music and arts bonanza will be held from August 29-31 Credit: Getty 2 Round five of the county's hurling championship had originally been slated for that weekend County chairman John Kenny laid both out to the Irish Independent. He noted: "The CCC based it on what went on on that weekend last year. "We had requests coming in from all over the place and everybody wanting to play their matches on a certain day at a certain time. "So we just had the weekend free in the calendar. "Unfortunately, we were out of our inter-county championships earlier than we had hoped this year and we just had the weekend to play with and we said we'd put it in then." Kenny did acknowledge that not every club official was pleased with the measure since there has just been a gap week while the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann was on. But the vast majority of players are bound to appreciate not being put in the annual bind of choosing between lining out for their club and attending the Stradbally showpiece. It's a welcome good news story around GAA and the Model County given their hurling team's current plight. County legend Larry O'Gorman fears even darker days could be ahead – with the 1996 All-Ireland hero insisting that even a loss to Kildare would not come as a major shock. As evidenced by their failure to reach this year's All-Ireland series, O'Gorman feels his county have fallen behind Kilkenny, Galway and Dublin in the Leinster pecking order. He said: "Why didn't we qualify? Because them other teams are far greater than us at the moment. Inside Sharlene Mawdsley's 'delicious' yet atypical Tenerife holiday with GAA star boyfriend Mikey Breen 'We're well able to beat them on the big occasion. But when it comes to the crunch, or when it comes to qualifying for a Leinster final or an All-Ireland quarter-final or semi-final, it's a different kettle of fish. "And we haven't produced over the last number of years. That's the reason why we are where we are unfortunately.' ON THE RISE Kildare will enter the Leinster fray in 2026 as Joe McDonagh Cup champions. Backboned by their All-Ireland Under-20 winners of last year, Offaly are on the rise too. On the Faithful, O'Gorman said: "They're a young, fit, eager, hungry team. They've carried it from Under-20 into senior. We're going to be under pressure, to be honest. 'From a Dublin point of view, where they've come from, they're looking further down the field again next year. I think Dublin will be back in the Leinster final. "They'll be back in All-Ireland quarter-finals again next year. That's the level where Dublin are. 'From a Kildare point of view, their progress has risen so quick up the ladder that they can only get better. "Now, have they got the skill levels? Have they got the drive to stay up at that level? Or is this just a pop up and a pop back down? 'But I think Kildare, naturally the club in Naas are producing top-class hurlers but yeah, Kildare are going to be a threat to Wexford as well. "They're great hurlers, but the level we're at, I wouldn't be surprised if Kildare could even beat us."


Extra.ie
5 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Sport legends fundraise for Cork girl who lost legs on farm
Irish sporting icons have been fundraising for a 13-year-old Cork girl who lost both of her legs in a farm accident. The 'Stand for Féile' fundraiser has been joined by a broad range of sports stars after Féile O'Sullivan suffered the life-altering incident in which she suffered severe lower abdominal injuries. Féile, who is from Allihies on the Beara Peninsula, currently remains in hospital at CHI Crumlin in Dublin. Féile lost her legs in a farm accident. Pic: 'Stand for Féile' fundraiser. She has undergone around 30 operations and procedures, including the amputation of both legs. Former Kerry footballer and seasoned rugby player Mick Galwey is the latest sportsperson to support the fundraiser. He has joined with a number of GAA stars, including Cork's Patrick Horgan, All-Ireland winning Tipperary hurler Darragh Stakelum and Clare legend Anthony Daly, in posting videos of their support online. Féile's club, Garnish GAA, launched the appeal nine days ago with the permission of her family to help raise funds for her rehabilitation in the months and years ahead. The fundraiser has raised over €468,000 so far. The accident occurred just before Féile's 13th birthday and she has shown 'great strength and bravery' in the weeks since. Féile will require intensive care for months, followed by intensive rehabilitation, and a complete adjustment to a new way of life. The fundraiser states: 'Anyone lucky enough to know Féile will tell you how full of life, energy, fun, kindness and what a pure messer she is. 'She adores dogs and horses. Farming is in her blood, and she loves everything about nature, outdoors, staying active. 'She's also a true sports star – whether football, soccer, gymnastics, or anything involving movement and fun, Féile is always giving it her all, with a smile and a sparkle in her eyes. 'This accident hasn't changed who she is, but has just changed what she now needs.' Féile will require intensive care and rehabilitation. Pic: 'Stand for Féile' fundraiser Féile's family, along with her community, are all 'heartbroken' and are preparing for the 'enormous' emotional and financial toll. Garnish GAA Development Officer and Cork County Councillor Finbarr Harrington says they are overwhelmed by the response to their appeal saying it has been 'phenomenal'. He remarked: 'We are a very small club, in a small rural parish of Allihies on the Beara Peninsula, 100 miles from Cork and probably the furthermost pitch from Croke Park. 'The family are so grateful for this. We reached out to other GAA clubs in the Beara Division and further afield and to GAA stars, and they've really rowed in behind the challenge.' As well as the online challenge, fundraising events are also being organized locally from cakes sales to sea-kayaking. Harrington added that Féile is a 'unbelievably outgoing girl' and that every donation 'no matter how big or small will go directly towards Féile's care'. He said: 'She is going to face the challenge, but she has a long road ahead of her. The funds won't ease the pain of what has happened but it will take away the financial worry for her mum, Maureen.' People can donate here.


RTÉ News
5 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Kevin O'Brien takes reins as Westmeath hurling manager
Westmeath have former Under-20 manager Kevin O'Brien as their new senior hurling manager, replacing Seoirse Bulfin, who departed after one season in charge. O'Brien, who sought the senior role at the end of last year, previously guided his native Clonkill to Westmeath SHC titles in 2018 and 2019. He takes charge in the wake of a difficult campaign which saw Westmeath relegated to Division 2 of the Allianz Hurling League, though they did manage to retain their Joe McDonagh Cup status after wins over Down and Kerry. Bulfin, who was part of Clare's 2013 All-Ireland winning backroom team, stepped down from the role in June.