Eamonn Sweeney: Dublin's era is over but Armagh's may just be starting
Armagh, we hardly knew ye. The best team of Gaelic football's ugliest year are also looking like the best team in its most beautiful.
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The 42
26 minutes ago
- The 42
Páirc history maker Noonan: 'To come back wearing a different shirt, it's the same feeling'
CORK'S OWN SAOIRSE Noonan became the first sportsperson to play a competitive inter-county Gaelic football match and soccer international at Páirc Uí Chaoimh this evening. Not only did the hometown hero play, she also scored. Her second international goal, on her first competitive start for Ireland. The stuff of dreams. 'It was a bit surreal,' said Celtic striker Noonan. 'I was just trying to find my feet, ease my way into the game and not get caught up in the moment. It's unbelievable, I'm absolutely delighted. 'When it went in and hit off my head, I could just see it dipping. I don't even know how I celebrated or anything. I just had a little moment, took a deep breath and was back into focus, we wanted to get that next goal quick.' Unfortunately for Ireland, it never came. Noonan's 19th-minute header into the City End proved the winner against Slovenia on the night, but Carla Ward's side fell short of the four-goal victory needed to top Group B2 and secure automatic Nations League promotion. They now contest play-offs in October. It was a case of mixed emotions on Leeside, but pride was the overriding feeling for the multi-talented girl from Grange, with her family watching on. 'Since the new stadium's been built, I played here with the Cork ladies footballers at senior level [against Westmeath in the 2020 National League]. To come back wearing a different shirt, it's the same feeling, you're representing something you're really proud of. 'Carla called the team (out) last night. When I got the nod, I just told my parents and kept it a bit quiet and just tried to treat it like another game. 'It was really special. My grandad would've been a proud man tonight. He's at every game. And my granny, this is the first time she has seen me play senior [or Ireland], so it was emotional, it meant a lot to me. Advertisement 'Being in Cork is enough motivation in itself. Wearing the Irish jersey is enough motivation. You don't need anything else really, but it does add that little bit of grit.' Noonan in action for Cork in 2019. Laszlo Geczo / INPHO Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO Noonan reflected on a positive team performance in front of 9,433 fans as Ireland rounded off their Nations League group with a fifth win from six. Not achieving the required goal tally was disappointing, of course, but the 25-year-old was optimistic post-match. 'The first thing was to go out and win the game but the bigger picture, we obviously wanted to get the (four) goals. We started off well, that's something we've spoken about the last few days. We had a lot of chances, possession, we played really well. They're a good team. 'When we got the goal, I think we thought a 1-0 lead, can we get another one before half time? That was the focus. We were pushing, we were unlucky, one or two decisions we could have made better. 'We have to be proud of ourselves, it's still a win and at international level, wins don't come easy. It's about building. This team is good, we're working hard every day, we're growing — you can see the growth. From the first time Carla came in to now, even for myself, I feel like each camp and each day, you feel like you're getting better.' It has been a whirlwind few months for Noonan, who ended a lengthy international absence with back-to-back substitute appearances, a start, and a goal. The dual star enjoyed a goal-laden season with Celtic in Scotland, and returned to the international fold having been overlooked in recent times. 'I have to thank Carla for bringing me back in and giving me minutes,' said Noonan. 'When I got the nod today, I felt I owed it to the staff. They've had so much belief in me. 'Look, Im delighted. We got the win, but we wanted the four goals and we wanted to top the group.'
The 42
3 hours ago
- The 42
Ireland beat Slovenia at Páirc Uí Chaoimh but fall short of four-goal win needed for top spot
Republic of Ireland 1 Slovenia 0 AT THE FINAL whistle, Slovenia celebrated wildly. Ireland won the game, but not the war. A frst-half goal from Cork history-maker Saoirse Noonan wasn't enough at Páirc Uí Chaoimh as the hosts fell short of the four-goal win needed to steal top spot and secure Nations League promotion. Carla Ward's side went for it, but instead navigate the play-offs in October as they chase promotion to League A. They'll learn their fate in Friday's draw, a third-place League A team lying in wait. As Saša Kolman and his players revelled in their incredible achievement — thanks to a 4-0 win in Koper in February — the Irish squad huddled quietly and paid tribute to the retiring Louise Quinn. Much of the 9,433 fans stayed around on a windy night on Leeside to do so too. They hailed their home heroes Noonan, Denise O'Sullivan and Megan Connolly as they circled the pitch, the GAA markings still visible, and points covered on the scoreboard. Ward said Ireland would go gung-ho, and that they did. She made four changes from Friday's 2-1 comeback win over Türkiye, three of them attacking, and gave Katie McCabe full licence to go forward. One addition, Cork's own Noonan broke the deadlock in the 19th minute. The first sportsperson to play a competitive inter-county Gaelic football match and soccer international in the Páirc, Noonan headed home her second international goal after a superb delivery from Jessie Stapleton, moved out to right-back on the night. Ireland had been piling on the pressure through an encouraging start against a stiff breeze; Noonan's first chance cleared off the line amidst a raft of early corners. Anna Patten was among the others to go close, but Slovenia still held a threat on the counter. Abbie Larkin and Emily Murphy danced out wide, the former and Megan Connolly testing Zala Meršnik and finding their range from distance, while McCabe sent in some delicious deliveries, before Ireland hit the front. Slovenia looked rattled as the one-way traffic continued, and did their utmost to frustrate. Maja Sternad was booked for a cynical foul on the clearly-targetted McCabe, while manager Saša Kolman also saw yellow on the line. Advertisement Kyra Carusa, Murphy and Patten probably should have done better with chances from corners — Connolly and McCabe on song from the set-piece — and the returning centre-forward saw a penalty shout waved away for a clear push from Meršnik. But the Slovenian transitional threat remained; Courtney Brosnan stepping up with a huge save to deny Lara Prasnikar on the cusp of half time. The Eintracht Frankfurt star really should have done better one-on-one, having exposed the Irish defence, not for the first time. Caitlin Hayes, making her first start under Ward, did bring further solidity, however. Ireland would have liked to have been more than one goal to the better at the break, but they will have been encouraged by their efforts through the chaos. Hometown hero Denise O'Sullivan grew into the game more and more on the restart, but Ireland struggled to string together as many chances. That wasn't helped by the stop-start nature of the contest, Slovenia doing their utmost to slow matters down with cynical challenges and unnecessary bookings. Just after the hour-mark, the Megan Campbell siren sounded. The long-throw specialist was introduced alongside Amber Barrett, and both looked to impact quickly. Hayes headed a Campbell slingshot over the bar, and the lively Murphy skied a golden chance after being played through by Barrett. The Newcastle United forward later drew a good save after cutting in from the left. Slovenia were living off scraps, but fired warning shots here and there. Brosnan dealt with all sent her way. With 10 minutes to play, the retiring Louise Quinn was thrown into the action alongside Marissa Sheva. It was anticipated the towering centurion would be sent up top as Ireland chased more goals, but she went centre-back. They kept knocking — and kept Meršnik on her toes — but couldn't add to Noonan's early effort. And amidst handbags down the stretch, Patten picked up her second yellow of the campaign, meaning she is suspended for the first leg of the play-offs. IRELAND: Courtney Brosnan; Jessie Stapleton (Megan Campbell 62), Anna Patten, Caitlin Hayes, Katie McCabe; Emily Murphy, Megan Connolly, Denise O'Sullivan, Abbie Larkin (Louise Quinn 80); Saoirse Noonan (Amber Barrett 62), Kyra Carusa (Marissa Sheva 80). SLOVENIA: Zala Meršnik; Lana Golob, Sara Agrež; Kaja Korošec, Dominika Čonč; Lara Prašnikar; Špela Kolbl, Sara Makovec, Kaja Eržen; Zara Kramžar, Maja Sternad (Nina Kajzba, 68) Referee: Miriama Bockova (Slovakia).
Irish Independent
5 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Dublin's crucial showdown with Derry confirmed for Newry on Saturday June 14
Dublin's final All-Ireland series round robin game against Derry has been fixed for Newry on Saturday week at 6.30pm with Armagh and Galway taking place simultaneously in Kingspan Breffni in Cavan.
