Kerry SHC Final: Abbeydorney captain James O'Connor wary of ‘very dangerous' Ballyduff
Kerryman
Making hay while the sun shines – that's exactly what Abbeydorney have been doing for the last twelve months. Four different pieces of silverware have been collected. Will there be a fifth on Sunday? Will the champions keep a vice-like grip on the Neilus Flynn Cup?
At 34 years of age, the indefatigable James O'Connor is closer to the end of his playing career than the beginning. Not that you would think that when you watch him in action. Joint-captain, with Michael O'Leary, the swashbuckling half-back knows that you must grasp every opportunity.
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The 42
3 days ago
- The 42
Peter Keane steps down as Clare football manager after one season
PETER KEANE HAS stepped down as manager of the Clare senior footballers after one season in charge. The Kerryman cited 'a combination of factors . . . namely growing business demands, plus travel and time challenges' as Clare GAA announced the news this afternoon. Keane filled the vacancy left by Mark Fitzgerald last autumn. The Banner are now on the hunt for their fourth senior football manager in four years, after the departure of long-serving Colm Collins in the summer of 2023. In a lengthy statement published through Clare GAA social media channels, Keane said: 'It is with regret that I am unable to commit to managing Clare senior footballers for the year ahead. A combination of factors are influencing my decision, namely growing business demands, plus travel and time challenges. 'I really enjoyed my time working with a great panel of footballers, whose commitment and dedication was first class. Their desire to be better footballers and play for their county at highest level was exemplary. Advertisement 'I express my sincere thanks to my management and backroom teams for their great work and commitment of the past season, also to the officers of Clare county board and football supporters club for their wonderful support throughout the season. 'I'm also grateful for the unwavering support of my wife Siobhon and children. 'Finally, I wish to sincerely thank all the players on the Clare senior football panel for their total commitment, positive attitude, and dedication. They were both a privilege and a pleasure to train and work with, to manage, represent Clare playing with pride and I wish them all the very best for the future.' Clare GAA Statement - 10.08.2025 — Clare Gaa (@GaaClare) August 10, 2025 Clare GAA head of operations Deirdre Murphy and chairman Kieran Keating thanked Keane, with Murphy noting, 'We are disappointed to be planning for 2026 without him'. 'I know from discussing Clare football matters with Peter over the past year that his interest in our cause was genuine and his engagement with our players was always enthusiastic and forthright,' Keating added. 'The logistics of his journey to Clare a number of times a week for the duration of the season proved difficult to manage alongside his business interests and personal/family commitments, and whilst we had sincerely hoped Peter could remain in the manager's role, we accept his decision with the grace he brought to the appointment. 'We will now look to appoint a new manager and management team as soon as practicable to ensure we are prepared and ready for the 2026 season.' A general view of the Clare senior footballers. Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO Under Keane's watch, Clare finished third in Division 3 of the National Football League, just missing out on promotion due to score difference. They were again beaten by Kerry in the Munster final, the scoreline 4-20 to 0-21 after a semi-final win over Tipperary. And they finished bottom of their All-Ireland senior championship group after three defeats to Down, Monaghan and Louth. Keane previously spent three seasons as Kerry senior manager following success at minor level. The Caherciveen man steered them to the All-Ireland final in 2019 (defeated by Dublin in a replay), while there was a shock Munster semi-final loss to Cork in 2020 and an All-Ireland semi-final exit to eventual champions Tyrone followed in 2021. *****
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Peter Keane gives reasons for leaving Clare football hot-seat after one season
Peter Keane has become the 10th inter-county football team manager to step down after Clare confirmed he is leaving his role after one season. Kerryman Keane put his decision down to growing business demands and time and travel challenges, but perhaps the decision by the Munster Council to revert to a seeding system for Cork and Kerry for next year's championship was also a factor. Keane, who previously managed Kerry for three seasons, took over from Mark Fitzgerald last November and guided Clare to third in Division 3 of the NFL, with score difference preventing the Banner from being promoted despite victories over Kildare and Offaly, who were promoted. They reached the Munster final by beating Tipperary and were beaten 4-20 to 0-21 in the provincial decider, then lost all three All-Ireland group games to Down, Monaghan and Louth. Keane had told members of the panel who met him a fortnight ago that the travel involved from his Cahirsiveen home was a big issue 'It is with regret that I am unable to commit to managing Clare senior footballers for the year ahead," said Keane in a statement released by Clare GAA. "A combination of factors are influencing my decision, namely growing business demands, plus travel and time challenges. 'I really enjoyed my time working with a great panel of footballers, whose commitment and dedication was first class. Their desire to be better footballers and play for their county at highest level was exemplary. Peter Keane and Down manager Conor Laverty shake hands at the final whistle after Clare's defeat in Ennis in the All-Ireland SFC group series (Image: ©INPHO/Natasha Barton) 'I express my sincere thanks to my management and backroom teams for their great work and commitment of the past season, also to the officers of Clare county board and football supporters club for their wonderful support throughout the season. I'm also grateful for the unwavering support of my wife Siobhan and children. 'Finally, I wish to sincerely thank all the players on the Clare senior football panel for their total commitment, positive attitude, and dedication. They were both a privilege and a pleasure to train and work with, to manage, represent Clare playing with pride and I wish them all the very best for the future.' Clare chairperson Kieran Keating reacted: 'I know from discussing Clare football matters with Peter over the past year that his interest in our cause was genuine and his engagement with our players was always enthusiastic and forthright. 'The logistics of his journey to Clare a number of times a week for the duration of the season proved difficult to manage alongside his business interests and personal/family commitments, and whilst we had sincerely hoped Peter could remain in the manager's role, we accept his decision with the grace he brought to the appointment. 'We will now look to appoint a new manager and management team as soon as practicable to ensure we are prepared and ready for the 2026 season.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
Irish Independent
06-08-2025
- Irish Independent
Meet the ‘honoured' Kerry Queen of Puck 2025
Kerryman August is set to be a very busy month for Robyn O'Shea. Just days after she will undertake her duties as the Queen of Puck she will also represent her county in the All-Ireland rowing championships. The 12-year girl from Cromane has been selected as the Queen of Puck this year – a honour she is only too delighted to undertake. "The festival has always been a big part of my life, I love going to it with my family. We go every year," she said. But this year will be extra special as Robyn places the crown on King Puck in a tradition dating back more than 400 years. Robyn is the daughter of James and Aisling O'Shea. She has two sisters Mia (14) and April (10) and is a student at Realt na Mara Cromane but is starting first year in the ISK this September. Every year local girls are invited to submit an essay on why they should be chosen and this year Robyn successfully made her pitch writing about her love of the festival and the importance of it to her and her family. She also had to be interviewed which she said was nerve-wrecking but worth it as she now has the great honour of being part of Puck Fair 2025. Next week she will be the centre of the festival along with her lady-in-waiting Chloe Falvey, Faye Flaherty Moriarty, Ella Foley and Kaia Ferris. Robyn says she is a little nervous but also looking forward to it. "It is a great honour, I am looking forward to it and every excited,' she said.
