Kerry begin defence of Munster Senior Ladies Championship with a win against Cork
The reigning provincial and All-Ireland champions did all the damage in the first half and by the break, they led by 1-11 to 0-3, with Síofra O'Shea and Danielle O'Leary, Player of the Match in the recent Lidl NFL Division 1 Final, doing most of the damage up front.
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RTÉ News
33 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Dublin hurlers need to keep foot down to find consistency
Dublin can be hurl as well as anybody at their best but need to find consistency, admits Daire Gray. The Dubs face surprise Joe McDonagh Cup champions Kildare in an All-Ireland SHC preliminary quarter-final in Newbridge on Saturday. Dublin did have a chance to reach the Leinster final for the second year in succession but were beaten by Galway in their last group game, 0-29 to 3-15. As in their four-point defeat to Kilkenny, the Dubs let the winners build up a big lead but finished strongly with two goals in the closing stages. "When we are [like that], anyone takes a step back," defender Gray told RTÉ Sport of the late rally against Galway. "When we're doing the things we talk about all the time, when we're playing our game the way we want to play it, you'd be very proud of the group. "We have a few results to show for it. I suppose there's a couple of things that have been left behind us, but when the group's at its best, it's some feeling you're part of it. "It's just about getting that the whole time, going into the end of the championship. The teams that are on top at the moment, they've probably put performances in as consistently as anybody, and they have something to show for it. "I think we saw at the weekend there [ Kilkenny's Leinster final win over Galway ], and even throughout the group stages that if you take the foot off, you'll know about it very shortly. We were a victim to that as well. But it's just so relentless out there, you just have to be on it the whole time." Dublin will be favoured to set up a quarter-final meeting with Munster runners-up Limerick but Gray is aware they are travelling to a Kildare side on the rise. "It's a huge challenge ahead of us there, and it's one we're really looking forward to. "Not every county is gearing up going training this week. We're very privileged to be in this position." Niall Ó Ceallacháin is in his first season with the Dubs since leading Na Fianna to the club All-Ireland title but Gray insists there has been an easy adjustment under the county's first native manager in seven years. "Niall made it his business to make sure that it was seamless and that we hit the ground running and we did," said the Whitehall Colmcille man. "He was part of the Na Fianna set up and the Dublin set up at the same time so you see he's just hurling mad. "When you see your management team bringing that passion, that drive and that ambition it comes right down to the players and we can all feel it. "We have David Curtin from Ballyboden St Enda's. He's as passionate a Dublin hurling man as I've ever seen.
Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Irish Times
Louth have already secured a glorious feat in 2025, now they're out to avoid unwanted piece of history
Eight games across four groups this weekend and no such thing as a dead rubber. The conclusion to the All-Ireland senior football championship round-robin series also has two teams facing the prospect of leaving an unwanted mark on football history. Leinster champions Louth and Connacht champions Galway are both playing for their survival. If one or both fail to progress, they would be the only provincial champions not to do so in the three years of the format. That very format may be consigned to the dustbin of history after this year, but neither Louth nor Galway had ever envisaged leaving behind such a legacy. Louth at least know exactly what is required for them to progress from Group 3 when they play Clare on Sunday (O'Moore Park, 2pm). Both teams lost to Monaghan and Down, but Louth's superior scoring difference means a draw would still see them through to the preliminary quarter-finals. READ MORE Galway's fate in Group 4 is partly out of their hands when they play Armagh on Saturday evening (Breffni Park, 6.30pm). Even if the Tribesmen win, they'll need Dublin to lose to Derry. Louth can point to the excuse of the hangover that accompanied the end of their provincial title famine . They were out against Monaghan in the first round of the All-Ireland series 13 days after winning their first Leinster football title in 68 years. [ All-Ireland group stage permutations Opens in new window ] When it came to playing Monaghan, Louth were clearly a little off the pace. They were always chasing the game and never got their noses in front. In the end, they were soundly beaten by six points. Ger Brennan didn't deny that lingering hangover afterwards. The Louth manager rated his team's performance against Monaghan at four out of ten, adding 'that is maybe down to the effects of winning the Leinster final and also to Monaghan, too'. Whether they win or lose at the weekend, they're always going to be legends — Ger Brennan A week later against Down, Louth were 10 points down early in the second half, before Sam Mulroy inspired what might have been a spectacular comeback. Mulroy finished with a dozen points, including four two-pointers. Tommy Durnin looked to be lining up a last-gasp equaliser just after the hooter when Adam Crimmins made a brilliant block for Down. Now it's win, draw or bust in Portlaoise. Clare are coming in off heavy defeats against Kerry in the Munster final and Down in the first round. However, they surprised many with their spirited performance against Monaghan when they led at half-time, 0-14 to 0-7. The Banner men eventually surrendered to Monaghan's wind-aided second-half display, losing 1-25 to 1-16. Tommy Durnin of Louth came close to rescuing a draw against Down. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho 'Looking at their performance against Down, they would have been disappointed with how they started,' said Louth manager Brennan, who spoke to local media earlier this week. 'Particularly in their own patch, they seemed to perform a lot better the last day against Monaghan, albeit Monaghan pulled away in the second half. 'And they will certainly fancy themselves against Louth this weekend. Three seasons ago, they beat a Louth team in the early rounds of Division 3, although Louth mobilised quite well and finished on eight points and won promotion themselves. So, they're an excellent team . . . but I suppose we're trying to think of our own group and trying to look at a bigger picture.' With Mulroy still shooting the lights out, Louth should have enough firepower to get past Clare on Sunday, or certainly draw. For Brennan, however, it won't define their 2025 season, which will go down in history. 'What this group of players have done for Louth GAA has been phenomenal,' says Brennan. 'Whether we win or lose at the weekend, that will never change. 'The joy and the happiness that they've brought to people's lives; that ending of a 68-year famine . . . these fellas, whether they win or lose at the weekend, they're always going to be legends. For me, there's no pressure on them. 'For me, they're just a wonderful group of lads and they should have no fear of the outcome at the weekend. [They can] go out and have fun and express themselves because they have brought so much pride and given so much joy to the people of Louth.'
Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Irish Times
Bulls stalwart Willie le Roux urges teammates to seize moment in Croke Park showdown with Leinster
There is a temptation to describe Willie le Roux's thoughts on Saturday's URC final at Croke Park as bullish, but a fairer expression is forthright. The Bulls have come to play and to win. The 35-year-old fullback has never shirked a confrontation on the pitch. He is occasionally spiky, but with that temperament comes a player of sublime attacking instincts. When the Bulls beat Leinster in last year's URC semi-final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, Le Roux helped pick the Irish province apart with his cross-field punting. It is his running game, though, for which the double World Cup-winning Springbok is acclaimed. He has never shied away from a counterattack, irrespective of field position. It is a course of action that carries its own tariff when things go awry. He preaches this gospel, especially to younger players. 'The bit of advice I can give younger guys is that it (a final) is the same as playing the first game of the season,' he said. 'It's not to put this (final) on a pedestal and make it that much bigger that you go into your shell, you don't want to try stuff, you don't want to run from your own half and you don't want to try something. READ MORE 'That is not what got us here in the first place. We got here through taking chances. We see an opportunity, we take it. That is what you must do in those big games as well, whether you make a mistake or not. It's about putting yourself out there, putting yourself in the battle. You must be able to pull the trigger and take that because you might not get a lot of chances — Willie Le Roux 'You might lose a few battles, but you might also win. That's just the little things that I tell the guys. Try and ask for the ball, get your hands on the ball and do as much as you can. You might lose a few battles but it's about getting back up and putting yourself into as many as you can. And have no doubts.' He pointed to the disparate strengths of players and the importance of not being overwhelmed by the occasion. 'You shouldn't wait,' said Le Roux. 'If you're a winger, you don't wait outside on the wing to get the ball; you come in and you work off your wing and you get your hands on the ball as much as you can, because it doesn't help not putting yourself into battles.' Bongi Mbonambi of the Sharks tackles the Bulls' Willie le Roux during last weekend's URC semi-final in Pretoria. Photograph: Steve Haag Sports/Inpho/Christiaan Kotze In continuing the theme, Le Roux spoke about the fine line in game management when it comes to putting the team in the right areas of the pitch and being swift in the decision-making process. 'I think the balance is knowing when to attack and when to kick,' he said. 'In these types of games, you might only get one or two [opportunities]. That might be a turnover on your try line and that is the time to take your chance. 'It might be in the first minute. You must be able to pull the trigger and take that because you might not get a lot of chances.' Le Roux emphasised the importance of players making decisions on the pitch. 'You've got a senior group making the calls. It's about making the right calls at the right times, the plays: 'Should we go [for the] posts? Should we go for a lineout?' Do you feel you have them under pressure or do you feel they have the pressure on you? 'So, it's a big thing about making the right calls at the right times as well, and taking chances. And I think that it's a good core group of guys making decisions on the field together, knowing the roles, knowing when to do what. 'I think we are very tight as a group and we understand what our plan is. You can't not go out there, put a smile on your face and go enjoy it on the biggest stage. So, yeah, we're looking forward to it.' [ Six of the best games between Leinster and Bulls ahead of URC final Opens in new window ] The Bulls, who have lost two finals in three years, are hoping it's third time lucky at Croke Park. Scratch that. They are not going to be paralysed by the pressure to end that sequence. It is not a hope thing. Le Roux points to a simple focus, to embrace and enjoy the experience and play for your brothers, one of whom is missing but not forgotten. He played alongside Cornal Hendricks in several teams . Hendricks, who died of a heart attack last month aged 37, was a friend as much as a teammate. 'He would light up a room when he walked in,' said Le Roux. The Bulls might have taken a little umbrage with the phrase 'mission impossible', which has been used in some quarters to describe Saturday's assignment. Bolstered by a strong belief in their ability, uncertainty shouldn't be a factor. Leinster know that from past experiences.
