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RTÉ News
a day ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Condensed season gives little time to savour championship
In terms of hurling, this has to be one of the great weekends of the year with three blockbuster games, including two provincial finals, down for decision. Once again, the TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick will be jammed to capacity as over 44,000 people fill every seat and stand on the terraces behind the Ennis Road goals or the City End as we look across at Thomond Park and the Clare hills in the distance. And all of this on a Saturday evening. On Sunday, Croke Park will have an expected attendance of over 30,000 for the Leinster Hurling Final between Kilkenny and Galway, which will be preceded by the much anticipated clash between Kildare and Laois in the Joe Mc Donagh Cup Final. All three games will be televised live by RTÉ and there will be commentary on RTÉ Radio 1. The 'Split Season' has its supporters and its detractors, but when we have three crucial games being played between a Saturday evening and a Sunday afternoon on one weekend, it really highlights the impact the condensed calendar is having. Nobody involved - from players, managers, officials, fans, or those of us who work in the media - have the time or the space to actually savour and enjoy the championships any more. There is little or no time to analyse in some depth the learnings from games last weekend or preview matches coming down the tracks. In the past, the summer really belonged to the GAA, but with the 'Split Season' in operation, this has dramatically changed. The GAA is in direct competition in terms of media coverage with other sports who fully deserve their coverage by RTÉ and other media outlets. Last Tuesday, I filmed in Croke Park interviews with Galway's Cathal Mannion, Kilkenny's Adrian Mullen, David Dooley from Laois and Paddy McKenna, the Kildare goalkeeper, and my report previewing the Leinster Hurling Final and Joe Mc Donagh Cup Final was broadcast on Tuesday evening on the Six One News. This evening, I will be broadcasting live from Bruree in Co Limerick - very close to the Cork border - where I will be interviewing two former stars, TJ Ryan and Pat Mulcahy, as we look ahead to tomorrow's Munster Hurling Final, which has traditionally been one of the biggest games of the year. We only have limited space and time in the bulletin. The sports news will also have my colleague Tony O'Donoghue reporting live from the Aviva Stadium on the Republic of Ireland v Senegal soccer friendly, Leinster v Glasgow in the United Rugby Championship, the Women's Nations League Draw which involves our Republic of Ireland team in a promotion/relegation play off, The French Open tennis championship, the Tenerife and Canadian Golf Open, the Epsom Oaks in racing and me and the lads in Bruree talking about tomorrow's Munster Hurling Final. Do you get my point? It's a crowded market and the GAA is a huge part of that market but it's still very busy. In the past the Munster and Leinster Hurling Finals would be played in July with little or no competition in terms of sport to the GAA world. But it's different now. That's just one negative but a very big negative. And it's not just us in RTE that find the situation challenging but other media outlets have the same experiences. The back pages are no longer always dominated by GAA headlines. As I said there's so much going on. Next year there will be a bit more space given between the finals of the Allianz National Leagues and the start of the championships, but it will only be a small window of opportunity. As it stands the All-Ireland Hurling Final next year is on the same day as the World Cup Final which will be played at the MetLife Stadium at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, near New York. Do you get my point? To be fair and balanced the 'Split Season' has the positive effect of giving club players across the country a clear plan in terms of fixtures, but ultimately most county finals are still not played until the middle or late October so perhaps more space can be given to the hurling championship so that it can be played during the summer months of June and July and extended to at least August and breathe a little. Getting back to this weekend, the timing of the Munster Hurling Final on a Saturday evening at 6pm is not a "normal" time for a GAA match of this gravitas or magnitude. Saturday afternoons in any of our cities means a shopping day for most people so combining that factor with a huge crowd heading to the match means that we all will be travelling very early to the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick and probably log jammed for hours afterwards despite the huge effort of gardaí who always do a great job in moving the traffic as quickly as they can. The hurling people of Ireland are loyal to the game and many would also travel to Croke Park on Sunday if they could to watch Kilkenny v Galway in the Leinster Final, but the reality is that many of them will be turned off by the logistical difficulties they would have to overcome to get there. There is also a strong argument that this match hould be played at a provincial venue like Portlaoise or Tullamore where 30,000 fans attending would bring an electric atmosphere to the occasion. The same number of people in Croke Park will mean a more than half empty stadium which won't add in any way to the atmosphere around the ground, or have that visual impact that a full venue would have for the people in attendance or the hundreds of thousands watching on television. Leinster Council has shown great vision this year with some of its calls so perhaps the decision to move the Leinster Hurling Final out of Croke Park in 2026 might be considered in its review later this year. The weekend pictures on the TV and the difference between the scenes in the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick tomorrow evening and Croke Park on Sunday might just persuade everyone that it's the right thing to do.
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
‘I'll play anywhere I'm told to': Adrian Mullen keen to shine in Leinster final after beating injury demons
Adrian Mullen hopped away on crutches after Kilkenny's last championship fixture against Galway , but on Sunday he hopes to be bouncing out of Croke Park with the Bob O'Keeffe Cup safely secured for the sixth consecutive year. It has been another frustrating season for Mullen in terms of injury, but the former All Star did manage to start Kilkenny's last two round-robin matches in the provincial championship. The 26-year-old missed all of the National League because of a groin injury but returned for the first round of the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship in April– a home tie against Galway at Nowlan Park. Mullen even marked his first appearance of the campaign with a neatly taken goal in the opening exchanges. However, after just 17 minutes he was forced off the field with an ankle injury. He later left the ground in a moon boot and also with the aid of crutches. READ MORE The Ballyhale clubman has been working his way back to match sharpness in recent weeks and played most of their final round-robin game against Wexford. Speaking ahead of Sunday's Leinster SHC final against Galway at Croke Park (4pm), he said: 'The body's holding up well for now. 'I suppose at this time of year, you're never really 100 per cent, especially with how tough and heavy training is. But I've kept together in one piece for now and I'm looking forward to Sunday. 'I just picked up an injury during pre-season or early January and that kind of kept me out for most of the league. But I stayed training away, stayed doing a bit of rehab and stuff like that. 'It was just unfortunate at that time, but it's all good now and I'm fit and ready to go.' Kilkenny's Adrian Mullen receives treatment for an injury sustained against Galway in a Leinster SHC match in April. Photograph: Leah Scholes/Inpho Mullen last played a full competitive match for Kilkenny in the league final loss to Clare in April 2024. He has had various injury problems over the years including cruciate, hamstring and hand issues. So, turning on his ankle against Galway in his first start of the year was far from ideal. 'To get back for the Galway game and then to go off injured after 10 minutes or so with a twisted ankle, yeah it was a setback,' he continues. 'But you just have to get on with it and see what you can do to get yourself right for the next game or the next few weeks to follow.' When you're playing at an elite level and you don't come out victorious, there's going to be that level of hurt and disappointment — Adrian Mullen The sight of Mullen wearing the number six jersey against Wexford last time out has generated plenty of intrigue as to Derek Lyng's plans for a player more accustomed to an attacking role. As Kilkenny had already qualified for the Leinster final before that Wexford match, perhaps it was nothing more than a one-off experiment. 'Given the circumstances of the round-robin we were already through, it was probably a game to give lads a bit of game time and get minutes into the legs,' adds Mullen. 'I suppose I'll play anywhere I'm told to play. If you're told to play centre back, you obviously just have to adapt to that. If you're in closer to goal, you have to be a threat up there and stuff like that. 'The way the game has gone, you have to be able to play anywhere. If you're named half-forward, you could end up midfield or even in the half-back line or in the full-forward line. You just have to be versatile.' Kilkenny manager Brian Cody lifts the Liam MacCarthy Cup in 2015, which was the last time Kilkenny were All-Ireland champions. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho Kilkenny last won the Liam MacCarthy Cup in 2015 and have been beaten in four finals over the last decade – 2016, 2019, 2022, 2023. They lost to eventual champions Clare at the semi-final stages last summer. 'Look, it was definitely disappointing,' recalls Mullen of that defeat to the Banner County. 'But I suppose in games like that, if you don't win, you have to reflect and you have to learn from it. They were the better team on the day. All we can do is learn from it.' He acknowledges that the barren decade has been difficult for black and amber hurling folk. 'Definitely, there has to be that level of hurt,' adds Mullen. 'When you're playing at an elite level and you don't come out victorious, there's going to be that level of hurt and disappointment. 'As I said, you just have to look back on it, you have to reflect on it, you have to learn from it, see what went right, see what went wrong and try to improve.' [ The Schemozzle: Tiered hurling system sending ill-prepared counties round in circles Opens in new window ] [ Munster final tactical analysis: Cork must be sharper with puckouts against Limerick Opens in new window ] As for the All-Ireland race this year, he is not entertaining the argument that it is simply a two-horse gallop between Limerick and Cork. 'Oh, is it?' he says with a smile. 'Obviously, we have our own opinions and our own beliefs. I'd say any player at intercounty level knows that if you're a percentage off on the day, you will be found out. You have to really be at the pitch every day you go out. 'We had a decent round-robin. Before that, the league was up and down. But we've done what we had to do in the round-robin – we won a few games, we've got to the Leinster final. 'You can't ask for much more than that. We're just looking forward to Sunday and trying to put our best foot forward and trying to bring our best game to Croke Park.'
The 42
10-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
TJ Reid fires 2-9 as Kilkenny ease past Offaly
Kilkenny 4-25 Offaly 2-16 Kevin Egan at UPMC Nowlan Park THE MAIN STORY from Nowlan Park this evening wasn't what happened on the field, so much as who was on it. Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng gave TJ Reid his first start of the championship and the veteran attacker wasted no time in slipping into the groove, firing in 2-2 from play and 2-9 in all, including a 12th-minute goal that effectively put an end to Offaly's challenge before it got started. Add in Adrian Mullen coming back from injury to come off the bench and hit the net at the start of the second half, and the Cats are gathering steam nicely in advance of the business end of the Leinster Championship. Not that any such firepower was really needed here, as Offaly showed all the signs of their inexperience, their youth and the fatigue that comes with three of their starters having had a full campaign with the U20s, culminating in last Monday's quarter-final defeat to Dublin. Add in the weight of their disappointing showing against Galway last time out and they needed a fast start to feed their dwindling confidence. Instead a couple of early wides set them back, Stephen Donnelly set up Martin Keoghan for a goal in the fourth minute, TJ Reid whipped in a second after 12 minutes to push the lead out to nine points, and unlike the fare in Ennis where there was always likely to be a fightback from the All-Ireland champions, that was never on the cards here. Even allowing for a tricky breeze that was aiding Kilkenny, they were too dominant in too many sectors of the pitch to be reeled in. Billy Ryan picked off some excellent scores from the right wing, while they lorded matters at half-back, with Offaly struggling to compete up front due to their use of a sweeper. Daniel Bourke and Charlie Mitchell were among the leading lights for the Faithful County, notching some good points and an Oisín Kelly score from close range cut the lead to seven points on the half hour mark. Perhaps that only served to rouse Kilkenny, as they kicked on again with six points before half-time, including three from John Donnelly at centre forward. Advertisement A slow start to the second half saw the Stripey Men continue to enjoy the lion's share of possession but they shot the first couple out of seven second half wides in a scoreless five minutes. Adrian Mullen put any lingering doubt about the result to bed when he powered through a tackle to add the third goal after 41 minutes, and while Oisín Kelly replied in kind for Offaly immediately, that was to be their only score in the third quarter. Kilkenny's profligacy, plus the general lack of intensity that might be expected in a game where the result was never in doubt, was a key factor in the lead not extending much further, though there were a couple of impressive scores at both ends in the final quarter. TJ Reid whipped in Kilkenny's fourth goal and Fionán Mackessy also caught the eye with a superb point in his short spell on the field, while at the other end Shirley hoisted one over from distance and Kelly's second goal was the highlight of the game as he exploded past the Kilkenny cover and blasted a shot inside Eoin Murphy. For both of these counties, however, more important tests lie in store. Scorers for Kilkenny: TJ Reid 2-9 (0-7f), Billy Ryan 0-4, John Donnelly 0-4, Martin Keoghan 1-0, Stephen Donnelly 0-3, Adrian Mullen 1-0, Cian Kenny 0-3 (0-2f), Harry Shine 0-1, Fionán Mackessy 0-1. Scorers for Offaly: Brian Duignan 0-8f, Oisín Kelly 2-1, Charlie Mitchell 0-3, Daniel Bourke 0-2, Donal Shirley 0-2. Kilkenny 1 Eoin Murphy (Glenmore) 2 Mikey Butler (O'Loughlin Gaels), 3 Huw Lawlor (O'Loughlin Gaels), 4 Tommy Walsh (Tullaroan) 5 David Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge), 6 Mikey Carey (Young Irelands), 7 Paddy Deegan (O'Loughlin Gaels) 8 Cian Kenny (James Stephens), 9 Jordan Molloy (O'Loughlin Gaels) 12 Billy Ryan (Graigue Ballycallan), 11 John Donnelly (Thomastown), 10 Harry Shine (Dicksboro) 13 Stephen Donnelly (Thomastown), 15 TJ Reid (Shamrocks Ballyhale), 14 Martin Keoghan (Tullaroan) Subs: 20 Adrian Mullen (Shamrocks Ballyhale) for Shine (33), 18 Killian Doyle (Emeralds) for Blanchfield (49), 21 Luke Hogan (O'Loughlin Gaels) for S Donnelly (51), 23 Billy Drennan (Galmoy) for Reid (59), 22 Fionán Mackessy (O'Loughlin Gaels) for Keoghan (61). Offaly 1 Mark Troy (Durrow) 2 Ben Conneely (St. Rynagh's), 3 Ciarán Burke (Durrow), 4 James Mahon (Kilcormac-Killoughey) 7 Jason Sampson (Shinrone), 6 Donal Shirley (Tubber), 5 Ross Ravenhill (Durrow) 8 Cathal King (Carrig & Riverstown), 9 Colin Spain (Kilcormac-Killoughey) 10 Killian Sampson (Shinrone), 11 Daniel Bourke (Durrow), 12 Oisín Kelly (Belmont) 13 Dan Ravenhill (Durrow), 15 Brian Duignan (Durrow), 14 Charlie Mitchell (Kilcormac-Killoughey) Subs: 17 Eoin Burke (Coolderry) for D Ravenhill (44), 19 David Nally (Belmont) for R Ravenhill (48), 18 Sam Bourke (Durrow) for J Sampson (48), 23 Pádraig Cantwell (Shamrocks) for Conneely (58), 22 Brecon Kavanagh (Kilcormac-Killoughey) for Mahon (62). Referee: Colm McDonald (Antrim).
