Latest news with #All-Ireland-winning
RTÉ News
a day ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Slovenia boss Sasa Kolman out to please mentor Jim McGuinness
The influence of Slovenia's unlikely ally will again be evident in their Nations league clash against the Republic of Ireland at Páirc Uí Chaoimh this evening. Slovenia boss Sasa Kolman is old friends with Donegal Gaelic football manager Jim McGuinness, the pair first meeting during the All-Ireland-winning manager's spell at the Celtic academy. Before masterminding his country's 4-0 defeat of Ireland in February, Kolman said of McGuinness: "We sat down, we discussed a couple of things and after one hour of talking to Jim, I felt like I was going to conquer the world." After that emphatic victory, McGuinness got in touch. "We were talking after the game on Whatsapp," Kolman smiled on the eve of today's rematch in Cork. "He saw a headline from when I spoke to him at Celtic in 2013, that I thought I was going to conquer the world. And he said 'Sasa, you took it literally!' And I said, 'Well you told me so!'. It's not very often that we talk but it is a really nice relationship. "I didn't watch [Donegal's win against Cavan on Sunday] because we were on the way here. But I've been reading about it. They killed them. I just follow Donegal. Because of Jim. "I was pretty sad when he decided to go back [to Gaelic football] because I really thought that he has a big future in football. Well, maybe he still has. Wherever he is, he's doing a fantastic job." Kolman was quite brazen after watching his side dismantle the Girls in Green three months ago. Post-match, he said he knew exactly how Carla Ward would approach the game and even anticipated what tweaks she would make if things weren't going her way. He did, however, stress that neither he or his players expect a repeat of that result this evening, with Slovenia no longer an unknown quantity. They are within touching distance of promotion to League A of the Nations League, needing only to avoid a four-goal defeat to win the group. "Even if I had one, I'm not going to be talking about it now," he laughed when asked if he had another masterplan. "I'm kidding. You can't play surprises all the time in football, it doesn't work that way. We have our style of play. We are going to be definitely following that and let's see where it takes us. "Our surprise definitely paid off [last time] is what I'll say. I don't think they were ready for that. We can't be making these surprises all the time, obviously. We have our plan, we have analysed Ireland and we need to prepare as well as possible. "The first game doesn't mean anything. Definitely not. We know Ireland are still the favourites, the best team in the group so we need to show the character again. And to finish six [wins] from six, that would make a huge statement in Slovenia."
The Irish Sun
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
John Kiely was smart to make Cian Lynch captain – Limerick are playing for him and want him to win the All-Ireland
THEY say revenge is a dish best served cold — but ravenous Limerick served it up to Cork on a piping-hot day in the Gaelic Grounds. The Treaty slipped up in last year's All-Ireland semi-final against the Rebels at Croke Park but their 2 Cian Lynch succeeded Declan Hannon as Limerick captain Credit: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile 2 Babs Keating believes it is spurring them on Credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile John Kiely's side had Cork on a plate, dishing out a 3-26 to 1-16 roasting to the side that beat them — twice — in the Championship last summer and consigned Limerick's five-in-a-row bid to the bin. The six-in-a-row Munster champions can still add to that provincial tally but a sixth Liam MacCarthy in eight seasons is what really gets their juices flowing. Having been joint-captain with Declan Hannon last year, Kiely has promoted Cian Lynch to skipper and it's a smart move. Not only is the Patrickswell man one of the most respected hurlers in the country, he is clearly revelling in the responsibility and leading by example. Read More on GAA The team is playing for him. They want the two-time Hurler of the Year to be climbing the steps of the Hogan Stand in July to take back Liam MacCarthy. Kiely is in an enviable position — any casual performance from his 15 starters and they are out and they know it. When you go training in Limerick, you are looking over your shoulder because someone is waiting in the wings if you mess up. Kiely has Most read in GAA Hurling It's a luxury I don't believe he has ever had before, with prized and proven — and injury-free — players in every position. Front-line stars Lynch, Kyle Hayes, Seán Finn, Nickie Quaid and Aaron Gillane are not even in the match-day 26. Limerick GAA fans troll RTE pundit Donal Og Cusack after win over Cork Peter Casey, Séamus Flanagan and Cathal O'Neill all got game-time off the bench last weekend and now get their chance in attack against the Banner. Shane Dowling replaces Quaid in goal and four-time All-Ireland-winning captain Hannon makes his first start of the year. Colin Coughlan, Barry Murphy and Darragh O'Donovan were given a few minutes against the Rebels and, again, have an opportunity to stake their claim. Two-time All-Star O'Donovan comes in for Adam English. I have criticised the youngster before but to be fair, he put in a serious display last Sunday, chipping in with 1-2 from midfield. He knows he must maintain that standard as his Doon clubmate O'Donovan gets his crack in the middle alongside Will O'Donoghue today. Shane O'Brien had his poorest performance of the Munster campaign to date against Cork. But he didn't get the full 70 minutes to fix it. Flanagan, the man who replaced 'The Bull', is no longer an automatic starter but the 2021 All-Star forward is still only 28 and has put in a huge effort in recent months to dislodge O'Brien. Both start this afternoon. Dowling was outstanding and grabbed his chance to shine during the league before Quaid's shock Championship comeback. PLAYING FOR PRIDE Clare are out of the Championship and are playing for pride. They must resurrect themselves for a trip to the lion's den — and in the wake of what Limerick did to the Rebels, that is a daunting task. It's rebuilding time for Brian Lohan and I'm not sure if we'll ever see David McInerney, 32, or John Conlon, 35, in saffron and blue again. After picking up their first All-Star awards last year, Adam Hogan and Mark Rodgers didn't step up to the mark in the early rounds this season. I don't see Limerick being beaten today. Fresh off last week's battering, Cork must pick themselves up off the canvas and welcome Waterford to Páirc Uí Chaoimh. A draw will secure third place, victory secures a Munster final spot — surely against Limerick — in two weeks. If Waterford win, the season is over for Pat Ryan's men. The one thing Cork don't need is Limerick in a Munster final at the Gaelic Grounds. No one on Leeside could have the stomach to go through that again. The big prize is on All-Ireland final day. Limerick won Munster last year, but that counted for little in Croke Park on semi-final day. Cork were beaten in every part of the field, from No 1 Patrick Collins up. His short puckouts and poor use of the ball are criticisms I levelled at him two years ago. The Ballinhassig man corrected that last season, right up to the All-Ireland final, but reverted to old habits during this year's league. MOVING FORWARD In the modern game, backs have to be able to play like forwards and vice versa. But the Cork attackers don't know how to play like defenders. You must stop your opponent and keep the ball in the area — Darragh Fitzgibbon is probably the only Cork player capable of that. He had the thankless job of shackling Hayes in a match-up of two of last year's nominees for Hurler of the Year. Not many players can go toe-to-toe with Hayes. If I was managing, I wouldn't waste my best player trying to stop him. I'd be putting in somebody to make it awkward for him, but Cork don't have one of those players. They're all fancy hurlers but the ability to play the dropping ball isn't in their locker — and hasn't been for years. While they have been putting up high scores, they have also been shipping them and something's not right about that. Look, it's difficult for any team to succeed against this Limerick side. They are so mature. They're coming back to their peak fitness-wise and have more options than ever. It will be interesting to see if Waterford take a leaf out of the Treaty playbook and go with all-out aggression at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The Déise have a history of being able for Cork — look at last year's Munster clash — and they do not fear the Rebels. I was in Thurles last Sunday and fully expected a performance from the visitors against Tipperary but we just didn't get one. They are one of the best GAA counties in the country with wonderful people, and their supporters deserved better last Sunday. Years ago, I watched an American sports show with Michael Jordan. An audience member asked him to name six key areas for performance. Jordan hesitated, then said the word 'preparation' six times. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail — that was Waterford against Tipp. They looked like world beaters at the start, 1-1 up after two minutes. And it ended there. It's a big ask to beat a Cork team that are really hurting. Cork will win on their own patch, but the victory could be a poisoned chalice. If the Rebels don't get their house in order, they're wasting their time playing Limerick again in the Munster final — or further down the line for that matter.
The Irish Sun
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Mayo GAA call county board meeting to clarify financial situation with Jarlath Burns & Tom Ryan to answer questions
MAYO GAA have called a county board meeting for Monday to clarify their financial situation. Croke Park chiefs Jarlath Burns and Tom Ryan will attend the Westport gathering as their debt repayments to Central Council in relation to the rebuilding of MacHale Park will be laid bare. SunSport understands Burns and Ryan will answer questions regarding concerns from club officials in attendance and nothing will be off limits. Clarity is also expected on Mayo GAA's status with Revenue after an audit took place last year, which piled pressure on their under-fire executive committee. The meeting will also be open to the media and takes place in Westport's Knockranny House Hotel at 7.30pm. Meanwhile in hurling news, Shane Dowling Read More On GAA And four-time All-Ireland-winning captain Declan Hannon makes his first start of the year at the Gaelic Grounds. Cormac O'Brien, Brian Roche, Ger Millerick and Séamus Harnedy come into the Cork team to face Waterford after last week's 16-point thumping by the Treaty. Dessie Hutchinson starts on the bench for the Déise. CORK (SHC v Waterford): P Collins; G Millerick, E Downey, S O'Donoghue; C O'Brien, C Joyce, M Coleman; T O'Mahony, B Roche; S Barrett, D Fitzgibbon, S Harnedy; P Horgan, A Connolly, B Hayes. Most read in GAA Football WATERFORD: B Nolan; I Kenny, C Prunty, I Daly; M Fitzgerald, T de Búrca, P Leavey; D Lyons, G Fives; S Walsh, S Bennett, J Barron; J Prendergast, M Kiely, P Fitzgerald. LIMERICK (SHC v Clare): S Dowling; B Murphy, D Morrissey, M Casey; D Byrnes, D Hannon, C Coughlan; D O'Donovan, W O'Donoghue; G Hegarty, C O'Neill, T Morrissey; S Flanagan, S O'Brien, P Casey. Limerick GAA fans troll RTE pundit Donal Og Cusack after win over Cork CLARE: E Quilligan; A Hogan, D Lohan, R Hayes; C Galvin, J Conlon, D McInerney; S Rynne, C Malone; T Kelly, M Rodgers, S Meehan; R Taylor, P Duggan, D Reidy. 1 GAA president Jarlath Burns will be in attendance at Monday's meeting
Extra.ie
20-05-2025
- Extra.ie
Judge warns hurling ace Hayes: 'You will be jailed if you commit another crime'
Limerick All-Ireland-winning hurler Kyle Hayes was warned by a judge yesterday that he will be jailed if he commits another criminal offence. The GAA All Star was back in court yesterday, less than 24 hours after he was named man of the match in his side's 16-point defeat of Cork in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship. Sitting in the dock at Courtroom 4 in Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, Hayes waited silently for confirmation he would serve 180 hours of community service in lieu of three months in jail, as previously indicated by Judge Dara Hayes, no relation to the GAA player. Kyle Hayes. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie After confirming the order, however, the judge warned Hayes he would be going to prison if he committed further criminal offences. Last April, the judge indicated he would impose the community service order in lieu of Hayes serving three months of an 18-month suspended jail sentence previously imposed on him. The suspended jail term was imposed on the Limerick centre-back after a jury convicted him on two counts of committing violent disorder, inside and outside the Icon nightclub in Limerick in 2019 – charges he denied at a trial in 2023. Kyle Hayes. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie Yesterday, the judge reminded Hayes that all of the relevant legal 'obligations and requirements' on the hurler had been 'explained' to him. The judge warned that 'non-compliance' with the order would see the All-Star hurler going to jail. Addressing Hayes, the judge said: 'If there is non-compliance, you will be brought back before the court and the [three-month] sentence will be imposed.' Hayes replied: 'Yes, judge.' The judge said he would make 'no order' on the hurler's second conviction for violent disorder, in respect of the same night at the nightclub in 2019. Where and when Hayes will be starting his community service were not disclosed in court. Judge Hayes said the hurler must complete the community service order within 12 months. Hayes, who was named man of the match on Sunday, following Limerick's defeat of Munster rivals Cork, arrived in court before 10.30 am yesterday and waited until his case was called after lunch. Kyle Hayes. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile His barrister, senior counsel Brian McInerney, confirmed that the Probation Service had deemed the hurler suitable for community service in lieu of the jail sentence. 'A suitable service has been selected and all other matters have been satisfied,' Mr McInerney told the court. Hayes, 26, of Ballyahsea, Kildimo, Co. Limerick, appeared as part of long-standing 'Section 99 Re-entry' proceedings. The hearing was initially triggered after Hayes engaged in dangerous driving at Mallow, Co. Cork, four months after the concurrent suspended sentences of 18 months and two years for violent disorder were imposed on him in March 2024. On July 14, 2024, Hayes was recorded by a garda overtaking nine cars in a row on a stretch of the N20 Cork-Limerick dual carriageway, while driving 55kph above the 100kph speed limit. Hayes lost an appeal on March 12 last against the conviction, for which he was given a two-year driving ban and fined €250. Previously summarising the events from the Icon nightclub, Judge Hayes said the hurler was one of two men who ' aggressively approached' self-employed carpenter Cillian McCarthy, and was one of a group of four males who later on 'attacked' Mr McCarthy inside the nightclub. The judge said two gardaí gave evidence at Hayes's trial that they saw the hurler kicking a man lying on the street outside the nightclub, but the judge said there was no evidence before the court that the man on the ground was Mr McCarthy. The judge said the jury acquitted Hayes of a third charge: assault causing harm to Mr McCarthy. He said Hayes had paid €10,000 in damages to Mr McCarthy as part of the terms of the suspended sentences imposed on him. Judge Hayes said testimony by the hurler's father, Liam Hayes, who told the court he depended on Kyle to help him run their family farm after he underwent heart surgery, had not assisted nor swayed him in his final judgement.
RTÉ News
27-04-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Micheál Donoghue 'surprised' by Daithí Burke red but hails Galway grit
Galway manager Micheál Donoghue was delighted with the grit shown by his players after what he felt was a surprising red card for Daithí Burke in their victory over Offaly. The visitors were 2-14 to 1-09 up at half-time in Tullamore but were reduced to 14 men for the second period - Burke dismissed by referee James Owens after sparking a pre-interval schemozzle when he broke a hurl across Brian Duignan's shoulder. However, the Tribesmen almost doubled their advantage despite being a man down, eventually easing to a 2-25 to 1-14 win and their first points in this year's Leinster SHC round-robin. "We had to regroup at half-time," Donoghue told RTÉ Sport. "Just before we came out, we were told it [the red card was coming]. "That gave us a minute to reset and refocus, in terms of a structure. We were surprised but right now we just need to review it and take it from there. "I thought the lads were really good in the second half. When you're down to 14 playing any team it's hard, your backs are to the wall. But I thought the lads' work-rate and their endeavour for each other shone through." Donoghue's selector Aidan Harte was also shown a red card before the resumption while the manager picked up a second yellow during the second half, albeit he had no quibble with that. "The first one was remonstrating with Daithí's red card and the second one I had stood out on the pitch," said Donoghue. "In fairness to Colm [Lyons, sideline official], he told me a few times to step back. So it probably was coming." Galway are now back on track after an underwhelming first-day outing in Kilkenny, with fixtures in Salthill against Wexford (10 May) and Antrim to follow before a concluding trip to Donoghue's former side Dublin. "We were disappointed with our performance last week," said the 2017 All-Ireland-winning manager, who is back in charge for a second spell. "It's a quick turnaround. The lads really took ownership of it after the last game and everything that we brought in training was reflected in the game. "I thought we had a good start, used the ball well, took some great scores. That gave us the foundation. "We're only as strong as the weakest link. We made three changes from the last day and I think everyone that came in made a massive contribution. "That win will give us a lot of confidence. We know we have two huge games coming up now at home. We look forward to going home and will hopefully have decent support as well."
