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Belfast Telegraph
4 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
County legend warns Donegal about the part of Kerry's game they must keep in check during All-Ireland Final
It was a significant success for the north-west side and since then McShea has played a prominent part in helping to promote football within the county. Right now, though, he is on edge ahead of Donegal's meeting with Kerry in the All-Ireland Senior Championship final at Croke Park on Sunday afternoon (3.30pm). McShea, who has watched the current Donegal side lift back to back Ulster titles over the course of the past two seasons, is particularly keen to see the team take delivery of 'Sam' conscious that the trophy has not rested in the county since 2012. And while he believes the current side can test Kerry to the full, he is hugely aware that the Kingdom's track record in the competition is such that they will go into the game as warm favourites. That, however, does not deflect the popular McShea from holding onto the belief that his beloved Donegal could come good on this particular occasion. 'Obviously Kerry have some very big guns in their side and they will pose a huge threat to us no matter how you look at it,' points out McShea. 'I think the important thing is that Donegal hit the ground running and keep the pressure on if they can. Kerry have established a tradition of winning All-Ireland Finals and their players know what will be expected from them on this occasion.' As a polished full-back, McShea grew accustomed to thwarting opposition sides when he was at his peak and he sees several Donegal players in this light going into tomorrow's match. 'We have players like Micheal Murphy, Ryan McHugh, Brendan McCole, Paddy McBrearty, Michael Langan and others who have given outstanding service to the county and it would be great to see the side lift the trophy,' smiles McShea, 'This is a huge challenge for Donegal but I still think that they can rise to the occasion. They will certainly have plenty of backing from thousands of their followers.'


Irish Daily Mirror
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Cork hurling fan gets 'All-Ireland champions '25' tattoo' days before final
Let's face it - we're all counting on the Rebels to claim this year's Liam McCarthy Cup. However, perhaps nobody's quite as certain as this Cork gentleman, who's already had a tattoo inked celebrating an All-Ireland Senior Championship victory - nearly a week ahead of the final itself. Devoted hurling enthusiast Michael had the artwork completed without charge at Skint Tattoo Studio in Passage West on Tuesday. Proprietor Darragh Murphy explains it was purely "only for a laugh and a bit of craic" - and in the worst-case scenario, he can always modify it and "change a digit or two" for Cork's subsequent All-Ireland triumph. Darragh informed Cork Beo that Michael is a genuine Rebel devotee and acknowledges the tattoo might appear to many as 'a bit of a risk. ' Nevertheless, to be fair, he was planning to have it completed regardless - this simply adds some extra thrill. Naturally, like numerous Cork fans, Darragh also completely anticipates the Rebels emerging victorious at Croke Park this Sunday. The 'Cork Senior Hurling Champions' tattoo formed part of a flash promotion he was running to generate excitement for the final - though he wasn't certain anyone would be bold enough to go through with it. Speaking to Cork Beo, he revealed: "It's a real tattoo, yeah, I had a bunch of other flash tattoos going like of the Cork crest and the county outline and things like that. I said whoever wanted it could get it for free. I didn't know Michael, but he said he was going to get the same tattoo anyway if they won - might as well take the chance and get it now for free! "And if it's not this year, they're likely to win soon anyways." Darragh Murphy doing the tattoo at his home studio in Passage West (Image: Facebook) Darragh, who is still honing his skills in the tattoo industry, operates part-time from a home studio. He shared that the idea for the tattoo came from viral stories about football fans getting premature tattoos declaring their teams as champions before any actual victories. One of the most notorious instances involved a 29 year old from Swindon named Dan, who got an 'England Euro 2024 Winner' tattoo before England's final match against Spain. Despite spending two hours having the UEFA European Championship trophy inked on his leg and England's subsequent 2-1 defeat, he claimed to have no regrets and still cherished the tattoo. The tattoo of the Euro Cup with the words 'England Euro 2024 Winners (Image: Jack Wilkinson / PA) Darragh remarked: "At least this is better than most of those cases, because I waited until Cork were actually in the final so we do have a live chance. Of course, a tattoo still might be a little too far - I just did it for the craic." He also expressed a desire to boost local support: "I wanted to get more support out there. You see people from Cork out there with Man United or Liverpool tattoos, but no GAA tattoos. I kind of think those are the most important ones to have, Cork is your own team."


The Irish Sun
09-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Tyrone suffer major injury blow ahead of All-Ireland semi-final with Kerry
TYRONE are planning for Saturday's All-Ireland SFC semi-final against Kerry without star defender Michael McKernan. Assistant coach Colm McCullagh revealed time is 'running out' for the Coalisland ace to recover from the shoulder injury he sustained against Cavan three weeks ago. 2 Colm McCullagh revealed time is 'running out' for the ace to recover from the shoulder injury ahead of the semi-final vs Tyrone 2 Michael McKernan of Tyrone left the pitch with an injury during the All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 3 match vs Cavan The team kept their end of the bargain, However McCullagh has all but dashed those hopes just a few days out from the last-four showdown in Croke Park. He said: 'Michael is improving, he is coming on, but this weekend will be too soon for him. READ MORE ON GAA 'He picked up a fairly serious enough shoulder injury early on against Cavan and it's no-contact stuff for him. 'Unless there is a major improvement in the next couple of days it is looking very unlikely.' While Tyrone's form has been patchy, McKernan has been a consistent performers. As well as looking after his defensive duties, he has used the new rules to his advantage — kicking four two-pointers in the NFL and one in the SFC. Most read in GAA Football He also chipped in with league goals against Derry and Dublin, though Tyrone were still relegated to Division 2. But he shipped a heavy knock against Cavan and left the field in Brewster Park in real distress. Watch RTE pundits' contrasting reaction to full-time whistle of Tipperary's epic win over Kilkenny With huge talents Seán O'Shea and the McCullagh added: 'Michael is trying his best to make it work for him, he is doing all he can and the medical team are doing all they can. 'It's just the time could be running out for him possibly. We have a clean bill of health otherwise, a few wee niggles but nothing serious.' Killyclogher forward Mark 'Sparky' Bradley has declared his fitness for the Kerry clash having sat out the last two games. Bradley said: 'I've had a few niggles throughout the year with my calves, it's very unpredictable. 'You could be doing a warm-up and you just feel it. It's not like sprinting or like with your hamstring where you know you're going to hurt it. 'But it's all good, I'm training away and hoping to be selected.'


Irish Examiner
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Sports Guide: Kerry v Cavan, Cork take on Dublin and Tailteann Cup semi-finals
Saturday June 21 CAMOGIE: All-Ireland Senior Championship (2pm unless stated): Group 1: Cork v Clare, Páirc Uí Chaoimh; Limerick v Tipperary, Cappamore; Group 2 (4pm): Kilkenny v Galway, Nowlan Park; Waterford v Dublin, Walsh Park. All-Ireland Intermediate Championship (2pm unless stated) Group 1: Offaly v Westmeath, Tullamore; Antrim v Meath, Loughgiel Shamrocks; Group 2: Kerry v Kildare, Austin Stack Park; Carlow v Down, Cullen Park, 1pm. CRICKET: First Test, Headingley: England v India. GAA: All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-finals: Kerry v Cavan, Killarney, 3.30pm; Dublin v Cork, Croke Park, 6.15. Read More All-Ireland SHC quarter-finals: Limerick v Dublin, Croke Park, 4pm; Galway v Tipperary, Gaelic Grounds, 6.15pm. Cork SFL (first team named at home): Division 1: St Finbarrs v Newcestown, 4pm; Division 4: Nemo Rangers v Adrigole, 2pm. Division 6: St Micheals v Kildorrery, 3pm; Dromtarriffe v Na Piarsaigh, 5pm. Kerry (7pm unless stated, first team named at home): Division 1: Kilcummin v Glenflesk. Division : Gneeveguilla v Firies. Division 5: Laune Rangers B v Cromane. GOLF: KPMG Women's PGA Championship, Fields Ranch East; British Amateur Championship, Sandwich. HOCKEY: FIH Men's Pro League: Ireland v Spain, Antwerp, 9.30am LADIES FOOTBALL: All-Ireland SFC: Group 1: Tipperary v Donegal, Bansha, 1pm; Group 2: Mayo v Cork, Castlebar 3pm; Group 3: Armagh v Kildare, Armagh, 2pm; Group 4: Leitrim v Waterford, Carrick-on-Shannon, 2pm. All-Ireland JFC: Group B: London v Longford, Ruislip, 6pm. RACING: Down Royal (2.08), Limerick (1.50), Ascot, Ayr, Bangor-on-Dee, Haydock Park, Lingfield, Newmarket, Redcar. RUGBY: Super Rugby final: Crusaders v Chiefs, 8.05am; Top 14 semi-final: Bordeaux Bègles v Toulon, 8.05pm. SOCCER: Fifa Club World Cup: Group C: Bayern Munich v Boca, 2am. Group E: Inter Milan v Urawa, 8pm. Group F: Mamelodi v Dortmund, 5pm; Fluminense v Ulsan, 11pm. TENNIS: HSBC Championships, London; Lexus Nottingham Open; Halle: Terra Wortmann Open, Halle; Berlin Tennis Open. For all your sport throughout the year, check out our sport calendar. Sunday June 22. CRICKET: First Test, Headingley: England v India. GAA: All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-finals: Down v Galway, Newry, 1.45pm; Donegal v Louth, Ballybofey, 4pm. Tailteann Cup semi-finals, Croke Park: Wicklow v Limerick, 2pm; Kildare v Fermanagh, 4pm. All-Ireland MFC semi-finals: Roscommon v Tyrone, Cavan, 1.30pm; Kerry v Mayo, Ennis, 3.30pm. Cork SFL: (11.30am unless stated, first team named at home) Division 1: Eire Og v Cill na Martra, 11am; Carrigaline v Douglas; Division 2: Béal Átha'n Ghaorthaidh v Castletownbere, Carbery Rangers v Knocknagree, Kanturk v Ballincollig, O'Donovan Rossa v Fermoy, Valley Rovers v Dohenys; Division 3: Bishopstown v Aghada, Clyda Rovers v Mallow, Kilshannig v Newmarket, Naomh Aban v Kiskeam, Rockchapel v Uibh Laoire; Division 4: Bandon v Glanmire, Buttevant v Boherbue; Division 5: Gabriel Rangers v Kilmurry, Glanworth v Ballinora, Kinsale v Millstreet; Division 7: Argideen Rangers v St James, Ballyhooly v Inniscarra, Urhan v Castlemagner. Kerry SFL (2pm unless stated, first team named at home): Division 1: Ballymacelligott v Legion, Austin Stacks v Kerins O'Rahilly's, Rathmore v Laune Rangers, Spa v Dr Crokes; Division 2: Keel v Listowel Emmets, An Ghaeltacht v Dingle, Fossa v Milltown/Castlemaine; Division 3: Brosna v Desmonds, Cordal v St Mary's, Castlegregory v Listry, Ballydonoghue v John Mitchels, Reenard v Tarbert; Division 4: Waterville v Piarsaigh Na Dromoda, Duagh v Currow, Sneem/Derrynane v St Pats Blennerville, Skelligs Rangers v Beale, Knocknagoshel v Annascaul; Division 5: Gneeveguilla B v Austin Stacks B, Scartaglin v Fossa B, Valentia Young Islanders v Kilgarvan, Dr Crokes B v Asdee; Division 6: Kenmare Shamrocks B v Rathmore B, Firies B v Milltown/Castlemaine B, Dr Crokes C v Kerins O'Rahilly's B, Beaufort B v Glenflesk B. GOLF: KPMG Women's PGA Championship, Fields Ranch East. HOCKEY: FIH Men's Pro League: Ireland v Spain, Antwerp, 9.30am LADIES FOOTBALL: All-Ireland JFC: Group A (2pm): Sligo v Limerick, Cloonacool; Derry v Louth, Owenbeg. RACING: Ffos Las, Hexham, Pontefract. SOCCER: Fifa Club World Cup, Group E: River v Monterrey, 2am; Group G: Juventus v Wydad AC, 5pm; Group H: Real Madrid v Pachuca, 8pm; RB Salzburg v Hilal, 11pm. TENNIS: Grass Court Championships, Rot-Weiss TC; Rothesay International qualification, Devonshire Park Lawn TC; Mallorca Championships qualification, Mallorca CC; Bad Homburg Open, TC Bad Homburg.


The Irish Sun
03-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Rory Grugan urges Armagh to push for more despite All-Ireland Championship quarter-final berth already secured
RORY GRUGAN reckons it is 'a bit bizarre' that Armagh are already into the All-Ireland last eight after just two group games. And the veteran captain conceded that 2 Armagh ace Rory Grugan urged his team-mates to kick on in the All-Ireland Championship 2 Armagh beat Dublin on Sunday in the All-Ireland Senior Championship Group 4 clash Grugan was man of the match in But the 34-year-old insists his side cannot relax against He said 'pride' would prevent them taking a backstep and pointed to the fact that they need to push for improvement. Grugan said: 'It's a bit bizarre. We are there with a game to go. It just means we have two weeks to get ready for Galway and see where that takes us. READ MORE ON GAA 'You know you are going to be back in Croke Park in four weeks for a quarter-final, which is where you want to be. 'But we need to improve. Did we hit our targets against Dublin? Not many of them. 'There's things you'd be pleased with, like fighting for break ball and winning scraps and stuff like that. 'But so much of what we did we wouldn't be happy with in terms of both our own possessions and the amount of chances we gave up. There were a lot of chances they missed. Most read in GAA Football 'Dublin could easily have been gone from us in the first half. There's so much we can improve on. That's not the worst way to be going into the next game.' Error-prone Dublin blasted 17 wides in Sunday's five-point loss to the Orchard. Tipperary GAA star 'had to do live apology on RTE' the day after cursing during All-Ireland interview - They also hit the post twice and dropped several attempts short. And Dessie Farrell's men gifted five points to Armagh from technical fouls. Throw in Armagh's own shortcomings and Grugan is glad just to have won without hitting enough of their 'key performance indicators'. He said: 'It was our highest turnover count all season. It's strange in a way to win a game knowing you didn't hit a lot of your KPIs, yet you are still coming out of Croke Park after beating Dublin. 'It's a good thing. It's a bit of a weird feeling but it's obviously a good one.' Grugan said that far from being a dead rubber for Armagh, the Galway game is a chance to chase those improvements. And he pointed to the value of momentum ahead of the quarter-finals. The Ballymacnab man said: 'I don't think at this level that taking a step back or having some sort of mindset of not being bothered about winning a game is a good thing. Momentum is a big thing. 'You have two weeks to Galway and two weeks then to an All-Ireland quarter-final. So we are going to be really going after the Galway game.' Grugan's strong form is a big boost to Armagh ahead of the business end of the campaign. On their All-Ireland win, he said: 'I was 33 at the time. There might be a perception on the outside that you'd walk away. It was honestly the opposite for me — you just wanted to go again."