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Irish Examiner
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Limerick's Colin Ryan regains All-Ireland Poc Fada title
Limerick's Colin Ryan hailed a sweet win after regaining the M. Donnelly All-Ireland Poc Fada title after three seasons of near misses. The 2021 winner braved high winds - which rendered almost half of the traditional 5km course unplayable - to make off with the silverware having finished second in each of the last three seasons. Two of the four sections on the Annaverna Mountain course were bypassed as a result of gale force gusting winds. But 2018 All-Ireland SHC medallist Ryan, who also lined out in the 2017 All-Ireland U-21 final win with Limerick, held his nerve for a sweet win. He shoved Offaly star Cillian Kiely into second place, defeating the 2018 and 2019 winner by just 13 metres overall. Colin Ryan of Limerick with his son Fionn. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile Kerry man and Kilkenny hurler Fionan Mackessy, chasing a three-in-a-row of titles after his 2023 and 2024 wins, could only finish third in County Louth. Ryan's win was all the more impressive as he played at centre-back for his club Pallasgreen in the Limerick IHC on Sunday afternoon. Asked where the win ranks in his career achievements, Ryan said it's close to the top. "It's right up there for me," he said. "You're on your own, compared to playing with the club or in a team. So it's that bit tougher mentally. You're striking by yourself and there's no-one to help you with that strike, or to dig you out of a hole. "So I put this win right up there in my career. The 2021 win was special but I'd say this was even more special having come second the last three years. "To get over the line was great because you'd wonder at times would it happen again." It was Ryan's first win with his young son, Fionn. His partner, Grace, along with family members and friends, were on hand for support. Ryan completed the course in 25 pucks, the same as Kiely and Mackessy. But the 60 metres he added on from the ball going beyond the first turning point, and the finish line, won it for him. Powerhouse Kiely could only add on 47 metres and Kerry native Mackessy 35 metres. Ryan's last puck helpfully hit a rock after crossing the finish line and bounced on several metres, a stroke of good fortune. "Every bit counts when it comes down to metres," said Ryan. "I knew coming up for my last shot, we'd heard that Cillian was going well so we knew that if we hit a good one, we could win it. Thankfully I hit a rock! It took a nice little bounce and, look, it's a game of inches. It was great to get that bit of luck." Cillian Kiely of Offaly competing in the Senior Hurling competition during the M. Donnelly GAA Poc Fada All-Ireland Finals at Annaverna Mountain in the Cooley Peninsula, Ravensdale, Louth. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile Tipperary great and 2025 All-Ireland U-20 winning manager Brendan Cummins came up short in his bid for a record 10th title, finishing seventh. But there was a huge ovation for Cork's Molly Lynch who completed a five-in-a-row of senior camogie wins. The goalkeeper required just 27 pucks, four ahead of the next competitor, to complete what was a full camogie course. Former champion Killian Phelan of Kilkenny won the Paul Ward Cup, awarded for the longest single puck on the day. Westmeath's Conor Raleigh won the U-16 boys title, narrowly edging out Galway's Oran Stratford while Offaly's Siofra Ginty was the outstanding U-16 camogie participant, taking the title with two pucks to spare.
Irish Examiner
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Walter Walsh impact not enough as London and New York to meet in All-Ireland JFC decider
Former Kilkenny All-Star Walter Walsh will have to wait another season at least for an All-Ireland football medal. Not for the first time this year, the three-time MacCarthy Cup winner switched codes and had a big impact as the Cats came up just shy of London in their All-Ireland JFC semi-final. Walsh, who retired from inter-county hurling after the 2024 season, played junior rugby for Leinster earlier this year and showed his football skills with two points this time. The 2012 All-Ireland hurling final replay hero created several scores also and had two goal chances, though was ultimately powerless to prevent London winning by 1-17 to 0-17 in Abbottstown. Noel Maher's four two-point scores for London were crucial as the side managed by former London senior boss Paul Coggins advanced to Sunday's final against holders New York. Kilkenny led by 0-8 to 0-4 after a bright start, with Walsh winning the throw-in and immediately getting his county on the attack. And while London fought back to level it up at 0-8 apiece at the break, Kilkenny took off again in the third quarter with another Walsh score helping them to lead by 0-12 to 0-8. They ran out of steam in the sweltering heat though and London took advantage in the final 20 minutes, reeling off four two-pointers and a goal from Ali Carney. Maher boomed over three of those late two-pointers while Carney's goal arrived in the 43rd minute for the All-Britain champions. Former Donegal senior and 2010 All-Ireland U-21 finalist James Carroll finished with 0-8 for Kilkenny. His last score left three in it and Kilkenny chased a goal after the siren sounded but couldn't breach London's green wall. It'll be a repeat of last year's final which New York won to claim back-to-back titles. Like London, Mick Healy's New York trailed by four points initially before coming roaring back with a strong second-half display to win their semi-final 2-12 to 1-11. Jack Gillespie was terrific for Warwickshire in the first-half and the number eight scored three points as the side beaten by London in last month's All-Britain final led by 0-7 to 0-4 at half-time. Warwickshire twice got the margin back out to four points in the third quarter before wilting noticeably in the heat. New York outscored Warwickshire by 2-7 to 1-2 in the closing 20 minutes with Jack Healy grabbing their first goal. Healy finished with 1-2 and took his goal well, capitalising on a strong press on Warwickshire's kick-out. Full-forward Brian Coughlan added a point for New York and finished with 0-5. New York, who beat USGAA after extra-time at the quarter-final stage, got a strong kick from subs and Colm Shalvey in particular. Shalvey struck their second goal in the 51st minute to seal it, having earlier won a free that was converted.
