Latest news with #Armagh
BBC News
4 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
'No excuses' as Derry face crucial Galway test
Derry boss Paddy Tally has urged his players to rise to the challenge of facing a fired-up Galway in Sunday's crucial All-Ireland Group Four game at Celtic Park (14:00 BST). With Dublin to come in a fortnight, the Oak Leafers must beat last year's All-Ireland finalists to keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stages. Derry are winless in 2025, having struggled to cope with injuries to key players, but Tally says there will be no excuses when they host a Tribesmen outfit who lost to Dublin last time out. "Galway are one of the top teams in the country," Tally told BBC Sport NI after his side's defeat by Armagh in round one. "They got their shock against Dublin. You'll not see that Galway team again. You'll see a much more motivated and focused Galway. "But we have them at home. It's on us to make sure we perform. There is no other way of looking at it. There will be no excuses so the performance is key and let's hope we can get a result."Tally insisted Derry must improve their kick-outs after being dominated by Armagh in the middle third at the Athletic Grounds. His hand may be strengthened, however, by the return of goalkeeper Odhran Lynch, who has been named on the bench for the Galway game. "Armagh looked good, at times they were cutting us open and getting scores," added former Tyrone and Kerry coach Tally. "We were loose defensively at times, which wasn't good enough. We struggled on kick-outs. Armagh are strong around the middle and it's something we have to work on. "You can see at times where our players were coming into it. I do think it comes down to not playing for a while but that will not be an excuse against Galway."Derry rallied from nine points to draw against Galway at Celtic Park in Division One earlier this year, but lost 2-14 to 0-15 in last year's All-Ireland round-robin tie.
BBC News
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Dublin v Armagh headlines bumper All-Ireland weekend
And now the championship really gets going. After an opening round split across two weekends to allow provincial finalists a bit of breathing space, all 16 teams with ambitions of becoming All-Ireland champions are in action this weekend. The first batch of games produced a couple of eyebrow-raising shocks, namely Cavan's win in Mayo and Tyrone stunning Ulster champions Donegal in four games apiece on Saturday and Sunday, another healthy dose of drama is guaranteed as teams jostle for position in their respective groups. The pick of the bunch is unquestionably Armagh's first trip back to Croke Park since lifting the Sam Maguire Cup last summer, so that's where we'll start. Remarkably, Sunday's Group Four contest will be Dublin and Armagh's first championship meeting since the 2010 All-Ireland qualifiers. In that game at Croke Park, Bernard Brogan hit nine points to help the Dubs see off Paddy O'Rourke's Orchardmen 0-14 to 0-11. And not only is it Armagh's first trip back to headquarters since that momentous day last summer, it is the first time they have faced Dublin in Croke Park since the opening round of the 2022 Division One campaign (which was only the second time Armagh boss Kieran McGeeney has faced the Dubs during his 11-year reign). The star of the show that night? Rian O'Neill - and with the Armagh ace having ended his self-imposed inter-county exile in last week's win over Derry, he will surely relish another blockbuster outing at Croke Park. Armagh in a 'brilliant place' for Dubs test Dublin, like Armagh, are coming off a win. Having crashed out of the Leinster championship at the hands of Meath, Dessie Farrell's side rebounded impressively to beat Galway in Salthill, meaning the winners of Sunday's game will more than likely top Group Four and earn straight passage through to the quarter-finals. "Dublin are not where they were at," says Armagh legend and BBC pundit Oisin McConville. "But there's still a little bit of fight in them. They will enjoy Croke Park but Armagh will too; obviously they have lovely memories from the last time they were."Apart from winning the Ulster Championship, Armagh have ticked all the boxes this year. They've gotten a lot of players back from injury so I think they're in a brilliant place for this game."Already without All-Ireland winning stalwarts Brian Fenton, James McCarthy and Michael Fitzsimons among others, Dublin must cope with the absence of injured three-time All-Star Con O'Callaghan on Sunday."They need absolutely everybody right now. The biggest thing they need is experience," added McConville."The fact that O'Callaghan won't be there - or we're led to believe he won't be there - definitely helps Armagh and detracts from Dublin's forward line." Preceding Dublin v Armagh on Sunday is Derry's must-win game against Galway at Celtic Park. Back-to-back Ulster champions and strong All-Ireland contenders as recently as two years ago, Derry have endured a miserable first year under Paddy Tally, who is still searching for his first win since replacing Mickey Harte. While Derry earned a draw with Galway in the league, overcoming Padraic Joyce's men in the championship pressure-cooker is a big ask, especially for an Oak Leaf unit still shorn of All-Star quality in Gareth McKinless and Conor McCluskey. "Derry must take something from the last 10 or 15 minutes against Armagh when they ripped them apart at times and could have three or four more goals," said McConville. "You wouldn't have argued if that game ended a draw but now it's about results, it's not about anymore hard luck stories and the fact they have Galway at home makes it even more must-win."In Sunday's two other games, Donegal will attempt to regroup against a rejuvenated Cavan at Breffni Park while Monaghan, who beat Louth in their opener, hope to strengthen their position in Group Three when they host Clare. For Tyrone, Saturday evening presents a golden chance to take a significant step towards the last eight when they welcome Mayo to Omagh in Group the Red Hands basking in the glow of their win over Donegal and their latest All-Ireland triumph at Under-20 level, Malachy O'Rourke's side are firm favourites to dispatch a Mayo side for whom the past couple of weeks have been turbulent. Having fallen to Cavan in their opener, manager Kevin McStay stepped back to deal with health issues before an extraordinary meeting of the county committee on Monday which followed recent reports of the board's financial situation. Also at that meeting, GAA president Jarlath Burns condemned "bullying, intimidation and threats" directed at Mayo county board officers. With McStay stepping back, Stephen Rochford leads Mayo against Tyrone in what is a rerun of the 2021 All-Ireland final, which was won by the Ulster county."A lot of things have gone against Mayo and that's usually when they'll give you something so Tyrone need to be on their game but I can't see anything other than a Tyrone win," said McConville."Mayo have history in this regard. They've been written off previously. The performance against Cavan was so alarmingly poor so there's a lot of work to be done. "But Tyrone have the ability to keep the scoreboard ticking over. I don't think Mayo have that."In Group Three, Down hope to make it two wins from two when they welcome Leinster champions Louth to Pairc Esler. Having comfortably dispatched Clare last time out, victory over Louth would leave Conor Laverty's Mournemen in a commanding position before facing Monaghan at a neutral venue in the final round of group games in a fortnight. On Sunday, there are two Ulster counties in Tailteann Cup action as Antrim take on London and Fermanagh face Wexford in the final round-robin games. After defeats by Westmeath and Limerick, Antrim must win to secure an away preliminary quarter-final, while Fermanagh can still top Group Four if they beat Ernemen's game will be played at Croke Park as the curtain-raiser to Dublin v Armagh. Finally, there is a triple-header of hurling finals at Croke Park on Saturday with two Ulster counties vying for silverware. Cavan face New York in the Lory Meagher Cup final before Derry take on London in the Christy Ring Cup decider. Mayo face Roscommon in the Nicky Rackard Cup final. All-Ireland SFC fixtures All times BSTSaturday 31 May Group Two: Cork v Kerry, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 16:45Group Two: Roscommon v Meath, Dr Hyde Park, 18:00Group Three: Down v Louth, Pairc Esler, 17:30 Group One: Tyrone v Mayo, Healy Park, 19:00Sunday 1 JuneGroup One: Cavan v Donegal, Breffni Park, 14:00Group Four: Derry v Galway, Celtic Park, 14:00Group Three: Monaghan v Clare, Clones, 16:00Group Four: Dublin v Armagh, Croke Park, 16:00 Tailteann Cup fixtures Saturday 31 May Group Three: Westmeath v Limerick, Portlaoise, 14:00 Group Two: Offaly v Laois, Newbridge, 18:00Group Two: Wicklow v Waterford, Wexford Park, 18:00Sunday 1 JuneGroup Four: Carlow v Longford, Tullamore, 13:45Group Three: Antrim v London, Pairc Esler, 13:45Group One: Leitrim v Tipperary, Mullingar, 13:45Group Four: Fermanagh v Wexford, Croke Park, 13:45Group One: Kildare v Sligo, Dr Hyde Park, 14:00 Hurling fixtures Nicky Rackard Cup final: Mayo v Roscommon, Croke Park, 13:00 Lory Meagher Cup final: Cavan v New York, Croke Park, 15:00Christy Ring Cup final: Derry v London, Croke Park, 17:00
The 42
10 hours ago
- Sport
- The 42
'I didn't sit in the dressing room thinking I was the reason Dublin didn't beat Armagh'
IT'S THE DAY after the 2002 All-Ireland semi-final between Dublin and Armagh, and the RTÉ Six O'Clock news has just come on the TV in a pub. Sitting at the bar are some of the Dublin players who are processing the effects of a one-point defeat in Croke Park. It's been seven years since their county last tasted All-Ireland success, but this group will not be the ones to end the wait. A first Leinster title since 1995 will have to do instead. John McNally is among the crew, along with Dublin full-forward Ray Cosgrove who has been the star of the summer. He's clocking out of the championship with a scintillating 6-23. He'll be collecting an All-Star award for that as well as joint top-scorer gong along with Armagh's Oisín McConville. But today is a day for escaping. They want to avoid the city centre and so they've found a spot in Ballymore Eustace to drink their pints in quiet anonymity. Just when they think they're in the clear, the final moments of their loss to Armagh appear on the TV screen. A last-minute free from Cosgrove that came back off the post. 'Jaysus,' quips the barmen serving the wounded Dublin lot. 'I wouldn't fancy being that poor fella today.' **** It always comes up on weeks like this. THAT free. THAT miss. Dublin v Armagh in Croke Park? Of course Ray Cosgrove's phone is going to ping with the usual deluge of messages. He's in a WhatsApp group with Oisín McConville, and the back and forth is always good natured. McConville technically finished the 2002 championship with two more points than Cosgrove but they both won the top-scorer award as McConville played one more match. Cosgrove never lets him forget that. Ray Cosgrove wheels away in celebration after a goal in the 2002 Leinster final. INPHO INPHO For those who can recall, 2002 was the summer of Saipan. It was the summer when Roy Keane either left or was sent home from the Republic of Ireland's World Cup squad, depending on where your allegiances lie. That controversy held the country in a headlock. But Cosgrove's quality soared above it. In the space of a few months, he was no longer Ray Cosgrove. He was Cossie – the darling of Hill 16. 'The season just took off and I didn't realise the amount of hype that had been created,' he says, looking back. 'Things are just happening. I wasn't quite aware of the magnitude of what was going on, to be perfectly honest.' By 2002, Cosgrove was heading into his sixth year on the Dublin circuit. He was first introduced to the senior squad by Mickey Whelan in 1996 and he felt a breakthrough to the team was close. He was playing for the A team in their training games coming into the Leinster final against Meath. But when the selections were announced, he didn't get the nod. He didn't even make the matchday panel. 'I was going well,' Cosgrove continues. 'I was only 19 years old so maybe a little bit light and inexperienced. This was a Dublin team that had just won the All-Ireland. I left that Saturday before the final thinking I could be getting a shout. 'For whatever reason, Mickey obviously made the decision with the management team. Maybe they felt that's a big, strong, Meath team and this fella's not cut out for it at the moment. He just didn't back me, I suppose.' Advertisement By 1999, the door into the Dublin team was still locked for Cosgrove. Again, they reached the Leinster final, and again, Meath were their opponents. The Dublin-Meath rivalry was in full roar in those years. Not too unlike the Celtic Tiger that defined Irish consumerism at the time. Cosgrove did make an appearance on that occasion off the bench, but he was taken off again later in the game as Dublin lost by five points. Tommy Carr was in charge at that point, and after that game, they had a conversation about Cosgrove's future. They agreed that he should concentrate on playing club football. 'I suppose I had a bit of prove,' Cosgrove adds. 'I was still playing good football with the club in 2001.' Former Dublin manager Tommy Lyons. INPHO INPHO 2002 ushered in a new chapter for Dublin and for Cosgrove. The difference? Cosgrove's Kilmacud clubmate Tommy Lyons became the new Dublin boss. He decided that Cosgrove was his man, and offered assurances that he would stick with his man come hell or high water. It's hard to imagine a concept where a manager — who has a large panel at their disposal — could make such a promise. But Cosgrove's form made it easy to stick with him. 'He took a chance on me. He showed faith in me. And from day one, he said, 'Cossie, regardless of how you're going, I am going to play you. I'm going to persist with you.' He showed complete faith in me. That was the faith I needed. 'Tommy would have called me Monday morning after games day saying, 'You've done this, you've done that…' He was giving me feedback and he was honest.' **** Before we go forward, let's go back. Gaelic football wasn't Cosgrove's first sport. He had links through his Mayo-born parents and his Galway cousin, Gay McManus, who played against Cosgrove's native Dublin in the 1983 All-Ireland final. But the first ball Cosgrove kicked was for Leicester Celtic in Rathfarnham. He was a nifty centre midfielder too. He was on a DDSL team that won a Kennedy Cup, which is prestigious competition at U14 level. He also enjoyed some success with Cherry Orchard. There was talk of trials too but the intrusion of injury stopped him from pursuing any opportunities in England. 'I missed a couple of trials. I got injured at U15 when I was out with the the Irish team. I was on trials at the AUL. I tore a calf most of the trials there. And that set me back a good few months. I was due to go on trial with Derby. And I missed the boat to go across.' His first foray into Gaelic football was somewhat accidental. While attending St Benildus College, he offered to tog out for a team struggling with numbers. A teacher at the school was involved with Kilmacud Crokes and Cosgrove could feel himself inclining more towards the O'Neill's ball. Cosgrove celebrating after winning the 2009 All-Ireland final with Kilmacud Crokes. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO 'We ended up winning the Dublin U14 A title,' he says. 'I joined Kilmacud and we ended up winning the U15 championship. That year we beat a Ballyboden team in the semi-final. I think they'd been unbeaten all the way up through when they were under-aged. And we were the first team to beat that Ballyboden team. Jim Stynes' younger brother David would have been on that team. 'I remember I was double-jobbing with the soccer. I had my foot in both camps. It just festered from there.' By the time he was at the U18 grade, Cosgrove dropped the dual-player tag and decided to specialise in Gaelic football. **** When he thinks back to 2002, Cosgrove points to a draw against Galway in the National League as the 'catalyst.' It was their last game of the Division 1 campaign. Cosgrove scored 1-4 and could sense a fruitful summer was looming. Dublin started their Leinster championship with a two-point win over Wexford and a 2-11 to 0-10 semi-final victory over the Royals illustrated their intent. It was a first championship win over Meath in seven years, and Cosgrove scored 2-3 to help make it happen. 'That was the first sign of, I'd arrived on the scene. Darren-Faye was one of the best full-backs that the game had ever seen. When you walk off the pitch and say, 'Jaysus, 2-3 off Darren-Faye', that isn't so bad.' Related Reads Rochford climbs on top of the Mayo volcano as they face yet another last stand Mayo GAA address financial situation at special delegates meeting 'We didn't play for whatever reason' - Jim McGuinness on first Ballybofey defeat Dublin went on to become Leinster champions for the first time since 1995 and eventually dispatched Donegal in the All-Ireland quarter-final after a replay. Cosgrove's legend continued to grow and a belief that Dublin could push on for the next prize was visible in the city. 'There was a big 40-foot poster on Connolly Street against the Bank of Ireland.' he says. 'The flags, the bunting around the place.' And then came Armagh in the semi-final. A tough outfit packed with Crossmaglen All-Ireland winners and Ulster champions. Kieran McGeeney was their captain at centre-back, and Cosgrove was familiar with him from the Dublin club scene. 'Geezer was playing with Na Fianna so I would have obviously locked horns with Geezer. We would have known a good bit about the Armagh boys from the few that were playing in Dublin. 'They were battle-hardened. They were more experienced. But certainly, it was a game that we went into thinking that, yeah, we could get something out of it. There was no fear on our behalf.' **** Cosgrove reflects on it as his best game for Dublin. You might only remember the free but he remembers the six points he scored. It was as close to perfect as he could get. He was the one that actually won the free too, drawing a trip from Enda McNulty. Cosgrove felt it was 'soft enough' though. He just kicked it with too much caution. If he had his time back, he'd put his boot through it. Instead of trying to curl it over from the instep, he'd hit the strike with more conviction. Actually, he would have taken the free off the ground. That was his preferred style of free-taking. But a knee injury forced him to start taking them from his hands. 'I knew I'd done as much as I could. It was probably the best game I ever played in a blue jersey. I didn't blame myself for missing the free. We would have only drawn the game. It's not like as if we would have won the game if I scored. 'I didn't take the burden of blame on my shoulders. It wasn't just that kick that led to us being beaten. There were lots of other missed opportunities. I didn't sit in the dressing room thinking I was the reason Dublin didn't beat Armagh.' The Dublin and Armagh teams before the 2002 All-Ireland semi-final. INPHO INPHO Cosgrove does have games that haunt him. The 1998 Leinster final against Éire Óg of Carlow needed three games to determine a winner. In the second game, Cosgrove kicked a free which was dispossessed and led to a late equaliser. Dublin's 2006 All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Mayo hangs over him too. More so than the 2002 heartache. He knows that others feel differently, and he had some slagging to deal with. 'That was part and parcel of it. You do get reminded of it quite regularly. It would get annoying but I had a very quick response. I finished top-scorer in the championship and I'd say, 'Here listen, when you finish top-scorer in the championship, get back to me and I'll talk to ya.' That usually quietened a few of them.' Cosgrove continued serving Dublin until 2008, deciding that he was 'only making up the numbers' at that stage and left after the National League. This was just three years before Dublin's All-Ireland breakthrough and he can feel satisfied that he helped lay the brickwork for future players to thrive in a Blue jersey. He did reach the summit with Kilmacud Crokes in 2009 as they conquered the club kingpins Crossmaglen to become All-Ireland champions. Something of a full circle moment for Cosgrove. He's always felt gratitude towards Tommy Lyons for taking that chance and giving him that summer to remember. You can say what you want about the free in 2002. But if you want to come at him, you best have scored 6-23. He's ready for you if not. And as Dublin and Armagh prepare to meet once again tomorrow afternoon in Croke Park, he might have to hear about it once or twice more before then. As for the bar man who spoke after his free appeared on the television, Cosgrove had something for him too. 'Well, here I am!'
Belfast Telegraph
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Antrim fans can be secret weapon in Tailteann Cup quest: Dermot McAleese
The Saffrons had shown promise that they might have made an impact in the competition before now but since its inception three years ago the trophy has gone to Westmeath, Meath and Down. Little wonder, then, that Antrim's hunger for silverware has intensified of late given that they have flattered to deceive. Right now, though, McAleese believes that it is time for the Saffrons to rise to the occasion against a London side that is equally keen to create a good impression. While a number of sides are still blooding comparatively new faces in their line-ups, Antrim can lean on a battery of seasoned campaigners with McAleese himself, Patrick McBride, Marc Jordan, Dominic McEnhill, Ruairi McCann, Eunan Walsh, Ryan Murray and Michael Byrne among players who are more than capable of giving a lead. McAleese was disappointed to see his side lose to Armagh in the Ulster Championship but believes they can rise to the challenge this time out. 'I think if we get a good swell of support we can make progress,' maintains McAleese. London, like their hosts, will hope to create an impact and are likely to look to Stephen Dornan, Tighe Barry, Cahir Healy, Daniel Clarke and Aidan McLaughlin in this connection. Fermanagh, too, will be in search of a boost when they face Wexford in the Tailteann Cup at Croke Park (1.45pm) prior to the Dublin v Armagh All-Ireland Group 4 shoot-out. Erne County boss Kieran Donnelly is hopeful that his side can transform some of their recent League form to the Tailteann Cup. Indeed, Fermanagh have shown a sharp appetite for action lately and Fionan O'Brien, Garvan Jones, Ultan Kelm, Declan McCusker and Conor Love can boost the team's chances of victory.
The Irish Sun
14 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Armagh are coming to boil and will fancy chances vs Dublin – Con O'Callaghan is an incalculable loss for Dessie Farrell
A CHAMPIONSHIP clash with Dublin at Croke Park could hardly be described as low-hanging fruit. But I get the sense nonetheless that the Orchard is beginning to bloom. 3 Armagh face Dublin in the All-Ireland SFC Credit: Ray McManus/Sportsfile 3 Graham Geraghty backed the reigning champions to beat the Dubs Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 3 Con O'Callaghan will miss the game through injury Credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile And with Even though the severity of his injury will probably be kept under wraps, it is no surprise to see Con's name absent from the It did not look good for him as he went off against Such is the way of these things, he may still end up playing a part. Read More on GAA If not, it will be an incalculable loss for Dublin. Prior to picking up the injury, his performance against Galway was yet another demonstration of his importance to Dessie Farrell's team. So much goes through him, whether he is operating in the half-forward line or closer to goal. As evidenced by Farrell's decision to hand him the captaincy, Con's leadership is also vital at a time when the Dubs are striving to show that there is life after the likes of Brian Fenton and James McCarthy. Returning to Croker for a game of this magnitude is exactly where Dublin want to be. Yet the same goes for Armagh, who are coming to the boil nicely. Most read in GAA Football The trajectory of their form is promising, there's a good buzz about them and crucially their ranks have been bolstered by the return of Rian O'Neill. The momentum is building for Kieran McGeeney's men. Tipperary GAA star 'had to do live apology on RTE' the day after cursing during All-Ireland interview - They showed few signs of an Ulster final hangover while racking up a big lead against Derry , whose late surge only served to put some respectability on the scoreline. Armagh will not have it all their own way against Dublin by any stretch of the imagination. What the Dubs did to Galway was extremely impressive. They are a team who are sure to be high on confidence. However, if Con is gone, Dublin will find it very difficult to dig out a victory. One man does not make a team, yet his influence is just so critical that the Dubs are nowhere near as formidable without him. This has the makings of being as good a game as we will see all year. And while there will not be much between the teams, Armagh look likely to have the edge. There was a time not too long ago when Dublin were in such good nick that they could afford to be missing a few key players. But no team could ship so many blows on the personnel front and not be detrimentally affected. The team that has been named to start against Armagh shows just six survivors from the 2023 All-Ireland final win over Kerry — Stephen Cluxton, Davy Byrne, Brian Howard, Ciarán Kilkenny , Cormac Costello and Colm Basquel. You cannot expect to stay at the top of the pile while being robbed of so much quality in such a short period of time. Now, they are not far away from it and will not be easily beaten by anyone. But are Dublin one of the top three All-Ireland contenders as things stand? Not for me. PANEL SHOW A strong panel is needed to go all the way nowadays and Armagh can certainly boast that now. Their captain is also injured as Aidan Forker looks set to remain sidelined as well. But their options on the bench still include Stefan Campbell, Joe McElroy and Connaire Mackin, who all contributed enormously to their All-Ireland win. Also held in reserve again is Jemar Hall, who generally sees very little action but would probably be a regular starter for most other top teams. Iron sharpens iron when you have that level of competition within a set-up. And when guys are working that hard in training just to get a jersey , it is manifested on match-day when a manager can call upon subs who are just as good as the lads they are replacing. At the moment, there are not many counties with the depth and quality to match what is at McGeeney's disposal. With players coming off the bench often proving to be the match-winners nowadays, Armagh are in a very good place. All 16 teams are in action this weekend in the All-Ireland SFC, so there will be plenty to monitor and much to learn about those with aspirations of being in Galway's trip to Celtic Park is not a do-or-die fixture for either Pádraic Joyce's side or Derry but, still, the stakes are extremely high for two teams aiming to recover from losses. Indeed, having been a kick of a ball away from winning the All-Ireland last year, going into a rematch with Armagh in two weeks' time without a point on the board would be a disastrous scenario for Galway. They should have enough to see off a Derry team whose frailties have been exposed by the new rules. But the visitors must proceed with caution now that the air is getting thinner. Finally, the good times should continue for The future looks rosy for the Red Hands. And the present could be quite promising too if they can build on the performance they brought to Ballybofey while uncovering some chinks in the home side's armour. There is very little to separate Tyrone, Donegal and Armagh. On a given day, they are all capable of beating one another. When this Championship comes to the crunch, Ulster's finest should have a major say. Getting out of Omagh with anything to show for their efforts will be a huge ask of Mayo, particularly given the potential impact of Kevin McStay having to step back. I wish him well and hope he makes a full recovery, which is far more important than anything that happens on the pitch in Healy Park.
