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The Irish Sun
12 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Barney Rock hails Stephen Cluxton as Dublin icon chases record tenth All-Ireland SFC title
DUBLIN legend Barney Rock lauded all-time great Stephen Cluxton as the goalkeeper aims to take a step closer to a perfect ten. The seven-time All-Star came under fire for his display in 2 Dublin legend Barney Rock hailed Stephen Cluxton for his remarkable title haul 2 Dublin captain Stephen Cluxton is searching for a tenth Sam Maguire cup with Sky Blues His kickouts malfunctioned as the Royals subjected their old rivals to a first defeat in a provincial fixture in 15 years. But in his 23rd Championship campaign, Cluxton responded with a starring role in the win over Galway in the opening round of the All-Ireland groups. Rock said: 'Maybe you wouldn't be expecting to see a 43-year-old but he's an exceptional keeper. 'He must be one of the best goalkeepers ever.' READ MORE ON GAA Although he conceded a couple of goals against Galway, Cluxton's first-half save that foiled Shane Walsh was key. He kept a clean sheet in the Cork ace Chris Óg Jones produced a superb finish to find Cluxton's net in Saturday's preliminary quarter-final. Still, Dessie Farrell's advanced. Speaking at the launch of the 24th annual Circet All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge, Rock said: 'He'll be disappointed he let a couple of goals in but there wasn't much he could do about the Cork one.' Most read in GAA Football Along with Michael Fitzsimons and James McCarthy, Cluxton is one of three to have won nine All-Ireland SFC medals. But with that pair now retired, the Parnells man will be out on his own if the Dubs reclaim Sam. Tomas O'Se calls out GAA's mid-season rule change but fellow Sunday Game pundit disagrees Ahead of Saturday's quarter-final with Tyrone, Rock said it would be 'a fantastic honour' if he were to achieve the feat. He said: 'If Dublin win it, he will be there to win the tenth and Mick and James would be behind. But records are there to be broken.
The Irish Sun
12 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Davy Fitzgerald mulls over Antrim future and calls for major GAA sideline shake-up
DAVY FITZGERALD is still weighing up his Antrim future. And the Advertisement 2 Ian O'Connell from Killarney, Kerry, who received a modified Ford at the launch of the 24th annual Circet All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge from Antrim manager and All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge ambassador Davy Fitzgerald 2 Davy Fitzgerald has mulled over his Antrim future before calling for a major shake-up in the GAA In the wake of his side's The Limerick man was a linesman on a day that saw Antrim's Delcan McCloskey sent off. Fitzgerald, who was charged with 'misconduct considered to have discredited the association', was subsequently slapped with an eight-week suspension. The former Waterford boss also served a ban for his first game in charge of Antrim back in January — the National League clash with Dublin — for confronting ref Liam Gordon after the Déise's defeat to Clare last year. Advertisement read more on gaa Speaking at yesterday's launch of the Circet All-Ireland 'Did I tell lies afterwards? I didn't. That's how I felt. I said what I felt. That was it and I got my suspension. 'Probably the thing I'll ask is does everybody get treated the same way? I don't know. I got a suspension last year. I did not abuse Liam Gordon last year. 'I'm telling you that right here, right now. I did not abuse him. I look at other things that have happened this year. Advertisement Most read in GAA Hurling 'If you look at certain things and you look at the Waterford-Clare game last year, I got a suspension for that. 'I could pick different examples. The only thing I'd like to see, and I'm not saying I don't deserve it at times, I'm not saying that. Tomas O'Se calls out GAA's mid-season rule change but fellow Sunday Game pundit disagrees 'I'm saying that it has to be across the board.' Opening channels of communication between officials and managers would help to address inconsistency in refereeing, according to Fitzgerald. Advertisement Another suggestion he believes could 'make life easier for referees' would be a requirement for bainisteoirs to watch games from the stand. The Clare native explained: 'Take the management off the sideline and put them in the same as rugby have it. 'But allow yourself a runner that if you want to make one or two changes in the first half, second half, do it. "Even if you have your stats crew and your management up there and you have your own place, you look at the Andy Farrells, you look at them, they have their information there.' Advertisement Fitzgerald also admitted that he would be open to the introduction of video technology if it assisted referees in making the right calls. He said: 'Refs are human. They're going to make mistakes. 'I'd love to see a situation, if they're not sure about something, wouldn't it be nice? 'I'm not saying you do this every two seconds, but I know in one of the games that I saw at the weekend, if the ref had a second opportunity to look at it, I think he'd have made a different decision. Advertisement 'If he's in doubt, help him. That's all.' Fitzgerald, who was named Antrim manager last August, only has positive things to say about his working relationship with the players and the county board. Despite their relegation to the Joe McDonagh Cup, as well as criticism from respected Antrim figures like Terence 'Sambo' McNaughton, Fitzgerald also insisted that he has received significant support from clubs in the county. However, the three-time All-Star goalkeeper plans to discuss the matter with his wife Sharon and county chairman Séamus McMullan before deciding if he will take on the considerable travel commitments again next year. Advertisement The 53-year-old said: 'I actually love them up there. 'I know we had Sambo being a bit negative and stuff. That's going to happen and you accept that. 'But in general, I got a lot of support up there. I love the people the way they are. 'It's a big decision going forward. I need to sit down and have a right good chat. Advertisement 'I left myself alone after and I didn't want to think about it when it's over. But now I've started to talk to a few people. 'I've done a report. Myself and Sharon need to have another conversation about it. I'll meet Séamus. I'll have a good conversation with him. That's important. 'There has to be a number of boxes ticked from my point and from their point. 'Unless Davy Fitz is 100 per cent in it with his drive and his goal, he's no good. Advertisement 'I need to make sure that's the way. I need to make sure I'm OK with the travel. 'The county, how they are to me, it couldn't be better. So that will come in the next weeks. But I love being a part of them boys. 'Do I think if I was to stay for the next two or three years that it could make a difference? 'Yeah. I'm saying that out loud. I'd be very confident.' Advertisement ANTRIM FUTURE On Fitzgerald's watch, Antrim preserved their Division 1B status. However, their three-year stay in the Liam MacCarthy Cup ended after they lost to Offaly in a de facto relegation play-off. On the prospect of staying on for another year, Fitzgerald added: 'Would I be disappointed in myself if I didn't do a second one? I would. Advertisement 'But health wise, family wise, I want to do the right thing — whatever that right thing is. 'In the last week or so, I've started to really think about it. Over this next ten days, I will and I'll try and do the right thing. 'But the right thing has a few different factors. That's genuine.' l DAVY FITZGERALD attended the launch of the 24th annual Circet All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge in Michael Lyng Motors, Kilkenny. This year's Challenge, in aid of GAA-related charities, takes place at Killarney Golf and Fishing Resort on October 16 and 17 Advertisement
