Latest news with #Cluxton
The Irish Sun
28-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Diarmuid Connolly backs Stephen Cluxton after Meath blow as Dublin icon silences critics with Galway heroics
EVEN after Dublin failed to reach the Royal standard, Diarmuid Connolly never had any doubts about Stephen Cluxton's ability to justify his continued selection. The performance of the legendary goalkeeper, 43, was heavily scrutinised following his side's elimination from the 2 Diarmuid Connolly never had any doubts about Stephen Cluxton' despite some heavy criticism this season 2 Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton put on a solid display in the clash against Galway His kickouts were devoured as the A nine-time All-Ireland SFC winner, Cluxton is now in his 23rd Championship campaign. And he delivered an emphatic response to the questions that were raised by his contribution to the Leinster semi-final loss. The seven-time All-Star played a starring role in Salthill as Dublin started their Sam Maguire campaign with an READ MORE ON GAA Asked if the fall-out from the Meath game left him concerned that this might prove to be one year too many for Cluxton, former team-mate Connolly said: 'No. I think what Stephen will give you. "And you saw it there against Galway, he doesn't get too flustered about the nitty-gritty sort of small things. 'I'd never throw him under the bus anyway. I know the guy personally, I've trained with him for so long and I know the sort of work that he puts in behind the scenes.' With the game's new rules requiring all kickouts to travel beyond the 40-metre arc, Connolly points out that responsibility for a malfunctioning restart does not rest entirely with a goalkeeper. Most read in GAA Football The ex-Dublin forward remarked: 'It's easy to say, 'Stephen didn't kick 80 per cent today', and it's easy to blame him for the loss. For me, it's the guys out the field that have to show for the ball. 'It's very difficult for a goalkeeper now. They have to get it off within a certain amount of time and they have to kick it for a distance now. 'Like something out of the French Revolution' - RTE GAA pundit Donal Og Cusack slams Dublin star's reckless swipe "If they don't have the options out the field, that can't happen, so you can't solely blame that on the keeper. 'But against Galway, that was completely different. 'There were options out the field and I thought Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne, when we did have to go long, he either broke it or won his own ball. That's a huge thing.' Cluxton was at the centre of some key moments as Dublin eked out their 1-18 to 2-14 win against Galway. As well as producing a vital first-half save to deny Shane Walsh a goal, the pinpoint accuracy of a last-minute kickout started the move that culminated in Tom Lahiff's winning score. Dubs boss Dessie Farrell will hope for another big performance from his most senior statesman when the campaign resumes against All-Ireland champions Armagh at Croke Park on Sunday. And Connolly added: 'Stephen answered the questions like he usually does. "It was difficult for him against Meath — they really pressed the kickout but I thought we hadn't got a lot of options out the field and we had more against Galway for him.' l DIARMUID CONNOLLY was speaking in his role as a BoyleSports ambassador
Irish Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
All-Ireland winning captain lauds Stephen Cluxton 'generosity and selflessness'
Galway football legend Ray Silke shared a glowing review of Stephen Cluxton after his Dublin side edged past the Tribesmen in a thriller in Salthill last weekend. In a letter to the Irish Times, the former Corofin man described the Pobal Parnell club man as "a credit to [himself] and also to the culture of generosity and selflessness in the Dublin football squad." This was due to Cluxton staying out after full-time for over an hour to greet Dublin and Galway fans alike on the pitch. "Over 70 minutes after his team had defeated Galway last Saturday in Pearse Stadium, Stehen Cluxton was still signing autographs, shaking hands with supporters from both teams, giving his time to young children and smiling warmly for a never-ending queue of people looking for pictures with him," wrote Silke. "That a man with nine senior All-Ireland medals - most collected as team captain - and who has played with his county for over two decades was content to stand in the searing sun on a hard pitch after playing a Championship game to facilitate FAA supporters is a credit to Stephen and also the culture and generosity and selflessness in the Dublin football squad. "Eventually a member of the Dublin backroom team had to come over and give him the eye, which said 'Stephen, we need to get going." Silke, whose nephew Liam lined out for Galway last weekend, was reminded of his teacher's word to him as a child, saying "I recalled my national schoolteacher (Mrs Quinn) from 45 years ago telling her third class a really central rule for life: 'While it is nice to be important, it is more important to be nice.'" He added: "It's clear Mr Cluxton lives by the same truism." The Galway legend would know a winner when he sees one, with his 1998 season being one of the best possible. He completed a senior championship double, first on St. Patrick's day with Corofin, and later on that year as captain of the Galway side that beat Kildare to lift Sam. Cluxton was busy in Pearse Stadium on Saturday, with the 43-year-old making an excellent stop to deny Shane Walsh in the first half. The evergreen netminder has had to manage his minutes in the last few months and years, missing out on most of this year's league campaign before returning for Dublin's Leinster SFC defeat against Meath in the semi-final stage. Dessie Farrell has been looking to blood an heir to his throne since he took the Dublin job in 2019 with Evan Comerford and Hugh O'Sullivan impressing in spells, but Cluxton shows no signs of abdicating just yet. To keep going at his age at the highest level of football takes some doing, and he has been given his flowers for it, with many labelling him as the game's greatest stopper.
Irish Examiner
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Late Lahiff point seals win for Dublin over Galway in enthralling encounter
All-Ireland SFC Group 4: Galway: 2-2-10 (20) Dublin: 1-0-18 (21) They're still here. With the last kick of an enthralling game, Dublin's Tom Lahiff sealed a remarkable victory over Galway in front of a packed Pearse Stadium. The hooter sounded with both teams level but a outrageous Stephen Cluxton kickout offered Dublin one final opportunity. They worked the ball to Lahiff, who came on to replaced the injured Con O'Callaghan early in the second half. The sizeable support behind Cluxton's goal exploded in delight as the big midfielder curled over the winner. It was a scorcher in Salthill with the sentiment of anticipation hanging over the ground. As throw-in approached, a blue scrum slowly began to form behind either goal and jovial announcements rang out. A lost phone. The phone found. The owner of the phone looking for the child who found it to offer a reward. Approving applause. The vibes were good. In a late change blitz, Dublin made six alterations to the team named during the week. Seán Bugler made his return from injury. He marked his comeback with the opening point as the away side immediately made their mark on Connor Gleeson's kickout. Jack Glynn dropped out due to illness at the other end, with Cian Hernon taking his place. Dessie Farrell's outfit ignited immediately. There was abundant fuel for this revenge mission. 20 days ago, Meath made history as Dublin suffered their first Leinster championship defeat in 15 years. 319 days ago, Galway made history as Dublin suffered their first All-Ireland quarter-final defeat in 15 years. All the conditions were there for a raging fire. They led 1-9 to 0-8 at the turnaround with Colm Costello's 20-minute goal helping the margin. Two orange flags from Shane Walsh and Robert Finnerty had the Connacht champions in touch. Just. Galway led by two before Costello's goal. A Liam Silke turnover as they tried to work the ball out gave them a clean run at Gleeson's goal. Meanwhile, 43-year-old Stephen Cluxton pulled off a terrific stop to deny Shane Walsh a goal of his own. The Kimacud clubman went short with the resulting 45 in a bid to work a two-pointer. However, he hooked it wide. Killian McGinnis was at his jinking best with two early points. Costello and Basquel squandered opportunities to extend the gap, including a missed free from the top of the arc. Galway won only 11 of the 25 first half-kickouts. Overall, Cluxton retained an immense 70% of his own. Galway roared back as expected. Matthew Thompson found the net after a searching Cillian McDaid long ball from the throw-in set play. Cluxton failed to deal with a second McDaid floater in the final quarter. John Maher powered forward soon after. With four minutes left, it was all square. Dublin had so many rises to lie down and head off. A host of legends departed in the recent off-season. They were written off in places. Their captain was gone with a hamstring issue. They were on the road. Paddy Small went down in the warm-up. The performance was already credible. But they came determined to deliver a message. They've gone nowhere. Scorers for Galway: R. Finnerty 1-6 (1 tp, 1f); M. Thompson 1-1; M. Tierney 0-2; S. Walsh 0-2 (tp); C. McDaid, J. Maher, J. McGrath 0-1 each. Scorers for Dublin: C. Costello 1-3 (2f); S. Bugler, C. O'Callaghan, L. O'Dell 0-3 each; K. McGinnis, C. Kilkenny 0-2 each; B. O'Leary, T. Lahiff 0-1 each. GALWAY: C. Gleeson; J. McGrath, L. Silke, S. Mulkerrin; D. McHugh, S. Kelly, C. Hernon; P. Conroy, J. Maher; C. D'Arcy, S. Walsh, C. McDaid; M. Tierney, R. Finnerty, M. Thompson. Subs: P. Cooke for Thompson (41-53, temp), K. Molloy for Conroy (53), P. Cooke for Seán Kelly (53-60, temp), D. O'Flaherty for Hernon (55), P. Cooke for Shane Walsh (60), T. Culhane for D'Arcy (65), J. Daly for Silke (67). DUBLIN: S. Cluxton; D. Byrne, T. Clancy, S. MacMahon; S. Bugler, A. Gavin, B. Howard; P. Ó Cofaigh Byrne, K. McGinnis; C. Basquel, L. O'Dell, C. Kilkenny; C. Costello, C. O'Callaghan, B. Leary. Subs: T. Lahiff for O'Callaghan (45-inj), N. Scully for O'Leary (50), C. Murphy for Clancy (53-55, temp), C. Murphy for Gavin (55), G. McEnaney for McGinnis (60), L. Breathnach for Bugler (62). Referee: D. Gough (Meath).
The Irish Sun
17-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Dublin facing nightmare scenario starting All-Ireland group in Galway, can they rally after Leinster letdown?
DUBLIN'S summer could go from bad to worse against Galway today. Whether three teams qualify or not, losing your first group game puts you on the back foot straight away. 2 A lot is falling on Ciaran Kilkenny's shoulders with so many other members of that great Dublin team now retired 2 Meath legend Graham Geraghty writes for SunSport throughout the inter-county Championship season A defeat in the west would really turn the heat up on the Sky Blues — and it's likely to happen. Dessie Farrell's men have had time to regroup and take stock of All the chat of their downfall has to be getting to the players as well. Everyone knows they're not as good as they were. But if you were in that dressing room, hearing it would fire you up to prove them all wrong. Read More On GAA Those players know how to shield themselves from negativity. But some of those doubts have to sink in. Galway Taking down Mayo in their own backyard — without Shane Walsh and Damien Comer — was another big stepping stone for this group. Pádraic Joyce's star pair are vital to their All-Ireland hopes but the likes of Matthew Thompson and Rob Finnerty really stood up without them. Most read in GAA Football Either way, the same reliance on the pair isn't there anymore, and that's a great scenario for any manager. Dublin GAA legends reunite in Germany after taking part in gruelling sporting phenomenon Walsh likes playing out from goal and running at teams with pace on top of his obvious scoring threat. He scored 0-7 in the All-Ireland quarter-final win over the Dubs last June. And he could easily surpass that today with his ability to kick two-pointers. Comer provides that target and physical presence on the edge of the square. He showed that against Dublin in the league when he scored a wonderful goal off the bench. But Galway can manage fine today without him. They're building a serious resilience and know how to win tight games. That's why today is a nightmare start for a Dublin team still smarting from the Meath defeat and away from the comforts of Croke Park once more. The kickouts are going to be vital too. Salthill is always windy. Whoever wins the toss surely has to play with the wind and rack up a big lead. Meath really went after Stephen Cluxton's restarts in Portlaoise and it was the deciding factor in the end, as they led by 12 at half-time. Obviously Galway will have looked at that as well. They'll be eager to apply the same pressure on home soil. With the new rules, gone are the days when Cluxton could just dink the ball out to a corner-back. And after some high-profile Sky Blues retirements, he doesn't have James McCarthy or Brian Fenton to aim for if he does go long. It's up to the likes of Ciarán Kilkenny and Peadar Ó Cófaigh Byrne to change that now and make their presence really felt if they want to win. They've had three weeks to work on it, so rest assured Cluxton's distribution will be a lot better at Pearse Stadium but the pressure Galway apply to those kicks will be crucial. Losing your first game is not what you want. Imagine an angry Armagh team coming to Croker in a fortnight to really twist the knife? It all points to a Galway win for me. COMING TO THE KINGDOM The All-Ireland series starts in Killarney today when Kerry host Roscommon. I saw the Rossies in the flesh in Navan and they were poor — but they love a Championship scalp too. They stunned Tyrone in Omagh in the preliminary round last year and gave Armagh plenty to think about in the quarters. They were really disappointing in their Connacht semi- final loss to Galway. But that brings its own chance to go back to the drawing board and refocus. Davy Burke has some fine players to call upon in Enda Smith, Brian Stack and Diarmuid Murtagh — but they don't really have enough overall quality to beat the Kingdom. Paudie Clifford is back after missing the Clare game and Jack O'Connor will just want to win this and move on. I tipped Kerry at the start of the year to win the All-Ireland and I haven't changed my mind on that just yet. DOWN IN CLARE Clare's game against Down in Ennis tomorrow will be interesting given the holes the Mourne men punched in Donegal and the fact the Banner still scored 0-21 in the Munster final loss to Kerry. Both of them will fancy getting something out of it. Down won the Tailteann Cup but had a poor league — getting relegated back to Division 3. Clare shipped four goals against Kerry but should win at Cusack Park if they can sort that out. Cavan are going to Castlebar with nothing to lose against Mayo and will fancy a scalp. But they had a desperate performance in Ulster against Tyrone, and the gap between the top and the rest is still plain to see in games like that. WHOLE MAYO Mayo will be seething from losing another Connacht final and their failure to see it out. Diarmuid O'Connor got more minutes into him after a shoulder injury has been annoying him all year. But Paddy Durcan's return is a boost for Kevin McStay after their captain and leader tore his ACL this time last year. Durcan resumed full training during the league and rightfully wasn't risked — but it was surprising he didn't come off the bench against Galway when he was named in the 26. They're a hugely experienced team and will be eager to get a home win after what happened two weeks ago. A result today will get them back on track but we might not be talking about Mayo for much longer in the grand scheme of things.
The Journal
27-04-2025
- Sport
- The Journal
Meath cause major upset to end Dublin's dominance and reach Leinster final
The 42 Meath 0-23 Dublin 1-16 Paul Keane reports from Portlaoise MEATH ARE THROUGH to a first Leinster SFC final since 2020 after remarkably smashing Dublin's 15-year stranglehold on the provincial title. A barnstorming, wind assisted first-half performance that left Robbie Brennan's side a dozen points ahead at the break laid the platform for the landmark win. Eoghan Frayne thrilled in green with 11 points overall though it was a wonderful team performance on a memorable afternoon in Portlaoise as Meath suckered their old rivals to secure a May 11 final clash with Louth. Dublin hadn't been beaten in Leinster since, ironically, being ambushed by five-goal Meath in 2010. But it was clear from the opening exchanges of this semi-final encounter that history was potentially on the cards as Meath were fired up and fully tuned in. There were huge performances too from James Conlon, who struck 0-5, along with the likes of Brian O'Halloran and Ciaran Caulfield in defence while Bryan Menton at midfield will be delighted he came out of retirement this season. As for Dublin, who got it back to a two-point game late on, all is not lost as they will still go forward to the All-Ireland series though the sense of a team struggling to find traction this year is strong. Meath fans were desperate to see their team tear into the auld enemy in a neutral ground – and got their wish. With five minutes played, Meath had already launched five different attacks, scored three points, blasted two wides and made it clear they'd be hunting Stephen Cluxton's kick-outs. Jack Flynn was a late withdrawal from the Meath midfield so the impressive Mathew Costello, wearing number 13, lined up alongside Menton. Costello kicked the opening point after an interception on the Dublin kick-out and was hugely influential throughout. Cluxton was recalled to the Dublin team after missing their win over Wicklow but might have wished he'd stayed absent, particularly kicking into the stiff first-half wind. Meath won the toss and opted to play with the breeze. Cluxton struggled badly to get any of his kicks away and Meath capitalised each time, turning over possession time after time and returning the ball back over Cluxton's head with interest. Frayne tried for a two-pointer in the fifth minute that Cluxton cleverly got a hand to, reducing it to a single point. But Meath kept the pressure on and struck four two-pointers by half-time, two from Frayne, one from Menton and another from Keith Curtis. Rathkenny man Keith Curtis came into the game in strong form and kept the hammer down with a big first-half, pinching 0-3 in that period. Conlon seized his chance too after being drafted into the team along with Adam O'Neill. Conlon struck 1-2 as a sub in the quarter-final win over Offaly and kicked four first-half points as the gap widened. Dublin didn't get a score attempt away until the ninth minute and Con O'Callaghan was off target anyhow. It wasn't until the 12th minute that they actually scored, a point from an O'Callaghan free. In all, Dublin struck just two first-half points from play as they coughed up turnovers in all areas. They did create a goal chance in the 34th minute but Lorcan O'Dell's shot was cleared away by Seamus Lavin. O'Dell was one of four changes to the Dubs team from the Wicklow game. Paddy Small and John Small also started their first games of 2025 while Kevin Lahiff made the team up front too. Lahiff was hooked at half-time for Cormac Costello, lending more punch to Dublin's attack. Advertisement The big question was how much the wind advantage would be worth to Dublin after the break as Meath were 0-17 to 0-5 clear. Now it was their turn to display an appetite for destruction and when Peadar O Cofaigh Byrne won the second-half throw-in, it started a move that led to an O'Callaghan two-pointer. Dublin wasted three more two-point attempts in the third quarter though three singles from Paddy Small reduced the deficit. The gap was down to just six when Cormac Costello netted in the 54th minute and suddenly it really was game on at 0-21 to 1-12. Small and O'Callaghan added two more to leave four in it and a sense of inevitability draped over proceedings. It was down to two with six minutes remaining when Colm Basquel lofted over Dublin's second two-pointer, 0-21 to 1-16. Somehow, Meath held on to create a little piece of history with late insurance points from Aaron Lynch and Frayne. Meath scorers: Eoghan Frayne 0-11 (1tp, 1 tpf, 5f), James Conlon 0-5, Keith Curtis 0-3 (1 tp), Bryan Menton 0-2 (tp), Mathew Costello 0-1, Aaron Lynch 0-1. Dublin scorers: Con O'Callaghan 0-6 (3f, 1 tp), Paddy Small 0-5, Cormac Costello 1-1 (0-1f), Colm Basquel 0-3 (1 tp), Lorcan O'Dell 0-1 MEATH 1. Billy Hogan (Longwood) 4. Brian O'Halloran (Ballivor) 3. Sean Rafferty (Na Fianna) 2. Seamus Lavin (St Peter's, Dunboyne) 5. Donal Keogan (Rathkenny) 6. Sean Coffey (Ballinabrackey) 7. Ciaran Caulfield (Trim) 13. Mathew Costello (Dunshaughlin) 9. Bryan Menton (Donaghmore Ashbourne) 10. Conor Duke (Dunshaughlin) 11. Ruairi Kinsella (Dunshaughlin) 19. Adam O'Neill (Wolfe Tones) 23. James Conlon (St Colmcilles) 12. Keith Curtis (Rathkenny) 15. Eoghan Frayne (Summerhill – Captain) SUBS 24. Aaron Lynch (Trim) for Curtis (50) 14. Shane Walsh (Na Fianna) for Kinsella (54) 8. Ronan Jones (St Peter's, Dunboyne) for Duke (55) 26. Cathal Hickey (Seneschalstown) for O'Neill (58) 18. Ronan Ryan (Summerhill) for Rafferty (61) DUBLIN 1. Stephen Cluxton (Parnells) 3. Theo Clancy (Kilmacud Crokes) 2. David Byrne (Naomh Olaf) 4. Conor Tyrrell (St Oliver Plunketts Eoghan Ruadh) 5. Brian Howard (Raheny) 25. John Small (Ballymun Kickhams) 7. Tom Lahiff (St Judes) 8. Peadar O Cofaigh Byrne (Cuala) 9. Ciaran Kilkenny (Castleknock) 10. Niall Scully (Templeogue Synge Street) 14. Con O'Callaghan (Cuala – Captain) 12. Kevin Lahiff (St Judes) 26. Paddy Small (Ballymun Kickhams) 23. Lorcan O'Dell (Templeogue Synge Street) 15. Colm Basquel (Ballyboden St Enda's) SUBS 19. Alex Gavin (Ballyboden St Endas) for Tyrrell (29) 17. Cormac Costello (Whitehall Colmcille) for Kevin Lahiff (h/t) 22. Killian McGinnis (Skerries Harps) for Scully (52) 13. Ross McGarry (Ballyboden St Endas) for O'Dell (58) 6. Greg McEneaney (Skerries) for John Small (59) Referee: Kieran Eannetta (Tyrone). Written by Paul Keane and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here .
