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RTÉ News
3 days ago
- General
- RTÉ News
Lilywhites ready to bloom in maiden Joe McDonagh Cup final
It's been a busy few years for Brian Dowling. Aside from managing the Kildare senior hurlers, was also involved with St Kieran's College's Leinster schools' winning team this year following two All-Ireland titles as manager of the Kilkenny camogie team. Now Dowling is working the oracle with the Lilywhite hurlers as they head to Croke Park this Sunday for their first Joe McDonagh Cup final (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player) as a result of four successive wins in the group stages of the competition. They meet Laois who they beat by 11 points - 4-20 to 1-18 - at O'Moore Park, but Dowling says that win will count for nothing on Sunday. "We'll have to raise our level again," he says. "Beating Laois the last day will count for nothing; they are in the exact same position as us now. They are a top-class team with a brilliant manager in Tommy Fitzgerald and a brilliant coach in Niall Corcoran and it will be a great game, I think. Two very good teams will be going hell for leather." Back in 2018, at the annual Kildare GAA convention a 32-page, five-year strategic plan was launched. The Kildare Hurling Action Plan was divided into three main strands – club hurling development, club-school links, and building a club hurling profile. The hurling community in the county wanted to increase numbers playing the game to a high standard. They wanted top-flight league hurling for the county team and there was always the objective of doing well in the Joe McDonagh Cup. Back then they were in Division 2B. Now they have promotion to Division 1B secure and Sunday's McDonagh Cup to look forward to. Behind the scenes former Kildare full-back and county GDA John Doran is driving development and this year's Under-20 side had 11 clubs represented. "We targeted to get to the top two this year," Dowling said. "We felt if things went well, we could get there. "After losing to Kerry it didn't look like it would happen but as the year went we were delighted. We are always seeing improvements but things to work on also. "Winning the Westmeath was a tough game; a big one and it was there to be won. From there we are hurling with confidence." Dowling said he was delighted to get the job and following consultation with his friend and predecessor, David Herity, he felt there was a chance to do something. "It was nice in one way to play Christy Ring last year as we had the chance to get things going. "We could build the thing from there and this year we were promoted to Division 1B, but it's all coming from an incredible effort by different people. "On the pitch the players work hard three nights a week but then focus on video work, S&C and ball-wall sessions outside training. "Outside of the team there are a lot of good people involved - this progress hasn't just happened, and Colm Nolan, Adrian Kinsella and Eoin Stapleton have put in a huge amount of work at development and underage level, alongside John Doran. "It's great to see these people after matches and see how happy they are. But we have another huge test on Sunday and that's all we are focused on."
The Irish Sun
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘Couldn't be more in love' – Overjoyed Kilkenny camogie legend gives birth to ‘gorgeous' baby son
FORMER Kilkenny camogie ace Miriam Walshe "couldn't be more in love" after giving birth to her son Dáithí. 4 The camogie star has given birth to a baby boy named Dáithí Credit: @miriamwalshe 4 She turned 30 in February Credit: @miriamwalshe 4 Talk about starting them young Credit: @miriamwalshe 4 Walshe starred in the black and amber for 13 seasons Posting an album of adorable hospital photos, she reflected: "Welcoming Dáithí Mc 19/05/25 - We couldn't be more in love. Uncle Willie shining his light down on our lil man." The cute pics were naturally warmly received by friends and family alike. Jemma replied to the sweet Similarly, Jenny gushed: "Congratulations Miriam, he is so adorable!" Read More On GAA Finally, Brian added: "Huge congratulations Miriam, he is gorgeous!" Her former inter-county teammates will surely also wish her well once Derry secured their senior status quite comfortably 12 months ago and that will be their target once again in 2025. They will need to defend better than in the Division 2 league final, when they conceded four goals and could have shipped more. Most read in GAA Hurling They were missing half last year's team, however, and some of those will return against the Cats. Starting at home is a boost against a Kilkenny side making gradual improvements under new manager Tommy Shefflin. Limerick GAA fans troll RTE pundit Donal Og Cusack after win over Cork The Stripeywomen were easy winners of the Leinster final last weekend against Wexford and will be hotly fancied to make the long trek back home with the three points tucked under their belts. Another 2pm throw-in that catches the eye is the meeting of Clare versus Wexford. There is no time for these teams to feel their way into the championship as in a group that includes Cork, Tipperary and Limerick, this looks like being a crucial fixture with regard to determining one of the three qualification berths to the knockout stages. There has rarely been much between the teams and in the league, a couple of goals gave the Banner a one-point victory in Enniscorthy. That got them to the Division 1B final which they lost to Antrim, after a very competitive hour. Wexford actually scored more and conceded less than Clare through the group stages of the league. They also reached the Leinster final last weekend, where Kilkenny were too strong, and must put that to bed quickly. It is truly an impossible game to call.
The Irish Sun
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Resolution of skorts saga allows camogie action on the pitch to take centre stage as Clare vs Wexford among best games
THURSDAY'S resounding Special Congress vote has thankfully put an end to the skorts controversy that had rumbled on for weeks. With that 2 Saoirse McCarthy of Cork is tackled by Clare Hehir of Clare during last month's Munster Championship semi-final 2 Dublin captain Aisling Maher has been one of the most prominent voices in the movement that yesterday culminated in players being given the freedom to wear either shorts or skorts GLEN DIMPLEX ALL-IRELAND SENIOR CHAMPIONSIP GROUP 1 Clare v Wexford, Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosog, 2pm Referee: Andy Larkin (Cork) (Live on Camogie Association YouTube) There is no time for these teams to feel their way into the championship as in a group that includes Cork, Tipperary and Limerick, this looks like being a crucial fixture with regard to determining one of the three qualification berths to the knockout stages. Read More On GAA There has rarely been much between the teams and in the league, a couple of goals gave the Banner a one-point victory in Enniscorthy. That got them to the Division 1B final which they lost to Antrim, after a very competitive hour. Wexford actually scored more and conceded less than Clare through the group stages of the league. They also reached the Leinster final last weekend, where Kilkenny were too strong, and must put that to bed quickly. This is an impossible game to call. Most read in GAA Hurling Cork v Limerick, Páirc Uí Rinn, 4pm Referee: Joe Mullins (Clare) Limerick GAA fans troll RTE pundit Donal Og Cusack after win over Cork Limerick have shown improved form this year, achieving mid-table status in the second tier of the league with wins over Westmeath and Down. They were unable to overcome Wexford and Clare, who they will renew rivalries with in the coming weeks. Cork, as Division 1A champions and the team now attempting to secure a championship three-in-a-row, are camogie's standard bearers. Anything other than a home victory would be a huge surprise. GLEN DIMPLEX ALL-IRELAND SENIOR CHAMPIONSIP GROUP 2 Derry v Kilkenny, Owenbeg, 2pm Referee: Brian Kearney (Kildare) Derry secured their senior status quite comfortably 12 months ago and that will be their target once again in 2025. They will need to defend better than in the Division 2 league final, when they conceded four goals and could have shipped more. They were missing half last year's team, however, and some of those will return against the Cats. Starting at home is a boost against a Kilkenny side making gradual improvements under new manager Tommy Shefflin. The Stripeywomen were easy winners of the Leinster final last weekend against Wexford and will be hotly fancied to make the long trek back home with the three points tucked under their belts. Galway v Dublin, Kenny Park, 4pm Referee: Liz Dempsey (Kilkenny) This is an intriguing affair as Dublin have consistently pushed Galway to the wire in recent seasons. There was six points between them in Kilbeacanty last March but after starting with a draw against Tipperary, the Dubs failed to secure another positive result and were relegated from Division 1A of the League. Galway beat Cork in the final group game to book their place in the decider but never showed up, with the Rebels exacting swift and severe retribution with the silverware on the line. The lack of provincial games for the westerners has often led to a slow championship start for the Tribeswomen so Dublin will look to rattle them early but last year's All-Ireland finalists will be favoured to prevail.
RTÉ News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
All-Ireland Camogie Championship Round 1: All you need to know
SATURDAY All-Ireland Championship Group 1 Clare v Wexford, Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosog, 2pm Cork v Limerick, Páirc Uí Rinn, 4pm All-Ireland Championship Group 2 Derry v Kilkenny, Owenbeg, 2pm Galway v Dublin, Kenny Park, 4pm TV Clare v Wexford will be streamed live on the Spórt TG4 YouTube channel ONLINE You'll find score updates and match reports on RTÉ Sport Online and RTÉ News app. RADIO Score updates on RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday Sport. WEATHER Saturday: A rather wet and breezy day with outbreaks of rain spreading from the west, turning heavy at times later. Feeling humid with highest temperatures of 16 to 20 degrees in fresh southwest winds. For more go to Clare v Wexford There is no time for these teams to feel their way into the championship as in a group that includes Cork, Tipperary and Limerick, this looks like being a crucial fixture with regard to determining one of the three qualification berths to the knockout stages. There has rarely been much between the teams and in the league, a couple of goals gave the Banner a one-point victory in Enniscorthy. That got them to the Division 1B final which they lost to Antrim after a very competitive hour where the Yellowbellies scored more and conceded less than Clare through the group stages of the league. They also reached the Leinster final last weekend, where Kilkenny were too strong, and must put that to bed quickly. This is an impossible game to call. Cork v Limerick Limerick have shown improved form this year, achieving mid-table status in the second tier of the league with wins over Westmeath and Down. They were unable to overcome Wexford and Clare, who they will renew rivalries within the coming weeks. Cork, as Division 1A champions and the team now attempting to secure a championship three-in-a-row, are camogie's standard bearers. Anything other than a home victory would be a huge surprise. Derry v Kilkenny Derry secured their senior status quite comfortably 12 months ago and that will be their target once again in 2025. They will need to defend better than in the Division 2 league final, when they conceded four goals and could have shipped more. They were missing half last year's team, however, and some of those will return against the Cats. Starting at home is a boost against a Kilkenny side making gradual improvements under new manager Tommy Shefflin. The Stripeywomen were easy winners of the Leinster final last weekend against Wexford and will be hotly fancied to make the long trek back home with the three points tucked under their belts. Galway v Dublin This is an intriguing affair as Dublin have consistently pushed Galway to the wire in recent seasons. There was six points between them in Kilbeacanty last March but after starting with a draw against Tipperary, the Dubs failed to secure another positive result and were relegated from Division 1A of the League. Galway beat Cork in the final group game to book their place in the decider but never showed up, with the Rebels exacting swift and severe retribution with the silverware on the line. The lack of provincial games for the westerners has often led to a slow championship start for the Tribeswomen so Dublin will look to rattle them early but last year's All-Ireland finalists will be favoured to prevail.
The Irish Sun
25-04-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Dessie Hutchinson sends warning to rivals as he vows Waterford will give Munster SHC ‘right lash' ahead of Clare clash
DESSIE HUTCHINSON hopes that Waterford can conquer their Colosseum as they aim to reclaim a place among the hurling emperors of Munster. Ahead of their participation in the sixth edition of the provincial round-robin system, the Déise have yet to qualify for the All-Ireland SHC series via the present format. 2 Dessie Hutchinson insisted Waterford are capable of challenging Munster's big guns Credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile 2 Hutchinson captained Waterford to the Division 1B league title Credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile Their most recent attempt was their best to date, as they ultimately became victims of Munster's fine margins after finishing just a point adrift of third place. But Hutchinson, who has been appointed captain by boss Peter Queally, is adamant that they can at least go one better this time around. He said: 'I suppose we have the belief within our squad that we can do it, more so than pressure. 'Without looking back too much, you think of last year's games and we weren't far away. Read More on GAA 'And we're definitely doing a lot more now than we were this time last year, in terms of the way we're going to play and stuff that we feel is going to give us a massive opportunity to go ahead and make sure that we're in that top three. 'But I suppose one thing the management did, they built a lot of belief in us in terms of we're as good as anyone else in the country. 'That's really important. We're full of confidence and we'll give it a right lash.' Having served as coach under Davy Fitzgerald, Queally was appointed to succeed the Clare man in the hotseat on a two-year term last August. Most read in GAA Hurling And Hutchinson speaks glowingly of the new gaffer, who starred at wing-back in 2002 when The Ballygunner forward said: 'He's built a lot of confidence in us as players. He's a passionate Waterford man and he's bringing that out in us now and what it means to be playing for Waterford, which obviously is a massive thing. RTE pundit Peter Canavan angers fans after leaving notable county out of his 'big four' All-Ireland contenders 'If you go away from that, you're in a little bit of bother. 'He knows what it's like to play, he knows what it's like to coach and now he knows what it's like to manage Waterford and that's a massive thing. He's brought a lot of professionalism. He's put a great backroom team in place. Everyone is contributing fully. Every bit of help that we need, it's there on hand for us.' Albeit they operated at a level below the elite, the Waterford players excelled as Queally began his tenure by Hutchinson added: 'If you make a mistake trying something for the betterment of the team, nobody's going to say a word to you and I suppose that gives players freedom to play to their ability. 'We have a lot of good, skilful hurlers in the squad and it's great for lads to be able to go out and show it all the time.' CUTTING THEIR TEETH While their four rivals in the Munster SHC all sharpened their axes for the Championship in Division 1A, half of the opposition Waterford encountered in the second tier were Joe McDonagh Cup sides. Having started the campaign with a defeat to Carlow, they regrouped to seal promotion thanks to wins over Still, there will be fears among supporters that the lack of exposure to hurling's heavyweights leaves Waterford at a disadvantage when they enter the arena this weekend. Clare, Limerick all already have a point on the board after two fierce duels and it may be a case of the Déise being thrown to the lions. Hutchinson said: 'I suppose you can't be disrespectful to teams and not once have we done that in any of the games we've played. 'But especially with the Munster Championship, sometimes you wonder where you really are compared to the teams that have been playing in 1A because you see how taxing those games have been on certain teams and it can be hard to know at times. 'You have to trust the training that you're doing and we're lucky enough to play really good in-house games. Even last year it was the same — they were as good as any Championship game and I think it's important that you get the best out of those games when you do play them.' 'We pride ourselves on Walsh Park. When the Waterford crowd gets behind you in Walsh Park, it's a massive thing and we feed off that too." Last summer's All-Ireland final was a true epic that saw Clare pip Cork after extra-time. But en route to the Cork were beaten by the hosts at Walsh Park before Clare needed a last-gasp '65 from Mark Rodgers to claim a one-point win over the Déise in Ennis. Yet while the Banner, the Rebels and six-in-a-row Munster champions summer as spectators. Hutchinson admitted: 'It was very tough. The All-Ireland final in particular, you're thinking we were after beating Cork and there was a puck of a ball between ourselves and Clare. 'On another day that goes our way and who knows? 'It just goes to show that when you're in the driving seat in games in Munster, you have to stay at it and you have to make sure you get that result. 'All these games will come down to a puck of a ball and you just have to be on it for 75, nearly 80 minutes now, making sure you're carrying out your whole game-plan and keep going from there.' WALSH THIS SPACE The All-Ireland champions, who drew with Cork in their opener last weekend, will be in the opposing corner on Sunday when Waterford get their first taste of Championship fare for 2025. And with selector Dan Shanahan describing Walsh Park as 'our Colosseum', Hutchinson is keen to put on a show that will thrill the masses. He said: 'We pride ourselves on Walsh Park. When the Waterford crowd gets behind you in Walsh Park, it's a massive thing and we feed off that too. 'But we're always confident when we do play in Walsh Park and we've had some very good results in Walsh Park. 'You think about them and you think about going a step further and qualifying from the Munster Championship and the buzz that would bring around the place. 'You feed off that and think about it at times and it's important that we just focus on that first game against Clare and make it as good as we can. The Waterford people will come behind us in it and hopefully it'll be good enough on the day.' Indeed, a crucial week at Walsh Park could define Waterford's season as they also host Limerick there the following Saturday. But Hutchinson insisted: 'You can't forget about the Clare game and think about what's happening six days later. 'You just have to focus on the game and make sure you're getting a performance in there that's going to be enough to win the game. 'Because the home wins are so important in Munster, especially for us now with two in a row six days apart. It's a massive thing for us.'
