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Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
'It's like taking a huge family on holiday' New York have Tailteann contingency
The New York hurlers and footballers are like ships in the night as they cross the Atlantic this week. The hurlers made history by winning the Lory Meagher Cup last Saturday against Cavan, seven days after beating Monaghan in the semi-final, with their presence in the fifth tier competition a bone of contention for some. On Sunday evening, the Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-final draw pitted the footballers against Offaly on Saturday and, by chance, they had already booked into the Tullamore Court Hotel so, as chairman Sean Price says, 'it's a home game for both teams'. Indeed, managers from either side, Offaly's Mickey Harte and New York boss Ronan McGinley, brother of ex-Antrim manager Enda, both hail from the Errigal Ciarán club in Tyrone. Westmeath native Adam Stones is a starter for the hurlers and footballers and so enjoys an extended break back in Ireland, but the bulk of the travelling party will land in Dublin tomorrow morning and the logistical challenges of getting two teams over and back in such a short timeframe is challenging, though Price deflects the credit elsewhere. 'I had to dress up and put on a suit and look smart,' he said of landing in Dublin last Saturday ahead of the Meagher final. 'That's all I had to do, really, in fairness. 'There's great people there. Mick Stones, he organised the hurlers. Sorting out the hotels and the buses and the whole lot. 'And then the footballers, Cayla Fletcher, she's from Kilcormac, outside Tullamore. She played underage for underage camogie for Offaly. So, she organised the trip. 'The managers, Richie Hartnett and the hurling, he carries the load, but everybody else is with him. And Ronan McGinley carries the load with the footballers. There's an awful lot of great people there. 'It's kind of like taking a huge family on a holiday. You've the lad that'll turn up on time. You've the lad that'll be late. You'll have the lad that'll forget his passport. You'll have the lad that'll have two passports. It's a whole family event, really.' But while the hurlers were always likely to play two games while here, it's far from certain for the footballers - but a contingency still needs to be in place in case they beat Offaly to reach a quarter-final the following weekend. 'We have reached out to a couple of different hotels,' Price, a Kerry native, explained. 'The Tullamore Court, they're working with us. Just to have the contingency. 'The bus is the same thing. 'Are you available next week?' kind of job. 'And the same thing with the flights. We've booked some flights. We've asked all the boys that if they can take a week and use it as vacation, you know, that would be great. 'We see the enormity of the task. I mean, look, Offaly's young lads are mad for running. They're Division Three champions. 'That's a big step up for us, you know. But it's a challenge we have to embrace. But we do have a plan B and C. Because, look, you have to kind of plan that way, 'Some fellas might have to go back through work. We've identified them. Some fellas will have to come back on Sunday, no matter what. 'I think one fella can't fly with us on the Wednesday night. He just can't get the time off because a lot of guys have taken time off for different things. So we've contingencies in place for everything. 'But look, we just have to go with it and that's it. We can't complain. There's no point in complaining. It's not Offaly's problem, it's our problem.'
Leader Live
3 days ago
- General
- Leader Live
A win for Buckley who are flying high in Division Two
Supun Eranga top scored with 47 as Carmel posted 136 for seven in their 40 overs with Jack Gibson taking 4-17. Although their two openers went cheaply, Buckley triumphed with 139 for seven with Danny Peover (33), Chris Geary (52) and Jack Whitley (24) seeing them home. Amer Jamil (3-18) was the pick of the Carmel bowlers. Leaders Corwen sealed a nine wickets victory over Llay Welfare who were dismissed for just 37, Alan Jones (10) the only player to get into double figures as Steff Lloyd (6-13) and Caleb Dyke (3-12) did the damage. Harry Pooler hit 17 not out as Corwen cracked 38 for one to make it seven wins in seven outings, one more than second placed Abergele (104 for two) who defeated Menai Bridge Seconds (103) by eight wickets. Pontblyddyn Seconds lost by 51 runs against Llanrwst who were all out for 169, Nic Bould (41) and Aron Hughes (46) the top scorers as Ansh Joshi took 3 for 20. It proved to be enough as Pont were stopped on 118 with only Dave Evans (32) offering any resistance. Ruthin (87) went down by six wickets to Pwllheli (89 for four) while Buckley Seconds are up to second in Division Three following a five wickets victory at Bersham. Santhu Kj made 41 in Bersham's score of 169 with Mathew Edge and Tom Pool claiming three victims apiece and Edge than smashed 50 not out in Buckley's 174 for five. Leaders Denbigh seconds (202 for eight) triumphed by 89 runs at Bethesda with Finlay Rooke Hart (39) and John Lloyd-Williams (3-9) starring with bat and ball. Mold Seconds, in third place, won by four wickets against Caernarfon who reached 183 for six in their spell at the crease, Grant Peisley hitting 47 as Henry Roberts and David Graham both took two wickets. Daniel Williams (48) and Graham (66no) led Mold to 187 for six and victory while fourth-placed Gwersyllt Park Seconds overcame Abergele by 10 runs. Abergele were dismissed for 136 chasing Gwersyllt's score of 146 for nine. Ted Pearson (40) and Ollie Griffiths (3-8) starred for Gwersyllt. Gresford Seconds triumphed by seven wickets at Llandudno Seconds who made 164 for six. Opener Gez Jones then smashed 104 not out in Gresford's 167 for three, while Hawarden Park Seconds (121) lost by 31 runs at Conwy Seconds (152 for nine) despite the best efforts of Owen Ford (3-20) and Thomas Phillips (3-24). In Division Four, leaders Mynydd Isa & Maeshafn won by 137 runs at Carmel and District seconds after making 194 for six, Umang Desai (42) and Abs Dey (40) the top scorers. Carmel were all out for 57 with Naseer Ahmadzai taking 3-7. Second placed Brymbo Thirds triumphed by 65 runs against Dolgellau Seconds after posting 165 for eight. Dolgellau could only muster 100 for five, Charlie Croasdale (52) starring for Brymbo. Halkyn Seconds (41 for two) are third following an eight wickets success over Bersham seconds (40) as Sam Hamilton (4 for 15) and Aaron Thomas (32no) impressed, and Marchwiel and Wrexham Seconds won by four runs at Bala after making 152 for eight (Nick Husbands 42). Bala were stopped short on 148 for nine with Anthony Morris taking 5-11. Ruthin Seconds (220 for 0) triumphed by eight wickets at Pwllheli seconds (216 for three) who had Neil Murray-Williams making 105 not out but he was trumped by Toby Unsworth who cracked an unbeaten 125. Northop Thirds still lead the way in the Sunday East Division. Josh Callan (3-4) starred to bowl out Buckley Thirds for 65 in a six wicket win. Connah's Quay Thirds are six points behind in second place after a seven wicket win at Corwen Seconds. Liam Cappiello, who also top scored in Quay's 103 for three, and Andy Evans took three wickets each as Corwen were dismissed for 102. Northop Hall Fourths were also seven wicket winners against Hawarden Park Fourths, who were skittled for 105 (Matthew Leek 30, Mason Andrews 3-31, Oliver Jenkins 3-18). Aaron Wimbush top scored with an unbeaten 41 in Hall's 106 for three. Callum Ferguson hit a brilliant unbeaten 101 in Halkyn's 205 for two against Brymbo Fourths, who replied with 171 for six.
Leader Live
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Eighties were not the gr-eighties for Wrexham Football Club
Former Wales international Jones tops the appearance list for when Wrexham played in the old Second Division - now the Championship - between 1978 and 1982. The legendary tough-tackling, iconic fist-pumping defender returned to The Racecourse in October 1978 for £100,000 more than Bob Paisley paid Wrexham to take him to Liverpool three years earlier. He won the league and European Cup double at Anfield in 1977 before returning home to Wrexham 12 months later. Jones started 138 games for Wrexham, scoring six goals, while his nearby neighbour McNeil played two less matches than his team-mate but topped the scoring list with 40 league goals in the club's four seasons in the second tier. Jones and McNeil were just two of six players to chalk up a century-plus games in the famous red shirt in Division Two - Steve Fox (130), Dai Davies (114), Mel Sutton (106) and Gareth Davies (103) the others. Life wasn't rosy for the Reds after the euphoria of the title-winning 1977/78 season where Wrexham lifted the Welsh Cup and also reached the quarter-finals of both FA and League Cups. In their Division Two debut season, Arfon Griffiths' side were unbeaten in their first six but their first three home games - against Brighton, Leicester City and Newcastle United - all ended goal-less. They also enjoyed three early trips to the capital. The late John Lyons scored Wrexham's first goal in a 1-0 win at Fulham, Graham Whittle grabbed the only goal at Leyton Orient and Mickey Thomas netted in a 1-1 draw at Charlton Athletic. It was one of six goals in 16 games for Thomas so it came as no surprise Manchester United made the Welsh star Wrexham's £350,000 record signing. After those two August away day wins, Wrexham didn't win again on their travels and their home form wasn't breathtaking either as they escaped relegation by just four points after finishing in 15th place. Wrexham's defence, where centre half John Roberts topped the appearance list on 40 games, was superb, conceding 42 goals all season. The Reds bagged just three more at the other end with Lyons scoring 10 of them. Dixie McNeil, Graham Whittle and Bobby Shinton contributed a combined 47 goals the season before. It was a different story 12 months later as the top trio's total totted up to just 17. The home crowds were also on a downward curve. There were 23,451 crammed in to watch Gareth Davies lift the Division Three trophy on May 1 1978. The opening day attendance at home to Brighton just 10 week later was 14,081 while 6,136 saw Wrexham sign off a disappointing season with a 1-0 home defeat to Bristol Rovers. It was a 16th place finish in the 1979/80 season where Wrexham again finished on 38 points, nine ahead of the relegation zone. The sale of Thomas didn't help Wrexham on the pitch 12 months earlier and another entertainer Shinton headed off to Manchester City in the pre-season with both £350,000 deals helping pay for the Border Stand to replace the old Tech End. TOTAL APPEARANCES: Joey Jones 138; Dixie McNeil 136; Steve Fox 130; Dai Davies 114; Mel Sutton 106; Gareth Davies 103; Wayne Cegielski 99; Frank Carrodus 97; Mick Vinter 90; Alan Hill 88; Ian Edwards 73; Les Cartwright 70; Alan Dwyer 62; John Roberts 60; Eddie Niedzwiecki 54; Steve Dowman 44; David Giles 38; Bobby Shinton 37; Graham Whittle 36; Steve Buxton 36; Phil Bater 36; Billy Ronson 36; Ian Arkwright 30; John Lyons 28; Terry Darracott 22; Steve Kenworthy 18; Denis Leman 17; Mickey Thomas 16; Simon Hunt 15; Frank Jones 8; Peter Williams 4; Neil Salathiel 4; Micky Evans 3; Steve Jones 3. GOALS: Dixie McNeil 40; Mick Vinter 25; Ian Edwards 20; John Lyons 10; Steve Fox 10; Graham Whittle 8; Steve Buxton 8; Mickey Thomas 6; Bobby Shinton 6; Joey Jones 6; Alan Hill 6; David Giles 3; Mel Sutton 2; Frank Carrodus 2; Les Cartwright 2; Simon Hunt 2; Phil Bater 1; Billy Ronson 1; Denis Leman 1; Peter Williams 1.
Leader Live
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Plenty of thrilling match-ups in North Wales league
This has been the case for Carmel & District, whose winning start to the Division Two season was ended in a tight loss to Marchwiel and Wrexham. Seeking a fifth successive triumph, Carmel were dismissed for 137, with Marchwiel reaching a winning 135 for eight. Sam Shoemark struck 55 and took 5-18 for Marchwiel, while Scott Lawrenson picked up 4-11. Jack Whitley (3-20) and Rocco Franco (61 not out) were impressive figures as Buckley made sure of a 10-wicket triumph at Llanrwst. It was also a victorious venture for Llay in their home clash versus Pwllheli and the margin of success was eight wickets. There was a tough match-up for Pontblyddyn, who suffered a 175-run reverse against Abergele. Gwil Lloyd Jones (85) helped the visitors to 265 for five, with Pontblyddyn's response being halted on 90 (Rana Das 5-5). Despite a knock of 109 from Matt Bixby, Menai Bridge Seconds lost out by two wickets to St Asaph Seconds and leaders Corwen swept to a 141-run success at Ruthin. Hawarden Park Seconds ended Division Three leaders Mold Seconds' unbeaten start to the campaign. Aiming to stretch their run of wins to five matches, Mold were bowled out for 160 (David Graham 39, Maharshi Joshi 3-20). Christopher Brooks (53) and Aled Wilkinson (35 not out) produced key contributions in Park's 162 for five (Henry Roberts 3-32). Buckley Seconds held their nerve in securing a tight two-wicket triumph at home to second-placed Denbigh Seconds, who were dismissed for 113 (Alyn Evans 4-8). Buckley replied with 114 for eight, thanks to Jack Gibson (40) and Tom Pool (29 not out). Bersham's third win of the campaign came via a five-wicket verdict over Caernarfon. Noufal Khader (4-15) and Jithin Joseph (3-3) were in the spotlight in Caernarfon's 106, before Prince Alexander struck 49 in Bersham's 107 for five. Gresford Seconds' tough trip to Bethesda Seconds resulted in a 98-run defeat. Jez Shea's 86 was the leading light in Bethesda's 254 for six (George Morris 3-63). James Griffin (52) and Morris (45) caught the eye in Gresford's ensuing 156 for five. Elsewhere, Jack Rimmington struck 127 in Llandudno Seconds' 148-run success over Abergele Seconds. A super six wins out of six belongs to Division Four front-runners Mynydd Isa & Maeshafn, who made sure of a six-wicket outcome at home to Llanrwst Seconds. Deepak Loguchetty Deenadayalu (88) and Stuart Applewhite (40 not out) led the way in the home side's 165 for three, replying to Llanrwst's 164 for five (Aled Hughes 58, Aryaman Arora 4-22). Carmel & District Seconds enjoyed a 19-run success from their trip to Marchwiel and Wrexham Seconds. Jonathan Fisher (34) top scored in Carmel's 143 for seven (Anthony Morris 3-16), before Ranjith Appuhamy (4-17) and Steven Jones (3-10) helped to make sure Marchwiel were dismissed for 124. Shins Varghese (5-17) was the top performer for Bersham Seconds in their four-wicket win at Connah's Quay Seconds (Cole Hooson 63). Gareth Parry blasted an unbeaten 101 in Brymbo Thirds' 86 run win over Ruthin Seconds, who could muster 152 for nine (Tanvee Pallath 4-30). Captain Charlie Croasdale played his part with 72 in Brymbo's 238 for three.
Belfast Telegraph
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Antrim Ladies red hot favourites in Ulster Junior Final clash with derby rivals Derry
There's also a double-header at O'Neills Healy Park in Omagh for the TG4 Ulster Finals, with Antrim up against Derry in the Junior Final, while holders Down will take on Cavan in the Intermediate game. The Junior decider sees neighbours Antrim and Derry go head-to-head for the title which the Saffrons last won in 2022 and the Oak Leafs in 2018. Antrim will start the game as red-hot favourites. They and Galway are the only unbeaten teams in the country at inter-county level in 2025 and have carried their stunning Lidl National League form into the Championship. They won seven out of seven in the group phase of Division Four, clinching promotion comfortably in the process, before sealing silverware against Fermanagh. In the round-robin series of the Ulster Championship, Antrim racked up 4-12 against Derry in Round 1, before putting 4-21 past London. Derry will hope to be more competitive this time but it's difficult to see past Antrim in this one. Looking ahead, and having suffered relegation from the Intermediate ranks last year, Antrim will be a force to be reckoned with in the All-Ireland series. Meanwhile, Down will put their Intermediate crown on the line against an emerging Cavan outfit. Cavan are on the crest of a wave in recent times. Underage inter-county success has been achieved and Lidl All-Ireland post-primary school titles have been collected, which bodes well for the future. In the present, Cavan are basking in the glory of promotion back to Division Two of the Lidl National League, and Division Three silverware, and they've looked good in the Ulster to date also. Cavan achieved an impressive four-point Semi-Final victory over Monaghan, with captain Shauna Lynch starring at the back, while Lauren McVeety and elusive inside forward Aisling Gilsenan also sparkled. Down have also improved as the season has progressed. They finished three points adrift of a promotion place in Division Three and lost by 1-8 to 3-15 when they faced Cavan in the League. But an Ulster Semi-Final victory over Tyrone, a team who played Division One Football this year, provided clear evidence that Down won't give up their provincial crown without a fight. Eimear Fitzpatrick was in scintillating form on the day, scoring 1-5, including the winning point, as Down overturned a three-point deficit to emerge victorious by the bare minimum (2-10 to 1-12). With plenty of survivors from last year's Ulster Final, Down have bags of experience to call upon. There's also a Leinster Final double-header at TEG Cusack Park in Mullingar, with the Junior decider featuring Carlow and Louth followed by the Intermediate showpiece between Laois and Westmeath.
