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RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Mairéad O'Brien is Waterford's silent assassin
Ask your general camogie supporter to name a few Waterford players, and the names will trip off the tongue. Beth Carton, Niamh Rockett, Lorraine Bray, Brianna O'Regan. High calibre operators, the first three All-Stars, the latter an annual nominee who somehow is still awaiting the coveted individual recognition. It is no reflection on Mairéad O'Brien's talent or influence that that she seems to fly under the radar. Nor does it bother her one iota. The likelihood is she hasn't spent a millisecond thinking about it. It takes a lot more to knock the almost horizontally laidback Modeligo sharpshooter out of her equilibrium. That makes her a positive addition to any dressing room but her contribution to the Déise cause is far, far more than what she brings in terms of serenity and personality. Like much of what she does, the 22-year-old's feat of concluding the National League as the leading scorer from play in Division 1A with 3-04 would have escaped the attention of many. Given Waterford only won two games, it was a notable achievement. It is particularly so when O'Brien is such a team player, powerful in the air and over the sliotar, happy to get down and dirty to supply those around her. But the nose for a goal has been showcased ever since Derek Lyons called her into the senior panel. Despite her youth, she nabbed three goals in the group stages alone as Waterford moved onto a first All-Ireland senior final in 78 years in 2023. That has continued unabated and opposition defences have surely cottoned on now. Today, the Suirsiders get their Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Championship Group 2 campaign under way against neighbours Kilkenny, who already have a win under their belt, at UPMC Nowlan Park (throw-in 12.30pm) and O'Brien cannot wait. Given she hit the Cats for a brace of goals on the way to defeat in the League in March, Tommy Shefflin and co will definitely be forewarned about her threat but even if they weren't, the likes of Caoimhe Keher Murtagh would inform them. Keher Murtagh was a colleague of O'Brien's as UL won the Ashbourne Cup for a second season on the trot and they were both named in the third level team of the year. Whereas Keher-Murtagh's Rower-Inistioge are a storied, traditional hurling club however, Modeligo used to be focussed entirely on the big ball, with hurleys extremely thin on the ground until very recently. The camogie club was only established in 2011 to field an U12 team and O'Brien has been the core of everything that has been good since, highlighted by her tally of 1-04 as Modeligo defeated Tipperary outfit, Fethard by 2-05 to 0-10 in the Munster junior club final last November. "The first adult team was put out in 2017, we won the junior in 2019 and then, obviously, last year we had a good run of luck," says O'Brien with just a touch of understatement. "As a group, our main aim was to get back to the county final and try and win it. I think we probably bottled a lot of disappointment from the year previous. But to be fair, we used it to our advantage and we went back training that bit earlier, and worked really hard throughout the year. "And once we got out of the county, we were definitely in bonus territory and unknown territory to be honest. The lads involved were great when it came to the big days. They never kind of picked up on the occasion too much. I suppose their main point, is just to go out and enjoy it and work really hard. And that's what happened." The smile breaks out just thinking about the odyssey and what it meant in the small country parish to the west of the county. "It was just unbelievable. We had a few good celebrations. We just enjoyed it. When we were enjoying it, we were just playing well. The whole community was behind us. And in the Munster final, they were definitely a 16th player. We were struggling for scores in the second half and we had phenomenal support that got us over the line." The skipper of that team, Rhona Drohan is vice-captain of the Waterford U23 squad that also includes Mairéad's younger sister Rachel. A rising tide does what it does. It has been a bit of a period of upheaval since the conclusion of the League, with Waterford manager, Jerry Wallace departing and Mick Boland stepping into the plate. Meanwhile, there was the entire skorts discourse, with Waterford playing a brave and central role in the campaign that included the postponement of their Munster final with Cork and ultimately led to the alteration of the rule on kit by a 98% majority that allowed players to choose shorts or skorts on match day. It was a decision hailed by president Brian Molloy as "a historic day for the association". "Yeah, we were definitely delighted. We got the news at training, and we were just about to do our running block. I swear we've never run so fast all year! "It is a massive step. There was an issue with comfort levels but the players was listened to, and the results were pretty significant. And any step forward for keeping younger girls involved is great. "It was frustrating to have the Munster final postponed 16 hours before when all the preparations had been made to optimise our performance. We had been training well and had a good win over Tipp to get there. "There was a change (of manager), but all the rest of the management are still on board. And suppose as a group, we're just driving it forward and just focusing on the championship now. And I think the management team we have currently is phenomenal. The commitment they've shown is as much as the girls'. We're all just kind of working together and pushing forward as a group and trying to get the best out of each other." A former dual operator, O'Brien stepped away from Waterford's ladies football squad this year as she was completing her final year at UL in physio. She has just completed her last placement and is looking forward to getting the professional phase of her life under way, perhaps in the autumn. Everything right now is zoned in on the next couple of months with Waterford camogie. A date with the Stripeywomen ensures that it is no soft launch. "They beat us in the League but we would be looking to improve our performance from then. We got off to a good start but in the second half we didn't maintain it. I don't think we've ever actually beaten them in championship so hopefully we will put that right this time. "We've got quite a competitive group (completed by Galway, Dublin and so it's definitely going to be a challenge to get out of it, but at the end of the day, it's a challenge we're looking forward to as well."
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
My friend's French-Canadian visitors took in the Munster Hurling Championship – and naturally were totally won over
FROM ice hockey to hurling, the French-Canadian Tipperary supporters' club has been formed. Last month I got a text from my old pal Michael Anderson inquiring about GAA fixtures on the weekend of May 17/18. Michael is the Father Larry Duff in my life — minus the accidents and avalanches — he's tremendous fun. There's a sense of divilment in this Aston Villa supporter that only a mix of Arranmore Island and his Scottish blood could create. Michael's wife Marie is French-Canadian and her sister Kim was visiting with her boyfriend James earlier this month. They were flying in from Montreal. Hockey country, not a hurling stronghold. Read More On GAA They knew Ireland had our own sports, but that was it. When Mike asked about the fixtures that weekend so he and his guests could take in a game, the small ball was your only man. Mike and Marie live in Slane but had been residents of Clonliffe Road, right next to Croke Park, for the best part of a decade. They were HQ regulars but it would be empty on the weekend in question. No big deal, there was plenty of action elsewhere. Most read in GAA Hurling Keen to deliver a peak Championship experience, they hit for Thurles to take in It was a big match, with the summer on the line for both teams. Were Tipp really back or would the Déise spoil the party? 'Like something out of the French Revolution' - RTE GAA pundit Donal Og Cusack slams Dublin star's reckless swipe A detour via Kilkenny whetted the appetite as fans of the Cats and Dublin gathered ahead of the But we all know Munster is the real deal, right? The visitors' car wound its way into Thurles and Mike parked up. A happy-go-lucky parking steward, with obligatory hi-vis vest, gave them a lift to hurling's temple. Bucket hats and Bulmers. Horns blaring and 99s melting over retro jerseys. Liam Cahill versus Peter Queally. Shane Long against John O'Shea. Finches versus Yop. Noel McGrath or Ken McGrath. This was it. Tom Semple's field was awash with colour as the smells of cider and burgers filled the air. Mike's visitors were stunned by the age demographic of the crowd, as young and old from both sides poured in, sat together and mingled, all in their county colours. You wouldn't see this at a Montreal Canadiens game. 1 People from all over the world end up being amazed by the skill level of hurlers Credit: Sportsfile In true Irish sporting fashion, throw-in was delayed by 10 minutes as 28,758 punters all turned up at once. The Tipp squad gathered in a huddle in front of where Mike and the gang were perched in the old stand towards the empty Town End terrace. Amhrán na bhFiann sounded as our own Babs Keating watched his beloved blue and gold team. The crowd roared, the temperatures soared and Stephen Bennett rattled the net within 11 seconds. The Déise supporters went bananas, the Tipp fans fell silent. Following the play was a challenge for the curious Canucks, but they got there. No matter who scored, the place erupted. By half-time, the hosts were leading by three and it was into the belly of the stand to escape the heat and down a cool beer. TIPP THE BALANCE Hurling's new foursome were fully on board as the Premier powered ahead to chants of 'Tipp, Tipp, Tipp'. Oisín O'Donoghue's goal sealed safe passage to the All-Ireland series, with Bennett's 1-11 haul not enough for the neighbours. Mike's gang thought the pitch invasion was hilarious, as fans young and old streamed on to the field for selfies, autographs and a chat with the players. James was hooked and ordered a Tipp jersey online as soon as he got back to the car and they pointed for Slane. You can have all the leprechauns, Guinness or cliffs you want — this is the ultimate Irish experience. The colour, the sights, the smells, the scores, the roars. It's a reminder of how unique our games are — and the French-Canadian Tipperary supporters' club are fully on board.
The 42
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Torment, tickets, motorways and magic: Another summer following the Déise
MY FATHER IS an absolute divil. This is the main thought in my head as the two of us stand with a pint in Blackrock GAA club, keeping an eye on the Dublin-Galway game. Earlier that morning he picked me up for the long drive from Dublin to see Waterford take on Cork at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. I have only just found out he doesn't have a ticket. By half-time, we'll be sitting beside each other in the South Stand Lower. *** It's been a summer like no other. For the first time in our experience, Munster championship tickets have been hard to come by. The opening home game against Clare threatened to be the first ever Waterford championship fixture we failed to get tickets for, before a determined aunt saved the day. We were perhaps slow off the mark for the Cork game due to different life commitments and so it sold out before we got sorted. Our usual ticket man, Dad's cousin, was struggling himself. As the week rolls along every couple of hours, I jump onto Ticketmaster and hopefully hit refresh, to no avail. This is probably a good time to point out that I'm not from Waterford. But Dad is, and it's always been a huge part of my life. Shortly after I entered this world, my grandparents put a small hurley with a blue and white ribbon in my hands. I can't remember my first Waterford game because I was too young to have any real interest in it. Over the years, I probably stood in more photos with Ken McGrath than I did some family members. I'm getting married this year and can only hope it lives up to the 2004 Munster final. Ken McGrath was at the heart of the great 2000s team. INPHO INPHO The matchday crew was bigger up to my teenage years. Granddad, grand-uncles, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended-family-members-I-could-never-quite-remember-the-titles-for. Sandwiches out the back of the car, plastic sheeting packed for the wet days in Thurles, a marker in the pocket to get the jersey signed. We don't get to call into my grandparents' house anymore but I'd often still think about my granddad when I go to a game. These days, as a sports journalist, there are seasons where I might only get to one Waterford match. But this year has been a good one. I've seen them play Dublin – complete with the usual 'Who are you up for today, so?' jibes – Clare and Tipperary. For home games in Walsh Park we park up in Mount Sion, Da's old club. I love it there. We'll throw an eye over the underage games before meeting family and walking down the hill to the stadium. Afterwards we'll go back up to the club. Ordering a pint at the bar last year, a fella turned to me: 'Where you from, boi?' – my Waterford bucket hat failing to cover for my very not-Waterford accent. 'Ah, Dublin, but I support Waterford…' 'No. Where you from, boi?' 'Eh, Waterford?' 'That's it boi, don't ye just have to love the Déise!' If Waterford have won, there'll be live music or a DJ on and we'll reluctantly hit the road for home, promising ourselves we'll all book the Monday off some time and stay the night. The opening win against Clare was one such occasion. At full-time, after the PA roared 'Up the Déise', I turned to my uncle and miserably warned this might be as good as it gets. That might have been why later that evening, I jumped out of the car and went back inside when the band played Oasis. Grab the good times when they're there. Waterford beat Clare in their opening Munster game. Natasha Barton / INPHO Natasha Barton / INPHO / INPHO I couldn't get to the Limerick game but the family WhatsApp kept me up to date as I watched Northampton Saints rip Leinster apart in their Champions Cup semi-final, one of those results proving far more unexpected than the other. The third outing against Tipp bookended my own stag weekend, where, naturally, I gathered all my closest friends in Waterford. We hit some of the city's best pubs on Friday before spending a gloriously sunny Saturday on the greenway, soaking up the sun in Dungarvan and jumping in the sea at Clonea. I considered quitting my job to work for the Waterford Tourism Board. Advertisement On Sunday morning, tired heads planned their various journeys home while three of us – me, Dad and my brother – set out for Semple Stadium. Approaching Thurles from the south was a new experience, and Da asked if we should park at the Greyhound Stadium or further up the town and walk in. My brother scoffed at the very suggestion. What's a day in Thurles if you don't walk through the square before the game? Waterford lose but as the disappointment eases on the way home, we arrive at the usual conclusion that it was a great day. With my brother and Dad at the Tipperary game. Cork feels more ominous and by Friday evening, we're still empty-handed, but we've never not got sorted, so we plan to head down anyway. I wake up to an email from Dad at 1.17am on Saturday morning (because a text might wake me up) with my ticket attached. Message: 'We're in. Up the Déise!' And so we're off. On the drive down we talk about the Champions Cup final – Da is known to wear a Bordeaux-Bègles baseball cap – Donegal-Tyrone, Napoli, Big Ange, Chelsea's Champions League chances, and mostly, Saturday's league final win for the Skryne ladies football team he helps coach. Perhaps my suspicions should have risen when approaching the city, he asks if noted Corkman, my 42 colleague Gavan Casey, gets any tickets for the hurling. The truth eventually comes out as I let my Murphy's settle in Blackrock, a fantastic club bar where the hurleys of past legends are proudly on display to be admired. We've only the one ticket, and Dad is insistent I have it as, for reasons I can't quite work out myself, today is somehow my first trip to the Páirc since it was redeveloped. My plan of action is a simple one; we'll do the rounds of the tables in Blackrock, starting with the Waterford supporters, and see if we get lucky. Da gets into a conversation with Brian 'The Bull' Phelan, part of the legendary noughties Waterford team. I've no doubt the glory days are mentioned before the ticket issue is raised. No luck. We decide to head closer to the ground and as we leave, Phelan follows us out the door. 'I might have you sorted.' Calls are made, numbers swapped and a golden ticket lands into Da's WhatsApp. We get chips and sit in the sun. I learn Da had a laptop in the boot for a worst-case scenario. Páirc Uí Chaoimh was a sell-out for Sunday's game. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO The new Páirc is impressive, and we share memories of horror trips to the previous version on the slow walk in. As fortune has it, we're both in the same section of the South Stand, with my aunt and uncle just one block over. Even though we all meet up before the game, as the warm-ups take place, there's still a moment where the three of us are all standing at our seats and waving on the phone, confirming a proximity we already knew. We text my brother, unavailable for the day due to his own match. A picture returns. He's made it home to watch with Mam, a fresh cup of tea ready in his John Mullane mug. I don't know how Waterford are a point down at half time. They've battled hard but haven't made enough use of the strong breeze. That'll cost them. Stephen Bennett should have had a penalty. Guys like Jamie Barron, Darragh Lyons and Jack Prendergast will run themselves into the ground but a few lads still look a bit off the pace. Conor Prunty is having a massive game. The Cork forwards have been quiet but their speed terrifies me. I look down and Da is waving up to me. I translate the hand gesturing to mean the seat next to him is free. Turns out, the man beside him is relocating to sit with a buddy for the second half. Having had no tickets 48 hours ago and only one ticket two hours ago, the pair of us are now beside each other just a couple of rows from the front. We dissect the first half and praise 'The Bull' Phelan again. My brother has already spotted Da on the TV. A couple of mistakes fall Cork's way in the second half and they punish us ruthlessly. An animated local next to me grabs my arm, still recovering from a recent fracture, and yanks me toward him. 'HOW IS DOING THAT A FREE!!!' We're all watching Austin Gleeson every time he warms up. It's near impossible to take your eyes off Dan Shanahan, who plays every ball on the sideline. Aussie comes on for the final 10 and hits one beautiful ball into Dessie Hutchinson. I wonder why I'm watching that happen for the first time this year. Dessie, who had dropped to the bench after a quiet summer, raises a white flag. Bennett hits a post. Waterford run out of time. Prendergast drops to the turf in front of us, the tank empty. 'They were there for the taking today,' I tell Da. He doesn't respond. Waterford selector Dan Shanahan. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO We go back to Blackrock and wait for the traffic to die. On the walk up Waterford supporters nod the head, 'How are ye, lads.' Cork people do the same, 'Tough luck today.' We're halfway home and need to eat. Da thinks of stops he used to know before the motorway opened. I check Google. Some are gone and many are closed. We turn off into Urlingford and park outside an Italian/Wine Bar that's open until 10pm. It's quiet. The wine list: Glass of red or white, €7. After 16 years the place is closing down soon, but our waitress already has a new job lined up in Kilkenny. As we wait for our food, Da opens a liveblog and relives the match. I read Peter Queally's post-match comments and his words hit home. I didn't think Waterford would win a Munster or All-Ireland title this year, and so my disappointment is not rooted in their championship being over. I'm disappointed we won't get to do this again for so long. Waterford's summer is done and it's not even June. Other counties have it worse, no question, but for a strong hurling county to be finished so early in the year seems wrong. I'm sure Wexford feel the same. Lee Chin should have a bigger summer stage. Tony Kelly likewise. I think of my godson, a Liverpool nut, who was pucking around a ball in his Ballygunner jersey on the Semple Stadium pitch after the Tipp game, and how he won't get to watch Waterford play summer hurling for 12 months. I've been that kid, and as Waterford's summers ended, my attention shifted to World Cups and the Dublin footballers into rugby interpros and Premier League. We'll still get to a few games and will go along to the All-Ireland knock-outs if we can, but for the last few years, my Waterford hat has seen more summer action on beaches than in the stands. We get home late and I feel a mix of regret and gratitude. Waterford lost three of four to finish bottom in Munster. The team have given us great moments over the years – Ken's catch v Cork in that 2004 final. Paul Flynn's goal in the same game. Dan Shanahan in 2007. His goal v Cork 2010. Aussie's against Cork in 2017. Mullane. This wasn't one of those years. And still, I can't wait to do it all again. Your man in Mount Sion was right. You just have to love the Déise.
RTÉ News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Kerry retain Munster crown with late Mary O'Connell goal
Kerry retained their TG4 Munster Senior Football Championship title in dramatic fashion at Mallow on Sunday. For long periods of the game Waterford were in front and looked like running out winners, but a late goal from Mary O'Connell was the difference between the sides in the end. That came after their first goal in the 52nd minute which reduced the margin to only a point between the sides. But the experience of the title holders got them through this tough test as they retain the cup after a top class game. Kellyann Hogan opened the scoring for Waterford with Caoimhe Evans replying for Kerry. Kerry took the lead four minutes in when Niamh Carmody scored from distance despite playing against the strong wind. Some good play, between Hogan and Karen McGrath set up Lauren McGregor to equalise for Waterford. A blistering run from Hannah Power saw her play Clare Walsh in as the Déise went in front after nine minutes. Using the wind in their favour they went further ahead when Brid McMaugh scored, to make it 0-04 to 0-02 after 10 minutes. That became a three point lead when another great run, this time from McGregor, saw her split the posts. Danielle O'Leary kept Kerry in touch when she pointed, as her side trailed by 0-05 to 0-03 after 22 minutes. Hogan, who was dominating at midfield, got her second of the tie and she added another to make it 007 to 0-03 with four minutes until half-time. A free from Hogan put four between the sides, before Anna Galvin scored to make it 0-08 to 0-05 at half-time, with all to play for in the second half. O'Shea got the first point of the second half to reduce the deficit as Kerry were now playing with the wind advantage. Katie Murry kept Waterford's running game going and it resulted in a fine point from McGrath as Kerry were finding the blustery conditions difficult to deal with. McGregor was on target again, as despite playing against the wind, Waterford were still much the better side, now leading by double scores, 0-10 to 0-06. But from a Waterford wide, Niamh Ní Chonchúir caught a brilliant ball in midfield, turned and took on the Waterford defence. Her pass found O'Leary and she blasted to the back of the net, to make it 1-06 to 0-10 and it was game on again. With two minutes to go Kerry took the lead when Mary O'Connell pounced on a short Waterford kickout to score their second goal to make it 2-06 to 0-10. Despite the best efforts of Waterford, the champions held out for the win as both move on to the All-Ireland series in a weeks. In that Kerry will face Mayo and Cork, as Waterford will be pitted against Dublin and Leitrim. Kerry: ME Bolger; E Lynch, D Kearney, F O'Donoghue; A O'Connell, E Costello, A Dillane; M O'Connell (1-00), A Galvin (0-01); N Carmody (0-01), N Ní Chonchúir, C Evans (0-01); D O'Leary (1-01), R Dwyer, S O'Shea (0-02, 2f). Subs: C Lynch for A Dillane (7' bs), K Brosnan for R Dwyer (43'), C Lynch for E Costello (46'), R Rahilly for A Dillane (52'), N Broderick for C Evans (60'). Waterford: K Gardiner; K McGrath (0-01), R Casey, C Murray; E Murray, E Power, A Murray; H Power, K Hogan (0-04, 2f); Á O'Neill, K Murray, B McMaugh (0-01); C Fennell, C Walsh (0-01), L McGregor (0-03). Sub: M Ryan for A Murray (45).
Irish Independent
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Kerry ladies have what it takes to secure back-to-back Munster titles in final with Waterford
Kerry against Waterford at any level of Gaelic football doesn't roll off the tongue like say Kerry v Cork, but there can be no doubt that the Déise are in this Munster ladies senior championship final on merit.
