Latest news with #Fenton
RTÉ News
6 hours ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne's aerial dominance key to Dublin's cause
Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne has claimed primary possession under half of the kickouts he has contested so far in the 2025 championship. For the first time in a decade Dublin are without the retired Brian Fenton in the number eight jersey, giving the towering Cuala man the chance to step up as the county's new midfield general. Ahead of this afternoon's clash with reigning All-Ireland champions Armagh, Ó Cofaigh Byrne has cleanly caught 30 per cent of the kickouts he has contested. From 26 kickouts in three championship matches he has caught eight and won another five following a juggle, or by knocking the ball down to himself. On top of that he's also claimed half of the six throw balls he has been in for at the start of each half across Dublin's win over Wicklow, shock defeat to Meath and most recently in the victory in Galway. So all in all, so far in his first season as a Dublin regular starter (he made only two short substitute appearances last summer) the former UCD student has won primary possession under exactly 50% of his total aerial contests. Not once has his opposing player beaten him and claimed possession, with the other 50 per cent of the duels breaking away. A Dublin team-mate has won the subsequent breaking ball on five occasions with the opposition team coming away with possession the remaining eight times. Therein lies the 25 year-old's greatest strength, to little surprise the 6ft 6in midfielder is a powerhouse under a high ball, and while it's unfair for any player to be compared to the incredible all rounder that was Fenton, both players arrived into the Dublin team at the optimal time. Before this year's rule changes, efficiency, control, and decision making had become the key requirements for a footballer over the past 10 years. Teams prioritised maintaining possession and creating high percentage opportunities with minimal risk. Fenton had 29 possessions from midfield in his last All-Ireland final in 2023 and he was never turned over. A machine to cover ground and get on the ball, he was consistently comfortable and composed, more often than not picking the right pass or option. Following the rule changes around kickouts (needing to go beyond the two-point arc) introduced this season, the percentage of contested restarts in the provincial championships rose from 26 per cent in 2024 to 63%. While in Leinster that figure was up to 70% this year. Before Fenton there was Michael Darragh MacAuley and prior to him Ciaran Whelan, while throughout the six-in-a-row winning seasons Dublin never lost sight of the importance of Denis Bastick and the presence and physicality he brought to their midfield. So while Dublin have always appreciated the need for primary ball winners and leaders in the middle third, Ó Cofaigh Byrne is thriving even more so given the current environment he's playing in with kickouts galore often deciding games. Nevertheless - Dublin have kicked out 60 long or contestable kickouts in their three championship games to date. Meaning there is still scope to further trust and involve their most dominant ball winner. In his final competitive game playing the old rules, Cuala's club All-Ireland final victory over Errigal Ciarán last January, his goalkeeper only kicked two long kickouts to him. He caught both. Of 41 kickouts in the game, he only had three contests, with Cuala retaining possession each time. He also scored 1-1 in that final, as well as assisting another goal, winning a throw-in and making three crucial interceptions. One to cut out a scoring chance, and another to turn over Darragh Canavan. All within just eight possessions and 12 involvements. For Dublin so far this championship his overall possessions - especially in comparison to Fenton over the past 10 years - and involvement in the general play is quite low. Rather than linking or starting moves, he often gets ahead of the play and looks to enter attacks in and around the D area. He's assisted 0-03 but yet to have a shot this summer. As he grows into his role and seeks more responsibility Dessie Farrell will expect him to kick on in those aspects. In three matches he's had just 25 possessions. Ultimately however the importance of his aerial dominance can't be understated. Meath, particularly in the first half playing with the wind, decimated the Dublin kickout. Which along with their ability to shoot two-pointers, was the winning of the game. Against Galway Dublin's long kickout game was far more complete. Up against a much stronger opposition than the Royals they caught five clean possessions - Ó Cofaigh Byrne with three - to the Tribesmen's zero. Armagh will present a strong physical challenge around the middle sector - with big Ben Crealy likely to provide an interesting match-up. As much as Brian Fenton was a generational talent, he grew into the position game-on-game in his early years. If Ó Cofaigh Byrne can build on his start to the season and deliver against the current champions, it'll be a big step to making the number eight jersey his own.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Brian Fenton set for unexpected gaelic football return this summer – but Dublin GAA legend won't be playing in Ireland
BRIAN FENTON is set for a return to club football this summer - but not in Ireland, according to reports. The seven-time All-Ireland winner announced his inter-county retirement last year. 2 Brian Fenton retired from inter-county football last year Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 2 Brian Fenton is set for a move to America Credit: Seb Daly/Sportsfile And the six-time All-Star will will put the boots back on again after jetting off to America. It comes after The Read More on GAA The special day took place at the popular Cloughjordan House in Co Tipperary. Mother Nature threatened to put a dampener on the occasion when it started to rain on the newlyweds. Thinking quickly, the Ballymun Kickhams man expanded an umbrella to protect the bride from the conditions. Sharing a photo of the moment to his Instagram Story, the 32-year-old joked: "Things I do for these two". Most read in GAA Football He Alongside a series of photos from his decorated career, the Raheny man said: "Words will never suffice to explain the privilege it has been to represent this county. Tipperary GAA star 'had to do live apology on RTE' the day after cursing during All-Ireland interview - "Proud of that kid for chasing his dreams". Following his retirement, Dublin GAA described Fenton as "a hugely talented footballer and fan favourite who will forever be considered one of the greatest players". Former teammate Ciaran Kilkenny, meanwhile, His absence left a massive hole that Dublin struggled to fill, with Dessie Farrell's Their The result came as a shock to most outside observers, but was predicted by former star Paul Flynn, who In the immediate aftermath of Fenton's retirement, Flynn told "I would go as far as to say they will be under pressure in Leinster. 'If they had lost four or five players, I still believe they could have built a competitive team with Fento in midfield. 'You could actually regenerate the squad with him there because he's so good he'll at least have a presence in midfield, fill in a couple of centre roles and carry a couple of players.'
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Dublin great Brian Fenton set to make gaelic football return in America
Dublin great Brian Fenton is set to play his summer football in Chicago. The seven-time All-Ireland winner has signed for John McBride's GAA Club in The Windy City, according to Mayo News. And the 32-year-old is expected to line out this weekend in a clash with the Wolfe Tones in the Chicago GAA Championship at Gaelic Park. Fenton retired from inter-county football last year after a trophy-laden career with the Dubs. Widely recognised as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, he was an integral part of a Dublin team that won a historic six All-Irelands in succession between 2015 and 2020. The Raheny man won six All-Star awards and was named Footballer of the Year on two occasions, in 2018 and 2020. There will be many Dublin fans hoping that a summer in Chicago may reignite Fenton's appetite for another stint in blue.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘The things I do for these two' jokes Dublin GAA legend as he reveals hilarious gesture at best mate's glamorous wedding
BRIAN FENTON and fiancee Katie got dolled up for their best friends' wedding - with the ex-Dublin star going the extra mile for the bride. The 2 Brian Fenton and fiancee Katie attended their friends' wedding Credit: Instagram/brianfenton08 2 The former Dub went the extra mile for the bride Credit: Instagram/brianfenton08 The special day took place at the popular Cloughjordan House in Co Tipperary. Mother Nature threatened to put a dampener on the occasion when it started to rain on the newlyweds. Thinking quickly, the Ballymun Kickhams man expanded an umbrella to protect the bride from the conditions. Sharing a photo of the moment to his Instagram Story, the 32-year-old joked: "Things I do for these two". Read More on GAA The two-time All-Star and nine-time All-Ireland winner Alongside a series of photos from his decorated career, the Raheny man said: "Words will never suffice to explain the privilege it has been to represent this county. "Proud of that kid for chasing his dreams". Following his retirement, Dublin GAA described Fenton as "a hugely talented footballer and fan favourite who will forever be considered one of the greatest players". Most read in Sport Former teammate Ciaran Kilkenny, meanwhile, His absence left a massive hole that Dublin struggled to fill, with Dessie Farrell's Tipperary GAA star 'had to do live apology on RTE' the day after cursing during All-Ireland interview - Their The result came as a shock to most outside observers, but was predicted by former star Paul Flynn, who In the immediate aftermath of Fenton's retirement, Flynn told : 'It's catastrophic, it's actually unrecoverable. "I would go as far as to say they will be under pressure in Leinster. 'If they had lost four or five players, I still believe they could have built a competitive team with Fento in midfield. 'You could actually regenerate the squad with him there because he's so good he'll at least have a presence in midfield, fill in a couple of centre roles and carry a couple of players.' The news came just two weeks after nine-time All-Ireland winner James McCarthy Flynn, who won Sam Maguire four times alongside Fenton, added: 'If I'm Ger Brennan now, if I'm Robbie Brennan going in at Meath, if I'm Brian Flanagan in Kildare, you're getting confidence from this, you're sniffing blood. 'It's not a slam dunk, but they're coming back to the pack something fierce with James McCarthy and Brian Fenton gone.'
Scoop
4 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Digitising Marlborough History One Ferry Ride At A Time
Article – Kira Carrington – Local Democracy Reporter The National Library of New Zealand, in partnership with the Preserving Local History and Education Trust, has now added the Marlborough Express newspapers from 1929 to 1952 to their online collection, Papers Past. The new issues will be available from … More than two decades of yellowing Marlborough Express newspapers crossed Cook Strait on their way to be digitised in a mammoth National Library project. Former Marlborough Museum director Steve Austin had picked up the newspapers from the museum archives, stacked them in the back of his car, and personally drove them onto the ferry, making three separate trips during 2023 to get them to the New Zealand Micrographic Services in Wellington. The National Library of New Zealand, in partnership with the Preserving Local History and Education Trust, has now added the Marlborough Express newspapers from 1929 to 1952 to their online collection, Papers Past. The new issues will be available from 12pm on Wednesday. 'I've felt personally committed to the significance of this project,' Austin said. 'I realised that transporting these materials carried risks, and it wasn't something I was willing to leave to someone else. I wanted to ensure everything went smoothly.' Transporting the newspapers was 'a major undertaking', Austin said. 'The bonus was getting to visit the facilities, inspect the equipment, and meet some of the amazing people involved in the project.' The work meant the public would have online access to all Marlborough Express volumes from 1886 until 1952. The trust's chairperson, Andy Fenton, called Austin's dedication to personally delivering the newspapers 'nothing short of inspiring'. 'Steve's story is worth archiving in its own right,' Fenton said. 'As individuals united by a shared passion for preserving history, we've all gone to extraordinary lengths to bring this project to fruition.' The trust was established in 2022 to preserve Aotearoa's cultural heritage by creating digital records of local and community newspapers, and making them publicly available online. 'Our team is made up of ordinary New Zealanders with an extraordinary mission: to preserve the stories that have shaped our communities and nation, and to make them accessible to both current and future generations,' Fenton said. The trust funded and arranged for newspapers to be photographed, and the images donated to the National Library's National Digital Heritage Archive. National Library director of content services Mark Crookston said partnering with the trust had allowed them to digitise newspapers covering all regions up to 1945. Previously the Marlborough Express was only available on Papers Past up to the 1920s. 'We're delighted that the partnership with the trust and their work with Marlborough Museum has enabled us to fill this gap.' Liz Ward, the manager of Heritage Marlborough, the Marlborough District Council's heritage unit, called it one of the 'more significant efforts to preserve Marlborough's history' since the creation of the Papers Past project. The work meant the public would have online access to all Marlborough Express volumes from 1886 until 1952. The trust's chairperson, Andy Fenton, called Austin's dedication to personally delivering the newspapers 'nothing short of inspiring'. 'Steve's story is worth archiving in its own right,' Fenton said. 'As individuals united by a shared passion for preserving history, we've all gone to extraordinary lengths to bring this project to fruition.' The trust was established in 2022 to preserve Aotearoa's cultural heritage by creating digital records of local and community newspapers, and making them publicly available online. 'Our team is made up of ordinary New Zealanders with an extraordinary mission: to preserve the stories that have shaped our communities and nation, and to make them accessible to both current and future generations,' Fenton said. The trust funded and arranged for newspapers to be photographed, and the images donated to the National Library's National Digital Heritage Archive. National Library director of content services Mark Crookston said partnering with the trust had allowed them to digitise newspapers covering all regions up to 1945. Previously the Marlborough Express was only available on Papers Past up to the 1920s. 'We're delighted that the partnership with the trust and their work with Marlborough Museum has enabled us to fill this gap.'
