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The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Armagh GAA legend backs Kieran McGeeney's men to relive historic All-Ireland win over Dublin that ‘remains in my memory'
BETWEEN all the highs and lows with Armagh, Stevie McDonnell remembers Dublin in the rare auld times. The Orchard legend enjoyed a glittering inter-county career, picking up three All-Stars, the 2003 Footballer of the Year prize, seven Ulster titles and an All-Ireland medal between 1999 and 2012. 3 Steven McDonnell won the All-Ireland with Armagh in 2002 Credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE 3 Armagh beat Dublin in the 2002 All-Ireland semi-final Credit: Pat Murphy/Sportsfile McDonnell put in a summer for the ages when Armagh lifted Sam in 2002, with the Killeavy great firing 0-3 in the seismic 1-12 to 0-14 win over Kerry on the big day. His county's fierce rivalry with Tyrone dominated the northern landscape and the Red Hands knocked them off their perch in the 2003 showpiece. But across all those years and games, the 2002 semi-final win over the Sky Blues tops the lot for atmosphere. Tommy Lyons' Sky Blues meant business as they hunted their first crown since 1995, and the dream Kerry-Dublin final loomed large. Read More on GAA In a rip-roaring second half in front of 79,386 fans, Paddy McKeever bundled into the net at the Canal End before Ciarán Whelan's strike caused Hill 16 to erupt. Ray Cosgrove's sixth point of the afternoon had the teams level before Oisín McConville fisted over to steer Armagh ahead. Cosgrove was the darling of the Hill, and a banker to level the game in front of the old terrace when Enda McNulty fouled him well within range with seconds to go. But the Kilmacud Crokes man was stunned when the ball came off the post, and was eventually cleared by Francie Bellew. It was all over. McDonnell told SunSport: 'I don't think I'm alone in saying this, you're often asked what was the best atmosphere you played in front of and without a shadow of a doubt it was the 2002 semi-final against Dublin . Most read in GAA Football 'Dublin hadn't won Leinster in seven years leading up to that, and Tommy Lyons had them going really well. There was a lot of hype and aura around them at that particular time, and obviously they carried massive support as well. 'The Armagh supporters travelled the length and breadth of the country and were well renowned for the volume that they would take to the occasion, but what an occasion it was. It was just an electric atmosphere and a game that always remains in my memory. Tipperary GAA star 'had to do live apology on RTE' the day after cursing during All-Ireland interview - 'We had that large bit of luck for us at the end with Ray Cosgrove kicking the ball off the post. 'From the season that he had, there was no way we would have thought that he was going to hit the post. Absolutely no way. You never win an All-Ireland without a certain amount of luck, and we got it that day.' Armagh finished the job against the Kingdom, but McDonnell knew they were unstoppable after beating the Dubs. And he says their hunger and desire to win the ball after Cosgrove's miss summed it all up when they bagged Sam for the first time three weeks later. He said: 'With luck, there has to be a desire and a drive to get you over the line as well. 'When the ball broke off the post, there were three Armagh players waiting for it, there were no Dublin players waiting for it and that won us the game. 'We weren't happy or content to watch a ball go over the bar or maybe come off the post. We wanted to make sure that we were the ones reacting to it, and I think it was Justin McNulty that reacted first to getting it. 'If you beat Dublin any given day at all, it's always going to instil belief and particularly that Dublin team at that time, there was just a whole lot of hype about them and they had so many quality players — Stephen Cluxton obviously was starting his career at that stage. 'Alan Brogan had a fantastic season, Bryan Cullen, Jason Sherlock , 'So that definitely gave us the belief and confidence going into the final. 'But the atmosphere we played in for the semi-final, we didn't believe that it could have been outweighed and it certainly wasn't.' ORANGE ONSLAUGHT The buzz of that day was infectious, and over 54,000 turned up at Croker when the counties clashed in the NFL the following year. Armagh won that game, and would repeat the dose all over again in a sizzling All-Ireland third-round qualifier. Croker heaved once more as McDonnell and Cosgrove fired 0-5 each and Cluxton and Paddy McKeever saw red. But the Dubs failed to cope with a second-half orange onslaught, which McDonnell hails as their finest hour. He said: 'I mentioned earlier the best atmosphere I played in front of was the 2002 semi-final. 'And then you're often asked which was the best performance, and for me it was the second half of that qualifier game against Dublin. I think we went in at half-time three or four points down and not playing particularly well — but we came out and gave a masterclass in the second half. 'We just ran riot. I know Stephen Cluxton ended up getting sent off, but that didn't make much of a difference on the overall scheme of things in that game. 'It wouldn't have mattered even if Dublin had 16 players on the field, I think we would have won the game just the way we performed that particular day and that's the way it was. We had the capability and the belief from the previous year of stepping it up when we had to — and that's what we were able to do.' 'I could be eating my words, but I think it will be Armagh by a couple of points.' Dublin finally got one over on the Orchard in a 2010 qualifier before McDonnell called it a day in 2012 — and today's first Championship meeting in 15 years has a familiar ring to it. Armagh are champions, while Dublin are itching to get back to the top and McDonnell knows anything can happen at Croke Park . He said: 'It would take a fairly foolish person to write Dublin off. 'Not too long ago they were going for seven in a row, so what a team they are. They've got quality throughout that squad and if you underestimate them you're going to get caught out. 'I really believe that there's about six teams with realistic chances of going and winning the All-Ireland this year. 'Obviously Armagh and Dublin are in the mix and this has all the raw materials of being an absolute classic. 'Dublin got off to a fantastic start against Galway , I think they were totally the dominant team on that particular day. 'Ciarán Kilkenny was back to his best, pulling the strings from start to finish and really controlled the game at his tempo. 'Armagh, likewise, I thought for 55 minutes of the game against Derry were extremely positive in their performance and then they switched off. 'If they're going to switch off against a team like Dublin they're going to be severely punished. 'I could be eating my words, but I think it will be Armagh by a couple of points.' 3 The Armagh team form a huddle prior to the Bank of Ireland All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Semi-Final against Dublin Credit: Damien Eagers/Sportsfile
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
David Clifford turns on the style as Kerry blow Cork away after half-time scare
KERRY'S firepower came to the fore as they racked up 0-21 during the second half to torch another Cork bid to upset their neighbours at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Having trailed by three points at the break, the wind at their backs was put to good use while 2 David Clifford starred for Kerry yet again in the win over Cork at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh 2 Kerry sailed to victory despite a scare against the Rebels in Cork Six weeks since Kerry prevailed in a thrilling provincial semi-final between the teams at the same venue, a man-of-the-match display from David Clifford helped to ensure a familiar outcome. A crowd of 13,072 saw the Munster kingpins keep their status as the only unbeaten team left in the Championship intact. Stiffer examinations of their All-Ireland credentials await, though they were certainly put to the test before the interval by a Kerry gaffer Jack O'Connor said: "In the first half, Cork were the aggressors in that they were the team that were hunting and they were the team that were playing with aggression and intensity. read more on gaa 'We were waiting around to see what they were going to bring. We had to change it in the second half and thankfully we did." As well as letting three goal opportunities go to waste in the first half, Cork gifted one to Kerry and Clifford was the beneficiary. When Micheál Aodh Martin's short kick-out to Brian O'Driscoll was intercepted by the two-time Footballer of the Year, he surged through and found the net with a neat drop-shot finish. Facing a 1-4 to 0-2 deficit after 12 minutes, Cork gradually found their flow. Aided by two-pointers from Paul Walsh and Brian Hurley, as well as a brace of Colm O'Callaghan scores, they were 0-13 to 1-7 ahead at half-time. Most read in GAA Football And Kerry had Shane Ryan to thank for keeping them within touching distance. In the space of a minute, the goalkeeper made point-blank saves to thwart Mark Cronin and Matty Taylor. Jason Foley also made an important intervention to scupper another Taylor goal opportunity later on. Tipperary GAA star 'had to do live apology on RTE' the day after cursing during All-Ireland interview - O'Connor continued: "Cork went in three up. That could have been eight or nine up and then you've a real mountain to climb." At the other end, Martin made amends for his role in Kerry's raising of the game's only green flag by producing a fine save to keep out a Brian Ó Beaglaioch effort. With Kerry depleted by injuries that forced Barry Dan O'Sullivan, Paudie Clifford and Paul Geaney all to make way by the change of ends, Cork may have smelled blood. However, their hopes were soon harpooned by Kerry's marquee forwards. Rebels manager John Cleary lamented: "Beaten by 11 was maybe a small bit harsh on us but Kerry scored wonderful two-pointers particularly and that's why they won the game." A trio of two-pointers from Seán O'Shea, plus two more from Clifford and Hurley had earlier been booked as a result of a fracas that occurred when tempers flared as the teams departed for the dressing rooms at half-time. Walsh and Joe O'Connor were black-carded for their involvement in the incident. Kerry's gaffer also saw yellow for remonstrating with referee Derek O'Mahoney when the teams reappeared. Kingdom chief O'Connor added: 'I don't know was it a case of calming fellas down. It was a case of maybe waking fellas up, because I thought Cork were by far the more aggressive team in the first half. "I don't mean aggressive in a bad sense at all, I mean aggressive to the ball, the team that wanted it more. 'We basically challenged our lads at half-time – were they going to up their game and up their energy levels? We really needed to do that because in the first half we were quite lethargic.' Cork, who registered just two points from play in the second half, had an opportunity to cut the gap to five with a 63rd-minute penalty after Ó Beaglaioch was deemed to have fouled O'Callaghan. But yet again, Ryan could not be beaten. After saving Cronin's first attempt, the Rathmore man also kept out his follow-up effort. The Cork forward was then foiled for a third time by a block from Ó Beaglaioch. An ultimately resounding win for Kerry – which leaves them a point clear of Meath at the top of Group 2 ahead of the meeting of the teams in a fortnight – was capped by Tom O'Sullivan and sub Tony Brosnan, who took their side's second-half tally of two-pointers to seven. Cork gaffer Cleary, whose side were beaten by the Royals seven days earlier, said: "We had a hard game last week and I know there during the week, it took until Wednesday or Thursday for fellas to really get over last week and the bumps and bruises. "It was a tough, wet day above in Meath. To realise then from Tuesday onwards that you were facing favourites for the All-Ireland. "You really needed to be at the peak of physical condition and I thought maybe we tired there in the second half. "Against a team like Kerry, if you tire, they'll punish you and that's what they did when they were able to get a bit of space when we didn't seem to have the legs there coming in the end." KERRY 1-28 CORK 0-20 KERRY: S Ryan; T O'Sullivan 0-2, 1tp, J Foley, D Casey; B Ó Beaglaioch, M Breen, G White; BD O'Sullivan, J O'Connor; G O'Sullivan 0-1, P Clifford 0-1, S O'Shea 0-9, 3f, 3tpf; D Clifford 1-8, 2f, 1tp, 1tpf, P Geaney 0-2, M Burns. Subs: M O'Shea for BD O'Sullivan 21 mins, D Geaney 0-1 for P Clifford 31, K Spillane 0-2 for P Geaney h-t, T Brosnan 0-2, 1tp for Burns 59, T Morley for Ó Beaglaioch 66. CORK: MA Martin; S Brady, S Meehan, D O'Mahony; B O'Driscoll, M Shanley, M Taylor; I Maguire, C O'Callaghan 0-2; S Walsh, P Walsh 0-3, 1tp, S McDonnell; M Cronin 0-6, 5f, B Hurley 0-7, 2f, 1tp, 1tpf, C Óg Jones 0-1. Subs: S Powter for Meehan 43 mins, R Deane 0-1 for McDonnell 50, C O'Mahony for Hurley 60, L Fahy for Taylor 65, E McSweeney for P Walsh 66. REFEREE: D O'Mahoney (Tipperary)
Irish Daily Mirror
3 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.
Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool honoured by icons on a day befitting of champions' triumphant season
It was a celebration that started with the first sweet silver song of the lark - and will continue for days to come. What wasn't part of the script was a Liverpool performance that appeared to confirm that Arne Slot's Premier League champions have been nursing the mother of all hangovers since the title was secured a month ago. Mohamed Salah made sure the Reds didn't sign off with a third defeat in four games with an 84th-minute equaliser. The newly-crowned Footballer of the Year scissor-kicked a close-range volley past Palace keeper Dean Henderson from close range with the aid of a deflection off Maxence Lacroix to cancel out Ismaila Sarr's cool first-half strike. It was the Egyptian's 34th goal in all competitions - and his Premier League tally of 29 secured another Golden Boot. Club legend Ian Rush came down from the posh seats at the final whistle to give Salah the prize - and another trophy for leading the division with 18 assists. Liverpool were down to 10 men for the final 22 minutes after Ryan Gravenberch had seen red for a foul on Daichi Kamada that prevented the midfielder from bursting through on goal. Not that anything was ever going to poop this party. Liverpool fans have been waiting 35 years to celebrate a title win in the style of which they were once so accustomed after the pandemic kept them indoors in 2020. Not since Alan Hansen lifted the Football League first division trophy in 1990 had a Liverpool captain done the honours in front of a Kop packed to the rafters. It was fitting that Hansen, the most elegant of central defenders in his day, accepted an invitation to hand the silverware over to that modern-day colossus Virgil van Dijk. Liverpool's fans are going to squeeze every second of joy out of this triumph. Anfield and beyond was brimming with pomp and ceremony for the champions. Most of the houses on the roads and streets leading to the stadium were decked out in banners and bunting. There was one classy touch before kick-off when Palace's players lined up to give the home team a guard of honour before Liverpool returned the compliment for the FA Cup winners. Another followed at the start of the second half when Real Madrid-bound Trent Alexander-Arnold was given a warm ovation by the home fans when he came on to replace Conor Bradley. By then Liverpool were on a rescue mission. Tyrick Mitchell's ninth-minute pass sent Sarr racing through a gap between Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate that resembled the Mersey Tunnel and the Senegalese winger briefly silenced the Kop by finding the bottom corner. Oliver Glasner's men were good value for their lead, although keeper Dean Henderson continued where he left off at Wembley last week by producing an inspired save with his backside to thwart Luis Diaz. When Gravenberch was sent off just six minutes after Slot had asked him to drop back into defence so that he could bring on Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez it appeared the Eagles were about to take another prized scalp back to their South London nest. Then Nunez's cross was nodded down at the far post by Cody Gakpo and Salah did what he does best in front of the Kop. Join our new WhatsApp communityand receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sky has slashed the price of its bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more. Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
Arab Times
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Mohamed Salah named Premier League player of the season
LONDON, May 24 (AP): Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has been named Premier League player of the season for a second time. The Egypt international joins Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nemanja Vidic, and Kevin De Bruyne in the two-time winner category. No player has won the award three times. The 32-year-old Salah, who also won in the 2017-18 season, led Liverpool to the Premier League title. He enters Sunday's season finale at Anfield against. Crystal Palace is the league's leading scorer with 28 goals. Salah also leads the league with 18 assists, meaning he "could be the first-ever player to win the Golden Boot, Golden Playmaker and Player of the Season award in the same campaign,' the league said in its announcement Saturday. The league said the award was determined by combining votes from the public with those from a panel of experts. Salah had earlier been voted " Footballer of the Year ' - for a record-tying third time - by the Football Writers' Association.
