Latest news with #GAA
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Game Changer 'Activation Day' to take place at Croke Park
Croke Park's All-Ireland semi final crowd will be the audience for a pitch-side interview with Jason Poole, whose sister Jennifer was murdered by her former partner in 2021, as part of a GAA initiative. This GAA first is part of the collaborative 'Game Changer' initiative which aims to challenge the social norms that contribute to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, and highlight how male allyship and positive role modelling can help. The interview will be transmitted on the stadium's screens at half time, as Donegal and Meath go head-to-head, vying for a place at the All-Ireland Football Final. It is one of a number of 'Game Changer' events taking place as part of today's Senior semi final and Junior Championship Final in Croke Park. Donegal footballer Oisín Gallen, who will be playing in today's semi final is also a Game Changer ambassador and he will feature in a video that will also be played on the stadium's screens throughout the day. "There's incredible encouragement in the GAA on the pitch to back up your teammate and to leave no man behind," Mr Gallen said. "That should be the same when you're calling out gender-based violence. If it was racism or if it was any other type of abuse, I'm sure there'd be a lot of people who'd be standing up to call out what's wrong, so it shouldn't be any different when it comes to gender-based violence." The Game Changer initiative is being done by the GAA, in partnership with Ruhama, an organisation that supports women who have been sexually exploited and White Ribbon Ireland, which encourages men and boys to act against domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. It is also supported by the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) and the Camogie Association. The initiative started in November 2024, but today has been billed as Game Changer Activation Day, with the series of events at Croke Park taking place, while a new website will also go live. A nationwide advertising campaign will begin tomorrow. Jason Poole's sister Jennifer was 24 when she was murdered by her former partner Gavin Murphy in 2021. She was a mother of two. Mr Murphy had a history of violence against women and was previously jailed for two years for attacking a former partner and her mother with a knife in 2015. Mr Poole and his family have campaigned for a number of years for the establishment of a domestic violence register. Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has committed to enacting legislation in Jennifer Poole's name, Jennie's Law, that would establish such a register.
BreakingNews.ie
3 hours ago
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
Sunday sport: Meath to take on Donegal in second SFC semi-final
GAA Meath and Ulster champions Donegal will fight it out for a place in the All-Ireland Senior Football final this afternoon. Jim McGuinness' Donegal haven't been to the decider in 11 years, while the Royals are aiming to get to the final for the first time since 2001. Advertisement Both teams are unchanged from their wins in the quarter-finals, with Donegal boosted by the return of defender Caolan McGonagle to their bench. Meath boss Robbie Brennan has made one positional change for the game, with Matthew Costello moving to full-forward and Keith Curtis to the half-forward line. Kerry await the winners in the All-Ireland final, and there's a 4pm throw-in time at Croke Park. There are also a pair of semi-finals in the All-Ireland Intermediate Ladies Football Championship. Advertisement Monaghan and Laois meet at Pearse Park, and Carrick-on-Shannon is the venue for the clash of Tyrone and Leinster champions Westmeath. Both last-four ties get underway at 2pm. Tennis Carlos Alcaraz could become just the fifth man in history to be crowned Wimbledon champion three years running this afternoon. He's taking on world number one Jannik Sinner on Centre Court - a month after beating him 3-2 in a French Open epic to win the title at Roland Garros. Advertisement Sinner is hoping to win his first title at Wimbledon, having won all his previous Grand Slams on hard courts. Golf Rory McIlroy is in pole position to win golf's Scottish Open, sharing the lead going into the final round. The world number two will resume on 11-under par for the tournament, along with American Chris Gotterup, at the Renaissance Club. US Senior Open champion Padraig Harrington is one-over-par into the final day, as he fine-tunes his preparations for The Open. Leona Maguire is nine-under-par after 11 holes of her final round at the Evian Championship in France - and three shots off the lead. Soccer Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says he has "maximum respect" for Paris Saint-Germain - but his team is ready to beat them to become world champions. The sides meet in the Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey tonight.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Favourites Donegal must respect Meath
Brendan Devenney says Meath have had a "brilliant season" but he is backing Donegal to reach the All-Ireland final. Meath have defeated Dublin, Kerry and Galway in a giant-killing season as they look to reach a first All-Ireland decider in 24 years at Croke Park on Sunday (16:00 BST). Advertisement Ulster champions Donegal, themselves looking a first title since 2012, stand in their way. "You have to give them respect, they've been the story of the season," said former Donegal forward Devenney. "Does that story keep going? That's the question now." Devenny feels there have been mitigating factors to Meath's underdog wins - such as beating Dublin outside Croke Park and an under-strength Kerry underestimating their opponents - but says the quarter-final win over Galway shows what they can do. "The one that would cause you the most concern as a Donegal supporter would be the Galway game. Advertisement "There was some serious backbone from Meath and there are warnings in there for this Donegal team. However, with Michael Murphy back on the panel and Jim McGuinness at the helm, Devenney feels Donegal's experience on the big stage means they will have too much for Meath. "It's a fifth semi-final in six years and there is a serious amount of experience in the Donegal team," he said. "Even though Meath have had a brilliant season, I'd still put Donegal as favourites."
BBC News
5 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Favourites Donegal must respect Meath
Brendan Devenney says Meath have had a "brilliant season" but he is backing Donegal to reach the All-Ireland have defeated Dublin, Kerry and Galway in a giant-killing season as they look to reach a first All-Ireland decider in 24 years at Croke Park on Sunday (16:00 BST).Ulster champions Donegal, themselves looking a first title since 2012, stand in their way."You have to give them respect, they've been the story of the season," said former Donegal forward Devenney."Does that story keep going? That's the question now."Devenny feels there have been mitigating factors to Meath's underdog wins - such as beating Dublin outside Croke Park and an under-strength Kerry underestimating their opponents - but says the quarter-final win over Galway shows what they can do. "The one that would cause you the most concern as a Donegal supporter would be the Galway game. "There was some serious backbone from Meath and there are warnings in there for this Donegal with Michael Murphy back on the panel and Jim McGuinness at the helm, Devenney feels Donegal's experience on the big stage means they will have too much for Meath."It's a fifth semi-final in six years and there is a serious amount of experience in the Donegal team," he said."Even though Meath have had a brilliant season, I'd still put Donegal as favourites."
BreakingNews.ie
6 hours ago
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
Meath footballers bringing excitement to the county, says Giles
The excitement around Meath heading into the All-Ireland semi-finals has not been seen since the days of Trevor Giles leading the county. After memorable wins against Dublin, Kerry, and Galway, Meath fans have been given memories they will remember for the rest of their lives. Advertisement Having not reached this stage since 2009, and forced to watch rivals Dublin lift the Leinster championship cup every season, there was not a lot to shout about for the Royals. However, with Donegal standing in their way of an All-Ireland final, former captain Giles described the atmosphere around the county. "We grew up going to Croke Park watching Meath in the '80s and, with nostalgia and hindsight, they were great. When you are coaching and you see your senior team going well, it is massive. It is a great thing as a teenager going to be proud of your country and all your friends being there. "All the teenagers want Hill 16 tickets. They don't want to go to the stand. Stand tickets are a tenner, Hill 16 tickets are €40, but they want to go on Hill 16 because that is where their friends are, and that's where the craic will be. Advertisement "Kids in Meath growing up in the last 20 years haven't had those days out." A two-time All-Ireland winner as a player, Giles was part of Colm O'Rourke's coaching team at Meath, who had admitted they were not near Dublin after a 16-point defeat last year. However, that gap has been more than closed after defeating Dublin in the Leinster semi-final. For Giles, he admitted he is surprised with how well this season has gone, but believes the future of Meath football is bright. Advertisement "Pleasantly surprised how well we're doing. I thought we would be better this year, that all the younger guys would be a year older, a little bit stronger physically. "The team that is going to play on Sunday, a couple of them it's their first year, a couple their second, a couple their third. They're very young still. "But it's fantastic to be that young and winning the games they have been winning. They're going to be different players for the next five or six years on the back of that. A lot of the game is confidence. Beating the likes of Dublin completely changes you as a player. "We feel, with the age profile of the team, Meath will be there for the next few years and really competitive at the business end of things. I am just delighted that Meath are going well. That's the main thing." Advertisement Under Robbie Brennan, Meath have played free-flowing football, with their accuracy one of the best in the country. With the new rules, the team have taken full advantage of scoring two-pointers, and Giles has praised Brennan for allowing Meath to express themselves. "Until this year, there wasn't a huge reward for trying a risky shot from far out because you only get a one pointer, but there is a massive reward for getting the two-pointer, we know all about that. Once you get a couple of those, you get a bit more license to keep trying them. Jordan Morris was brilliant the last day. "You could argue he is as skilful with the ball as any other player in the country. There is going to be space there. There is going to be opportunities. He is going to need some of the other lads to carry a little bit more of the load on Sunday."
