Latest news with #JoeMcDonagh
Irish Times
4 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
Joe Canning: Galway are growing in confidence and if they beat Kilkenny, the crowds will follow
You have to compliment the Leinster Council and Croke Park for giving away 20,000 tickets for underage teams to attend the hurling final on Sunday week. It's a great initiative, and I know a few Galway clubs are already planning on sending up busloads of kids, which can only add to the occasion. It's also a nice boost to the Joe McDonagh final between Kildare and Laois, the Croke Park curtain-raiser, already a big day out for both those teams. I think under-16s should nearly always be free anyway, so it doesn't surprise me those 20,000 tickets are being snapped up fast. At the same time, it's probably not a great sign for a Leinster hurling final between Galway and Kilkenny when you're giving away this many tickets to help fill the stadium. Croke Park was never going to be near its 82,300-capacity, which is why I think they might have been better off moving the game elsewhere, to Tullamore or Portlaoise maybe. Pack the place out, make it something unforgettable. Everybody wants to play in Croke Park, I get that. For me as a player there was nowhere better. But in terms of playing atmosphere, and spectacle, this game might have been better served by a place like Tullamore, halfway between Galway and Kilkenny. I don't think the supporters would have any issue. READ MORE With gentle irony, if they moved the Munster final between Limerick and Cork to Croke Park, they probably would sell the place out. Only you can imagine what the Munster hurling diehards would say about that. As it turns out, they've increased ticket prices for the Munster final at the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday week, the €50 stand tickets up €5 on last year. Croke Park can also be an expensive day out, but I'd be hopeful the Galway supporters are starting to get behind their team again. Same with any county, you need some success for that to happen. Limerick have that in spades now, and the Tipperary supporters are also getting behind their team. I think back to last year, when they played Cork in Semple Stadium, and the Tipp supporters were shockingly outnumbered. At home! The crowds will always follow the success, no matter what the sport. Look at Munster rugby. A few years ago, it was impossible to get a ticket for any match in Thomond Park, and now you could nearly rock up on the day and get in. Galway manager Micheál Donoghue. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho For Galway, beating Dublin in Parnell Park last Sunday was a big result on several levels. They'd never beaten them in any championship match in Dublin before. Micheál Donoghue would have been fully aware of that, and I'm glad for the lads to get that monkey off their back. Parnell Park is also tough place for any team to visit. I used to hate going there. The Dublin crowd are in on top of you, and if you're struggling at all that's not pleasant. It's a big enough field, but the wall around makes it feel a lot smaller. Croke Park always feels way bigger than any other pitch, when in fact they're nearly all the same size. Galway ended up topping the group, on scoring difference, and there's no disputing Galway and Kilkenny have been the two best teams in Leinster. Same with Limerick and Cork in Munster. Maybe part of the hard sell on Croke Park is that some people are saying the hurling championship hasn't ignited yet this summer, in Leinster or in Munster. Some of the Munster games didn't live up to the hype, or go right down to the wire. And maybe it wasn't as good as last year. I don't think anyone expected Clare to be out before the last round, but I also think the perception and the reality can quickly change from one game to the next. When Galway lost to Kilkenny in the first round, some people were saying Galway won't go far this year. Now they're back in a Leinster final, and people are giving them a good chance of beating Kilkenny. Before Cork lost heavily to Limerick last Sunday week, they were favourites to win the All-Ireland. Now Limerick are favourites to win the All-Ireland. For three years we played Tipp in All-Ireland semi-finals, and there was one point between us. In 2015 we won by a point, in 2016 we lost by a point, and in 2017 we won by a point. These are the fine margins between winning and losing, when in reality there was nothing between us. Some teams might have put a little more emphasis on the league this year, trying to avoid a drop to Division 1B. Cork were begging for silverware with this team, probably targeted the league, and maybe you're just not seeing the same freshness right now. But fortunes change every year. Kilkenny's Fionan Mackessy shoots at goal. Photograph: Ken Sutton/Inpho Now you do have Kilkenny going for six-in-a-row in Leinster, and Limerick going for seven in Munster. You could question that scenario, where one team dominates, but I don't think anyone could say the Munster and Leinster championships haven't been competitive the last number of years. Two years ago, Galway had the Leinster final won until the last puck of the game, when Cillian Buckley's goal for Kilkenny changed everything. It also changed a lot of people's perspective on Henry Shefflin's term with Galway. If they'd won that, Galway would have made an All-Ireland semi-final, and Kilkenny beat Clare in that semi-final. So potentially Galway could have made an All-Ireland final that year, and people would be saying Shefflin had a great time with Galway. Galway are building confidence again, and if you look back at the opening 20 minutes against Kilkenny the first day, they weren't that bad. They started well, then just fell off for some reason, maybe the forwards stopped working as hard. That has changed the last couple of games. They've switched around some personnel. Daithí Burke coming back is a big plus, Pádraic Mannion moving to corner back, David Burke around midfield, structurally that has suited them better. Conor Whelan is also coming out the field more, then you add in Cathal Mannion, who is in brilliant form, nailing his frees when he has to. Overall, they're just working a lot harder. That's all you can ask for. When you look at this Kilkenny team, pound-for-pound they're still as good as any team out there. Galway will have their hands full, no doubt about it, but if you're a Galway supporter, you'd be hopeful. But for any team to beat Kilkenny, you absolutely have to earn it. No matter where the game is played.
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Munster hurling final sees another ticket price hike
Adult tickets for this year's Munster SHC decider between Limerick and Cork at TUS Gaelic Grounds have been priced at €50 for the stand, and €40 for terrace. This represents a €5 increase on last year's Munster final between Limerick and Clare at Semple Stadium and is in line with the price hike for Munster round robin fixtures in 2025. It is the second successive €5 increase for Munster hurling final tickets, the 2023 showdown between Limerick and Clare in the Gaelic Grounds costing €40 for stand and €30 for terrace. Tickets for U16s will cost €10, while the usual €5 concession applies for OAPs and students. Munster GAA confirmed on Monday that tickets for the final would not go on general sale and would be distributed through the competing county boards. This reflects the extremely high demand, with the seven-in-a-row chasing Limerick facing off against the league champions, Cork, who scuppered the former's bid for five-in-a-row at All-Ireland level in 2024. In Leinster, meanwhile, the provincial council has made 20,000 tickets available free to U14s for the 8 June Croke Park double-header of comprising of the Kilkenny-Galway Leinster final and the Kildare-Laois Joe McDonagh decider. The scheme, announced on Monday, has seen strong take-up so far, with thousands applying. Eligible groups must consist of a minimum of 10 children (U14 or younger), and must be accompanied by at least two supervising adults per group (1 adult per 10 children). For adults, tickets will be priced at €40 for stand and €30 for Hill 16. The last Kilkenny-Galway Leinster final in 2023 attracted just 24,483, while the previous year's decider between the same times saw a crowd of 31,000, with the Joe McDonagh final preceding the game on that occasion.
RTÉ News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Davy Fitzgerald hits back at Sambo: 'I thought he would show a bit more class than that'
Antrim fiercely battled with 14 men in their final Leinster SHC game of the year but came up short in a five-point loss to Offaly that confirmed their relegation to the Joe McDonagh Cup. It could have been over before it started, with Niall O'Connor receiving a red card in the sixth minute after an incident with man of the match Charlie Mitchell. But Antrim almost equalled Offaly's second-half performance 1-05 to 1-06, which was a poor return for the hosts, who had the wind, and an extra man in their favour. Saffrons manager Davy Fitzgerald praised his side's second-half performance with 14 men and believes the win could have been theirs with the full complement on the pitch. "I'm heartbroken that we didn't get the victory. Could we have got it with 14? We actually could. We weren't 100 miles away," Fitzgerald told RTÉ Sport. In a week that saw Antrim, and Fitzgerald, making headlines for comments on officiating in his side's 28-point hammering by Galway last week, the Clare man suggested that some subsequent criticism was 'unjustified' and that his side are playing better than the headlines may suggest. "The most important thing for me was that we played for 70 minutes. We were getting a lot of stick during the week and it's a bit unjustified. "I did an interview with Noel Connors before the game and he's one of the only ones that copped that we had actually played well for patches of the Leinster Championship. "We were playing well for 25-30 minutes, then we were going to sleep. Today I thought we played well for the 70." Offaly 3-15 Antrim 1-16 highlights One of those critics this week was Antrim legend Sambo McNaughton. In an interview with The Irish Independent McNaughton stated that he felt some of Fitzgerald's comments in interviews were "just plain stupid". Fitzgerald hit back at McNaughton today, and says he thought the ex-Saffrons' player's comments lacked "class". "He's entitled to his opinion. He was in management himself. Maybe he didn't have a great record in that. "I thought he'd show a bit more class than that. "Sambo can talk a lot of times and off he goes, but the direction I'm showing today is what we're thinking." With Antrim due to compete in the Joe McDonagh in 2026, thoughts now turn to whether Fitzgerald will remain a part of the setup. The Clare native agreed a two-year term until 2026 but while he says it's too early to make a decision he does admit he needs a break. "I think I need a bit of time. I finished with Waterford last year, and I've said this a thousand times. I finished and I was done. "I knew in my time in Waterford, I was struggling at the end of it. "I want a bit of time to enjoy time with my family and that. As I said last year... I love my hurling and I'll always love it.
RTÉ News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Offaly hold on to Leinster status with hard-earned win over relegated Antrim
Offaly produced the classic performance of two halves as they held on to their Leinster Senior Hurling Championship status by the skin of their teeth with a very hard-earned win over a fiercely battling Antrim in O'Connor Park on Sunday afternoon. Offaly played their best hurling by a distance against the strong wind in the first half, and were set up for a comfortable win when they led by 2-09 to 0-11 at the break. Yet it ended up a very close run thing, a lot tighter than the scoreboard might indicate, as the visitors gave it everything they had, did really well to get back into it and were not that far away from an unlikely come from behind win. Antrim will drop out of Leinster and contest the Joe McDonagh after losing all five of their matches this year. Offaly made a dream start with a super Brian Duignan goal in the sixth minute and a big defining moment of the game was a fourth minute red card for Antrim corner back Niall O'Connor after an incident with man of the match Charlie Mitchell. In a high stakes tussle with relegation on the line, it was a teak tough game. Offaly would have anticipated a very physical approach from Antrim but such an early red card was a disaster for them, leaving them with a mountain to climb. It was all square, 1-01 to 0-04 when Offaly's crucial second goal arrived in the 13th minute – a flying Mitchell was fouled and Dan Ravenhill slotted home the penalty. 2-01 to 0-06 ahead at the quarter way stage, Offaly hit a purple patch that yielded points from Dan Ravenhill, Brian Duignan (free) and the superb Donal Shirley to lead by 2-04 to 0-06 after 22 minutes. Antrim responded well with four points, the third an inspiring strike from Paddy Burke, and levelled it up at 0-10 to 2-04 after 29 minutes. Offaly played some of their best hurling from here to the interval, getting some quality points from Shirley and Mitchell and that 2-09 to 0-11 lead had them in a very strong position at the break. Offaly didn't keep the same tempo in the second half and didn't score enough, just barely outscoring Antrim by 1-06 to 1-05 which was a poor return with the wind, and an extra man in their favour. Antrim deserve huge credit for their work rate as they fought for everything and the defence got on top. Offaly were 2-13 to 0-13 up after 50 minutes but Antrim got back into it with three James McNaughton frees. Charlie Mitchell put four in it but McNaughton's 64th minute goal brought the gap down to a point, 1-16 to 2-14 and the home side were looking at a disastrous defeat. They responded superbly. Stephen Rooney denied Brian Duignan what looked a sure-fire goal and Killian Sampson eased the home support's nerves with a great 66th minute goal. Brian Duignan added a free and that five point gap gave Offaly enough of a cushion to struggle home. Late drama in Tullamore. There were late goals from James McNaughton and Killian Sampson for their respective teams made for an exciting finish. Antrim will end up in the Joe McDonagh after losing 1-16 to 3-15 against Offaly. — The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 25, 2025 Offaly: Mark Troy; Ciaran Burke, Ben Conneely, Cathal King, Ross Ravenhill, Donal Shirley (0-02), Sam Bourke; Killian Sampson (1-00), Colin Spain; Dan Bourke (0-01), Brian Duignan (1-07, 7f), Oisin Kelly; Dan Ravenhill (1-02, 1-0p), Charlie Mitchell (0-03), Jason Sampson. Subs: Jack Clancy for Dan Ravenhill (HT), Eoghan Cahill for Jason Sampson (63m) Antrim: Ryan Elliot; Conor Boyd, Paddy Burke (0-01), Niall O'Connor; Conal Bohill, Joe Maskey, Stephen Rooney; Gerard Walsh (0-02), Nigel Elliot (0-01); Scott Walsh (0-01), Eoghan Campbell, Ryan McCambridge (0-01); Eoin O'Neill, James McNaughton (1-08, 8f), Keelan Molloy (0-02). Subs: Rory McCloskey for McCambridge (54m).
The Irish Sun
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Laois break Carlow hearts with last-gasp leveller to book Joe McDonagh final spot
Laois are headed back to the Joe McDonagh Cup final after they broke Carlow's hearts deep into stoppage time at Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday. James Duggan got the faintest of touches on Pádraig Delaney's 65 with the last play of tense local derby, levelling the game at Laois 1-20 to Carlow's 2-17. 2 Laois scored a late leveller against Carlow in dramatic fashion to seal a Joe McDonagh final place 2 Kildare will face Laois in the final after the overcame Down on Saturday afternoon And that meant the sides were level on points and so Laois advance to the final in a fortnight thanks to their superior scoring difference. The contest also started with a goal, this time for Carlow's Chris Nolan, and they soon led by four points. Tomás Keyes led the way for Laois as they rallied to get back to within a point by half-time, but a second Carlow goal, this time for Paddy Boland, put the home side on the front foot again. Keyes kept knocking over dead ball scores however, racking up 0-14 in all, and that left the O'Moore County close enough to deliver their late, killer blow. read more on gaa The challenge facing Laois in that final will be to upset a Kildare team that is full of momentum and confidence. The Lily Whites needed a fourth win in succession to reach their first ever Joe McDonagh final and they did that in style at St. Conleth's Park, slashing through Down by 1-26 to 1-14 The first eight points of the game were equally shared but Kildare hit the turbo and left Down trailing their slipstream over the next 20 minutes, taking a 1-14 to 0-7 lead into the break. Cathal McCabe, Simon Leacy and Cian Boran were dominant around the middle third, Daire Guerin set up David Qualter for a goal – Qualter finished with 1-13 – and the result was settled long before Shea Pucci struck a late consolation goal for Down. Most read in Uncategorized Ironically, the only team that beat Kildare in this competition was Kerry, who have now been relegated to the Christy Ring Cup after Westmeath hammered them by double scores in Tralee, 2-28 to 1-14. Niall O'Brien hit an early goal for Westmeath who were 1-15 to 1-3 ahead before a couple of Pádraig Boyle points before half-time gave Kerry the faintest sliver of hope. Sharlene Mawdsley encounters unexpected headache on first trip abroad since GAA boyfriend reveal Five minutes into the second half Killian Doyle had two more points as he moved on towards a tally of 0-15, teenager David O'Reilly added 1-1, and Kerry's relegation was inevitable. New York's inclusion in the Lory Meaghar Cup was controversial as the Exiles were seen by many as far too strong for the bottom tier of the intercounty hurling structure. A 1-29 to 2-13 win over Monaghan in yesterday's semi-final in Mullingar won't do anything to dispel those rumours. AJ Willis, part of a strong Tipperary contingent on the New York side, scored 1-9 while David Mangan hit 0-10, with former Galway star Johnny Glynn orchestrating play once he moved outto midfield. New York will now play Cavan in the final on Saturday in Croke Park.
