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The 42
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The 42
Páirc history maker Noonan: 'To come back wearing a different shirt, it's the same feeling'
CORK'S OWN SAOIRSE Noonan became the first sportsperson to play a competitive inter-county Gaelic football match and soccer international at Páirc Uí Chaoimh this evening. Not only did the hometown hero play, she also scored. Her second international goal, on her first competitive start for Ireland. The stuff of dreams. 'It was a bit surreal,' said Celtic striker Noonan. 'I was just trying to find my feet, ease my way into the game and not get caught up in the moment. It's unbelievable, I'm absolutely delighted. 'When it went in and hit off my head, I could just see it dipping. I don't even know how I celebrated or anything. I just had a little moment, took a deep breath and was back into focus, we wanted to get that next goal quick.' Unfortunately for Ireland, it never came. Noonan's 19th-minute header into the City End proved the winner against Slovenia on the night, but Carla Ward's side fell short of the four-goal victory needed to top Group B2 and secure automatic Nations League promotion. They now contest play-offs in October. It was a case of mixed emotions on Leeside, but pride was the overriding feeling for the multi-talented girl from Grange, with her family watching on. 'Since the new stadium's been built, I played here with the Cork ladies footballers at senior level [against Westmeath in the 2020 National League]. To come back wearing a different shirt, it's the same feeling, you're representing something you're really proud of. 'Carla called the team (out) last night. When I got the nod, I just told my parents and kept it a bit quiet and just tried to treat it like another game. 'It was really special. My grandad would've been a proud man tonight. He's at every game. And my granny, this is the first time she has seen me play senior [or Ireland], so it was emotional, it meant a lot to me. Advertisement 'Being in Cork is enough motivation in itself. Wearing the Irish jersey is enough motivation. You don't need anything else really, but it does add that little bit of grit.' Noonan in action for Cork in 2019. Laszlo Geczo / INPHO Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO Noonan reflected on a positive team performance in front of 9,433 fans as Ireland rounded off their Nations League group with a fifth win from six. Not achieving the required goal tally was disappointing, of course, but the 25-year-old was optimistic post-match. 'The first thing was to go out and win the game but the bigger picture, we obviously wanted to get the (four) goals. We started off well, that's something we've spoken about the last few days. We had a lot of chances, possession, we played really well. They're a good team. 'When we got the goal, I think we thought a 1-0 lead, can we get another one before half time? That was the focus. We were pushing, we were unlucky, one or two decisions we could have made better. 'We have to be proud of ourselves, it's still a win and at international level, wins don't come easy. It's about building. This team is good, we're working hard every day, we're growing — you can see the growth. From the first time Carla came in to now, even for myself, I feel like each camp and each day, you feel like you're getting better.' It has been a whirlwind few months for Noonan, who ended a lengthy international absence with back-to-back substitute appearances, a start, and a goal. The dual star enjoyed a goal-laden season with Celtic in Scotland, and returned to the international fold having been overlooked in recent times. 'I have to thank Carla for bringing me back in and giving me minutes,' said Noonan. 'When I got the nod today, I felt I owed it to the staff. They've had so much belief in me. 'Look, Im delighted. We got the win, but we wanted the four goals and we wanted to top the group.'
Extra.ie
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Extra.ie
In Pics: Top talent honoured at Rugby Players Ireland awards
Tadgh Beirne and Aoife Dalton have been announced as the Rugby Players of Ireland (RPI)'s Players' Players of the Year. Tadgh, who was unable to make the ceremony as he's training for the URC quarter final in South Africa, said it was an honour to be named among his peers, and beating out province teammate Tom Farrell, as well as Caelan Doris and Jamison Gibson-Park. 'I'm honoured to be named. It comes as quite a surprise given that Caelan, Tom and Jamison have all had brilliant season,' Tadgh said, adding that being awarded the gong by his peers 'makes this award even more meaningful and I really appreciate their support and acknowledgment.' Tadhg Beirne speaks via video link after receiving the award. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Conan Also taking home the women's Players Player of the year was Aoife Dalton, who impressed in the Six Nations with seven tries and becoming a vital part of the Irish women's rugby team ahead of the World Cup, which will take place in England this year. 'It's a very exciting time to be involved with this group of players,' the 22-year-old midfielder said. 'To be recognised by them at such a crucial time for this team is hard to put into words. 'When I first came into camp, I could sense that something was beginning to build and I think we have started to see the fruits of that over recent months both collectively and individually, through the performances of my fellow nominees Amee-Leigh, Niamh and Dorothy.' Aoife Dalton with her award. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Eimear Considine also won big at the awards, being presented with the Zurich Contribution to Irish Society Award — with her being selected as an acknowledgement of her sporting legacy and longstanding contribution to mental wellbeing discourse in Ireland. As well as this, she had a season to remember when she returned to the pitch following two ACL injuries and the birth of her son Caolán. Eimear Considine with her award. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Dan Sheehan, who also returned from an ACL injury during the Six Nations earlier this year, picked up Men's Try of the Year for his try against England in the Six Nations, while Anna McGann's try against Italy picked up Women's Try of the Year. Leinster out-half Sam Prendergast won Men's Young Player of the Year, with previous young player of the year winner Cian Prendergast being on hand to present the award to his younger brother. Erin King won the Women's XV Young Player of the Year, while Dylan O'Grady was named the Men's Sevens Players' Player of the Year. Lucinda Kinghan won the Women's Sevens Players' Player of the Year, while the Triple Crown win for the men's Six Nations team won Moment of the Year. Caelan Doris. Pic: INPHO/Andrew Conan Billy Dardis and Deirdre Lyons. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Mark and Fiona Fennell. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Niamh O'Callaghan and Emma O'Brien. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Molly Moran and Niamh Devlin. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Tom and Amy Brownes. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Edel Broderick and Anne McDermott. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Ruth Campbell, Eimear Considine and Dorothy Wall. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Emma McHale and Lynne Fenton. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Mary and Devin Toner. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Patrick and Sandra Hickey-Dwyer. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Joshua Gleeson Halpin, Mark Roche and Jennifer Gleeson. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Bryan Mollen and Aoife Doyle. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Christina Mahon. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Christina Mahon and Elma Beirne. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Orla Gildea, Nicole Sullivan and Ashley Sweetman. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Richard and Fiona McElwe. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Lucinda Kingham, Kate Farrell McCabe, Megan Burns and Alanna Fitzpatrick. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Dorothy Wall (centre) with her parents Sophie and Anthony. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Conor and Emily Lestrange. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Ben Horgan and Michelle Power. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Guests at the event. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Judy and Gary Mullane. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Angela Hayes and Cathal Quinn. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Elaine Ryan and Greg Pippett. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Paul and Sarah Merriman. Pic: Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Ryan and Michaela Andrews. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Elma Beirne and Aoife Clarke. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Ireland women's rugby players. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Ireland women's rugby players. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
The 42
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
5 Talking points as hurling round-robins draw to a close
1. Cork recover from Limerick pummelling to set up Munster final meeting In the case of Cork v Waterford, it was always going to come down to which team could sufficiently bounce back from their previous defeat. Waterford were wounded by Tipperary while Cork were carrying the bruises of a 16-point beating at the hands of Limerick. And it was Pat Ryan's team who restored themselves in time to collect the win and proceed to their first Munster final in seven years. The teams were level seven times in the first half and after taking a slender one-point lead into the break, Cork made their first charge for victory with a Brian Hayes goal at the start of the second half. They pressed again with a second green flag through Patrick Horgan. Waterford responded from both setbacks to reduce the gap to one point and three points respectively, but ultimately, Cork outscored them by 2-12 to 1-10 in the second half. Now they have a title fight against Limerick who they took down twice in last year's championship. John Kiely's men took a bite out of that record in the Gaelic Grounds, which makes meeting number four a mouthwatering one to look forward to in two weeks. Dublin and Galway players battle for possession. Laszlo Geczo / INPHO Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO 2. Galway hit their stride after first-round woe to reach Leinster final A Leinster final didn't seem likely for Galway after their 3-24 to 0-21 defeat to Kilkenny in the opening round. But they have found their voice with four wins on the spin, including yesterday's commanding effort against last year's Leinster finalists, Dublin. Advertisement Big victories over Offaly (14 points), Wexford (10 points), Antrim (28 points) and Dublin (5 points) gives them a scoring difference of 45 which is three better than table-toppers Kilkenny. The added boost for Micheál Donoghue — who was the Dublin manager last year — is that Galway have earned their first championship win over Dublin in Dublin. The concession of late goals to Seán Currie and Conal Ó Riain saw Galway's 12-point lead come down to five before the final whistle, which will be less pleasing for the Tribesmen. But the chance to win a first Leinster title since 2018, and an improvement on last year's early championship exit, puts Galway in far better health again. 3. What next for Waterford and Antrim? It's the end of the road for Clare, Waterford, Offaly and Antrim, as all four teams exit at the provincial stage. But for the Saffrons and the Déise, there are more consequences to pore over. Waterford's challenges with the round-robin format are well known and this is the sixth time that they have fallen short in their quest for All-Ireland qualification. Peter Queally had already lost players from the panel coming into this season to the travel bug, including Jack Fagan, and Calum Lyons. Queally alluded to that issue in the aftermath of their defeat to Cork, and as Waterford prepare for another winter of discontent, they could be in danger of losing more players from the squad. For Antrim, the cost of losing all five of their Leinster matches is relegation to the Joe McDonagh Cup which they won in 2020 and 2022. And after three years of top-tier hurling, they have slipped back down. Speaking on The Sunday Game highlights show, Dónal Óg Cusack made the point that Antrim's loss from the elite championship is 'not good for hurling' and that they are 'going up and down too easily.' They will be considered favourites to make a swift return to the Leinster championship, but that isn't a guarantee. We saw that this weekend, when Carlow — who were in the Leinster round-robin last year — narrowly missed out on a place in the Joe McDonagh final after a dramatic draw against Laois. Laois contested last year's Joe McDonagh final, but haven't played in the top Leinster competition since 2022. Their opponents Kildare are arguably the story of the summer. Last year's Christy Ring champions are now one game away from promotion to the Leinster championship. Antrim's response to their setback in the coming months will have a major bearing on how they manage their revival in 2026. 4. Offaly retain Leinster status at first time of asking Offaly survived what was essentially a relegation final against Antrim in O'Connor Park to cap off their return to the Leinster competition for the first time since 2018. A 64th minute goal from James McNaughton threatened Offaly's hopes with just one point between them in the concluding minutes. But a Killian Sampson three-pointer shortly after helped ease Offaly to a five-point victory. The progression under Johnny Kelly continues as they ensure their safety at the first attempt to compliment their Joe McDonagh and All-Ireland U20 victories last year. They also achieved promotion to Division 1A earlier this year, while emerging talents Dan Bourke, Dan Ravenhill and Charlie Mitchell have thrived throughout this season. Brian Duignan topped the scoring charts in Division 1B with 1-68. Offaly hurling has endured many years of disappointment, including relegation to the Christy Ring competition in 2019, but their rebirth has been steady and fruitful. Now, they have to sustain it. Limerick's Mike Casey tussles with Jake Morris of Tipperary. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO 5. Munster championship fails to live up to regular billing The competition opened with a bang, as Cork v Clare and Limerick v Tipperary ended in thrilling draws. The clash of Tipperary and Clare was also absorbing throughout. But the Munster championship has been an otherwise underwhelming experience in 2025. Related Reads 'Fellas would be building you up, hoping you'd get a kick in the ass' - Ryan on Cork hype 'Every football team is still in Championship' - Queally calls for change to hurling structure Goals from Hayes and Horgan help Cork storm into Munster final as Waterford exit Perhaps the bar was set too high after starting with two epics, but some one-sided games have also affected the entertainment value this year. Cork-Limerick was over before half-time, while the Cork v Tipperary clash was doomed after Darragh McCarthy's red card at the throw-in. Limerick's victory over Waterford always seemed inevitable as the Munster champions held a five-point lead at half-time. The difference came down to two in the second half but the seven-in-a-row chasers tapped over the necessary points to see out a six-point victory. The same can be said for the meeting of Tipperary and Waterford. There were just three points separating the sides before Oisín O'Donoghue struck for a decisive goal to help push Tipperary to a nine-point win. But even before that, Tipperary looked destined to win a game that failed to hit an exciting tempo. Even yesterday's fare between Cork and Waterford didn't quite satisfy. Both sides had plenty to play for and plenty to lose, but there was something lacking in the matchday atmosphere. Perhaps, the final meeting of Cork and Limerick will produce the closing act we crave.
The 42
24-05-2025
- Business
- The 42
Tumultuous time for 7s as IRFU stick by decision to axe men's team
THE IRELAND MEN's sevens team were scheduled to play Czechia, Belgium and Georgia in the beautiful seaside town of Makarska in Croatia in a few weeks. That's where the first leg of the Rugby Europe Sevens Championship takes place, with the second leg to follow in Hamburg, Germany on the last weekend of June. Ireland won the European series in 2023 and were runners-up to France last year. This competition might not grab many headlines, but it's part of the proud record that Ireland have put together over the past decade. But sadly, though the players' contracts run until the end of the year, it looks unlikely that Ireland will be there in Makarska for what was supposed to be the end point of their 2024/25 season. Instead, they're facing up to the end of their professional sevens careers. It's only eight days since confirmation of that landed from the IRFU. The players and staff who are losing their jobs are still reeling. They met with IRFU performance director David Humphreys on Monday to discuss the axing of the programme. Some left that meeting frustrated and feeling like questions remain unanswered, even if it's welcome that they will be paid until the end of the year. The IRFU has stuck firmly to its line that this is a financially driven decision amid challenging times in sevens. They felt others would follow their lead. Just yesterday, Great Britain scrapped its full-time men's and women's sevens programme. The British teams will still be on the SVNS Series, but will only meet up for training camps before each competition. There were separate England, Wales, and Scotland sevens teams up until 2023 when they combined as Great Britain due to funding issues. Now, the RFU, WRU, and Scottish Rugby are cutting back again due to 'continuing financial pressures associated with the sevens game and ongoing explorations as to the role the format can continue to play in player development systems.' That language is familiar to anyone who has been following this story in Ireland. It's not just sevens where unions are feeling the pinch. The 15s game faces big financial challenges. Costs have risen, revenues haven't. The worry is that revenues won't be rising any time soon. Indeed, some TV rights deals are going backwards. It's understood that the IRFU spent around €6 million on the men's sevens programme in the last Olympic cycle leading to the 2024 Games. That's a gross spend figure and there has been money coming in each year – €350,000 from World Rugby, €300,000 from Sport Ireland, as well as sponsorship from TritonLake and Blackrock Expert Services – but the men's sevens programme was loss-making. Ireland after qualifying for the Olympics. Laszlo Geczo / INPHO Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO That is true of most programmes in Irish rugby. The men's national 15s team is pretty much the only side making money for the IRFU. 80% of the union's revenue still comes from that source. Andy Farrell's Ireland team is the lifeblood of the sport on these shores, so their success is the absolute priority. As the IRFU cuts budgets in several places – it's believed the men's U20 programme has had to tighten its belt, for example – the men's sevens team is the one that has been dealt a fatal blow. It's understood that the IRFU will save more than €500,000 per season by taking this measure. It might not seem like a transformative amount in the grand scheme of things, but the union has taken a long-term view that this can be better used elsewhere. Humphreys has been the perceived villain here because the programme has been axed less than a year after he took over from staunch sevens advocate Nucifora, who was the key driver in relaunching the programme and running it for the past decade. Nucifora is now working with Scottish Rugby, who we know are also cutting back in sevens. Humphreys played sevens for Ireland at the 1997 World Cup and spoke positively about the code when he was in the process of taking over from Nucifora. But it seems that reality has bitten. It appears that the IRFU had no long-term plan for sevens beyond last year. The men's programme has been running since 2015 but it seems there was no thought for life after the 2024 Olympics, which was always likely to be a point of transition. That there was no strategy beyond that point is damning. Advertisement Plotting for long-term success in sevens could have included implementing some sort of sevens pathway underneath the national teams, but that wasn't the case. The IRFU can blame World Rugby for dragging out confirmation of its future plans for sevens, but other nations simply got on with it after the Olympics and maintained their high standards. The Irish men were sent out on the SVNS Series with squads that lacked experience and sometimes even included injured players. Those involved in this 2024/25 campaign did their utmost to represent Ireland with pride, but felt a lack of support from their union. Even now, members of the set-up believe this decision to shut the programme down wouldn't hurt as much if there had been more care shown this season and over the past week. It rankled that the public confirmation came suddenly on Wednesday evening last week. Humphreys called the players before the news was confirmed, but it all happened very quickly and the final statement was viewed as cold. Anyone losing their job would want to be informed face-to-face. The calls from ex-Ireland players to reverse the decision have fallen on deaf ears, while a group of parents of those ex-players and some current players haven't heard back from the IRFU after they expressed their frustrations in a letter addressed to Humphreys. Those parties want the IRFU to publish the two reviews that led to the men's programme being axed, but that is unlikely. One was carried out by World Rugby to look at the SVNS Series, so it isn't the IRFU's to share. The other was done by Portas, a sports management consultancy, for the IRFU to assess the financial state of the rugby. It is said to include confidential details that relate to other nations, not just Ireland. Jordan Conroy has been lethal for Ireland 7s. Travis Hayto / INPHO Travis Hayto / INPHO / INPHO The one review that it seems Ireland players and staff were involved in was the post-Olympics review into their performances in Paris. The most genuine hope those demanding a u-turn had was that Sport Ireland and the Olympic Federation of Ireland [OFI] would protest, given that an Irish medal contender has now been removed from the Olympics mix, but that hasn't quite been the case. It seems that both of those bodies could see this coming. Sport Ireland said the decision was 'disappointing but not surprising as there is a wider global context in terms of the sevens game,' while the OFI has also expressed its disappointment following a board meeting to discuss the issue on Wednesday. 'The removal of a high performance programme from the Irish Olympic team that has received significant tax payers investment through Sport Ireland and enjoyed good success is something that the OFI is disappointed in,' said an OFI spokesperson. The OFI added that it is determined that the Irish women's sevens team will continue to strive for Olympic qualification and to chase medals for Ireland. As they shed the men's sevens programme, the IRFU's key focuses now under Humphreys appear to be ensuring the Ireland 15s men's team remain strong, helping Connacht, Munster, and Ulster to close the gap to Leinster, as well as international women's 15s rugby. The drop-off in 'the other three' provinces has caused alarm. The concern is that Munster, Ulster, and Connacht aren't competing for trophies, but also that their pathways aren't delivering enough high-quality players into the Ireland squad. This is the thing that will cause most sleepless nights for Humphreys. It's why there will be another change to the national player contracting model, meaning the provinces must contribute 40% of 'central contracts' from their provincial salary budget from next year. This will mainly come from Leinster, who have the bulk of nationally-contracted players, and the money will be redirected into the Munster, Connacht, and Ulster player development pathways. The IRFU believes that stronger funding towards coaching and support for teenage players in schools and clubs across Ulster, Connacht, and Munster will have a long-term pay-off. It might take five or 10 years to truly be felt. So even if the savings each season from dropping the men's sevens programme won't be vast, the IRFU thinks the additional money will be better spent on that project, and on women's rugby. 'What we're trying to do is identify things we don't need to do anymore to free up resources to do the things we really want,' said Kevin Potts in an interview with the Sunday Independent last weekend. 'For example, to accelerate our women's game and to ensure that our national men's team is competing at the very highest level.' The IRFU's annual spend on women's rugby has risen drastically in recent years. IRFU performance director David Humphreys. Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO It stood at €3.1 million per season in 2021. Four years on, it's around €9 million per season. 2021 was when the IRFU came under intense scrutiny after a large group of women's players wrote to the Irish government to highlight 'multiple cycles of substandard commitment from the union.' The IRFU's spend on women's rugby has tripled in the four years since, and the union has a goal of having four full-time contracted provincial teams by 2028, which will require further investment. It's understood the women's game is currently bringing in just over €2 million per season and 'is not going to be profitable any time soon,' according to IRFU chief financial officer Thelma O'Driscoll, speaking last November. The women's sevens programme has survived and the IRFU insists that's a long-term decision because there are fewer development pathways in women's rugby. However, the increased focus on the 15s team in this World Cup year means the women's sevens team also endured a miserable season as key players went on 15s duty. The Ireland women's sevens were relegated from the SVNS Series, so will have to start again down a couple of levels. That, in turn, means players in the sevens team won't be exposed to as high a standard of competition as before. But as they said last week, the IRFU doesn't believe the men's sevens programme is a genuine pathway for professional 15s players. There have been success stories, of course, but the union seemingly feels that many of those who excelled at sevens, such as Hugo Keenan, had already shown their potential in 15s and could have kicked on anyway. There seems to be a sense that there isn't a strong correlation between the sevens and 15s games, and that only outside backs from 15s can truly shine in the seven-player code, not forwards. It's understood that the provinces have not been supportive of the sevens programme over the past decade. They would rather retain their academy players in order to cover injuries and give them chances in professional 15s when the time is right. The way the IRFU sees it, there have been very few players picked up by the Ireland sevens programme having been off their 15s radar, and then ended up progressing into the 15s game. Cormac Izuchukwu is the prime example, having come into the Irish system from the wilderness of Scottish club rugby, into the Ireland sevens and onto Ulster and his Ireland 15s cap. Even at that, Izuchukwu wasn't with the sevens for long. Zac Ward had played underage rugby for Ulster and then featured for Ulster A after returning home from Hartpury College, but almost certainly wouldn't now have a three-year deal in Ulster if it wasn't for his stunning impact at the Olympics last year. Still, Humphreys and co evidently feel that a couple of positive examples from 10 years of the programme aren't cause for investing further into this next four-year cycle before the 2028 Olympics. It is jarring that the IRFU seem to have shut down all possibility of the men's sevens team being brought back together to make a late run at the 2028 Games in LA. Ireland could restart in 2027 and qualify for the Olympics through Rugby Europe competitions. This is something that the current players asked Humphreys about at their meeting. The Ireland women's team were relegated from the SVNS Series this season. Travis Hayto / INPHO Travis Hayto / INPHO / INPHO And this is the unique thing about this case. The Olympics opened its doors to rugby. The sevens in Paris last year was wonderful. The Irish men weren't far off medalling. It seems a shame to give up on the prospect of doing so in the future. As things stand, LA 2028 is not on the table because the IRFU don't want to give false hope to the players who now have to move on, whether in rugby or outside it. The IRFU believes that other unions will follow suit and either axe their sevens programmes or notably curtail investment into the seven-player code, as Great Britain have now done. World Rugby hopes that a slimmed-down SVNS Series can stem the alarming financial situation, with the governing body having reportedly made annual losses of €25 million since centralising the series in 2023. But the mood around sevens is one of doom and gloom. Some people are of the view that the seven-player code should break away from World Rugby and its unions now that it's part of the Olympics. Nucifora is among them. For that to work, or for World Rugby's series to be saved, sevens needs people to support it on TV and in person in a way that simply hasn't been happening in recent years. Having amazing peaks every four years at the Olympics won't be enough. Bringing the sevens show on the road around the world is very costly, so a breakaway rugby sevens revolution would need generous backers. Something needs to change soon because the road sevens is on at the moment appears to have an unhappy ending.
The 42
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Here we go: The eight teams that start the race for Sam Maguire this weekend
Kerry Group 2: with Roscommon, Meath and Cork Manager: Jack O'Connor Captain: Gavin White Munster championship: Beat Cork by two points in the semi-final before an 11-point win over Clare in the final. Verdict: Look, they are blessed with the group they are in. Chances are they will breeze into an All-Ireland quarter-final without having faced a single side that togged out in Division 1 in 2025. Then again, that's been the natural advantage that Kerry have enjoyed for as long as this thing has been going. The difficulty then for Jack O'Connor is judging exactly where they are at. While Donegal came through two top-flight teams to win Ulster, Kerry are uneasy. Kerry celebrate their Munster final win over Clare. Laszlo Geczo / INPHO Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO They are enjoying the significant improvements in Joe O'Connor and Graham O'Sullivan, while Paul Geaney is in the form of his life. All-Ireland contenders. Roscommon Group 2: with Kerry, Meath and Cork Manager: Davy Burke Captain: Brian Stack Connacht championship: Beat London by 19 points in the quarter-final before going down to Galway in the semi-final by nine points. Verdict: Promotion from Division Two was followed by a meek Connacht exit to Galway. Last year, one win over Cavan brought them a preliminary round appearance, when they travelled to Omagh and beat Tyrone, before a credible loss to Armagh. Advertisement Brian Stack. Leah Scholes / INPHO Leah Scholes / INPHO / INPHO The crunch will come in their home tie in the second round against Cork, before facing Meath in a neutral venue. Another quarter-final appearance is not beyond them but in Davy Burke's third season, they have kept up a level of expectation and performance that outstrips the sum of their parts. Galway Group 4: with Dublin, Armagh and Derry Manager: Padraic Joyce Captain: Seán Kelly Connacht championship: Beat Roscommon in the semi-final by nine points before edging Mayo in the final by two. Galway jubilant after the Connacht final. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO Verdict: One of four teams to finish on eight points by the end of the league, only losing out on a final place due to score difference, Galway have been quietly building precisely the way you'd expect Padraic Joyce would have hoped. Even their Connacht title win has been buried under the attention afforded to the Ulster and Leinster finals. Question marks remain over the fitness of attacking duo Shane Walsh and Damien Comer, a perpetual debate most summers, but their individual or collective loss has been corrected by the ability of reigning Footballer of the Year Paul Conroy to land two-pointers. All-Ireland contenders. Dublin Group 4: with Galway, Armagh and Derry Manager: Dessie Farrell Captain: Con O'Callaghan Leinster championship: A nine-point win over Wicklow in the quarter-final before they lost their crown of 15 years with semi-final defeat to Meath by four points. Verdict: No matter what Dessie Farrell achieved as a manager, you suspect it would never meet full approval as he came in and inherited the squad that Jim Gavin curated. Just keeping things between the ditches was guaranteed to bring a Sam or four. Question marks now surround Stephen Cluxton and Dessie Farrell. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO Well now things are different. Defeat to Meath in Leinster must be seized upon as an opportunity for Farrell. You'd also imagine that the dark hearts of competitive beasts in Stephen Cluxton, Con O'Callaghan, Ciaran Kilkenny, Sean Bugler, Davy Byrne, Brian Howard and on and on and on have been stung by the delight the nation took in that day in Portlaoise. Unquestionably, they are All-Ireland contenders. Clare Group 3: with Louth, Monaghan and Down Manager: Peter Keane Captain: Eoin Cleary Munster championship: Qualified for the final by beating Tipperary in the semi-final by six points, but wiped in the final against Kerry by 11 points. Verdict: The lowest-graded side in the Sam Maguire Cup this year, Clare have the benefit of a home draw in round 1 against a Down side that will fancy their chances also, but essentially they are on a par. Clare manager Peter Keane. Natasha Barton / INPHO Natasha Barton / INPHO / INPHO In what looks to be the most finely-balanced group, Clare will be targeting a win, after successive whitewashes in the 2024 and 2023 group stages. Down Group 3: with Louth, Monaghan and Clare Manager: Conor Laverty Down manager Conor Laverty. John McVitty / INPHO John McVitty / INPHO / INPHO Captain: Pierce Laverty Ulster championship: Lucky to snatch a win over Fermanagh by two points before bowing out at the semi-final to Donegal by six. Verdict: Last year's Tailteann Cup winners will be seen as the weakest side in the Sam Maguire Cup. Relegated to Division 3 this spring, they had to stage a complete smash and grab to beat Fermanagh in Ulster. That doesn't mean that they cannot get out of their group. Manager Conor Laverty knows that he cannot afford any more backward momentum in his third year and their away trip to Clare becomes vital this weekend. Getting out of the group would be an achievement. Mayo Group 1: with Donegal, Tyrone and Cavan Manager: Kevin McStay Related Reads Next set of All-Ireland SFC fixtures announced with Donegal Tyrone on GAA+ The feeling, the heart, the soul: Clones and Croke Park get us in the guts 'Why not us?' - Sam Mulroy on Louth's belief as they end 68-year wait for Leinster glory Captain: Stephen Coen Connacht championship: Beat Sligo by three points in the quarter-final, Leitrim in the semi-final by seven, and were nipped in the final against Galway by two. Mayo rue a miss. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO Verdict: Do Mayo's wides count for more than any other county in Ireland when they lose a tight game? Certainly, they seem to form the start, middle and end of every analysis as Paul Towey's trio and ultimately Matthew Ruane's buzzer-beater all went wide in the Connacht final. Despite that blow, they have shown up well in parts of this year, though continue to pay for their lack of tactical sophistication. While it is true that styles make fights, Mayo's habit of windmilling all the puff out of themselves makes for defeat. They are not contenders for Sam, but they could offrail one that are. Cavan Group 1: with Donegal, Mayo and Tyrone Manager: Raymond Galligan Captain: Padraig Faulkner and Ciaran Brady Ulster championship: Defeated by Tyrone in the quarter-final by seven points. Verdict: There's no easy way to put this, but for Cavan to get a win in this group would represent a fair shock. Oisin Kiernan after a defeat. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO Another of the four teams to finish on eight points in Division 2 of the league, their defeat to Tyrone in the Ulster championship felt as inevitable as it did flat, with just 6,700 attending, a figure down from 10,000 the previous year. Runners-up in the first Tailteann Cup final of 2022, they only got up to Sam Maguire level in 2024, and lost all three games against Dublin, Mayo and Roscommon. It could happen again.
