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Irish Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
TV View: Cork freed from desire as they put an end to Limerick's Munster reign
Normal time, extra-time, cramp, penalties, despondency, rapture: all we were missing was a wink and it might have felt like Durban all over again. As Brendan Cummins put it, 'it's the kind of game where you'd want to be in the full of your health', him probably fretting about Marty Morrissey's wellbeing at that stage. 'My heart! My heart! My heart,' Marty had hollered, the Munster hurling fina l giving him palpitations. It was glorious stuff , and you'd imagine even those sport-a-phobes who'd set their machines to record Women Under Hitler's Flag for later viewing might have quite enjoyed the shoot-out at the Gaelic Grounds that popped up on their screens instead. They also got to see Dónal Óg Cusack's mind and senses being purified by a few thousand rebels trampolining on the pitch under the RTÉ gantry to the strains of Freed from Desire, Joanne Cantwell lucky to get more than a 'na-na-na-na-na, na-na, na-na-na, na-na-na' out of the fella, so exhilarated was he. READ MORE And Dónal Óg hadn't been too happy with the game going to extra-time, never mind penalties, reckoning it 'disfigured' the occasion. He had a point, of course: when even the ref's body could take no more, you knew it was all a bit too gruelling. And, need it be said, penalties are no way to decide a monumental tussle of such a kind; a replay would have been highly preferable. But still, some drama. If you'd watched the first half of Andorra v England before switching over for the hurling, there's a fair chance you would have appreciated the latter spectacle immensely more. 'The players looked bored,' said Roy Keane on ITV, but that was nothing compared to how those of us watching felt. The England fans ended up having to entertain themselves by incessantly chanting 'Starmer is a c***', giving the occasion the feel of a Reform rally, while Lee Dixon had to row back a touch on his notion that England would score as often as Leinster did at the Aviva Stadium. And that was on a regular enough basis, six tries helping them see off the challenge of Glasgow Warriors in their URC semi-final. But only 15,762 turned up to witness it all, which is somewhat adding to the notion that Leinster rugby fans are as enthusiastic about the URC as they would be about, say, having a colonoscopy. Leinster's Ross Byrne and Joe McCarthy celebrate Leinster's URC semi-final win over Glasgow Warriors. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho Not that Joe McCarthy was bothered. 'We know everyone loves to hate Leinster, that definitely drives us on,' he said to the RTÉ panel after the game. 'We've a great fan base and we don't really care about the outside noise.' 'If that's what drives them on to win it, deadly – but I don't think it's true,' said Fiona Coghlan, but sure look, that 'no one likes us, we don't care' approach to sporting life often works a treat. Kilkenny would have experienced a bit of it when they couldn't stop winning All-Irelands, but it's a whole 10 years since their last triumph, so you'd imagine the feeling has worn off. And they had to contend with even more empty seats at Croke Park than Leinster had at the Aviva when they took on Galway on Sunday. Which might have led you to think that next time around they should stage Leinster URC semi-finals and Leinster hurling finals as double-headers at the Gaelic grounds, and take the Munster decider to Croke Park. According to the Google, the biggest sports stadium in the world is North Korea's Rungrado, with a capacity of 114,000. Not even that would have been enough to cater for those wishing to attend Limerick v Cork: The 2025 Sequel. It would, though, have left 80,000-ish vacant seats at the Leinster final. 'It's been a non-event,' Jackie Tyrell sighed at half-time, himself and Joe Canning agreeing that the game should have been played in, well, a more compact venue. 'Should Leinster finals really be in here?' asked Jackie. 'I know the game isn't great, but any time it threatens to spark into life, the lack of atmosphere has just sucked the life out it.' Kilkenny won't be complaining, though, the six-in-a-row complete. But in ecstasy terms, no one partied harder than Cork and their faithful after their one-in-a-row. They had, at last, been freed from the desire of ending Limerick's unrelenting Munster reign.
Irish Times
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Louth win more than just the Delaney Cup - what we learned from the GAA weekend
Louth look forward while Meath prepare for the hard road The Delaney Cup wasn't the only prize on offer at Croke Park yesterday – once all the flare smoke cleared, everyone's thoughts began to turn to the All-Ireland series. A quick look at the draw shows that the reward for being Leinster champions extends far beyond a homecoming appearance by Marty Morrissey. Louth and Meath go down very different paths now. Meath have to go to Cork in a fortnight before hosting Kerry in Navan, finishing off with a game against Roscommon in a neutral venue next month. That's a rough road, particularly if Ronan Jones is going to be out for a while – he pulled a hamstring catching a high ball in training last week and while Robbie Brennan couldn't say how long he'd be gone, he wasn't confident. By contrast, Louth have Monaghan in a fortnight, followed by Down in Newry and then Clare at the neutral ground. It raises the question, first and foremost of where the Monaghan game will be played. Louth have been using Inniskeen as a home venue so it obviously won't be there. Navan is the early favourite. That said, Ger Brennan did suggest afterwards on Sunday that maybe it could be in Croke Park, folded in with another game as part of a double-header. But the only other game that could feasibly be moved there is Dublin's Leinster hurling encounter against Galway, which is in Parnell Park that afternoon. Feels unlikely. READ MORE One way or the other, Monaghan, Down and Clare is a far more workable route to the business end of the season than Cork, Kerry and Roscommon. As the heads clear this morning, it will make victory feel all the sweeter. – Malachy Clerkin Sound of two trees falling Munster GAA Senior Hurling Championship Round 3, Cusack Park, Ennis, Clare 10/5/2025 Clare vs Tipperary Mark Rodgers of Clare at the final whistle. Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Natasha Barton On Saturday, both All-Ireland champions were defeated. Armagh went down in another Ulster final epic in Clones and Clare lost their equally gripping round-robin encounter with Tipperary in Ennis. Of course, there is no finality to such things in modern championship and Armagh simply proceed to a different group in the All-Ireland stages. Clare's fate isn't as clearcut but the county could be facing the end of their championship depending on how next weekend's results go. The effort to identify a similar day or weekend takes us back all of 27 years to August 1998 and a similarly consequential weekend when in those days it spelled the end of the road for the champions. In hurling, Clare were again involved but it took the bizarre events of that year's All-Ireland semi-final to bring them back to the same weekend as one of the football semi-finals. Saturday, August 29th saw Clare face Offaly for the third time after a draw and the famous, prematurely-ended replay. The rematch was in Thurles and Offaly won on the way to an unexpected All-Ireland. A day later, Mick O'Dwyer enjoyed probably his best day with Kildare, as the newly crowned Leinster champions dethroned his own county and reigning All-Ireland champions, Kerry. – Seán Moran 1v1 throw-in an unnecessary change Has the 1v1 throw-in at the start of each half actually added to the game? There have been plenty of plaudits going the way of the Football Review Committee in recent weeks and certainly the entertainment served up so far indicates the new rules are having a positive impact on Gaelic football. However, the 1v1 throw-in seems to have been a needlessly fussy change. It all looks very unnatural and unnecessary to have two players starting the game on the sideline and then dashing in when the ball is tossed up by the referee. The concept behind the rule was to reduce the risk of jostling and fouling to occur in the moments just before or when the ball is thrown in. And by having only one player from each team contesting the throw-in, the midfielder who wins possession would immediately have an opportunity to advance forward. But of the many issues that had been hampering Gaelic football, the throw-in wasn't one that had folk frothing at the mouth. There have been signs the new rules are reducing elements of physicality in the game. Hurling matches often start off at a blistering pace with the tempo set by those players contesting the throw-in. That aggression and energy fuels the atmosphere. If we want a game with physicality, why in Gaelic football are we removing an element at the start of each half that can also add to the occasion? And by changing it, are we gaining anything substantial? In setting out the terms of reference for what they hoped to achieve the FRC said they wanted to 'create a more exciting and dynamic playing and spectator experience'. But with the 1v1 throw-in it feels something has been taken away from the game, not added. – Gordon Manning Carlow get the look right, and result follows Carlow's Mikey Bambrick. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho You have to hand it to the Carlow footballers. After all the unpleasantness during the league, with players walking out and ultimately Shane Curran leaving the set-up midway through, they caused a big shock in the opening round of the Tailteann Cup by beating Fermanagh in Enniskillen. Nobody saw it coming. Whatever about last week, it was definitely not on the cards a month ago when Curran walked at the end of the league. Joe Murphy came in and has been quite open about the sloppiness and general lack of a high-performance environment he found when he arrived. 'I didn't think we looked like a county team in our attire and the way that we presented ourselves at training, we wanted to get the optics right first. You are what you represent. We wanted to look collectively like we are a county team and that we're representing the county.' They did that and more on Sunday, running up a 3-18 to 2-18 win over a fancied Fermanagh team. It was the only win by a Division Four team over on from Division Three in the opening round of this year's Tailteann Cup – and only the second time Carlow have managed to beat a team from a higher division in the competition. – Malachy Clerkin Leinster football is back in business Louth fans celebrate winning as Meath fans look on dejected after the game. Photograph: Tom Maher/Inpho Leinster Council must have ruefully reflected on the past couple of years when the turnstile count showed 65,786 at Sunday's provincial football final. Louth's historic win, bridging 68 years, and putting 2010's controversial defeat by the weekend's opponents, Meath created a record attendance for a Leinster final not featuring Dublin. The 'chilling' impact of Dublin's serial 14-year success had completely depressed attendances at the fixture, certainly since Covid, culminating in last year's meagre crowd of 23,113 for the Dublin-Louth decider. Sunday's figure was the biggest for the final since Dublin-Kildare drew 66,734 in 2017. Historically, Dublin have been in a lot of Leinster finals and 15 years ago, was the most recent one without the county's presence. On that occasion Louth and Meath were watched by 48,875 spectators. Just over 20 years ago when Laois and Westmeath had breakthrough wins in the province, the crowds were 61,786 and 56,440 for the matches against Kildare and Laois respectively. The new Croke Park obviously added to those numbers with its enhanced capacity but even back in the golden age of attendances touching 90,000 in All-Ireland finals, the crowds coming to Leinster finals weren't commensurate. Sixty-five years ago, Offaly and Louth drew just 35,624 for the 1960 provincial final. A year later when Offaly defended their title against Dublin, the match was played in Portlaoise and attended by 26,836 – in a year when the All-Ireland record was set by Down-Offaly at 90,556.
Irish Daily Mirror
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Marty Morrissey weighs in on skorts protests as he gives key update
Marty Morrissey believes the Camogie Association are feeling the heat over protests by players who have to wear skorts during matches. There were chaotic scenes before Saturday's Leinster Senior Camogie semi-final between Dublin and Kilkenny — which almost saw the game abandoned before it began - as all thirty players line-up for the National Anthem wearing shorts. Referee Ray Kelly from Kildare said he could not allow the game to begin until they changed into skorts — a skirt with a pair of integral shorts hidden underneath - with both teams changing into them. And the protests continued on Tuesday with Dublin champions St Vincent's and opponents Good Counsel playing out their Division One League clash wearing shorts. Last year's Camogie congress saw two separate motions, which would have either replaced skorts with shorts or allowed both, defeated. It means that the motions cannot be put forward again until 2027. However, RTE reports that a motion will be brought forward to be discussed before the association's Annual Congress in 2026 under which will possibly give players the freedom of choice to wear skorts or shorts. Morrissey revealed how a motion is to be brought forward to be discussed before the Association's Annual Congress in 2026 under 'exceptional circumstances'. He explained: "The Camogie Association rule changes only happen every three years. As we know, people involved in the GAA, it's every five years, as we've seen with the Football Review Committee and Jim Gavin and all the changes in the football, but in Camogie it's every three years. "So this decision that skorts would continue to be the dress wear was made in 2024, which means that the change that would be anticipated, if there was ever going to be a change happening, it would be in 2027. So to bring forward, under the term exceptional circumstances, that the skorts issue will be debated, with a motion brought forward by the Ard Chomhairle itself to be discussed at the Annual Congress in 2026, is now, I believe, being motioned. Dublin camogie team wearing shorts in the warm-up "And I believe as well that the CEO of the, that's the Chief Executive Officer of the GPA, the Gaelic Players Association, Tom Parsons, was informed last evening of Camogie Association's new perspective on the situation." When asked if the Camogie Association have been feeling the heat over the protests, Morrissey told Morning Ireland on RTE Radio 1: "I think they probably have, to be honest with you. And I suppose it has continued to gain momentum. "I mean, to serve up at the GPA over 650 players, with 83% wishing to have choice of sportswear, whether they're playing Camogie, whether that's shorts or skorts. So I suppose, yes, I think they probably were feeling the heat. "And that essentially, to try and bring forward, to try and maintain the democratic process and a decision that's been made a year ago, and try and bring it forward a little bit, is an effort to compromise. Now, is it enough? I don't know. Because the feeling I got... I was on Prime Time last night and the reaction afterwards was that it wouldn't be enough from various counties and players I was speaking to. "And that Cork and Waterford are playing the Munster Final. The Munster Final in Camogue is a separate competition to the All-Ireland, that they would tog out with shorts on Sunday. And if the referee decided not to play the game, which he would, he'd have to under law, then the match would have to be abandoned if they persisted. "So maybe, I know some politicians have suggested derogation, which is basically an exemption to the rule, so that this can happen, players can get a choice, which I think is fair enough that every player can have a choice. That this could happen this year, rather than waiting for next year. So it's, I mean, I'm sure over the next three, four days, there'll be a lot of negotiations between the authorities, the Camogie associations, and the various teams that's involved, and different counties, to see if a resolution can be found. "But whether derogation is the solution now, the immediate solution, or if people are willing to wait until March, April to the Congress in 2026, that has to be decided and debated over the next couple of days, I would think." To keep up to date with all the latest GAA news, sign-up to our GAA newsletter here.
The Irish Sun
06-05-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Marty Morrissey urges everyone to check on ‘silent killer' after losing dad and grandad as GAA broadcaster backs charity
BROADCASTER and author Marty Morrissey has urged people to have the 'silent killer' of blood pressure checked, having lost his father and grandfather to heart attacks. The 4 Marty has urged people to get their blood pressure checked in a new campaign Credit: PA 4 Marty lost his own father to a heart attack Credit: Collect image through journalist 4 Janis Morrissey, Director of Health Information and Training with the Irish Heart Foundation, said high blood pressure is a major factor in heart attacks Credit: PA The Gaelic games correspondent, from Quilty in Co 'But we do need to be far more aware of our own "You are the best judge of anything that is wrong with you, so don't dismiss it — because your body is telling you something, and sometimes we ignore it or don't want to know about it. 'In the GAA world, we have black cards, red cards and yellow cards. Read more in Irish news 'If you get the yellow card, you take the warning. 'When you get your blood pressure checked, and it's high, that's your chance to take the warning and do something about it. "Sometimes people don't get any warning. 'Once you're over 50, you need to be getting everything checked.' Most read in Irish News Mr Morrissey, whose dad Martin died of a sudden heart attack in 2004, was speaking as new research by the national stroke and heart charity showed a drop in understanding of the risk of stroke and heart disease from untreated high blood pressure. Last month's online survey of 1,000 people, by Core Research, revealed just 49 per cent had their blood pressure checked in the last six months, compared to 57 per cent in November 2023. SURVEY RESULTS Only 67 per cent believe untreated blood pressure creates a high risk of stroke — down from 78 per cent in 2023 — while 64 per cent believe there is a high risk of heart disease, down from 72 per cent in 2023. In addition, the data shows public knowledge has fallen in relation to how untreated blood pressure can lead to dementia or kidney disease, as well as damaging the heart and other organs. Worryingly, 29 per cent of people believe the signs of high blood pressure are obvious, yet it is a silent killer. Blood pressure checks are a tool in measuring how effectively the heart pumps blood around the body. TIMELY INTERVENTION Regular monitoring allows for timely intervention, such as lifestyle changes or medication, to manage blood pressure and support long-term cardiovascular health. Janis Morrissey, director of health promotion, information and training with the Irish Heart Foundation, said: 'The research shows an unfortunate fall-off in the level of understanding of the serious consequences of hypertension, or high blood pressure. 'High blood pressure is among the leading risk factors for heart disease or stroke and premature death worldwide. "For most people, it is symptomless yet there may still be a misconception that symptoms are necessary to indicate it. 'That's why it is vital to get your blood pressure checked at your 'A quarter of people having strokes are under the age of 65 and are still of working age. 'So it can have devastating consequences — not only for someone's health, but also on their quality of life and financial independence if they are forced to stop working.' 4 Marty Morrissey has backed the new Irish Heart Foundation Campaign
Irish Independent
05-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
‘You get the yellow card, you take the warning' – Marty Morrissey makes appeal on blood pressure after deaths of two family members to heart attacks
Broadcaster and author Marty Morrissey has urged people to have their blood pressure checked, having lost his father and grandfather to heart attacks. The GAA commentator said their deaths had fuelled his acute awareness of cardiac health, so he is backing the Irish Heart Foundation's Before Damage is Done campaign. Morrissey (66), from Quilty, Co Clare, said: 'Sometimes we're a bit careless about it, 'Ah, we'll be grand'. But we do need to be far more aware of our own health. You are the best judge of anything that is wrong with you, so don't dismiss it – because your body is telling you something, and sometimes we ignore it or don't want to know about it. 'In the GAA world, we have black cards, red cards and yellow cards. If you get the yellow card, you take the warning. 'When you get your blood pressure checked, and it's high, that's your chance to take the warning and do something about it. Sometimes people don't get any warning. 'Once you're over 50 you need to be getting everything checked.' Morrissey, whose dad Martin died of a sudden heart attack in 2004, was speaking as new research by the national stroke and heart charity showed a drop in understanding of the risk of stroke and heart disease from untreated high blood pressure. A quarter of people having strokes are under age 65 and are still of working age Last month's online survey of 1,000 people, by Core Research, revealed just 49pc had their blood pressure checked in the last six months, compared to 57pc in November 2023. Only 67pc believed untreated blood pressure creates a high risk of stroke – down from 78pc in 2023 – while 64pc believed there is a high risk of heart disease, down from 72pc in 2023. In addition, the data shows public knowledge has fallen in relation to how untreated blood pressure can lead to dementia or kidney disease, as well as damaging the heart and other organs. Worryingly, 29pc of people believe the signs of high blood pressure are obvious, yet it is a silent killer. Blood pressure checks are a tool in measuring how effectively the heart pumps blood around the body. Janis Morrissey, director of health promotion, information and training with the Irish Heart Foundation, said: 'The research shows an unfortunate fall-off in the level of understanding of the serious consequences of hypertension, or high blood pressure. 'High blood pressure is among the leading risk factors for heart disease or stroke and premature death worldwide. For most people, it is symptomless yet there may still be a misconception that symptoms are necessary to indicate it. 'That's why it is vital to get your blood pressure checked at your GP or local pharmacy, before damage is done. 'A quarter of people having strokes are under age 65 and are still of working age, so it can have devastating consequences not only for someone's health, but also on their quality of life and financial independence if they are forced to stop working.'
