Latest news with #Monaghan
Irish Times
3 hours ago
- General
- Irish Times
Rory Beggan is Monaghan's ace card who stops forwards at one end and puts fear in defenders down the other
The Rory Beggan conundrum continues. This weekend, the contestants trying to solve the puzzle are the Clare footballers. During my Dublin career, when it came to taking on Monaghan , the two players we immediately thought of were Beggan and Conor McManus . While the retirement of McManus has robbed Monaghan of their generational forward, the new rules in Gaelic football have armed their goalkeeper - also a generational talent - with a new set of arrows. I'm talking about two-pointers. Beggan was Monaghan's top scorer in the National Football League , finishing their successful Division Two campaign with 0-38. Within that total there were 17 two-pointers, all bar one of which came from a placed ball. READ MORE He was back at it against Louth last week, kicking a pair of two-pointers from placed balls in a game Monaghan won by six points . We'll return to the merits of two-point frees later, but first it's important to understand the dilemma facing teams in relation to Beggan's attributes within the new rules. The Monaghan No1 is among a crop of elite goalkeepers who changed the role and brought the position to a new level. When we were preparing to play Monaghan, there was a lot of emphasis on him, not just on his kickouts but also how best to deal with him when he comes beyond his natural area and roams further up the field. His foot-passing and general game awareness are of a very high quality. We were also conscious of his ability to kick frees from distance, but the arrival of two-pointers to Gaelic football has been a game changer. It has really empowered Beggan and Monaghan in terms of taking on long-range efforts. In short, it's worth the risk now. In a year their greatest ever forward retired, who would have predicted they would put up such high scoring tallies? That realisation challenges defenders and forces them to make split-second decisions that need to be perfect. Players who might normally tackle hard are being forced to reconsider their level of force against Monaghan. If they commit to a tackle against the Farney men, it better be right on the money. The jeopardy has increased. The risk-reward equation is weighted in favour of Monaghan as they have Beggan to attempt long-distance frees. For defending teams, it means the potential punishment for a foul has been doubled. It's almost too risky to tackle at times. All of this creates doubt among defenders. Anxious not to be the reason Monaghan score a two-pointer, they step off. This leads to the kind of defensive uncertainty forwards thrive on. Monaghan's Conor McCarthy in possession during last weekend's victory against Louth. Photograph: Ciaran Culligan /Inpho If you step off a little bit against Monaghan, you are in danger of enabling strong ball-carriers like Conor McCarthy, Micheál Bannigan and Stephen O'Hanlon to break through the lines and punish you in open play. It's a double-edged sword for defenders. Conceding a long-distance free is potentially momentum swinging in a game against Monaghan because you just know Beggan is going to come up and have a swing at it. There are even more elements to it as well. Monaghan will not only bring Beggan up to try bag the prize of two points, but as he prepares to take that kick, it is an ideal opportunity for his teammates to set up for the subsequent kickout. It used to be very hard, at times, to get set on a kickout. With the new rules, where the kickout has to go beyond the arc, it's a lot easier to get pressed up. Free kicks and set plays are perfect situations to target kick-outs and it is something Monaghan do well. Gabriel Bannigan's men were the highest scoring team across all four divisions of the National League this season. They amassed a combined total of 193 points in their seven group games. Kerry were next on that list, with 170. Monaghan's average from those seven league games was 27.5 points per outing. In a year their greatest ever forward retired, who would have predicted they would put up such high scoring tallies? They have put up decent scores in their two championship games so far this summer as well – 0-21 against Donegal and 1-23 against Louth. Their high-scoring return is largely down to the factors I have highlighted: Beggan having the licence to kick from distance without fear of criticism should they not all sail over, plus Monaghan's ball-carriers having the freedom to take on their man knowing if they don't create a scoring opportunity, there's a good chance they'll draw a foul. And when they do draw a foul, that man Beggan will run up to take it. Rory Beggan takes the ball forward for Monaghan during their Division Two match against Meath in March. Photograph: James Lawlor/Inpho Even if it doesn't yield a score, Monaghan will invariably be in a great position to keep the opposition pinned in and steal the kickout. There were occasions over the years when I questioned Beggan's decision to shoot from certain difficult angles. Purely from a free-taking perspective, his percentages probably weren't fantastic; I'd imagine they were below 50 per cent a lot of the time. But those kicks are worth the risk now because two points are on offer, along with a chance to squeeze the opposition kick-out. The Donegal game in the Ulster championship is the outlier. When Donegal were faced with the Beggan conundrum, they concluded that denying Monaghan frees would be the most effective way of negating their attack. To an extent it worked. That's why I think they shouldn't be worth two points Donegal defenders refused to commit themselves to any borderline tackles within scoreable range – which for Beggan is a considerable distance. Donegal were so disciplined that Beggan wasn't afforded any opportunity of knocking over a placed ball two-pointer. At full-time, all the Monaghan goalkeeper had contributed on the scoreboard was one point, from a 45. Monaghan still ran up a good tally of points in that game, but there were no frees from outside the arc registered. Indeed, only 0-2 of Monaghan's 0-21 total came from frees – Micheál Bannigan kicking over a pair from inside the arc. Donegal's gameplan was built on a logic of taking away the weapon of Beggan's frees. If imposed successfully - and it was - they knew their opponents would be reduced to scoring points from play. You can be sure Peter Keane and his Clare management team have been discussing how to approach the Beggan conundrum this week. It's a key area for any team trying to overcome the Farney County. Monaghan fans will travel to Sunday's match against Clare expecting to see the two-point flag waved. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho As for the two-point rule in general, while I'm not averse to the idea of two-pointers from open play, I think the punishment of conceding two points for what can often be an innocuous foul is very harsh. I don't feel the punishment fits the crime. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't have been coming out with a protest against two-point frees if they were introduced during my Dublin career. But I honestly don't think many of those scores from long-range placed balls justify two points. Free takers are operating at such a high level now that many of those opportunities are well within their range. That's why I think they shouldn't be worth two points. Not that Monaghan are likely to be joining any campaign for change. Their victory over Louth has put them in a strong position in Group Three and if they get over Clare in Clones on Sunday, Gabriel Bannigan's side will be in pole position to top the table. It looks very likely that Rory Beggan will still be posing problems for opponents come All-Ireland quarter-final weekend.
Malaysian Reserve
5 hours ago
- Health
- Malaysian Reserve
Michelle Monaghan Champions Skin Health in New Awareness Campaign
NEW YORK, May 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Healthy skin is more than surface-level, it's a key part of our overall well-being. That's why Mediaplanet is proud to launch its 'Skin Health' campaign, aimed at empowering individuals to take charge of their skin through education, prevention, and smart skincare choices. From early detection to everyday sun protection, this campaign emphasizes that maintaining healthy skin is a lifelong commitment. Skin is our body's largest organ, yet it's often overlooked when it comes to proactive care. This campaign is designed to change that by delivering expert guidance, highlighting innovative dermatological advances, and sharing practical tips for every age and skin type. Whether you're managing a chronic condition or simply want to build better daily habits, the 'Skin Health' campaign offers resources to help you prioritize long-term skin wellness. Featuring cover story Michelle Monaghan, the campaign brings a personal and powerful voice to the conversation. The award-winning actress opens up about her experience with skin cancer, how motherhood reshaped her view on sun safety, and the importance of early detection. In her exclusive interview, Monaghan shares the simple yet critical habits she relies on — like daily sunscreen use and routine skin checks — while encouraging others to take their skin health seriously. The print component of 'Skin Health' is distributed in today's edition of USA Today. The digital component is distributed nationally, through a vast social media strategy, and across a network of top news sites and partner outlets. To explore the digital version of the campaign, visit: This campaign was made possible with the support of Michelle Monaghan, Jennie Garth, Dr. Charles, MD, Dr. Jenny Liu, M.D., FAAD, Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky, M.D., FAAD, Dr. Mamina Turegano, M.D., FAAD, the Skin Cancer Foundation, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, the Society for Pediatric Dermatology, the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, the Coalition of Skin Diseases, the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias and features paid content from the Melanoma Research Foundation, Castle Biosciences, GentleCure & Sciton.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Michelle Monaghan Champions Skin Health in New Awareness Campaign
NEW YORK, May 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthy skin is more than surface-level, it's a key part of our overall well-being. That's why Mediaplanet is proud to launch its "Skin Health" campaign, aimed at empowering individuals to take charge of their skin through education, prevention, and smart skincare choices. From early detection to everyday sun protection, this campaign emphasizes that maintaining healthy skin is a lifelong commitment. Skin is our body's largest organ, yet it's often overlooked when it comes to proactive care. This campaign is designed to change that by delivering expert guidance, highlighting innovative dermatological advances, and sharing practical tips for every age and skin type. Whether you're managing a chronic condition or simply want to build better daily habits, the "Skin Health" campaign offers resources to help you prioritize long-term skin wellness. Featuring cover story Michelle Monaghan, the campaign brings a personal and powerful voice to the conversation. The award-winning actress opens up about her experience with skin cancer, how motherhood reshaped her view on sun safety, and the importance of early detection. In her exclusive interview, Monaghan shares the simple yet critical habits she relies on — like daily sunscreen use and routine skin checks — while encouraging others to take their skin health seriously. The print component of "Skin Health" is distributed in today's edition of USA Today. The digital component is distributed nationally, through a vast social media strategy, and across a network of top news sites and partner outlets. To explore the digital version of the campaign, visit: This campaign was made possible with the support of Michelle Monaghan, Jennie Garth, Dr. Charles, MD, Dr. Jenny Liu, M.D., FAAD, Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky, M.D., FAAD, Dr. Mamina Turegano, M.D., FAAD, the Skin Cancer Foundation, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, the Society for Pediatric Dermatology, the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, the Coalition of Skin Diseases, the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias and features paid content from the Melanoma Research Foundation, Castle Biosciences, GentleCure & Sciton. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Mediaplanet Sign in to access your portfolio
Irish Times
9 hours ago
- General
- Irish Times
How Shane O'Farrell's family spent 14 years searching for the truth after fatal hit-and-run
Shane O'Farrell was 23 when he was the victim of a hit-and-run near his home in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan . A law graduate, he had just submitted his master's thesis and was enjoying a carefree cycle on that August evening in 2011. Questions around how the crash happened soon turned to who was behind the wheel. It was Lithuanian Zigimantas Gridziuska, a man known to the Garda and the courts. During his time in Ireland he had been before the courts many times and accumulated many convictions. On the day he killed Shane and drove off, he had more than 40 convictions, including some in Northern Ireland. READ MORE So how was he free to go out and kill? He had breached his bail conditions many times so why was he not in prison? And where was the justice for Shane when Gridziuska was before the court for the fatal hit-and-run but walked free, allowed return to his family in Lithuania? Since 2011, the O'Farrell family has been seeking answers and has worked tirelessly to understand how the justice system failed their son and brother. His parents Lucia and Jim, and his sisters, Hannah, Pia, Gemma and Aimee were in Leinster House last Tuesday to hear Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan give a State apology to the family 'for the fact that the criminal justice system did not protect him [Shane] as it should have'. Gemma O'Farrell tells In the News about the family's long campaign, how they were stonewalled and disrespected by branches and agencies of the State that should have helped them and how they persisted despite all that. There are, however, still questions to be answered around the institutional failures in the justice system – not only how they relate to their brother's case, but to others. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan and John Casey.
Irish Examiner
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Tipp native O'Meara didn't envisage stepping out for New York in Lory Meagher Cup final
Tom O'Meara didn't grow up dreaming of hurling for New York, that's for sure. He remembers crying tears of happiness as a kid immediately after Tipperary's 2010 All-Ireland final win, followed by tears of sadness when his parents informed him they had to leave immediately to rescue their abandoned car. "I wanted to stay to hear Pat Kerwick singing The Galtee Mountain Boy in the Hogan Stand," smiled O'Meara. The Kiladangan man was there for the 2016 and 2019 final wins too and as recently as 2022 was a goalscorer for his club in the Tipp county SHC final replay loss to Kilruane MacDonaghs. He's well over two years into his new life in New York now though, living in Queens and working in construction as a project manager. Tomorrow, he'll return to Croke Park as a New York hurler for the Lory Meagher Cup final, against Cavan, not something he ever envisaged. "Never, not in a million years would I have thought I'd be playing for New York, let alone playing for New York in an All-Ireland final at Croke Park," said O'Meara. He isn't the only Tipp man involved with the Exiles. AJ Willis, who struck 1-8 against Monaghan in last weekend's All-Ireland semi-final win, is from Portroe. There are other Tipp men too, playing and coaching, and the manager, Richie Hartnett, is a Kerry man from Ballyheigue. Former Cork senior Sean O'Leary Hayes is part of the playing group also, along with 2017 All-Ireland winning Galway forward Johnny Glynn. "That's the best bit of it, all the different counties," smiled O'Meara. "That's what starts all the slagging and the banter." Glynn is a towering figure for New York, on and off the field. He has represented the New York footballers as well and is currently vice-chairman of the New York GAA board. "He's a cult hero out there now," said O'Meara. "Any man that watches hurling knows Johnny's ability in the air. He's been one of the best to field a ball. He always keeps himself in very good nick, a hard trainer also. He's still well able to go." This is the first season that New York has been included in the Lory Meagher Cup competition. They enter at the All-Ireland semi-final stage, taking on the team that finishes second in the group. It turned out to be Monaghan and New York beat them comfortably, 1-29 to 2-13. There have been suggestions that they're too strong for this level, considering some of the players they possess. "I can see where they're coming from, saying that," shrugged O'Meara. "Galway had the same set up back in the day, getting straight to a semi-final in the Liam MacCarthy. It can be an advantage or a disadvantage. Like, for the first 10 minutes of the Monaghan game we were sitting ducks. I don't think we scored at all. We hadn't played any competitive games. In New York, you can't organise any competitive match to the same standard. So there are positives and negatives to it." Just getting across to compete in the games has been a feat of logistics. The 31-man panel and coaching team flew into Ireland last Thursday morning and will jet back out next Monday. They've been based so far in Mullingar, where the Monaghan game was played, but will shift locations this morning to Stillorgan in south Dublin. The visa situation has caused a few headaches too. "We lost a couple of lads that couldn't travel home but you're always going to have that in America," said O'Meara. New York will face a Cavan team that topped the Lory Meagher group, striking 12 goals along the way. "It's great to be here and to get an opportunity like this," said O'Meara. "The logistics of the whole thing are massive so we just want to max out what we're capable of really and give it everything."
