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RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Kellyann Hogan, Cian Lynch, Michael Murphy and Niamh Rockett scoop May Player of the Month awards
Waterford duo Niamh Rockett and Kellyann Hogan are the May winners of the PwC GPA Women's Player of the Month awards for camogie and football, with Limerick talisman Cian Lynch and Donegal's Michael Murphy named the PwC GAA/GPA Hurler and Footballer of the month respectively. Cian Lynch delivered commanding performances for Limerick in the Munster Hurling Championship in pivotal wins over Waterford and Cork as they pursued their sixth provincial title in a row. Lynch was the Man of the Match in the six-point victory over the Déise and was instrumental in the 16-point victory over Cork that booked his side's spot in a seventh consecutive Munster final, won by Cork on penalties last weekend. Donegal stalwart Michael Murphy delivered inspirational performances throughout the month, none more so than in the Ulster title decider versus defending All-Ireland champions Armagh. After taking two years off, Murphy (35) was the difference-maker, scoring three points and helping set up plenty more as Donegal retained their provincial crown. Murphy followed this up with an eight-point haul in the defeat against Tyrone in the All-Ireland series. Rockett made history with the Déise as they recorded their first ever senior championship victory over Kilkenny in Nowlan Park on 31 May. The free-taker scored nine of Waterford's 17 points and will look to continue her scintillating form in the next round as Waterford take on Dublin on Saturday week. The Waterford women's football team came agonisingly close to overcoming the reigning All-Ireland champions Kerry, with Hogan's six well-taken scores a key factor in the Déise running Kerry close. Hogan then put in a dominant performance in Waterford's nine-point victory against Cork to book a rematch against the Kingdom in the Munster Football Championship final. A standout performance in the middle of the park and four scores from the Ballymacarby clubwoman were unfortunately not enough however, as Waterford tasted defeat at the hands of Kerry once more.
RTÉ News
04-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
O'Connor enthused by Kerry's strength after Munster win
Kerry manager Jack O'Connor feels his side are in an excellent place after bagging a second trophy of the year by dismantling Clare in the Munster Football Championship in Fitzgerald Stadium this afternoon. David Clifford was in fine form, hitting 2-05, but their 4-20 total was spread around their attacking players. The game was over as a contest within 15 minutes from a blitz of goals, something which the Kerry boss had made a priority for his team. O'Connor told RTÉ Sport: "We got a great start and we were after that because we felt the pace that we had played at in Division 1 that maybe Claire wouldn't have been used to that in Division 3. "To be fair to them, they tightened things up maybe after the first 15 minutes, but overall, delighted, Any game you score four goals, 4-20 is a big score, so happy enough. "What it means basically is there's three cups up for grabs at the start; the league, the Munster Championship and the All-Ireland. We've won the first two, so we have to turn our attention now to the big one. "But there'll be a lot of water under the bridge and a lot of football to be played before we even think about hitting Croke Park. So, happy enough for today. That performance will do for today, but there were a few things we need to take you up on, particularly in the second half." O'Connor highlighted the players to come back for the All-Ireland series as the sign that his county are well-placed to continue to winning habit. The Kingdom made six changes to the team that defeated Cork in the semi-final two weeks ago, demonstrating the strength of their panel. "We have a lot of players in good form at the minute and a lot of competition for places. "There is fierce competition. We're missing the likes of Paudie Clifford, Diarmuid O'Connor, Paul Murphy, lads like that. They'll be raring to go in the next couple of weeks. "There's going to be attrition. We're going to lose players with the nature of the competition. And it's great to have fellas coming in, week on week. Mike Green came in today after Tadhg Morley did a great job above in Pairc Ui Chaoimh and did excellently for 50 minutes. That is what it's all about, the strength of the panel." The draw has, on paper, favoured the Kingdom with Roscommon at home as well as a rematch with Cork to come, although recent history has shown that will not be a straight-forward affair. "We have to go back up there again, so I think everybody will be forewarned this time. "We realised what we were facing. Maybe a lot of people on the outside didn't think so, but we know Cork are dangerous, highly dangerous. "Roscommon were promoted, they are a Division 1 team really. So there'll be a good test here in a couple of weeks. We'll move on to Meath or Louth then, both had two good wins, so that will be an interesting clash. "But happy enough overall. We're playing two new teams in the group this year for us, Roscommon and Cork. "We'll have to focus in, enjoy tonight and focus in on that next week." The Kerry boss did hit out at the timing of last week's draw, held before the provincial finals this week. RTÉ GAA analyst Lee Keegan called the decision to hold the draw last Wednesday as "scandalous". O'Connor is seeking an explanation of why it has taken place before the finals for the last two years. "I still can't figure out what was the logic behind it. They were talking about maybe logistics or something, but I can't see how that would help the logistics. "It just doesn't make sense. In many ways, it takes away from the actual provincial final when you have the groups coming out on the Wednesday. So, look, maybe somebody will educate me on the reasoning behind it, but I can't personally see the logic of it." Peter Keane was left frustrated by the opening 15 minutes of the clash and knew it would define the encounter. "The start was poor," the Banner boss conceded. "It was 2-07 to 0-03 and then we lost a man to a black card, so it all seemed to be just happening at the same time. "Turnovers probably hurt us, particularly in that first half, because if you look at the scoreboard at the end, it's goals that win games and the difference was the goals." Monaghan, Down and the losers of the Leinster final await the Banner County in the coming weeks. Asked if he thinks his side can bounce back, Keane said: "I'd hope so. I think the boys showed great, great character in the second half in particular. Slim rewards, but we won the second half. That was something that we spoke about inside at half-time, to keep fighting, and they did. "We were unlucky in a few goalscoring chances with the penalty that we put over the bar. Look, we were at the races except for the goals. "I have no idea what the group is, because I ignored it during the week, the focus was on this game and we'll worry about that now."
