Latest news with #MunsterSeniorHurlingChampionship
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Diarmuid Sheehan: Cork back in the ascendancy but Limerick aren't out of the running yet
Are Cork a better side than they were last year? In a word, yes. Are Limerick now a busted flush? Not a chance. Corkman Any questions about whether Cork had the quality to stand up to the reigning Munster champions were put to bed early on Saturday night as the men in red threw everything they had at Limerick and never took their collective feet of the gas. The Rebels pushed the home side in the Gaelic Grounds to the limit and ultimately sealed the deal in the most dramatic of circumstances. The Munster Senior Hurling Championship hadn't exactly fired and taken off like it did in 2024, with more often than not the games that were predicted to be close falling far short of expectations. Far too many one-sided affairs.
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Munster Senior Hurling Championship final preview: Cork need divine display to deny Limerick seventh heaven
For a brief period there, it looked like Limerick might be vincible. Denied the five-in-a-row last year. Held to a draw by a rebuilding Tipp in the opening round in Munster. Was the engine starting to wear in the once in a lifetime Green Machine? The subsequent, more-comfortable-than-it-looked, win over Waterford and 16-point annihilation of the Cork side who beat them twice last season suggest the answer is no - same as it ever was. Sure, John Kiely's men lost the last game of the round-robin to Clare, but that was with qualification already assured, eight changes, and facing eliminated All-Ireland champions and bitter rivals playing for pride. Limerick set a new record of six consecutive Munster Senior Hurling Championship titles last year and are hot favourites to extend that to seven this evening. Presumably, the provincial council didn't imagine renaming the Munster Cup after Treaty legend Mick Mackey (in 2022) would mean nobody else ever winning it again. The high-scoring nature of hurling lends itself to big swings in results – Tipperary either lost narrowly to Kilkenny or hammered them in finals from 2009-19 – and Cork will surely improve on their performance three weeks ago. But will that be enough, back on enemy territory? Even if the crowd at the Gaelic Grounds is evenly split. Kiely's selection of full-forward Aidan O'Connor for his first Limerick start in a Munster final is a signal of the strength-in-depth Limerick have developed. It seems a bit harsh on Shane O'Brien, who hit 1-08 from play in the opening two games before having less impact against Cork and Clare, but what is just as illustrative is the fact that Seamus Flanagan and Peter Casey now seem to be considered impact subs. They are not the only former All-Stars/multiple All-Ireland winners warming a fearsome bench; Declan Hannon, hurling's most successful captain, Darragh O'Donovan and Shane Dowling (as sub-keeper) are all there too. As is Cathal O'Neill, who scored at least two points in all six of their championship games last year. Barry Nash's versatility has taken him to wing-back, allowing Kyle Hayes to move into the centre-back role that ensures he will be more involved in play – Cork deliberately avoided his wing last July - and Will O'Donoghue to his preferred midfield spot. The rain should have eased off by the 6pm throw-in, an advantage to a gameplan built on retaining possession, but Limerick will have to be careful with their handpasses – today's referee Thomas Walsh penalised them for three throws in the second half of their draw with Tipp. A lot of air has leaked from the red balloons since Tipp were swatted aside in the league final, though in fairness to Pat Ryan he wasn't the one selling the notion that Corkness - "It drives me mad when I hear that [word]" – and early-season form after going so close in 2024 made an end to the 20-year All-Ireland drought inevitable. The manager laughed off suggestions he had had one eye on this clash when the finalists met three weeks ago, insisting it was just "a bad performance" but also warning that "I can guarantee you we'll be able to perform in the final." The Rebels seemed to lack the defensive work by the forwards and aggression that allowed them to compete with, and beat Limerick, twice last season, so that could be fixed at least. But they are missing some significant personnel to injury, particularly in defence. Captain and centre-back Rob Downey (knee) and corner-back Niall O'Leary (groin), though both are named on the bench. Ger Millerick (broken finger), who had done well in the full-back line in O'Leary's absence. Veteran Damien Cahalane will thus have his hands full with O'Connor or Aaron Gillane while Cormac O'Brien has the unenviable task of trying to contain Gearóid Hegarty on his second championship start. Another absentee is Declan Dalton (hamstring), who relishes the physical onslaught Limerick always bring and offered a long-range threat comparable to Diarmaid Byrnes in last year's electric semi-final victory. Diarmuid Healy has big boots to fill on what is also his first time in a championship XV. Cork's stand-in captain Shane Barrett will try to test Hayes, Ryan having decided that Darragh Fitzgibbon's roaming instincts might be better served in midfield than at centre-forward. If he can get away from O'Donoghue and the conductor Cian Lynch, who is likely to direct proceedings even if assigned a man-marker. As Brendan Cummins identified, Cork might need their half-forwards working back to let the half-back line sit, or else risk conceding fatal amounts of space to Gillane and Co. That could also open up the space for the running attack that caused Limerick issues last year but they would need Brian Hayes to win a lot of ball for Alan Connolly and the now 37-year-old Patrick Horgan to maintain the potent goal threat they surely need to turn the tables. Nobody will be out at the final whistle (which could be after extra-time, or preceding penalties) but a second trouncing by their neighbours might challenge even that famous Cork confidence. Like Clare last year, they could be left hoping that someone else takes Limerick out before the final. Win against the odds and the hype will explode again. A more competitive defeat would still leave room for improvement. Victory would be same as it ever was for this Limerick team, who haven't gone through the back-door since their breakthrough triumph of 2018, the last time the Rebels reigned in Munster. That year was the least convincing of their five All-Ireland triumphs, albeit with a very young team, and it's hard to imagine Dublin doing more than softening them up for the Leinster champions. It wasn't enough last year but Kiely believes the four-week break for the provincial winners is a prize "worth fighting for". They have yet to lose a final under his watch. Cork will need plenty of fight if they are to change that. Limerick: Nickie Quaid; Seán Finn, Dan Morrissey, Mike Casey; Diarmaid Byrnes, Kyle Hayes, Barry Nash; Adam English, Will O'Donoghue; Gearóid Hegarty, Cian Lynch, Tom Morrissey; Aaron Gillane, Aidan O'Connor, David Reidy. Subs: Shane Dowling, Peter Casey, Colin Coughlan, Seamus Flanagan, Declan Hannon, Barry Murphy, Shane O'Brien, Donnacha Ó Dálaigh, Darragh O'Donovan, Patrick O'Donovan, Cathal O'Neill. Cork: Patrick Collins; Damien Cahalane, Eoin Downey, Seán O'Donoghue; Cormac O'Brien, Ciarán Joyce, Mark Coleman; Tim O'Mahony, Darragh Fitzgibbon; Diarmuid Healy, Shane Barrett, Seamus Harnedy; Patrick Horgan, Alan Connolly, Brian Hayes. Subs: Brion Saunderson, Niall O'Leary, Rob Downey, Tommy O'Connell, Ethan Twomey, Luke Meade, Shane Kingston, Jack O'Connor, Brian Roche, Robbie O'Flynn.
The 42
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
No general ticket sale for Munster hurling final
MUNSTER GAA HAVE confirmed that tickets for this year's Munster Senior Hurling Championship final will only be distributed through participating county boards. Limerick play Cork in the Munster decider at the Gaelic Grounds at 6pm on 7 June. It has been confirmed that due to high demand, there will be no public sale of tickets via Ticketmaster, Centra or Supervalu outlets. Season ticket holders from Limerick and Cork will receive their tickets through the normal channels. Advertisement Last year, Limerick claimed the Munter title for an historic sixth time in a row, while Cork were last crowned Munster champions in 2018.
Irish Independent
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Today's top TV and streaming picks: Walking with Dinosaurs, Little Women and Surviving The Tunisia Beach Attack
The Sunday Game Live RTÉ2, 1.30pm A match from the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship, followed by one in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship (throw-ins 2pm and 4pm). GAA Beo TG4, 5pm Coverage of the Ulster Final in the Electric Ireland Minor Football Championship. Presented by Micheál Ó Domhnaill. Walking with Dinosaurs BBC One, 6.25pm Twenty-five years after the groundbreaking first run, the documentary series returns. In eastern Montana, palaeontologists excavate the remains of a baby triceratops, who they call Clover, before we get an insight into the struggles she may have encountered 66 million years ago. Death Valley BBC One, 8.15pm Gwyneth Keyworth and Timothy Spall play a detective sergeant and an eccentric retired actor respectively, who team up to investigate a murder in his neighbourhood. Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh TG4, 9.25pm Ciara de Mórdha, Páidí Mhárthain Mac Gearailt, Noelie Ó Maoileoin, Sláine Ní Chathalláin, Eibhlín Ní Cheárna and Mossie Ó Scanláin perform the songs they associate most with west Kerry. ADVERTISEMENT Tomorrow Never Dies RTÉ2, 6.25pm Pierce Brosnan dons the James Bond tux for the second time. Intending to boost his global multimedia empire, Elliot Carver (Jonathan Pryce) attempts to ignite a conflict between Britain and China by sinking a frigate, so the British Secret Service sends 007 to investigate. Michelle Yeoh also stars. Little Women RTÉ One, 9.30pm Greta Gerwig directs this affectionate adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's novel. With their father away fighting in the Civil War, the four March sisters experience romance and tragedy. Saoirse Ronan, above, stars. Surviving The Tunisia Beach Attack Prime Video, streaming now In 2015, a single shooter killed 38 people in less than 40 minutes. Ten years later, survivors talk about their struggle for survival and the tragedy's lingering effects. Clarkson's Farm Prime Video, streaming now Be it for inheritance tax purposes or just a pure latent love of land, Clarkson is back. After wrapping up series three, the Diddly Squat crew return to find Kaleb touring the country and Lisa launching a new product line. This means Clarkson is left to 'manage it all'. Poor lamb. Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds Netflix, streaming now Experience the thrill (albeit second-hand) of flying with the US Air Force's Thunderbirds, witnessing the intense training, risks and dedication required to be part of this elite American institution who, essentially, do doughnuts in the sky and make Mother Nature cry. That's my two cents, anyway. Fountain of Youth AppleTV+, streaming now Estranged siblings John Krasinski and Natalie Portman go on a high-stakes global heist to find the legendary fountain, unlocking secrets that could grant immortality. Yep, you read that correctly. It also stars Domhnall Gleeson, Eiza González and Stanley Tucci. Also on Apple, we have Deaf President Now, which explores a pivotal but often overlooked civil rights movement. Fear Street: Prom Queen Netflix, streaming now Bit of an arbitrary time of year for slasher fare, but here we are. The 1988 prom at Shadyside High is a battleground as the dominant It Girls plot to win the title. However, the competition becomes lethal as candidates begin to die. Forget You Not Netflix, streaming now As a stand-up comedian and part-time convenience store employee, Cheng Le-le (Hsieh Ying-xuan) is finding that work/life balance tricky. If you throw her marital woes and her father's memory lapses into the mix, she's a woman on the brink.
Extra.ie
20-05-2025
- Extra.ie
Judge warns hurling ace Hayes: 'You will be jailed if you commit another crime'
Limerick All-Ireland-winning hurler Kyle Hayes was warned by a judge yesterday that he will be jailed if he commits another criminal offence. The GAA All Star was back in court yesterday, less than 24 hours after he was named man of the match in his side's 16-point defeat of Cork in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship. Sitting in the dock at Courtroom 4 in Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, Hayes waited silently for confirmation he would serve 180 hours of community service in lieu of three months in jail, as previously indicated by Judge Dara Hayes, no relation to the GAA player. Kyle Hayes. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie After confirming the order, however, the judge warned Hayes he would be going to prison if he committed further criminal offences. Last April, the judge indicated he would impose the community service order in lieu of Hayes serving three months of an 18-month suspended jail sentence previously imposed on him. The suspended jail term was imposed on the Limerick centre-back after a jury convicted him on two counts of committing violent disorder, inside and outside the Icon nightclub in Limerick in 2019 – charges he denied at a trial in 2023. Kyle Hayes. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie Yesterday, the judge reminded Hayes that all of the relevant legal 'obligations and requirements' on the hurler had been 'explained' to him. The judge warned that 'non-compliance' with the order would see the All-Star hurler going to jail. Addressing Hayes, the judge said: 'If there is non-compliance, you will be brought back before the court and the [three-month] sentence will be imposed.' Hayes replied: 'Yes, judge.' The judge said he would make 'no order' on the hurler's second conviction for violent disorder, in respect of the same night at the nightclub in 2019. Where and when Hayes will be starting his community service were not disclosed in court. Judge Hayes said the hurler must complete the community service order within 12 months. Hayes, who was named man of the match on Sunday, following Limerick's defeat of Munster rivals Cork, arrived in court before 10.30 am yesterday and waited until his case was called after lunch. Kyle Hayes. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile His barrister, senior counsel Brian McInerney, confirmed that the Probation Service had deemed the hurler suitable for community service in lieu of the jail sentence. 'A suitable service has been selected and all other matters have been satisfied,' Mr McInerney told the court. Hayes, 26, of Ballyahsea, Kildimo, Co. Limerick, appeared as part of long-standing 'Section 99 Re-entry' proceedings. The hearing was initially triggered after Hayes engaged in dangerous driving at Mallow, Co. Cork, four months after the concurrent suspended sentences of 18 months and two years for violent disorder were imposed on him in March 2024. On July 14, 2024, Hayes was recorded by a garda overtaking nine cars in a row on a stretch of the N20 Cork-Limerick dual carriageway, while driving 55kph above the 100kph speed limit. Hayes lost an appeal on March 12 last against the conviction, for which he was given a two-year driving ban and fined €250. Previously summarising the events from the Icon nightclub, Judge Hayes said the hurler was one of two men who ' aggressively approached' self-employed carpenter Cillian McCarthy, and was one of a group of four males who later on 'attacked' Mr McCarthy inside the nightclub. The judge said two gardaí gave evidence at Hayes's trial that they saw the hurler kicking a man lying on the street outside the nightclub, but the judge said there was no evidence before the court that the man on the ground was Mr McCarthy. The judge said the jury acquitted Hayes of a third charge: assault causing harm to Mr McCarthy. He said Hayes had paid €10,000 in damages to Mr McCarthy as part of the terms of the suspended sentences imposed on him. Judge Hayes said testimony by the hurler's father, Liam Hayes, who told the court he depended on Kyle to help him run their family farm after he underwent heart surgery, had not assisted nor swayed him in his final judgement.
