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Irish Daily Mirror
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
'It would be lovely' Robert Downey bidding to go where 13 Cork men have failed
Thirteen Cork men have sought to follow Seán Óg Ó hAilpín in the last 20 years and none have succeeded. Back then, Cork maintained the once widespread, though now largely diminished, practice of allowing the county champions to nominate the captain of the county team so, with Na Piarsaigh winning the Seán Óg Murphy Cup in 2004, Ó hAilpín was the obvious choice and duly lifted the Liam MacCarthy Cup as they completed the back-to-back the following year. Pat Mulcahy had the honour the following year after Newtownshandrum won the county, but Cork failed in their three-in-row bid and 12 others have held the role since without the ultimate success of captaining Cork to an All-Ireland. Kieran Murphy from Erin's Own followed Mulcahy, after which Cork broke with tradition as the team management was granted the power of picking the captain, with John Gardiner the first to be chosen in that manner for the 2008 and '09 seasons. Since then Kieran Murphy (Sarsfields), Shane O'Neill, Donal Óg Cusack, Patrick Cronin, Anthony Nash, Stephen McDonnell, Séamus Harnedy, Patrick Horgan, Mark Coleman and Seán O'Donoghue have been handed the role, before Pat Ryan turned to Robert Downey last winter. 'I was taken aback a small bit, yeah,' says Downey. 'I was delighted and hugely honoured. To be asked to captain any team is an honour, but to be asked to be captain of the Cork team is a massive honour. Especially with the guys that we have. We're so close and so tight, so it's something I'm quite proud of.' The role of the captain has evolved from the table-thumping, chest-beating stereotype, and Downey was wary over-thinking the role. 'It would be quite organic. I was conscious not to change too much. Stephen McDonnell, a clubmate of mine, would have been captain of Cork before. I would have played with him, I spoke to Stephen alright. 'Everyone I would talk to would say that Maccie was one of the best captains they ever played under. The conversation, there wasn't too much, but he just gave a small bits of advice. And the biggest thing was that if you're performing on the field, then guys will follow you. 'We have plenty of guys to do jobs all over the field but the biggest thing is you can't say too much or do too much different; just do our job and do it as best you can on the pitch.' Downey has endured an injury-interrupted campaign this year and only came back into the starting side for the All-Ireland semi-final win over Dublin. But what an environment to lead the team into, with some 60,000 Cork people in Croke Park. The nature of the final, with tickets distributed all over the country, means that Cork won't command the same level of support in the stadium for Sunday's final against Tipperary. 'It was funny going up on the Friday,' says Downey, 'obviously it was very business-like and guys were serious, but even driving in on the bus on the Saturday, you were getting a bit giddy. 'I remember seeing Hoggy [Patrick Horgan] getting onto the bus. I won't call him old but he's the oldest on the team and he came on and he was giddy, laughing. He knew: these days don't come around too often. 'It was brilliant to see the Cork fans, and the buzz. And then when we got out onto the pitch, it was just red everywhere. It means an awful lot to us, to have fans like that. You just get a great buzz and a great energy from it.' The 25-year-old, somewhat surprisingly, retains memories of Cork's win over Galway in that final 20 years ago. 'I watched it in the backroom with my dad. I was five or six. In the sitting room. I was just going on six. I'm born in September. And I can just remember my dad jumping around, delighted. Very vague memory of it because I was very young. I watched the 2006 final in the Fox and Hound pub, close to our house.' He has more vivid memories of growing up under Glen Rovers clubmate Horgan's wing. Cork's Glen Rovers trio of Patrick Horgan, Robert Downey and his brother Eoin celebrate the Munster Championship win this year. (Image: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo) 'We'd have always played in the ball alley in the Glen. We played squash with our hurleys and sliotars in the Glen. Just one touch. I can remember when I was very young, Hoggie would ask us to come in and play with him. 'The alley in the Glen would be bigger than a squash court, it's designed for that game specifically. We play a lot in the alleys here as well. We were lucky we had such close access to Hoggie. I can remember him an awful lot. 'It gave us the bug to want to get to the levels he was at and to practise as hard as he did. And it's funny now, even in the offseason, I could ring him or he could ring me and there'd be a few of us going to the alley again. We always find ourselves back there.' And what about Downey lifting the cup, with Horgan following him up the steps after completing his 18th season? 'Look, it would be lovely for him obviously, but at the end of the day it's about the group, and it's a group effort. 'It's a massive effort from everybody, not just players. But look, it would be lovely.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.
Irish Examiner
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Ryan scores 1-6 to help Oola see off Na Piarsaigh in 15 point win
Limerick SFC: Oola 4-15 (4-2-11) Na Piarsaigh 1-9 (1-1-7) Josh Ryan accounted for 1-6 of a winning total, as Oola recorded an opening round victory in the Limerick SFC over Na Piarsaigh. A fifteen point margin didn't flatter them at a sunny Caherconlish. The Limerick netminder returned outfield for his club, just five days after suffering a narrow defeat in the Tailteann Cup final. His place ball kicking, as well as healthy contributions from Jack Downey (1-4) and Tom Ryan (0-3) helped them over a disappointing Na Piarsaigh display. While the city club will not panic, having suffered a heavy defeat in the first round in 2025, they will have some way to go to match the effort of the last two seasons, where they reached the quarter-finals. A devastating opening third to this contest, which was closed by Paddy Downey's powerful goal, saw Oola open up a 1-6 to no score advantage and from here, they never looked back. Josh Ryan had the honour of scoring the first two pointer at the grade, after eight minutes after Jack Downey has opened the scoring. They looked much the sharper and Na Piarsaigh's shooting meant the game quickly got away from them. Evan Egan, on 25 minutes, landed a beautiful two-point free, to open the account of for the Caherdavin men. Things looked a bit brighter when sub Tommy Glynn pounced on a rebound to net, after Dean McLoughlin blasted off the crossbar. However, despite that late spurt it was 1-8 to 1-2 at the interval with wing-forward Tommy Ryan opening his account. He was fouled inside sixty seconds for a penalty, allowing Josh Ryan the chance to bury a penalty, despite Eoghain Sherlock getting a hand to the powerful effort. The inevitability about the result was clear, with Ryan adding another two pointer, before the Light Blues rallied and scores from Kieran Daly, Glynn and Eoghan Vukovic gave them something to cling to. Late goals from the returning Mikey O'Brien and Jack Downey added further to the Oola tally. This is a group featuring champions Adare, runners-up Fr. Casey's as well as clashes with Rathkeale and Monaleen – the two points will be welcomed for the men in red and white. Scorers for Oola: J Ryan (1-6; 1-0 pen; 2 tpf, 2f);T Ryan (0-3); J Downey (1-5); P Downey, M O'Brien (1-0); E Stokes 0-1. Scorers for Na Piarsaigh: K Daly (0-5; 1f, 1 45); T Glynn (1-1; 0-1f); E Egan (0-2; 1tpf); E Vukovic 0-1. OOLA: C McGrath; F Roche, N McCormack, F O'Grady ©; C O'Grady, E Fitzgibbon, P Downey; J O'Callaghan, A Macken; E Landers, J Ryan, T Ryan; J Downey, M O'Brien, S O'Grady. Subs: L Cummins for Roche (blood 14-20 & 58 – ft); D McGrath for O'Grady (57); E Stokes for Landers (47). NA PIARSAIGH: E Sherlock; A Jordan, J McCarthy, C McMullan; M Walsh, R Leonard, R Hoolihan; D Ó Conaill, J Daly; S Dike, G Brown, E Vuckovic; E Egan (C), D McLoughlin, K Daly. Subs: T Glynn for Leonard (inj – 20); P Hodnett for Dike (43). Referee: J Murphy (Ballylanders).
The 42
19-06-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Limerick unchanged for Dublin clash
LIMERICK HAVE named their match panel for this Saturday's All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Quarter Final against Dublin. John Kiely and his management team have named an unchanged starting XV from the side that suffered a Munster final penalty shootout defeat to Cork earlier this month. There is one change among the substitutes, with Fergal O'Connor replacing Shane O'Brien. The game takes place at 4pm in Croke Park. Advertisement Limerick (v Dublin) 1. Nickie Quaid (Effin) 4. Mike Casey (Na Piarsaigh), 3. Dan Morrissey (Ahane), 2. Sean Finn (Bruff) 5. Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell), 6. Kyle Hayes (Kildimo-Pallaskenry), 7. Barry Nash (South Liberties) 8. Adam English (Doon), 9. William O'Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh) 10. Gearóid Hegarty (St Patrick's), 11. Cian Lynch (Patrickswell – captain), 12. Tom Morrissey (Ahane) 13. Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell), 14. Aidan O'Connor (Ballybrown), 15. David Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca) Subs 16. Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh) 17. Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh) 18. Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown) 19. Séamus Flanagan (Feohanagh-Castlemahon) 20. Declan Hannon (Adare) 21. Barry Murphy (Doon) 22. Fergal O'Connor (Effin) 23. Donnacha Ó Dálaigh (Monaleen) 24. Darragh O'Donovan (Doon) 25. Paddy O'Donovan (Effin) 26. Cathal O'Neill (Crecora-Manister)
Irish Examiner
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Aidan O'Connor the sole change for Limerick for their Munster SHC final clash with Cork
Aidan O'Connor has been introduced to the Limerick team for Saturday's Munster SHC final against Cork. From the team that defeated Cork last month, the Monaleen man is the only change for Shane O'Brien, who is among the 11 players on the bench. O'Connor came off the bench for Kilmallock man O'Brien in the dead rubber game against Clare last Sunday week. The team shows eight changes from the side that lost that game in TUS Gaelic Grounds. All eight who step out of the team are in the matchday panel. Read More Limerick v Cork: What time, what channel and all you need to know about the Munster SHC final LIMERICK (SHC v Cork): N. Quaid (Effin); S. Finn (Bruff), D. Morrissey (Ahane), M. Casey (Na Piarsaigh); D. Byrnes (Patrickswell), K. Hayes (Kildimo-Pallaskenry), B. Nash (South Liberties); A. English (Doon), W. O'Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh); G. Hegarty (St Patrick's), C. Lynch (c, Patrickswell), T. Morrissey (Ahane); A. Gillane (Patrickswell), A. O'Connor (Ballybrown), D. Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca). Subs: S. Dowling (Na Piarsaigh), P. Casey (Na Piarsaigh), C. Coughlan (Ballybrown), S. Flanagan (Feohanagh-Castlemahon), D. Hannon (Adare), B. Murphy (Doon), S. O'Brien (Kilmallock), D. Ó Dalaigh (Monaleen), D. O'Donovan (Doon), P. O'Donovan (Effin), C. O'Neill (Crecora-Manister).
Irish Examiner
31-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Kilmallock edge Na Piarsaigh to earn Limerick SHL glory
Limerick Senior Hurling League final: Kilmallock 0-18 Na Piarsaigh 0-15 Kilmallock are Limerick senior hurling League champions for 2025 after they saw off Na Piarsaigh on an 0-18 to 0-15 scoreline at Claughaun. Conor Staunton starred for 'The Balbec' with an impressive 0-8, his two efforts from play the highlight of what was a contest that never really got going. Both teams were without a litany of starters that one would expect to see come championship in a game that Kilmallock deservedly came out victorious. Pierce Connery got the scoring underway after two minutes but a Ronan Lynch free brought Na Piarsaigh level moments later. Kilmallock, aided by a strong first half breeze, took control from the moment that Graeme Mulcahy put his side back in front. Further scores from Connery and Staunton then saw Kilmallock open a 0-4 to 0-1 advantage with six minutes on the clock. Keith Dempsey stopped the Kilmallock wave with a free but Connery and Staunton restored dominance for the south Limerick outfit. Connery excelled in the first half and his fourth point inside the opening quarter cancelled out a fine Mark Hogan score for Na Piarsaigh. That lead was stretched to five when Kilmallock keeper Conor Hanley-Clarke fired over a long-range free. Oisin O'Reilly made it a six-point lead as the half drew to a close but a Lynch free saw the score at 0-10 to 0-5 in Kilmallock's favour at the break. Lynch kept Na Piarsaigh in touch in the early stages of the second half with a couple of frees but Staunton always had a response for Kilmallock. The lead was at three when the game entered the final quarter but strikes from Mulcahy and Staunton, either side of a Lynch placed ball, handed Kilmallock a four-point buffer. Dempsey (2) and Adrian Breen gave Na Piarsaigh hope as the game headed towards its conclusion but a Staunton free and a superb O'Reilly point from play saw Kilmallock home to victory. Scorers for Kilmallock: C Staunton 0-8 (5f, 1'65), P Connery 0-4, O O'Reilly 0-3, G Mulcahy 0-2, C Hanley-Clarke 0-1 (1f). Scorers for Na Piarsaigh: R Lynch 0-7 (7f), K Dempsey 0-4 (3f), Mark Hogan, G Brown, D Lynch and A Breen 0-1 each. Kilmallock: C Hanley-Clarke; D O'Brien, L English, D Joy; R Egan, A Costello; A Enright; S Quirke, G Enright; S Carroll, C Staunton, G Mulcahy; P Connery, O O'Reilly, S Dowling. Subs: D Woulfe for Carroll (44), P O'Brien for Dowling (49), C Barrett for Mulcahy (58). Na Piarsaigh: P O'Neill; A Dempsey, S Long, P Heaney; A Fitzsimons, R Lynch, T Grimes; J Finn, J O'Keeffe; JJ Carey, K Dempsey, G Brown; Mark Hogan, K Daly, D Lynch. Subs: A Breen for Daly (39), E McEvoy for Heaney (39), Marcus Hogan for Brown (59). Referee: E Stapleton (Doon).
