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The 42
10 hours ago
- Sport
- The 42
Counties examining ‘potential next steps' after Munster SFC seeding decision
FOUR MUNSTER COUNTY panels have expressed their deep disappointment at the Munster Council's change to the province's seeding system. Representatives of the Clare, Limerick, Tipperary, and Waterford squads have engaged with the GPA over the decision, which sees Cork and Kerry seeded on opposite sides of the semi-final draw. Under the prior rule, Clare and Kerry would've been due to be seeded in 2026 as the previous year's provincial finalists. The sides could also be drawn together at the semi-final stage. However, a Munster Council meeting on July 31 changed the system to seed the highest-ranked counties based on the previous year's Allianz Football League. In addition, those sides will be kept apart until the provincial final. Advertisement Players from the other four teams are now consulting with their county boards to establish the full circumstances surrounding the vote. Treaty manager Jimmy Lee has previously blasted the Limerick board's decision to back the proposal against his panel's wishes, characterising it as like being 'knifed in the back'. A GPA-released statement on the four teams' behalf read: 'Representatives of the Clare, Limerick, Tipperary, and Waterford senior football panels met via video call on Thursday to discuss the recent Munster Council decision to seed Cork and Kerry in next year's Munster Championship. 'The meeting took place following individual conversations between the squad reps and the Gaelic Players Association. 'Players from all four counties are deeply disappointed and concerned by the decision and have agreed to consult with their respective county boards to ascertain the full circumstances around the vote taken. They will also be evaluating potential next steps in response. 'The four squads will continue to keep in contact on this matter and engage with the Gaelic Players Association. 'No further comment will be made at this time.' This is the third time that Munster GAA top brass have decided to reintroduce seeding two teams on opposite sides of the draw since the practice was abolished in 1990. On both previous occasions, for the 2008 and 2014 championships, it lasted one year before being scrapped again. The last time, Clare, Limerick, Tipperary, and Waterford withdrew from the McGrath and Railway Cup competitions in protest.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Roscommon GAA club ‘shocked and heartbroken' at the loss of Don Connellan
Kilmore GAA have paid a lengthy and heartfelt tribute to Mr Connellan following his passing at the age of 51. Mr Connellan was a standout player for Roscommon throughout the 1900s and featured in their 2001 Connacht final victory over Mayo. He played primarily at midfielder or in the half-forward line and featured in three senior county finals (1998, 1999 and 2001) for Kilmore GAA. After he finished playing, he moved into management with Moycullen GAA in County Galway. After six seasons in charge of their senior team, he stood back from his position in 2023 due to health difficulties after leading them to two senior county titles and an All-Ireland club semi-final in 2022. He had been suffering with illness when he passed away earlier this week. In a statement, Kilmore GAA said: 'Our club and our community are shocked and heartbroken at the devastating news of the sudden passing of our great friend and true Kilmore legend, Don Connellan. 'No words can truly do justice to what Don meant to Kilmore GAA. He represented our club with distinction over many years — as a player, coach, and manager — showing immense pride, honesty, integrity, and leadership both on and off the pitch. Don was a key player for us on countless occasions and played a vital role in the senior team that reached three County Senior Finals in 1998, 1999, and 2001, narrowly missing out on claiming the Senior championship title.' As well as representing Roscommon at all age grades, Mr Connellan represented Connacht in the Railway Cup and won a Sigerson Cup medal with UCG in 1992. He was part of NUI Galway's All-Ireland winning Sigerson Cup team in 2022. 'Away from the GAA, Don was an exceptional person — a loyal friend to so many and someone who lived his life with the utmost integrity,' continued Kilmore GAA. 'His passing leaves a void that we, as friends and a community, will struggle to come to terms with in the days, months, and years ahead. 'But perhaps Don's greatest quality was the love he had for his family and home. From his childhood in Clooncoose to his life in Moycullen, home and family meant everything to him. Nothing brought him more joy than his regular visits back to Kilmore to see his parents — his late father Donal and his mother Nellie — his brothers Adrian and David, the wider Connellan family, and his many friends in Kilmore. 'Don loved Kilmore, and Kilmore loved Don.' The club paid tribute to his contribution to Moycullen GAA, where he lived with his wife Linda and sons Eoin and Conor for the past two decades. 'As a club and community, we are devastated by Don's loss. But our grief is nothing compared to the unimaginable pain that Linda, Eoin, Conor, Nellie, Adrian, David, and the extended Clancy and Connellan families are feeling. We extend our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to you all,' added Kilmore GAA 'In the days, weeks, and months ahead, we will do everything we can to bring some comfort and light during this dark time. 'Don, you will be deeply missed by all of us who were lucky enough to know you. 'Rest easy, Don - you were one of the best.' Moycullen GAA have also paid tribute to Mr Connellan, who was a member of An Garda Síochána. His funeral details have yet to be announced.
Irish Examiner
7 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Who would have thought people cared so much about Munster SFC?
Another decade, another Munster senior football championship row. The loop theory has been underscored by the latest kerfuffle surrounding this much-maligned competition. The only difference this time around is Noel Walsh isn't here to stand up for the minnows. The former Munster chairman passed away in 2020 but you can imagine just how vexed he would be by last Thursday's decision by the provincial council to seed the championship in favour of Cork and Kerry. Walsh didn't get to see his beloved Clare compete in the last three Munster SFC finals as they previously did in the 1910s. You can imagine it would have given him an immense sense of pride. For nobody fought as hard for parity in the draw. But he was a realist too. When Kerry were winning all around them, he successfully proposed they be given a bye to the final in 1980. But as counties grew stronger into that decade, the St Joseph's Miltown-Malbay man lobbied for an open format before it eventually came to pass for the 1991 championship, a split decision. Limerick reached their first final in 26 years and a year later the cows in Clare were blissfully ignored. In the final year of his chairmanship, Munster experimented with a new format and the top three seeded teams earning semi-final berths but the open draw returned in 1999 and lasted until 2007. The following year, Cork and Kerry were kept apart in semi-final byes, another split decision which Walsh described as 'a black night for Munster football'. He said: "You're asking the impossible of the weaker counties in Munster to try to beat Cork and Kerry in the same year. There isn't a county in Ireland that could expect to do that, never mind in Munster.' Following outcry, the open draw returned for five more years before the council chose to separate Cork and Kerry again. 'A night of infamy' is how Walsh framed the decision. He couldn't believe it was happening under the watch of a Clare provincial chairman in Robert Frost. 'I think that's (the financial argument) just a spurious argument being put out by the chairman,' he lashed in this newspaper. 'What is more important anyway — a reduction in grants or a fair chance in the championship? We're not a banking organisation.' Again the boycotting of the McGrath Cup and Railway Cup team led to a compromise from 2015 in the form of the previous year's finalists being given semi-final places but no guarantee they would be separated. And that is what has endured these past 10 seasons until last Thursday's vote, which similar to the one taken in 2013 has been coloured by finances and resources. Limerick voted no back then but supported the latest motion despite the opposition of their players and management. According to Limerick manager Jimmy Lee and Clare Munster Council delegate Bernard Keane, the promise of investment in football in the four counties had been floated prior to the vote. We dare say the semi-final byes Limerick received for their football winners from Munster in the provincial championships probably helped too. The irony of how exercised, if not interested so many people are in the change of draw in a competition that in its five games this year (33,491) attracted less than either the Cork-Tipperary (42,231), Limerick-Cork (42,477) or Cork-Waterford (42,181) 2025 Munster SHC round games is potent. Having indicated he would do so in May, provincial chairman Tim Murphy has grasped the nettle. Given its five-week timeline, there isn't a whole pile that can be done with a competition that some of those criticising this latest attempt to resuscitate it have called to be scrapped. Linking league finishes with the championship has precedence, of course, and Cork are the only team who have beaten Kerry since 1992. But there probably should have been prior warning and a delay in its implementation until 2027. As Clare chairman Kieran Keating pointed out, the county weren't aware upon the league's conclusion in March that as a consequence of their and Cork's performances in it they were also losing an automatic semi-final position in the Munster SFC. At the same time, Cork weren't relegated, were a point away from promotion to Division 1 and therefore ascending to Division 2 wouldn't have done anything for The Banner. As an aside, was Peter Keane waiting to see the outcome of the vote before committing himself to a second year as manager? As the four counties consult with the Gaelic Players Association, one wonders what will happen when the 2026 draw is due to take place in October. Will Limerick compel their representatives to change their vote? If that doesn't force a U-turn, with pre-season competitions in line to return next year, it's likely the McGrath Cup will be impacted if it is revived. At the very least, Murphy has started a debate. There is heat in it but as Walsh would have argued that is necessary. It shows people care. Who would have thought it? Kerry's Kayleigh Cronin left for Australia. File picture: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho TG4's ladies and Aussie Rules football conundrum Dublin's victory in Sunday's All-Ireland ladies senior football final was roundly expected to the point that former Donegal footballer Nadine Doherty insisted Meath would need their opponents to suffer 'a psychological meltdown'. Doherty made her comments on 'Off The Ball' on Saturday where she also spoke of the impact of the emigration of footballers to the Australian game. 'I think it's decimated our game,' said Doherty, highlighting how Kayleigh Cronin was missed by Kerry in the championship having left after the league for Australia to play for AFLW club Adelaide Crows. She added: 'I don't like the way our game is promoted alongside the AFL; I think we've eased off a little bit but TG4 show the AFL. I find that absolutely bizarre because you're our biggest sponsor and marketing our direct opponent. 'There are 40 players gone – Kellyanne Hogan, a massive loss to Waterford (Hogan joined Collingwood). Not everybody is able to stay in Ireland for the full season and then head out two weeks before pre-season. There are only the top tier players (who can do that)… I just think it's ruining our game.' It's rare that TG4 would come in for criticism when they have done so much for the Gaelic games family but it's an interesting point by Doherty. When there is great Irish interest Down Under, TG4 can claim there is a market for what they are showing yet it does seem a mite counter-productive when that sport has taken players away from the indigenous one they endorse. Ultimately, something may have to give. Fógra – On August 14, The Friends of Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh come together for a golf classic in The Grange in Rathfarnham, Dublin in aid of two special charities. The fourball event is aimed at raising funds for The Hospice Foundation as well as Camphill Community in Dingle. To book, visit
Irish Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Armagh vs Derry LIVE score updates from All-Ireland SFC Group Four clash
For the second year in a row, Armagh and Derry meet in the group stage of the All-Ireland series as the Ulster rivals go head-to-head at the Box-It Athletic Grounds. For the third successive year, the Orchard County go into the All-Ireland series as beaten Ulster finalists after losing out to Donegal after extra-time in a pulsating provincial decider earlier this month. This time around, however, Kieran McGeeney's men are the All-Ireland champions and, as such, have a huge target on their backs. Derry have had seven weeks to prepare for this contest after being beaten by Donegal by 10 points in the Ulster SFC preliminary round in Ballybofey at the start of April. The Oak Leafers were comprehensively beaten in Celtic Park when these sides met this June and their subsequent victory over Westmeath in Newry was the last time Derry won a game in 70 minutes. They defeated Mayo on penalties in the preliminary quarter-finals and salvaged a draw against Galway in the League, but are winless under Paddy Tally, something the Tyrone native will be keen to address as soon as possible. With games against Galway and Dublin to come for both counties, Armagh and Derry can ill-afford not to take something from this evening's all-Ulster battle. We'll have all the latest team news and build-up ahead of throw-in at 5pm. Armagh have received what Aaron Kernan describes as an 'unbelievable boost' to their All-Ireland defence with the return of Rian O'Neill to the squad ahead of the Ulster final. His Crossmaglen Rangers clubmate didn't make the matchday 26 for that one-point extra time defeat to Donegal but Kernan expects him to be phased back in soon. 'The soundbites are that yeah, it is a possibility," Kernan told the Irish Mirror. "Whether it's this weekend or not, I'm not sure, but certainly he has been back in training with the squad since the week prior to the Ulster final. 'Obviously he would have missed a lot of football since the All-Ireland last year and since his club campaign last year, but still, he's a young man. He'll not be long getting up to the speed of it.'But yeah, like I mentioned, just whether it's this weekend and he makes an actual panel of 26, I'm not sure. The inner workings of that group, if you bump into them in the street, they ain't going to tell you anyway.'O'Neill has yet to feature for Armagh under the new rules - but the two-point arc appears tailor made for a player of his kicking added: 'I think he showed his full array of talent with that two-point arc, even though it was only that Railway Cup competition at the end of the year to test out the new rules.'So I would certainly see, as he's being eased back in, that will be the role or that's where you'll see him most prominent will be in those two-point zones.' All-Ireland SFC round two: Derry 0-15 Armagh 3-17 Derry slipped to a third consecutive Championship loss at Celtic Park as Armagh claimed a facile 11-point win. The result leaves Kieran McGeeney's men in pole position to top Group One as a draw against Galway in a fortnight's time will be enough for the Orchard County to progress straight through to the last eight. Derry, meanwhile, take on Westmeath in their final group game knowing that anything less than a win would see them exit the All-Ireland series. Mickey Harte's men have shipped nine goal in their three Championship defeats and they could have conceded more as they suffered a malfunction in front of the home support for the second time in three outings. Armagh butchered two more goal chances with Oisin Conaty hitting the post in the first half while Aidan Forker played one pass too many with Barry McCambridge unable to turn the ball home at the far post. Derry also finished with 14 players with Ciaran McFaul sent off after picking up a black card when already booked. It compounded another day to forgot for Harte's side. They were 2-8 to 0-6 down at the break with Conor Turbitt and Ross McQuillan finding the net. They managed to land the first three scores of the second half via Conor Glass, Shane McGuigan (free) and Ethan Doherty. However, they were unable to keep Armagh at bay and a 10-minute spell without a score undermined their efforts and Rian O'Neill struck for his side's third goal to end the game as a contest before McFaul dragged down Joe McElroy for his black card. Armagh had 13 different scorers on a day when 3-13 of their 3-17 tally came from open play. With Galway and Armagh set to finish in the top two, Derry must beat Westmeath to finish third in the group, meaning the best they can hope for is a preliminary quarter-final away from home. Derry scorers: Shane McGuigan 0-7 (0-4fs), Conor Glass 0-3 (0-1m), Ethan Doherty 0-1, Paul Cassidy 0-1, Lachlan Murray 0-1, Diarmuid Baker 0-1, Emmett Bradley 0-1. Armagh scorers: Conor Turbitt 1-4 (0-1f, 0-1m), Rian O'Neill 1-1, Ross McQuillan 1-0, Oisin Conaty 0-2, Tiernan Kelly 0-2, Barry McCambridge 0-1, Aidan Forker 0-1, Rory Grugan 0-1, Niall Grimley 0-1, Oisin O'Neill 0-1, Aidan Nugent 0-1 (0-1f), Shane McPartlan 0-1, Ben Crealey 0-1 (0-1m).
Irish Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Dubs win pumps up pressure on Armagh says Orchard legend as O'Neill nears return
Dublin's win in Galway has raised the stakes for Armagh's Group 4 clash with Derry on Saturday considerably, says former Orchard star Aaron Kernan. Although the Dubs' victory was hardly a seismic shock, it was still unexpected in the context of their struggles against Meath, with Galway seen as frontline All-Ireland contenders having just picked up a fourth successive Connacht title. But the result means that any suggestion that last year's All-Ireland finalists would battle it out for top spot while Dublin and Derry scrapped for third is out the window. 'You're sitting watching the game, and as exciting as it was, and it looked like Dublin was going to win, I was starting to wonder, 'Is this actually a good thing from an Armagh point of view?'' said Kernan. 'I think last weekend's result will certainly have heightened them to make sure that they're fully tuned in [to play Derry]. 'I'm not even sure whether they're worried about getting a performance, they're just worried about getting off to a win. Then it just gives you that bit more breathing space and heaps that wee bit more pressure on Derry as well. 'So yeah, it's a huge game for them to make sure that they get a winning start and, like I said, worry about a performance afterwards.' He added: 'There might have been a bit of feeling out in the first 25 minutes, first half. But Dublin have now gone to Galway and absolutely thrown a spanner in the works of what everyone had envisaged for how this group was going to play out. 'I think it just adds even more importance to this Derry-Armagh game." Armagh have received what Kernan describes as an 'unbelievable boost' to their All-Ireland defence with the return of Rian O'Neill to the squad ahead of the Ulster final. His Crossmaglen Rangers clubmate didn't make the matchday 26 for that one-point extra time defeat to Donegal but Kernan expects him to be phased back in soon. 'The soundbites are that yeah, it is a possibility. Whether it's this weekend or not, I'm not sure, but certainly he has been back in training with the squad since the week prior to the Ulster final. 'Obviously he would have missed a lot of football since the All-Ireland last year and since his club campaign last year, but still, he's a young man. He'll not be long getting up to the speed of it. 'But yeah, like I mentioned, just whether it's this weekend and he makes an actual panel of 26, I'm not sure. The inner workings of that group, if you bump into them in the street, they ain't going to tell you anyway.' O'Neill has yet to feature for Armagh under the new rules - but the two-point arc appears tailor made for a player of his kicking ability. Kernan added: 'I think he showed his full array of talent with that two-point arc, even though it was only that Railway Cup competition at the end of the year to test out the new rules. 'So I would certainly see, as he's being eased back in, that will be the role or that's where you'll see him most prominent will be in those two-point zones.' Aaron Kernan is a BoyleSports ambassador.
