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The Irish Sun
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
GAA shooting itself in the foot with schedule decisions – a bit of common sense would benefit fans
WITH so much to cheer about in hurling and football, the fixtures schedule continues to let us down. The weekend gone by was a prime example. 2 Unfortunately the thriller between Clare and Tipperary wound up playing second-fiddle for many fans 2 There was another Clones cracker in the Ulster football final as Donegal eventually triumphed over Armagh Saturday was awash with games in both codes across the country, but so many clash crimes were committed by the powers that be. The biggest of those was on Saturday evening, when Clare's Munster SHC showdown with Tipperary collided with It was such a shame for so many to miss out on one or the other, depending on your preference. Read More On GAA Yes, these were games in two provinces in different codes, but the GAA at large need to realise there is a massive general fanbase with a deep love for both. The Ulster final was moved to Saturday so it could be played as a double header with the ladies showpiece between the same counties. Good call, but it led to what transpired. Most read in GAA Hurling A bit of common sense would be no harm. TIPP THE BALANCE? Are Tipperary back? Liam Cahill insists they are not, but it certainly feels like it. Henry Shefflin hilariously dabbles in Gaelic football punditry as RTE's Saturday Game debuts format change How they dismantled Clare in their own back yard on Saturday evening was astounding, and it was their best performance since Cahill took over from Colm Bonnar ahead of the 2023 campaign. The Premier expects success all the time. Failing to emerge from the province last year was far from good enough when it came to their demanding public, but the doubters are believing again. Replacing Brian Hogan with Rhys Shelly in goal three games into the Munster championship was a risk that came up trumps against the All-Ireland champions. His puck-outs laid the platform for so many Tipp attacks as John McGrath and Andrew Ormond netted two apiece in the first half. But Tipp's resolve really shone through when the inevitable Clare comeback arrived, and the Banner drew level. Shane O'Donnell's cameo off the bench really lifted the hosts, but Cahill's defence showed incredible composure to withstand that pressure when the chips were down. Nobody is talking All-Irelands just yet, but their Munster destiny is in their own hands when Waterford come to Thurles on Sunday.
The Irish Sun
12-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Luke Loughlin's individual total matches Antrim as Tailteann Cup co-favourites Westmeath send out message
AFTER Kildare racked up 0-36 against Leitrim on Saturday, fellow Tailteann Cup favourites WESTMEATH only had to Luke to their star man to notch a similar haul against ANTRIM. Luke Loughlin booted 1-17, with 0-13 from play, as the Lakesiders saw off the Saffrons 4-24 to 1-17 in Mullingar. Loughlin kicked five two-pointers as Westmeath took over in the second half, but for the opening 40 minutes it looked as if Antrim might cause an upset. A pair of two-pointers from Dominic McEnhill and Patrick McBride launched them into a 0-5 to 0-2 lead after 12 minutes. Two goals in as many minutes from brothers Sam and Danny McCartan put Westmeath on the front foot. But Antrim hit back and when Kavan Keenan goaled after collecting a ball that came back into play off the upright, the visitors were just a point adrift. Read More On GAA Then Loughlin took over — hitting a two-pointer and finding the corner of the net from a penalty. Only a superb save from Michael Byrne kept it relatively close at half-time, 3-9 to 1-10. Ronan Wallace hit the crossbar and Byrne strode forward to fire a two-point free over to reduce the gap further. But for the last half-hour, Loughlin was mercurial and Westmeath surfed on his wave to record a comprehensive win. Most read in GAA Football Matthew Whittaker hit a superb goal and Loughlin began firing over scores and bringing his colleagues into the game in equal measure, while Antrim faded out of it. The main concern for Westmeath manager Dermot McCabe in advance of what should be a straightforward trip to London next weekend will be injuries to Brían Cooney and captain Wallace, who was a colossus at the heart of the defence. Henry Shefflin hilariously dabbles in Gaelic football punditry as RTE's Saturday Game debuts format change Another skipper, Mikey Bambrick, notched 2-4 as CARLOW travelled to Brewster Park and picked up the only away win of the weekend, claiming a 3-18 to 2-18 victory over FERMANAGH. In an entertaining encounter where only five scores came from frees, the lively half-forward shot the first three scores, opening with a point before his low shot just about crept across the Fermanagh line. John Murphy's explosive finish made it 2-2 to 0-3 to the visitors after 12 minutes, but a Conor Love penalty dragged the home side right back into the game. John Phiri and Bambrick pushed Carlow five clear again before half-time but once play resumed, Darragh McGurn set up Joe McDade for another goal that kept the crowd on their feet. 1 Luke Loughlin notched an astonishing 1-17 as his county won by a scoreline of 4-24 to 1-17 The home crowd would have felt they had momentum on their side when a run of points from Fionan O'Brien, Conor McGee and Josh Largo Ellis levelled matters with 15 minutes to go. However, Carlow were not to be denied and they had one final push in the tank that got them over the line. Kevin Murphy put the ball in the net only to have it ruled out for square ball, but there was no denying Bambrick as he fired in his second goal, backing up points from Ciarán Moran and Conor Crowley. Fermanagh got back within one score and very briefly had an extra man due to Ross Dunphy's black card, but could not find the goal they needed.
