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RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Paul Flynn previews Derry-Galway & Dublin-Armagh
Derry v Galway: A must-win showdown Galway's championship this year is certainly turning into a bit of a rollercoaster. Their provincial triumph over Mayo feels like a distant memory now after that lacklustre performance against Dublin. And while Dublin were decent that day, Galway's key players were effectively shut down - a scenario they cannot afford to repeat if they hope to leave Derry with a win. Paul Conroy has to be the heartbeat of the Galway attack and if Derry man-mark him, they rest of the guys have to step up and help free him up to get him on the ball. They need Shane Walsh to perform, to find his rhythm after his injury. A big performance from him is really, really required. Up front, Rob Finnerty and Matthew Thompson have been good and now they need to rest of the attack to support them. Their midfield, typically their strength, faltered against Dublin and faces another stern test against Derry's formidable quartet of Conor Glass, Anton Tohill, Dan Higgins and Brendan Rogers - whichever formation of them start. The outcome of that midfield battle will be decisive. Derry's attack, we know they have talismanic forwards, and Paul Cassidy and Shane McGuigan played well the last day, scoring ten between them against Armagh. " /> Like Galway, Derry will need more of a collective effort in attack to prevail. These team played out a draw in the league in February and that feels like a long time ago now. It's going to be another tight contest, one that is really hard to call. But for me, it's so hard to see last year's All-Ireland finalists bowing out of the championship now and I expect Galway to find a way to grind out a victory here. Dublin v Armagh: Expect a Croker classic Armagh and Dublin meet in the championship for the first time since 2010. I played in that game, and let me tell you, it wasn't pretty. Dublin scraped an ugly win, and they'd gladly take the same result this weekend. Dublin have been formidable in Croke Park this season, at times looking like a different team compared to the other performances, but this is their toughest test yet, with Con O'Callaghan now absent from the squad. As always with the way team announcements are made now, we likely won't know the full picture of who's playing where until throw-in. Armagh have been excellent in recent weeks, showing real quality even in their loss against Donegal. Against Derry, they dominated the game for 55 minutes before a little bit of a lapse in concentration flattered the scoreboard a bit. They have got depth, they have got talent, and now have the magic of Rian O'Neill back who thrives in Croke Park. O'Neill isn't alone; Oisin Conaty has been in super form, Conor Turbitt was excellent off the bench the last day and Rory Grugan is still the main link in attack. That said, Armagh will need to perform for 70 minutes this weekend. Any lapse and Dublin's high energy and high-press style will really punish them. Ciarán Kilkenny's form will be crucial in the attack to try and penetrate that Armagh zonal defence. But for me, I really want to see Lorcan O'Dell, Killian McGuinness and Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne build on their strong performances against Galway. If Dublin bring their high intensity power-plays and have their key players firing, they can win. But without the energy - and without O'Callaghan - this might be a stretch too far for them. This game has all the makings of a classic. Watch Dublin v Armagh in the All-Ireland Football Championship on Sunday from 3.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on and the RTÉ News app and listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. Highlights on The Sunday Game at 9.30pm
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Nigel Dunne: Galway resilience set for major test in Derry
Offaly great Nigel Dunne believes Galway's response against Derry on Sunday will speak volumes about the level of resilience within the Tribe camp as they aim to finally end their long wait for the Sam Maguire. They haven't won an All-Ireland football title since 2001 but have lost finals to Kerry and Armagh under Pádraic Joyce's watch. Galway entered the 2025 championship arena as one of the favourites and despite completing a Connacht four in a row, a home loss to Dublin in their All-Ireland group opener has left them under pressure ahead of their visit to the Maiden city. Dunne, who brought a 15-year inter-county career to an end earlier this month, feels a real test of character awaits them this weekend. "It's far from a gimme and the only point Derry got in the league was in Celtic Park against Galway," he said on the RTÉ GAA podcast. "The last 12 minutes against Armagh (for Derry), it's all about how Derry are going to frame it - 'look we finished really strongly, we created five or six goal chances, we've turned a corner, we've stopped the rot'. "Even though they didn't get the win, they finished strongly against a mean Armagh side. "Galway's confidence will probably be a little bit on the floor but in all truth they were slightly unlucky, that game could have gone either way. "It's how they react to it now because this is a Galway team that hasn't gotten over the line for Sam Maguire so they don't have that resilience to lie back on. "You're talking about two teams with everything to fight for. This is going to be the game of the weekend as far as I can see because there's such jeopardy, whoever loses that's probably their year over." For Dunne, there's forever an uncertainty over the Galway line-up from week to week and he believes it may be having a detrimental effect. "If all things are equal and both teams bring their best, Galway will win. "From an outsider point of view looking at Galway, I find it incredibly infuriating that – and it's nobody's fault and we're talking about extremely gifted players - (but) there's always injury concerns over Shane Walsh, Damien Comer, Seán Kelly. You're talking three of their best players, three of the best players in the game. There's always, are they fit or are they not? "That seems to be the case for a few years now. If I was a Galway supporter you'd always be on edge with them and I'm often wondering does that noise filter through to the players. "I think you need a fully fit Shane Walsh to win an All-Ireland but it's always is Shane Walsh fit. They need to get him fit, they need to do whatever it is to get him to the source of these problems."
Irish Times
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Football previews: Galway look to emphasise their new standing against Dublin
Saturday All-Ireland SFC Group 4: Galway v Dublin, Pearse Stadium, 5pm (Live, GAA+) – A big turnaround in the past 11 months, from Galway's unheralded first championship win over the Dubs in 90 years to this weekend's meeting in Salthill with the home side now odds-on. Since last June, Galway have failed to win an All-Ireland as favourites whereas Dublin lost another tranche of medallists and then the Leinster title. The teams played in the league in Croke Park where Galway's squanderlust drove Pádraic Joyce to distraction. Shane Walsh is back for the Connacht champions, which adds to their attacking options and their potential to kick two-pointers, so crucial in the narrow defeat of Mayo. [ Ciarán Murphy: Provincial finals exist as their own entity and are deemed worth winning in their own right Opens in new window ] Galway's middle third, with John Maher a powerhouse, subdued this opposition last year when Brian Fenton and James McCarthey were still around and the power quartet of Maher, Paul Conroy, Céin D'Arcy and Cillian McDaid will present a formidable challenge here even assuming that there is some improvement in Dublin's kick-outs. READ MORE Dessie Farrell was hoping to have Seán Bugler, scorer of two goals in the league fixture, back from injury but he still isn't available to lessen the reliance on Con O'Callaghan. Essentially, the problem is that the visitors haven't shown any championship form so far. Galway have already beaten two counties, ranked above the Meath team that dethroned Dublin before losing to Louth last weekend. Verdict: Galway Galway's Dylan McHugh celebrates the full-time whistle in last year's All-Ireland senior football quarter-final against Dublin. Photograph: Leah Scholes/Inpho Group 2: Kerry v Roscommon, Fitzgerald Stadium, 2.30pm (Live, GAA+) – Despite a storied past, this pair meet relatively rarely in championship and the match doesn't come at a great time for Roscommon, who were well beaten in Connacht by Galway while Kerry had a big win the Munster final over Clare but more valuably, an extra-time tussle with Cork in the provincial semi-final. Roscommon's strongest suit has been their forwards – the Murtaghs, Ben O'Carroll, Daire Cregg and recent All Star Enda Smith, but they were well contained by Galway. The big news for Kerry is the return from injury of Diarmuid O'Connor, one of the best centrefield performers in the league. Goalkeeper Shane Ryan is also back but Paudie Clifford hasn't been included in the panel despite his suspension having been served. Roscommon manager Davy Burke swings the axe with three starters from the last day, relative heavy hitters Ultan Harney, Ruaidhrí Fallon and Cian McKeon, omitted from the panel. Kerry have been the most potent in attack in the game this year. Verdict: Kerry Kerry's Diarmuid O'Connor. Photograph: Leah Scholes/Inpho Tailteann Cup Group 3: Antrim v Limerick, Corrigan Park, 4.30pm – Very close call between two teams with ambitions, although Antrim ran into Westmeath's propellers last week. Verdict: Limerick Group 1: Tipperary v Kildare, Clonmel, 4pm – Kildare annihilated Leitrim and will expect to keep going on the road here. Verdict: Kildare Group 2: Waterford v Offaly, Walsh Park, 1.30pm – Offaly are third favourites for the cup and will travel hopefully. Verdict: Offaly Group 2: Wicklow v Laois, Aughrim, 6pm – A decent contest on the cards here. There was little between them last year when a 14-man Wicklow lost by a point. Verdict: Laois Sunday All-Ireland SFC Group 1: Mayo v Cavan, MacHale Park, 2.30pm – Another sickening Connacht final defeat for Mayo has had to be set aside, coincidentally for the same fixture, with Cavan again visiting. They were easy winners 12 months ago – although a late appearance off the bench cost them Paddy Durcan, who could make a return this weekend – and given some injury concerns for Cavan, who were well beaten by Tyrone despite a good performance from Dara McVeety, it's hard to see much improvement if Mayo hold their nerve, although the visitors have been adept at two-pointers. They played well against Galway for the most part before the old failing of shot selection and finishing undid them in the endgame. Verdict: Mayo Group 3: Clare v Down, Zimmer Biomet Cusack Park, 2pm – The lowest-ranked teams in the Sam Maguire are serendipitously drawn together. Clare's Munster final challenge was stillborn after Kerry raided them for early goals but they plugged away doggedly to limit the damage. Down performed at a higher level in testing Donegal in the Ulster semi-final and their comeback against Fermanagh must have boosted morale. This is a big match for both and, at home, Clare won't make it easy. Verdict: Down Clare's Eoin Cleary after their Munster final loss to Kerry. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho Tailteann Cup Group 1: Leitrim v Sligo, Carrick-on-Shannon, 1.30pm (Live, GAA+) – Curious choice of streaming, as Sligo are hottest of favourites to extend Leitrim's misery. Verdict: Sligo Group 3: London v Westmeath, Ruislip, 2pm – Luke Loughlin's barrage showed Westmeath mean business back in the Tailteann. Verdict: Westmeath Group 4: Carlow v Wexford, Netwatch Cullen Park, 2.30pm – Despite Wexford's heavy favouritism, this could well be the match of the round, given Joe Murphy's impact on Carlow. Still. Verdict: Wexford Group 4: Longford v Fermanagh, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 3pm – Disappointing outcomes for both on day one, although Longford were competitive for a long time in Wexford. Can the visitors finally get over their championship trauma at the hands of Down? Verdict: Fermanagh
Irish Times
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Dean Rock: Don't be surprised if the Galway v Dublin game boils over – it could decide the Dubs' season
Perceptions can change quickly. Only 11 months ago Galway entered an All-Ireland quarter-final against Dublin as significant underdogs. On Saturday, they are among the Sam Maguire favourites while Dublin travel to Salthill all battered and bruised and supposedly gone beyond their sell-by date. The manner in which Galway have handled their second All-Ireland final defeat in three years is a testament to their character. It doesn't seem to have knocked their confidence at all. Indeed, if anything, they've played like a team on a mission this season. There's no doubt those Galway players were disappointed with how they performed against Armagh in Croke Park last July. There will be regrets, it was a missed opportunity. But there doesn't appear to be any baggage, any hangover. Rather than feeling sorry for themselves they have instead displayed great energy and purpose – right from the off. They posted a six-point home win over Armagh in their opening league game before going to Castlebar and handing Mayo a 10-point hammering in round two. In those two opening matches Galway had set out their stall for the year: they weren't about to disappear, they fully intended to be in the mix for 2025. Anybody questioning their desire could think again. READ MORE The way in which they dug out victory over Mayo in the Connacht final two weeks ago will really have pleased Pádraic Joyce, too. And doing so without Shane Walsh and Damien Comer won't have gone unnoticed within the group. It was interesting to see the messaging come out of the Galway dressingroom afterwards, with Joyce responding to a question about Comer and Walsh by saying he'd rather focus on the players who got the job done against Mayo. 'If they are fit the next day they'll be part of it, but if not we'll keep going with what we have, because what we have there seems to be doing okay,' he said. Shane Walsh and Damien Comer are key to Galway's chances of success this season. Photograph: James Crombie/INPHO There might have been a lot of truth in what Joyce was saying, but, looking at the bigger picture, Galway will need both Comer and Walsh fully fit and on the field if they are to lift Sam Maguire in July. Their injury setbacks have been frustrating for the management team and for Galway fans, so you can only imagine how difficult it has been for the players. And when injured players see how well their team is going, the danger of rushing back too soon in a bid to stake a claim for a place is always present. Walsh had been playing some brilliant football during the early stages of the league. It was one of the first campaigns he had got a sustained run of form with Galway, because his involvement with Kilmacud Crokes in the club championship had affected his availability in recent years. Galway are a very good side, but add a fully fit Comer and a fully fit Walsh and their All-Ireland credentials soar. You can't underestimate the value that picking up silverware adds to a group, so claiming a fourth Connacht title on the bounce has once again demonstrated Galway's ability to perform and deliver under pressure. Which brings us to Saturday's game, the standout fixture of the weekend. Who is the pressure on? Mostly, I'd have to say, this is a more important game for Dublin. One of the key areas will be around the middle third where Galway have some hugely influential footballers. After all these years Paul Conroy is still the player driving that Galway team on from midfield. Galway's Paul Conroy and Mayo's Stephen Coen in action at the Connacht final on May 4. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/INPHO His Footballer of the Year award last season showed what can be achieved with persistence and strong character. He has always been a nice fella off the pitch, but on it Conroy remains a ferocious leader for Galway. John Maher has become a great foil for him and allows Conroy display his kicking ability – he is one of the prevalent two-point kickers in the game. Indeed, I'd be surprised if Dublin haven't been working on nullifying that particular threat. Conroy kicked seven points against Mayo, including three two-pointers. I expect to see Dublin set out to deny him such scoring opportunities. In the absence of Brian Fenton and James McCarthy, Dublin haven't looked as comfortable at midfield this season. And because that is such a strong area for Galway, the Dubs will need to compete strongly in that sector on Saturday. We can forget about the officially named teams because I expect to see changes on both sides closer to throw-in. But I think we'll see some variation in how Dublin approach midfield, perhaps with Seán Bugler or Ciarán Kilkenny operating from there. The wind that blows in from the Atlantic and down across Pearse Stadium is often talked about as having a major bearing on games at Salthill. However, the forecast for Saturday is bright sunshine and Salthill will hold no fears for Dublin. It never has. I played league games there and traditionally Dublin have always enjoyed playing Galway. The players will be relishing this game because the dominant narrative out there is that Dublin are not live All-Ireland contenders this summer. From the moment they arrive at Pearse Stadium, I expect you'll see strong body language from the Dublin players getting off the bus and walking to the dressingroom. Dublin's Ciaran Kilkenny and Colm Boyle of Mayo at the 2019 All-Ireland semi-final. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/INPHO They are coming in very much wounded, but the addition of several players to the squad since the Meath match changes the dynamic. If Galway get sucked in by all the noise then this will be a dangerous game for the Connacht champions, because I don't believe they are a team that should be thinking they are at a level yet where they can dismiss Dublin comfortably. In that sense, it's perfectly set up: Galway are strong favourites and all the talk is of Dublin's demise. If Dublin do lose, a lot of the criticism and overarching opinion in relation to their demise will look justified, but if they win then Dublin are going to be a serious problem for others to contend with for the rest of the championship. As a group, Dublin realise the difference between victory and defeat is massive. I expect huge intensity from the off and wouldn't be surprised if the game boils over at times, because this match could determine the season for Dublin. Victory would send a message to the rest of the country, but more importantly it would also reassure the Dublin players that they remain a force capable of competing for Sam Maguire. If Galway lose, I don't think it would derail their championship push, because they progressed to the All-Ireland final last year without finishing top of their round-robin group. They are an experienced side and while a defeat would be a setback it wouldn't be terminal blow for their ambitions to win a first All-Ireland since 2001. A defeat for Dublin could be more damaging, though, because both the actual road back to the capital that night and the metaphorical one back to Croke Park on All-Ireland final day would appear long indeed should they ship back-to-back championship losses. A victory puts them back in the race. Perceptions, one result can change everything.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Galway's Walsh returns for Dublin All-Ireland opener
All-Star forward Shane Walsh has returned to the Galway starting line-up for Saturday's All-Ireland round-robin opener against Dublin in Salthill. Walsh has not played since injuring his back in the Division One loss to the Dubs on 15 March, but is named at centre-forward with Sean Fitzgerald dropping out in the only change from the Connacht final win over Mayo a fortnight ago. Damien Comer remains ruled out for the Tribesmen after missing the Mayo game. Dublin, in action for the first time since their stunning Leinster semi-final defeat by Meath, name 43-year-old Stephen Cluxton in goal, but Sean Bugler and Eoin Murchan are still missing. Galway beat Dublin 0-17 to 0-16 in a nail-biting quarter-final in last year's All-Ireland series. Galway: Connor Gleeson; Johnny McGrath, Sean Mulkerrin, Jack Glynn; Dylan McHugh, Sean Kelly, Liam Silke; Paul Conroy, John Maher; Cein Darcy, Shane Walsh, Cillian McDaid; Matthew Tierney, Rob Finnerty, Matthew Conor Flaherty, Daniel O'Flaherty, Cian Hernon, Kieran Molloy, Sean Fitzgerald, John Daly, Sam O'Neill, Cathal Sweeney, Liam O Conghaile, Tomo Culhane, Peter Stephen Cluxton; David Byrne, Theo Clancy; Conor Tyrrell; Cian Murphy, John Small, Brian Howard; Peadar O Cofaigh Byrne, Tom Lahiff; Niall Scully, Lorcan O'Dell, Ciaran Kilkenny; Paddy Small, Con O'Callaghan, Colm Evan Comerford, Luke Breathnach, Cormac Costello, Nathan Doran, Alex Gavin, Davy Keogh, Sean McMahon, Greg McEneaney, Killian McGinnis, Brian O'Leary, Dan O'Leary. Mayo boss Kevin McStay makes one change for Sunday's Group One game against Cavan. Diarmuid O'Connor, who started the Connacht final defeat by Galway, is replaced by Sam Colm Reape; Jack Coyne, Donnacha McHugh, Rory Brickenden; Sam Callinan, David McBrien, Enda Hession; Stephen Coen, Matthew Ruane; Davitt Neary, Jack Carney, Jordan Flynn; Aidan O'Shea, Darren McHale, Ryan O'Donoghue. Subs: Adrian Phillips, Bob Tuohy, Conal Dawson, Conor Reid, Dylan Thortnon, Fenton Kelly, Fergal Boland, Frank Irwin, Kevin Quinn, Paddy Durcan, Paul Towey.
