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BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Armagh through to All-Ireland quarter-finals with Dublin win
All-Ireland champions Armagh booked their place in the quarter-finals of the competition with a 0-24 to 0-19 victory against Dublin in their second round-robin game at Croke for the first time at Croke Park since beating Galway in last year's decider, Armagh led 0-13 to 0-9 at the break after a strong end to the efficiency shown by the Orchard County going forward ultimately proved crucial in the second half as Dublin finished with 17 five-point victory helped the Sam Maguire holders to claim top spot in Group Four and progress straight through to the last eight at the end of June. Armagh finish first half strong Dublin were without influential captain Con O'Callaghan, who was injured in the victory against Galway last time out, but they made a bright start at Croke Costello was key to them moving three points clear on 17 minutes after the sides had exchanged early lost their way midway through the half however due to their wastefulness in front of Dubs had 19 shots in the first period but only nine points to show for it, while Armagh were much more clinical at the other end and scored five points from Dublin's Grugan's two-pointer on 18 minutes brought Armagh back to within one point before a fine solo run and finish from Jarly Og Burns drew the holders Cluxton then made two good stops to deny Oisin Conaty and Andrew Murnin but Dublin went 11 minutes without scoring as the Orchard County took added a free while Rian O'Neill, on his second start of the season, nailed a super two-pointer as did Conor Turbitt to put Kieran McGeeney's side ahead for the first who was named player of the match in last year's final weaved his way through to fire over before a Costello free reduced the deficit to four ahead of half-time. Holders punish wasteful hosts Armagh did not relent after the break and O'Neill got his second two-pointer to extend their continued to be the architects of their own downfall as three times in a matter of minutes they were penalised for not keeping three players up in the other half, allowing Grugan to stroke home three easy missed a two-point free off the ground before making amends a few minutes later with a fine two-pointer to bring Dublin back within from Ethan Rafferty and Darragh McMullan steadied Armagh, but another two-pointer from Sean Bugler kept the hosts believing they could fight Costello and John Small were all guilty of adding to Dublin's wide count, with such misses proving costly in the Stefan Campbell tagged on a point while O'Neill got his third two-pointer by kicking a free off the ground to widen the gap kept coming back with another two-pointer, this time from Paddy Small again cutting the deficit. Another point from a substitute, this time Joe McElroy, kept the scoreboard ticking over and Dublin failed in a late push to get back in the game as Armagh saw out the side will face Galway in their final game while Dublin take on Derry on the weekend of 14/15 June, knowing a win would secure their passage to the next round.
The Irish Sun
28-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Diarmuid Connolly backs Stephen Cluxton after Meath blow as Dublin icon silences critics with Galway heroics
EVEN after Dublin failed to reach the Royal standard, Diarmuid Connolly never had any doubts about Stephen Cluxton's ability to justify his continued selection. The performance of the legendary goalkeeper, 43, was heavily scrutinised following his side's elimination from the 2 Diarmuid Connolly never had any doubts about Stephen Cluxton' despite some heavy criticism this season 2 Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton put on a solid display in the clash against Galway His kickouts were devoured as the A nine-time All-Ireland SFC winner, Cluxton is now in his 23rd Championship campaign. And he delivered an emphatic response to the questions that were raised by his contribution to the Leinster semi-final loss. The seven-time All-Star played a starring role in Salthill as Dublin started their Sam Maguire campaign with an READ MORE ON GAA Asked if the fall-out from the Meath game left him concerned that this might prove to be one year too many for Cluxton, former team-mate Connolly said: 'No. I think what Stephen will give you. "And you saw it there against Galway, he doesn't get too flustered about the nitty-gritty sort of small things. 'I'd never throw him under the bus anyway. I know the guy personally, I've trained with him for so long and I know the sort of work that he puts in behind the scenes.' With the game's new rules requiring all kickouts to travel beyond the 40-metre arc, Connolly points out that responsibility for a malfunctioning restart does not rest entirely with a goalkeeper. Most read in GAA Football The ex-Dublin forward remarked: 'It's easy to say, 'Stephen didn't kick 80 per cent today', and it's easy to blame him for the loss. For me, it's the guys out the field that have to show for the ball. 'It's very difficult for a goalkeeper now. They have to get it off within a certain amount of time and they have to kick it for a distance now. 'Like something out of the French Revolution' - RTE GAA pundit Donal Og Cusack slams Dublin star's reckless swipe "If they don't have the options out the field, that can't happen, so you can't solely blame that on the keeper. 'But against Galway, that was completely different. 'There were options out the field and I thought Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne, when we did have to go long, he either broke it or won his own ball. That's a huge thing.' Cluxton was at the centre of some key moments as Dublin eked out their 1-18 to 2-14 win against Galway. As well as producing a vital first-half save to deny Shane Walsh a goal, the pinpoint accuracy of a last-minute kickout started the move that culminated in Tom Lahiff's winning score. Dubs boss Dessie Farrell will hope for another big performance from his most senior statesman when the campaign resumes against All-Ireland champions Armagh at Croke Park on Sunday. And Connolly added: 'Stephen answered the questions like he usually does. "It was difficult for him against Meath — they really pressed the kickout but I thought we hadn't got a lot of options out the field and we had more against Galway for him.' l DIARMUID CONNOLLY was speaking in his role as a BoyleSports ambassador
The Irish Sun
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
GAA fan reveals Stephen Cluxton's incredible gesture that proves ‘it's important to be nice' after Dublin win vs Galway
A GAA fan revealed Stephen Cluxton was signing autographs and taking photos with supporters over an HOUR after Dublin's win over Galway. Dessie Farrell's men got their All-Ireland SFC campaign off to a perfect start Advertisement 2 Dublin beat Galway in their All-Ireland opener last weekend Credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile 2 Stephen Cluxton made a classy gesture to fans after the game Credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile Fans of both sides flocked to Salthill for the heavyweight tussle, and were desperate to be in the company of their heroes after the final hooter. In a letter to the Irish Times, one attendee revealed that Cluxton went out of his way to accommodate as many fans as he could. Ray Silke - a native of the Tribal County - confided that the Ballymun Kickham's veteran eventually had to be called away by a member of the Dublin backroom when the team had to leave. He wrote: "Over 70 minutes after his team had defeated Galway last Saturday in Pearse Stadium, Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton was still signing autographs, shaking hands with supporters from both teams, giving his time to young children and smiling warmly for a never-ending queue of people looking for pictures with him. Advertisement Read More on GAA "That a man with nine senior All-Ireland medals - most collected as team captain - and who has played with his county for over two decades was content to stand in the searing sun on a hard p[itch after playing a championship game to facilitate GAA supporters is a credit to Stephen and also to the culture of generosity and selflessness in the Dublin football squad. "Eventually a member of the Dubling backroom team had to come over to the goals and give him the eye - which said, 'come on Stephen, we need to get going'. "As the most decorated goalkeeper in history and the GOAT in most people's view walked away to the sanctuary of the dressing rooms, I recalled my national schoolteacher (Mrs Quinn) from 45 years ago telling her third class a really central rule for life. "'While it is nice to be important, it is more important to be nice'. Advertisement Most read in GAA Football "It is clear Mr Cluxton lives by the same truism." Victory over the Connacht champions was the perfect rebound from Dublin's Limerick GAA fans troll RTE pundit Donal Og Cusack after win over Cork Having beaten last year's Sam Maguire runners-up, the Sky Blues will continue the gauntlet when they face holders Armagh in their next game on Sunday week. Dublin last won Sam Maguire in 2023, having lost to Galway in last-year's semi-finals. Advertisement And former talisman Diarmuid Connolly urged them to assert their status as contenders by He said: 'It's an absolute unknown for Dublin. 'We don't know whether they can put back-to-back performances together. 'We haven't seen it over the last three or four years. Advertisement 'It was a good performance on Saturday against Galway. 'But if they don't back it up in two weeks' time, there will still be huge question marks about them.'
Irish Times
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Stephen Cluxton and the importance of being nice
Sir, – Over 70 minutes after his team had defeated Galway last Saturday in Pearse Stadium, Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton was still signing autographs, shaking hands with supporters from both teams, giving his time to young children and smiling warmly for a never-ending queue of people looking for pictures with him. That a man with nine senior All-Ireland medals – most collected as team captain – and who has played with his county for over two decades was content to stand in the searing sun on a hard pitch after playing a championship game to facilitate GAA supporters is a credit to Stephen and also to the culture of generosity and selflessness in the Dublin football squad. Eventually a member of the Dublin back room team had to come over to the goals and give him the eye – which said, 'come on Stephen, we need to get going'. As the most decorated goalkeeper in history and the GOAT in most people's view walked away to the sanctuary of the dressingrooms, I recalled my national schoolteacher (Mrs Quinn) from 45 years ago telling her third class a really central rule for life: 'While it is nice to be important, it is more important to be nice'. READ MORE It is clear Mr Cluxton lives by the same truism. – Yours, etc, RAY SILKE, Moycullen, Co Galway.
Irish Examiner
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Dublin beat the buzzer, change the conversation
All-Ireland SFC group stages: Galway 2-2-10 (20) Dublin 1-0-18 (21) They knew. For Dublin, this was a statement victory over Galway in their opening All-Ireland round-robin fixture. Throughout, they were astute and vengeful. It was always going to be this way. Man of the match Ciarán Kilkenny was aware of what was on the line in Pearse Stadium. He responded with one of the greatest performances of his career. When it was put to him post-match that they had been written off after the recent defeat against Meath, he nodded knowingly. 'Yeah. For me, it was the character and resilience we showed when Galway got a goal. They got a goal and could easily have pushed on there. But the lads kept showing for the ball, they kept breaking the line, kept wanting the ball and stepped up at the end of the game. 'To get a contest like that, to stand up like that, will stand to us. What we have to do now is enjoy the sun, recover, do the ice baths and then we have Armagh in two weeks.' Dublin deservedly led 1-9 to 0-8 at half-time, the goal coming from a Cormac Costello break, but were hit by two body blows in the second half. A searching long delivery from Cillian McDaid was coolly finished by Matthew Thompson. Stephen Cluxton was beaten again by another dropping McDaid ball, Robert Finnerty eventually finding the net. None of it fazed them. This is a talented group, that should have been blindingly obvious to any onlookers. What happened against Meath said more about their attitude on the day than their ability. 'Look, people talk about Dublin being beat and out of it, they've seven or eight of the best footballers in the country you've ever seen,' said Pádraic Joyce. 'We knew that. People are doing podcasts and all sorts of stuff, unfortunately, some mud on the walls will stick sometimes. But we knew internally ourselves it was going to be a huge battle, we said it to the lads before the game.' That is the distinction. Despite some suggestions that they were no longer genuine All-Ireland contenders, everyone inside the lines knew different. The gap between the best team in the country and the chasers is in no way considerable. The substance is the stuff beyond the headlines. Dessie Farrell declared afterwards that this is the fundamental nature of elite sport. Unless you're in the middle of their everything, no one really knows anything. When Dublin had to dig deep, they knew they had it in reserve. Stephen Cluxton's final kickout to Tom Lahiff was terrific. The midfielder started and ended a move riddled with ironclad composure. Then you remember he replaced captain Con O'Callaghan early in the second half. Lee Gannon, Eoin Murchan, Paddy and John Small were all missing as well. Pay heed to what Kilkenny said about how it will stand to them. They were good. They can get better. None of this is to say the question marks existed in Galway's mind. The Connacht champions saw what was coming down the tracks. 'The boys know internally,' said Joyce. 'They've played against them several times, numerous times. We've only beaten Dublin last year by a point ourselves, they're not going away. We know they're a serious team. We're not fools.' Galway ran into trouble on their own kickout and conversion. Shane Walsh scored one two-pointer and missed another three attempts. Footballer of the Year Paul Conroy failed to impact the tie. They fought back impressively to draw level with a Matthew Tierney point, after a gorgeous kick by John Daly, yet squandered several attacking opportunities during that last quarter. Much of it was similar to their recent showing against Mayo. Like Dublin, Joyce and his crew know where they are at. They know what they need to do. Derry await. 'Things aren't going so well for them but nothing like a bit of adversity to put that together and get ready for a big home game,' said Joyce. 'I'm sure they'll have a big crowd there as well for us coming and a lot will depend on the result next week how they'll approach that game in two weeks' time. It's going to be a belter again for us at 2pm on Sunday week. We'll be ready for it.' Scorers for Galway: R. Finnerty 1-6 (1 tp, 1f); M. Thompson 1-1; M. Tierney 0-2; S. Walsh 0-2 (tp); C. McDaid, J. Maher, J. McGrath 0-1 each. Scorers for Dublin: C. Costello 1-3 (2f); S. Bugler, C. O'Callaghan, L. O'Dell 0-3 each; K. McGinnis, C. Kilkenny 0-2 each; B. O'Leary, T. Lahiff 0-1 each. GALWAY: C. Gleeson; J. McGrath, L. Silke, S. Mulkerrin; D. McHugh, S. Kelly, C. Hernon; P. Conroy, J. Maher; C. D'Arcy, S. Walsh, C. McDaid; M. Tierney, R. Finnerty, M. Thompson. Subs: P. Cooke for Thompson (41-53, temp), K. Molloy for Conroy (53), P. Cooke for Seán Kelly (53-60, temp), D. O'Flaherty for Hernon (55), P. Cooke for Shane Walsh (60), T. Culhane for D'Arcy (65), J. Daly for Silke (67). DUBLIN: S. Cluxton; D. Byrne, T. Clancy, S. MacMahon; S. Bugler, A. Gavin, B. Howard; P. Ó Cofaigh Byrne, C. Kilkenny; C. Basquel, L. O'Dell, K. McGinnis; C. Costello, C. O'Callaghan, B. O'Leary. Subs: T. Lahiff for O'Callaghan (45-inj), N. Scully for O'Leary (50), C. Murphy for Clancy (53-55, temp), C. Murphy for Gavin (55), G. McEnaney for McGinnis (60), L. Breathnach for Bugler (62). Referee: D. Gough (Meath).
