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RTÉ News
a day ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Ian Costello: Quarter-final not a 'free shot' for Munster
While the pressure of securing Investec Champions Cup qualification is off their backs, Ian Costello insists Munster are by no means in bonus-territory ahead of Saturday's BKT United Rugby Championship quarter-final against the Sharks. A 32-man squad arrived in Durban this week for what could be two weeks in South Africa; if they win on Saturday, they will likely move on to Pretoria for a semi-final versus the Bulls. There was great relief at the province this month when wins over Ulster and Benetton saw them scrape into the play-offs, and crucially secured their Champions Cup place for next season. And although Costello admits that has lifted a weight off their shoulders, he says there is still a pressure for them to deliver in knockout rugby. "It absolutely isn't a free shot," Munster's interim coach said, ahead of Saturday's quarter-final. "There's an expectation we need to be in knockout rugby, there's a lot of pressure to get there. But now that we're here, we're very, very ambitious on what we want to achieve. "We all know that we had to get into the play-offs. We had to get into the Champions Cup, that's the expectation that comes with Munster, rightly so. "I think it was really important that we drew a line under that first. We put an awful lot into that physically, mentally and particularly emotionally in that last two weeks. There was so much to be pleased with in those last two weeks." While the play-offs officially start this weekend, Munster have effectively been playing knockout rugby for much longer, with their season on the line for those games against Benetton and Ulster. And while those games were physically and emotionally draining experiences, Costello says they've come to South Africa feeling fresh after a much needed weekend off. "This group, over the last couple of weeks, have really showed how much they care about each other. It came out in the way we trained, prepared, what we would have seen behind closed doors and what you would have seen in the performances. "You don't get the intensity and physicality of a performance like that unless there is a real deep care and it means a huge amount to this group. "I think that was huge to get that job done, but we've had a taste of play-offs before, we've played a few knock-out this year, more than we would have liked, especially over the last couple of weeks. That's set us up to have a real crack at this week, so it's a fresh focus and just really excited about play-off rugby." Saturday's quarter-final also brings them back to the site of one of this season's low points when they were beaten 41-24 by the Sharks in Round 5 of the regular season, with head coach Graham Rowntree leaving his role just a few days later. But Costello, who has been in interim charge since then, says they aren't motivated by what happened on that tour. "No, that hasn't come into it at all of I'm honest. "I think the squad is in a different place. You look at the squad that actually travelled over here, we looked at it yesterday and there's a huge difference between the squad that travelled over in October versus the squad that's over here this weekend, or this week. "It feels like there's an awful lot more experience, guys really hitting their form, as I said, really competitive. We've had two weeks and that really helps. "We know them [the Sharks] really well. We've looked at their last half dozen games as we always do. But a huge amount of focus has been on us, if I'm honest. Look at how we've improved over the last period and how we've managed two very, very high pressure games. "Essentially, we're into the third knockout game in a row now because effectively that's what it was. So we've extracted a lot of our learnings around that, that has confidence in the group and it keeps the focus on who we are and what we do well as well." There was positive news this week with confirmation that out-half Jack Crowley (below) will be fit after recovering from a rib injury picked up in Round 18, while Diarmuid Barron and Jeremy Loughman are also back on deck after missing time with injury. And Costello says a healthy squad will be vital if they're to go on a repeat run of their title win from 2023. "I suppose you go back six months and our availability was not where we would have liked it to be. There was a lot of challenges and changes at the club, and we probably didn't have the deep squad to select from those early games and that's what's so pleasing about where we're at now. The squad is really competitive. "That comes out in selection, but it also comes out in training every day, so it means every single training session is better. People are really driven to perform in training, they know that training matters and there's probably 27, 28 guys that are really competitive to make a 23, or even a 15 at the moment. That drives standards right across the board. "Bar a couple of players, we're in a pretty good position in terms of the health of our squad this week, and will need to be," Costello added.
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Jim McGuinness: 'We didn't turn up in defeat to Tyrone'
Donegal manager Jim McGuinness believes that the review of Saturday's two-point defeat to Tyrone will be 'difficult' as he lamented how his team didn't turn up at all in Ballybofey. The result leaves the Ulster champions on the back foot in their group, and they need to beat a buoyant Cavan in Breffni Park next Sunday to get back on track. 'We didn't turn up at all. We didn't play, that's the bottom line. We didn't play, for whatever reason, and we were still two points up with seven minutes left on the clock,' McGuinness said. 'That's not us. It's not even remotely close to us. Everything was off. It will be a difficult review, I imagine. With seven minutes to go, we were in a position to win the game and we should have won the game. We have to live with that and it's all up for grabs now.' Cormac Quinn of Tyrone celebrates kicking a late point during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 1 match between Donegal and Tyrone. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile Tyrone are in a strong position in the group as they welcome Mayo to Healy Park next Saturday. Meanwhile, Cork will need to improve around midfield if they are to get anything out of their second group game when Kerry come to town next weekend. Rebels boss John Cleary felt that losing the battle in the middle third was why Meath emerged victorious. 'They got the grips around the middle definitely,' admitted Cleary. 'And I think that was ultimately why they won the game, really. We had a lot of that possession in the first half and possession was key out there. Scores were at a premium, the weather turned terrible but, once you had possession, you were denying the other team a chance to get a score.' Louth will need to bounce back swiftly after they were beaten by Monaghan in Newbridge. The Leinster champions now face Down in a crucial group game in Newry next weekend that could decide second in the group.
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Donegal simply failed to produce as Tyrone sensed blood in the water, raps fuming boss Jim McGuinness
Tyrone hopscotched over the border to hand McGuinness his first defeat in Ballybofey as Donegal manager in Championship or League football. Malachy O'Rourke's men sensed blood – and Peter Harte's superb two-pointer provided the fatal blow as Tyrone finished with a flourish. Donegal, without No.1 goalkeeper Shaun Patton, seemed vulnerable, and Seanie O'Donnell's two first-half goals laid the platform for Tyrone to upset the off-form Ulster champions. 'There was blood in the water and Tyrone sensed that, and they pushed more and more and more players on,' McGuinness said afterwards. The Donegal manager said there were 'no excuses here at all'. It was a simple case that Donegal 'just didn't produce', but for O'Rourke and Tyrone, there was something of redemption at a wintry MacCumhaill Park. Sheets of rain lashed down from thick black clouds as the Red Hands showed again that they can compete. An Ulster Semi-Final only slipped away when Rory Grugan snatched victory after the buzzer for All-Ireland champions Armagh. 'We were waiting for a display like that, to be honest,' O'Rourke – the only Ulster manager to have beaten McGuinness in Championship football – enthused. 'We knew that it was going to be a really gritty performance as well as a quality one to get something. 'The boys showed real character there as well. We went behind a couple of times in the second-half, but they simply refused to give in – and that was the most heartening thing.' O'Donnell batted to the net after eight minutes when he seized the moment as Caolan McGonagle couldn't hold onto a dropping ball in by Michael McKernan. Tyrone survived an early scare when Niall Morgan flicked over a thundering drive by the excellent Michael Langan. Donegal were stunned when Tyrone added a second goal as O'Donnell rifled past Gavin Mulreany after Conn Kilpatrick's telling surge from deep. Michael Murphy nailed a 50m free for two points to get Donegal back in the mix and the Glenswilly giant landed another long-ranger with the night in the melting pot. Tyrone, with Darren McCurry proving a real handful, led 2-07 to 0-11 at half-time. McCurry continued where he left off to stretch the lead on the resumption. Langan and Murphy – who posted 15 points between them – scored two-pointers in swift succession, however, and the pendulum appeared to swing Donegal's way when Patrick McBrearty sailed over a monster from the stand side. 'We were in a position to win the game and we should have won the game,' McGuinness lamented. 'We couldn't get our hands on the ball, and when we did get our hands on the ball, we didn't take care of the ball – that's it in a nutshell. 'Even at that, we were two points up with seven minutes to go and we gave the ball away and we never got the ball back again.' When Harte took aim with three minutes left, Tyrone – even with Brian Kennedy and Padraig Hampsey going off injured – were set up for victory. O'Rourke said: 'We just held our composure, held our nerve, worked really hard for each other and got some quality scores. 'We just kept battling and showed brilliant character and showed great composure to eke out the win, and we're delighted with that. 'That's what we're trying to grow, a really strong panel and everybody fighting for a place, and so it's a great step forward.' Scorers, Donegal: M Murphy (3 2ptf, 1f, 1 '45) 0-08; M Langan 0-07; C Thompson (1f), P McBrearty 0-02 each, R McHugh 0-01. Tyrone: D McCurry (1 2ptf, 2f) 0-07; S O'Donnell 2-00; D Canavan (2f), P Harte 0-02 each; M McKernan, K McGeary, M Brennan, B McDonnell, C Daly, C Quinn 0-01 each. Donegal: G Mulreany; F Roarty, B McCole, E Gallagher; R McHugh, C McGonagle, C Moore; H McFadden, M Langan; D Ó Baoill, C Thompson, S O'Donnell; C O'Donnell, M Murphy, O Gallen. Subs: O McFadden Ferry for McGonagle (31), E McHugh for Ó Baoill (HT), P McBrearty for McFadden (42), P Mogan for O'Donnell (50), O Doherty for Gallagher (60). Tyrone: N Morgan; C Quinn, P Hampsey, N Devlin; M McKernan, R Brennan, K McGeary; B Kennedy, C Kilpatrick; S O'Donnell, M Donnelly, C Daly; D McCurry, M Bradley, D Canavan. Subs: P Teague for Hampsey (35), B McDonnell for Kennedy (HT), P Harte for Donnelly (53), E McElholm for Bradley (55), F Burns for Brennan (57).
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Virtuoso display by Joel Kerr powers Tyrone over the line for Ulster MFC title
Ulster MFC final: Tyrone 2-11 Cavan 0-8 Tyrone had to come from behind to break down Cavan and claim a first Ulster MFC title since 2022, and they needed a virtuoso display from talented attacker Joel Kerr to see them home. Kerr fired in a 1-2 salvo in the final quarter at Brewster Park to inspire his side to glory and an All-Ireland quarter-final date with Cork. The Red Hands had to come from behind after Nathan Quigley had given Cavan the lead with a goal on the stroke of half-time. Tyrone's storming start saw them race four ahead with points from James Mulgrew, Thomas Meenan, Peter Colton and Eoin Long. READ MORE But they needed a fine save from Ronan Donnelly to deny Mark Reilly a goal as the Breffni lads began to find their feet. They got off the mark through Faolan Graham, with Jake Brady also on target, but Tyrone led by four going into the second quarter. Cavan grew in confidence, going level with a couple of two-pointers from John Donohue and Graham by the 24th minute. Midfielder Mulgrew powered through to regain the lead for Tyrone, but a stoppage-time goal from Quigley, finished low to the net off Mark Reilly's pass, sent Cavan in with a 1-7 to 0-8 interval lead. The Red Hands went back in front seven minutes into the second half, Joel Kerr sending Cathal Farley in to finish low past Cian McConnell. Mark Reilly of Cavan runs into Elliott Kerr, Padraig Goodman and Ciaran McCrystal of Tyrone. Photograph: Andrew Paton/Inpho And they struck another big blow on 49 minutes when Joel Kerr collected Aodhan Quinn's return pass to rifle home his side's second goal. Playing with the wind, Tyrone struggled to break down a well-organised Cavan defence, and didn't score their first point of the half until three minutes from the end, Long converting a free. And they needed a couple of vital turnovers from corner back Ciaran McCrystal to avert dangerous Cavan raids, conceding just a point after the break as they repeatedly frustrated the Blues. Tyrone capped a dogged display with a couple of late scores from Kerr to claim a 26th provincial title. Cavan also go through to the All-Ireland series with a last-eight clash with Munster champions Kerry. TYRONE: R Donnelly; E Kerr, P Goodman, C McCrystal; A Quinn, J Daly, T Meenan (0-1); J Mulgrew (0-2), P Donaghy (0-1); D McAnespie, P Colton (0-2), C Farley (1-0); J Kerr (1-2), E Long (0-3, 2f), P Garrity. Subs: V Gormley for Garrity (45), M Daly for Farley (48), M Mullin for Meenan (55), P McDonald for McAnespie (61), M Kennedy for Long (63). CAVAN: C McConnell; D Brady, S Brady, A Smart; M Smith, H McMullen, J Donohue (0-2, tp); S Maguire, F Graham (0-2, tpf); M Reilly, J Brady (0-1), C Smith; D Lynch, N Quigley (1-3, 0-2f), M Duffy. Subs: D Brouder for Duffy (10), J Graham for Reilly (39), S Smith for Donohue (39), K Henry for C Smith (47), C Brough for S Brady (49). Referee: C Roberts (Antrim).
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tyrone vs Cavan LIVE score updates from 2025 Ulster MFC final
For each of the last two seasons, the Ulster MFC finalists have gone on to contest the All-Ireland MFC final and Tyrone and Cavan will be hoping to today's provincial decider is only beginning of their journey. Derry edged out Monaghan on penalties in the 2023 Ulster final before defeating the Farney in the All-Ireland final. Last season, the Oak Leafers retained their Ulster and All-Ireland crowns, putting Armagh to the sword each time. Indeed, the last five Ulster titles have been split between Sperrin rivals Derry and Tyrone, with the Red Hands winning back-to-back titles after Derry's 2020 success. Cavan's last Ulster title was back in 2011, with several of that squad going on to help the Breffnimen to an unprecedented four-in-a-row in Ulster at U21 level. Cavan defeated Donegal 1-17 to 0-15 in Kingspan Breffni Park in the Ulster MFC semi-final as Ed O'Hanlon's fought back from beginning one point down at the break. Tyrone, meanwhile, came through a thriller, as Gerard Donnelly's men defeated Monaghan 2-20 to 3-12 after blowing a nine-point lead before finishing strongly at O'Neills Healy Park. We'll have team news and any late changes ahead of throw-in at 5.15pm at Brewster Park. @ElectricIreland @UlsterGAA Minor Championship Final Sunday 25th May 5-15pm Tyrone GAA Brewster Park, Enniskillen Buy tickets in advance online. No sales at venue Here's our Starting XV and squad for today's Ulster Minor Football Championship v Cavan Sunday 25th May | 5.15pm throw-in Brewster Park, Enniskillen#RedHandRising Ulster Minor Football Championship final: Derry 0-12 Armagh 1-7 Derry retained the Ulster MFC title, but they were pushed all the way by a gallant Armagh side in a tight, low-scoring provincial final in O'Neills Healy Park. The Oak Leafers defeated the Orchard by 17 points three weeks prior to the final in Owenbeg. Yet, the early exchanges hinted that Armagh had absorbed the lessons of that heavy defeat. A well-organised Armagh defence proved very difficult to break down with both teams mirroring each other. Each time Derry moved ahead, Armagh responded with Eamon Young and Ger Dillon doing the damage for the holders while Eoin Duffy (free) Sean Woods and Keelan Woods on target for the Orchard. Derry moved 0-4 to 0-3 ahead after Dillon converted a stunning long-range free before Armagh struck for what proved to be the game's only goal. Ross Marsden's high delivery was superbly fielded by Jack Loughran, who set up Duffy for a well-taken finish. Yet, Derry forged their way back into the lead before half-time with Young, Dillon and captain James Sargent landing points. Armagh were also reduced to 14 players before the break with Marsden shown a black card for a hand trip on Caoimhin Hargan. Dillon and Young moved Derry into a three-point lead early in the second half before Aaron Garvey ended a 22-minute spell without a score for Armagh. Derry looked to have done enough to put the game beyond doubt when Dillon and the equally-impressive Lule Grant landed back-to-back points while Michael Finnegan made a stunning save to deny Ruairi Biggs. Armagh were fortunate to avoid a second black card when Diarmaid O'Rourke hauled Grant to the ground with Barry McMenamin showing the Orchard wing-back a yellow card instead. Young's fifth point moved Derry into a four-point lead and Armagh were forced to go for broke in the final few minutes of the game. They cut the gap to two with back-to-back frees from Duffy and Derry were relieved when the Armagh full-forward played the ball on the ground in the final passage of the game when he was just metres from the Derry goal. Derry scorers: Eamon Young 0-5 (0-2fs), Ger Dillon 0-5 (0-3fs), Luke Grant 0-1, James Sargent 0-1. Armagh scorers: Eoin Duffy 1-3 (0-3fs), Keelan McEntee 0-1, Sean Woods 0-1, Aaron Garvey 0-1, Fionn Toale 0-1.
