Fitzgibbon Cup Group D: Mary Immaculate V Dublin IT – The Irish Independent – January 21 2019

Posted on January 21, 2019 by admin

Brilliant Gillane destroys DIT

Mary Immaculate 1-19 Dublin IT 1-14

Aaron Gillane’s outstanding tally of 1-15 helped Mary Immaculate College record a hard-earned victory over DIT at Grangegorman.

Although hosts DIT offered a stubborn challenge, Mary I produced a powerful finish to get themselves over the line.

While Limerick star Gillane was a reliable presence in the Limerick college’s attack, Eoghan Dunne offered a similar threat for DIT.

And it was DIT who held the aces at the interval, with Dunne’s goal on 23 minutes helping them to establish a 1-8 to 0-8 cushion.

Gillane fired to the net on the restart to get Mary I back on track, but, with the sides trading scores, the tie looked destined to go down to the wire.

Yet, whereas Dunne was strangely subdued in the dying moments, Gillane registered five points in succession to give his side victory.

Scorers – Mary Immaculate: A Gillane 1-15 (0-13fs), T Grimes, L Meade, C English, M O’Loughlin 0-1 each; DIT: E Dunne 1-7 (0-5fs), N Walsh, E Dillon 0-2 each, D Keogh, A Clarke, B Quinn 0-1 each.

MARY IMMACULATE – E Cahill; E Ryan, D Prendergast, S Downey; C Morgan, D Browne, T Grimes; T Monaghan, L Meade; A Gillane, P Hickey, C English; G Cooney, C Guilfoyle, R McCormack. Subs: M O’Loughlin for McCormack (h-t), C O’Brien for English (52), B Buckley for Grimes (62).

DIT – J Treacy, S McClelland, S Brennan, D Eggerton; D Keogh, D Kelly, C Ryan; P Maher, A Clarke; L Blanchfield, G Whelan, N Walsh; E Dillon, E Dunne, B Quinn. Subs: Q Saunders for Walsh (54).

REF – J O’Brien (Laois).

Posted in Colleges GAA | Comments Off on Fitzgibbon Cup Group D: Mary Immaculate V Dublin IT – The Irish Independent – January 21 2019

Fitzgibbon Cup Group D: Mary Immaculate College V DIT – The Irish Examiner – January 21 2019

Posted on January 21, 2019 by admin

Limerick star Gillane shines as Mary Immaculate earn victory over DIT

By Daire Walsh, Grangegorman

Mary Immaculate 1-19 – 1-14 DIT

Limerick senior star Aaron Gillane’s outstanding tally of 1-15 helped Mary Immaculate to record a hard-earned victory over DIT in Group D of the Fitzgibbon Cup at Grangegorman yesterday.

Thanks in no small part to Eoghan Dunne’s superb 23rd-minute goal, DIT had brought a surprise 1-8 to 0-8 cushion into the interval. This was immediately cancelled out on the resumption by the lethal Gillane – who is expected to play a major role for the Treaty County as they bid to retain their Liam McCarthy crown in 2019.

Although they initially struggled to see off the stubborn challenge of the hosts, two-time champions Mary I produced a strong finish to eventually get over the line. While Gillane was a reliable presence within the Limerick college’s attack, Dunne offered a similar outlet for DIT throughout the course of the hour.

Both players registered four points apiece for their respective sides in the opening-quarter, before Mary I wing-back Thomas Grimes lifted the scoring burden off Gillane’s shoulders. The visitors looked set to take charge when Gillane added his fifth point on 18 minutes, but they were immediately pegged back by Dunne (free) and David Keogh scores.

Indeed, Dunne’s subsequent three-pointer ensured the momentum was with DIT at the midway point.

Jamie Wall’s Mary I are determined to regain the title they last won in 2017 and Gillane clinically fired to the net on the restart to get them back on track. They were expected to push on from this point, but DIT moved back in front with a 0-2 salvo from Dunne.

Cork’s Luke Meade and Michael O’Loughlin subsequently wiped out their advantage and with the two sides trading scores on a regular basis, this tie appeared destined to go down to the wire.

Yet, whereas Dunne was strangely subdued in the dying moments, Gillane registered five points in succession – including a monstrous effort from open play – to give his side breathing space ahead of an upcoming clash with Maynooth University.

Scorers for Mary Immaculate: A Gillane 1-15 (0-13f), T Grimes, L Meade, C English, M O’Loughlin 0-1 each.

Scorers for DIT: E Dunne 1-7 (0-5f), N Walsh, E Dillon 0-2 each, D Keogh, A Clarke, B Quinn 0-1 each.

MARY IMMACULATE: E Cahill (Offaly); E Ryan (Tipperary), D Prendergast (Waterford), S Downey (Clare); C Morgan (Tipperary), D Browne (Cork), T Grimes (Limerick); T Monaghan (Galway), L Meade (Cork); A Gillane (Limerick), P Hickey (Tipperary), C English (Tipperary); G Cooney, C Guilfoyle (both Clare), R McCormack (Tipperary).

Subs: M O’Loughlin (Clare) for McCormack (h-t), C O’Brien (Cork) for English (52), B Buckley (Cork) for Grimes (62).

DIT: J Treacy, S McClelland (both Dublin), S Brennan (Meath), D Eggerton (Westmeath); D Keogh, D Kelly, C Ryan (all Dublin); P Maher (Tipperary), A Clarke (Westmeath); L Blanchfield (Kilkenny), G Whelan (Dublin), N Walsh (Kilkenny); E Dillon, E Dunne, B Quinn (all Dublin).

Subs: Q Saunders (Wexford) for Walsh (54).

Referee: J O’Brien (Laois).

Posted in Colleges GAA | Comments Off on Fitzgibbon Cup Group D: Mary Immaculate College V DIT – The Irish Examiner – January 21 2019

Women’s Six Nations Championship Warm-Up: Ireland V Wales – Irishrugby.ie – January 20 2019

Posted on January 21, 2019 by admin

Ireland Women Score Five Tries In Six Nations Warm-Up Win

The Ireland Women enjoyed a commanding 35-12 Six Nations victory over Wales at the same venue last spring and they dominated possession early on in today’s contest. Megan Williams, having been released by out-half Ellen Murphy, was held up short before Griffin peeled off the resulting scrum for a powerful try finish.
Claffey’s difficult conversion attempt fell short of the target, but Ireland continued to pile the pressure on the Welsh outfit. Full-back Delany, who won her first cap against the USA in November, made a lung-bursting line-break to re-establish territory for the hosts.

This eventually culminated in their second try of the day on 15 minutes, as flanker Caplice, who has been impressing with her club Richmond in England, touched down in the right corner to round off a patient and well-constructed move.

Despite falling 10 points behind, Wales responded in confident fashion. Cardiff Blues out-half Robyn Wilkins kicked a penalty to touch, bringing the visitors into the opposition 22 for the first time. The resulting lineout maul sent hooker Kelsey Jones over for a try converted by Wilkins.

However, this only served as a temporary reprieve against an eager Ireland side. Murphy, Claffey and Breen were heavily involved in the build-up to Delany’s 22nd-minute try. The pacy IQ Rugby recruit jinked past a covering defender to claim another eye-catching score, adding to her effort against England in November.

Without necessarily cutting loose, Ireland expertly controlled the tempo of the play as half-time approached. Scrum half Ailsa Hughes found space on the left wing only to be halted just shy of the try-line and Griffin was also held up in the latter stages of the half.

Alison Miller was making a welcome return on the left wing, 11 months on from a horrific season-ending ankle injury against Italy. She looked set to release Delany for her second try of the game, but the Portlaoise flyer’s offload was ruled forward.

Nevertheless, Ireland had more than enough reason to be content with a 15-7 interval cushion. The final outcome was far from set in stone, though, and Wales enjoyed a blistering start to the second period as both squads got important game-time ahead of the start of the Six Nations on Friday week.

With a minute of the restart, speedy winger Jasmine Joyce got on the end of a sweeping counter attack to grab Wales’ second try. In spite of Wilkins’ wayward conversion kick, Wales quickly turned the tables on Ireland to create a buffer of their own.

After Williams’ attempted clearance out of defence was charged down, the alert Joyce claimed her second touchdown in the space of six minutes. Wilkins split the uprights to suddenly hand Wales a 19-15 lead and Ireland were under pressure.

Regrouping and using their bench to good effect, Ireland soon regained their composure with a patient spell of possession in midfield. Six players were brought on from the bench in the 56th-minute, with the ever-dependable Claire Molloy joining a raft of fresh faces in a game that remained firmly in the balance.

Having found themselves under the cosh in the initial stages of the half, Ireland began to dictate the play once more. A well-executed rolling maul on the right almost produced a score just past the hour mark, before a fourth try eventually arrived on 64 minutes.

Nicole Fowley’s superbly-weighted cross-field kick made its way out towards the left wing where fellow replacement Sheehan, another recent debutant in green, was left with a simple finish. Fowley then stepped up to the kicking tee and made light of an awkward angle to kick Ireland into a 22-19 advantage.

This was a major momentum swing for the girls in green and they effectively put the outcome beyond doubt with nine minutes remaining. The physicality of their pack proved too much for Wales, with try scorer Djougang and Fowley, who again added the extras, ensuring Ireland got the maximum return off another power-packed lineout drive.

This was a satisfying day’s work for the Irish squad, who came close to scoring a sixth try in the closing minutes. Their focus now turns to hosting England in the opening round of the Championship on Friday, February 1 (kick-off 5pm). The two-for-one ticket offer has been extended – buy yours now on ticketmaster.ie.

IRELAND WOMEN: Lauren Delany (Firwood Waterloo Ladies/IQ Rugby); Megan Williams (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Enya Breen (UL Bohemians/Munster), Michelle Claffey (Blackrock/Leinster), Alison Miller (Old Belvedere/Connacht); Ellen Murphy (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Ailsa Hughes (Railway Union/Leinster); Laura Feely (Galwegians/Connacht), Leah Lyons (Harlequins), Fiona Reidy (UL Bohemians/Munster), Aoife McDermott (Railway Union/Leinster), Nichola Fryday (Galwegians/Connacht), Anna Caplice (Richmond), Juliet Short (Railway Union/Leinster), Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemians/Munster) (capt).

Replacements used: Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Emma Hooban (St. Mary’s/Leinster), Anne Marie O’Hora (Galwegians/Connacht), Hannah O’Connor (Blackrock/Leinster), Claire Boles (Railway Union/Ulster), Claire Molloy (Wasps), Claire McLaughlin (Old Belvedere/Ulster), Kathryn Dane (Old Belvedere/Ulster), Nicole Fowley (Galwegians/Connacht), Laura Sheehan (UL Bohemians/Munster), Ailbhe Dowling (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Eimear Considine (UL Bohemians/Munster).

WALES WOMEN: Lisa Neumann (RGC/Firwood Waterloo Ladies); Jasmine Joyce (Scarlets/Worcester), Hannah Jones (Scarlets/Gloucester), Lleucu George (Scarlets/Whitland), Caitlin Lewis (Scarlets); Robyn Wilkins (Cardiff Blues), Ffion Lewis (Scarlets/Worcester Valkyries); Cara Hope (Ospreys/Swansea), Kelsey Jones (Ospreys/Gloucester Hartpury), Cerys Hale (Dragons/Worcester), Natalia John (Ospreys/Swansea), Mel Clay (Ospreys/Pontyclun), Alex Callender (Scarlets/Worcester Vakyries), Manon Johnes (Cardiff Blues/Cardiff Quins), Siwan Lillicrap (Ospreys/Swansea).

Replacements used: Carys Phillips (Ospreys/Swansea), Amy Evans (Ospreys/Swansea), Caryl Thomas (Dragons/Bristol Bears), Bethan Lewis (Dragons/Gloucester Hartpury), Sioned Harries (Scarlets/Worcester), Jess Kavanagh (RGC/Caernarfon), Alisha Butchers (Scarlets/Worcester), Keira Bevan (Ospreys/Swansea), Elinor Snowsill (Dragons/Bristol Bears), Lauren Smyth (Ospreys).

Referee: Andrew Cole (IRFU)

Posted in Women's Rugby | Comments Off on Women’s Six Nations Championship Warm-Up: Ireland V Wales – Irishrugby.ie – January 20 2019

All-Ireland League Division 1A: UCD V Shannon – Irishrugby.ie – January 20 2019

Posted on January 20, 2019 by admin

UCD 20
Shannon 24

UCD scorers

Tries: Bobby Sheehan, Andy Marks
Cons: Cillian Burke (2)
Pens: Cillian Burke (2)

Shannon scorers

Tries: Eathon Moloney, Jack Stafford, Pa Ryan
Cons: Ben Daly (3)
Pen: Ben Daly

Eathon Moloney, Jack Stafford and Pa Ryan all crossed for tries as Shannon won 24-20 at Belfield to complete back-to-back league victories over UCD.

Despite a spirited second half showing from the students, Shannon held out to leapfrog both UCD and Dublin University into fifth place in Division 1A. Three Jake Flannery penalties had seen Shannon prevail 9-8 when the sides met at Thomond Park last month, but he was missing today along with fellow Ireland Under-20 call-ups, Craig Casey and Luke Masters.

UCD’s Michael Milne, Scott Penny, Charlie Ryan and Aaron O’Sullivan were also absent after making the Ireland Under-20 Six Nations squad, although Penny’s brother Alex captained the team from openside flanker. The early exchanges were tight and tense and dominated by the forwards, Stephen Murphy kicking for territory but Shannon responding with a scrum penalty.

The visitors took an 11th minute lead through young number 10 Ben Daly’s 30-metre penalty, rewarding his pack for a solid spell of carrying. With Penny leading by example, UCD levelled through the boot of winger Cillian Burke, and he landed a second place-kick in the 28th minute with the home forwards making an impact in the loose.

However, Shannon snapped back at the students with two tries before half-time. A delicate chip over the top played in the pacy Moloney, who beat Brian Cawley in a footrace. Daly converted and then his Munster-capped half-back partner Jack Stafford found space on the right to notch try number two.

Trailing 17-6 at the turnaround, UCD kept Shannon at bay early in the second half and some impressive ball retention of their own led to the sin-binning of a Shannon forward. The numerical advantage led to hooker Bobby Sheehan scoring under a pile of bodies just shy of the hour mark. Burke converted to make it a four-point deficit.

Shannon showed no signs of panicking and after a pushover score failed to materialise in the right corner, the ball was moved into midfield where replacement Ryan dived over in style for his try. Daly converted again and Shannon did well to close out the game in control, albeit with UCD gaining a losing bonus point thanks to Andy Marks’ late try following a series of five-metre drives.

UCD: Tim Carroll; Andy Marks, Gavin Mullin, Paul Kiernan, Cillian Burke; Stephen Murphy, Nick Peters; Sam Griffin, Bobby Sheehan, Liam Hyland, Brian Cawley, Emmet MacMahon, Cian Prendergast, Alex Penny (capt), Ronan Foley.

Replacements: Sean Molony, JP Phelan, Keelan McKenna, Tom Foley, James Tarrant.

Shannon: Jamie McGarry; Stephen Fitzgerald, Robbie Deegan, Jack O’Donnell, Eathon Moloney; Ben Daly, Jack Stafford; Conor Glynn, Ty Chan, Tony Cusack, Luke Moylan, Jade Kriel (capt), Kelvin Brown, Charlie Carmody, Colm Heffernan.

Replacements: Adam Moloney, Ciaran Parker, Odhran Ring, Aran Hehir, Pa Ryan.

Posted in Senior Club Rugby | Comments Off on All-Ireland League Division 1A: UCD V Shannon – Irishrugby.ie – January 20 2019

Sigerson Cup First Round: DCU V IT Carlow – The Irish Examiner – January 19 2019

Posted on January 20, 2019 by admin

Four-time champs DCU fend off Carlow in bid to regain title

Sigerson Cup

DCU 1-16

IT CARLOW 0-14

Daire Walsh

DCU Sportsgrounds

DCU held off a spirited showing from IT Carlow last night to book a spot in the third round of the Sigerson Cup.

The four-time champions looked set to cruise home when they developed a 1-11 to 0-3 interval lead, but the Barrowsiders rallied to keep Paddy Christie’s side on the back foot for large stretches of the second period.

After full-forward Brian Reape rattled the net inside the opening minute, Micheal Bannigan (two), Dara McVeety and Darragh Rooney all found the target to give DCU a seven-point cushion.

Jack Walsh pointed a 10th-minute free to get Carlow up and running, before Matthew Ruane, Luke Towey, and David Garland added their names to the scoresheet for the rampant Dublin college.

They struggled to replicate their form on the resumption, however, as Laois attacker Diarmuid Whelan registered seven points off the bench for the visitors.

Pat Critchley’s resurgent outfit managed to bring the gap down to four (1-14 to 0-13) in the closing stages, but Ruane and McVeety pointed late on to get DCU over the line.

Scorers for DCU: B Reape 1-3 (0-2f), M Bannigan 0-3 (1 ’45’), D McVeety, M Ruane, D Garland, D Rooney 0-2 each, S Akram, L Towey 0-1 each.

Scorers for IT Carlow: D Whelan 0-7 (5f), N Gately 0-3, J Walsh 0-2 (2f), C O’Toole, N Hughes 0-1 each.

DCU: E Comerford (Ballymun Kickhams); C Morrison (St Eunan’s), B McCole (St Naul’s), K Dwyer (St Pat’s, Blennerville); C McManus (Teemore), D McVeety (Crosserlough), D Reynolds (Sean Connolly’s); T Galligan (Lacken Celtic), M Ruane (Breaffy); L Towey (Molaise Gaels), D Rooney (Melvin Gaels), S Akram (Ballaghaderreen); M Bannigan (Aughnamullen), D Garland (Donaghmoyne), B Reape (Moy Davitts).

Subs: T Fox (Kilmacud Crokes) for Galligan (30+1, black card), D Marnell (Sarsfields) for Towey, J Bambrick (Arclough) for Morrison (both 51), P McNamara (St John’s) for McManus (54).

IT CARLOW: D Campbell (Raheens); J Casey (Oran), R Hitchcock (Park/Ratheniska), J Mitchell (Mohill); C O’Toole (Tinryland), E Buggie (Stradbally), T Collins (Graigcullen); N Doyle (Starlights), T Griffin (Gerald Griffins); B Carr (Ardagh), N Hughes (Tara Rocks/Kilanerin), D O’Sullivan (Maynooth); Gately (Creggs/St Ciaran’s), S Ryan (Ballinascarthy), J Walsh (Gracefields).

Subs: P O’Toole (Kiltegan) for Ryan, D Whelan (Ballyroan Abbey) for Collins (both h-t), S Crowley (Kilmihil) for O’Sullivan (47), D Lawler (Rheban) for Buggie (55).

Referee: B Cawley (Kildare).

Posted in Colleges GAA | Comments Off on Sigerson Cup First Round: DCU V IT Carlow – The Irish Examiner – January 19 2019

Sigerson Cup First Round: DCU V IT Carlow – The Irish Independent – January 19 2019

Posted on January 20, 2019 by admin

DCU hold off Whelan-inspired Carlow to book third-round place

DCU 1-16 IT Carlow 0-14

DCU held off a spirited second-half showing from IT Carlow last night to book a spot in the third round of the Sigerson Cup.

The four-time champions looked set to cruise home when they held a commanding 11-point interval lead (1-11 to 0-3). Though the Barrowsiders rallied through Diarmuid Whelan and the lively Noel Gately, they ultimately fell short against Paddy Christie’s side.

After full-forward Brian Reape rattled the net inside the opening minute of the play, Micheál Bannigan (two), Cavan’s Dara McVeety and Darragh Rooney all found the target for DCU.

Jack Walsh pointed a free in the 10th-minute to get Carlow up and running, before Matthew Ruane, Luke Towey and David Garland all got on the scoresheet to offer the Dublin college a powerful advantage at the break.

They struggled to replicate their form on the resumption, however, as half-time substitute Whelan registered an impressive haul of seven points to drag his side back into contention.

Pat Critchley’s outfit managed to bring the gap down to four (1-14 to 0-13) , but late points from Ruane and McVeety ensured DCU claimed the spoils.

Scorers – DCU: B Reape 1-3 (2f), M Bannigan 0-3 (1 ’45’), D McVeety, M Ruane, D Garland, D Rooney 0-2 each, S Akram, L Towey 0-1 each. IT Carlow: D Whelan 0-7 (5f), N Gately 0-3, J Walsh 0-2 (2f), C O’Toole, N Hughes 0-1 each.

DCU – E Comerford; C Morrison, B McCole, K Dwyer; C McManus, D McVeety, D Reynolds; T Galligan, M Ruane; L Towey, D Rooney, S Akram; M Bannigan, D Garland, B Reape. Subs: T Fox for Galligan (30+1, BC), D Marnell for Towey, J Bambrick for Morrison (both 51), P McNamara for McManus (54).

IT CARLOW – D Campbell; J Casey, R Hitchcock, J Mitchell; C O’Toole, E Buggie, T Collins; N Doyle, T Griffin; B Carr, N Hughes, D O’Sullivan; N Gately, S Ryan, J Walsh. Subs: P O’Toole for Ryan, D Whelan for Collins (both h-t), S Crowley for O’Sullivan (47), D Lawler for Buggie (55).

REF – B Cawley (Kildare)

Posted in Colleges GAA | Comments Off on Sigerson Cup First Round: DCU V IT Carlow – The Irish Independent – January 19 2019

Sigerson Cup First Round: UCD V Cork IT – The Irish Independent – January 18 2019

Posted on January 18, 2019 by admin

Three second half goals help UCD overcome half-time deficit to beat Cork IT

UCD 5-8 Cork IT 0-10

Champions UCD produced a second-half scoring blitz at Belfield to overcome the challenge of 14-man Cork IT in the Sigerson Cup first round.

Despite being 0-10 to 2-2 down at half-time, John Divilly’s side exploited the 28th-minute dismissal of CIT’s Paul Walsh. The Leesiders had threatened a shock with Daniel Dineen and Kevin O’Donovan firing them 0-8 to 0-1 up on 20 minutes, before Conor Hartley and Conor McCarthy goaled. After the break, UCD edged ahead with Evan O’Carroll’s goal crucial.

Scorers – UCD: E O’Carroll 1-3 (1f), C O’Callaghan, F Clifford 1-1 each, C Hartley, C McCarthy 1-0 each, B McGinn 0-2, L Silke 0-1. Cork IT: D Dineen 0-4, K O’Donovan 0-3, C O’Donoghue, M Buckley, M Bradley 0-1 each.

UCD – T O’Brien; M Dempsey, B Byrne, M O’Connor; C O’Connor, C Meyler, C O’Shea; D Gavin, S Coen; C Hartley, C McCarthy, C O’Callaghan; F Clifford, E O’Carroll, B McGinn. Subs: L Silke for Hartley (h-t), F Connolly for Byrne (52), D Kennedy for Meyler, C Crowley for O’Carroll (both 55), C Moriarty for Clifford, N O’Callaghan for C O’Callaghan (both 57).

CORK IT – C Kelly; M Lordan, A Browne, C O’Donoghue; N O’Donoghue, E Lavers, B Sugrue; P Walsh, R Walsh; K O’Donovan, D Dineen, G O’Brien; M Buckley, J Crean, M Bradley. Subs: B Hyland for Bradley (h-t), S Howard for R Walsh, B Hodnett for Buckley (both 46), D O’Sullivan for Crean (55).

REF – S Mulhare (Laois)

Posted in Colleges GAA | Comments Off on Sigerson Cup First Round: UCD V Cork IT – The Irish Independent – January 18 2019

Dublin Schools Camogie Finals Preview: The Evening Herald – January 17 2019

Posted on January 17, 2019 by admin

CAMOGIE: DUBLIN FINALS

Dominican ready to dream

Daire Walsh

FIVE years on from their enthralling second-tier final meeting, Dominican College (Drumcondra) and Loreto Beaufort (Rathfarnham) will face off in the Dublin Schools Senior ‘A’ Camogie Championship decider at Abbotstown tomorrow (throw-in 2pm).

Thanks to a brace of second-half goals by Rachel Egan, Dominican secured a 6-2 to 3-5 triumph in that pulsating ‘B’ showpiece. While Colaiste Iosagain, St Joseph’s College, Lucan and Our Lady’s, Terenure have enjoyed multiple final appearances at the ‘A’ grade in recent years, this is relatively new territory for both Dominicans and Loreto.

Despite sharing the spoils with Loreto Balbriggan in the group stages of the competition, Dominican College comfortably advanced to the knock-out rounds courtesy of wins over Lucan CC (10-9 to 2-8) and Castleknock CC (4-9 to 1-3). They were pushed to the limit by a determined St Mary’s, Naas outfit in a gripping semi-final, before eventually emerging with four points to spare – 3-9 to 2-8.

When you factor in the reputation Beaufort have developed in schools camogie, they can expect another stern test of their mental resolve. The Southsiders secured the Junior ‘A’ Championship as recently as 2017 and a number of that squad have since graduated to the senior ranks.

This is just one of six camogie finals taking place across the city tomorrow with St Peregrine’s and Naomh Mearnog hosting the remaining encounters. Though some of the pairings were yet to be determined at the time of going to print, the ‘A’ Shield showdown between Our Lady’s, Terenure and Castleknock (St Peregrine’s, 1.30pm) is an eagerly-anticipated affair.

Posted in Schools GAA | Comments Off on Dublin Schools Camogie Finals Preview: The Evening Herald – January 17 2019

Sigerson Cup Round One: UL V DIT – The Irish Independent – January 17 2019

Posted on January 17, 2019 by admin

Clare star Keelan Sexton lands 1-10 as UL shock DIT

Keelan Sexton contributed a magnificent haul of 1-10 at Grangegorman ltonight to power UL to a surprise victory over DIT in the opening round of the Sigerson Cup.

There was little to separate the sides early on, with Sexton and DIT centre-forward Ronan O’Toole doing much of the heavy lifting in attack.

However, UL finally created some daylight between the teams on 20 minutes when Sexton’s speculative effort floated beyond the reach of opposition netminder Mark Jackson.

Sexton’s dead-ball accuracy ensured UL remained in front approaching the interval, before the aforementioned O’Toole fired home in stoppage-time to leave the teams tied at 1-7 apiece.

With ace Dublin forward Brian Howard amongst their ranks, DIT – Sigerson champions in 2013 – were expected to push after the resumption. Yet, despite bringing a slender advantage into the final-quarter (1-10 to 1-9), UL turned the tables courtesy of four points without reply from the outstanding Sexton.

Scorers – UL: K Sexton 1-10 (7f), E Lawless 0-2, P Maxwell 0-1. DIT: R O’Toole 1-4, M Jackson 0-3 (2f, 1 ’45’), J Conlon 0-2, T Keane (f), C Pearson, R O’Brien 0-1 each.

UL – S Long; M Reidy, G White, F Flanagan; P Maxwell, J Cunnane, J O’Connor; D Bohannon, U Harney; F McDonagh, C Linnane, E Lawless; K Sexton, T Hoare, J Lyons. Subs: B Friel for McDonagh (28), N Rabbitte for Friel (43), J Ronayne for Linnane (52), P Maher for Hoare (59).

DIT – M Jackson; J McCusker, B Power, A McGowan; D Toner, S Flanagan, F O’Shea; S Hurley, R O’Brien; C Pearson, R O’Toole, B Howard; L Loughlin, O Lynch, J Conlon. Subs: T Keane for Toner (38), K O’Gara for Loughlin (52), D Monahan for Flanagan (55), F Maguire for Pearson (60).

REF – A Nolan (Wicklow)

Posted in Colleges GAA | Comments Off on Sigerson Cup Round One: UL V DIT – The Irish Independent – January 17 2019

Sigerson Cup Round One: UL V DIT – The Irish Examiner – January 17 2019

Posted on January 17, 2019 by admin

Keelan Sexton drives UL to victory over DIT

By Daire Walsh, Grangegorman

Keelan Sexton contributed a magnificent haul of 1-10 at Grangegorman last night to power UL towards a surprise victory over DIT in the opening round of the Sigerson Cup.

The Clare attacker was in scintillating form throughout the course of the contest, as Declan Brouder’s charges advanced to the third round by the slenderest of margins.

While a forthcoming encounter against Athlone IT offers DIT a shot at redemption in this year’s competition, this defeat undoubtedly comes as a set-back for Brian Flanagan’s much-fancied charges.

Despite moving into an early two-point lead (0-3 to 0-1) courtesy of points from Ronan O’Toole, James Conlon and Callum Pearson, DIT were pegged back by a brace of Sexton frees.

The hosts reinforced their superiority through the increasingly-impressive Conlon and O’Toole, before the Treaty County outfit responded with a second-quarter scoring blitz.

Following Eoghan Lawless’ equalising point on the right-wing, Sexton (who split the posts off an earlier free) saw his speculative effort on 20 minutes floating beyond the reach of DIT’s Mark Jackson.

The Wicklow netminder immediately made amends with a superbly-converted ’45’ and O’Toole narrowed the gap to a minimum with his third point of the contest.

Although Sexton’s latest 0-2 salvo kept UL in the driving seat, DIT had the final say in a pulsating opening period.

After a short kick-out had gone astray, Westmeath native O’Toole fired to the net to leave the sides on level terms at the break.

With ace Dublin forward Brian Howard amongst their ranks, DIT – Sigerson champions in 2013 – were expected to push on after the resumption.

Yet, despite bringing a slender advantage into the final-quarter (1-10 to 1-9), UL subsequently turned the tables on their opponents.

The outstanding Sexton led the charge for the Munster men, clipping four points without reply to reel in the challenge of the Metropolitans.

Jackson and Tom Keane pointed frees for DIT to set-up a tantalising conclusion to the proceedings, which included three nerve-wracking minutes of stoppage-time.

A disciplined UL managed to hold firm under intense pressure, though, to cap a memorable evening in the north Dublin venue.

Scorers for UL: K Sexton 1-10 (0-7f), E Lawless 0-2, P Maxwell 0-1.

Scorers for DIT: R O’Toole 1-4, M Jackson 0-3 (2f, 1 ’45’), J Conlon 0-2, T Keane (f), C Pearson, R O’Brien 0-1 each.

DIT: M Jackson; J McCusker, B Power, A McGowan; D Toner, S Flanagan, F O’Shea; S Hurley, R O’Brien; C Pearson, R O’Toole, B Howard; L Loughlin, O Lynch, J Conlon.

Subs: T Keane for Toner (38), K O’Gara for Loughlin (52), D Monahan for Flanagan (55), F Maguire for Pearson (60).

UL: S Long; M Reidy, G White, F Flanagan; P Maxwell, J Cunnane, J O’Connor; D Bohannon, U Harney; F McDonagh, C Linnane, E Lawless; K Sexton, T Hoare, J Lyons.

Subs: B Friel for McDonagh (28), N Rabbitte for Friel (43), J Ronayne for Linnane (52), P Maher for Hoare (59).

Referee: A Nolan (Wicklow).

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