Post-Match Reaction: Heineken Champions Cup Semi-Final – Leinster V Toulouse – Leo Cullen – Press Association (Rte.ie) – April 21 2019

Posted on April 21, 2019 by admin

Cullen takes pride in Leinster’s resilience

Leo Cullen praised Leinster’s application after the defending champions swept aside Toulouse in a 30-12 Heineken Champions Cup semi-final win at the Aviva Stadium.

James Lowe, Luke McGrath and Scott Fardy all touched down and fit-again captain Jonathan Sexton kicked 12 points as the province advanced to face 2017 winners Saracens in a mouth-watering May 11 decider at St James’ Park in Newcastle.

“Probably what pleased me most is the attitude of the players over the course of the last couple of weeks and how they applied themselves in training,” said head coach Cullen.

“When they prepare well, they’ve a much better chance of performing well in these big games. There was great fight for each other. You could see the players, how much it means to them.

“I think the fight to stay in the battle is really important from our guys. I think they showed a lot of resilience, particularly as they (Toulouse) got close to our tryline. They’re good qualities to have in these big games.”

While the returning fly-half Sexton was the official man of the match, the title holders had a number of star performers as they restricted Toulouse to just three penalty goals from Thomas Ramos and one from replacement Romain Ntamack.

Chief among them was London Irish-bound flanker Sean O’Brien, whose return to fitness in recent months has coincided with long-term injuries to Josh Van Der Flier and Dan Leavy.

“Seanie is an unbelievable competitor. He’s worked incredibly hard to get back from his injury. You can see what it means to Seanie the way he plays,” said Cullen.

“I thought he was really exceptional today. It’s not just his performance, it’s how he leads the group.

“In the week, the way he talks. How he understands the threats the opposition pose, both sides of the ball. In terms of dominating that contact area, he’s one of the best players to have ever played the game, certainly Irish guys.

“I think he’s showing again what he’s capable of. It was good to have Seanie back out there.”

Meanwhile, despite the obvious frustration at losing to Leinster in such comprehensive fashion, Toulouse skipper Jerome Kaino was doing his best to remain upbeat.

With a place in the Top 14 Championship’s knock-out stages already assured, the former New Zealand international believes they need to take the positives from their European adventure, which showed they are a resurgent force.

“I think our young group can take a lot of experience from that game,” he said. “It’s disappointing we couldn’t get the result, but I think we still have another challenge ahead of us in the Top 14.

“We’ll take a lot of experience, a lot of positives, from our European Cup campaign.

“I think they (Leinster) were able to build on their momentum. We defended well at times, but we weren’t able to build on our momentum when we did get forward.”

Posted in European Rugby | Comments Off on Post-Match Reaction: Heineken Champions Cup Semi-Final – Leinster V Toulouse – Leo Cullen – Press Association (Rte.ie) – April 21 2019

All-Ireland U20 Cup (Fraser McMullen) Final: Dublin University V UCC – Irishrugby.ie – April 20 2019

Posted on April 21, 2019 by admin
DUBLIN UNIVERSITY

41 – 24

U.C.C.

Dublin University See Off UCC Challenge To Retain Fraser McMullen Cup

The Dublin University Under-20s produced a spectacular performance at Naas RFC this evening to defeat UCC 41-24 and secure back-to-back Fraser McMullen Cup titles.

Backs Paddy Opperman and Louis O’Reilly chipped in with two tries each, prop Simon Clear and replacement Seb Pim also crossed the whitewash and captain James Moriarty kicked 11 points from the tee. Retaining the prestigious All-Ireland U-20 trophy gives Trinity a timely boost ahead of their senior team’s Division 1A semi-final trip to Cork Constitution next Sunday.

The damage was done during the closing stages of the first half when Tony Smeeth’s superbly-drilled side capitalised on UCC prop Conor Burke’s sin-binning to register 21 points without reply. The Cork youngsters dug deep to close the gap late on but the defending champions had already developed an unassailable lead by that point.

It was Smeeth’s charges who dominated the early possession at Forenaughts where centre Moriarty proved to be the fulcrum for many of their best attacking phases. Having knocked out Clontarf in a hard-fought semi-final at Castle Avenue last week, Neil Lucey’s UCC team were in buoyant mood and forced a number of defensive turnovers as well as lineouts steals.

However, it was Trinity who hit the front in the 16th minute when Moriarty slotted over a penalty. UCC held firm despite their opponents creating a potential overlap through Jody Booth and Liam McMahon on the right flank, and out-half Eoin Monahan kicked them level from an awkward angle on the left after McMahon was guilty of a body-check.

Then came Burke’s yellow card, 25 minutes in, and Trinity took a significant stranglehold on the game during his absence. Moriarty kicked the penalty to touch and scrum half O’Reilly managed to round off an extended lineout maul with the opening try. Opperman followed him over the whitewash, a wonderful piece of skill seeing him break into space and chip over the defence to touch down in eye-catching fashion.

Moriarty confidently converted both tries and also added the extras to O’Reilly’s second score, a powerful break up the right wing by McMahon teeing up the supporting half-back to go over beside the posts. Leading 24-3 at half-time, the Trinity coaches introduced three replacements on the restart – including prop Giuseppe Coyne from the Ireland Under-20s’ Grand Slam-winning squad – and their thirst for tries was very much maintained.

Using his electric pace and impressive footwork from just inside the UCC half, Opperman jinked his way inside two defenders and beat two more for pace to dart in under the posts despite Alex Molloy’s committed chase. Lucey also dipped into his reserves as the Cork students looked to battle back. Adam O’Connor was set to race over from a Molloy assist, only for referee Chris Lough to deem that the pass was forward.

They kept plugging away, maintaining a high work-rate and probing for openings, but when their winger Sam Burns was binned on the hour mark, it allowed Trinity to extend their lead through tighthead Clear. UCC’s persistence eventually paid off in the 68th minute when full-back Molloy’s distribution was pinpoint accurate on this occasion and winger O’Connor was able to dot down in the left corner.

The conversion was a great hit by Monahan, although it was followed by an inevitable Trinity response. Pim put his name to their sixth and final try, with fellow replacement Max O’Reilly making the initial incision. The tables were turned on the Dubliners in the dying minutes, though, as they lost flanker Booth and lock Neil Howard to yellow cards in quick succession.

The title holders finished with just 13 men, and to UCC’s credit, they showed their own ruthless streak to put a fairer reflection on the final outcome. A 74th-minute penalty try, which led to Howard’s dismissal, was supplemented by O’Connor’s second try. Yet, the late flurry was not enough to spoil the party for a jubilant Dublin University who celebrated the club’s fourth Fraser McMullen Cup win – 2003, 2005, 2018 and 2019.

Match Lineups

Home Team

Andrew Hogan; Liam McMahon, Hugh Twomey, James Moriarty (capt), Paddy Opperman; Dave O’Brien, Louis O’Reilly; Bart Vermeulen, Pat Nixon, Simon Clear, Neil Howard, Adrien Binder, Jody Booth, Adam Corcoran, Matthew Martin.Replacements: Donnacha Mescal, Giuseppe Coyne, James Murphy, Reuben Pim, Elliott Ryan, Seb Pim, Max O’Reilly.

Away Team

Alex Molloy; Sam Burns, Finn Carey, Colin Sisk, Adam O’Connor; Eoin Monahan, Louis Kahn; Conor Burke, Daniel O’Connor, Robert Loftus, Adam McAuliffe (capt), Anthony Ryan, Conor Booth, Ronan Barry, Cian Fitzgerald. Replacements: Harry Jephson, Tom Ormond, Lewis Grice, Padraig Fives, Nick O’Donoghue, Andrew Walsh, Sam Casey.

Match Scorers

Home Team

Tries: Paddy Opperman 2, Louis O’Reilly 2, Simon Clear, Seb Pim; Cons: James Moriarty 4; Pen: James Moriarty

Away Team

Tries: Adam O’Connor 2, Penalty try; Cons: Eoin Monahan 2, Pen try con; Pen: Eoin Monahan

Referee: Chris Lough (IRFU)

Posted in Senior Club Rugby | Comments Off on All-Ireland U20 Cup (Fraser McMullen) Final: Dublin University V UCC – Irishrugby.ie – April 20 2019

SSE Airtricity League Premier Division: Bohemians V UCD – The Irish Times – April 20 2019

Posted on April 19, 2019 by admin

Bohemians too strong for UCD as they banish agony of Dundalk defeat

Bohemians 3 UCD 0

Bohemians moved back up to second in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division table with a commanding win over UCD at Dalymount Park.

Dinny Corcoran and Conor Levingston goals either side of the break served to deflate the challenge of the Students, before Danny Grant’s 55th-minute strike ensured the Gypsies issued an immediate response to last Monday’s agonising defeat in Dundalk.

Buoyed by their own dramatic comeback victory over Cork City in Belfield last Monday, it was UCD who played the brighter football during the opening exchanges. After midfielder Richie O’Farrell headed a Gary O’Neill corner against the crossbar, Yoyo Mahdy produced a superb save from Bohemians goalkeeper James Talbot.

Having weathered this initial storm, Keith Long’s side started to grow in confidence. Their most potent attacking threat came down the right flank, where Andy Lyons and the recalled Grant were combining to telling effect.

When UCD’s Mark Dignam collided with the latter just shy of the interval, referee Paul Tuite immediately pointed to the spot. Bohs centre forward Corcoran coolly dispatched the resulting penalty past Conor Kearns for his fifth goal of the campaign.

While UCD could consider themselves unfortunate to be trailing their Dublin rivals, they were ruthlessly exposed on the resumption. Grant picked out an unmarked Levingston in the 51st minute and the industrious midfielder fired home in clinical fashion.

An off-season recruit from Brighton & Hove Albion, Danny Mandroiu was exerting a major influence in the Bohs attack. Though his subsequent long-range shot crashed off the woodwork, Grant was on hand to finish off the ensuing rebound.

Ahead of their visit to league leaders Shamrock Rovers next Tuesday, it was understandable that Bohs eased off in the closing stages. Despite their admirable endeavours throughout, UCD consequently remain second-from-bottom in the top flight.

BOHEMIANS: Talbot; Lyons, Finnerty, Barry, Leahy; Buckley (McCourt, 76 mins), Levingston; Grant (Reghba, 73 mins), Mandroiu, Devaney (Graydon, 69 mins); Corcoran.

UCD: Kearns; Tobin, Collins, Scales, Dignam (Davis, 64 mins); Farrugia, Doyle, O’Neill, O’Farrell, McClelland (Molloy, 64 mins); Mahdy (McDonald, 64 mins).

Referee: P Tuite (Dublin).

Posted in League Of Ireland | Comments Off on SSE Airtricity League Premier Division: Bohemians V UCD – The Irish Times – April 20 2019

SSE Airtricity League Premier Division: Bohemians V UCD – The Irish Independent – April 20 2019

Posted on April 19, 2019 by admin

Bohemians rise to second after victory over UCD

Bohemians 3 UCD 0

Bohemians moved back up to second in the Premier Division with a commanding win over UCD at Dalymount Park.

Buoyed by their comeback victory at the expense of Cork City last Monday, it was UCD who applied the early pressure. After Richie O’Farrell headed a Gary O’Neill corner against the bar, Gypsies netminder James Talbot produced a superb save from Yoyo Mahdy on 25 minutes.

Having weathered this initial storm, Keith Long’s hosts eventually opened the scoring just shy of the interval. Following Mark Dignam’s foul on Bohs winger Danny Grant, Dinny Corcoran coolly dispatched a 43rd-minute penalty.

UCD could consider themselves unfortunate to be trailing their Dublin rivals, they were ruthlessly exposed on the resumption. Grant picked out an unmarked Conor Levingston in the 51st minute and the industrious midfielder fired home in clinical fashion.

Four minutes later, Danny Mandroiu’s long-range shot crashed off the woodwork, but Grant tucked away the rebound to put the game beyond doubt.

BOHEMIANS – Talbot; Lyons, Finnerty, Barry, Leahy; Buckley (McCourt 76), Levingston; Grant (Reghba 73), Mandroiu, Devaney (Graydon 69); Corcoran.

UCD – Kearns; Tobin, Scales, Collins, Dignam (Davis 64); Farrugia, Doyle, O’Neill, O’Farrell, McClelland (Molloy 64); Mahdy (McDonald 64).

REF – P Tuite (Dublin).

Posted in League Of Ireland | Comments Off on SSE Airtricity League Premier Division: Bohemians V UCD – The Irish Independent – April 20 2019

Dublin Schools Junior ‘C’ Football Championship Semi-Final: Blackrock College V Lucan CC – The Evening Herald – April 18 2019

Posted on April 19, 2019 by admin

DUBLIN JFC ‘C’ SEMI-FINAL

Blackrock into ‘C’ final thanks to Henderson

Daire Walsh

TOM Henderson grabbed a hat-trick at Kilmacud Crokes last Thursday afternoon to propel Blackrock College towards a comprehensive victory against Lucan CC in the Dublin Schools Junior ‘C’ Football Championship semi-final.

Though traditionally regarded a rugby school, ‘Rock overpowered their opponents to eventually prevail with 19 points to spare (6-16 to 3-6). They can now look forward to a forthcoming decider against either Colaiste Cois Life or Colaiste Choilm, Swords – who are expected to meet following the completion of the Easter holidays.

The fact that this game could took place in Crokes was a distinct advantage for Blackrock as they had seven players from the Stillorgan club within their ranks. For their part, Lucan had progressed to the last-four courtesy of a thrilling quarter-final success over Lusk CC.

Thanks to the scoring prowess of Luke Curran, Jack Lawlor and Paul Tuite, they came out on the right side of a 7-15 to 5-10 scoreline. They remained in contention during the opening period of their clash with ‘Rock – trailing by just four points at the break.

However, the Williamstown school’s decision to push up on Lucan’s short kick-out paid rich dividends on the restart. While Henderson led the way for ‘Rock he was ably-assisted by Sean Purcell and Darragh Dempsey.

The impressive Purcell grabbed a brace of goals to ensure Lucan remained at bay throughout the second half.

Posted in Schools GAA | Comments Off on Dublin Schools Junior ‘C’ Football Championship Semi-Final: Blackrock College V Lucan CC – The Evening Herald – April 18 2019

Rugby Column Number 151: The Kildare Nationalist – April 16 2019

Posted on April 19, 2019 by admin

RUGBY

Leinster slip to third successive Pro14 game without a win

By Daire Walsh

ON a weekend when all four Irish teams confirmed their places in the Guinness PRO14 knockout rounds, Leinster fell to a comprehensive 39-24 home defeat at the hands of Glasgow Warriors.

This means Leo Cullen’s men are on a run of three consecutive league games without a win and while they remain assured of top spot in Conference B, there is cause for concern ahead of their Champions Cup showdown with Toulouse on Sunday.

Their sole win since the conclusion of the Six Nations Championship was a European quarter-final success over Ulster and that was a far from vintage performance by the Blues. While the champions were already looking forward to a home encounter in the last-four of the PRO14, Glasgow arrived in south Dublin seeking a similar prize.

They are neck-and-neck with Munster in Conference A, meaning the Red Army were hoping for an unlikely favour from their arch rivals. For the second week in succession, Kill’s James Tracy was selected to lead the Leinster front-row – this time alongside Ed Byrne and Michael Bent.

Another native of the Kildare village – Adam Byrne – was named on the bench, where Donadea man Will Connors stood out as a notable inclusion. Having suffered a cruciate ligament injury in a pre-season friendly encounter with Newcastle Falcons, the gifted back-row finally returned to full fitness in recent weeks.

He was introduced in place of Jack Dunne just shy of the hour mark for his first-time debut, before making way for Max Deegan 15 minutes later. Despite coming away with a try-bonus in the RDS, Leinster couldn’t halt the charge of their Scottish counterparts.

Former students of Clongowes Wood College in Clane, the Kearney brothers – Rob and Dave – grabbed a try apiece in the opening half. However, the hosts still found themselves six adrift (18-12) at the break.

Although they repeated the trick on the resumption, three tries inside the closing-quarter gave Glasgow maximum points in the end. Whereas Benetton had denied Leinster victory in Ballsbridge six days earlier, they were on the receiving end of a nine-point reversal (37-28) to Munster on home soil last Friday.

Even though the Kildare duo of Tadhg Beirne and Joey Carbery were marked absent, Athy’s Jeremy Loughman was making his ninth start of the current season and his 18th appearance overall.

Given they also have a Champions Cup semi-final to look forward to this weekend (against Saracens in Coventry), it is understandable that Johann van Graan fielded a largely second string outfit. Nevertheless, they managed to get the job done – Rhys Marshall, Dan Goggin, Shane Daly and Alby Mathewson all crossing over in a bonus-point success.

In addition to Ulster sealing second spot in Conference B with a 29-7 triumph over Edinburgh, Connacht’s impressive 29-22 win at the expense of Cardiff Blues ensured they will compete in the PRO14 quarter-finals. Having recently become the province’s all-time leading scorer, Jack Carty contributed 14 points for the victorious westerners.

Posted in Rugby Column | Comments Off on Rugby Column Number 151: The Kildare Nationalist – April 16 2019

Leinster U16 Ladies Football Championship Group A: Dublin V Kildare – The Kildare Nationalist – April 16 2019

Posted on April 19, 2019 by admin

LEINSTER LADIES FOOTBALL U16 CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP A ROUND THREE

DUBLIN…………………………………..6-16

KILDARE…………………………………1-3

By Daire Walsh

Kildare’s Leinster U16 Ladies Football Championship campaign ended in a resounding defeat to an impressive Dublin at TU Blanchardstown on Sunday afternoon.

Despite suffering back-to-back reversals against Meath and Longford prior to this encounter, the Lilywhites possessed a slender hope of making it to the knockout stages. However with skipper Katie O’Sullivan, Aisling O’Neill and Emma Howe all in devastating form, Dublin always held the upper hand.

The visitors had the aid of a strong breeze during the first half, but suffered a hammer blow in the opening minute of the contest. After rolling her ankle close to her own posts, full-back Aaliyah O’Toole was withdrawn from the action.

This led to the redeployment of corner-forward Ella Hayes at the heart of their defence – a position the Maynooth star is readily accustomed to. Nevertheless, it was Dublin who ultimately broke the deadlock through quick-fire O’Neill and Leah Keogh points.

The maiden goal of the tie inevitably arrived in the 12th-minute, when O’Neill released O’Sullivan for a superb finish beyond the reach of Kildare’s Fiadh Whiteley. Dublin continued to ramp up the pressure with Howe, O’Neill and Eva Ahern contributing scores in quick succession.

O’Sullivan and Keogh added points inside the second-quarter, before Castleknock’s O’Neill grabbed a second major at the end of another intricate attacking move. Kildare finally posted a response on 25 minutes, Hayley Wiltshire kicking an excellent point on the run.

O’Neill’s 1-1 salvo re-established Dublin’s authority, though, and Keogh subsequently ensured Dublin brought a seemingly insurmountable 3-9 to 0-1 cushion into the interval. Kildare sought fresh impetus to their play by introducing a number of substitutes either side of the break.

O’Sullivan boosted her haul on the restart with another superb point, only for their momentum to be briefly halted. Zoe Brierty picked out Rebecca Travers in acres of space and the Rathcoffey midfielder fired a powerful right-footed drive past Dublin custodian Molly Cassidy.

Yet, this only served as a temporary respite for Terry Boyle’s side.

Supplementing an Ella Darcy point, Howe took advantage of some loose defensive play to claim Dublin’s third goal on 36 minutes. They had to wait a further 10 minutes for their next score, with a number of new faces taking their time to settle into new surroundings.

In this juncture, Wiltshire added a second point for Kildare and Ballykelly’s Eimear Hanlon was marginally off-target at an awkward angle.

St Sylvester’s ace O’Sullivan joined O’Neill in bagging a brace of majors and Ciara O’Connor’s two-point salvo enhanced their lead inside the closing 10 minutes of the proceedings. The hard-working Wiltshire registered her third point for Kildare, but their opponents were determined to finish on a high.

Like her Clontarf club-mate O’Connor, Ava Corcoran was eager to stake her claim for a starting position. In between well-worked points, she secured Dublin’s sixth goal to round off an accomplished team display and consequently bring the curtain down on Kildare’s own championship odyssey.

Scorers – Dublin: Aisling O’Neill 2-3, Katie O’Sullivan 2-2, Emma Howe, Ava Corcoran 1-2 each, Leah Keogh 0-3 (1f), Ciara O’Connor 0-2 (1f), Eva Ahern, Ella Darcy 0-1. Kildare: Rebecca Travers 1-0, Hayley Wiltshire 0-2 (1f), Eimear Hanlon 0-1.

DUBLIN: Molly Cassidy; Erin Christie, Katie Quinlivan, Teagan Comber; Roisin Quigley, Lucy Crowe, Lucy Quinn; Ali Griffin, Rebecca Duffy; Leah Keogh, Katie O’Sullivan, Eva Ahern; Aisling O’Neill, Emma Howe, Ella Darcy.

Subs: Sophia Nyhan, Hannah Rooney, Aoife Coppinger, Sarah Willis, Ciara O’Connor, Amelia Ryan, Sinead Flannery, Emma Kane, Emer Crowley, Ava Corcoran, Emily Foster, Emma O’Brien, Aoibhin McCarthy, Eimear Mangan, Aimee McKeon.

KILDARE: Fiadh Whiteley; Muireann Ures, Aaliyah O’Toole, Fáinche Grimes; Doireann Killeen, Hannah Davis, Holly Tyrell; Rebecca Travers, Emma McAleenan; Hayley Wiltshire, Eimear Hanlon, Elena Prendergast; Dara Hodson, Niamh Mortell, Ella Hayes.

Subs: Jill O’Toole, Zoe Brierty, Aisling Archbald, Aoife Kilkenny, Áine Dooley, Beverly Moran.

Referee: Paul Burke (Louth).

Posted in Ladies GAA | Comments Off on Leinster U16 Ladies Football Championship Group A: Dublin V Kildare – The Kildare Nationalist – April 16 2019

Leinster Ladies U16 Football Championship Group A: Dublin V Kildare – The Leinster Leader – April 16 2019

Posted on April 19, 2019 by admin

U16s lose out to Dubs

LEINSTER LADIES U16 FOOTBALL U16 C’SHIP GR A

DUBLIN…………………………………..6-16

KILDARE…………………………………1-3

Daire Walsh

at Blanchardstown

Kildare’s Leinster U16 Ladies Football Championship campaign ended in a resounding defeat to an impressive Dublin at TU Blanchardstown on Sunday afternoon.

Despite suffered back-to-back reversals against Meath and Longford prior to this encounter, the Lilywhites possessed a slender hope of making to the knockout stages. However with skipper Katie O’Sullivan, Aisling O’Neill and Emma Howe all in devastating form, Dublin always held the upper hand.

The visitors had the aid of a strong breeze during the first half, but suffered a hammer blow in the opening minute of the contest. After rolling her ankle close to her own posts, full-back Aaliyah O’Toole was withdrawn from the action. This led to the redeployment of corner forward Ella Hayes at the heart of their defence – a position the Maynooth star is readily accustomed to. Nevertheless, it was Dublin who ultimately broke the deadlock through quick-fire O’Neill and Leah Keogh points.

The maiden goal of the tie inevitably arrived in the 12th-minute, when O’Neill released O’Sullivan for a superb finish beyond the reach of Kildare’s Fiadh Whiteley. Dublin continued to ramp up the pressure with Howe, O’Neill and Eva Ahern contributing scores in quick succession.

O’Sullivan and Keogh added points inside the second quarter, before Castleknock’s O’Neill grabbed a second major at the end of another intricate attacking move.

Kildare finally posted a response on 25 minutes, Hayley Wiltshire kicking an excellent point on the run.

O’Neill’s 1-1 salvo re-established Dublin’s authority, though, and Keogh subsequently ensured they brought an insurmountable 3-9 to 0-1 cushion into the interval. Kildare sought fresh impetus to their play by introducing a number of substitutes either side of the break.

O’Sullivan boosted her haul on the restart with another superb point, only for their momentum to be briefly halted. Zoe Brierty picked out Rebecca Travers in acres of space and the Rathcoffey midfielder fired a powerful right-footed drive past Dublin custodian Molly Cassidy. Yet, this only served as a temporary respite for Terry Boyle’s side.

Supplementing an Ella Darcy point, Howe took advantage of some loose defensive play to claim Dublin’s third goal on 36 minutes. They had to wait a further 10 minutes for their next score, with a number of new faces taking their time to settle into new surroundings.

In this juncture, Wiltshire added a second point for Kildare and Ballykelly’s Eimear Hanlon was marginally off-target at an awkward angle.

St Sylvester’s ace O’Sullivan joined O’Neill in bagging a brace of majors and Ciara O’Connor’s two-point salvo enhanced their lead inside the closing 10 minutes of the proceedings.

The hard-working Wiltshire registered her third point for Kildare, but their opponents were determined to finish on a high.

Like her Clontarf club-mate O’Connor, Ava Corcoran was eager to stake her claim for a starting position. In between well-worked points, she secured Dublin’s sixth goal to round off an accomplished team display.

Scorers – Dublin: Aisling O’Neill 2-3, Katie O’Sullivan 2-2, Emma Howe, Ava Corcoran 1-2 each, Leah Keogh 0-3 (1f), Ciara O’Connor 0-2 (1f), Eva Ahern, Ella Darcy 0-1. Kildare: Rebecca Travers 1-0, Hayley Wiltshire 0-3 (1f).

DUBLIN: Molly Cassidy; Erin Christie, Katie Quinlivan, Teagan Comber; Roisin Quigley, Lucy Crowe, Lucy Quinn; Ali Griffin, Rebecca Duffy; Leah Keogh, Katie O’Sullivan, Eva Ahern; Aisling O’Neill, Emma Howe, Ella Darcy.

Subs: Sophia Nyhan, Hannah Rooney, Aoife Coppinger, Sarah Willis, Ciara O’Connor, Amelia Ryan, Sinead Flannery, Emma Kane, Emer Crowley, Ava Corcoran, Emily Foster, Emma O’Brien, Aoibhin McCarthy, Eimear Mangan, Aimee McKeon.

KILDARE: Fiadh Whiteley; Muireann Ures, Aaliyah O’Toole, Fáinche Grimes; Doireann Killeen, Hannah Davis, Holly Tyrell; Rebecca Travers, Emma McAleenan; Hayley Wiltshire, Eimear Hanlon, Elena Prendergast; Dara Hodson, Niamh Mortell, Ella Hayes.

Subs: Jill O’Toole, Zoe Brierty, Aisling Archbald, Aoife Kilkenny, Áine Dooley, Beverly Moran.

Referee: Paul Burke (Louth).

Posted in Ladies GAA | Comments Off on Leinster Ladies U16 Football Championship Group A: Dublin V Kildare – The Leinster Leader – April 16 2019

Dublin Senior Football Championship Round One Review: The Evening Herald – April 16 2019

Posted on April 18, 2019 by admin

Connolly and O’Carroll in the spotlight as Crokes and Vins get up and running

Daire Walsh

IN A week when many current county stars donned their club colours at various grades of the Football Championship, the biggest talking points surrounded the presence of two Dublin heroes of the recent past.

Less than 24 hours after Diarmuid Connolly made his first championship start since November 2017 in a comfortable 1-14 to 1-6 win for St Vincent’s against St Brigid’s in Swords, Rory O’Carroll enjoyed his long-awaited return for defending champions Kilmacud Crokes. In a tricky Group One assignment with Ballymun Kickhams, the 29-year-old played the full 60 minutes at full-back – helping the Stillorgan side towards an eventual 2-13 to 0-14 success.

Whereas Connolly was handed fleeting cameos in last year’s competition, O’Carroll most recently tasted championship action in 2015. The springtime scrutiny of Dublin’s full-back line ensured the latter was unlikely to have a quiet reintegration to club football.

Dean Rock was his direct opponent in the opening period and while there were some shaky moments, he generally kept tabs on the movement of the Sky Blues attacker. Facing into a four-point interval deficit (0-5 to 1-6), Ballymun added Ted Furman to a re-jigged forward line and his robust approach caused a number of problems for O’Carroll.

In addition to accumulating a brace of points, Furman flicked down a long delivery for a Paddy Small score. In spite of his difficulties, though, O’Carroll stormed out of defence on a number of occasions to halt Ballymun’s momentum.

At the opposite end, the threat of Paul Mannion kept inter-county compatriot James McCarthy on the back-foot for extended spells. Though named on the ’40’, Mannion was positioned at corner-forward for much of the opening half – taking McCarthy out of his comfort zone to a large extent.

His early penalty looked like giving Crokes a slender edge, until substitute Stephen Williams made certain of their win with a 1-1 salvo. In comparison to the tight nature of this showdown, Na Fianna comfortably dominated the group’s other game against St Sylvester’s on Saturday.

Acting as a curtain-raiser to the Crokes/Ballymun affair, the Glasnevin men recorded a 3-14 to 0-9 victory. Conor McHugh and David Lacey contributed 1-4 apiece, while Aaron Byrne also grabbed a goal.

Crokes will undoubtedly pose a greater challenge to their resolve at the end of this month, but the early signs are encouraging in Dessie Farrell’s first season at the helm.

Having relinquished their crown to St Jude’s in last year’s semi-final, Vincent’s are back in the hunting pack for 2019.

The experiment of Connolly at centre-back may prove to be a masterstroke, but Tomas Quinn continues to prosper in the Marino attack. Posting 1-8 – including four points from play – Quinn showed why he remains a pivotal figure for Vins.

They marginally lead the way in the Group Four standings – in front of Castleknock on score difference. Westmeath’s Tommy McDaniel amassed seven points for the Somerton Park men in their 1-16 to 1-9 win against Ballinteer St John’s at Monastery Road last Wednesday.

Brendan Gallagher produced a superb performance in Garristown on Friday, registering 2-9 in Lucan Sarsfields’ 3-14 to 0-10 triumph over Skerries Harps. This puts them in a confident mood ahead of a forthcoming Group Two meeting with Ballyboden St Enda’s – who squeezed past Clontarf at O’Toole Park on Saturday (0-11 to 0-10).

Whilst favourites are beginning to emerge elsewhere, all four teams in Group Three are deadlocked moving into next week’s action. After 2018 finalists Jude’s were held to a 2-6 to 1-9 draw by St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh at Parnell Park on Wednesday, Thomas Davis played out a 0-10 to 1-7 stalemate with Raheny at O’Toole Park three days later.

This heightens the anticipation for Raheny’s tussle with St Jude’s at St Margaret’s tomorrow week. Plunkett’s play Thomas Davis in 12th Lock on the same evening.

DUBLIN SFC1 FIXTURES

WEDNESDAY APRIL 24

GROUP 3: St Jude’s v Raheny (St Margaret’s, 7.30); St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER v Thomas Davis (12th Lock, 7.30).

GROUP 4: Ballinteer St John’s v St Brigid’s (O’Toole Park, 6.45); Castleknock v St Vincent’s (Broomfield, 7.30).

THURSDAY APRIL 25

GROUP 1: St Sylvester’s v Ballymun Kickhams (Balgriffin, 7.30); Na Fianna v Kilmacud Crokes (Parnell Park. 8.15).

GROUP 2: Skerries Harps v Clontarf (Parnell Park. 6.45); Lucan Sarsfields v Ballyboden St Enda’s (Monastery Road, 7.30).

Posted in Gaelic Football | Comments Off on Dublin Senior Football Championship Round One Review: The Evening Herald – April 16 2019

SSE Airtricity League Premier Division: UCD V Cork City – The Irish Independent – April 16 2019

Posted on April 17, 2019 by admin

Gary O’Neill pounces in injury time as UCD seal sensational win over 10-man Cork

UCD 2 Cork City 1

Gary O’Neill’s dramatic injury-time penalty helped UCD to earn a sensational win over 10-man Cork.

Trailing to Seán McLaughlin’s first-half goal at the break, UCD received an unexpected boost when City midfielder Garry Comerford was dismissed in the 77th-minute. A Yoyo Mahdy equaliser swiftly followed and O’Neill subsequently kept his composure to slot home a resulting spot-kick.

After Dean Clarke’s late finish had denied them victory at home to St Pat’s last Friday, a struggling Cork were hoping for better luck against Collie O’Neill’s outfit.

And it was the visitors who eventually broke the deadlock on 35 minutes. Following Shane Griffin’s precise corner on the right, centre-half McLoughlin was on hand to scramble home.

The Leesiders continued to offer the greater threat in the final-third with Morrissey firing just wide.

However, they suffered a significant setback in the closing stages when Comerford was red-carded for a dangerous challenge on winger Neil Farrugia. This increased the tension in the south Dublin venue and UCD wiped out the City lead when Mark McNulty allowed Mahdy’s speculative shot to slip through his fingertips on 85 minutes.

This looked set to give the hosts a share of the spoils, until O’Neill last-gasp intervention provided a final twist to the tale.

UCD – Kearns; Tobin, Collins, Scales, Dignam (Davis 82); Farrugia, Molloy (O’Farrell 72), O’Neill, Doyle, McClelland (McDonald 46); Mahdy.

CORK CITY – McNulty; McCarthy, Casey, McLoughlin, Griffin; Comerford, Morrissey; Boylan (Crowley 46), Buckley, Tilley (Smith 89); Cummins (Gillam 54).

REF – B Connolly (Dublin)

Posted in League Of Ireland | Comments Off on SSE Airtricity League Premier Division: UCD V Cork City – The Irish Independent – April 16 2019