Leinster Rugby & Just Eat Partnership Extension: Dan Sheehan – The Irish Times – December 6 2024

Posted on December 5, 2024 by admin

Dan Sheehan resolute as he plans return to action early in the new year

Ireland and Leinster hooker has taken time to reflect on his career to date while rehabbing from an ACL injury

Daire Walsh

Leinster and Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan has revealed he is very much on the right road towards a full recovery from the anterior cruciate ligament injury that has kept him sidelined up to this point in the season.

After damaging his ACL during the opening Test of their summer tour of South Africa in Pretoria on July 6th, Sheehan missed out on Ireland’s rematch with the Springboks in Durban seven days later and was also marked absent for the four games Andy Farrell’s men played across last month’s Autumn Nations Series.

He has also been forced to watch on as Leinster have won their opening seven games in this season’s United Rugby Championship, but even though he is reluctant to put an exact time frame on his return to full fitness, Sheehan is hopeful of being available for selection in the early stages of 2025.

“I’d love to get a good chunk of the season, see how we go. I’ve been conscious not to put a time frame on it, because then it would be tempting to rush back. It’s very much a week-to-week thing. Hopefully into the new year. It might take a month or two, but that’s what I’m sort of aiming at,” Sheehan remarked at a Just Eat and Leinster Rugby partnership extension announcement at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday.

“Just for the mind, I don’t want to put an exact date on it because then I’d be rushing. In terms of the knee, it’s coming along very nicely. Emma Galvin, my physio, has worked her ass off to get me to a good spot.

“I haven’t had one setback yet, so hopefully in the new year I can get kicking. I don’t want to rush it at the same time. It’s quite tempting, especially after the last month watching the lads out there playing big games. You’re like ‘I really want to get back’, but I’ll make sure I’m 100 per cent right and that’s when I’ll go back.”

Considering he has amassed 91 appearances for either province or country since making his Leinster senior debut for Leinster against Zebre back in October 2020, being ruled out of action for a long period isn’t something that the 26-year-old had previously experienced in the professional game.

He admitted the initial stages of his rehabilitation proved testing as a result, but he has been maintaining a positive outlook on his road to recovery.

“First long-term [injury]. I’ve had surgeries, the ankle and face, but they’re all six-weekers, or eight weeks max. This is the first time that we’ve been talking months. I suppose, it’s part of the game today. Obviously, it was pretty tough. The first couple of weeks trying to get it into your mind that you’d be out for a long time,” Sheehan added.

“What helped me at the start was, because it was straight into the holidays and preseason, I didn’t feel like I was missing everything. It hasn’t been as tolling on the mind as I thought it might be. I was able to get over the first hurdle of getting the surgery and getting into the right mindset early on. Seeing it as a time to reflect.

“I’ve been flat out since I made my debut for Leinster three or four years ago. It’s nice to have a period of time to reflect back, analyse the last couple of years. See areas you can improve on and give the body a bit of a rest. It’s pretty tricky trying to do that week on week, when you don’t have the time to look back. In that sense it’s grand.”

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Leinster Rugby & Just Eat Partnership Extension: Dan Sheehan – The42.ie – December 5 2024

Posted on December 5, 2024 by admin

‘The last couple of weeks have been tough’ – Dan Sheehan

The injured hooker has had to get used to watching rather than playing in big games. He hopes to return soon.

LEINSTER AND IRELAND hooker Dan Sheehan says he is on the road towards a full recovery from the anterior cruciate ligament injury that has kept him sidelined up to this point in the season.

After damaging his ACL during the opening test of their summer tour of South Africa in Pretoria on 6 July, Sheehan missed out on Ireland’s rematch with the Springboks in Durban seven days later and was also marked absent for the four games that Andy Farrell’s men played across last month’s Autumn Nations Series.

He has also watched on as Leinster have won their opening seven games in this season’s URC, but even though he is reluctant to put an exact timeframe on his return to full fitness, Sheehan is hopeful of being back and available for selection in the early stages of 2025.

“I’d love to get a good chunk of the season, see how we go. I’ve been conscious not to put a timeframe on it, because then it would be tempting to rush back. It’s very much a week-to-week thing. Hopefully into the new year. It might take a month or two, but that’s what I’m sort of aiming at,” Sheehan said at a Just Eat & Leinster Rugby partnership extension announcement today.

“Just for the mind, I don’t want to put an exact date on it because then I’d be rushing. In terms of the knee, it’s coming along very nicely. Emma Galvin, my physio, has worked her ass off to get me to a good spot.

“I haven’t had one setback yet, so hopefully in the New Year I can get kicking. I don’t want to rush it at the same time.”

Sheehan has amassed 91 appearances for either province or country since making his Leinster senior debut against Zebre on 23 October, 2020. So being ruled out of action for a longer period wasn’t something he had experienced in the professional game.

He admitted the initial stages of his rehabilitation proved testing as a result, but the former Clongowes Wood College student has been maintaining a positive outlook on his road to recovery.

“First long-term [injury]. I’ve had surgeries, the ankle and face, but they’re all six weekers, or eight weeks max. This is the first time that we’ve been talking months. I suppose it’s part of the game today,” he said.

“Obviously, it was pretty tough. The first couple of weeks trying to get it into your mind that you’d be out for a long time. It hasn’t been as tolling on the mind as I thought it might be. I was able to get over the first hurdle of getting the surgery and getting into the right mindset early on. Seeing it as a time to reflect.

“I’ve been flat out since I made my debut for Leinster three or four years ago. It’s nice to have a period of time to reflect back, analyse the last couple of years. See areas you can improve on, and give the body a bit of a rest. It’s pretty tricky trying to do that week on week, when you don’t have the time to look back. In that sense it’s grand.”

Nonetheless, having made his Ireland senior bow in a November test against Japan back in 2021 – the same day Johnny Sexton picked up his 100th cap in the green jersey – Sheehan would naturally have felt the urge to be involved for the visits to the Aviva by New Zealand, Argentina, Fiji and Australia in the past few weeks.

Yet while he again acknowledges that it wasn’t easy to be outside of the camp for these fixtures, an intense focus on his rehabilitation programme helped to keep Sheehan’s mind occupied.

“What helped me at the start was, because it was straight into the holidays and pre-season, I didn’t feel like I was missing everything. I could get ahead of the curve and get straight into rehab. By the time everyone was back playing games again I was two months in and going well,” Sheehan added.

“The last couple of weeks have been tough, when lads are playing big Leinster games. Big Interpros in Croker [against Munster] and the last four international games are tough. You’re not feeling the nerves on an international week, which is just bizarre at this point. Because for the last three years it’s been every time there’s been an international game you get those nerves.

“You’re in a hotel preparing for battle and I was on the couch watching the game, or just going down to watch it with a few of the lads. In that sense it’s been tricky, but I’ve been kept busy with rehab. Just ticking away and throwing my hand at a few things. Helping out lads I see every day in Leinster and keeping the mind busy, which is the main thing.”

 

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Leinster Rugby & Just Eat Partnership Extension: Dan Sheehan – Independent.ie – December 5 2024

Posted on December 5, 2024 by admin

‘I’d love to get a good chunk of the season’ – Dan Sheehan targeting return in early 2025

Daire Walsh

Leinster and Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan has revealed that he is very much on the right road towards a full recovery from the anterior cruciate ligament injury that has kept him sidelined up to this point in the season.

After damaging his ACL during the opening test of their summer tour of South Africa in Pretoria on July 6, Sheehan missed out on Ireland’s rematch with the Springboks in Durban seven days later and was also marked absent for the four games Andy Farrell’s men played across last month’s Autumn Nations Series.

He has also been forced to watch on as Leinster have won their opening seven games in this season’s United Rugby Championship, but even though he is reluctant to put an exact timeframe on his return to full fitness, Sheehan is hopeful of being available for selection in the early stages of 2025.

“I’d love to get a good chunk of the season, see how we go. I’ve been conscious not to put a timeframe on it, because then it would be tempting to rush back. It’s very much a week-to-week thing. Hopefully into the new year. It might take a month or two, but that’s what I’m sort of aiming at,” Sheehan remarked at a Just Eat & Leinster Rugby partnership extension announcement at the Aviva Stadium earlier today.

“Just for the mind, I don’t want to put an exact date on it because then I’d be rushing. In terms of the knee, it’s coming along very nicely. Emma Galvin, my physio, has worked her ass off to get me to a good spot.

“I haven’t had one setback yet, so hopefully in the New Year I can get kicking. I don’t want to rush it at the same time. It’s quite tempting, especially after the last month watching the lads out there playing big games.”

Posted in European Rugby, International Rugby | Comments Off on Leinster Rugby & Just Eat Partnership Extension: Dan Sheehan – Independent.ie – December 5 2024

Leinster Senior Club Football Championship: Cuala V Ardee St Mary’s – The Irish Times – December 2 2024

Posted on December 3, 2024 by admin

Luke Keating’s late point gives Cuala the Leinster club title

Ahead by nine points with 20 minutes gone, the Dublin champions were subsequently reined in by quick-fire goals

Daire Walsh

Leinster Club SFC final: Cuala 1-14 St Mary’s Ardee 2-10

Luke Keating was the hero at Croke Park on Saturday evening as his stoppage-time free helped Cuala to hold off an extraordinary fightback from Ardee St Mary’s of Louth in a pulsating Leinster Club Senior Football Championship final.

Ahead by nine points with 20 minutes gone on the clock, the Dublin champions were subsequently reined in by quick-fire goals from Ryan Rooney and Sean Callaghan in the final quarter. This led to a tension-filled conclusion at the Jones’ Road venue, but Keating produced the goods when it mattered most to ensure that Cuala claimed their first title at this grade.

Michael Fitzsimons has been chipping in with some fine scores throughout the course of Cuala’s memorable club championship run and the veteran Dublin defender got the Dalkey side up and running with an excellent fourth-minute point. Niall O’Callaghan went on to double their lead moments later, before his brother and inside partner Con scored two points in quick succession.

The latter O’Callaghan subsequently turned provider for Conor O’Brien on the third-quarter mark, when the industrious centre-forward’s low shot rattled the net.

Further points from Con O’Callaghan and Keating moved the Dublin champions into a 1-6 to 0-0 lead, before Ardee suddenly came to life with three pointed frees from as many players – namely attacker Ciaran Keenan, wing back Jonathan Commins and goalkeeper Tiernan Markey.

There had been a notable increase in tempo from the Wee County outfit, but thanks to a fisted point from defender Eoin Kennedy in stoppage-time, Cuala nevertheless brought a convincing 1-7 to 0-3 cushion into the interval.

The start of the second half saw O’Brien and Ardee’s Commins trading points in fine style, before Louth star Keenan and Cuala’s marauding centre back Charlie McMorrow did likewise in the 34th and 35th minutes. Although Con O’Callaghan cancelled out an impressive point from opposition defender Tadgh McDonnell, St Mary’s remained in touch heading towards the final quarter following unanswered scores from Keenan and Daire McConnon.

They received a temporary numerical advantage when Cuala’s Eoin Kennedy was black carded and while Austin O’Malley’s Metropolitan side responded with a Niall O’Callaghan point, Ardee had spectacularly wiped out their deficit by the 50th minute. After substitute Rooney bagged his side’s first goal of the night when netminder Ryan Scollard failed to hold on to a high delivery by McDonnell, midfielder Callaghan also raised a green flag with a clinical finish angle.

This suddenly threw down the gauntlet to Cuala, who initially fired back with a Cal Doran point. Keating also found the range during a hectic period, but with Rooney splitting the uprights in a direct reply to both these scores, Ardee were threatening to pull off a sensational comeback victory.

The spectre of extra-time was beginning to loom large when Con O’Callaghan was short of the mark from a late free, but Keating kept his composure to knock over a placed-ball effort of his own on 62 minutes and squeeze Cuala over the line.

Cuala: R Scollard; D Conroy, M Fitzsimons (0-1), E O’Callaghan; E Kennedy (0-1), C McMorrow (0-1), D O’Dowd; P O Cofaigh Byrne, P Duffy; C Dunne, C O’Brien (1-1), C Doran (0-1); L Keating (0-3, 0-2 frees), N O’Callaghan (0-2), C O’Callaghan (0-4, two frees). Subs: C O Giollain for Dunne, 37 mins; M Conroy for D Conroy, C Groarke for O’Brien, both 43; S Mangan for O’Dowd, 57 mins.

Ardee St Mary’s: T Markey (0-1, free); T McDonnell (0-1), K Faulkner, E Keenan; J Commins (0-2, 0-1 free), D McKenny, P McKenny; RJ Callaghan, S Callaghan (1-0); C Keenan (0-3, frees), L Jackson, K Moran; S Matthews, D McConnon (0-1), T Jackson. Subs: R Carroll for Matthews, R Rooney (1-2) for Moran, both 43 mins; C Gillespie for Commins, 53; R Leavy for RJ Callaghan, 58 mins.

Referee: S Mulhare (Laois).

Posted in Gaelic Football | Comments Off on Leinster Senior Club Football Championship: Cuala V Ardee St Mary’s – The Irish Times – December 2 2024

Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship Final: Na Fianna V Kilcormac-Killoughey – The Sunday Times – December 1 2024

Posted on December 3, 2024 by admin

Na Fianna victory makes it a good night for Dublin

Donal Burke and Colin Currie struck a combined haul of 15 points at Croke Park last night as Dublin’s Na Fianna defeated Kilcormac-Killoughey of Offaly to earn a first-ever Leinster Club Senior Hurling Championship crown.

Eager to go a step further than 2023 – when their Leinster club campaign ended in a final defeat to Kilkenny’s O’Loughlin Gaels – Na Fianna raced 0-5 to 0-1 clear on eight minutes thanks to points from Jack Meagher, Colin Currie (two), Burke and AJ Murphy.

An Adam Screeney free was the sole score for Kilcormac during these early exchanges, but either side of Burke’s second of the half, the prodigious Offaly attacker joined his goalkeeper Conor Slevin in splitting the uprights.

Although the dead-ball prowess of Screeney was keeping the Faithful County outfit in touch, the unerring accuracy of Donal Burke from play was supplemented by a goal from Sean Currie to leave Na Fianna in the driving seat on 26 minutes. The elusive Burke and Colin Currie added to their personal tallies before the end of the opening period, but Screeney, Conor Mahon and Colin Spain also pointed to ensure Kilcormac were just five adrift (1-13 to 0-11) at the break.

In fact, Shane Hand’s men brought the gap down to four points on three occasions during a lively start to the second half as they outscored their capital counterparts 0-3 to 0-2.

Even though Colin Currie knocked over his maiden score from play in response to a successful Screeney free, the bare minimum separated the teams when Kilcormac centre-forward Mahon fired to the net after a Screeney ‘65’ had rebounded off the post.

This ramped up the pressure on Na Fianna, but Niall O Ceallachain’s charges responded immediately with a superb goal from Murphy.

11 minutes passed before the next score of this compelling game followed and when it finally arrived, it was Na Fianna’s reliable marksman Colin Currie who laid claim to it. His pointed free was cancelled out by a Mitchell score from play, before Na Fianna edged a step closer to glory when Colin Currie and Burke (who finished with respective hauls of 0-8 and 0-7) combined with Ciaran Stacey to record unanswered efforts.

While a goal from the excellent Screeney at the end of normal time offered some hope to Kilcormac with five additional minutes still to come, Burke and Murphy knocked over further points to propel Na Fianna towards a memorable triumph.

Posted in Hurling | Comments Off on Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship Final: Na Fianna V Kilcormac-Killoughey – The Sunday Times – December 1 2024

Leinster Senior Club Football Championship Final: Cuala V Ardee St Mary’s – The Sunday Times – December 1 2024

Posted on December 3, 2024 by admin

Cuala hold firm to secure the title

CUALA 1-14

ARDEE ST MARY’S 2-10

Luke Keating was the hero at Croke Park on Saturday evening as his stoppage-time free helped Cuala to hold off an extraordinary fightback from Ardee St Mary’s of Louth in a pulsating Leinster Club Senior Football Championship final.

Ahead by nine points with 20 minutes gone on the clock, the Dublin champions were subsequently reined in by quickfire goals for Ardee from Ryan Rooney and Sean Callaghan in the final-quarter – before Keating ultimately stepped up to ensure that Cuala claimed their first-ever title at this grade.

After inter-county stalwarts Michael Fitzsimons and Con O’Callaghan (two) had kicked points to supplement a single effort from the latter’s brother Niall, Cuala created further daylight between themselves and Ardee when centre-forward Conor O’Brien fired a low shot to the net on the first-quarter mark.

Further points from Con O’Callaghan and Keating moved the Dublin champions into a 1-6 to 0-0 lead, before Ardee suddenly came to life with three pointed frees from as many players – namely attacker Ciaran Keenan, wing-back Jonathan Commins and goalkeeper Tiernan Markey.

There had been a notable increase in tempo from the Wee County outfit, but thanks to a fisted point from defender Eoin Kennedy in stoppage-time, Cuala nevertheless brought a convincing 1-7 to 0-3 cushion into the interval.

The Dalkey side remained in control during the initial stages of the second half, but St Mary’s were offered a new lease of life when Cuala’s Eoin Kennedy was black carded on 46 minutes.

While Austin O’Malley’s Metropolitan side responded with a Niall O’Callaghan point, Ardee had spectacularly wiped out their deficit by the 50th minute in GAA HQ. After substitute Rooney bagged his side’s first goal of the night when netminder Ryan Scollard failed to hold onto a high delivery by McDonnell, midfielder Callaghan also raised a green flag with a clinical finish at a right-hand angle.

This suddenly threw down the gauntlet to Cuala, who initially fired back with a Cal Doran point. Keating also found the range during a hectic period, but with Rooney splitting the uprights in a direct reply to both these scores, Ardee were threatening to pull off a sensational comeback victory.

The spectre of extra-time was also beginning to loom large when Con O’Callaghan was short of the mark from a late free, but Keating kept his composure to knock over a place-ball effort of his own on 62 minutes and squeeze Cuala over the line.

Posted in Gaelic Football | Comments Off on Leinster Senior Club Football Championship Final: Cuala V Ardee St Mary’s – The Sunday Times – December 1 2024

Leinster Senior Club Football Championship Final: Cuala V Ardee St Mary’s – The Irish Sun On Sunday – December 1 2024

Posted on December 1, 2024 by admin
CUAL DAY

Cuala manager reacts after his side withstand comeback bid by St Mary’s Ardee to claim first Leinster crown

It was one of their veterans who provided the winning score in injury-time
Daire Walsh

AUSTIN O’MALLEY was proud as punch at Croke Park last night after Cuala claimed a first Leinster SFC club title.

But they had to withstand a gallant fightback from Ardee outfit St Mary’s.

Nine points clear with 20 minutes played, the Dublin champions were pegged back when Ardee grabbed quickfire goals through Ryan Rooney and Seán Callaghan moments after Cuala’s Eoin Kennedy was black-carded.

But Cuala dug deep during a tense finish as forward Luke Keating knocked over an injury time free to shake off the Louth men.

And O’Malley said: “I’m just so proud of the guys there. That just went right to the wire and before the game I thought it would.

“We got a run on them in the first half. We had a cushion but the black card had obviously a major bearing on things in the second half.

“I knew that Ardee were going to come and they did.

“They clawed their way back and it’s just such a testament to the spirit of them and obviously the spirit of Louth football. It’s on an up at the moment as well.

“I’m so proud for our boys to hang in there and to not panic. To show the kind of mental resilience and resolve.

“We just kept going through the phases and found the final score there to see it out.

“I’m immensely proud and so delighted for the club. It’s just an amazing and historic night.”

After Michael Fitzsimons and Con O’Callaghan kicked points to supplement another from the latter’s brother Niall, Cuala put daylight between the teams when Conor O’Brien raised a green flag in the 15th minute.

Further points from Con O’Callaghan and Keating moved the Dalkey men into a 1-6 to 0-0 lead before Ardee came to life with three pointed frees from Ciarán Keenan, Jonathan Commins and Tiernan Markey.

But after a fisted point from Kennedy in time added on, Cuala brought a convincing 1-7 to 0-3 cushion into the interval.

The capital side remained in control during the initial stages of the second half.

But St Mary’s were offered a new lease of life when — after Keenan and Daire McConnon pointed — Kennedy was black-carded in the 46th minute.

While O’Malley’s side responded with a Niall O’Callaghan point, Ardee wiped out their deficit by the 50th minute at GAA HQ.

After sub Rooney bagged his side’s first goal of the night when Cuala keeper Ryan Scollard failed to hold on to a high delivery by Tadgh McDonnell, midfielder Callaghan also raised a green flag with a clinical finish.

That threw down the gauntlet to Cuala, who fired back with a Cal Doran point.

Keating also found the range during a hectic period but with Rooney splitting the uprights in a direct reply to both of these scores, Ardee threatened to pull off a sensational victory.

The prospect of extra-time loomed when Con O’Callaghan was short of the mark from a late free but Keating kept his composure to knock over a place-ball effort in injury time.

CUALA: R Scollard; D Conroy, M Fitzsimons 0-1, E O’Callaghan; E Kennedy 0-1, C McMorrow 0-1, D O’Dowd; P O Cofaigh Byrne, P Duffy; C Dunne, C O’Brien 1-1, C Doran 0-1; L Keating 0-3, 2f, N O’Callaghan 0-2, C O’Callaghan 0-4, 2f.

Subs: C O Giollain for Dunne 37 mins; M Conroy for D Conroy 43; C Groarke for O’Brien 43; S Mangan for O’Dowd 57.

ST MARY’S, ARDEE: T Markey 0-1f; T McDonnell 0-1, K Faulkner, E Keenan; J Commins 0-2, 1f, D McKenny, P McKenny; RJ Callaghan, S Callaghan 1-0; C Keenan 0-3f, L Jackson, K Moran; S Matthews, D McConnon 0-1, T Jackson.

Subs: R Carroll for Matthews 43 mins; R Rooney 1-2 for Moran 43; C Gillespie for Commins 53; R Leavy for RJ Callaghan 58.

REFEREE: S Mulhare (Laois).

Posted in Gaelic Football | Comments Off on Leinster Senior Club Football Championship Final: Cuala V Ardee St Mary’s – The Irish Sun On Sunday – December 1 2024

All-Ireland Senior Ladies Club Football Championship Semi-Final: Kilmacud Crokes V Castleisland Desmonds – Ladiesgaelic.ie – November 30 2024

Posted on December 1, 2024 by admin

Cotter leads the way as Kilmacud Crokes reach first AIB All-Ireland senior final

AIB All-Ireland SFC semi-final

Kilmacud Crokes 5-11

Castleisland Desmonds 1-5

By Daire Walsh

Niamh Cotter struck an excellent haul of 2-4 at Pairc de Burca as Kilmacud Crokes reached their first AIB All-Ireland senior club championship decider with an impressive victory over Castleisland Desmonds.

Amy Conroy, Michelle Davoren and Mia Jennings were also amongst the goals on a day when Crokes overcame a brace of semi-final defeats in the past two seasons to face the winners of tomorrow’s clash between defending champions Kilkerrin-Clonberne and Clann Eireann in this year’s final at Croke Park on December 14.

Playing on their home patch, the Stillorgan club stormed five points clear in the early exchanges after inter-county stars Ailbhe Davoren (Galway) and Lauren Magee (Dublin) kicked points either side of corner-forward Conroy clinically bagged the first goal of the game in the eighth-minute.

This threw down the gauntlet to Castleisland – who were captained by former Ireland women’s rugby international Ciara O’Sullivan (née Griffin) – but the Kerry outfit finally came to life when full-forward Julia Curtin fired home an excellent goal on 10 minutes.

Although their Dublin counterparts responded to this effort with a well-worked point by Michelle Davoren, Leah Griffin was on hand to raise a white flag for two-time All-Ireland senior champions Castleisland at the opposite end.

Aisling Leonard also found the range for the visitors, but with Grace Kós and Cotter (two) firing over in the closing stages of the opening period, Crokes brought a 1-6 to 1-2 cushion into the interval.

Even though Castleisland made a bright start to the second half with a point from Andrea Murphy, Crokes turned on the style for the remainder of the third-quarter.

When the Metropolitan women were awarded a penalty on 34 minutes, Cotter stepped up to the spot and ruthlessly dispatched the ball past Castleisland netminder Jennifer Drumm. This created significant daylight between the teams once again and after she had joined Conroy in adding an extra point to their personal tallies, Cotter registered her second goal of the action on the third-quarter mark.

This stretched a relentless Crokes into a seemingly insurmountable 11-point lead, before Michelle Davoren and Jennings claimed fourth and fifth goals for the south Dubliners in the 48th and 51st minutes.

Kingdom veterans Lorraine Scanlon and Eilis Lynch did kick points for Castleisland in the closing moments, but Cotter and Magee also found the target as Kilmacud eased their way into next month’s showpiece.

 Scorers – Kilmacud Crokes: N Cotter 2-4 (1-0 pen, 0-4f), A Conroy 1-2, M Davoren 1-1, M Jennings 1-0, L Magee 0-2, G Kós, A Davoren 0-1.

Castleisland Desmonds: J Curtin 1-0, L Scanlon 0-1 (f), E Lynch, A Murphy, A Leonard, L Griffin 0-1 each.

 KILMACUD CROKES: D Gower; N Carr, E Sweeney, P Greene; A Kane, M Lamb, K Murray; G Kós, L Magee; N Cotter, A Davoren, M Jennings; A Conroy, M Davoren, É Rutledge. Subs: S O’Donoghue for Kós (45), C Regan for Greene (50), D Egan for Conroy, L Kane for Jennings (both 51), C Moran for M Davoren (55).

CASTLEISLAND DESMONDS: J Drumm; H Herlihy, E Lynch, H Bourke; G Kearney, K O’Connor, C Lynch; L Scanlon, C O’Sullivan; A Curtin, A Murphy, A Leonard; L Walmsley, J Curtin, L Griffin. Subs: N Walsh for Bourke (37), K O’Connor for Curtin, K O’Sullivan for Griffin (both 48), H Murphy for Herlihy (53), R Cronin for Murphy (54).

 Referee: Brendan Rice (Down).

Posted in Ladies GAA | Comments Off on All-Ireland Senior Ladies Club Football Championship Semi-Final: Kilmacud Crokes V Castleisland Desmonds – Ladiesgaelic.ie – November 30 2024

Ireland Build-Up To Australia Home In Autumn Nations Series: Caelan Doris – The Irish Sun – November 30 2024

Posted on December 1, 2024 by admin
CIAN FAN

Caelan Doris reveals Cian Healy’s ‘unique & obscure’ methods that have him on cusp of breaking Brian O’Driscoll’s record

The Mayo native also spoke of the wider historical significance around today’s fixture
Daire Walsh

JOE SCHMIDT’S return to the Aviva Stadium has dominated the headlines this week — but Ireland captain Caelan Doris is not focused on that.

Andy Farrell’s men are keen to make it a 150th anniversary match to remember against Australia in their Autumn Nations Series finale.

Five years after handing the reins to Farrell — who worked alongside the Kiwi as an assistant coach from 2016 to 2019 — Schmidt returns this afternoon as Wallabies chief.

Australia are aiming to bounce back from a defeat to Scotland in Edinburgh last weekend.

Today also marks Farrell’s last game in charge as he leaves to focus on leading the Lions Down Under next year.

This showdown is also being billed as a 150th anniversary game for the IRFU.

And Leinster No  8 Doris has revealed the historic element to the game has been a talking point.

The skipper said: “The history has been touched on quite a bit — not just this week, but generally it’s something we talk about.

“The legacy of Irish rugby and how the success of teams in the past inspired us to play and how we want to inspire the next generation through how we play.

“It is talked about quite a bit and the jersey definitely means a lot to us. It’s important and it serves as an extra motivation for us.”

Today’s game will see Cian Healy become Ireland’s most-capped player, provided he is sprung from the bench by Faz.

The prop became Leinster’s record appearance holder — with 282 caps — when the Blues faced the Dragons in the URC at the end of September.

And ahead of what Healy, 37, hopes is his 134th Ireland outing, Doris waxed lyrical about his provincial and international pal.

Healy — a keen artist — made his bow for Ireland against the Wallabies at Croke Park in 2009.

And Doris said: “He’s a great fella and is very popular among the squad.

“We were actually watching some of his highlights during the week from his debut against Australia, funnily enough in Croke Park, and 134 caps is just wild.

“I think that’s in large part a testament to how well he looks after himself.

“I had the pleasure of rooming with him in Ireland for about four years and he’s up to all sorts of tricks in terms of his recovery.

“He is sometimes sleeping on the ground with his legs elevated.

“He is sleeping on acupressure mats, does mindfulness and even has all sorts of cold showers.

“He does loads of stretching and it has stood to him in terms of his body and the ability to stay going at this age.

“He is very much his own man as well. People were saying during the week how he hasn’t changed a lot since when he first came in.

“He’s got his own unique and obscure hobbies and does his own thing off the pitch.

“He’s true to himself, which is a good thing.”

DEFINING DAY

While he led Ireland against Italy and South Africa earlier this year, Doris’ first game after being officially named captain was in the Autumn Nations opening loss to New Zealand earlier this month.

Farrell’s men went down 23-13 to the All Blacks at the Aviva but the Mayo man has since guided his team to victories over Argentina and Fiji.

And Doris knows this afternoon’s clash is likely to define how this November window is going to be viewed.

With that in mind, he is hopeful the Green Army can sign off on 2024 with victory at Lansdowne Road.

Doris explained: “We have the chance to go three from four and improve our performance.

“A lot lies on this weekend in terms of the success of the autumn for us and how that’s viewed in terms of how we get our performance right.

“The first meeting when we came in this autumn was about continual growth and improvement, and players trying to take it to another level.

“Other teams are getting better. We’re not playing South Africa but you can see their improvements through the year and we need to be doing the same.

“I think we showed that in the first half against Argentina.

“We showed that at times last week against Fiji but we definitely need to show it again this week.”

With Munster’s Tadhg Beirne and Leinster’s Josh van der Flier lining up with Doris for the third time in four games, Ireland have a settled back row.

AUSSIE EDGE?

But Aussie trio Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson are a formidable combination.

And the Ireland skipper is expecting a robust challenge — having faced Valetini in a 13-10 win two years ago in Dublin.

Doris added: “Harry Wilson is obviously their captain and he’s a pretty talismanic figure for them.

“Fraser McReight is class at No 7 and I think he’s got a pretty varied skill set and gets lots of turnovers.

“Rob Valetini is a very hard runner. He is a big physical presence and hits hard. I remember tackling him here back in 2022.

“He’s a big man and he is a hard man to take down. We’ll have our hands full with them.”

Posted in International Rugby | Comments Off on Ireland Build-Up To Australia Home In Autumn Nations Series: Caelan Doris – The Irish Sun – November 30 2024

The Big Interview: Nicola Ward (Galway/Kilkerrin-Clonberne) – Media West Ireland – November 30 2024

Posted on November 30, 2024 by admin

‘Overwhelmed’ Nicola Ward seeking club silver lining

By Daire Walsh

She has secured her share of individual and collective accolades down through the years, but Galway and Kilkerrin-Clonberne star Nicola Ward has admitted to being ‘really overwhelmed’ with winning the TG4 Senior Players’ Player of the Year earlier this month.

Already on the stage at The Bonnington Dublin Hotel earlier this month after being named on the All-Star team alongside three of her fellow county women, Ward was taken by surprise when it was announced that she had seen off the challenges of Kayleigh Cronin (Kerry) and Lauren McConville (Armagh) to take the prestigous accolade.

Due to the fact her twin sister Louise was nominated for an All-Star, and her close friend and club-mate Olivia Divilly was named in the team alongside the dynamic centre half-back, Ward was able to celebrate with those nearest and dearest to her on the night.

“It was a shock,” Ward acknowledged. “Especially being up against the two girls, Lauren and Kayleigh. They had such brilliant years with their respective counties as well.

“It’s not something that I expected for sure, but I was delighted to get it. It’s a massive honour and especially as well that it was chosen by the players. I think it made it extra special, but I was just really overwhelmed with it to be honest,”

“Louise was nominated and Olivia Divilly, who is one of my good friends. It was a great night for our family. Mum and Dad are very proud and the club is very proud as well. It was a special night.”

A couple of months before picking up her first All-Star in 2019, Ward was part of a Galway team that fell short to Dublin in an All-Ireland final. It was a similar scenario for the 28-year-old this year as the recent awards banquet was preceded by the Tribeswomen’s defeat to Kerry in their latest Brendan Martin Cup decider appearance at GAA HQ.

While she was understandably disappointed to finish second best in an All-Ireland inter-county showpiece for the second time in her career, Ward ultimately looks upon 2024 as a year of progress for Galway.

“I would definitely see the year as progress. We had a poor league campaign and then after that really we kind of didn’t look back. We went on to retain the Connacht title and then built good confidence from that. Then obviously we got past a quarter-final stage, which hasn’t happened [for a while].

“We’ve fallen at quarter-final stages to Meath and to Mayo in the previous two years by a point. To break down that barrier that day [against Dublin], it was great. There’s a lot to take from the year and I would hope that we would carry it into next year.

You can fully expect that Ward will persevere in the maroon of her native county, given the way she had to overcome some frustrating days out with Kilkerrin-Clonberne before they went on to establish themselves as one of the most formidable club teams in the land.

After falling to a number of defeats in the last-four of the competition, they eventually reached the final of the AIB All-Ireland senior club championship in the winter of 2019.

Kilkerrin-Clonberne lost out agonisingly by a single point to defending champions Mourneabbey on that occasion in the TUS Gaelic Grounds, before turning the tables on the Cork outfit in the 2021 decider – which was played in January 2022 at St Brendan’s Park in Birr.

The Galway and Connacht supremos went on from there to add a further brace of Dolores Tyrrell crowns courtesy of final wins over Donaghmoyne (Monaghan) and Ballymacarbry (Waterford) with Ward’s father Willie at the managerial helm for all three of these national successes.

“He managed us at senior level back a good few years ago. He took a break and then came back four years ago. He’s still going strong at the minute. It’s lovely. We can bounce ideas off him from a players’ perspective and if he’s not happy with things, we can bring it back to the girls.”

Having become the first team from either Galway or Connacht to secure three senior All-Ireland titles on the bounce last December, Kilkerrin-Clonberne have their sights set on remaining at the top of the club ladder.

Yet with the three teams they have defeated to claim those All-Ireland crowns (Mourneabbey, Donaghmoyne and Ballymacarbry) all being knocked out in their respective county championships this year, Ward and her playing colleagues aren’t taking anything for granted.

Armagh and Ulster champions Clann Eireann will be seeking to dethrone their western counterparts in an All-Ireland senior semi-final showdown on their home patch tomorrow afternoon, but Ward (who started a new job as a production planning analyst with Coca Cola Ballina Beverages in February) is more than hopeful Kilkerrin-Clonberne can rise to the occasion.

“It’s a lot easier being the chaser than the ones being chased. Plenty of teams are coming for us and trying to knock us back, but the good thing about us is that we’re aware of that and we don’t want to give up what we have,” Ward added.

“Because over the last number of years we’ve brought great joy to our community and it has been a golden era for us, that we’ve had such top class players all come through at the same time. We’re definitely not looking to give the crown to someone else any time soon.”

Posted in Ladies GAA | Comments Off on The Big Interview: Nicola Ward (Galway/Kilkerrin-Clonberne) – Media West Ireland – November 30 2024