Donegal v Meath: Jim McGuinness's men hit top ger against Royals in second half of All-Ireland SFC semi-final
Today at 10:00
Having already beaten Dublin, Kerry and Galway in this year's Championship, can Meath take a final step into a first All-Ireland final since 2001?
Jim McGuinness' Donegal stand in their way in his own bid to bring hhis county to a third decider and you can follow all the action as it happens in our liveblog below with throw-in at Croke Park 4pm.
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The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Kerry GAA legend, 37, retires after varied career that included All-Irelands, All-Star & Aussie Rules
TOMMY Walsh has retired from his club Kerins O'Rahillys thereby bringing an end to a meandering career packed with highs and lows. The 37-year-old brings the curtain down on his Gaelic football career having previously called time on his days in Aussie Rules in 2014. 5 He was part of Kerry's All-Ireland winning panels of 2007 and 2009 5 His club went on a magical run to become Munster champions in 2022 before ultimately losing to Leinster kingpins Kilmacud Crokes 5 He lined out for St Kilda and later Sydney Swans Down Under Credit: Getty Images - Getty He'd officially The two-time All-Ireland winner, a panelist in 2007 and one of Kerry's key players in 2009, Walsh was also named Young Footballer of the Year in the last of those Sam Maguire winning seasons. He joined Aussie Rules club St Kilda in October 2009, and eventually signed for Sydney Swans in 2011. But a career-threatening hamstring injury in 2013 effectively ended his AFL career and in late 2014 he left Sydney. Read More On GAA He was called into the Kerry panel by Eamonn Fitzmaurice in 2015 but stepped away again in 2016 due to a lack of game-time. It appeared Walsh's inter-county career was over, but when Peter Keane replaced Fitzmaurice at the helm, he invited the towering full-forward back into the fold. He featured off the bench in all of Kerry's championship games in 2021 - including their All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Tyrone. On Wednesday his club issued a glowing statement marking the retirement of one of their leading lights. Most read in GAA Football It read: "Tommy Walsh's retirement from football marks the end of an era for Kerry and for Gaelic games. "A player whose career spanned continents and generations, Walsh leaves behind a legacy defined by power, poise, and an unwavering commitment to his teams. 'Easiest interview I've ever had' jokes RTE GAA host after pundits go back and forth before Meath vs Donegal "Tommy burst on the scene as a towering midfielder on the Kerry minor team of 2006 reaching the All-Ireland minor final before losing to Roscommon after a replay." 'He was called into the Kerry senior panel in 2007 but had to wait until the following year to make his senior championship debut where, following All-Ireland success with the Kerry U21s, his efforts to add a senior medal were thwarted by Tyrone when Kerry lost in the final. "His powerful displays however, were enough to earn him the Young Footballer of the Year award, not just a recognition of his individual brilliance but also a sign of the immense promise he held — it validated the buzz around him and affirmed he was one of the brightest young prospects in the game. "Tommy garnered his Celtic Cross in fine style the following year when Kerry defeated Cork in the All-Ireland final, with Tommy kicking four points from play, two with either foot. "Tommy then departed his beloved Strand Road in October 2009 and played professional Aussie Rules with St Kilda and later the Sydney Swans but his progress was blighted by injury. PRODIGAL SON RETURNS 'After five years abroad, Walsh returned to his roots in 2014, to his beloved Strand Road. "His presence was more than symbolic — he brought back experience, leadership, and a renewed hunger to contribute to the famed blue and white. "Tommy was brought back into the Kerry senior squad in 2015 by Eamonn Fitzmaurice and played with Peter Keane in 2019 when Kerry lost to Dublin after a replay. 5 Lifting Sam Maguire with his brother Barry John after the 2009 final against Cork 5 He and Kieran Donaghy were known as 'The Twin Towers' due to the commanding aerial presence they gave Kerry "He came off the bench in the much discussed and delayed All-Ireland semi-final of 2021 against Tyrone. 'Tommy was named Man of the Match in the 2022 Munster Club Final, leading Kerins O'Rahillys with a commanding performance that blended grit, grace, and game intelligence. "The ensuing All-Ireland semi final vs eventual winners, Kilmacud Crokes, was the culmination of countless years in Strand Road, shared dreams and standing shoulder to shoulder with the very lads who knew him best. "From Strand Road to the stadiums of Sydney, his journey was one of courage, class, and commitment. "Retirement may close the chapter, but his story will echo in Kerry lore for years to come. Thanks Tommy — a true legend of Strand Road."
Irish Times
an hour ago
- Irish Times
‘F**k the pope and the IRA' heard in Windsor Park after Shelbourne goal
Strains of 'Ohhh the SFC' echoed around terraced streets in Belfast on Wednesday evening as Shelbourne FC fans chanted their anthem approaching Windsor Park football stadium. Tricolours were carried by the Dublin team's supporters along a stretch of road saturated with Union Jack and loyalist paramilitary flags in the south of the city. Police Land Rovers circled the area from before teatime. Five days earlier, a controversial bonfire with asbestos on the site was set alight in the nearby Village area off the Donegall Road ahead of the Twelfth. READ MORE For many Shels supporters, this was their first trip to Windsor in what was a second leg Champions League qualifier against Linfield FC. Eighteen coaches and an estimated 1,400 fans travelled from Dublin for the 7.45pm kick-off. Under a warm evening sun, a sea of red jerseys cheered and sang their way through the visitors' entrance on the Boucher Road. Uniformed police officers were close throughout. Richie and Emma Deasy from Blanchardstown in northwest Dublin drove up with their two children. It was their first time in Belfast for a match. Ger Martyn, Adam Leonard and Amy Rooney were the among the fans who travelled from Dublin to Belfast for the Shelbourne vs Linfield match. Photograph: Seanín Graham 'We're big Shels fans, we're looking forward to it. There's a lot of police around but it's fine; it's reassuring. There was no issue at the first leg (at Tolka Park in Dublin) last week,' said Mr Deasy. Segregation remains at Windsor, the home ground of Linfield – the club owns the land the stadium is built on – and the international Northern Ireland team. Linfield's entrance gate is at the Lisburn Road end. Despite this, some Linfield fans went through the Boucher side, and sectarian abuse was hurled between a small number of rival fans, causing police to intervene. Earlier, Dubliner Amy Rooney was among the throng of Shelbourne supporters entering the grounds. She has never been to Windsor before. 'There's always a bit of nervousness coming up here but it's good fun,' she said. Her friend, Adam Leonard, insisted: 'we don't want any hassle. I've been following Shels since I was a nipper. I'm 26 now and my dad used to bring me,' he added. 'We just want to get through to the next round.' Inside the grounds – also referred to as the national stadium – the Linfield stand swelled with more than 4,000 fans. It was awash with Union Jack and Ulster banner flags. Once a bastion of Protestantism, Windsor was seen as a no-go area for generations of Catholics. Linfield did not sign Catholic players until the late 1980s but has signed hundreds since then, from underage through to senior level. This includes current striker Matthew Fitzpatrick from west Belfast who played Gaelic football for Antrim. High-profile campaigns to eradicate sectarianism from the soccer stands have been ongoing for decades. Yet, as the warm up for teams got under way ahead of Wednesday's match, a UVF paramilitary flag was held aloft at the Linfield end. Minutes after Shelbourne scored their goal, roars of 'f**k the pope and the IRA' were chanted. When Linfield equalised with a penalty, part of the West stand – Linfield's stand – erupted into The Billy Boys, an overtly sectarian song. Banned by the Irish FA in 2014, the song contains the line 'we're up to our knees in Fenian blood'. The club was warned it would face 'severe punitive sanctions' if its supporters continued singing any variations of it. [ Shelbourne survive spirited Linfield to reach Champions League second round qualifiers Opens in new window ] During the final six minutes of extra time an announcement came over a loudspeaker that the Boucher gate would remain closed for an extra 15 minutes (so as to ensure the fans did not clash on the way out). The 1-1 draw knocked Linfield out of the Champions League Euphoric Shelbourne fans stayed behind and continued their chants before a loud chorus of 'Ole, Ole, Ole'. Shelbourne's Paddy Barrett, Evan Caffrey and Mipo Odubeko celebrate after the game. Photograph: INPHO/Ryan Byrne When they emerged, a queue formed at a George Best statue outside the grounds. Red and white scarves were tied around the neck of the bronze statue where dozens of Shelbourne supporters posed for photographs. Another fan, Ger Martyn, was already looking forward to their next game and said he was glad there was no trouble. 'I think 99 per cent of both sides of fans are here for a good time. They want their teams to go on to the next round. No one can legislate for the 1 per cent,' Mr Martyn said.
Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Irish Times
The Open Day One: Live updates from Royal Portrush
0 minutes ago Hello and welcome to live coverage of the Open Championship from Royal Portrush , only the third Major ever to be hosted on the island of Ireland. Last time out here, Shane Lowry created one of the greatest weeks in Irish sporting history by winning the Claret Jug in 2019. He would love to do it again and he tees off at 10.09am. Already on the course are Pádraig Harrington (who hit the opening tee shot), Tom McKibbin and Darren Clarke. Lowry tees off in the marquee group of the morning with world number one Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa at 10.09am. Later, Rory McIlroy continues the home charge when he tees off with Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Thomas at 3.10pm. The whole of Northern Ireland will be watching that one. By that stage, Mary Hannigan will be joining the blog to give you updates, but for now, it's myself to bring you through the morning action, as soon as I get set up. If you'd like to know all the tee times and more information about the event, check my guide here: [ The Open 2025: Tee times, TV details, weather forecast, players to watch Opens in new window ]
