‘I'd ask people who are knocking the group, ‘What have you contributed to Kerry football off the field?'' – Jack O'Connor rounds on home-grown critics
Six minutes into the second half of the last of the weekend's All-Ireland quarter-finals, Paudie Clifford, into the action since the break, nipped in to steal a low-flying Armagh kick-out and send play spinning back towards Ethan Rafferty's goal.
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Irish Independent
42 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Talented Raji sisters sparkle for Boyne AC as both make podium at the Irish Championships
Among the standout performers were sisters Hila and Hannele Raji, whose exceptional efforts across multiple events not only brought home medals but showed just how bright the future is for these two rising stars. On Day 1, Hannele Raji delivered a performance full of composure and class. In the U17 Girls shot put she threw superbly to claim her first All-Ireland medal, securing a well-earned bronze. Earlier in the day, she qualified for the final of the U17 100m sprint after a confident run of 12.94sec in her heat, ultimately finishing seventh overall. To reach a national final on the track and also step onto the podium in the field is a rare double at this level, and Hannele's talent and commitment shone through in both. Not to be outdone, younger sister Hila Raji lit up Day 2 with a phenomenal display in the U14 Girls long jump. She leapt out to 5.12m, smashing her previous personal best from the Leinster Championships and claiming a silver medal at national level. The jump was a huge statement of intent from one of the most exciting young athletes in her age group. Earlier in the day, Hila also competed in the U14 high jump, clearing 1.45m to finish fifth overall. Her ability to perform across both events with such quality is a credit to her determination and versatility. Beyond the Raji sisters' medal-winning success, Boyne AC had plenty more to celebrate. Riley Byrne ran a new personal best of 12.50sec in the U15 Boys 100m heats to reach the final, where he finished fifth in a fast and competitive race. Ryan McMahon clocked an impressive 11.48sec in his U17 100m heat and went on to place fourth in the final, just shy of the medals. Evan Gamble also produced two strong runs in the U17 400m, improving his time in the final to finish fourth overall and Harry Kingston threw 20.47m in the U13 Boys javelin, showing excellent potential for the years ahead. In the U17 3,000m steeplechase Seamus Keenan produced a courageous effort in one of the most demanding events on the schedule, finishing eighth and showing great endurance and promise. Ruadhan Fangeru took part in the U15 Boys shot put and recorded a best of 8.44m, a solid showing in a competitive field. Across both days, Boyne AC's athletes showed outstanding commitment and determination on the national stage. The club is especially proud of sisters Hila and Hannele Raji, who brought home All-Ireland medals and personal bests, reflecting not only their talent but also Boyne AC's growing reputation as a strong force in promoting female youth athletics.
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Cork suffer BIG injury blow for All-Ireland semi-final vs Dublin while Kilkenny boosted by ace's return for Tipperary
EOIN Cody will be available for Kilkenny's All-Ireland semi-final tussle with Tipperary after recovering from a leg injury. However, there's contrasting news for Cork as Séamus Harnedy has been ruled out of 4 Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng will have one of his best forwards back 4 But Cork supremo Pat Ryan will be down one of his top marksmen 4 The Rebels take on Dublin at 5pm on Saturday 4 While the Cats and Tipp will throw-in at 4pm on Sunday All-Star forward Séamus Harnedy will miss out and defender Ger Millerick remains doubtful with a broken finger. On Harnedy, Cork boss Pat Ryan told 'You'd be hoping he'd be back if we made it to the final but it'll need some work. 'The other lads are all perfect but there's still a bit of a question over Ger Millerick.' Read More On GAA On a brighter note, following their recent injuries Kilkenny are planning without Harry Shine as the young forward is set for a long spell on the sidelines with a torn ACL. Marty Murphy is also out with a hamstring issue. But they are set to be boosted by the return of Cody. The Ballyhale Shamrocks ace missed his side's last four games, including the Most read in GAA Hurling Boss Derek Lyng confirmed: 'Eoin is available for selection now again. He's come through the last few weeks and he's done very well. He's worked hard. 'Even in the run-up to the Leinster final, he was pushing hard. 'Lots of fight' - RTE GAA pundits react to Sean O'Shea's 'very interesting' interview after Kerry dethrone Armagh "He was just kind of a week off at that stage and we didn't take the chance with him. Thankfully he's come through.' Lyng also empathised with fans, who are facing a price increase for their team's seventh Championship outing in 11 weeks. The cost of tickets for All-Ireland semi-finals has gone up by €5 in each of the last two years, meaning a place in the stand this weekend will set adults back €60. The 8,243 crowd that attended the opener against Galway at Nowlan Park was the largest that Kilkenny played in front of during the Leinster round-robin. The 46-year-old added: 'Families probably have to pick and choose. 'A lot of people will wait and hope their team gets further in the competition, so I think it could be looked at. We want to get as many young people to these games as possible.'
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kilkenny have had to take a look at themselves as they prepare for Tipperary
Derek Lyng has said that Kilkenny have examined their discipline since suffering three red cards against Tipperary earlier this year. Tipp won the League tie at UPMC Nowlan Park in March by nine points after a madcap nine-minute second half period in which their own Alan Tyan was sent off, followed by Kilkenny's David Blanchfield, Mikey Carey and Jordan Molloy. In the immediate aftermath, Kilkenny boss Lyng said that 'he didn't see a red card' in the game but, speaking ahead of Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final between the counties, admits that they had to take a look at themselves. He said: 'I remember at the time, there was a lot of frustration there. I think that common sense approach is important [from referees] but I also think the responsibility is on the two teams as well. 'It's not an easy job, refereeing, and I know what they've been asked to do but I think since then, we've had to look at our own discipline - and you have to. You can point the finger at everybody else but it's something we've looked at as well. 'At the same time, I do feel sorry for incidents where a collision is unavoidable. It's just the pace of the game. I don't think any players out there go out with the intent to hurt anybody. I just think sometimes that needs to be taken into account. 'It's easy to say that from where I am but I think we'll get a really good game. There's experienced officials there. They have a job to do and we respect how they go about it and we'll just have to manage our own discipline and make sure we come out the right side of that.' Sean Stack took charge of that League game but James Owens will be the man in the middle this weekend. Lyng added: 'The way it's been refereed, if you go head high, you're over the shoulder, you're really looking at a possible red card. You go through the League and it can change in one weekend. There were a few incidents that weekend. Unfortunately, there was an added focus to it. 'When you're looking at the game, in other games they wouldn't have been red cards, it's as simple as that. But we have to take into account that's how it's going to be refereed now. Take it on the chin and learn from it. And that's what we've tried to do.' There's mixed news for Lyng on the injury front as Harry Shine, who featured late on in the Leinster final win over Galway, suffered an ACL rupture in training last week, while panellist Marty Murphy, who made the matchday 26 last time out, is also out with a hamstring injury, but key forward Eoin Cody is back in contention after missing the last four games. Lyng explained: 'He's come through the last few weeks and he's done very well. He's worked hard. Even in the run-up to the Leinster final, he was pushing hard. He was just kind of a week off at that stage and we didn't take the chance with him. Thankfully he's come through in the last few weeks." Meanwhile, Lyng has questioned the decision to increase the price for a stand ticket for an All-Ireland semi-final by €5 for the second successive year. For their semi-final win over Clare two years ago it cost €50 - now it's €60. He added: 'Families probably have to pick and choose. A lot of people will wait and hope their team gets further in the competition, so I definitely think it could be looked at. 'We want to get as many young people to these games as possible. We need to make that attractive. I'll be honest as well, I'm not sure of the packages for the weekend and things like that, but certainly for provincial and things like that, I thought what happened for the Leinster final was an excellent move from Derek Kent in trying to get more people into the stadium. 'I think that was an excellent move to try and promote the game and to get as many people in. I think we need to be looking at that as well."
