Kildare v Laois LIVE score updates from the final of the Joe McDonagh Cup
A win for the Lilywhites would earn them a place in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship for the first time since 2004.
Their appearance in the final didn't look likely when losing to Kerry on the opening day, but they have won four from four since to book their place in the decider.
That run of four consecutive victories included a shock 11-point win over Laois in the penultimate round of action.
Laois are the slight favourites though, with experience of these occasions on their side, and having snatched a draw in Carlow to make the final.
The match is scheduled for a 1.45pm throw-in at Croke Park, and you can follow all the action right here on Irish Mirror Sport.
Laois last won the Joe McDonagh Cup in 2019 and were beaten finalists by Offaly twelve months ago.
But the county made this year's final by the skin of their teeth. Ahead of their final group match against Carlow, they knew they only needed a draw to make the decider.
All seemed to be lost, though, when, deep into additional time at Netwatch Cullen Park, they trailed by three points.
They were awarded a 65, though, that was fired towards goal by Podge Delaney and ended up finding the back of the net via James Duggan and Mark Dowling.
That was enough to send Laois through to the final, where Kildare now stand in their way of lifting the Joe McDonagh Cup.
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Irish Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
How it feels to prepare for, play in, and win an All-Ireland final
The 'Overview Effect' is a cognitive shift experienced by astronauts when viewing Earth from space, leading to a sense of awe and interconnectedness with all life on the planet. As the lads walk in the All-Ireland Final parade tomorrow, there's a chance for those of us from Donegal to look around and experience their own North West of Ireland overview effect. Savor this moment. This is us travelling to the capital to take on a juggernaut of the GAA world. Despite all of our differences, we are all connected here. There's something bigger here than just one person in their Donegal colors cheering for their team to win. There's a green and gold energy in the air. It's nearly tangible. Like you can reach out and touch it. Whether you believe in the afterlife or not, one thing you have the power to make immortal is this experience - that you were able to say I was there. I was there the day Kevin Cassidy scored that point against Kildare. I was there when Murphy rattled the net in an All-Ireland Final. I was there the day we beat the Dubs. You pass them experiences on and then the next generation passes it on. It never truly dies then. Ask how many of the 2012 groups' fires were lit by 1992. Ask how many of these young bucks were inspired by the 2012 group. My own young fella wants to play in Croke Park and pretends he is Shane O'Donnell. How many young people will be inspired by 2025 and their journey. Those experiences live on throughout the generations. Immortal. There's power there. Real power of a group with one vision in mind. That's real power. All united in that one goal of seeing Paddy McBrearty walk up the steps to lift Sam Maguire for the third time in our history. If we could jump the fence we could, but we just have to trust Jim and the lads. It's hard to know what to talk about this weekend. I'm hoping we win so maybe it might be good to talk about what the day of an All-Ireland looks like. I'm not going back to 2014, still too sore so I'll go through the famous day of 2012. Sunday September 23, 2012, 5am I've roomed with Michael Boyle for years now. He's used to me and my odd ways of going on. I struggle to sleep in hotel rooms so he doesn't bat an eyelid when I tell him I went for a walk in the middle of the night, or if he wakes up at 2am and the hotel bed is empty. The morning before the All-Ireland is different though. We are in two separate rooms because we are in the apartments of Johnstown House. Donegal have done their best to give every man his own separate room. So initially Boyler is delighted - peace and quiet. He thinks wrong and I land into him at 5am. 'I can't sleep Boyler. Wild nerves.' He doesn't take me on, 'Jesus Christ. Take that ipad and get out to fuck.' I mess about on his pad and within 20 minutes I'm out cold. Sunday September 23, 2012, 8am I can never quite place my finger on it. Exactly why I woke up like this, after my midnight nerves, but I just genuinely knew I was having a good game. It's an incredible place to be, just knowing in your heart that you are going to perform. Maybe some sport psychologist can explain it but I had that feeling and it was hard to tap into that feeling again. It didn't happen enough for liking afterwards. Sunday September 23, 2012 10am-12.30pm These times are guesses by the way because I actually don't remember much about the build up. I often wonder, should I have taken more in and made a conscious effort to remember the whole day. But maybe from a sports performance perspective that's the point. It's just another day, the same as every other game day. Analysis. Boring pasta and chicken with that tomato sauce. No nerves at all, just that confidence, I'm having a good game today. Sunday September 23, 2012, 1:30pm For the bus in, I grab a Sunday paper from the hotel to read and sure enough I'm doing an interview in it. I don't have it open a minute and Jim spots me, takes it off me and says, 'Read it Monday morning Eamon.' I remember muttering a reply, 'Monday morning is no good to me to pass this journey.' Jim McGuinness (Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne) I do definitely remember a tense atmosphere on the bus. My usual crew of big Neil and Christy Toye always had plenty to say but it takes a while for them to get going today. The Garda cavalcade takes us in. Go through the crowds. See the different signs and then have the usual maneuvering to get the bus under the stand in Croke Park. I've seen some drivers flounder here. You've progressed to Pro level bus driver when you get in there with little fuss. Sunday September 23, 2012, 1:30-3:10pm Again, much of a blur. Lads had settled a bit so me and Toye went out to the warm up area to burn a bit of energy playing the primary school game where you hit the ball against the wall and it can't hit the opposite wall. Throw water on the face. Go round each lad in the team, look at him and tell him he's going to do well today. You get the jersey on and then you wait. I hate the waiting. I'd rather just get into it before anything jeopardizes this perfect mindset that I'm in. Sunday September 23, 2012, 3:10-3:30pm Finally get out to the field. Warm up in the noise. For some reason - and many people don't understand this - once you get out the 80,000 people don't really bother you. Meet the President. Parade. I remember during the parade there was a brief attempt by the doubts to swallow me whole. The noise and occasion started to get to me and you know what I told myself there and then, that I was the best defender on the field. I have proved it time and time on the training field. Maybe the majority of people would have disagreed with me but what was important was that I believed it. It worked too. I was back in the frame of mind then. Sunday September 23, 2012, 3:30-5pm The ball is thrown in and I remember the first thing happens is big Neil giving a kick in straight away. For fuck sakes, I thought. I know we talked about it during the week but be smart about it. Alan Dillon gets the ball and I see the move before it happens. He kicks it in and I'm way out in front to win it, and as I've been told numerous times, lay it off afterwards. I pat Cillian O'Connor on the arse and say, 'Keep the head up, you'll get the next ball lad.' Murphy scores a goal straight off the training ground. Not long after we score another and Neil turns to Michael Conroy and says, 'Does your sport performance coach have this covered?' I go on to have a great game and probably should be man of the match but losing out to Murphy makes it easier. I sent one of the lads into a bookie earlier in the week to back me for man of the match at 33/1. Tenner on. It would have been handy over the next few days. Donegal's Neil Gallagher and Eamonn McGee celebrate after the game (Image: ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan) Sunday September 23, 2012, 5pm Final whistle goes. What's it like to win an All-Ireland? There's actually a picture of me, Big Neil, Murphy and big Papa Durkan. I recently got it framed for Michael when he moved into the new house. That joy we all feel is summed up in that picture. Thankfully, real joy like that doesn't come too often because if it did then it just wouldn't taste as sweet. That feeling will last forever. I'll tell my kids about that feeling. They'll tell theirs. ALL IRELAND FINAL 2056, Jones Road, 3pm My son Luca is holding his son's hand as they make their way to another Donegal appearance in an All-Ireland final. Luca looks down at him and his son asks 'Tell me about 2025 again, that was supposed to be a magical feeling………'
Irish Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Inside Kerry manager Jack O'Connor's life - from wife and children to retirement
Jack O'Connor has overseen countless Kerry sides across various levels with extraordinary triumph throughout the years. During his initial tenure as manager in the Kingdom, the GAA icon steered his native county to a pair of All-Ireland Senior Football Championships, claiming the Sam Maguire in 2004 and 2006, defeating Mayo in both Croke Park showpieces. He also orchestrated the side to Munster Senior Football Championship and National Football League victories. After leaving the role of Kerry manager back in 2006, Jack returned to the fold once again in 2009, leading the county to more All-Ireland success as they won for the third time under his management. Jack departed again 2012 and he moved to the minor side in 2013 and the U/21's three years later where he had provincial and national wins. Kerry GAA manager Jack O'Connor (Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne) In a surprise move, he was announced as the Kildare manager in 2019. The 64-year-old took on the Kerry job for a third stint in 2021 and just 12 months later they won the All-Ireland final for the first time since 2014. Opening up about his return to Kerry, he said: "Personally, all I can talk about is myself. I personally feel that I'm in a better position to manage an inter-county team now than I was when I started off because... I'm retired, I have the time. "I keep myself in good shape, I keep myself fit and I've the energy and most importantly the time to give it. The time to go and meet players, the time to think things through clearly without being in a rush. You can't put a price on that." He told the Irish Independent: "Age doesn't come into it. I don't feel like an old man yet anyway. Like Ronald Reagan said long ago, experience is more important than age. Some fella was questioning the fact that he was an old man. Look, all I'll say is that it depends on your lifestyle and whatever, regardless of age." Family life Away from the world of GAA, Jack is married to wife Bridie and they have two sons together, sons Cian and Éanna. Thirty- three-year-old Éanna played minor football for Kerry. Both lads transferred to Kildare club Moorefield in 2014 and Éanna joined the Kildare senior panel in 2018. Jack joked that remaining as Kildare manager any longe Jack O'Connor with his wife Bridie and sons Eanna and Cian of Moorefield after the Kildare Senior Club Football Championship Final (Image: ©INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan) r would have meant divorce for him and Bridie due to the big commute between there and Kerry for training during the week. "I gave it absolutely everything when I was up here in Kildare for two years. I enjoyed it, no regrets, but it wasn't sustainable to keep it going, I'd have had to get divorced," he told the Irish Examiner. Swipe across below to see the full gallery of images for yourself He used to a work as a school teacher before his retirement from work.
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
Wexford FC suffer defeat in Dundalk to lose further ground in play-off race
A first-half double from Gbemi Arubi put the Lilywhites in control, but Wexford got a real foothold in the game when substitute Muhammad Haris halved the deficit shortly after the interval. However, Keith Ward restored the two-goal cushion in the 63rd minute and, although Mikie Rowe pulled one back late on, the visitors couldn't force an equaliser, leaving them seven points adrift of fifth-placed Treaty United. Stephen Elliott named an unchanged eleven from the previous weekend's 4-0 defeat to Shamrock Rovers in the FAI Cup and the visitors again got off to a nightmare start – something that has happened too often this season. There was little over 90 seconds on the clock when the hosts struck the front through Arubi. Daryl Horgan turned smartly to his right and whipped in an inviting delivery. Former Wexford player Eoin Kenny headed the cross towards goal and, although Paul Martin made the save, the alert Arubi was on hand to finish from close range. The lively attacker quickly threatened to grab a second when he broke clear, but his shot was well blocked by Dean Larkin. After a difficult opening, Wexford had their first sight of goal in the 11th minute when Ben McCormack found Ajibola Oluwabiya, and the winger curled a right-footed effort over the crossbar from just outside the 18-yard box. Mikie Rowe then cut inside but was well off target with his left while, at the other end, Aodh Dervin showed good feet before getting a shot away, but his long-range effort was always rising. After Dervin dragged another effort wide, Dundalk did grab their second goal just before the half hour mark and they did so in style. Declan McDaid glanced a header towards Arubi and the frontman blasted a sweet first-time effort to the corner of the net, giving goalkeeper Paul Martin no chance. The hosts were threatening to run riot and, after good work from Arubi, Daryl Horgan tried to pick out McDaid, but he was denied by good defending from James Crawford. Wexford weathered the storm and when Michael McCarthy played a long ball forward for Aaron Dobbs to run on to in the 38th minute and the striker was taken down by goalkeeper Enda Minogue, it briefly looked like the visitors would have a route back into the game. However, the offside flag was quickly up for what was a marginal call, so the referee didn't have a decision to make. Muhammad Haris, who only recently joined Wexford from the Lilywhites, was introduced for the start of the second-half and he quickly came back to haunt his former side as he brought the visitors back into the contest in the 50th minute. Another former Dundalk player, Robbie McCourt, played a hopeful ball forward which Minogue inexplicably allowed to slip from his grasp, and Haris had the simple task of rolling to the net for his first League of Ireland goal. Unfortunately, the wind was soon taken out of Wexford's sails when another substitute, experienced campaigner Keith Ward, grabbed Dundalk's third goal in the 63rd minute. A dangerous McDaid cross was only cleared as far as Ward and the playmaker fired a stunning volley that flew past Martin and into the net. Having started the second-half well it was a bitter blow for the Slaneysiders but, to their credit, they kept plugging away and Dean Larkin steered a McCormack free-kick narrowly wide moments later. Arubi and Ward were both off target with efforts as the hosts tried to put the contest to bed, while McDaid couldn't generate enough power on a header from a Horgan cross. Wexford managed to just about stay in the game though and, after McCormack shot wide, they were right back in the contest in the 87th minute when Mikie Rowe grabbed a lifeline. McCourt clipped a free-kick to Calum Flynn, with the substitute lifting the ball across the box and when it fell to Dean Larkin, he nodded on to Rowe, who applied a tidy finish past Minogue for his 16th league goal of the season. Aodh Dervin's strike deflected wide off McCourt as Dundalk threatened a quick response, but Wexford almost rescued an unlikely share of the spoils in the 94th minute as Dean Larkin got his head to a Cian Browne long throw, but the ball drifted narrowly wide of the far post. It was Wexford's second successive 3-2 defeat to the league leaders, having suffered the same fate in their previous meeting in Ferrycarrig Park at the end of May. Wexford will be hoping to get a much-needed win when they host Finn Harps on Friday and the Donegal side should be in high spirits, having held high-flying Cobh Ramblers to a 2-2 draw at the weekend. Dundalk: Enda Minogue; John Ross Wilson, Conor O'Keeffe, Vinnie Leonard, Shane Tracey; Aodh Dervin, Harry Groome; Declan McDaid, Eoin Kenny, Daryl Horgan; Gbemi Arubi. Subs. – Andy Parashiv for Groome (56), Keith Ward for Kenny (56), Rohan Vaughan for Horgan (78), Dean Ebbe for Arubi (78), Luke Mulligan for Tracey (90+1), also, Peter Cherrie, Sammy Safaei, Seán Spaight, T.J. Molloy. Wexford FC: Paul Martin; Michael McCarthy, Dean Larkin, Robbie McCourt, James Crawford; Matthew O'Brien, Kaylem Harnett, Ben McCormack; Mikie Rowe, Aaron Dobbs (capt.), Ajibola Oluwabiyi. Subs. – Muhammad Haris for Harnett (HT), Darragh Levingston for O'Brien (58), Cian Browne for Crawford (64), Filip Wasilewski for Oluwabiyi (64), Calum Flynn for Dobbs (71), also, Alex Moody, Zayd Abada, Ryan Butler, Patrick Manning. SSE AIRTRICITY FIRST DIVISION P W D L F A Pt Dundalk 24 15 7 2 39 18 52 Cobh Ramblers 24 14 4 6 41 24 46 Bray Wanderers 23 14 1 8 39 29 43 UCD 24 10 6 8 27 23 36 Treaty United 24 9 7 8 38 25 34 Wexford FC 24 7 6 11 28 33 27 Longford Town 23 6 7 10 22 39 25 Finn Harps 24 5 9 9 26 31 24 Kerry FC 24 6 3 14 24 41 21 Athlone Town 24 3 8 13 18 39 16
