Dundalk ‘fully cooperating with all the relevant authorities' and vow zero tolerance after allegation of racial remark
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Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Kilfenora's Jonathan Keane ends Lahinch's 57-year wait for South of Ireland winner
They say it takes a village, and it was never more fitting in the case of Jonathan Keane, as he overcame a serious back injury with the help of two Lahinch members and a former champion to become the first home winner of the Pierse Motor Group South of Ireland title in 57 years. The 25-year-old Kilfenora schoolteacher completed a magical week over the famous west Clare dunes, rolling in a five-footer for a closing birdie to beat Dundalk's Caolan Rafferty one up and follow in the footsteps of his watching boyhood coach JD Smyth, who was the last Lahinch man to win the title in 1968. Keane dropped his putter and put his hands over his eyes in disbelief as his father, Johnny, and mother, Mary, ran onto the 18th green to envelop him in an emotional embrace. "I felt good over it because I have had that putt loads of times before, that back left pin," Keane said. "Just knew what to do. I wasn't feeling any nerves; I was feeling 100% confident. It was just a shock for about five seconds." The 18th was ringed with hundreds of spectators as Keane was chaired in victory by his supporters in a scene that summed up the magic of amateur golf at a venue that will host the Walker Cup next year. "I don't know what to say," Keane reflected after a day when he beat Edmondstown's Liam Abom 2&1 in the semi-finals as Rafferty confirmed his favouritism for the title by blitzing Grange's Jake Whelan 5&3 after playing the first five holes in five-under-par. "Absolutely delighted. This has been my dream since ever I joined this golf club, and for it to come true, it's absolutely unbelievable. Just thrilled. Thrilled." While overseas member Patrick Adler from Chicago won last year, several hundred locals turned out to watch one of their own lift the coveted trophy after a brilliant display of powerful hitting and sensational chipping and putting. He'd made two eagles and 24 birdies in five matchplay rounds to get to the final and did not let up when it mattered. All the hard work he did to recover from a herniated disc that kept him out of the game for nearly three years turned out to be worth its weight in gold. After the first two holes were halved in bogey-birdie figures, Keane birdied the third, then eagled the fourth from 35 feet to go two up. He had a chance from eight feet to go three up at the Dell, but while he missed that and lost the seventh to par after taking a penalty drop from deep rough, he won the eighth in par and turned two-up. Rafferty was spent after a gruelling week and both men made mistakes coming home. Rafferty won 11th in par, lost the 12th to Keane's birdie, failed to convert a slippery 10-footer for a win at the 13th and watched his rival get up and down from sand at the 14th to remain two up. It looked as though the tide would turn when Rafferty made a remarkable four at the 15th, flopping to a foot from heavy greenside rough, then hit to 12 feet at the 16th, where he was conceded the hole after Keane chunked into sand from heavy rough above the back left bunker. They were all square. Keane had been brilliant on and around the green all week and after Rafferty chipped close on the 17th, he cooly slotted home an eight footer for a half in fours to take the match to the last. Rafferty came up short in two, and with 240 yards to go and adrenaline pumping, Keane rifled a five iron to 50 feet and two putted for victory, dribbling in a five-footer for glory after his rival had chipped to the back fringe and missed his 15 footer. There were emotional scenes as the putt dropped, which was no surprise given Keane's battle with a back injury he picked up during COVID, when he had worked too hard in the gym and battered hundreds of balls on the beach without proper rest. "I was trying to drive the ball an absolute mile —the Bryson DeChambeau effect," he confessed. "I used to hit about 250 balls a day. And after about six months of doing that nonstop and doing too much gym, the body just gave up. "I had herniated discs in my lower back and it was very bad, and I couldn't play golf for two and a half years." Lahinch Golf Club stepped in to help, and thanks to two members — Dr Gerry O'Sullivan and Dr Conor O'Brien — Keane received the medical treatment he needed before embarking on a seven-month programme of strength and conditioning with former South of Ireland winner Robbie Cannon. He returned for the South in 2023 and put many sleepless painful nights behind him to achieve his dream yesterday, "I have to give credit to those three men there for helping me come back from that injury," he said. No wonder there were tears at the end of an epic, triumphant week for the amateur game. Pierse Motor Group South of Ireland Amateur Open Championship, Lahinch Semi-finals: Caolan Rafferty (Dundalk) bt Jake Whelan (Grange) 5/3; Jonathan Keane (Lahinch) bt Liam Abom (Edmondstown) 2/1. Final: Keane beat Rafferty 1 up.
The Irish Sun
12 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Ex-St Pat's star basking in unplanned spell in America but jokes ‘I won't complain about bus back from Finn Harps again'
LEE DESMOND has already done double the time and been to Folsom Prison. But he is not singing the blues nor pining for life back home — much. 3 Lee Desmond plays for Sacramento Republic in California 3 He previously won the FAI Cup with St Patrick's Athletic Credit: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile Dubliner Desmond swapped Premier Division St Pat's for USL outfit Sacramento Republic in But now in his fourth season and with the Republic having an option for a fifth, he has taken to life in the California state capital. So much so that the defender, who moved to the States with his girlfriend, acknowledged that he is not sure if or when he will be seen in the League of Desmond — who made 188 appearances for Saints between 2015 and 2021 — told SunSport: 'I knew you'd ask! But I don't know. Read More on St Pat's 'I change my mind quite often. Ideally, I'll finish up back home. All I can tell you is I'm very happy here. 'The plan was never to stay in America for four years, the plan was two and go back home. We are enjoying it. 'But it's tough with the eight-hour time difference and such a long flight and being home two months a year.' Sacramento Republic have taken to him too, as he has been co-captain since his first season at the club and has played a big part of their community work . Most read in Football And that includes regular visits to Folsom Prison — the jail made famous by the Johnny Cash song and the Man in Black's subsequent live show there in 1968. But Desmond admitted: 'I know the story but I wouldn't be his biggest fan. WAG Taylor Ward shares gender of second child with footballer Riyad Mahrez at stunning reveal in Dubai 'It started when the club went there to train last year — just to kick the ball around — and now we go once a month. 'The staff go in and play against the prisoners and we can go and watch and talk to the lads. 'So I've gone in four or five times and it's brilliant. 'It's full access, through the cells, where they shower, where they eat and then out into the courtyard where they have organised football . 'We don't go everywhere. I think there are four levels — level four being the most dangerous prisoners and we don't go to their area. 'It all becomes very real, I suppose, when you're there. 'You have to be careful what you say and we're told not to ask why they're in but sometimes the lads open up themselves. 'Some of the stories are really sad and humbling. It's an unbelievable experience and makes you grateful for your life, I suppose.' 'NO REGRETS' Desmond is also thankful for how things have worked out in Sacramento where he helped the club to the US Open Cup final — which they lost to He said: 'I have no regrets about coming here. I'm 30 and in the best physical condition I've ever been and the stats back it up. 'That first year when we reached the cup final, I was struggling with injuries and was being put together and rolled out on the pitch. 'I came over with an Achilles problem that I'd had for a few years, off and on, with St Pat's. When I came over, I didn't have a pre-season because my visa was delayed and my Achilles didn't like going straight into games. 'I needed an operation, which I got a week after that final, and then I had more niggles because of it. 'There were so many imbalances in how I walked and ran because of how I compensated for it. But the last while, it's all been good.' 3 Stephen Mallon of Bohemians in action against Lee Desmond of St Patrick's Athletic during the 2021 FAI Cup final Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile A new manager — former Wolves and He said: 'Neill worked with 'The club here went all-out to get him out of his contract with Raith and he has been brilliant for us. 'Everything about the club is so professional. The offices downtown have 45 staff, which shows how big the club is, we get anything between 6,000 and 11,000 at games. 'San Jose are nearby in the MLS but they have nothing like the fanbase we have here. 'You do get recognised a bit — a little more than home, so not much! It's nice , it's awkward too but most just want a picture. 'Our new owners want to go to the MLS but it's not easy. It's not like you can go in any year and it's expensive. The focus is on a new stadium before going to the MLS. 'I know I probably won't be here when that happens but they're not taking their foot off the pedal that we're in the USL. It's win, win, win. That's it.' "I'm 30 and in the best physical condition I've ever been and the stats back it up." Lee Desmond After an indifferent start as gaffer, Collins put his stamp on the squad, the Republic have hit form and are well placed in the play-off spots. But Desmond knows there is more work to be done and even more travel . He said: 'The one thing I'll never get used to is the travel as we fly everywhere. 'If we're going to the east coast, we go on a Thursday, but it's the day before games if it's a west coast game. 'But there are not many direct flights from Sacramento to most of the venues so it's often two flights. 'It doesn't take much out of you but they can be long trips. 'Fortunately, it's a good squad. It's not just good players but good people, and you need that when you spend so much time with people. 'But, if I go back to the
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
