Cork GAA legend Diarmuid ‘The Rock' O'Sullivan to appear at All-Ireland hurling final preview event
Mr Andrews will be joined by former Cork hurler Diarmuid 'The Rock' O'Sullivan and former Tipperary star forward Nicky English for an exclusive question and answer session live on stage.
Cork's Diarmuid O'Sullivan who played his club hurling with Cloyne is a Cork GAA legend.
The full back won three All Ireland hurling championship titles and four All-Star awards.
Former Tipperary player Nicky English won two All Ireland titles and six All-Star awards.
The Arlington Hotel is inviting Cork and Tipperary hurling fans to come together for an exciting take on finals day build-up – filled with insight, laughs, rivalry and a healthy dose of pre-final buzz.
It's set to be a winning mix of stories, rivalry, insight, and atmosphere – right on O'Connell Bridge and just a short stroll from Croke Park.
From stories of glory days to predictions for the battle ahead, the session promise all the atmosphere of the stands, with a front-row seat to the best pre-match craic in town.
Doors are scheduled to open early with breakfast served from 9am and a festival atmosphere building from the moment fans arrive.
The hurling final Q&A will begin at 12 noon.
ADVERTISEMENT
This will provide fans with ample time to enjoy a few scoops, a hearty feed, and the insight of champions before heading for Croke Park.
These events are a celebration of everything we love about GAA – community, rivalry, tradition, and the stories that live on long after the final whistle.
The Arlington Hotel & Bar is fast becoming the capital's go-to venue for major sporting days, known for its buzzing atmosphere, warm welcome, and unbeatable pre-match build-up.
For more information, visit www.arlington.ie or call +353 1 804 9100.
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RTÉ News
25 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
'Native game': Hope builds in Kerry ahead of All-Ireland
Ahead of the All-Ireland SFC final between Kerry and Donegal on Sunday, Paschal Sheehy examines the building anticipation and trepidation that's manifesting across the kingdom. The centuries-old Puck Fair takes place in Killorglin, Co Kerry, every year on 10, 11 and 12 August. The first day of the fair is known, for obvious reasons, as 'The Gathering'. This year, though, 'The Gathering' has begun early. In Falvey's Bar on Lower Bridge Street in Killorglin, poets, punters and philosophers have been gathering this week ahead of Sunday's All-Ireland football final. There is a tradition here: before every All-Ireland final that Kerry contests, local GAA supporter Barry Harmon writes a song to get behind the team. The 2025 offering has arrived. Mr Harmon gives his audience a teaser with the first verse and chorus: "Down here in the Co Kerry, I've often heard it told our love for gaelic football sure it never will go cold. "We have a great tradition, we love our native game. "So off to Dublin we will go, proud of our Kerry name. "So put on your Kerry colours and your hats of green and gold, and off to Croker we will go, let's hope the Sam to hold." They like their traditional music in Killorglin, but they much prefer the football. And they are good practitioners too here: the local Laune Rangers club has tasted success at county, Munster and All-Ireland level. Heading into Sunday's All-Ireland final against Donegal, there was an almost worrying bullishness among the crowd in Falvey's Bar. "I think the team are great - they're energetic and they're hungry. They really want it," Geraldine O'Sullivan declared. "We've been knocked down so many times since the start of this championship and we've proved we can do it, and we will do it on Sunday," she added. Declan Falvey agreed, adding: "I think we'll manage it again this time." Mr Falvey said: "Although I'm sure Jimmy's winning matches will have a trick up his sleeve. "But the new rules suit Kerry and I think David [Clifford] and Seanie [O'Shea] will have the freedom of the park and no matter what scheme Donegal come up with, we'll master it. "I think Kerry are going to win it by about three points." The cheering had just about abated and the foundations of the bar had re-settled when Breeda Falvey chimed in. "I feel very confident," Ms Falvey proclaimed. ""There's a new energy to the Kerry team, there's a hunger and there's a beautiful, free-flowing style of football. It's brilliant to see," she added. Ms Falvey said: "I'm delighted with the new rules, as Declan says, because there's no mucking around anymore. "They're like gazelles and once the boys get on a roll, it's very hard to stop them." Hold on a minute - free-flowing football? Does nobody in Falvey's remember Jim McGuinness's tactical takedown of raging hot favourites Dublin in that now-famous All-Ireland semi-final of 2014 or how Donegal - literally - put a stop to the gallop of the Dublin runners, thereby dismantling their gameplan? All this was McGuinness at his most strategic. Kerry beware! Some 50km west of Killorglin, Cumann Peile Daingean Uí Chúis has become one of Kerry's key nurseries, developing talented underage footballers who go on to play senior for the county. At the club's pitch, Páirc An Ághasaigh, Johnny B Brosnan is putting the under-12 boys and girls through their paces. Among these players, there is a healthy respect for All-Ireland opponents Donegal and a welcome for the new rules, which have allowed Kerry's footballers to express themselves again. "I think Kerry have a great chance on Sunday - they've been playing great with these new rules. I think they suit them very well," goalkeeper Cian Murphy said. "They could beat Donegal if they're on a great day, but if they're on a bad day it'll be a close game," the 11-year-old added. Ten-year old Fiadh Ní Chárthaigh is not short of an opinion - or confidence - either. "I think they've got a really good chance," she said. "They've got some really good players and if they keep Michael Murphy quiet they'll be doing well, I'd say," she added. Shane O'Connor, 12, said he gives Kerry a very good chance. "They've a strong team. They're playing very well this year, gelling well, playing good," he said, adding: "So, you'd have to favour them." On the sideline furthest from the town, a cluster of adults monitor progress. An unprecedented six footballers from Cumann Peile Daingean Uí Chúis have made the Kerry team and extended panel for Sunday's All-Ireland final - three O'Sullivans, Tom, Barry Dan and Tom Leo O'Sullivan, and three Geaneys Paul, Conor and Dylan Geaney. Sean O'Sullivan is father of Kerry defender Tom O'Sullivan. He is also Chair of Cumann Peile Daingean Uí Chúis - Dingle GAA Club. "It's historic really. I don't think it ever happened in the club," Mr O'Sullivan said. He added: "We can go back to the 40s when there was four, but there's six now on the panel and it's just incredible for a small club. "We're a very small club - maybe 120 members here - and it's just incredible really." Kay Uí Shúilleabháin is Tom Leo O'Sullivan's mother. Tom Leo joined the extended Kerry training panel this year. "We feel very proud to have six players from our small club going to Croke Park on Sunday," Uí Shúilleabháin said, adding that "hopefully, the day will go their way". "We'll call it a special day, a good day out," she said. Publican Paul Geaney shares his name with his Kerry footballer son. "The GAA is our life. Everything stops when we get to a final - it's number one, and that's it," Mr Geaney said. Further west on the Corca Dhuibhne peninsula, the under 14s of Cumann Caide na Gaeltachta prepared to take on Glenbeigh in Gallarus, their home pitch. The width of the pitch is restricted by the proximity of the wild Atlantic on one side and the swirling south westerly winds that blow in from it create a challenge that few visiting teams seem to be able to master. The dimensions of the pitch might make point taking look relatively easy, but scores are hard-earned in Gallarus. Like all other GAA clubs, underage players at the club have been shown the way forward by the generation that went before them like Kerry player and Gaeltacht club member, Brian Ó Beaglaoich. As they prepared for their match with Glenbeigh, the Gaeltacht under 14s were confident of Kerry victory on Sunday. Muiris Ó'Suilleabháin, 13, said he thought Kerry "will win because they have greater squad depth and experience". "I don't think Donegal have anyone to stop David Clifford," Mr Ó'Suilleabháin said. Seamus Ó'Suilleabháin, 11, admires Brian Ó'Beaglaoich as a role model. "I think it's very special that Brian Ó'Beaglaoich is playing with Kerry because he has to be one of the best and worked very hard to get up to that top level," he said. Club Chair Dara Ó'Cinnéide, who has won and lost All-Ireland finals, is wary of the threats posed by Donegal. Mr Ó'Cinnéide, forensic in his analysis of football, said: "It's probably a clash of two different traditions, two different philosophies, two different ways at looking at football, and not as dissimilar as they might believe themselves to be. "I'd give [Kerry] a good 50/50 chance, whatever that means. "It's impossible really to call. Obviously, my heart says Kerry, but there are so many fires to be put out from a Donegal point of view as well. "They have speed all over the pitch, they have threats all over the pitch. "But I trust our boys to come up with the solutions." Back at Falvey's Bar in Killorglin, it was the turn of the poets. Edso Crowley - a part local businessman, part raconteur and part philosopher – read his poem 'The Game Is Not O'er Till It's Won' aloud. "There's a county that's known as the kingdom for reasons apparent to all. "It's magical mystical beauty, the world and all else does enthrall." But then Mr Crowley sprinkled the crowd with a dash of caution, to dampen their enthusiasm. "So Kerry, great kingdom of Kerry. "Be thankful for all your great sons. "Be sure not to take them for granted. "For the game is not o'er till its won." Surely, Kerry have been in too many All-Ireland finals to allow themselves to be sucker-punched.
The Irish Sun
25 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
‘I didn't know what to expect' – Patrick McBrearty reveals drastic action behind Jim McGuinness' return to Donegal GAA
PATRICK McBREARTY door-stepped Jim McGuinness two years ago to beg the Glenties man to return as Donegal boss. The county endured a dismal inter-county season in 2023 that was preceded by manager 2 Jim McGuinness returned as Donegal manager Credit: Seb Daly/Sportsfile 2 Paddy McBrearty revealed what he did to make it happen Credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile They were relegated to Division 2 as Aidan O'Rourke took charge in the interim. But the Armagh native could not help the team avoid an Ulster SFC quarter-final loss to Down. Provincial foes Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-finals. Skipper McBrearty, along with team-mate Hugh McFadden, took drastic action. McGuinness led Read More on GAA And after some persuasion, McGuinness agreed to return. Donegal have since won back-to-back Ulster titles and are 70 minutes from lifting Sam again ahead of Sunday's All-Ireland final against Kerry. And it all came from a knock at McGuinness' front door. Forward McBrearty admitted: 'We didn't know what to expect. We knew Jim would either welcome us or there would be another response. Most read in GAA Football 'When you door-step someone . . . if it was me, I probably would have told him to clear it. 'We hadn't seen each other in a long time but we had a good chat about where Donegal football was. RTE GAA pundit embrace Tipperary captain Ronan Maher after his epic display toppled Cork in All-Ireland final 'But he never said no, which kept the thing alive. If he said no, that would have been fine. 'There wasn't just one conversation. There were a few conversations and it kept the pressure on. 'Thankfully he came back because god knows where it would be if he didn't.' McGuinness had to use his own powers of persuasion to coax 2012 All-Ireland-winning captain Michael Murphy back into the fold ahead of this season. The five-time All-Star has been in scintillating form and is Donegal's Championship top scorer this term with 44 points. And McBrearty has had to be content with a place on the bench for the last three games. The 31-year-old was in inspired form when entering the fray against Meath in the semi-final, scoring three points in a 3-26 to 0-15 triumph. Looking on from the sideline as skipper is never easy but it is for the greater good. And McBrearty likened his role to that of Stefan Campbell off the bench for Armagh last year as the Orchard lifted Sam. The Kilcar man said: 'Every player wants to start but you've got to see the bigger picture. 'Everyone knows about Stefan Campbell coming in and Armagh's squad probably won them the All-Ireland last year. 'There are really good players in the Donegal set-up who can't get into the 26, never mind the first 15. 'I'm up against Oisín Gallen, Michael and Conor O'Donnell. 'It's tough for positions there. 'That's what I think is really good about this group. 'They are all willing to see the bigger picture.'
The Irish Sun
25 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Jack O'Connor challenges Kerry GAA to ‘make fans proud' vs Donegal & reveals most important thing they must get right
JACK O'CONNOR has been in the game long enough to know it is not all about the big day. O'Connor is preparing for his SEVENTH All-Ireland SFC final in his third stint as Kerry boss. And the first season of his two previous spells yielded Sam Maguire. Advertisement 5 Jack O'Connor will be leading Kerry into an All-Ireland final for the SEVENTH time Credit: Domnick Walsh/Sportsfile 5 They won it in 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2022 Credit: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile 5 Kerry lost in the final in 2011 and 2023 Credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile The Kingdom reached the summit in his maiden campaign in 2004 and again in 2006 before he stepped down in October of that year and was replaced by Pat O'Shea. O'Connor returned to the hotseat in 2009 and delivered All-Ireland glory with victory over Stephen Cluxton's last-gasp free won Sam for Fast-forward a decade and Kerry reached the promised land all over again under O'Connor in his maiden season of his third spell. Advertisement Read More on GAA The playing personnel have changed, as has the game with a And, as Kerry chase a 39th crown, the Dromid Pearses man knows managing the build-up is as important as the game itself. The 64-year-old said: 'You have to enjoy the season as a whole, otherwise it becomes a chore. I think the players would agree there were years that they clenched their fist, gritted their teeth and wished their lives away almost and you couldn't bring that to a match then. 'I've made plenty of mistakes. I remember one of my early years, I reckon I had the match played in my head 1,000 times beforehand, but when you come to the day itself, you're spent. Advertisement Most read in GAA Football 'You pick up a couple of things, mainly in terms of what you need to avoid and being economical with your energy . 'There's no point in being all wired to the moon and having all your energy spent by the weekend of the game. Sharlene Mawdsley takes part in hilarious road race as part of Tipperary's All-Ireland celebration 'That goes for the backroom team as much as the players because All-Ireland final weekend can be draining enough with all the nervous tension.' O'Connor is bidding to lead Kerry to a fifth title. Only the legendary Mick O'Dwyer, who Advertisement Leading the Munster giants to a first All-Ireland title in eight years in 2022 was a huge achievement, as expectations are always great in the county. summer hurt. But enjoyment is a big part of the experience, despite the weight of expectation that comes with being Kerry boss. Advertisement O'Connor encourages his players, led by star forward He said: 'You have to enjoy it. It's not all about stress when you can feel a buzz around the county and you feed into a lot of that. 'I remind the players they are doing something that is giving a lot of enjoyment to people and that's something very worthy to be involved in. 'One of the most important things on All-Ireland final day is the ability to be able to think on your feet and that's important for the coaching staff as well. Advertisement 'You give them a couple of nuggets throughout the season but outside of a casual chat over a cup of coffee , switch off and live your life. 'David Clifford is well able to get away from the pressure and we develop mechanisms at times to keep the heat off him, especially in his private life. We are amateurs, not professionals. We need a bit of space to get that energy back.' BACK AGAIN They say you should never go back, but knowing when to leave is vital too. O'Shea succeeded O'Connor in 2006 and Sam Maguire was retained in 2007. Advertisement When Donegal gunned down the Kingdom in 2012, O'Connor knew his time was up. His former player and coach Éamonn Fitzmaurice took over and claimed Sam Maguire in 2014. Paddy Tally departed as coach last year to take the And mixing it up on the line is key for O'Connor. 5 Kerry manager Jack O'Connor, right, celebrates with Aidan O'Mahony after the All-Ireland final in 2009 Credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE Advertisement He said: 'Someone like Cian O'Neill brings in freshness. 'You always need to bring in a new voice after three years because three years is probably the lifespan of a management team or else you call it quits, like I've done a couple of times in the past. Cian is a very experienced coach and knows the game inside out. That can only be a positive for the boys — and especially when you had the new rules introduced this year. 'It was challenging to try to find the right way to go around it and we were learning on our feet. 'James Costello, Aodán Mac Gearailt and Pa McCarthy are great coaches in their own right and we have a good backroom team that gels. Advertisement 'I can get excited enough on the sideline. And while we all have our moments, it's important to stay back and watch the game calmly because it's hard to think clearly if you get too carried away.' PLAYING THEIR PART The Kerry support rarely get carried away, but can be a fickle bunch. The Kingdom faithful were significantly outnumbered in the last-four defeat by eventual champions Armagh last summer. And O'Connor insisted the Orchard's fans, decked out in bright orange, played a part in helping Kieran McGeeney's men over the line in extra-time. Advertisement But after a call to arms by two-time Footballer of the Year Clifford, Kerry supporters have come out in force and were again among the 62,434 crowd for the semi-final humbling of O'Connor added: 'The players have to play their part to give the supporters something to shout about but it can be a powerful combination if you have those two things going hand in hand. 'I felt it was a factor for us last year in losing to Armagh. I don't think anyone could dispute it was a factor.' 5 Rory O'Carroll, Dublin, attempts to get in the way of a conversation between Kerry manager Jack O'Connor, and Declan O'Sullivan Credit: Dáire Brennan / SPORTSFILE Advertisement
