McCarthy doubles up at Limerick
Darragh O'Keeffe was booked to do the steering aboard 28-1 chance Elusive Ogie in the Connolly's Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle and he made no mistake.
Despite the odds, there was no semblance of fluke about the performance. Heavily backed 1-3 favourite De Temps En Temps set out to make all but was in trouble turning for home and had to settle for third place.
Owned by Denis Enright, who is a great supporter of McCarthy, the four-year-old Elusive Ogie travelled best of all and put matters to bed quite comfortably to give the rider his 15th winner of the month.
McCarthy doubled up with Shadow Paddy, who proved to be the night's most popular winner when going clear close home in the Richard Egan Electrical Handicap Hurdle. Ridden by another local, Gary Noonan, the 15-8 favourite made his move widest of all but had enough in the locker to supplement his recent victory at Tipperary.
'They're a nice crowd,' McCarthy said of the Complete Package Syndicate, a group of locals who own the winner. 'He had shown a bit, but he fell apart, and they had patience with him, and it's nice to see him reward them. They love their racing and it's great to win a couple for them. We'll see how he comes out of this before making plans, but hopefully he can continue to progress."
Tiernan Power Roche, who was crowned champion conditional at the end of the last National Hunt season, has continued his fine run of form into the new season, and when he guided Gatehouse Boy to victory in the first division of the McMahons Builders Providers Handicap Hurdle, it was a fourth winner in a fortnight for the 5lb claimer.
Teaming up once again with Philip Rothwell, who provided the lion's share of his 29 winners last term, he rode the five-year-old with great confidence and, ending a sequence of duck eggs in his mount's form, he caused a 28-1 upset.
'Last season was a brilliant season, and the last couple of weeks have also been very good,' said Power Roche.
Turning his attention to this winner, he said: 'He's a big, raw, green horse but seemed to come forward every day, and my claim was a bit of a help for him today.
'He's been a bit disappointing because his work at home has been good, so it was a bit of a headscratcher as to why he wasn't delivering. Probably, he was always going to take a few runs. I was hoping he would take another step forward today and at least be in the shake up. The race kind of fell apart and he kept going, and hopefully he'll step forward for it again.'
Having finished third in two bumpers and runner-up in two previous outings over timber, Emily Love was not winning out of turn when taking the Ryan Safety & Security Mares' Maiden Hurdle. The mount of Sam Ewing, for trainer Gordon Elliott, she took over two out and stamped a bit of quality on proceedings.
Danny Gilligan, who also operates out of Elliott's Cullentra House, was seen to great effect aboard You Done Well in the second division of the two-mile-three handicap hurdle. In a tight finish, he got a little extra out of Kieran Purcell's gelding to earn the four-year-old's first win, at the 11th time of asking.
The success of Kiln Time in the Frankie Dunworth Memorial Handicap Hurdle was aptly beautifully executed by Cian Quirke as it signalled the end of the jockey's claim. Quirke, who is based with Andy Slattery and who finished third in last season's conditional jockeys' championship, coaxed his mount around and delivered him with superb timing to land the spoils for trainer Harry Kelly.
Adam Ryan, who was on the mark aboard Sunchart on Wednesday evening in Wexford, earned another trip to the winner's enclosure by taking the mares' bumper aboard the Peter Fahey-trained Atomic Queen.
Off the track since beaten a long way in a Galway bumper on her only previous starts, she picked up nicely this time to readily get the better of long-time leader Barra Rua. A half-sister to Get A Tonic, who won a point to point and four hurdles, she looks to have a bright future.
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Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Cork wear down battling Waterford to stay on track for camogie hat-trick
All-Ireland camogie semi-final: Cork 1-21 Waterford 1-11 A Saoirse McCarthy-inspired Cork eventually wore down Waterford in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior camogie semi-final at UPMC Nowlan Park on Saturday. The Rebels stellar championship run, which sees them unbeaten since Galway overcame them in the round-robin two years ago, ensures they stay on track for three-in-a-row All-Ireland titles. This feat was last achieved by Cork between 1970-1973. No doubt Galway will have something to say about that in two weeks time when these familiar foes meet for a second year running in what should be another fascinating showdown in Jones Road (5.15pm throw-in). Today's encounter was a far cry from when Cork totally outclassed Waterford in the 2023 final, the south-east side were in this game right up until the fourth quarter, only to be overrun in the closing stages. Twelve of that starting team lined out in this penultimate round. The finishing touches to the Cork victory were applied by substitute Orlaith Mullins who entered the fray three minutes from time and ended with a hefty 1-2. But it was McCarthy who shone the brightest, scoring seven wonderful points - three from play. There was one change to Ger Manley's side with Katrina Mackey replacing Clodagh Finn after the Fr O'Neill's forward picked up an injury during the week. Keeley Corbett Barry, left, and Orla Hickey of Waterford react after their side's defeat in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Camogie Senior Championship semi-final match between Cork and Waterford at UPMC Nowlan Park, Kilkenny. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile Being able to call on a player of that calibre tells how strong this panel is, and the Douglas forward ended with four points. In front of an attendance of 7,120 spectators, Cork won the toss and elected to play against the wind and while they were first on the scoreboard through an Amy O'Connor free, Waterford's response four minutes later from a Niamh Rockett placed ball was a significant reply. The teams traded points before Waterford, mainly through the brilliance of Beth Carton, moved into a 1-4 to 0-3 lead midway through the half. The De La Salle attacker's first point could well have been a green flag but her shot sailed over the bar. She made no mistake on the quarter hour mark when she moved into space and was set up by Mairead O'Brien and her finish was low to the far corner. Emma Murphy and Sorcha McCartan white flags were cancelled by Carton and a Rockett free - Waterford keeping their noses in front as the wind appeared to swirl, 1-6 to 0-5. Cork came more into the game through the next four points - three of these excellent returns from the speedster McCarthy to draw level. But with corner-forward Kate Lynch playing a deep role for Mick Boland's outfit, Abby Flynn pushed her side into the lead, 1-7 to 0-9 at the interval, after she capitalised from a long Rockett free. The first 10 minutes of the restart was frenetic. Cork obviously benefitted from a good half-time pep talk with Katrina Mackey showing the way with a trio of points, Cork were beginning to work their way back. The Rebels would outscore their opponents six points to two. Waterford did well to keep the ball out of the net in the 38th minute, as the scores at the other end started to dry up. This due to the Cork rearguard maintaining a strong defensive shape. The champions clearly had got any rustiness out of the system from their four week lay-off since competitive action. As the third quarter came to a conclusion, the lead had extended to 0-16 to 1-9. Rockett ended a 12 minute drought for Waterford with a 48th minute free. There was no let up from Cork, McCarthy landing another brace. The alertness of Brianna O'Regan in the Waterford goal denied Cliona Healy, but O'Connor split the posts from the '45. Mullins put the icing on the cake in the first minute of stoppage when she was picked out by Orlaith Cahalane. Scorers for Cork: S McCarthy (0-7, 0-4 frees), O Mullins (1-2), K Mackey (0-4), A O'Connor (0-3, 0-2 frees, 0-1 45), E Murphy and S McCartan (0-2 each), L Hayes (0-1). Scorers for Waterford: B Carton (1-4), Rockett (0-5, 0-3 frees), L Bray and A Flynn (0-1 each). CORK: A Lee; P Mackey, L Coppinger, M Cahalane (Capt); A Healy, L Treacy, L Hayes; H Looney, A Thompson; E Murphy, S McCartan, E Murphy; O Cahalane, K Mackey, A O'Connor. Subs: C Healy for E Murphy (53), M Murphy for A Thompson, O Mullins for S McCartan (both 57), A Fitzgerald for L Hayes (62). WATERFORD: B O'Regan; A McNulty, K Corbett Barry, V Falconer; B Bowdren, R Walsh, O Hickey; L Bray (Capt), A Flynn; E O'Neill; B Carton, E O'Neill, M O'Brien; A Fitzgerald, N Rockett, K Lynch. Subs: T Power for B Bowdren (40), M Gostl for M O'Brien (46), M Comerford for A Flynn (55), N Ahearne for A Fitzgerald (63). Referee: Gavin Donegan (Dublin).
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Fintan McCarthy admits partnership with Paul O'Donovan ‘up in the air' after facing fellow Olympics gold medal hero
WHEN Paul O'Donovan's brother Gary made way for Fintan McCarthy, it was a reminder that nothing lasts forever in rowing. And now McCarthy is getting his head around the fact that one of Irish sport's most successful sporting partnerships may not have another chapter in their story. 2 Pictured at the Multi Sport Pavilion, Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin is Olympic rower Fintan McCarthy Credit: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile 2 Olympic Champions in lightweight men's double sculls Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy Credit: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile The siblings won silver in Rio before Gary, the older of the two, was supplanted by McCarthy for Tokyo. A gold medal in 2021 justified the selection and the pair Winning a hat-trick of Olympic titles will be a little more complicated. For one, the the Games , prompting a step-up to heavyweight. Read More on Olympics Secondly, right now, they are in what might be called — in sporting terms — an open relationship . So at the World Cup in But the pair still found themselves gravitating towards one another off the water . Alongside Konan Pazzaia, McCarthy came third. Most read in Other Sports O'Donovan paired up with Daire Lynch — who took bronze in Paris with Philip Doyle — and finished fifth. McCarthy said: 'It was strange. We're so used to each other, which is the main thing I found with other people. Paul O'Donovan wins RTE Sportsperson of the Year 2024 after winning third Olympic medal in a row in Paris 'You kind of have to get to know people's routines, the way they work and their sort of maybe temperament around racing and stuff, whereas I would just be so used to that with Paul. 'It was funny in Lucerne. I think we found ourselves just getting back into the routine of having dinner at the same time. 'Like we all ate together and that kind of thing. 'And then going out to race , you sort of remind yourself like, 'Oh yeah, sorry. It's a bit different'. 'It was strange but he hasn't really been around this year anyway. So it wasn't too much of a shock either. 'But it was nice to have him there actually. 'We got along quite well over there, despite racing against each other. 'At the moment, it's quite up in the air. 'Paul is obviously focusing on his medical career at the moment. 'We don't really know where that's going to take him over the next few years. 'So you kind of have to plan to be without him for a while at least. 'And that is hard because I know how good what we had was and how successful it could be. 'But having said that, there's a lot of talent in the rowing centre as well.' NOTHING NEW That includes Pazzaia, the Geneva-born son of a But McCarthy stressed his new partner has been on the Irish rowing scene for some time already. He said: 'He's not new by any stretch. 'We seem to have had a pretty good double so far.' Pazzaia — who grew up in University — was inspired to take up rowing after seeing the exploits of the O'Donovan brothers nine years ago. McCarthy is not unaware of the passing of time and the changing of dynamics. He said: 'I guess as the Olympic cycles go on, it kind of becomes my job to sort of be what Paul was for me early on and bring on the other guys, which I quite like. 'I probably have a lot to share and offer that will help them. And that's only going to help whoever ends up being in the boat for the Games be the quickest in LA.' But if there is still much up in the air, that is as much by design as circumstance. "We're so used to each other, which is the main thing I found with other people." Fintan McCarthy McCarthy is racing in both the single and quad this year, although he does ultimately still see himself in the double. The 28-year-old is enjoying the freedom that comes in the year after an Olympics, admitting he has allowed himself to party after recent regattas. The Skibbereen man is also savouring the release of no longer having to weigh in at 69kg. He said: 'I feel like we were so dialled in last year that for me anyway, we nearly went too far over the edge. 'I got quite sick in May and I was a bit injured as well. 'That is kind of part of it, especially in an Olympic year. 'I think sometimes that drive to just go all in for a year and leave no stone unturned, it can catch up to you quite quickly, especially when you're so on the line in terms of food and making weight anyway, that it's quite easy to tip the scales. 'So just not having to ride that line so hard has been kind of refreshing as well, knowing that you're going to have the energy to do big sessions and actually recover from them as well. 'That's probably been a relief in itself. 'And then when you add into that, like growing with different people, mixing the groups together, different training partners and stuff, it is all quite new. 'It's not too boring yet anyway.' HITTING TOP FORM There is, he conceded, a large element of trial and error about this year with no markers to hit as they figure out the best way for him and O'Donovan to negotiate the move to heavyweight. But McCarthy does that in the comfort of knowing that the dynamic duo were already within touching distance of the standard required to be in contention for further Olympic glory. He said: 'We kind of knew in top form as the lightweights, we were pretty much up there with the heavy guys. 'We would have done a lot of training with Daire and Phil, they were in the medals in Paris too. 'So we can kind of gauge off them and know that we can do quite well in the double in top form. 'If you look at Paris, we actually had a faster time than the heavyweight guys who had won gold. 'And we raced Romania at the World Cup and they didn't make the final. They are Olympic champions. 'I think it is all to play for, especially in that boat class. And so that is sort of why it hasn't been like a reinvent-the-wheel kind of thing. 'This year was more about figuring out how we can gain those extra maybe two or three seconds and seeing where it needs to come from. 'It might not actually need to be too much extra weight. 'It could just be not having to restrict coming into competition, so we'll have a bit more energy to do a bit more training and get that extra speed from a bit more fitness. 'Leading into competitions as lightweights, for me especially, you can't help but drop the volume and drop the intensity a little bit. 'You can't eat enough to sustain that type of training while also losing enough weight to be 69kg on race day and be somewhat healthy. 'We've been a bit freer in the gym as well. 'Usually, it's a lot of maintenance in the summer rather than pushing on the strength and building. 'We have been able to kind of keep up a pretty good gym routine coming into the summer. 'And we've never really been able to do that before. 'I think there's probably more scope to gain a bit of speed from the fitness side of things for this summer.'
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
In numbers: Cork's camogie dominance and the story of those attempting to stop them
Saoirse McCarthy has heard the question before. She's heard the question enough times to know what's being asked is far more of an issue for those outside the Cork dressing-room than inside it. Cork are in All-Ireland camogie semi-final action early on Saturday evening. They arrive in Nowlan Park carrying an average winning margin 23-points strong. The 0-21 to 1-9 victory over Clare in Round 4 is as close as any team came of them in their four outings en-route to the semis. 'That gets thrown around a lot, but we don't read into it,' replied Cork half-forward McCarthy when put to her that Cork are severely undertested ahead of facing Waterford. 'Our performances haven't dipped to where we would let them. We've gone out and tried our best every day, regardless of who we are playing, and that is the test for us. It is something other people worry about, but something we don't think about in camp.' The below numbers paint a further picture of Cork's dominance, as well as telling the story of those attempting to overthrow them. 0 - Goal conceded by Tipp since they were carved open in their championship opener on May 31. Cork came to the Ragg that Saturday and took the hosts for 3-21 and an 18-point thumping. Mairéad Eviston told the Examiner this week the result wasn't so much a setback as it was 'a rude awakening'. Wexford, Clare, Limerick, and Kilkenny failed to breach them for a green flag in the weeks since. 1 - Games lost by champions Cork in 2025. And that solitary defeat comes with an asterisk bigger than their All-Ireland final winning margin of two years ago. In their final outing of the League round-robin, and with progression to the Division 1 decider already secured, an under-strength Cork lost at home to Galway by 0-19 to 0-13. Ten wins from 11 outings will have to suffice. 2 - Minutes remaining in the regulation 60 when Tipp moved two clear of Galway at the end of last year's All-Ireland semi-final. They would fail to hold on. An Aoife Donohue point either side of Carrie Dolan frees edged the Tribeswomen first across the line. The counties' latest last-four collision throws in at 3pm. 3 - Current Tipperary panelists who played in all six of the county's All-Ireland semi-final defeats over the past seven years. They are Julieanne Bourke, Eimear Loughman, and Karen Kennedy. 4 - Goals banged in by Clodagh Finn this summer. The Fr O'Neill's forward was a pivotal contributor off the bench in the closing stages of last year's All-Ireland final. Her status has been upgraded to first team regular in 2025, a promotion she's vindicated with 4-7 in the championship. As if there weren't already enough assassins in the Cork front six. 5 - Goals banged by Cork when last they ran into Waterford in the All-Ireland series. That was the chronically one-sided 2023 final. Five points was the difference between the sides in their one championship meeting since, that the 2024 Munster final. Can Waterford keep today as close? 8 - Season count of Galway's Cathal Murray, the longest serving manager of the four on duty today. Came in towards the end of the 2018 League following player unhappiness with the previous management. Has delivered three Leagues and two All-Irelands. Most recent O'Duffy Cup triumph dates back to 2021. 12 - Of the 22 games in this year's championship, a dozen have finished with the end margin in double-digits. There's a severe imbalance. An eight-team championship would be a much better fit than the current 10-team model - for all involved. 15 - Date in April when Carrigtwohill native Michael Boland was appointed interim Waterford boss. The need for an interim Déise manager was created by Jerry Wallace's shock mid-season departure a fortnight earlier. 24 - The respective scoring totals of Cork's Amy O'Connor and Waterford's Beth Carton, who sit joint-top of the from-play scoring chart. O'Connor has 5-9 to her name, Carton's more out-the-field role reflected in her 2-18 tally. 57 - Percentage of Galway's championship total supplied by Carrie Dolan and Niamh Mallon. From 5-74, Dolan (0-36) and Mallon (0-15) are responsible for well over half that figure. While Dolan's superb form in the captaincy role has been a standout feature of their campaign to date, the dependency on the pair is a concern. Case in point is the League final defeat to Cork where Galway managed just 0-4 from play and 0-10 overall. 1972 - Cork's camogie class of 53 years ago were the last from the county to achieve an All-Ireland three-in-a-row. The current crop are driven to match that feat after the three-in-a-row attempts of 2016 and '19 fell short. 2006 - Tipp's last successful negotiation of the semi-final stage. The two-point win over Kilkenny at today's venue secured an eighth consecutive final appearance. Their eight subsequent ventures to the championship's last-four stage have all been unhappy ones. 7,257 - The record semi-final crowd from two summers ago. Such is the attractiveness of Saturday's double-header, and the strong possibility of an improved Tipp following off the back of the hurlers' exploits, that figure could be under threat. Record attendances is a constantly repeated goal of new president Brian Molloy, chief among them being 50,000 pouring through the Croke Park turnstiles for the 2026 All-Ireland final.
