Wicklow dreams of a Tailteann Cup final almost come though only for nightmare to unfold
We suggested last week that Dean Healy's winner against Westmeath with the last kick of the game might have already become immortal. It put Wicklow, after all, into an oh-so-rare rare national semi-final in Croke Park.
Healy was their best player for most of that semi-final on Sunday against Limerick, and it looked likely that his winner in Aughrim was about to take on a still-more mythical complexion; his team were cruising into the Tailteann Cup final, seven points up with only 18 minutes to play.
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Irish Examiner
5 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Garryspillane have too much for South Liberties in Limerick opener
There were opening round wins for Croagh Kilfinny, Granagh Ballingarry, Garryspillane and Blackrock the Limerick's Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship. Stumbling at the first hurdle were Effin, Glenroe, South Liberties and Bruff respectively. The Championship commenced last Thursday evening when 1-12 from young talent Cian O'Carroll inspired Croagh Kilfinny to a 1-21 to 0-16 triumph over Effin. The wing-forward scored a crucial penalty entering the final eight minutes and his side finished scoring 1-6 to just a point after the sides had been virtually inseparable before that. As well as O'Carroll, 2007 Young Hurler of the Year Seamus Hickey and Limerick footballer Adam Shanagher were on the scoresheet for the West Limerick club. Situated between Adare and Rathkeale, the 122-year-old club have been in five county finals in as many seasons and eventually won the Intermediate title at the fourth time of asking. They played a much slicker looking running game with Effin backboned by Nickie Quaid at centre-back. They also had Limerick panliststs Paddy O'Donovan and Fergal O'Connor on target with the former well held overall. Effin have the experience of reaching the last three semi-finals at the grade, having defated Croagh Kilfinny in the 2021 Intermediate final. Meanwhile on Friday night, Granagh Ballingarry had to fight back to claim the spoils against a youthful Glenroe side. It finished 1-18 to 0-19 at Kilmallock with the winners hopeful of building on a steady, if unspectacular first season back at the grade last season. For Glenroe, last term was testing. They only managed a single victory, that against Na Piarsaigh's second string, and it was enough to preserve their status in this second tier. Sean O'Connor struck the only goal of the contest, at the beginning of the final quarter to help the men from the west wrestle control. They had trailed 0-9 to 0-7 at half-time but the green flag saw them hit the front. O'Connor would end with 1-3, while captain Luke Flynn chipped in with a half dozen green flags. In reply, young talents Darren and Adam Frewen were on target, while former Limerick keeper David McCarthy landed four long-range frees. On Saturday evening, a double scores victory, 1-21 to 0-12, was secured by beaten finalists last season, Garryspillane, against South Liberties. Interestingly, it was South Liberties, with a seven-goal haul, who relegated the Bouncers from Senior in 2023, but there was little spice or tension in this after the initial proceedings. After spending a decade and a half at the senior grade, South's were relegated without a victory last season. Ken Byrnes accounted for seven of their dozen points but it was a crucial Adam Sheehan save which denied Shane O'Neill in the second quarter. That assured a 0-11 to 0-6 interval lead with Hugh Flanagan, Declan Heavey and Dylan O'Shea all on target. Heavey's goal nearing the three quarter-mark ensured a large lead, which was further increased by Colin Ryan, Dylan O'Shea and John English. Liberties have struggled the replicate the production line of many of their peers and it already appears that 2025 will be about stopping the leakage. The final game of the weekend, played on Sunday evening, saw Blackrock pull clear of south rivals Bruff, 1-19 to 0-15. By the time Colm O'Keeffe struck the games only goal in the 60th minute, the Rockies were already four clear, and emerged deserving winners. With Seán Finn at full-back for the Stars, it is a disappointing start to the season, having reached the semi-final last season. Another former All-Star, Richie McCarthy was manning the other-full back line. Jimmy Quilty and Paudie Leahy were among the scorers, alternating the free taking duties for the winners while Owen Meany and Darragh Butler (0-4) were on target for Bruff. Leading 0-10 to 0-9 at the interval, the Kilfinane-Ardpatrick combination were never headed in the second period in Kilmallock. This grade commenced a week earlier than all other grades, with the competition taking nine matchdays to be completed, one more than Senior. The Senior grade throws in next week with a repeat of the 2024 final, where Doon defeated Na Piarsaigh, the pick of the ties. Tom Clancy Freelance Sports Journalist M: +353879676907
Irish Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
TD to make formal complaint after 'being pushed by garda' before All-Ireland
Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae says he has decided to make a formal complaint after allegedly being pushed by a garda before Sunday's All-Ireland final. 'I will [complain] tomorrow, guaranteed, because we did not deserve that,' the deputy told the Irish Mirror on Sunday evening, several hours after the incident in Dublin city centre. The politician was with dozens of fellow Kerry fans in the Cathedral Street street area of the inner city - beside O'Connell Street - when the incident happened. READ MORE: Tears in Croke Park as murdered mother and her two children remembered at All-Ireland final READ MORE: 'It's devastating' - Irish mum's tears over abduction of her two children The incident was caught on camera and was posted online - before quickly going viral. It had been viewed around 100,000 times on social media sites by Sunday night The footage appears to show a uniformed garda using one hand to move Deputy Healy-Rae away from him. The incident started when hundreds of Kerry fans were lining the street ahead of the Croke Park showdown with Donegal for Sam Maguire - and face off their county would later win. Danny Healy-Rae was allegedly pushed by a garda before Sunday's All-Ireland final Several fans noticed Deputy Healy-Rae - who was wearing a Kerry hat and lanyard - walking along the street. He acknowledged the cheers and waved to the fans before walking a few yards. He stopped to wave to fans again, before turning to walk down the street - which is when the incident with the garda happened. The two men walk close to each other and then the garda appears to stick out a hand to move the deputy out of his way. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week The garda then walks on, but a clearly upset Deputy Healy-Rae goes back to approach the officer. The two men talk to each other for a few seconds before they go their separate ways - while the crowd starts booing. Speaking after Kerry's 1-26 to 0-19 victory over Donegal, Deputy Healy-Rae said he was disappointed by the officer's actions. And he said he would be making a complaint on Monday morning. Such complaints are handled by Fiosru, the independent policing watchdog. He said: 'I will tomorrow. I am too busy today, I have a lot of calls there to answer and stuff. I will tomorrow, guaranteed, because we did not deserve that. We came up for no trouble - we came up supporting our team. I expected better from the gardai.' Independent Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae has said he will now make a complaint over the incident. (Image: Gareth Chaney Collins) The Kerry TD praised said the other gardai on duty were fine. He said: 'There were other lovely gardai there and they were doing their duty. Deputy Healy-Rae said he had been inundated with comments from other Kerry fans - including those who witnessed the incident. He said: 'They are all talking to me about it. They booed the garda and everything at that stage. I am disappointed with his behaviour. I did nothing to deserve that. There was no trouble. I just don't know.' The Irish Mirror contacted gardai for comment on Sunday evening. A spokeswoman said in a statement: 'An Garda Síochána does not comment on unverified social media content. Any person who wishes to report the conduct of a member of An Garda Síochána can do so by contacting Fiosrú.' Sign up to the Irish Mirror's Courts and Crime newsletter here and get breaking crime updates and news from the courts direct to your inbox.
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae considering making complaint to gardai after being ‘pushed' by garda at All-Ireland final
DANNY Healy-Rae has said he is considering making a complaint to gardai after he was "pushed" by a garda. The Advertisement 2 Danny Healy-Rae said he is considering making a complaint to the gardai Credit: Maxwells 2 The Kerry TD was in Dublin to watch the All-Ireland final when a cop shoved him In video footage posted on Making to move on, he brushed past a uniformed male garda, who appears to shove the deputy out of his way. Deputy Healy-Rae followed Deputy Healy-Rae told the Irish Independent: 'I was just having fun and the garda pushed me. There was no call for it. Advertisement READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS 'I asked him why he'd done that. I am thinking of making a complaint.' An In the match, Healy-Rae's home county of Kerry secured their The match was played in front of an attendance of 82,300 at Advertisement MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN From the off, the three-time All-Ireland winners were chasing the game, as David and Paudie Clifford dominated the tight spaces and dictated the tempo. Kerry and Donegal battle for Sam Maguire in GAA All-Ireland football final Joe O'Connor was a powerhouse in midfield as he sealed the game with the only goal of the contest, while Dylan Geaney floated dangerously throughout. David Clifford scored nine points for Kerry, including four from play and five frees. Joe O'Connor scored the only goal of the game in the first half, helping Kerry lead 1-11 to 0-9 at half-time. Advertisement Kerry responded with five unanswered points to regain control of the match midway through the second half. Donegal finished with 19 points, but failed to create any clear goal-scoring chances. It was the Kingdom's day once again at GAA HQ. Advertisement
