Health of Dublin football splits opinion and a warning for Leinster
people have been talking like 'they're dead in the water'
. Darragh doesn't buy that for a second. Once all their players are fit and fully charged, they could, like your average Tesla, be motoring. And if you thought it would be tricky to fit Jim Gavin and Elon Musk in to the same column, think again.
Seán Moran is less convinced that they'll be bouncing back any time soon. 'Realistic Dublin followers have known for some time that
their team won't be challenging for Sam Maguire this year
,' he writes. Worse, 'it's hard to see too many of last Sunday's line-up featuring in future All-Ireland successes.'
Dublin half forward
Seán Bugler begs to differ
, telling Gordon Manning that he remains convinced that they have enough quality to be contenders this year. And he's not concerned about
today's draw for the group stages of the championship
, even if the Dubs end up in the 'proverbial Group of Death'. Which they could – how does, say, a group with Kerry, Armagh, Dublin and Cork sound? Petrifying. Gordon takes you through how the draw will work
Gordon also talks to Dublin hurler Seán Currie who admits that
his second-half penalty at Parnell Park last Saturday did not cross the line
, the award of a goal leaving Wexford none too pleased. Is a VAR-style aid for the officials the solution? Currie says a firm 'no'.
READ MORE
Jeffrey Lynskey, meanwhile, brings you
a tactical analysis of last weekend's games
, reckoning that unless Clare, beaten by Waterford, improve on their shooting rate and free-taking success, 'the road ahead in Munster could prove an unforgiving one'.
The Meath footballers get a mention in Gordon D'Arcy's column today when he looks ahead to
Leinster's Champions Cup semi-final against Northampton
. Leinster might be sizzlingly hot favourites, but if they don't get their mindset right, 'they will be introduced to sport's glorious unpredictability'.
Gordon was on the Leinster team that beat Northampton in the 2011 Heineken Cup Final, among his opponents that day
Phil Dowson, the current Northampton coach
. Johnny Watterson asks Dowson if he recalls that day. 'Big time,' he says, although he'd probably like to forget – his side led 22-6 at half-time, and lost 33-22.
Louise Quinn, the third most capped Republic of Ireland international of all time, had her ups and downs through her career too, but on
announcing her retirement from football
on Tuesday, she reflected on her many highs, none more memorable than that appearance at the World Cup finals.
And in horse racing, Brian O'Connor reports on the opening day of the Punchestown festival when
Marine Nationale completed a Champion Chase double
, following up his victory at Cheltenham last month. And Brian previews today's action,
the highlight the Gold Cup
. Galopin Des Champs finished runner-up the last two seasons. Third time lucky?
TV Watch
: There's more racing from the Punchestown festival on RTÉ 2 this afternoon (3.30-6.30), the Gold Cup (at 5.30) the big one, and this evening TG4 has live coverage of the Ulster under-20 final between Donegal and Tyrone (7.30). Half an hour later,
Barcelona and Inter Milan
kick off in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final (RTÉ 2, Premier Sports 1 and TNT Sports 1),
Paris Saint-Germain having got the better of Arsenal
in the first of the semi-finals last night.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
37 minutes ago
- Irish Times
Dan Quirke: ‘The two of us were in tears. Obviously we'd have loved Dillon to be there'
After the final whistle went a fortnight ago in Croke Park, Dan and Hazel Quirke turned to each other and cried. How could they not? Tipperary had made it to an All-Ireland final and it was only natural that their first thought was for their son Dillon. These were his team-mates, this was his team. If he was alive, he'd be there among them, getting ready for the best fortnight a hurler can have. 'The two of us were in tears, to be honest,' says Dan. 'Because obviously we'd have loved Dillon to be there. It was great for Tipp to win. And all those young guys in the team are great buddies. 'Life is full of rollercoasters, as we all know. Hazel and myself found the day particularly difficult. Because we were in Croke Park and Tipp were going well. I'd spoken to Craig Morgan the previous week and Craig has been wearing number five now, which Dillon had worn. It was beautiful to see that because he's a lovely young fella.' The tragic death of Dillon Quirke leaves his people frozen in time — Irish Times Sport (@IrishTimesSport) In a few weeks, it will be their boy's third anniversary. Dillon Quirke collapsed on the pitch in Semple Stadium during a club match for Clonoulty in August 2022, taken from them by Sudden Adult Death Syndrome. He was 24 years old . READ MORE His death rooted the country to the spot. He was a young hurler, making his way. The 2022 championship had been a washout for Tipp but Dillon had played the most minutes of anyone in the team that season and was seen as one of the few bright spots in a bad year. And then he was gone. 'The pain is different as you go along,' his father says. 'Maybe it doesn't come around as often. But then when you go to matches like that semi-final, Dillon comes back into it. 'I had a beautiful relationship with Dillon because we travelled the world together, watching rugby and soccer and GAA. I was in New Zealand in 2017 with the Lions for three weeks with Dillon, which was amazing. We were big Munster supporters and Ireland supporters and Man United supporters. We travelled Europe and we travelled the world and I'm so grateful to have spent beautiful times with him. I can honestly say there was never a bad word spoken between the two of us. We were like brothers. 'But you ask me how I am – I'm up and down. Generally I'm not too bad. I think we're coping quite well. Hazel and myself have a great relationship. We're very strong and we help each other. So I think all in all, we're doing as good as we possibly can.' A big part of that is the Dillon Quirke Foundation , which they set up in the numb, bewildered months after his death. They sold their delicatessen business – it didn't feel the same without Dillon – and instead put their time and energy into the foundation. They've raised €2m over the past 2½ years, with the long-term goal of providing heart screening for anyone in Ireland playing sport. Clonoulty-Rossmore GAA club in Tipperary 'We're getting a lot of good stories from the foundation,' Dan says. 'I know that we've saved lives in the last 2½ years. Dillon would love me to be doing that. I know he would and I feel he's with me all the time. And to be honest, he's probably pushing me. I feel he's pushing me on to make this a success. That's probably a lot of it really, to be honest. 'The thing about Sads is we all know someone. You know someone that has passed away from Sads. Nearly everybody has. What they don't realise is that something can be done about it. If you're screened, we can save 90 per cent of the issues. But people are just unaware. So that's why we're trying to raise awareness as well as screen. 'They started this 20 years ago in Italy and they've brought down the Sads death rate by nearly 90 per cent. So we do know that screening has worked. We screened 10,000 last year, we've seen another 10,000 this year. And by the end of our five-year term we will have 50,000 kids screened. Now there's about 300,000 teenagers playing sport in Ireland. So we need to get at that. 'I've got calls from parents in tears on the phone, thanking us for the foundation and being screened. The first one I got was less than 12 months ago. I was speechless. What can you say? The lady rang me and said: 'Listen, without your foundation, without being screened, he wouldn't be with us.' It's an amazing thing.' This is his life now. He throws himself into the foundation, driven by his family's loss, searching for something good out of it all. All around him, life goes on and sport goes on. He and Hazel are in Portrush this week along with former Tipp legend Declan Ryan and his wife, taking in the golf and letting the hours slip by until Sunday. They'll go to the final and hope and wish and dream like every other Tipperary supporter. But the day will hit different with them too. No point pretending otherwise. 'There's a lovely connection there, still, within the Tipperary set-up. I know they carry a picture of Dillon with them when they go to the matches. It would be amazing if we can do it. When you're in a final, you want to win and I think we've a great chance. It's going to be difficult. But please God we'll enjoy the match and won't feel too emotional.'
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
‘A week on & it still hurts' – TJ Reid bares his soul over semi-final agony as Kilkenny fans make plea
TJ Reid has reflected on another year in black and amber and how the pain from their All-Ireland semi-final loss still stings. The nature of 3 Reid and Co needlessly chased a goal in the dying moments thinking they were trailing by a bigger margin than they actually were 3 Being consoled by two and a half year old daughter Harper after their loss to Tipp 3 He noted that winning their sixth Leinster title in succession is 'a wonderful achievement' Sharing a powerful image of him crestfallen at the final whistle but being sweetly consoled by his daughter, the 37-year-old wrote: "F it anyway Harper. "A week on and it still hurts. Grateful for another year wearing the black and amber jersey. "Completing six Leinster titles in a row is still a wonderful achievement but it would have been brilliant to get back into an All-Ireland Final and to compete in it. "Thanks to my best supporters Niamh and my little daughter Harper and to all the Kilkenny supporters. Read More On GAA "Thanks to a group of special players. We had a great journey this year, sport is about the process and progress and we enjoyed every moment of it." At this juncture of his emotional Instagram post he then started to quote a viral speech given by Hollywood A-lister The Ballyhale Shamrocks man continued: "I wish I knew that this too shall pass. You feel bad right now? You feel p***ed off? You feel anxious? This too shall pass. "Oh you feel great? You feel like you know all the answers? You feel like everybody finally gets you? This too shall pass. Most read in GAA Hurling "Time is your ally, and if nothing else, just wait. Just wait it out. - Tom Hanks. Up Kilkenny." The upfront nature of his post prompted a tonne of support from Kilkenny fans as well as those from rival counties. 'Easiest interview I've ever had' jokes RTE GAA host after pundits go back and forth before Meath vs Donegal Kieran hailed: "Love this TJ. Great reflection." Similarly, Lauren praised: "Proud of you always, you always give it 100%." Meanwhile Brid noted: "Another amazing year, Harper is so proud." GIVE IT ANOTHER HURL? Despite his advancing years, the seven-time All-Star is still clearly able to be a difference-maker at inter-county level. As such, plenty of followers begged him to continue on with Derek Lyng's side for at least another year. Barry urged: "Congrats on another amazing year with the Cats, than you for all the enjoyment watching you play has been my privilege. Here's to next year." In April Reid It remains to be seen if he will be back for another tilt with the Cats. For now, all eyes of hurling fans can't venture beyond Sunday when Galway referee Liam Gordon
Extra.ie
2 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Leinster and La Rochelle set for another epic encounter as Champions Cup fixtures announced
Leinster-La Rochelle have had one of rugby's best rivalries in the 2020's. They've contested in two of the most competitive and thrilling Investec Champions Cup finals in recent memories and all their other clashes bar one (the quarter-final in 2024) have been nail-biters that went right to the wire. La Rochelle have the upper hand, winning the two finals but Leinster have won the last three encounters, including two away wins in the Stade Marcel Deflandre. With the added element of Ronan O'Gara coaching against his old foes this rivalry really has lived up to all expectations in recent years. The La Rochelle team celebrate after lifting the Champions Cup. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile The next installment in this rivalry was announced last month when the two were drawn in the same Champions Cup pool for the third year in-a-row and now today we finally have a date for the match. The EPCR confirmed on Tuesday that Leinster will host Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle in round 3 of the pool stages on Saturday 10 January 2026, with kick-off slated for 5:30pm. One thing to note in the announcement is the lack of confirmation of a venue for the match. Ciarán Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park and Hugo Keenan after their side's victory against La Rochelle. Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile Leinster played the majority of their home games at the Aviva Stadium last season due to renovations to the RDS Arena and are set to continue their residency in Lansdowne Road for the 2025/26 season. Leinster have also since 2024 hosted a number of games at Croke Park, including an interprovincial clash against Munster and the URC Grand Final against the Bulls last month. With a game as prestigious and as hyped as Leinster-La Rochelle we could see the clash on its biggest stage yet at Croke Park. The historic venue would be the perfect stage for such a rivalry and if Leinster give plenty of notice, they'll back themselves to be able to get close to selling out the stadium. Their other pool stage games have also been set. They begin their quest for a fifth star at home to Harlequins on 6 December 2025 before they travel to Leicester to face the Tigers on December 12. They then face La Rochelle in Dublin before finishing the pool stages in a first-time ever clash against Bayonne on 17 January. Ryan Baird, right, and Josh van der Flier of Leinster celebrate win against Stade Rochelais. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile Munster too have confirmed their Champions Cup fixtures as they begin their campaign away to English Premiership Champions Bath on 6 December. They will then make their return to Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on 13 December as they host Gloucester in Cork. Munster players make their way on to the pitch at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile They'll then travel away to the Stade Felix Mayol to face Toulon on 11 January before finishing their pool stage at home to Castres on 17 January. We may have all eyes set on the Lions but the club season is only around the corner yet again as Leinster will look to finally end their European hoodoo and get their fifth star.
