Three players that stood out in Ireland's comeback win over Scotland
There were plenty of positives to take from the match, especially the displays from debutants Ivana Kiripati, Nancy McGillivray and Ailish Quinn. McGillivray got a try on debut to boot as well as Scott Bemand is building quite the depth chart ahead of the World Cup.
A lot of players put their hand up today for a World Cup spot as Bemand has big calls to make on August 11. IRFU Committee Member Tony O'Beirne presents Grace Moore with the Player of the Match Award. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady
Grace Moore
She won Player of the Match and rightfully so. The flanker was at the heart of everything positive for Ireland throughout. When Ireland struggled in attack in the first half, her carries got them over the gain line.
With so many injuries in the back row one can be forgiven for thinking Ireland may be heading into the World Cup light in that position but in Grace Moore, Ireland have a canny operator. Eve Higgins. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady
Eve Higgins
So often Higgins was handed the ball on the back foot and the centre would make something of it. She broke the line many times and seems to always run at 100%, she doesn't have another speed.
She was the perfect partner to have alongside debutant McGillivray as she sucked in so many defenders it gave McGillivray space to work with and ultimately cross over on debut. Higgins also showed off a cultured kicking game at points. Ireland have a plethora of great options at centre now and that depth will help out greatly at the RWC. Niamh O'Dowd of Ireland celebrates after scoring her side's fourth try. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
Niamh O'Dowd
O'Dowd may have only been on as a substitute but she made every minute she was on for count. She had one of the best engines on the pitch for any player, let alone a loosehead prop.
You also have to commend O'Dowd for her exciting playstyle. Like a certain Sonny Bill Williams, O'Dowd always manages to get her hands free in contact and looks to throw an offload. They don't always come off but when they do they're so effective.
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The 42
an hour ago
- The 42
'I wasn't in good form for a few months after. You're so close to the players'
IN THE WAKE of their second All-Ireland final defeat in a row, Meath ladies manager Eamonn Murray was ready to quit. Tyrone slammed six goals past them the first day out in Croke Park to become the 2018 intermediate champions. And now Tipperary were muscling past to take the crown by five points. The summit was falling further and further from view. He didn't want this job when it was first offered to him. Murray, who had been happily immersed in the underage structures for the past 15 years, wanted to continue working with the Meath minors. He tried to repel the charms of then Meath chairman Fearghal Harney before eventually giving in. He took the reins in 2017, bringing the highly-rated coach Paul Garrigan along with him. Languishing in Division 3 at the time, only Fermanagh would agree to a challenge match. Squad morale was low. Only the promise of a two-week trial was enough to persuade players to buy in to his vision. Goalkeeper Monica McGuirk had just finished up playing soccer in the Women's National League when Murray came calling. 'Players were sick of me ringing them every week,' he says looking back at the building blocks of a modern dynasty in ladies football. Two Brendan Martin Cups and a Division 1 title would be the pick of his achievements as Meath manager. Emma Duggan in action for Meath in the 2019 All-Ireland intermediate final against Tipperary. Bryan Keane / INPHO Bryan Keane / INPHO / INPHO But in this moment, after two All-Ireland intermediate final defeats, he couldn't shake the self-doubt. Perhaps it was time to allow someone else take over and complete the mission. A conversation with his four daughters rinsed the despair out of his mind. They reminded him of how far Meath had travelled under his watch. ''You've done the hard work. Don't leave now,'' they told him. It was just the tonic he needed to launch a third attack from the trenches. And by the end of a pandemic-affected 2020 season, Meath were finally All-Ireland intermediate champions. A day to remember as they defeated Westmeath by 2-17 to 4-5 just shortly before Christmas. Advertisement Murray had some concerns about the four goals they conceded that day, but the work needed to tighten their defensive shape would soon follow. For now, Meath could enjoy their breakthrough success. The extra few percent they were missing was rooted in a fitness plan devised by their strength and conditioning coach Eugene Eivers. During the days when collective training was prohibited, girls from the same parish paired up to complete the runs together. 'I just couldn't believe the time they're doing at the end of that,' Murray adds. 'When we came back after Covid, our girls were in super shape. We knew we were going to win it. We conceded a lot of goals, and we said to ourselves, 'We're never going to concede that many goals again,' and we didn't. 'We kept getting players in as well, and changing the team. I remember being in Croke Park against Tyrone and I looked at the physique they had compared to ours. We just upped that end of things.' Eamonn Murray and Aoibhín Cleary celebrate after Meath's victory in the 2021 All-Ireland senior final. Bryan Keane / INPHO Bryan Keane / INPHO / INPHO The momentum of that victory propelled Meath to even greater heights in 2021. Facing a Dublin team aiming to complete an All-Ireland five in a row, Murray's Royals prevailed to conquer the top tier of ladies football. They defended their title the following year when Kerry were the challengers. And through it all, they honoured that promise to curtail the number of goals conceded. Dublin failed to score any goals in the 2021 final. And while the now retired Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh scored a goal for Kerry the following year, Niamh O'Sullivan, Emma Troy and Bridgetta Lynch clattered the Kingdom net. Meath's intermediate celebrations were understandably curtailed by the pandemic but no such barrier interfered with the parties that followed their senior triumphs. 'It was a strange feeling heading back to Navan that night with about 20 people watching us there,' Murray says referring to the afters of their 2020 decider. 'We went upstairs to the hotel with masks on, had a dinner at two or three pints of Guinness and home at 10 o'clock. 'Move forward to next year when we won senior and some of the girls didn't get home for a week.' Murray stepped down as Meath manager shortly after the 2022 season. At the time, it seemed that his exit was partly motivated by the Vikki Wall and Orlagh Lally's decision to take up offers in the AFLW. But others were departing too. Paul Garrigan and Eugene Eivers switched backroom teams in Meath to work under the then men's senior manager Colm O'Rourke. Aoibheann Leahy, Emma Troy and Kelsey Nesbitt were all stepping away, and Murray felt a rebuild would be too much. Everything was coming to a natural conclusion. 'It wasn't easy. My gosh, it broke my heart. I wasn't in good form for a few months after. You're so close to the players. 'Some of them I was with since they were 16. They are part of your family. You spend more time with them than they do with their own family.' Switching from mentor to supporter has been an interesting process for Murray. The calmness he brought to the sideline has been replaced by the sound of his voice cheering the team on. He can't help but compare his management style with that of the current boss Shane McCormack, but he accepts that as a natural part of the transition. He was thrilled to see his former side finally get the better of their 2022 All-Ireland final opponents Kerry in this year's semi-final after two consecutive championship defeats. And he looked on with furious confusion at some of the decisions given against Vikki Wall. Her sin-bin against Kildare in the All-Ireland series was a major talking point as she was adjudged to have fouled Claire Sullivan when many felt the decision should have gone in Wall's favour. Like others, Murray feels she is mistreated by match officials on account of her superior strength. 'It's one of my most frustrating things to watch. 'There's no other girl or man or person in the country that has to hold their hands up in the air when attacking someone. She has to hold her hands up now in a tackle so the referee sees clearly she's not using her hands. Meath's Vikki Wall. Tom Maher / INPHO Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO 'She's almost too big for the rules. It's very hard to change directions coming at her speed. And players are out there saying, 'I'll stop Vikki Wall.' Every team has a few players trying to stop her. And they're not trying to stop her legally but they get away with it.' Murray has coached Wall since her underage days, and has marvelled at her physical transformation as she moved up the grades. 'She never left the gym, and she was running day and night. That's what she does. You rarely see her injured. She's an example to every young player in the country. And she's probably one of the easiest players I've ever managed. She never complained. Related Reads 'I was trending number one in Ireland on Twitter ahead of Rashford and Coldplay!' Leading Meath, AFLW adventure, and a couple chasing All-Ireland glory Dublin beat Galway after extra-time to set up All-Ireland final showdown with Meath 'She's the ultimate team player. I think she really brought on Emma Duggan, her clubmate as well. Emma was very lucky to have her there at the time. The both of them get on very well and play very well together. 'The lift that gives the Meath team when she gets the ball.' There's no regrets about not being part of the Meath management team that has guided the Royals back to an All-Ireland final. He's happy to be a full-time fan. His family were glued to Meath's progress when Murray was in charge and remain full invested this weekend for another trip to Croke Park. It was their intervention that convinced him to stay when all he wanted to do was quit. A familiar foe awaits on the other side of the line, and just like in 2021, they're considered outsiders against Dublin. Murray knows how well Meath are suited to the underdog tag. 'We've always told them that you should always feel like you're an underdog. 'They're on a great roll and to beat the All-Ireland champions as well, that has to mean something. I'm sure it'll be well worth watching. 'I'd advise anybody who loves football and sports to go and watch it because there will be plenty of excitement to watch.' *****
The 42
an hour ago
- The 42
Dublin and Meath renew rivalry, top stars, key battles - All-Ireland final talking points
1. Dublin and Meath renew rivalry A repeat of the 2021 All-Ireland ladies senior football final, Dublin and Meath go head to head on the biggest stage once more [throw in 4.15pm, TG4]. Four years ago, Meath stunned Dublin to win their first All-Ireland title in their debut final. The Royals also ended Dublin's Drive for Five, their remarkable rise under Eamonn Murray well documented. Meath went back to back in 2022, Dublin roared back for their fifth success in eight seasons under Mick Bohan in 2023, and Kerry reigned supreme in 2024. Recently, it has been a more open championship, a far cry from the Cork-Dublin duopoly of 2005 to 2020. The Leinster rivals meet again in All-Ireland fare, with new faces at the helm. Paul Casey and Derek Murray stepped up from the backroom to lead Dublin this year, while Shane McCormack is in his second season in charge of Meath. There has been some change in playing personnel, six Dublin and five Meath starting survivors from 2021 to this year's semi-finals, but there are plenty of familiar faces on both panels. They have collided three times this season, Dublin keeping a 100% record after wins in the National League (2-19 to 0-9), Leinster round robin (2-10 to 0-6) and Leinster final (2-13 to 1-12). But Meath have been on an upward curve, dethroning defending champions Kerry with a convincing six-point semi-final win. The Dubs, meanwhile, needed extra-time to beat Galway by the same margin. 2. Meath's twin threat When you think of Meath, you immediately think of Vikki Wall and Emma Duggan. Advertisement The Royals' twin threat were key figures through their magical times in '21 and '22. Wall was Player of the Year in 2021, the creative spark also taking the Player of the Match award in the final. Duggan laid the platform for success against Dublin with an early long-range goal and finished with 1-2. A Leaving Cert student at the time, the star forward stormed to back to back All-Star awards. Emma Duggan and Sinéad Goldrick facing off. Bryan Keane / INPHO Bryan Keane / INPHO / INPHO While Meath suffered consecutive quarter-final defeats to Kerry, Wall and Duggan haven't been front and centre in the ladies football spotlight in recent years, but they're most certainly back. Wall, of course, has had a whirlwind sporting career in the interim. She joined AFLW outfit North Melbourne after the '22 final, and starred as they secured their first-ever Premiership title last November. She also played rugby sevens for Ireland, but missed out on 2024 Olympic selection. Duggan (2-33) and Wall (2-10) have again led the Meath scoring charge through the championship, and they'll need big games to overcome Dublin and get their hands on the Brendan Martin Cup again. 3. Dublin's experienced stars Hannah Tyrrell is Dublin's three-sport threat. Her sporting career is remarkable, having played at the top level in Gaelic football, rugby and soccer. She has won FAI Cup, Six Nations, and All-Ireland medals. The 34-year-old is hoping to bow out with a second Celtic cross, having confirmed her plans to retire. But Tyrrell has been in the form of her life, leading the championship scoring with 8-33. The Dublin goalkeeper-turned-forward has commanded high praise this week, with Carla Rowe hailing the 'ice-cold blood in her veins' and joint-manager Casey saying: 'We're lucky in this country to have many, many great sportswomen, but she's up there with them . . . to be still doing it at (nearly) 35 years of age, with a child at home, is a testament to her commitment to anything she applies herself to.' Hannah Tyrrell. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO Casey also revealed a pact between Tyrrell and Sinéad Goldrick, who has balanced Gaelic football with AFLW in recent years. 'I'll come back if you are,' they told one another as Tyrrell holidayed in Australia. Dublin soon had a major boost, with a four-time All-Ireland winner, eight-time All-Star and AFLW Premiership champion back in the fold. Goldie is one of the best defenders to ever play the game, and the 35-year-old is targetting another Celtic Cross after missing the '23 win. One quote from Casey speaks volumes: 'She's such a leader . . . she's always demanding the best out of everybody, and more so out of herself.' 4. Key battles This should be a high-energy, physical encounter. Meath brought huge intensity to their semi-final win over Kerry, and will need to produce another top performance to nullify Dublin's strengths. The Sky Blues' full-forward line is tantalising: While Tyrrell leads the way with 8-33 (5 penalties, 17 frees), Kate Sullivan is next in line with 5-11 from play. Rowe has also impressed, while managing calf problems, the captain accounting for 2-8. While Áine Sheridan, Mary Kate Lynch and Katie Newe — who is doubtful — have been solid in the Meath full-back line, this will prove their toughest task yet. At the other end, Wall and Duggan are named in the Royals' full-forward line. Leah Caffrey is sure to be tasked with a big man-marking job, but Wall will likely operate further out. Goldrick may prove her tracker. The midfield battle will be key; Éilish O'Dowd and Hannah McGinnis, and Orlaith Sheehy and Marion Farrelly, named the starting eight and nines, but Niamh Hetherton has switched between there and the forwards for Dublin. Goalkeepers Abby Shiels and Robyn Murray will be in focus, their shot-stopping and kick outs big factors, as are strong runners from deep, which both sides have. Referee Gus Chapman. Laszlo Geczo / INPHO Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO All eyes will be on referee Gus Chapman, too, and how he officiates the game, with rules, physicality and Wall's treatment among the talking points this summer. Related Reads The 2011 All-Ireland winner targetting more success with Dublin 'I was trending number one in Ireland on Twitter ahead of Rashford and Coldplay!' Leading Meath, AFLW adventure, and a couple chasing All-Ireland glory 5. Festival of football at Croke Park The All-Ireland intermediate and junior deciders are also down for decision. The action gets underway at 11.45am when Antrim and Louth go head to head for the West County Hotel Cup at junior level. Louth lost last year's final by two points to Fermanagh. Under new manager Kevin Larkin and with Kate Flood leading the scoring, they'll hope to turn the tables like they did in 2018-19. Antrim did the same in 2021-22, bouncing back from defeat to win the following season after a replay. Maria O'Neill and Lara Dahunsi are among the key players for Michael Devlin and Chris Scullion's side. Laois and Tyrone face off in the intermediate showpiece at 1.45pm, with the Mary Quinn Memorial Cup and promotion to the senior ranks the prizes on offer. Laois, champions in 2022, are targetting an immediate return to the senior ranks after their gut-wrenching, last-minute relegation. Mo Nerney (4-19) and Emma Lawor (5-15) are the leading scorers for Stephen Duff's side. Tyrone, meanwhile, lost last year's final to Leitrim by the minimum. Darren McCann's side have come through two extra-time battles in the knockout stages, overcoming Fermanagh and Westmeath. Aoife Horisk (3-25) and Sorcha Gormley (6-16) have been in stunning scoring form. A real shootout awaits. LGFA President Trina Murray on Tuesday said the attendance is 'on track to getting up there near 56,000″. The record is 56,114 from 2019. *****
The 42
an hour ago
- The 42
Best moment, star and match: The42 GAA writers review the 2025 hurling and football year
Moment of the Year… Declan Bogue: Hurling – For sheer drama and the giant-killing effect, you'd go a long way to better Dublin's incredible quarter-final win over Limerick. John Hetherton and Cian O'Sullivan's goals came like a one-two to Limerick's jaw in a game they were in total control of, especially as Dublin were a man down after Chris Crummey's 15th-minute red card. A result that rocked hurling, and shouldn't be diminished by their defeat in the semi-final to Cork Football – It was a play that this time last year you could not have comprehended. A player holding the ball uncontested in the middle of the park, all the while taking long glances at the time on the scoreboard. A hooter, bejaysus. And then David Clifford coming on the loop to kick outside of a brand new scoring arc. Clifford's first half 'Hooter-Beater' was novel in the All-Ireland final, but also quite incredible. —– Emma Duffy: Hurling - Dublin's great upset against Limerick. The quickfire John Hetherton and Cian O'Sullivan second-half goals which propelled the 14-man Dubs to victory, ignited the game and occasion in Croke Park. Football - David Clifford's two-pointer after the half-time buzzer in the All-Ireland final against Donegal. A strike that captured how I'll remember the 2025 football season. —– Sinead Farrell: Hurling - Oisín O'Donoghue's goal for Tipperary in the All-Ireland semi-final against Kilkenny shortly after Darragh McCarthy's red card. The product of a brilliant team move which started with a turnover by Alan Tynan and ended with O'Donoghue's powerful strike under severe pressure. Tipperary's Oisin O'Donoghue celebrates scoring his sides fourth goal. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO Football - It has to be THAT David Clifford two-pointer after the half-time buzzer in the All-Ireland final. I have watched the fan footage of Clifford's movement in the build-up his score at least 20 times and still cannot figure out how he wrangles free from the close watch of Brendan McCole. —– Fintan O'Toole: Hurling - The biggest shock in years in the hurling championship contained a mind-blowing save when Sean Brennan diverted Aaron Gillane's shot over the bar. A goal then would have shifted the course of the quarter-final, but Dublin's save enabled them to hold out Limerick and clinch a famous success. Football - Louth trailed by four points approaching half-time of the Leinster final and needed something to inspire them against Meath. Step forward Craig Lennon. The handy option of tapping over a point was passed on, instead he unleashed a stunning drive to the net. It was the type of defiance mixed with skill that propelled the county to their first Leinster title in 68 years, the centrepice of a memorable Croke Park day. Louth's Craig Lennon celebrates scoring his side's third goal in the Leinster final. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO ***** Star of the Year… Declan Bogue: Hurling – Any manager pleading with his own county supporters to come out and support their team can often smack of desperation. When Tipperary failed to turn up in the Gaelic Grounds and Semple Stadium last year it appeared the support had lost faith in their side. Liam Cahill kept the faith. He ran the race. He never gave up and somehow, improbably, impressively, he is the All-Ireland hurling winning manager. Football – Similarly to Cahill, David Clifford himself made his appeals for the Kerry support to come out. With the benefit of hindsight, it felt like a bit of a turning point in their season. After the defeat to Meath in Tullamore, everything felt amplified about Kerry; their scoring rate, their scoring celebrations, Jack O'Connor's stirring riposte to the critics within. But it all starts and ends with David Clifford. No surprise. Kerry's David Clifford celebrates after the All-Ireland final. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO —– Advertisement Emma Duffy: Hurling – Ronan Maher. His nod to the late Dillon Quirke on the steps of the Hogan Stand was special as he delivered his All-Ireland winning speech. It wrapped up a huge final performance and superb season from the Thurles Sarsfields man. Football - David Clifford. 8-62. Enough said. —– Sinead Farrell: Hurling - Tipperary's John McGrath. Consistent throughout the championship but really came to life in the All-Ireland final with 2-2 from play, including that brilliant flicked effort in the air to help the ball past Patrick Collins. Tipperary's John McGrath celebrates scoring a goal against Cork. Laszlo Geczo / INPHO Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO Football - Kerry's David Clifford. Nailed on for his third Footballer of The Year after an incredible championship in which he scored 8-48 from play and 8-62 in total. —– Fintan O'Toole: Hurling - John McGrath had enjoyed a brilliant Tipperary career before 2025 even commenced. All-Irelands, an All-Star and general acclaim. Now this year is set to match his previous accomplishments. A renaissance three years after rupturing his Achilles, he adorned his displays with seven goals from play across the summer at key stages for his side. Football - David Clifford. No need to complicate matters by having a debate. 1-25 across his last three appearances in Croke Park, while his overall tally from play this year was 8-48. The best footballer in the country produced the best year of performances. ***** Game of the Year… Declan Bogue: Hurling – You may well complain about a competition as august as the Munster hurling championship coming down to a penalty shootout. And you'd get a sympathetic ear here too. But for entertainment and drama, there was nothing to match Cork's eventual penalty shootout win over Limerick. After winning the group game by 16 points, Limerick believed they had the Mackey Cup won with Aaron Gillane's late free, before Darragh Fitzgibbon's last-gasp '65' to take it to penalties. Still should have been a replay though. Cork's Robert Downey lifts the trophy after the Munster final. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO Football – Forgive us for romanticising it a little, but a combination of fine weather and high-quality has brought some brilliant Ulster finals in recent years. That, and the constant spectre of some day these games going to a revamped Casement Park, leaves the feeling that everyone is embracing these crazy Clones days. On the pitch, the quality of football and shooting in particular was off the charts. Eventually, Ciaran Moore's goal brought Donegal into winning territory at the death. —– Emma Duffy: Hurling - It had to be the Munster final. Incredible drama served by Cork and Limerick across an absorbing night that stretched from normal time to extra time to the penalty shootout conclusion. Not the easiest game to liveblog! Football - The second half of the Meath-Galway quarter-final was brilliant viewing. Jordan Morris excelled as Meath clinched a first All-Ireland semi-final spot in 16 years. —– Sinead Farrell: Hurling - The Dublin-Limerick clash in the All-Ireland quarter-final stands out. To take down an All-Ireland contender without their captain Chris Crummey for most of the game is an exceptional feat. Honourable mention for the Munster final which saw Cork crowned champions, and the opening Munster day that produced dramatic draws in Clare v Cork and Tipperary v Limerick. Football - The Leinster final between Louth and Meath. 15 years after the pain of losing the provincial decider in controversial circumstances, it was heartening to see Louth win their first Leinster title in 68 years. Meath were involved in some other standout ties against Dublin and Galway, while Donegal going back-to-back in Ulster after a thriller against Armagh should be noted too. Donegal's Patrick McBrearty and Michael Murphy celebrate in the dressing room. Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO —– Fintan O'Toole: Hurling - The Munster final produced remarkable tension and drama, while Kildare's Joe McDonagh victory was wonderful to see. But perhaps the most consequential game was the May six-goal thriller in Ennis as Clare's All-Ireland defence was ended and Tipperary found something in the finale that transformed their outlook, paving the way for ultimate glory. Football - As an eyewitness, the Kerry-Cork Munster tie in April was a classic as the action ebbed and flowed, sealed by an extra-time thunderbolt to the net from Joe O'Connor. Watching from afar, the Derry-Galway group game in June served up gripping fare with Matthew Tierney's goal replied by Conor Doherty's point to generate a draw. Derry's Conor Doherty and Galway's Matthew Tierney. Lorcan Doherty / INPHO Lorcan Doherty / INPHO / INPHO ***** One wish for GAA in 2026… Declan Bogue: Hurling – We can only hope for a resurgent Cork, and for Pat Ryan to be in charge. Talk of change is rampant right now on Leeside, but it would feel like a huge pity if Ryan's enormous dignity displayed this year did not have the cinematic sweep of an eventual Liam MacCarthy win. Selling out every game they went to from the league final on, you could only wish the best for them. Football – Rules-related. Personally, I would be in favour of the hooter and final play arrangement as it is. I might also be in favour of four points for a goal. One thing that would be a regressive step is the potential to restrict the handpass. Overall, the 'enhancements' have helped the game. But we are into delicate territory now before the whole thing is tied down for the next few years. —– Emma Duffy: Hurling - One more year for TJ Reid, Patrick Horgan, and Noel McGrath, the latter fittingly fired over the last point that sealed Tipperary's All-Ireland title win. Three undisputed hurling greats. Tom O'Hanlon / INPHO Tom O'Hanlon / INPHO / INPHO Football - A Cavan upturn. More results like the win in the All-Ireland group stage against Mayo in Castlebar. No bias here. —– Sinead Farrell: Hurling - I would love to see Waterford finally unpick the lock and break out of the Munster round-robin series. Their frustration with the format was very clear after another early exit in 2025 and it will be interesting to see if they can keep the group together to give it another push in 2026. Football - This has been a brilliant year for football and the new rules are clearly having a positive impact. But I would love to see more goals and I think a four-point award would be a great incentive for teams to hunt down more green flags. —– Fintan O'Toole: Hurling - Remove the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final stage. Dublin thrashing Kildare by 21 points this year and Tipperary hammering Laois by 23, reinforced the belief there is nothing to be gained from these games. Give extra room to the Liam MacCarthy Cup race and crucially stretch out the Joe McDonagh Cup, playing the final before an All-Ireland semi-final or final. Football - A move closer to the wider realisation that the provinces in their current guise are a barrier to the overall football structure, but perhaps a more realistic target is to scrap two-pointers from frees. The proficiency of players with those kicks is skewing contests. *****
