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RTÉ News
22-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Substitute Brian McLaughlin lights up semi-final slugfest as Kildare prevail
Substitute Brian McLoughlin rolled back the years with another huge Croke Park display to help Kildare reach the Tailteann Cup final. Seven years after hitting 1-02 in the 2018 All-Ireland U-20 final win at GAA HQ, Clane man McLoughlin this time registered a crucial 0-05 to turn a tight game into a landmark win. The scores were tied at 0-08 to 0-08 with 15 minutes to go when McLoughlin reeled off two single points and then a two-pointer to give them a vital cushion. He added another point in the closing minutes to set the seal on Kildare's first win at Croke Park in three years - securing their return for the July 12 final against Limerick. Kildare 0-12 Fermanagh 0-08: A second two-pointer for Brian McLaughlin, whose introduction has proven an inspirational change for Kildare 📺 @RTE2 & @RTEplayer 📱 Updates - — The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 22, 2025 It wasn't a classic encounter, mainly due to the torrential rain that fell in spells, though Kildare won't care with so much on the line for them. A golden ticket back to the All-Ireland SFC in 2026 awaits the winners of the final. James McGrath set the seal on Kildare's win with a trademark 69th minute goal, a left-footed blast similar to the one he scored against Offaly just last weekend. Full-time - Kildare 1-13 Fermanagh 0-09: James McGrath scores at the death as Kildare advance to the Tailteann Cup final 📺 @RTE2 & @RTEplayer 📱 Updates - — The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 22, 2025 The seven-point win in front of 13,960 probably flattered Kildare though with four goal chances created overall, aside from the one that McGrath took, and 14 wides registered, they were good value for the win. Fermanagh will rue their inability to grab a vital goal. They had chances in the final quarter hour but a combination of Brian Byrne and Kevin Feely cleared off the line for Kildare in the 60th minute, and Josh Largo Ellis fired just over two minutes later for the Ernesiders. Kildare were desperate to finally grab a win at Croke Park having lost their previous five games there, a tale of woe that stretched back to 2022. In complete contrast, their preliminary quarter-final win over Offaly last Saturday was their sixth victory from six outings at the freshly redeveloped Cedral St Conleth's Park in Newbridge. They hoped to ride that wave of momentum on the bigger stage and did hit the interval with a 0-07 to 0-06 lead though conditions were difficult and mitigated against any sort of free flowing encounter. Both sides did their best but with rain spilling down for much of the opening half, avoiding handling errors and just retaining possession was a job in itself. Kildare captain Kevin Feely kicked the team's 29th two-pointer of the season in the sixth minute. Fermanagh goalkeeper Sean McNally argued that he got a glove to the ball before it went over the crossbar, which would have reduced it to a single pointer, though the orange flag was raised. That one went Feely's way but he winced five minutes later when he gobbled up a loose ball after a high delivery into the danger area and smashed it back off the Fermanagh crossbar. Earlier, Colm Dalton had a shot at the Fermanagh goal blocked by Ronan McCaffrey while Daniel Flynn slalomed through the Ulster side's defence and fired just over in the 16th minute. Dalton struck two points and Darragh Kirwan was on the mark too as the Lilywhites held the lead for the majority of the opening half. Conor Love was Fermanagh's most potent attacker. He came into the contest with 2-13 from four games and added two first-half points. He was a constant threat, jinking this way and that and always trying to get a shot away off his left boot. He displayed a terrific piece of skill just before half-time when he gathered up a loose ball with his foot and Declan McCusker finished off the move with a point. Both sides struggled with the conditions in a forgettable third quarter. Kildare dominated the possession stakes but struck just a single point, from Daniel Flynn, in the first 15 minutes of the second-half, compared to seven wides. Kildare 0-08 Fermanagh 0-07 : Daniel Flynn registers the first Kildare score of the second half 📺 @RTE2 & @RTEplayer 📱 Update - — The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 22, 2025 One of those wides came from the boot of Tommy Gill who capitalised on a great fetch earlier by Feely, creating a goal chance that he couldn't convert. Fermanagh sub Sean Cassidy levelled it up at 0-08 apiece in the 51st minute, leaving Lilywhite fans wondering if another Croke Park loss awaited them. But they finally found a way to turn possession into points, a little like Limerick did in the earlier semi-final with a similar strong finish. McLoughlin stole the show having only come on in the 44th minute and he will hope to stay in the team for the final. Kildare: Cian Burke; Harry O'Neill, Mark Dempsey, Kevin Flynn; Brian Byrne, David Hyland, James McGrath (1-00); Kevin Feely (0-02, tp), Brendan Gibbons; Tommy Gill, Alex Beirne (0-01), Colm Dalton (0-02); Ryan Sinkey, Darragh Kirwan (0-01), Daniel Flynn (0-02). Subs: Brian McLoughlin (0-05, 1 tp) for Sinkey 44, Jack McKevitt for Kevin Flynn 44, Niall Kelly for Kirwan 63, Aaron Masterson for Gibbons 66. Fermanagh: Sean McNally; Luke Flanagan, Lee Cullen, Oisin Smyth; Shane McGullion, Declan McCusker (0-01), Jonathan Cassidy; Joe McDade (0-01), Darragh McGurn (0-01); Fionan O'Brien, Ryan Lyons (0-01), Ronan McCaffrey; Josh Largo Ellis (0-02), Garvan Jones, Conor Love (0-02).
Irish Examiner
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Eoin McElholm's focus firmly on Tyrone amid AFL possibilities
Rising Tyrone star Eoin McElholm says he's still open to a potential AFL switch but has placed it on the backburner whilst he concentrates on the All-Ireland SFC. The Loughmacrory teenager highlighted his talent yet again last month with 2-4 in Tyrone's Dalata Hotel Group All-Ireland U-20 final defeat of Louth. His two goals midway through the second-half helped propel Tyrone to back-to-back titles having also fired 0-7 in last year's final win over Kerry. McElholm previously featured in the 2021 All-Ireland minor final and hit 2-5 for Omagh CBS in the 2023 Hogan Cup final, lifting that cup as captain. Later that year, he impressed AFL scouts at the Draft Combine in Melbourne, excelling in the sprint section, and spent two weeks on trial at Fremantle last July. After coming on in Tyrone's first three senior Championship games this year, he could yet make his first Championship start this Sunday in the crucial Group 1 clash with Cavan. Picking up his Dalata Hotel Group All-Ireland U-20 Footballer of the Year award, McElholm says he is 'keeping in touch' with Fremantle. "If the opportunity came, I'd definitely look into it," he said. "Because I was out twice and really enjoyed it out there. I really enjoyed the whole experience. But just for the meantime, the focus is on Tyrone and what happens there." McElholm said he has developed an interest in the oval ball game and watches Fremantle play whenever he can. But he acknowledged that it would be difficult to walk away from Tyrone just as his senior career is starting. "It definitely would," said McElholm, who made his senior debut as a sub in last year's Championship defeat to Roscommon. "It wouldn't be a straightforward decision. I'd obviously have to think about it and stuff. I just really enjoyed the opportunity and obviously if things weren't going well, you're always only a flight away from home." Meath's Cian McBride, who had a four-year stint at Essendon, spoke recently about the club being won over specifically by his speed. "I did the combine over there, when I went out two years ago," said McElholm of how he impressed scouts. "So it's the 2km run, the 20m sprint, the jump and agility test. I actually did well in the 20m sprint, I got top 10, ninth. Probably the rest of my scores weren't as good as the sprint. But that's what they really look into, yeah, your physical attributes. Because they know when you're over there, you'll have the skill base to pick up on their game and learn it." McElholm will hope to impress again for Tyrone on Sunday in Enniskillen. A win over Cavan could secure them top spot in the group, and an All-Ireland SFC quarter-final place, although a loss could potentially spell the end of their campaign. It bodes well that they beat Cavan earlier this season in Ulster and haven't lost a Championship game to the Breffni since 1983. "It's a knock-out game, that's the way you have to look at it," said McElholm, a Sigerson Cup semi-finalist earlier this year with Ulster University. "It's an elimination game now. You have to prepare for it as if it's your last chance basically. The main thing is getting a performance. "Cavan showed great glimpses of what they can do against Mayo and Donegal. They're going to be very up for it, especially after us beating them in the Ulster championship." After losing to Mayo in Round 2, Tyrone manager Malachy O'Rourke may fancy making changes in attack, potentially paving the way for a McElholm start. But with the Canavan brothers, Darren McCurry, Mattie Donnelly, Mark Bradley and Peter Harte among those vying for spots, it's ultra competitive. "The two Canavans and Petey and Darren, they're boys who you watched growing up," said McElholm. "Now playing with them and learning different tips and skills, it's a complete pleasure."
The 42
22-04-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Meath set up Leinster U20 football final rematch with Louth
Results Dalata Hotel Group Leinster U20 football semi-finals Meath 0-19 Kildare 1-8 Louth 0-14 Dublin 0-11 RIAN STAFFORD AND Jamie Murphy supplied the bulk of the scores as holders Meath set up a Leinster U-20 FC final rematch with Louth. The Royals took care of Louth in last year's decider at this grade and will face the Wee County all over again next Wednesday night. Cathal O Bric's side braved high winds and heavy rain in Ashbourne to see off Kildare this evening with surprising ease. The Lilies breezed through their group campaign to qualify directly for the last four but faded out after a bright start. Free-taker Stafford, nephew of Meath great Brian Stafford, struck eight points while powerful full-forward Murphy, part of last year's team that lost an All-Ireland U-20 semi-final to Kerry, registered seven points. Meath kicked six two-pointers in all with Stafford and Murphy accounting for five of them while John Harkin grabbed the other. It was a strong showing from a well drilled Meath team who kept their heads despite the worsening conditions with rain collecting on the pitch in patches. Meath had to bounce back from conceding 1-2 in the opening quarter and failing to score themselves. They enjoyed plenty of possession in that spell but couldn't turn it into scores and Jay O'Brien burst through for a terrific Kildare solo goal against the run of play. But when Meath finally found their range, it opened the floodgates and they reeled off seven points without response, putting them into a lead they held onto. Kildare did get the gap down to a point after an Eoin Cully score in the 26th minute but back-to-back two-pointers to close out the half left Meath 0-13 to 1-5 up at the interval. The diagonal wind favoured Kildare in the second-half but they couldn't take advantage and the turning point arrived in the 46th minute. Cully burst through and a Kildare goal at that stage would have cut the gap in half, from six to three, but Sam Jordan got back to intercept. Kildare fans pleaded for a penalty but Meath took full advantage, reeling off three scores in a row from Murphy after that in the closing quarter to seal it. It was Louth's second year in a row to beat Dublin at the semi-final stage with Tony McDonnell's six-point haul this time decisive. Tadhg McDonnell, Adam Gillespie and James Maguire weighed in with a brace of points each also as the hosts led virtually from pillar to post. It was three points apiece after the opening quarter but a Tadhg McDonnell two-pointer put Louth into a lead they held onto. Fergal Reel's side were 0-7 to 0-6 up at half-time in Darver and they stretched the lead out to five points in the third quarter. James Maguire slotted Louth's last point in the 49th minute and they held on for a deserved three-point win. Advertisement
