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Irish Times
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Timing of Hell for Leather ideal as viewers reminded why Gaelic football is GAA's code with furthest reach
Midway through the first episode of Hell for Leather, RTÉ's elegant five-part series on the history and nature of Gaelic football, we see a clip of a young boy at some kind of GAA family fun day. With his face painted like a lion, he embarks on a hectic solo run. He chips the ball over the head of the first defender and closes his eyes as he catches it on the bounce. Then tries a toe-to-hand that flies up above his head, but he keeps running, improvising as he goes, like jazz. The camera never loses sight of the boy's enraptured face and, in the slow-motion sequence, every movement he makes with the ball is uninhibited. His relationship with the game has yet to be polluted by systems and strategies and all the paraphernalia of risk management that, until recently, threatened to destroy Gaelic football. The clip is underlaid by interview footage from Juliet Murphy, the eight-time All-Ireland winner with Cork . 'With football, the skills are bunúsach ( basic),' she says, 'but they're beautiful in motion.' The opening episode focuses on football's roots. Bundled up with that are childhood memories and first feelings. Brian Fenton, one of the greatest players of the modern era, talks about knocking the pebble dash off the gable end of his family home in Dublin , in the simple act of kicking and catching. But then he talks about grown-up football trespassing on the innocence of that relationship. READ MORE 'Playing the game as a child, this is the game you love and this is all you know,' he said. 'As things got more serious – and at that elite level – you kind of lose sight of that beautiful game you played as a kid. In many ways, some of our best games were when you strip everything back and the team talk is just, 'this is the game you've played all your life. Just go out and play the game you love. Go out and play it as if you're a child again'.' A little later in the piece, Jack McCaffrey, one of Fenton's teammates on the Dublin six-in-a-row team , addressed the same theme. 'A Gaelic football match is 70-plus minutes,' he said. 'For the majority of it, you're just working like a dog. And the fact of the matter is, it's not enjoyable. But getting a ball in my hand, looking up and thinking 'let's go' – that's exciting.' The feeling that McCaffrey describes was captured by the boy with the lion painted on his face. At so many levels of the game, not just at the highest level, Gaelic football had lost contact with that feeling. It had become a fearful game of percentages and safe passing and suppressed imagination. Everybody was indentured to a plan that reduced the possibility of losing. For many teams, winning could only be considered after not losing was mastered. This philosophy had left the game in a bad state. Football is inherently more portable than hurling and more accessible The timing of Hell for Leather couldn't have been more opportune because this has been the most spectacular football season in living memory. The new rules have injected the games with excitement and scoreboard summersaults and an element of end-to-end sparring that had been absent for many years. The game had been kidnapped by coaching actuaries obsessed with the bottom line. To bring football back to life, it needed to be brainwashed. In a staggeringly short space of time, the new rules seem to have accomplished that mission. If this series had been broadcast last summer, the tone of love and celebration that courses through the interviews would have felt utterly at odds with a game trapped in a cycle of self-rebuke and black introspection. The synchronicity of the tone and the timing adds something vital. In Hell for Leather , some of Gaelic football's biggest stars talk about their first sporting love. Photograph: RTÉ The challenge for a series such as Hell for Leather is to explore something we already know and somehow make it feel like a new acquaintance. Gaelic football covers more of Ireland than any mobile phone network. When something is under our noses, how closely do we look? In the first episode, there is a terrific piece about the islands tournament that is played off in a blitz every summer. It comes and goes without any notice beyond the players and supporters who animate it. Just like with any sport, Gaelic football connects with people and communities in a million micro ways, but because football exists wherever Irish people are found, it bends to each habitat. Football is inherently more portable than hurling and more accessible. Hell for Leather is conscious of an audience that might only watch a handful of big games on telly every summer, but the passages about the origins of the game will be fascinating even to fanatics. The game had ancestors in rural Ireland, but no codified rules. One of the GAA's first big jobs was to make them up. 'As for the tackle,' says the historian Mark Duncan, 'you couldn't headbutt.' It seemed like no other holds were barred. The first match under the GAA's rules was played in Kilkenny and ended scoreless. Don't forget that Kilkenny won two Leinster football titles in the first 25 years of the GAA and contested four other Leinster finals. They don't talk about it much. [ Dean Rock: Armagh are now in an unbelievable position Opens in new window ] Hell for Leather is made by Crossing The Line, the same production house that delivered The Game, the acclaimed series on hurling. In every sense, it has the same texture: it is glossy and cinematic and earthy and soulful. In an exhaustive trawl, more than 80 interviews were conducted over five years. The filmmaker, Gerry Nelson, spent up to three hours with many of the subjects, and you can tell from the short, sharp snippets that appear on screen that Nelson kept digging beyond surface thoughts. 'When you think about football, life comes with it,' says Shane Walsh, the Galway footballer. Had he ever said that out loud before? This is an important portrait of a precious strand of Irish life. Just when football discovered the joy in life again. Hell for Leather, RTÉ One, Monday, 9.35pm
The Irish Sun
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Dublin GAA star's family connection to RTE broadcaster revealed as famous mum admits ‘it's hard to watch' him play
PEADAR O COFAIGH BYRNE is a rising Dublin GAA star looking to fill the void left by the legendary Brian Fenton. And he is also the son of a famous RTE broadcaster. 2 Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne is a rising star for Dublin Credit: Ray McManus/Sportsfile 2 His mum is Blaithnaid Ni Chofaigh The 25-year-old emerged as a future tentpole of Dublin football after captaining the county to the All-Ireland U20 title in 2019. The Cuala clubman made his senior debut under Jim Gavin that same year, with famous mum Blaithnead Ni Chofaigh having a front row seat along the way. While proud of her son's rising stardom, she previously admitted to finding it difficult to watch him play. She told Read More on GAA "It is hard to watch as a mother though; if they get a belt, you want to kill the person that hit them, it is human nature. "If the referee is talking to him, you are wondering what he said. "The younger lads are playing together on the club minor team as well, pride is a great thing. "My daughter Síle played basketball as well and that was strange because you are so close to the action, you can hear every breath and it is such a vocal sport. Most read in GAA Football "When I think of Peader, I think of all his pals and of course you want them to continue. "When you are in the thick, everything is important but you take the next thing as it comes because there are injuries. Tipperary GAA star 'had to do live apology on RTE' the day after cursing during All-Ireland interview - "He is very competitive and happy, and he is good at football." Peadar is He had to bide his time for consistent football as James McCarthy and Brian Fenton held down the fort in midfield. However, last November and Dessie Farrell's men were rocked when . O Cofaigh Byrne has enjoyed a breakout 2025 in response, starting in January when He started in their last two fixtures in Division 1 and proceeded to start all of their Leinster and All-Ireland football championship matches so far. And speaking before the All-Ireland club final, he declared his intention to He said: "There is a hole but it is an opportunity. 'They are tough boots to fill. Playing with James and Brian was a pleasure. 'I know there are a lot of lads there. Ethan Dunne is a young fellow coming up, Tom Lahiff and myself. 'There were a lot of lads chomping at the bit and trying to get the jersey off the lads, trying to compete with them and that made us better as a team. That was great but now they are gone. 'I have not been involved yet so I don't even know who is even there at the moment . . . "Even with the new rules and stuff, I am sure it will be quite different. 'I know that it is going to be a massive loss for the team, character-wise. 'With regards to replacing them, you hear the same cliches that they can't be replaced and stuff like that. 'But there are a lot of lads there, not only myself, who are ready to go.'
The Irish Sun
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Brian Fenton set for unexpected gaelic football return this summer – but Dublin GAA legend won't be playing in Ireland
BRIAN FENTON is set for a return to club football this summer - but not in Ireland, according to reports. The seven-time All-Ireland winner announced his inter-county retirement last year. 2 Brian Fenton retired from inter-county football last year Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 2 Brian Fenton is set for a move to America Credit: Seb Daly/Sportsfile And the six-time All-Star will will put the boots back on again after jetting off to America. It comes after The Read More on GAA The special day took place at the popular Cloughjordan House in Co Tipperary. Mother Nature threatened to put a dampener on the occasion when it started to rain on the newlyweds. Thinking quickly, the Ballymun Kickhams man expanded an umbrella to protect the bride from the conditions. Sharing a photo of the moment to his Instagram Story, the 32-year-old joked: "Things I do for these two". Most read in GAA Football He Alongside a series of photos from his decorated career, the Raheny man said: "Words will never suffice to explain the privilege it has been to represent this county. Tipperary GAA star 'had to do live apology on RTE' the day after cursing during All-Ireland interview - "Proud of that kid for chasing his dreams". Following his retirement, Dublin GAA described Fenton as "a hugely talented footballer and fan favourite who will forever be considered one of the greatest players". Former teammate Ciaran Kilkenny, meanwhile, His absence left a massive hole that Dublin struggled to fill, with Dessie Farrell's Their The result came as a shock to most outside observers, but was predicted by former star Paul Flynn, who In the immediate aftermath of Fenton's retirement, Flynn told "I would go as far as to say they will be under pressure in Leinster. 'If they had lost four or five players, I still believe they could have built a competitive team with Fento in midfield. 'You could actually regenerate the squad with him there because he's so good he'll at least have a presence in midfield, fill in a couple of centre roles and carry a couple of players.'
Irish Daily Mirror
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Dublin great Brian Fenton set to make gaelic football return in America
Dublin great Brian Fenton is set to play his summer football in Chicago. The seven-time All-Ireland winner has signed for John McBride's GAA Club in The Windy City, according to Mayo News. And the 32-year-old is expected to line out this weekend in a clash with the Wolfe Tones in the Chicago GAA Championship at Gaelic Park. Fenton retired from inter-county football last year after a trophy-laden career with the Dubs. Widely recognised as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, he was an integral part of a Dublin team that won a historic six All-Irelands in succession between 2015 and 2020. The Raheny man won six All-Star awards and was named Footballer of the Year on two occasions, in 2018 and 2020. There will be many Dublin fans hoping that a summer in Chicago may reignite Fenton's appetite for another stint in blue.
Irish Daily Mirror
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
How Meath downed Dublin at the tenth attempt to end Leinster 15-in-a-row bid
A lot of factors go into an historic victory like Meath's Leinster semi-final triumph over Dublin at the weekend. Doggedness, heart and having a gameplan, as referenced by Robbie Brennan after Meath's shock win, are vital. But plenty of external factors combined with the planets aligning for Meath to inflict Dublin's first Leinster Championship defeat since 2010 - and end their bid for 15-in-a-row. They include the new game dreamed up by the Football Review Committee, the worm turning at underage level, the Croke Park factor, Dublin's retirements and more. We take a look at how Meath finally downed the Dubs in Championship football at their tenth attempt: APPOINTMENT OF ROBBIE BRENNAN Colm O'Rourke wanted another three years as Meath boss to go with the two he had already served. But Meath chiefs took a bold and brave decision to cut a county legend with a newspaper column loose, knowing there would be a backlash from many quarters. With Meath beaten by an average of almost 13 points per game in last year's All-Ireland round robin and averaging just under 12 points per game, something wasn't working in year two for O'Rourke. They were also beaten in Leinster by 16 points by Dublin. Brennan had led Kilmacud Crokes to a hat-trick of Dublin and Leinster titles, adding an All-Ireland (2023) and he started with a bang, as Meath won four of their first five games, including a hugely impressive victory over Roscommon. But when coaches Martin Corey and Joe McMahon left the set-up - still unexplained - the pressure was on. Perhaps this ultimately galvanized Meath to produce what they did in Portlaoise last Sunday. Brennan handled that situation particularly well. DUBLIN RETIREMENTS It was a trickle that turned to stream and then into a tidal wave as James McCarthy was followed out the door by fellow Dublin legends Brian Fenton, Jack McCaffrey, Paul Mannion and Michael Fitzsimons. That's over 40 All-Ireland medals. Fenton in particular has proved a massive loss as he played every minute of every match, and would have been ideally suited to the new game. The dogged determination and leadership of McCarthy and Fitzsimons has also been sorely missed. Mannion would have been Dublin's best two point shooter and McCaffrey's pace to break lines is also a huge loss. THE FOOTBALL REVIEW COMMITTEE (FRC) The irony that six-time Dublin All-Ireland winning manager Jim Gavin headed up the committee that turned the game upside down - a game the capital side were very good at - won't be lost on a lot of Dublin fans. And the double irony is that Dublin have struggled to hit two pointers all year. In the Gavin era shooting from those areas and with the outside of the foot was strictly forbidden. It just never happened. The loss of Paul Mannion and Brian Fenton hasn't helped with two point shooting. Ciaran Kilkenny didn't look comfortable on the two pointers last Sunday, missing two, while Cormac Costello missed a routine enough 40 metre free with a strong breeze at his back. Con O'Callaghan has added two pointers to his game, but not many others have. On top of this, the more chaotic, less structured style of football in the new game certainly suits Meath, although saying that, they had no stupid shots into the breeze in the second half, with their game management after the break one of the keys to the win. THE CROKE PARK FACTOR The word is that Meath were given the chance to play Dublin at Navan in last year's Leinster quarter-final, but turned it down to go to Croke Park. What a bizarre decision and one they were hardly in a position to make. Last Sunday was the first time they played Dublin in a Championship game outside Croke Park since 1980 - and they won, after nine successive Leinster defeats at GAA HQ since 2010. The great Dublin team were well able to play out of Croke Park, but if Meath had encountered them at other Leinster venues, particularly Navan, over the past 15 years they might not bear the deep psychological scars of so many heavy beatings. The Leinster Council will be happy today, but they have to take some responsibility for allowing this to happen to their biggest football competition. This year Dublin won their Croke Park league games by an average of 6.33 points. Outside Croke Park they lost by 9, 8 and 4 (against Tyrone, Armagh and Donegal). They beat Kerry by one on the road and struggled to beat Wicklow in Aughrim in the Leinster quarter-final, winning by five points in the end. Would Meath have won this game if it was in Croke Park? Maybe not, but we'll never know - and although people will say it doesn't matter, it does. Lessons have to be learned by the GAA. THE NET WIDENS Robbie Brennan spread the net far and wide. Bryan Menton thought he was retired, but after a two year hiatus came back in at 33 to start every game this year. Brennan's Dunboyne club mate Seamus Lavin spent three years in Canada, but after playing with his club last year returned to start for Meath again. His pace and physique makes him important to Meath for one on one defending. Ratoath midfielder Jack Flynn returned after taking last year out, although he was injured for the weekend win. These three big, powerful men have added to Meath's armoury, while Na Fianna's Sean Rafferty has been a huge addition as the type of dogged marking defender fans love. Colm O'Rourke did blood the likes of captain and vice captain Eoghan Frayne and Ciaran Caulfield, the promising Ruairi Kinsella and Brian O'Halloran, and it's standing to Meath now. FEEL GOOD UNDER-20S FACTOR Don't underestimate the value of success at under-20 level. With two All-Irelands in the last three years, that's what makes Tyrone so dangerous this year - and even more so next season. Cathal Ó Bric's Meath under 20s are the current Leinster champions and are back in another final, where they face Louth tomorrow night at Newbridge. From last year's under-20 side Robbie Brennan brought Jack Kinlough and Conor Duke straight into the senior starting line-up. That helped with Meath's depth. When this year's side finishes up, it would be no surprise if powerhouse forward Jamie Murphy comes in. It's a pity for Meath football that the outstanding Eamonn Armstrong is going to Australia and Conor Nash is already there. With those two they'd be bang in business with the big sides. Meath have some serious two point shooters coming at under-20 level if they can guide them through. On top of that, Louth have beaten Dublin in the Leinster semi-final in the last two years. The worm is turning at underage level - for a while at least.
