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Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Cork hurling duo start as Barrs find feet after slow start
Cork Premier SFC: St Finbarr's: 1-13 (1-0-13) Clonakilty: 1-12 (1-1-10) St Finbarr's recovered from a slow start to see off Clonakilty in the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC clash in Bandon on Saturday evening. After winning the Division 1 league trophy at the start of the month against the Brewery Town, the city outfit navigated another battle, but this was the real stuff in the opening game in Group 2. Brian Roche's charges recovered from a slow start to prevail here in what was a team performance that underlined St Finbarr's quality. Starman Steven Sherlock did kick 0-6 (0-1 f, 0-1 45), but he was overall well marshalled by Maurice Shanley. William Buckley popped up with three sweet points while there were also big displays from the likes of Billy Hennessy, Alan O'Connor and Jamie Burns in defence. Cork hurlers Brian Hayes and Ethan Twomey both started here having been named as subs on the programme. It's another case of fine margins going against Clonakilty in Bandon, as they now have to regroup. Twomey was involved from the off when he was involved in a great Barrs move that also involved Conor Dennehy and Ian Maguire, but the latter's well struck effort from close range was expertly saved by Clonakilty goalkeeper Mark White. Brian Hayes, St. Finbarr's battles with Jack O'Mahony and Chris Kenneally, Clonakilty. Picture: Jim Coughlan. The stop proved crucial, as the Brewery Town pointed from an acute angle through Ross Mannix and goaled after three minutes when Conor Daly finished to the net after St Finbarr's failed to clear their lines. St Finbarr's had the lion's share of possession, but were struggling to penetrate a resolute Clon defence. Buckley did fist over a point after five minutes, but it was a frustrating opening for them. A pair of frees through Conor Dennehy and Sherlock did leave a point in it after 12 minutes, as they were slowly finding their feet. Hayes could only find the side netting in what was a great opportunity for the Barrs of a goal, but they did draw parity when Buckley landed his second, 0-4 to 1-1 after the first quarter. A trademark Sherlock 45 handed his team the advantage for the first time, but it was short lived. In a game that ebbed and flowed, three successive white flags from the Brewery Town gave them a two-point buffer. David Lowney, Seán White and Darragh Gough with the scores. Daly could and should have scored Clonakilty's second goal after 28 minutes, but it was a nice height for the St Finbarr's netminder Darragh Newman. A minute later, the Barrs got the green flag they were craving when Conor Dennehy finished smartly into the bottom corner of the net, the Togher outfit back ahead, 1-5 to 1-4. In keeping with an opening 30 minutes where both defences were on top, Daly did draw Clon level, 1-5 each at half-time. On the resumption, it was a case of wayward shooting on both sides, until Seán White nudged the West Cork team in front five minutes into the new half. The sides then traded points with the game firmly on a knife-edge with Clon having their noses in front by the bare minimum. St Finbarr's did land two of the next three points with Sherlock kicking two frees to draw level at 1-8 apiece after 43 minutes. A Buckley effort and another Sherlock free opened up a two-point lead for the Barrs as they were now very much enjoying a purple patch. Further points from sub Fionn Crowley and Sherlock from play gave their side their biggest advantage so far, 1-12 to 1-8 after 52 minutes. A Gough free and a two-point free from Dara Ó Sé left Clonakilty just a point adrift with five minutes to go. A couple of Sherlock two-point efforts from frees drifted wide, as their opposition remained in the game going into added time. The sides traded points with the Barrs 1-13 to 1-12 ahead. Luke Griffin did have a chance to level it, but it dropped short. Scorers for St Finbarr's: S Sherlock 0-6 (0-4 f, 0-1 45), C Dennehy 1-1, W Buckley 0-3, J Wigginton-Barrett 0-2, F Crowley 0-1. Clonakilty: C Daly 1-1, D Gough 0-4 (0-1 f), D Ó Sé (1 2pt f), S White 0-2 each, R Mannix, S McEvoy, D Lowney 0-1 each. ST FINBARR'S: D Newman; B Hennessy, A O'Connor, S Ryan; B O'Connell, J Burns, E Dennehy; I Maguire, E Twomey; W Buckley, C Doolan, C Dennehy; J Wigginton-Barrett, S Sherlock, B Hayes. Subs: F Crowley for B O'Connell (45), R Barrett for C Dennehy (50), L Hannigan for B Hayes (53), C Barrett for W Buckley (56). CLONAKILTY: M White; C Kenneally, D Darragh, D Lowney; M Shanley, T Clancy, J O'Mahony; B Ridgeway, D Ó Sé; S McEvoy, S White, R Mannix; D Gough, C Daly, L Griffin. Subs: No subs made. Referee: Conor Lane (Banteer).
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Mortgage drawdowns hit highest level since 2008
Mortgage drawdowns hit their highest level since 2008 in the six months to the end of June, as home prices continued to climb ever higher. Data from industry group Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland showed the value of drawdowns topped €6.2 billion in the first six months of the year. 'While all customer segments in H1 2025 grew year on year, first-time buyers (FTBs) continue to dominate, with 11,803 FTB mortgages, valued at more than €3.7 billion, the highest [first half of the year] drawdown volumes and values since 2007 and 2006, respectively,' BPFI chief executive Brian Hayes said. 'The number of FTB mortgages on new properties continued to increase significantly, reaching 4,531, the highest [first half] level since 2008. By contrast, while the number of mortgages on second-hand properties increased marginally to 10,312 it was 9.7% below the level in [the first half of] 2022,' he added. In a sign of the impact of spiralling home prices, the value of drawdowns in the second quarter rose 18.1 per cent year-on-year, far ahead of the 9.6 per cent volume increase. Mortgage drawdown data is seen as a useful guide to the housing market as it can indicate how many people are moving forward with a home move or refinancing, as opposed to those who have gained mortgage approval but are not utilising it. Separately, mortgage approval data shows close to €1.6 billion worth of home loans were signed off during June, up 16 per cent year-on-year. The number of approved mortgages rose 9 per cent compared to June 2024. 'FTB housing demand remains very strong, with 22,903 Help to Buy applications in the first half of 2025, according to the Revenue Commissioner, almost 41 per cent more than in H1 2024,' Mr Hayes said.
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
Mortgage drawdown values hit almost €6.2 billion in the first half of 2025 - highest level since 2008
Mortgage drawdown values reached almost €6.2 billion in the first half of 2025 - the highest half year values since 2008 - new figures from Banking and Payments Federation Ireland show. Volumes also climbed by 10% over the same time to 20,195, the latest BPFI figures reveal. First-time buyers continue to dominate, with 11,803 mortgages, valued at more than €3.7 billion. This marked the highest half year drawdown volumes and values since 2007 and 2006, respectively. Today's figures show that the average home mortgage drawdown value in the first half of 2025 reached the highest semi-annual level on record at €329,444. BPFI noted that the average FTB drawdown value for secondhand property exceeded €300,000 for the first time at €304,351, more than double that of the figures €147,091 in the first half of 2013. The latest BPFI figures also show that switching activity jumped by 41.9% in volume and 60% in value year-on-year, with the value of switcher mortgages reaching €732m, the third highest level since 2008. BPFI said that signals a normalisation of switching trends, following a sharp peak in activity in 2022 and subsequent slowdown. A total of 10,978 new mortgages to the value of €3.371 billion were drawn down by borrowers during the second quarter of 2025 - an increase of 9.6% in volume and 18.1% in value on the second quarter of 2024. First-time buyers remained the single largest segment by volume (59.1%) and by value (60.9%) while re-mortgage/switching volumes and values soared by 67.2% and 91.5% year on year respectively. Brian Hayes, the chief executive of BPFI, said that new properties (including self-build) accounted for 34.5% of home purchase mortgage drawdowns in the first half of 2025, up from 31.7% the same time last year, and the highest first half proportion since 2010. "The number of FTB mortgages on new properties continued to increase significantly, reaching 4,531, the highest H1 level since 2008. By contrast, while the number of mortgages on secondhand properties increased marginally to 10,312 it was 9.7% below the level in H1 2022 (11,417)," he added. Looking forward, Mr Hayes said that FTB mortgage approval volumes rose by 5.4% to 15,736 in the first half of 2025, the highest half year level since the data series began in 2011, while mover purchase approval volumes fell for the fourth year in a row to 4,990. "FTB housing demand remains very strong, with 22,903 Help to Buy applications in the first half of 2025, according to the Revenue Commissioner, almost 41% more than in H1 2024," he added.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Number of first-time buyers hits levels last seen during Celtic Tiger
Nearly 12,000 such mortgages were drawn down in the first half of this year, the highest number since 2007, figures from the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland show. They were valued at more than €3.7bn, a level last seen in 2006. Banks said the average home mortgage value hit a record level at almost €331,000 up to last month, nearly €28,000 higher than in the second quarter of last year. Average mortgage amounts on second-hand properties jumped by more than €29,000 to €324,688 in the four quarters to last month. The average home mortgage on new properties was almost €24,000 higher at €341,063. Switching activity jumped by 42pc in volume the first half of the year. All customer segments had grown year on year, but first-time buyers continue to dominate First-time buyers remain the single largest segment in terms of the number of mortgages drawn down in the first half of this year. Banking and Payments Federation chief executive Brian Hayes said that, overall, there had been almost €6.2bn in mortgage drawdowns in the first half of this year, up nearly 19pc on the same period last year. It is the highest value of first-half drawdowns since 2008. The total number of mortgages issued by lenders was up 10pc to 20,195. Mr Hayes said all customer segments had grown year on year, but first-time buyers continue to dominate, with 11,803 mortgages drawn down and valued at over €3.7bn. A total of 2,660 switcher mortgages were issued in the first half of the year, a rise of 42pc. The value of switcher mortgages reached €732m, the third-highest level for the first half of a year since 2008. 'This signals a normalisation of switching trends following a sharp peak in activity in 2022 and subsequent slowdown,' Mr Hayes said. New properties, including self-build, accounted for more than a third of home-purchase mortgage drawdowns in the first half of the year. The banking federation also published mortgage approval figures for June. A total of 4,883 mortgages were approved last month; 2,920 were for first-time buyers, representing 60pc of the total. Mover-buyers accounted for 992 approvals, or 20pc. Mortgages approved in June were worth €1.56bn, with first-time buyers accounting for €1bn The number of mortgages approved in June fell by 3.1pc month on month, but it rose by 9pc on the year. Mortgages approved in June were valued at €1.56bn, with first-time buyers accounting for close to €1bn. Mr Hayes said that in the first half of the year the number of first-time buyer approvals was up by 5.4pc to 15,736. This is the highest first half of a year level since the data series began in 2011. Mover-buyer approval volumes fell for the fourth year in a row to 4,990. Housing demand from first-time buyers remains strong. There were 22,903 Help to Buy applications in the first half of 2025, according to the Revenue Commissioners. This was nearly 41pc more than in the first half of last year, Mr Hayes said.
The Journal
5 days ago
- Business
- The Journal
Mortgages have hit levels not seen since right before the crash
THE VALUE OF mortgage drawdowns in the first six months of a year has hit levels not seen since the months leading up to the financial crash. The Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) has published its latest mortgages figures, painting a picture of the rising cost of buying a home in Ireland today. Almost €6.2 billion worth of mortgage drawdowns were made in the first half of 2025, an increase of 18.7% on the same period last year and the highest values for the first six months of a year since 2008. During the first half of 2025, the average mortgage value hit a record high of €329,444. Mortgages for first-time buyers have also shot up. As of the end of June, a total of 11,803 first-time mortgage drawdowns have been recorded this year, amounting to more than €3.7 billion – the highest volume and value since 2007 and 2006 respectively. 'While all customer segments in the first half of 2025 grew year-on-year, first-time buyers continue to dominate,' said BPFI chief executive Brian Hayes The value of switcher mortgages hit €732 million, the third-highest for the first six month of the year since 2008. Switcher mortgages in the first half of the year were up 41.9% in volume and 60% in value compared to the same period in 2024. Advertisement 'This signals a normalisation of switching trends, following a sharp peak in activity in 2022 and subsequent slowdown,' Hayes said. New properties, including self-builds, accounted for 34.5% of home purchase mortgage drawdowns in H1 2025, up from 31.7% in H1 2024. It's the highest share of total home types taken up by new properties since 2010. The number of mortgages on second-hand properties increased marginally to 10,312. The number and value of mortgage drawdowns in Q2 2024, Q1 2025 and Q2 2025 Banking and Payments Federation Ireland Banking and Payments Federation Ireland The rising figures are in line with stories from home buyers about having to fork out large sums for a house or apartment as the housing crisis persists. Asking prices climbed an average of 7% year-on-year in recent months , with Donegal – the county with the highest increase – seeing a jump of 19%. Galway and Leitrim have both seen a 13% rise in asking prices, reaching an average of €350,000 and €198,000 respectively. In many cases, properties ultimately sell for well above asking prices as prospective buyers out-bid each other to secure coveted homes. Brian Hayes said that there had been a significant increase in Help to Buy applications for first time buyers. 'First-time buyer mortgage approval volumes rose by 5.4% to 15,736 in the first half of 2025, the highest such level since the data series began in 2011, while mover purchase approval volumes fell for the fourth year in a row to 4,990. Related Reads New tenancy rules will have 'chilling effect on housing supply', IPOA to tell Housing Committee Taoiseach: 'Some councils took their eye off the ball, they need to go back to housing' 'First time buyer housing demand remains very strong, with 22,903 Help to Buy applications in the first half of 2025, according to the Revenue Commissioner, almost 41% more than in the first half of 2024.' The new National Development Plan published this week stated that the government intends to invest €35.955 billion in housing development from 2026 to 2030, broken down into €28.275 billion for housing itself and €7.680 billion for water infrastructure. However, critics of the plan have said it was scant on detail and held back from committing to concrete investment measures to alleviate the housing crisis. Green Party housing spokesperson Councillor Oliver Moran said the NDP was a 'missed opportunity' for the government to help local authorities make more housing available. 'Local authorities up and down the country are ready to do their part on improving our existing buildings,' Moran said. 'This National Development Plan was a missed opportunity to commit serious resources to local authorities to retrofit more council housing, tackle vacancy through compulsory purchases and activate the derelict sites that blight our streets.' Social Democrats housing spokesperson TD Rory Hearne said that the NDP 'gives no indication that the government is planning to move away from the measures that have plagued housing provision in the last decade, the failed policies which pander to developers and investment funds'. 'No amount of money can solve the housing crisis if the government refuses to change its approach to providing social and affordable homes – [the NDP] gives me no reason to believe that it intends to do otherwise,' Hearne said. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
