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Irish Daily Mirror
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kerry like a 'wounded dog,' and 'so unconvincing' Galway in a dangerous place
Two teams plenty would have been eyeing up as potential All-Ireland winners are Galway and Kerry. Galway was my pick from the start. They're also two teams that so far in the All-Ireland series have failed to ignite in any way at all. The word from Kerry is they're like a wounded dog and some voices within the county are saying it might just be better to put them down rather than prolong the agony. Kerry have an injury crisis and even in the All-Ireland series game against Cork, where they ran out comfortable winners they coughed up so many goal chances. If that's an Armagh, Donegal or Tyrone, they score them. Galway have tailed off rather dramatically since winning their province. They've played Dublin, Derry and Armagh - and in all these games they have been so unconvincing. In no way, shape or form do they look like All-Ireland contenders. Kerry play Cavan and should win but I don't think they'll get it all their own way, while Galway play Down in Newry. Both should get through but if there is any chance of a shock it'll be in Newry. Galway are in a dangerous place as a team - and if anyone can exploit that weakness it's Conor Laverty, Marty Clarke and Mickey Donnelly. They're doing brilliant work in Down at the minute but the gulf might be just too much. Down are building towards a place that Galway are already operating in. Neither Galway nor Kerry can afford to wait for something to happen. Waiting for it is grand in a Munster or Connacht Championship when you've Clare or Leitrim the following week. But with a GAA front pack that is relatively even, and so good, then waiting for it to happen is the worst thing you can do. Neither team can afford to wait. They need to identify the problem(s), deal with them and move on. I don't think it's a case of them not having the work done. Paddy Tally said during the week that he knew Derry's problem as clear as day - it was conditioning. Incidentally, I don't agree with him as it wasn't conditioning that let them down in a few of those Championship games but he's best placed to make that call. It's funny because Donegal exposed a structural problem with Derry in the first game of last year's Championship - and for some bizarre reason just wouldn't fix it. It was a relatively easy fix too but something of the conditioning nature can't be fixed mid season. If you find the opposition is stronger, faster and fitter, then you're not going to find the extra few weeks in a condensed season to fix that. I don't believe Kerry or Galway's problems can't be fixed. They can get whatever they need sorted and push on. Obviously Kerry's injuries are a problem. Some have criticized Jack O'Connor for not trusting panel players and not building a strong enough squad but are the lads coming in actually good enough? You can argue Jack has been around a long time and won plenty. He knows what a Championship player is so maybe we should trust him. If it's a case of the squad simply not being good enough, you do have to wonder why a county like Kerry with their 38 All-Irelands can't build a squad the same way Armagh have. With the way the game is so demanding now and transitional, it's going to be sore on players. So having 20 to 23 lads that can genuinely add to things and play ball is a massive plus. Galway need to sort Damien Comer out and find out one way or another whether he's fit to play in the All-Ireland series - and at least they'll know. It's detrimental to a squad to have that in the back of the head, that maybe when Comer gets back we will move up a level. Goes back to that dangerous word of waiting. They also need to sort the keeper out. I hope I'm wrong here, but I honestly don't see Galway winning on the big stage with Connor Gleeson in goals - and Conor Flaherty isn't the answer either. I feel guilty saying that but I had Galway as my All-Ireland favorites at the start of the year but the more I see of them, the more I think that the keepers just don't have the tools to work it out. Joyce could do worse than have a look around the clubs in Galway. The word in Donegal is that Jim McGuinness has drafted in Danny Rodgers at the tail end of the season to help give cover for the keepers. He identified a fixable problem mid season and sorted it. Joyce can do the same. Throw it all at their effort to win an All-Ireland. For the likes of Kerry and Galway mindset can be important too, when they find themselves in a midseason. Loss of confidence can be terminal at this time of year. It's different for teams that know deep down they're not good enough - but for teams who have the potential to be at the top table and hit a patch like that, it's such a frustrating place to be. I've been there more times than enough with Donegal, where you're ticking along waiting for the spark thinking to yourself that eventually it'll happen and suddenly you find yourself out of the Championship. Just how do you save your season, knowing you have more there? Both teams will have many many conversations - in their wee groups and as a team. Just how do you sort this? You'll see it in so many club teams throughout the year, the fabled crisis meeting will be called. I always loved a crisis meeting myself back in the day. I'll never forget a time with Donegal, going to Murphy and saying I'm not happy here. I said, 'We need to have a meeting,' and he said, 'No, what we need to do is fix it in the training field.' That's something that has always stuck with me. Yes of course there is a time for meetings and talking but sometimes it's easy to talk. The training field is where most of the magic happens, where the bulk of what's going wrong on game day should be fixed. Kerry coughing up goals and being a bit porous, Galway struggling to get out on their own kickouts. They are all things that can be fixed. It can be tempting for teams to fall into the trap of just talking. I believe both teams will get through this weekend okay, Kerry easier than Galway. But unless they get their mindset sorted and fix the problems, they're not going to goany further than the quarter-finals.
Irish Examiner
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
‘Those words of encouragement, they go a long way' – Shane Walsh finds his range
Consider the raw numbers. In his last three games, Shane Walsh has scored 11 points from play having had 16 shots, as well as a few frees. On Saturday night, he was afforded the opportunity to celebrate a particularly sweet one. The 2022 All-Star booted over a final free to clinch a one-point win for Galway in dramatic circumstances. It was a big comeback from an eight-point half-time lead for Armagh and a pleasing day for Walsh, who was taken off against Derry and Dublin in the previous two games. 'I'm around long enough to know there are good days and bad days,' he said afterwards. 'I still left a few behind me there today. They're great when they go over at the end of the game. In fairness to the lads, they've backed me the last two weeks to take those opportunities.' About that. As a tally, it's decent shooting. Dig deeper and there is a curious pattern. Walsh, one of the most two-footed players in the country, only took one with his left foot for a first half point. He dropped his first chance short. All the while, he knew his team-mates trusted him to keep kicking. He knew because they told him. 'I probably hadn't that (confidence) in the last couple of weeks, but in fairness to the group, we had good conversations last Tuesday week and they were just talking to me about backing myself more. 'You mightn't score every shot but we're backing you to take our shots as well. That stood to me as well in the first half because there were things that didn't go well and shots that did go well. You just have to keep hammering away at it. You can review the game afterwards; let's just focus on the next ball, next ball, next ball, and keep on seeing where you can get the next chance.' The reality for Walsh remains. When fully fit, he is indispensable. Having started the season sensationally, a back injury ruled him out of the final league rounds. His return was stalled by a hamstring injury that ultimately ruled him out of the entire Connacht Championship. Galway need him to be operating at his best. Robert Finnerty has been their most consistent forward from the last 18 months, leading the way as their main scorer and assister. He has had to do so because of Damien Comer and Walsh's injury troubles. Finnerty was the first man to embrace Walsh after his winner in Breffni Park. They pressed their foreheads together before maroon jerseys engulfed them both. It was a callback to the 2024 Connacht final, when Finnerty was in the middle of a celebratory interview with this writer and spotted Walsh walking across the pitch. 'This man here, unbelievable,' said Finnerty at the time. Walsh did not start that final but came on and scored three points. Pádraic Joyce has been at pains to stress they can't sit and wait every time Walsh or Comer are sidelined and he is right. Every team suffers. They need to believe they can still succeed when they are missing, while recognising what an immense talent they both are when available. In order to get to where they want to reach, it requires balance and unity. They need each other. 'There are lads there that do different jobs for the team,' said Walsh. 'There are lads that go up and down that field all day, that I don't be doing. Whereas I'm there to help out in getting scores for the team. So, when the lads give you that backing, and Pádraic gives you that backing, it is huge. 'And just the reminders because probably in the last couple of weeks we were in our shell a bit with the Dublin and Derry games. After that we said our championship is on the line. 'Everyone, to a man, was encouraging each other to give this a right go and it stands to you. At the end of the day, we're training day in, day out with each other; we're doing recovery sessions, going for coffees together, all that. 'When those lads are saying it to you, and even though you might say it is something simple, but those words of encouragement, they go a long way in a group.'
Irish Daily Mirror
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
What time and channel is Sligo v Fermanagh on today in the Tailteann Cup?
Fermanagh and Sligo clash this evening in the quarter-finals of the Tailteann Cup. These sides drew when they met in Division Three of the Allianz League this year. Sligo put up a great showing in the Connacht Championship to score 2-17 against Mayo and go down by three points. Fermanagh, in a similar sense, went down battling in their quarter-final loss to Down in the Ulster Championship. Now the sides meet in the Tailteann Cup, and it is a hard match to call. Here is all you need to know about the match: The match is taking place at Brewster Park in Enniskillen on Saturday June 14. It is scheduled for a throw-in time of 4.15pm. The clash is not being televised or available for streaming. Highlights will be shown on The Sunday Game. You can also follow the action on the Irish Mirror Sport's live blog. Fermanagh 5/4 Draw 7/1 Sligo 5/6
RTÉ News
01-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
New York handed date with Offaly in Tailteann Cup
The draw for the preliminary quarter-finals of the Tailteann Cup has taken place, with New York taking on Offaly next weekend. After running Galway close in the Connacht Championship, Ronan McGinley's side will face the Faithful County at Glenisk O'Connor Park. Elsewhere, Sligo, semi-finalists last year, have home advantage against Carlow. Wexford will welcome Antrim to Chadwicks Wexford Park and a midlands derby sees Westmeath welcome Laois to TEG Cusack Park. Further details as to throw-in times across next Saturday and Sunday will be confirmed by the CCCC shortly.
RTÉ News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
RTÉ GAA Podcast: Limerick send message to doubters, Cavan and Dublin enjoy good weekend
Shane McGrath joins Jacqui Hurley and Rory O'Neill to look back on a commanding victory for Limerick over Cork. The Rebels, some people's favourites for the All-Ireland, now have to avoid defeat against Waterford to save their summer. Tipperary might be back while the Dubs once again couldn't get one over the Cats. In football, Éamonn Fitzmaurice is with us to discuss impressive wins for Cavan and Dublin in the All-Ireland group stages, while the quality of the Connacht Championship might be in question.
