Latest news with #GaelicGames
The Irish Sun
20 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Diarmuid Connolly recommends drastic first step for whomever takes over as next Dublin manager
DIARMUID CONNOLLY reckons the new Dublin manager MUST get Brian Fenton back. Fenton, 32, shocked the GAA world by 3 Connolly was speaking exclusively to BoyleSports as a Gaelic Games ambassador ahead of the All-Ireland SFC final 3 Fenton only turned 32 in March 3 Dessie Farrell left the job after Dublin's All-Ireland quarter-final loss to Tyrone And Connolly has urged The former forward said: 'He'd be the first call I'd be making and I'd be saying, 'Right, Brian, give me a year, just give me a year'.' Fenton won seven All-Ireland titles, ten Leinster crowns and six All-Stars Connolly added: 'He's the twice Footballer of the Year, probably the most decorated Dublin footballer, and still only 32. Read More On GAA 'He has another four or five years left in him at the really top level. 'And I'm sure in his own brain, maybe taking this year out, doing a bit of travelling, might give him a new lease of life to come back and do something like that. 'I'd love to see Brian Fenton come back. He's such a leader.' The Dubs struggled without Fenton this summer and suffered their first provincial Championship loss in 15 years to Meath. Most read in GAA Football Tyrone ended their interest in the All-Ireland quarter-finals last month before Farrell quit as boss. Ex-Dublin star Ger Brennan led Louth to Leinster glory and Henry Shefflin picks RTE Sunday Game Hurler of the Year but wants no blame for selection for best 15 picks Connolly is unsure if his St Vincent's colleague will take the job as there are plenty of candidates. But he admitted the role could be a 'poisoned chalice' after their worst season in over a decade. He said: 'Is it a poisoned chalice coming and taking this Dublin side? I'd love to see one of the underage managers take it on. 'Ger Brennan has been touted, I don't think that's going to happen. Dec Darcy, maybe. There's no white smoke from Parnell Park. "The focus for Dublin is get back to your clubs and show what you can do because a new manager comes in with new ideas so everybody's in the shop window.' DIARMUID CONNOLLY was speaking exclusively to BoyleSports as a Gaelic games ambassador ahead of the All-Ireland SFC final.
Irish Examiner
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Kernan: Donaghy's Armagh time was stepping stone to Kerry role
Aaron Kernan reckons Kieran Donaghy's five years with Armagh were all part of a long-term journey towards a major management role with Kerry. Donaghy stepped down from his position as coach and selector in Armagh last week, leaving boss Kieran McGeeney with a significant hole to fill. Former Armagh defender Kernan said that the Kerry legend was a big part of the county's All-Ireland win in 2024, pointing to the special bond he helped create with his energy and enthusiasm alone. Four-time All-Ireland winner Donaghy, a towering midfielder and full-forward for Kerry, previously worked as a performance coach with the Galway hurlers and with IT Tralee's Sigerson Cup team too. Asked if Donaghy is a likely future Kerry manager, Kernan nodded. "Yeah, absolutely," said Kernan, who was speaking exclusively to BOYLESports as a Gaelic Games ambassador ahead of the All-Ireland SFC final. "Whether that is as a manager or a head coach or someone who is heavily involved within Kerry. "As much as we're grateful for everything he gave to Armagh football, you would have to imagine that that was all really a learning experience for him in terms of trying to take something back to Kerry, whether that's maybe doing a stint with Austin Stacks and then obviously you would have to imagine ultimately it would be with a view to getting involved in Kerry football and management. "So I think it started out maybe as a learning experience for him and then something that he just went full out and became completely ingrained in. "But yeah, you would have to imagine that somewhere down the line, the experiences and the learnings that he would have had over the past few years will go a long way to shaping him as a head coach or a manager somewhere in Kerry in the near future." Crossmaglen man Kernan, son of 2002 All-Ireland winning boss Joe, said that Donaghy was a huge personality in the Armagh backroom. "As an Armagh person, you couldn't but say fair play to him for being so committed," said Kernan, a coach with Sligo this year. "He has a young family, is busy with work, so to stick at something like that for five years given the travel that was involved was incredible. "His personality was huge. If you exclude what he could bring in terms of coaching insights, his personality was infectious enough on its own to have around the group because he brings so much energy and he instils so much confidence in those around him through his personality, through his own nature. "I think that's going to be a huge loss within the group because when you have someone like that who has been there and one it as a player, if he's telling you that you're going well, if he's telling you you're flying fit or your form's great, you tend to believe it when it comes from someone who has played in the biggest days and achieved everything there was to achieve. "So it's not a shock that he's gone because giving five years as he did was incredible. But I would say the biggest thing would be the camaraderie, the energy and the positivity that he brings around the group. The players will definitely miss him." Kernan reckons that Donegal will beat Donaghy's native Kerry in Sunday's final, 'by one or two', pointing to the Ulster champions' defensive ability firstly, but also their counter-attacking excellence when they win back the ball. He is disappointed that it will be the last game under the current Championship format though with the decision taken to switch to the current Sigerson Cup format for 2026. "As the season is closing, to me, I would have liked to see the new rules get a couple of years in the current format," said Kernan. "The new rules have been unbelievably positive, they've absolutely changed the landscape. "But just the way the season has went, and the amount of quality games that we've seen all across the board, it's just a pity that they are changing now. I'm not sure if the avenue is there to revert it back, or to vote to leave it as it is, but from my own personal point of view, I would like to see it stay for another year, maybe two years, where it gives you a proper trial period to see are the new rules benefiting long-term. "They certainly look like they are at the moment but I'd like to see them in the current format rather than everything being completely changed again next year."
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Diarmuid Connolly issues Fenton SOS and makes big call on Dublin manager search
Brian Fenton must be coaxed out of retirement by the next Dublin manager, says Diarmuid Connolly, who doesn't believe the job will go to Ger Brennan. Having announced his shock retirement last year, two-time Footballer of the Year Fenton is currently playing with the John McBride's club in Chicago for the summer but Connolly feels that, at 31, there's still a way back for him with Dublin. With Dessie Farrell having stepped down as manager following the All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Tyrone last month, Dublin are on the lookout for a new manager and, whoever it is, Connolly says that enticing his former teammate Fenton to return should be the priority. READ MORE: Hilarious video shows Sharlene Mawdsley race Tipperary fan amid All-Ireland celebrations READ MORE: Liverpool hero Joey Jones dies aged 70 as John Aldridge leads tributes And he reckons that there could be a way back for Paul Mannion and Jack McCaffey, who also stepped back after the 2024 Championship, too. Connolly noted how Peadar Ó Cofaigh-Byrne blossomed in the midfield this year and said that he and Fenton would make a formidable midfield pairing. He said: 'Peadar Ó Cofaigh-Byrne had been on the fringes for the last couple of years and he came in and probably was Dublin's standout midfielder this year. And that's in the absence of Brian Fenton, who, by all accounts, if a certain person gets the job, might come back. And same with Paul Mannion and Jack McCaffrey. 'Can we even see them guys come back for maybe a year or two to rebuild the squad a little bit and get younger guys in behind them, and teach them how to play the game the way they played it, and give them that knowledge and the confidence, I suppose, within the squad?' He added: 'If I was the Dublin manager coming in, he'd [Fenton] be the first call I'd be making. He'd be the first call I'd be making, and I'd be saying, 'Right, Brian, give me a year. Just give me a year'. 'But he's another four or five years left in him at the really top level, I think. And I'm sure in his own brain, maybe taking this year out, going and doing a bit of travelling, might give him a new lease of life to come back and do something like that. 'I haven't been speaking to him personally, but I'd love to see Brian Fenton come back into that squad because he's such a leader. He's the first person picked on the team every week.' Diarmuid Connolly is a Gaelic Games ambassador for BoyleSports (Image: ©SPORTSFILE) Meanwhile, despite Brennan being installed as favourite to succeed Farrell having stepped down as Louth manager on the back of inspiring their first Leinster title since 1957, Connolly doesn't believe that his St Vincent's clubmate will be the next Dublin manager. 'Ger Brennan has been touted to take the job, I don't think that's going to happen now. Dec Darcy, maybe. Could be someone from the club managers, I don't know. 'Ger has a young family, people don't realise that. He's a fairly important job out in UCD as the director of sport out there. That can pull a lot out of you too. 'So I don't know whether his ambition is to go on and do this because Dublin, everybody knows, Dublin senior management is an all-encompassing job. You're managing the best talent in the capital. It's not a role where you go into light-heartedly. 'It's a decision for Ger to make himself. I'm sure the county board, if he wanted to present for the job, he would certainly get the opportunity to do that. But whether he wants to is another thing.' Diarmuid Connolly was speaking as a BOYLE Sports Gaelic Games ambassador.
Axios
2 days ago
- Business
- Axios
McHale's Irish Pub returns with a new NoDa location
McHale's Irish Pub opens this week in NoDa. Why it matters: It's the resurgence of the once-popular bar that first opened in Fort Mill in 1997, where it operated for 17 years. Now it's back with the same traditional Irish feeling and fare that made the original so popular. Catch up quick: Following the success of the Fort Mill location, owner Brendan Kuhlkin opened McHale's in Rock Hill in 2004. It closed in 2020, but each location developed its own respective fan base, at times drawing lines out the door. "We created a sense of community," Kuhlkin tells Axios, adding that he's hoping to do the same for NoDa. The vibe: Inside, you'll find Irish sports bar memorabilia, a full bar with local beer on tap and hints of the original McHale's. There's also high-top and booth seating, and two "snugs," which are semi-private dining spaces that were popularized in Ireland centuries ago. Outside, the 1,200-square-foot patio and 700-square-foot porch feel like a Carolina-fusion country bar, with TVs above the bar that'll broadcast sports games of all kinds, from football to fútbol to Gaelic Games. "It's got a little bit of everything for everyone," said Kyle Kennedy, Kuhlkin's business partner. Dig in: The Pub's menu will feature a mix of traditional Irish fare (like spice bags and fish and chips), some McHale's favorites (like the burger) and newer dishes like oysters and mussels. The kitchen will stay open until about an hour before closing for takeout or dine-in, catering to the late-night crowd. Stop by: 3112 N Davidson St., where Roy's Kitchen and Patio used to be, next to Haberdish. It'll be open Monday—Thursday from 11am—midnight, Fridays from 11am—2am, Saturdays from 10am—2am and Sundays from 10am—10pm. What's next: Brunch with traditional Irish breakfast will start next week, followed by live music and events later this summer.
The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘That's what it'll come down to' – Ex-Cork GAA star reveals key Rebels threat Tipperary have to stop to win All-Ireland
TIPPERARY must starve Cork of goals if the Liam MacCarthy Cup famine is to continue for the Rebels for at least another year. That is the view of former Cork defender Eoin Cadogan ahead of the first-ever All-Ireland SHC final between the Munster rivals. Advertisement 2 19 March 2025; Diarmuid Connolly, Aaron Kernan and Eoin Cadogan, pictured, are Gaelic Games ambassadors for BoyleSports. Get paid out early with BoyleSports if your team goes 7 points ahead, even if they draw or lose. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile Credit: Seb Daly/Sportsfile 2 27 April 2025; Brian Hayes of Cork in action against Michael Breen of Tipperary during the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Round 2 match between Cork and Tipperary at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile Credit: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile Cork have raised 15 green flags in their last four Championship meetings with Tipp. And Pat Ryan's side, who hit The Leesiders are aiming for a third straight win over their neighbours after their But Tipp's prospects of prevailing in the Championship encounter were hampered by the Cadogan said: 'For Tipperary to be in the game after 50 minutes, they can't concede goals. Advertisement Read More on GAA 'We saw what happened once Cork opened up on Dublin and we saw it against Tipp in the Munster Championship. 'Obviously they were down to 14 men but Cork's goalscoring threat has been immense. 'If Tipp can negate the goal opportunities and keep themselves in the game for 50 minutes, it will certainly ask questions of Cork. And it will certainly ask questions of their character to see can they grind out a result.' Brian Hayes has become a key player in attack for Cork, who are odds-on favourites to be crowned All-Ireland champions for the first time since 2005. Advertisement Most read in Sport Exclusive On the back of his But Cadogan, who is currently coaching Tipp club Cashel King Cormacs, believes Maher will track Patrick Horgan while defensive stalwart Michael Breen keeps tabs on Hayes. 'Easiest interview I've ever had' jokes RTE GAA host after pundits go back and forth before Meath vs Donegal He said: 'The match-ups are vital. In their semi-final, Ronan Maher picked up TJ Reid and I suppose that would have been like-for-like in terms of maybe athleticism, cuteness, aerial dominance. 'But I think Mikey Breen goes in and picks up Brian Hayes. Advertisement 'I wouldn't be at all surprised if we see Ronan Maher back inside marking Hoggie and you see Robert Doyle on Alan Connolly. 'Eoghan Connolly was immense for Tipp at wing-back on Adrian Mullen in the All-Ireland semi-final, so I wouldn't be at all surprised if you saw him out on Declan Dalton. 'They're like-for-like, they can both score from 100 yards and they could both end up negating each other because Declan would play so deep. 'The fundamentals are about the best men to match up with Cork's forwards and can they negate the goal-scoring opportunities that Cork have been creating? I think that's what it'll come down to for Tipperary.' Advertisement Cork are set to unveil their team this evening, with doubts remaining over Séamus Harnedy due to the hamstring injury that ruled the forward out against Dublin. Cadogan said: 'At different stages over the years, Séamus has dragged Cork back into games when they needed it most. He's Mr Consistent in my eyes. Hopefully he can contribute in some capacity.' l EOIN CADOGAN was speaking in his role as a Gaelic Games ambassador for BoyleSports.
