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RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
House on fire for Kerry goalkeeper Shane Ryan as titanic battle with Donegal beckons
The nation will be gripped by a "titanic battle" in Sunday's All-Ireland Football Championship final, but Shane Ryan is not about to complain about the problems coming his way. In previous times a clash of the counties could be seen as a war of attrition with Kerry sacrificing some of their ideals to try to break down a defensive Donegal outfit. The new rules in the sport makes any repeat scenario unlikely, which Ryan acknowledges is good for the viewing audience, even if it makes his own 70 minutes much more difficult. Finals by their nature can be cagey, so there is something of unknown in Sunday's showpiece. It may produce fireworks or take time to warm up. All he can reference so far is how he has found championship matches so far this year? "It's kind of like your house on fire," he told RTÉ GAA analyst Tomás Ó Sé in an interview as part of Sunday's live television coverage. "[Your job is to] put out fires everywhere. Then it's 'right, we're attacking now'. "It's hard to sometimes actually read the flow of the game. "At times the game can just turn into madness, you have to toughen in those times. "It's definitely made it tougher because you know there were times last year and the last couple of years where teams dropped off. So you might get 30% of your kickouts uncontested and you kick it to the corner-back and away we go. "There's less controlled plays than there was in previous years, so therefore you actually don't have a chance to get your breath, even as a defensive unit." With the Kingdom usually cruising their way through the Munster Championship, Ryan is rarely tested until the latter stages of the Championship. That has not been the case this campaign with a tricky test in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh passed with the concession of 1-25. The Rathmore man has yet to concede two goals in a match with his proficiencies when facing a forward in a duel a major asset to Jack O'Connor's side. His impressive performances have been honed over the years in the knowledge he would be needed at times, likely in the latter stages of the season. The goalkeeper admitted he is still more active over the course of the year now, thanks to the FRC implementations. So has training moved to more attention on saving rather than kicking? "[Shot stopping] is definitely something we're focusing on. But would I say it's something we're focusing more than other years? No. "I suppose I'm probably getting more opportunities this year to kind of show off my shot-stopping. "It's 11 v 11, there's more one-on-one battles. Teams are getting opened up and the nature of the game this year is that it's just absolutely chaotic at times. You know there will be a man bearing down on top of you. "From a goalkeeper perspective it's a bit annoying that you're relinquishing control, but if I put my GAA hat on from a supporter's perspective, the entertainment value has gone through the roof because of it. As I said already the games are just, they're chaotic by nature now, but it's proven to give entertainment." The round-robin defeat to Meath was an eye-opener for Kerry. Many had expected them to cruise through their group and the loss in Tullamore led to something of a reflection. Ryan denies it led to totally changed their approach. "I thought we played a lot of good football leading up to Meath, even in the league as well, and we've played a lot of good football since. "There was definitely areas in the Meath game we were very disappointed with. I think it was more a case of trying to get back to basics a small bit. We are a united group and there's a lot of us on the road now for seven or eight years. "We've had a good few tests down through the years, plenty of success, plenty of disappointments, and all that stuff comes together, and it gels you together as a team. You don't want to let the man beside you down and that's something that we're going to try to harness again this weekend." After progressing against Cavan and Tyrone, one more Ulster county stands in the way of a 39th All-Ireland. The Tir Conaill men are looking to repeat Jim McGuinness's memorable success of 2012 and the Kerry goalkeeper feels it's going to be the hardest challenge of all. "Certainly. I think Donegal have so many threats from all over the field, and they're obviously hugely usually athletic. They were probably one of the favourites from the outset of the league this year. "We played them below in Killarney and they obviously beat us in our own backyard there in the first game. "We are just trying to back ourselves while knowing that Donegal have a lot of threats and you were just trying to get the balance there between playing your game and stopping them playing their game. "I think it's going to make for a titanic battle, and it's something that I'm looking forward to and the whole country is looking forward to as well."
RTÉ News
14-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Nigel Dunne: Reliance on David Clifford doesn't bode well for Kerry's All-Ireland chances
David Clifford's red-hot form for Kerry could strengthen Donegal's strategy in overcoming Kerry in the All-Ireland SFC final. That's the view of former Offaly footballer Nigel Dunne, who is of the opinion that Jim McGuinness will be plotting how to reduce the impact of Kerry's marquee player. The Fossa man has tormented Ulster opposition in his last three outings, plundering 4-23 against Cavan, Armagh and Tyrone, with Donegal now standing in the Kingdom's way of a second Sam Maguire in four years. His all-round display at the weekend had Tyrone, and for a long period, Paudie Hampsey chasing shadows as he displayed his full repitoire of skills. Speaking on the RTÉ GAA podcast, Dunne said that Clifford's incredible form, in some ways, might play into Donegal's hands; the more he dominates, the more McGuinness can focus on attempting to nullify the corner-forward. "He's possibly having his best-ever year," he said. "He's in line win a third Footballer of the Year award which could cement this 'greatest of all time' debate. "I think that might be the crux that kills Kerry in the end. Donegal have to hyper-focus on David Clifford. "If Donegal can stop David Clifford from having one of his exceptional performances he's been having since he hit Croke Park, I don't know if Kerry have enough outside of David. "Donegal had 13 different scorers against Meath. They are not reliant on one or two players, it is the system. Kerry are reliant on an absolute genius." Enda McGinley, also speaking on the podcast, had a great deal of sympathy for Hampsey at the weekend. One of Tyrone's go-to man-markers, his positioning for Clifford's goal was right, yet Clifford still found a way to get past and raise a green flag. "You can know what's coming. You can do everything almost practically right, and he's gone," he said. McGinley added that the availability of Kerry forward Paul Geaney could be significant in deciding the outcome. "Paul Geaney's fitness is really critical," he said. "He is a highly rated, yet under-rated player. He is as smart a player that is out there and a brilliant foil for Clifford, extremely selfless in how he plays." Dunne feels the onerous task in picking up Clifford will fall to Brendan McCole (pictured above), with the St Naul's man proving his stickiness as a marker on a few occasions this season. "Brendan McCole has snuffed out every forward he has come up against this year; Sam Mulroy, Darragh Canavan, Jordan Morris at the weekend," he said. "He is meeting a different animal in Clifford. McCole will avoid the defensive system, he'll just follow David Clifford everywhere. Everyone else will go zonally. "The fact he's in irresistible form, I'm not sure that bodes well for Kerry. The blueprint to beat Kerry is there for Jim McGuinness."
RTÉ News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Match-ups and restarts - Kerry and Tyrone key battles for Croke Park showdown
Should Kerry make as many inroads on the Tyrone kickout as they did on the Armagh restarts last time out, it could lay the foundation for victory in Sunday's All-Ireland SFC semi-final. That's the view of former Kerry player Tomás Ó Sé, who says the aggressive approach from Jack O'Connor's men was the foundation block in dethroning the All-Ireland champions at the quarter-final stage. In the opening 35 minutes, Kerry won four of Ethan Rafferty's long kickouts (kicks that went beyond the 45m), while in that dominant 15-minute period after the resumption where the Kingdom hit 14 points unanswered, it was better again as they claimed nine of Rafferty's 11-long restarts. In Niall Morgan, Tyrone possess one of the biggest, and accurate boots in Gaelic football. Should Kerry once again adopt a high press, he has the artillery to clear a large swathe of players. "The problem with that is that Kerry will have bodies out there as well," Ó Sé told the RTÉ GAA podcast. "If he booms it long, Tyrone have to win it. If they do win it, and spook Kerry a couple of times, then Kerry mightn't get as aggressive with the press." Ciarán Whelan, also speaking on the podcast, is fully expecting Tyrone to differ from Armagh in adopting a man-to-man marking approach to try and snuff out the danger of the Clifford brothers, Paudie and David, as well as the in-form Seán O'Shea. Paudie Hampsey has picked up three-time Footballer of the Year Clifford in the past, while if he has a clean bill of health, Conor Meyler could be tasked with following the older of the Clifford siblings. All four of Tyrone's All-Ireland victories saw Kerry defeated along the way and Whelan feels the Red Hand be full of motivation to take out the Munster champions. "Tyrone didn't perform massively well against Dublin, but they beat them," he said. "I think they will approach the game in a different way defensively, a more man-to-man approach. "Tyrone are going to improve and they will relish this opportunity to try and stifle that Kerry narrative." Despite the changes in defensive strategies, Ó Sé insists that traditional approach is something that Tyrone have mastered. "If you are going man-for-man, they are going to have to be very tuned in, but that's what Tyrone have been brilliant at over the last few years."
RTÉ News
06-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Dormant Tipperary and Kilkenny rivalry ready to reignite
For a recent generation of Kilkenny-Tipperary players, it is almost inconceivable that the latest chapter in the storied rivalry is the All-Ireland hurling semi-final that is playing second fiddle in public consciousness. A swashbuckling year for the Rebels – league and Munster silverware and favourites to end a 20-year Liam MacCarthy famine – coupled with Dublin's shock victory over Limerick means much of the limelight was hogged by last night's sold-out Saturday evening fixture. It's a sharp turnaround from a decade-long intensity that began in 2009 and saw the sides contest six All-Ireland finals – including a replay – a semi-final, and arguably the most enthralling qualifier since the backdoor was introduced more than 20 years ago. Now, the landscape is considerably different. It's six years since they last met in championship. . @MartyMofficial was in Callan, County Kilkenny near the Tipperary border to hear from Willie Maher and Aidan Fogarty ahead of the neighbours' All-Ireland SHC semi-final clash on Sunday #GAA — RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) July 4, 2025 For Brendan Maher, whose Premier career spanned the course of those gladiatorial battles, his first six years on the Tipp team saw each and every campaign conclude with a tussle with the Black and Amber, coming out the right side on just one occasion but playing a considerable part in one of the most intense rivalries the game has seen. "They were great times," the Borris-Ileigh man tells RTÉ Sport. "It was a really healthy rivalry. It was less tactical, more about individual battles." Speaking on this week's RTÉ GAA podcast, Jackie Tyrrell outlined the importance of the fixture in both camps. "Hurling, it's not life or death, but for this week, for Kilkenny and Tipperary, it is life or death," he said. "Particularly up along the border, places like Urlingford, Ballingarry, Mullinahone. "It's a huge, huge rivalry. It's a beautiful rivalry." Maher's career may have been defined by clashes with Kilkenny, but growing up, it was more stories passed down than experience as a supporter. By 1971, the sides had met in three All-Ireland deciders to lay down strong roots in the rivalry, yet it would be another 20 years before they met again, Michael Cleary's mis-hit free proving decisive as Tipp claimed bragging rights. Another 11 years would pass again before they duked it out in Croke Park. Maher's first year at senior ranks in 2009 marked the start of the memorable clashes, Tipp upsetting their neighbours in a classic league final before the Cats put them back in their place in that year's All-Ireland decider. The Borris-Ileigh man earned his crust that day, picking up Eddie Brennan in the opening 35 minutes before moving on to Henry Shefflin after the break. A year later saw Tipp deny Kilkenny the five-in-a-row, a particularly sweet afternoon for Maher as he enjoyed one of his finest days in a Tipp jersey. "It was one of those games where you just felt completely free, one of those rare days." The intensity of the clashes had the country enthralled, yet Maher, who retired in 2021 after 13 years' service, can see three distinct eras within that time frame. From '09 to 2014, it was rather straight-forward; you were only concerned with taking on your direct opponent and letting the ball in long for a team-mate to win primary possession. The middle period – the 2014 (including replay) and 2016 (when Maher was the winning captain) finals saw more refinement. Even Brian Cody, 10 years after stating "I always say I don't get hung up on tactics, and I don't" seemed to be onboard with the changing game. By time Maher played in his last All-Ireland final, the storming 2019 victory over the Stripey men with the pendulum firmly back in Tipp's favour, it was almost unrecognisable from his first a decade previous. That season saw him detail opposition dangermen around the middle third – Aaron Gillane, Tony Kelly, Rory O'Connor and Lee Chin in the semi-final – and the final was no different. Liam Sheedy's instructions were to follow TJ Reid, yet there was a fluidity now not seen in previous years. Reid was the primary concern, but when Richie Hogan drifted, there was a swapping of responsibilities with centre-back Ronan Maher. Reid being held to a point from play was a contributing factor to Tipp's powerful second-half display, and Maher had no issue with his specific role. A year on from a cruciate injury, he had his third Celtic Cross medal. "You sacrifice your own time on the ball for the betterment of the team," he says. "It's rare you see a midfielder or half-forward being man-marked now. That space now is a numbers game, the densely populated area not requiring specific man-markers to the same degree." Much has changed in six years. Huw Lawlor has gone from his rookie year shadowing Tipp goal king Seamus Callanan – the Premier captain was scoreless in the opening half but the early green flag in the second half paved the way for Tipp success – to becoming the standout full-back of his generation. For the opposition, Mikey Breen has moved from the middle third of the pitch to the full-back line. Of the 30 starters from that outing, a third began their teams' most recent outings, with half a dozen of those Kilkenny men (Eoin Murphy, Huw Lawlor, Paddy Deegan, John Donnelly, TJ Reid and Adrian Mullen). The biggest change in the intervening years is that Tipp haven't been back to Croke Park. Kilkenny's provincial dominance means the semi-final path is a well-worn one for Derek Lyng's side, but while Maher acknowledges that that it is an advantage for Kilkenny, who are further down the road as a team, he has faith in the young talent within Tipperary such as Darragh McCarthy, Andrew Ormond, Oisín O'Donoghue, Eoghan Connolly, Peter McGarry and Robert Doyle. "There is uncertainty around Tipperary as it is new territory for a lot of players, a first game in Croke Park for some," he says, "but Kilkenny really haven't been challenged this year, the second half against Dublin aside. "Kilkenny reach this stage every year and perform, even in defeat to Clare last year. Kilkenny will bring that to the table. From a Tipp perspective, you'd just hope we can match that."
RTÉ News
28-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Monaghan's quality of play not matched by their belief
Monaghan need to make a statement win in Croke Park this weekend and prove they fully believe they are genuine All-Ireland contenders. That's the view of former Tyrone player Enda McGinley, who isn't convinced the Farney men truly believe they will be part of the shake-up for Sam Maguire ahead of their quarter-final this weekend with Donegal. The all-Ulster clash on Saturday afternoon will kick-start the series of last-eight encounters at GAA HQ, with Donegal dominating the headlines in the build-up. The Ulster champions will be action for a third week on the trot with Jim McGuinness' side set for a ninth championship outing in 13 weeks. In a statement released on Monday, the county said that the welfare of their players has not be considered, with Saturday's 4pm throw-in coming six days after the preliminary quarter-final defeat of Louth. The Farney men have enjoyed a fine season under Gabriel Bannigan – promotion to Division 1 and having last weekend off courtesy of topping a round-robin group that didn't contain any side from the top tier. Micheál Bannigan and Stephen O'Hanlon have been causing havoc up front, but speaking on the RTÉ GAA podcast, McGinley questions whether Monaghan, who put it up to the Tir Chonaill men in Ulster before falling short by two points, have the confidence required to take out a contender. "Monaghan have to make that statement win," he said. "They have to show that they come to Croke Park as equals and are capable of winning the whole thing. "Do Monaghan truly believe they are capable of winning the whole thing? I don't know. I would genuinely would doubt that. "That's a critical weakness." McGinley feels Donegal's ceiling is higher, and has been surprised that with the personnel available to McGuinness, they remain so reliant on the evergreen Michael Murphy. "Donegal have the tools to spread the big men right across (the pitch), yet when they need a kickout, there is only one man they continually and repeatedly go to, that's Michael Murphy. "Tyrone sort of cancelled that out (All-Ireland series) and that was the winning of the game for them. "Monaghan, as an Ulster team, will know well how to target that. Donegal have to play better, but Monaghan have to have a belief, not just that they can win this game, but the whole thing. "They have played some of the best football all year, probably more consistent than some of the other top teams. "I'd imagine the messaging in the Monaghan camp is, 'we've been playing good stuff, primarily against tier two sides, but we now have to show up against the big boys and take down a Division 1 team. Are we ready for that or not?'" Follow a live blog on the All-Ireland Football Championship quarter-finals on Saturday on and the RTÉ News app. Listen to commentaries on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch highlights on The Saturday Game at 9.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Watch two All-Ireland Football Championship quarter-finals, Meath v Galway and Armagh v Kerry, from 1.15pm on Sunday on RTÉ 2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on and the RTÉ News app. Listen to commentaries on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch highlights on The Sunday Game at 10.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
