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Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tipperary's All-Ireland heroes bring Liam MacCarthy Cup to Crumlin hospital
Tipperary's All-Ireland winning stars took the Liam MacCarthy Cup to Crumlin hospital today. The men in blue and gold were awesome in the second-half on Sunday, blowing Cork away to win their first All-Ireland title since 2019. Today, Tipp took the title to Crumlin hospital to celebrate their win with some brave little supporters. And the party continued this evening as Semple Stadium hosted a fabulous homecoming, with a reported 45,000 supporters turning out to welcome their stars home. One man who should have been a part of the celebrations is the late great Dillon Quirke, who passed away in 2022 during a club game. Speaking about Dillon, Tipp manager Liam Cahill said: 'Like today, I got a text from Dan, his dad, coming up the road to wish me luck. And I just said that Dillon will be on all our shoulders today, regardless of what happens in the result. 'And, you know, he should be with us today. But the legacy he's leaving and the work that he's doing to save lives across Ireland at the moment through his name and the foundation is just incredible. 'And today I never flinched at any stage on the line. Once he was across my chest, I knew that we would be battling right to the end. And I'm just so proud to have had an input into his life for the short number of years he was with us.' Scroll down below and take a look at some of the best pictures from this morning's visit to Crumlin Hospital. Robert Doyle, Jake Morris, Ronan Maher and goalkeeper Rhys Shelly with Naoise Brewer Deegan, aged 14 months, Kildare and her Grandad from Tipperary with her mother Leanne and the Liam MacCarthy Cup (Image: Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne) 1 of 9 Tipperary manager Liam Cahill with Thomas Paul Brophy-Barry, aged 10 from Tallaght and the Liam MacCarthy Cup (Image: Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne) 2 of 9 Ronan Maher with Oisin Crowe, aged 12, from Cappawhite, Tipperary, and the Liam MacCarthy Cup (Image: Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne) 3 of 9
Irish Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tens of thousands of fans to pack into Croke Park for All-Ireland Hurling Final
Tens of thousands of fans will this afternoon pack into Croke Park for the most anticipated All-Ireland hurling final in years when fancied Cork take on underdogs Tipperary. While it's an all-Munster All-Ireland Hurling Final for the third time in six years it's the first ever meeting of Tipperary and Cork in the decider. Huge traffic jams are expected to form on the N7 and other roads into the capital today as tens of thousands of fans head from the south in the direction of Croke Park. Some Cork fans had planned to start their journey in the early hours of this morning hoping to beat the traffic by setting out early. They were hoping to avoid huge queues at the motorway toll booths that led to 80-minute tailbacks near the town of Fermoy as fans travelled to the semi-final against Dublin two weeks ago. There are fears there will be a repeat of those queues again today after appeals to open the toll booths for the day were turned down. Such was the demand for transport to the match that all additional train services laid on by Irish Rail from Cork city's Kent Station to Dublin's Heuston were sold out days ago. Cork fans celebrate their side's fifth goal of the All-Ireland SHC semi-final victory over Dublin (Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne) Final fever has gripped both counties since their respective semi-final victories with many homes decorated with flags and bunting. The scramble for tickets in recent days has been phenomenal amid criticism of the way GAA headquarters distributes the allocation to counties involved in the final. But fans who missed out on a ticket can still soak up the big match atmosphere as many venues in both counties are showing the match live on big screens. The second-biggest gathering of fans outside of Croke Park today will be at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh where the match will be broadcast to Cork fans. Such was the demand that the 20,000 free tickets were snapped in within three hours last Thursday. Chairperson of Cork GAA, Pat Horgan, said that demand for final tickets for the All-Ireland final is unprecedented. Cork's Declan Dalton and Sam O'Farrell of Tipperary (Image: ©INPHO/James Crombie) He said: 'Unfortunately, not everyone will be able to attend Croke Park. With support of Cork City Council, we are delighted to bring back the Rebels' Fanzone (at Páirc Uí Chaoimh) which will allow supporters of all ages an opportunity to come together, and support an incredible team from right across the county.' The rebel county might be odds on favourites to lift the Liam McCarthy cup but Tipperary fans believe if they can reproduce the semi-final form that overcame Kilkenny captain Ronan Maher will be lifting the trophy aloft when the final whistle blows. Tipperary were outsiders at the start of the season but they've caused several major upsets and are planning to do it again today. But Cork are not favourites for nothing and are acknowledged as having their best side in years and will be determined to bring the Liam McCarthy Cup to Leeside for the first time in two decades. The stage is now set for what is expected to be a classic All-Ireland hurling final as these Munster arch rivals vie for supremacy. Tipperary might have beaten Cork in the league in February but the Rebels had their revenge when they got the better of Liam Cahill's men in the league final. Tipperary's Jake Morris celebrates the All-Ireland under-21 final win over Cork in 2018. (Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne) Both Cork and Tipperary have named unchanged sides when they meet in today's All-Ireland hurling final. Tipperary Manager Liam Cahill and Cork manager Pat Ryan both retained faith in their 15 member squads that beat Kilkenny and Dublin, respectively, in both recent semi-final outings. The Rebels were many people's prediction to get to this stage from early this year, but Tipp have had to put a few bad seasons behind them to reach today's final. Cork were edged out by a single point, 3-29 to 1-34, by Clare in last year's final so will be keen to make up for that heartbreak this time round. On the other hand, Tipp last lifted the Liam MacCarthy Cup in 2019 and will aim to bridge that six-year gap by taking victory in today's showdown. RTE 2 will show the game live in Ireland, while BBC Two will broadcast the action in the UK. RTE's coverage starts at 2.15pm, with the BBC's commencing at 3pm. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
The 42
7 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Unified green and gold axis seems off colour to a Kerryman in pre All-Ireland final Donegal
THE GREATEST FEAR your offspring could visit on you? The standard one is that some day in the distant future, they will push a glossy brochure into your hand advertising the comforts of the Mystic Rose Nursing Home, before loading you into a car to see those facilities up close and personal. Well, that used to be it up until last weekend, when it was brutally displaced by a new reality we really did not see coming. Flushed of face and hoarse of voice after a day well spent in Dublin's Big House, the first born comes bursting through the door in the wee hours not just hollering joy, but without taking breath trash talking David Clifford with the kind of venomous intent that would not just have left Ricey McMenamin blushing but desperate to bathe in holy water to cleanse. David Clifford: Undue trash talking. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO We never thought it would end like this. Donegal was sold to us on a glossy brochure, too, entitled Home from Home. It informed us that the distance between the deep south and the far north west was immaterial. Landscape and not kilometres shape people. Kerry and Donegal was the same patch of ground which just happened to be separated at birth, small farmers land, big hills, sea views, turf, emigration, green and gold football, only the lingo separated us. Take away their 'aye' and our 'yerrah' and we were one and kind of the same. Advertisement Never be fooled by that sales pitch, because whatever little cracks do exist become chasms when exposed to the red hot heat levels an All-Ireland final generates. Of course, we have been here before in 2014, but it was different back then because things were more malleable and manageable. We found a perfect compromise, they would be dressed in the Donegal uniform for the first half, Kerry's for the second. It was the perfect nod to both identities, but came with the considerable bonus of a happy ending to ensure that there would be no legacy of mental scarring. No maybe about it; it was our finest parenting hour. And in those pre All-Ireland final weeks when Donegal were not involved, they would be dressed in the other shade of green and gold while parading around the Diamond in Donegal Town to a hummed Artane Boy's tune. It was a trick picked up from the odd summer when Cork holiday makers, in the event of beating Kerry, would dress their children from head to toe in red and white at 10am Mass, before marching them up the aisle twice for Holy Communion, just to be sure, to be sure. Beyond the homestead, though, the reality of being different tribes in similar colours manifested in ways that we simply could not comprehend. They would spend their whole summers locked literally – these were pre flowing football FRC times – in a wrestle to the death inside Ulster, but when they were banished from the stage, they invested their goodwill without any hint of betrayal or shame fully behind whatever Ulster team was still left standing, despite having weeks earlier been their sworn enemies. Offer them a choice of an angry red hand that may well have slapped them into submission or a friendly green and gold one, and guess which one they would clasp? It boggled the mind because we came from a place where the only support ever extended to Cork was limited only in the event of them ever following through on their promise to seek a referendum to declare an Independent People's Republic, in which instance we were committed to hitting the paving stones to canvas for it. We tried to reason with them. We peddled the line that together as a unified green and gold axis, we would all be better served. We could help Donegal exploit their huge tourism potential by showing them the knack of greasing a coach driver's hand, we could share our resources and corner the bagged turf export market to China and, together in football, we could be a superpower. Sure, haven't we 40 All-Irelands between us . . . But they were not for listening. Instead they trusted in God or Jim – it was always hard to tell the difference – and in the return of a man who might as well be the son of God in Michael Murphy and they would keep their faith. Acts of faith: Jim McGuinness and Michael Murphy. Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO And that is why we are where we are, isolated and peering out the window fearing a changed future and regretting the not too distant past. There is a little oasis in the South Donegal village of Laghey which we frequent regularly and in the immediate aftermath of that 2014 final, the host insisted that we should visit so his locals could get it all out of the way and imbibe in peace. We took him up on the offer, offering words of consolation which we fear may have been interpreted differently. We feel there is a reckoning coming and it may well be that we will not be calling to Laghey again until such time as the Seven Arches is repurposed into a health and well being centre. We could stay at home, but those comforts are sparse in nature now that it has become a base for the Tir Conaill Ultras. The only comfort now may well be that brochure to a place where the misery will be nursed.
The 42
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The 42
How will Tyrone and Meath reflect on their 2025 seasons?
Tyrone A first All-Ireland semi-final since their 2021 Sam Maguire triumph ended in a bruising defeat to Kerry. The signs were creeping in before Mattie Donnelly knocked over a point at the half-time buzzer to bring the gap back to three. They could have been trailing by much more had Kerry been more efficient with their goal chances. Darragh Canavan's four points — including a two-pointer — in the early stages of the second half kept Tyrone in the hunt, but Kerry went on to outscore them 0-9 to 0-4. After smoking out Dublin with the stronger finish in the All-Ireland quarter-final, Tyrone ended up with a second-half fadeout to exit the championship. Michael McKernan was a major absentee from their defence due to injury, and although he was declared fit for Kerry, his second-half introduction did little to affect the outcome. Tyrone's attacking force failed to fire too. Canavan scored 0-7, while their half-forward line of Seánie O'Donnell, Donnelly and Ciarán Daly combined for 0-6. But four of their six starting forwards were taken off, including the normally lively Darren McCurry who was well marshalled by Jason Foley. Malachy O'Rourke's first season as Tyrone boss started with relegation from Division 1 for the first time since 2016. Three losses in a row to Armagh, Mayo and Kerry put them in drop zone territory and subsequent wins over Donegal and Dublin were not enough to rescue them from playing Division 2 football for 2026. Advertisement Their search for a first Ulster title since 2021 goes on after a thrilling Ulster semi-final defeat to Armagh which was settled by a Rory Grugan free at the buzzer. They recovered from that defeat to win Group 1 in the All-Ireland series and take the direct route to the All-Ireland quarter-final. Leading Dublin by just one with five minutes to go, they reeled off the last six points of the game to win by 0-23 to 0-16. Tyrone have enjoyed a hugely successful year at underage level, claiming back-to-back All-Ireland U20 titles — three in total since 2022 — as well as the minor crown. Eoin McHolm, who made his first senior championship start in the semi-final against Kerry, hit 2-4 for the U20s in their 5-16 to 0-17 All-Ireland final win over Louth. Emerging star Joel Kerr was unavailable Tyrone's first All-Ireland minor victory since 2010 as he is contracted with West Ham United. But the Red Hands still prevailed by one point against Kerry. Another positive for Tyrone to reflect on this year is Errigal Ciarán reaching a first All-Ireland senior club final where they were held off by Dublin's Cuala. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO Meath It was also a year of firsts for Meath as they ended a 16-year wait for an All-Ireland semi-final appearance. Under new manager Robbie Brennan, Meath ended Dublin's dominance in the Leinster championship while also enjoying major victories against Kerry and Galway in the All-Ireland series. Three high-stakes wins is a major green tick. Similar to Tyrone, though, they lacked the firepower to keep pace with Donegal on Sunday. Jim McGuinness's side scored three goals but left a lot of green flags behind in a 20-point victory. The sharpness and efficiency that characterised Meath's win over Galway eluded them this time in Croke Park. They were also guilty of some wayward shooting, while the loss of influential midfielder Bryan Mention to injury ultimately paved the way for a Donegal massacre. Missing out on promotion to Division 1 was a blow for Meath in 2025. They were on the brink of reaching the top tier before losing out to a Louth side who preserved their Division 2 status with a 1-19 to 0-17 win in March. Ace forward Jordan Morris also suffered what looked like a season-ending injury that day. The following month brought another setback as Joe McMahon and Martin Corey stepped away from the backroom team just over a week before the start of their Leinster championship. Brennan steered Meath through that rocky patch to reach the Leinster final, while Morris managed to come back from a fractured tibia along with Grade 2 tears of the ACL and PCL in just six weeks. Meath's Leinster semi-final victory over Dublin shook the GAA world, ending a 15-year stranglehold on the province. It was a particularly striking result as they were 10 points down at half-time against Offaly in the quarter-final before eventually winning by seven. The provincial decider against Louth was a repeat of the controversial 2010 final. And while it was somewhat fitting that the Wee County avenged those ghosts with a famous win, it was another disappointing result for Meath. A Matthew Costello goal in the 62nd minute edged Meath ahead by one point and appeared to be the turning point in the game. But they failed to build on that momentum and conceded a free outside the arc which Sam Mulroy converted to move the dial again. But as Louth toasted a first Leinster success in 68 years, they struggled through the All-Ireland series while Meath regenerated to win their group. They claimed the All-Ireland quarter-final spot with a 1-22 to 0-16 upset win over Kerry. The Kingdom were within two points by the 50th minute, but Meath's composure secured another big win for Brennan's resolute crew. Last year's All-Ireland finalists Galway were considered the favourites for that quarter-final meeting, but Meath would not be conquered. A quickfire 2-3 in five minutes put the Tribesmen two clear in the final 10 minutes but Morris struck back with a goal to quench the Galway revival and spark the Meath celebrations. Related Reads 'We massively underachieved in our eyes. When Jim came back, standards were raised' 'Like that older brother that you don't want to let down' - Dublin club glory to Meath manager Jack and David have decided that this state of affairs will not do. At all. That score helped bring Morris's tally to 1-6 to cap off a remarkable comeback from injury and put himself in All-Star contention. Bryan Menton, Eoghan Frayne and Seán Rafferty have put themselves in that conversation too. And while Donegal proved to be a step too far, Meath will reflect on 2025 with much fondness.
The 42
13-07-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Donegal cruise into All-Ireland final with 20-point victory over Meath
Donegal 3-26 Meath 0-15 FOR THE FIRST time in 11 years, and for only the fourth time in the county's history, Donegal will be part of the duo contesting on All-Ireland final day. They qualified for that showpiece with one of the great semi-final displays of power, pace and scoring touch as they cruised past Meath with 20 points to spare. Oisín Gallen, Ciarán Moore, and Conor O'Donnell slotted home the goals in the second half to confirm the Ulster champions passage to a final clash against Kerry. Meath's Ciarán Caulfield and Oisin Gallen of Donegal. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO The first half saw Meath hit by setbacks. They lost their imposing midfielder Bryan Menton through injury in the 20th minute, while the nine wides they amassed and the one shot dropped short, captured the tale of a team who were forcing shots and struggling to hit full speed in attack. Gratitude was owed to goalkeeper Billy Hogan. The Meath netminder dived to tip away an effort from Conor O'Donnell and then stopped a more clearcut opening, Hugh McFadden gathering after a Caolan McColgan attempt hit the upright, swivelling and shooting for goal, only to be blocked by the alert Hogan. Meath's Billy Hogan saves a shot from Hugh McFadden of Donegal. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO Michael Murphy, who knocked over five points in the opening half, blazed over another opportunity off his left as Donegal's flowing team moves unlocked the Meath defence to fashion a 0-13 to 0-8 interval advantage. Advertisement More to follow… Scorers for Donegal: Michael Murphy 0-6 (1 2pt free, 0-1f), Conor O'Donnell 1-3, Oisín Gallen 1-2, Ciarán Moore 1-1, Michael Langan 0-4, Patrick McBrearty 0-3, Ciarán Thompson 0-2, Shaun Patton 0-1 (0-1 '45), Peadar Mogan 0-1, Ryan McHugh 0-1, Shane O'Donnell 0-1, Dáire Ó Baoill 0-1. Scorers for Meath: Eoghan Frayne 0-5 (1 2pt play, 0-1f), Keith Curtis 0-3, Ruairí Kinsella 0-3 (1 2pt play), Seán Rafferty0-1, Conor Duke 0-1, Jordan Morris 0-1, Mathew Costello 0-1 (0-1f). Donegal 1. Shaun Patton (St. Eunan's) 2. Finnbarr Roarty (Naomh Conaill), 3. Brendan McCole (St. Naul's), 4. Peadar Mogan (St. Naul's) 5. Ryan McHugh (Kilcar), 6. Eoghan Bán Gallagher (Killybegs), 7. Caolan McColgan (St Patrick's Muff) 8. Hugh McFadden (Killybegs), 9. Michael Langan (St. Michael's) 10. Shane O'Donnell (St. Eunan's), 11. Ciarán Thompson (Naomh Conaill), 12. Ciarán Moore (St. Eunan's) 13. Conor O'Donnell (Carndonagh), 14. Michael Murphy (Glenswilly), 15. Oisín Gallen (Seán Mac Cumhaills) Subs Meath 1. Billy Hogan (Longwood) 2. Seamus Lavin (St Peter's, Dunboyne), 3. Seán Rafferty (Na Fianna), 4. Ronan Ryan (Summerhill) 5. Donal Keogan (Rathkenny), 6. Seán Coffey (Ballinabrackey), 7. Ciaran Caulfield (Trim) 8. Bryan Menton (Donaghmore-Ashbourne), 9. Adam O'Neill (Wolfe Tones) 10. Conor Duke (Dunshaughlin), 11. Ruairi Kinsella (Dunshaughlin), 12. Keith Curtis (Rathkenny), 13. Jordan Morris (Kingscourt Stars – Cavan), 14. Mathew Costello (Dunshaughlin), 15. Eoghan Frayne (Summerhill – captain) Subs 21. Conor Gray (Dunshaughlin) for Menton (inj) (20) Referee: Paul Faloon (Down) *****
