Latest news with #SigersonCup
Irish Examiner
7 days 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."
The Irish Sun
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Ciaran Caulfield says he knew this could be Meath's year to ‘kick on' ahead of All-Ireland semi-final
AFTER taking three huge scalps, Ciarán Caulfield hopes the Royal treatment can be given to another pretender to the All-Ireland SFC throne. Having 2 The Meath wing back has impressed in the Royals' standout season 2 Meath shocked the All-Ireland 2024 finalists in Croke Park with a 2-16 to 2-15 win And ahead of Sunday's clash with Donegal, wing-back Caulfield said: 'Obviously they're the big teams, if you want to call them that, but you probably do need those big wins over some of those teams just for yourself to know you can compete at this level. 'Once we got one or two of them, I think even just the way we were training and stuff, it really brings it on. Once you're competing at that level, you're not going to fear anyone. 'It'll be the same at the weekend. Obviously another big team coming down and we'll just do our same preparation as usual and go into the game looking to compete again.' In his first season as boss, Read more on GAA But Caulfield is also full of praise for predecessor Colm O'Rourke, who handed him his senior debut in the 2023 Tailteann Cup group-stage win over Down. He said: 'When Colm came in, the squad probably changed a bit personnel-wise. A few younger players came in. 'I'd be very grateful to Colm to get that chance to go in at that time. If I asked any of the lads, they'd say the same. 'But the lads that came in at that time, you're probably looking to them now and for the next few years. It had to start somewhere and Colm did start that in fairness.' Most read in GAA Football TAXING YEAR O'Rourke, who took the reins ahead of the 2023 season, felt the quest to bring Meath back into contention for top honours required a five-year strategy. Given that they are now one win away from a first All-Ireland final since 2001, Brennan's side appear ahead of schedule. 'Jacqui Hurley is excited' jokes Des Cahill as RTE pair put out call to arms to Cork & Tipperary fans Caulfield said: 'That's probably the outside narrative. But inside, we knew if we could get going it probably wouldn't be as long. I think this year the lads had that extra year under their belt. 'We probably just thought it was time to kick on and particularly with the new rules, it was maybe a bit more of an even playing field. 'Everyone's trying to get up to speed with them so we thought if we could get up to speed, then you'd be there or thereabouts. 'Four or five years, it's probably been a bit quicker but that's as it is now. We believe this year was just kind of time.' Set to start his 22nd game of 2025 this weekend, it has already been a taxing year for 21-year-old Caulfield. But the man who captained DCU to Sigerson Cup glory in February said: 'The lads are great with the set-up. 'They keep monitoring whatever you're doing. Even throughout college and during the league when there were two games in a week, they made sure that you weren't doing too much in between with training, but enough that when it gets to this time of the year. "You've kept up a certain fitness base that you're not going to be getting too many niggles. 'In fairness, I've been lucky enough now that I haven't picked up anything too major so hopefully it stays that way.'
Irish Daily Mirror
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Meath GAA star targeting second All-Ireland win this year
Meath defender Ciaran Caulfield is chasing down a dream All-Ireland double to cap a breakthrough year. The Trim talent has already tucked one All-Ireland medal away having captained DCU to Sigerson Cup success in February. Caulfield is Meath's vice-captain and is just two steps from heaven on that front now too after advancing to Sunday week's All-Ireland semi-final against Donegal. It's been a long year for the 21-year-old, who started all six of DCU's Sigerson Cup games, as well as Meath's 15 National League and Championship games to date. 'It's been a long year so far alright but a great year,' said wing-back Caulfield. 'To be honest, if you'd said at the start of the year that we'd be in an All-Ireland semi-final, I probably wouldn't really have believed it. 'As we've kind of gone through the year, that belief slowly builds and now that we're here, it's not really as big of a shock for us as it maybe is for the rest of the country. 'Winning the Dublin game was probably the big one, from the belief side, as in you knew then that you could compete at this level. 'Once we got over that, we kind of just took every challenge as it came and we're into an All-Ireland semi-final now.' Meath's high-energy approach under new manager Robbie Brennan, ability to pick off vital two-pointers and commitment to a kick-passing game has allowed them to exploit the new rules. Caulfield was among the last players to experience the 2024 rules as they remained in place for the Sigerson Cup. 'With the threats we have up front, we thought straight away that the new rules would suit us,' he said. 'We like to try to move the ball as quickly as we can up the pitch and to give lads inside as much time as possible on the ball. 'On the flipside of that, all the other teams have good players as well so you're trying to negate the amount of space they get as well. 'But yeah, I do enjoy the rules so much. The games have been great. 'They're tough to play in, it's constantly up and down the pitch, but from the enjoyment side of things, it's brilliant fun.' Meath manager Brennan said after Sunday's one-point win that if they don't win a number of All-Stars this year, the selectors won't have done their jobs right. Jordan Morris is certainly in that conversation now after hitting Galway for 1-6. 'When you really need him to stand up, he usually does in fairness to him,' said Caulfield. 'I'm just delighted that he's playing with us. 'The way he plays, it's how we want lads to play their football, going at their man, trying to get scores. 'They don't always come off for you. And yeah, it would be easy to put the head down at times but it's not really the player that Jordy is. 'He'll go for the next ball, take his man on again, and keep going for the next score.'
Irish Examiner
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Meath's Ciaran Caulfield aiming to end breakthrough year will All-Ireland double
Meath defender Ciaran Caulfield is chasing down a dream All-Ireland double to cap a breakthrough year. The Trim talent has already tucked one All-Ireland medal away having captained DCU to Sigerson Cup success in February. Caulfield is Meath's vice-captain and is just two steps from heaven on that front now too after advancing to Sunday week's All-Ireland semi-final against Donegal. It's been a long year for the 21-year-old who started all six of DCU's Sigerson Cup games, as well as Meath's 15 National League and Championship games to date. "It's been a long year so far alright but a great year," said wing-back Caulfield. "To be honest, if you'd said at the start of the year that we'd be in an All-Ireland semi-final, I probably wouldn't really have believed it. As we've kind of went through the year, that belief slowly builds and now that we're here, it's not really as big of a shock for us as it maybe is for the rest of the country. "Winning the Dublin game was probably the big one, from the belief side, as in you knew then that you could compete at this level. Once we got over that, we kind of just took every challenge as it came and we're into an All-Ireland semi-final now." Meath's high energy approach under new manager Robbie Brennan, ability to pick off vital two-pointers and commitment to a kick-passing game has allowed them to exploit the new rules. Caulfield was among the last players to experience the 2024 rules as they remained in place for the Sigerson Cup. "With the threats we have up front, we thought straight away that the new rules would suit us," he said. "We like to try to move the ball as quickly as we can up the pitch and to give lads inside as much time as possible on the ball. "On the flipside of that, all the other teams have good players as well so you're trying to negate the amount of space they get as well. But yeah, I do enjoy the rules so much. The games have been great. "They're tough to play in, it's constantly up and down the pitch, but from the enjoyment side of things, it's brilliant fun." Meath manager Brennan said after Sunday's one-point win that if they don't win a number of All-Stars this year, the selectors won't have done their jobs right. Jordan Morris is certainly in that conversation now after hitting Galway for 1-6. "When you really need him to stand up, he usually does in fairness to him," said Caulfield. "I'm just delighted that he's playing with us, to be honest. "The way he plays, it's how we want lads to play their football, going at their man, trying to get scores. They don't always come off for you. And yeah, it would be easy to put the head down at times but it's not really the player that Jordy is. "He'll go for the next ball, take his man on again, and keep going for the next score."
Irish Examiner
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Roscommon goalkeeper Conor Carroll set to transfer from Galway club
Roscommon goalkeeper Conor Carroll is set to transfer from Galway club Oranmore-Maree to Roscommon outfit St. Brigid's, the Irish Examiner understands. Carroll did not play for his club in the 2024 intermediate championship. Oranmore/Maree reached an intermediate semi-final where they were beaten by eventual champions St Michael's. The talented goalkeeper played for Galway from U14 to U20, playing under Pádraic Joyce at that grade in 2019. He also won a Sigerson Cup with NUI Galway in 2022. An All-Star nominee in 2023, Carroll transferred to Roscommon under former Galway hurling manager Anthony Cunningham and has become a mainstay of the side. He is the nephew of Roscommon County Board Chairperson Brian Carroll and both of his parents are Roscommon natives. It is understood Carroll will now join the 2024 All-Ireland finalists. The club are currently managed by Cunningham. St. Brigid's were stunned by Pádraig Pearses in the Roscommon SFC quarter-final last season. They have been drawn in Group B for the 2025 championship with Michael Glaveys, Western Gaels and Elphin. Elsewhere, the manner of Mayo GAA's move to dispense with manager Kevin McStay has been criticised by former captain Lee Keegan. The Mayo County Board executive brought an end to McStay's term on Wednesday, ten days after they were beaten by Donegal in the All-Ireland SFC group stage. A statement confirmed they will have a new boss at the helm for 2026. 'At this meeting a decision was made to relieve Kevin McStay and his management team from their roles with the Mayo senior football team with immediate effect.' Five-time All-Star Keegan took to social media in the aftermath of that statement. 'Mayo GAA never cease to amaze the good people,' he said. 'Kevin & his backroom deserved better than that.'
