Mayo midfielder Aidan O’Shea. Source: Inpho/Eoin Lúc Ó Ceallaigh AIDAN O’SHEA WAS asked recently to name a rival he particularly admires. “There have been a few, Michael Murphy from Donegal is from my era, and he’s a brilliant footballer,” he answered.  It’s no surprise that O’Shea holds Murphy in such high regard. They’ve got plenty … Continue reading "‘There was a middle part of my career where I had to step back and realise I wasn’t enjoying it’"

HOWEVER GOOD THE mood was in Tipperary last week, the buzz has definitely increased tenfold since.  Tipperary star Clodagh Quirke. Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO Speaking to Premier camogie captain Clodagh Quirke at the Camogie Association’s ‘Go Together’ event in Croke Park last Thursday, she was well and truly gearing up for her side’s All-Ireland quarter-final showdown … Continue reading "The buzz in Tipperary, inspiring the next generation and a massive Semple showdown"

FORMER KERRY FOOTBALLER Seán O’Sullivan came away from a U14 game knowing that one of the players on show was destined to line out for the green and gold one day. David Clifford with some Kerry fans after their Super 8s win over Mayo. Source: James Crombie/INPHO He reckoned that the impressive youngster from the … Continue reading "‘His running style was actually slowing him down. They basically retaught him how to run’"

Cork 1-16 Kilkenny 0-13 Conor McKenna reports from O’Moore Park KILKENNY EXITED THE All-Ireland U20 Championship following a six-point loss to Cork in the semi-final in O’Moore Park, Portlaoise. The Rebel County were excellent at times in this game and they will face Tipperary or Wexford in the first ever All-Ireland U20 Hurling Final. Tommy … Continue reading "Tommy O’Connell scores 1-10 as Cork beat Kilkenny to book All-Ireland U20 final spot"

Cork 7-18 Tyrone 3-4 Daragh Small reports from Ballinasloe NIAMH COTTER AND Doireann O’Sullivan led the way as Cork beat Tyrone to bounce back from last weekend’s shock defeat to Armagh and advance to the TG4 All-Ireland SFC semi-finals. Cork had the issue wrapped up when they led by 3-8 to 1-3 ahead at half-time after … Continue reading "O’Sullivan and Cotter lead the way as Cork score 7-18 to set up Croke Park semi-final date"

CORK’S LEADING MAN Cathal O’Mahony said he and his team-mates never gave up hope during a thrilling All-Ireland U20 final on Saturday afternoon at O’Moore Park. The Rebel County were stunned in the opening exchanges in Portlaoise, trailing 1-6 to no score after just 10 minutes. Keith Ricken’s side fired back, however, scoring three goals … Continue reading "‘Hope never dies’: O’Mahony offers rallying cry as Cork are crowned U20 All-Ireland champions"

Mayo 1-14 Donegal 1-10 Colm Gannon reports from Castlebar THEIR BACKS WERE against the wall and not for the first time, Mayo came game good against the odds. In a game that both sides did their best to kick away, Mayo held on to book their place in the All-Ireland semi-final next weekend, grinding out … Continue reading "Mayo through to All-Ireland semi-finals after Horan’s men prevail in thriller against Donegal"

Kerry 2-18 Meath 1-13 Fergal Lynch reports from Navan SEAN O’SHEA produced a masterful display as Kerry advanced to the semi-finals of the All-Ireland SFC with an under-whelming Super 8s victory over Meath at Pairc Tailteann this evening. With nothing at stake for Meath the brave Royals made Kerry work hard for their win and … Continue reading "Kerry trump Meath by eight points to top Super 8s group and book All-Ireland semi-final spot"

CORK U20 FOOTBALL manager Keith Ricken praised his side’s ability to put their early disappointments against Dublin behind them to kick on with an All-Ireland winning performance of classy defending and lethal scoring at O’Moore Park. A first Cork win at the reformed grade looked highly unlikely after Dublin raced into a 1-6 to 0-0 … Continue reading "‘We talk about the snowflake generation. The dedication, the commitment – I’m proud to be a Cork man today’"

AFTER ANOTHER ABSOLUTE battle, Mayo are back in the All-Ireland semi-finals. Aidan O’Shea was named man-of-the-match in Castlebar yesterday. Source: James Crombie/INPHO James Horan’s Westerners edged out Ulster champions Donegal in their all-or-nothing Super 8s showdown at McHale Park yesterday evening. With Declan Bonner’s men considered favourites ahead of the Castlebar clash, Mayo star Aidan … Continue reading "‘A lot of people didn’t give us a chance’ against Donegal, says Mayo star O’Shea"