PREGNANCY AND THE birth of her daughter Amelia provided Cathriona McConnell with a fresh perspective on life and football. The Donaghmoyne sharpshooter and former Monaghan star watched on from the sidelines last year when St Macartan’s provided an Ulster final shock. Amelia was born nine months ago and while football remains vitally important to McConnell, … Continue reading "‘Amelia was only born and they were onto me to get back out!’ – Balancing motherhood and football"

EDDIE BRENNAN’S GRAIGUE-Ballycallan will contest the Leinster IHC club final after they recorded a facile win over Wexford’s St Mogue’s Fethard in today’s semi-final.  The 40-year-old, who was recently appointed new Laois boss, scored 1-1 from play for Declan Browne’s side as the Kilkenny champions ran out 2-22 to 1-12 winners. Brennan and Sean Ryan hit the … Continue reading "Eddie Brennan’s 1-1 helps Graigue-Ballycallan into Leinster intermediate club final"

Emmet Óg (Monaghan) 4-10 Dunedin Connollys (Scotland) 1-9 Alan Gunn reporting in Aghabog GOALS WIN GAMES and Emmet Óg’s four majors were the difference as the Monaghan and Ulster champions booked their place in next month’s All-Ireland intermediate club final. Monaghan star Ellen McCarron was in inspirational form, finishing the tie with 2-3, while Chloe … Continue reading "Monaghan star McCarron bags 2-3 as Emmet Óg defeat British champions to book All-Ireland final spot"

ANTRIM’S CUSHENDALL secured their passage to the 2019 All-Ireland SHC club hurling semi-finals last weekend and two more places are set to be filled this afternoon. In Pearse Stadium at 2pm the Galway hurling final commences with Liam Mellows taking on St Thomas, the winners of that tie will meet newly-crowned Ulster champions Cushendall next … Continue reading "Poll: Who do you think will book All-Ireland club hurling semi-final places today?"

1. A few months before the first UFC event, Isaacs found himself at his desk surrounded by a growing crowd. On the television they were all watching two Brazilian men fight it out on the beach in Rio de Janeiro, a buzz in the air. McLaren had intercepted a VHS tape called Gracies in Action on its way … Continue reading "Googling Gaelic football, ‘the best decision’ of Kevin Cassidy’s life and the week’s best sportswriting"

RADIO KERRY BROADCASTER Weeshie Fogarty has died at the age of 77. Fogarty was a figure synonymous with Kerry GAA, having represented the county footballers at senior level before embarking on a refereeing career and later as a radio commentator and broadcaster. His club Killarney Legion confirmed the news of his passing this morning with … Continue reading "Legendary Kerry broadcaster Weeshie Fogarty passes away aged 77"

Ballygunner 2-14 Na Piarsaigh 2-8 Fintan O’Toole reports from Semple Stadium AND FINALLY A winning breakthrough in Munster hurling for a side who had become well-versed in heartbreak. Ballygunner’s Stephen O’Keeffe and Eddie Hayden with Na Piarsaigh’s Adrian Breen. Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO Ballygunner have fallen short twice in the last three seasons, a core of … Continue reading "Champs at last! Ballygunner lift Munster crown with brilliant win over Na Piarsaigh"

St Thomas’ 2-13 Liam Mellows 0-10 Daragh Small reports from Pearse Stadium, Salthill FORMER GALWAY ALL-Ireland winner Conor Cooney scored the killer second goal and St Thomas’ returned to the summit of Galway hurling as they dethroned Liam Mellows at Pearse Stadium in Salthill. It was just a one-year absence for the 2013 All-Ireland champions … Continue reading "Cooney goal decisive as St Thomas’ reclaim their Galway hurling crown"

Ballyhale Shamrocks 6-21 Naomh Éanna 4-11  Ronan Fagan reports from Innovate Wexford Park  COLIN FENNELLY SHOWED himself to be the master executioner when blasting 4-4 to power Ballyhale Shamrocks through to their first Leinster Club SHC decider since 2014 at the expense of Wexford champions Naomh Éanna. But Ballyhale had to overcome an electrified opening by … Continue reading "Colin Fennelly scores sensational 4-4 to book Ballyhale’s place in Leinster SHC final"

Coleraine 2-10 Scotstown 1-14 Declan Bogue reports from Healy Park, Omagh IT HAD TO be Rory Beggan. With five minutes of injury time played, Scotstown got a chance they scarcely deserved after trailing for most of the game. A cross-field pass was played, and Donal Morgan was caught with a closed-fist tackle by Ciaran McGoldrick. … Continue reading "Rory Beggan kicks 65th-minute free to send Scotstown into Ulster SFC final"