JIM GAVIN CAN count on one hand the number of games where Dublin have performed well below their optimum level in championship football during his tenure. Dublin manager Jim Gavin during the drawn final. Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO After a bright start in the 2014 All-Ireland quarter-final, they were badly exposed at the back by Donegal … Continue reading "5 things Jim Gavin and Dublin learned in the drawn All-Ireland final"

FOUR-TIME ALL-Ireland winner Mike Quirke is on the verge of taking over the Laois senior football side after he was chosen as the preferred candidate to replace outgoing boss and fellow Kerry native John Sugrue.  Laois Today reports that Quirke, who is currently in charge of Kerry club side Kerins O’Rahillys, will be put forward for … Continue reading "Laois set to appoint four-time All-Ireland winning Kerryman as manager"

THE 1-16 KERRY put past Dublin in the drawn game would have been enough to beat them in the 2015 final and both the 2016 decider and replay. Stephen Cluxton saves a shot from Kerry’s Paul Murphy. Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO But when you consider Kerry played with an extra man for over 42 minutes and … Continue reading "The key area Kerry must target if they’re to take down the empire"

SPEAKING TO MEATH captain Máire O’Shaughnessy ahead of their Division 3 league final earlier this year, she was delighted to have her sister back by her side in the Royal set-up. Caitriona had been Stateside for some time, and her younger sister was more than pleased to have one of her nearest and dearest in … Continue reading "‘She’s still a huge part of the day and it’s great for the family’"

THE BUILD-UP to the All-Ireland football final replay has been muted this week given what’s at stake tomorrow night.  James McCarthy and Tommy Walsh shake shands after the game. Source: James Crombie/INPHO Both Dublin and Kerry opted not to hold a press night for the rematch – despite attempts from Croke Park’s top brass to … Continue reading "How the term ‘media mafia’ was coined ahead of the last All-Ireland final replay"

WE GO AGAIN. After a gripping spectacle two weeks ago, Jim Gavin’s Dublin will lock horns with Kerry again in the All-Ireland SFC final. History was put on hold in Croke Park that day when the Kingdom produced an impressive display to stop the Dubs from achieving the unprecedented five-in-a-row. There was plenty of drama … Continue reading "Poll: What’s your prediction for today’s All-Ireland football final replay?"

AS SOMEONE WHO soldiered side-by-side with Stephen Cluxton throughout the victorious All-Ireland campaign of 2013, Shane Supple is in a unique position to decode the enigma of the Dublin captain. Battling together and pushing one another on through training sessions and match-days en route to the Allianz National League, Leinster Championship and the Sam Maguire, … Continue reading "‘Stephen’s a good, noble character. It’s no surprise that he’s still playing at this level at nearly 38’"

“IT’S MAD,” LOUTH captain Kate Flood smiles at the All-Ireland ladies football finals media day in Croke Park. “You couldn’t really write it; the two of us meeting in America and then the two of us here today as captains and then the two of us going to Australia.” She nods over to her Fermanagh … Continue reading "The two soon-to-be AFLW stars going head-to-head to lift an All-Ireland crown"

AN EXAMPLE OF how far we’ve come to start off.  When Dr Katie Lydon suffered a devastating career-ending injury 13 years ago, she had no choice but to step away from her blossoming athletics career.  Anita O’Brien (team physiotherapist), Kate McDaid (team nutritionist), Dr. Katie Lydon (team doctor) and Dr. Caroline Whelan (Chief Operating Officer, … Continue reading "‘Three minds working for the wellness of a player is always better than one’: Inside Dublin’s three in-a-row bid"

1. Dublin confirm their greatness THEY GUARDED AGAINST the five-in-a-row hype all year but finally Jim Gavin and his players can speak openly about their remarkable achievement. Wexford, Kerry (twice) and Kilkenny have all tried and failed to string together five All-Ireland crowns in succession. Dublin celebrate their win. Source: James Crombie/INPHO Dublin went where … Continue reading "Dublin confirm their greatness, Kerry kick big chance away and potential retirements"