Football – Page 12

Electric Ireland MFC Semi-Final – Galway 2-9 Derry 1-11

25 June 2022/in Football, Uncategorised

They needed to withstand a driving finish from Derry but Galway held on to reach their fourth All-Ireland Minor Football Championship final in seven seasons after a thrilling finale in Donnycarney.

Goals in either half from Jack Lonergan and Colm Costello placed a sizeable down payment on victory and with Costello and Éanna Monaghan, their standout forwards, kicking 1-8 between them, Alan Glynn’s side built a 2-9 to 1-5 lead by the 50th minute.

The Oak Leaf County lost wing-forward Johnny McGuckian following a second yellow card offence in the 57th minute but summoned a stirring fightback to kick the closing six points before coming up just short.

The Tribesmen never trailed over the hour and made a perfect start when clever approach work from Tomás Farthing was followed by a superb finish from Lonergan for a fourth minute goal.

Four of the next five points also belonged to the Connacht runners-up with Costello (two), Monaghan and Shay McGlinchey all on target.

Derry’s sole reply came courtesy of top scorer Ciarán Chambers and their chances received a major double boost before the break. First, Eoin Higgins blasted past Kyle Gilmore for a 29th minute goal and then Galway lost McGlinchey to a black card.

Rather than act as a turning point, Galway were galvanised and stretched their lead from 1-4 to 1-1 at the break to 2-5 to 1-1 despite operating with 14 men. Their crucial second goal came when Cillian Trayers found Costello and the Dunmore MacHales forward cut in from the left flank before finishing in fine style.

The excellent Ruairí Forbes, Chambers and Higgins were all on target for Derry but with Monaghan kicking back-to-back scores, Galway remained in control and held a seven-point lead on 50 minutes.

It was a day when Galway defenders came up with several magnificent goal-saving interventions, Vinny Gill in the second half following what Trayers had brilliantly managed in the first.

Derry refused to go away, though, and a storming finish delivered points from McGuckian, sub Conor Downey, Cahir Spiers and three further Chambers efforts. ‘Keeper Ben O’Connor also joined their attack to good effect and despite losing McGuckian, the 2020 champions kept pouring forward.

It was backs to the wall in the closing stages from a Galway perspective but they held out with Antain Donnelly’s last-gasp attempt at an equaliser tailing just wide.

Scorers for Galway: Colm Costello 1-4 (2f), Éanna Monaghan 0-4, Jack Lonergan 1-0, Shay McGlinchey 0-1.

Scorers for Derry: Ciarán Chambers 0-6 (4f), Eoin Higgins 1-1 (1f), Ruairí Forbes, Johnny McGuckian, Cahair Spiers, Conor Downey 0-1 each.

Galway: Kyle Gilmore; Tomás Farthing, Ryan Flaherty, Vinny Gill; Mark Mannion, Cillian Trayers, Ross Coen; Jack Lonergan (joint-captain), Shay McGlinchey; Sean Dunne, Éanna Monaghan (joint-captain), Owen Morgan; Colm Costello, Fionn O’Connor, Stephen Curley.

Subs: Olan Kelly for Dunne (48), James Summerville for O’Connor (57), Charlie Cox for Curley (58), Adam Colleran for Flaherty (60), Padraic McNeela for Coen (60+2).

Derry: Ben O’Connor; Fionn McEldowney, Eoin Scullion, Danny McDermott; James Murray, Odhran Crozier, Shea Birt; Dara McPeake, Ruairi Forbes (captain); Johnny McGuckian, Conal Higgins, Cahir Spiers; Eoin Higgins, Ciarán Chambers, Odhran Murphy.

Subs: Conor Downey for Conal Higgins (39), Antain Donnelly for Scullion (41), Dara McGurk for Birt (52), Joe Dillon for Murphy (53).

Referee: Seán Laverty (Antrim).

By Billy Coss at Parnell Park

Galway v Armagh All Ireland Senior Football QF – Ticket Details

21 June 2022/in Football, Uncategorised

All the latest details for the upcoming Quarter Final v Armagh

It is expected to be a sell out so don’t delay in purchasing

Ticketmaster link is here

Galway v Derry All Ireland Minor Football SF

20 June 2022/in Football, Uncategorised

Match Tickets on sale, click here

2022 GAA Football All-Ireland Series launched

1 June 2022/in Football, Uncategorised

Michael McKernan of All-Ireland Champions Tyrone and Ard Stiúrthóir of the GAA Tom Ryan with the Sam Maguire Cup and footballers, from left, Niall Scully of Dublin, Christopher McKaigue of Derry, Shane Walsh of Galway and Paudie Clifford of Kerry during the launch of the GAA Football All Ireland Senior Championship Series in Dublin.

Following the completion of the four provincial football championships last weekend, representatives of defending All-Ireland champions Tyrone and the four 2022 provincial champions Kerry, Dublin, Galway and Derry were in Croke Park as the race for the Sam Maguire hots up in the weeks ahead.

In attendance were Michael McKernan (Tyrone), Paudie Clifford (Kerry), Niall Scully (Dublin), Shane Walsh (Galway) and Chrissy McKaigue (Derry).

Next weekend sees the first round of the qualifiers. Holders Tyrone must travel to take on their Ulster rivals Armagh, Cork host Louth, Monaghan travel to Mayo and Clare host Meath in four eagerly awaited ties involving teams eager for their shot at qualifier redemption.

The second round is scheduled for the following weekend and the quarter-finals will take place on the weekend of June 25/26.

In keeping with recent seasons, the two semi-finals will take place on back-to-back days at Croke Park on the weekend of July 9/10 with the Tailteann Cup final also scheduled for Saturday July 9.

The quarter-finals will be an open draw subject to avoidance of repeat pairings. This year’s semi-final draw pairs Connacht with Ulster and Leinster with Munster – or the teams that beat the provincial champions at the quarter-final stage.

GAA Director General Tom Ryan said: “2022 has already been an exciting year for Gaelic football and by extension the GAA with exciting provincial championships.

“Similarly, the inaugural Tailteann Cup is underway and has already provided counties with competitive games against teams of a similar standard on a pathway to Croke Park and a possible route back into the Sam Maguire championship next year.

“Tyrone’s run to the All-Ireland title last year captivated us all and they are the team to topple this year.

“I wish all of our players enjoyment and success in the weeks ahead – not least those here with us today – and I especially hope that our members and supporters look forward to returning in even larger numbers this year for the concluding stages of our championships.

“I wish to thank our sponsors in Supervalu, Eir and AIB for their support and for helping us to promote a competition which holds an iconic place in Irish sport, and I look forward to the colour and excitement that will build in the weeks to come.”

GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship

Remaining fixtures

June 4/5

GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round One

*June 11/12 *

GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round Two

*June 25/26 *

GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Quarter-finals

*July 9/10 *

GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi-finals – Croke Park

*July 24 *

GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Final – Croke Park

Connacht Minor Football Final: Galway v Mayo

31 May 2022/in Football, Uncategorised

Match Tickets are on Sale click here

Connacht SFC Final: Impressive Galway triumph

30 May 2022/in Football, Uncategorised

Connacht Senior Football Championship Final

Galway 2-19 Roscommon 2-16

By Cian O’Connell at Pearse Stadium

This was an utterly satisfying afternoon in Salthill for Galway.

Roscommon brought hope, expectation, and a significant support Corribside, but Galway were convincing winners.

There was plenty to enthuse about Galway’s performance.

John Daly’s shrewd defensive display and the attacking punch provided by Shane Walsh, Damien Comer, and Rob Finnerty ensured Padraic Joyce’s impressive Galway returned to the western summit.

A couple of late Roscommon goals narrowed the gap, but this day belonged to a promising maroon and white team.

Roscommon weren’t efficient enough in the opening period as Galway eventually went in 2-7 to 0-8 ahead at the interval.

That was chiefly due to two goals – a flash of Shane Walsh class and smooth opportunism from Patrick Kelly.

It was a lively encounter from the outset, but Galway made a crucial burst midway through the half yielding 1-3 without reply.

By that stage Ros led 0-4 to 0-3 before Cillian McDaid poked over a delightful equalising point.

Then the influential Damien Comer, Rob Finnerty, and Johnny Heaney were involved crafting an 18th minute chance for Walsh, who illustrated his ability with a splendid goal.

Further points from Kieran Molloy and Finnerty followed as Galway edged 1-6 to 0-4 in front.

As the interval approached and with Molloy black carded for a foul on Ciaráin Murtagh, Galway still managed to net a second major in the 34th minute.

Finnerty’s initial attempt struck the post and Kelly, a renowned goalscorer for Mountbellew-Moylough, pounced to blast a tonic second goal that moved Galway 2-7 to 0-7 clear.

Ultan Harney, who was industrious throughout, replied with a point for Roscommon, but Galway still departed armed with a five point cushion at the turnaround.

Early efforts from Heaney and Comer, who won a turnover deep in his own half, before adding the grace note with a 39th minute point.

Another Galway burst when Comer, Finnerty, and Walsh raised white flags put the locals 2-15 to 0-12 ahead with 15 minutes remaining.

Despite being under duress Roscommon did stay defiant with Conor Daly palming a 63rd minute goal.

Substitute Diarmuid Murtagh added a second goal in the seventh minute of stoppage time, but by then sufficient Galwegian damage had been inflicted.

Scorers for Galway: Shane Walsh 1-6 (1f, 245s), Rob Finnerty 0-5, Patrick Kelly 1-0, Damien Comer 0-3, Johnny Heaney 0-2, Kieran Molloy, Cillian McDaid, and Paul Conroy 0-1 each.

Scorers for Roscommon: Conor Cox 0-5 (3fs), Conor Daly and Diarmuid Murtagh (1f) 1-1 each, Ultan Harney 0-3, Donie Smith 0-2 (1f), Ciaráin Murtagh, Cian McKeon, Cathal Heneghan, and Enda Smith 0-1 each.

Galway: Connor Gleeson; Liam Silke, Seán Kelly, Jack Glynn; Dylan McHugh, John Daly, Cillian McDaid; Paul Conroy, Matthew Tierney; Kieran Molloy, Patrick Kelly, Johnny Heaney; Rob Finnerty, Damien Comer, Shane Walsh.

Roscommon: Colm Lavin; David Murray, Brian Stack, Conor Daly; Conor Hussey, Niall Daly, Ronan Daly; Ultan Harney, Eddie Nolan; Ciaráin Murtagh, Enda Smith, Cathal Heneghan; Cian McKeon, Donie Smith, Conor Cox.

Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan).