A summers evening in 2004 was a  very historic day in the history of Westmeath GAA.Westmeath never won anything at senior level prior to 2004. They did win the 1995 minor All Ireland and the u21 All Ireland in 1999.

Westmeath went threw tough and difficult times for players, supporters and management threw bad loosing streaks and getting hammering’s from teams.

The late Páidí Ó Sé then joined Westmeath along with Tomas O Flatharta. This was a turning point for football in Westmeath.They started managing Westmeath in October 2003. Just one week after Paidi was sacked as Kerry Boss.

The whole county got a lift when they came on board there was a sense of hope and excitement threw out the county. They didn’t get off to the best of starts unfortunately Westmeath only won one league match that year but it was enough to stop them getting relegated                 

The Leinster Championship

Westmeath V Dublin –  Quarter final 6th  June 2004

Westmeath put on a great display against Dubin with multiple scores from Dolan , David Mitchell, Dennis Glennon and sub Joe Fallon. Garry Connaughton saved Jason Sherlocks shot a goal to secure Westmeath the win.

Westmeath V wexford  – semi final  27th  June 2004

Only wexford stood in the way of Westmeath’s first Leinster final since 1949.The score at half time was Westmeath 0-09 Wexford 4 points. But Wexford fought back with goals from Dolan and Shane Colleary to help them reach the final.

Westmeath V Laois – 18th July 2004

Reigning Leinster champions laois were Westmeath’s oppositions in the final. They were managed by O SE former manager Mick O Dwyer. Westmeath trailed in the first 20 minutes but Westmeath made a come back when Dennis Glennon scored five points from play and the teams were level at half time. Athlone’s Joe Fallon came off the bench and put Westmeath two points clear with 15 minutes to go but laois captain Chris Conway kicked the equalising scores to secure the draw.

Westmeath V Laois  –  Replay 24th July 2004

Westmeath were even slower out of the blocks in the replay .They didn’t score until the 24th minute when Alan Mangan kicked a point from play. Westmeath managed to be up by two points at half time. Westmeath then lead with 20 minutes to go the score Westmeath 0-12 Laois 0-6.Westmeath failed to score again. Laois crawled there way back into the game. It looked liked Laois were in for a goal but Kevin Fitzpatrick missed a goal opportunity in the 71 minute to level the game.

It was a special day for Westmeath GAA after years of disappointment they won the Leinster senior championship by 1 point.Westmeath went on to lose the All Ireland quarter final to derry by 2 points in 2004.

I  was only 7  when Westmeath won the  Leinster championship in 2004 and I was at every Westmeath league and championship match that year. I still  remember running onto the pitch when the final whistle blew. Croke park was swarmed by a sea of maroon. People were taking snips of grass from the pitch to bring home!  The whole county erupted.The  crowds that gathered in Mullingar that evening was huge  it was if as Westmeath won the All Ireland.

Westmeath footballers Rory O’Connell, John Keane, Gary Connaughton and Dessie Dolan all won All Stars in 200.

Westmeath Recent years

Westmeath V Meath  –  semi final 2015

Westmeath played Meath in the Leinster  semi final in Croke park. Westmeath produced a stunning second half display to record their first ever win over Meath. Meath were up by 8 points at half time 2-12 to 1-07. But Westmeath rallied back and out scored meath by 2-08 to a single point in the closing 20 minutes. John Heslin and Kieran Martin getting goals for Westmeath.

Westmeath V Dublin –  Leinster final 2015

There was great excitement once again in Westmeath. there first Leinster final since the famous 2004 final. A group was make on Facebook to turn the hill Maroon for the final it had 1979 members. On the day of the final i was on Hill 16 with Westmeath supporters in the middle of the dubs. The atmosphere was brilliant and the dubs were great craic. Unfortunately Westmeath lost the final score being Dublin 2-13  Westmeath 0-06.

2016

Westmeath V Dublin  Leinster final 2016

Once again Westmeath faced Dublin for the second year in a row in the Leinster final. Westmeath once again fought hard but the Dublin side were to strong. The final score Dublin 2-19  Westmeath 0-10. This was Westmeath’s 6th Leinster titles in a row.

Ladies GAA football League round 5 

In this post I will talk about round the lidl national football league round 5 results.These matches were held on the Saturday 18th and Sunday the  19th March.

Cork V Monaghan 

On Saturday the 18th March Cork played Monaghan in Clones. It was revealed that Corks 11 time All Ireland senior medalist Deirdre O Reilly was retiring form inter county. Cork still managed to come from behind to win over host Monaghan, when Monaghans Racheal Mc Kenna  got sin binned and this was a turning point in the match. The game ended Monaghan 1-12  Cork 2-14.

Here are the other results from the league from Saturday the 18th March.There was Impressive  wins from Clare,Sligo and Tipperary.

18th March

Lidl NFL Division 1 ( Round 5)

Monaghan 1-12    Cork 2-14    played in St Tiarnachs 3pm

Lidl NFL Division 2 (Round 5)

Clare 3-17   Tyrone 2-10          Played in Kilmihil 3pm

Kildare 1-10  Sligo 4-15            Played in st Conleth park

Lidl NFL Division 3 (Round 5)

Down 2-9   Limerick 2-6         Played  in Pairc Ester Newry 5pm

Offaly 0-7    Tipperary 5-7      Played in Ballycumber 3pm

Leitrim 3-6   Roscommon 3-10  Played in Balinamore 2pm

19th March

Lidl NFL league round 5 

Kerry V Galway  Division 1 

Galway took on Kerry in division 1 of the league in round five on the 19th March in Corofin in Co.Galway. Galway’s Tracy Lenard came back from cruciate knee ligamnet damaged as Galway and cork are joint at the top of division one of the Lidl Ladies national league.

Galway’s forwards were in great form, two goals from Rosisin lenard and one goal from Ailbhe Davoren helped Galway see off Kerry.

The score at half time was Galway 1-04 to 0-5 for Kerry.The start the   tribeswomen wanted. But Kerry were never going to make things easy.Louise NI Mhuircheartigh got a goal in the 34th minute to leave the score 1-07 to 1-04 for the kingdom. Galway quickly bounced back when Lenard and Davoren got quick goals while Kerry’s Denise Halissey got sin- binned.

Galway must have been delighted with the win and there performance. This making 4/5 league wins for the Galway side.

Dublin V Armagh  Division 1

Armaghs Aimee Mackin had a brilliant  game scoring 1-09 for play for the Orchard County. Dublin weren’t playing like themselves in the first half but came to life in the second but it was to late.

Dublin got goals in the second half from Carla Rowe and Lyndsey Davey but Sarah Mc Cafferys goal was disallowed as the home side had 16 players on the pitch. Armaghs first goal was in the sixth minute.They got there second late into the second half when Lauren Mc Conville was on target.The visitor six points clear until Rowe’s goal.Armagh quickly responded with Aimee mackin getting Armaghs third goal of the day before she added another point. There were outstanding performances from Armaghs Caroline O Hanlon mid- field and Aimee mackin. The final score Armagh 3-12 Dublin 3-5. A seven point win for the orchard County.

Below are all the results from the Sunday the 19th March Round 5 of the lidl league.

Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1

Dublin 3-5 Armagh 3-12
Galway 3-6 Kerry 1-10

Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 2
Cavan 2-7 Waterford 0-12
Laois 1-9 Westmeath 0-14

Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 3
Wexford 3-13 Meath 0-14

Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 4
Fermanagh 2-5 Longford 3-15
Wicklow 3-19 Louth 1-7
Antrim 1-9 Carlow 2-8
Kilkenny 2-4 Derry 3-11

Influential GAA Players

In this post I will talk about some influential GAA players that play gaelic football.

 Sean Cavanagh

Sean Cavanagh was born on the 16^th February 1983. He plays Gaelic football for his club Moy and county Tyrone. He is a five time all-star winner. He won his first all Ireland championship with Tyrone at minor level and three at senior level. He captained Ireland in the international rules series in 2008, which they won, and he is the current captain of Tyrone.

He made his senior debut in 2002 against neighbors and rivals Armagh, which he scored a late goal in. He was also a member of the squad that won Tyrone’s first ever-national league title. Since 2002 he has become a driving force in the Tyrone team. He has played over 200 competitive games for his county. His brother Colm is also playing on the Tyrone senior team. Cavanagh has confirmed that he will commit to Tyrone for the 2017 season. This will be his 16^th season with his county.

Michael Murphy

Michael Murphy was born on the 4^th August 1989. He plays Gaelic football for his club Glenswilly and county Donegal. Murphy has captained Donegal senior team since 2011. He has been targeted by many AFL teams since 2007 but has declined all offers. But he has played for the Irish team in the international rules series and captained Ireland in 2013 and 2014.Murphy was named young football of the year in 2009 after a sensational season averaging 6 points per game.

Murphy led Donegal to Consecutive ulster senior football championships and he was the first Donegal captain to do so. He lead Donegal to the all Ireland final in 2012 which they won beating mayo He has 3 ulster titles, 1 All Ireland and 2 All stars. It was only Donegal’s second time to win the all Ireland the last time being 1992. He took part in the 2017 series of the toughest trade where he swapped places with professional rugby player Shane Williams.

Colm ‘The Gooch’ Cooper

 Born 3^rd June 1983. Colm cooper is a Gaelic footballer with his club Dr cokes and county Kerry. He was called up to the Kerry senior team in 2002 after a brilliant performance in the league. The Gooch has had huge success with his county 7 Munster titles, 5 all Irelands 4 national leagues and 8 all stars. The only medal he is missing is the club all Ireland medal. His club Dr crokes made the final in 2007, which they drew against Crossmaglen but they lost the reply. In February 2014 cooper suffered a cruciate ligament rupture in the club all Irelands semi finals, putting him out of action for a year. This year Dr cokes beat Corofin of Galway to reach this years final on St. Patrick’s Day in Coke Park. They will face Slaughneil from Derry. Dr crokes last won the club senior all Ireland in 1992 when copper was the team mascot.

 Stephen Cluxton

 Born on the 17^th December 1981. He made his senior debut in 2001. He is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of the gaa. He plays his club football with Parnell’s where he is a wingback. Cluxton has been Dublin’s first choice goalkeeper since 2001 and he has four all Ireland medals. He has been captain for the last three victories. He also has 12 Leinster medals, 4 national leagues medals and 5 all stars.

Niall Mc namee

 He was born on the 21^st October 1985. He plays football with his club Rhode and county Offaly. He has little success with Offaly but he is one of the best forwards in the country. He took part in thee 2014 international rules series.He has had great success with his club Rhode. They have won Offaly senior football championships in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016. He also won Offaly senior player of the year. He won the Dublin senior championship in 2006 with UCD.He has also admitted to having a severe gambling addiction. He now gives talks about his experience.

Dessie Dolan

 He played for Westmeath and club Garrycastle. Dessie is known as Westmeath’s greatest footballer. He won all Irelands with Westmeath at u21 in 1992. In 2004 Westmeath won the leinster championship beating laois managed by Padi O’ Shea.

In the summer of 2014 he announced his retirement. Dessie has had success with his club Garrycastle winning Westmeath senior championship in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2014. They were also Leinster champions in 2011. They reached the All Ireland final, which they drew on ST. Patrick’s day but lost the replay to crossmaglen.

Dessie received an all star in 2004 along side fellow Westmeath footballer John keane. He is currently a pundit on the Sunday game.

Bernard Brogan

Born on the 3^rd April 1984. He is a footballer with the Dublin senior team and his club ST. Oliver Plunkets.

From a famous gaa family. Brogan is the son of former all Ireland winning and all star player Bernard senior and his brothers Alan and Paul both played with the Dublin senior team. In 2011 brogan won his first all Ireland with Dublin there first all Ireland since 1995. He has 10 leinster medals, 4 all Ireland s and 4 all stars.

Cora Staunton

 Cora Staunton is a Gaelic footballer with her club Carnacon and county Mayo. She has won 4 all Ireland and 3 national leagues with Mayo. She also have 10 all-star awards. She made her senior debut in 1995 at the age of 13. She has also won 5 all Irelands ladies club championships with cornacon. She is still playing football with mayo senior ladies.

Juliet murphy

 She plays football with her club Donoughmore and started playing inter county in 1995. She captained cork to All Ireland finals in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Her greatest achievement was coming out of retirement in 2013 when she helped cork win the All Ireland beating Dublin. She has 10 Munster titles, 8 all Irelands, 9 national league medals and 6 all stars. She also has had success with her club donoughmore winning 5 Munster titles, two all Irelands and 11 cork titles.

International rules football Australia v Ireland

The International rules series is a senior men’s international rules football competition between the Australia international rules football team this team is selected by the Australian football league and the Irish international rules team, selected by the GAA. The series is played in October or November after the AFL final and the All Ireland final which both are played in September. The matches are played using a set of rules decided by both the AFL and the GAA know as the international rules. Although the international rules has rules from the AFL, the ball used and jerseys worn are both from the GAA. The series alternates host countries each year the series is played between Australia and Ireland.

 In 1967 the Australian Rules football squad visited Ireland for the first time ever. The Australian side played against meath on the 29^th of October in Croke Park attracting a large crowd. Meath then visited Australia in March 1968.One year later Australia returned to Ireland. They played Kerry, which ended in a draw; they then played all Ireland champions Down who they bet. Kerry then travelled to Australia for matches. Australia returned again in 1978 for a three match series.

 In 1984 the first ever test series took place between the two countries with matches at pair cui chaoimh and Croke park. Ireland made their first visit to Australia in 1986 with matches in Perth, Melbourne and Adelaide. It wasn’t until 1998 that the series became an annual event with 2006 marking the ninth successive year of competitions. Ireland won the test in 2008 while the following test series in 2010saw the Aussies win. Ireland recorded their highest scoring victories in test history between the years 2010 and 2011. However a very strong Australian side beat Ireland in 2014 in front of a sold out crowd in Paterson stadium in Perth.

Ireland won the last test series in 2015 to reclaim the Cormac Mc Anallen Cup with a narrow four-point victory over the strong Aussie side. The final score 56-52. This series was held in Croke Park. The next series was supposed to take place in 2016 but the series never went a head in 2016.

 The president of the gaa said ‘ It wasn’t possible to organize a two game series in Australia in 2016. We have decided to take a long –term view of the series and press pause for 2016 – Aogan O Fearghail.

 The gaa did announce a two game series in Australia for 2017.They will also have an exhibition match series in the USA but no dates have been announced yet.

Rules of the game

 Goalkeepers must kick the ball out beyond the forty-five meter line after wides, behinds and overs. Failure to do so will result in a free kick to the opposition from the forty-five meter line.

 The number of consecutive hand passes allowed is now 6 instead of 4.

 Interchanges have been increased to 15 per quarter (60 for match) with an unlimited number allowed at the quarter half and 3^rd quarter time intervals.

Dual Gaa Stars

There is only a small number of dual players   on the Inter – County seen. The dual players  are  still alive and well at club level for example Gary Brennan  on the Slaughtneil team. Where as  only a few are left at county level in this post I will talk about Dual Gaa Stars.

 Briege corkery – Cork

Born  on the 16^th December 1986. She is a camogie player for cork senior ladies camogie team as well as the football team. She is the winner of six All Ireland senior camogie medals and eleven All Ireland senior football medals. She has won six camogie all stars awards and ten ladies football all stars. She was named national female sports person of the year in 2005. She shares the titles as the most successful Gaa player in history with  Rena Buckley with 17 All Ireland medals each.

 Rena Buckley – Cork

Rena Buckley was born in cork in 1987. She is a camogie player for cork senior team players as well as the football team. She plays mid-field or half back. She has eleven All Ireland football medals as well as six camogie All Ireland medals. She has nine all star awards .She plays football and camogie for her club Inniscarra. Inniscara won the county final in 2016 after beating All Ireland champions Milford in the final.

Podge Collins – Clare

Padraic (podge) Collins played both hurling and football for Clare. He started on the inter county scene at the age of eighteen when he played on the Clare minor teams and then went on to play for the u21 teams. He made his senior debut with the seniors in 2012. He now plays a key role for Clare and has one All Ireland medal with Clare hurlers from 2013.

At the end of 2014 collins and his brother announced that they would only be playing football for the 2015 season. He ended up missing the 2015 season due to a cruciate injury. In 2016 he played with the hurlers and footballers .He recently announced that he would only commit to Clare hurlers only in 2017. Collins father Colm is the county football manager and supports his decision.

Steven O’Brien – Tipperary

Born the 22^nd December 1994. He plays hurling and football for Tipperary. He started as part of the minor football panel in 2011 and 2012. In 2011 he won Munster and all Ireland medals. He played u21 and senior football for Tipperary in 2013, making his senior debut in mid-field versus Galway in June of 2013. He also won Munster and all Ireland minor hurling medal with Tipperary in 2012. In 2014 he was on the u21 hurling team and he made his senior competitive debut with the Tipperary hurlers in 2014.

Aidan Walsh – Cork

He first joined the inter county seen in 2007 as a dual minor. He won a munster medal with the footballers that year when they bet Kerry. He then joined the u21 in hurling and football. He made his senior debut with the cork footballers in 2009 and joined the senior hurlers in 2014.

He has won one All Ireland medal with cork footballers in 2009 and two munster medals and two national league medals in football as well as one munster medal in hurling . He has several championship medal with his club Kanturk. He made two international rules apperances and he was vice captain of the team.

Gaa Clubs around the world

The Gaa is growing and thriving around the world. There is a huge sense of community within the gaa. It isn’t all about winning its about taking part and getting to know new people this is what makes the Gaa special. Irish emigrants took Hurling and football with them and this has resulted in Gaa clubs around the world. These clubs compete in Gaelic football, hurling, camogie and ladies football. Irish expats or people who just feel in love with the Gaa started forming clubs.

There are 439 Gaa clubs outside of Ireland and this is constantly growing, North America has 130 clubs with 40 in New York alone. The UK has 83, Europe 71 and Australasia has 64 and Canada 19.

The biggest growth in recent years has been in Asia. It now has 22 clubs and the Middle East is also growing and has 10clubs at present.

European clubs

 Madrid Harps Gaa

Madrid harps was founded in 2003, it is the only Gaelic football and hurling club in the Spanish capital. It has more than 200 members.

Belgium gaa

Belgium gaa has more than 100 members. It is also one of the largest Gaelic football clubs in Europe. The club is called Moniker. They participate in ladies gaa, camogie, men’s football and hurling. They also were the 2016 European camogie, ladies football and hurling champions.

Paris Gaels

Paris Gaels was founded in 1995 and it was the first club in continental Europe to be affiliated with the Gaa. They promote ladies and men’s Gaelic football as well as hurling and camogie.

Clubs in the Middle East

Abu Dhabi – Na Fianna

It is one of the largest and oldest in the gulf. It was founded in 1995. There are more than 500 playing members. The club has 17 adult teams and multiple kids’ teams.

Dubai Celts Gaa club

Paul Mc Cabe and a group of Gaa Enthusiasts founded the club in 1995.It is the largest club in the Middle East and the most successful in the Asian Region. They have had success with their men’s A and B teams as well as their ladies team winning the regional tournaments over the past few years. They have couching for juvenile players on Saturdays teaching them the skills and rules of the games.

Asian GAA

The Viet Celts is the first ever Vietnam based Gaelic football team. It started in 2007 and is based in Hanoi. It recently hosted the inaugural Asian youth championship in Gaelic football. Other Asian Gaa clubs include Bangkok Thai Gaa, Taiwan Celts, Seoul Gaels and Beijing Gaa.

GAA USA

 Chicago wolf tones

Chicago wolf tones Gaelic football club was a founded in 1957 and first took to the field in summer 1958. It is one of the most successful clubs in North America. With 21 senior Chicago titles and 13 North American championships.

Manhattan Gaels

Manhattan Gaels was formed in 2012. The club is thriving off the enthusiasm of the young Irish and Irish Americans based around Manhattan. They have ladies and men Gaelic football as well as hurling and camogie.

Australasia gaa

Michael Cusack Gaa club Sydney

Michael Cusack is one of the largest Gaa clubs in Australia. Seamus Clancy, Kevin Malone, Aidan mc Dermott, john petty, David fahy, Noel canavan and Eddie mc grath Maloney founded it on the 30th janurary 1988.It has men’s senior and junior football and hurling as well as ladies football and camogie.

Queensland Gaelic football and hurling

The club was founded in the 1960’s and was very fast growing and still is. It offers children’s teams to tea them about Gaelic football and hurling. The gaa season kicks off around St. Patrick’s Day and continues on until the end of September. They have their match’s in Willawong Park.

Gaa world games

 There were over 60 teams from 20 countries competing in the Etihad Airways GAA World Games. Across 8 different competitions in Hurling, Football, Camoige and Ladies Football. Over 25 of the teams are non-Irish teams which highlights the huge development that has gone on around the World in Gaelic Games. Teams travelled from as far as australia , south africa, argentina , china , canada , the middle east , asia and europe to take apart.

The took place place in UCD on the 9^th of August. The finals were held in Croke Park on the Friday, with 8 finals throughout the the day. In total there was over 300 matches played over the course of the Etihad Airways GAA World Games. 

Irish Aussie rules Players

 What is Aussie rules? Aussie rules also known, as Australian football is a contact sport played between two teams of eighteen players on an oval –shaped field. The ball they play with is similar to a rugby ball.

It is Australia’s biggest sport played by 18 teams in the AFL. Each team consists of 18 players on the field and 4 on the bench. There are four quarters at 20 minutes each time can also be added on for injury time.

The game starts with a center bounce of the ball. The object of the game is to go down the field ad score. You can move the ball by running with it but you have to bounce it every 6 yards, fist it forward like a hand pass, and the most common kicking it. When you are going to catch a high ball you can jump on your opponent and use them as a springboard.

Once in a scoring position you have to kick the ball between the two large upright post this is a goal and worth 6 points. If you hit the post or send it between the big post and lower post it is worth 1 point.

The AFL is more physical than  Gaelic football the tackles can be rough but you have to tackle them between the shoulders and the knees.

The AFL plays 22 regular season games,  The top 8 teams make the play off and then the two teams remaining play in the final in Melbourne cricket stadium on front of 90,000 people.

There are 18 teams in the AFL, Adelaide football club, Brisbane lions, Carlton football club, Collingwood Football club, Essendon football club, fremantle football club, Geelong Football club, Gold Coast football club, Greater Western Sydney Giants, Hawthorn Football club, Melbourne Football club, North Melbourne football club, Port Adelaide football club, Richmond Football club, St Kilda Football club, Sydney Swans, West coast eagles and Western bulldogs.

Below are jerseys from a few of the AFL teams !

 Irish Aussie rules players

 Zach Tuohy  – Carlton Blues

Tuohy is 27 years old and is from Portlaois where he played for his home club portlaois and county laois in Gaelic football. He won a Leinster medal with his county when he was playing minor football n 2007.

He is now a professional footballer with Geelong football club. He previously played for the Carlton football club 2010 to 2016.

He has played a total of 120 AFL games so far.

Pearse Hanley – Gold Coast

Hanley is from mayo and made his senior debut in 2007 against cavan.

Hanley is one of the most successful Irish players in the AFL he has 121 games. He signed for Brisbane lion in 2007 and was put on the rookie list he made rapid progress within the club. He became a huge part of the team as a damaging rebound defender. He was vice captain of the Brisbane lions, which he played for from 2008 to 2016 he; now play for the Gold Cost.

Ciaran Sheehan – Carlton

He was born on the 19 November 1990 and is from cork. Sheehan played Gaelic football and hurling with his local club Eire og , and was a member of the cork senior panel from 2010 -2013 .In November 2013 he signed a contract with the all for Carlton Football club. He has been struggling with injury in recent times. He played twice for Ireland in the international rules series he was awarded player of the series in 2013 for his efforts in the Irish victory .

Colin O Riordan –Sydney Swans

Colin O Riordan a Tipperary navtive played both hurling and football for his county. In 2015 he signed as an international rookie contract for the Sydney swans. In his first year of the NFL he was named in the NEAFL team of the year for his sweeping role across halfback.

He was out of action for a while after he sustained a broken bone in his back but he will be back for pre season in March 2017.

Ray Connellan – St.Kilda

Ray connellan is 22 years old and is an Athlone native. He played for his home club and Athlone and county Westmeath. He attended the Irish combine I Dublin and the AFL combine in Florida. He was impressive and he is now a rookie in the AFL St. Kilda football club. Connellan was a huge loss to the Westmeath team.

Cork Ladies Football

 Cork Ladies football has been an unstoppable force in recent years. They have won 11 All Ireland’s in the past 12 years the only year they didn’t win being 2010, when Dublin beat Tyrone to win there first all Ireland final.

Cork haven’t been hammering teams as we have seen in hurling like Killkenny, cork have won four All – Ireland final’s by one point and have won two finals by two points. They work hard collectively as a team and you can see this when you watch them play. There is great team sprit and belief and hunger to win in the panel still after all these year. They also have ten national league titles.

Cork weren’t always a strong dominating team. Kerry, Waterford and tipperary were winning the Munster chmpionship, and cork were taking huge defeats from these teams. Eamon Ryan the manger was a huge driving force with cork ladies football he had belief in the team and  he was manager of cork ladies from 2004 to 2016. People taught once he left the team would crumble but they were proven wrong when cork won the all Ireland in 2016 under there new manager Ephie Fitzgerald. Eamon Fitzgerald now trains the Cork men gaa team.

 Cork ladies have some exceptional players over the years like Brid stack, Briege Corkery, Juliet Murphy and Rena Buckley to name a few.

Rena Buckley and Briege corkley are dual player  both  playing camogie and football for cork and have a total of 17 all Ireland medal each. Juliet Murphy has 8 All Irelands and 6 all stars and played for cork from 1995- 2013 never missed a game ever for her county. Valerie malcahy has 10 all Ireland medals and retired from inter county in 2016.

 Corks Major  Comeback 2014 

One of corks biggest victories and the biggest football come back in the history off the gaa , was when cork  beat Dublin in the 2014  All Ireland final. After coming back from 10 points down. I was at the match that days and it was the most exciting and nerve-racking match I was ever at.

Dublin was in control in the first half cork kicking a lot of wide’s and Dublin lead at half time 1-7 to 0-4. I couldn’t beloved cork were losing wont, I have always been a fan of the cork ladies football team and followed there matches and I liked there style of play. The most exciting part of the match was with 20 minutes to go cork started to fight back they trailed by 0-6 to 2-10 Dublin were on there way to their second all Ireland.

Cork made changes and goals from subs Rhona Ni bhuchalla and Eimear scaly crawled cork back into the game. Seven minutes remaining it was 2-11 a piece. Dublin’s Siobhan woods got a point to put Dublin in the lead but it wasn’t for long as Ciara o Sullivan equalized seconds later and then Geraldine O Flynn kicked a brilliant point for cork to win. Corks epic comeback allowed them to win there 4^th straight all Ireland.

College Gaa Results

There was a major shock in the college gaa results this week. UCD played St. Mary’s of Belfast battled hard against the Dublin side and came out victorious.

St Mary’s have been remarkable in the lead up to the final so far they beat UCC in the semi final after a great come back.

UCD got a great start to the match with only seconds played Colm Basquel stormed through St. Mary’s defense and got a goal. In the space of a few seconds colm Basquel was in for his second goal. The St. Mary’s heads dropped what a start by UCD. It wasn’t the start the Belfast team wanted. Then St. Mary’s full back Aaron mc Kay picked up a yellow card.

St Mary’s final got on the score sheet in the 9^th minute when Oisin O Neil kicked it between the posts. St Mary’s began to settle and find there feet. St Mary’s then got a few more points from play and looked to be in more control.

Oisin O’Neill’s kicked a long range free to put St. Mary’s in the lead 0-7 to 2-0.

UCD and Dublin player Jack mc Caffrey picked up a yellow card. UCD were struggling a bit they hadn’t scored in 20 minutes. Two additional minutes were played in the first half and it looked like UCD were in for another goal but ended up with a point instead. The half time score ST Mary’s 0-9  UCD 2-1.

UCD were playing with the wind in the second half. Liam Cooney was fouled and the free was taken by Paul mannion but was kicked wide. UCD weren’t taking their opportunities and they kicked 7 wide’s so far. UCD then swapped free takers Barry Mc Ginn now taking the free but it didn’t make any difference he put another free wide.

With 40 minutes played there was only 1 point in it’s Mary’s were lucky not to conced another goal but St. Mary’s smothered the ball and cleared it away from danger. UCD went on to kick more wide’s as St. Mary’s kept tapping then between the posts. There were a few questionable calls from the referee as Michael Fitzsimons and Paul Mannion saw yellow cards. 4 additional minutes were added to the second half St. Mary’s lead by 2. UCD looked as it they could still be in with a chance when Conor mc Carthey kicked a superb free from 50 meters out and nailed it over the bar. St Mary’s held out and were Sigerson cup Champions.

The full time score St Mary’s 0-13 UCD 2-6

It was St. Mary’s first time to make the final in 24 years and first time to win in 28 years.

UCD are the most successful team in the competition winning 34 times. They will be disappointed with their performance a lot of chances wasted.

Instead the Sigerson cup is heading back to St. Mary’s a university with just 850 students for the second time ever.

Allianz Hurling League 2017 round 2 

Round  2

In Division 1 A this week Waterford played Tipperary, Clare played Killkenny and Cork played Dublin.

In division 1B Loais played Offaly and Galway took on Wexford.

Waterford V Tipperary

Waterford had a home advantage the match was played in Walsh Park in Waterford on Sunday the 19^th of February; there was a huge build up to this match after the Munster final last year.

Waterford’s Pauric Mahony struck a long distance free over the bar to get his side first on the scoring sheet. The teams were tied numerous times in the first half. There was very little between the teams. The first half ended tipparary 11 points Waterford 10 points .

John bubbles Dwyer came on wearing the number 24 jersey.

Tippareys Steven Obrien makes a run for the goals but was pulled down by Tadhg De Burca, Bubbles took the penalty but it was brilliantly saved.

Tipperary made up for it after John mc Grath tapped in for a goal after His brothers Noels shot was saved.

Waterford tried to there best to get a goal but the Tipperary defense smothered them. Tipperary dominated mid filed in the second half. The full time score was Waterford 0-15 Tipperary 1-18. A 6 point win for tipparey and another 2 points for the all Ireland champions. Tipp will now play Clare in 2 weeks time. John mc Grath had a brilliant game scoring 1-06 definitely man of the match.

Clare V Killkenny

 Killkenny headed to Cusack ark in Ennis on Sunday to play Clare. Killkenny played with the wind in the first half. But this didn’t affect Clare, Clare got off to a great start when cathal Malone flicked the ball into number no. 10 Aaron Shanagher who finished with a great goal. Killkennys defense were all over the place. Clare was playing brilliant hurling giving short and quick passes to find their men each time. There was excellent goal keeping by each team the half time score was Clare 1-09 killkenny 0-08.

Clare’s Aaron Shanager got another excellent point, killkenny responded with a point from Richie Leahy

Clare’s pulled down TJ Reid no 3 but Clare’s keeper Donel tohey pulled off a brilliant save and put it out for a 65. The banner quickly responded with a point from number 14 this was a huge lift for Clare, they started to build momentum and no 13 got a goal. Clare has recovered well from losing to cork last week.

The full time score was Clare 2-19 killkenny 0-12

Killkenny have now lost their first two games they aren’t the same Killkenny we are use to seeing, they are down 4 points in the league so they are under a bit of pressure.

In the last 20 minutes of the game killkenny only scored 2 points where was Clare scored 1-09.

Clare had great structure and had a game plan they hit in balls to the wining forwards each time keeping it out of the center; there was major issues in the killkenny defense today. Clare will be delighted with the win and the two points.

Cork V Dublin

 Dublin travelled down to pair ui Rinn in cork on Saturday to play cork. In round 2 of division 1A. Dublin was well beaten by Tipparey in there first game so they need a win. Cork had an unchanged team from the last match against Clare. Eoin Conroy getting Dublin’s first score in the 12^th minute wearing the number 25 jerseys. Dublin’s Ryan O Dwyer got a touch to the ball and left it in the top corner. After a tough start Dublin started to regain control and pull away.

Things were made more difficult for cork when a cork player was involved on a high tackle on Dublin’s no Ryan O Dwyer and resulted in the penalty taken by mc morrow but Anthony Nash saved it. Kingston got a goal for cork much needed for cork 5 minutes before half time. Dublin got off to a quick start in the second half Eoin Conroy no 25 for Dublin got a brilliant point for long range, he then went on to get a goal for Dublin. Dublin’s Chris Crummey with 15 minutes to go got a second yellow Dublin was down to 14. Cork tried to make the most of the 15 v 14 situation but Dublin held out the full time score cork 1-14 Dublin 2-19. Dublin looked to be hungrier and went into the game with a great attitude. Dublin’s Eoin Conroy making his debut and scoring 1-02.

In Division 1B of round 2

Laois V Offaly 

 Laois played offaly in portlaois , a small crowd turned out Saturday to watch the game. Offaly quickest to settle when Oisin Kelly stormed threw the laois defense and got a goal in the opening 4 minutes Laois then got a goal in the 8^th minute. Offalys Sean Gardiner got a straight red and offaly were down to 14 men.

In the second half things got worse for Offaly as discipline became a problem when Offaly no 5 Aidan Treacy got a straight red Offaly were down to 13 men.

The full time score Laois 1-26 offaly 1-20 this was Laois biggest win over offaly in 43 years.

Galway V Wexford

On Sunday Galway played Wexford in pearse stadium in salthill they haven’t meet in league or championship since 2011. It was a foggy day in Galway making conditions difficult Galway had a 7 point lead in the first half the half time score Galway 2-07 wexford 0-11.

Joe canning came on for Galway in the second half wearing the no 19 jersey. Joe canning took a penalty after Jason Flynn was dragged down and canning found the net. Wexford kept fighting the game was level in the 70^th minute wexfords no 13 mc Donald putting over 2 frees in injury time to get the win from behind. The full time score Galway 3-13 wexford 1-21

Davy Fitz side now won their first two opening games. Beating limerick and Galway and coming behind in both games to win, this shows great character for wexford. Galway will be disappointed to loose at home.