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Irish Examiner
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Keith Ricken: 'With a lack of games, the first ten minutes was going to catch you'
All-Ireland MFC quarter-final: Cork: 1-12 (1-1-10) Tyrone: 1-21 (1-2-17) Cork manager Keith Ricken was left to bemoan a disastrous opening quarter as his charges just could not overcome the mountain they left for themselves to climb in Saturday's defeat to Tyrone in the All-Ireland MFC quarter-final at O'Moore Park in Portlaoise. With wing-forward Cathal Farley finding the net for the Red Hand county in the fourth minute, the Rebels were eight points down (1-6 to 0-1) before they knew what had hit them. Despite brave resistance thereafter, their ultimate fate had been sealed early on. 'For young lads coming into this, with a lack of games, the first ten minutes was going to catch you. Tyrone had had a lot of games, and they really got us at the start. I was kind of dreading that, because I felt it could happen,' said Ricken. 'I knew we would come back into it, because we would always try hard. We spent an awful lot of energy doing that. In the comeback, we needed to get goals, so we could have put something in the bank. We got one good goal, but we had a couple more really good goal chances.' The excellent Ben Corkery Delaney's bullet to the Tyrone net in the 24th minute invigorated Cork, and they managed to reduce the deficit to six points at half-time (1-13 to 1-7). Entering the game's final quarter, they were only four points behind (1-15 to 1-11). 'Coming down the home straight, when we got it down to four points, we looked gassed. We probably ran out of juice in the last eight or nine minutes, and they kicked six points in that period,' added the Cork boss. 'Small mistakes came in then too, we kicked two out over the sideline when they were inches away from being a brilliant pass to split their defence. We had a few stray hand-passes, one or two silly frees we gave away. 'The other thing we found difficult this week, and I would put their education key, is that we had one guy who came on today who is doing his Leaving Cert, and four guys out there doing their Junior Certs as well. It's been a hard week for them. That too was a factor, and I'm not looking for excuses.' With the likes of Peter Colton, Eoin Long, Thomas Meenan and James Mulgrew hugely prominent from beginning to end, Tyrone will be a tough nut to crack heading into the last four. For Cork, their campaign is over, but Ricken was left with encouraging green shoots of a better future. Scorers for Tyrone: E Long (0-6, 0-3fs), C Farley (1-2), P Colton (0-5,1tp), J Mulgrew (tp), T Meenan, J Kerr (0-1 '45, 0-1f) (0-2 each), A Quinn, P McDonald (0-1 each). Scorers for Cork: B Corkery Delaney (1-4, 1tp), E Maguire (0-4, 0-3fs), J Byerley(f), L O'Mahony, D McCarthy, D Flynn (0-1 each). TYRONE: R Donnelly; E Kerr, P Goodman, C McCrystal; A Quinn, J Daly, T Meenan; J Mulgrew, P Donaghy; D McAnespie, P Colton, C Farley; J Kerr, E Long, M Kennedy. Subs: V Gormley for Kennedy (43), M Mullin for E Kerr (47), M Daly for McAnespie (51), P McDonald for J Kerr (55), H Patton for Farley (58). CORK: R Twohig; B Coffey, A Keane, M Kiernan; J Miskella, C McCarthy, B Cronin; S Kelleher Leavy, R Hayes; L O'Mahony, D Flynn, S Long; J Byerley, B Corkery Delaney, E Maguire. Subs: J Hanrahan for Kelleher Leavy (22), E Collins for Long (30), D McCarthy for Byerley (35), T Whooley for O'Mahony (41), J O'Leary for Miskella (52). Referee: C Ryan (Galway).
Irish Examiner
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Quillinan's side showed character in second half after stern half-time talk
All-Ireland MFC quarter-final: Kerry 0-14 (0-1-12) Cavan 1-9 (1-1-7) When substitute Liam O'Brien fired over the insurance point, in the fifth minute of stoppage time, at O'Moore Park in Portlaoise on Saturday Kerry manager Wayne Quillinan could finally relax. His Kerry minor football side had subdued the dogged resistance of Cavan. This All-Ireland quarter-final, in windy conditions, never hit any great heights, but there was an unrelenting stubbornness about the Breffni men all afternoon. Without playing to near their potential, the Kingdom youngsters, just about, got the job done. 'I suppose it's only one emotion really. It's just relief to get over the line with this of bunch of players who showed a bit of character there, particularly when they got the goal. We got the next three points in a row, but then we just let it slip, uncharacteristic errors, and we know that,' said Quillinan. 'We'll be told it now in the next couple of weeks by people, but we know it. We're the most important people that would know it. We just didn't play the way that we we'd like to have played.' With wind advantage in the opening half, Kerry hit nine wides as their decision-making and shot execution let them down. Only ahead by the bare minimum at the break (0-6 to 0-5), they simply had to respond on the changeover. 'From an energy point of view, and a work-rate point of view, the first half wasn't good enough. The boys were told in no uncertain terms that it wasn't good enough when you're wearing the Kerry jersey. So they brought a different energy after that. 'If there's a moment of toughness on the pitch, go back to what you know. Don't come outside the box. I thought for the first 10, 15 minutes, even 20 minutes of the second half, I thought we did that. We were structured. We were composed, and we just worked.' That opening 20 minutes of the second half was the Munster champions at their best. Despite conceding a goal, expertly finished by Cavan corner-back Matthew Duffy, they hit seven points, and almost raised three green flags themselves, all efforts foiled by Breffni 'keeper Cian McConnell. Leading by five points (0-13 to 1-5), Kerry then faded dramatically, as the Ulster side hit four unanswered scores to leave the winners battling to hang on in an exciting finale. O'Brien's late, late point was absolutely crucial. 'The big thing for us is you talk about character, it's the learning that we're going to take out of this. I told the lads inside, listen, enjoy the moment. They're young fellas. They have made an All-Ireland semi-final. It doesn't happen every day,' stressed the Kerry boss. Scorers for Kerry: B Kelliher (0-5, 0-2fs), K Griffin (0-3, 1tpf), G White (0-2, 0-1f), D Murphy, T O'Connell, P Ó Mainnín, L O'Brien (0-1 each). Scorers for Cavan: J Graham (0-5, 0-2fs, 1tpf), M Duffy (1-0), F Graham, G McCabe, C McConnell, N Quigley (0-1 each). KERRY: R Kennedy; R Sheridan, E Joy, T Ó Slatara; D Murphy, D Sargent, M Clifford; M Ó Sé, J Curtin; M O'Carroll, G White, A Tuohy; N Lacey, K Griffin, B Kelliher. Subs: T O'Connell for Lacey (41), P Ó Mainnín for Griffin (48), L O'Brien for Kelliher (56), J Kissane for Tuohy (58), C McGibney for Clifford (60+3). CAVAN: C McConnell; D Brady, C Bough, M Duffy; M Smith, H McMullen, J Donohoe; S Maguire, F Graham; CJ Fitzpatrick, J Brady, C Smith; F McIntyre, N Quigley, J Graham. Subs: D Lynch for Fitzpatrick (36), S Smith for C Smith (47), G McCabe for M Smith (48), K Heery for McMullan (54). Referee: N Quinn (Clare).
Irish Independent
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Tyrone seal their place in All-Ireland MFC semi-final with classy victory over Cork
Tyrone finished strongly at Laois Hire O'Moore Park to book their place in the All-Ireland MFC semi-finals with a nine points win over Cork.
Irish Examiner
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Tyrone too good for dogged Cork as they book place in All-Ireland MFC semi-final
All-Ireland MFC quarter-final: Cork: 1-12 (1-1-10) Tyrone: 1-21 (1-2-17) A blistering Tyrone first quarter display gave the Red Hand county enough of a cushion to confidently see off a dogged Cork fightback in an entertaining Electric Ireland All-Ireland MFC quarter-final at O'Moore Park in Portlaoise. Sprinting out of the starting blocks, with the Rebels not knowing what had hit them, the Ulster champions were absolutely ruthless in the opening exchanges, building up an eight-point lead, 1-6 to 0-1, by the eleventh minute. The goal arrived as early as the fourth minute, with Cork goalkeeper Rory Twohig making a fine save to deny impressive Tyrone wing-back Thomas Meenan after he was put through by Joel Kerr, but Cathal Farley was on hand to tap home the rebound from close range. Entering the last ten minutes of the half, the gap was out to nine (1-9 to 0-3), and Keith Ricken's men were in serious danger of being submerged under the tide. However, belatedly raising their intensity levels, they surged back into proceedings. Full-forward Ben Corkery Delaney was the undoubted catalyst for Cork's second quarter revival, firing over two points, before blasting home a brilliant goal in the 24th minute, after being fed by Donagh Flynn. The deficit was now three points, 1-9 to 1-6, but that was as close as it would get. By the interval, with excellent centre-forward Peter Colton, full-forward Eoin Long, and wing-backs Meenan and Aodhán Quinn all making their presences felt, Tyrone ended up six points to the good, 1-13 to 1-7, heading into the second half. Corkery Delaney continued his tour-de-force on the changeover, launching over a two-pointer and, as Tyrone lost their bearings for a spell, Flynn's 42nd minute point had Cork within four of their opponents, 1-15 to 1-11, and well in contention to attack the last quarter. However, as is the sign of a well-drilled outfit full of self-belief, Tyrone quickly regained their composure, and their scoring touch, kicking six of the game's last seven points, to power on to the semi-finals with more than a bit to spare. They won't be easily stopped now. Scorers for Tyrone: E Long (0-6, 0-3fs), C Farley (1-2), P Colton (0-5,1tp), J Mulgrew (tp), T Meenan, J Kerr (0-1 '45, 0-1f) (0-2 each), A Quinn, P McDonald (0-1 each). Scorers for Cork: B Corkery Delaney (1-4, 1tp), E Maguire (0-4, 0-3fs), J Byerley(f), L O'Mahony, D McCarthy, D Flynn (0-1 each). TYRONE: R Donnelly; E Kerr, P Goodman, C McCrystal; A Quinn, J Daly, T Meenan; J Mulgrew, P Donaghy; D McAnespie, P Colton, C Farley; J Kerr, E Long, M Kennedy. Subs: V Gormley for Kennedy (43), M Mullin for E Kerr (47), M Daly for McAnespie (51), P McDonald for J Kerr (55), H Patton for Farley (58). CORK: R Twohig; B Coffey, A Keane, M Kiernan; J Miskella, C McCarthy, B Cronin; S Kelleher Leavy, R Hayes; L O'Mahony, D Flynn, S Long; J Byerley, B Corkery Delaney, E Maguire. Subs: J Hanrahan for Kelleher Leavy (22), E Collins for Long (30), D McCarthy for Byerley (35), T Whooley for O'Mahony (41), J O'Leary for Miskella (52). Referee: C Ryan (Galway).
Irish Examiner
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Kerry narrowly overcome a battling Cavan side to reach All-Ireland MFC semi-final
All-Ireland MFC quarter-final: Kerry 0-14 (0-1-12) Cavan 1-9 (1-1-7) Despite dramatic late fade-outs in both halves, a sporadically impressive Kerry did just about enough to advance by the skin of their teeth past Cavan in this Electric Ireland All-Ireland MFC quarter-final at O'Moore Park in Portlaoise. Leading by the bare minimum at half-time, having played with a strong breeze, the Kingdom improved immeasurably in the third quarter and, despite a well-taken goal by the Ulster side's corner-back Matthew Duffy, the Munster champions appeared to gain a semblance of control. With corner-forward Ben Kelliher very prominent, and Tadhg O'Connell and Pádraig Ó Mainnín notching off the bench, Kerry moved five points clear, 0-13 to 1-5, entering the last ten minutes, and looked likely to ease towards the winning post. However, Cavan refused to throw in the towel and, with excellent goalkeeper Cian McConnell moving outfield to telling effect, four points on the trot by the Ulster county left the game right in the melting pot in the closing stages. Kerry were now hanging on for dear life, with the Ulster runners-up giving it everything in search of a last-gasp equaliser but, in an exciting denouement, another Kingdom replacement Liam O'Brien had the final say with the insurance point at the death. With wind advantage in the first half, it was Kerry who made the early running, points from Danny Murphy and Kevin Griffin, followed by a Gearóid White tap-over free, pushing them three clear by the tenth minute. However, it was already clear at this juncture that Cavan were scrounging brilliantly for breaking ball and, with a dominant midfield pairing in Sam Maguire and Faolán Graham, they quickly gained a foothold in the game. The scores didn't come instantly for the Breffni men, with a two-point Griffin placed ball, and a lovely white flag from Kelliher giving the Kingdom a five-point lead by the 18th minute (0-6 to 0-1), Jay Graham with a pointed free for the Ulster side. Amazingly, Kerry would fail to register for the remainder of the half, finishing with nine first half wides in total, as they hit too many long-range hit-and-hope efforts. Growing in self-belief, Cavan were more economical in the second quarter. A booming point by midfielder Graham, added to by a two-point free, and a closer range score, by his namesake, reduced the deficit at half-time (0-6 to 0-5). They would have fancied their chances heading into the resumption, but just came up short as Kerry edged into the last four. Scorers for Kerry: B Kelliher (0-5, 0-2fs), K Griffin (0-3, 1tpf), G White (0-2, 0-1f), D Murphy, T O'Connell, P Ó Mainnín, L O'Brien (0-1 each). Scorers for Cavan: J Graham (0-5, 0-2fs, 1tpf), M Duffy (1-0), F Graham, G McCabe, C McConnell, N Quigley (0-1 each). KERRY: R Kennedy; R Sheridan, E Joy, T Ó Slatara; D Murphy, D Sargent, M Clifford; M Ó Sé, J Curtin; M O'Carroll, G White, A Tuohy; N Lacey, K Griffin, B Kelliher. Subs: T O'Connell for Lacey (41), P Ó Mainnín for Griffin (48), L O'Brien for Kelliher (56), J Kissane for Tuohy (58), C McGibney for Clifford (60+3). CAVAN: C McConnell; D Brady, C Bough, M Duffy; M Smith, H McMullen, J Donohoe; S Maguire, F Graham; CJ Fitzpatrick, J Brady, C Smith; F McIntyre, N Quigley, J Graham. Subs: D Lynch for Fitzpatrick (36), S Smith for C Smith (47), G McCabe for M Smith (48), K Heery for McMullan (54). Referee: N Quinn (Clare).
