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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Galway's Walsh relishing trip to Newry
Galway's Shane Walsh hit the match-winning score against Armagh which set up a Sunday's preliminary quarter-final against Down [Getty Images] Galway's Shane Walsh says he and his team-mates "know all about Down" as they prepare to hit the road for Sunday's All-Ireland Senior Football Championship preliminary quarter-final in Newry. The Tribesmen were forced to dig deep at the weekend to edge past Armagh and seal third-place in Group Four, a result which saw them through the knockout phase. Advertisement Walsh was in inspirational form with nine points, including the winner at the death, to earn himself the nod for Footballer of the Week. Being drawn against Down means it is Ulster opposition for the third game in a row for Galway, having drawn in Derry before getting the better of the All-Ireland champions last weekend. Walsh is expecting a hostile reception in Pairc Esler on Sunday, and is anticipating the Mournemen will be fired up with a place in the last eight on the line, but says he relishes such occasions. "I know Down manager Conor Laverty is a gent off the field, but when it comes to football, he's very serious about winning. You know exactly what way he is going to create his atmosphere in Down this weekend," Walsh said. Advertisement "You embrace that because the more hostile environments - and it tends to be that way when you go across the border with the crowd involved a lot more - makes for a better atmosphere. "When the game is in the melting pot, you can hear every breath from every supporter." Walsh has experienced mixed fortunes at the Newry venue in the past, having been part of the Galway team that won a Division Two contest against Down in 2022, but then suffered All-Ireland Club semi-final heartbreak with Kilmacud Crokes against Glen two years later. The 32-year-old is delighted to still in the championship as at half-time against Armagh, the exit door was staring Galway in the face. Advertisement Padraic Joyce's men rallied from eight down to claim an invaluable win and although their third-place finish means they are away from home this week, it is a scenario last year's beaten finalists are more than comfortable with. "It's great to be here and that was the aim at the start of the game, to still be in the championship," said Walsh, an All-Star recipient in 2022. "It didn't look good at half-time, but Padraic got behind us and demanded a bit more from us. "We came out firing in the second half and thankfully so, because if things had stayed the same, we wouldn't be here today."
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Galway's Walsh relishing trip to Newry
Galway's Shane Walsh says he and his team-mates "know all about Down" as they prepare to hit the road for Sunday's All-Ireland Senior Football Championship preliminary quarter-final in Tribesmen were forced to dig deep at the weekend to edge past Armagh and seal third-place in Group Four, a result which saw them through the knockout was in inspirational form with nine points, including the winner at the death, to earn himself the nod for Footballer of the drawn against Down means it is Ulster opposition for the third game in a row for Galway, having drawn in Derry before getting the better of the All-Ireland champions last is expecting a hostile reception in Pairc Esler on Sunday, and is anticipating the Mournemen will be fired up with a place in the last eight on the line, but says he relishes such occasions."I know Down manager Conor Laverty is a gent off the field, but when it comes to football, he's very serious about winning. You know exactly what way he is going to create his atmosphere in Down this weekend," Walsh said."You embrace that because the more hostile environments - and it tends to be that way when you go across the border with the crowd involved a lot more - makes for a better atmosphere. "When the game is in the melting pot, you can hear every breath from every supporter."Walsh has experienced mixed fortunes at the Newry venue in the past, having been part of the Galway team that won a Division Two contest against Down in 2022, but then suffered All-Ireland Club semi-final heartbreak with Kilmacud Crokes against Glen two years 32-year-old is delighted to still in the championship as at half-time against Armagh, the exit door was staring Galway in the Joyce's men rallied from eight down to claim an invaluable win and although their third-place finish means they are away from home this week, it is a scenario last year's beaten finalists are more than comfortable with. "It's great to be here and that was the aim at the start of the game, to still be in the championship," said Walsh, an All-Star recipient in 2022."It didn't look good at half-time, but Padraic got behind us and demanded a bit more from us. "We came out firing in the second half and thankfully so, because if things had stayed the same, we wouldn't be here today."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals - all you need to know
After three rounds of group games in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, 16 has become 12 in the race for Sam Maguire. From here, it's knockout territory, with no second chances, and the dozen teams remaining on the dancefloor know what is expected to secure the ultimate prize. Advertisement Tyrone, Meath, Monaghan and defending champions Armagh - who all topped their respective groups - have the luxury of a free weekend as they await the winners of this weekend's preliminary quarter-finals in the last eight. For the eight teams in action this weekend, they must now win four games in five weeks, a gruelling schedule where fitness levels and squad depth will be tested to the limit. Last year, Galway made it all the way to the final from the preliminary quarter-final stage - the only team to do so since this current format was introduced in 2023 - and they will have to navigate that route again if they are to make the ultimate step. Let's dive into the four preliminary quarter-finals. Advertisement Who is playing and when are the games? As mentioned, eight teams will battle it out this weekend in the preliminary quarter-finals with two games on each day. Saturday - Kerry v Cavan, Fitzgerald Stadium, 15:30 BST Saturday - Dublin v Cork, Croke Park, 18:15 BST Sunday - Down v Galway, Pairc Esler, 13:45 BST Sunday - Donegal v Louth, Ballybofey, 16:00 BST Three of the teams in action this weekend were involved at the same stage last year: Louth, Cork and Galway. In fact, Louth beat Cork in a rousing victory in Inniskeen. Two of those involved at this stage last year - Tyrone and Monaghan - have already gone one better by moving straight through to the quarter-finals. Has the quarter-final draw been made? Due to the policy of avoiding repeat pairings from earlier in the competition, the draw will be made after the completion of this weekend's preliminary-quarter finals, most likely on Monday morning. Advertisement However, depending on how results fall this weekend, there is the very real possibility of an Armagh-Kerry quarter-final due to the above repeat pairing rule, but let's not get ahead of ourselves because as this year has shown, shocks can and often do happen. What to look out for this weekend It is difficult to look past Sunday's game in Newry between Down and Galway as the standout fixture this weekend. Despite suffering relegation from Division Two in the league, Down acquitted themselves well and were somewhat unlucky to suffer the drop on six points, but a defeat against Louth - which they avenged in the championship - proved fatal. Advertisement However, they bounced back to overcome Fermanagh in Ulster, only to lose out to eventual winners Donegal. Still, they entered the All-Ireland series with confidence, overcoming Clare and Louth. Their direct route to the last eight faded late on against Monaghan last week, however, Sunday despite some superb shooting from Pat Havern, whose ability to land two-pointers is a major asset for Conor Laverty's team, kicking three against the Farneymen. But then Galway are no slouches in that regard and in Shane Walsh, they have a man in form. When the chips were down against Armagh and with the exit door staring the Tribesmen in the face on Saturday, Walsh kept his side in the hunt: the last of his nine points with the final kick sealed victory and a spot in the knockout phase. In their three games, Galway have drawn to Derry, lost to Dublin by a point and beaten Armagh by one, so another nail-biter could be in store. Eoghan Ban Gallagher scored Donegal's goal in last year's All-Ireland quarter-final win over Louth at Croke Park [Getty Images] Later on Sunday, the Ulster and Leinster champions meet as Donegal host Louth in Ballybofey. Advertisement Despite a last-gasp victory over Mayo last week, they finished second behind Tyrone in Group One, with the Red Hands finishing top on the head-to-head rule courtesy of their victory over Donegal. Still, two victories on the spin will have gone a long way to putting that opening-round defeat behind them and they seem to be hitting their stride at the right time. Donegal face a Louth side who finished third in Group Three. Sam Mulroy and Ciaran Downey have been in flying form for Ger Brennan's men, with Craig Lennon continuing his All-Star form from 2024. However, this is a huge test of their credentials. Advertisement The weekend's opening game takes place in Killarney with Cavan facing a daunting trip to Kerry, who will be smarting from their shock loss to Meath which meant they failed to finish top for the first time in this format. Kerry have shown some vulnerability at times, with Cork so close to stunning them in Munster and Meath finishing the job in Tullamore last time out. They will be a wounded animal, and while Paudie Clifford is one of a host of absent Kingdom players, in David Clifford they have a generational talent. The Breffnimen have shown an ability to get it done on the road, with their opening round win away to Mayo ultimately proving enough to see them claim third in Group One, but heavy defeats by Donegal and Tyrone also suggest beating Kerry is a tall ask. Advertisement Paddy Lynch and Cormac O'Reilly shone for Raymond Galligan's men against Tyrone, but in order to beat Kerry, they will need to find another level. Con O'Callaghan returned to the Dublin fold in last weekend's win over Derry [Getty Images] Finally, Dublin return to home comforts at Croke Park on Saturday evening when they host Cork. The Dubs are fresh from their win over Derry in Newry which will have helped put their error-strewn loss to Armagh in the rear-view. With three-time All-Star Con O'Callaghan back, the Dubs have a much sharper end to their attack and will be favourites to advance against a Cork side which can blow hot and cold. John Cleary's men held their nerve to squeeze past Roscommon in a de facto knockout game in Portlaoise on Saturday, but will need to find the level of performance they produced against Kerry in Munster when they take on another of their traditional rivals this week. Are the games televised? All four games will be streamed live on GAA+. What about the Tailteann Cup? Of course, the weekend action is not limited to the race for Sam Maguire with both Tailteann Cup semi-finals taking place at Croke Park on Sunday. Advertisement First up, Oisin McConville's Wicklow - fresh from a famous triumph over Westmeath - take on Limerick, who swept past Wexford to reach the final four. Later on Sunday (16:00 BST), Kieran Donnelly's Fermanagh take on pre-competition favourites Kildare, who just about got over the line against Offaly in the last eight. The Ernemen enjoyed a good win over Sligo to reach this stage of the competition for the first time and will seek to continue their run as they look to emulate Down's success last year and earn a spot in the 2026 All-Ireland series. How can I follow on the BBC? The BBC Sport website will provide live text commentaries, reports and reaction from Sunday's games, in addition to reports from Saturday's games. Advertisement There will also be updates from Sunday's Tailteann Cup semi-finals: Wicklow v Limerick (14:00) and Fermanagh v Kildare (16:00).
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals - all you need to know
After three rounds of group games in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, 16 has become 12 in the race for Sam here, it's knockout territory, with no second chances, and the dozen teams remaining on the dancefloor know what is expected to secure the ultimate Meath, Monaghan and defending champions Armagh - who all topped their respective groups - have the luxury of a free weekend as they await the winners of this weekend's preliminary quarter-finals in the last the eight teams in action this weekend, they must now win four games in five weeks, a gruelling schedule where fitness levels and squad depth will be tested to the year, Galway made it all the way to the final from the preliminary quarter-final stage - the only team to do so since this current format was introduced in 2023 - and they will have to navigate that route again if they are to make the ultimate dive into the four preliminary quarter-finals. Who is playing and when are the games? As mentioned, eight teams will battle it out this weekend in the preliminary quarter-finals with two games on each - Kerry v Cavan, Fitzgerald Stadium, 15:30 BSTSaturday - Dublin v Cork, Croke Park, 18:15 BSTSunday - Down v Galway, Pairc Esler, 13:45 BSTSunday - Donegal v Louth, Ballybofey, 16:00 BSTThree of the teams in action this weekend were involved at the same stage last year: Louth, Cork and Galway. In fact, Louth beat Cork in a rousing victory in Inniskeen. Two of those involved at this stage last year - Tyrone and Monaghan - have already gone one better by moving straight through to the quarter-finals. Has the quarter-final draw been made? Due to the policy of avoiding repeat pairings from earlier in the competition, the draw will be made after the completion of this weekend's preliminary-quarter finals, most likely on Monday depending on how results fall this weekend, there is the very real possibility of an Armagh-Kerry quarter-final due to the above repeat pairing rule, but let's not get ahead of ourselves because as this year has shown, shocks can and often do happen. What to look out for this weekend It is difficult to look past Sunday's game in Newry between Down and Galway as the standout fixture this weekend. Despite suffering relegation from Division Two in the league, Down acquitted themselves well and were somewhat unlucky to suffer the drop on six points, but a defeat against Louth - which they avenged in the championship - proved they bounced back to overcome Fermanagh in Ulster, only to lose out to eventual winners Donegal. Still, they entered the All-Ireland series with confidence, overcoming Clare and direct route to the last eight faded late on against Monaghan last week, however, Sunday despite some superb shooting from Pat Havern, whose ability to land two-pointers is a major asset for Conor Laverty's team, kicking three against the then Galway are no slouches in that regard and in Shane Walsh, they have a man in form. When the chips were down against Armagh and with the exit door staring the Tribesmen in the face on Saturday, Walsh kept his side in the hunt: the last of his nine points with the final kick sealed victory and a spot in the knockout their three games, Galway have drawn to Derry, lost to Dublin by a point and beaten Armagh by one, so another nail-biter could be in store. Later on Sunday, the Ulster and Leinster champions meet as Donegal host Louth in a last-gasp victory over Mayo last week, they finished second behind Tyrone in Group One, with the Red Hands finishing top on the head-to-head rule courtesy of their victory over two victories on the spin will have gone a long way to putting that opening-round defeat behind them and they seem to be hitting their stride at the right face a Louth side who finished third in Group Three. Sam Mulroy and Ciaran Downey have been in flying form for Ger Brennan's men, with Craig Lennon continuing his All-Star form from this is a huge test of their weekend's opening game takes place in Killarney with Cavan facing a daunting trip to Kerry, who will be smarting from their shock loss to Meath which meant they failed to finish top for the first time in this format. Kerry have shown some vulnerability at times, with Cork so close to stunning them in Munster and Meath finishing the job in Tullamore last time out. They will be a wounded animal, and while Paudie Clifford is one of a host of absent Kingdom players, in David Clifford they have a generational talent. The Breffnimen have shown an ability to get it done on the road, with their opening round win away to Mayo ultimately proving enough to see them claim third in Group One, but heavy defeats by Donegal and Tyrone also suggest beating Kerry is a tall ask. Paddy Lynch and Cormac O'Reilly shone for Raymond Galligan's men against Tyrone, but in order to beat Kerry, they will need to find another level. Finally, Dublin return to home comforts at Croke Park on Saturday evening when they host Dubs are fresh from their win over Derry in Newry which will have helped put their error-strewn loss to Armagh in the three-time All-Star Con O'Callaghan back, the Dubs have a much sharper end to their attack and will be favourites to advance against a Cork side which can blow hot and Cleary's men held their nerve to squeeze past Roscommon in a de facto knockout game in Portlaoise on Saturday, but will need to find the level of performance they produced against Kerry in Munster when they take on another of their traditional rivals this week. Are the games televised? All four games will be streamed live on GAA+. What about the Tailteann Cup? Of course, the weekend action is not limited to the race for Sam Maguire with both Tailteann Cup semi-finals taking place at Croke Park on Sunday. First up, Oisin McConville's Wicklow - fresh from a famous triumph over Westmeath - take on Limerick, who swept past Wexford to reach the final four. Later on Sunday (16:00 BST), Kieran Donnelly's Fermanagh take on pre-competition favourites Kildare, who just about got over the line against Offaly in the last Ernemen enjoyed a good win over Sligo to reach this stage of the competition for the first time and will seek to continue their run as they look to emulate Down's success last year and earn a spot in the 2026 All-Ireland series. How can I follow on the BBC? The BBC Sport website will provide live text commentaries, reports and reaction from Sunday's games, in addition to reports from Saturday's will also be updates from Sunday's Tailteann Cup semi-finals: Wicklow v Limerick (14:00) and Fermanagh v Kildare (16:00).
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Walsh the Galway hero as they edge Armagh in a thriller
Shane Walsh was the Galway hero as his ninth point of the game with the final kick saw his side edge Armagh by 2-22 to 0-27 in a thriller at Kingspan Breffni into the game, Armagh knew they were straight through to the quarter-finals as winners of Group Four, but Galway's continued interest in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship was far from prospects looked bleak at the end of the first half when they trailed by eight, having been outplayed with two penalties in the they roared back into it after the break with goals from John Maher and Rob Finnerty injecting life as they grabbed the win which ultimately saw them claim third place in the group, which means they hit the road next week for a preliminary Armagh came into this repeat of last year's All-Ireland final with the pressure off, they were full of intent early with Ethan Rafferty slinging over the first of his team's four two-pointers in the opening O'Neill and Peter McGrane followed with points before Galway were offered a great chance to get into the game when awarded a ninth-minute penalty as Rob Finnerty went down under a Paddy Burns challenge, but Rafferty was equal to Matthew Tierney's effort and John Maher screwed the rebound Walsh did get them on their way with a pair of scores, but Armagh were flying with the next five points including a two-pointer from Niall Cooke slung over a two-pointer for Galway, but Darragh McMullan hit back in kind with a scorching effort with the outside of his gap was eight when Galway got a second penalty on 30 minutes with Walsh going down under a challenge from Burns and this time, Finnerty stepped up but thumped was the gap at the break as Rafferty got his second two of the half, this time a free, as Armagh went in with a 0-15 to 0-7 lead that in no way flattered them. Galway produce storming second period Galway had much work to do at the break and whatever was said most certainly worked as they were a different team, hitting early points from Peter Cooke and Cillian McDaid before their first goal on 39 minutes came as Dylan McHugh squared for Maher to palm leaders stepped up with Walsh, Finnerty and substitute Paul Conroy all leading the charge with Armagh just about keeping their noses in front with Jason Duffy and Ross McQuillan pointing.A two-point free from Walsh levelled it before his side moved two clear as Armagh suddenly needed to dig deep and did so with the next five points on the spin as Tiernan Kelly and Jarlath Og Burns got their names on the Cathal Sweeney hit back, Galway grabbed their second goal and they turned over the Armagh kick-out with Finnerty showing great composure to finish as we were set up for a frantic final 10 was nip-and-tuck down the stretch with Galway edging two ahead, only for Rafferty to kick his third two of the game to bring his tally to nine and although Walsh restored the Galway lead, Shane McPartlan became Armagh's 14th scorer of the evening to level once one minute to go, possession was vital and Galway got it, draining the clock and then winning a free after the hooter which Walsh thumped over to seal victory and keep Galway in the race for Sam Maguire.
