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Irish Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
The coolest head in inter-county management - Shane Walsh hails Padraic Joyce
Shane Walsh has credited Padraic Joyce for staying cool under pressure when Galway stared down the barrel of a Championship exit last Saturday. The Connacht champs were on the brink of an early exit until Joyce lifted the team with a calm, studious team talk at half time. The upshot was they came from behind to defeat Armagh and secure a preliminary quarter final away to Down this Sunday. Read more: Tipperary star says he retired knowing good times were coming again Read more: Joe Brolly weighs in on Mayo's latest All-Ireland heartbreak: 'The culture is all wrong' Star player Walsh said: 'We went in at half-time knowing that they'd probably been a bit hot and that we weren't executing our chances. 'Padraic obviously wanted us to up the level a bit and just bring a bit more intensity in the second half. It never felt like we were gone. 'We then knew after the positive start we made (in the second half) we were in a good position and it was just about trying to see it out then. We worked a really good opportunity at the end and Paul (Conroy) showed all his experience as well to win the free.' And that was a free Walsh converted to seal the deal. The former All Star outlined what went through his head as he stood over the ball to secure Galway's win over last year's All-Ireland champs. He said: 'Probably three different things. Firstly, when you're walking over, you're just saying 'calm, this is my job now.' 'Then there's a few words coming your way from opposition and then the heart rate starts to go up a bit. 'Then you're coming back in saying, you've dreamt of this as a young lad. This is what you grew up dreaming about, saying you want to be in these situations and just commit to the kick, be yourself. That's all I could do, I suppose, and thankfully it went over.' All of which brings another Ulster team - Down - onto their radar, the third Ulster side they have played in a row. Walsh said: 'Down are probably the most in-form team. Even with the Donegal game, they were probably unlucky with a lot of goal chances they had that day. And you see the way they've been building since the league, they're a completely different proposition. 'We all know about going up to Newry, you never get that easy up there either. Conor Laverty always has his team as well drilled. 'So it's a great challenge. Again, no more than the group that we had with Dublin and Derry and Armagh, having Down again, it's another unbelievable challenge if you get through it to build your confidence, build the belief in the team and build a bit of momentum.'
The 42
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The 42
'We back you no matter what' - Shane Walsh on backing of Galway team mates
IN THIS SUMMER of Houdini acts, Galway have provided one of the stronger storylines with conflicts and arcs everywhere. At half time against Armagh in the final group game, everyone thought they were gone. Eight points down and having mined 0-1 from two first-half penalties, it was looking grim for the All-Ireland finalists of 2022 and 2024. There was no time for metaphorical teacup throwing in the Breffni Park changing rooms. Instead, Pádraic Joyce filled his players with confidence. A stirring comeback brought them to a point where Shane Walsh could kick a late winner from just inside the top of the two-point arc, granting them a preliminary quarter-final away to Down this Sunday. So what goers through one of the most skilled kickers in the game at a moment like that? 'Probably three different things. Firstly, when you're walking over, you're just saying 'calm, this is my job now,'' explains Walsh. 'The rest of them have done their work to win the free. Then there's a few words coming your way from opposition and then the heart rate starts to go up a bit. Shane Walsh doing what he does best! 🎯🔥 Glides it over for @Galway_GAA's first!#ARMVGAL — The GAA (@officialgaa) June 14, 2025 'Then you're coming back in saying, 'You've dreamt of this as a young lad. This is what you grew up dreaming about, saying you want to be in these situations and just commit to the kick, be yourself.' That's all I could do, I suppose, and thankfully it went over.' Joyce's half-time demeanour speaks of where he is now as a coach. More measured, thoughtful, in touch with the room and what it needs at that particular time. Advertisement Still, he has a reputation of being a little brusque though. From where Walsh is standing, that's just our interpretation. 'It's easy for us, we have him all the time,' the 32-year-old teacher explains. 'You'd probably be humoured by it as opposed to actually anything else. Because you don't really see the Pádraic that we see all the time. You just see what he says to ye (the media). 'From that perspective, we've had that side of him, but we've also had the side where he mixes things. He's a real family man as well, behind it all. As I said, the media doesn't really see the part that we know. You just see the Padraic that ye think you know. 'We'd nearly be laughing and joking about some things he could be saying things about us to the media. And sure, we know where he's coming from. It's not as if we'd be saying that's a personal attack or anything like that.' He adds, 'He has Galway's best interests at heart. He bleeds maroon and white all day long. He always has a few interesting things to say to us which do crack a smile. 'I think his best one was that you can boil an egg in five minutes but you can score a goal in one. Make of that what you want!' We're speaking at the press launch for the knockout stages of the All-Ireland football championship. Most of the time these events are a slog, with players reluctant to engage and paranoid over what they say. Like the fabled reporters of the '70s and '80s who headed for Killarney for the regular pre All-Ireland final events with Kerry footballers, you still go along for the gawk and the hope that something novel rears up. Ask Walsh about the area of confidence and instinct, and you know you have the jam that makes it worthwhile. He believes the belief that his manager and team mates have in him is a wellspring. Shauna Clinton / SPORTSFILE Shauna Clinton / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE 'Definitely as a forward. Especially when you come back from an injury in the middle of the year, it can be hard because you're chasing. 'The lads are moving at a certain level and there's a certain synchronisation that they have out on the pitch. You're trying to get to the pitch that then as well. It's tough going and you're probably taking shots that you normally would score, you'd feel. But they're not coming off for you maybe because you haven't had that repetition or you haven't had that time that the rest of them have,' he says. 'Even just to have the time on the ball to do it as well. Then it can knock you, you can go into your shell a bit I suppose. I definitely felt that probably in the Dublin game, the Derry game a bit. Where you kind of went back in (to your shell). 'Because I was like, 'I haven't done a whole pile in the last ten to eleven weeks and here I am in championship football, trying to get something out of myself.' In that environment, nothing comes easy. 'I'd say just thinking you were taking shots that you felt comfortable taking but when they weren't coming off like they normally would then you were saying to yourself, 'Jays, I mightn't take that again.' 'It's probably the worst thing for me and for the team because they're probably looking to you to take on the shots. I think that was the best thing after the Derry game that we all sat down and had a few chats. 'It was just great to have that backing of the lads in the dressing room to say to me like 'we back you no matter what' – as in, remember that when you were taking those chances. 'And that it's not a good thing for us if you're on the field and you're not taking the shots. That's essentially my role in the team as well, along with a few of the other lads.' He continues, 'I think that mattered a lot and obviously having Pádraic there as well. Having one-to-one meetings with Pádraic – people probably don't see that side of him too often in the media. 'He's quite black and white I suppose. But then when you get underneath it, you get, I suppose, the sense that he was a player himself. He probably didn't have too many confidence issues! But at the same time he kind of passed on a couple of things to me. It stood to me going into the weekend. I trained well for the two weeks and it kind of followed into last Saturday as well.' Shauna Clinton / SPORTSFILE Shauna Clinton / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE In this Big Dipper of a football championship, we have finally made it to the straight knockout stage. Related Reads 'You couldn't be happy with Saturday' - Paul Geaney gets ready for charge at Sam Maguire New kickout mark penalty to apply in this weekend's inter-county senior games How will eliminated teams reflect on 2025 Sam Maguire exit? Galway could have had worse draws than Down. All the same, Down football is feeling good about itself right now. They have made the jump from Tailteann Cup champions and do not look out of place in the Sam Maguire championship. With a vocal local crowd, some smart management and a squad of players that have grown into their own skin such as Ryan Magill, Pat Havern, Pierce Laverty and Ceilum Doherty, Mourne manager Conor Laverty will have no lack of confidence. 'They're probably the most in-form team,' Walsh cautions. 'Even with the Donegal game, they were probably unlucky with a lot of goal chances they had that day. And you see the way they've been building since the league, they're a completely different proposition. 'We all know about going up to Newry, you never get that easy up there either. Conor Laverty always has his team well-drilled. I know him, he's a lovely fella off the field but when it comes to his football, he's very serious about winning as well and he'll do whatever it takes. 'So it's a great challenge. Again, no more than the group that we had with Dublin and Derry and Armagh, having Down again, it's another unbelievable challenge if you get through it to build your confidence, build the belief in the team and build a bit of momentum.' * Check out the latest episode of The42′s GAA Weekly podcast here
BreakingNews.ie
5 hours ago
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Tariffs and gender-based violence on agenda for North South Ministerial Council
The leaders of the governments of Ireland and Northern Ireland will discuss the impact of international tariffs on their respective economies during a major summit on Friday. International trade shocks are high on the agenda as Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly are due to chair a meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in Armagh. Advertisement It will be the first time the Irish Cabinet meets collectively with the Northern Ireland Executive since the formation of the Government. Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris are among members of the Government attending the 29th plenary meeting of the body. Mr Martin, who also attended the British-Irish Council in Newcastle, Co Down, last week, said he welcomed that the NSMC was also being held in Northern Ireland. 'Today's meeting is an opportunity to discuss areas of shared focus and ambition across our two administrations, North and South, as outlined in our respective programmes for government, including on this occasion the challenges of tackling gender-based violence, and the opportunities to work more effectively across the island to achieve that aim,' he said. Advertisement 'The meeting is also an opportunity to consider the wider context in which business and trade on this island function and how we can respectively and jointly ensure economic opportunity for all parts of the island into the future. 'The ongoing work of the NSMC and of all ministers present is vital to harnessing the full potential of our shared island and enhancing co-operation, connection and mutual understanding across communities. I look forward to our discussions with Executive counterparts to further co-operation and help deliver tangible positive outcomes North and South.' Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly during the British-Irish Council summit in Co Down (Liam McBurney/PA) Mr Harris said he was anticipating a 'substantive and productive exchange of views' across a range of important issues. 'We will be continuing the very good conversations we had at the British-Irish Council summit in Co Down last week, the latest in what are regular and ongoing contacts between the two administrations, at both political and official level,' he said. Advertisement 'Much has changed since we last met in this format, in September, with events in the international sphere meaning that we are all dealing with a very different set of challenges than before. 'One of the issues of most concern right now is the application by the US of international trade tariffs, and the potentially serious implications for our respective economies, and for the island as a whole. 'In that regard, I remain in ongoing contact with the First Minister, deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy, and our respective trade policy experts are also in touch.'
RTÉ News
5 hours ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Enda McGinley Down exude confidence but Galway have a higher ceiling
On paper, it's the tie that stands out across the All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-finals, as Down play host to Galway at Páirc Esler on Sunday. The Tribesmen, fancied by many to go one step further and bring home Sam this year, have stuttered during their run in the group phase, taking one of the third-placed berths following last weekend's narrow win against Armagh. Some observers will say that they got a kind draw in now facing Conor Laverty's side. It could have been a trip to Killarney or Ballybofey. But the Mournemen are no mugs, are scoring freely and gave Monaghan their fill of it, before losing narrowly. Assessing where Down are following that defeat at the Athletic Grounds, Enda McGinley believes they will now relish the opportunity in taking on the Connacht men. "Down are confident and will have not lost any of that confidence from their performance against Monaghan," McGinley said on the latest edition of the RTÉ GAA Podcast. "They emerged with huge credit and it was right at the very death that it tailed away - with that silly three-man breach that they gave away. They got punished hard right at the end but other than that they produced a good performance. Down will be confident in getting Galway to the Marshes and will not be one bit afraid of them." Nigel Dunne, also a contributor on this week's Podcast, alluded to Down's lack of fear, when saying: "It's power v pace here and Galway have all the advantages in size but Down are fearless and are completely bought in to what they are doing." The former Offaly star added: "I think Down have a really good chance but they would need Galway to be five or 10% off and that is a huge possibility with the way they've been going this year. In fairness to Down I think they are the one team that capitalise on Galway being a bit off." In assessing the championship so far, McGinley brought up the possibility of another unlikely winner, while also referencing how difficult it has been for the big guns to deliver consistent performances. "It is all about momentum, the top teams are struggling but it is still there to be got," opined the three-time All-Ireland winner. "This time last year, was anybody looking at Armagh as All-Ireland champions? Not a mention. The quarter-finals in Croke Park will be amazing games. The provincial champions this year have really struggled to sustain the push. The number of games, the ups and downs of the season, and the new rules means that it is tough to bring that energy every week. "If you are a wee bit off it with the new rules and the value of the breaking ball out around the middle, teams that have that wee edge, that bit of freshness, that's where it really does count. Teams that are off it have been caught." As to what might unfold in Newry, McGinley is accentuating the importance of just getting a win for one of the All-Ireland contenders and sees more of a threat from what Galway have up the field. "Down are unbelievably settled, so consistent in terms of their team. Pat Havern, who was unbelievable last week, probably doesn't suit Galway's best snubber-outer of men in Jack Glynn. "Galway have Havern to shut down but you feel there are more scoring threats in Galway. There is definitely a higher ceiling in Galway than Down and you're waiting for them to click - and now would be the perfect time for them to click. It just has to be a win; it does not have to be a statement performance." Follow a live blog on the All-Ireland Football Championship on Saturday and Sunday on and the RTÉ News app. Listen to updates on Saturday Sport and Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch highlights on The Saturday Game at 9.15pm and The Sunday Game from 9.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
Irish Times
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Shane Walsh on coming back from injury: ‘It can knock you, you can go into your shell a bit. I definitely felt that'
At some point in Galway's frantic endgame against Armagh last Saturday, Shane Walsh shouted over at the sideline, asking what the score was up the road in Newry. There, the result of the Dublin-Derry game might help salvage Galway's summer. 'Never mind,' Walsh was promptly told, 'just win the game'. It was good advice. Despite trailing Armagh by eight points at the break, Galway's rousing second-half performance, inspired by Walsh's best championship display this summer, saw them win by a point – enough to set up an away preliminary quarter-final. When they drew Down on Monday morning, that refocused Galway minds again. It's their first championship meeting since 1971, which Galway won. But Down were the form team in the round-robin stages, top scorers of all 16 teams with their 4-78. Galway had the highest goal tally of eight, including two against Armagh. READ MORE 'It's game by game at this stage,' Walsh says in advance of Sunday's showdown in Newry. 'Obviously we just want to bring our best every day we go out. Have we brought our best so far? I don't believe so. 'But it's been hard, I suppose. We've had a bit of a broken spell with players missing, and that obviously affects the rhythm of the group too. I think we are getting there.' Walsh is talking about himself in terms of broken spells. He missed most of the Connacht championship with injury, and appeared well off his best against Dublin and Derry . Regaining full confidence against Armagh, where he finished with 0-9, including the match-winning free just after the hooter, was in part about his team-mates expressing their belief in him. 'I think that mattered a lot, and obviously having Pádraic [Joyce] there as well. Definitely as a forward, especially when you come back from an injury in the middle of the year. The lads are moving at a certain level and there's a certain synchronisation that they have out on the pitch,' Walsh says. [ Can Galway squeeze more from Shane Walsh and Damien Comer? Now is the time to find out Opens in new window ] 'You're trying to get to that pitch then as well. It's tough going and you're probably taking shots that you normally would score. But they're not coming off for you, maybe because you haven't had that repetition or you haven't had that time that the rest of them have. 'Then it can knock you, you can go into your shell a bit. I definitely felt that probably in the Dublin game, the Derry game a bit. But at the same time, Pádraic kind of passed on a couple of things to me. It stood to me going into the weekend, trained well for the two weeks, and it kind of followed into last Saturday.' Shane Walsh missed most of the Connacht championship with injury. Photograph: Sports File Under manager Conor Laverty, Down's confidence has been soaring. Despite losing to Donegal in the Ulster semi-final, they certainly won't fear Galway. 'We all know about going up to Newry, you never get it easy up there,' says Walsh. 'Conor Laverty always has his team well drilled. I know him, he's a lovely fellah off the field, but when it comes to his football, he's very serious about winning as well, and he'll do whatever it takes. 'Like Michael Murphy's a nice fellah, gentle off the field, and then when he goes on the field, he's just a possessed animal, really. It's great to be able to have that mindset, that you're able to switch between two. It can be hard at times to take yourself out of it and put yourself into it, but they seem to do it pretty well. 'It's another great challenge, if you get through it to build your confidence, build the belief in the team and build a bit of momentum.' Walsh required all his old confidence when standing over the free-kick, just outside the 40-metre line, to win the match last Saturday. He looks back on that process in three different steps. [ Conor McManus: Here's my ranking of the top 12 counties going into the knockouts Opens in new window ] 'Firstly, when you're walking over, you're just saying 'calm, this is my job now'. The rest of them have done their work to win the free. Then there's a few words coming your way from opposition and then the heart rate starts to go up a bit. 'Then you're coming back in saying, 'you've dreamt of this as a young lad'. This is what you grew up dreaming about, saying you want to be in these situations and just commit to the kick, be yourself. That's all I could do, thankfully it went over.' While Joyce has sometimes been critical of his team's performance, admitting he'll have a hard time picking his best 15 players for Sunday, Walsh believes it's all part of his plan to get the best out of them. 'We'd nearly be laughing and joking about some things. He could be saying things about us to the media. And sure, we know where he's coming from. It's not as if we'd be saying that's a personal attack or anything like that. 'You build confidence through yourself, but you also build it through your team-mates, your manager and the people around you as well. If people are knocking you, it obviously doesn't encourage you to do the things you're doing.'
