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Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Dublin forced to grind out result as they book quarter-final spot
Dublin 1-19 Cork 1-16Dublin are through to the last eight of the Championship for the 22nd consecutive season after grinding their way past certainly wasn't the performance of champions in waiting from Dessie Farrell's side as they struggled for long periods of the first half and were behind as late as the 55th minute, but they outscored a plucky Cork outfit by 0-7 to 0-3 coming down the stretch with Seán Bugler and Cormac Costello top-scoring with 0-5 each and Paddy Small weighing in with Óg Jones was Cork's main attacking threat and arguably the best forward on the field as he finished with 1-4 from play, giving Seán MacMahon a difficult evening, though Stephen Cluxton denying him a second goal in the first half ultimately proved result means that Dublin will play one of Tyrone, Monaghan or Meath in the All-Ireland quarter-final next weekend, with 2003 the last time that they failed to reach that stage of the Championship or its was no Con O'Callaghan as he was withdrawn from the published line-up and although the likes of Bugler, Costello and Small showed up well at times, his loss was still felt and Dublin's chances of kicking on from here will weigh heavily on his missed the defeat to Armagh, he played a full part in Dublin's season-saving win over Derry seven days earlier, with Farrell outlining afterwards how he had 'run the gauntlet' by holding him in reserve with a potentially more testing quarter-final in once Dublin got ahead late on, Cork's threat dwindled as their only score in the closing 12 minutes came from a Mark Cronin the incredible drama of the first game at Croke Park, there was a flatness to the atmosphere as this preliminary quarter-final got underway, though perhaps that would have been the case in any Limerick supporters among the 36,546 attendance largely headed for home and, after five minutes, it looked the smart call as a second shock of the day already appeared remote as Dublin swept into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead through Paddy Small (two), Ciarán Kilkenny and it would be 12 minutes before they scored again and, indeed, they only managed four scores for the remainder of the half as Cork took control of the game and bossed possession for long Og Jones got them off the mark in the ninth minute before Mark Cronin added a free and Cork went in front as Jones finished low to Cluxton's left and in off the post for the game's opening goal after Ian Maguire had taken possession from a sideline Hurley kicked a couple of points for Cork and though Dublin were kicking the odd score to stay on their shoulder, it was John Cleary's side that were finding the scores easier and, indeed, they had a golden opportunity for a second goal only for Cluxton to save from Jones on the half hour goalkeeper Micheál Aodh Martin converted the resulting 45 and Jones brought his tally to 1-2 as he waltzed through amid a glaring lack of intensity from the Dublin however, Bugler hooked over a two-pointer just before the buzzer to halve Dublin's deficit and make it 1-8 to 0-9 at the seized the initiative on the restart, outscoring Cork by 1-3 to 0-1 in the opening 10 minutes to go three points in front. Brian Howard struck for the goal after he lost Seán McDonnell all too easily, though the Raheny man's finish was lethal as he gave Martin no chance with a rocket to the top to their credit, didn't buckle and hit four points without reply through Colm O'Callaghan, Jones, Cronin and Seán Walsh to regain the lead as Dublin went through another fallow period, this time going 10 minutes without a boss John Cleary was the most relieved man in Croke Park as an act of dissent on his part - he kicked the ball away as Dublin were about to take a sideline ball - resulted in a 50-metre penalty though Costello kicked the resulting two-point free did bring Dublin level shortly afterwards, however, before Paddy Small put them in front with his third of the day. It was nip and tuck as Jones equalised, Bugler restored Dublin's lead and then sub Cathail O'Mahony fisted Cork level with 12 minutes points from Costello and Paddy Small gave Dublin some comfort but Cronin's free was brought it back to one and McDonnell had a two-point free to put Cork in front only for it to drop short into Cluxton's that, Cork's chance was effectively gone as Costello (free) and sub Luke Breathnach completed the scoring to see Farrell's side into the last S Cluxton; E Murchan, S MacMahon, D Byrne; B Howard (1-0), J Small (0-1), L Gannon (0-1); P Ó Cofaigh-Byrne, C Kilkenny (0-1); K McGinnis, S Bugler (0-5, 1tp), N Scully (0-1); P Small (0-4), L O'Dell, C Costello (0-5, 0-2f).Subs: C Murphy for O'Dell (45), L Breathnach (0-1) for McGinnis (57), T Lahiff for Gannon (59), N Doran for Scully (68).CORK: MA Martin (0-1 '45'); N Lordan,D O'Mahony, M Shanley; B O'Driscoll, S Brady, M Taylor; I Maguire (0-1), C O'Callaghan (0-2); P Walsh, S Walsh (0-1), S McDonnell; M Cronin (0-4, 0-2f), B Hurley (0-2), C Jones (1-4).Subs: E McSweeney for P Walsh (48), C Cahalane for McDonnell (49-58, temp), C O'Mahony (0-1) for Hurley (55), S Powter for Taylor (58), L Fahy for Lordan (63).REFEREE: S Hurson (Tyrone).
The Irish Sun
28-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Diarmuid Connolly backs Stephen Cluxton after Meath blow as Dublin icon silences critics with Galway heroics
EVEN after Dublin failed to reach the Royal standard, Diarmuid Connolly never had any doubts about Stephen Cluxton's ability to justify his continued selection. The performance of the legendary goalkeeper, 43, was heavily scrutinised following his side's elimination from the 2 Diarmuid Connolly never had any doubts about Stephen Cluxton' despite some heavy criticism this season 2 Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton put on a solid display in the clash against Galway His kickouts were devoured as the A nine-time All-Ireland SFC winner, Cluxton is now in his 23rd Championship campaign. And he delivered an emphatic response to the questions that were raised by his contribution to the Leinster semi-final loss. The seven-time All-Star played a starring role in Salthill as Dublin started their Sam Maguire campaign with an READ MORE ON GAA Asked if the fall-out from the Meath game left him concerned that this might prove to be one year too many for Cluxton, former team-mate Connolly said: 'No. I think what Stephen will give you. "And you saw it there against Galway, he doesn't get too flustered about the nitty-gritty sort of small things. 'I'd never throw him under the bus anyway. I know the guy personally, I've trained with him for so long and I know the sort of work that he puts in behind the scenes.' With the game's new rules requiring all kickouts to travel beyond the 40-metre arc, Connolly points out that responsibility for a malfunctioning restart does not rest entirely with a goalkeeper. Most read in GAA Football The ex-Dublin forward remarked: 'It's easy to say, 'Stephen didn't kick 80 per cent today', and it's easy to blame him for the loss. For me, it's the guys out the field that have to show for the ball. 'It's very difficult for a goalkeeper now. They have to get it off within a certain amount of time and they have to kick it for a distance now. 'Like something out of the French Revolution' - RTE GAA pundit Donal Og Cusack slams Dublin star's reckless swipe "If they don't have the options out the field, that can't happen, so you can't solely blame that on the keeper. 'But against Galway, that was completely different. 'There were options out the field and I thought Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne, when we did have to go long, he either broke it or won his own ball. That's a huge thing.' Cluxton was at the centre of some key moments as Dublin eked out their 1-18 to 2-14 win against Galway. As well as producing a vital first-half save to deny Shane Walsh a goal, the pinpoint accuracy of a last-minute kickout started the move that culminated in Tom Lahiff's winning score. Dubs boss Dessie Farrell will hope for another big performance from his most senior statesman when the campaign resumes against All-Ireland champions Armagh at Croke Park on Sunday. And Connolly added: 'Stephen answered the questions like he usually does. "It was difficult for him against Meath — they really pressed the kickout but I thought we hadn't got a lot of options out the field and we had more against Galway for him.' l DIARMUID CONNOLLY was speaking in his role as a BoyleSports ambassador
Irish Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
All-Ireland winning captain lauds Stephen Cluxton 'generosity and selflessness'
Galway football legend Ray Silke shared a glowing review of Stephen Cluxton after his Dublin side edged past the Tribesmen in a thriller in Salthill last weekend. In a letter to the Irish Times, the former Corofin man described the Pobal Parnell club man as "a credit to [himself] and also to the culture of generosity and selflessness in the Dublin football squad." This was due to Cluxton staying out after full-time for over an hour to greet Dublin and Galway fans alike on the pitch. "Over 70 minutes after his team had defeated Galway last Saturday in Pearse Stadium, Stehen Cluxton was still signing autographs, shaking hands with supporters from both teams, giving his time to young children and smiling warmly for a never-ending queue of people looking for pictures with him," wrote Silke. "That a man with nine senior All-Ireland medals - most collected as team captain - and who has played with his county for over two decades was content to stand in the searing sun on a hard pitch after playing a Championship game to facilitate FAA supporters is a credit to Stephen and also the culture and generosity and selflessness in the Dublin football squad. "Eventually a member of the Dublin backroom team had to come over and give him the eye, which said 'Stephen, we need to get going." Silke, whose nephew Liam lined out for Galway last weekend, was reminded of his teacher's word to him as a child, saying "I recalled my national schoolteacher (Mrs Quinn) from 45 years ago telling her third class a really central rule for life: 'While it is nice to be important, it is more important to be nice.'" He added: "It's clear Mr Cluxton lives by the same truism." The Galway legend would know a winner when he sees one, with his 1998 season being one of the best possible. He completed a senior championship double, first on St. Patrick's day with Corofin, and later on that year as captain of the Galway side that beat Kildare to lift Sam. Cluxton was busy in Pearse Stadium on Saturday, with the 43-year-old making an excellent stop to deny Shane Walsh in the first half. The evergreen netminder has had to manage his minutes in the last few months and years, missing out on most of this year's league campaign before returning for Dublin's Leinster SFC defeat against Meath in the semi-final stage. Dessie Farrell has been looking to blood an heir to his throne since he took the Dublin job in 2019 with Evan Comerford and Hugh O'Sullivan impressing in spells, but Cluxton shows no signs of abdicating just yet. To keep going at his age at the highest level of football takes some doing, and he has been given his flowers for it, with many labelling him as the game's greatest stopper.
Irish Examiner
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Late Lahiff point seals win for Dublin over Galway in enthralling encounter
All-Ireland SFC Group 4: Galway: 2-2-10 (20) Dublin: 1-0-18 (21) They're still here. With the last kick of an enthralling game, Dublin's Tom Lahiff sealed a remarkable victory over Galway in front of a packed Pearse Stadium. The hooter sounded with both teams level but a outrageous Stephen Cluxton kickout offered Dublin one final opportunity. They worked the ball to Lahiff, who came on to replaced the injured Con O'Callaghan early in the second half. The sizeable support behind Cluxton's goal exploded in delight as the big midfielder curled over the winner. It was a scorcher in Salthill with the sentiment of anticipation hanging over the ground. As throw-in approached, a blue scrum slowly began to form behind either goal and jovial announcements rang out. A lost phone. The phone found. The owner of the phone looking for the child who found it to offer a reward. Approving applause. The vibes were good. In a late change blitz, Dublin made six alterations to the team named during the week. Seán Bugler made his return from injury. He marked his comeback with the opening point as the away side immediately made their mark on Connor Gleeson's kickout. Jack Glynn dropped out due to illness at the other end, with Cian Hernon taking his place. Dessie Farrell's outfit ignited immediately. There was abundant fuel for this revenge mission. 20 days ago, Meath made history as Dublin suffered their first Leinster championship defeat in 15 years. 319 days ago, Galway made history as Dublin suffered their first All-Ireland quarter-final defeat in 15 years. All the conditions were there for a raging fire. They led 1-9 to 0-8 at the turnaround with Colm Costello's 20-minute goal helping the margin. Two orange flags from Shane Walsh and Robert Finnerty had the Connacht champions in touch. Just. Galway led by two before Costello's goal. A Liam Silke turnover as they tried to work the ball out gave them a clean run at Gleeson's goal. Meanwhile, 43-year-old Stephen Cluxton pulled off a terrific stop to deny Shane Walsh a goal of his own. The Kimacud clubman went short with the resulting 45 in a bid to work a two-pointer. However, he hooked it wide. Killian McGinnis was at his jinking best with two early points. Costello and Basquel squandered opportunities to extend the gap, including a missed free from the top of the arc. Galway won only 11 of the 25 first half-kickouts. Overall, Cluxton retained an immense 70% of his own. Galway roared back as expected. Matthew Thompson found the net after a searching Cillian McDaid long ball from the throw-in set play. Cluxton failed to deal with a second McDaid floater in the final quarter. John Maher powered forward soon after. With four minutes left, it was all square. Dublin had so many rises to lie down and head off. A host of legends departed in the recent off-season. They were written off in places. Their captain was gone with a hamstring issue. They were on the road. Paddy Small went down in the warm-up. The performance was already credible. But they came determined to deliver a message. They've gone nowhere. Scorers for Galway: R. Finnerty 1-6 (1 tp, 1f); M. Thompson 1-1; M. Tierney 0-2; S. Walsh 0-2 (tp); C. McDaid, J. Maher, J. McGrath 0-1 each. Scorers for Dublin: C. Costello 1-3 (2f); S. Bugler, C. O'Callaghan, L. O'Dell 0-3 each; K. McGinnis, C. Kilkenny 0-2 each; B. O'Leary, T. Lahiff 0-1 each. GALWAY: C. Gleeson; J. McGrath, L. Silke, S. Mulkerrin; D. McHugh, S. Kelly, C. Hernon; P. Conroy, J. Maher; C. D'Arcy, S. Walsh, C. McDaid; M. Tierney, R. Finnerty, M. Thompson. Subs: P. Cooke for Thompson (41-53, temp), K. Molloy for Conroy (53), P. Cooke for Seán Kelly (53-60, temp), D. O'Flaherty for Hernon (55), P. Cooke for Shane Walsh (60), T. Culhane for D'Arcy (65), J. Daly for Silke (67). DUBLIN: S. Cluxton; D. Byrne, T. Clancy, S. MacMahon; S. Bugler, A. Gavin, B. Howard; P. Ó Cofaigh Byrne, K. McGinnis; C. Basquel, L. O'Dell, C. Kilkenny; C. Costello, C. O'Callaghan, B. Leary. Subs: T. Lahiff for O'Callaghan (45-inj), N. Scully for O'Leary (50), C. Murphy for Clancy (53-55, temp), C. Murphy for Gavin (55), G. McEnaney for McGinnis (60), L. Breathnach for Bugler (62). Referee: D. Gough (Meath).
The Irish Sun
17-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Dublin facing nightmare scenario starting All-Ireland group in Galway, can they rally after Leinster letdown?
DUBLIN'S summer could go from bad to worse against Galway today. Whether three teams qualify or not, losing your first group game puts you on the back foot straight away. 2 A lot is falling on Ciaran Kilkenny's shoulders with so many other members of that great Dublin team now retired 2 Meath legend Graham Geraghty writes for SunSport throughout the inter-county Championship season A defeat in the west would really turn the heat up on the Sky Blues — and it's likely to happen. Dessie Farrell's men have had time to regroup and take stock of All the chat of their downfall has to be getting to the players as well. Everyone knows they're not as good as they were. But if you were in that dressing room, hearing it would fire you up to prove them all wrong. Read More On GAA Those players know how to shield themselves from negativity. But some of those doubts have to sink in. Galway Taking down Mayo in their own backyard — without Shane Walsh and Damien Comer — was another big stepping stone for this group. Pádraic Joyce's star pair are vital to their All-Ireland hopes but the likes of Matthew Thompson and Rob Finnerty really stood up without them. Most read in GAA Football Either way, the same reliance on the pair isn't there anymore, and that's a great scenario for any manager. Dublin GAA legends reunite in Germany after taking part in gruelling sporting phenomenon Walsh likes playing out from goal and running at teams with pace on top of his obvious scoring threat. He scored 0-7 in the All-Ireland quarter-final win over the Dubs last June. And he could easily surpass that today with his ability to kick two-pointers. Comer provides that target and physical presence on the edge of the square. He showed that against Dublin in the league when he scored a wonderful goal off the bench. But Galway can manage fine today without him. They're building a serious resilience and know how to win tight games. That's why today is a nightmare start for a Dublin team still smarting from the Meath defeat and away from the comforts of Croke Park once more. The kickouts are going to be vital too. Salthill is always windy. Whoever wins the toss surely has to play with the wind and rack up a big lead. Meath really went after Stephen Cluxton's restarts in Portlaoise and it was the deciding factor in the end, as they led by 12 at half-time. Obviously Galway will have looked at that as well. They'll be eager to apply the same pressure on home soil. With the new rules, gone are the days when Cluxton could just dink the ball out to a corner-back. And after some high-profile Sky Blues retirements, he doesn't have James McCarthy or Brian Fenton to aim for if he does go long. It's up to the likes of Ciarán Kilkenny and Peadar Ó Cófaigh Byrne to change that now and make their presence really felt if they want to win. They've had three weeks to work on it, so rest assured Cluxton's distribution will be a lot better at Pearse Stadium but the pressure Galway apply to those kicks will be crucial. Losing your first game is not what you want. Imagine an angry Armagh team coming to Croker in a fortnight to really twist the knife? It all points to a Galway win for me. COMING TO THE KINGDOM The All-Ireland series starts in Killarney today when Kerry host Roscommon. I saw the Rossies in the flesh in Navan and they were poor — but they love a Championship scalp too. They stunned Tyrone in Omagh in the preliminary round last year and gave Armagh plenty to think about in the quarters. They were really disappointing in their Connacht semi- final loss to Galway. But that brings its own chance to go back to the drawing board and refocus. Davy Burke has some fine players to call upon in Enda Smith, Brian Stack and Diarmuid Murtagh — but they don't really have enough overall quality to beat the Kingdom. Paudie Clifford is back after missing the Clare game and Jack O'Connor will just want to win this and move on. I tipped Kerry at the start of the year to win the All-Ireland and I haven't changed my mind on that just yet. DOWN IN CLARE Clare's game against Down in Ennis tomorrow will be interesting given the holes the Mourne men punched in Donegal and the fact the Banner still scored 0-21 in the Munster final loss to Kerry. Both of them will fancy getting something out of it. Down won the Tailteann Cup but had a poor league — getting relegated back to Division 3. Clare shipped four goals against Kerry but should win at Cusack Park if they can sort that out. Cavan are going to Castlebar with nothing to lose against Mayo and will fancy a scalp. But they had a desperate performance in Ulster against Tyrone, and the gap between the top and the rest is still plain to see in games like that. WHOLE MAYO Mayo will be seething from losing another Connacht final and their failure to see it out. Diarmuid O'Connor got more minutes into him after a shoulder injury has been annoying him all year. But Paddy Durcan's return is a boost for Kevin McStay after their captain and leader tore his ACL this time last year. Durcan resumed full training during the league and rightfully wasn't risked — but it was surprising he didn't come off the bench against Galway when he was named in the 26. They're a hugely experienced team and will be eager to get a home win after what happened two weeks ago. A result today will get them back on track but we might not be talking about Mayo for much longer in the grand scheme of things.
