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The Irish Sun
15 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Jimmy Lee knows Limerick's Tailteann Cup semi-final against Wicklow will be tough based off league battle
WITH Limerick football in bloom, Jimmy Lee's side want to make the most of another chance to ensure all is not rosy in the Garden. Lee steered the Treaty to promotion from NFL Division 4 in March. And their result against this weekend's Tailteann Cup semi-final opponents was one of the seeds of their growth. A last-gasp point from James Naughton earned the visitors a draw in Aughrim. But Wicklow will have a score to settle on Sunday as a win over Lee's men on St Patrick's weekend would have seen the Garden County finish the campaign with a sufficient points tally to return to Division 3 at Limerick's expense. Lee recalled: 'You could buckle under the pressure of being behind late in a game like that but the lads stuck hard at it. 'That result changed the mood of the whole place. You could see lads almost walking a bit lighter. Read More On GAA 'They showed an abundance of character and they've continued to do that since. 'You'd be delighted for them because they've put a lot into it. But you don't always get what you deserve in life. You have to work hard for it.' After a dalliance with life in Division 2, Limerick were on the slide by the time Lee took charge for the 2024 season. Their decline was also accelerated by a significant turnover in personnel. Compare the team who beat Wexford last weekend to the one dumped out of the 2023 Tailteann Cup by Laois and you will find only three starters common to both. Most read in GAA Football But the evidence accumulated in Lee's second season indicates that a corner has been turned. Limerick went 17 league games without a win before beating London in February. Ahead of another trip to Croke Park, their 13 fixtures so far in 2025 have produced just two defeats. 'Just in time for Father's Day' - Dublin GAA legends welcome the birth of precious baby daughter Lee said: 'We were struggling mentally. What they were doing on the field was very good but it wasn't coming together. 'The only thing we changed was the intensity that we trained at. 'We upped it a notch or two and then we got the result in London. I suppose it started flowing from there. You could see the pressure coming off. 'The mood has lightened as the year has gone on, especially for the senior players. 1 Lee has overseen an upturn in Limerick's fortunes 'They were carrying an awful lot of . . . baggage is probably the wrong word but an awful lot of the burden of Limerick going from Division 2 to Division 4.' Having been crowned Division 4 champions earlier this season, Lee's charges will be hoping for another successful outing at Croker. Indeed, there could be cause for Limerick celebrations on two fronts at HQ this weekend as John Kiely's hurlers will face Dublin in tomorrow's All-Ireland SHC quarter-final. That game forms part of a Dubs double-header as Dessie Farrell's footballers are also on the bill for a preliminary quarter-final against Cork. COST COMPLAINT But Limerick fans wishing to get behind their team in both codes will have to return again on Sunday and shell out an extra €30 for the privilege. Lee commented: 'I know we were down to play on Sunday. 'And to be fair, we wouldn't have been able to move it anyway because it would have been a six-day turnaround as both ourselves and Wicklow only played last Sunday. 'In fairness to the lads in the county board, they look after all that. We were just planning to play on Sunday. 'I know Limerick people would be disheartened by having to travel up and down twice if they wanted to go to both of them, which is not ideal. 'Unfortunately myself and John don't have any control over these things. There would be an abundance of support there if you had both Limerick teams on the same day. 'But for John and I, we have to keep our interest on the games and make sure we get it right on the day.'
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
'Results will keep lads on the bus': Limerick football look to stop high turnover rate
A hurry on nobody. Forty minutes have passed since the final whistle. The Gaelic Grounds field is a framed picture of tranquil cheer. Players mingle in their own local pods. Danny Neville chats to six or seven Ballysteen mates, Cillian Fahy and an elderly gentleman are locked in conversation. Jimmy Lee drifts from group to group. Of no interest to the manager is ushering lads back to the dressing-room. Jimmy assumed the Limerick reins ahead of the 2024 season. Jimmy inherited a Limerick panel minus 19 of its members from the 2023 class. The results reflected this unhealthy level of player churn. Limerick lost all seven of their Division 3 League outings. Relegation to the basement floor. Successive relegations, in fact. Limerick were, at that point, winless in 15 consecutive League outings. The advancement achieved by his brother Billy across six years of steps back but bigger strides forward was in freefall. Progress unwound, Limerick football once more mired in gloom. Fast forward to early Sunday evening. A first four-in-a-row of championship wins in the one season since 1896. A ninth victory in 11 outings to celebrate. Of the 2,119 patrons that paid in, a healthy portion have packed out onto the field. Photos, hugs, kisses, and handshakes. Nobody in a hurry, everybody happy. Cillian Fahy wears the title of Limerick captain. He approaches the conversation as such. He sees the immediate picture and the long-term picture. He impressively articulates his vision for Limerick football. That vision goes beyond this Sunday and a potential first championship victory at Croke Park in 127 years. 'You could see with the crowd that there were a lot of kids here, a lot of people that wouldn't normally come to football games were here. That is all a result of the year so far. Winning helps everything. Hopefully we can keep building it, not just this year, but more so over the next couple of years,' says the half-forward. Year-on-year development, even year-on-year stability, as referenced above, has been a problem area. The wind comes in and out of their sails at far too frequent intervals. Promotion to Division 2, relegation to Division 4. Progression to the 2022 Munster final followed, two years later, by a 17-point Tailteann Cup quarter-final pummeling by Sligo. 'On that, a big thing for us is that we have lost 15, 16 players each year over the last three years. There's been a massive turnover of players. The biggest thing for us over the next three or four years is to keep as much of this panel together as we can. 'A lot of young lads have come in this year, and it is going to be their team over the next five years, so we just need to make sure the standards are there and people want to be part of the group and want to keep coming back. 'This year is important, but in terms of a long-term view, that is nearly more important. Results will keep lads on the bus. The stuff going on in the background, everything is being done right and is a massive help.' GREEN MISSION: Limerick captain Cillian Fahy speaks to his teammates during the team huddle before the Tailteann Cup quarter-final. Pic: Tom Beary/Sportsfile A primary school teacher by profession, Fahy is 11 seasons inside in the Limerick dressing-room. This present set-up, encompassing management and playing personnel, is the 'best' he's ever been involved in. Fellow forward Peter Nash was in the door a year before Fahy. They made their championship debut the same afternoon in May 2015 against Clare. It was four years later, in 2019, before the pair tasted a first Munster championship win. It was 2022 before they played in a League or Championship final. And it was March 29 this year before they tasted final success, that in the Division 4 League decider. That Division 4 campaign actually began with a draw against Longford and defeat at home to Wexford, stretching out to 17 games the county's winless League run. 'Even at that point, I personally felt we were one win away from catching fire because there were a lot of good things being done from a coaching standpoint from very early in the year, you could see a defined plan, you could see a road to improvement in every single session,' says Nash. 'I have to give credit to management; they've put real direction around what the group wants to be about and how we want to play. In the twilight of your career, to see that and to be benefiting from it, and to be still looking to get better and having somebody provide a pathway for you to get better has been special. 'With how things are being done and run, you can see the foundations are there for the next couple of years already. That is another real energy giver for players. You would really hope that this would be a continuous build, taking real inspiration from Clare, that spent seven years in Division 2, taking inspiration from Louth, who beat us in a Division 3 final and then won Leinster a few years later. "That is who you want to emulate. This coaching team and being part of this set-up is showing you those things are achievable.' They make for Croke Park this Sunday. Wicklow stand between them and a first Tailteann Cup final appearance, the same Wicklow team they rescued a point off in Aughrim in mid-March to all but seal their first trip of the year to GAA HQ. 'Before this year, I'd only played in Croke Park once, so to get there twice this year is beyond our wildest dreams,' Fahy continued. 'When you haven't played there that often, your focus can come away from the game and you can kind of be overawed by the whole occasion. But we have the experience now of getting there, knowing we can perform there, and are not just going up to take part.' There's history in their making Croker twice in the one campaign. 33-year-old Nash didn't need history to validate his 12-year existence in green. 'I know for a lot of the group, we'd be generally proud to be associated with Limerick football, even if that wasn't the case. But that does add a real feeling of self-satisfaction. 'It has been a rollercoaster [with Limerick] but loved every minute of it and every extra minute I get I am going to savour it because nothing can replace this for me.'
Boston Globe
6 days ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
In Division 4, airtight defense and a freshman hurler lead Millbury to first baseball title in 41 years
In fact, that is what it took. After surrendering two runs in the first inning, Millbury freshman righthander Ryan Nikiforow hurled a complete game with five strikeouts for to earn the No. 5 Woolies a 3-2 victory in the Division 4 championship. After some first-inning nerves, Nikiforow settled down and only allowed five hits the rest of the afternoon at Polar Park. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up FINAL: No. 5 Millbury 3, No. 2 Lynnfield 2 Complete game for freshman RHP Ryan Nikiforow with five strikeouts. Alex Havalotti (1 for 2, 2 RBIs, walk) and Nolan Orzechowski the leaders on offense for Story to come — Graham Dietz (@graham_dietz) Advertisement 'Early in the season, we struggled a little bit,' Nikifrow said. 'We started 3-4 and then went on to win 18 of our last 19. Our bats really came around the best they have all season. But our pitching, as it has all season, just shut it down.' The key moment occurred in the bottom of the sixth with No. 2 Lynnfield (20-5) desperately searching for how to manufacture a hit off Nikiforow. With two outs, Matthew Tracy belted a Nikiforow fastball to left field. Related : Backpedaling and turning on a dime to track the ball, senior outfielder Chris Havalotti jumped and the ball landed directly in the tip of his mitt to end the inning. Advertisement 'I just love Ryan on the mound,' Havalotti said. 'No doubt in my mind, every time he's out there, we all always know that we're going to have a guy who doesn't pitch into holes. He's going to have a bright future ahead of him.' Every run of the game was scored in the first inning, as Nolan Orzechowski (1 for 3, RBI) roped a single to left field to score Millbury's first run and Alex Havalotti (1 for 2, 2 RBIs, walk) lifted a two-run single to give the Woolies (20-4) an early 3-0 advantage. Mid-1 | 3-0 Millbury Nolan Orzechowski lifted an opposite-field RBI single to put the Woolies on the board first, and a two-RBI single for Alex Havalotti increased their lead. Video of Orzechowski's single below. — Graham Dietz (@graham_dietz) Madux Iovinelli and Luke DiSilvio — who also pitched the entire game and recorded nine strikeouts — each registered an RBI in the bottom of the frame. 'I told these kids, you know, they'll put signs up in town saying 'State Champions 2025,' ' Silvestri said. 'In 15 to 20 years, when they're driving through, you can tell your kids 'I was on that team.'' Millbury hoists the MIAA baseball trophy for the first time in 41 years. Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe It was all high-fives and hugs after Millbury captured the Division 4 baseball championship. Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe Millbury scored all three of its runs in the first inning, then held on to claim the trophy. Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe Millbury's Ryan Nikiforow pitched a complete game, striking out five and finishing with six scoreless innings. Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe Millbury players take the MIAA trophy over to the stands to share with family and friends. Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe An emotional day at Polar Park ended with Millbury as Division 4 state champions. Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe
Boston Globe
6 days ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
With bat and glove, freshman Alyana DeJesus seals a Division 4 three-peat for Joseph Case softball
Then, with two outs and the tying run on second in the top of the seventh, DeJesus secured the final out at shortstop to seal Case's 7-6 win in the Division 4 softball championship game at Worcester State. For a third-straight season, Joseph Case was hoisting a trophy. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe The win gave the Cardinals (19-6) their third consecutive state championship, and marked their second-straight year topping Tyngsborough in the final. 'This definitely was the hardest of the three [to win],' said Case coach Shannon Silva. 'This entire season was a grind. We had some young players fill some important roles this year, and it took a little bit to figure it out . . . today's game, with a freshman coming up with a game-winning home run, it's just a testament to them never giving up.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up D4 FINAL: Joseph Case 7, Tyngsborough 6. After Tyngsborough plated one run in top of the 7th, Syndney Haslam grounds out with the tying run in scoring position to end it. In an absolute thriller, Case has won their third consecutive D4 state championship. — Matty Wasserman (@Matty_Wasserman) Advertisement Fresh off a one-hit gem in Thursday's semifinal win over Hampshire, Case sophomore Lila Alvarez allowed four earned runs and stuck out 12 against the talented Tigers (20-5). Tyngsborough opened the scoring in the second on junior Kaelyn DiMento's two-out, two-RBI single, and went back in front 3-2 in the fourth on sophomore Carly Smith's solo home run. But each time the Tigers punched, the Case offense answered against Hogan, a junior committed to Boston University. Related : Advertisement With two outs in the fourth, Cardinals senior Breanna Fontes gave Case a 4-3 lead with a two-run single to center. Two pitches later, junior Meghan Pereira doubled to bring Fontes home and put the Cardinals ahead, 5-3. 'The thing about our team that is so extremely special, is we are never down,' Fontes said. 'You can never count us out, no matter how bad we are playing or how bad you think we are. We are always about to come back.' Joseph Case center fielder Meghan Pereira was fired up after her second diving catch of the game. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe Down by two runs in the seventh, Tyngsborough freshman Adrianna Arsenault narrowed the gap with a two-out RBI to make it 7-6. But with the championship hanging in the balance, Alvarez induced a groundout to DeJesus at shortstop to end it with a runner in scoring position. 'It felt great to come through for my team and pick them up throughout the game,' DeJesus said. 'We just all worked so hard for this.' Sophomore Lila Alvarez struck out 12 for Joseph Case. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe Joseph Case center fielder Meghan Pereira (right) celebrates an inning-ending diving catch with teammate Skye Dupre. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe Joseph Case's Alyana DeJesus watches her go-ahead home run leave the field at Worcester State. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe Kiley Hogan, who is committed to Boston University, took the loss for Tyngsborough. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe Matty Wasserman can be reached at
Boston Globe
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Charlotte Pithie, Norwell girls' lacrosse save the best for last to close out Cohasset in Division 4
The Bryant-bound standout made two clutch saves in the final two minutes, cementing a thrilling 9-8 triumph over rival and defending champion Cohasset at Babson College. Pithie finished with 12 saves, guiding the No. 3 Clippers (19-3) to their first state title since 2018 and ninth overall. Senior Charlise Cox delivered the winner with 2:42 left, then Pithie and the defense took care of the rest to seal a Division 4 championship. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'This is the best feeling in the world,' Cox said. 'Our whole team has been waiting so long for this.' Advertisement Senior Holly Panttila paced the Clippers with three goals and Natasha Mikus and Caroline Burtch added two apiece. Sophomore Molly Campbell notched three and her twin Maddie scored two for the No. 1 Skippers (21-3). Cohasset fought valiantly, but ended up running out of time. 'They battled,' said first-year Cohasset coach Kara Connerty, who previously coached Norwell. 'I'm very proud of my team and my seniors.'That's what you want in the state final is a battle.' The teams were tied at 3 through one quarter, 6 at the half, and 8 with six minutes remaining. Then the Florida State-bound Cox darted in from behind the net and finished in one fluid swoop. Advertisement In the final seconds, as she's done so many times throughout her illustrious career, Pithie saved the Clippers one more time. 'The emotions were so high,' said first-year Norwell coach Laura Callahan. 'It was honestly such a battle between the two teams. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. It just came down to that these girls just wanted it.' When the final horn sounded, the Clippers celebrated at midfield, then kept the party going on the sideline. Pithie couldn't believe it actually happened, asking if it was real. It was, indeed. After falling to the Skippers in a heartbreaker during the regular season, the Clippers avenged that loss and sent their seniors out as champions. They no longer had to wonder what if, as they actualized a collective dream with one magical moment. 'It's truly amazing,' Pithie said. 'I've been dreaming of this moment since I was a freshman. I just can't even believe it's here.' When the buzzer sounded, the Norwell players sprinted down the turf at Babson to celebrate their 9-8 win over Cohasset in the Division 4 final. Barry Chin/Globe Staff At game's end, the Norwell girls held the Division 4 trophy aloft and raised the banner. Barry Chin/Globe Staff Trevor Hass can be reached at
