Latest news with #JohnCleary
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Oisín O'Neill: They keep continuously changing the rules and as players, that's frustrating
A free for a foul on a player successfully claiming a kick-out mark will take place from where the infringement was made starting with this weekend's All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-finals and Tailteann Cup semi-finals. In an electronic vote prompted by the presentation of the Football Review Committee proposal at Central Council on Saturday, delegates voted 38 to one in favour of changing the experimental rule as it existed, which was a free brought forward 50 metres. Players fouled will have the option of taking a free from where the mark was awarded or a solo and go. That rule had caused major grievances for several inter-county managers including Kerry's Jack O'Connor and Cork's John Cleary. Counties had been utilising the option to bring the resultant free outside the 40m arc to kick two-point frees. However, Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney questioned the proposal on Saturday and Oisín O'Neill explained his manager's concern is the number of alterations to the list of experimental rules. 'I think Kieran's biggest issue with them is that they constantly change,' said the Crossmaglen Rangers man. Read More Jarlath Burns defends GAA's fixtures body in wake of Donegal criticism 'Half the league and then they changed and now they're talking about another change this week. Like, there's four rounds of championship left. 'He has no issue. It's more just that they keep continuously changing and as players, that's frustrating because your coach is working on one thing one week and then it might change. 'But look, whatever it is, it is and we'll be ready for the quarter-final in two weeks to do a massive rethink on what you're doing on some certain aspects.' At least Armagh will have that amount of time to adjust but this weekend's eight All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finalists will have half that period to respond. O'Neill recalls the previous amendments after Round 5 of the Allianz League. 'We probably had to tweak a few things that we've been working on and change certain things that we were trying to work on such as the mark. "You had to hold your hands up after going up and now you're being told you've five steps or whatever.'
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
GAA vote to do away with 50m penalty for kick-out mark fouls
A free for a foul on a player successfully claiming a kick-out mark will take place from where the infringement was made starting with this weekend's All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-finals and Tailteann Cup semi-finals. In an electronic vote prompted by the presentation of the proposal at Central Council on Saturday, delegates voted 39 to one in favour of changing the experimental rule as it existed, which was a free brought forward 50 metres. Players fouled will have the option of taking a free from where the mark was awarded or a solo and go. That rule had caused major grievances for several inter-county managers including Kerry's Jack O'Connor and Cork's John Cleary. Counties had been utilising the option to bring the resultant free outside the 40m arc to kick two-point frees. The likes of Meath boss Robbie Brennan and Armagh's 2024 All-Ireland winning manager Kieran McGeeney have questioned the change. 'What does that encourage, though?' said Brennan on Saturday. 'You're just going to foul the guy, aren't you? I presume that's what's going to happen. If someone catches, you're just going to foul him and knock that out of his way, so you're probably losing that advantage of going up and winning the mark. 'That rule used to be there, it was a 13-metre free. I don't know why it's still not 13 metre free if you're fouled but look if that's what they bring in, that's what they bring in. As usual, we will just work towards it and practice it.' Also on Saturday, McGeeney said some counties were influencing the changes. 'Some teams tell them to do something, I'd love that direct line. Whoever has that direct line into Jim (Gavin) and Eamonn (Fitzmaurice), I would love that.'
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
No time to savour Roscommon victory as Dublin in Croke Park looms for Cork and John Cleary
Not for preparation purposes but John Cleary sure would have liked a little more time for his Cork players to savour their victory over Roscommon on Saturday. The reward for their efforts is an All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-final date with Dublin in Croke Park this Saturday with a 6.15pm throw-in. Dessie Farrell's side are in the same boat having defeated Derry this past weekend and it's a game Cleary is relishing. However, the inability to celebrate a major win is something he laments. The same happened two years ago when they finished out their group campaign with a fine win over Mayo to seal a home preliminary quarter-final against Roscommon the following weekend. Cork simply have to move on and quickly. 'That's kind of the problem with the new system,' remarked Cleary. 'I said to the lads in the dressing room after the game on Saturday that in my time when you won a big game like that you'd have at least one of two days celebrating it before you'd get back at it. "But we knew coming down the road what was coming and the lads were all in recovery mode and looking forward to this weekend. 'It is the one drawback in this system that fellas train so hard and we all prepare so hard for it, and you don't get the time to enjoy it properly because you can't as no sooner that it happens, you have a bigger test coming the following week. 'The games just come so fast and I think there's a lack of enjoyment when you do win a game because you've no time. It's one of the weaknesses of the split season not to be able to sit back and enjoy things. "You're straight into preparing for what happens next.' Nevertheless, Cleary was happy with the draw. 'It's certainty now, we knew it was going to be Ballybofey, Newry or Croke Park and out of the three venues we're happy it's going to Croke Park. 'Both Donegal and Down were very impressive and it was a much of a muchness who we'd be playing but from a logistical point of view and playing in the top stadium in the country we'd be happy with that.' Saturday will mark the first championship meeting between Cork and Dublin since their 2022 All-Ireland quarter-final where Dublin won by 11 points as they pulled away in the third quarter. 'I think we always play reasonably well against them, so we just hope that continues the weekend,' Cleary said. 'We played them in 2019 as well and from memory off the top of my head Cork acquitted themselves very well. 'The Dubs got through for a few goals there, particularly towards the end and that was the six-in-a-row team and they were outstanding. We know they're going to be formidable again the next day. "Maybe they've lost a few players and they're in transition but any time you go to play Dublin in Croke Park, it's going to be a big task. 'But, look, we're looking forward to it. We played them in the league a couple of years ago and it was a close game in Páirc Uí Chaoimh (Dublin won by two points).' Cleary's main injury concern is Paul Walsh, who went off with a quad injury after scoring a point in the 56th minute against Roscommon and he is being assessed to see if he is available for the trip to the capital. Meanwhile, the chances of an Armagh-Kerry All-Ireland quarter-final the weekend after next are strong if the form guides are to be trusted. Victories for Kerry against Cavan, Dublin over Cork, Donegal against Louth and Galway over Down would mean guarantee a first Armagh-Kerry last-eight game since 2006, when current Armagh coach Kieran Donaghy turned the game in Kerry's favour, and a repeat of last year's All-Ireland semi-final. Due to the avoidance of repeat pairings from the provincial finals and group fixtures, All-Ireland champions Armagh would not be able to meet Donegal after their Ulster decider or their fellow group members Dublin and Galway. Like Cork, Kerry will play on Saturday when they will take on Cavan in Fitzgerald Stadium at 3.30pm. The other two preliminary quarter-finals – Down v Galway and Donegal v Louth – are set for 1.45pm and 4pm starts in Newry and Ballybofey on Sunday. The Dublin-Cork game on Saturday is the second part of a double-header featuring the Dublin-Limerick All-Ireland SHC quarter-final, which throws in at 4pm. In the other last six Liam MacCarthy Cup game, Galway and Tipperary meet in TUS Gaelic Grounds at 6.15pm. It is the third time in six seasons that the Limerick venue hosts the counties's quarter-final. There will be no draw required for the All-Ireland SHC semi-finals. Should the provincial finalists Limerick and Galway both fail to win this weekend, Tipperary will face Kilkenny on July 6 and Dublin will meet Cork the evening before as provincial round-robin pairings are also avoided. The Tailteann Cup semi-finals – Limerick v Wicklow and Kildare v Fermanagh – have been given 2pm and 4pm slots on Sunday. Finally, Thurles's FBD Semple Stadium has been confirmed as the venue for the Clare-Waterford All-Ireland minor hurling final on Saturday week. The game will have a 5.15pm throw-in and will be televised live on TG4. SATURDAY All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-finals Kerry v Cavan Fitzgerald Stadium, 3.30pm, GAA+ Dublin v Cork Croke Park, 6.15pm, GAA+ All-Ireland SHC quarter-finals. Dublin v Limerick Croke Park, 4pm, RTÉ Galway v Tipperary TUS Gaelic Grounds, 6.15pm, RTÉ TG4 All-Ireland senior ladies football championship, Round 3 Group 1 Tipperary v Donegal Bansha, 1pm Group 2 Mayo v Cork Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, 3pm Group 3 Armagh v Kildare Box-It Athletic Grounds, 2pm Group 4 Leitrim v Waterford Avant Money Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, 2pm Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior camogie championship, Round 4 Group 1 Cork v Clare TBC, 2pm Limerick v Tipperary TBC, 2pm Group 2 Kilkenny v Galway TBC 4pm Waterford v Dublin TBC, 4pm SUNDAY All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-finals. Down v Galway Páirc Esler, 1.45pm, GAA+ Donegal v Louth MacCumhaill Park, 4pm, GAA+ Tailteann Cup semi-finals Wicklow v Limerick Croke Park, 2pm, RTÉ. Kildare v Fermanagh Croke Park, 4pm, RTÉ Electric Ireland All-Ireland MFC semi-finals Kerry v Mayo Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, 3.30pm, TG4. Roscommon v Tyrone Kingspan Breffni, 1.30pm, TG4.
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
John Cleary hails Cork's resilience in eking out narrow win against Roscommon
Cork manager John Cleary was pleased by the manner in which his side held on to defeat Roscommon and in doing so book a place in the All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-finals. The Rebels knew they had to claim a victory at Laois Hire O'Moore Park to stay in the race for Sam Maguire and that's what they achieved after a 0-19 to 0-17 victory. Five unanswered points before the break alongside their ability to keep the scoreboard ticking over in the third quarter, stretching their advantage to six points at one stage, gave John Cleary's side a buffer that the Rossies couldn't overcome. Roscommon came with a late rally but, just like the Meath game, their efficiency in front of goal let them down as they spurned a host of presentable chances. Daniel O'Mahony's late block on a Diarmuid Murtagh two-point effort at the death was pivotal. Cork will now go into Monday's draw, knowing that they will be on their travels next week as they aim to keep their season going. Relief was in the air afterwards, with Cleary telling RTÉ Sport: "It was fairly heart-stopping at the end. It came down to the last play and we made a great block down. They were going for the two-pointer." "They showed great bottle" - Cork delivered against Roscommon today to keep their summer alive #RTEgaa — The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 14, 2025 In assessing the overall contest, the Rebels boss felt he side deserved it, stating that they were due a win in such circumstances. "In the first half I thought we should have been out of sight but we missed our scores," he said. "We had a great first 20 minutes of the second half and then we were hanging on, a few mistakes. It was that kind of game, the ball was slippery, the ball was wet. We got over the line. We needed that win, we were due that win. We have another day out." The spirit shown by his charges also pleased the manager, when adding: "We asked them not to die and that's what we wanted to do, we didn't die. "This team was due a win like that because for too often, coming down the line, we have left games behind us. Going back to Louth last year (preliminary quarter-final), it was a close game. We're happy out, we'll see what the draw brings on Monday." Special praise from Cleary for midfielder Com O'Callaghan and attacker Mark Cronin also featured prominently in his post-match debrief. "Colm was a colossus. He gives 110% all the time and he'll never be found wanting when the pressure is on. A great lad, made of the right stuff. "Things did not go right for Mark the last day. He showed what he can day. He's a very good player." Cleary's counterpart Davy Burke was offering no excuse following the Rossies' exit. "We've come out of the group with one point. It's not enough to progress. We got promoted this year and I think that was glossed over by the media. We blooded a huge amount of players but overall it;s disappointing to exit the championship at this stage of the season."
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
GAA Central Council to consider proposed adjustment to 50m advanced free
The GAA have confirmed that the Central Council is set to consider a proposed adjustment from the Football Review Committee regarding the 50 metre advanced free. The new rule, and the severity of the punishment, has been criticised in recent weeks. Cork manager John Cleary called on the regulation to be reviewed after his side were thrice penalised for interfering with the ball-winner, infractions that cost them six second-half points in their loss to Kerry. The respective rule is that a player cannot be interfered with for four steps after claiming a kickout mark. If they are deliberately stopped or delayed during those four steps, the ball is brought forward 50 metres. Kerry boss Jack O'Connor also hit out at the rule after his side's victory over the Rebels and in a statement released on Saturday afternoon, the GAA confirmed it will be reviewed amongst the announcement of other significant developments. 'Meetings of Coiste Bainistíochta and Ard Chomhairle took place this weekend,' it began. 'It was confirmed that there was a 24% increase in Allianz League gate receipts leading to an increased distribution to counties. 'Ard Chomhairle is to consider a proposed adjustment from the FRC to the penalty for a foul on a player who catches a mark from a kick out to be changed from a 50m advanced free to a free on the spot where the foul occurs. 'Eligibility for the All-Ireland JFC, relating specifically to London and New York, is to remain unchanged for the 2026 competition. 'The following were added to the DRA Panel; Rory Conway and Niall Gallagher (both Legal Panel) and Liam McCabe (Cavan) and Joe Edwards (Antrim) (GAA Panel). 'A proposal from Comhairle Ard Oideachais to rename the cup awarded to the winners of the JHC as the 'Corn Darragh Mhic Cárthaigh, in memory of MTU Cork student Darragh McCarthy was passed. 'It was agreed that county boards will supply smart sliotars for semi-finals and finals in all county junior, intermediate and senior championships.'
