Latest news with #McConkey
The 42
2 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
'Close to the ground': The Cian Lynch prototype who lifted the MacCarthy Cup in troubled times
BOB McCONKEY WAS only a few months younger than Cian Lynch is now when he captained Limerick to the 1921 All-Ireland. And when the Young Irelands clubman passed away in early 1961, the write up they gave him in the local newspaper sounded a lot like Lynch too. He weighed 11 stone when playing, around what current captain Lynch might be if he hadn't embraced modern strength and conditioning training so regimentally. Bob McConkey: The first man EVER to receive the Liam MacCarthy cup after Limerick's 1921 All-Ireland success (final played in 1923) — Cuimhnigh ar Luimneach : Limerick Supporters Group (@LimerickFanPage) January 6, 2022 And he wasn't particularly tall either, described at his funeral by one defender who competed against him as being 'close to the ground' with a 'knack of cleverly rounding his man . . . with lightning rapidity' and capable of delivering 'a terrific crack of the leather'. Echoes of Lynch for sure. A life and times piece published after the full-forward's passing suggested that 'many would rate McConkey the best man that ever stood on the edge of the square'. Born in Clare, he played in four All-Ireland finals for Limerick, in cluding one at 40, and finished up with three winner's medals. But it was the 1921 win that's worth recalling for the week that's in it as Limerick and Dublin, who met in that final, prepare to battle all over again, 102 years later. Those maths are correct because the 1921 final was delayed until 4 March, 1923, due to the War of Independence. Limerick scored eight goals at Croke Park that Sunday afternoon, half of which were supplied by McConkey. Advertisement The following morning, the Irish Independent trumpeted a 'poor hurling contest' despite the 'big attendance' of 19,000 and 'fine weather'. It was, in fact, 'one of the most disappointing finals ever played' with Limerick 4-1 to 0-2 up and cruising at half-time. Only the Dublin defence, despite conceding all those goals, 'showed any semblance of their usual hurling prowess'. At midfield and in attack, 'they were completely outclassed'. So what makes it so memorable and worthy of recall? It was the first time, for starters, that the Liam MacCarthy Cup was handed out, making McConkey the first player to hoist it skywards. MacCarthy, the son of a Limerick woman, from Bruff, grew up in a distinctly Irish household in London and donated the £50 – about €3,500 in current terms – to commission Edmond Johnson Jewellers on Grafton Street to make the cup. MacCarthy didn't actually attend the final though his cup, modelled on an old Irish drinking vessel was said to be 'an object of admiration during the day'. McConkey's brilliance, Dublin's desperation, the gleam from the freshly minted MacCarthy Cup and even the victory celebrations all seemed to count for very little within days, however. The following Wednesday, the sitting mayor of Limerick, George Clancy, his predecessor Michael O'Callaghan, and another Limerick resident, Joseph O'Donoghue, were murdered within hours of each other. British auxiliaries, in particular a five-strong death squad operating out of a hotel in the city, were blamed for what, in a time of curfew, became known as The Limerick Curfew Murders. Former Limerick captain Mark Foley moderated a two-hour discussion on that remarkable week in the county's history in 2021, the 100th anniversary of Limerick's 1921 success. Limerick players wearing their special jersey in 2021 to commemorate Limerick's All-Ireland hurling victory in 1921. Tommy Dickson / INPHO Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO Limerick native Gearoid O Tuathaigh, Professor Emeritus in History, spoke at the event and recalled how ripples of discontent spread out from that week, and the turbulent era generally, for decades afterwards. The official line regarding the murders of the two mayors was that they were at odds with extreme republicans, so were executed. Historian and writer Tom Toomey said it is more likely there was collusion between the British military and RIC, allowing the murders to go ahead unpunished. Two of Limerick's most popular quayside streets were later named after Clancy and O'Callaghan, both shot and killed in their homes. The two men were in their 40s, established nationalists, Irish speakers and volunteers. O'Donoghue was younger, at 24, and was a Westmeath native though lived in Limerick and was a volunteer too. Thousands poured onto the streets as their coffins passed and there were a number of days of national mourning. All three were committed GAA members. Limerick beat Dublin again after an All-Ireland final replay in 1934. McConkey was involved that year too, though the counties didn't meet again in a Championship game until 2006. And this weekend's All-Ireland quarter-final at Croke Park will be their first Championship game there since that 1934 All-Ireland decider. John Kiely will hope that the present day side shows the spirit of McConkey and all of those Limerick greats. And perhaps they might even benefit from some of the preparation techniques employed at the time. Speaking at the discussion in 2021, Foley read from an interview given by Limerick's 1918 All-Ireland winner Dan Troy who was speaking about how legendary trainer Jim Dalton – regarded as the Paul Kinnerk of his day – would prepare the team. According to Dalton, it was 'desirable to prepare for the fray with a light dose of Epsom salts before breakfast'. And as the ground was 'likely to be heavy', it was advised that 'constant practice of the muscles is necessary so that the men will retain their hitting power until the end of the match'. Players should be in bed and asleep by 10.30pm and up again at 7.30am. Smoking was a no-no while alcohol, or any 'fermented drinks' for that matter, was seen as 'poison' for a top hurler. Most of those nuggets still hold good. Like the advice that players must 'practice with the hurley' as often as possible and that they should keep up their training to avoid becoming 'mechanical and slow'. It's a replica of the original MacCarthy Cup that they give out these days but if Limerick follow Dalton's advice, there's a decent chance they'll get the better of Dublin again and that Lynch will do what McConkey did and captain an All-Ireland winning team.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Ranking the Chargers' 5 best players under the age of 25 heading into the 2025 season
Ranking the Chargers' 5 best players under the age of 25 heading into the 2025 season At the hands of some strong draft classes as of late, the Chargers have assembled a nice young core. General manager Joe Hortiz assembled a stellar 2024 draft class, positioning this team well for the future. Let's rank the Chargers' five best players who are under the age of 25. 1. OT Joe Alt This spot could have easily gone to Ladd McConkey, but Alt barely gets the nod. Without discrediting what McConkey did as a rookie, Alt's 2024 season was perhaps as impressive. The former Notre Dame product stepped into the starting lineup right away and held his own against some of the league's best pass rushers. The sky is the limit for him after he ranked 19th amongst 140 qualifying offensive tackles in 2024, according to Pro Football Focus. He has the potential to be one of the best in the league at his position, perhaps even better than his teammate Rashawn Slater. Simply put, it feels like he has a higher ceiling than McConkey. 2. WR Ladd McConkey One could argue that McConkey was the team's most valuable player last season. The second-rounder out of Georgia was one of the best rookies in the NFL, which led to a ninth-place finish in the Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. McConkey led the team in catches (82), receiving yards (1,149), yards after catch (390), and first downs (52). 3. CB Tarheeb Still The 2024 draft class already takes up the third spot on this list. Still provided a massive impact as a rookie and will be expected to take an even larger role this year. He started 12 games in 2024 and accumulated a team-high four interceptions and 10 pass deflections. Still finished seventh in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, as just two cornerbacks were ahead of him. 4. EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu Tuipulotu took a step forward in Year 2 with Los Angeles. While he started just nine games, which were fewer than his rookie campaign, he was more effective. Tuipulotu led the team in sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (11) despite playing only 67% of the team's defensive snaps. Expect that number to jump up this year, as his improvement was a big reason for the team's decision to move on from Joey Bosa. 5. CB Cam Hart Four of the five spots on this list come from last year's stellar draft class. Hart stepped up in the absence of Asante Samuel Jr. and contributed more than expected. The 2024 fifth-round pick played 52% of the team's defensive snaps, which included six starts. Hart had seven pass deflections and will be asked to take a step forward in 2025 with the departure of a few key cornerbacks. Honorable Mention: RB Omarion Hampton, WR Quentin Johnston I was very close to adding Hampton to the list, which would have been controversial given that he hasn't set foot on an NFL field yet. The 22nd overall pick has huge expectations for his future in Los Angeles. Hampton has already earned rave reviews in his short time with the Chargers, and he possesses all the tools to be a star. Johnston has been a solid secondary option for Justin Herbert, but he is not worth the first-round pick that the team used on him in 2023.
Miami Herald
7 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Could Chargers end up with chance at part of Ladd McConkey trade robbery of Patriots?
When the Los Angeles Chargers ripped off the New England Patriots in the trade that netted them Ladd McConkey in the 2024 NFL draft, it cemented two things. One, the Patriots would probably never do business with the Chargers again. And two, sans sort-of jokes, it shut the door on the whole ordeal. Or maybe not. RELATED: Chargers' top weapon already hurt, and this case is particularly concerning The Chargers traded up in the 2024 draft to get McConkey in the second round at No. 34. McConkey shattered franchise records as a rookie and another pick acquired in the swap, No. 137, was Tarheeb Still, a breakout starting cornerback. One of the players the Patriots picked after the swap? Wideout Ja'Lynn Polk at No. 37. According to ESPN's Mike Reiss, Polk is one of the wideouts fighting for the two final roster spots on the depth chart this summer. (So is Javon Baker, another part of the McConkey trade, who caught one pass last year). Maybe the Patriots hang on to Polk based on draft slotting alone. But he played in 15 games last year and caught 12 passes, two of them touchdowns. The Patriots responded by signing Stefon Diggs and taking a wideout in the third round. RELATED: Chargers' Justin Herbert ranking above Eagles' Jalen Hurts sparks controversy So, perhaps in a roundabout way, the Chargers can get another small win over the Patriots by getting a shot at Polk this summer as one of the league's most dramatic rebuilds continues. Those Chargers brought back Mike Williams and drafted Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith. But they probably wouldn't mind more high-upside depth when talking about those fifth and sixth spots that currently go to names like Jalen Reagor. Either way, it's just something to watch during the summer as training camp battles rage around the NFL. - Enjoy free coverage of the Chargers from Los Angeles Chargers on SI - Trey Lance tried Derwin James in practice and it went as poorly as you'd expect 2028 Olympic flag football creates rivalry in Chargers locker room Chargers' budding star reveals teammates who stuck around for offseason training Chargers rookie who just changed jersey number stole show on Day 2 of minicamp Chargers' rookies already impressing QB Justin Herbert Chargers rookie currently in breakout mode headlines standouts from minicamp This article was originally published on as Could Chargers end up with chance at part of Ladd McConkey trade robbery of Patriots?. Copyright ABG-SI LLC. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Belfast Telegraph
04-06-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Son of former Ballinamallard United boss takes charge of Cambodian champions: ‘This is a huge moment in my career'
The 32-year-old, who is the son of former Ballinamallard United manager Harry, has been promoted from the role of assistant manager and has described the move as a 'huge moment in my career'. McConkey had previously coached at Under-20 level with Ballinamallard before taking his skills abroad. Now comes an opportunity to lead Svay Reing replacing Spaniard Pep Munoz who had been in charge for two years. McConkey knows the club well having been assistant boss since 2021, first working under Irishman Conor Nestor and then Nunez. Announced as the new man at the helm on Tuesday, McConkey said: 'When I was offered the position, I made up my mind in less than three seconds. 'This is a huge moment in my career. I'm grateful to the club and management for their trust, and I look forward to pushing together towards more success. Our goals are ambitious, and I'm ready to give everything to achieve them.' McConkey, who has a UEFA A Licence, takes over a side that have become used to success winning the Cambodian Premier League under Munoz in 2024 and 2025 This season Svay Reing made it to the final of the AFC Challenge League becoming the first from Cambodia to reach the decider of the Asian tournament's third-tier competition losing to FK Arkadag from Turkmenistan. McConkey, renowned for a strong work ethic, will aim to build on what went before having played a significant role in Svay Reing's recent triumphs as a number two. 'Many coaches aspire to lead a team like this. We can't be assistants forever,' said McConkey, a former pupil of Enniskillen Royal Grammar School. The Fermanagh man is not the first person from Northern Ireland to work with Svay Reing. Previously Belfast born Colum Curtis, who is the Sporting Director at Bangkok FC, was assistant boss at the club.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fantasy Football: How high should you draft Ladd McConkey in 2025?
(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.) If you're prepping for your fantasy football draft this year, you've probably started hearing a lot of buzz around Ladd McConkey coming off his excellent rookie season. On the latest Yahoo Fantasy Forecast, Matt Harmon and Scott Pianowski couldn't contain their excitement for McConkey's outlook with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2025 — and for good reason. But the burning question is: Where should you draft him? Subscribe to on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen. McConkey's rookie tape and underlying numbers turned plenty of heads, but it's not just about his skills — as both Harmon and Pianowski highlighted, it's about the perfect combination of talent, opportunity and team context. Pianowski didn't mince words: "Ladd McConkey is a great second-round pick. Anywhere you can get him. I'm going to have Ladd McConkey shares. If I overpay for them, I don't care. He's going to catch 115 passes this year. You're going to regret [missing out]. It's going to pain you. If you were between McConkey and somebody else and you took somebody else, you're going to regret that. Please get this guy this year." We're talking must-draft territory. There are a few core reasons McConkey stands out: High-Volume Role: Even as a rookie, McConkey wasn't just a starter, but quickly became the go-to guy in a shallow receiving corps. The Chargers handed the reins to McConkey to the tune of 112 targets and that total should only go up in his sophomore season. Team Situation: As discussed on the podcast, Justin Herbert is healthy and poised for a big year. The Chargers' offensive line has questions, but their high pass rate down the stretch last season was a positive sign for target volume. Player on the rise: Pianowski's praise included advocating for McConkey over A.J. Brown in some formats:"If you come down to A.J. brown versus Ladd McConkey. I want you to take Ladd McConkey every time. So I'm [planting] my flag, there it is." Rookie Precedent: Harmon compared McConkey's Reception Perception data to the likes of CeeDee Lamb, Michael Thomas and Tyreek Hill as rookies. That's elite company. No player comes without question marks. McConkey's raw numbers in college were held back by Georgia's conservative offense, but both analysts are confident that was a product of his environment, not a lack of ability. With the Chargers, there's little established competition for targets — and with Herbert as his quarterback, everything is lining up. Pianowski was adamant McConkey should be a second-round pick in full-PPR leagues, even calling him a 'no-brainer' over established stars if you're on the fence. If general consensus and ADP puts McConkey closer to the third round, do not hesitate. Take him in the late second or early third; you'll beat the rush and snag a true difference-maker with top-10 potential. He projects as the clear top target for his team and could return low-end fantasy WR1 production. If you're drafting in half-PPR, he's still a firm Round 3 pick based on projected volume and role. In standard scoring, bump him to later in the third round or early fourth as touchdowns are less of his profile, but the floor remains high. Pianowski said it best: "Please get this guy this year." So don't be afraid to reach for McConkey — trust the tape, the role and the hype. When your league mates are cursing themselves midseason for passing him up, you'll be glad you listened.
