Latest news with #O'Shea
The 42
14 hours ago
- Sport
- The 42
'He was spotting things that maybe we wouldn't have seen. That's what you're looking for'
WHEN ÉAMON O'SHEA drafted in the services of Michéal Donoghue to work with the Tipperary hurlers in 2014, the pair travelled to training together from Galway. Two hours over and back across the county border. It made sense to carpool as Donoghue is a native of Clarinbridge while O'Shea was a lecturer of economics at NUIG at the time. Michael Ryan, Tipperary's 2016 All-Ireland-winning manager, was also a member of O'Shea's crew. He had already achieved Liam MacCarthy success with O'Shea as part of Liam Sheedy's backroom team in 2010. Ryan can only imagine how the friendship between O'Shea and Donoghue flourished during those many trips. What he does know is that O'Shea was the attack-minded mentor who could connect with his players on a human level. Donoghue was the coach with an eye for things that others couldn't see on the field. It was a daring move to bring a Galway man inside, but Donoghue was an instant hit. 'We always had great fun together,' Ryan recalls. 'The craic and slagging never stopped. I'd love to spend a couple of hours in both their company [again].' In 2025, Donoghue and O'Shea formed an alliance once more. This time, with Donoghue cast as manager of the Galway hurlers and O'Shea fulfilling the supporter's role. Advertisement Éamon O'Shea and Michael Ryan pictured in 2013. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO The call brought continuity to the backroom team as O'Shea had previously been part of Henry Shefflin's ticket. He also took charge of a Galway development squad for a time too. In truth, O'Shea has had one foot over the border for some time now. He's a long-term resident who has put roots down there. His son Donal is a panelist with Galway. Linking up with Donoghue again brings familiarity for Galway fans as they welcome the return of the man who delivered All-Ireland success in 2017. But for the two men, it was also a throwback to their days spent toiling for Tipperary. And it won't shock you to hear that that appointment was greeted with some scepticism. 'We don't cross county bounds,' Ryan says, explaining the feeling around Tipperary at the time. Thankfully, that sense of unease didn't last long. And it wasn't revisited when Donoghue became the Galway manager in 2015, nor did it resurface when renowned strength and conditioning coach Lukasc Kirszenstein joined the Galway camp in 2017. Nobody was guilty of any poaching crimes. 'We didn't own Lucas and we don't own Éamon,' says Ryan. 'It's not like the Premier League or anything that these guys are on such big retainers or contracts. Lukasz is an absolute consummate professional and brings a huge amount to any team that he gets involved with.' Michéal Donoghue holding up the Liam MacCarthy after Galway's 2017 victory. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO Donoghue initially came on board with Tipperary as an analyst but gradually migrated over to the coaching side of things. He had bundles of experience to help with that transition, including a stint with the Galway U21s. He also masterminded an All-Ireland senior title with his home club Clarinbridge in 2011. Bringing all that diligence and drive to his appointment in Tipperary, Donoghue quickly wiped out any sense of distrust towards him as an outsider. He developed a bond with the players while also impressing his colleagues with his sharp vision. 'He was spotting things that maybe we wouldn't have seen and that's exactly what you're looking for and it's exactly why people surround themselves with people that are bringing something new,' says Ryan. 'It's pointless having people who are exactly like-minded. You're not getting that challenging thinking out there in terms of how we view players or how the game should be played. 'Michéal was building a great rapport with the players and the players accepted him. He was very easy to work with and it was all so positive. 'They complemented each other too on how they thought about the game. Éamon being the flamboyant, offensive orientated type coach. He was also this man that had this ability to connect with all of the team on a human level. His thinking and appreciation of how other people think was just brilliant. 'Our attacking players loved what Éamon was bringing to every session. His offensive thinking was absolutely super in terms of your use of space. It was just attack, attack, attack, and within that period, I would say that Tipp played some of the most exciting hurling we have ever played.' Ryan and Donoghue have a separate connection that predates their time as O'Shea's enforcers. Their playing careers crossed over, and Ryan remembers Donoghue as 'an excellent underage player' who won minor and U21 All-Ireland titles across 1992 and 1993, before graduating to the senior scene. However, a chronic back injury forced him into early retirement which was quickly followed by the birth of his coaching career. Ryan, though, feels there is strength to be gained from such a setback. A premature end to his playing days gives Donoghue the ability to empathise with those who suffer a similar fate under his watch. 'That'll resonate with every single player who's ever had to leave the field by injury, or miss out any part of the season or full season, or have your career cut short by injury. Related Reads Galway's Fahy returns from suspension, Tipp ring the changes while Limerick remain unchanged 'I'd have him as up there as one of the best ever that's come out of Galway' Jake Morris: 'We were embarrassed, a lot of soul-searching done over the winter' 'There's a common bond there.' Michéal Donoghue playing in the 1992 All-Ireland minor final. ©INPHO ©INPHO O'Shea's time as Tipperary manager ended in the wake of their All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Galway in 2015. That set the others down various roads. Ryan became his successor, ultimately pushing the Premier up the Hogan steps in 2016. Donoghue also moved on, returning to his native county who were grappling with the effects of an acrimonious split with Anthony Cunningham. But within two years, Donoghue distinguished himself as a brilliant mentor again as he ended Galway's 29-year wait for an All-Ireland. Ryan credits O'Shea's teachings as being a major contributor to their respective achievements. 'The amount of colour that Éamon brings to any setup, and the alternative thinking, and just absolutely opening up your mind to as many possibilities as are out there. I can imagine that Éamon was really excited to have an opportunity to work again with Michéal. 'I read a line from an interview Éamon gave where he was talking about the way there's a thousand ways to strike a ball and you've got to learn them all. 'Who thinks like that? Not many. It just tells you about the way the man thinks about the game. It was infectious working with Éamon. We had great days, but we had bad days too, you know, we were beaten a lot. But it was the same Éamon and the same energy that came to training the next night.' Galway's All-Ireland quarter-final meeting with Tipperary this weekend will be the latest installment of a long rivalry between the counties. For some, the first drops of bad blood fell in the 1980′s. The infamous Tony Keady affair is an enduring symbol of that period. For others, it's the three All-Ireland semi-final meetings in-a-row between 2015 and 2017. Only one point separated the teams on each occasion, with Galway edging that thrilling period 2-1. Donoghue and O'Shea are back, continuing a partnership that was forged during those many car trips. They will help write the next chapter. 'Both of them working for the Maroon and White [now], whereas, 11 years ago, Éamon brought down Micheál to work with us for the Blue and Gold,' says Ryan. 'Micheál would be remembered very fondly and spoken of very fondly by everybody in the Tipp camp at that time. 'But your county is your county. They [Galway] haven't been as consistent as they might like. I suppose you've got to remember the Micheál Donoghue effect.' Check out the latest episode of The42′s GAA Weekly podcast here
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ireland's darts teams take aim for Six Nations glory
As we know from others sports, Ireland's close ties and proximity to the UK can be a help as well as a hindrance. It's certainly the case in darts, where our top players have easy access to the big tournaments in the UK, but are pretty much now swallowed up by that system. It's why Irish players looking to gain a tour card on the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC ) circuit - and a chance to rub shoulders with the big boys - must do so through the UK qualifiers. Yet the rest of our EU counterparts get to play their own PDC Q School qualifiers in Germany. As Cork's former World Masters champion John O'Shea recently pointed out, Ireland's darts players are much a part of the EU as those from Germany, Holland or Poland. O'Shea also reckons this is why Ireland gets overlooked by the PDC when they put together their increasingly popular World Series of Darts fixtures each year. The World Series sees the top eight players in the PDC, including the likes of Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen, take on the top eight players in Asia and Europe in front of huge crowds in places like Bahrain, Vegas and Copenhagen. O'Shea believes there is no doubt it would be an automatic sell-out here if the PDC brought their best eight players to take on Ireland's best eight in front of an Irish crowd. Five players who would certainly be in contention for that Irish eight would be WDF World Champion Shane McGuirk of Monaghan, Stephen Rosney of Offaly, Waterford's Dean Finn and Paddy Quinn and Donegal's Gerard McGlynn. Add in the serial winners Robyn Byrne and Katie Sheldon of Dublin and Donegal's Denise Cassidy and you would have an eight there that would give the PDC boys a good run for their money! All eight will get the chance to prove their worth this weekend when they compete for the Republic of Ireland men's and ladies teams at the Six Nations in Wales, against teams from the host country, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Netherlands. Success is never far off for Irish players at these tournaments, with McGlynn the reigning Six Nations singles champion, while Robyn Byrne is the current Europe Cup singles champion. It's been a great week for darts on this island as it is, with the Northern Ireland pair of Daryl Gurney and Josh Rock winning the PDC World Cup of Darts last Sunday night. The outpouring of emotion from the two was a sight to behold and just shows how much it means to them. Derry man Gurney is a class player and PDC major winner in his own right, but young Antrim man Rock really is something special. It surely won't be long before we see him in the PDC Premier League. And while PDC supremo, Barry Hearn, is at it, he really should think about Ireland for a future World Series of Darts event.
Business Insider
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Ord Minnett Reaffirms Their Buy Rating on Tourism Holdings Limited (THL)
Ord Minnett analyst John O'Shea maintained a Buy rating on Tourism Holdings Limited (THL – Research Report) today. The company's shares opened today at A$2.13. Confident Investing Starts Here: Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter O'Shea covers the Consumer Cyclical sector, focusing on stocks such as WEB Travel Group, Tourism Holdings Limited, and Corporate Travel Management Limited. According to TipRanks, O'Shea has an average return of -9.8% and a 29.32% success rate on recommended stocks. Currently, the analyst consensus on Tourism Holdings Limited is a Moderate Buy with an average price target of A$1.25. The company has a one-year high of A$2.10 and a one-year low of A$1.20. Currently, Tourism Holdings Limited has an average volume of 35.19K.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
CFC names new chief underwriting officer
CFC, a UK-based specialist insurance provider, has appointed Nick Line as its new chief underwriting officer (CUO), effective from 2026. Line will join CFC in 2026 following a 28-year tenure at Markel, where he has served as CUO since 2018. Line began working in the insurance industry in 1997, serving in roles such as chief actuary and chief underwriting officer. At Markel, he contributed to growth through new product development, market expansion and acquisitions. His tenure saw Markel diversify its portfolio, enhance underwriting processes and improve customer service in international markets, according to CFC's press statement. Commenting on the appointment, Line said: 'In 28 wonderful years at Markel, I have had the pleasure of working alongside some of the brightest minds and friendliest people in the industry. 'It had to be an exceptional opportunity for me to make a move, and that is why I am so excited to be joining the CFC team. I have always admired businesses that embody innovation, agility and a 'can-do' ethos, and CFC is a standout example. I look forward to working with Louise [O'Shea] and the broader team to deliver their vision for continued future success.' Markel has collaborated with CFC since 2019, particularly in areas such as transaction liability and terrorism. CFC Group CEO O'Shea said: 'I am delighted to welcome Nick to our executive team. He combines deep technical knowledge with global leadership experience, which will be invaluable as we continue to deliver the highest level of service and expertise to our clients across the world.' Matt Taylor, CFC's chief performance officer, has been serving as interim CUO since February 2025. Recently, CFC expanded its Cyber Proactive Response coverage to include additional sectors such as digital health, fintech and technology sectors. "CFC names new chief underwriting officer " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘A real gent' – GAA fans hail Aidan O'Shea for amazing gesture to kids moments after Mayo's heartbreaking elimination
AIDAN O'Shea has been hailed for his incredibly gracious willingness to acquiesce to fan requests moments after Mayo's heartbreaking exit. Even by the standards of Mayo defeats, Advertisement 3 James Crombie of INPHO captured this amazing shot post-match Credit: @INPHOJames 3 While the pain in his face is clear to see in this Sportsfile snap 3 The 34-year-old is Mayo's all-time record appearance holder It'll be up to O'Shea, 34, whether he goes again for another year in 2026. But his humility in not shunning young supporters who stormed the pitch after the final whistle showed the best of what the GAA is about. Fin hailed: "A real gent. I have a lot of respect for the guy." Meanwhile Jonathan O'Connell added: "Good picture James! Fair play to Aidan." Finally, another X user labelled O'Shea "a class act." Advertisement Read More On GAA Earlier this year the Breaffy man The two-time All-Star and Division 1 League winner has been lining out for them since his Leaving Cert year of 2009. It's probably fair to estimate that over the span of his career he's been subjected to more abuse from online trolls. This is despite longtime rivals like Advertisement Most read in GAA Football Yesterday it was Ciarán Moore's dramatic winner that condemned the green and red to a shock Championship exit at Dr. Hyde Park. With Tyrone top, Mayo were going through in third when the hooter sounded thanks to Boland's equaliser with Donegal in second. GAA fans 'loved seeing and hearing' the late Micheal O Muircheartaigh as he features in RTE documentary Hell for Leather But Moore's kick kept Cavan in the Championship instead on the head to head rule after the Breffni stunned the Connacht men in round 1. It all seemed too cruel, but Donegal were out to win. The game went right to the wire thanks to David McBrien's second half goal as Ryan O'Donoghue starred with 0-6. Advertisement Donnacha McHugh went toe to toe with Michael Murphy before falling injured seven minutes into the second half to sum up Mayo's luck. Donegal's talisman was their main outlet again and kicked 0-5, but Caolan McColgan and Shane O'Donnell stepped up the mark and ran Mayo ragged. It remains to be seen if boss Kevin McStay will return to the Mayo hotseat after But the Crossmolina man is adamant they can rise again despite their earliest championship exit since their 2010 round 1 qualifier loss to Longford - but cursed their failure to win another tight game. Advertisement ROCHFORD OPTIMISM He said: 'I think we've shown ourselves to be competitive over the last two years. "But, you know, we do need to develop a strength to us that gets us across the line. That's ultimately what we're missing just at this moment in time. 'Even though a draw would have done both teams, I don't think either team would have been happy with a draw. "And, you know, we certainly came into this with no view other than we wanted to win the game. Advertisement 'There's a lot of young players in that group, a lot of players that are, you know, learning every day. I think that has to be the way of it. But, you know, the likes of Conal Dawson, Sean Morahan coming in there, Jack Coyne. 'Donnacha McHugh had to go off, Davitt Neary had to go off, Enda Hession also had to go off with a hamstring injury and these are all players that we would look to have got a bit more impact from. 'But they're all young players, Enda is 25 but all those other players are 23 or less. And so, they've got bright futures ahead of them.' Advertisement
