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RTÉ News
15 hours ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Enda McGinley Down exude confidence but Galway have a higher ceiling
On paper, it's the tie that stands out across the All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-finals, as Down play host to Galway at Páirc Esler on Sunday. The Tribesmen, fancied by many to go one step further and bring home Sam this year, have stuttered during their run in the group phase, taking one of the third-placed berths following last weekend's narrow win against Armagh. Some observers will say that they got a kind draw in now facing Conor Laverty's side. It could have been a trip to Killarney or Ballybofey. But the Mournemen are no mugs, are scoring freely and gave Monaghan their fill of it, before losing narrowly. Assessing where Down are following that defeat at the Athletic Grounds, Enda McGinley believes they will now relish the opportunity in taking on the Connacht men. "Down are confident and will have not lost any of that confidence from their performance against Monaghan," McGinley said on the latest edition of the RTÉ GAA Podcast. "They emerged with huge credit and it was right at the very death that it tailed away - with that silly three-man breach that they gave away. They got punished hard right at the end but other than that they produced a good performance. Down will be confident in getting Galway to the Marshes and will not be one bit afraid of them." Nigel Dunne, also a contributor on this week's Podcast, alluded to Down's lack of fear, when saying: "It's power v pace here and Galway have all the advantages in size but Down are fearless and are completely bought in to what they are doing." The former Offaly star added: "I think Down have a really good chance but they would need Galway to be five or 10% off and that is a huge possibility with the way they've been going this year. In fairness to Down I think they are the one team that capitalise on Galway being a bit off." In assessing the championship so far, McGinley brought up the possibility of another unlikely winner, while also referencing how difficult it has been for the big guns to deliver consistent performances. "It is all about momentum, the top teams are struggling but it is still there to be got," opined the three-time All-Ireland winner. "This time last year, was anybody looking at Armagh as All-Ireland champions? Not a mention. The quarter-finals in Croke Park will be amazing games. The provincial champions this year have really struggled to sustain the push. The number of games, the ups and downs of the season, and the new rules means that it is tough to bring that energy every week. "If you are a wee bit off it with the new rules and the value of the breaking ball out around the middle, teams that have that wee edge, that bit of freshness, that's where it really does count. Teams that are off it have been caught." As to what might unfold in Newry, McGinley is accentuating the importance of just getting a win for one of the All-Ireland contenders and sees more of a threat from what Galway have up the field. "Down are unbelievably settled, so consistent in terms of their team. Pat Havern, who was unbelievable last week, probably doesn't suit Galway's best snubber-outer of men in Jack Glynn. "Galway have Havern to shut down but you feel there are more scoring threats in Galway. There is definitely a higher ceiling in Galway than Down and you're waiting for them to click - and now would be the perfect time for them to click. It just has to be a win; it does not have to be a statement performance." Follow a live blog on the All-Ireland Football Championship on Saturday and Sunday on and the RTÉ News app. Listen to updates on Saturday Sport and Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch highlights on The Saturday Game at 9.15pm and The Sunday Game from 9.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
RTÉ News
a day ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Jackie Tyrrell: Limerick aura 'slowly eroded' but still playing at high level
Jackie Tyrrell feels Limerick's aura may have "slowly eroded" but that an All-Ireland Hurling semi-final match-up with Kilkenny would be good fixture for both teams, provided John Kiely's side emerge victorious from Saturday's quarter-final against Dublin at Croke Park. Limerick lost the Munster final to Cork by way of a penalty shootout after a gripping contest a fortnight ago but will be favourites to bounce back when they take on the Dubs this weekend. The prize for the winner will be a crack at Tyrrell's native Kilkenny in the semi-finals and should Limerick get past Dublin per pre-match expectation, an intriguing clash awaits in two weeks' time, as the nine-time All-Ireland winner told the RTÉ GAA Podcast. "I think both teams will fancy it if Limerick come home at the weekend," he said of a potential Limerick v Kilkenny clash for the ages. "I think it's a good fixture for both. I think Kilkenny know the way Limerick play. Limerick are very, very attritional, so are Kilkenny. They'll welcome that. "They play at a really high level, have some exquisite players, Limerick have. But I think Kilkenny won't be overawed, and I would say the aura of this Limerick team where they were almost unbeatable for years, that has slowly eroded because Cork have beaten them a couple of times now and other teams have beaten them. "So I don't think that mental baggage that might have been there before when it comes to 60 minutes and Limerick turn the screw, I don't think that's probably as strong as it was before. "But I think it would be a good fixture for both. I don't think any of them would fear it. I think the fact that it's in Croke Park I think would bring the best out of each other and it would be some, some fixture if it transpires that way." While Limerick continue to operate at an elite standard, Tyrrell noted brief moments when Kiely's multiple Liam MacCarthy Cup winners have endured uncharacteristic lapses. "That's only natural and if you look closely and I'm probably being over-critical here, but when did we see a high ball coming in and Nicky Quaid miscontrolling it out for a '65 at a crucial moment?" he said. "When did we see Darragh O'Donovan, 50 yards out with the chance to win the game, missing it? When did we see Aaron Gillane missing that '21 free? Normally he nails them. "Peter Casey had a great chance. I know it was windy down there, absolutely, they were out on their feet. "But they are probably small little traces of just that mental fatigue. Because everytime Limerick have gone out probably for eight years, it's been an All-Ireland final. "So it's only natural. But still, it's a testament that they still hung in there and for me they didn't really lose the Munster final. Cork beat them in a penalty shootout. It's an amazing feat they're still there playing at such a high level. "To get over this weekend, I think John Kiely and Derek Lyng will be rubbing their hands at a cut off each other." However, Dublin are still part of the equation although they will be underdogs against Limerick on Saturday. In terms of the gameplan that could give Dublin an outside chance of staging an upset, Tyrrell feels going long and direct and trying to discommode the Limerick half-back line could be "the only option". "You have to engage this Limerick team physically, just to survive and be in the game," he said. "Maybe we will see Conor Burke for the first 15-20 minutes maybe dropping in centre-back and maybe Chris Crummey dropping off or maybe Conor Burke will just go back because they just need to stay in the game, build from there and get their confidence. "Is there merit in putting Ronan Hayes or Hedgo (John Hetherton) on the edge of the square and going long and direct? Because I don't think running through this Limerick team, you're going to get much success. They're just too physical and powerful for this Dublin team right now. "So maybe that long ball route in - you've seen the success that Brian Hayes probably has early in there - although Seán Finn and Mike Caseh are extremely good defenders, they're not going to be catching balls. "If they can break that ball, move Kyle Hayes around... there's probably elements of the Cork game that Dublin can look at. How they interchanged their half-forward line, how they moved Kyle Hayes around and maybe bypassing that half-forward line, trying to pull them out and go long in and see if they can get success. "But staying in the game, growing into the game is hugely important from Dublin. The thing from Dublin though is they have been leaking soft goals throughout this round robin and that's maybe why there is merit in dropping an extra man back."
RTÉ News
03-06-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
Peter Canavan: Galway still capable of tearing teams apart
They have yet to scale the heights that saw them reach last year's All-Ireland final, but Peter Canavan has no doubt that Galway can emerge from their "flat spot" and have a say where Sam Maguire will reside later in the summer. After losing to Dublin in their opening game in the All-Ireland series, Pádraic Joyce's men looked in trouble for most of their subsequent clash with Derry at Celtic Park on Sunday. They trailed by eight shortly after the break. Joyce made the decision to withdraw key names such as Paul Conroy and Shane Walsh. Others had to step up. Matthew Tierney's 69th-minute goal - Galway's fourth of an absorbing game - looked to have completed a magnificent comeback. Derry would have the final say, however, with Conor Doherty's point at the death ensuring parity in the Maiden City. As a result, both sides stand on one point in the so-called 'Group of Death' ahead of Derry's date with Dublin and Galway, for the third year running, facing Armagh in their final round-robin clash. So what of the Tribes then? Clearly not at the level they reached when accounting for Dublin and Donegal at the height of last summer's championship. Peter Canavan, speaking on the latest edition of the RTÉ GAA Podcast, when asked as to whether Galway can rediscover their zip, replied: "They have the potential to be every bit as good as they were last year". In assessing Tribes' showing at Celtic Park, Canavan also took into account the desire shown by Derry, who were similarly in need of points after losing their opener against Armagh. He said: "There are two ways of looking at Galway's performance against Derry. They were flat and struggled to get to the pitch of the game in terms of their intensity. Derry were well up for it and were motivated. They were thinking that this was their last game in Celtic Park this year and they were going to go for it. They weren't going to be passive and took Galway on physically, and Galway struggled with that." Canavan, though, was impressed by how Galway clawed their way back, and still believes they have the personnel to really trouble other contenders. "Key leaders were taken off and they were brilliant in the last ten to 15 minutes; they easily could have thrown in the towel. Pádraic Joyce has a lot to take out of it from that point of view, they have a chance to reset and there is no doubting in terms of their physique and their size around the middle quarter, they have the players to dominate teams in terms of kickouts. "Up front, if you have Comer, Finnerty and Walsh and if they hit form, I don't care, they can tear anybody apart. Tierney and Thompson are also playing brilliant football "They still have the personnel, the size, and there is no reason they can't turn it around. "They have to win [against Armagh]. They have hit a flat spot and are more than capable of bouncing back."
RTÉ News
03-06-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
Dramatic finale to group stages in store - The RTÉ GAA Podcast
On this week's RTÉ GAA Podcast, Peter Canavan and Ciarán Whelan join Jacqui Hurley and Rory O'Neill to discuss the state of play in the All-Ireland SFC after the second round of group games. Does the competitiveness of this year's championship suggest the GAA have been too hasty to change the format? Or is it all down to the new rules? Armagh and Kerry are showing their All-Ireland credentials while Mayo and Derry aren't done yet. But what is not working for Galway and Dublin?
RTÉ News
26-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Shane McGrath calls for overhaul to All-Stars selection
Shane McGrath has called for an overhaul to the way the hurling All-Stars are selected, to give players whose teams don't go deep in the All-Ireland series, more of a chance. Waterford and Wexford both bowed out of the championship at the weekend as they failed to progress from the Munster and Leinster round-robins respectively. Exits for those counties at this stage of the competition mean that star players like Lee Chin and Jamie Barron will see their All-Star hopes diminish and, speaking on the RTÉ GAA Podcast, McGrath claimed that changes are needed to give players like them more of a chance. "The All-Stars are a long way away but I do feel we could have some kind of a point system for guys to be in with a shout with it," McGrath said. "What more can you do if your team is out? There's a couple at Waterford - Jamie Barron and Mark Fitzgerald - who couldn't do much more to win an All-Star. "Mark Fitzgerald has really announced himself to the wider world. I got to work up close and personal with him in college hurling this year, and he ticks all the boxes. "I think this guy has potential to be the next Ken McGrath for Waterford, and he showed that to everyone else this year that didn't know much about him. "And then obviously we've Lee Chin in Wexford as well. I don't know what much more Lee could do. "I know he wants a team award, we all do, but to be nominated or even to be mentioned in the All-Stars, they're lovely things to get as an individual." For McGrath, the All-Star team should be made up of the best hurlers in Ireland, no matter who they play for and he feels that a weighted points system could help to pick out players who made a major contribution but saw their team exit early. "I just think that there's something they could do down the line, some kind of a points system," he said. "Realistically, these guys, they're not going get an All-Star now but what more could they do as individual players? Their teams are out now, they did everything they could." Watch Dublin v Armagh in the All-Ireland Football Championship on Sunday from 3.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on and the RTÉ News app and listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. Highlights on The Sunday Game at 9.30pm
