Latest news with #SamMaguire
BBC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
The GAA Social Kevin Mussen. The first man to bring Sam across the border. A brilliant podcast
Kevin Mussen was the first man to bring Sam Maguire across the border. He still remembers the night and the customs posts. Different days. He and his Down team lit up the 60's and Kevin remembers it all. Eamon de Valera, climbing the steps, bringing Sam to school and looking back on a truly historic moment for the GAA. Kevin is the oldest person we've ever had on the podcast- and full of craic. There's a devilment to this witty, kind man. Older people tend to say it how it is. There's plenty of that. Living with cancer, surviving falls and despite coming 92- he's determined to live. Live better! H names the two best players he's seen. One is from Kerry, the other from Derry. Kevin Mussen, an outstanding listen with one of the great people of our times
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals - all you need to know
After three rounds of group games in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, 16 has become 12 in the race for Sam Maguire. From here, it's knockout territory, with no second chances, and the dozen teams remaining on the dancefloor know what is expected to secure the ultimate prize. Advertisement Tyrone, Meath, Monaghan and defending champions Armagh - who all topped their respective groups - have the luxury of a free weekend as they await the winners of this weekend's preliminary quarter-finals in the last eight. For the eight teams in action this weekend, they must now win four games in five weeks, a gruelling schedule where fitness levels and squad depth will be tested to the limit. Last year, Galway made it all the way to the final from the preliminary quarter-final stage - the only team to do so since this current format was introduced in 2023 - and they will have to navigate that route again if they are to make the ultimate step. Let's dive into the four preliminary quarter-finals. Advertisement Who is playing and when are the games? As mentioned, eight teams will battle it out this weekend in the preliminary quarter-finals with two games on each day. Saturday - Kerry v Cavan, Fitzgerald Stadium, 15:30 BST Saturday - Dublin v Cork, Croke Park, 18:15 BST Sunday - Down v Galway, Pairc Esler, 13:45 BST Sunday - Donegal v Louth, Ballybofey, 16:00 BST Three of the teams in action this weekend were involved at the same stage last year: Louth, Cork and Galway. In fact, Louth beat Cork in a rousing victory in Inniskeen. Two of those involved at this stage last year - Tyrone and Monaghan - have already gone one better by moving straight through to the quarter-finals. Has the quarter-final draw been made? Due to the policy of avoiding repeat pairings from earlier in the competition, the draw will be made after the completion of this weekend's preliminary-quarter finals, most likely on Monday morning. Advertisement However, depending on how results fall this weekend, there is the very real possibility of an Armagh-Kerry quarter-final due to the above repeat pairing rule, but let's not get ahead of ourselves because as this year has shown, shocks can and often do happen. What to look out for this weekend It is difficult to look past Sunday's game in Newry between Down and Galway as the standout fixture this weekend. Despite suffering relegation from Division Two in the league, Down acquitted themselves well and were somewhat unlucky to suffer the drop on six points, but a defeat against Louth - which they avenged in the championship - proved fatal. Advertisement However, they bounced back to overcome Fermanagh in Ulster, only to lose out to eventual winners Donegal. Still, they entered the All-Ireland series with confidence, overcoming Clare and Louth. Their direct route to the last eight faded late on against Monaghan last week, however, Sunday despite some superb shooting from Pat Havern, whose ability to land two-pointers is a major asset for Conor Laverty's team, kicking three against the Farneymen. But then Galway are no slouches in that regard and in Shane Walsh, they have a man in form. When the chips were down against Armagh and with the exit door staring the Tribesmen in the face on Saturday, Walsh kept his side in the hunt: the last of his nine points with the final kick sealed victory and a spot in the knockout phase. In their three games, Galway have drawn to Derry, lost to Dublin by a point and beaten Armagh by one, so another nail-biter could be in store. Eoghan Ban Gallagher scored Donegal's goal in last year's All-Ireland quarter-final win over Louth at Croke Park [Getty Images] Later on Sunday, the Ulster and Leinster champions meet as Donegal host Louth in Ballybofey. Advertisement Despite a last-gasp victory over Mayo last week, they finished second behind Tyrone in Group One, with the Red Hands finishing top on the head-to-head rule courtesy of their victory over Donegal. Still, two victories on the spin will have gone a long way to putting that opening-round defeat behind them and they seem to be hitting their stride at the right time. Donegal face a Louth side who finished third in Group Three. Sam Mulroy and Ciaran Downey have been in flying form for Ger Brennan's men, with Craig Lennon continuing his All-Star form from 2024. However, this is a huge test of their credentials. Advertisement The weekend's opening game takes place in Killarney with Cavan facing a daunting trip to Kerry, who will be smarting from their shock loss to Meath which meant they failed to finish top for the first time in this format. Kerry have shown some vulnerability at times, with Cork so close to stunning them in Munster and Meath finishing the job in Tullamore last time out. They will be a wounded animal, and while Paudie Clifford is one of a host of absent Kingdom players, in David Clifford they have a generational talent. The Breffnimen have shown an ability to get it done on the road, with their opening round win away to Mayo ultimately proving enough to see them claim third in Group One, but heavy defeats by Donegal and Tyrone also suggest beating Kerry is a tall ask. Advertisement Paddy Lynch and Cormac O'Reilly shone for Raymond Galligan's men against Tyrone, but in order to beat Kerry, they will need to find another level. Con O'Callaghan returned to the Dublin fold in last weekend's win over Derry [Getty Images] Finally, Dublin return to home comforts at Croke Park on Saturday evening when they host Cork. The Dubs are fresh from their win over Derry in Newry which will have helped put their error-strewn loss to Armagh in the rear-view. With three-time All-Star Con O'Callaghan back, the Dubs have a much sharper end to their attack and will be favourites to advance against a Cork side which can blow hot and cold. John Cleary's men held their nerve to squeeze past Roscommon in a de facto knockout game in Portlaoise on Saturday, but will need to find the level of performance they produced against Kerry in Munster when they take on another of their traditional rivals this week. Are the games televised? All four games will be streamed live on GAA+. What about the Tailteann Cup? Of course, the weekend action is not limited to the race for Sam Maguire with both Tailteann Cup semi-finals taking place at Croke Park on Sunday. Advertisement First up, Oisin McConville's Wicklow - fresh from a famous triumph over Westmeath - take on Limerick, who swept past Wexford to reach the final four. Later on Sunday (16:00 BST), Kieran Donnelly's Fermanagh take on pre-competition favourites Kildare, who just about got over the line against Offaly in the last eight. The Ernemen enjoyed a good win over Sligo to reach this stage of the competition for the first time and will seek to continue their run as they look to emulate Down's success last year and earn a spot in the 2026 All-Ireland series. How can I follow on the BBC? The BBC Sport website will provide live text commentaries, reports and reaction from Sunday's games, in addition to reports from Saturday's games. Advertisement There will also be updates from Sunday's Tailteann Cup semi-finals: Wicklow v Limerick (14:00) and Fermanagh v Kildare (16:00).
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals - all you need to know
After three rounds of group games in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, 16 has become 12 in the race for Sam here, it's knockout territory, with no second chances, and the dozen teams remaining on the dancefloor know what is expected to secure the ultimate Meath, Monaghan and defending champions Armagh - who all topped their respective groups - have the luxury of a free weekend as they await the winners of this weekend's preliminary quarter-finals in the last the eight teams in action this weekend, they must now win four games in five weeks, a gruelling schedule where fitness levels and squad depth will be tested to the year, Galway made it all the way to the final from the preliminary quarter-final stage - the only team to do so since this current format was introduced in 2023 - and they will have to navigate that route again if they are to make the ultimate dive into the four preliminary quarter-finals. Who is playing and when are the games? As mentioned, eight teams will battle it out this weekend in the preliminary quarter-finals with two games on each - Kerry v Cavan, Fitzgerald Stadium, 15:30 BSTSaturday - Dublin v Cork, Croke Park, 18:15 BSTSunday - Down v Galway, Pairc Esler, 13:45 BSTSunday - Donegal v Louth, Ballybofey, 16:00 BSTThree of the teams in action this weekend were involved at the same stage last year: Louth, Cork and Galway. In fact, Louth beat Cork in a rousing victory in Inniskeen. Two of those involved at this stage last year - Tyrone and Monaghan - have already gone one better by moving straight through to the quarter-finals. Has the quarter-final draw been made? Due to the policy of avoiding repeat pairings from earlier in the competition, the draw will be made after the completion of this weekend's preliminary-quarter finals, most likely on Monday depending on how results fall this weekend, there is the very real possibility of an Armagh-Kerry quarter-final due to the above repeat pairing rule, but let's not get ahead of ourselves because as this year has shown, shocks can and often do happen. What to look out for this weekend It is difficult to look past Sunday's game in Newry between Down and Galway as the standout fixture this weekend. Despite suffering relegation from Division Two in the league, Down acquitted themselves well and were somewhat unlucky to suffer the drop on six points, but a defeat against Louth - which they avenged in the championship - proved they bounced back to overcome Fermanagh in Ulster, only to lose out to eventual winners Donegal. Still, they entered the All-Ireland series with confidence, overcoming Clare and direct route to the last eight faded late on against Monaghan last week, however, Sunday despite some superb shooting from Pat Havern, whose ability to land two-pointers is a major asset for Conor Laverty's team, kicking three against the then Galway are no slouches in that regard and in Shane Walsh, they have a man in form. When the chips were down against Armagh and with the exit door staring the Tribesmen in the face on Saturday, Walsh kept his side in the hunt: the last of his nine points with the final kick sealed victory and a spot in the knockout their three games, Galway have drawn to Derry, lost to Dublin by a point and beaten Armagh by one, so another nail-biter could be in store. Later on Sunday, the Ulster and Leinster champions meet as Donegal host Louth in a last-gasp victory over Mayo last week, they finished second behind Tyrone in Group One, with the Red Hands finishing top on the head-to-head rule courtesy of their victory over two victories on the spin will have gone a long way to putting that opening-round defeat behind them and they seem to be hitting their stride at the right face a Louth side who finished third in Group Three. Sam Mulroy and Ciaran Downey have been in flying form for Ger Brennan's men, with Craig Lennon continuing his All-Star form from this is a huge test of their weekend's opening game takes place in Killarney with Cavan facing a daunting trip to Kerry, who will be smarting from their shock loss to Meath which meant they failed to finish top for the first time in this format. Kerry have shown some vulnerability at times, with Cork so close to stunning them in Munster and Meath finishing the job in Tullamore last time out. They will be a wounded animal, and while Paudie Clifford is one of a host of absent Kingdom players, in David Clifford they have a generational talent. The Breffnimen have shown an ability to get it done on the road, with their opening round win away to Mayo ultimately proving enough to see them claim third in Group One, but heavy defeats by Donegal and Tyrone also suggest beating Kerry is a tall ask. Paddy Lynch and Cormac O'Reilly shone for Raymond Galligan's men against Tyrone, but in order to beat Kerry, they will need to find another level. Finally, Dublin return to home comforts at Croke Park on Saturday evening when they host Dubs are fresh from their win over Derry in Newry which will have helped put their error-strewn loss to Armagh in the three-time All-Star Con O'Callaghan back, the Dubs have a much sharper end to their attack and will be favourites to advance against a Cork side which can blow hot and Cleary's men held their nerve to squeeze past Roscommon in a de facto knockout game in Portlaoise on Saturday, but will need to find the level of performance they produced against Kerry in Munster when they take on another of their traditional rivals this week. Are the games televised? All four games will be streamed live on GAA+. What about the Tailteann Cup? Of course, the weekend action is not limited to the race for Sam Maguire with both Tailteann Cup semi-finals taking place at Croke Park on Sunday. First up, Oisin McConville's Wicklow - fresh from a famous triumph over Westmeath - take on Limerick, who swept past Wexford to reach the final four. Later on Sunday (16:00 BST), Kieran Donnelly's Fermanagh take on pre-competition favourites Kildare, who just about got over the line against Offaly in the last Ernemen enjoyed a good win over Sligo to reach this stage of the competition for the first time and will seek to continue their run as they look to emulate Down's success last year and earn a spot in the 2026 All-Ireland series. How can I follow on the BBC? The BBC Sport website will provide live text commentaries, reports and reaction from Sunday's games, in addition to reports from Saturday's will also be updates from Sunday's Tailteann Cup semi-finals: Wicklow v Limerick (14:00) and Fermanagh v Kildare (16:00).
Irish Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Mayo's glass is half full despite another underwhelming Championship campaign
Finally, after four provincial championships and 24 group games, four teams were eliminated from the All-Ireland SFC at the weekend, leaving 12 still in the hunt for Sam Maguire. Of those that exited, some were big hitters, others not so much. Clare, the lowest ranked team in the upper tier who qualified thanks to a generous provincial draw for the third year running despite being in Division Three, had a reasonable chance of progressing from one of the weaker groups, but ultimately couldn't take their chance against Louth. Roscommon finishing bottom of Group 2 having also been well beaten by Galway in Connacht represents an underwhelming campaign for a county that will return to Division One next year. The mood music around Davy Burke suggests that he may not be back in 2026. If that's how it transpires, he would be the fourth Roscommon manager in the past decade to depart on the back of leading the team to Division One after John Evans (2015), Kevin McStay (2018) and Anthony Cunningham (2022). Derry's year could hardly be described as satisfactory having failed to register a solitary victory, but the fact that they faced Division One opposition in each of their 11 League and Championship games this year should be factored in. There was sufficient promise in recent performances to surmise that Paddy Tally is drawing enough from them to earn a second year - but he must deliver substantially more in 2026. Which brings us to Mayo. They looked to have done enough to scrape into the last 12 only for Donegal to snatch a winner, condemning them to their earliest exit in seven years and they'll wonder how they can find themselves on the scrap heap when the summer continues for the likes of Down, Cork, Cavan, Louth and Meath, all counties that they would be odds-on favourites to beat on any given day. But they couldn't muster a victory at home to Cavan when it counted a few weeks back and, while they subsequently had a great win over Tyrone, that's ultimately what did for them. It was in the aftermath of the Cavan defeat that McStay took unwell at training and had to hand managerial duties over to Stephen Rochford for the rest of the campaign. While it would be inappropriate to delve into McStay's health issues here, the reality is that a fourth year at the helm looked improbable following the Cavan loss and the challenges that he has faced in the meantime don't make it any more likely. If there is to be a change, Rochford may fancy taking on the job for a second stint having previously led Mayo to the 2016 and '17 All-Ireland finals, though his attachment to the current regime could be an issue. A third coming for James Horan could even be mooted, but Andy Moran would arguably be best placed after his stint with Leitrim and current coaching role with Monaghan, who are flying high, followed by Austin O'Malley, who led Cuala to the All-Ireland club title earlier this year. With Dublin's domination having given way to an era whereby there is relatively little to separate maybe 10 or even more counties, Mayo aren't that far away despite their recent struggles. Get Eoghan McLaughlin, Tommy Conroy, Sam Callinan, Diarmuid O'Connor and Paddy Durcan back fit and fully firing, draw another year from Aidan O'Shea and maybe even coax Cillian O'Connor back, abetted by emerging attacking talents like Darragh Beirne and Tommy Lydon, and Mayo should be formidable in 2026.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘It's a joke' moan GAA fans as ‘stupid' RTE tradition around All-Ireland draw rears its head again
MONDAY morning saw the draw for the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals and Tailteann Cup semi-finals take place. The four first-placed teams from the round-robin that 2 The draw was held on Morning Ireland at 8.30am Credit: @RTEgaa 2 Who will end up lifting Sam Maguire next month? That meant It wound up pitting Donegal against Louth, Down versus Galway, Dublin up against Cork while Kerry will take on Cavan. In the Tailteann Cup semis meanwhile, it'll be Fermanagh against Kildare whilst Wicklow will lock horns with Limerick. But the biggest talking point around this year's draw was the same one that cropped up in 2024, 2023, 2022 and beyond. Read More On GAA It's an annual source of frustration among Gaelic football fans en masse that the all-important draw for both competitions is relegated to a radio slot on the Monday as opposed to the more glamorous backdrop of it being done on The Sunday Game. A glance at social media replies from RTE's posts related to the draw shows that most people feel it's an own goal by the national broadcaster and the Association when it comes to self-promotion. Eoin Diggins fumed: "I'm sure ye are well aware what a waste of time it is having the draw on the radio at 8.30 on a Monday morning. "Draw should be done on the TV now after the game or even during tonight's Sunday Game show. Missing a trick again." Most read in GAA Football In a similar vein, someone else commented: "Ridiculous that the draw is only taking place tomorrow morning. It should have taken place 30 mins after the conclusion of Donegal - Mayo. "Gives teams & supporters more time to prepare & make arrangements. Finding out on Monday where and when you are playing five days later. Stupid." GAA fans 'loved seeing and hearing' the late Micheal O Muircheartaigh as he features in RTE documentary Hell for Leather Patrick Hickey added: "It's a joke, do a live draw on Sunday night instead." Lastly, Muireagáin MacSeáin complained: "Absolutely daft not to have it done tonight when everyone is watching." Fergal McGill of the Central Competitions Control Committee confirmed afterwards that exact fixture dates and throw-in times will be confirmed by Monday evening. More to follow...
