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RTÉ News
18 hours ago
- Climate
- RTÉ News
All-Ireland SHC quarter-finals: All You Need to Know
SATURDAY All-Ireland SHC quarter-finals Dublin v Limerick, Croke Park, 4pm Galway v Tipperary, TUS Gaelic Grounds, 6.15pm ONLINE Live blog on and the RTÉ News app. TV Live coverage of both quarter-finals on RTÉ2 with coverage starting at 3.30pm with highlights on The Saturday Game from 9.30pm. RADIO WEATHER While warm sunshine is expected, a scattering of showers will occur too, some heavy and possibly thundery. Top temperatures of 19 to 25 degrees, warmest across the eastern half of the country, all in a light to moderate southwest wind. For more, visit Six becomes four as the All-Ireland SHC quarter-finals take stage on Saturday. Last year's champions Clare weathered a quarter-final showdown against Wexford and the presence of some big hitters – most notably Limerick – ensures that there's plenty of focus on the two encounters on Saturday. An unfamiliar Treaty route Dublin are aiming to end a 12-year wait for an All-Ireland semi-final spot with their last quarter-final victory actually coming two years earlier when they bettered this weekend's opponents Limerick thanks to a Ryan O'Dwyer first-half hat-trick. Back in 2011, the wait for a last-four spot had been somewhat longer – 63 years in fact – but how they would love to replicate the highs of the Anthony Daly era and return to the latter stages. Nickie Quaid and an 18-year-old Declan Hannon, who finished with a handsome 0-11, tasted defeat that day against a Dublin side that were fancied to build on a league success earlier in the season, even though star attacker Conal Keaney was ruled out days beforehand after a bad motorbike collision, but any thoughts of a repeat result appear fanciful, to put it mildly. If there is to be a shock, goals are required – although their Leinster campaign showed that Dublin at least know where the net is. They hit three goals in four of their five games with Offaly the only side to keep them to less as the Dubs edged a 1-25 to 2-19 opener. It was three again in the preliminary quarter-final win over Kildare last week and Niall Ó Ceallacháin's side will probably need as many to stay competitive here. Those 16 goals have been shared across eight players with Sean Currie leading the way with four while Ronan Hayes has plundered three. It's an attack that will also hope to have Dónal Burke involved in some capacity. The Na Fianna man was part of the squad against the Lilywhites and although he didn't come on, he was warming up. Still no sign of Danny Sutcliffe though who picked up an injury during the Leinster campaign. Limerick enter the game with their fallibility levels really being put through the ringer in their recent clashes with Cork. Dents in the Green Machine apparently after the Rebels ended their five-in-a-row hopes last year, unbeatable after a 16-point destruction of the same opposition in Munster this year before the question marks returned after the provincial final penalty shoot-out loss to Pat Ryan's side. Speaking on the RTÉ GAA podcast on Thursday, Jackie Tyrrell suggested that their aura has dissipated somewhat, although he still thinks they're operating at a really high level. "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," he said. Unsurprisingly, manager John Kiely has taken it all in his stride, talking about the side dusting themselves down and going a different route with their last quarter-final coming in 2018. Cian Lynch was preaching similar at a media gig last week – just one more knock-out game on their plotted path to the top. Not one player in the Limerick dressing room has a championship win against Dublin – Quaid joining the panel a year after their last success in the dramatic 2009 season – with Dublin winning that 2011 quarter-final as well as a 2015 qualifier. It's hard to see that statistic staying the same at Croke Park with the winner set to face Kilkenny. Tipp aiming to build on season of goodwill Galway have dominated this rivalry in recent times, winning four of the last five championship meetings, but there has undoubtedly been a stir in the Premier County this season and this is the match to show that in spades. A recent All-Ireland Under-20 crown has only added enthusiasm to a 2025 run that has brought a league final and a Munster campaign that contained just one defeat, after Darragh McCarthy was sent off at the throw-in at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. It's no secret that in recent seasons Liam Cahill has felt let down by the support that has backed the team, but if a genuine shot at a semi-final against Cork doesn't bring them out now, then something is seriously wrong. Tipp hit 3-32 in their facile win over Laois last week, but they could have had half a dozen goals realistically with over-complication, and the woodwork, denying them. A dozen players got on the scoresheet, a nice confidence-booster to carry into this, with Willie Connors excelling at midfield. Jason Forde nabbed 2-04. Crucially, they came through it injury free and Eoghan Connolly is set to return to the squad for Saturday's game having been held back last weekend. Galway, meanwhile, have been quite the conundrum this season, Take out their two games with Kilkenny and it's been pretty positive, but over the two games the Cats managed a combined winning tally of 20 points, and it would have been much more only for a spirited final quarter in the Leinster d ecider at Croke Park. It's that spell of 1-06 without reply late on to open up the possibility of a stunning comeback that will give Micheál Donoghue some solace. When they're on it, they're still one of the best about – the problem is doing it consistently for 70 minutes. They could be without full-back Fintan Burke for this clash with a knee injury – Darren Morrissey likely to replace him - while goalkeeper Eanna Murphy had to retire injured at half-time in the Leinster final. Burke was on media duties this week and said that Leinster loss has been parked. "The sooner we can get over the last game, the better. You spend a day or two looking back and trying to figure out what went wrong and what you can improve on," he said. "Then, the games are coming so fast, you don't have time to ponder. You're back in training and looking forward to the next day." This, of course, is a rivalry that hasn't been short on spice over the decades. With plenty on the line, there could be plenty of physicality on show.
RTÉ News
a day ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
RTÉ GAA Podcast: Is there a shock in football's last 12, can Galway lift themselves for Tipperary
Enda McGinley and Nigel Dunne join Jacqui Hurley and Rory O'Neill too look ahead to the All-Ireland Championship preliminary quarter-finals. Galway have not reached heights many expected them to in 2025 - yet. Could Down catch them on the hop? Kerry were flat against Meath but they've been given a good chance to find their mojo once more against a Cavan side which conceded more than anyone else in the group stages. Elsewhere, Dublin and Cork are to meet at Croke Park while provincial champions Donegal and Louth will clash at a venue which is, presumably, to Jim McGuinness's liking. Jackie Tyrrell joins for the hurling and wonders if Galway have enough to beat Tipperary, even if they produce their best. While Limerick and Dublin are set to clash in championship for the first time in a decade, a period in which the Treaty men have become a different animal altogether. 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. Watch the All-Ireland Hurling Championship quarter-finals, Limerick v Dublin and Galway v Tipperary, on Saturday from 3.30pm. Follow a live blog on and the RTÉ News app. Listen to updates on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch highlights on The Saturday Game at 9.15pm. Watch the Tailteann Cup semi-finals, Wicklow v Limerick and Fermanagh v Kildare, on Sunday from 1.30pm. Follow a live blog on and the RTÉ News app. Listen to updates on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch highlights on The Sunday Game at 9.30pm.
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Nadine Doherty: Vikki Wall being held to a 'different standard' by refereeing calls
Former Donegal footballer Nadine Doherty feels Meath's two-time All-Ireland winner Vikki Wall is held to a "different standard" to her peers when it comes to refereeing decisions. Speaking to RTÉ's Game On, Doherty highlighted Wall's sin-binning in Meath's 0-07 to 0-04 win over Kildare and felt the decision was harsh on the 27-year-old, with the yellow card incurred in the 44th minute when she was adjudged to have fouled Claire Sullivan. "The biggest talking point in that game was Vikki Wall's sin-bin. It wasn't a sin-bin for me," said Doherty. "I just felt that Vikki had the ball, she was at full pace which is a lot of pace but that's her strength, so she can't be punished for that. "And the Kildare player came across her, very clearly put two hands up to Vikki's chest. Vikki saw this late, turned her shoulder to protect herself as you would and straight away I knew she'd get a sin-bin, and you could see she was dumbfounded, as was everybody." Doherty feels that has not been an isolated occurrence and feels the player has been incurring more on-field punishment than has been warranted by the way she plays the game. "It just angers me to be honest because she's one of our top players," she said. "Look, Vikki is attritional, she has a lot of pace. Does she commit fouls? Of course she does. "But I just feel she's held to a higher standard. Not even a higher standard but a different standard when it comes to the majority of referees in this country. "I just think she's one of our top players, who has come home from AFL. She could easily have stayed out there (in Australia) for a year. "She has come home, back into that Meath team, she's upping the standard of our game and I just don't understand how week after week these calls are made against her." While she viewed Wall's sin-binning as "simply a bad call", Doherty did distinguish that from the wider issue of the charging rule in women's football. "I just think the charge rule is outdated. I don't know why it's in our game. Is it to keep our game and I put this in inverted commas, a 'non-contact sport' game? "The game isn't non-contact. It's full-contact, it's a physical game. I don't see the point of (the charge rule) because it actually puts refs in positions where sometimes I feel they don't actually know what the right call is. They might argue that. "Because it's such split-second tackles, it's all in the moment. But I just think at the weekend that Vikki was punished and shouldn't have been and I just think over the last few years, she's held to a different standard in that regard. "And teams also play into that. You can see it. When Vikki has the ball and she's at full tilt, teams play into it and sometimes that's the only way they can stop her is to draw a charge." 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
6 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
'Struggling' Galway need to find a spark in order to overcome Armagh
Former Mayo captain Keith Higgins feels neighbours Galway need to find their "spark" if they are to defeat Armagh and keep their championship hopes alive. Speaking on RTÉ's The Championship, Higgins cited the returning Damien Comer as being the potential level-raiser hiding in plain sight. "From a Galway point of view, maybe he [Damien Comer] has a couple more weeks training done since coming on against Derry," said Higgins. The Annaghdown clubman was an impact sub in the draw with Derry a fortnight ago, scoring one point from a mark. Now as Pádraic Joyce's men look to keep their season alive, Higgins believes Comer could be the saving grace. "He might be a bit sharper, and you might get a bit more impact off him, but Galway just need to find some bit of a spark. "If Galway could get some type of a result here, it could kickstart their season again", claimed the Mayo man. Galway venture up to Kingspan Breffni Park to renew an old rivalry with a familiar foe. The Tribesmen were narrowly pipped by Armagh in last year's All Ireland Final, following a drawn group stage tie. A year prior went the same way in the group stage, while back in 2022, Matthew Tierney was the hero as Galway edged McGeeney's men on penalties in an epic encounter. For Higgins, its finely poised to be another rip-roaring contest. "This is the one that sticks out. "There's been so much talk in the last couple of years in terms of the system and format and the lack of jeopardy, but we're looking at jeopardy here now for Galway. It's a huge game for them", Higgins told RTÉ. "Looking back on the last couple of games, the second half of that Connacht final when Mayo pushed up on them, Dublin came to Salthill and pushed up on them and Derry really went at them up in Celtic Park a couple of weeks ago. "I don't think Armagh will play that type of a game, they will be more inclined to sit back into their defensive shape, so it could suit Galway a small bit more", Higgins added. "It will be a big test but it's great to see the jeopardy finally kicking in." Galway enter the game knowing a win would keep them in the hunt for at least another week, whereas Armagh are guaranteed top spot and qualification for the All-Ireland quarter-finals courtesy of wins over Derry and Dublin. However, if their four previous meetings in the last four years are anything to go by, Galway will need to be at their very best for 70 minutes in order to overcome the Orchard County. Follow a live blog on the All-Ireland Football Championship on Saturday on and the RTÉ News app. Listen to updates on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch highlights on The Saturday Game at 9.30pm. Watch an All-Ireland Football Championship double-header, Monaghan v Down and Donegal v Mayo, on Sunday from 1.30pm. Follow a live blog on and the RTÉ News app. Listen to updates on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch highlights on The Sunday Game at 9.30pm.
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Hurling championship preliminary quarter-finals: All you need to know
SATURDAY, 14 JUNE All-Ireland SHC preliminary quarter-finals Laois v Tipperary, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 1.45pm Kildare v Dublin, Cedral St Conleth's Park, 4pm ONLINE Live scores on and the RTÉ News app. RADIO Live updates on RTÉ Radio's Saturday Sport and Spórt an tSathairn on Raidió na Gaeltachta. TV Laois v Tipperary live on GAA+. Highlights on The Saturday Game, RTÉ2, 9.30pm. We're now at what is often dubbed the 'business stages' of the hurling championship. It's a knockout alright, but we are still more in the category of novelty event with the preliminary quarter-finals. Just six days after winning the Joe McDonagh Cup for the first time, and securing back-to-back promotions, Kildare's reward is to play Dublin, the third-placed finishers in Leinster. They will both play in the province and Division 1B of the Allianz Hurling League next season so in one sense it is a good test for the Lilywhites but it is also unfair to ask them to play a much more tested and rested team so soon after the greatest triumph of their careers, which they hopefully celebrated. The only time a Joe Mc team has won in 10 previous preliminary quarter-finals was when Eddie Brennan's Laois shocked Dublin back in 2019. The average margin of defeat has been 17 points. Four teams coming out of both Leinster and Munster would make the round-robins almost irrelevant but there is no justification for parachuting in the second-tier finalists either. Last year's winners Offaly lost by nine points to Cork and bettering that would be a decent result for Kildare, even if is part of a double-header with the footballers in Newbridge. Kildare manager Brian Dowling has unsurprisingly kept faith in the same starting side that beat Laois so impressively. Dublin will have to pay close attention to Jack Sheridan (1-04) and Gerry Keegan (0-03) who both filled their boots from play. The visitors have made three changes to the team that three weeks ago disappointed against Galway before producing a late charge in defeat, similar to the loss against Kilkenny. Dubs boss Niall Ó Ceallacháin brings in Paddy Dunleavy, Fergal Whitely and Ronan Hayes in place of Conor Donohoe, AJ Murphy and John Hetherton. Anything less than a comprehensive victory would lower the confidence for what already looks a daunting task against Limerick in the quarters proper. Back-to-back wins for Kildare in this championship fixture (last played in 1976) would be an unbelievable sequel to the story of the summer. Kildare: Paddy McKenna; Richy Hogan, Rian Boran, Daniel O'Meara; Simon Leacy, Cian Boran, Paul Dolan; Daire Guerin, Cathal McCabe; James Burke, Gerry Keegan, David Qualter; Darragh Melville, Cathal Dowling, Jack Sheridan. Subs: Mark Doyle, Jack Travers, Harry Carroll, Liam O'Reilly, Conn Kehoe, Muiris Curtin, Oisin Lynam, Killian Harrington, James Dolan, Cormac Byrne, Jack Higgins. Dublin: Sean Brennan; John Bellew, Paddy Smyth, Conor McHugh; Paddy Doyle, Chris Crummey, Paddy Dunleavy; Conor Burke, Brian Hayes; Riain McBride, Fergal Whitely, Darragh Power; Sean Currie, Cian O'Sullivan, Ronan Hayes. Subs: Eddie Gibbons, Andy Dunphy, Seán Gallagher, Daire Gray, John Hetherton, Andrew Jamieson-Murphy, David Lucey, James Madden, Paul O'Dea, Diarmaid Ó Dúlaing, Conal O'Riain. Earlier in the day, Tipperary make the short trip to neighbours Laois. Tipp bounced back from a dismal 2024 to take five points from their four games in Munster this year, only missing out on the provincial final on points difference due to the hammering their 14 men took in Cork. Which might not have been a bad thing for a younger team, watching the royal rumble at the Gaelic Grounds. Anything other than a heavy win against the McDonagh runners-up is unthinkable but this is a slightly tricky balancing act for Liam Cahill. Two years ago, his team broke the all-time championship record scoring by hitting 7-38 past Offaly in a 32-point stroll, only to lose to Galway seven days later. Only eight of that XV start on Saturday. "We ran up a fairly sizeable score two years ago in the same fixture, and then looked to produce it seven days later, and we were just a tad off," Cahill told the Nenagh Guardian. "Week after week is always a struggle to manage and we have to be careful how we manage that over the next seven days to come out with a win, please god, and be in a good place physically and mentally going into a quarter final." "There are little tweaks that can be done to make sure the same thing doesn't happen." It will again be the Tribesmen, having had an extra week off, playing the winners in this year's quarter-finals. But Tipperary haven't played in four before now and also need the run out. Noel McGrath and Jake Morris are held in reserve and might pile on the pain late on. Two-time All-Ireland winner Seamus Kennedy makes his first start of the campaign, having come off the bench in every match in Munster, while Joe Caesar and Alan Tynan also come in as Conor Stakelum drops to the bench and Eoghan Connolly is omitted. Under-20 All-Ireland winning captain Sam O'Farrell is named at right wing-forward instead of wing-back. Laois boss Tommy Fitzgerald makes one change from the starting side that lost to Kildare in Croke Park, Ryan Mullaney coming in at wing-back and several players moving further forward as Jer Quinlan misses out. It was eventual All-Ireland champions Tipperary who ended Laois' superb summer at the quarter-final stage in 2019. Laois were beaten by Wexford by 12 points at this stage last year and a similar result would be an achievement. Laois: Cathal Dunne; Cody Comerford, Lee Cleere, Diarmaid Conway; Ryan Mullaney, Padraig Delaney, Jordan Walshe; Fiachra C Fennell, David Dooley; Aidan Corby, Tomás Keyes, Paddy Purcell; Mark Dowling, Ben Conroy, James Keyes. Subs: Eoin Fleming, Padraic Dunne, Donnacha Hartnett, Tom Cuddy, Eoin Gaughan, John Lennon, Martin Phelan, Aaron Dunphy, James Duggan, PJ Scully, Colin Byrne. Tipperary: Rhys Shelly; Robert Doyle, Bryan O'Mara, Michael Breen; Craig Morgan, Ronan Maher, Joe Caesar; Willie Connors, Seamus Kennedy; Alan Tynan, Andrew Ormond, Sam O'Farrell; Darragh McCarthy, John McGrath, Jason Forde.
