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Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Kevin Penrose: ‘It's still the last real taboo in the sport'
It may be over three years since Aghyaran footballer Kevin Penrose came out as a gay man to his friends and family but it's only over three months since the news truly broke in the GAA world. For Kevin, whose brother Martin helped Tyrone win the All-Ireland Senior title in 2005 and 2008, it was during a holiday in Thailand back in 2022 that he finally broke the news to his mother on FaceTime. He would later inform his aunts, uncles and cousins before making the decision to take to social media, where he had built a sizeable following from posting travel videos, to let the public know once and for all. Upon returning home to Castlederg, Ronan McNamee, who won an All-Ireland title with the Red Hands in 2021, soon got in touch in an effort to convince Penrose to return to club action after years of limited involvement in the sport he loves, brought about by fear over the reaction he would receive. Fast forward to the present day and Penrose is a key component in the Aghyaran senior squad, all the while making a living from posting travel videos across his various platforms. But the story of his courage and his bravery is again doing the rounds in recent weeks following his appearance on a couple of GAA podcasts before he took to the stage at the Gaelic Players Association Pride brunch, which also featured Armagh footballer Mark Shields and was moderated by Tyrone half-forward Conor Meyler. 'It's still the last real taboo subject within the sport,' admitted Penrose, who is hoping his story will encourage those that are currently in a similar situation to the one he was in previously to come out. 'If you look at the women's sport, for example, the amount of women who are so freely and openly out and proud… it's weird because they are celebrated for it whereas in the men's changing rooms, or the men's scene it's the complete opposite. 'With Mark Shields, I think that's amazing to have that at a county level and how well Armagh have made him feel comfortable for so long and so many years. 'I feel like having the representation of myself at club level, him at county level, referees like David Gough, it's good to have those people out there and the visibility is still there. 'But I think there is still a long way to go to really highlight it and make people aware that it still is a problem. 'For example, we had the pride brunch at the start of this month down in Dublin and 95% of the people in the room were women. 'It's crazy to see you are setting up these workshops and people might say 'ah this is great' when they send you a message or whatever, but they don't realise that's not enough. 'They need to be there and present to really take it in and hear the experiences. If a straight man was to be seen to be going to that, then there's still that fear of 'ok, is his sexuality going to be questioned because he is going to support these events.' 'That's still the fear which is a shame in itself so I still think there is a long way to go in the men's side. 'For the lads that are still not out and have wasted so many years getting away from the GAA, it makes you feel sad, and I don't know what to tell them. 'But I'm glad they can get some sort of comfort and encouragement through my story. I think now my story is no longer my story, in a sense, it's someone else's.' Kevin Penrose was speaking at the launch of a new limited edition tote bag which forms part of SuperValu's #CommunityIncludesEveryoune campaign.
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).
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Emotional Conor Meyler finally back from a lonely place
Conor Meyler felt the rush of emotion at Brewster Park Sunday as he stepped onto the field of play for the first time in two cursed years. Injuries, too many to contemplate, had threatened to end the career of the Tyrone star whose dashing performances in 2021 had earned him an All-Star and a Footballer of the Year nomination. Knee surgeries, hamstring problems and issues with groin, achilles, hip and foot contrived to rob the Omagh man of the joy of playing the game he loves so passionately. But dedication and a dogged refusal to surrender to the demons which had ravaged his stricken body rewarded the 30-year-old. Getting to play out the closing stages of the All-Ireland SFC group game against Cavan, his first appearance in a Red Hand shirt since the 2023 All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Kerry, was a very special gift. 'It was emotional, it's been a long two years, because probably nobody will really understand what you really go through when you're on your own,' he said. 'Injuries are a very lonely place, because although you can be around people, you can feel quite alone. 'I'm just grateful to get the day over. I hadn't thought too far ahead, to be honest. It was just about getting back on the pitch, getting a bit of game time. 'You were chomping at the bit to get on the last few days, and it didn't come, and you have to pick yourself up and go again. So, I'm just glad I did back myself and got to this moment. Whatever happens after this is probably all bonus territory, personally.' The support of family and close friends helped him through the darker times, and their presence at more positive stages of a tortuous journey meant the world to Meyler. 'I'm just very grateful for mum and dad, and there's a couple of good people around me who know who they are, and they really supported me and helped me. 'And that's the important thing, is just keep good people around you, because there will be days where you're not really feeling it, and motivation's low. So it's important to have that.' Hope came calling on a number of occasions, but time and again, relapses, setbacks and complications intervened to dash all positive expectations. It was a lonely existence at the best of times, a solitary world for an elite athlete to inhabit. 'Anyone who's been through long-term injury will know how lonely it can be. Sometimes you're even around people and you still feel alone, but that's the nights where you're away from the set-up, that can be tricky, and that's why you say. 'I'm very fortunate to have a good family, because there's plenty of days where you wonder, is this opportunity going to come? 'You have to keep picking yourself back up again and again and again, and nobody really sees what goes on behind the scenes, even as an inter-county footballer. But then, one who's injured, it's even tougher. So yeah, just grateful is probably the overwhelming feeling.' Sunday's Group 1 decider, which Tyrone won comfortably to take topspot and go through to the All-Ireland quarter-finals, saw Meyler make the matchday squad for the third successive game. The moment was edging ever closer, and finally the nod came from manager Malachy O'Rourke, who felt the time was right to make the call which was to raise the loudest cheer of the day from Tyrone supporters at the Enniskillen venue. 'I wasn't really expecting it. It just shows you I'm very grateful to be from Tyrone, and had the opportunities I've had to play for Tyrone. 'People in other counties wouldn't have had the opportunities that I have. Some unbelievable players in other counties just haven't got that chance to play in Croke Park, to win All-Irelands. 'The friends it's given me, the opportunities it's given me, it's given me some of my best days of my life, and it's also brought me some low moments, but you wouldn't change any of it.'
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Conor McManus: Here's my ranking of the top 12 counties going into the knockouts
When we won our first provincial title in 2013, we were straight into an All-Ireland quarter-final against Tyrone – about the last county Monaghan would want to face given the local rivalry and how little there was between us. We lost narrowly and what we wouldn't have given for another rattle at somebody, anybody, let alone for a group stage. The problem for us was we lost the next game and it was season over. There are three provincial champions in next weekend's All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals , who have all lost matches and are availing of the opportunity to get their season back on track. Hard not to be envious. It has been a brilliant championship so far. The new rules have helped with the quality of the football and played a part in some really exciting finales. The GAA is getting rid of the format next year but it has been great so far. READ MORE There was no dead rubber on the last day with nothing on the line, be it a home game in the preliminary quarter-final or just to stay in the championship. You can argue the jeopardy because so many home games have been lost but don't think for a minute Donegal wouldn't have wanted a week's break before the quarter-finals. Competition has been crazy and I think the final weekend has really complicated the job of picking out a likely winner, as the last unbeaten record went up in smoke after Kerry lost. Keeping in mind where we are and what we have seen, this is my ranking of the 12 counties still involved. 1. Armagh Rian O`Neill of Armagh in action. Photograph: James Lawlor/Inpho The All-Ireland champions getting beaten wasn't a huge surprise because they were already straight through to a quarter-final and potentially had one eye on that. They changed selection a little but there was no reason to believe they weren't going all out to win the game. It would have suited Armagh better to see Galway out of this championship than in it but the incredible rivalry between them was again on show – a fifth championship match in four years. They also have a panel that puts them in a better position than any county to make changes without undermining the team. They are bookies' favourites and deserve to be. 2. Donegal Michael Murphy of Donegal. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho I don't think they are firing on all cylinders despite being Ulster champions. They have a lot of mileage up between being in the provincial preliminary round and going to extra time against Armagh. Jim McGuinness would have loved to get that extra week. A huge amount of play is now going through Michael Murphy which seems like a fairly obvious thing to say when you have someone of that ability in such good form but to go ahead and win it all they will need to be getting more from Oisín Gallen, Ó Baoill, McBrearty et al. They will avoid Tyrone and Armagh if they reach the quarter-finals. They are also very hard to beat. 3. Galway Paul Conroy of Galway kicks a point. Photograph: James Lawlor/Inpho On Saturday they just looked like a team that were just maybe teetering on the edge of exit – eight points down – and it was hard to see where their response was going to come from but in the second half they decided, 'not today'. Despite missing penalties and despite the setbacks and the knock-backs in the game, they just kept coming and asking questions. They also started to get their hands on primary possession, which is something they had been struggling with in recent times for all the obvious strength of their middle third. Paul Conroy returned are looked a bit closer to his FOTY form and Shane Walsh was firing up front. I just thought their response with the season on the line was great and it looks like it could open up for them. 4. Tyrone Tyrone's Padraig Hampsey. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/inpho I don't necessarily think it's too early for them and they'll certainly not feel that themselves. Malachy O'Rourke has them motoring nicely. They were well superior to Cavan and as with their best performance, there was a nice spread of scorers, 11 and Darren McCurry in top form. They'll be quietly confident and happy with where they're at. I think being straight into the quarter-finals is a huge advantage over whoever the opposition will be. 5. Kerry Kerry's Gavin White. Photograph: Tom O'Hanlon/Inpho Losing to Meath isn't the end of the world for Kerry. It will sharpen their teeth and the extra game will do them no harm even though they'll be expected to beat Cavan at home (talk to Mayo about that!). They were missing six players, including heavyweights like Paudie Clifford, Seán O'Shea and Diarmuid O'Connor, which is no reflection on Meath but gives Jack O'Connor room to improve. He's led them the long way around to All-Irelands in the past but improvement is required. 6. Dublin Dublin's John Small. Photograph: Evan Logan Dublin's win in Newry was impressive because Derry are no bad team. There is a difference when they're at full strength and Dessie Farrell will need everyone on board if they make inroads. Con O'Callaghan looks irreplaceable for them but they look like they're getting close to their best team on the pitch now at this stage. Consistency has been an issue but they should still have the beating of Cork in Croke Park and after the group, Armagh can't play them in the quarters. 7. Monaghan Micheal Bannigan of Monaghan. Photograph: James Lawlor/Inpho It looks a bit unfair on Monaghan listing them at seven but while they would give any of the top six a game – and did against Donegal in Ulster – they haven't the same consistent experience as those counties. They won Division Two and topped their group here. On Sunday they got into top gear in the final quarter and dominated the game a bit better and got control of kick-outs. They are scoring very heavily and will feel they're a match for anyone from here on in. 8. Meath Meath's Conor Duke. Photograph: Tom O'Hanlon/Inpho Like Monaghan, they may feel hard done by to rank only eighth having won their group and with the scalps of Dublin and Kerry already on their belt but you have to take everything into account. They had a very poor second half in the Leinster final and while they're entitled to point to an unbeaten record in the group, have those games reached the highest intensity levels? Meath deserve plaudits. Getting Brian Menton back in has added a bit of steel and a bit of experience. Donal Keogan at the back has been a real rock over the years but the most impressive thing is just how they've hung in there despite missing two key forwards, James Conlon and Matthew Costello, and still scored freely. 9. Down Pat Havern of Down in action. Photograph: James Lawlor/Inpho Coming off a Tailteann Cup win last year Down have kicked on impressively despite relegation in the league. Their ability to carry the ball at pace and move it through hand and foot has been impressive. Odhran Murdock is an excellent footballer with everything in his locker, from winning primary possession in the middle of the field to carrying and shooting off either foot. It gets tougher from here, though. 10. Louth Louth's Sam Mulroy. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho Winning Leinster looks like it took something out of them and they struggled to put away Clare on Sunday. I'm sure they arrived in the All-Ireland series optimistic they could make an impact but it just hasn't worked out and they will be off to Ballybofey on Sunday. Big achievement already, though. 11. Cork Paul Walsh of Cork. Photograph: Leah Scholes/Inpho Cork's big test was the group match with Kerry and they were disappointing that day – all the more so when they see what a Meath team they competed with were able to do. The games where they've been written off are where you tend to see the best of them, like, last year, for example, when they beat Donegal. I just can't see them beating Dublin in Croke Park even though they could well raise a gallop. 12. Cavan Tyrone's Peter Harte and Oisin Brady of Cavan. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho The mood will hardly be great after two big defeats in the group. They're still in it because of a head-to-head with Mayo, who were really competitive with the teams that thrashed Cavan but they will lean into the display in Castlebar when heading down to Killarney to face a sore Kerry.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Donegal must not let supporters down
Donegal manager Jim McGuinness challenged his players "not to let the supporters down" when they return to Ballybofey for their All-Ireland Senior Football Championship preliminary quarter-final this Ulster champions will have home advantage against Lough after finishing second in their group. Ideally, Donegal would have preferred to have topped Group One and move straight into the quarter-finals, but their last-gasp one-point win over Mayo in Roscommon on Sunday was only good enough for was due to their defeat at home by Tyrone in the opening round, meaning the Red Hands topped the group and will enjoy the week off due to the head-to-head tiebreaker as both finished with four points from their three suffered his first loss as Donegal manager at MacCumhaill Park in league or championship in that game and he is keen to ensure the same doesn't happen this week."We're happy, it's one game, we have another one next Sunday and hopefully the Sunday after that," he said."We know what is coming down the line. We know if we want to be where we want to be, we had to win this weekend. We did that and we have another game coming."The fact that it's at home is brilliant. The last time we were at home we let our supporters down, so we're hoping to not do that this time around and put in as big a performance as we can." It was a thrilling afternoon in Roscommon which culminated in Ciaran Moore's winning point after the hooter had seconds prior, Mayo thought they had snatched a draw and a lifeline to stay in the championship when Fergal Boland slung over an equaliser, but Donegal's will to win shone through, even though a draw would not have made any difference to their second-place finish in the said he was unaware of that situation during the game and had not been paying attention to the updates from Enniskillen where Tyrone were beating Cavan, but insists all he and his players were concerned about was putting two wins back-to-back."Absolutely delighted - it always is a tough battle when you face Mayo," he reflected."We had to go to the wire and they did that very well. We had no ears or eyes on the other game, we were focussed on ourselves. We spoke about that in the hotel this morning: bring our own performance levels and we're delighted with that."They're playing games in training and there's a final phase called. They have to go do something in that final phase so Ciaran Moore, brilliant for him to step up and the way he went at Mayo's defence and mixed a score under serious pressure was a lot of class. "The squad is huge and you have to have everyone prepared to step in and do the right thing for the team in clutch moments."
