The 7th Ulster U14 Hurling Féile takes place this Saturday 3rd May in County Tyrone.

The Feile Parade will take place in Carrickmore, commencing at 2.15pm.

This year there are 92 Hurling & Camogie teams representing over 2250 players from across the Province.

For the complete itinerary and fixtures, you can download the Féile Uladh 2008 Fixtures Booklet.

Visiting teams are encouraged to view the Tyrone website for travelling details, and also the latest results as they are returned… www.tyronegaa.ie

Finally, remember …

Let us keep the “enjoyment” as the central element of “Féile”.
Winning is a small part of the event; enjoyment is everything!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 30th, 2008 at 6:13 pm and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 30th, 2008 at 3:38 pm and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

The Ulster Provincial Launch of the VHI GAA Cúl Camps took place today (30th April)  in the Armagh City Hotel, Armagh.

The VHI GAA Cúl Camps is a nationally co-ordinated programme of gaelic games which runs throughout the summer in every county in Ireland.

The camps encourage children to learn and develop sporting and life skills by participating in Gaelic Games in a fun, non-competitive environment.

In 2007, almost 16,000 Ulster children attended camps in each of the nine counties and this year the number of camps are on the increase and therefore, the number of children involved is also set to rise to an estimated 20,000 participants.

Attendance at camps is open to children aged 7 years to 13 years and all camps run from 10.00am to 2.30pm from Monday to Friday. Camps are structured to have 4 skill development days for primary and secondary levels, followed by a blitz tournament day.

All participants will receive a full set of playing gear (jersey, shorts and socks) and a knapsack that can double as a school bag later in the year.

A full list of all Cúl Camps in Ulster can be accessed through the GAA Cúl Camps website www.vhiculcamps.gaa.ie

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 30th, 2008 at 12:29 pm and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

The Ulster Council GAA, in partnership with Tesco, today launched a Health Booklet for primary school children. The booklet is a fun and interactive learning tool, aimed at helping children understand the importance of eating a healthy balanced diet.

In addition to the puzzles and quizzes, children have the opportunity to track their own eating and are offered advice if changes are necessary. There’s also a section for parents to get involved; ensuring healthy eating is truly a family affair!

The Health Booklet compliments the Ulster Council GAA’s coaching programme in schools across Ulster; with Tesco the ideal partner in the community. The initiative aims to ensure that all children, parents and teachers involved in the programme are ‘fitter, healthier and happier!’

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 30th, 2008 at 12:03 pm and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

It was a tremendous weekend in Killarney as Ulster competitors won 5 of the 8 competitions at the All-Ireland Scór Sinsear Finals.

The list of winners are as follows:

Rince Foirne (Ceili Dancing)
Omagh St Enda’s (Tyrone) : Keri Ann Bresnahan, Caoileann McEnhill, Tracey Cassidy, Orla Byrne, Niall Mc Enhill, Paul Breen, David Tierney and Damien Friel (Pictured)

Ceol Uirlise (Instrumental Music)
Mullaghbawn (Armagh) : Fergal O’Brian, Elaine O’Sullivan, Briege Quinn, Moira Hughes and Seán Ó Coinn

Bailéad Ghrúpa (Ballad Group)
Omagh St Enda’s (Tyrone) : Noelle Toner, Nuala O’Neill, Niall Mc Enhill, Ronan Gallagher and Caoilean McEnhill

Nuachleas (Novelty Act)
Killyclogher (Tyrone) : Noel McGinn, Sean Collins, Jimmy Carrigan, Eddie McCrystal, Enda McCrory, Ciaran McMullan and Anne Kelly

Tráth na gCeisteanna (Question Time)
Cornafean (Cavan) : Michael Dinneny, Brian Doyle and Tommy McGibney

Photos Courtesy of John Taggart.
Any Clubs wishing to purchase prints can contact John on johngtarrant@eircom.net / 0 (+353) 876792405

Related:

Scór Sinsear 2008 All-Ireland Finals Gallery

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 29th, 2008 at 9:51 am and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Allianz NFL Division One Final:
Kerry 2-9 Derry 2-13

Derry claimed a surprise win over All-Ireland champions Kerry in Sunday’s Allianz NFL Division One Final at Parnell Park on Sunday.

The Kingdom raced into an early lead that saw them seven points up at one point in the first half, but a remarkable about-turn inspired by brilliant displays from Fergal Doherty and Conleith Gilligan saw Derry run out winners by four points in the end.

Kerry’s inept second half showing will leave neutrals questioning the validity of naming them as odds-on favourites for the upcoming All-Ireland championship.

Derry had little difficulty in figuring out that Kerry’s gameplan was one-dimensional, and when they curbed Kieran Donaghy’s influence after half an hour, Pat O’Shea’s side seemed incapable of adapting accordingly.

There was something of a crisis for Derry before throw-in when influential full-back Kevin McCloy was ruled out and Niall McCusker was given the unenviable task of marking Kerry dangerman Donaghy.

And during that first half, it looked like the loss of McCloy would prove fatal, but the introduction of Seam Lockhart before the interval steadied the Derry defence and their attack soon clicked into gear.

At the death, Kerry sub Colm ‘Gooch’ Cooper – who was making his first appearance since the All-Ireland final last year – was sent off for a second yellow card, but not before Paddy Bradley fired over a glorious sideline kick to seal a stunning four-point win.

Kerry made the best possible start to the game when Kieran Donaghy soared into the Donnycarney sky and made a remarkable catch before offloading to Cromane man Donnchadh Walsh, who blasted past Barry Gillis in the Derry goal.

Donaghy beat both Kevin McGuckin and Niall McCusker to the high ball in what looked like an ominous portent for the Derry defence.

Kerry extended their lead a minute later when Mike Frank Russell – who took over the freetaking duties from the injured Bryan Sheehan – slotted over a point from a placed ball to give his side a three-point lead.

Donaghy was causing Niall McCusker all sorts of difficulties at full-forward, and after ten minutes, Derry boss Paddy Crozier must have been considering a switch when the giant attacker once again set up Darren O’Sullivan for a score.

Aidan O’Mahony tacked on another score after a foray up from defence, but Kerry could easily have had another goal but for a brilliant block by Niall McCusker after Donaghy had set up Walsh once again.

Eoin Bradley – his second of the game – and Conleith Gilligan pointed for Derry but Kerry somehow snatched a fortuitous goal through O’Sullivan.

Tommy Griffin sent in a high ball to Donaghy, who flicked the ball with his open palm to the onrushing O’Sullivan who stumbled and set goalkeeper Gillis the wrong way with a miss-hit effort.

Kerry were seven points to the good at this point and there looked to be absolutely no way back for Paddy Crozier’s charges.

However, two-time All Star winner Paddy Bradley mounted a Derry comeback with a point after 26 minutes. Significantly, his marker, Marc O’Sé was booked for a challenge on Bradley as the Glenullin man started to stamp his influence on the game.

It was Doherty, however, who proved to be the inspiration for Derry’s goal on 32 minutes. He started the move from midfield, passed to Sean McGoldrick who had a shot blocked by Diarmuid Murphy in the Kerry goal, but managed to sweep up the rebound to blast past a thicket of Kerry players on the goal-line.

Lockhart was brought on to shore up the Derry defence just before the break, and he immediately moved in to look after the threat posed by Kerry corner-forward O’Sullivan.

Bradley then put over two points at the very end of the first half to leave just two points between the sides at the break.

Derry got the best start imaginable to the second half when Gilligan pounced on some indecision by the Kerry goalkeeper after a high ball into the box by Bradley to force the ball home for a goal that put the underdogs in the lead.

However, Kerry hit back with three points without reply before Paddy Bradley found his range and levelled the game after 50 minutes.

McCloy came on for Liam Hinphey after 59 minutes and his arrival saw Derry heralded three points without reply for the Ulster men.

Murphy, McCusker and substitute Michael McIver all landed points to give Derry a three-point lead before Donaghy spurned a late chance to level matters when he was free in front of goal.

However, the final say was to go to Bradley, who fired over a brilliant sideline kick to give the scoreline a coat of gloss from a Derry point of view.

This entry was posted on Monday, April 28th, 2008 at 9:21 am and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Allianz NFL Division Three Final:
Wexford 3-15 Fermanagh 0-20

Wexford claimed the NFL Division Three title after a four-point win over Fermanagh in a thrilling game at Parnell Park on Sunday afternoon.

The sides finished level after 70 minutes of football, but Wexford eased through the gears in extra-time to run out deserved winners.

However, Fermanagh will look back on three separate incidents – two of which came inside the first seven minutes – that all but ruined their chances of tasting glory.

The crucial goal came nine minutes into the first period of extra time when a long ball into the Fermanagh defence was dropped by goalkeeper Fergal Murphy and substitute Paddy Colfer bundled into the empty net.

Murphy will have nightmares after that fatal error, but in truth, his side’s inability to deal with the high ball all afternoon proved to be their downfall.

That goal at the end of the first period of extra time appeared to put an end to the Fermanagh challenge after they had showed remarkable resolve in recovering from a massive deficit at the start of the game.

Fermanagh’s Mark Murphy gave an outstanding display which included five points from play, and his influence was truly felt after he moved out to midfield in a switch that saw former All Star Martin McGrath move into full-forward.

Murphy was ably assisted by Ryan Keenan, who was a constant threat at corner forward for Fermanagh, but, at times, he appeared to be ploughing a lone furrow in attack.

Wexford talisman Mattie Forde had a reasonably quiet afternoon, but his four points in injury time were the difference between the sides in the end.

Forde grabbed 1-7 in total and his true value to the Model County’s cause was felt when tiring Fermanagh defenders failed to deal with his pace as the game came to an end.

With four minutes of normal time remaining, Wexford led by two points, but centre-forward Redmond Barry saw red for his second yellow card and Fermanagh went up the other end to level the game with points from Mark Murphy and Ryan Keenan.

However, there was another twist, as PJ Banville scored his second point of the day to give Wexford the narrowest of leads with a minute remaining on the clock.

But Keenan and Fermanagh were not to be outdone, and the diminutive corner forward chipped in with another score to bring the game to extra time.

Wexford raced into a substantial early lead after two goals in as many first-half minutes from Mattie Forde and Adrian Flynn.

The two sides had traded early points before Forde lit up the afternoon with a stunning opening goal after just five minutes.

The Wexford star found himself unmarked in the full-forward line and he took a pass from Kieran Lyng before blasting the ball to the back of the net.

Forde was again at the heart of the potentially fatal blow that Wexford struck just two minutes later when Adrian Flynn profited from some untidy defending to fly-kick the ball to the back of the net.

Forde’s sideling kick floated into the Fermanagh full-back line, but there was no defender on hand to deal with the high ball, and Flynn gave his side a six-point lead with an opportunist strike.

The Ulster men looked shell shocked after the early assault they had been subjected to, but two fisted points from Mark Murphy went some way to awaking them from their slumber.

Midfielder McGrath also chipped in with an inspirational point that seemed to lift the Fermanagh spirits after a disappointing start.

Further points from Wexford goalscorer Flynn, and a gem from Forde on 19 minutes saw the Model County retain their substantial cushion.

However, Fermanagh chipped away at Wexford’s, with Ryan Keenan’s accuracy from placed balls eroding the deficit further.

Fermanagh boss Malachy O’Rourke felt it necessary to curb the influence of Forde before the break, and he brought Niall Bogue into his full-back line in place of Declan O’Reilly.

Fermanagh then hit three points in the three-minute period prior to half-time to leave just a single point between the sides at the interval.

The Ulster side chipped away at the Wexford lead throughout the second period and McGrath scored a rather fortuitous sideline kick on 47 minutes to level the game.

The game lulled for long periods in the second period, but Wexford had a great chance to move further ahead when Fermanagh goalkeeper Murphy was penalised for fouling the ball in his own box.

Murphy atoned for his mistake with a fine save from Forde, but Ciaran Lyng flashed the rebound over the bar.

Keenan then put on a one-man show at the end of normal time with two great points to level the game and give the crowd another 20 minutes of football.

Despite opening extra-time well with points from Tom Brewster and Mark Little, Fermanagh imploded after the fatal mistake by their goalkeeper to give Wexford a famous win.

This entry was posted on Monday, April 28th, 2008 at 8:57 am and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

The Ulster President, Tom Daly and Secretary, Danny Murphy led a Comhairle Uladh staff delegation to meet the Council of Britain in Birmingham on Saturday 26^th April.

The party discussed areas of mutual concern and staff from Ulster Council made presentations on Coaching and Games Development, the Club Maith Programme, Child Protection issues and accessing funding and gaining recognition from the Sports Councils in Britain.

In conclusion to the meeting Tom Daly assured the Council of Britain that Comhairle Uladh would provide structured support as outlined in the strategic plans of both Council’s and Danny Murphy committed to represent Comhairle Uladh in a Strategic Implementation Committee.

Comhairle Uladh also presented the London and British Boards with a substantial package of hurling equipment, including helmets, hurleys and sliothars, to assist with the development of hurling throughout Britain.

This entry was posted on Sunday, April 27th, 2008 at 2:07 pm and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Comhairle Uladh and the Antrim and Down County Boards are currently in the process of developing a strategy for the GAA in Belfast. A steering group representing a wide range of GAA and community interests has been established to draft the five year plan which will focus on the development and improvement of the GAA in Belfast.

To ensure that the members of the group have consulted with the all relevant stakeholders the group has organised two open nights.

• Belfast Club and Volunteer Open Night
  Wednesday 30th April at 7.30pm-9.30pm in the Balmoral Hotel.
  This will be a round table session which will be facilitated by members steering group and is open to everyone involved in the GAA in City of Belfast. All Belfast Clubs are strongly encouraged to send representatives to this event. Refreshments will be provided.
• Community Stakeholder Open Night
  Wednesday 7^th May at 7.30pm-9.30pm in the Balmoral Hotel.
  This session has been organised for key stakeholders, community organisations and members of the business community who have an interest in the GAA in Belfast.

Clubs, community groups and stakeholders have also been sent consultative questionnaires and are asked to return their responses to the relevant County Board by Friday 2^nd May.

For further information or clarification please contact Ryan Feeney at the Ulster Council rfeeney@ulster.gaa.ie

This entry was posted on Sunday, April 27th, 2008 at 1:25 pm and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Ulster Minor Football League Final
Tyrone 1-16 v 2-13 Meath

Tyrone and Meath will have to do it all over again following last night’s drawn Ulster Minor Football League Final at Breffni Park.

Following 60 minutes of normal time, and 20 minutes of extra time, the sides could not be seperated.

The date and venue of the replay are to be confirmed.

League table for Ulster Minor Football League Group 1

N.b. (Louth withdrew from the League)

Results table for Ulster Minor Football League Group 1

League table for Ulster Minor Football League Group 2

Results table for Ulster Minor Football League Group 2

This entry was posted on Friday, April 25th, 2008 at 10:54 am and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Following the successes of Tipperary and Westmeath over Galway and Carlow respectively in last Sunday’s exciting Allianz Division 1 and 2 hurling League finals it’s the turn of the footballers this weekend with the four Divisional finals fixed for Saturday and Sunday.

Dublin and Westmeath launch the programme with their Division 2 final in Navan on Saturday evening, followed by the Division 1 and 3 finals in a double-header in Parnell Park.

Saturday:
Div 2: Dublin v Westmeath, Navan, 7.00

Sunday:
Div 1: Derry v Kerry, Parnell Park, 2.15;
Div 3: Fermanagh v Wexford, Parnell Park, 12.30
Div 4: Offaly v Tipperary, Portlaoise, Portlaoise, 2.00

DERRY v KERRY

It’s the first time since 1961 that Derry and Kerry have clashed in the Allianz Football final, giving the tie a special interest. Kerry won that final comfortably on a 4-16 to 1-5 scoreline but Derry are confident that it will be much different this time.

Kerry are attempting to win the Div 1 title for the 19th time, thereby extending their lead at the top of the honours’ table to eight over second placed Mayo while Derry are seeking their 6th title which would put in 5th place on the table.

Derry last won the title in 2000 while Kerry’s last success was in 2006, having also won in 2004. The sides have already clashed in this year’s League, with Kerry winning by a point (0-10 to 0-9) in Killarney on March 2.

PATHS TO THE FINAL

DERRY

Derry 2-9 Mayo 1-9

Derry 2-12 Laois 1-9

KERRY 0-10 DERRY 0-9

Derry 1-16 Kildare 0-8

Galway 3-9 Derry 0-13

Derry 0-14 Tyrone 0-10

Derry 0-15 Donegal 0-10

Played 7, Won 5, Lost 2

Average For: 0-15; Average Against: 0-12

KERRY

Donegal 1-8 Kerry 1-7

Kerry 0-12 Tyrone 0-9

KERRY 0-10 DERRY 0-9

Mayo 0-16 Kerry 1-12

Kerry 0-16 Laois 0-12

Kerry 0-9 Kildare 0-8

Kerry 0-15 Galway 0-10

Played 7, Won 5, Lost 2

Average For: 0-13; Average Against: 0-11.

Last Clash….

Kerry 0-10 Derry 0-9, Killarney, 2 March 2008

A late free pointed by Bryan Sheehan gave Kerry the edge in a tightly contested game where Derry led by 0-6 to 0-5 at the break.

Scorers: Kerry: B Sheehan 0-6 (0-3 frees), S O’Sullivan 0-2, K Donaghy, P O’Connor 0-1 each.

Derry: P Bradley 0-5 (0-1 free), E Muldoon 0-2 (1 free, 1 ‘45′), L Hinphey , J Conway 0-1 each.

Kerry: K Cremin; M O Se, T O’Sullivan, P Reidy; T O Se, A O’Mahony, D Bohane; S Scanlon, T Griffin; Darren O’Sullivan, B Sheehan, S O’Sullivan; K O’Leary, K Donaghy, P O’Connor.

Subs: E Brosnan for O’Connor; K Young for Bohane, D Moran for Darren O’Sullivan, T Walsh for S O’Sullivan, D Walsh for O’Leary.

Derry: J Deighan; K McGuckin, N McCusker, F McEldowney; L Hinphey, M McBride, M McIvor; F Doherty, J Conway; M Lynch, B McGoldrick, E Muldoon; C Gilligan, P Bradley, C Mullan.

Sibs: K McCloy for Mullan, J Keenan for McBride, P Murphy for McGoldrick, E Lynn for Gilligan.

ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE ROLL OF HONOUR

18 – KERRY (1928-29-31-32-59-61-63-69-71-72-73-74-77-82-84-97-2004-2006)

11 – Mayo (1934-35-36-37-38-39-41-49-54-70-2001)

8 – Dublin (1953-55-58-76-78-87-91-93)

7 – Meath (1933-46-51-75-88-90-94)

5 – Cork (1952-56-80-89-99)

5 – DERRY (1947-92-95-96-2000)

4 – Down (1960-62-68-83)

4 – Galway (1940-57-65-81)

2 – Laois (1927-86)

2 – Tyrone (2002-2003)

1 – Armagh (2005)

1 – Cavan (1948)

1 – Longford (1966)

1 – Monaghan (1985)

1 – Offaly (1998)

1 – Roscommon (1979)

1 – Donegal 1 (2007)

DIV 2: ALL-LEINSTER CLASH AT NAVAN

Dublin and Westmeath met in the first round of the Division 2 campaign in early February unaware that they would clash again for the title, having already secured promotion to Div 1 for next season. Dublin won the February tie by two points, having earlier beaten Westmeath by ten points in the O’Byrne Cup.

PATHS TO THE FINAL

DUBLIN

DUBLIN 1-7 WESTMEATH 1-5

Cork v Dublin – not played (points awarded to Dublin)

Dublin 1-9 Cavan 0-7

Dublin 1-10 Monaghan 0-13

Dublin 3-20 Roscommon 0-7

Armagh 3-13 Dublin 1-10

Dublin 0-13 Meath 2-6

Played 6, Won 4, Drew 1, Lost 1. (Game v Cork not played)

Average For: 1-12 Average Against: 0-12

WESTMEATH

DUBLIN 1-7 WESTMEATH 1-5

Westmeath 1-11 Armagh 1-6

Westmeath 1-10 Meath 0-8

Cork 0-11 Westmeath 0-9

Westmeath 1-14 Roscommon 0-6

Westmeath 0-10 Cavan 0-6

Westmeath 1-10 Monaghan 0-11

Played 7, Won 5, Lost 2.

Average For: 1-9 Average Against: 0-9

Last Clash…

Dublin 1-7 Westmeath 1-5, Parnell Park, 2 February 2008

Scorers: Dublin: M Vaughan 0-5 (4f, 1 ‘45′), P Flynn 1-0, B Cullen, C Keaney 0-1 each.

Westmeath: D Dolan 1-2 (0-2f), M Flanagan 0-2 (1 ‘45′), A Mangan 0-1 (f).

Dublin: S Cluxton; D Henry, N O’Shea, S O’Shaughnessy; P McMahon, P Casey, C Moran; E Fennell, S Ryan; B Cullen, J O’Brien, P Flynn; J Sherlock, C Keaney, M Vaughan.

Subs: B McManamon for O’Brien, D Murray for Flynn, K Bonner for Keaney, D Lally for Cullen.

Westmeath: G Connaughton; J Keane, K Gavin, F Boyle; M Ennis, D Heavin, D Healy; M Flanagan, D Duffy; F Wilson, A Clinton, D Bannon; M Green, D Dolan, P Bannon.

Subs: A Mangan for Bannon, G Dolan for P Bannon, K Scally for Clinton, T Cleary for G Dolan, D O’Donoghue for Mangan.

FASCINATING DIV 3 FINAL

They drew when they met earlier in the League and with promotion to Division 2 secured, Fermanagh and Wexford clash again on Sunday to decide the Div 3 title. They are the only two teams to remain unbeaten in the entire League. They dropped a point against each other while Wexford also dropped a point to Limerick.

PATHS TO THE FINAL

FERMANAGH

Fermanagh 3-10 Leitrim 2-9

Fermanagh 0-14 Limerick 1-7

Fermanagh 2-10 Longford 1-10

Fermanagh 0-11 Louth 0-10

Fermanagh 0-17 Sligo 0-14

FERMANAGH 2-6 WEXFORD 0-12

Fermanagh 1-12 Down 0-13

Played 7, Won 6, Drew 1-12; Average Against: 0-13

WEXFORD

Wexford 3-8 Longford 1-9

Wexford 0-14 Sligo 0-12

Wexford 2-8 Down 0-9

Limerick 1-12 Wexford 1-12

Wexford 1-10 Leitrim 0-7

WEXFORD 0-12 FERMANAGH 2-6

Wexford 2-16 Louth 0-15

Played 7, Won 5, Drew 2

Average For: 1-13 Average Against: 0-12

Last clash….

Fermanagh 2-6 Wexford 0-12, Lisnaskea, April 6

Scorers: Fermanagh: M Murphy, E Maguire 1-0 each, M Keenan, M McGrath 0-2 each, D Kelly, T McElroy 0-1 each.

Wexford: M Forde 0-8, A Flynn 0-2, C Morris , C Lyng 0-1 each.

Fermanagh: C Breen; S Goan, S Lyons, D O’Reilly; D Kelly, R McCluskey, T McElroy; M Murphy, J Sherry; S McDermott, M Keenan, M Little; M McGrath, N Keenan, E Maguire.

Subs: L McBarron for M McGrath, C McElroy for Little, N Bogue for Keenan.

Wexford: A Masterson; N Murphy, P Wallace, B Malone; A Morrissey, D Murphy, C Morris; B Doyle, C Byrne; N O’Sullivan, R Barry, A Flynn; C Lyng, J Hudson, M Forde.

Subs: D Walsh for O’Sullivan, PJ Banville for Hudson, M Curtis for M Forde.

OFFALY v TIPPERARY IN PORTLAOISE

Offaly topped Division 4 on 13 points and were joined in the promotion bay last Sunday by Tipperary whose win over Wicklow, coupled with Waterford’s defeat of Antrim, earned the Premier county Div 3 football next season. They will now be hoping to build on that by beating Offaly in Sunday’s final, having already lost to Pat Roe’s men by four points in the group stages.

PATHS TO THE FINAL

OFFALY

Offaly 5-16 London 1-6

Offaly 3-19 Carlow 0-8

OFFALY 1-11 TIPPERARY 1-7

Antrim 0-13 Offaly 1-10

Offaly 3-15 Wicklow 1-6

Offaly 0-13 Waterford 1-8

Offaly 4-22 Kilkenny 1-6

Clare 1-9 Offaly 1-8

Played 8, Won 6, Drew 1, Lost 1.

Average For: 2-15 Average Against: 0-10

TIPPERARY

Tipperary 4-20 Kilkenny 1-5

Tipperary 0-13 Clare 1-7

OFFALY 1-11 TIPPERARY 1-7

Tipperary 1-23 London 0-4

Carlow 1-10 Tipperary 1-9

Tipperary 0-10 Antrim 0-7

Tipperary 2-8 Waterford 1-10

Tipperary 0-12 Wicklow 0-10

Played 8, Won 6, Lost 2.

Average For: 1-13 Average Against: 0-10

***

Last clash…

Offaly 1-11 Tipperary 1-7, Tullamore, 16 February 2008

Scorers: Offaly N McNamee 0-8 (5f), T Deehan 1-0, C McManus 0-2, P Kellaghan 0-1.

Tipperary: B Grogan 1-5 (1-1 pen, 0-4f), D O’Brien, K Mulryan 0-1 each.

Offaly: P Kelly; G Rafferty, S Brady, B Darby; P McConway, R Fox, N Grennan; A McNamee, C McManus; D Egan, P Kellaghan, N Smith; T Deehan, J Reynolds, N McNamee.

Subs: J Keane for McConway, K Casey for Egan.

Tipperary: P Fitzgerald; A Foley, M Peters, C McDonald; C Aylward, N Fitzgerald, R Costigan; E Hanrahan, G Hannigan; P Austin, E Kearney, D O’Brien; D Darcy, S Grogan, B Grogan.

Subs: B Mulvihill for S Grogan, K Mulryan for Kearney, M Harding for Darcy.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 24th, 2008 at 4:29 pm and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

2008 Sigerson Cup Final
UUJ 1-16 v 1-14 Garda College (AET)

UUJ erased painful memories of last years extra-time final defeat as they captured their fifth Ulster Bank Sigerson Cup crown following a hard-earned two-point win over Garda College after extra-time at IT Carlow on Tuesday evening.

Contesting their first final since 1999, Garda got off to a bright start with a brace of Mark Harrington points ensuring a 0-3 to 0-2 after seven minutes.

Harrington and Offaly’s Rory Guinan led the Garda College attack in the opening quarter while Westmeath’s Graham Dillon and Darren Mullahy of Galway were solid on the half-back line.

A livelier UUJ attack made the best use of possession in the second quarter, where Antrim senior Paddy Cunnigham ignited, and the full-forward kicked five first half points as UUJ took an 0-8 to 0-5 interval lead.

UUJ began the second half in determined fashion and thanks to a Cunningham goal they had a 1-9 to 0-6 lead by five minutes after the restart.

However, Garda responded immediately with John O’Brien dispatching a 14-metre free straight to the UUJ net.

A second Lynch point saw UUJ break three points clear with eight minutes remaining but scores from O’Brien, Harrington and substitute James Martin forced extra-time.

Cunningham and Lynch were again on fire in the opening stages of extra-time but industrious work from Guinan ensured the sides were level at 1-14 apiece at the break.

However UUJ were not to be denied as scores from Lynch and Cunningham steered them to victory.

Scorers:

UUJ: P Cunningham 1-9 (4f) M Lynch (3f) 0-6; A Moran (1 sl) 0-1.

Garda College: R Guinan (3f, 1 45) 0-6; J O’Brien (1-2f) 1-4; M Harrington (1f, 1 sl) 0-3; J Martin 0-1.

Garda College: P O’Connor; C McGill, C McGrath, A Pender; G Dillon, D Mullahy, E Callaghan; A O’Mahony, A O’Donovan; S Buckley, R Guinan, D Glennon; J O’Brien, M Harrington, J Keane.
Subs: B Brennan for Keane (HT); J Martin for O’Donovan (52).

UUJ: M McAlister; C Harrison, D McCaul, D Morgan; P McGuigan, K Lacey, P Donnelly; B McKenna, C Cavanagh; D Hughes, T McCann, R Mulgrew; M Lynch, P Cunningham, A Moran.
Subs: J McGovern for Hughes (HT); B Dunnion for Harrison (45); C Donnelly for Moran (74).

Referee: David Coldrick (Meath).

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008 at 8:58 pm and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Cavan’s Paul Brady and Michael Finnegan collected their third consecutive title when they defeated Mayo’s Dessie Keegan and Joe McCann in the DALKIA 40×20 Senior Doubles Final at Kingscourt on Saturday.

The Breffni pair were forced to pull out all the stops in the opening game, with Keegan and McCann putting them under severe pressure. Brady and Finnegan went 5-0 up before Mayo pulled themselves into the game, with Keegan in destructive form on the left.

Leading 18-12, Cavan looked like finishing out the first in style, but some top serving from Mayo brought them back to 18-16 before Brady and Finnegan eventually look the first. In the second game, the Cavan pair pushed into top gear, with Finnegan putting in an awesome performance.

After opening an early lead, Cavan never looked like relinquishing their crown, despite the best efforts of McCann and Keegan. The defending champions finished strongly, with the expected clinical finishing from Brady, to take the match 21-16, 21-11.

In the Ladies Senior Doubles Final, Antrim’s Fiona Shannon and Sibéal McKenna retained their title after a tough battle with Lilywhites, Eimear Ní Fhallúin and Anna Spence. The first game proved a thriller with Kildare serving to take the game at 20-18, but the experience of the Saffron women told as they got back in to take the game 21-20. In the second game, the long-time sister partnership, McKenna and Shannon, put in a fantastic display to take another All-Ireland crown on a 21-8 scoreline.

In the Minor Doubles Final, Limerick’s Seamus O’Carroll and CJ Fitzpatrick were forced to the edge by Tyrone’s Caolán Daly and Conor Grogan. The Treaty men dominated the opening game from start to finish, eventually winning out on a 21-10 scoreline, but the second game proved to be one of the most exciting of the day. Both pairing served at 20-20 on two occasions, with Daly and Grogan looking like they would bring the game to a decider, but it was not to be as Limerick went on to take the first ever minor crown for the county.

The Minor Singles Final also provided an exciting finish with Mayo’s Stephen Cooney in action against Meath’s Gary McConnell. Having lost the first 21-2, Cooney settled into the occasion in the second game, with McConnell just edging him out on a 21-19 scoreline.

Meanwhile, at a meeting of the GAA’s Central Appeals Committee on Friday night, the Ulster Handball Council’s appeal was rejected and handball’s Central Council will now meet tomorrow (Tuesday) to schedule the postponed DALKIA Singles Finals, where Brady will take on Cork’s Tony Healy in the Senior Singles Final.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008 at 9:52 am and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Allianz NFL Division 2
Monaghan 1-10 Westmeath 0-11

Westmeath edged out Monaghan in a very entertaining game at Clones to gain promotion to Division One of the Allianz NFL.

Monaghan opened the scoring with a Tommy Freeman free but after 10 minutes Westmeath led by 3 points to 1 playing into a strong breeze in misty, drizzly conditions.

Dessie Dolan was the first to register a score for Westmeath with a free before Fergus Wilson put his name on the scoresheet with a score from a free and a nice effort from play after some very eyecatching Westmeath teamwork. The Lakesiders were on top at this stage and were playing some very flowing football with Wilson looking in very lively form.

On 13 minutes the scoreboard read 1-3 to 0-2 in favour of Westmeath after Denis Glennon netted for the Midlanders expertly chipping under the advancing Monaghan goalkeeper after a superb team score that started in midfield with Donal O’Donoghue.

Monaghan were not firing on all cylinders at this stage but the move of Paul Finlay back to midfield gave the Farney men a boost and they slowly began to take advantage of the strong breeze that was aiding them.

The game was soon turned on its head when Dermot McCardle, Tommy Freeman, Dick Clerkin and Conor McManus got in on the act with four unanswered points for the Seamus McEnaney’s men.

Tommy Freeman then put Monaghan two points in front with a nice point from play on 30 mins. Monaghan were now beginning to get into their stride in what was a very entertaining game with a lot at stake.

After 31 minutes a very quiet Dessie Dolan pointed for Westmeath – though the free was initially given to the home side but they fouled it and Dolan cashed in with an easy pointed free.

The final score before the half-time whistle came from the impressive Finlay who slotted over his third point of the day to leave Monaghan ahead by two points at the break.

With 51 minutes gone Monaghan opened up a seven point lead in what had become a very niggly and scrappy affair. Five Westmeth players booked for some tame fouls.

Dessie Dolan failed to emerge in the second half and was replaced by John Smith in what was a big blow for Tomas O’Flatarta’s men.

Vincent Corey put over the first score of the second half for Monaghan but the score of the game so far came from the boot of Westmeath’s Martin Flanagan as he slotted over a monster kick from the middle of the park.

However it was Finlay who was starring in midfield with 17 minutes gone in the second half.

Rory Woods sent over only Monaghan’s second score of the second half to the delight of the home crowd to leave the scores level at 1-8 to 0-11.

Westmeath hit the front again with another fine score from Martin Flanagan as the game neared it’s conclusion.

The game was now scrappy enough and Fergus Wilson was lucky to stay on the field after an altercation with one of the Monaghan players.

Prior to Flanagan’s point Denis Glennon scooped over two points for the visitors as Westmeath led by a point with only a few minutes to go but it was Westmeath that were to emerge victorious after John Smith punched a late point to leave the Lakesider’s two points ahead at the final whistle on a scoreline of 1-10 to 0-11.

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Allianz NFL Division 2
Armagh 0-13 Cork 1-10

Almost 3,000 packed in to St. Oliver Plunkett Park, Crossmaglen as a 74th minute point from substitute Steven McDonnell ensured a share of the spoils following a tenacious opening half.

A superb 58th minute goal from midfielder Nicholas Murphy following a well placed pass from Sean O’Brien looked like the Rebels would take home the league points, but the action hadn’t finished yet as both sides finished with 14 men and also shared the spoils.

A second yellow card for Aaron Kernan along with a straight red card for Cork substitute Conor McCarthy all came in the closing eight minutes of a game, which was otherwise an open, clean affair especially during a less than eventful opening half.

Cork’s heavy club championship schedule on Friday night, took its toll with key defender Anthony Lynch injured while playing for his club Naomh Abán and his left corner back spot was taken by Kieran O’Connor, in one of just four changes on Cork’s starting XV from the match programme.

In a changed defence Graham Canty and Ger Spillane were also missing from the backs with Spillane still mourning the loss of his father, who died on in the lead up to the game.

However the Rebels started brightly and led by 0-3 to 0-1 after nine minutes thanks to points from Daniel Goulding (2) and John Hayes. But this was where Cork’s dominance ended as Armagh went on to score the next five points with Oisin McConville and Paddy McKeever kicking two points each, while a 21st minute Michael O’Rourke point put Armagh in front for the first time.

Cork kept up the pressure and took the final point of the opening half with Daniel Goulding on target from a 45 metre kick but the Rebels were certainly left rooing their seven first half wides, as Armagh took a 0-6 to 0-4 half-time lead.

Although Goulding kicked the first point of the second half, Armagh maintained their momentum and kicked three of the next four points, with a brilliant Oisin McConville sideline kick ensuring his side broke 0-9 to 0-6 clear as the game entered the final quarter.

But Cork weren’t finished yet and points from Sean O’Brien and Daniel Goulding, coupled with Murphy’s goal saw the visitors break into a two point lead with 12 minutes remaining.

However the dismissals soon followed and although a third pointed free from McKeever levelled the game for only the second time, Cork look to have stole victory with a late John Hayes fisted points.

But substitute Steven McDonnell, who was only four minutes on the field, stepped up to the mark deep in injury-time, to ensure a share of the spoils and a thrilling finish to an open game

Armagh: C McKinney; P Kernan, F Bellew, F Moriarty; A Kernan (0-1), A O’Rourke (0-1), C McKeever; P McGrane, D McKenna (0-1); C Vernon, P McKeever (0-3, 3f), B Mallon; O McConville (0-5, 2f, 1 sl), G Swift, Michael O’Rourke (0-1). Subs: Martin O’Rourke for Mallon (20); P Loughran for Vernon (50); R Clarke for Swift (55); A Mallon for Moriarty (58); S McDonnell (0-1) for Michael O’Rourke (69)

Cork: A Quirke; D Duggan, D Kavanagh, K O’Connor; P Kissane, S O’Donoghue, J Miskella; N Murphy (1-0), F Goold; S O’Brien (0-1), K O’Sullivan, K MacMahon; D Goulding (0-6, 3f, 2 45), J Masters, J Hayes (0-3, 1f). Subs: P Kelly for K O’Sullivan (HT); C McCarthy for MacMahon (58); N O’Leary for Masters (72)

Referee: Vincent Neary (Mayo)
Wides Armagh 9 Cork 11

Frees Armagh 16 Cork 25

45′s Armagh 1 Cork 2

Yellow Cards: Armagh 5 (Aaron Kernan * 2; Paul McGrane, Charlie Vernon, Finian Moriarty) Cork 3 (Stephen O’Donoghue, Kevin O’Sullivan, John Hayes)

Red Cards: Armagh 1 (Aaron Kernan) Cork 1 (Conor McCarthy)

Attendance: 3,000

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Allianz NFL Division 2
Roscommon 2-13 Cavan 1-15

Roscommon registered their first victory of the season when they got the better of Cavan in stoppage time at Dr Hyde Park.

Roscommon hit the front after 8 minutes as Karl Mannion slotted over a free but their lead was short lived as Cavan hit the front with a fine Ronan Flanagan goal after 13 minutes set up by the livewire Seanie Johnston who himself has two points to his name.

In front of an attendance of around 900 people Roscommon registered their second point of the day through Senan Kilbride before Mark McKeever pointed a free for the visitors.

Eddie O’Reilly was roving all over the field and was very effective with Seanie Johnston rivalling him for the star of the show.

With 25 minutes gone the score read 1-5 to 0-3 for Cavan after Mark McKeever put over two points from play in what was an entertaining game despite there being nothing at stake.

After half an hour Roscommon were back in the game when Jonathan Dunning goaled expertly for the home side and Kilbride now had three frees to his name.

Early in the second half Cavan led by 1-11 to 1-9 with Seanie Johnston getting three points in the second half bringing his total on the day to seven points.

Senan Kilbride added two points from frees to keep the home side in it after 17 mins of the second half.

But in a dramatic finish Karl Mannion slotted home a penalty for the Rossies to leave the sides level at 2-12 to 1-15.

However, in Paul Earley’s last game in charge subsitute Seamus O’Neill stepped up to give the home side a one point victory in stoppage time with a well-struck point from play leaving the final score 2-13 to 1-15.

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Allianz NFL Division 3
Down 0-13 Fermanagh 1-12

Fermanagh secured promotion to Division Two of the National Football League with a 1-12 to 0-13 win over Ulster rivals Down.

Down’s hopes of playing Division two football are on hold for another year after they finished in third place in the division, four points away from the promotion places.

Fermanagh will now play Wexford in the final thanks, in the main, to a Ryan Keenan goal on 34 minutes.

Down had led by three points at one stage of the second half, but Tom Brewster came on as a substitute and his two points were instrumental in the end.

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Allianz NFL Division 4
Antrim 0-08 Waterford 1-08

Antrim’s hopes of promotion were dashed following a 1-8 to 0-8 defeat to Waterford at Casement Park.

Antrim had their destiny in their own hands, and two weeks ago looked a certainty to come out on top in Division Four as they only needed a draw against Waterford.

However, a defeat to Tipperary two weeks ago was compounded by another disappointing display against the Munster side.

Maurice O’Gorman scored the vital goal for The Deise on 50 minutes, while the Saffrons had Tony Scullion sent off.

This entry was posted on Monday, April 21st, 2008 at 9:54 am and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Cadbury’s U21 All-Ireland Semi-Final
Kildare 1-10 v 0-10 Down

Kildare bridged a 32-year gap in reaching the final of the Cadbury’s All-Ireland Under-21 Championship after a three-point win over Down in Navan on Saturday evening.

Down went into the break a point to the good, but a Gavin Smullen goal on 25 minutes proved the difference between the sides on a windy evening in Páirc Tailteann.

Best on the day for Down were captain James Colgan and Paul McComiskey, who finished with 6 points.

This entry was posted on Sunday, April 20th, 2008 at 9:34 am and is filed under Homepage News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.