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All-Ireland Hurling Semi-Final Preview: Cork v Dublin

🔥 All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final Preview: Cork v Dublin

One step from Croke Park glory — but history, momentum and injury lists all weigh into a fascinating All-Ireland semi-final as Munster champions Cork face off with a resurgent Dublin side this Saturday.

Cork are bidding to reach the All-Ireland final for a second year in a row, as they continue their hunt for a first Liam MacCarthy triumph since 2005. Dublin, on the other hand, are seeking their first final appearance since 1961 — and their first All-Ireland title in 87 years.

📋 Cork Team News – Three Changes for the Rebels

Pat Ryan’s Cork side shows three changes from the team that edged past Limerick in a dramatic Munster Final penalty shootout.

  • IN: Niall O’Leary, Rob Downey (capt), Declan Dalton
  • OUT: Damien Cahalane (bench), Cormac O’Brien (injured), Séamus Harnedy (injured)

Ger Millerick also returns to the match-day panel following injury.

🔴 Cork Starting XV

CORK (v Dublin):
1. Patrick Collins
2. Niall O’Leary
3. Eoin Downey
4. Seán O’Donoghue
5. Ciarán Joyce
6. Rob Downey (Captain)
7. Mark Coleman
8. Tommy O’Mahony
9. Darragh Fitzgibbon
10. Daire Healy
11. Shane Barrett
12. Declan Dalton
13. Patrick Horgan
14. Alan Connolly
15. Brian Hayes

Subs: B Saunderson, D Cahalane, G Millerick, T O’Connell, E Twomey, L Meade, B Roche, J O’Connor, S Kingston, R O’Flynn, C Lehane

🔄 Dublin’s Road to the Semis

Dublin have put together an impressive championship run under manager Micheál Donoghue. After finishing third in Leinster, the Dubs hammered Kildare in the All-Ireland Preliminary Quarter-Final and stunned reigning champions Limerick in the Quarter-Final, scoring a massive 2-24 to 0-28 victory.

Sean Currie has led the scoring charge, while Cian O’Sullivan and Ronan Hayes have provided crucial attacking support.

📊 Championship Form Guide

CORK – P5 W3 D1 L1 (Munster Champions)

  • Clare 3-21 Cork 2-24
  • Cork 4-27 Tipperary 0-24
  • Limerick 3-26 Cork 1-16
  • Cork 2-25 Waterford 1-22
  • Cork 1-30 Limerick 2-27 AET (Won 3-2 on penalties – Munster Final)

DUBLIN – P7 W5 L2

  • Dublin 1-25 Offaly 2-19
  • Dublin 3-26 Wexford 4-19
  • Dublin 3-25 Antrim 0-19
  • Kilkenny 5-19 Dublin 3-21
  • Galway 0-29 Dublin 3-15
  • Dublin 3-25 Kildare 0-13
  • Dublin 2-24 Limerick 0-28

🎯 Top Scorers

Cork

  • Patrick Horgan – 3-42 (1-32 frees, 0-1 ‘65’)
  • Brian Hayes – 3-7
  • Séamus Harnedy – 0-13
  • Shane Barrett – 1-9
  • Darragh Fitzgibbon – 0-11 (0-2 frees, 0-1 ‘65’)

Dublin

  • Sean Currie – 5-61 (0-39 frees, 2-0 pens, 0-4 ‘65s’)
  • Cian O’Sullivan – 3-17
  • Ronan Hayes – 3-6
  • John Hetherton – 3-5
  • Conor Donohue – 0-9

📚 Head-to-Head History

This will be the 20th championship meeting between Cork and Dublin. The Rebels dominate the record with 16 wins to Dublin’s 2, and 1 draw.

  • Most recent: 2024 – Cork 0-26 Dublin 0-21 (All-Ireland QF)
  • Other recent wins: 2021, 2020, 2016, 2013, 2008, 2007
  • Last Dublin win: 1927 All-Ireland Final (Dublin 4-8 Cork 1-3)

⚔️ Semi-Final Pedigree – Last Five Appearances

Cork

  • 2024: Cork 1-28 Limerick 0-29
  • 2021: Cork 1-37 Kilkenny 1-32 AET
  • 2018: Limerick 3-32 Cork 2-31 AET
  • 2017: Waterford 4-19 Cork 0-20
  • 2014: Tipperary 2-18 Cork 1-11

Dublin

  • 2013: Cork 1-24 Dublin 1-19
  • 2011: Tipperary 1-19 Dublin 0-18
  • 1948: Dublin 8-13 Antrim 2-6
  • 1944: Dublin 6-12 Antrim 3-1
  • 1941: Dublin 2-4 Galway 2-2

🔮 Verdict

Cork come in as favourites, battle-hardened from a brutal Munster campaign and boasting big-game experience. Dublin have the firepower and belief to cause problems, especially after their upset of Limerick — but history and depth favour the Rebels.

Prediction: Cork by 4-6 points in a fast-paced contest.

Three Changes for Cork Ahead of Hurling Semi-Final

🔴 Three Changes for Cork Ahead of All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final

Liam MacCarthy favourites Cork have made three changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship semi-final clash with Dublin.

Returning to the starting team are Niall O’Leary at corner-back, Rob Downey at centre-back, and Declan Dalton at wing-forward. Dropping out of the side are Damien Cahalane, Cormac O’Brien, and Séamus Harnedy.

🔁 Injury Shuffle Continues

The changes come as little surprise given the ongoing injury management challenges faced by Pat Ryan’s squad. Both O’Leary and team captain Rob Downey had only recently returned from injury when introduced during the thrilling Munster final victory over Limerick — a classic encounter ultimately decided by penalties.

Dalton, who was absent from the match-day squad for that final, is now fully fit and ready to start.

❌ Harnedy & O’Brien Miss Out

During the week, Ryan confirmed that Séamus Harnedy would be ruled out with a hamstring injury, while Cormac O’Brien remained doubtful due to a quad issue. Neither makes the match-day 26, but Damien Cahalane is named among the substitutes.

✅ Bench Boost – Millerick Returns

In better news for Cork fans, Ger Millerick returns to the panel after recovering from a broken finger and is named on the bench.

📋 CORK Team to Face Dublin (SHC Semi-Final)

Cork Starting XV:
P Collins; N O’Leary, E Downey, S O’Donoghue; C Joyce, R Downey, M Coleman; T O’Mahony, D Fitzgibbon; D Healy, S Barrett, D Dalton; P Horgan, A Connolly, B Hayes.

Subs:
B Saunderson, D Cahalane, G Millerick, T O’Connell, E Twomey, L Meade, B Roche, J O’Connor, S Kingston, R O’Flynn, C Lehane.

Kate O’Connor Sets Her Sights on Global Glory

🇮🇪 Kate O’Connor Sets Her Sights on Global Glory

Kate O’Connor is no longer just one to watch — she’s one to beat.

With European and World Indoor medals now in her collection, the 24-year-old heptathlete enters a new phase of her career: not just competing with the world’s best, but challenging them. As she prepares for two major summer events — the World University Games in Germany later this month and the World Championships in Tokyo in September — O’Connor is thinking big.

“My whole team focus has kind of changed,” she says. “Before, I’d go to championships looking up to the top girls. Now I’m going there to put it up to them.”

🏆 Belief Born from Breakthrough

O’Connor’s confidence is rooted in a sensational indoor season, where she claimed bronze in the European Indoors pentathlon and silver at the World Indoors. These were her first senior medals in an Irish vest, after earlier success as a European U20 silver medallist in 2019 and a Commonwealth Games silver medallist for Northern Ireland in 2022.

“I definitely feel like I’m in that bracket now,” she says. “It’ll take another couple of years to challenge for the very top, but that’s the ultimate goal.”

📍 Monte Gordo Grind

Currently training in Monte Gordo, Portugal, O’Connor is putting in two sessions a day while juggling the final stages of a master’s degree in communication and PR. It’s a heavy workload, but one she’s handling with focus and ambition.

“I’ve always had something outside athletics – like university – to keep me grounded,” she says. “You never know when injury or setbacks can hit. It helps to have more than one identity.”

💼 Backed by Adidas

Earlier this year, O’Connor signed a professional deal with adidas, giving her much-needed support in one of the most demanding events in sport. It marks another step towards her goal of becoming a full-time athlete after her degree wraps up in September.

“Financially, it’s getting better,” she says. “The support since indoors has really grown. Ideally, I’d love to bring my full coaching team to every event and not have to make decisions based on budget.”

🌍 Bigger Platform, Bigger Pressure

O’Connor’s success has brought increased public attention, and with it, new challenges. “At first, I said yes to everything — media, events, interviews — but it quickly got overwhelming,” she admits. “My dad’s been amazing, stepping in to handle the flood of emails so I can concentrate on training.”

“I thought three weeks off after indoors would be enough to reset everything, but I quickly realised the attention doesn’t just stop. You have to learn how to manage it.”

🎯 Record-Breaking Goals

O’Connor will open her season at the World University Games on July 23, where she hopes to surpass her own Irish heptathlon record of 6,297 points. Her target? Break 6,500 — a score that would place her among the world’s elite.

“I’ve focused hard on my speed this year,” she says. “If I can break 24 seconds in the 200m and improve on my javelin — my PB is from 2019 — I’ll be in a great place.”

With the World Championships just over 10 weeks away, her timing is spot on. “I’m in similar shape to indoors, maybe even better. If the body’s in good condition, anything’s possible when you put the events together.”

🤝 Powered by Partnership

Kate O’Connor was speaking at the launch of Athletics Ireland’s extended sponsorship deal with 123.ie, a six-figure partnership running until 2030. With big backing and even bigger ambition, the Dundalk native is ready to take on the world.

Ireland Rugby Team Named – Casey and Sam Prendergast start against Georgia

🇮🇪 Ireland Rugby Team Named – Casey and Sam Prendergast start against Georgia

The Ireland team to face Georgia this weekend has been named — and there’s a notable mix of youth, form, and provincial pride across the 23. With several players away on British & Irish Lions duty and others out through injury, this is a chance for fresh talent to shine.

Here’s how the squad breaks down by province:

🟢 Connacht – 4 Players

  • 5. Darragh Murray (Buccaneers) – Uncapped
  • 18. Jack Aungier (Clontarf) – Uncapped
  • 20. Cian Prendergast (UCD) – 4 caps
  • 21. Ben Murphy (Clontarf) – Uncapped

🔴 Munster – 5 Players

  • 9. Craig Casey (Shannon) – 18 caps (Captain)
  • 8. Gavin Coombes (Young Munster) – 2 caps
  • 19. Tom Ahern (Shannon) – Uncapped
  • 22. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution) – 24 caps
  • 23. Calvin Nash (Young Munster) – 10 caps

🟣 Ulster – 5 Players

  • 4. Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch) – Uncapped
  • 7. Nick Timoney (Banbridge) – 3 caps
  • 11. Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan) – 38 caps
  • 12. Stuart McCloskey (Bangor) – 19 caps
  • 16. Tom Stewart (Ballynahinch) – 2 caps

🟦 Leinster – 9 Players

  • 1. Jack Boyle (UCD) – 2 caps
  • 2. Gus McCarthy (UCD) – 4 caps
  • 3. Thomas Clarkson (Dublin University) – 6 caps
  • 6. Ryan Baird (Dublin University) – 27 caps
  • 10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne) – 8 caps
  • 13. Jamie Osborne (Naas) – 7 caps
  • 14. Tommy O’Brien (UCD) – Uncapped
  • 15. Jimmy O’Brien (Naas) – 8 caps
  • 17. Michael Milne (UCD) – Uncapped

📋 Total Breakdown

  • 🟦 Leinster – 9 players
  • 🟣 Ulster – 5 players
  • 🔴 Munster – 5 players
  • 🟢 Connacht – 4 players

🗣️ Commentary

Absolutely delighted to see Darragh Murray make his first start for Ireland.

Only one Connacht player in the starting XV is a little disappointing, especially given how many front-liners are unavailable. Still, with three more Connacht men on the bench, there’s every chance they’ll get decent game time.

The bookies have Ireland as 16-point favourites, which feels like a stretch. With a squad full of new caps, any sort of win would be a bonus. What matters most is the experience this group gains at international level.

🇮🇪 Ireland Team Named for Summer Tour Opener in Tbilisi

Paul O’Connell, interim Head Coach of the Ireland Men’s team, has named his matchday 23 to face Georgia in the opening game of the two-Test Summer Series this Saturday evening at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi (kick-off 9pm local time / 6pm Irish time).

There are two debutants in the starting XV and a further four uncapped players on the bench, as Ireland looks to build depth during this developmental tour.

🔴 Captain Casey Makes History

Craig Casey will captain Ireland for the first time, becoming the 112th Test captain in the nation’s history. The Munster scrum-half also becomes just the third 9 to lead Ireland in the professional era, following Niall Hogan (3 times) and Eoin Reddan (once).

He’ll form a half-back partnership with exciting young out-half Sam Prendergast, while the midfield pairing sees Stuart McCloskey and Jamie Osborne link up.

Tommy O’Brien will make his international debut on the wing, joining Jimmy O’Brien and Jacob Stockdale in the back three.

🟣 Milestone in Sight for Stockdale

Jacob Stockdale is set to win his 39th cap. One more try would see him become the 21st Irish player to reach 100+ points for the national side. It would also move him into outright 6th on Ireland’s all-time try-scoring list, ahead of Girvan Dempsey and Geordan Murphy.

🟢 New Faces in the Pack

Darragh Murray (Connacht) earns his first cap in the second row alongside Cormac Izuchukwu. The front row features Jack Boyle, Gus McCarthy, and Thomas Clarkson, while the back row sees Ryan Baird, Nick Timoney, and Gavin Coombes complete the starting pack.

🧢 Four More Uncapped Players on the Bench

The replacements bench includes four potential debutants: Munster duo Michael Milne and Tom Ahern, and Connacht pair Jack Aungier and Ben Murphy.

They are joined by Tom Stewart, Cian Prendergast, and Calvin Nash — all of whom will be expected to make an impact off the bench.

🗣️ Coach’s View – Paul O’Connell

“I’ve been really impressed with the application of this group in the build-up to the tour. Saturday presents a fantastic opportunity for these players to represent their country and show what they can do on the international stage.

To Craig — I’d like to congratulate him on his first game as captain. He’s taken to the role superbly and I know how much he’s looking forward to leading the team.”

Pat Spillane Jnr Transfers to Sligo’s St Molaoise Gaels

🔁 Pat Spillane Jnr Transfers to Sligo’s St Molaoise Gaels

Pat Spillane Jnr, son of Kerry GAA icon Pat Spillane, has made a surprise transfer to Sligo club St Molaoise Gaels, marking the latest chapter in a unique footballing journey.

The 26-year-old joins the Yeats County outfit from St Jude’s in Dublin, with whom he reached the Dublin Senior Football Championship final in 2021, narrowly losing to Kilmacud Crokes.

🏐 Third Club, Third County

This will be Spillane’s third club across three counties. He began his football career with his native Templenoe in Kerry, before transferring to Dublin club St Jude’s. Now, having qualified to represent Sligo through his mother Rosarii, Spillane makes the move west.

He became eligible to play for Sligo in 2022, thanks to his maternal roots in the county.

🌍 AFL Links

Though Spillane never lined out for Kerry at minor, U20 or senior level, he did catch the eye of international recruiters. In 2015, he was selected to attend an AFL draft combine alongside players such as Cavan’s Thomas Galligan and Kilkenny’s Darragh Joyce — the latter now playing professionally for the Brisbane Lions after an initial stint with St Kilda.

📍 Who Are St Molaoise Gaels?

St Molaoise Gaels are an emerging force in Sligo club football, competing in the Intermediate ranks. The addition of a player of Spillane’s pedigree and experience is seen as a major boost to their ambitions for the 2025 season and beyond.

KPMG Women’s Irish Open underway at Carton House, Fairmont

The 2025 KPMG Women’s Irish Open gets underway at Carton House, Fairmont, this morning.

A record number of Irish players, both professionals and amateurs, will compete in the competition which runs from Thursday to Sunday.

Updated leaderboard

This marks the largest Irish field in the event’s history, a significant milestone that highlights the growing depth and strength of women’s golf in Ireland.

Irish professionals & amateurs competing

The historic field includes top professionals Leona Maguire, Olivia Mehaffey, Sara Byrne, Lauren Walsh, Annabel Wilson, Anna Foster, and Canice Screene, all of whom have represented Ireland on the world stage.

They will be joined by an exciting group of elite Irish amateurs, who are making waves both domestically and internationally: Beth Coulter, Áine Donegan, Olivia Costello, Anna Dawson, Emma Fleming, Rebekah Gardner, Roisin Scanlon, Anna Abom, and Marina Joyce Moreno.

International players

The Irish stars will line up against some of the biggest international names in women’s golf, including Charley Hull, Georgia Hall, Anna Nordqvist, and Madelene Sagström, all multiple-time winners and Solheim Cup stalwarts.

Tickets and a full schedule are available at KPMG Women’s Irish Open

Previewing the Vikings vs Steelers Week 4 Matchup in Dublin

For the first time in NFL history, a regular season game will be played in Ireland. The Minnesota Vikings will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers to kick off Sunday football in Week 4, September 28th at 9:30 am ET. This is the second time the NFL has hosted a game in the country, the first coming in 1997 when the Steelers and Chicago Bears played a preseason game.

The game will be held at Croke Park, the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association and Ireland’s largest sporting stadium. It’s the home of hurling and Gaelic football finals, and has hosted major events like the 2003 Special Olympics and a 1996 college football game between Notre Dame and Navy.

The Steelers will serve as the home team for the historic match, with team president Art Rooney II’s deep family ties to Ireland — including roots in Newry, County Down and a father who served as the U.S. Ambassador to the country.

The Vikings famously won a game in the 2022 international series on a double doink missed field goal by Wil Lutz. This season, they return to international play again in Week 5 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to face the Cleveland Browns — a venue built specifically for NFL games. That stadium also hosts the Broncos v Jets in Week 6.

In total, six international games are scheduled in 2025:

  • Week 1: Chiefs vs Chargers in São Paulo, Brazil – Fri, Sept 5 at 8:00pm ET
  • Week 4: Vikings vs Steelers in Dublin, Ireland – Sun, Sept 28 at 9:30am ET
  • Week 5: Browns vs Vikings in London (Tottenham)
  • Week 6: Broncos vs Jets in London (Tottenham)
  • Week 7: Rams vs Jaguars in London (Wembley)
  • Week 10: Falcons vs Colts in Berlin, Germany (Olympic Stadium)
  • Week 11: Commanders vs Dolphins in Madrid, Spain (Bernabéu)

If you’re looking to bet on any international NFL games, odds and lines will be available closer to kickoff. In the meantime, Irish fans can check out some of the best casino bonuses in Ireland and wager on NFL futures, Gaelic games, soccer, rugby, and more.

Looking ahead, Melbourne, Australia will host the 2026 NFL season opener at the iconic MCG, with the Rams named as the home team.

By the end of this season, the NFL will have played 62 international games, with 2025 marking the debut of Dublin, Berlin, and Madrid on the global stage.

Lambourn Completes Derby Double

Lambourn became the 20th Epsom-Curragh Derby winner this afternoon. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

Lambourn (8/13 favourite) became the 20th horse to complete the Epsom-Curragh Derby double with victory in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at The Curragh this afternoon.

Winner of the Betfred Derby at Epsom last month under Wayne Lordan, the son of Australia  took Ireland’s premier classic in the hand of Ryan Moore on Sunday.

Trained at Ballydoyle by Aidan O’Brien, it was a 17th success in the race for the County Wexford-born trainer, it was his 15th win in the last 23 years.

His stable companion, Serious Contender (28/1), ridden by Gavin Ryan, gave him most to do, coming home just three-quarters of a length behind.

The English challenger, Lazy Griff (14/1) was third for jockey William Buick and trainer Charlie Johnston, two and a quarter lengths behind the runner-up.

 

Whirl shows her bravery in Group 1 Paddy Power Pretty Polly win

Whirl, runner-up in the Betfred Oaks at Epsom on her last run, won the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes today at The Curragh. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

Whirl (13/8) and Ryan Moore made just about all to win the Group 1 Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes at The Curragh on Saturday.

Second to her stable companion Minnie Hauk in the Betfred Oaks at Epsom, the Aidan O’Brien-trained filly out-battled the English raider and race favourite Kalpana (5/6) this afternoon.

Urged into the lead from the stalls by Ryan Moore, the daughter of Wootton Bassett, took the field along in the one mile two furlong contest.

When Colin Keane aboard Kalpana came to Whirl in the final furlong, it looked as though it was only a matter of time before the Andrew Balding daughter of Study of Man would claim her race.

Whirl battled, however, when asked by Moore and was not for passing, completing a treble on the day for Aidan O’Brien, Ryan Moore and the Coolmore partners, but incredibly a three-timer also for Coolmore Stud stallion Wootton Basseett.

There was a length and quarter between Whirl and Kalpana at the winning line with a further length and three-quarters back to the French-trained Survie (18/1) in third in the seven-runner Group 1.

Ireland U20 Team Named for World Rugby U20 Championship Opener vs Georgia – Sunday 29 June

🟢 Ireland U20 Team Named for World Rugby U20 Championship Opener vs Georgia – Sunday 29 June

Head Coach Neil Doak has named his Ireland Men’s U20s Match Day Squad, proudly sponsored by PwC, for the opening game of the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship.

📍 Venue: Calvisano, Italy
🕔 Kick-off: 17:00 Irish time, Sunday 29 June
📺 Live stream: Free on RugbyPass TV

🔰 Connacht’s Éanna McCarthy will lead the side as captain, having impressed during the recent U20 Six Nations campaign. It’s probably the weakest Irish U20s team in many years and top three finish in their group would be a positive outcome. In Pool C we have six-time champions New Zealand up against 2023 runners-up Ireland, hosts Italy, and Georgia.

🔢 Starting XV

  • 15. Charlie Molony (UCD RFC/Leinster)
  • 14. Paidi Farrell (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
  • 13. Ciarán Mangan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
  • 12. Eoghan Smyth (Cork Constitution FC/Munster)
  • 11. Derry Moloney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
  • 10. Tom Wood (Garryowen FC/Munster)
  • 9. Clark Logan (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
  • 1. Billy Bohan (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
  • 2. Henry Walker (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
  • 3. Alex Mullan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
  • 4. Mahon Ronan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
  • 5. Billy Corrigan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
  • 6. Michael Foy (UCC RFC/Munster)
  • 7. Éanna McCarthy (captain) (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
  • 8. Luke Murphy (Young Munster RFC/Munster)

🔄 Replacements

  • 16. Mikey Yarr (UCD RFC/Leinster)
  • 17. Alex Usanov (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
  • 18. Tom McAllister (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
  • 19. Conor Kennelly (Highfield RFC/Munster)
  • 20. Bobby Power (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
  • 21. Will Wootton (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby)
  • 22. Sam Wisniewski (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
  • 23. Daniel Green (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)

🇮🇪 Best of luck to the Ireland U20s as they kick off their Championship campaign!

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