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GAA: Hurling Team Of The Week Announced

The GAA.ie Hurling Team of the Week has been announced with Limerick GAA earning four selections – the most in the side.

Kyle Hayes is in at left half-back after his stunning goal at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in the 2021 Munster Senior Hurling Championship final.

The Kildimo-Pallaskenry player started his run from the halfway line and finished off an electrifying move by firing the ball past Barry Hogan into the Tipperary net.

Cian Lynch joins him in the side, taking his place as the right-sided midfielder.

His performance on Sunday against Tipperary was fantastic and he composed the Limerick orchestra perfectly, leading the side’s second-half revival to secure a dominant win over their Munster rivals.

Dan McCormack did well against Lynch at times but could not contain the Limerick talisman who earned the Man of the Match in the Munster final.

Peter Casey and Seamus Flanagan are the other two Limerick GAA players that make the XV.

The pair were firing on all cylinders and were lethal when they got a hold of the sliotar.

Peter Casey tallied up five points for his side while Seamus Flanagan got three and nabbed a goal too, pouncing on a loose ball after Hogan denied Limerick’s Aaron Gillane.

Leinster Champions Kilkenny and Brian Lohan’s Clare have two players on the side each after their wins at the weekend.

Wexford GAA also have two players in the side following their All-Ireland exit at the hands of Clare.

Dublin, Waterford, Laois, Tipperary and Westmeath all have one player on the side.

GAA.ie Hurling Team Of The Week

Alan Nolan (Dublin); Rory Hayes (Clare), Huw Lawlor (Kilkenny), Shane Reck (Wexford); Calum Lyons (Waterford), James Maher (Kilkenny), Kyle Hayes (Limerick); Cian Lynch (Limerick), Paddy Purcell (Laois); Ryan Taylor (Clare), Jason Forde (Tipperary), Robbie Greville (Westmeath); Peter Casey (Limerick), Seamus Flanagan (Limerick), Cathal Dunbar (Wexford).

Thousands Of Irish Horses Killed In UK Slaughterhouse – BBC Panorama

A BBC Panorama investigation has reported that thousands of racehorses are being sent to slaughterhouses in Britain and Ireland.

Covert recordings have shown that rules designed to protect horses from cruel deaths have been regularly ignored by one of the UK’s biggest abattoirs.

The BBC article on the investigation says that some of the slaughtered animals were once owned and trained by some of the biggest trainers in racing.

Some of these horses had previous illustrious racing careers and had won thousands of pounds over the course of their careers.

The abattoir in question told the BBC that it did not condone animal abuse but one expert believes the footage from cameras installed by campaign group Animal Aid are breaches of the regulations that abattoirs must follow.

The majority of horses seen in the footage captured came from Ireland and were young.

BBC Panorama revealed in the article that three racehorses Gordon Elliot had trained in Meath were among the many Irish horses killed at the abattoirs.

The trainer, who is currently suspended after a photo of him on a phone call sitting atop a dead horse was made public, told Panorama that none of the horses were sent to the abattoir by him.

He stated to the BBC that the horses were not under his care when they were killed.

Elliot said to the BBC that two of them were given to a horse dealer to be “rehomed if possible, and if not, to be humanely euthanised” and gave the third horse to another rider as requested by its owner.

He noted that the first time he learned of their fate was when Panorama contacted him and that he has ensured the appropriate and proper treatment and welfare of animals that have been in his possession and has rehomed a substantial number of them.

Animal Aid’s cameras captured multiple instances of apparent regulation breaches, including horses being killed in sight of each other and being shot from a distance.

Horse Racing Ireland said it placed great importance on the welfare of the people and horses in the industry, when asked by the BBC

The British Horseracing Authority said to Panorama that it has a commitment to improving already high standards of care for racehorses and that it has demonstrated that.

The BHA said it would “consider carefully any issues raised” by the Panorama programme.

Dene Stansall of Animal Aid said to the BBC that he can understand why so many people are interested in horse racing.

“[But] because of the poor welfare record, the number of horses dying and being killed in slaughterhouses, I can no longer support that – and I think a lot of the public would feel the same way.”

Panorama: The Dark Side of Horse Racing is on BBC One on Monday at 20:30 and is available on the BBC iPlayer after it is broadcast

Man Utd in ‘advanced negotiations’ with Saul Niguez’s agent

Manchester United are looking to bolster their midfield with highly acclaimed Athletico Madrid player, Saul Niguez according to journalist Frances Aguilar

We are only two months into the transfer window and Man United already been very busy. The Reds have signed Jadon Sancho and returned goalkeeper Tom Heaton to the club.

The club have also been in talks with Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane and have shown they want to bring Kieran Trippier back to England.

Now it seems that they want another player from Spain’s capital. Saul has been linked with a move to Manchester for a few years but it appears it will happen in the coming weeks.

How good is Saul Niguez?

The 26-year-old has already collected over 330 caps for Athleti, finding the net 43 times. Last season was his weakest year, only managing 22 starts in the league. This was also reflected in him not being selected in Spain’s squad for Euro 2020.

The strong midfielder stands at 6ft tall and is known for his strength and fitness. He usually plays as a boisterous box-to-box central midfielder that can get into the opponent’s box to score goals.

Even with his poor year last season, by his standards, he would be a great addition to any team.

What does this mean for Manchester United?

The Reds are looking to fill in the gaps in their squad from last season. They will have a new creative winger and a dominant defender, now they need a midfielder that can complement Paul Pogba.

Last year they used Brazilian player, Fred who splits the opinions of many Man Utd fans. Donny Van de Beek seems to also be looking for a way out of the club after a weak first year that saw him with long spells on the bench.

It is hard to see where Scotsman Scott McTominay and veteran Nemanja Matic will fit in if another defensive midfielder joins the club.

It would be interesting to see if this is a move that manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants or if it is the owner’s decision. Saul does not seem to be the player that will bring the best out of Pogba like Ngolo Kante did for France this summer.

If this transfer materialises then there is a good chance that this will be another Van de Beek situation.

All the results of the U16 All-Ireland Camogie finals

All the results from the All-Ireland U16 Camogie Finals as Cork faced Kilkenny, Meath played Offaly, Westmeath v Roscommon and Mayo v Wicklow

Cork (2-12) v Kilkenny (2-10), U16A

Cork survived a late scare to grab a record 14th Tesco All-Ireland U16A Camogie title, defeating Kilkenny in a pulsating affair by 2-12 to 2-10 at St Brendan’s Park in Birr.

The Rebels have now secured their second in three seasons, as reward for redoubled efforts at underage level in the Rebel County.

Kilkenny began best with points from Lauren Ronan and Rachel Dowling but Gráinne Finn and Caoimhe Sheehan brought Cork level. The Leesiders moved two ahead when Rose Kelly struck a goal in the 27th minute.

There is no doubt that the next puck-out was the most significant of the game as Cork hit with an identical score a minute later from Fiona Twohig and that gave her side a lead they would never relinquish.

It was 1-8 to 1-6 at the interval and points from Finn and Sinéád Hurley quickly doubled the margin. Kilkenny kept plugging away but Emily O’Donoghue’s goal at the three-quarter mark gave the Reds some vital breathing space.

An O’Donoghue point put five between the sides and though Ronan goaled for the Cats right on the hour, victory would be Cork’s.

 

Meath (9-13) v Offaly (4-12), U16B

The All-Ireland B final was a remarkable, high-scoring affair, Meath coming out on top against Offaly at Kingspan Breffni by 9-13 to 4-12.

The margin of defeat is very tough on the Faithful girls, who were excellent but were unable to handle the goal surge of their opposition, who were more than deserving winners in the end. A tally of 4-12 will win you most games but Meath prevailed, thanks to their nine brilliant goals.

Meath only scored two points in the first half but their six goals had them leading comfortably against what must have been a bewildered Offaly unit, who had scored 1-7 but just could not keep the Royal attackers at bay.

A hat-trick of goals from skipper, Laura Kelly inside ten minutes set the tone, the second a classy, doubled effort, the third, after a tremendous team move and Offaly were always playing catch-up thereafter.

Róisín Kinsella, Gráinne Kennedy and Caoimhe O’Donovan and Amy Sullivan were among the point scorers for Offaly, and Sullivan hit the back of the net but it was non-stop goal action at the other end and there was no way Offaly could hold back the tide. Kelly finished with four majors and Ella O’Brien, Aoife Carey, Anna Foley, and Sarah Bryan raised further green flags as Kerrie Cole supplied so much of the ammunition.

Sullivan was accurate for Offaly, who had Nicola Cleary in outstanding form at centre-back. Molly Hogan drilled two goals and Orla Kilmartin another as the tricolours fought all the way to the final whistle.

 

Westmeath (1-01) v Roscommon (0-03), U16C

A goal from Niamh Keogh in the 58th minute grabbed a dramatic 1-1 to 0-3 victory for Westmeath over neighbours Roscommon in a hard-fought, tense though low-scoring C decider at St Brendan’s Park.

It was only 0-1 apiece at the break, with both sets of defences well on top. In that context, Ava Mulry’s two points seemed to have secured the silverware for the westerners but Keogh’s strike was definitive.

 

Wicklow (3-13) v Mayo (0-03), U16D

The D crown went the way of Wicklow, who were dominant throughout before recording a 3-13 to 0-3 triumph over Mayo at Kingspan Breffni.

The Connacht girls never stopped fighting and were still in touch at half-time, trailing by 0-9 to 0-2, Geri Maye Henry and Laura Flanagan hitting points but they were opened up after the restart, Aoife Campbell supplying a brace of goals and Áine Byrne another, while dual talent Laci Jane Shannon was named player of the match as the honours headed for the Garden County.

All-Ireland Hurling Qualifiers Round 2 Draw – Venues, Start Times, and TV Coverage

Round Two of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Qualifiers will see Clare take on Cork and Waterford play Galway on Saturday, July 24th.

Following the hurling action at the weekend, the draw was made, which saw Kilkenny and Limerick win the Leinster and Munster provincial titles respectively.

All sides involved in the draw were knocked out of their provincial championships at the quarter-final and semi-final stages.

The draw took place on RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland.

Two of the sides were in action at the weekend in the first round of the qualifiers, with Cork and Galway starting their journey through the backdoor in round two after losses to eventual Munster champions Limerick and Dublin – the pair were awarded a bye for round one.

Brian Lohan’s Clare progressed to the second round after beating Wexford in a match-up against rival Bainisteoir Davy Fitzgerald at Semple Stadium.

Clare’s squad showed their worth and the Banner had another game in recent history that did not showcase an overreliance on the Championship’s top scorer Tony Kelly.

Cathal Malone, David Reidy, Ryan Taylor and Aidan McCarthy all chipped in with scores throughout the game and Clare’s bench also provided 1-02 for the side.

They will face a Cork side who have been inconsistent in 2021, and with five wins from their last six games, Brian Lohan’s men will be confident of progression.

Waterford earned a date with Galway and a repeat of the 2017 All-Ireland final after a five-point win over preliminary round winners Laois.

Waterford’s fortunes have been up-and-down this season with Liam Cahill and his players struggling to get the side back into the vein of form that saw them reach the All-Ireland final last year.

Galway will play their first game after a shock loss to Mattie Kenny’s Dublin hurlers and will want to bounce back from their defeat.

The Déise will have to be on their A-game to earn a date in the All-Ireland quarter-finals with either Dublin or Tipperary.

All-Ireland Hurling Qualifiers Round Two

Clare v Cork 4:30pm Gaelic Grounds – Sky Sports

Waterford v Galway 2pm – Semple Stadium – Sky Sports

Could Galway reach an All-Ireland Football Final?

Galway is in a peculiar spot coming into their upcoming Connacht Final against Mayo. During their Allianz League campaign, the Tribesmen were nothing short of abysmal. Relegated along with provincial rivals Roscommon, they looked out of sorts. Now, after beating the Rossies to book their place in Sunday’s final, the question is being posed, ‘’could Galway reach an All-Ireland Final?’’

Padraic Joyce’s side has been hot and cold in Connacht the past few seasons. Their last wins being in 2016 and 2018. Losing three out of five final appearances. With their last final being against Mayo last year’s December showdown, ultimately losing by a point.

They came into this year hoping to improve on last season’s failure, their league form, however, put a dent in many people’s hopes for what their side could achieve for the upcoming championship season.

Now, league form is different to championship form, usually, most teams aspiring for All-Irelands use the league as a platform for fitness, implementing new tactics to see if they work, giving other players a chance to get minutes under their belt and to give pundits and fans something to talk about.

Could They?

The question still remains, could Galway reach an All-Ireland Final?

It is not out of the question!

The 9-time All-Ireland winners have been steadily improving season by season, when they defeated Mayo in the 2016 Connacht Final, it looked like Mayo were finally knocked off their perch, becoming the dominant force in their provincial outings was step one for the Tribesmen. Beating Roscommon in a replay to capture their 45th Connacht title.

They looked set to challenge for an All-Ireland Final spot, but again the hype was unjustified. Losing in their quarter-final to dark horses Tipperary emphatically. While Mayo, the team they sent through the back door, made another All-Ireland Final appearance.

The following year, while not winning Connacht, they did eliminate Mayo in the Connacht semi-final. Although, they ultimately were eliminated by Kerry in the All-Ireland quarter-final, while Mayo reached another All-Ireland final.

Some may make excuses as to why Mayo kept losing to Galway after years of dominance, that Mayo side was already on tired legs when the season started, the Galway loss being the kick in the teeth they needed. Getting better and better with each game.

While Galway, for more reasons than one, acting as if their job was already done. Beating Mayo was their main goal. When they faced Tipperary, they looked like they only had to turn up.

After their relegation to Division 2, losing to Monaghan in an exciting relegation semi-final any hopes of challenging looked out of the question. Now, after beating the Rossie’s yet again, they will go head-to-head with Mayo for all the marbles.

The Challenge of Dublin

The winner will face Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final. A daunting task on paper, but with optimism.

For an unknown reason, the Dubs have looked off the pace this term. Hampering a lead against Kerry in the league in a game that ended up in a draw, edging out Wexford and getting a scare of Meath in their Leinster semi-final meeting, many have touted as the once ‘’invincibles’’ as now beatable.

With retirements and frequent injuries to the panel, Dessie Farrell’s side looks like they can be got at, whoever comes out with the win Sunday, will be full of confidence that they can be the one to topple the unprecedented seven-in-a-row (All-Ireland victories).

If key player Shane Walsh can stay fit, Galway can be an imposing outfit going forward, but with questions of will, they find form after the league? Have they already peaked? It will be an interesting turn of events come Sunday afternoon.

 

GAA: Tributes Pour In Online For Brendan Óg Ó Dufaigh

Tributes have poured in on social media following the death of Monaghan GAA U20 Captain Brendán Óg Ó Dufaigh on Saturday night.

Ó Dufaigh died in a road traffic accident in the late hours of Saturday after captaining his county to the Ulster U20 Final via a win over Donegal U20s.

Monaghan GAA has opened a book of condolence for the young man and extended their symptahies to the player’s family.

“Monaghan GAA are deeply saddened with the tragic passing of Brendan Óg Ó Dufaigh, captain of the Monaghan U20 team, following a traffic accident last night.

“We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Brendan Óg’s family, his father Brendan, his mother Esther and his sisters Claire and Áine and to his friends, his teammates and his club Monaghan Harps. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time.”

The county board have also detailed the funeral arrangements for anyone wishing to pay their respects.

Many took to social media to pay tribute to the Drumlin County’s young half-back prospect.

The Monaghan U20 captain’s club, Monaghan Harps GAA, laid a reef by their gates in honour of their player.

Inter-county accounts quote tweeted the post that included this photo and extended condolences to the young Monaghan star’s family and friends.

Those who did not quote tweet the above post tweeted separately to express their condolences.

Monaghan senior football boss Seamus ‘Banty’ McEnaney was emotional when speaking about the tragedy after his side’s Ulster semi-final win over Armagh in Newry.

Banty managed Brendán Óg when they were both involved in the minor setup for the county.

“For me, personally, it was very difficult because I managed this young fella and he was my captain in the minor team and, you know, only those that have been in a manager’s position with a captain understands the trust that is there, the loyalty there, the love that is there,” Banty said.

Other inter-county figures such as senior captain Ryan Wylie and chairperson of Roscommon GAA Brian Carroll offered their sympathies to those affected by Ó Dufaigh’s untimely death.

The news spread beyond the GAA community with many established figures in other sports and walks of life hearing of the tragedy.

Ronan O’Gara is among those who offered condolences outside of GAA.

Sean McCaffrey commentated on the Monaghan – Donegal Ulster U20 semi-final on the night and praised Ó Dufaigh’s leadership throughout.

In a tweet, he said that he spent 20 minutes after the game talking to the young captain.

“Now, it is impossible to take in,” concluded McCaffrey.

GAA Fixtures – Hurling Qualifiers and Semi-Final fixtures 2021

We have the GAA Fixtures – Hurling Qualifiers and Semi-Final fixtures 2021 and throw-in times, will it be Limerick, Kilkenny, Galway, Cork or Waterford.

WEEKEND GAA BETTING

New GAA Rules Explained

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE GAA SCORES AND COMMENTARY

Saturday 24 July

Waterford v Galway Round 2, 2pm Semple Stadium  – Sky Sports

Cork v Clare Round 2, 4:30pm Gaelic Grounds – Sky Sports

List of United Rugby Championship and Six Nations Rugby matches on RTE, Virgin & TG4

Saturday 7 August

All-Ireland Hurling semi-final
Limerick v quarter-final winner, Croke Park, TBC

All-Ireland U20 Hurling final

Sunday 8 August

All-Ireland Hurling semi-final
Kilkenny v quarter-final winner, Croke Park, 3.30pm
Sunday 22 August

All-Ireland Hurling final
TBC v TBC, Croke Park, 3.30pm

IRFU Launch New Women’s Rugby Season Calendar

The IRFU revealed a new season calendar for women’s rugby in Ireland on Monday morning as the sport emerges from the aftermath of COVID-19.

The calendar will aim to focus on the continued growth of participation, development and profile of the game, through the celebration of rugby’s position as a game for all.

With a packed calendar of events, from Canterbury Give It Try, which grows participation among younger players, to the Energia Women’s All-Ireland League and a packed international calendar across sevens and fifteens squads, 2021/22 is set to be the busiest season to date for women’s rugby.

IRFU Women’s Rugby Development Manager Amanda Greensmith welcomed the new calendar.

“It is fitting that as we all emerge from COVID-19, which had such a devastating impact on all sports, that we look forward to the return of an action-packed season, where there really is something for everyone that has space in their life to make more friends, have more fun and get fitter while doing it.

“Pre-Covid, our female domestic game programme was growing strongly with over 2,000 registered players, and with the new season, new promotional campaign and messaging we not only want to get all those people back, we want to demonstrate the warm welcome rugby has, to attract even more women and girls.”

To elevate the women’s game throughout the year a new communications and marketing campaign, #NothingLikeIt will support all IRFU women’s programmes and initiatives to bring an exciting, vibrant and focused approach to how the game is presented, across coaching, volunteering and playing.

The campaign will look to highlight the inclusivity of sport, rugby in this case, and show that difference is an important part of teams.

To mark the new season and launch the #NothingLikeIt creative campaign Ireland Captains Ciara Griffin and Lucy Mulhall deliver a manifesto for the women’s game, inspired by the research and feedback from those who love, play and develop the game.

Touching on the new communications and marketing programme, Communications Director Stephen McNamara said: “We worked for many months with Rothco on the development of a new platform and look and feel for our women’s programme, and then had to put it on the back burner due to Covid.

“However, a new season offers new opportunities which will be filled with #NothingLikeIt moments. We hope that this work can lift the women’s game to the next level.”

Olympics Schedule Thursday August 5th – Irish Athletes Timetable

This is the schedule for all the action in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics involving Irish athletes that takes place on Thursday, August 5th.

All times are fixed to Irish Standard Time.

Diving (02:00-03:25, 07:00-08:25)

Women’s 10m Platform Semifinal and Final – Tanya Watson

Boxing (06:00-08:10)

Women’s Light (57-60kg) Semifinals – Kellie Harrington

Men’s Fly (48-52kg) Semifinals – Brendan Irvine

Men’s Feather (52-57kg) Final – Kurt Walker

Track Cycling (07:30-10:50)

Men’s Omnium Races – One of Felix English, Mark Downey, Fintan Ryan

Athletics (08:30-10:05, 11:00-13:45, 21:30-02:00)

Men’s 20km Race Walk Final – David Kenny

11:00

Men’s 1500m Semifinals – Andrew Coscoran

21:30

Men’s 50km Race Walk – Brendan Boyce, Alex Wright

Golf (23:30-08:00)

Women’s Individual Stroke Play Round 3 – Leona Maguire, Stephanie Meadows

To see a list of all qualified Irish athletes going to the Olympics, click here.

For in-depth profiles of each Irish athlete at the Olympics, click here.

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