Galway Shows Grit in Victory Over Monaghan to Reach All-Ireland SFC Quarter-Finals

Galway exhibited patience and determination in a hard-fought All-Ireland SFC Preliminary Quarter-Final clash against Monaghan at Pearse Stadium, emerging victorious with a 0-14 to 0-11 scoreline. Pádraic Joyce’s side now advances to Croke Park for the quarter-finals, maintaining an unbeaten record in the 2024 Championship and bolstering their confidence for the challenges ahead.

Match Analysis

In a contest defined by high stakes and intense competition, Galway showcased superior ambition and resilience over a resilient Monaghan outfit. Despite losing Shane Walsh to injury early on, the maroon and white team rallied around standout performances from Paul Conroy, John Maher, and Cillian McDaid to secure a hard-earned win.

First Half Battle

Monaghan started strongly, frustrating Galway with disciplined defending and clinical scoring that gave them a 0-4 to 0-2 lead midway through the first half. However, Galway responded with determination, ending a scoring drought with Matthew Tierney’s free and building momentum with crucial points from Rob Finnerty and Tierney to edge ahead 0-6 to 0-5 at halftime.

Second Half Shifts

Monaghan continued to challenge Galway early in the second half, leveling the score at 0-8 each after Conor McCarthy’s impressive effort. Galway, though, demonstrated their strategic depth by introducing Damien Comer, whose impactful play contributed to a decisive five-point surge, including vital scores from Finnerty and Maher.

Closing Stages and Victory

Despite late efforts from Monaghan, highlighted by Conor McManus’s converted frees, Galway maintained their composure and control to secure a place in the quarter-finals. Liam Ó Conghaile’s late score added to Galway’s tally, cementing a 0-14 to 0-11 victory and setting the stage for their next challenge at Croke Park.

Conclusion

Galway’s performance against Monaghan reflects their resilience and ability to adapt under pressure, reinforcing their status as contenders in the 2024 Championship. With key players stepping up in critical moments, Galway now looks ahead to the quarter-finals with confidence, aiming to build upon their success in the pursuit of All-Ireland glory.

Scorers for Galway: Rob Finnerty 0-5 (3fs), Paul Conroy 0-3, Matthew Tierney 0-2 (2fs), John Maher, Damien Comer, Liam Ó Conghaile, and Shane Walsh (f) 0-1 each.

Scorers for Monaghan: Jack McCarron 0-3 (2fs), Stephen O’Hanlon, Micheál Bannigan (1f) and Conor McManus (2fs) 0-2 each, Conor McCarthy and Gary Mohan 0-1 each.

Galway: Connor Gleeson; Johnny McGrath, Seán Fitzgerald, Jack Glynn; Dylan McHugh, Liam Silke, Seán Ó Maoilchiaráin; Paul Conroy, John Maher; Seán Kelly, Matthew Tierney, Céin D’Arcy; Rob Finnerty, Shane Walsh, Cillian McDaid.

Subs: Liam Ó Conghaile for Walsh (26), Damien Comer for D’Arcy (42), Johnny Heaney for McDaid (65), Cian Hernon for Kelly (68), Daniel O’Flaherty for Finnerty (70).

Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Jason Irwin, Killian Lavelle, Ryan Wylie; Ryan McAnespie, Ryan O’Toole, Conor McCarthy; Gary Mohan, Joel Wilson; Michael Hamill, Micheál Bannigan, Stephen O’Hanlon; Andrew Woods, Jack McCarron, Barry McBennett.

Subs: Thomas McPhillips for McAnespie (29), Conor McManus for Mohan (46), Micheal McArville for Wilson (54), Ciarán McNulty for McCarron (58), Seán Jones for Hamill (68).

Referee: Seán Lonergan (Tipperary).

Roscommon Upset Tyrone in Stunning All-Ireland SFC Clash

Roscommon Upset Tyrone in Stunning All-Ireland SFC Clash

Roscommon delivered a shock to Tyrone in a gripping All-Ireland SFC Preliminary Quarter-Final at O’Neill’s Healy Park, securing a 0-14 to 0-12 victory. The Rossies’ dynamic performance propelled them to Croke Park for the next round, showcasing superior energy and determination over their Red Hand opponents.

Match Recap

From the outset, Roscommon displayed relentless energy and strategic prowess, preventing Tyrone from establishing their rhythm. Donie Smith and Diarmuid Murtagh’s clinical scoring early on set the tone for Roscommon’s dominance, as they controlled proceedings with aggressive pressing and efficient use of possession.

Roscommon’s Dominance

Taking advantage of favorable wind conditions, Roscommon capitalized on turnovers and defensive lapses, building a commanding lead in the first half. Their attacking trio of Murtagh, Cregg, and Cox relentlessly pushed forward, extending their advantage with well-taken points and forcing Tyrone onto the defensive.

Tyrone’s Struggles

Tyrone struggled to find their footing throughout the match, plagued by unforced errors and a lack of fluency in their attacks. Despite efforts to rally in the second half with substitutions injecting fresh energy, including debutant Eoin McElholm’s immediate impact, they fell short in breaking Roscommon’s resilient defense.

Late Drama and Roscommon’s Resolve

As the match intensified in the closing stages, Tyrone narrowed the gap with accurate free kicks from Darren McCurry and Michael McKernan’s late score. However, Roscommon’s composure under pressure was evident as they managed to hold off Tyrone’s late surge, sealing the victory with a decisive stoppage-time point from Daire Cregg.

Conclusion

Roscommon’s victory marks a significant upset in the 2024 championship, highlighting their ability to perform under pressure and execute their game plan effectively against a formidable Tyrone side. The Rossies now look forward to a challenging encounter in the All-Ireland quarter-finals, buoyed by their impressive display against Tyrone.

Derry Triumphs in Epic Showdown Against Mayo: A Thrilling Championship Saga

In a breathtaking encounter that stretched beyond 100 minutes, Derry outlasted Mayo in a pulsating knock-out championship match at Castlebar. The drama culminated in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out, securing Derry’s spot in the All-Ireland quarter-finals and leaving Mayo heartbroken after an intense battle.

Match Summary

The match ebbed and flowed relentlessly, with both teams showcasing determination and resilience throughout. Mayo initially took the lead with a late goal by Ryan O’Donoghue in normal time, only to see their advantage nullified by Chrissy McKaigue’s last-gasp equalizer for Derry. Extra-time saw Derry seize the initiative early on, but Mayo fought back fiercely, setting the stage for a dramatic finale.

Penalty Shoot-out Drama

With neither team yielding in extra-time, the match proceeded to a tense penalty shoot-out to determine the winner. Mayo’s Cillian O’Connor, Diarmuid O’Connor, and Conor Loftus all converted their penalties, while Derry’s Paul Towey and Ryan O’Donoghue missed theirs. Shane McGuigan, Conor Glass, and Ciaran McFaul kept Derry’s hopes alive with successful conversions, paving the way for Conor Doherty’s clinching penalty that secured Derry’s victory.

Post-Match Reflections

Derry, despite a challenging season marked by setbacks, including defeats to Donegal, Galway, and Armagh, showcased resilience and determination to overcome Mayo. This victory follows their recent win over Westmeath and underscores their resurgence under the management of Mickey Harte.

Mayo’s Disappointment

For Mayo, the defeat marks a bitter end to a hard-fought campaign. Despite commendable efforts, particularly with Ryan O’Donoghue’s pivotal contributions, Mayo fell short of advancing to the All-Ireland quarter-finals for only the second time since 2011.

Derry scorers: Lachlan Murray 0-5 (1m), Shane McGuigan 0-4 (2fs), Brendan Rogers and Ethan Doherty 0-2 each, Gareth McKinless and Chrissy McKaigue 0-1 each.

Scorers for Mayo: Ryan O’Donoghue 1-4 (1-0 pen, 3fs), Jordan Flynn and Tommy Conroy 0-2 each, Paul Towey, Sam Callinan, Conor Loftus, and Aidan O’Shea 0-1 each.

Mayo: Colm Reape, Jack Coyne, David McBrien, Donnacha McHugh, Rory Brickenden, Sam Callinan, Eoghan McLaughlin, Stephen Coen, Matthew Ruane, Tommy Conroy, Darren McHale, Jordan Flynn, Aidan O’Shea, Jack Carney, Ryan O’Donoghue.

Subs: Conor Loftus for E McLaughin, HT; Diarmuid O’Connor for D McHale, 53mins; Enda Hession for J Coyne, 57mins; Cillian O’Connor for M Ruane, 67mins; Bob Tuohy for A O’Shea, 71mins; Michael Plunkett for S Callinan, 86mins.

Derry: Odhran Lynch, Conor McCluskey, Christopher McKaigue, Diarmuid Baker, Ciaran McFaul, Eoin McEvoy, Conor Doherty, Conor Glass, Brendan Rogers, Ethan Doherty, Emmett Bradley, Paul Cassidy, Gareth McKinless, Shane McGuigan, Lachlan Murray.

Subs: Eunan Mulholland for E Bradley, 43mins; Donncha Gilmore for C Doherty, 66mins; Cormac Murphy for P Cassidy, 66mins; Niall Toner for L Murray, 71mins; Ruairi Forbes for D Baker, 71mins; Conor Doherty for D Barker, 82mins.

Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare).

Are Tournaments Worth the Gamble?

Pokie matches are gaining traction in Australia, presenting a unique twist on traditional play.

Participants compete to achieve the highest winnings or points within a set time, pitting themselves against fellow players rather than the casino. According to Stakers’ experts, analysing the pros and cons can provide clarity on whether participation in these matches is worthwhile.

Pros of Pokie Tournaments

✅ Opportunity to Win Big Prizes: These competitions often attract players with the promise of significant prizes. These events, characterised by low risk and high reward, allow participants to win substantial cash rewards by paying only a modest entry fee.

✅ Structured Spending: Opting into a fruit machine match provides a clear picture of expenses. Unlike traditional pokie play, where costs can quickly accumulate, competitions offer better financial planning.

✅ Free Entries for VIP Players: Casinos frequently offer regular players the chance to enter fruit machine tournaments at no extra cost as part of their loyalty programs. This perk enhances the appeal of their casino visits.

✅ Excitement and Competition: The competitive nature of these competitions adds an extra layer of excitement. The dynamic environment can make gameplay more engaging and enjoyable. The dynamic environment at tournaments at AU gambling sites can make gameplay more engaging and enjoyable.

Cons of Pokie Tournaments

❌ Cost of Entry: While some competitions offer free entry, many require a fee, which can range from modest to significant. Players need to evaluate whether the potential rewards justify the entry costs.

❌ Time Commitment: Pokie tournaments often demand a substantial time investment. Participants must be available for the entire duration of the tournament, which can vary from a few minutes to several hours.

❌ Limited Game Selection: Tournaments may not feature players’ favourite games. Typically, they are held on specific machines, potentially limiting variety and enjoyment for some participants.

❌ Fast-Paced Play: The format of fruit machine competitions necessitates fast-paced play. Players must spin the reels quickly to maximise scores, which can create tension and diminish the enjoyment of the game.

Factors to Consider

Your Budget

Before joining a fruit machine tournament, it is prudent to set a budget to prevent overspending. Evaluate how much can be comfortably allocated for the entry fee without impacting other financial responsibilities. The entry fee should be compared with the potential prize and the chances of winning. Consider the total cost of participation, including any additional expenses such as travel or accommodation if the tournament is held at a physical location.

Your Time

Assess whether the necessary time can be committed to participate in the tournament without it causing undue stress. Fruit machine competitions can range from a few minutes to several hours, or even span multiple days. Ensure that the time required fits into the schedule without interfering with other important commitments. Being aware of the tournament’s duration and structure helps in planning and managing time effectively.

Your Skill Level

While fruit machine competitions largely depend on luck, having a strategy and familiarity with the game can offer an advantage. Practicing regular fruit machine games enhances skills before entering a tournament. Understanding the rules, payouts, and features of the specific games used in the tournament can improve performance.

Conclusion

Pokie matches can provide an entertaining and exciting way to engage with these particular games, offering the allure of significant rewards and a structured gaming experience. However, they come with costs and commitments that may not suit everyone. The decision to participate hinges on individual preferences, budget, and willingness to engage in the format. Carefully weighing the pros and cons can help determine whether these matches will enrich the casino experience in an enjoyable manner.

Galway Football Senior, Intermediate & Junior Championship 2024 Groups Draw

Galway Football Senior, Intermediate & Junior Championship 2024 Draw Preview

The Galway football season is set to be thrilling with the Bon Secours Senior, Peter Curran Electric Ltd Intermediate, and OCC Construction Primary Junior Football Championships 2024. From established clubs like Corofin and Mountbellew/Moylough to rising teams such as Annaghdown and Barna, each group promises intense competition and exciting matches.

Bon Secours Senior Football Championship 2024

Group 1:

Mountbellew/Moylough
Salthill/Knocknacarra
Caherlistrane
Naomh Anna Leitir Moir

Group 2:

Maigh Cuilinn
Dunmore MacHales
St. James
Monivea/Abbey

Group 3:

Corofin
Oughterard
Tuam Stars
Claregalway

Group 4:

Milltown
Killannin
Annaghdown
Barna

Peter Curran Electric Ltd Intermediate Football Championship 2024

Group 1:

Kilconly
Oileáin Árann
St. Brendan’s
Clifden

Group 2:

An Spidéal
St. Gabriel’s
Corofin
Williamstown

Group 3:

St. Michael’s
Oranmore/Maree
Menlough
Glenamaddy

Group 4:

Cortoon Shamrocks
Kilkerrin/Clonberne
Caltra
Mícheál Breathnach

OCC Construction Primary Junior Football Championship 2024

Junior 1 – North:

Headford
Ballinasloe
Athenry
Killererin

Junior 1 – West:

Renvyle
Fr. Griffin’s/Éire Og
An Cheathru Rua
Clonbur
Carna-Caiseal

Junior 2 – North:

Annaghdown
Corofin
Mountbellew/Moylough
Tuam Stars

Junior 2 – West:

St. Michael’s
Salthill/Knocknacarra
Claregalway
Barna
Maigh Cuilinn

GAA Fixtures and Stsrt times – Preliminary Quarter-Finals: Mayo vs. Derry Highlights Draw

Galway 1-10 Kerry 0-14 Tuam Stadium League div1 round 4 2019 — Expect no quarter asked and no quarter given as Galway and Kerry do battle again on Sunday. Photo credit: Shane Tighe

All-Ireland SFC Preliminary Quarter-Finals: Mayo v Derry Highlights Draw

Mayo is set to face Derry in a standout match following the draw for the All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-finals. Kevin McStay’s team narrowly missed a win against Dublin in their recent Group 2 match, with Cormac Costello’s last-minute point relegating Mayo to the preliminary round.

Their upcoming opponents, league champions Derry, ended a losing streak by defeating Westmeath with a four-point lead in Newry, keeping their championship hopes alive.

In other matchups, Connacht champions Galway, who drew with Armagh, will host Monaghan, who triumphed over Meath in Kingspan Breffni. Tyrone will play at home against Roscommon, who secured their first championship win against Cavan. Additionally, Louth will face Cork in an all-Division 2 clash, with Ger Brennan’s team set to choose a home venue.

All-Ireland SFC Preliminary Quarter-Final Draw:

– Mayo v Derry
– Louth v Cork
– Tyrone v Roscommon
– Galway v Monaghan

GAA scores on http://Irishscores.com

Games will be played on the weekend of 22/23 June.

Saturday June 22

All-Ireland SHC Quarter-Finals

Dublin v Cork, FBD Semple Stadium, 1.15pm, RTE

Clare v Wexford, FBD Semple Stadium, 3.15pm, RTE

Sunday June 23

Tailteann Cup Semi-Finals

Antrim v Laois, Croke Park, 2pm, RTE

Down v Sligo, Croke Park, 4pm, RTE

**The All-Ireland SFC Preliminary Quarter-Final fixtures will be confirmed later today.

Weekend GAA – Group Stage Permutations – Starting Teams and Live Scores

GAA matches online, Sky Sports, GAAGO & RTE

Weekend GAA Fixtures & Live Scores – Gaelic Football & Hurling

Stay updated with the latest GAA scores and starting teams on Irishscores.com

Saturday, 15 June

All-Ireland SFC Round 3

Derry vs Westmeath

Venue: Pairc Esler
Time: 7pm
Live on: GAAGO

Overview:
A draw will secure Westmeath a place in the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals, while Derry needs a win. Derry has struggled in recent matches, conceding nine goals in three games, but hopes the return of Eoin McEvoy will stabilize their defense. Westmeath remains unchanged from their strong performance against Galway.

Starting Teams:

Derry: Odhran Lynch; Conor McCluskey, Christopher McKaigue, Diarmuid Baker; Ciaran McFaul, Eoin McEvoy, Donncha Gilmore; Conor Glass, Brendan Rogers; Ethan Doherty, Emmett Bradley, Paul Cassidy; Eunan Mulholland, Shane McGuigan, Lachlan Murray. Subs: Ryan Scullion, Martin Bradley, Declan Cassidy, Conor Doherty, Mark Doherty, Shea Downey, Ruairi Forbes, Danny McDermott, Cahir McMonagle, Cormac Murphy, Niall Toner.
Westmeath: Jason Daly; Jamie Gonoud, Charlie Drumm, Kevin Maguire; James Dolan, Ronan Wallace, David Lynch; Ray Connellan, Andy McCormack; Jonathan Lynam, Ronan O’Toole, Sam McCartan; Luke Loughlin, John Heslin, Senan Baker. Subs: Jack Connaughton, Shane Allen, Conor Dillon, Danny McCartan, Robbie Forde, Eoin Mulvihill, Matthew Whittaker, Daniel Scahill, Lorcan Dolan, Jack Smith, Kieran Martin.

Roscommon vs Cavan

Venue: Glennon Bros Pearse Park
Time: 5pm

Overview:
Both teams are fighting for a place in the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals. Roscommon’s superior scoring difference means a draw will suffice, but Cavan needs a win.

Starting Teams:

Roscommon: C Carroll; N Higgins, B Stack, R Dolan; D Murray, R Fallon, E McCormack; E Smith, U Harney; D Ruane, D Murtagh, S Cunnane; D Cregg, C Cox, D Smith.
Cavan: Gary O’ Rourke; Luke Fortune, Brían O’Connell, Cian Reilly; Padraig Faulkner, Niall Carolan, Oisin Kiernan; Ciarán Brady, Ryan Donohoe; Ryan O’Neill, Cian Madden, Gerard Smith; Oisin Brady, James Smith, Cormac O’Reilly. Subs: Liam Brady, Mark Magee, Oisin Kiernan, Jason McLoughlin, Ryan Brady, Conor Rehill, James Galligan, Tiarnan Madden, Dara McVeety, Conor Madden, Darragh Lovett.

Donegal vs Clare

Venue: Castlebar
Time: 3pm

Overview:
Donegal needs a win to secure a place in the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals, while Clare needs a win and a Tyrone win over Cork to advance.

Starting Teams:

Donegal: Shaun Patton; Mark Curran, Brendan McCole, Eoghan Bán Gallagher; Ryan McHugh, Caolan McGonagle, Peadar Mogan; Ciaran Moore, Michael Langan; Shane O Donnell, Ciaran Thompson, Daire Ó Baoill; Patrick McBrearty, Oisin Gallen, Niall O Donnell. Subs: Daithí MacRoibeard, Kevin McGettigan, Stephen McMenamin, Odhran Doherty, Conor O’Donnell, Jeaic MacCeallbhuí, Hugh McFadden, Aaron Doherty, Jamie Brennan, Domhnall MacGiolla Bhride, Cathal MacAonghása.
Clare: Stephen Ryan; Manus Doherty, Cillian Brennan, Ronan Lanigan; Alan Sweeney, Cillian Rouine, Ikem Ugweru; Brian McNamara, Michéal Garry; Daniel Walsh, Dermot Coughlan, Gavin Murray; Ciarán Downes, Aaron Griffin, Emmet McMahon. Subs: Tristan O Callaghan, Cormac Murray, Darren Nagle, Jamie Stack, Diarmuid O’Donnell, Mark McInerney, Joe McGann, Éinne O Connor, Cian Burke, Shane Griffin, James Curran.

Tyrone vs Cork

Venue: Tullamore
Time: 3pm
Live on: GAAGO

Overview:
Cork needs a win or a draw to secure top spot in Group 3 and a direct route to the quarter-finals. Tyrone needs a win to secure at least a place in the preliminary quarter-finals.

Starting Teams:

Tyrone: Niall Morgan; Michael McKernan, Padraig Hampsey, Aidan Clarke; Kieran McGeary, Matthew Donnelly, Niall Devlin; Brian Kennedy, Conn Kilpatrick; Ciaran Daly, Ruari Canavan, Michael O’Neill; Darren McCurry, Darragh Canavan, Sean O’Donnell. Subs: Oisin O’Kane, Frank Burns, Ronan Cassidy, Ben Cullen, Peter Harte, Nathan McCarron, Lorcan McGarrity, Cathal McShane, Shea O’Hare, Cormac Quinn, Tiernan Quinn.
Cork: C Kelly; K Flahive, D O’Mahony, M Shanley; R Maguire, T Walsh, M Taylor; I Maguire, C O’Callaghan; P Walsh, S Powter, B O’Driscoll; M Cronin, C Óg Jones, B Hurley.

Sunday, 16 June

All-Ireland SFC Round 3

Dublin vs Mayo

Venue: Dr Hyde Park
Time: 3.45pm
Live on: RTE

Overview:
Both teams are undefeated, and this match will decide who tops the group and goes directly to the All-Ireland quarter-finals. Dublin’s superior scoring difference means a draw will suffice for them.

Starting Teams:

Dublin: Stephen Cluxton; Eoin Murchan, Michael Fitzsimons, Daire Newcombe; Brian Howard, John Small, Seán Bugler; Brian Fenton, Killian McGinnis; Niall Scully, Cormac Costello, Ciaran Kilkenny; Paddy Small, Con O’Callaghan, Paul Mannion. Subs: David O’Hanlon, Colm Basquel, Theo Clancy, Tom Lahiff, Seán MacMahon, Jack McCaffrey, James McCarthy, Greg McEneaney, Ross McGarry, Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne, Lorcan O’Dell.
Mayo: Colm Reape; Jack Coyne, David McBrien, Donnacha McHugh; Sam Callinan, Stephen Coen, Eoghan McLaughlin; Jack Carney, Matthew Ruane; Tommy Conroy, Darren McHale, Jordan Flynn; Aidan O’Shea, Cillian O’Connor, Ryan O’Donoghue. Subs: Rob Hennelly, Rory Brickenden, James Carr, Enda Hession, Conor Loftus, Diarmuid O’Connor, Eoin O’Don oghue, Pádraig O’Hora, Michael Plunkett, Paul Towey, Bob Tuohy.

Monaghan vs Meath

Venue: Kingspan Breffni
Time: 3pm
Live on: GAAGO

Overview:
A win or a draw for Monaghan will secure their place in the preliminary quarter-finals, but Meath needs a win to advance.

Starting Teams:

Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Ryan Wylie, Killian Lavelle, Jason Irwin; Ryan McAnespie, Ryan O’Toole, Conor McCarthy; Gary Mohan, Joel Wilson; Stephen O’Hanlon, Micheál Bannigan, Michael Hamill; Ciaran McNulty, Jack McCarron, Conor McManus. Subs: Darren McDonnell, Colm Lennon, Stephen Mooney, Kevin Loughran, Darragh Treanor, David Garland, Micheál McCarville, Andrew Woods, Barry McBennett, Sean Jones, Thomas McPhillips.
Meath: Billy Hogan; Donal Keogan, Adam O’Neill, Ronan Ryan; Harry O’Higgins, Darragh Campion, Seán Coffey; Ronan Jones, Cian McBride; Ciarán Caulfield, Cillian O’Sullivan, Cathal Hickey; James Conlon, Mathew Costello, Eoghan Frayne. Subs: Seán Brennan, Michael Murphy, Sean Ryan, Brian O’Halloran, Ross Ryan, Conor Gray, Daithí McGowan, Ruairí Kinsella, Jack O’Connor, Jordan Morris, Aaron Lynch.

Louth vs Kerry

Venue: Portlaoise
Time: 3pm

Overview:
Both teams are already through to the knock-out phase and this match will decide who tops the group and proceeds directly to the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

Kerry defeated Louth by 28 points when they met at this juncture of last year’s championship, but a tighter game is expected this time around.

Kerry make three changes to the team that beat Meath in their last game with Paul Murphy, Tadhg Morley and Dara Moynihan coming into the XV.

Louth make two changes to the side that drew with Monaghan in Round 2 with Paul Matthews and Ciaran Byrne coming into the starting XV.

Starting Teams:

Louth: Niall McDonnell; Donal McKenny, Dan Corcoran, Peter Lynch; Conall McKeever, Anthony Williams, Craig Lennon; Tommy Durnin, Bevan Duffy; Paul Mathews, Ciaran Keenan, Conor Grimes; Ryan Burns, Sam Mulroy, Ciaran Byrne. Subs: Craig Lynch, Chris O’Neill, Peter McStravick, Liam Jackson, Dermot Campbell, Ciaran Murphy, Sean Marry, Leonard Grey, Tadhg McDonnell, Conor Early, Tom Jackson.
Kerry: S Ryan; P Murphy, J Foley, T O’Sullivan; B O Beaglaoich, T Morley, G White; D O’Connor, J O’Connor; T Brosnan, P Clifford, D Moynihan; D Clifford, S O’Shea, P Geaney.

Galway vs Armagh

Venue: Markievicz Park
Time: 1.45pm
Live on: RTE

Overview:
Both Galway and Armagh have two wins from two so this game will decide who tops the group and proceeds directly to the quarter-finals. A draw will suffice for Armagh as they have a superior scoring difference.

The Tribesmen are strengthened by the return of Sean Kelly and Robert Finnerty but Damien Comer is still ruled out through injury.

Armagh have a lot of momentum after a big win over Derry and make two changes to the team that won that day with Ciaran Higgins and Andrew Murnin coming into the starting XV.

Starting Teams:

Galway: Connor Gleeson; Johnny McGrath, Seán Fitzgerald, Jack Glynn; Dylan McHugh, John Daly, Liam Silke; Paul Conroy, Sean Kelly; Matthew Tierney, John Maher, Cein Darcy; Robert Finnerty, Shane Walsh, Cillian McDaid. Subs: Conor Flaherty, Séan Mulkerrin, Eoghan Kelly, Daniel Ó Flaherty, Kieran Molloy, Cian Hernon, Patrick Egan, Cathal Sweeney, Johnny Heaney, Tomo Culhane, Liam Ó Conghaile.
Armagh: Blaine Hughes; Barry McCambridge, Aaron McKay, Peter McGrane; Ciaran Higgins, Tiernan Kelly, Aidan Forker; Niall Grimley, Ben Crealey; Joe McElroy, Rian O’Neill, Oisin Conaty; Rory Grugan, Andrew Murnin, Conor Turbitt. Subs: Ethan Rafferty, Paddy Burns, Greg McCabe, Ross McQuillan, Darragh McMullan, Shane McPartlan, Oisin O’Neill, Jason Duffy, Aidan Nugent, Stefan Campbell, Jarly Óg Burns.

GAA FOOTBALL ALL-IRELAND SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP 4

P	TEAM	P	P	W	D	L	F	A
1	Kerry	4	2	2	0	0	48	23
2	Louth	3	2	1	1	0	35	25
3	Monaghan	1	2	0	1	1	30	40
4	Meath	0	2	0	0	2	18	43

GAA FOOTBALL ALL-IRELAND SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP 2

P	TEAM	P	P	W	L	F	A
1	Dublin	4	2	2	0	57	26
2	Mayo	4	2	2	0	40	29
3	Roscommon	0	2	0	2	31	45
4	Cavan	0	2	0	2	24	52

GAA FOOTBALL ALL-IRELAND SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP 3

P	TEAM	P	P	W	L	F	A
1	Cork	4	2	2	0	34	30
2	Donegal	2	2	1	1	37	32
3	Tyrone	2	2	1	1	38	31
4	Clare	0	2	0	2	24	40

GAA FOOTBALL ALL-IRELAND SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP 1

P	TEAM	P	P	W	L	F	A
1	Armagh	4	2	2	0	42	26
2	Galway	4	2	2	0	35	26
3	Westmeath	0	2	0	2	22	31
4	Derry	0	2	0	2	30	46

Teams for Saturday’s Semi-Finals of the URC

The teams for Saturday’s Semi-Finals of the BKT United Rugby Championship have been named with all details of match officials and broadcast information below.

TEAM NEWS HEADLINES

#BULvLEI
Cornel Smit to make his Vodacom Bulls debut if called upon from the bench
Garry Ringrose returns to the Leinster team for the first time since January
#MUNvGLA
Four changes see Mike Haley, Alex Nankivell, Fineen Wycherley & Jack O’Donoghue come into the Munster side
Glasgow Warriors name an unchanged starting XV from the team that beat DHL Stormers last Saturday

SATURDAY, JUNE 15

Vodacom Bulls v Leinster
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria – KO 15.00 IRE & UK / 16.00 ITA & SA
Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU, 45th league game)
AR 1: Mike Adamson (SRU) AR 2: Adam Jones (WRU)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Live on: SuperSport, RTÉ, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Vodacom Bulls: Willie Le Roux, Sergeal Petersen, David Kriel, Harold Vorster, Devon Williams, Johan Goosen, Embrose Papier, Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar, Wilco Louw, Ruan Vermaak, Ruan Nortje (CAPT), Marco Van Staden, Elrigh Louw, Cameron Hanekom
Replacements: Akker van der Merwe, Simphiwe Matanzima, Francois Klopper, Reinhardt Ludwig, Nizaam Carr, Keagan Johannes, Chris Smith, Cornel Smit

Leinster: Jimmy O’Brien, Jordan Larmour, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe, Ross
Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan (CAPT), Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Michael Ala’alatoa, Ross Molony, Jack Conan, Luke
McGrath, Ciarán Frawley, Jamie Osborne

Munster v Glasgow Warriors
Thomond Park, Limerick – KO 18.00 IRE & UK / 19.00 ITA & SA
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR, 44th league game)
AR 1: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR) AR 2: Federico Vedovelli (FIR)
TMO: Matteo Lipirini (FIR)
Live on: TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Munster: Mike Haley, Shane Daly, Antoine Frisch, Alex Nankivell, Simon Zebo, Jack Crowley, Craig Casey, Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer, Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (CAPT), Peter O’Mahony, John Hodnett, Jack O’Donoghue
Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, John Ryan, Oli Jager, RG Snyman, Gavin Coombes, Conor Murray, Sean O’Brien, Alex Kendellen

Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay, Sebastian Cancelliere, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Kyle Steyn
(CAPT), Tom Jordan, George Horne, Jamie Bhatti, Johnny Matthews, Zander Fagerson, Scott
Cummings, Richie Gray, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey
Replacements: George Turner, Oli Kebble, Murphy Walker, Max Williamson, Euan Ferrie, Henco Venter, Jamie Dobie, Ross Thompson

Jack Murphy, Wilhelm de Klerk & Sam Berman join Ulster Rugby Academy

Ulster Rugby is pleased to announce that seven new players will join the Ulster Rugby Academy for the 2024/25 season.

With the new season approaching, Ulster Rugby is welcoming a fresh group of talent to strengthen the province’s commitment to developing players who will advance to the senior men’s team.

This year’s academy intake is the largest in over five years, bringing the total to 20 promising young players.

Ulster Rugby Academy Manager, Gavin Hogg, commented:

“We are excited to welcome the new entrants to the Ulster Rugby Academy. The seven players joining us have shown great potential and have all participated in national pathway teams. We look forward to working with these players and aiding their development, alongside the 13 players progressing to Year 2 and Year 3 of our program.

The Ulster Rugby Pathway has demonstrated that players can progress with us and seize their opportunities in the Senior team when they arise.

In the 2023/24 season, we took great pride in seeing academy players such as Scott Wilson, James McNabney, Zac Solomon, Joe Hopes, and Lorcan McLoughlin make their senior debuts and significantly contribute to the senior team.

These players provide a great example to current academy members that opportunities to play at a higher level are available. I would like to thank all the coaches in the domestic clubs and schools who have supported these players up to the academy level.

We hope the players are excited to start their journey with us, supported by our staff, Head Coach Richie Murphy, and the senior staff, as they continue their rugby careers at Ulster Rugby.”

New Entrants (Year 1)

James McKillop (Second Row/Back Row)

James enters the academy as a player who can cover both second row and back row and is a former pupil of Foyle & Londonderry College. James returned mid-season after a shoulder injury and his performances for Queens University in AIL 1B saw him gain national selection with Ireland U20s in the U20 Six Nations. James will continue his academic studies at QUB next year.

Bryn Ward (Back Row)

Bryn enters the academy after a strong club season with Ballynahinch RFC and as a standout performer for Ireland U20s in their recent Six Nations campaign, where he was regular starter in the number 7 shirt. He is a former pupil of RBAI and played in the Danske Bank Schools’ Cup winning side alongside fellow academy talent, Jacob Boyd.

Clarke Logan (Scrum-Half)

Clarke joins the academy as a graduate from our NTS programme and is completing his studies at Coleraine GS. Clarke has represented Ulster age grade teams at U18 & U19 level and was recently capped at national level with Ireland U19s. Clarke played in the recent Development & A-team fixtures versus the New England Independents & Ireland U20s at Kingspan stadium. He is hoping to commence academic studies at QUB next year.

Jonny Scott (Centre)

Jonny joins the academy as a graduate from our NTS programme and is a former pupil of Dromore HS. Most recently he has been playing his club rugby with Banbridge RFC in AIL 2A. He has recently been capped at national level with Ireland U19s in fixtures against France and Wales. Jonny also played in the recent Development & A-team fixtures versus New England Independents & Ireland U20s at Kingspan stadium.

Jack Murphy (Fly-Half)

Jack joins the Ulster Academy as a new entrant off the back of excellent performances as part of the recent Ireland U20s squad, where he was a regular starter in the number 10 shirt. He is renowned for his strong kicking game and ability to manage a game. He is hoping to commence his academic studies at QUB next year, when he relocates to Belfast after the completion of the U20 Junior World Cup.

Wilhelm de Klerk (Centre)

Wilhelm (Villie) joins the Ulster academy as a new entrant off the back of excellent performances as part of the recent Ireland U20s squad, where he was a regular starter in the number 13 shirt. Equally comfortable at 12, he has strong distribution skills with a sharp eye for putting himself and others into space. He is hoping to commence his academic studies at QUB next year when he relocates to Belfast, after the completion of the U20 Junior World Cup.

Sam Berman (Centre)

Sam joins the Ulster academy as a new entrant where he has had strong performances with Terenure in AIL 1A after returning from injury. He has been capped at Ireland U19s level and U20 level. Sam is equally adept at playing at 12 & 13, has excellent ability to influence attacking play and will be an exciting addition to the group.

URC Final 2024 Munster v Leinster : Thomand Park set as venue

Potential BKT URC Grand Final Venues
With the BKT United Rugby Championship Semi-Finals set, the potential venues for the Grand Final on Saturday, June 22 can be confirmed.

Many rugby fans expected a possible URC Final Munster v Leinster final maybe moved to Páirc Uí Chaoimh, but it’s been confirmed as Thomand Park.

Once the two finalists are known, the team with the highest ranking based on their final league position will host the game at their nominated venue.

In order of ranking please see the list of venues and key details about each venue from the top three teams as No 4 ranked Glasgow cannot host a final should they qualify.

Rankings: (1) Munster; (2) Vodacom Bulls; (3) Leinster; (4) Glasgow Warriors

Munster Rugby – Thomond Park
Location: Limerick, Ireland
Capacity: 25,600
Opened: 1934 (redeveloped in 2007)
Previous finals: 2011 Magners League (Munster v Leinster)

Vodacom Bulls – Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Location: Tshwane, South Africa
Capacity: 50,000
Opened: 1923 (expanded in 1977, 1984, 1988 and then renovated in 2009 for the Soccer World Cup).
Previous finals: None. Hosted 2009 Super 14 Final.

Leinster Rugby – Croke Park
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Capacity: 82,300
Opened: 1884 (redeveloped in 2004)
Previous finals: None. Hosted 6 Nations and European Cup games