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Top 5 defenders in Hurling

For years great defensive displays and great defenders in general may have gone unheralded in their recognition by the wider GAA fanbase but the five men below are changing that viewpoint. Here we rank five of the best defenders in hurling today.

Padraic Maher (Tipperary)

The iron man of the Tipp defence, six time All-Star Padraic Maher has been a shining light for Tipperary since he made his debut in 2009.

In that time Tipperary have played 54 Championship matches and the Thurles Sarsfields defender hasn’t missed any of them, starting all 54.

His ability under a high ball is sensational, as his ability to read the game from the half back line, while his ability to pop up with scores on a consistent level mark him out as one of the hurlers of his generation

Daithi Burke (Galway)

Without doubt the best full back in hurling over the last few years the powerful  Turloughmore man was a major reason in Galway finally bringing the Liam McCarthy back west in 2017.

His arrival at full back in the Galway team finally ended the county’s search for a player to fill the position that had troubled them for years.

His performances brought him four consecutive All-Stars between 2015 and 2018, and he managed to keep Seamus Callanan scoreless from play in the 2016 All Ireland semi final.

Not many can say that.

Brendan Maher (Tipperary)

What a last 12 months the Borrisoleigh man has had in a club and county jersey.

To come back from a cruciate injury and put in the kind of performances he did for Tipperary as they claimed the All Ireland once again really is a mark of the greatness of the player.

He was also an instrumental part of his club’s county and provincial success and was named club hurler of the year for his exploits.

Padraig Walsh (Kilkenny)

An all round brilliant hurler. Every team would love to have a player like the Tullaroan man.

A two time All-Star, the brother of former Kilkenny star Tommy is now the glue which holds the Kilkenny defence together.

Designated to fill the problem position of full back for a couple of seasons before Hugh Lawlor’s introduction, Brian Cody now has the luxury of using Walsh out the field.

Here his defensive instincts matched by very few in the game can be used to great effect in bringing solidity to the Cats defence.

Sean Finn (Limerick)

One of the best man markers in hurling Finn has won consecutive All-Stars in 2018 and 2019 for his classy and dominating performances in the Limerick defence.

What makes the Bruff man so good at what he does is the versatility he can show in his defensive play.

He can compete for a high ball with just about anyone, he revels when the ball is played in low against him and he invariably makes the right decision when in possession of the ball and helping his side go on the attack from deep.

His understanding with Mike Casey and Richie English mean Finn is part of one of the most formidable full back lines in hurling today.

 

Top 5 Hurling Goalkeepers

The position of goalkeeper in hurling has undeniably changed over the course of the last decade. The netminder is now not only there to stop the ball from going into his goal but is used as a fundamental part of most inter county team’s attacking structure through their distribution and their sweeping behind the defence.  

Here we take a look at 5 of the best modern-day goalkeepers in the game. 

Eoin Murphy (Kilkenny) 

The complete goalkeeper. 

The Kilkenny No 1 has arguably taken the role of goalkeeper in hurling to new heights during his time in inter county hurling. 

A brilliant shot stopper, it is the other aspects of Murphy’s game that set him apart from most. 

His distribution from restarts and open play is second to none, while his understanding of space and the movement of his outfield colleagues is top quality. The fact he plays outfield for his club is no doubt a help to him in these aspects of the game when he steps in goals for his county. 

 

Brian Hogan (Tipperary) 

The current all-star goalkeeper, after Tipperary’s All Ireland success in 2019, Hogan is following in his father’s footsteps by lining out between the posts for his county.  

A towering presence on the goal line, Hogan’s performances and understanding with his defence have brought a renewed structure to Tipperary over the last couple of seasons which ultimately led All Ireland glory in 2019.  

Like most goalkeepers plying their trade at the very top, Hogan’s distribution is another key factor to his own personal performance levels, but also to that of his team where his ability to find a teammate is vital to Tipperary’s attacking game plan. 

 

Nicky Quaid (Limerick) 

Much like Eoin Murphy, Nicky Quaid can combine the skills of playing outfield for his club with wearing the No 1 for his county, and much like the Kilkenny keeper it helps make Quaid one of the finest goalies in the game today. 

The 2018 All Ireland winner is more than capable of pinging the ball into the hand of a teammate on the move to help set up a Limerick attack, as he is making a game changing save or intervention on his own goal line to help his team to victory.  

Who could forget that save from Seamus Harmedy in the semifinal against Cork in 2018.

 

Mark Fanning (Wexford) 

The Wexford shot stopper is without doubt one of the most important parts of Davy Fitzgerald’s team these days. 

A fine exponent of the more vintage skills of a goalkeeper, it is the ability the Glynn-Barntown has in linking the play and offering himself as an outlet to his teammates that put him up there as one of the best in the country. 

A brilliant striker of the ball from placed balls or open play, Fanning scored the decisive penalty that brought the Leinster Championship back to Wexford in 2019.

 

Enda Rowland (Laois) 

A key component to the great run Laois enjoyed in 2019. 

Rowland was nominated for an All Star such was the level of his performances as the O’ Moore county claimed the Joe Mcdonagh, before reaching the All Ireland quarter final, where they were defeated by eventual champions Tipperary. 

The Abbeyleix man saved penalties, made point blank saves to deny the opposition, but more importantly he was the key part of Eddie Brennan’s gameplan through his distribution and ability on the ball.  

The measure of Rowland’s importance to his team is that Eddie Brennan made him captain for the 2020 season. 

 

Top 5 Free Takers in Gaelic Football

Top 5 Free Takers in Gaelic Football  

The quality of a team’s free taker can be the make or break factor in the outcome of a football match at all levels of the game. 

But who exactly are the best free takers in Ireland? Below we list the top 5 free takers in Gaelic football

Dean Rock (Dublin) 

The Ballymun Kickhams club-man has taken the art of free taking to new heights during his stellar inter county career.  

His percentage of successful frees in last year’s Championship was a truly exceptional 89%, nailing 32 of the 36 frees he took as Dublin secured the historic 5 in a row.

This metronome like reliability over the years has helped the Dubs keep up their relentless surge to success after success, and when he finally hangs up his boots, Rock will surely go down as one of the all-time great free takers in Gaelic football. 

 

Sean O’ Shea (Kerry)

The relative new kid on the block, the Kerry native is the one man on this list that could perhaps challenge Rock for the title of greatest free taker of the modern era in a few years’ time. 

His total score count from placed balls has been broadly similar to Rock’s over the last couple of years, while the young Kenmare man is also a very accurate 45 kicker. 

 Cillian O’ Connor (Mayo) 

The All Ireland Football Championship’s record points scorer is another dead ball specialist worthy of his place on this list. 

The Ballintubber man has been to the forefront of free taking since he burst on the scene for Mayo, and his importance in this regard is highlighted by the fact that Mayo struggle with placed balls when O’ Connor is not on the pitch. 

O’ Connor is also a brilliant penalty taker with his first miss from the spot in 9 attempts coming against Kerry, when Brendan Kealy managed to tip his attempt over the bar for just a solitary point. 

Michael Murphy (Donegal) 

The talismanic Donegal skipper is not only one of the greatest players to ever play the game, he is also one of the finest free takers in the country. 

His ability to keep the scoreboard ticking over from frees or 45’s and nail clutch kicks in difficult moments for his county are a major advantage to a Donegal side that will expect to be at the business end of this year’s Championship. 

Rory Beggan (Monaghan) 

The Scotstown native is the only goalkeeper on this list, a trend that may change in the coming years as goalkeepers become even more important to their teams, not only in open play but from placed balls. 

Beggan has become the main man when it comes to goalkeepers scoring frees and 45’s in Gaelic football, with teams coughing up frees against Monaghan inside 50 meters regularly punished by the keeper’s unerring accuracy. 

It is a major advantage for Monaghan to know that they possess a weapon such as the ability of Beggan to score from long range, a weapon that will no doubt be useful as the Championship kicks off this winter. 

 

 

 

 

Keane 1- Klopp 0: Klopp in bizarre rant over Roy Keane ‘sloppy’ comment

The clash we have been waiting for since Roy Keane began working with Sky Sports. Even though it wasn’t really was it, as when Jurgen Klopp looks back at the footage from Monday’s edition of Monday Night Football he will see how mistaken he was in his bizarre rant over Roy Keane’s ‘sloppy’ comment.

Keane in his job as an analyst on the show and not a cheerleader for Klopp and his team, although its hard to tell these days with some football ‘analysts’, was clearly pointing out that in a game Liverpool completely dominated there were evidently some sloppy moments, that might have led to another result on another day.

In fact Keane was wholesome in his praise for Klopp’s team for much of his review of the game, but mentioned that some aspects of the defending was sloppy.

What followed was Klopp’s bizarre rant over Keane’s sloppy comment that was as unnecessary as it was mistaken.

The Liverpool manager said that he believed Keane had called their performance during the 3-1 win sloppy, which he clearly didn’t, merely stating that there were some sloppy moments but that Liverpool had thoroughly deserved the win.

“It was a good night’s work for Liverpool, who were by far the better team. There were one or two scares but they deserved the win. They’re like a machine and one of the fittest teams around. They like to suffocate teams. It’s never easy to score goals but they managed three tonight, four against Leeds. It got a little bit sloppy at the back but it’s job done.”

Keane is right Liverpool are a winning machine, but it is his job to analyse football matches and Liverpool have definitely been lax defensively at some points over the last few weeks in the Premier League. They conceded 3 goals to a newly promoted Leeds team and it could have been more, and again last night they completely outplayed Arsenal but again certain moments of defensive slackness could have come back to bite them.

Their forward players and their top quality attacking play may mean they wont lose these games, but surely a pundit is there to highlight and describe what they see during a ninety minute performance and that’s exactly what Keane did.

The performance by the Liverpool manager after that however, just unnecessary.

 

Jack Byrne gets call up for crunch Republic of Ireland play off

Stephen Kenny has called up Shamrock Rovers midfielder Jack Byrne and Blackburn Rovers defender Derrick Williams to his Republic of Ireland squad for the make or break Euro 2020 play off on October 8.

Both players, capped by previous Irish managers, receive their first call ups to a Stephen Kenny Irish squad after missing out on the squad for the games against Bulgaria and Finland.

Southampton forward Michael Obafemi again misses out as does the injured Troy Parrott but Kenny does include injury doubts Robbie Brady and Callum O’ Dowda in his squad of 25.

The squad will assemble in Dublin on Sunday before travelling to Slovakia on Tuesday.

Ireland must defeat Slovakia to advance to the play off final away against either Northern Ireland or Bosnia and Herzegovina in November.

Goalkeepers
Darren Randolph (West Ham United), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (Bournemouth).

Defenders
Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers), Shane Duffy (Celtic, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Derrick Williams (Blackburn Rovers).

Midfielders
Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), James McCarthy (Crystal Palace), Harry Arter (Nottingham Forest), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jayson Molumby (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jack Byrne (Shamrock Rovers), Robbie Brady (Burnley).

Forwards
Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion), Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (Stoke City), Aaron Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), David McGoldrick (Sheffield United), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Shane Long (Southampton).

Greenwatch – Irish International Soccer Weekend Recap

SSE Airtricity League

Stephen Kenny was in attendance at Oriel Park on Sunday evening. He witnessed a sublime finish from Jack Byrne as he muscled Chris Shields off the ball and rounded the goalkeeper to score from the tightest of angles. Byrne’s performance will give Kenny some food for thought as he is set to announce his squad today for the crucial play-off tie against Slovakia.

 

Premier League

West Brom’s Callum Robinson bagged two goals against Chelsea with the game finishing all square. His second goal highlighted his sharpness has he nipped in to score after a Thiago Silva error. Fellow Irish international Conor Hourihane also enjoyed his evening at Craven Cottage on Monday as he notched a goal and an assist against Fulham.

Everton won their third successive game of the new Premier League season. Seamus Coleman teed up Dominic Calvert-Lewin inside the box to score the Toffee’s first of the afternoon. Manager Carlo Ancelotti had some kind words to share about his captain after the game.

Aaron Connolly netted his first goal of the season last weekend against Newcastle United. His Brighton team came close against Manchester United this weekend after a controversial end to the game resulted in Brighton coming away with nothing. Connolly will have felt aggrieved after he was taken down in the box however no penalty was awarded.

Robinson and Hourihane made the WhoScored.com ‘Team of the Week’ after their excellent performances.

WhoScored.com Premier League ‘Team of the Week’.

Championship

It was a relatively quiet weekend in the Championship for Irish representatives. Kieran Sadlier, previously of Sligo Rovers and Cork City, scored a penalty as his Rotherham side drew 1-1 against Birmingham City.

Mark Travers picked up an injury in the warm-up before Bournemouth’s game. There is now a potential doubt over his involvement in the squad for the Slovakia match. Likewise, Troy Parrott hasn’t had the start to the season he would’ve hoped for. He is yet to start a league game for new club Millwall due to a recurring ankle injury.

 

Rugby residency rule delayed

The rugby residency rule has been delayed by a further year. This rule allows a player to become eligible for another nation provided they have not represented the designated ‘senior’ representative team of a union where they were born.

World Rugby said in a statement that it is prolonging the rule due to “exceptional disruption” caused by the Covid 19 pandemic. In May World Rugby voted to extend the residency rule from 3 to 5 years which was a rule welcomed by many in the sport.

However, it has now been reported that the cut off date of December 31st 2020 has now been delayed to December 31st 2021.

The extension was due to come into law at the end of 2020 but last month the governing body extended the three year residency for another 12 months on “compassionate grounds” due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Due to the disruption to the international calendar caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, playing opportunities have been significantly affected across the sport’s 127 member unions and eligible players may have been prevented from representing a union on the basis of 36 months residency by the scheduled cut-off date and would therefore automatically move into the 60-month requirement,” explained a WR statement. “In light of these exceptional circumstances, the Executive Committee, having consulted with unions and International Rugby Players, determined it was appropriate to extend the 36 month residency requirement set out in Regulation 8 to December 31st 2021.”

James Lowe will become one of the last players recruited by the IRFU to become eligible under three years residency.  One high profile case will be Edinburgh prop Pierre Schoeman who can represent Scotland next year rather than in 2023.

Pittsburgh steelers game against Titans in doubt

Pittsburgh steelers game against Tennessee Titans that is due to be live on NFL Sky is in doubt.

At least three new players, and five new personnel of the Tennessee Titans have tested positive for COVID-19 according to reports

“Out of the abundance of caution, the organization has decided to work remotely today as we follow NFL protocols related to the Covid-19 virus. “Several tests have come back positive and are working through the process of confirming them. We will have more information tomorrow.”

The Steelers released a statement saying:

“We have been in contact with the NFL regarding the positive COVID-19 tests with the Tennessee Titans. We have been informed to proceed with our game preparations for Sunday’s game until we are informed.”

Head coach Mike Tomlin’s weekly press conference has been postponed until further notice.

ESPN reports that the Titans’ facility will be shut down until at least Saturday.

 

 

Ireland Squad Announced for Slovakia Play-Off Game

Jack Byrne included in Kenny’s Squad

Jack Byrne gets his first Ireland call-up under Stephen Kenny on the back of recent impressive form, particularly against Dundalk and AC Milan. Following a man of the match performance against Dundalk on Sunday, Byrne remained coy on his chances of a call-up. However according to Stephen Kenny, Jack Byrne has been included ‘on merit’ for his recent stand-out performances. Blackburn centre-half Derrick Williams also makes the cut for the first time under the new manager.

Injury Update

The squad list includes midfielders Robbie Brady and Callum O’Dowda despite recent injury concerns surrounding the pair. Kenny admitted that he is uncertain whether they will both be fit to play in Bratislava. Brady came off before half-time for Burnley against Leicester City with a rib injury and has not featured since. Troy Parrott remains on the injury list keeping him out the 25-man squad.

Coleman or Doherty?

Stephen Kenny was quizzed on whether Seamus Coleman’s bright start to the new season enhances his chances of replacing Matt Doherty in the starting eleven. “This is a good problem to have” was Kenny’s response, keeping his cards close to his chest.

The full interview with Stephen Kenny is below.

After an underwhelming start to his tenure, the new Ireland manager will be hoping for an improved level of performance from his players when they take on Slovakia next month. Many of the squad have started the season well and will aim to carry this form into the crucial play-off game.

Ireland take on Slovakia on October 8th at 7.45pm at the Tehelné Pole Stadium in Bratislava.

Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has named a 25-man squad for the Euro 2020 Play-Off semi-final against Slovakia in Bratislava and the UEFA Nations League games against Wales in Dublin and Finland in Helsinki.

Shamrock Rovers midfielder Jack Byrne and Blackburn Rovers defender Derrick Williams feature for the first time in an Ireland squad under Stephen.

The squad will assemble in Dublin on Sunday and train at the FAI’s National Training Centre in Abbotstown before flying to Slovakia on Tuesday.

Goalkeepers
Darren Randolph (West Ham United), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (Bournemouth).

Defenders
Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers), Shane Duffy (Celtic, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Derrick Williams (Blackburn Rovers).

Midfielders
Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), James McCarthy (Crystal Palace), Harry Arter (Nottingham Forest), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jayson Molumby (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jack Byrne (Shamrock Rovers), Robbie Brady (Burnley).

Forwards
Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion), Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (Stoke City), Aaron Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), David McGoldrick (Sheffield United), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Shane Long (Southampton).

Will We See An Irish Winner In The 2020 Melbourne Cup?

Irish raiders will be among the favourites when the world’s finest stayers battle for fame and fortune in the Melbourne Cup on November 3. Thoroughbreds from the Emerald Isle have enjoyed plenty of success in the famous Group 1 race over the years, but they reached a new zenith by securing an unprecedented 1-2-3 in 2017.

Joseph O’Brien’s Rekindling won the race ahead of his father Aidan’s star stayer, Johannes Vermeer, while National Hunt legend Willie Mullins saddled third-placed Max Dynamite. Australians have been obsessing over Irish raiders ever since, but they have failed to live up to the hype in the past two years.

Aidan O’Brien’s Il Paradiso finished third last year, and he will spearhead the Irish charge in the race that stops a nation in 2020. Will we see another Irish winner?

Anthony Van Dyck Heads Down Under

O’Brien senior will have another strong hand in the 2020 Melbourne Cup. The Ballydoyle maestro put Anthony Van Dyck, Santiago, Tiger Moth, Armory, Magic Wand and Wichita into quarantine in September and they will head Down Under in early October in a bid to conquer all that stands before them.

Anthony Van Dyck, Santiago and Tiger Moth are all expected to run in the 3200m Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 3. Anthony Van Dyck will be the first Epsom Derby winner to ever bid for glory in the Melbourne Cup.

It is dubbed the race that stops a nation due to its popularity Down Under, but it is reportedly enjoyed by a TV audience of 750 million, and the Irish contingent will certainly be cheering on Anthony Van Dyck in the prestigious AU$8 million (€4.8 million) race.

He is a supremely versatile horse. He won the Derby at Epsom over 1m 4f 6y (2420m) last year, before placing in the Breeders’ Cup Classic over 1m 4f in November. Anthony Van Dyck made his seasonal reappearance when finishing second to Ghaiyyath, the world’s top-rated horse, in the Coronation Cup over 1m 4f at Newmarket in June.

He finished ahead of Stradivarius, the world’s top stayer, in that race, so Melbourne Cup handicapper Greg Carpenter had no hesitation in assigning Anthony Van Dyck a top weight of 58.5kg for both the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup.

That heavy load might thwart his chances of success of the longer distance, but he will certainly be in contention.

Exciting Prospects

Santiago won the Irish Derby with a tremendous performance in June. He was then third in the Goodwood Cup and fourth in the St. Leger at Doncaster. Aidan O’Brien clearly thinks he has what it takes to thrive over 3200m in the Melbourne Cup, and he will carry a more modest 53.5kg in the race.

That puts him in the same tier as homegrown hero Russian Camelot, winner of the SA Derby in May, who is currently the antepost favourite for the race. Check out Punters for all the latest news as the race draws closer.

The lightly raced Tiger Moth also looks like an exciting prospect. He finished just a head behind stablemate Santiago in the Irish Derby, and then picked up a dominant victory in the Group 3 Kilternan Stakes in September. Carpenter hit Tiger Moth with a 2.5kg penalty for that victory, meaning he will now carry 52.5kg in the Melbourne Cup, and he could end up vanquishing his vaunted opponents.

If he succeeds, Tiger Moth would become the least experienced Melbourne Cup winner in 140 years, having raced just four times. However, northern hemisphere three-year-olds like Rekindling and 2018 winner Cross Counter have thrived at the Cup in recent times.

Can Master Of Reality Conquer Melbourne?

Jospeh O’Brien is expected to have two runners in the Melbourne Cup: Twilight Payment and Master Of Reality. They were first and second in the Group 2 Curragh Cup over 1m 6f (2816m) in July, and they should both relish a longer trip in the Melbourne Cup.

Twilight Payment has also won the Group 3 Vintage Crop Stakes this year, while he finished third in the Irish St. Leger, both over an identical distance. He has been assigned a weight of 55.5kg, and Master Of Reality was given 56kg.

Master Of Reality finished second in last year’s Melbourne Cup, but he was demoted to fourth after a stewards’ inquiry. Jockey Frankie Detorri was also handed an eight-day ban after Master Of Reality was adjudged to have impeded Aidan O’Brien’s Il Paradiso, who was bumped up to third. Master Of Reality’s form has been uninspiring since then, but he did win a Listed race over 1m 6f at Down Royal at the start of September.

Mullins is better known for his dominance over the jumps racing scene, but he has two possible runners in the Melbourne Cup. Stratum was runner-up in the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup at York on August 21, while True Self won the VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Flemington last year. They have been handicapped on 55kg and 52kg respectively for the Cup.

There are plenty of Australian stars to contend with include Russian Camelot, the impressive Surprise Baby and talented mare Verry Elleegant, but there is definitely a strong chance of an Irish raider clinching a famous win in the 2020 Melbourne Cup.

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