The competition begins on Saturday, March 26, 2022, and will end a month later on Saturday, April 30, 2022.

Ireland will have three home games set to be played at three different venues across Ireland – the RDS, Musgrave Park and Kingspan Stadium.

They play Wales, as mentioned before, Italy and Scotland at these venues respectively during the campaign.

The match against Scotland will be the first senior international to be played at the Belfast venue since the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup final.

Commenting on today’s news, IRFU CEO, Philip Browne, said: “We are delighted to announce that it will be even easier for fans around the county to support our women’s team in the 2022 Six Nations as we look at increasing the accessibility, profile, and interest in our women’s rugby team across the country.

“Support for the team has grown strongly as they moved from Ashbourne, to Energia Park and the RDS and we hope that by bringing the team closer to the provincial clubs that are developing women’s and girl’s rugby, we can encourage even more female involvement, at all levels.

“The three provincial venues deliver topflight facilities and playing surfaces that will allow for the best of international women’s rugby, and we are optimistic that our 2022 Six Nations will be one of the best supported campaigns ever.”

Greg McWilliams’ first two away trips as Ireland Women’s Head Coach will see the team and him travel to France and England.

The former national assistant coach will return to the setup to take the reins after Adam Griggs’ stepped down from the role.

Ticket information for Ireland’s three home games in Dublin, Cork and Belfast will be announced soon.

Ireland Women’s Six Nations 2022 Fixtures

Ireland v Wales – Saturday, March 26, 2022 (Kick-off 4:45 pm)

France v Ireland – Saturday, April 2, 2022 (Kick-off 3:15 pm)

Ireland v Italy – Sunday, April 10, 2022 (Kick-off 5 pm)

England v Ireland – Sunday, April 24, 2022 (Kick-off 12 pm)

Ireland v Scotland – Saturday, April 30, 2022 (Kick-off 8 pm)

The post Ireland Women’s Six Nations 2022 Fixtures Announced appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The men’s qualifier will be held in Calais, France and both qualifiers are new on the international hockey calendar.

The European Hockey Federation confirmed the breakdown of events on Thursday morning with both events running between August 21st and 27th, 2022.

The 12th ranked Irish women will be the top seed for a Dublin-based event that also features Poland (27th), the Czech Republic (24th), Turkey (33rd) and Finland (unranked).

The Irish women won the last qualifier they took part in, earning themselves the right to play in the 2022 FIH World Cup.

The 14th ranked men are placed in Qualifier B alongside host side France – 13th in the world – as well as Ukraine (28th), Turkey (44th), Lithuania (62nd) and Slovenia (71st).

Previously, the level of European championship competition countries took part in was on a promotion and relegation basis.

This new format sees four men’s and four women’s qualifier tournaments with one ticket to the top tier championships in 2023 on offer from each event – each qualifier tournament will be held in a different location.

The second and third-placed finishers in each tournament will play in the 2023 EuroHockey Trophy; fourth and fifth-placed sides go to the third tier while the remaining teams will go into the fourth tier.

2022 EuroHockey Championship qualifiers (all August 2022)
Men
Qualifier A (Ourense, Spain): Spain, Poland, Italy, Portugal, Slovakia
Qualifier B (Calais, France): France, IRELAND, Ukraine, Turkey, Slovenia
Qualifier C (Vienna, Austria): Austria, Russia, Belarus, Croatia, Denmark, Hungary
Qualifier D (TBC, Scotland): Scotland, Wales, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Gibraltar, Finland

Women
Qualifier A (Durham, England): England, Wales, Russia, Croatia, Slovakia
Qualifier B (Dublin, Ireland): IRELAND, Poland, Czech Republic, Turkey, Finland
Qualifier C (TBC): Belarus, Italy, Ukraine, Lithuania, Gibraltar
Qualifier D (Dunkirk, France): France, Scotland, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia

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Flanker Lappies Labuschagné will lead his side out on Saturday as he wears the captain’s armband in the absence of Michael Leitch.

24-year-old Ben Gunter is set to make his debut for the national side at blindside flanker, with number 8 Kazuki Himeno in between the pair.

Keita Inagaki and Ji-Won Gu start at prop with hooker Atsushi Sakate completing the front row for the Brave Blossoms.

The second row is occupied by Jack Cornelsen and James Moore.

Yutaka Nagare and Yu Tamura make for an exciting half-back partnership, with Ryoto Nakumara and Timothy Lafaele only adding to that in the midfield.

The back three consists of Siosaia Fifita, Kotaro Matsushima and Dylan Riley, who lines up for his second cap for Jamie Joseph’s team.

Replacements for Japan includes the likes of Asaeli Ai Valu and Naoto Saito.

Eight members of the squad line out for the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan’s Top League, while 11 sides are represented in the matchday 23.

10 of those 11 sides will have players starting the game, including Top 14 side Clermont Auvergne, who employ Matsushima.

Japan team v Ireland 

1. Keita Inagaki (Panasonic Wild Knights)
2. Atsushi Sakate (Panasonic Wild Knights)
3. Ji-won Gu (Honda Heat)
4. Jack Cornelsen (Panasonic Wild Knights)
5. James Moore (Munakata Sanix Blues)
6. Ben Gunter (Panasonic Wild Knights)
7. Lappies Labuschagné (C) (Kubota Spears)
8. Kazuki Himeno (Highlanders)
9. Yutoka Nagare (Suntory Sungoliath)
10. Yu Tamura (Yokohama Canon Eagles)
11. Siosaia Fifita (Hanazono Kinetsu Liners)
12. Ryoto Nakamura (Suntory Sungoliath)
13. Timothy Lafaele (Kobelco Steelers)
14. Dylan Riley (Panasonic Wild Knights)
15. Kotaro Matsushima (Clermont Auvergne)

Replacements

16. Yusuke Niwai (Yokohama Canon Eagles)

17. Craig Millar (Panasonic Wild Knights)

18. Asaeli Ai Valu (Panasonic Wild Knights)

19. Yoshitaka Tokunaga (Toshiba Brave Lupus)

20. Tevita Tatafu (Suntory Sungoliath)

21. Naoto Saito (Suntory Sungoliath)

22. Rikiya Matsuda (Panasonic Wild Knights)

23. Ryohei Yamanaka (Kobelco Steelers)

The post Japan side named for Autumn clash with Ireland in Dublin appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

After a summer that saw the Treaty County sweep all before them to retain the Liam MacCarthy Cup, John Kiely’s outstanding champions bring that dominance to the final list of 45 nominations.

Also announced today are the players who have been shortlisted for the PwC GAA/GPA Hurler of the Year Award with Limerick again setting the standard.

Seán Finn, Kyle Hayes and Cian Lynch will be voted on by their peers for the overall award.

The vote for the PwC GAA/GPA Young Hurler of the Year Award will be contested between Kilkenny’s Eoin Cody, Cork’s Shane Barrett and Clare’s Aidan McCarthy.

Nickie Quaid, Eoin Murphy and Patrick Collins form a high calibre trio contesting the goalkeeping award.

In defence, the 18 nominees are from Limerick, Cork, Waterford, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Clare.

The six midfield nominees include the high scoring Laois player Paddy Purcell. Dublin wing forward and captain Danny Sutcliffe and Wexford captain Lee Chin are their counties sole representatives in a star-studded list of 18 attackers who will be cut to six for the final 15. 

The full county breakdown for the hurling nominations is Limerick 15, Cork nine, Waterford seven, Kilkenny five, three each for Clare and Tipperary and one each for Dublin, Laois and Wexford.

Congratulating the nominees, Uachtarán CLG Larry McCarthy said: “I want to congratulate all of those who have been chosen among this distinguished list of nominees for the PwC All-Stars.

“To be recognised and shortlisted as being among the cream of the crop from what was yet another thrilling hurling summer is a significant achievement for all the players, and is shared by their families, clubs and the communities they represent.

“I also congratulate the contenders announced for the PwC Hurler of the Year and the PwC Young Hurler of the Year. 

“Since 1971 the All-Stars has been synonymous with excellence. Our thanks to PwC for their continuing support of this wonderful scheme.”

Feargal O’Rourke, Managing Partner, PwC, said: “For the last 50 years the All-Star Awards have marked competitiveness and success on the pitch, but also preparation, bravery and sacrifice away from it.

“On behalf of everyone at PwC, sincere congratulations to each of the 45 hurlers nominated for the 2021 PwC All-Stars.

“Despite the ongoing challenges in 2021, their outstanding individual performances throughout the season have entertained and captivated us all.

“These nominations recognise their outstanding dedication and are hugely deserved.”

Tom Parsons, Chief Executive of the GPA, said: “To be nominated for a PwC All-Star is special and congratulations to the 45 players who have had their individual performances recognised by the selection committee to whom I also want to say thanks. 

“Heartiest congratulations too, to the nominees for the PwC Hurler of the Year and the PwC Young Hurler of the Year. 

“To be on those shortlists given the many outstanding performances in 2021 is a great achievement in itself. 

“I also want to take the time to recognise all inter-county players, male and female, who provided us with much-needed entertainment against the backdrop of the pandemic this year. 

“What you have done for the morale of the country should not be underestimated.  Thank you.”

The nominations were chosen by a panel of Gaelic Games correspondents from across, print, radio, TV and digital media, chaired by Uachtarán CLG Larry McCarthy.

The PwC All-Star nominations in football will be released tomorrow.  The presentation of the PwC All-Star awards will take place on December 10 in a televised ceremony that will be in line with Covid-19 restrictions and will be confirmed in due course.

PwC All-Stars Hurling Nominations 2021

Goalkeepers

Patrick Collins (Cork)

Eoin Murphy (Kilkenny)

Nickie Quaid (Limerick)

Defenders

Seán Finn, Dan Morrissey, Barry Nash, Diarmaid Byrnes, Kyle Hayes, Declan Hannon (all Limerick)

Tim O’Mahony, Seán O’Donoghue, Mark Coleman, Robert Downey (all Cork)

Calum Lyons, Kieran Bennett, Conor Prunty (all Waterford)

Huw Lalor, Paddy Deegan (all Kilkenny)

Cathal Barrett, Ronan Maher (all Tipperary)

Rory Hayes (Clare)

Midfielders

Will O’Donoghue, Darragh O’Donovan (all Limerick)

Cathal Malone, Tony Kelly (all Clare)

Jamie Barron (Waterford)

Paddy Purcell (Laois)

Forwards

Gearóid Hegarty, Cian Lynch, Tom Morrissey, Peter Casey, Seamus Flanagan, Aaron Gillane (all Limerick)

Seamus Harnedy, Patrick Horgan, Shane Kingston, Jack O’Connor (all Cork)

Stephen Bennett, Austin Gleeson, Dessie Hutchinson (all Waterford)

Eoin Cody, TJ Reid (Kilkenny) 

Danny Sutcliffe (Dublin)

Jason Forde (Tipperary)

Lee Chin (Wexford)

PwC GAA/GPA Hurler of the Year nominees

Seán Finn, Kyle Hayes, Cian Lynch (all Limerick)

PwC GAA/GPA Young Hurler of the Year nominees

Eoin Cody (Kilkenny), Shane Barrett (Cork), Aidan McCarthy (Clare)

The post PwC All-Stars hurling nominations 2021 appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Dublin had reached their first final since 1995 after a low-scoring win over Ulster champions Donegal in the semi-final.

RTÉ Sunday Game pundit Pat Spillane famously called what Donegal played on that day “Shi’ite football.”

Kerry, on the other hand, beat Connacht champions Mayo to seal a first All-Ireland final date with Dublin since their 1985 win over the county.

Dublin were a side that had failed to crack the glass ceiling and show up when it mattered in the decade previous, having fallen short at the semi-final stage four times.

Kerry had won five All-Ireland’s in that span and were searching for a sixth since 2004 to continue their era of dominance.

Kerry started brightly when Declan O’Sullivan fisted the ball over in the second minute to give them the game’s first score.

Dublin forward Alan Brogan equalised nine minutes later before Colm Cooper found the net for the Munster champions.

However, Dublin turned the tables on the 2009 All-Ireland winners by half-time and went down the tunnel with a slim one-point lead (0-06 to 1-02).

Dublin continued their vein of form with two points early in the second half but Kerry fought their way back into the lead and had the momentum firmly in their favour.

Kevin McManamon came on for Paul Flynn in the 56th minute but by the 64th minute, his side were four points down and another year of hurt for fans of the boys in blue was on the cards.

McManamon swung the momentum back in Dublin’s favour after receiving a handpass from Alan Brogan, as he sidestepped his marker and put the ball in the back of the Kerry net in front of the hill.

Kevin Nolan and Bernard Brogan added points to put Pat Gilroy’s side in the lead with two minutes to go.

Kerry full-forward Kieran Donaghy equalised in injury time but a late foul on McManamon left fate up to Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton.

Cluxton stepped up to take the free and, with ice in his veins, sealed their first All-Ireland win in 16 years.

The side went on to win seven more All-Ireland titles over the course of the next decade and have only lost three times in championship football since.

The period of dominance may be over after an uninspiring 2021 season but it will never be forgotten.

The post Cluxton Gives Dublin All-Ireland Glory – On This Day, 10 Years Ago appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

O’Neill decided against extending his time in charge and leaves the inter-county side after two years in the role.

The 47-year-old won Division One of the Allianz National Hurling League this year after his side finished top of Group A – they shared the title with Group B winners Kilkenny.

However, provincial and All-Ireland success eluded Galway under the former Limerick hurler.

His side finished runners-up in Leinster last year and fell to eventual champions Limerick in a three-point loss at the All-Ireland semi-final stage at the end of 2020.

Galway regressed this year and failed to reach the Leinster final after a shock loss to Mattie Kenny’s Dublin.

The side were beaten by eventual semi-finalists Waterford in their only All-Ireland qualifier in July in a match where they avoided a humiliating scoreline and almost snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

In a statement, O’Neill said: “I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to the Galway County Board and the Hurling Committee for their unwavering support throughout my tenure,” O’Neill said in a statement released by Galway GAA.

“I am extremely grateful to them for their most professional and proactive approach to all matters related to the Galway Senior Hurling Team.

“I wish to acknowledge and commend the efforts of each and every one of the members of the backroom team. You are too numerous to mention but I must especially thank our management team of John Fitzgerald, Lukasz Kirszenstein, Fergal Healy, David Forde and Colm Callanan.

“I would like to thank the players for their hard work and dedication. It was a special privilege to be involved with some of the greats of the game.

“I wish them every success in the future.”

Galway GAA would like to thank O’Neill and his entire backroom team for their efforts over the past two seasons and has cited their commitment, dedication and professionalism as “exemplary.”

The post Shane O’Neill Steps Down As Galway Senior Hurling Manager appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Kevin Long’s side came into the game as slight favourites with odds of 6/5 and came out of the game the side with the advantage after a goal from Ross Tierney after 15 minutes.

Dawson Devoy was once again too hot to handle for the opposition and shone on a sunny evening, creating the opportunity that Tierney was able to pounce on.

Dudelange were visibly frustrated throughout the game with two yellow cards by the end of the first half.

Bohs, on the other hand, looked comfortable with their one-goal lead.

The home side’s frustration continued in the second half as chances and penalty calls did not go their way at the Stade Jos Nosbaum.

However, the side started to take control of the tie and mount pressure on the visitors.

Players such as Bojic and Van Den Herkhof had chances that they failed to put away, with Bohs continuing to defend.

Substitutions began to happen with goalscorer Tierney coming off in place of Conor Livingston.

The final 10 minutes were tough for the Boh’s men who had to deal with an urgent wave of Dudelange pressure but did their best to stay compact and snuff out the danger.

They survived the onslaught after an extra six minutes were added on and will now take their lead back to Dublin, where 8,000 fans will await them at the Aviva Stadium next week.

However, they will have to avoid defeat to progress in 90 minutes due to the away rule being abolished before this season began.

Bohemians host F91 Dudelange at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin next Thursday for the second leg of the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League with kick-off scheduled for 7:45 pm.

The post Bohs Take 1-0 Lead Back To Dublin In Conference League Showdown appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The 33-year-old defender posted a statement on Twitter that listed the reasons for his retirement.

O’Sullivan said that “the competitive demands have taken their toll” on him and that he can no longer continue to play.

“While my heart would love dearly to continue on, my body simply can’t,” the Dublin stalwart conceded.

O’Sullivan leaves behind him a career filled with gold medals and glory.

8 All-Ireland titles
11 Leinster titles
6 National Football Leagues
3 All-Stars
An outstanding career in Blue. Thanks @CianOSull88 #UpTheDubs pic.twitter.com/loM4kCwZfH

— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) June 27, 2021

His personal inter-county haul is up there as one of the best of all time.

His eight All-Ireland medals for Dublin is the joint-best haul ever.

He shares the aforementioned achievement of eight All-Ireland medals with 11 other players in history.

Seven of those players are part of this golden generation of Dublin football.

Stephen Cluxton, Philly McMahon, Michael Fitzsimmons, Kevin McManamon, James McCarthy and Michael Darragh McAuley have all played with O’Sullivan throughout his career with the county.

Three Dublin medals, one Leinster medal and an All-Ireland medal for Kilmacud Crokes only compliments the footballer more.

Comments underneath his statement underlined his legendary status among Gaelic football fans, especially Dublin fans.

Together with Jack McCaffrey and James McCarthy formed the best half back line that ever played the game. No debate. Thanks for everything Cian and good luck in the future.

— Brian Delany (@briandelany) June 27, 2021

One user crowned O’Sullivan, James McCarthy and Jack McCaffrey as the best half-back to ever play the game.

User @SquareAround stated that the Kilmacud Crokes star made the sweeper role his own in his time playing the sport.

Diarmuid Connolly showed his support for his former teammate’s decision with a blue heart.

— Diarmuid Connolly (@dermoc123) June 27, 2021

Former Republic of Ireland footballer Andy Reid also offered words in response to the statement, congratulating O’Sullivan and wishing him well in his next chapter.

User @nigelmcevoy offered his thoughts on the ex-Dublin defender’s greatest game in blue.

He said that the Dublin legend’s second-half performance against Kerry in the 2013 All-Ireland semi-final has to be up there.

The game is seen as one of the best ever Gaelic football matches and Cian O’Sullivan played a massive part in it.

O’Sullivan leaves behind an enviable legacy and will be remembered fondly by everyone who saw him play.

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Sunday 30th May 2021. St. Jarlath’s Park, Tuam

Referee: Brian Cawley (Kildare)

Galway 1-15 Dublin 2-16

Pre-match:

Given the truncated nature of this season’s league a win for either side would seal a place in the semi-finals. For Dublin a draw would suffice after last weeks shoutout against Kerry. While a defeat would send the loser into a relegation play-off against Armagh or Monaghan.

Prior to the game Galway were dealt a blow when It was revealed that Daimen Comer is set for another spell on the sidelines after picking up a hand injury. Finian Ó Laoi started in the no.26 shirt and Tom Flynn was promoted to the bench. Kieran Molloy started instead of Eammon Brannigan.

Dublin named just a single change in the team announced earlier in the week. Jonny Copper coming into the side for John Small. However, there were more alterations before the ball was thrown in. Michael Sheil started between the posts, while further out the field Pedar O’Coffey Byrne started as did Colm Basquel. 

First-Half

Galway elected to play against a strong wind in the opening half. Peter Cooke got Galway off to a fine start and a Paul Conway effort extended their lead to two. Points from Cormac Costello and a Brain Fenton mark levelled things up. Shortly after Galway spurned a great goal opportunity. Matthew Tieney’s initial effort was blocked and Sean Kelly’s tame effort was stopped on line by Eoin Murchan. Subsequently Niall Scully won a turn-over in midfield and a few phases later Colm Basqual level the game at two apiece.

Robert Finnerty and Ciaran Kilkenny exchanged scores, before a Shane Walsh 45’ gave Galway a single point lead at the first water break.

Water break: Galway 0-04 Dublin 0-03

Cormac Costello levelled things up again on the restart. Colm Basquel’s second of the day edged Dublin ahead for the first time. Galway, however, responded quickly, to restore parity with a Shane Walsh free. It just crept over the bar, off the hands of Dublin keeper Michael Sheil.

A super point from the left hand side from Kilkenny nudged the Dubs back in front once more. Then Jonny Cooper dragged a shot across the face of goal for an uncharacteristic wide. Con O’Callaghan extended Dublin’s lead, as the black clouds descended in Tuam. However, a few light drops of rain never developed into the shower that threatened. 

The same could be said of the game, as when Dublin eased into a two point lead, they failed to kick-on. A Shane Walsh 45′ after Robert Finnerty’s initial effort was blocked cut the gap to a single score. A  fine turnover from Jack Glynn led to a sparkling break from Shane Walsh. The Kilkerrin/Clonberne man took the ball from deep and ran 40 yards, to kick a fine score to level matters. Cormac Costello edged Dublin ahead again after a disputed point. The Tuam venue lacked the technology to verify Bernard Powers vocal claims that the ball had sailed wide. No hawk eye here Sham! 

Referee Brendan Cawley of Kildare brandished the first yellow of the day to Peadar O’Coffey Byrne for a frontal foul on Peter Cooke. Shane Walsh’s free levelled it up again at the break. 

Half-time: Galway 0-08 Dublin 0-08

Dublin, as they have done so many times before, took over in the third quarter. From the restart the held the ball around the edge of the 45’ yard line for almost three minutes. They poked and probed for an opening, before Cormac Costello kicked them back in front. That slender lead soon grew to four points. As from the resulting kick-out Bernard Power failed to find a Galway shirt. The ball was worked back in to Niall Scully. His initial effort was stopped by Power, however, Con O’Callaghan was on hand to tap home.

Galway tried to cut the arrears. Cormac Costello and Shane Walsh traded scores twice. Costello fisted over one of those, while both of Walsh’s came from placed balls. Con O’Callaghan landed another score prior to the water break.

Second water break: Galway 0-11 Dublin 1-13

On resumption of play Dylan McHugh and Brian Fenton exchanged scores. Galway found an avenue back into the game with a lightning quick counter-attack goal. A Ciarán Kilkenny fisted effort came back off the upright at the Tierboy end of the ground. Kieran Molloy reacted quickest and carried the ball out to the left sideline, a swift kick pass found Paul Conroy. Who, in turn, boomed the ball into the edge of the square at the town end. Matthew Tierney got in behind Jonny Cooper and flicked the ball past Sheil in the Dublin goal.

A Cormac Costello free at the other end made the margin three points again. A ninth point from Walsh narrowed that lead. Then Ciarán Kilkenny fisted over again to restore Dublin’s margin again with ten to go. 

Kieran Molloy was booked for a drag back on the almost un-markable Kilkenny. Cormac Costello uncharacteristically blazed the free wide. Peter Cooke kicked a fine point to give Galway hope with five to go. It was Cooke’s last act, as Tom Flynn was introduced off the bench before the kickout. 

Both managers introduced plenty of fresh legs for the last five minutes. Possession was squandered by both teams before late in injury time one of the Dublin subs, Aaron Byrne rifled a bullet of a shot from the lefthand side into the top right-hand corner of the net to add a gloss to the scoreline from a Dublin perspective. A Shane Walsh free left the final margin at four points. Dublin now advance to a semi-final against Donegal, while Galway must travel to Inniskean to face Monaghan in a relegation decider.

Full-time: Galway 1-15 Dublin 2-16

Teams

Galway: 1.Bernard Power, 2.Sean Kelly, 3.Seán Mulkerrin, 4.Jack Glynn, 5.Liam Silke, 6 Dylan McHugh (0-1), 20.Kieran Molloy, 8.Peter Cooke (0-2), 9.Paul Conroy (0-1), 10.Paul Kelly, 26. Finian Ó Laoi, 12.Eamonn Brannigan, 13.Matthew Tierney (1-0), 14.Shane Walsh (0-10: 4f,4 45′), 15.Robert Finnerty (0-1).

Subs: 12.Eammon Brannigan (for Paul Kelly 45′), 16.Connor Gleeson, 17.Johnny Duane (Molloy 64′), 18. Gary O’Donnell, 19. Ciaran Potter (Glynn inj. 45′) , 21.Mattius Barrett (O’Laoi 52′), 22.Ronan Steede, 23.Liam Costello, 24.Dessie Connelly, 25.Tomo Culhane (Finnerty 60′), 26.Tomas Flynn (Cooke 64′).

Dublin: 16.Michael Shiel, 2.Michael Fitzsimons, 3.David Byrne, 22.Eric Lowndes, 4.Séan MacMahon, 5.Eoin Murchan, 6. Jonny Cooper, 7.Robert McDaid, 8.Brian Fenton(0-2,1m), 9.James McCarthy, 11.Con O’Callaghan (1-3), 12.Niall Scully, 17.Colm Basquel (0-2), 14.Ciarán Kilkenny, 15.Cormac Costello (0-6,1f).

Subs: 1.Evan Comerford, 7.Robert McDaid (McMahon,10.Tom Lahiff (Cooper 70′) , 18.Ryan Basquel, 19.Seán Bulger (O Cofaigh Byrne 50′), 20.Aaron Byrne (1-0), 21.Brian Howard, 23.Philip McMahon, 24.Dara Mullin (Scully 65′), 25.Cian Murphy, 26.Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne.

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Saturday 19th December, Croke Park, Dublin

Galway 1-11 Dublin 0-13

Galway are this year’s Eirgrid u20 champions. Crucial scores either side of half time saw them build up a lead that they wouldn’t relinquish. They were, however, forced to hold on in the final few minutes to see off a dogged Dublin side. The Tribesmen enjoyed the majority of possession but failed to convert territory into scores especially during the first half.

Donal Ó Fatharta’s side gained a measure of revenge for last year’s semi-final defeat to a Dublin side that contained five of the team that lost last year final at this grade to Cork. Both sides got their seasons underway on the 8th February and had numerous disruptions to their respective campaigns.

Dublin overcame Tyrone, while Galway defeated Kerry back in October to reach the 2020 decider. Both squads can be proud of their performances on a heavy December Croke Park sod.

The sides were evenly matched at the first water break with the scores tied at 0-4 apiece. A brace from both Tomo Culhane and Matthew Tierney accounted for the Galway scores. While Ciaran Archer, Lee Gannon, Mark Lavin and Brian O’Leary were on target for the Dubs.

Galway upped it a gear on the resumption and gained the momentum in the match. They outscored Dublin 0-4 v 0-1 in the run-up to the interval and took a 0-8 v 0-5 lead into the break. Tierney and Culhane added to their earlier efforts, while Matthew Cooley of Corofin also sent over a fine point. Luke Swan mustered up Dublin’s only score of the second quarter.

Half-time: Galway 0-08 Dublin 0-05

On the restart, Tomo Culhane added another point to his tally and Brian O’Leary responded for the Dubs. The games only goal came after a fine burst from Matthew Tierney ended with a neat hand pass across goal to Culhane. The Salthill forward drilled home a low shot which took a deflection off a Dublin defender and flew past Josh O’Neill in the Dublin goal.

That score gave Galway a six-point lead, 1-09 to 0-6. At this stage, it looks like the Tribesmen might cruise to an easy victory. However, Tom Gray’s men showed their mettle to claw their way back into the match. Three points on the spin from Mark Lavin, Lorcan O’Dell and Adam Fearon saw Dublin close the gap to three points prior to the second water break.

The final quarter of the game saw Dublin continue to eat into the Galway lead. Lavin and O’Dell cut the gap to the minimum before Mattew Tierney sent over a free from distance to send Galway into injury time with a two-point lead. Adam Fearon reduced the arrears again as Dublin pushed for a late equaliser. Galway survived a late scare when Josh Bannon was somewhat over-theatrical in falling to the floor under Galway pressure. Referee Paul Faloon waved away Dublin appeals and Galway clung on for a hard-fought win.

Full-time: Galway 1-11 Dublin 0-13

Teams:

Scorers –
Galway: Tomo Culhane 1-6, Matthew Tierney 0-4 (1f,1m), Matthew Cooley 0-1
Dublin: Mark Lavin 0-4 (1f), Brian O’Leary 0-2, Lorcan O’Dell 0-2, Adam Fearon 0-2, Ciaran Archer 0-1, Lee Gannon 0-1. Luke Swan 0-1.

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