Kilkenny Archives - SportsNewsIreland

Colin Fennelly confirms Kilkenny retirement after stepping away this year

JoeNa Connacht — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 13:06:16 +0000

Colin Fennelly has announced his inter-county retirement after stepping away from the Kilkenny panel earlier this year.

Fennelly confirmed his retirement after he won his 10th Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship with his club Ballyhale Shamrocks.

The 32-year-old lifted the Tom Walsh Cup aloft as captain on Sunday after three second-half goals helped them past O’Loughlin Gaels in this year’s county final.

“Naw, I’ll be finished up. I have had enough,” Fennelly said about his inter-county career after the club’s fourth Kilkenny SHC victory in a row.

“I had a year to think about it and I am glad I took that time to think about it. I am happy playing with the club and there are so many young lads coming through. I had a great time playing with Kilkenny. Fantastic so it was.”

The Ballyhale captain made his debut for Kilkenny in a Leinster semi-final win over Wexford in 2011 and had been on the panel for ten consecutive seasons before he decided to opt out of the 2021 season.

The forward won four All-Ireland’s with the Cats and collected two All Stars during his time on the inter-county scene.

The 2020 Leinster SHC win was his fifth of his career, with his first coming in 2011 – the Bob O’Keeffe Cup was the last piece of silverware Fennelly claimed with his county.

On top of his success in the Championship, the Ballyhale hurler has three National Hurling League medals to his name as well as 21 club titles with the Shamrocks, including five All-Irelands.

He will continue to line out for Ballyhale.

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PwC All-Stars hurling nominations 2021

JoeNa Connacht — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 09:26:58 +0000

All-Ireland champions Limerick have a full set of 15 players included as nine different counties are represented in the hurling nominations for the 2021 PwC All-Stars announced today (Thursday).

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)

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Brian Cody Appointed Kilkenny Senior Hurling Manager For 2022

JoeNa Connacht — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 08:00:27 +0000

Kilkenny GAA have announced that Brian Cody will stay on as manager of the county’s senior hurling manager for the 2022 season.

Brian Cody, who has managed the Black Cats since 1998, will manage the side for the 24th consecutive season.

He will surpass Séan Boylan’s (Meath senior footballers) record of 23 consecutive seasons as manager of a single team when he stands on the sideline as Kilkenny boss in 2022.

The 67-year-old led his side to a 17th Leinster title since he started his tenure with the side.

Kilkenny were stopped by Cork at the semi-final stage this year in an epic clash between the two sides – it was the first time in eleven years that the two counties had met in an All-Ireland semi-final.

The impressive haul of provincial crowns complements the 11 All-Ireland titles that Cody has led the county to during his time as manager.

However, the side have been without the Liam McCarthy Cup since 2015, only reaching the final twice since – losing both times to Tipperary in 2016 and 2019.

In that time, Kilkenny have won two Leinster titles, ending a five-year drought of the Bob O’Keeffe Cup in 2020.

A statement by Kilkenny GAA reads: “Following a meeting of the Kilkenny GAA County Board on Monday night, Brian Cody has been ratified as Kilkenny Senior Manager for the 2022 season. James McGarry, Martin Comerford and Conor Phelan will be selectors for the season ahead.

“At U-20 Derek Lyng has been ratified as manager for the season ahead, with Peter Barry, Michael Rice and Peter Donovan on board as selectors.

“At U-17 Niall Bergin has been ratified as manager. A management team to assist Niall will confirmed at a later date.

“Kilkenny GAA would like to take this opportunity to wish all our management teams and panels the best of luck in the season ahead.”

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Antrim Take Home Intermediate Camogie Title After 8-Point Win Over Cats

JoeNa Connacht — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 09:55:36 +0000

Antrim 2-21 – 2-13 Kilkenny

The tandem of Róisín McCormick and Maeve Kelly have long been slated for superstardom through the schools and underage structures in Antrim and they delivered on the biggest stage at Croke Park to propel the Saffron County to victory in the All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie final on Sunday afternoon.

The deadly duo scored a goal and 14 points between them, and with Catrine Dobbin also weighing in with 1-2, Antrim racked up a remarkable return that no side could match.

This was a fantastic exhibition of the increasing depth of camogie, and on this evidence, Antrim will be a welcome new addition to the senior ranks.

The game was decided in a matter of minutes just before the second-half water break, a period that actually began with a goal from a 20m free by Sophie O’Dwyer in the 43^rd minute.

That gave Kilkenny hope as they closed to within four points, but McCormick and Kelly responded immediately with points before McCormick set up Catrine Dobbin, who finished with the coldness of an assassin, the shot to the far corner worthy of the move that had led up to it.

It was only two minutes after O’Dwyer’s major and the hopes they had harboured had been ruthlessly extinguished.

Both sets of attacks showing good economy in the first half, finishing ruthlessly and with no overtly defensive systems, which meant excitement for supporters.

It was 1-11 to 0-9 at half-time and only three of those scores came from placed balls as the teams revelled in the open spaces.

Kilkenny started very well and their three half-forwards had pointed inside five minutes after Kelly had opened the scoring in 58 seconds.

In the blink of an eye, the Cats were leading by three, Sarah Walsh, Eva Hynes, Walsh again and Ciara O’Keeffe splitting the posts.

Antrim have a nice mix of youth and experience, with the likes of Chloe Drain and Maeve Connolly on the panel that won the Premier Junior title in 2010, while McCormick and Kelly have built up a lot of game time over the past four years.

Beaten finalists by Down last year, they stayed calm though they were extremely fortunate in the eighth minute when Danielle Quigley struck the butt of their post and the normally deadly Hannah Scott fresh-aired from the rebound.

Kilkenny will wonder what a goal would have done then, particularly as Antrim went straight up the field for McCormick to point after a run in from the.

The Loughgiel prodigy followed up with another couple of scores, supplemented by a Lucia McNaughton point for the Saffrons to hit the front, a lead they held at the water break.

O’Dwyer equalised from a free but Kelly lit up Croke Park with a brilliant individual goal in the 21^st minute, picking up possession around 30m out, side-stepping wonderfully and then showing good strength to bear down on Sinéad Farrell.

Thereafter it was all about composure, the Ballycastle star regathering after an initial hook to fire low to the net from a rapidly tightening angle. The gap opened to five and that’s how it was at the change of ends.

Kelly had a glorious point after 38 seconds of the restart and the lead was seven when O’Dwyer stunned everyone with her deadly strike.

The reply told you all you needed to know about the mentality of the Paul McKillen- and Jim McKernan-managed outfit and the streaked clear, with a flurry of outstanding points after Dobbin’s goal.

Sarah Crowley found the net in injury time for Kilkenny but by then, the verdict was in no doubt.

SCORERS FOR ANTRIM: R McCormick 0-9(4fs); M Kelly 1-5; C Dobbin 1-2; N O’Neill 0-3; L McNaughton, A Magill 0-1 each

SCORERS FOR KILKENNY: S O’Dwyer 1-5(0-4fs); S Crowley 1-0; S Walsh, E Hynes 0-2 each; C Phelan, C O’Keeffe, D Quigley, T Donnelly 0-1 each

ANTRIM: C Graham; C Drain, N Donnelly, M Lynn; C Patterson, C Conlon, M Connolly; L McNaughton, N O’Neill; M Kelly, A Boyle, A Magill; R McCormick, C Laverty, C Dobbin. Subs: A Connolly for Laverty (38), K Carey McAleese for Magill (50), S Devlin for Patterson (60), L McKenna for Boyle (60+1), K McKillop for M Connolly (60+1)

KILKENNY: S Farrell; N Leahy, R Phelan, C Murphy; S Crowley, L Fennelly, T Fitzgerald; L Hegarty, C Phelan; E Hynes, S Walsh, C O’Keeffe; S O’Dwyer, H Scott, D Quigley. Subs: J Leahy for Hegarty (36), T Donnelly for Quigley inj (43), S O’Keeffe for Fitzgerald (46), C Dowling for Scott (55), R O’Keeffe for C O’Keeffe (57)

REFEREE: Conor Quinlan (Galway)

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Lucia McNaughton On Family Success And Growth of Antrim Camogie

JoeNa Connacht — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 12:11:03 +0000

Lucia McNaughton will captain Antrim on the day of her 26^th birthday, in the All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Final against Kilkenny (2 pm).

The NHS physio works in a profession that gives her real satisfaction, either in the rehab hospital she is based in or around the community as well – easing discomfort and pain is a rare and wonderful gift.

Antrim have had their share of that in camogie terms since reaching the intermediate decider in 2011 – their most recent success was in 2003, though they claimed the premier junior title in 2010 – but the signs of growth have been evident through schools and underage advances in recent years.

The panel that reached last year’s final was young and that experience, where they wilted in the second half against Down, will be sure to stand to them this time around.

This was in evidence as they beat the Mournewomen in the group stages of the National League, though they went down to their long-time rivals by a very late goal in the Division 2 final.

Down went on to ruffle a lot of feathers in the senior grade and will be competing at the highest grade again next year – McNaughton and co want to join them.

The Loughgiel Shamrocks dynamo has heard stories of triumph on big days at Croke Park, but isn’t anxious to emphasise them, because she knows, of course, that they have no influence on what unfolds on Sunday. And anyway, she wants to write her own story.

But the pride is evident. Especially in her late grandmother, Mary McGarry, who made her debut as a teenager when Antrim went on to complete the All-Ireland three-in-a-row at senior level in 1947.

Mary’s husband John, a member of the famous Shamrocks county championship-winning team of 1956, has told his granddaughter about his wife’s exploits as the Saffrons’ primary free-taker for a decade, lining out at midfield, just like McNaughton herself does.

“She would be our corner-back, Maria Lynn’s granny as well. Unfortunately, she died when I was only one. So I never really knew her. But I would be talking to Grandad and he would always have been to her matches and things. My grandad would obviously have played hurling too.

“You find out different things as you go along. Obviously back then there wasn’t any photos or footage. Whenever you come across a few photos of them playing it’s really nice to see. You are obviously looking to follow in their footsteps as well.

“She was 18 when she won it, so she was very young, a lot younger than I am at the minute. Anna Connolly’s mother (Mary) won the All-Ireland as well (at intermediate). So there is a lot of links. Maybe it’s a good omen.”

Then there is McNaughton’s father, Seamus, or ‘Crow’ as he is known.

Seamus McNaughton is an All-Ireland champion at club level with Loughgiel Shamrocks, winning the title in 1983.

Lucia called the Loughgiel side of 1983 legends and noted that her father has brought up the victory on several occasions.

Meanwhile, Lucia’s brother James enjoyed Joe McDonagh Cup glory in the saffron and white at the end of last year.

But she has to pack all that family history into its appropriate compartment, wary of bringing too much emotion to the table, of making the final into a behemoth that could overpower her.

“As much as that’s lovely and you always have it in the back of your head, you try not to think about it too much as well. At the end of the day, it’s just another match that you try to win. I try not to put too much pressure on.

“Obviously, it’s a lovely thing to think about and all and hopefully if we win it will be great but it’s just another thing that you are trying not to be distracted by.”

Hurling and camogie permeated every fibre of her household in her youth and continues to do so in the present.

McNaughton remembers training with her siblings in the garden and tackling her brothers, who were bigger and stronger than her.

For as long as she can remember, her family have always been playing camogie and hurling.

“…In our parish, there’s not a lot else to do. It’s kind of play hurling and camogie, and go to mass really. They’re the two main things we are doing.”

Once the fixtures were published, she noted the date of the All-Ireland final. Naturally.

“I was like, ‘Oh, the All-Ireland is on my birthday.’ Then as it got closer and closer, I thought, ‘Cool that would be great. Going out into Croke Park on your birthday.’ To be honest with you, it would be great. Imagine winning that on your birthday?

“Imagine winning that on any day.”

There she is again, bringing it back to brass tacks. This is about winning for Antrim, and this group of players, though she does think of those who shared many of the darkest hours with her but will not be involved on Sunday.

There were teams when Antrim were trying to get teams and playing matches to fill a fixture.

McNaughton says it’s great now to be part of a team – being set up with everything they could need and doing quite well.

She credits the side that pieced together teams for fixtures at the start of the last decade as the players that kept Antrim camogie going.

“If it was a few years earlier maybe they would have been there celebrating with us. I’m sure they are delighted for us at the minute. Definitely, it did take them, a few years ago to keep Antrim afloat as well.”

So there’s a lot in the mix as Antrim renew rivalries with Kilkenny, who they beat by four points at the beginning of the championship.

“I don’t think that match was even videoed so we couldn’t even go back and watch it. But it will be a completely different story I think going out.

“First of all, it’s an All-Ireland final so it’s completely different and it’s Croke Park which brings a different element to it as well – a lot of our girls haven’t played in Croke Park before.

“Maybe some of the Kilkenny ones have more experience with that, especially if they’re involved with their senior team at one stage.

“It’s going to be really tough. They’re very skilful and a very fast team as well. Hopefully we’ll do okay.”

Antrim play Kilkenny in the All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship final on Sunday, September 12 at 2 pm in Croke Park.

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Shane O’Neill Steps Down As Galway Senior Hurling Manager

JoeNa Connacht — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 17:57:34 +0000

Shane O’Neill has stepped down from his role as manager of the Galway senior hurling team, Galway GAA have announced.

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.”

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Stars set to shine for the 2021 Irish Open

JoeNa Connacht — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 15:42:09 +0000

Dubai Duty Free Irish Open 2021

Mount Juliet Estate, Kilkenny

The Dubai Duty-Free Irish Open 2021 at Mount Juliet Estate is set to feature a who’s who of Irish golf. Graeme McDowell is set to host this year’s event and is set to welcome Rory McIlroy, Pádraig Harrington and Shane Lowry.

Former U.S. Open Champion and Ryder Cup 2010 hero McDowell was unable to fulfill his hosting duties at the 2020 event at Galgoram Castle in Co. Antrim last year. The Ballymena venue hosted the event last September in a pandemic enforced rescheduling. McDowell was among a host of players unable to participate due to their commitments at the U.S. Open in Winged Foot the previous week.

Shane Lowry pictured at the 2019 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Lahinch. Photo credit: Shane Tighe.

The 2016 Irish Open champion Rory McIlroy makes his return to the event for the first time since Ballyliffin in 2018. While the current Claret Jug holder and 2009 Irish Open winner Shane Lowry is also set to feature. Pádraig Harrington, who won the event at Adare in 2007, is also set to tee off at the beautiful Thomastown course on 1st July.

Last year’s tournament at the Co. Kilkenny venue was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, this year’s event is set to see limited crowds return to the course. A limited number of tickets will be available tomorrow (Thursday, June 10th) for holders of tickets for last year’s event and those who register for a pre-sale window from 2pm tomorrow. Any remaining tickets will go on sale from 5pm.

Three-time major winner Pádraig Harrington pictured at the 2019 Dubai Duty-Free Irish Open at Lahinch. Photo credit: Shane Tighe.

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