The former Roscommon goalkeeper, who took charge last August, departs after only seven months at the helm. His final game in charge came last Sunday as Carlow edged past London in a thrilling 1-18 to 1-17 victory.

“Shane Curran has informed Carlow GAA that he and his backroom team are stepping away from the management of the Carlow senior football team with immediate effect,” the Carlow County Board announced in a statement.

The statement added the decision was “based on player-related issues which he believed were beyond the scope of the management team.”

During the Allianz National Football League, Carlow finished fourth in Division 4 with a record of three wins, three losses, and one draw. However, the campaign was not without its issues. Several players reportedly left the panel mid-season, and coach James Clarke also exited the setup.

Carlow GAA is now searching for an interim manager to take charge ahead of their crucial Leinster SFC first-round clash with Meath, set for April 6th at Páirc Tailteann.

What’s Next for Carlow GAA?

With just days to prepare, the challenge for Carlow now shifts to regrouping and appointing a capable interim boss who can stabilise the squad ahead of their provincial opener.

Why Did Shane Curran Resign?

The former goalkeeper’s resignation highlights potential internal issues in the setup, with sources pointing to ongoing difficulties with player commitment and squad harmony.

The post Shock Exit: Shane Curran Resigns as Carlow Boss Just Days Before Meath Clash appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Galway’s position at the top of Division 1 puts them in prime contention for a league final spot, while Tyrone, currently seventh, face a fight to avoid relegation with crucial fixtures against Donegal and Dublin ahead.

Weekend Wrap up
Galway Senior football manager, Pádraic Joyce, spoke to the media and Galway GAA TV after this afternoon’s draw with Tyrone in Round 5 of the Allianz Football League in Tuam Stadium pic.twitter.com/J7ZkdLgHxi

— Galway GAA Official (@Galway_GAA) March 2, 2025

“We know that teams who were top of the league the last two seasons didn’t go so well [in the championship], so we’ll keep an eye on that,” Joyce noted.

“We haven’t won a league in Galway since 1981. My uncle was on the last team that won it, and he keeps telling me about it.

“If we’re there, we’re there. We don’t go out to lose any game, and we’ve two huge games now – in two weeks’ time we’ve Dublin away and then Kerry at home, so they’re going to be great learning curves for us.”

The post Galway Eyeing League Final on 30th March appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney remains unimpressed by how the new rules, particularly those concerning goalkeeping time limits, are being enforced.

Armagh TV caught up with Armagh Manager Kieran McGeeney after victory over @DubGAAOfficial this evening. pic.twitter.com/8aPTo5wwrv

— Armagh_GAA (@Armagh_GAA) March 1, 2025

Last week, McGeeney stated that the FRC had issued a ‘guideline’ rather than a strict rule on the 20-second kick-out limit. However, that ambiguity came under scrutiny during Armagh’s weekend win over Dublin, as both goalkeepers were penalised for delays.

“I do think some of the stuff is a joke,” McGeeney said. “Like 20 seconds ‘maybe’ – can somebody tell me how that is a rule? There wasn’t one of those kick-outs that he blew tonight that was over 15 seconds.”

McGeeney also criticised a ruling on passing within the goalkeeper’s square.

“I just think that people are getting carried away with themselves, and now we’re being told that when you pass the ball back into the square that it is a ‘pass’, as in one pass.

“The next thing is, you will only be allowed to do it on a Sunday when the sun is shining from the east.

“What is it that they want us to do, just not let goalkeepers touch the ball?”

The post Video – Kieran McGeeney Frustrated by Kick-Out Rule Ambiguity appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Pádraic Joyce has urged the Football Review Committee (FRC) to make its final decisions on rule changes and stick to them, as the group prepares to meet this evening to finalise any amendments ahead of the upcoming championship.

Weekend Wrap up
Galway Senior football manager, Pádraic Joyce, spoke to the media and Galway GAA TV after this afternoon’s draw with Tyrone in Round 5 of the Allianz Football League in Tuam Stadium pic.twitter.com/J7ZkdLgHxi

— Galway GAA Official (@Galway_GAA) March 2, 2025

“That has to be it. We can’t be changing them [after that],” the Galway boss insisted after his side salvaged a dramatic home draw against Tyrone, maintaining their position at the top of Division 1.

Joyce pointed to recent tweaks—such as penalising goalkeepers for delaying kick-outs beyond 20 seconds—being poorly communicated.

“They changed the goalkeeping one and we got an email the week after it was changed, which is ridiculous. So look, again, a small breakdown in communication there,” he remarked.

Despite these frustrations, Joyce praised the FRC’s overall efforts, noting that the rule changes have brought more excitement and fluidity to the game.

“Whatever they decide to do, we’ll coach it . . . but it needs to be whatever is decided. They have two weeks now to look at it and get the information out,” he added.

“But all in all, you have to praise the FRC because people were probably doubting at the start, will this work, will it not work? But it seems to have worked a good bit and there’s a bit more excitement in the game, a bit more jeopardy – and a bit more football being played as well, which is no harm.”

The post Video – Pádraic Joyce Backs Review Process but Urges Consistency appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Burke was at the helm for Wicklow’s promotion from Division Four in 2020 and their success in retaining Division Three status for 2022.

The side beat then-Ulster champions Cavan by two points to secure third-tier football for another year in a shock win.

They reached the quarter-finals of the 2020 Leinster Senior Football Championship after a win over Wexford but fell to the same opponent in this year’s Championship in the preliminary round.

Wicklow GAA have thanked Burke for his contributions to their senior football team over the past two seasons: “Wicklow GAA would like to sincerely thank Davy Burke and his management team for all their hard work and dedication over the past two years.

“Both the 2020 and 2021 seasons were severely hampered with COVID restrictions, but the constant drive from Davy to improve standards resulted in promotion to Division 3 for 2022.

“We wish Davy the very best in the future and thank him for everything he has done for Wicklow GAA.”

Burke has issued a statement on his decision: “I would like to thank the group of Wicklow players that I was extremely lucky to have worked with over the past 2 years.

“I am very proud of the group and what they have achieved in gaining promotion from division 4 and retaining division 3 status for 2022 in what were very challenging times.

“I can’t thank my management team of Mike Hassett and Gary Jameson enough for their huge effort and unwavering support over the 2 years.

“I would also like to thank our backroom team for their time, commitment and expertise they each brought to our setup.

“Finally, I would like to thank the Wicklow County Board, the Wicklow Clubs and our team sponsor Renault for their invaluable support.

“Wicklow Football is in a very strong position and I look forward to following their continued progress in the coming years.”

The post Wicklow Boss Davy Burke Resigns After Two Years appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The Kerry native becomes the second inter-county manager to leave his post after Padraic Davis left the Longford job on Sunday.

The four-time All-Ireland winner’s Laois side rounded off a disappointing 2021 with a terrible second-half display against the Lake County.

His side managed only two points in the final 35 minutes of their season and blew a one-point lead they had on Westmeath at half-time.

Laois went from being up 1-08 (11) to 0-10 (10) to losing 3-20 (29) to 1-10 (13).

As there is no backdoor this year, Laois now have to look towards the 2022 season.

Their National Football League left a lot to be desired, with relegation to Division Three capping off a very poor campaign.

The loss to Westmeath only added to the pressure Quirke had come under.

The post Quirke Resigns As Laois Senior Football Manager appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The final will be held at Croke Park on Saturday, 19th June at 5:00 pm.

It will be the only National Football League final played before the Championship begins, unless there are any changes.

The fixture will be part of the Government’s pilot testing programme and 2,400 spectators will benefit from that.

Analysis

The two sides have already earned promotions to Division Two after their impressive seasons in Division Three North and South respectively.

Derry capped off an impressive second league campaign under former Fermanagh boss Rory Gallagher with a win over Limerick.

Offaly completed the same feat with their victory over Fermanagh.

Derry will come into the game as favourites after dominating Division Three North, registering a points difference of +41 over their four games.

Their defending has looked well-instructed and orderly.

Furthermore, the pace of Ethan and Conor Doherty troubled opposition defences and will be something to keep an eye on this weekend.

Full-forward Shane McGuigan will be another threat that the Offaly defence will have to deal with.

A 2-26 (32) haul in his first four games of 2021 paints a picture of a man on a mission.

Half-forward Niall Loughlin offers a quality second option for Derry in the final third.

Derry’s blistering attack will go up against an Offaly defence that allowed 59 points across their four games.

Prone to error, the Offaly backs will have their work cut out for them if they are to contain the Derry forwards.

Their lapses in concentration against sides such as Wicklow are examples of the holes Derry can expose on Saturday evening.

Joe Maher and veteran Niall McNamee are serviceable scoring options for Faithful County.

The latter has been Offaly’s go-to off the bench and has got some important scores for the side.

However, Offaly’s chances are more reliant on their defence’s concentration.

They could find it to be a step too far against a Derry side firing on all cylinders.

Prediction: Derry by 5.

Odds

Derry 2/5

Draw 8/1

Offaly 5/2

A Twitter List by IrishScoresGAA

The post Preview: Offaly and Derry Battle For Division Three Glory appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

It will be the only National Football League final played before the Championship begins.

The GAA announced that the showdown will be held at Croke Park.

Also, the final will have 2,400 spectators in attendance.

The other finals will only take place if the two finalists meet in the 2021 All-Ireland Championship.

GAA Fans’ Reactions

Fans of Offaly and Derry reacted positively to the news that the game was going ahead.

Well done. Proper order to play a final rather than the nonsense of joint winners.

— lazlopuskas (@lazlopuskas) June 13, 2021

Some have made their feelings known about the concept of joint-winners in the league.

Divisions One, Two and Four will be shared by the two semi-final winners unless those sides meet in the Championship.

The finals would have taken place a week before the Championship begins.

Offaly and Derry made their feelings known about this and were able to get the Division Three final on their schedules.

Imagine county’s deciding if they play a final or not it’s a shambles from the @officialgaa ffs they should had planned it better it’s a disaster from a Pr situation !!

— Dayno (@dayno1) June 13, 2021

Other fans criticised the GAA for its scheduling as it was that which led to their initial decision to overlook league finals this year.

In particular, one Twitter user described the situation as a PR disaster for the sport’s national organisation.

However, negative reactions followed after the announcement that the final held at Croke Park will have 2,400 fans in attendance.

Many questioned the logic behind the small number as Croke Park can house over 80,000 at full capacity.

This is actually a joke. One of the biggest stadiums in Europe.

Bigger attendances at vaccination centres. https://t.co/5GzAiHnImE

— Scatman J (@ScatmanJohn5) June 15, 2021

The 2,400 in attendance will only make up 2.9% of the full capacity.

Many fans have criticised this as they do not feel it will gather enough data to help analyse the position the country is in.

Therefore, the use of it as a pilot fixture for the return of spectators is unusual.

Furthermore, it is a very safe choice to allocate only 2,400 tickets for the game in one of the biggest stadiums in Europe.

However, what matters is that Offaly and Derry have got what they want and deserve.

Kick-off is at 5:00 pm, per the press release above.

A full list of upcoming GAA fixtures on TV is available here.

The post GAA: Offaly v Derry Fans Reaction appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.