AT ONE STAGE earlier in her teenage years, Erika O’Shea quit football. Though only momentarily, it all could have been so different.

The Cork star is still only 19, but is now a 2021 All-Star and a key member of the Rebels defence after two stunning seasons with the senior side. She’s also a talented basketball player, having helped Glanmire to National Cup glory last month.

But a few short years back, O’Shea was dropped from underage Cork teams. She failed to make the cut as recently as one year of U16 trials. 

Understandably, it had a big effect on her. O’Shea, and those around her, can laugh about it all now, but she remembers refusing to return to her club, Macroom, for a few weeks.

“I just didn’t want to go back. It really upset me,” she recalls, explaining how one of her club coaches at the time, Margaret Buckley, called to the house and got her back on board.

“She laughs about it now every time I see her because I actually quit and now I am on the senior team. I couldn’t believe it, I was so grateful when I did make it then.”

'I got dropped at U-14 and U-16' – new @CorkLGFA @TG4TV All Star Erika O'Shea has an inspiring story for other young girls in Ladies Gaelic Football. Just turned 19, the @MacroomGAA defender has bounced back to be on the big stage.

Full video on our Facebook Page #TG4Allstars pic.twitter.com/4wa9qcqpTJ

— Ladies Football (@LadiesFootball) November 15, 2021

It was renowned Cork coach John Cleary who ultimately re-ignited O’Shea’s inter-county involvement, drafting her into the county minors.

But again, it took some persuasion. She wasn’t going to attend trials, only for a few words in her ear from her school football coach Joe Carroll, who is incidentally the current minor manager.

“I told him straight to his face, ‘I don’t want to do it,’ and he said, ‘Erika, you should go,’ and I’m so grateful he did because I think I would have taken a completely different path. I’d say the basketball would have been a big factor.

“I feel that basketball would have been a path I would have stayed with and the football would have eased off a bit. I would have played with my club — we’re coming up, we’re Junior D this year I think but it’s hard playing at that grade too, so I would have juggled basketball more than football if I didn’t get the experience I had with John Cleary.”

O’Shea has received plenty of messages from youngsters and parents on social media since first sharing her rollercoaster journey, and she’s more than happy to listen and offer a helping hand.

“I love being asked for advice because I would have loved to have had that back then,” she smiles. “I just like to help people along and help them on their journey and keep them in sport.

“For me, anyway, I found it upsetting when I didn’t make the panel but I said to all the girls who messaged me that it benefited me, in a way more that I didn’t make it because I feel I am way more grateful for what I have now.

“I worked really hard to get there, and it didn’t come easy. I tell those girls all the time to keep going and they will get there. Don’t let [being dropped] affect you, use it as motivation to keep pushing on.”

O’Shea facing Vikki Wall of Meath.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

O’Shea is certainly a shining example, still a minor when she was called up to Ephie Fitzgerald’s Cork senior panel.

It was a “big step-up” and a challenging transition at such a young age, but she was made feel at home immediately and her star soon rose on the field. While her debut season of 2020 ended in an All-Ireland final defeat to Dublin, she impressed throughout, holding some of the biggest names in the game scoreless from play and included in the Team of the Year.

And then in 2021, she pushed on again with a prestigious All-Star award.

“It definitely was a dream come true, first of all, because I’d never, ever expected for any of that to happen,” O’Shea beams, reflecting on her senior seasons thus far. “I’m still in shock over the All-Star itself, I still can’t believe it happened. I’m so grateful for everything I have, thank God.”

That gratitude and appreciation again shines through as she speaks of her recent involvement — and success — with Glanmire, after Mark Scannell brought her back to the panel following some time away.

While it was “a great experience,” it’s one which will likely be parked again as football takes over.

It’s full steam ahead for Cork, under the new management of Shane Ronayne, as they prepare for the Lidl Ladies National Football League, while she’ll be in colleges’ action with University of Limerick [UL] in the O’Connor Cup over the coming weeks, too.

It’s all a balancing act as she juggles her various sporting commitments and her studies in Health and Exercise Fitness, but O’Shea hails her accommodating coaches, Ronayne and DJ Collins of UL.

And others closer to home, too.

“And with basketball,” as she adds. “I feel like I might have to take a step off that now. I won’t be able to do all three, because I can’t drive either, which is a bit of a hassle. My mam, she’s taxi at the moment, the poor craytor. She’s driving up and down like yo-yo, but she loves it. As long as I’m playing away, she loves to support me, it’s great.”

Celebrating National Cup success with Glanmire last month.

Source: Evan Treacy/INPHO

O’Shea has certainly found basketball beneficial — “It’s my secret weapon now,” she grins — with both sports complementing one another, pointing to a certain Kerry legend as the perfect example.

“If you threw a ball up to Kieran Donaghy, no one else would be catching it only Kieran. When you see these basketball-football players, you see how much it complements with their ball handling and being able to catch the ball at height, and for tackling as well. For me, I find it really beneficial because I feel like I’m always on my toes, which is good. Quickness as well. I think it’s definitely something that footballers should look into.”

Speaking of looking into other sports, what about Aussie Rules, with 14 Irishwomen ripping it up in the Australian Football League Women’s [AFLW] over the past few weeks? 

O’Shea has attracted contact, but she’s pretty happy with her lot at the minute.

“Definitely in the long run I would like to play AFL if I got the chance but I’d love to play for the county first and try my best and win All-Irelands,” she concludes.

“There are such talented players going over, I would like to give it a go. I think it would be cool in a couple of years.”

Who knows what’s next for Erika O’Shea, after the meteoric rise she’s enjoyed over the past few.

UL and Cork’s Erika O’Shea was speaking as Yoplait were announced as the new sponsors of the LGFA’s Third-Level Championships.

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IT’S ONLY THE second round of the league, but already Dublin’s clash with Kerry on Saturday night has taken on major significance. 

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For both counties, a failure to win their opening game of Division 1 leaves obvious room for improvement. 

Kerry stuttered to a draw with Kildare in Newbridge yesterday, going the last 16 minutes without a score. Dublin’s five-point defeat to Armagh on Saturday night could easily have been by more such was the nature of their flat performance. 

Jack O’Connor’s team will see the tie at Austin Stacks Park as the perfect opportunity to stick the boot into a Dublin team that endured their second consecutive defeat in Croke Park. 

Outside of James McCarthy, who was suspended, Dessie Farrell doesn’t expect any of his missing front-line troops to return in time for the trip to Kerry, where Dublin have failed to win since 2013.

Con O’Callaghan, Paddy Small, Colm Basquel, Jonny Cooper, Mick Fitzsimons and Robbie McDaid sat out the game against Armagh due to injury.

Younger prospects like Peadar O Cofaigh Byrne and Ciaran Archer were also absent.

Worryingly, they lost Aaron Byrne and Cormac Costello to injuries in the first-half, further depleting their options. 

“There are a few of them carrying knocks and niggles and that kind of thing, but hopefully we’ll get those tidied up over the next couple of weeks and get a clean bill of health again,” said Farrell.

“We picked up a few there (against Armagh), which was unfortunate but anyway that is the nature of what we are involved in.”

Asked if any would be in line to return for the Kerry game, he replied: “Probably not, no.”

If nothing else, the looming threat of the Kingdom provides the opportunity to awaken Dublin from their slumber. Nothing quickens the pulse of a Sky Blue footballer than the sight of the green and gold jersey.

“This year’s National League is highly competitive, any league points accrued will be hard fought and hard won, and that’s where you want to be, it’s great for the game, it’s great for the spectators and supporters and everybody else.

“For us it’s all about preparation and trying to do the work we need to do with a view to April, May coming around and trying to be in a good position at that point in time.”

The energy and firepower normally associated with Dublin was strangely absent at the weekend. They scored just 1-8 from play, were turned over countless times and their shooting was highly inefficient.

The sight of Brian Fenton hitting two wides and dropping another short summed up their struggles.

“Disappointing we had so many wides, ball dropping short, so definitely the shooting efficiency wasn’t where we want it to be,” said Farrell, “that’s obviously something we’ll take to the practice ground and have a conversation about.”

Above all it was Dublin’s unwillingness to give early ball into their forward line and their patient possession game that would have frustrated supporters.

The Na Fianna man admitted Dublin’s focus remains on the championship, which kicks off on 30 April against the winners of Wexford and Offaly. 

“Obviously you want to be competitive in every game, but at the end of the day – and this isn’t to disrespect any competition, but everyone has their sights set on what’s going to happen in the summer.

“For us we’re involved in that process, trying to build something that will be highly competitive come April-May.”

THE RETURN OF inter-county hurling action and some big football games dominate this week’s GAA TV coverage. 

RTÉ’s live game next Saturday sees Kerry and Dublin face off in Tralee while BBC Northern Ireland are live-streaming the clash of Down and Galway.

TG4′s GAA BEO coverage on Sunday features the hurlers of Limerick, Wexford, Dublin and Waterford, with the football meeting of Tyrone and Armagh deferred.

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It’s also a huge weekend on the club front with four All-Ireland finals in the junior and intermediate grades, across Saturday and Sunday in Croke Park. All four games are live on the Spórt TG4 YouTube channel.

Here’s the full list of what’s in store in the GAA coverage:

Saturday

• 3pm: Spórt TG4 YouTube – Ballygiblin (Cork) v Mooncoin (Kilkenny) – All-Ireland JHC club final.

• 5pm: Spórt TG4 YouTube – Kilmoyley (Kerry) v Naas (Kildare) – All-Ireland IHC club final.

• 5pm: BBC NI Sport – Down v Galway – Division 2 football league.

• 7pm: RTÉ 2 – Kerry v Dublin – Division 1 football league.

Sunday

• 1.30pm: Spórt TG4 YouTube – Gneeveguilla (Kerry) v Kilmeena (Mayo) – All-Ireland JFC club final.

• 1.45pm: TG4 – Wexford v Limerick – Division 1 hurling league.

• 3.30pm: Spórt TG4 YouTube – Trim (Meath) v Steelstown Brian Ógs – All-Ireland IFC club final.

• 3.45pm: TG4 – Dublin v Waterford – Division 1 hurling league.

• 5.30pm: TG4 (Deferred) – Armagh v Tyrone – Division 1 football league.

• 9.30pm: RTÉ 2 – Allianz League Sunday Highlights.

Kilkerrin-Clonberne players celebrate at the final whistle.

Source: Lorraine O’Sullivan/INPHO

THE EMOTION ON show at the final whistle said it all; St Brendan’s Park erupting as Kilkerrin-Clonberne were crowned All-Ireland senior club champions for the first time.

Amidst the madness and the heartwarming celebratory scenes, one moment stood out.

Willie Ward and his daughter, Louise, shared a warm embrace, as manager and captain were reunited after the 1-11 to 1-7 win over back-to-back champions Mourneabbey.

Ward’s other daughter, Nicola, also played a central role.

Seaimpíní na hÉireann!! @KClgfa @LadiesFootball |#currentaccount |#LGFAClub pic.twitter.com/UXmeVdg6kH

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 29, 2022

This was a deserved victory for the long-time Galway and Connacht champions, Ward noting afterwards that once his side were able to negotiate the Mourneabbey challenge early, they were well on their way to a maiden crown.

Having suffered late heartbreak in the 2019 final meeting of the sides, Kilkerrin-Clonberne made amends this time around with Chloe Miskell’s goal and 0-5 from Player of the Match Olivia Divilly key at the finish.

“It’s absolutely brilliant, it’s amazing for the whole parish that’s here today, everyone came out to support us,” Willie Ward beamed afterwards.

“The confidence of the team grew towards the end. They were quite comfortable keeping the ball, comfortable on the ball. We knew exactly what we needed to do.

“You’d expect us to be nervous. We were all a bit tense. We were relaxed enough last night and they arrived this morning in good form but the initial few minutes of the game was going to be a bit edgy.

“I knew we were beginning to settle into it and I felt that nerves weren’t going to be a factor after we got five minutes over.”

Divilly also gave a brilliant interview to TG4 afterwards:

Laoch na hImeartha 🥳 Olivia Divilly@LadiesFootball |#currentaccount | #LGFAClub pic.twitter.com/nZDvXUjHW1

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 29, 2022

A special moment for Annette Clarke, one of our longest serving players, as she finally got her hands on the Dolores Tyrrell Memorial Cup this afternoon.

This sweet victory comes nearly 18 years after Annette captained Galway to the All-Ireland Ladies SFC title back in 2004. pic.twitter.com/SNJhfiHARr

— KilkerrinClonbernelgfa (@KClgfa) January 30, 2022

It was a difficult day for Mourneabbey as their three-in-a-row dream came crashing down.

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While magnanimous in defeat, manager Shane Ronayne admitted afterwards that the Cork and Munster heavyweights never really got going in Birr. The fact that it took the Clyda outfit 50 minutes to score from play tells a story in itself.

“They’re heartbroken, very disappointed in themselves,” Ronayne, who is also the new Rebels’ boss, said.

“They didn’t perform and that’s not any way disrespectful to Kilkerrin-Clonberne, they had a great game plan, they executed it, we didn’t execute what we were meant to do.

“And we didn’t score from play until the ninth minute from the end. I didn’t realise that until someone pointed it out to me. That’s not us.

“We missed a chance in the first minute, if that goes over the bar, maybe it changes the momentum of the game.”

– Additional reporting by Darren Kelly for the LGFA.

Updated Jan 31st 2022, 8:30 AM

1. Kerry’s midfield options

No David Moran. No Jack Barry. No Diarmuid O’Connor.

Kerry took to the field in Newbridge yesterday minus three leading figures around the middle from their last meaningful encounter, that late August loss to Tyrone. Injuries and club commitments ruled out that trio, the returning Stefan Okunbor from the AFL may be a future option but badly damaged his shoulder while playing for Na Gaeil on Saturday.

It left Kerry fielding Adrian Spillane and Sean O’Shea as their midfield combo, who competed well in the opening period but struggled to stifle the influence of Kevin Feely thereafter, the Athy man brought on to telling effect by Kildare at half-time. Kerry missed O’Shea pulling the strings in attack and Na Gaeil’s All-Ireland exit may pave the way for a swift return for their crew.

“Kevin is one of the best fielders in the country, I’m well aware of that,” said Jack O’Connor.

“We don’t really have any of our first choice midfielders available up to now. The boys are doing a decent job there, Seanie and Adrian, but hopefully for the game next week we’ll have a couple of Na Gaeil boys back.”

Kerry boss Jack O’Connor.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

2. A new era in Kildare

The presence of icons from the county’s football history has spiked interest in Kildare’s fortunes. Glenn Ryan is the head of the team, flanked by Anthony Rainbow, Dermot Earley and Johnny Doyle in steering them through 2022. That contributed to a healthy crowd yesterday, which prompted a 15-minute delay for throw-in, the return to a feeling of post-Covid normality must also have drawn fans to St Conleth’s Park.

For all the hype about those on the sideline, Ryan wants the focus to remain on the pitch.

“Well obviously it’s a special day for me, it’s a special day I hope for the players. It’s all about the players. If I hope for one thing during this league it’s that the focus becomes about the players and not on the fellas on the sideline because they’re the ones doing all the work and they’re the people who are going to deliver anything here.”

3. Jack’s return to Newbridge

Glenn Ryan was not the only manager attracting attention. Jack O’Connor’s third coming as Kerry boss creates a natural profile, the fact that he was in the Kildare hotseat last season added extra spice to the mix. If there was a layer of drama to the change in his managerial career, O’Connor was keen to be deferential to the hosts.

“This was always going to be a tricky game for me. A lot of good memories up here. still very friendly with a lot of the boys and the backroom staff here. I gave it absolutely everything when I was up here in Kildare for two years. I enjoyed it, no regrets but it wasn’t sustainable to keep it going.

“This was a huge game for Kildare. They were never going to be an easy nut to crack. Glenn Ryan is a legend up here and they were all going to row in behind them. They’ve an awful lot of work done and that could be seen near the end.”

Jack O’Connor shakes hands with Glenn Ryan after the game.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

4. Kildare’s attacking coach

There were some decent aspects to Kildare’s forward display. Jimmy Hyland posted 0-6, including the pressure kick to level the game. Daniel Flynn didn’t score but his fingerprints were all over Kildare’s most eye-catching attacks. Paddy Woodgate adds another scoring touch to their attack.

There is clearly scope for improvement, only scoring one point from their first five shots in the second half, and the principal area of recent interest in their attacking fortunes  was the addition of Paul Galvin to their ranks.

“There’s plenty of emphasis in our games that’s taken people’s focus away from the simple, basic things, they’re the skills,” said Ryan.

“We always try to work on the skills but maybe with Paul there we might be able to focus a bit more on them. Looking at it today, there’s plenty of work to be done.”

5. Dublin test in Tralee

Kerry’s second-half performance didn’t sit well with Jack O’Connor. He identified problematic areas in the scores they left behind in the first half, a hamstring problem robbing them of Gavin White’s probing runs and a lack of movement up front in the second half, all in a January environment that was always likely to prove testing.

The upcoming challenges don’t get easier. They have home advantage next Saturday but face a Dublin team left smarting from Saturday night’s loss to Armagh.

“Both teams will be looking to improve but I think it just shows the pre-season tournaments are grand for getting a bit of fitness but this was the real world, those games are exhibition games,” said O’Connor.

“It was always going to be a big game with Dublin coming to town. We have a bit of work to do obviously.

“They (Dublin) had 14 or 15 wides which is very uncharacteristic. In fairness to Armagh, they are moving very well. They look like they’ve a lot of work done.

“Dublin are missing a good share of players. When they get those back, they’ll be a different proposition.”

Tyrone 0-9
Monaghan 0-9

Declan Bogue reports from Healy Park

ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONS Tyrone just about clung on with their 14 men in the final stages of this strange and wildly entertaining opening league game in an Omagh blizzard.

In a game packed with incident, the final play came down to a 50 metre free when Darragh Canavan was adjudged to have picked the ball off the ground. Meat and drink to Rory Beggan? He played it short to full-back Conor Boyle instead and his shot dropped short of the Tyrone goal. Game over.

This league might feel like an important one, but there was enough experimentation going on around the field to keep the musos occupied. Monaghan set Dessie Ward on  Conor Meyler, creating a different dynamic than in the Ulster final and Conor McManus was held until the 56^th minute.

While Tyrone went in at the break 0-6 to 0-4 up, Monaghan could have been well ahead such were the amount of chances they passed up on, including a first minute routine free from the otherwise busy and impressive Micheal Bannigan in the first minute, and goal chances for Kieran Duffy and Gary Mohan.

Tyrone were trying out debutants Nathan Donnelly and Conor Shields, two nifty, tidy footballers indeed. But this was a day for big, ignorant strapping lads as all the petty resentments built up on a vintage day for winding up and sledging.

Scorers for Tyrone: N Sludden (0-2), C McShane (0-2f), D McCurry (0-1f), N Donnelly, P Harte, L Rafferty (0-1 each), N Morgan (0-1f)

Scorers for Monaghan: R Beggan (0-3, 0-2f), K Duffy, R McAnespie, C McCarthy, S Carey, C McManus (0-1 each), M Bannigan (0-1f) 

TYRONE: N Morgan; M McKernan, P Hampsey, L Rafferty; C Meyler, F Burns, P Harte; C Kilpatrick, N Donnelly; K McGeary, R Donnelly, N Sludden; D McCurry, C Shields, C McShane

Subs: D Canavan for Shields (47m), B Kennedy for R Donnelly (47m), M Donnelly for McCurry (61m), P Donaghy for McShane (67m) 

MONAGHAN: R Beggan; G Mohan, C Boyle, R Wylie; K Duffy, D Ward, R McAnespie; D Hughes, N Kearns; C McCarthy, M Bannigan, S Carey; A Mulligan, J McCarron, A Woods

Subs: K Lavelle for Kearns (HT), K O’Connell for Mulligan (46m), D Garland for McCarron, C McManus for Mohan (both 56m) 

Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan)

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GARY WALSH GRABBED two goals for Laois in their 3-9 to 1-10 win against Mickey Harte’s Louth in Division 3. 

Bouncing back from their O’Byrne Cup loss to Dublin, Billy Sheehan’s men hit goals at the start of the second-half through Walsh and Sean O’Flynn to set them on their way. A two-point half-time lead was transformed into an 3-7 to 0-8 advantage after their unanswered 2-3.

Westmeath also enjoyed a good start to the third tier by seeing off Wicklow by 1-16 to 2-8 in TEG Cusack Park. 

First-half goals from Darragh Fitzgerald and Eoin Darcy propelled the Garden County three points in front at the interval but a goal from Sam McCartan and seven points from John Heslin saw Westmeath over the line. 

In Division 4, there were wins for Cavan and Sligo, while Waterford and Tipperary played out a 0-10 apiece draw. 

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The Breffni men saw off Andy Moran’s Leitrim by 0-12 to 0-8, and Sligo were 0-12 to 0-10 winners over Wexford. 

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Roscommon 1-13
Cork 0-10

Kevin Egan reports from Dr Hyde Park

A DOMINANT DISPLAY by the Smith brothers along the spine of the attack gave Roscommon a measure of leadership and penetration that was sorely lacking from their Cork opponents this afternoon in the Hyde, as the Rossies cruised to a victory that was far more comfortable than the six-point winning margin would suggest.

Roscommon’s Enda Smith and Cork’s Brian Hurley.

Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO

Enda and Donie combined to score 1-9 between them, with their Boyle club colleague Cian McKeon firing over three of the other four, but they were also representative of Roscommon’s control of all the key battles along the spine of the field.

Brian Stack never allowed Brian Hurley any penetration close to goal, Ultan Harney and Eddie Nolan offered a physical element to the midfield battle that Cork couldn’t match, and by the 65 th minute, Keith Ricken had used four substitutions – three of them to withdraw players that started at midfield, centre back and centre forward.

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Cork could look back at their final tally of nine second-half wides and say that things could have been very different had they used the wind much better, but Roscommon’s control of the tackle and the turnover county meant that in many cases, Cork were reduced to taking pot shots from distance to try and bypass the Connacht county’s defence.

The inexperience and immaturity of this Rebel group will be cited but there were young players in action for Roscommon too, with Eoin McCormack, Richard Hughes and Cian McKeon all particularly impressive – albeit their job was made much easier by the performance of the established players around them.

Cork’s Colm O’Callaghan and Roscommon’s Colm Lavin.

The breeze appeared to freshen at half-time, which opened the window of opportunity ever so slightly, and when Tadhg Corkery dispossessed a Roscommon player to set up a score for Mark Cronin in the first minute, it seemed like the script might be flipped on its head ever so slightly.

Brian Hurley added the next to reduce the gap to five, but Cork were already adding to their wides tally at a ferociously quick rate, as their inability to break the tackle meant that they went for scores from some very difficult distances and angles. Hurley’s score – a free from 55 metres – demonstrated that the ‘scoring zone’ for the men in red was large, but far too many shots were taken and missed from that type of distance.

In the space of 20 minutes of play, just two points were added – both frees from Donie Smith – and all hopes of a Cork comeback were well and truly extinguished.

Roscommon’s Donie Smith and Cork’s Mark Cronin.

Scorers for Roscommon: Donie Smith 0-7 (0-5f), Enda Smith 1-2, Cian McKeon 0-3 (0-2f), Niall Kilroy (0-1).

Scorers for Cork: Brian Hurley 0-6 (0-4f, 0-1 ‘45), David Buckley, Matthew Taylor, John O’Rourke, Mark Cronin (0-1 each).

Roscommon

1. Colm Lavin (Éire Óg)

2. Fergal Lennon (Clann na nGael), 3. Brian Stack (St. Brigid’s), 4. Eoin McCormack (St. Dominic’s),

5. Dylan Ruane (Michael Glaveys), 6. Conor Hussey (Michael Glaveys), 7. Richard Hughes
(Roscommon Gaels),

8. Ultan Harney (Clann na nGael), 9. Eddie Nolan (St. Brigid’s),

10. Niall Kilroy (Fuerty), 11. Enda Smith (Boyle), 12. Diarmuid McGann (Strokestown),

20. Cathal Heneghan (Michael Glaveys), 14. Donie Smith (Boyle), 13. Cian McKeon (Boyle).

Subs

22. Ben O’Carroll (St. Brigid’s) for Heneghan (h-t)

18. Ciarán Lawless (Oran) for Ruane (50),

23. Shane Cunnane (St. Brigid’s) for McGuane (57)

21. Ciarán Sugrue (St. Brigid’s) for Harney (64),

17. Colin Walsh (Oran) for Lennon (67)

Cork

1. Michéal Martin (Nemo Rangers)

4. Tadhg Corkery (Cill na Martra) 17. Kevin Flahive (Douglas) 2. Sean Powter (Douglas)

5. Cian Kiely (Ballincollig), 6. John Cooper (Éire Óg), 7. Matthew Taylor (Mallow)

8. Joe Grimes, 20. Rory Maguire (Castlehaven)

12. David Buckley (Newcestown), 22. John O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers), 9. Colm O’Callaghan (Éire Óg)

13. Mark Cronin (Nemo Rangers), 14. Brian Hurley (Castlehaven), 15. Daniel Dineen (Cill na Martra)

Subs

23. Eoghan McSweeney (Knocknagree) for Grimes (27)

25. Kevin O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers) for Cooper (half-time)

26. Chris Óg Jones (Iveleary) for Buckley (48)

19. Paul Ring (Aghabullogue) for O’Rourke (64)

24. Mark Buckley (Dohenys) for Cronin (66)

Referee: Seamus Mulhare (Laois)

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Mayo 0-11
Donegal 0-11

Colm Gannon reports from Markievicz Park

ROB HENNELLY WAS the hero for Mayo kicking last second injury time free to earn Mayo a draw against Donegal in Sligo.

Donegal were by far the better side in the first half going in leading by 0-7 to 0-3 at the half time whistle and were looking in compete control of the game, with Michael Murphy and Michael Langan putting in strong showings.

Points from Patrick McBrearty and Murphy had them two to the good inside five minutes. Ryan O’Donoghue got Mayo moving with a pointed free three minutes later.

But Donegal reeled off three on bounce with Murphy, Conor O’Donell and Langan all raising the white flag after periods of controlled possession .

Ódhrán McFadden Ferry got in for a goal chance but was well saved by Hennelly and on the quarter of an hour mark O’Donoghue cut the gap back to three from a placed ball. Murphy left the game for ten minutes for treatment for a blood injury, but it didn’t stop the Donegal groove and points from Ryan McHugh and Langan had their side 0-7 to 0-2 up on the half hour break.

Mayo did manage to cut the gap back to four by half-time thanks to an Eoghan McLaughlin score, but they had a lot of work left to do in the second half. Aidan O’Shea and Bryan Walsh were introduced at the break by James Horan in an attempt to turn the gam back in their favour.

Paddy Durcan put just three between the teams not long after the restart, but points from Murphy and Langan reimposed Donegal’s dominance on the scoreboard.

Donegal’s Odhran McFadden-Ferry and Mayo’s Eoghan McLaughlin.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Jason Doherty reeled off two on the bounce for Mayo, both of which were goal chances to bring his side closer, however the game looked to have gone right away from them when Stephen Coen was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Murphy for a penalty.

Up steeped McBrearty, who drove his spot kick low and to the bottom right hand corner, but Hennelly guessed the right way and put it out for a 45, which was converted by Murphy.

Langan put over his fourth point of the day to move Donegal five clear and looking good 55 minutes in, but Mayo were up to up the pressure.

O’Donoghue pointed from play, Durcan got his second of the day, then Doherty chipped in with his third. On the 65 minute mark O’Donoghue hit a free that just scrapped inside the post and there was just one in it.

Deep into injury time Donegal tried to keep the ball and it ended up with Shaun Patton who was blown for over carrying under pressure. Hennelly made the long trek up the field and held his nerve to split the posts.

Donegal’s Eoghan Bán Gallagher with Mayo’s Ryan O’Donoghue.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Scorers for Mayo: Ryan O’Donoghue (0-4, 3f), Jason Doherty (0-3), Paddy Durcan (0-2), Eoghan McLaughlin (0-1), Rob Hennelly (0-1, 1f).

Scorers for Donegal: Michael Langan (0-4), Michael Murphy (0-4, 1m, 1f 1 45), Ryan McHugh (0-1), Patrick McBrearty (0-1, 1f) C O’Donnell (0-1).

Mayo

1. Rob Hennelly (Breaffy)

18. Brendan Harrision (Aghamore), 3. Stephen Coen (Hollymount-Carramore), 4. Padraig O’Hora (Ballina Stephenites)

5. Paddy Durcan (Castlebar Mitchels), 6. Donnacha McHugh (Castlebar Mitchels), 7. Eoghan McLaughlin (Westport)

8. Conor O’Shea (Breaffy), 9. Conor Loftus (Crossmolina Deel Rovers)

10. Fionn McDonagh (Westport), 11. Aiden Orme (Knockmore), 12. Diarmuid O’Connor (Ballintubber)

13. Tommy Conroy (The Neale), 14. Jason Doherty (Burrishoole), 15. Ryan O’Donoghue (Belmullet)

Subs

21. Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy) for Orme

24. Bryan Walsh (Ballintubber) for McDonagh

17. Sam Callinan (Ballina Stephenites) for McHugh

22. Jordan Flynn (Crossmolina Deel Rovers) for Loftus

25. Paul Towey (Charlestown) for Conor O’Shea

Donegal

1. Shaun Patton (Naomh Adhamhain)

2. Caolan Ward (Naomh Adhamhain), 3. Brendan McCole ( Naomh Naille), 4. Ódhrán McFadden Ferry (Gaoth Dobhair)

5. Ryan McHugh (Cill Chartha), 6. Paul Brennan (Realt Na Mara), 7. Tony McClenaghan (Bun an Phobhaill)

8. Caolan McGonagle (Bun Cranncha),25. Conor O’Donnell (Carn Domhnach),

10. Ciaran Thompson (Naomh Conaill), 11. Peadar Morgan (Naomh Naille), 28. Michael Langan (Naomh Micheal)

13. Patrick McBrearty (Cill Charta), 18. Michael Murphy (Glenann tSuil), 27. Eoin Ban Gallagher (Na Cealla Beaga)

Subs

9. Jason McGee (Cloich Ceann Fhaola) for Thompson

17. Jean McKelvey (Naomh Conaill) for Ward

30. Niall O’Donnell (Naomh Adhamhnain) for Conor O’Donnell

20. Ethan O’Donnell (Naomh Conaill) for McClenaghan

22. Eunan Doherty (Naomh Conaill) for Thompson.

Referee: Noel Mooney (Cavan)

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Clare 1-13
Offaly 0-7

Paraic McMahon reports from Cusack Park

COLM COLLINS BEGAN his ninth National League campaign as Clare senior football boss by overseeing a nine point win over Offaly.

Played in front of an attendance of 825, Clare got their Division 2 campaign off to a winning start deservedly seeing off the Faithful County on Sunday afternoon to collect a valuable two points.

Offaly boss, John Maughan who famously managed the Clare footballers to Munster SFC glory in 1992 returned to Cusack Park for the tie. During the outing, three members of the All-Ireland winning Offaly side of 2021, Lee Pearson, Cormac Egan and Jack Bryant featured in what will be viewed as a disappointing overall showing for the men from the Midlands. 

Clare managed to weather an early Offaly storm with the visitors carving out a 0-05 0-01 advantage with twenty three minutes on the clock. Corner forward, Bernard Allen kicked three impressive scores during this spell, his quick hands also teed up Ruairí McNamee. With sixteen minutes played, Pearse Lillis opened Clare’s account.

Wing-back Alan Sweeney had the best goal opportunity of the opening half but his marker, Dylan Hyland was on the line to prevent the umpires reaching for the green flag. With Keelan Sexton firing the last three scores of the half, it was enough to see the hosts trail by a single point when the sides retreated at half-time. 

Darragh Bohannon goaled when the second half was a mere two minutes old, the Shannon Gaels clubman appeared to be leaning back to kick a point but his apparent mis-hit was more than effective as it eluded Offaly netminder Paddy Dunican and slipped in the bottom left corner of the goal. 

Eoin Cleary and Lee Pearson then traded scores before the Banner County hit 0-04 in succession. Offaly ended a twenty four minute scoring drought when Dunican converted a placed ball on sixty seven minutes.

Substitute Jamie Malone on the double plus white flags from Keelan Sexton and Ciaran Downes saw Clare finish with the final four scores to record a merited win. Cillian Brennan, Pearse Lillis, Ciaran Russell and debutant Manus Doherty were best for the winners with Bernard Allen and Lee Pearson showing well for Offaly. For round two, Clare travel to Cork while Offaly host Derry. 

Scorers for Clare: K Sexton 0-05 (0-5f), D Bohannon 1-0, P Lillis (0-02), E Cleary 0-02 (0-1f), J Malone 0-2, D Tubridy 0-1, C Downes 0-1. 

Scorers for Offaly: B Allen 0-3, R McNamee 0-1 (0-1f), D Hyland 0-1, L Pearson 0-1, P Durican 0-1 (0-1f).

Clare

1: Stephen Ryan (Kilrush Shamrocks) 

4: Cillian Rouine (Ennistymon), 3: Cillian Brennan (Clondegad), 2: Manus Doherty (Éire Óg) 

5: Cian O’Dea (Kilfenora), 6: Ciaran Russell (Éire Óg), 7: Alan Sweeney (St Breckans) 

9: Darren O’Neill (Éire Óg), 8: Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen) 

10: Darragh Bohannon (Shannon Gaels), 11: Eoin Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown), 12: Pearse Lillis (Cooraclare) 

15: David Tubridy (Doonbeg), 14: Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane), 13: Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey)

Subs:

17: Eoghan Collins (Ballyhaunis) for Rouine (54)

18: Padraic ‘Podge’ Collins (Cratloe) for Tubridy (54)

23: Jamie Malone (Corofin) for Griffin (57)

26: Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry Ibrickane) for Russell (64) (inj)

20: Ciaran Downes (Kilmihil) for O’Neill (71) 

Offaly

1: Paddy Dunican (Shamrocks) 

19: Lee Pearson (Edenderry), 3: James Lalor (Raheen), 4: Niall Darby (Rhode) 

5: Ciaran Donnelly (Bracknagh), 7: Cian Donohoe (St Brigid’s), 6: Johnny Maloney (c) (Tullamore)

8: Jordan Hayes (Edenderry), 9: Cathal Mangan (Kilclonfert) 

10: Bill Carroll (Capincur), 11: Anton Sullivan (Rhode), 12: Dylan Hyland (Raheen)

13: Bernard Allen (Tubber), 17: Niall McNamee (Rhode), 15: Ruairi McNamee (Rhode)

Subs:

18: Cormac Egan (Tullamore) for Carroll (34)

23: David Dempsey (Ballycommon) for Sullivan (HT)

2: Declan Hogan (Tullamore) for N McNamee (HT)

14: Jack Bryant (Shamrocks) for Hyland (48)

22: Colm Doyle (Clara) for Pearson (64) (inj)

26: Rory Egan (Edenderry) for Mangan (71) (inj)

Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry)

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