Month: April 2022

FOR A SENSE of appreciation of preparing in a county hurling final, Ryan O’Dwyer only has to reflect on his ordeal twelve months ago.

On Friday 30 October 2015, he was assaulted outside a Birmingham nightclub and knocked unconscious. The 30 year-old suffered a fractured skull, a broken jaw and bleeding in the brain.

Next Saturday, 29 October 2016, the Dublin hurler will endeavour to help Kilmacud Crokes land the senior hurling title against Cuala in Parnell Park.

It’s quite the contrast.

“I’m very lucky with the people that were surrounding me,” admits O’Dwyer.

“Chris Thompson, my family and my teammates, they are the three that got me back to where I am.

“I do appreciate it, even though some of them will be playing with Cuala there, next weekend, but I do appreciate them.

“Where I am today, it’s all down to the people who are surrounding me.”

O’Dwyer was in Birmingham with his former Dublin team mate Maurice O’Brien, the pair having stopped off for the night en route to taking in the Rugby World Cup final in Twickenham.

He has no memory of the unprovoked attack and after spending a week in hospital, journeyed home to Ireland.

The recovery process was a tough and difficult ordeal.

Ryan O’Dwyer and Mark Schutte ahead of this weekend’s Dublin county senior hurling final

Source: Piaras Ó Mídheach/SPORTSFILE

“I always say it was easier on me than it was on the people surrounding me, especially my fiancée.

“If she had put a pillow over my head and smothered me I wouldn’t have blamed her. I was a horrible person, my whole personality changed. I know a lot of people say I don’t have a good personality anyway!

“But it totally changed. I was really irritable, really aggressive, for no reason. If I was chatting to you at Christmas I’d have said, ‘ah, I’m 100 per cent right now, but looking back now, at Christmas, I was still all over (the place).

“It’s only recently I’ve done a little bit of reading into it. With brain injuries, you could get a brain injury and I could get a brain injury and it’s two totally different reactions from it.

“Louis Theroux was on RTE there last week, did anyone see that? I think it was last Monday night, he was doing a show on brain injuries and my fiancée was in tears, she was saying, ‘that was you’.

“There was a woman there, from some part of England, and she was having a row with her husband and getting real aggressive with her kids and she hadn’t seen the kids in a while. Then they interviewed the kids about it.

“Cliodhna said, ‘that was you’. I didn’t realise it, you don’t realise it when it’s happening to yourself. It’s a very scary thing.”

A couple of symptoms still linger.

“I have no sense of smell whatsoever. No sense of smell.

“And forgetfulness, if I’m having a chat with someone I could forget what I’m talking about. It’s a simple thing.”

O’Dwyer made his comeback to Dublin hurling colours in May in the Leinster championship against Wexford.

Dublin hurler Ryan O’Dwyer during their Leinster quarter-final against Wexford

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

He pays tribute to the medical experts advising him.

“Donncha O’Brien one of the neurosurgeons I was dealing with – I was dealing with three of them – but he was telling me at the start that I had to stick to a certain plan.

“And for the first time ever I actually did what a doctor told me to.

“He told me the risks afterwards and said you have to be aware of your body and what you’re brain is telling you and what it is not telling you and you only get one chance and don’t take anything for granted.

“So it made me more aware. There is a risk associated with it, but I think it is just to listen to my body and be aware of getting a slap or running into the wrong people.

“When I knew I was allowed to go back hurling Donnncha O’Brien had said ease into it, try avoid slaps. But then I said it to Chris and he said that’s when you would get injured, when you are holding back, that’s when you do get a slap.

“And he said for your own sake don’t change your game. And I had to ask myself what got me here to where I am.

“I know I’m not the best hurler out there but I’m playing at a reasonably high level and what got me there is the way I play so I said I wasn’t going to abandon that.”

Saturday affords Kilmacud Crokes the chance to land a third Dublin senior hurling crown in five years.

Source: Piaras Ó Mídheach/SPORTSFILE

“Like I said, I’m very lucky with how things have worked out. I didn’t know what was happening a few weeks after.

“It would mean a lot to win it at any stage. I suppose if we do win I’ll look back and see the road I’ve traveled and say, ‘Jeez, I’m a stubborn man’.”

And irrespective of the result, the prospect of another campaign with Dublin in 2017 is something he would embrace.

I don’t like people asking me that, I still consider myself young,” laughs O’Dwyer.

“You get to an age where you say I’m going to go year by year now.

“And yeah I’m going to give it 100 per cent for the year coming and hopefully I stay injury free.

“If Ger (Cunningham) wants me I’ll definitely be giving it everything I can.”

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Source: The42.ie/YouTube

KIERAN DONAGHY WILL wait to see how is body holds up after a winter of basketball before making a decision on whether to extend his inter-county career into 2017.

As is always the case at this time of year, the Kerry full-forward’s future has been the subject of much speculation, particularly after the recent retirement of team-mate Marc Ó Sé.

Donaghy, 33, has been a mainstay of Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s forward line in recent seasons and featured 11 times for the Kingdom during their league and championship campaigns in 2016.

Speaking to The42 in our Dublin office yesterday, the four-time All Ireland winner admitted that he doesn’t quite know if it’s time to call it a day or play on for a 12th year; a lot will depend on how he feels physically and mentally over the coming months.

“I’m definitely coming to the end of my career anyway, whether it’s over or not I just don’t know,” he said.

“It’s a kind of question at this stage that I’d love to know the answer to because I’ve got asked it so much in the last few weeks. The reality of the situation is that I have to wait, play a bit of basketball through the winter and see how the body holds up.”

Donaghy is currently playing for Tralee Warriors in the Irish National Super League, the top tier of men’s basketball in Ireland.

The season runs from September to mid-March and it is only then when Donaghy will inform Fitzmaurice and the Kerry management of his decision.

Donaghy was won four All-Irelands during his career.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

“If the body holds up, then I’ve to go to my family and my job in PST Sports. I told them last year this was it, I told my family it would be the last time I would put them through the ringer of hearing abuse in the stands about me and I told my job.

“We’re doing AstroTurf pitches in the UK and Ireland so I’m over and back so I told them less of the travelling and kind of concentrate on football so that’s another talk I’m going to have.

“If it comes to the case of as I’m playing the basketball this year and if I notice little tightening or stiffening of the body and I feel I’m just not able for it, it makes it a lot easier a decision then and I’ll make that when the time comes, when that is I don’t know.

“The body could blow up in two or three months and I could say ‘you know what, this isn’t actually right’ but for now, it’s good.

“I played eleven games in a row last year, I put in an unbelievable shift for my county, it wasn’t enough in the end but back at the basketball now and I’ll see where that takes me.”

After a frustrating couple of years with injury, 2016 was a good one for Donaghy as he returned to peak form and enjoyed an extended period in the starting XV until Kerry were dumped out at the semi-final stage by Dublin.

Whether or not he’s involved going forward, the Austin Stacks man believes Kerry football is in good health for the years to come.

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Donaghy and Kerry experienced disappointment in 2016.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

“Yeah absolutely,” he says, when asked if the Kingdom were in good stead. “I think we’re challenging now, we’ve challenged the last few years. We have an All-Ireland in 2014 and we were beaten in finals in 2015 and 2011 and beaten in semi-finals in ’13 and ’16.

“I’ve been always lucky enough to be knocking on the door when I’ve been in a Kerry jersey. We’ve always been there or there abouts, we’ve won All-Irelands, we’ve lost All-Irelands but we’ve always come back.

“That’s the trademark of being from Kerry. Even if you win an All-Ireland you still have to come back, and when you lose an All-Ireland you still have to come back and that’s just the pressure of wearing the jersey.

“We’ve three minors back-to-back but that doesn’t really say anything really unless they transfer that into putting their mind into being senior players because it’s a different kettle of fish altogether.

“You’d be hopeful that some of those talented minors get the bit between their teeth and don’t settle on having a minor All-Ireland and sitting in a pub in 20 years telling fellas about it.

“You want to go on and have your career at senior level and let the old fellas in the pub tell you about how great you were and that should be the goal for all those minors and I hope it is.”

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Home

Ulster GAA’s proposed designs for Casement Park.

Source: Presseye/Kelvin Boyes/INPHO

• Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has signed a new deal that will see him keep the reins until the end of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
• Pádraig Harrington has surged up 62 spots in the world rankings, moving to 97th, on the back of his win at the Portugal Masters.
• Cork All-Ireland football winner Daniel Goulding has announced his retirement from the inter-county game at the age of 30.
• Ulster GAA has revealed new plans for the €86m redevelopment of Casement Park which would see the ground’s capacity increase to 34,500.
• Katie Taylor has dismissed reports that she has returned to train in Bray Boxing Club under the stewardship of her father Pete.

Away

Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy.

Source: Nigel French

• Leicester City duo Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez are among the 30 players named on the shortlist for the Ballon d’Or.
• Tottenham midfielder Moussa Sissoko has been charged by England’s Football Association for his elbow on Bournemouth’s Harry Arter on Saturday.
• Former Ireland defence coach Mike Ford has been named as Toulon’s new head coach following the club’s decision to sack Diego Dominguez.
• Portuguese sensation Renato Sanches has beaten England and Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford to the European Golden Boy award.

The Best Thing We Shared

The Republic of Telly takes a closer look at the Irish football fans who have struggled to re-adapt to society since the Euros.

Source: RTÉ Republic of Comedy/YouTube

On The Record

That was his biggest frustration: that he believed so much in the players and he knew what they can do and what they’re capable of, but sometimes they were not believing in themselves.

Munster director of rugby Rassie Erasmus explains that the late Anthony Foley would have been immensely proud of the way the province played against Glasgow on Saturday.

Where we were today

Fintan O’Toole was at a press conference at Parnell Park today ahead of Saturday’s Dublin SHC final between reigning champions Cuala and Kilmacud Crokes.

Ryan O’Dwyer (left) of Kilmacud Crokes and Cuala’s Mark Schutte.

Source: Piaras Ó Mídheach/SPORTSFILE

The Fixture List

• There are five games in the fourth round of the EFL Cup tomorrow night: Arsenal v Reading, Bristol City v Hull, Leeds v Norwich, Liverpool v Tottenham (live SS1) and Newcastle v Preston. All of those games kick off at 7.45pm.
• Closer to home, recently-crowned SSE Airtricity Premier Division champions Dundalk travel to St Pat’s (7.45pm).
• In the NFL, the Denver Broncos are at the Houston Texans from 1.15am.

Showbiz, Baby!

Templeogue BC’s Lorcan Murphy showed some serious skills in executing this tasty reverse dunk in the Hula Hoops National Basketball Cup against UCC Demons last weekend.

Source: Templeogue Basketball Club/YouTube

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Daniel Goulding in action for Cork in Croke Park.

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

CORK 2010 ALL-Ireland winner Daniel Goulding has announced his retirement from inter-county football.

Goulding has called time after 11 seasons with the Cork senior squad, making his debut in a league game against Offaly in 2006 while his last appearance came in the All-Ireland qualifier against Longford last July.

The Éire Óg club man believes the time is right to depart.

“It is the right decision for me at this point in time,” Goulding told The42.

“The demands of the inter-county game are massive and I’m not getting as much enjoyment out of it now as I did before.

“Over the last few years, the role of a forward has changed a lot. I was best suited to a corner-forward position and that role got more difficult to play in over the years. That was frustrating at times.

“If you’re not enjoying it and if you’re not 100% up for the challenge of putting it in for the full season, you’re better off not being there.”

Goulding’s standout moment on the pitch was the 2010 All-Ireland senior final when he scored 0-9 in Cork’s win over Down and claimed the man-of-the-match award.

But for the 30 year-old, there were other highlights during his career.

“The 2010 All-Ireland final was an unbelievable experience. Cork hadn’t won it in 20 years and to be part of that of victory with a bunch of great men was a dream come through. It was a special feeling to win the biggest game in your sport.

Cork players celebrate their 2010 All-Ireland final win against Down

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

“But the friendships made over the years were also a huge highlight. I’ve made some great friends through being involved with Cork and it’s probably the thing that I’ll miss most, the craic in the dressing-room and the great people I shared company with.

“Being involved in a Cork senior panel was fantastic. You’re part of an elite sporting environment which demands that you perform to the best of your ability, both on the pitch and as a person.

“There were plenty great games but one that always stands out for me is the 2009 All-Ireland semi-final against Tyrone. It was a savage match and brilliant one to win with 14 men for over half the game against a team that were the All-Ireland champions at the time.”

Goulding retires with All-Ireland medals to his credit at senior (2010), U21 (2007) and junior (2005). He won four National League medals and four Munster senior football medals.

Goulding celebrates scoring a goal in the 2007 All-Ireland U21 final

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

“There are too many people to acknowledge who have helped me greatly throughout the years,” states Goulding.

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“I’d firstly like to thank my fiancee Muireann, my parents, family and friends for their unconditional support.

“My club Éire Óg have always been great to me and I am looking forward to playing with my friends from home for the rest of my career.

“Finally, I’d like to thank all my team mates and management teams which I have had the joy of playing with over the last 10 years.

“I’d like to wish the current panel and management all the best for 2017 and look forward to supporting the Cork football team going forward.”

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FORMER WATERFORD INTER-COUNTY star Eoin Kelly was involved in an incident with current Déise full-back Barry Coughlan in yesterday’s Waterford SHC final.

The Passage full-forward, 34, who retired from inter-county duty in 2012 to end a career that included two All-Stars and four Munster titles, scored two points (one free) in yesterday’s final as his side were comfortably dispatched by Ballygunner, 4-20 to 1-12.

It was a third Waterford crown in a row for the men in red and black but the first-half clash between Kelly and Coughlan, particularly the Passage man’s input, has been the focus of the post-match reaction.

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Both Kelly and Coughlan are shown yellow cards by Portlaw referee Michael O’Brien afterwards.

Source: Paddy O’Paddy/YouTube

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ALMOST TWO YEARS after the original plans were quashed by a High Court judge, Ulster GAA has today revealed its proposed designs for the redevelopment of Casement Park.

Source: Presseye/Kelvin Boyes/INPHO

The Belfast venue, once one of the iconic grounds on the GAA circuit, has been lying idle for three years after plans for the €86 million (£77 million) redevelopment were scrapped following an objection from a resident’s group.

The Ulster board are hopeful the new designs, which have been unveiled following an extensive community consultation process, will allow the project to proceed.

The height, scale and capacity have all been reduced from the previous design while a ‘bowl’ shape ensures that supporters in terracing will have the same level of protection from the weather as other spectators.

The proposed capacity of 34,500 includes a standing terrace of 8,500.

“Today’s design unveiling demonstrates Ulster GAA’s willingness to engage, listen and evolve our plans for a new Casement Park stadium,” Tom Daly, Chairman of the Casement Park Project Board, said.

“In the new scheme we have reduced the scale, mass, size and capacity of the stadium whilst at the same time creating a first class atmosphere for GAA supporters through the bowl design and up-close spectator experience.

Source: Presseye/Kelvin Boyes/INPHO

“We are also committed to delivering a travel culture change within the GAA with a sustainable transport strategy inclusive of coach travel, park and ride and integrated travel choices with ticket sales.

“This strategy is good for ease of access to and from the stadium, is cognisant of the needs and views of the local community and is good for the wider environment.”

A redeveloped Casement Park will include conference and banqueting facilities, handball courts and community space.

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CARNACON AND CORA Staunton truly are in a league of their own out west.

The Mayo champions ran riot in Charlestown this afternoon as they beat Kiltubrid of Leitrim by 8-20 to 1-9 in the Connacht Ladies Senior Club Final —  a whopping 32 points.

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Staunton, who was winning her 15th provincial title at club level, scored 2-11.

Up next is the All-Ireland series where Carnacon will be bidding to win the Dolores Tyrrell Cup for the first time since 2013.

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WEXFORD STALWART ANTHONY Masterson has announced his retirement from inter-county football.

The experienced net minder made the announcement on Twitter on Sunday afternoon, bringing to an end a long career between the Wexford sticks.

Masterson kept goal for Wexford in their Leinster final defeats in 2008 and 2011, and was also nominated for an All-Star in 2008.

The 33-year-old Castletown clubman has been forced to hang up his boots due to a long-standing injury.

New Wexford boss Seamus McEnaney will be forced to look elsewhere for his number 1 in 2017.

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Goalkeeper Brian Murray celebrates Patrickswell’s Limerick senior hurling final win.

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

Patrickswell 1-26
Ballybrown 1-7

THEY ARE ONE of the aristocrats of Limerick club hurling but Patrickswell have had to endure a barren spell in recent years.

Since winning the county final in 2003 they endured frustration in trying to claim silverware, not least when losing out by a point in the 2015 decider to the eventual All-Ireland champions Na Piarsaigh.

But the ‘Well are back on top of Limerick hurling after demolishing Ballybrown by 19-points to take the honours in today’s decider at the Gaelic Grounds.

Captain Thomas O’Brien lifts the trophy

The Gary Kirby-managed side unleashed a terrific display to capture the title with ten different players contributing on the scoreboard.

Aaron Gillane top scored with 0-7 with Limerick seniors Diarmuid Byrnes (0-6) and Cian Lynch (0-3) also doing their bit. Full-forward Kevin O’Brien notched their only goal while veteran Barry Foley also chipped in with a point.

Patrickswell substitutes celebrate their victory

From the off Patrickswell were in control with O’Brien’s goal in the 13th minute helping them go in front 1-6 to 0-2 after the opening quarter and they possessed a 1-10 to 0-5 advantage at the break.

There was no respite in the second-half as Patrickswell accelerated further clear to be ahead 1-19 to 0-6 entering the final quarter.

Kevin O’Brien hit the net for Patrickswell

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

A goal from Stephen Foster was a late consolation for Ballybrown, who also had a 0-4 return from forward Alan O’Connor.

But there was no stopping Patrickswell who advance to a Munster club semi-final tie against Glen Rovers.

Scorers from Patrickswell: A Gillane 0-7 (0-5f), D Byrnes 0-6 (0-5f), C Lynch 0-3, S O’Brien, J Kelleher, L Considine, T O’Brien 0-2 each, M Carmody, B Foley 0-1 each.

Scorers for Ballybrown: A O’Connor 0-4 (0-3f), S Foster 1-1, K Loftus, L Doolan 0-1 each.

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Ballygunner 4-20
Passage 1-12

Tomás McCarthy reports from Walsh Park

BALLYGUNNER LIFTED THE Waterford senior hurling crown for the third year in succession after a comprehensive win over neighbours Passage at a blustery Walsh Park today.

Top scorer Pauric Mahony delivered 1-11 as Denis Walsh’s side routed their opponents in the second half.

Two goals in three first half minutes from Tim O’Sullivan and Billy O’Keeffe flipped the match on its head after Passage made a bright start with the elements.

The Gunners drove on with further green flags through Stephen Power and Mahony to avenge the 2013 final defeat to the same opponents and complete a treble for the third time in their history.

Mahony missed last year’s final through injury but marked his return to the county showpiece with a man of the match display. The 24 year old posted 1-7 in the second period while goalkeeper Stephen O’Keeffe made an incredible stop to keep out Conor Carey’s shot.

Pauric Mahony celebrates Ballygunner’s victory.

Source: Ken Sutton/INPHO

Captain Brian O’Sullivan supplied four points from play assisted by lively inside pair Tim O’Sullivan and Peter Hogan. David O’Sullivan barged forward at every opportunity from midfield.

9/2 underdogs Passage started with the strong breeze, before an attendance of 3,811, and full back Noel Connors opened the scoring from seventy metres.

Eoin Kelly and Barry Coughlan both received yellows for an off the ball incident. Peter Queally’s men raced five points clear after ten minutes as Adam Roche, Owen Connors, Thomas Connors and Jason Roche all split the uprights.

Ballygunner’s Barry Coughlan in action against Passage’s Eoin Kelly

Source: Ken Sutton/INPHO

The reigning champions settled with points by Pauric Mahony (free) and Peter Hogan. Passage dead ball specialist Killian Fitzgerald lashed over from his own 45 before Conor Carey intercepted a short puck out and set up Eoin Kelly (0-7 to 0-2).

Two quick strikes changed the complexion of this final. Passage failed to clear Brian O’Sullivan’s delivery and Tim O’Sullivan pounced to finish past Eddie Lynch. On 21 minutes, Billy O’Keeffe buried a shot to the far corner following a Hogan solo run.

Passage accumulated five costly wides during the second quarter. A Mahony brace helped the favourites into a three point advantage. Fitzgerald and Owen Connors replied with two late frees to make it 2-5 to 0-10 at halfway.

Eoin Kelly levelled matters for the very first time on the restart. Ballygunner moved four points away through Brian O’Sullivan and Pauric Mahony.

Stephen O’Keeffe produced a spectacular close range save from Conor Carey on 43 minutes. O’Sullivan, Mahony and Hogan eased Walsh’s charges out of sight. Killian Fitzgerald ended a seventeen-minute wait for a Passage score.

The Gunners clinched victory with another rapid double blast. Stephen Power billowed the roof of the net before Hogan supplied Mahony for their fourth green flag. Thomas Connors netted a consolation six minutes from time.

Ballygunner captain Brian O’Sullivan lifts the trophy

Source: Ken Sutton/INPHO

Scorers for Ballygunner: Pauric Mahony 1-11 (0-7f), Stephen Power 1-1, Brian O’Sullivan 0-4, Tim O’Sullivan, Billy O’Keeffe 1-0 each, Peter Hogan 0-3, David O’Sullivan 0-1.

Scorers for Passage: Thomas Connors 1-1, Killian Fitzgerald 0-4 (0-3f), Owen Connors, Eoin Kelly 0-2 (0-1f) each, Adam Roche, Noel Connors, Jason Roche 0-1 each.

Ballygunner

1. Stephen O’Keeffe

2. Eddie Hayden
3. Barry Coughlan
4. Ian Kenny

8. Harley Barnes
6. Philip Mahony
7. Shane Walsh

10. David O’Sullivan
11. Billy O’Keeffe

9. Shane O’Sullivan
12. Pauric Mahony
13. Conor Power

15. Tim O’Sullivan
14. Brian O’Sullivan
19. Peter Hogan

Subs

5. Wayne Hutchinson for Billy O’Keeffe (43)
20. Stephen Power for Barnes (48)
21. Michael Mahony for Conor Power (52)
17. JJ Hutchinson for Tim O’Sullivan (54)
18. Johnny McCarthy for Hogan (55)

Passage

1. Eddie Lynch

2. Darragh Lynch
6. Noel Connors
3. Jason Flood

4. Adam Roche
7. Jason Roche
5. Stephen Mason

8. Pa Walsh
18. Gary Cullinane

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10. Owen Connors
13. Conor Carey
9. Sean Hogan

11. Thomas Connors
14. Eoin Kelly
12. Killian Fitzgerald

Subs

28. John Whitty for Cullinane (H-T)
15. Richard Hurley for Carey (54)
19. Callum O’Neill for Mason (60)
21. Paul Donnellan for Adam Roche (60)

Referee: Michael O’Brien (Portlaw)

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