Donegal 0-5 Meath 1-7 – Second half helps Meath seal the win.

By Patrick Sharkey,

A wide in the first minute made it hard for Meath. Donegal opened the scoring in the fourth minute through Susan White. Niamh O Sullivan then responded three minutes later with the opening point for the Royal ladies.

It went 10 minutes without any scores before Katie Long got a Donegal point. Aoife McColgan then made a big save for Donegal against a Byrne shot through on goal. Galloghy however then got herself a Meath point in the 23rd minute. Susan White then got her second point of the game. Stacey Grimes then got a point at the stroke of halftime for the royal to level it. The halftime score read Donegal 0-3 Meath 0-3. It was a low-scoring first half but if Susan White gets enough of the ball there is no doubt Donegal can trouble Meath a lot.

Meath began the second half on the front foot with Stacey Grimes and Niamh O Sullivan getting a point each.

It took until the midway point of the second half for Donegal to get going with a point from Ciara McGarvey.

Meath, however, was having none of it and Mary Kate Lynch got a 45th-minute goal to help the Royal pull.

Susan White however got back in gear in the 49th minute as she managed to get a point to help Donegal.

Meabh Byrne however showed her magic in the Meath shirt as she then managed to get a point to widen the gap between the Royal and the hills to four points. Meath made good use of their substitutes with Alva Leahy getting a point. The full-time score read Donegal 0-5 Meath 1-7. Meath proved all the doubters wrong today.

Donegal: Aoife McColgan, Katie Dowds (0-1), Evelyn McGinley, Emer Gallagher, Amy Boyle Carr, Jodie McFadden, Tara Hegarty, Shelly Twohig, Roisin Rodgers, Saskia Boyle, Kate Long (0-1), Louise Ryan, Susan White (0-3), Shannon McGroddy, Ciara McGarvey (0-1)Subs: Nicole McLaughlin for Jodie McFadden (43) Subs: Nicole McLaughlin, Ava Walsh, Niamh Carr, Connie Walsh, Shauna Higgins, Cait Gillespie.

Meath: M McGuirk, A Sheridan, MK Lynch, K Newe, N Gallogly (0-1), S Ennis, A Clearly, M O Shaughnessy, A Minogue, M Thynne, M Byrne(0-1), C Smyth, O Callan, S Grimes (0-2), N O Sullivan (0-2)Subs: Shelly Melia, Rachel Casserly, Alva Leahy

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“GAA Media just has a bright future” – The future of Gaelic games media!

By Patrick Sharkey,

Episode 54: David Dempsey – The GAA Zone podcast

On episode 54 of the GAA Zone podcast, the GAA Zone editor Patrick Sharkey spoke to the Offaly and Bally Common senior footballer David Dempsey. — Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gaazone/message

1. Episode 54: David Dempsey 31:09
2. Episode 53: Managerial Merry Go Round 31:24
3. Episode 52: Antrim hurling 2022 31:38
4. Episode 51: Andy McEntee 30:25
5. Episode 50: The future of GAA Media! 45:20

Two-time All-Ireland winner with Meath, Colm O’Rourke, is set to take over as the Royal County’s senior football manager. O’Rourke takes the reins from Andy McEntee, who led the team for six seasons. The Royal County legend enjoyed a stunning career as a player and is now set to take the reins of the side as they bid to work their way back to the sport’s top table. The job was vacated by Andy McEntee following their Leinster Championship defeat to Dublin earlier this summer. Meath will compete in Division two of the 2023 National Football League. The news update was announced by Meath GAA.

The Sunday Game studio is going to look like a very different place in 2023. In episode 50 of the GAA Zone podcast, Mayo-based journalist Chloe Lynch hailed the role of the media in Gaelic games.

The Sunday Game pundit has been linked with the role on several occasions in the past, while he has also coached the Meath minor and Under-21 footballers. Lynch said: “Well in my opinion now, you know, GAA Media just has a bright future even though we have the veterans in the game. There is a lot to be worked on and when you have a new generation in, it’s a good future ahead and there is a lot to be done”. O’Rourke also managed the Irish team in International Rules tests against Australia.

Former Mayo footballer Alan Dillon has called on the GAA to push the inter-county season back out to August or September.

Kerry unsurprisingly dominated The Sunday Game’s Team of the Year after beating Galway in the All-Ireland final. Cork-based journalist Matthew Hurley, better known as the GAA stats man, joined in on the podcast saying: “Yeah, I think it has a great enough future, not just in the national media like”.

John Comer was the main influence in shaping the football career of full-forward Comer and sadly passed away at the start of 2017. Lynch said:” Well we all know it kind of has a lot of positives and” negatives together and you know, and we all have our own little outlet of trying to get up in the business and you know there is a lot to be worked on and you know. Say the like the likes of us who use our voices to reinvent it really and add a little of 21st century inro it.” Despite being crestfallen following the result on Sunday, the Tribesmen can hold their head high after a fantastic campaign.

Much of the talk, heading into the All-Ireland, was about David Clifford and Shane Walsh, but they were sharing column inches and headlines with Sean O’Shea and Damien Comer. Mr.Hurley said: “Yeah I think it’s been excellent. I was kind of skeptical. The main thing we talk about in media exploring GAA games is exploring them further afield abroad. We thought Sky would do it in 2013”.

Ryan had a very calm and assuring presence in the Kerry defense all year. The Mayo woman said:” It’s a hard one. It’s everywhere, to be honest. Like you know the fact you can get like RTÉ player in the Chicago and like Dubai and all that but in my opinion, now it’s Twitter kind of the main. You yourself seeing the GAA twitter and again everyone knows everyone and like I saw Brian Cody left”.

Kerry claimed their 38th All-Ireland title with an entertaining victory over Galway on Sunday. Hurley said: “Look it is and it isn’t. I just think the Sunday game for example isn’t spreading GAA as much”.

The Dublin boss is yet to sit down with the county board for a full review. The 20-year-old says: “Well to be honest I’m surprised they haven’t thought about it by now! It’s a hard one. RTÉ just owns the rights and so does Sky. I say if they did, there would just be more controversy because I know they have the app but nobody’s using it. I read the reviews. I was going to download it and like it was a load of bad reviews. You know as long as they get the money, they don’t give two hoops but as Matt was saying like they don’t give enough to fans that have given say their whole weeks’ wages even “.

Malin 0-13 Buncrana 0-5 – Malin kicks off championship with home win!

By Patrick Sharkey in Conolly Park,

Buncrana came up just short in the much-anticipated Donegal minor championship division two section b fixture.

Buncrana’s quest for a first Donegal minor championship football title since 2013 came up agonisingly short after Malin defeated the Crana in a thrilling contest at Conolly Park. Buncrana would be glad that Malin didn’t put more on the board, as Sean Daly was key for the Green, White and Yellow who did a job on the inside forwards for Malin. Daly showed a great ability to read the breaking ball. Out of the 15 players on the team Sean really held the Buncrana team together. The full-back dominated everything in the air. However, Malin put enough pressure on the Buncrana defence and alarm bells started to ring. Things have changed since Buncrana beat Malin in the league semi-final. Scavenging half-backs and half-forwards for Malin was always looking to take the ball off Daly and the rest of the Buncrana team. It was defensive performances that would make the spectators think which team had the highest possession count? Sean left nothing behind on the pitch.

It’s the North Inishowen club’s first championship game with at least six more games to go and Paul Galagher’s men put in a devastating display to overcome Buncrana by eight points (0-13 to 0-5).

Ryan McGeoghan was in sensational form for the winners in scoring 0-3 from play but credit must go to Buncrana for remaining in the game right till the end with Billy Duffy and Dylan Mulholland hitting second-half points.

Like against Buncrana in 2020, Malin threatened to run riot when they raced into a 0-1 to 0-0 lead.

Malin was much the better side in that opening quarter, but Buncrana stayed in the fight through points from Dáire McColgan and Dylan Mulholland. Malin however got the first point of the game.

The absence of Matthew Doherty didn’t seem to overly affect the winners and they ran through the Buncrana defence at will during stages of the opening half. One Black and Amber star who ran through the Buncrana defence at will was Ciarán O’Kane who got the first score of the game with a point in the fifth minute for Malin. However, O’Kane had much more to his game than kicking the ball over the bar. Ciarán showed his ability to run, punch holes in the defence and give support to his inside forwards. O’Kane put up runs that were strong enough for the Malin team to win free kicks.

Through to form though Buncrana battled till the end, and they only trailed by five points at the break. Patrick McLaughlin was one man for the Malin team that made sure they were in the driving seat in the first half. McLaughlin was the key player in the transition from defence to attack. Patrick was always present on the 40-meter line for Malin. It was there McLaughlin showcased his ability to maximise space and pass to his teammates. Buncrana became unsure whether to follow him or occupy this space. This was the key for Malin to unlock the Buncrana defence. Patrick owes the victorious side nothing after a performance like that. Patrick used the settling down period to test the ribs of his markers and got a few simple touches which put Malin in the game. McLaughlin gives the Conolly Park side something very different that they take full advantage of. Patrick clearly built his game around the Malin style of play. The half forward turned the match into a game of chess.

Buncrana came up just short in the much-anticipated Donegal minor championship division two section b fixture.  

Buncrana’s quest for a first Donegal minor championship football title since 2013 came up agonisingly short after Malin defeated the Crana in a thrilling contest at Conolly Park. Buncrana would be glad that Malin didn’t put more on the board, as Sean Daly was key for the Green, White and Yellow who done a job on the inside forwards for Malin. Daly showed a great ability to read the breaking ball. Out of the 15 players on the team Sean really held the Buncrana team together. The full back dominated everything in the air. However, Malin put enough pressure on the Buncrana defence and alarm bells started to ring. Things have changed since Buncrana beat Malin in the league semi-final. Scavenging half backs and half forwards for Malin was always looking to take the ball off Daly and the rest of the Buncrana team. It was defensive performances that which would make the spectators think which team had the highest possession count? Sean left nothing behind on the pitch.

It’s the North Inishowen club’s first championship game with at least six more games to go and Paul Galagher’s men put in a devastating display to overcome Buncrana by eight points (0-13 to 0-5).

Ryan McGeoghan was in sensational form for the winners in scoring 0-3 from play but credit must go to Buncrana for remaining in the game right till the end with Billy Duffy and Dylan Mulholland hitting second half points.

Like against Buncrana in 2020, Malin threatened to run riot when they raced into a 0-1 to 0-0 lead.  

Malin was much the better side in that opening quarter, but Buncrana stayed in the fight through points from Dáire McColgan and Dylan Mulholland. Malin however got the first point of the game.

The absence of Matthew Doherty didn’t seem to overly affect the winners and they ran through the Buncrana defence at will during stages of the opening half. One Black and Amber star who ran through the Buncrana defence at will was Ciarán O’Kane who got the first score of the game with a point in the fifth minute for Malin. However, O’Kane had much more to his game than kicking the ball over the bar. Ciarán showed his ability to run, punch holes in the defence and give support to his inside forwards.  O’Kane put up runs that were strong enough for the Malin team to win free kicks.

Through to form though Buncrana battled till the end, and they only trailed by five points at the break. Patrick McLaughlin was one man for the Malin team that made sure they were in the driving seat in the first half. McLaughlin was the key player in the transition from defence to attack. Patrick was always present on the 40-meter line for Malin. It was there McLaughlin showcased his ability to maximise space and pass to his teammates. Buncrana became unsure whether to follow him or occupy this space. This was the key for Malin to unlock the Buncrana defence. Patrick owes the victorious side nothing after a performance like that. Patrick used the settling down period to test the ribs of his markers and got a few simple touches which put Malin in the game. McLaughlin gives the Conolly Park side something very different that they take full advantage of.  Patrick clearly built his game around the Malin style of play. The half forward turned the match into a game of chess.

Man of the Match: Dylan Doherty and Marc McLaughlin kept the Malin defence organised and the same could be said for Dylan Mullholland and Kevin O’Rourke higher up the field for Buncrana but the man of the match has to be Ciarán O’Kane who scored the first point of the game but proved he brought more than just his shooting boots.

Buncrana 1-12 Malin 2-9 – Malin book division one spot with a draw

By Patrick Sharkey,

Buncrana cruised through to the ninth spot in division two by getting a comfortable draw with Malin at a sunny Scarvey on Sunday. Buncrana started the game with two wides, but all panic was over once Ryan Hegarty got the first point of the game in the fifth minute for Buncrana. Kevin Tracey followed suit with an eighth-minute point.

Gary Duffy’s Buncrana hit three points on the trot in the first half and they were always in control.  

Malin offered feeble enough opposition and they struggled to get past a well-organised Buncrana.  

Ace midfielder Peter McLaughlin missed out for Buncrana through other commitments, but it took them just 14 minutes to get three points on the scoresheet with Oisin O’Flaherty firing over. Malin however had three points before Buncrana, with Josh Conlan, Brendan McLaughlin, and Christopher McLaughlin all getting the points within a 10-minute period. Malin then got a point before Benny McLaughlin was unfortunate to get wide at goal, which was capitalised on by Buncrana when Kevin Tracey got a point but It was all forgotten after Josh Conlan got a goal. The half-time score read Buncrana 0-5 Malin 1-5. The goals proved the difference Malin was staring down the barrel of promotion to division one while Buncrana was looking about securing a 10 finish in division two.

15 seconds into the second half Benny McLaughlin got a point and possibly should have gone for a goal. Oisin O’Flaherty, a Coalan McGonagle free, and Harry Doherty converting a 45’ helped.

After a Christy McLaughlin free, the South Inishowen men soon started to get on top and they reeled off the next two points with Darrach O’Connor and Oisin Hegarty. Malin quickly bounced back.

Buncrana was lucky not to lose anybody to injury, but Adrian McColgan’s score put them level.

Malin struggled to get the ball into their attack, but a Benny Mclaughlin goal and a Josh Conlan point did eventually get through for good scores. The Jigger did get a point before Josh Conlan, however.

The final score read Buncrana 1-12 Malin 2-9. This was a great advertisement for Gaelic football in Inishowen as two top teams gave fans a mouth-watering game with one of the teams moving on up to division one.

Buncrana scorers: Adrian McColgan 1-0; Oisin O’Flaherty and Darach O’Connor 0-2; Kevin Treacy 0-2, 1f; Caolan McGonagle 0-2; Ryan Hegarty, Liam McLaughlin, and Oisin Hegarty 0-1 each, Harry Doherty 0-1, 45.

Malin scorers: Josh Conlan 1-3, 1f; Benny McLaughlin 1-2; Christy McLaughlin 0-2, 1f; Conor O’Neill and Daniel Houghton 0-1 each; Paul McLaughlin 0-1, 45.

Buncrana: Harry Doherty; Stephen J Doherty, Sean Doherty, Conor Grant; Aiden Stokes, Liam McLaughlin, Oisin Crawford; Oisin O’Flaherty, Caolan McGonagle; Adrian Doherty, Ben Bradley, Ryan McElhinney; Diarmaid Walsh, Ryan Hegarty, Kevin Treacy. Subs: Darach O’Connor for Walsh (18), John Paul McKenna for SJ Doherty (34), Oisin Hegarty for Treacy (39), John Campbell for Bradley (48), Adrian McColgan for A Doherty (56)

Malin: Daniel Mullarkey; Gary Farren, Ciaran Doherty, John C Doherty; Adam McGonagle, Conor Farren, Paul McLaughlin; John Gerard McLaughlin, Daniel Houghton; Josh Conlan, Matthew Byrne, Christy McLaughlin; Conor O’Neill, Benny McLaughlin, Damien Harkin. Subs: Terence Doherty for O’Neill (43), Conor McGeoghegan for Byrne (47)

Referee: Mark Dorrian (Gaeil Fhánada)

Man of the Match: Buncrana had the team well set up with Stephen J Doherty and Diarmuid Walsh being the key men and the same could be said for Matthew Byrne and Paul Mclaughlin for Malin but the man of the match has to be Ryan Hegarty for Buncrana.

“There was a lot of men making their starts” – The Donegal footballers’ season in review

By Patrick Sharkey,

Episode 54: David Dempsey – The GAA Zone podcast

On episode 54 of the GAA Zone podcast, the GAA Zone editor Patrick Sharkey spoke to the Offaly and Bally Common senior footballer David Dempsey. — Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gaazone/message

1. Episode 54: David Dempsey 31:09
2. Episode 53: Managerial Merry Go Round 31:24
3. Episode 52: Antrim hurling 2022 31:38
4. Episode 51: Andy McEntee 30:25
5. Episode 50: The future of GAA Media! 45:20

They bring a whole new meaning to pride in the jersey. Na Gaeil Aeracha teams are busy preparing.  

The GAA is experiencing an unprecedented demand for tickets for the forthcoming All-Ireland senior football and hurling quarterfinals. Donegal will not be competing, but many Donegal fans would have enjoyed their team’s run to the Dr. McKenna cup final, and Donegal Tik Tok star Ethan Kelly would have looked back at it saying: “Going back on it now because it was the second or third week of January, that probably wasn’t our main team. There were a lot of men making their starts you know, and I did see a few like Aaron Doherty coming on there during the championship. It was a good kind of staging ground for a lot of boys. Seeing how Monaghan’s year kind of went, it was a wee bit parallel to our own now. You would like to believe we ourselves are a little bit higher than Monaghan in the current standings. At the end of the year, they are bringing back silverware, we are not. They won the McKenna cup from us. We were a little bit fresher, greener is the better word for it than Monaghan were but at the end of the day, what can you do? The legs are well off that Monaghan team with their experience. Even with their new boys, they are playing a lot more”.

It’s getting harder for those with children and full-time jobs to commit to the inter-county scene.  

The All-Ireland SFC quarter-final draw has thrown up some interesting ties after a weekend of intriguing qualifiers. Mayo and Donegal drew in their opening league game but it is only Mayo who made it to the quarter-finals and Mr.Kelly looked at the January game saying: “It was a very stereotypical Donegal and Mayo match in that there is very little separating the two sides. Very early on, I thought in the match we controlled their forward line very well. You know I thought they didn’t get a whole lot of space to do that which was very good to see but at the end of the day looking at where they are now in the year, we realize they probably have a problem in their forward line. You know it is not firing on all cylinders at the minute. Listen, there were probably gaps there. They were very much reliant on their outfield players, whereas we ourselves during that match probably should have had them away. I would say fifteen minutes into the second half there when they had their purple patch and started coming into it big time again but in the first match of the league you draw with Mayo who let’s be realistic here, Mayo in many people’s eyes are favorites going into it.”

Dublin vs Cork as well as Derry vs Clare will be live on Sky Sports Arena on Saturday, June 25.  If Donegal won, the Ulster championship they would have played Clare but one of the high points for the hills was the first league win against Kildare and Mr>Kelly reflected on it saying: “Kildare to me would have the opposite problems of what Mayo would have I fins this year anyway. They have a problem with their back line it is just not as strong as you know the great forward line, they have in Kildare with the front six. The back six will probably be where they are lacking, and I feel we really did do damage against them, you know 2-11 to 1-9. I could be wrong here but it was 20 games since we last lost at MacCumhail park. I think there was a big gap between the one we had this year and the last one we had. So, it was looking to be a bit of a fortress in the Northwest. You know I feel like we really did push on. We did a lot of damage there against Kildare. I mean they only came up this year, didn’t they? I suppose they went straight back down again. Still, somebody must go down.”

Eight games are down for decision across the All-Ireland senior and minor hurling championships.

Rory Grugan served notice of Armagh’s intentions with a goal after just 10 seconds of their All-Ireland SFC qualifiers round two clash with Donegal in Clones on Sunday – by the full-time whistle they were 3-17 to 0-16 ahead and well worthy of their place in the quarterfinals when Galway await.