Kerry, Cork and Donegal progress to provincial finals while it’s Joe Canning to the rescue for Galway’s hurlers as Kilkenny throw away ten-point advantage.
NEED TO CATCH up on another super weekend of GAA? Look no further.
Fans watch the meeting of Sligo and Galway at Markievicz Park. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Premier’s nearly men
Tipperary came so close to shocking Cork in the Munster SFC semi-final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. You have to go all the way back to 1940 for their last Munster senior championship win over the Rebels and they nearly ended that barren spell on Saturday.
Who says you can’t be a dual star?
Aidan Walsh was terrific for the Cork hurlers last Sunday when they won the Munster semi-final and he came off the bench to inspire the Cork footballers on Saturday night with three key points.
Cork's Eoin Cadogan consoles Steven O'Brien of Tipperary after the final whistle. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
Longford shock Oakleafers
Derry won’t want to come across Longford again in championship. For the third time in the qualifiers, Derry exited against Longford on Saturday after suffering previous defeats in 2006 and 2012.
Snapshot
Longford's Jack Sheedy and Paul Barden share a hug. Presseye / John McIlwaine/INPHO
Presseye / John McIlwaine/INPHO / John McIlwaine/INPHO
British people were introduced to the world of Gaelic football on Saturday night
Farewell to Offaly’s Emmet McDonnell, the first managerial casualty of the season after he stepped down following their football qualifier defeat to Wicklow on Saturday.
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Wexford's Josie Dwyer is presented with the player of the match award by Annette Ni Dhathlaoi, Head of Marketing at Liberty Insurance. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
That’s gonna hurt
Laois midfielder John O’Loughlin was on the receiving end of a full-blooded shoulder from Fermanagh full-back Barry Mulrone.
Pat Spillane, Colm O’Rourke and Michael Lyster were in Portlaoise on Saturday for the Laois v Fermanagh game. No need for a studio given the nice weather in O’Moore Park.
No one could touch Fiontán O Curraoin for midfield superiority in Markievicz Park on Saturday night. He made eight clean catches and was integral to Galway’s success. After leading the county to All-Ireland U21 glory in 2013, he’s really starting to make his mark on the senior stage.
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Kilkenny led by ten points with six minutes to play but three Galway goals — two from Conor Cooney and a Joe Canning penalty — helped them force a replay.
During an exhilarating final moments, Henry Shefflin looked to have snatched it with a point from a seemingly impossible angle before Canning drew level deep in injury time.
Donegal are into their fourth consecutive Ulster SFC final thanks to a 3-16 to 0-12 win over Antrim in Clones. The sides had gone into the half-time break level on seven points apiece but two goals in the opening minutes of the second half, from Leo McLoone and Darach O’Connor, saw Jim McGunness’ men move out of sight.
Colm McFadden of Donegal with Antrim goalkeeper Patrick Flood. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
Kingdom overcome spirited Banner
In Munster, Kerry earned a four-point victory against Clare at Cusack Park with Paul Geaney (6) and Bryan Sheehan (4) chipping in with more than their fair share of scores. The Kingdom will contest their tenth provincial final in 12 years when they face Cork on 6 July.
Return of the Mc(Devitt)
Second Captains made a long-awaited comeback to Irish airwaves with their RTÉ Radio 1 GAA show, which began at 6pm on Sunday. We’re regular listeners to their podcast but it’s good to have the lads back on the old wireless.
Your GAA championship weekend review
NEED TO CATCH up on another super weekend of GAA? Look no further.
Premier’s nearly men
Tipperary came so close to shocking Cork in the Munster SFC semi-final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. You have to go all the way back to 1940 for their last Munster senior championship win over the Rebels and they nearly ended that barren spell on Saturday.
Who says you can’t be a dual star?
Aidan Walsh was terrific for the Cork hurlers last Sunday when they won the Munster semi-final and he came off the bench to inspire the Cork footballers on Saturday night with three key points.
Sportsmanship pic of the weekend
Longford shock Oakleafers
Derry won’t want to come across Longford again in championship. For the third time in the qualifiers, Derry exited against Longford on Saturday after suffering previous defeats in 2006 and 2012.
Snapshot
British people were introduced to the world of Gaelic football on Saturday night
The sport made its Sky Sports debut this weekend and here’s a sample of what some first-timers thought:
End of the road for McDonnell
Farewell to Offaly’s Emmet McDonnell, the first managerial casualty of the season after he stepped down following their football qualifier defeat to Wicklow on Saturday.
Surprise defeat for Tribeswomen
Throw-in for the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland senior camogie championship commenced on Saturday and there was an early upset. 2012 champions Wexford travelled to Athenry to take on 2013 champions Galway, and came away with a four-point win.
That’s gonna hurt
Laois midfielder John O’Loughlin was on the receiving end of a full-blooded shoulder from Fermanagh full-back Barry Mulrone.
RTÉ GAA on tour
Pat Spillane, Colm O’Rourke and Michael Lyster were in Portlaoise on Saturday for the Laois v Fermanagh game. No need for a studio given the nice weather in O’Moore Park.
A cut above the rest
No one could touch Fiontán O Curraoin for midfield superiority in Markievicz Park on Saturday night. He made eight clean catches and was integral to Galway’s success. After leading the county to All-Ireland U21 glory in 2013, he’s really starting to make his mark on the senior stage.
No show like a Joe show
“Hurling is the game that continues to give,” exclaimed one of RTÉ pundits after another incredible finish in the Leinster SHC semi-final between Kilkenny and Galway on Sunday.
Kilkenny led by ten points with six minutes to play but three Galway goals — two from Conor Cooney and a Joe Canning penalty — helped them force a replay.
During an exhilarating final moments, Henry Shefflin looked to have snatched it with a point from a seemingly impossible angle before Canning drew level deep in injury time.
Here’s that crucial score:
Stat attack
Another Ulster final for Tir Conaill Men
Donegal are into their fourth consecutive Ulster SFC final thanks to a 3-16 to 0-12 win over Antrim in Clones. The sides had gone into the half-time break level on seven points apiece but two goals in the opening minutes of the second half, from Leo McLoone and Darach O’Connor, saw Jim McGunness’ men move out of sight.
Kingdom overcome spirited Banner
In Munster, Kerry earned a four-point victory against Clare at Cusack Park with Paul Geaney (6) and Bryan Sheehan (4) chipping in with more than their fair share of scores. The Kingdom will contest their tenth provincial final in 12 years when they face Cork on 6 July.
Return of the Mc(Devitt)
Second Captains made a long-awaited comeback to Irish airwaves with their RTÉ Radio 1 GAA show, which began at 6pm on Sunday. We’re regular listeners to their podcast but it’s good to have the lads back on the old wireless.
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Third quarter blitz sees Donegal past Antrim in Ulster SFC semi-final
‘To win the game for us, it’s a fair testament to him’ – Brian Cuthbert on Aidan Walsh’s heroics
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