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Wexford and Galway - All Ireland Champions to break their duck?

Galway will be hoping to deliver All-Ireland Champions Wexford’s second straight defeat in this year’s Gala All Ireland Senior Camogie Championship when the teams face each other this weekend.

The two sides met in the semi-final of last year’s Championship when Wexford had a comfortable ten point win but Galway have been much improved so far this year. The Tribeswomen had a very impressive National League that saw them only narrowly lose out to Kilkenny in the final.

Since then, Galway have continued their fine form with a comprehensive win over Championship newcomers, Limerick, in the first round of games. A victory this weekend would put Galway within touching distance of a place in the semi final while a loss for Wexford would leave them under pressure and in of need of win in their next game against League Champions Kilkenny.

Wexford have had an indifferent start to 2008. The Model County got the better of Cork and Dublin in the League but lost to Kilkenny for a place in the final. In their first game of this year’s Championship, Cork returned the favour with a comprehensive 3-6 to 0-5 win over them in the last found of games that leaves Wexford in a desperate need of a win on Saturday.

Galway captain, Sinéad Cahalan, is aware of the threat a wounded Wexford poses but is still confident of achieving a win: “We know that there is potentially going to be backlash from Wexford. They were well beaten by Cork and in many ways they need to get a win here. We know they will be seriously up for it. On the other side of that we’re not afraid of facing any them. We have to play every team and if Wexford had beaten Cork last time, it would be a different story but at the end of the day we still need the win and so do they.”

The Mullagh clubwoman added, “We haven’t had a match in a long time and the game against Limerick didn’t really test either team. Since then we’ve training exceptionally hard, we have eased off in the last week but we couldn’t be anymore more prepared. We’re ready go out and win but if we loose it won’t be for lack of preparation or lack of desire.”

Elsewhere in the Championship, Dublin entertain Limerick with both teams looking for their first win. Dublin lost out to Cork and Tipperary while Limerick have had a tough oul start to their Senior Championship life. The Shannonsiders were well beaten by both Galway and Kilkenny and now seek their first victory - led of course by Squareball’s favourite camog Deirdre Fitzpatrick.

Cork and Tipperary put their 100% records on the line when they clash on Sunday. The 2006 Championship finalists have looked impressive this year and go head to head on Sunday in what should be a tight encounter.

TG4 Connacht Senior Championship Final

Mayo v Sligo

McHale Park, Castlebar: 3.00pm (T. Clarke)

Mayo make their first competitive match outing of the Championship following Leitrim’s withdrawal from the competition.  Add to this a disappointing league campaign and the fact that star forward Cora Staunton has yet to tog out in 2008 following a knee operation in January and many would put them at a disadvantage.

However, Sligo play in their first ever Senior Provincial final and while their surprise victory over regular finalists Galway will have boosted their confidence, Mayo’s experience may prove the difference.

Verdict: Mayo

TG4 Ulster Senior Championship Final

Monaghan v Tyrone

Brewster Park, Fermanagh: 7.00pm (G. Corrigan)

Donegal’s shock defeat over Armagh in the first round threw the Ulster Championship wide open and there is unlikely to be much between these two sides in what will be a close encounter.

Both have strong forward lines with Edel Byrne making a recent come back for the Farney ladies and Gemma Begley flying for Tyrone and the difference may lie in their defensive capabilities.  Although Monaghan’s value is increasing, it could be 12 months too soon for them.

Verdict: Tyrone

REIGNING champions Laois will take on Dublin in the TG4 Ladies Leinster senior football championship final on Sunday July 13 after both counties emerged victorious from their respective semi-finals last Saturday.

Laois proved far too good for Kildare, running out 5-16 to 2-5 winners, while Dublin were made to battle all the way by Meath before recording a 0-19 to 1-6 victory. Laois, chasing a second successive Leinster crown, will meet the Sky Blues at Dr. Cullen Park in the provincial decider while Meath and Kildare must now regroup for the qualifiers. At half-time, Dublin led a gallant Meath by 0-11 to 1-3 at the Naomh Mearnóg grounds in Portmarnock on Saturday evening.

Meath’s goal arrived midway through the first half when Alisha Jordan’s flick freed Elaine Duffy, who rounded goalkeeper Cliodhna O’Connor before finishing from close range. In fact, former Allstar O’Connor kept Dublin in the game in the first half with some good saves and the Metropolitans struggled immediately after half-time, going fully 15 minutes without a score despite enjoying plenty of possession.

O’Connor continued to defy Meath before a late purple patch of scores eventually saw Dublin through, as Sinéad Aherne led the way in the scoring stakes with a 0-9 haul. Lindsay Davey and substitute Karen Hopkins scored 0-2 each while Anne-Marie Murphy, Ciara Murphy and sub Kim Flood chipped in with a point apiece. Meath were well served by their twin scoring threats Gráinne Nulty and Elaine Duffy as Nulty registered 0-5 and Duffy 1-1.

Elsewhere, the superb Mary Kirwan helped herself to an incredible personal tally of 4-4 as Laois romped to victory against Kildare in Clane.  Laois led by 2-8 to 2-3 at half-time but outscored their opponents 3-8 to 0-2 after the break to cruise into the final. Kildare started the game better and top-scorer Simone Gilabert had the ball in the net after just two minutes. The deadly Kirwan cancelled out that effort but Gilabert struck again for Kildare to hand them the lead midway through the half. Kirwan registered her second goal of an exciting half after 19 minutes and that score helped to open up a healthy interval lead. It was all Laois in the second half as Kirwan added her third and fourth goals of the game after Aileen O’Loughlin had converted a penalty awarded for a foul on the inspirational Kirwan.

Meanwhile, the draw for the All-Ireland senior qualifiers will take place at Croke Park on Monday afternoon, as part of the official championship launch.

Galway, Waterford, Armagh, Donegal, Down, Meath and Kildare go into the hat and as Leitrim have pulled out of the championship, one of the seven teams will receive a bye to Round 2.

by Jackie Cahill

NATIONAL League Division 2 champions Clare got their All-Ireland Gala junior camogie championship campaign off to a perfect start with a hard-fought 0-10 to 0-7 victory against Clare at Cusack Park yesterday (Sunday).

Clare, last year’s beaten All-Ireland finalists, overturned a 0-5 to 0-3 half-time deficit against dogged Offaly, who were restricted to just two points in the second half, both from placed balls. Laura Linnane, Deirdre Murphy and Aoife Ryan were on target with Clare points from play in the opening half but Offaly held the interval advantage thanks to scores from Micheala Morkan, Siobhán Flannery, Michelle Davis (2) and Arlene Watkins. However, Clare were right on their game after half time and picked off the first three points to move into the lead. Claire Commane drilled over three points in the second half; Karina Rosengrave supplied a brace of points while Murphy and Linnane chipped in with a point each. Offaly could only muster two frees midway through the half from leading scorer Morkan in response as Clare registered a gritty win, with Down up next on July 13.

Meanwhile, Ulster champions Antrim ran out comfortable 4-17 to 2-9 winners against Down in Ballela to ignite their championship charge. Antrim had already beaten Down in the Ulster championship and were too good again on this occasion as Jane Adams scored a brace of goals with sisters Orla and Aisling McColl also on target. The three goalscorers all hail from the Rossa club while Antrim’s defensive performance was also noteworthy as Loughiel teenager Emma Connolly and Sinéad Laverty were particularly impressive. The one bright spot for Down was the return from long-term injury of Fionnuala Carr, daughter of Down senior football manager Ross. This was a much improved and polished performance from Antrim compared to their recent Ulster final performance and their sights are now firmly set on the forthcoming fixture against Offaly on July 13.

In Group 2 of the competition, Waterford were far too good for Laois at Walsh Park and with just three teams in this section, the Déise look a good bet to qualify. Waterford, who will meet Dublin in their other group game, had Sunday’s game against visitors Laois wrapped up at half-time as they led by 3-6 to 1-2 before finally sealing a 4-10 to 1-5 success. Kate Marie Aherne scored all but one goal of her 2-2 tally in the first half as Nicola Morrissey and Jenny Simpson scored the Munster outfit’s other goals. Nicola Morrissey scored a first half goal for Laois but it was never going to be enough as Waterford opened up that huge half-time lead with the wind at their backs and only conceded 0-3 in the second period.

Elsewhere, impressive Derry guaranteed their place in the latter stages of the Gala All-Ireland intermediate championship with an emphatic 3-18 to 0-6 victory against Tipperary, with the game changed from Castledawson to Bellaghy at the eleventh hour. Catriona O’Kane helped herself to 2-7 and Attracta McPeake scored 1-1 for the Oak Leafers, who led by 1-14 to 0-3 at half-time. The McGoldrick sisters Méabh and Gráinne were also in free-scoring form as the siblings contributed 0-4 apiece in this handsome win. Derry have now recorded three victories in the competition as this success adds to the earlier conquests over Cork and Galway.

By Jackie Cahill

Those of you who get out and about to matches this summer will have noticed Squareball advertising in programmes the length and breadth of the Country. Make sure you point Sqaureball out to the boyo standing beside you at the match so he can read it in his programme too. 

And, in a new departure for us we are delighted to announce we have teamed up with the Leinster Council to include Talking Balls articles in the programmes for the majority of matches in the Championship this summer. The plan is that this will introduce a new audience to Squareball and thanks to the Leinster council lads, particularly John Cotter for having us on board.

So if you’re at a match and there’s a lengthy break for an injury, or someone’s just slapped the ref’s notebook away, or the wife’s just asked you to explain why you can’t lift the ball directly off the ground for the tenth time, or if the boyfriend’s gazing longingly at the busty blonde in Row DD, take time out to read Talking Balls in the programme. It’ll make you laugh.

Squareball has just launched its eagerly awaited Championship  Range. Available in over 30 stores nationwide or to order through the internet at www.squareball.com, the launch coincides with the opening rounds of the Championship Season. 

Fashion and GAA in the same breath - changing times indeed, as Squareball markets the sport in a new way, through ultra fashionable eye-catching gear.  

Niall Laird, whose brainchild it is, says:

“People who wouldn’t be caught dead in a GAA replica shirt, are out and about proudly wearing Squareball. The current range has been tried and tested with our existing customers – they told us what they liked and didn’t like right down to the fit of the ladies’ range. The t-shirt prints are stronger and bolder – all this due to fans’ feedback.”  

Launched last year, the hip streetwear-style clothing immediately struck a chord with GAA fans nationwide seeking an alternative to the replica jersey.

Niall, who himself won a Tyrone Senior football championship medal with Omagh St Enda’s back in 1988, has ambitious plans for Squareball: 

“We are trying to capture the enthusiasm and enjoyment that is so much part of the GAA. With all the controversy over the past year with rows at matches, players striking on an off the pitch, pay for play and all the rest of it, the GAA is under the spotlight as never before. Squareball is made for fans by fans – we are a small operation but we think big. We have taken our inspiration from the GAA and the way it has adapted over the years through changing times.” 

He concluded: “A year ago people laughed at the idea of GAA and fashion in the same breath. Our answer is: Why not? If people had taken that attitude over the years the GAA would never have been born, Croke Park would never have been built, we would still ban foreign games and we wouldn’t have seen Croker open for other sports. They’re Changing Times and we’re moving with them.” 

Not only does the Irish News walk the walk in terms of Ulster football, it can also talk the talk. On Thursday night the Marketplace Theatre in Armagh - itself a tremendous venue and a jewel in the crown of the city - played host to the a great evening’s craic altogether.

Hosted by the extremely well-informed Joanne Cantwell of RTE’s Sunday Game, the event featured former Tyrone player and well-known GAA lawyer Fergal Logan; Armagh’s All-Ireland winning ‘keeper, raconteur and professional South Armagh-man Benny Tierney; the Irish News’ own GAA feature-writer Paddy Heaney and Kerry’s triple All Ireland winner and former captain Dara O’Cinneide. Shepherded round the topics in hand by the attractive wiles of Joanne Cantwell, the four lads gave a highly entertaining discourse on the strengths and weaknesses of Ulster football before deciding almost to a man that Kerry would be hard to beat this year in their hunt for three-in-a-row.

Among the topics under the spotlight were the deliberations of the DRA - itself a good check and balance on the rule making of the Powers that Be, according to Fergal Logan. He added that the DRA and its deliberations are all part of the controversy and craic that adds so much to the GAA as we know it. On Monaghan’s prospects this summer Paddy Heaney was quite forthright - he reckoned that last year’s quarter final was about the limit of their potential he added that you ‘can’t win a derby with a donkey.’ Somehow we think his Maghera-Matter-of Factness which has a fair ring of truth, may not go down so well in Blayney, Clones and Carrickmacross. Could be an interesting reception for Paddy down those parts this summer. Then again he could be right. On Down football Heaney also prescribed the problem as he saw it - blanket attack with little or no concern for defence - hence a fraught trip to Omagh is on the horizon.

Dara O Cinneide was asked about Galway’s prospects. At best he was dismissive - at worst he could barely contain his laughter. ‘Galway’ he said ‘play a game where you throw in the ball and there’s a shootout. Kerry usually win those.’ O Cinneide was highly respectful and complimentary to Armagh and particularly Tyrone for the way they set about the job and beat Kerry in 2002, 2003 and 2005. There were some forthright views on the current state of Antrim football amidst rumours of walkouts etc. Interestingly,  CJ McGourty’s father was apparently in the audience and allegedly did not share the view that four St Galls men had walked.

Finally, in case you’re interested - Benny Tierney acted the wag throughout, as usual  He’s the sort of cub he would love to teach - the wee ginger haired bollox down the back with an opinion on everything, who never sits still or shuts the f*** up.

Fair play to John Brolly and the lads at the Irish News for putting on such an enjoyable event - the full crowd seemed fully appreciative. For our part Squareball was out in force - there was a voucher for everyone on the audience, some £50 vouchers  in the raffle and some goodies for the panellists. Benny Tierney was greatly taken with his Excessive Fist Passing Can Cause Blindness t-shirt, promising to try it out as soon as he got home.

As part of our job in taking Squareball to the masses nationwide, we have arranged a range of advertising and promotional work throughout the summer. We are delighted that the Leinster Council have agreed to run a regular extract from our popular Talking Balls column in the majority of their Championship programmes this summer. This coverage comes on the back of our advertising deal with Leinster.

Already in last Sunday’s programme fans of Wicklow, Carlow, Meath and Kildare had the opportunity to take in some Talking Balls between matches or during breaks in the play. If you’re out and about this summer at matches in Leinster - look out for Talking Balls - we’re looking out for you. Negotiations are ongoing with other programme editors so spread the word. . .

Playing is only part of it.

Coming on the back of news that Squareball will be stocked in thirty different retailers this summer - unparallelled growth for such a young brand - we are delighted to annouce that Sqaureball will provide the centre piece in O’Neills stores this summer.

With specially produced point of sale material, Squareball is sure to be a successful addition to the O’Neills retail portfolio this summer, having been stocked by the popular sports stores last summer. Given O’Neills positioning with the GAA community as the leading provider of playing gear, its is hoped that the partnerhsip will lead to increased sales of Squareball and further brand awareness.

Stephen Thompson, retailer manager at O’Neills said: “We are delighted to feature Squareball in our stores. Both O’Neills and Squareball have the interests of the GAA public at heart and it makes sense that supporters can pick up their gear for playing on and off the pitch in the same store. We are very excited by the new Championship Range - the quality is excellent and the trademark humour and glint in the eye approach to all things GAA are evident again. It really is a very youthful and exuberant brand and we are delighted to have it in our stores.”

Squareball makes a welcome return to the Dublin fashion scene at Futura 08 with a preview of its exciting new Championship Collection.

The funky, fashionable and devoutly iconoclastic brand has already established a hard core following among GAA fans and further afield since its launch last Spring. Sqaureball was hailed by Futura magazine as one of the brightest new talents at the 2007 Showcase Ireland event.

Squareball founder Niall Laird says: “Squareball has been out there for a less than a year and the positive response has been fantastic. We are keen to bring our new collection to Dublin and Futura to show people with a passion for the GAA and an eye for good quality gear what we are at.”

The Championship Collection being previewed features a range of tee-shirts and hoodies individually designed to a high spec to incorporate touches of real fashion. With high quality prints and slogans including Cumann U Luthchleas Girl, Pay for Play? and Excessive Fist Passing Can Cause Blindness, the collection continues the tongue-in-cheek humour for which Squareball became known. Their watchword is quality.

Niall says: “We know gaelic games are amateur but we feel fans deserve professionally produced gear - we are fans ourselves and we know that for real GAA followers, playing is only part of it.”