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This weekend’s fixtures, times venues and TV coverage. For all you lounge lizards and couch praties, this weekend’s matches on the telly are Tyrone v Westmeath at 3.00pm on Saturday on TV3; Donegal v Monaghan at 5.00 on RTE2 whilst on Sunday RTE2 also has live coverage of the hurling quarter finals - Wexford v Walterford and Clare v Cork. 

– Saturday July 26th –

GAA Football All Ireland Senior Championship Qualifier Round 2
Ballybofey 5.00pm Dún na nGall v Muineachán Live RTE2
Referee: TBC
(E.T. if Necessary)
Omagh 3.00pm Tír Eoghain v Iar Mhí Live TV3
Referee: TBC
(E.T. if Necessary)
Gaelic 7.00pm Luimneach v Cill Dara
Grounds Referee: TBC
(E.T. if Necessary)
Portlaoise 7.00pm Laois v An Dún
Referee: TBC
(E.T. if Necessary)

Tommy Murphy Cup Semi Finals
Casement Pk 7.00pm Aontroim v Londain
Referee: TBC
(E.T. if Necessary)
Aughrim 3.00pm Cill Mhantáin v Liatroim
Referee: TBC
(E.T. if Necessary)An Chraobh Peile Sóisir na hÉirrann Final
Portlaoise 5.00pm Baile Átha Cliath v Ros Comáin
Referee: TBC
(E.T. if Necessary)Christy Ring Cup Semi-Finals
Mullingar 5.00pm Iar Mhí v Doire
Referee: TBC
(E.T. if Necessary)
Castlebar 3.00pm Maigh Eo v Ceatharlach
Referee: TBC
(E.T. if Necessary)Christy Ring Cup Relegation Play-Off
Parnell PK 3.00pm Ard Mhacha v Londain
Referee: TBC
(E.T. if Necessary)
Mullingar 1.45pm Ros Comáin v An Mhí
Referee: TBC
(E.T. if Necessary)

Nicky Rackard Cup Semi Finals
Rooskey (Monaghan Town) 3.00pm Muineachán v An Lú
Referee: TBC
(E.T. if Necessary)
Markievicz 3.00pm Sligeach v Fingal
Park Referee: TBC
(E.T. if Necessary)ESB GAA Hurling All Ireland Minor Championship Quarter Final
Mullingar 3.15pm Tiobraid Árann v Aontroim
Referee: TBC– Sunday July 27th –

Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship Final - Replay
Clones 3.00pm Fear Manach v Ard Mhacha
Referee: TBC
(E.T. if Necessary) GAA Hurling All Ireland Senior Championship Qualifier Quarter Finals
Thurles 2.00pm Loch Garman v Port Láirge Live RTE2
Referee: TBC
(E.T. if Necessary)
Thurles 4.00pm An Clár v Corcaigh Live RTE2
Referee: TBC
(E.T. if Necessary)ESB GAA Hurling All Ireland Minor Championship Quarter Final
Thurles 12.15pm Loch Garman v Gaillimh

Bacardi - proven when tested, Limerick style

News has been emerging that a number of the Limerick hurling panel frequently refuelled Gaza-style after training. Disappointed after the shock home defeat to Offaly last Saturday week, manager Richie Bennis has revealed that he felt badly let down by a group of players who, he claims regularly went on the beer after training.

Despite an attempt to retract his comments, the Limerick Leader confirmed that they had represented Richie’s revelations accurately. A number of the allegations were repeated on Sunday in the Tribune by hurling correspondent Enda McEvoy. In a recent player Q&A in the Limerick v Clare programme, Limerick player Stephen Lucey, himself a doctor, answered a Question on the ‘Best Invention Ever’ with a single word - Bacardi.

Bennis refused to shift the blame for the championship exit to the players but said: “ ”I accept the blame and hold my hands up, but I think some players let me down,” he said.

“To me, it appears this year at least six or eight players treated it as a social event, coming to training on Tuesday and Thursday nights - they broke their hearts in training and then they went drinking. I heard the rumours and it is quite possible a few of the players were drinking and they played accordingly. I put my hands up and maybe I should have seen that. I am annoyed with the performance, but we didn’t go out to perform like that. It does disappoint me - I showed faith in them and it was not returned. It’s hurting me big-time.”

Earlier in the season Talking Balls along with other ‘media’ types were invited to a sports drink launch in Limerick that was subsequently cancelled. Was this because sports drinks are no longer the recovery drink of choice amongst the Limerick hurlers? Who knows.

Anyway, it sounds like the Limerick lads had the right training programme to excel in the Guinness Cubed event over the weekend in Limerick.

Limerick’s championship hangover continues.

Play it again Shane - dual headache

Fermanagh’s draw with Armagh has given dual star Shane McCabe an added headache. As part of Glentoran’s UEFA Cup squad, McCabe was given a dispensation by Glens manager ‘Big’ Alan McDonald to play ‘gaelic’. 

Speaking after Fermanagh qualified for the Northern Ireland ‘Gaelic’ Final, Macca, himself famous for his exploits with Queen’s Park Rangers and the Norn Ireland soccer team, gave McCabe his blessing.

Big Al said:  “I was always quite happy for Shane to fulfil his commitments with Fermanagh,” said manager McDonald, adding in fluent soccer-manager-ese: “We are aware of the importance of the Championship final to Fermanagh and Shane, whose commitment to Glentoran is 110 per cent.”

McDonald subsequently stated that “The Ulster championship final will be his last match of the season,” although he seems likely to green light him for the replay.

McCabe helped the East Belfast team to a one-all draw against SK Liepajas Metalurgs on Thursday night and will be equired to travel to Latvia with Glentoran this week.

Big Al is a folk hero to soccer fans in the Wee Six since his post match comments in 1986. After playing in a 0-0 bore draw against England that saw both sides qualify for the World Cup in Mexico, McDonald, winning just his second cap, angrily brushed aside suggestions that the match may have been a fix and, finger-jabbing, invited anyone that questioned the result ‘to come and see me.’ Needless to say there was little demand for his offer.

McDonald and Hughes - kicked the shite out of each other

In his day he was a tough tackling no-nonsense centre-half who could have done a quare job as an old fashioned ‘gaelic’ No 3 if given the chance up in East Belfast.

He and Mark Hughes regularly kicked the shit out of one another on the field. He was famous among teammates for his no-nonsense approach with balls hoofed unceremoniously upfield and out of danger, accompanied by shouts of ‘fore’.

Remains to be seen whether McCabe will, ‘come and see’ him to keep his season alive.

Have a Guess? - Loughnane tongue out at begrudgers or swallowing his pride?

So fourteen man Cork upset the odds and beat the one man show that was Galway hurling on Saturday night.  

The summer will certainly be a quieter and less interesting place without Ger Loughnane and particularly Joe Canning whose one man exhibition couldn’t keep Cork down. But hats off to the Rebels for a scintillating display led from the front by Cathal Naughton, Ben O’Connor and especially Joe Deane who really knows the meaning of having some balls.

Loughnane famously predicted that he would win the Liam McCarthy within two two years of taking over as Galway senior hurling manager. Having coaxed Ollie Canning back into the fold, harnessed the brilliance of prodigy Joe Canning and seemingly got the notoriously flaky Tribesmen back on track all seemed to be pointing in the right direction for Ger.

Donal Óg - doing the Johnny Cash

Then along come Cork and spoil the party and what a way to spoil it. If anyone had said the Rebels would beat Galway without Donal Óg, and Sully, twould have been hard to credit it. If Cusack walking the line has that effect on this Cork team maybe he should make a point of getting himself sent off more often.

Cusack attracts praise and abuse in equal measures  and he certainly seemed to succumb to the red mist. He cut a distraught figure ambling off the pitch without his bags of tricks and sticks. Seated on the Cork bench head buried in hands he looked disconsolate but was he feeling sorry for himself? Obviously not for by all accounts Donal Óg delivered a stirring address in the Rebel Dressing room that was euphemistically described by Gerald McCarthy as heartwarming.

Donal Óg will certainly be a chastened man we’re sure after his brush with ref Barry Kelly, who it has to be said was on his case from day one. But will he put away his controversial ball bag and play by the rules? Will he take out the next forward that ventures into his territory Munster style a la Lifemi Mafi and the boys? Time will tell.

As for Ger? His response when asked if he’d be back for more? “Have a Guess.”

So that’s a no then?

A mirage? Or the pitch you paid €0.25million to have relaid?

As part of their All Ireland sponsorship package, Etihad Airlines are dangling one hell of a prize in front of hurling clubs the length and breadth of the country. Etihad Airways will fly one deserving club hurling team to a 4 day training camp with Hurling legends and former All Stars, DJ Carey and Nicky English, in  Abu Dhabi.

It is believed the presence of Nicky English will rule out any involvement by teams from Clare given the long standing antipathy between English and the men from the Banner whilst the Airline is expected to be inundated by applications from Langer who naturally think anything from Cork is the best under the sun.

For those of you who don’t know, Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf and enjoys sunshine and blue skies all year round. In this desert oasis, DJ and Nicky will put the team through their paces, giving them pointers and hints and tips that helped him to become part of one of Ireland’s most successful senior hurling teams.

But be careful lads, a few pints after the game could land you in bother in the form of a dozen belts on the bare backside with an oversize keeper’s stick. As for tackling any of the expats or Eastern European bits of stuff hangin’ round he hotel bars - exercise with extreme caution unless you want to end up like those two caught at it on Dubai beach. Hurlin’s the least of their worries. . .

Anyway, back to the competition. Etihad want to know just what is it that makes your club so special? Are you the longest established? The most successful? Have you done a lot for your community? Raised a lot of money for charity? Are you the most environmentally friendly? Whatever it is, Etihad want you to tell them.

If you need any help filling in your application, give Talking Balls a shout - we’d be happy to run off a lot of oul shite you can use in your application.

DUBLIN will meet Tyrone in the All-Ireland minor ladies football final at Cavan’s Breffni Park on Bank Holiday Monday, August 4, a game which will be screened live on TG4.

Tyrone booked their place in the final with a 1-9 to 0-8 victory against Monaghan in Kinawley, Fermanagh on Sunday evening. The Red Hands repeated their Ulster final win against the same opposition as senior player Clodagh Poyntz led the way in the scoring stakes with a 1-4 haul.

Tyrone led by 0-8 to 0-3 at half time but five unanswered points from the Farney girls after half-time brought them level before Poyntz struck the crucial goal 17 minutes into the second half. Tyrone had goalkeeper Sinéad McVeigh to thank five minutes from time for a penalty save as the Ulster champions held on for the victory.

On Saturday, Dublin scored a comprehensive semi-final victory over Mayo in Athlone. The Sky Blues ran out 3-23 to 2-7 winners, having led 1-19 to 1-1 at half-time. Noelle Healy (2-4) and Natalia Hyland (1-4) were Dublin’s leading scorers while Mayo’s Deirdre Doherty and Sinéad Cafferky scored 1-1 apiece.

By Jackie Cahill

Kilkenny’s Ann Downey - 12 All Ireland medals mean you can wear whatever hat you want

KILKENNY repeated their National League final victory over Galway by scoring a 1-13 to 1-9 victory against the Tribeswomen in the Gala All-Ireland senior camogie championship on Sunday. The Cats overturned a 1-5 to 0-6 half-time deficit to outscore the visitors to Tom Ryall Park in Kilmanagh by 1-7 to 0-4 in the second half.

A gripping finish to the group stages of this year’s Gala championship now lies in store as Kilkenny and reigning All-Ireland champions Wexford are locked together on four points, two behind Tipperary and Galway with Cork already qualified for the semi-finals on eight points.

Kilkenny will have home advantage against Cork in next weekend’s crucial round of fixtures with Wexford due to face Tipperary at Semple Stadium.

The experienced Sinéad Millea scored six points for Kilkenny as they upped the ante after half-time to see off Galway, who lost the influential Veronica Curtin to an early injury. A tit-for-tat first half swung Galway’s way two minutes before half-time when 1-5 heroine Jessica Gill scored her goal.

Kilkenny fought their way back after the break and Marie Dargan’s goal ten minutes into the second half proved the game’s decisive score. The Noresiders led 1-8 to 0-7 at that point and followed up with three unanswered points to open up a matchwinning lead.

Meanwhile, Wexford ran out comfortable 3-8 to 0-7 winners against Dublin at Buffer’s Alley. Una Leacy scored 2-2 for the Slaneysiders as the in-form Katrina Parrock sent the champions on their way with a 7th minute goal. Leacy struck her first goal of the game after 28 minutes and that strike helped to open up a 2-5 to 0-1 interval lead for the Model County. Leacy struck again midway through the second half for her second goal while Dublin’s sole scorer of the afternoon was Louise O’Hara, who contributed three frees, three 45s and a point from play.

By Jackie Cahill

Vivienne Harris - we thought she’d gone away you know!

LAST year’s beaten finalists Cork qualified for the semi-finals of this year’s Gala All-Ireland senior camogie championship with a facile 2-21 to 1-5 victory against outclassed Limerick on Saturday.

The Rebelettes were far too good for a spirited Limerick in Ballinlough and booked their place in the last four with their fourth victory from five outings in this year’s competition. Powered by the attacking brilliance of Rachel Moloney, Gemma O’Connor, Síle Burns, Una O’Donoghue and Amanda O’Regan, Cork ran out comprehensive 19-point winners.

This was a totally one-sided game and Cork led 0-15 to 0-1 before Eileen O’Brien bagged a 25th-minute goal for Limerick. But on the stroke of half-time, Cork hit back with a goal from Amanda O’Regan to open up an unassailable 1-15 to 1-2 interval lead. Two minutes after the break, O’Regan turned provider for Elaine O’Riordan, who found the back of the Limerick net and from that point until the finish, it was exhibition stuff from Cork. Limerick continue to find life difficult in the senior ranks and this was a fifth defeat from five outings for the Shannonsiders.

Meanwhile, there was a welcome and unexpected second half return for multiple All-Ireland medallist and former team captain Vivienne Harris.

Harris, who captained Cork in the 1999 and 2000 seasons, appeared as a half-time substitute having been absent from the intercounty scene in recent years.

By Jackie Cahill

Brian Crowe - not so many whistle blowing jobs these days

Last summer Cavan referee Brian Crowe officiated at the Meath v Cork All Ireland semi-final. During the match Cork tough guy Noel O’Leary administered a stiff box to the jaw of Meath legend Graham Geraghty. Well deserved thought many. Others reckoned O’Leary should have got more than the yellow card Brian Crowe flashed.

Subsequently Crowe was ‘invited’ by CCCC to review and revisit his decision with the option left open to him to upgrade to a red. Brian stuck to his original decision thereby freeing Noel O’Leary to play in the All Ireland Final. Maybe he thinks it is a manly game and Noel’s dig was within the bounds of decency; maybe he doesn’t like Graham Geraghty; maybe he decided he wasn’t going to be brow-beaten by the Big Brothers of the CCC. Whatever.

Now this isn’t a junior referee - this is a man who has taken charge of an All Ireland Final in 2006. Since the incident Brian Crowe has refereed two senior inter-county matches the league clash between Sligo and Leitrim, and the Connacht semi-final between Galway and Leitrim. He recently had a meeting with national refereeing chairman PJ McGrath and was reassured that he was not being punished in any way for his stance. National refereeing co-ordinator Pierce Freaney gave an utterly convincing and plausible explanation of the actual situation as he sees it:

“Brian sought and had a meeting with the chairman on the issue and he went away happy and in the knowledge that he hasn’t been sidelined deliberately. There are other younger referees coming through and doing very well. It can be like team selection sometimes, a team evolves, so too do refereeing appointments. There are other high-profile referees from the last few years who haven’t got many games this year.”

Talking Balls reckons referees get a bad press  from time to time but obviously the boys that referee the referees are the biggest b*****ds of all.

Championship action hotting up

This weekend Galway have the opportunity to secure their place in the semi finals of the Gala All-Ireland Camogie Championship as they take on Kilkenny.  This is quite a turnaround for a side who endured a disappointing season last year.

The Tribeswomen narrowly made the semi finals last year following a win over Championship newcomers Dublin, but they were well out of their depth when they came up against a rampant Wexford who defeated them by ten points.

So far this year Galway have made the final of the National League, where they unluckily lost out to Kilkenny, while they are currently the only undefeated team in the Championship with impressive wins over Cork and Wexford under their belts.

Joint manager of the side this year is Anne Broderick and she sees something different in this year’s team.  “I can’t really put my finger on it but there is something about this team this year.  There’s something there that wasn’t there before so I feel that this could be a good year for Galway camogie.  Beating Wexford and Cork has given the girls a belief that they can go on and press for the big titles.”

The match against Kilkenny is a replay of the League final, something which Broderick feels hit the team hard. 

“To be fair, the girls took the loss to Kilkenny in the League final quite badly. It was very close but we just fell short. I think the reason why they took it so badly is that they prepared very well for the League, we took it very professionally. At the start of the year we had dieticians and nutritionists as well as sports conditioning trainers for a while at the start to get things together so we could press on ourselves.

While a win for Galway would ensure a place in the semi final draw a loss for Kilkenny would seriously dent their hopes of a last four spot and Broderick is aware of what this game means to the League winners. 

“If we could get a win here it would leave Kilkenny with three losses and looking shaky. It’s going to be very tough as they will treat it as an All-Ireland final of sorts so it should be a great game.”

There are also vital games in Wexford and Cork this weekend.  The Rebels host Limerick on Saturday and a win will guarantee 2006 winners Cork a place in this year’s semi final. Limerick are without a point following a tough return to senior championship action and it looks unlikely that they will get anything from this game.

Wexford will be hoping to continue their revival as they take on Dublin.  The reigning champions lost their opening two games before returning to true form last weekend with a 13 point win over National League winners Kilkenny. Dublin, like Wexford, have only one win so far but they will have to put in an outstanding performance if they are to overcome Stellah Sinnott’s side on Sunday.  

Saturday 19th July

Cork v Limerick – Cork – 1:00pm 

Sunday 20th July

Wexford v Dublin – Buffers Alley, Wexford – 1:30pm

Kilkenny v Galway – Tom Ryall Park, Kilmanangh – 3:30pm