Happy Monday, sports fans. Between defeat for Kilkenny, wins for Carlow and Ballyhale Shamrocks on the hurling front, ladies football returning, the Leinster League and more, there are plenty of stories doing the rounds this morning so let’s have a quick walk through them in today’s Scoreline Morning Report.
Shamrocks reign supreme
Ballyhale Shamrocks are All-Ireland senior club hurling champions for the 9th time, just in case you missed yesterday’s All-Ireland senior club hurling final.
Shamrocks’ homecoming took place last night but the party will continue for a few days yet as Ballyhale peeled away in the closing minutes of yesterday’s final to seal a 1-22 to 1-15 win over Dunloy of Antrim in a tightly-contested affair. TJ Reid told KCLR after the game that a slight change in tactics to counter Dunloy’s sweeper system helped push the result.
You can hear more from TJ on this evening’s Full Time or listen above to the latest helping of Scoreline Extra where you can hear from TJ Reid, Richie Reid, Evan Shefflin, Dean Mason and manager Pat Hoban on Shamrocks’ latest All-Ireland title.
Carlow sign off with a win
Carlow’s Kehoe Cup campaign has come to a close and while Tom Mullally’s side had a chance to go top of the table yesterday, Kildare’s victory over Down means Carlow will finish at best second with Kildare top on the head-to-head.
Carlow had eight points to spare over Meath and can look forward to a week’s break before taking on Kildare in the opening round of the National Hurling League.
A late surge from Offaly against Laois yesterday means Kilkenny won’t be heading to this weekend’s Walsh Cup final. The Cats fell to a late Wexford rally on Saturday night to hand Derek Lyng his first defeat is Kilkenny manager. They’ll break this week in preparation for a trip to Antrim next month with Lyng telling KCLR there’s work to be done. You can hear Derek’s thoughts on their Walsh Cup defeat
Around the grounds
Kilkenny Ladies signed off on an exciting weekend saying ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ as their return to the National football league ended in a 4-13 to 0-2 defeat at the hands of Limerick. It’s early days yet but we’re wishing them well on their continued journey this season.
Congratulations to Loreto Kilkenny and Borris Vocational School, Leinster junior A and B champions respectively following wins over the weekend. Conahy Shamrocks are also Kilkenny minor A champions, they took a big win against James Stephens on Sunday.
Kilmacud Crokes are All-Ireland senior football champions, though there was the small issue of having 16 or 17 players on the pitch in the closing minutes. Glen manager Malachy O’Rourke says an appeal is unlikely, but the Derry champions have indicated they will seek ‘clarification’ from the GAA.
Today should see Coláiste Mhuire Johnstown take on Castlecomer in the Leinster colleges junior football D championship.
Rugby woes
Defeat for Kilkenny over the weekend means they’re heading into a relegation scrap to stay in Division 1A of the Leinster League. Tullow got the better of Carlow in the local league derby this year in Division 1B, a 30-17 win for the Black Gates side on Sunday as Tullow look to keep pace at the upper end of the league table.
The draw for the Provincial Towns Cup was also made over the weekend with holders Kilkenny getting a bye into the next round as Carlow have been drawn away to Dundalk while Tullow are at home to Athy.
On the European front, the last 16 of the Heineken Champions Cup as also been confirmed with Leinster set to host Ulster on the last weekend of the month while Munster are away to Cell C Sharks.
Haaland roars clear, Arsenal stay top
Evergreen’s FAI Junior Cup clash yesterday against Old County went all the way to penalties with the Dubliners winning out 5-4 to book a place in the last 16. Bridge United are also out, they lost 4-1 away to Crumlin.
Freebooters had a 4-0 win away to Thomastown United A yesterday to extend their lead at the top of the St. Canice’s Credit Union Premier Division in Kilkenny. A 6-2 win for Tullaroan over River Rangers lifts them level with Castlewarren at the top of Division 2. The KCLR McCalmont Cup is underway, Clover United seeing off River Rangers B 5-1 in the opening round. Premier Division leaders in Carlow New Oak Boys had a 2-0 win over Parkville United yesterday afternoon, St. Pat’s Boys keeping up the pace with a 3-0 win away to Kilree Celtic.
The best of the Premier League action saw Arsenal and United go head to head in London yesterday.
3-2 that one finished, and with Erling Haaland nabbing a hat-trick for Man City against Wolves, Arsenal keep a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League with United staying fourth, six points clear of Spurs.
That Haaland hat-trick makes it 25 for the season, ten clear of Harry Kane. Rodrigo has ten of his own for Leeds. Martin Odegaard with 8 for Arsenal, Salah and Firmino with 7 apiece for Liverpool.
