The rain has eased – somewhat – across Kilkenny and Carlow and we’re back to the grind on the news front so let’s take a look at some of the stories making headlines on KCLR and Scoreline.ie this morning.
Beginning with Gaelic games and after another whirlwind weekend of live sport, Kilkenny find themselves in the semi-final stages of this year’s Allianz Hurling League for Division 1. A two-point win for Derek Lyng’s side over Waterford in UPMC Nowlan Park in woeful conditions yesterday sets up a semi-final against Cork next weekend.
Speaking after the game, Lyng says the attitude was right and the tougher tests, like Cork, are what they’re after. You can hear Lyng in conversation with Oisín Langan on the latest Scoreline Extra podcast below.
Carlow’s 2-21 to 0-16 defeat of Derry yesterday – including two early goals from Conor Kehoe – mean they will finish fourth in Division 2A, avoiding any threat of relegation with Derry confirmed for the drop. With two wins from five, they finish behind Kildare, Offaly and Kerry, all of whom they’ll meet again when the championship gets up and running next month.
Speaking to Scoreline after the game, manager Carlow boss Tom Mullally held special praise for what’s happening in the Kildare camp with former Kilkenny shot-stopper David Herity in charge. Again, you can hear Tom’s thoughts on the Scoreline Extra below.
Camogie roundup
Yesterday also saw Kilkenny’s senior camogie side fall to Cork Round 4 of the VERY Camogie League.
Kikenny’s hopes of winning the league or making a league final at least we’re dashed with defeat to Galway in round two and despite having bounced back against Dublin last time out, Cork proved too strong for Brian Downling’s side as they left UPMC Nowlan Park with a 0-23 to 1-10 win. For manager Matthew Twomey, despite the win, it’s all about games at this time of year.
Kilkenny’s intermediates did have a good win over Wexford on Saturday though and congratulations as well to Carlow who made it three wins from three in the league to book a semi-final spot against Kildare.
From Towns Cup joy to promotion heartbreak
The semi-finals of the Provincial Towns Cup have been set with defending champions Kilkenny set to take on Cill Dara while it’s a local derby in the other semi-final as Division 1B rivals Carlow and Tullow are set to meet. Kilkenny had a 20-17 win over Gorey to progress, Carlow needed extra time to get past Tullamore while Tullow had a 20-point shutout win over Enniscorthy.
Semi-finals are set for April 9th but Tullow will spend this week getting set for their final game of the Leinster League where a win over Cill Dara means a Division 1B title and automatic promotion to the top table for next season.
While all three local men’s sides move on, there was no such luck for Kilkenny women who were hoping to seal a second straight promotion and move up to Division 3 of the Leinster League. However, they were beaten by Greystones 37-7 and will stay in Division 4 for next season
Pat Maher Shield to the Premier League
In soccer, Freebooters are this year’s Pat Maher Shield champions having beaten Bridge United 3-1 yesterday. Bridge’ captain and manager Conor English drew the country side level after David Rice opened the scoring, before Ger Hayes and Seanie Bolger bagged two in the second half to bring the Shield back to the Fair Green.
In Carlow, After claiming the KCLR Shield Thursday night, New Oak Boys have another trophy to keep in their cabinet after they secured the Premier Division title on Sunday.
Bukayo Saka scored twice for Arsenal as they moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League yesterday. The leaders beat Crystal Palace 4-1 at the Emirates, the visitors – who sacked Patrick Vieira on Friday – are in 12th, three points above the relegation zone. Meanwhile, Evan Ferguson’s brace helped Brighton advance to the FA Cup semi-finals yesterday. The Seagulls will play Man United in the last four after a 5-0 victory over Gavan Holohan’s Grimsby Town. United beat nine-man Fulham 3-1 at Old Trafford.
Lastly, Sheffield United’s reward for their 3-2 win against Blackburn is a meeting with Manchester City.
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