GAA
With the dust beginning to settle on the Leinster senior hurling championship, the attention turns to the All-Ireland series from this weekend with Carlow set to welcome Dublin to Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday.
We’ve spoken a lot between news and shows this week about Kilkenny’s title win and what it means to them, but what of Galway?
They head to the quarter-finals in a fortnight’s time, awaiting the winners of Tipperary and Offaly who meet this weekend.
Speaking to KCLR, nine-time All-Ireland senior hurling winner with Kilkenny Tommy Walsh reckons Galway’s defeat to Kilkenny will hit hard, but while they’re down, they’re certainly not out.
There’s a break weekend this week for Kilkenny and Carlow’s senior and intermediate camogie sides in the All-Ireland series.
Leinster intermediate champions Kilkenny have had a solid run so far this year between league and championship and were able to come away from Galway with maximum points at the weekend.
While younger county teams tend to get hit by players departing the panel for travel and, especially over the last month or two, the leaving cert, Kilkenny manager Seamus Kelly has been heaping praise on his charge for this year’s All-Ireland series.
Singling out a number of local players in the middle of exams, Kelly told last night’s Camán Caint podcast that the commitment from his panel couldn’t be better as the games come thick and fast.
The Kilkenny county Poc Fada for hurling and camogie was held in Gowran Park last night.
Warm conditions drew big numbers with around 100 competitors expected across under 16 and adult grades in both codes.
In the windup, the camogie winners were St. Lachtains’ Michelle Killeen (U16) and Dicksboro’s Rachel Dowling (senior) while in hurling, top honours go to Emeralds’ Callum Lawlor (U16) and Clara’s Matt Kenny, making it two years in a row that Clara take the senior title with Killian Phelan going on to win the All-Ireland title last year.
All four will now head for Sliabh Bawn on Mount Leinster in just under a month’s time for the Leinster finals.
SOCCER
The Kennedy Cup continues in Limerick today, the competition going into day 3.
Carlow and Kilkenny completed their Group 1 action with a local derby in the 4pm game yesterday.
Fresh from a 5-0 win over West Waterford East Cork in the morning session, Carlow took an early lead through Alex Doyle but two goals from Padraic Meany sandwiching another from Jack Mulcahy meant Kilkenny came away with a 3-1 win.
The result means that Kilkenny top the group on goal difference from Limerick Desmond with Carlow finishing in third.
Kilkenny progress to the Cup quarter-finals, Limerick Desmond in the Bowl quarter-finals while Carlow head to the Shield quarter-finals. If Kilkenny or Carlow’s knockouts end in a draw, there are no extra time, it’s straight to penalties.
If you’ve always wanted to see Man United play but the thoughts of traveling to England are a bit much, then set your alarms for tomorrow morning.
Tickets go on sale tomorrow for United’s pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilboa, being hosted at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on August 12th.
It’s over ten years since the side last met – former Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa in charge of Athletic with Sir Alex Ferguson overseeing United.
Some pre-sale tickets went live yesterday (Tuesday) but the general sale starts at midday tomorrow.
Brendan Rodgers is on the verge of a return to Celtic.
The Scottish champions are on the hunt for a new manager following Ange Postecoglou’s (pr: Pohst-eh-cog-loo) departure to Tottenham.
Rodgers won the treble in back-to-back seasons at Celtic during his initial reign.
Managers Who Managed the same Club Twice
- José Mourinho – Chelsea
- David Moyes – West ham
- Kevin Keegan – Newcastle
- Zidane, Capello, Ancelotti – Real Madrid
DARTS
Carlow’s ‘Scuba’ Steve Lennon has crashed out of the PDC Players Championships in the last 128.
The World Number 61 was beaten 6-2 by Dirk Van Duijvenbonde on Monday before falling 6-4 to Brendan Dolan yesterday.
Lennon says the defeats were bitterly disappointing but is hopeful his strong performances will soon turn to positive results.
Win a lawnmower
All this week in with thanks to the team at Carlow Lawnmowers and to celebrate Father’s Day this coming weekend we are giving you the chance to win a brand new lawnmower. Worth almost €600, you’ll have your lawn under control in no time, better again if you need the home pitch cut in the summer weather.
If you can identify today’s sporting father you could be in the pot for the big draw on Scoreline this coming Saturday.
Question – This well-known member of the KCLR commentary team called the action at last Sundays Leinster final. His first name is Micheal, but who was his famous sporting father.
Text or Whatsapp your answer before 2pm Tuesday to 083 3069696.
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